2009

Immune-boosting drugs could enhance cancer treatment

Stimulating the body’s own immune system to fight cancer offers new treatment opportunities for patients and scientists have made the first step towards finding some existing cancer drugs that could help.

St George's in HIV battle front line for World AIDS Day

In the week of World AIDS Day, scientists at St George's are undertaking groundbreaking research in an attempt to eradicate the disease.

St George’s Professor knighted in Queen’s Birthday Honours List

St George’s Professor Sabaratnam Arulkumaran, renowned for his work advancing women’s health and maternity care, was honoured in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Therapists still offer treatments for homosexuality despite lack of evidence

A significant number of psychiatrists and therapists are trying to help lesbian or gay patients become heterosexual, according to research by St George's , University of London and UCL (University College London).

St George's launches ethics service for medical and healthcare students

Medical and healthcare students at St George’s, University of London will soon have the back-up of their own clinical ethics support team — believed to be the first inter-disciplinary service of its kind in the country.

St George's professor leads call for action on drug trafficking

The price of cocaine is set to plunge further as traffickers exploit new smuggling routes, warned an international drugs body headed up by St George’s, University of London’s Professor Hamid Ghodse.

St George's research aids rare genetic disorder breakthrough

Research by St George’s, University of London has helped reveal vital new information about an extremely rare and potentially fatal genetic disorder. Osteopathia striata with cranial sclerosis, or OSCS, is a rare condition that affects just one in every 1.5 million people. It can cause severe mental and physical disability in boys, including respiratory problems and missing bones. Among the visible symptoms are a cleft palate, enlarged head, small jaw and small ears.

Dr Patricia Hamilton awarded CBE in 2009 Honours

Dr Patricia Hamilton, Senior Lecturer in Neonatal Paediatrics at St George's, University of London, has been named in the Queen's New Year's honours list 2009. She will be made a Commander of the British Empire for services to medicine.

St George’s Professor named Chair of international health board

Professor Hamid Ghodse will be the inaugural Chair of the International Health Advisory Board. Led by the government, this new Board will support the Chief Medical Officer in his capacity as Chief Medical Advisor to the UK Government on areas of international health.

Professor will strive to improve care of women and babies in new post

A St George's Professor has been named the first Brit in over 50 years to head up the global body dedicated to saving and improving the quality of life of women and newborns - the International Federation of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (FIGO).

High salt content of celebrity sauces revealed

Many top-selling pasta sauces contain much more salt than supermarket versions, according to new research from a campaign group led by St George's Professor of Cardiovascular Science, Graham MacGregor.

Polar explorers discuss the science behind their extreme expeditions at St George’s, University of London lecture

Renowned polar explorers Dr Mike Stroud OBE and Dr Ed Coats revisit their alma mater to share their experiences of expeditions which have seen them endure some of the toughest conditions known to man during a lecture at St George’s, University of London.

St George's scheme hailed for improving access to HE

Innovation and Skills Secretary Lord Mandelson called for universities to look beyond A Levels to identify the aptitude and potential of all those who should benefit from a university education. And ministers hailed St George’s’ adjusted criteria scheme as an example of how this can be done.

Enrolment nearing completion in swine flu vaccine study

Enrolment in South London is almost complete in a study of the use of two swine flu vaccines in children, the team leading the London arm of the UK-wide study has announced.

St George’s e-learning project wins Outstanding ICT Initiative of the Year 2009

St George’s, University of London’s pioneering project that trains paramedics in the virtual world of Second Life has been awarded the Times Higher Education (THE) award for Outstanding ICT Initiative of the Year 2009.

New network will address health and social care inequalities across south west London

The Academic Health and Social Network is a new, pioneering membership network of organisations spanning health, social care and higher education. Its mission is to provide world-class health and social care services to people living in south west London.

Scientists develop new directory to aid cancer treatment

Scientists investigating how drug combinations affect cancer-causing genes have developed a new directory to help doctors identify effective treatment sooner. This lists 40,000 genes that could be causing cancer, and shows the effects that combinations of three cancer-fighting drugs have on them.

Paediatricians at St George’s appeal for local families to take part in study of new vaccines to protect children from swine flu

Paediatricians at St George’s, University of London are researching which of the two swine flu vaccinations due to be used in the UK this winter is most effective in protecting children from the virus and are appealing for 250 children to take part in this study.