Newsletters

Welcome to the Research Centre for Health (ReaCH) newsletter highlighting the latest research from the School of Health and Life Sciences at Glasgow Caledonian University.

ReaCH Newsletter December 2024

Highlights include:

  • Women’s health researchers awarded funding to boost treatment for pelvic organ prolapse
  • GCU recognised for world-leading nursing and rehabilitation expertise by the World Health Organization
  • Policymakers urged to consider how alcohol policies impact men and women differently
  • Addiction treatment decreases suicide risk among people with opioid dependence
  • Rehabilitation experts receive funding for project aimed at boosting recovery for stroke survivors
  • Researchers urge UK governments to tackle serious mental health illness and substance use
  • Reducing Hepatitis C re-infection among people who inject drugs
  • Research begins to explore prevention of antimicrobial-resistant fungus in hospitals
  • Health researcher plays key role in launch of new quality standards for cardiac arrest survivor
  • New report shows how veterans' lives are being transformed through employment, training and qualification
  • Blood cancer researchers joined world leaders in new Multiple Myeloma study
  • Grandmother tells how floor-rise training changed her life
  • Psychology lecturer and researcher examines rape myths on juror verdicts
  • Scottish minister hails Glasgow Caledonian University’s pioneering ePrEP Clinic
  • Innovative SHLS project wins Converge Challenge
  • Rehabilitation expert is crowned ‘Walking Researcher of the Year’
  • PhD viva success
  • Recent and forthcoming conferences and events
  • Selected publications, blogs and podcasts

Previous newsletters

2024

Highlights include:

- New research networks will tackle antimicrobial resistance

- Study shows high rates of incontinence and prolapse in women years after childbirth

- Major trial looks at most effective speech therapy for people with Parkinson’s disease

- Professor Hughes appointed institutional Single Point of Contact for the Scottish Institute for Policing Research

- PhD viva success

- Blood cancer researcher receives backing from global life sciences giant

- Ageing well expert develops new garden walk for veterans

- Crucible 2024 unveils research leaders of the future

- Recent and forthcoming conferences and events

- Selected publications, blogs and podcasts

To find out more, download the ReaCH Newsletter September 2024

Highlights include:

- Health Minister reveals how the ‘Power of Partnership’ brings real benefits for patients and public

- New MS Doctoral Training Centre launches at Glasgow Caledonian

- CAHPR Scotland - GCU ReaCH Fellowship 2024 winners announced

- Scotland’s first network is launched to improve mental health of LGBTQIA+ community

- Researchers win funding to improve lives of people with heart disease

- Star patient and public involvement representative wins top impact award

- Researchers investigate if stress hormone metabolism can be used to help heal foot ulcers

- Ballerina turns researcher to help improve the lives of people with MS

- PhD studentship launched to investigate what germs are lurking in our washing machines

- Researcher is helping heart disease patients get the treatment they need

- Innovative research project shortlisted for the Converge Challenge

- Better care integration needed for parents in substance use services

- Researcher behind heart study wins Three Minute Thesis final

- Recent and forthcoming conferences and events

- Selected publications, blogs and podcasts

To find out more, download the ReaCH Newsletter June 2024

Highlights include:

- ReaCH 'Power of Partnership' event will showcase research into action
- New research opportunities for practising AHPs in Scotland
- Sexual health and HIV expert gives evidence to the Scottish Parliament
- First step in tackling foot ulcers and amputation in areas of multiple depravation in Scotland
- Work begins on developing the world’s first e-PrEP clinic for people with HIV in Scotland
- WHO Rehabilitation Packages for Stroke and Parkinson’s Disease informed by University researchers
- Bioscientist scoops second award for bacterial vaginosis research
- GCU to host largest science, exercise and nutrition conference in the world
- Spotlight on Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) at GCU
- ReaCH Crucible: Research Leaders of the Future
- PhD viva success
- Recent and forthcoming conferences and events
- Selected publications, blogs and podcasts

To find out more, download the ReaCH Newsletter March 2024

2023

Highlights include:

