NEW STUDY. Damage to the brains of patients operated on for brain tumors may be assessed by measuring biomarkers in the blood pre- and postoperatively. A new study by University of Gothenburg researchers shows that the increase in markers tallies well with the impairment caused by insufficient blood flow. Today, examination with a magnetic camera (magnetic resonance imaging, MRI) is used after a brain operation to determine whether it has…
New method clarifies interplay between proteins and DNA
NEW STUDY. A research group at the University of Gothenburg has developed a method that makes the exact binding sites of specific proteins in the genome discernible. The method is based on the idea that DNA damage induced by ultraviolet (UV) light can change where proteins bind. The method is now published in the journal Nature Communications. Kerryn Elliott, a researcher in Erik Larsson Lekholm’s group at the Department for…
Pediatric clinical studies’ underfunding risk
NEW STUDY. A clinical study with children as participants entails extra costs often omitted in the initial budget. Clinical studies involving children are thus at risk of being undercompensated, new research shows. Kids will be kids when they take part in clinical studies, as at other times. Sometimes they need a break to do something else for a while before the next study session can start. With children as study…
Increased exhaustion in maternal and neonatal care during pandemic
NEW STUDY. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 18% of maternal and neonatal care staff reported exhaustion, an early sign of burnout. This is shown in a University of Gothenburg study, based on questionnaire responses from both medical and administrative staff members. The pandemic has resulted in major challenges to the health care system in Sweden. Employees in maternal and neonatal care have been severely affected by changed work routines and staff…
Dementia the top COVID-19 risk factor for seniors in care
NEW STUDY. In 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, dementia was the dominant risk factor for the disease among residents of Swedish nursing homes. This elevated risk applied to both getting infected with and dying of COVID-19, a University of Gothenburg study shows. The purpose of the study, now published in The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, was to analyze risk factors for infection with COVID-19 and dying…