Category: Ageing and Health

We are a global leader in ageing research. We work across the full spectrum of age-related challenges. These are the stories behind that research.

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25 years of Life – Understanding Life: Pioneering research with Dr Jennifer Munkley

In this special series of From Newcastle we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of The International Centre for Life.

With introduction from Linda Conlon, Chief Executive of Life.

Opened in the year 2000, Life is a unique science hub in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne where scientists, clinicians, technologists and educationalists work side-by-side on one site. The NHS and Newcastle University are key partners onsite; the pioneering research and patient treatments carried out here have earned international recognition and are helping people live better lives.

In this episode, we talk to Dr Jennifer Munkley, Principal Research Associate at the Newcastle University Biosciences Institute. Discover the pioneering research taking place at Life which is advancing our understanding of cancer treatment and providing hope to those affected.

Find out more about Dr Jennifer Munkley’s research at https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/people/profile/jennifermunkley.html

Take part in Life’s 25th birthday celebrations: https://www.life.org.uk/whats-on/

Prostate Cancer UK 30 second risk checker: https://prostatecanceruk.org/risk-checker

STAY CONNECTED WITH NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY:

Instagram: @newcastleuni

TikTok: @newcastleuni

X: @FromNCLPodcast | @UniofNewcastle

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@newcastleuni

CREDITS:

Hosted by Pari Balu

Audio & Editing by Helen Williams

Production by Stef Moorhead From Newcastle is produced by Newcastle University. Newcastle University relies on voluntary donations to support many of our education and research programmes. These donations make a huge difference to people locally and around the world: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/alumni/support/support-us/.

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25 years of Life – Transforming Life: Medical treatments with Professor Sir John Burn

In this special series of From Newcastle we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of The International Centre for Life.

With introduction from Linda Conlon, Chief Executive of Life.

Opened in the year 2000, Life is a unique science hub in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne where scientists, clinicians, technologists and educationalists work side-by-side on one site. The NHS and Newcastle University are key partners onsite; the pioneering research and patient treatments carried out here have earned international recognition and are helping people live better lives.

In this episode, we talk to Sir John Burn, Professor of Clinical Genetics at Newcastle University. Explore the groundbreaking medical treatments developed at Life, enhancing the lives of those with genetic and neuromuscular diseases.

Find out more about Professor Sir John Burn’s research at https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/people/profile/johnburn.html

Take part in Life’s 25th birthday celebrations: https://www.life.org.uk/whats-on/

STAY CONNECTED WITH NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY:

Instagram: @newcastleuni

TikTok: @newcastleuni

X: @FromNCLPodcast | @UniofNewcastle

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@newcastleuni

CREDITS:

Hosted by Robyn Spillane

Audio & Editing by Helen Williams

Production by Stef Moorhead

From Newcastle is produced by Newcastle University. Newcastle University relies on voluntary donations to support many of our education and research programmes. These donations make a huge difference to people locally and around the world: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/alumni/support/support-us/.

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Engineering a better world: Regenerative medicine with Dr Ana Ferreira-Duarte and Professor Kenny Dalgarno

In this series, ‘engineering a better world’, we speak to the Newcastle University engineers who are saving our planet and helping communities across the world.

In this episode, we talk to Dr Ana Ferreira-Duarte, Reader in Regenerative Engineering and Professor Kenny Dalgarno, Sir James Woodeson Professor of Manufacturing Engineering.

Find out how their research could lead to more personalised treatment and how they are paving the way for safer implants to improve patient recovery.

STAY CONNECTED WITH NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY:

Instagram: @newcastleuni

TikTok: @newcastleuni

X: @FromNCLPodcast | @UniofNewcastle

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@newcastleuni

CREDITS:

Hosted by Pari Balu

Audio & Editing by Helen Williams

Production by Stef Moorhead

From Newcastle is produced by Newcastle University. Newcastle University relies on voluntary donations to support many of our education and research programmes. These donations make a huge difference to people locally and around the world: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/alumni/support/support-us/.

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XR Therapeutics: The Newcastle University spin out using technology to revolutionise the world of therapy with Billy Webber

In this series we explore some of the successes of Newcastle University’s startups and spin-out companies.

In this episode, we talk to Billy Webber, CEO of XR Therapeutics, a Newcastle University spin out company.

XR Therapeutics is revolutionising the world of therapy through the use of custom built immersive technology. Since 2020 the company has been granted four different research and development grants, is working with two NHS trusts and has studio sites across the UK with over 70 custom built treatment scenes.

Find out more about XR Therapeutics at https://xrtherapeutics.co.uk/

STAY CONNECTED WITH NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY:

Instagram: @newcastleuni

TikTok: @newcastleuni

X: @FromNCLPodcast | @UniofNewcastle

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@newcastleuni

CREDITS:

Hosted by Robyn Spillane

Audio & Editing by Helen Williams

Production by Stef Moorhead

From Newcastle is produced by Newcastle University. Newcastle University relies on voluntary donations to support many of our education and research programmes. These donations make a huge difference to people locally and around the world: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/alumni/support/support-us/.

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Mental Health Awareness Week: Fit for the future: How are Wellbeing Services empowering students and staff? With Kirsty Hutchinson

In this special episode to mark Mental Health Awareness Week we talk to Kirsty Hutchinson, Head of Welfare and Counselling Services at Newcastle University.

Learn about Kirsty’s role in student welfare, the struggles that students face in higher education and a new innovative Impact measurement Scale, which is changing the way we approach supporting students, not just at Newcastle but throughout the sector.

Find out more about Student Wellbeing at Newcastle University.