- GCU London designated WHO Collaborating Centre for Sustainable Child and Adolescent Health and Wellbeing
- MSK team wins GREAT Foundations Award for podiatric research in foot health
- GCU is improving brain health as part of new £2.4m boost for collaborative research
- SHIP team supports WHO work on modelling the cost effectiveness of Infection Prevention and Control interventions
- Thousands of women could benefit from new research into the self-management of pelvic organ prolapse
- Funding success for Early Career Researcher
- University experts help shape new European public health guidance
- Liver disease expert wins Medical Research Foundation Emerging Leaders First Prize
- OT researchers on mission to improve services for patients and families across the UK
- Ground-breaking analytic method developed at Glasgow Caledonian boosts heart health findings
- EU Horizon-funded DIALECT Autumn School and project mid-term meeting
- MSK Health Research Group partnership with NHS Lanarkshire Podiatry
- New study will assess the use of telerehabilitation to support stroke survivors
- University status for Lanarkshire's Health and Social Care Partnerships
- Glasgow Caledonian welcomes health minister Jenny Minto MSP
- Professor shares falls prevention expertise with the Scottish Parliament
- Hepatitis C expert informs Scottish Parliament on elimination progress
- Award-winning HIV expert shares expertise on global stage
- Glasgow Caledonian 'honoured' to be part of Scottish Health Awards
- Diagnosis Zombie project wins top e-Learning Excellence Award
- Professor of Occupational Therapy receives highest honour in the profession
- Leading health expert is on top of the world for fourth year running
- Child Health Award for psychology lecturer
- Top SHLS team win Interprofessional Global Award
- Welcome to Professor Gordon Ramage
- MSK Health Research Group under new leadership
- Spotlight on Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) at GCU
- Support the Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences fitness fundraiser
- ReaCH Crucible: Research Leaders of the Future
- PhD viva success
- Recent and forthcoming conferences and events
- Selected publications, blogs and podcasts

To find out more, download the ReaCH Newsletter December 2023

Highlights include:

- GCU leads the way in health and social care research
- People with a hepatitis C cure still face substantial risk of death
- New research project to help LGBTQ+ women challenge drinking social norms
- New research prescribes 25 minutes of slow walking for older patients in hospital
- Drugs-related deaths trebled over 10 years among people with opioid dependence in Scotland
- Can light therapy and specialised glasses curb short-sightedness in Scottish children?
- Uni bio waste clicks with Glasgow community gallery
- Ghana to provide remote rehabilitation to patients with neurological conditions
- GCU Professor joins mission to free Scotland from stigma of mental illness
- 'Chemo brain' course to be rolled out by cancer charity following GCU research
- Glasgow Caledonian scoops Research Project of the Year Award
- Health psychology Professor clinches top RSE Award
- Bioscientist wins Scottish early career researcher award
- CATs got the cream after winning The Robin Tavistock Award
- Professor of Infection Prevention recognised in NHS 75th anniversary celebration
- Nursing and Community Health marks two major milestones on 75th anniversary of the NHS
- Evaluating Scotland's first heroin assisted treatment service
- Health Professors recognised with honours
- Professor in Nursing retires as COVID-19 study comes to an end
- PhD viva success
- Recent and forthcoming conferences and events
- Selected publications, blogs and podcasts

To find out more, download the ReaCH Newsletter September 2023

Highlights include:

- Glasgow Caledonian cancer research receives £1 million cash injection
- New trial hopes to improve the lives of patients using catheters
- The invisible story of intimate partner violence against gay and bisexual men in Scotland
- Drunk witness research reveals potential benefits of delayed policy follow-up interviews
- Double Springboard Award success for bioscientists
- GCU health researchers behind new stroke guidelines
- New study explores surgical treatment options for women with prolapse
- Blue space experts give local communities a voice and call for action
- Research shows infection-prevention evidence is lacking in low-income countries
- GCU research aims to reduce pharmaceutical pollution in Scotland through 'blue-green prescriptions'
- ReaCH scientists share their research with nursing students
- GCU shortlisted for three Herald Higher Education Awards
- Prestigious UN/WHO appointment for Emeritus Professor Kofi Aidoo
- PhD viva success
- Fitting retirement farewell for two top SHLS Professors
- GCU SHLS Honorary Fellow receives Merit Award
- Chronic pain poster wins top prize leads to international recognition
- Professor receives international recognition
- Three Minute Thesis (3MT)
- Podcast explores COVID-19 impact on PhD nursing students action
- Common Good Podcasts
- Blogs and latest news
- Recent and forthcoming events
- Latest publications

To find out more, download the ReaCH Newsletter June 2023

Highlights include:

- Food scientists shortlisted in Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards
- Lecturer to help create new guidelines for congenital heart disease patients
- GCU researchers to help people with chronic pain be at work
- Research launched into foot care provision for people with dementia
- Call for more firms to join project to get workers moving more
- Health professors recognised with New Year's Honours
- Honour for services to healthcare and public health
- Professor of Occupational Therapy receives profession's highest honour
- PhD viva success
- Blood cancer researcher wins best poster prize
- Research funding success
- Research study to explore the needs of adults with learning disabilities and incontinence
- International observership with SHIP team
- Spotlight on the APPLE study
- PPI support scheme for PhD students
- Four pillars podcast series launched for AHPs
- Common Good Podcasts
- Nursing during difficult times
- Blogs and latest news
- Recent and forthcoming events
- Latest publications

To find out more, download the ReaCH Newsletter March 2023

2022

Highlights include:

