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For over 20 years, conclusive evidence has existed that folic acid in early pregnancy prevents spina bifida and related birth defects (collectively known as neural tube defects; NTD), leading to folic acid recommendations for women of reproductive age worldwide. However, translating these recommendations into practice remains a significant challenge. This case study is focussed on identifying and addressing the challenges in implementing current folic acid policy into practice in healthy populations, and in parallel investigating newer roles for folate in preventing disease. Our international outputs to date have provided a scientific foundation for developing evidence-based, sometimes controversial, policy in this area and its translation to consumers.
Since 2007, a team of researchers at Northumbria led by Professor Margaret (Greta) Defeyter (employed at Northumbria since Sept 2003) have been investigating the effects of breakfast on children's cognitive performance and social behaviours. The research findings have been translated into an online training programme that has up-skilled the workforce (e.g. teachers, governors, NHS Public Health Advisors and parent volunteers) from across the UK. This training provision has resulted in the start-up of 212 school breakfast clubs across the UK. School staff and public health advisors have reported a significant impact on their knowledge and skills, as well as the training programme having influenced practice and shared learning between colleagues. Following the implementation of school breakfast clubs, teachers have reported gains in terms of school attendance, punctuality and motivation (increased attainment) and quality of life (social deprivation, behaviour and nutrition) of many children involved in the UK.
This case study illustrates the development of novel research materials designed to improve quality of life and performance in different populations. Impact has been achieved through the use of research findings in professional practice, formulation of health-related policies and in the development of new indicators of health and well-being. RCSEP research has been used by international and national health-service organisations (e.g., European League Against Rheumatism, Evidence NHS), industrial establishments (e.g., ArtEZ Conservatoire, Netherlands; Royal Ballet), national governing bodies (British Heart Foundation), and professional bodies (e.g., Dance UK, International Association of Dance Medicine & Science).
The University has been at the forefront of Vitamin D research over the past decade, with the findings of the work used to change the dietary intake guidelines on the international stage, most notably in the U.S by the Institute of Medicine, the international body responsible for agenda setting of dietary recommendations worldwide. The extensive research has also been crucial in informing UK and Irish Health Service reports on vitamin D assessment and use during pregnancy and in infants and has provided robust scientific evidence to the food industry for fortification strategies. In addition to establishing the vitamin D requirements of population sub-groups, the research at Ulster has also focused on investigating the relationship between vitamin D status and skeletal & cardiovascular health and immune function.
Research on the environmental safety and toxicity of nanomaterials in fishes has had a global impact across both government and industry contributing to:
(i) Consensus building on biological effects allowing regulatory agencies/governments to make proper decisions on the hazard of nanomaterials to farmed fish and wildlife.
(ii) Critical evaluation of the internationally agreed process of toxicity testing to determine whether the current legislative test methods are fit for purpose and acceptable to the aquaculture industry.
(iii) Identification of national/international research priorities and policies via work with the OECD and the US Government.
(iv) Influencing government policy to support training and information for industry.
Pioneering research at the University of Chichester lead by Professor Harris provided in 2006 first evidence on the effectiveness of beta-alanine supplementation in augmenting carnosine content in human skeletal muscle. Subsequent studies demonstrated the performance-enhancing effect of beta-alanine supplementation, particularly in high-intensity exercise. The research was exploited by a US company through a number of worldwide patents based on Harris' work achieving sales and license revenues of $4.8M in 2013 fiscal year alone. Beta-alanine supplementation has emerged as a legal means to enhance performance taken up at amateur and elite level sport worldwide; it is having global impact on the sports nutrition industry.
John Williams and colleagues found that serum homocysteine predicted cognitive decline and predicted the potential for vitamin B12 in treatment of dementia, including Alzheimer's Disease. This finding has led to the production of 2 novel cobalamin compounds, glutathionyl cobalamin (GSCbl) and N-acetyl cysteinyl cobalamin (NACCbl), in collaboration with Kent State University (USA), the use of which were patented in USA. We have also identified a novel anti-oxidant activity of vitamin B12. This work has led to the production of Betrinac sold by the Chester company, Cobalz Ltd, in the UK and PamLab Llc, USA.
This case study details the impact of a body of research exploring the effects of tourism on wild primates. Our findings have been communicated to a range of conservation organisations, government bodies, tourism associations and other parties, and used by them to promote wider public appreciation of tourism-related conservation issues, and to inform development of guidelines relating to primate tourism. In addition, we have engaged the public with this work through a range of traditional and online media. Through local, national and international consultation and collaboration, our research is having a significant impact on the wider approach to primate tourism.
Dr Kneller's research on cognitive performance under challenging circumstances demonstrates impact in two areas:
1) Informing practice in diving. Kneller's research has demonstrated the effects of nitrogen narcosis on memory, and how anxiety may compound its severity. This has implications for recreational, commercial and military diving and has been recognized by diving industry sources.
2) Improving eyewitness identification within the context of crimes. Kneller's research has informed practice in the process of eyewitness identification for victims of crime. Her findings have impacted on policing practice in terms of how suspect line-ups are conducted and her expertise recognized within practitioner circles.
Research carried out by Professor David Smith of the University of Oxford established that B vitamins could slow the rate of Alzheimer-related brain atrophy and cognitive decline in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), an early stage of Alzheimer's disease which is common in the elderly. Since 2008 the impact on sales and marketing of B vitamins worldwide has been significant; [text removed for publication], and over-the-counter and prescription B vitamin products marketed as helping to maintain memory function have achieved sales worth many millions of US dollars. Some doctors now prescribe B vitamins for the group of MCI patients identified by Smith as being most at risk.