ANNOUNCEMENTS. Starting this year, SSMF is introducing a new application procedure for its Starting and Consolidator Grant calls. These will now be implemented as a two-stage rocket, where SSMF also handles the first review stage. Applicants for the SSMF Starting or Consolidator Grants should plan for changes in the application and review process. As of this year, SSMF implements a new two-stage application process with a short pre-proposal, Letter of…
The master’s program in public health paved the way for collaboration in Sri Lanka and India
TRAVELOGUE. In early November last year, Solveig Lövestad and Monica Hunsberger (Master’s program in public health Directors) and Evelina Nyström (International Coordinator at Sahlgrenska Academy) traveled to Rajarata University in Mihintale in the Northeastern part of Sri Lanka and to NITTE (Deemed to be University) in the Southern part of India. Here they share a story from the journey. The goal was to strengthen relationships with teachers and researchers working…
Use of methotrexate is associated with an increased risk of skin cancer
NEW STUDY. The immunosuppressive drug methotrexate (MTX) can be linked to an elevated risk of three types of skin cancer, a new study by University of Gothenburg researchers shows. Patients receiving the drug include those with moderate to severe psoriasis; but in this particular patient group, a risk increase was only observed for basal cell carcinoma. The study, based on Danish health care registers, was a result of a research…
Distinct gender norms in descriptions of chronic pain
DOCTORAL THESIS. Sensitive women and stoical men are the prevalent images of people in chronic pain. Unwarranted differences in medical treatment may result, as a University of Gothenburg doctoral thesis emphasizes. Approximately a fifth of the Swedish population have long-term pain that can affect their quality of life, work capacity, relationships, family life, and leisure activities. Treatment of chronic pain has been described as a challenge to patients and health…
New thesis: Higher risk of future accidental bowel leakage after sphincter injury
THESIS. A study that was part of a recent doctoral thesis at the Institute of Clinical Sciences reports a significantly higher risk of developing gas and fecal incontinence among women who suffer an anal sphincter injury during childbirth. On February 10, Ida Nilsson will defend her doctoral thesis in obstetrics and gynecology. The thesis explores the long-term effects of anal sphincter injuries suffered during childbirth. The title of the thesis is:…
Formal ceremony for Zealous and Devoted Service
ACADEMIC CEREMONIES. On Wednesday, January 25, the University invited a 68 staff members to a ceremony to receive their Zealous and Devoted Service awards. “I am proud of this distinction,” says Eva Sjögren Nilsson, acknowledging that she had been talking a lot about the upcoming ceremony. She describes the event as both solemn and joyful. One by one, each devoted employee approached to the Vice-Chancellor, who presented them with the…
Nominations for Honorary Doctors 2023 is open
HONORARY DOCTOR. All staff at Sahlgrenska Academy may nominate honorary doctorates. The appointments are evidence of the faculty’s appreciation, and a way to strengthen our national and international network of contacts. The deadline for nominations is March 31, 2023. The Sahlgrenska Academy Board decides on who will be appointed Honorary Doctor in 2023. Many of our honorary doctorates are appointed because of their direct importance to research or education at…
Depression and low quality of life 30 years after chemical attack
NEW STUDY. Mustard gas harms the vision, skin and breathing. Three decades on, however, the predominant effect is mental ill-health. At a time when chemical warfare is a threat, researchers at the University of Gothenburg have now presented their study monitoring a group of victims of a historical gas attack. With the war in Ukraine, threats to develop and use various weapons, including chemical warfare agents (CWAs), have been stepped…
Testing a immunological drug as a new treatment for early type 1 diabetes
CLINICAL STUDY. A large clinical study is now beginning on an approved drug for treating psoriasis. The drug will be tested on patients who were recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The theory is that the drug could preserve the patient’s remaining insulin production. A large number of hospitals throughout Sweden are participating in this large project, which is funded by the Swedish Research Council within clinical treatment research. The…
Emma Eckernäs: GU now surveying doctoral students’ work environment too
COLUMN. For the first time, the work environment survey (ARK) at the University of Gothenburg (GU) now contains a sub-survey aimed specifically at Ph.D. students. All of us are now responsible, writes Emma Eckernäs of the Doctoral Student Council (DoR) in her column. She urges all doctoral students to participate in this survey of their work environment. In many ways, being a Ph.D. student is — and to some extent…