- Three Professors take the reins of world-leading research
- GCU launches £2.5m research programme to combat HIV and Hepatitis C for the Common Good
- First results from largescale long-COVID study
- GCU Professor behind new World Falls Guidelines
- Scientists reveal new contact tracing method for sex partners of people with chlamydia
- Stigma is causing people with mental illness to hold back in life
- Findings highlighted in the Scottish Parliament
- ReaCH researchers investigate how alcohol is marketed to LGBTQ+ community
- GCU Vision Sciences behind new eye image bank 
- GCU lecturer first MSK physio in Scotland to clinch NHS research fellowship
- GCU food scientists drink in success
- Living near a blue space can reduce mental health conditions
- Psychology lecturer in 'Healing Hearts and Minds' with her new book
- Engineers help Giraffe extend its reach
- Improving work outcomes among individuals with chronic pain
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Foot Disease Activity Index
- GCU hep c expert headhunted for top Lancet commission
- Two bioscientists join RSE Young Academy of Scotland
- Vision Sciences trio awarded rare accreditation
- GCU researchers shortlisted for THE International Collaboration of the Year 2022 Award 
- Double award win for proplapse researchers
- HIV and hep C research success goes global in Real Impact Awards Showcase Book
- Global health scientist clinches highly cited award for third year running
- Big Apple trip takes blood cancer research to next level 
- Ageing expert takes new falls guidelines to Iceland 
- Blogs
- Recent and forthcoming events
- Latest publications

To find out more, download the ReaCH Newsletter December 2022

Highlights include:

- Research helps GPs get vital treatment to hep C patients faster
- GCU and Sport Aberdeen launch ProActive Minds programme
- Osteoporosis patients should not be afraid to exercise regularly
- Nurses considered leaving NHS after COVID-19 first wave
- Nine MSPs back GCU report calling for better alcohol services support for LGBTQ+ community
- Researchers plan to reduce sedentary behaviour in the workplace
- A new measure of psychological safety for patients
- GCU collaboration identifies a new genetic risk factor for liver cancer
- Call for end to student placement crisis
- GCU plays key role in Scotland's Radiology Recovery Plan
- Research Mobility Grant
- IBioIC Award
- Rising Star
- High Commendation Award
- Ageing Well expert hits the airwaves
- Wound healing
- Blogs
- Recent and forthcoming events
- Latest publications

To find out more, download the ‌ReaCH Newsletter September 2022.

Highlights include:

- Glasgow Caledonian University delivers world-leading health research with outstanding impact
- World-leading blood-borne virus research team clinch the international Real Impact Award
- LGBTQ+ community experience alcohol-related inequalities in Scotland
- COVID-19 immunity study reinforces the need for booster jabs
- Call for urgent action to tackle the mental health crisis among gay and bisexual men
- Make Movement Your Mission COVID-19 success story 
- NMAHP-RU newsletter
- TREADON
- Scottish Parliament debates GCU study on alcohol problems in LGBTQ+ community 
- Stroke researchers help to map progressive pathways for survivors
- Congenital heart disease research marks Patient Experience Week 
- Research highlights respiratory education for nursing students
- GCU Water Wall in Motion winners
- GCU welcomes four new bioscientists
- Spotlight on CHAMP-UK trial
- Sport and exercise technology trainee launches new network
- Masterclass and Professorial Lecture
- Patient and Public Involvement/Engagement (PPIE) Group
- World Health Day
- SHIP Ahoy for World Hand Hygiene Day at GCU 
- Forthcoming events
- Latest publications

To find out more, download the ReaCH Newsletter May 2022.

Highlights include:

- Police commit to national roll-out of life-saving treatment
- Cancer expert clinches £133,000 for leukaemia research
- World-renowned hepatitis C expert behind landmark report on liver disease in Europe
- Study explores self-management treatment for pelvic organ prolapse
- Research exposes dramatic drop in HIV and hepatitis C testing for people who inject drugs during COVID-19 first wave
- Living near a canal cuts chronic liver diseases
- Ageing expert helps physios target loss of muscle mass in older people
- Study reveals best dose of speech therapy to maximise recovery for stroke patients
- Researchers run pelvic floor dysfunction workshops for women in the Pacific Islands
- FLEXI study goes live
- HIV experts hits the BBC Scotland airwaves
- Highly cited award for second year running
- Experts warns festive drinks promotions target women despite rise in alcohol-related deaths
- GREAT wins best poster
- How the spin-off benefits of climate action will improve life for everyone
- Health benefits of blue spaces article to feature in new book 
- Mental illness stigma article
- Sign of the Times for sexual health expert
- NMAHP-RU newsletter
- Common Good Podcasts
- Stroke researchers celebrate record year of success at conference
- Sport and exercise psychology starts take international conference by storm
- Patient and Public Involvement/Engagement (PPIE) Group
- Forthcoming events
- Latest publications

To find out more, download the ReaCH Newsletter March 2022.

