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Trachoma, caused by ocular infection with Chlamydia trachomatis, is the leading infectious cause of blindness. Research by Professors David Mabey and Robin Bailey, LSHTM, has shown that a single oral dose of azithromycin is an effective, feasible mass treatment and could eliminate trachoma from affected communities. As a result, the manufacturer Pfizer agreed to donate azithromycin to trachoma control programmes for as long as necessary and WHO established an Alliance for the Global Elimination of Blinding Trachoma by 2020. Since 2008, 205m azithromycin doses have been donated, and WHO elimination targets have been achieved in nine countries.
Newcastle University research on biodegraded petroleum systems has had a number of broad reaching impacts on the oil industry (ExxonMobil, Statoil, Woodside, and Shell), related companies (Permedia) and regulators (Alberta Energy Regulator). A new approach to oil viscosity determination was developed, which directs well-placement in biodegraded oilfields to lower viscosity areas, resulting in improved production of heavy oil. Software tools developed to model oil composition have been incorporated into proprietary in-house, oil company reservoir simulations. A spin-out company was founded, Gushor Inc., which provides services to the heavy oil sector and was recently acquired by Schlumberger. Collectively the research from Newcastle University has saved oil companies hundreds of millions of pounds by avoiding poorly producing viscous zones in biodegraded reservoirs.
Professor Daugman's algorithms for automatically recognising persons by their iris patterns are the basis of all publically deployed iris recognition systems. Worldwide some 400 million people have been enrolled since 2004, nearly all during the impact period. Deployments have included automated international border-crossings in lieu of passport presentation; watchlist screening; access control; and detainee identification. The algorithms are also used in several national identity card schemes, including the Indian Aadhaar programme that, in 2010, began enrolling the iris patterns of all 1.2 billion Indian citizens to ensure fair access to entitlements. By the end of July 2013, 393 million Indian citizens had been enrolled in the programme, and each day a further million are enrolled across 36,000 stations nationwide.
The impact of International Centre for Mental Toughness Development (ICMTD) research has primarily been on increasing the mental toughness of young people and improving their attitudes to learning. This has been achieved through Perry's involvement in numerous educational projects working with vulnerable young people at risk of becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training). Specifically, mental toughness has been found to improve the performance, behaviour, and wellbeing of individuals. His research has been spread among several countries, ensuring a global impact and significant reach.
The findings of empirical research conducted by Professor Jim Barry and Dr Trudie Honour of UEL were shared at two focused capacity building sessions held in 2008 and 2009 for women leaders in middle and senior positions of responsibility and decision-making in the public and third sectors of a number of developing countries. Workshops were attended by women from Albania, Bahrain, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Tunisia, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. Participants considered the relevance and application of the research findings for their own countries, and worked together and with the researchers to formulate potential capacity development implementation strategies for women in positions of responsibility in those countries.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the commonest heart rhythm abnormality, affecting around 8.8 million people in the European Union, and conferring a substantial risk of stroke and death. Up to 2% of the UK population, some 1.2 million individuals, take oral anticoagulation medication.
The University of Birmingham is an internationally-respected centre of excellence for research in AF, and has made crucial impacts in international clinical practice guidelines and improvements in patient care. Primary care research at the University of Birmingham has led to the transfer of oral anticoagulation services from secondary to primary care, and latterly patient self-management, resulting in improved clinical outcomes. In addition, the BAFTA trial has provided evidence to support the use of anticoagulation therapy (warfarin) for people aged over 75 who have atrial fibrillation, resulting in changes in clinical management of these patients.
The methodology for growth curve estimation developed by Rigby and Stasinopoulos (2004,2006) has been used worldwide. The World Health Organisation used the methodology and the related software exclusively for developing child growth standards, WHO (2006, 2007, 2009). The Global Lung Function Initiative (GLFI), (www.lungfunction.org, Stanojevic et al. 2008, Cole et al. 2009, ) use it for providing a unified worldwide approach to lung function in growth and ageing. The methodology is now the gold standard for developing growth curves.
Research into more accurate methods for measuring deprivation and `need' at the neighbourhood, `small area level', has led to older methods being abandoned. This has shaped government policy and practice, leading to the UK, local and central government changing where, geographically, to focus millions of pounds of spend. Our methods (Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) and Health Poverty Index (HPI)) are now used extensively in public, political and media discourses as the main reference point for any discussion of the distribution of need across the UK. The IMD has now also been adopted by the governments of South Africa, Nambia and Oman.
The Brunel Institute of Contemporary Middle Eastern Composition (BICMEM) was established in response to the significant growth of compositional activity in the Middle East for which there existed no systematic curation, promotion or research.
The Institute has established a unique archive of contemporary Middle-Eastern compositions. It works as an advocate, liaising closely with senior diplomats, academics, cultural officers, and business. In a time of great political unrest in the Middle East, BICMEM nurtures new talent, preserves cultural assets and enables international dialogue through the curation and promotion of new music events in Britain and the Middle East.
A booklet was produced to address a problem identified by A-level teachers of Philosophy. They had reported that while independent critical engagement is strongly emphasised in the A-level Philosophy marking criteria, the available teaching materials do not foster this skill. The booklet contains essays summarising research papers from three members of the Unit that represent opposing views of Nietzsche's critique of morality. Through questions and puzzles, students are able to compare the claims and take up critical positions. The booklet has contributed a new type of educational material for developing critical thinking in A-level Philosophy and has been used in the UK and overseas.