Latest news with #UniversityofSunderland
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists unveil breakthrough drug that could halt and reverse deadly liver fibrosis
Liver fibrosis often develops without symptoms and has no approved cure. But researchers at the University of Sunderland have discovered a new enzyme-blocking treatment that could finally help stop or reverse the disease. Dr Maria Teresa Borrello and her team have found that blocking the enzyme HDAC6 with newly developed drugs could reduce liver scarring in people with fibrosis. HDAC6 plays a role in regulating inflammation and cellular stress, and the research suggests it also helps activate hepatic stellate cells, which are responsible for producing collagen, a major driver of scar tissue formation. Dr Borrello, who is a lecturer in Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry at the University, said her team has developed two new drugs specifically designed to block HDAC6 activity. 'So far, we've seen encouraging laboratory results showing that HDAC6 inhibitors – or blockers – reduce inflammation and cellular stress responses – both of which are key contributors to fibrosis, she said in a release. 'These findings support the idea that HDAC6 is a promising drug target for treating liver fibrosis. We are also starting to understand more about how these compounds work at the molecular level, which is essential for designing better, safer treatments.' The researchers hope their findings will form the basis of new treatments that can significantly improve the lives of people with this condition and potentially other inflammation-related diseases, including skin disorders. 'This research is a step forward in finding a treatment for liver fibrosis. Our HDAC6 inhibitors provide a more targeted approach and by focusing on a key cause of fibrosis, we may be able to stop the disease before it reaches irreversible stages,' Dr Borello said. 'By stopping or reversing the scarring process, we could reduce the need for liver transplants and improve long-term health outcomes.' Researchers believe that targeting the root cause of fibrosis could mark a turning point in the treatment of liver disease. As efforts to tackle chronic conditions evolve, such precision therapies could change how currently untreatable diseases are managed. The UK's leading liver health charity, the British Liver Trust, has welcomed the research findings. "Liver disease often develops without symptoms, and most people only learn they have liver damage when it's too late for effective treatment - usually limited to a liver transplant or lifestyle changes,' Pamela Healy OBE, Chief Executive at the Trust, said. 'While this new research is still in its early stages, it shows promise for developing treatments that could improve, and ultimately save, the lives of thousands affected by liver disease." Liver disease is responsible for approximately four percent of premature deaths globally, with liver fibrosis being one of its most serious and often undetected forms. In the UK alone, an estimated 2 million people are affected. The condition develops when long-term damage to the liver, commonly caused by alcohol use, obesity, or chronic infections, triggers the formation of scar tissue. As the scarring worsens over time, it can lead to life-threatening complications such as liver failure or cancer. Because symptoms often appear only in the advanced stages, many people are unaware they have the disease, and currently, there are no approved treatments to halt or reverse the scarring study has been published in The Febs Journal.