2021

Highlights include:

- GCU at forefront of mental health stigma research
- Pandemic impact on senior charge nurses and midwives explored
- GCU global health expert briefed COP26 delegates of co-benefits of climate action
- COP 26 'Canals Do Net Zero' event
- GCU SafePod for researchers now open on campus
- Impact and knowledge exchange
- Patient and Public Involvement/Engagement Group
- GCU Skin Tissue Bank supporting research into skin health and disease
- DPsych trainee receives research and applied practice recognition
- Mental health of respiratory nurses working during the COVID-19 crisis
- Seasonal depression: why it happens - and how to manage the symptoms
- World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2021
- Occupational therapy blog
- NMAHP-RU newsletter
- What does the future of MSc dissertations in nursing look like?
- SHAAP seminar
- The liver is a window on 21st century health of the European population
- Falls prevention
- Sex, Drugs and Scotland's Health
- Forthcoming events
- Latest publications

To find out more, download the ReaCH Newsletter December 2021.

Highlights include:

- Glasgow Science Festival
- Research reveals the impact of the first lockdown on mental health
- Coaches, parents and peers play a key role in motivating athletes
- Researchers helping people with leg pain
- Blood cancer expert puts GCU on the world map for cancer research
- Stroke research showcased on the international stage
- Generation X are heavy, risk drinkers.  Will anything persuade us to stop?
- Standing on one leg is a good sign of good health
- Could pigs really be superheroes?
- INSHU conference
- Best clinical abstract award
- Common Good Podcast
- Child and Adolescent Health
- Forthcoming events
- Latest publications

To find out more, download the ReaCH Newsletter October 2021

Highlights include:

- Scientists reveal blueprint for getting hepatitis C treatment to people who inject drugs
- Ageing expert behind new data predicting falls rise in older people as result of COVID-19 lockdown
- New SafePod arrives at GCU
- Best clinical abstract award for Prolong20+ study
- Why Scotland need mandatory health warnings on alcohol products
- Major international accolade for sexual health and blood borne viruses PhD student
- GCU Honorary Professor Nicola Steedman clinches top government health job
- Falls Prevention - evidence into practice with the FLEXI Implementation Study
- LUSTRUM
- Health Services Research UK
- Conferences and public engagement
- NMAHP-RU Newsletter
- Recent publications
- Small answers to big problems?
- ReaCH seminar series
- Latest vacancies

To find out more, download the ReaCH Newsletter August 2021

Highlights include:

- Hospital infections costs NHS Scotland £46million each year
- Researchers call for mandatory health warnings on alcohol labels
- Research exposes gaps in mental health support for frontline nurses during pandemic
- Microbiologist wins funding to help find new treatment for bacterial vaginosis
- Understanding the behaviour of nurse independent practitioners
- PhD student launches Anger in Sports study
- Respiratory health of adults with learning difficulties
- Blood cancer research reaches milestone
- Social work scientists look to the future
- How alcohol companies are using International Women's Day to sell more drinks to women
- Happy? Sad? Stressed? How drinking became the answer to everything
- Game of Stones
- Cochrane review on sedentary behaviour
- How can we provide hepatitis c treatment in primary care
- The Sport Psych Show
- New research posts

To find out more, download the ReaCH Newsletter July 2021

Highlights include:

- Perfect cocktail for a longer life
- New research shows that anxiety makes Parkinson’s disease symptoms worse
- Nurses feel pressure from patients to prescribe antibiotics
- Health scientists turn GCU into top read institution
- Let’s evidence co-creation for future public health
- 3 minute thesis
- Latest funding opportunities

To find out more, download the ReaCH Newsletter June 2021

Highlights include:

- Research Celebration
- Is social media use a potentially addictive behaviour?
- Regular physical activity could cut COVID-19 death risk by one third
- Men, Women and Alcohol: from Gin Lane to Pink Gin
- Research shows that even older stroke survivors can improve speech given the right support
- Latest blog from PIONEER
- World Hand Hygiene Day
- Ageing Well with Stroke in the era of COVID-19 eConference

To find out more, download the ReaCH Newsletter May 2021

Highlights include:

- Launch of new centre
- Health CASCADE
- PhD fellowships
- New PrEP guidance
- Honorary professor
- Scottish SIR-EN study recruitment going well
- Research to help new dads reduce alcohol consumption
- World Economic Forum recognises GCU Forth and Clyde Canal study
- COP26 Climate Data Challenge Hackathon
- GCU-led international stroke research network awarded new funding
- Transatlantic lecture for sports psychology student
- Researchers clinch top awards
- Students working with Cricket Scotland's stars of the future
- Shortlisted for the prestigious award
- Ageing Well with Stroke in the era of the COVID-19 conference
- Research excellence shared with new nursing students

To find out more, download the ReaCH Newsletter April 2021