Physical Therapy Has Benefits for Back Pain

People with back pain are often referred for physical therapy, though studies on its effectiveness have been mixed. A randomized trial suggests that, despite some limitations, physical therapy may have real benefits. Researchers studied 220 adults, aged 18 to 60, with back pain and sciatica (pain radiating down the leg) of less than three months’…

The Lancet: Herd immunity approaches to COVID-19 control are a ‘dangerous fallacy’, say authors of open letter

A group of 80 researchers warn that a so-called herd immunity approach to managing COVID-19 by allowing immunity to develop in low-risk populations while protecting the most vulnerable is “a dangerous fallacy unsupported by the scientific evidence”. Faced with a second wave of COVID-19, and more than a million recorded deaths worldwide, the authors present…

Blood test could identify COVID-19 patients at risk of ‘cytokine storm’ hyperinflammation

Southampton researchers have identified a blood profile that could help identify COVID-19 patients at greatest risk of deterioration and direct them towards trials of specific treatments that could modify their immune systems’ responses. A new study jointly led by Professor Tom Wilkinson and Dr Tristan Clark of the University of Southampton, has shown a blood…