Nominate for the award “PhD Thesis of the Year”
AWARD. Do you know of a really good thesis that was defended last year? Until February 7, you can nominate for the Sahlgrenska Academy’s PhD Thesis of the Year award. The prize “PhD Thesis of the Year at Sahlgrenska Academy” has been awarded since 2009 and is funded by Dr Arnt Vestby’s Research Foundation. The purpose of the award is to recognize the contributions made by PhD students and their…
New legislation for clinical trials of medicinal products
RESEARCH RESOURCES. New EU legislation for clinical trials of medicinal products will be phased in over the coming years. All new applications must be submitted in accordance with the new regulation. The Swedish Medical Products Agency provides information on its website, and researchers can receive local support from the Research Support Office and Gothia Forum. On January 31, 2022, the Clinical Trials Regulation (CTR) went into effect. CTR is a…
Joining forces for research on asthma, allergy, and airways
RESEARCH CONDITIONS. “Breathe Sweden”, a digital platform for researchers who collect studies on diseases and disorders of the respiratory tract, has now been launched. The initiative enhances scope for Nordic collaboration in large population studies. The Andas Sverige platform was launched in 2022 to enable the Swedish-speaking public to find nonspecialist information about current research on respiratory disorders and diseases. “Breathe Sweden” is now to be an English-language sister platform…
Fewer surgically treated ankle fractures with a clear-cut treatment routine
DOCTORAL THESIS. It has been shown that the percentage of ankle fractures that undergo surgery could be substantially reduced, from more than 30 per cent to 10 in the most common type of fracture. The key is a clear-cut treatment routine that benefits both patients and caregivers, according to a doctoral dissertation at the University of Gothenburg. This thesis examines the way ankle fractures are treated in Sweden and the…
In memory of Bo Lundbäck
COMMEMORATIVE REMARKS: On December 6, Professor Bo Lundbäck passed away at the age of 74 after a period of illness. He was a senior professor in respiratory medicine at the Institute of Medicine. Bo Lundbäck initiated several large epidemiological studies in asthma and COPD research and led the Krefting Research Centre for asthma and allergy research for more than 10 years. He was also active in discussing policy during the…
Hope of more donor hearts suitable for transplantation
MULTICENTER STUDY. Improved Heart is the first prospective multicenter study in the world where evaluation of organ donors’ cardiac function is going to take place. The aim of the study is to include hearts with mild dysfunction to be acceptable for transplantation as well. In Sweden, hearts like this have been transplanted for several years with good results, but the status of this research has not been sufficient to change…
Future Vice-Chancellor wants to unify the university even more
THE VICE-CHANCELLOR PROCESS. ”It’s overwhelming, but at the same time exciting and a great honour. I am also very humbled by this difficult assignment.” This is how the University of Gothenburg’s next Vice-Chancellor Malin Broberg describes her feelings as the long recruitment process is now coming to an end. The journey to the Vice-Chancellor position began one day in September last year. Malin Broberg, Dean at the Faculty of Social…
Remembering Fannie Gaston-Johansson
COMMEMORATIVE REMARKS. Professor Fannie Gaston-Johansson, a former member of the Institute of Health and Care Sciences, has passed away at the age of 84. Gaston-Johansson died in her home on January 7 this year after a period of illness, surrounded by her family. “Fannie has meant a great deal to the development of nursing, both its practical application and theory, for the University of Gothenburg and the Institute of Health…
New chance to speak up on research in Gothenburg
COLLABORATION. After last year’s successful Soapbox Science event during the International Science Festival Gothenburg, another is now coming up in April. Women and non-binary researchers in STEMM here in the city can sign up to give their presentations. Soapbox Science is a British notion inspired by Speakers’ Corner in London. Four at a time for one hour each, standing on wooden “soapboxes”, the researchers present their work. Every prepared, 15-minute…
New blood test differentiates neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease from other dementias
NEW STUDY. A new blood test that can track and follow the neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease – and exclude other dementias. That is an innovation now presented by researchers at the University of Gothenburg, together with colleagues in Italy and USA. In recent years, a lot of effort has been put on developing biomarkers in blood that could potentially help to diagnose and monitor Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Tau – one…