NEW STUDY. Women who developed type 1 diabetes before the age of ten years die an average of nearly 18 years earlier than women who do not have diabetes. Men in the corresponding situation lose almost 14 years of life. The lives of patients diagnosed at age 26-30 years are shortened by an average of ten years, according to research published in the British medical journal the Lancet. “These are disappointing…
Almedalen discussion 4: Policy solutions to the challenges of the future in healthcare and misconduct in research
There is broad agreement across party lines in a number of areas, including increased investment in medical research and development and digitization of health care data. The next steps include identifying areas that should be dealt with nationally and involving the county councils. Among the challenges are innovation procurement, prioritizing existing solutions and difficulties in obtaining national health care data. Research misconduct is about much more than the spectacular Macchiarini…
Almedalen discussion 3: Utilisation – research for Sweden and industry
Collaboration is the key to success, whether in terms of research, education or Sweden’s future. All the parties agree with this view. The private sector and academia often speak different languages and have different goals, however, and this is a challenge. Solutions to this problem include more incentives for researchers to work with companies, shorter paths between small companies and academia and a national agreement on intellectual property rights. Sweden…
Almedalen discussion 2: Academic freedom vs. access to competencies
Higher education institutions should be allowed to determine allocation of government funding. Freedom in research. Academia has sent a clear message to the politicians. But the politicians want to see considerably more adaptation to the labor market, especially regarding professional development. Everyone agrees on the need for long-term solutions. There is widespread support for a comprehensive higher education and research bill that covers seven years. Other suggestions: that the regional…
Almedalen discussion 1: AI and digitization – for better health
The solution to health care challenges? Politicians and the health care system have high expectations for AI and digitization. Success factors are integrated and user-friendly systems that cooperate with users. Solutions are also needed for unable or unwilling to use digital healthcare. This year’s politician week in Almedalen was full of talks and workshops on digitization and artificial intelligence (AI). A search in the program for the word “digitization” produced…
Almedalen Week observations and experiences
Akademilivhas been monitoring events in Almedalen on behalf of Sahlgrenska Academy. We have sought out the latest and most interesting discussions for us and describe four of these below (with links to more information and videos of the seminars): AI and digitization – for better health Academic freedom vs. access to competencies Utilization – research for Sweden and industry Policy solutions to future challenges in healthcare and research misconduct (August…
Great interest in fresh ideas within health sciences programs
Are hybrid courses the answer to new requirements in health care? Dean Agneta Holmäng discussed this issue with Ann-Marie Wennberg, director of Sahlgrenska University Hospital, and Stefan Bengtsson, president and CEO of Chalmers University of Technology, in an op-ed article in Dagens Medicin(Today’s Medicine), at a packed seminar in Almedalen and in a follow-up article in Dagens Medicin. Artificial intelligence, digitization, robotic surgery… Billions are being invested in building the…
In memory of Arvid Carlsson (1923-2018)
IN MEMORY. Arvid Carlsson, professor of pharmacology at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, has passed away, at the age of 95. Arvid Carlsson was awarded The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his pioneering research on the signal substances of the brain. Agneta Holmäng, dean, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg: “Sahlgrenska Academy misses both a very good friend and co-worker, but also an outstanding researcher. Arvid Carlsson is…
Probiotics can protect the skeletons of older women
NEW STUDY. For the first time in the world, researchers at Sahlgrenska Academy have demonstrated that probiotics, dietary supplements with health-promoting bacteria, can be used to affect the human skeleton. Among older women who received probiotics, bone loss was halved compared to women who received only a placebo. The research opens the door to a new way to prevent fractures among the elderly. Brittleness of the bones, or osteoporosis, is…
Jan, Anna and Gudmundur assume management of Institute of Medicine
NEW INSTITUTE MANAGEMENT. The Institute of Medicine, which soon will be under the management of Jan Borén, Anna Rudin and Gudmundur Johansson, is a large and strong institute. The new leadership trio states that the generational change the institute faces is one of the most important challenges. Jan Borén will become the new head of the institute, Anna Rudin the new deputy head and Gudmundur Johansson will become the assistant…
