By Dr Chris Hoyle The human brain is the most complicated computer on the planet. Its hardware consists of an intricate concoction of cells that convert countless electrical and chemical signals every second into each thought, decision or action that we make. Our brains are the reason we have sent rockets to the moon and … Continue reading Finding new ways to investigate inflammation in the brain
Len Johnson: A Legend Denied
Leonard "Len" Benker Johnson was born on the 22nd of October 1902. He grew up in working class Clayton as the son of William Benker "Bill" Johnson, a Sierra Leonean merchant seaman, and Margaret Maher, his proudly Irish Mancunian Mother. He grew up in a multi-cultural childhood with fellow immigrants of Jewish, Irish, Italian, and … Continue reading Len Johnson: A Legend Denied
Risk associated with medications following discharge from hospital – a new systemic review
Dr Krumholz (2013) described post-hospital syndrome as "an acquired, transient condition of generalised risk" affecting some patients who are discharged from hospital1. Hospitalised patients may not only be suffering from an acute illness, but they may also be under emotional stress due to new information, new circumstances and worrying about their health and social status. Thus, … Continue reading Risk associated with medications following discharge from hospital – a new systemic review
Tips on how to overcome the lockdown blues
Tarnjit Sidhu@TarnjitSidhu Lack of control and unpredictability = high stress Research shows that stress levels rise when predictability and control over a situation are low. Lockdown is the perfect example of this –we have no control over the current situation, and there is great unpredictability around when lockdown will end. On top of this – … Continue reading Tips on how to overcome the lockdown blues
Cognition in schizophrenia: a missing piece of the therapeutic puzzle
Originally posted on PLOS ECR by Jessica Brown What kind of mental image springs to mind upon reading the word ‘schizophrenia’? Many envisage an individual locked in a dark institution, constantly plagued by non-existent voices and vivid hallucinations. Even as a final year BSc Biology student with a neuroscience research placement under my belt, I … Continue reading Cognition in schizophrenia: a missing piece of the therapeutic puzzle
An Instagram a day… Boosting the impact of your research with social media
By Nadine Mirza Where sci comm and social media meet is an intersection of opposing and loud opinions. There are academics who prefer not to engage with the public, believing it takes us away from our labs where “real science” happens. Millennials, with our filters and emojis, are a threat to serious science. And Instagram … Continue reading An Instagram a day… Boosting the impact of your research with social media
Lockdown Vivas – Experiences from both sides of the camera
A viva can feel a very daunting experience. Aside from the first year continuation viva, most of us have never undertaken an oral academic examination. So there is an element of the ‘unknown’. It may be the first time you have met your examiner, an eminent person in your field. It is the culmination of … Continue reading Lockdown Vivas – Experiences from both sides of the camera
Raisins to be Cheerful: A Hot Cross Bun Report
J.L. Sharpe* and J.A. Beswick, 2020 (*corresponding author) Hot cross buns are sweet, spiced buns studded with raisins and currants, traditionally eaten on Good Friday to mark the end of lent. The distinctive cross is said to signify the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and the spices inside represent the spices used to embalm the body… … Continue reading Raisins to be Cheerful: A Hot Cross Bun Report
Marie Kondo and Metacognitive Therapy: what life-changing magic do ‘spark joy’ and ‘leave it alone’ have in common?
Have you noticed that people are weirdly enthused about the Kon Mari method of de-cluttering? Maybe you yourself are a convert? I hate tidying. So I thought the Netflix series seemed vaguely absurd. But I was quickly drawn in. I read the book - just out of curiosity too. And I think I’ve started to … Continue reading Marie Kondo and Metacognitive Therapy: what life-changing magic do ‘spark joy’ and ‘leave it alone’ have in common?
What do you do all day?
There are over 4,000 postgraduate research students at the University of Manchester, each with their own story to tell. Sharing knowledge and experience can be important professionally – whether it’s collaborating on a multidisciplinary project, or getting a unique perspective from outside your own bubble. There are also important benefits of social connectedness for our … Continue reading What do you do all day?
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