Daily Mirror
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Huge music star ditches stage name for real name for first time in 18 years
An award-winning musician has revealed they are reverting back to their real name for the first time in 18 years at an upcoming hometown concert, calling it the 'perfect opportunity' A chartopper has decided to ditch their stage name as they get ready to perform for the first time in 18 years under their birth title. Synonymous with soulful melodies and profound lyrics, the artist has carved an indelible mark on the music industry. Now, however they are readying themselves to showcase their talent under their official name for the first time in almost two decades. Step forward Adele Sande. The songstress, 38, is best known in the industry under the name Emeli Sande. The artist burst onto the scene in 2009 before huge hits over the years, including Read All About It Pt. III, Next To Me and Hurts. Her best-selling album in 2012 led to her performing in both the opening and closing ceremonies at the 2012 Olympics in London, as well as earn her numerous accolades, including the Critics' Choice Award at the 2012 BRIT Awards and Best British Female Solo Artist in 2013. Sande also received an MBE for services to music in 2017. Now, stepping away from her stage name, Sande is returning to perform under her real name, Adele, for the first time in 18 years. The performance will also mark a homecoming for the star as she returns to her Sunderland roots. The artist was born in the North East city before moving to Scotland at a young age. Her performance will kick off the Sunderland Year of Music 2025-2026. Speaking ahead of the June performance, Sande said: "I'm very proud to be born in Sunderland, it's an exciting city full of character, warmth and creativity! "Although we moved to Cumbria when I was 2 I've always felt close to the city through my parent's stories of how they met and their time at the University of Sunderland. I thought it would be the perfect opportunity in my birth town to use my real name Adele. Something I've had the urge to do for a while now. My last show as Adele Sande was 18 years ago!" Speaking of her concert at Sunderland hotspot The Fire Station, she said: "This will be a showcase of new material, music in the works, improvisations and new imaginations of songs that may be familiar. "A show embracing full artistic freedom and authenticity which I hope will take us all on a journey and open up the Sunderland Year of Music with love." Her performance will kick off an exciting year that will also see Franz Ferdinand take to the stage at the venue days later. Like Sande, the band's lead singer Alex Kapranos grew up on Wearside before moving to Scotland. The gigs come after Sunderland was named as the second city in the UK to achieve Music City status, after Manchester. Among those paying tribute to the announcement at the time was Lauren Laverne. In a post on Facebook in January, The One Show presenter, 46, said: "Just popping up to share some wonderful news from my home town Sunderland. "It is officially as of today a music city. That means it's joining a global network including places like Berlin, Valencia, Sydney and Manchester. Huge congratulations Sunderland Music City."
BBC News
13-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Kate Adie collection curated at Sunderland University
An archive featuring notebooks and pictures belonging to journalist and author Katie Adie has been curated in her former BBC reporter, described as a "trailblazer" in the world of journalism, grew up in Sunderland and covered a raft of major events, including the 1980 Iranian Embassy siege and the 1989 student uprising in Tiananmen bomb fragments and a chunk of the Berlin Wall are part of the special collection at the University of Sunderland, which will be taken out into the who donated more than 2,000 items to preserve a record of her professional career, said it was a "privilege to be a reporter because you poke your nose in". Adie began her career working in local radio at BBC Radio Durham and then BBC Radio Bristol, before moving into she became chief news correspondent for the BBC in 1989, holding the post for 14 years and reported from conflicts including both Gulf Wars and war in the currently presents From Our Own Correspondent on BBC Radio 4. 'First-rate hoarder' Adie said growing up in Sunderland had felt "magical" and she remembered an "immensely happy" childhood."The town itself was friendly," she said. "You can never stand in the bus queue without saying, 'Well, pet, what do you think?' It was just great." She said by donating the items she wanted people to "feel proud" of their about the items, Adie said: "Well first of all, it sounds as if I'm a first-rate hoarder."A reporter does not usually have much time to collect souvenirs so it's an eclectic collection, but I hope it represents the extraordinarily varied stories I've covered, from wars to royal garden parties." Adie donated the items in 2005 and grant funding was awarded last year to catalogue them as part of the university's "Special Collections", which can be viewed by appointment David Bell, university vice chancellor and chief executive, said: "Kate Adie is one of the most talented journalists and broadcasters of her generation and, as a native of Sunderland, her collection will be of interest both locally and further afield."The Kate Adie Collection was officially launched on Thursday. Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Telegraph