Lonely and prolonged struggle for people with severe obesity
STYUDY. The majority of people with severe obesity have a lonely and prolonged struggle with their weight. In one study spanning more than 10 years, 83 percent report that they constantly strive to lose weight or prevent weight gain. “The study shows that people with severe obesity constantly try to reduce or control their weight and do so for a long time. If one believes that this group is not…
Construction process for Naturvetenskap Life continues
MEDICNAREBERGET. The Vice-Chancellor has signed an agreement with Akademiska hus regarding the system document for the construction project Naturvetenskap Life. Thereby the project will enter the next step in the construction process. The Faculty Board of the Faculty of Science decided to propose to the Vice-Chancellor to move forward with the project on June 14, and the Vice-Chancellor signed the agreement on June 18. The faculty board wants the building…
Important to be open to discussing sex with young cancer survivors
DOCTORAL THESIS. Feeling unattractive and dissatisfied with their sexual ability – that is reality for many teenage and young adult cancer survivors. Research from Sahlgrenska Academy now gives a voice to a group that often has a difficult journey back to a normal life. “People in healthcare are afraid to talk about this, but you have to dare and you have to be willing, without being brusque or overly upbeat,”…
New Faculty Board: clear majority voted yes to the Nomination group’s proposal
FACULTY ELECTION. Just over 73 percent of the votes were cast in favor of the Nomination groups proposal for new Faculty Board. It is thereby decided which members will be included in our next board. The turn out was almost 42 percent, which is in line with previous election of members to the Faculty Board. Of the 519 voters, 382 people voted yes to the Nomination group’s proposal, which provides…
Drama for nurses – award-winning educational tool
EDUCATION. The annual teaching award at Sahlgrenska Academy has been awarded to a group of teachers who have long worked with drama to prepare nursing students and specialist nurses for their careers. The drama exercises are well supported by research and the intended learning outcomes listed in the program syllabus, providing students with the opportunity to practice, test and reflect. Linda Berg, Stina Larsson, Margret Lepp and Helena Wigert are…
Needle release optimal treatment for Viking disease
THESIS. The various treatments for “Viking disease” are coming under closer scrutiny. Research shows that crooked fingers can be straightened just as well with needle release as with the substantially more expensive commonly used drug. “Whether or not the general Swedish healthcare system should subsidize drug treatment should definitely be called into question,” says Dr. Joakim Strömberg, an orthopaedic and hand surgeon at Sahlgrenska University Hospital who holds a PhD…
Increased safety in diagnosing cardiac infarction with more sensitive analytical method
NEW STUDY. Five percent more cardiac infarctions detected and 11 percent fewer patients suffering a relapse. That is the result of a study of more than 80,000 patients in which two cardiac damage markers (conventional troponin and the newer, high-sensitive troponin T) were compared with each other. “This can serve to motivate hospitals that have not yet adopted the high-sensitive troponin T. It is more sensitive, and a heart attack…
Gunnar Tobin: Internationalization – From an imposed idea to a recognized part of the daily activities
SWAN SONG. After a multi-year commitment to internationalization at Sahlgrenska Academy, Gunnar Tobin has resigned as International Director. Here, he presents us with his swan song*, in which he concludes that the faculty’s internationalization efforts were dependent on a handful of driving forces who recognized the value of a global perspective in daily activities. During the last years of the previous century, internationalization was a relatively unfamiliar concept. But a…
E-cigarettes can be a health hazard
REPORT. Two out of five boys in upper-secondary school have tried e-cigarettes, whose sweet taste and vapors can have a negative effect on health. They can also be a gateway to smoking regular tobacco cigarettes. That is indicated by a new report on the use, attitudes and potential health effects of e-cigarettes. Since electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) appeared on the market at the turn of the century, their popularity has steadily…
Nine new professors inaugurated at Sahlgrenska Academy – photos from the event
ACADEMIC CEREMONY. On May 25, the inauguration ceremony for new professors was held at University of Gothenburg. At Sahlgrenska Academy nine new professors were inaugurated. Also, three adjunct professors and one visiting professor were welcomed to the university at the ceremony. The traditional ceremony, held at the Concert Hall, was accompanied by solemn song and music by students at the Faculty of Arts. Photographer Johan Wingborg was in place, and further down…