If you are a Newcastle University student and are looking for support or advice, you can find it at https://www.ncl.ac.uk/wellbeing/our-support/our-support-guide/

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Beyond the diagnosis: The role of exercise in cancer prevention and recovery with Dr Sam Orange

This episode is part of our mini-series, From Newcastle for Healthcare

In this episode we talk to Dr Sam Orange, Lecturer in Clinical Exercise Physiology at Newcastle University.

Discover how exercise can lower the risk of developing cancer and how Sam is working on the PURE-EX project to help support women after breast cancer.

Find out more about Sam’s research and follow him on twitter @SamOrange01.

Useful links mentioned in this episode:

Breast Cancer Now, PUREX Research project: https://breastcancernow.org/breast-cancer-research/our-research-projects/developing-programme-support-women-diet-exercise-after-breast-cancer

Contact Dr Sam Orange: Sam.Orange@newcastle.ac.uk

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Smiles on Screen: Improving dental care for people with learning difficulties with Dr Susan Bissett and The Lawnmowers Theatre Company

This episode is part of our mini-series, From Newcastle for Healthcare

In this episode we talk to Dr Susan Bissett, Lecturer of Dentistry at Newcastle University and Claire Hills-Wilson, Artistic Director of The Lawnmowers Independent Theatre Company.

Learn about the collaboration between The Lawnmowers Independant Theatre Company and the Newcastle University School of Dental Sciences in creating a new film to help educate dental students on the process of treating patients with learning difficulties.   

Find out more about Susan’s research and follow her on twitter @SusiBiscuits.

Lawnmowers is a producing theatre-arts organisation, operating in Gateshead and surrounding regions and is run by and for people with learning difficulties.

Find out more about The Lawnmowers Theatre Company and follow them on twitter @LawnmowersITC and Facebook. The Lawnmowers also have a YouTube channel showing examples of their work.

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From Campus to Community: Inside Newcastle’s Young@Heart Clinic with Dr Hamde Nazar

This episode is part of our mini-series, From Newcastle for Healthcare

In this episode, we talk to Dr Hamde Nazar, senior lecturer and director of education in the School of Pharmacy at Newcastle University.

Learn about the Young@Heart clinic, a student-run health clinic open to members of the public in Newcastle City Centre.

Find out more about Hamde’s work and follow her on twitter @NazarHamde.

Visit the Young@Heart clinic for your health check:

Grainger Market, Newcastle: https://ourgraingermarket.co.uk/welcome-grainger-market

Newcastle GP Services (NGPS) Community Health Bus: https://newcastle-gp-services.co.uk/community-health-services/

Newcastle University Staff and Students: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/sport/sport-and-fitness/hub/healthchecks/

You can also find out more about the service in this video: Young@Heart Clinic | Newcastle University School of Pharmacy – YouTube

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5.9 A breakthrough in diagnosing and treating Fatty Liver Disease with Professor Quentin Anstee

In this episode we talk to Quentin Anstee, Professor of experimental hepitology and Consultant Hepatologist at Newcastle University’s Translational and Clinical Research Institute.

Learn about how Quentin and his team have been working on an exciting project to develop new diagnostic tests for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, a condition which is too often undiagnosed in patients. 

The papers mentioned in this episode are:

Paper 1 – Biomarkers for staging fibrosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (the LITMUS project): a comparative diagnostic accuracy study – The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology

Paper 2 – A proteo-transcriptomic map of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease signatures | Nature Metabolism

Information about the LITMUS Project is available at About LITMUS – LITMUS Project (litmus-project.eu).

You can find out more about Quentin’s research and follow him on twitter @QAnstee.

Find #FromNewcastle podcast at https://podcasts.ncl.ac.uk/fromnewcastle/ and on twitter @FromNCLPodcast

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World Mental Health Day Special: Supporting university staff and students: The five ways to wellbeing

In this World Mental Health Day special episode James talks to Kate Aitchison, Head of Student Health & Wellbeing, Dr Lucy Robinson, Reader in Clinical Psychology and Ollie Bell, Colleague Health and Wellbeing Lead.

World Mental Health Day takes place on 10 October every year and gives us a chance to talk about looking after our mental health and how important it is to talk about things and get help if you are struggling.

Our guests discuss the importance of mental health, the lasting impacts of the pandemic on both students and colleagues and the 5 ways to wellbeing, a simple and effective framework you can use to help take care of your mental health.

The 5 ways to wellbeing: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/five-steps-to-mental-wellbeing/

  • Connect
  • Be Active
  • Take Notice
  • Keep Learning
  • Give

Recommendations:

Lucy recommends the book Atomic Habits by James Clear: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Atomic-Habits-by-James-Clear/9781847941848

James recommends the twitter account Doomscrolling Reminder Bot: https://twitter.com/doomscroll_bot

Ollie recommends the Zombies, Run App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/zombies-run/id503519713

Newcastle University Student Resources:

University Wellbeing Services: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/wellbeing/
NUSU Student Advice Centre: https://nusu.co.uk/support/advice-centre
Nightline: https://nusu.co.uk/support/talk/nightline
The Nurture-U Wellbeing Survey: https://www.nurtureuniversity.co.uk/survey

Newcastle University Colleague and Postgraduate Resources:

Colleague Wellbeing Hub: https://newcastle.sharepoint.com/hub/people-services/Pages/Colleague-Support-and-Wellbeing/Wellbeing%20Hub/Colleague-Health-and-Wellbeing.aspx

Employee Assistance Programme: https://newcastle.sharepoint.com/hub/orghas/Pages/Employee-Assistance-Programme.aspx 25th October, 10:00 – 11:30
Sleep and CBT Workshop: Sleep well, Live Better: Build an understanding of the evidence base behind sleep and learn how to have better sleep https://elements.ncl.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=1975