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Secret BBC list identifies ‘Britain's most hated accent'
The BBC ranked the Birmingham accent the 'most hated' on a secret league table, a veteran war correspondent has revealed. Kate Adie said accents were 'one of the country's complex matters' and stressed that they 'vary hugely and how they are received varies hugely.' Speaking at an event marking the cataloguing of a vast archive of material documenting her life and career at the University of Sunderland, the 79-year-old added: 'Years and years ago, the BBC had an unofficial league table of the most liked and the most hated accents. 'The view was that some of them drove people nuts up and down the country.' Adie, one of the BBC's most popular war reporters, asked her audience to guess the most disliked accent. A chorus of 'Birmingham' followed. The 79-year-old explained: 'From one end of the country to another, it's Birmingham! Michael Buerk, who comes from Birmingham, was once asked why he didn't use the accent. He said, 'I didn't want death threats'.' However, she told the event that Geordie was generally well-liked. Previous research initiated by BBC News revealed that most newsreaders across the corporation, as well as ITV, Channel 4, and Sky, speak with received pronunciation (RP). University Challenge host Amol Rajan revealed the research in 2022 and challenged Tim Davie, the BBC's director-general, to correct an on-air 'accent bias.' At the time, Mr Davie said the statistical bias towards RP was 'not particularly [surprising].' RP was adopted as the BBC standard in 1922 and was once regarded as the most 'typically British' accent. However, it is now spoken by just 2 per cent of the population. Newsnight presenter Victoria Derbyshire said she was proud of her Lancashire accent but admitted she feared her voice was 'too Northern' to advance at the BBC. Adie, who was raised in Sunderland, admitted she never had a strong accent, nor did her parents, who adopted her as a baby. She also revealed dissertations could be written on news programme accents and recalled her days at BBC Radio Durham when a locally accented producer would read the bulletin. 'We got complaints from everywhere,' she added. Adie's career at the BBC spanned 34 years, during which time she covered conflicts from China to Libya, Kosovo to Kuwait. Some of her most significant assignments included reporting on the Iranian Embassy siege in May 1980 and the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre. After complaining about the growing preoccupation with television journalists' looks, she stepped down as the BBC's chief news correspondent in 2003. At the time, she said bosses were obsessed with 'cute faces and cute bottoms and nothing else in between.' Adie's archive includes more than 2,300 objects, including dozens of notebooks, video clips, tapes, letters, and photographs. It was donated to the University of Sunderland several years ago, but funding to catalogue the items properly only came last year. Speaking about her life's work being documented in her home city, Adie said: 'My life was shaped by my childhood in Sunderland, and I've wanted to show some of the very happy memories, starting at home in Tunstall Park and including two bomb fragments, embedded in our sideboard, which thankfully arrived two years before my appearance. 'A reporter does not usually have much time to collect souvenirs, so it's an eclectic collection, but I hope it represents the extraordinarily varied stories I've covered, from wars to royal garden parties.' Sir David Bell, vice chancellor of the University of Sunderland, said of Adie's collection: 'She [Kate Adie] is one of the most talented journalists and broadcasters of her generation and, as a native of Sunderland, her collection will be of interest both locally and further afield.'
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
BBC had unofficial league table of best and worst British accents, says top correspondent
The BBC had an 'unofficial league table' of British accents, in which Birmingham was ranked the worst, one of the broadcaster's most esteemed war correspondents has said. In remarks at a University of Sunderland event marking the opening of an archive of her work, Kate Adie – who now presents From Our Own Correspondent – said the BBC would receive widespread complaints over regional accents when she started her career. Ms Adie, who for years was one of the BBC's best-known journalists, said: 'It is one of this country's complex matters. Accents vary hugely and how they are received varies hugely. 'Years and years ago the BBC had an unofficial league table of the most liked and the most hated accents. 'The view was that some of them drove people nuts up and down the country. Geordie did pretty well. It's liked.' Confirming the answer given by the audience when asked to guess what the most disliked accent was, Ms Adie is reported by The Guardian to have said: 'From one end of the country to another, it's Birmingham. 'Michael Buerk, who comes from Birmingham, was once asked why he didn't use the accent. He said, 'I didn't want death threats'.' The veteran correspondent said that, when she started out as a station assistant at BBC Radio Durham, they would receive 'complaints from everywhere' if a locally-accented producer read the news bulletin. 'We got complaints from everywhere. The whole range of audience. They felt it wasn't right for news. It is a curious one,' she said. Ms Adie, aged 79, covered a host of conflicts while working as the BBC's chief news reporter between 1989 and 2003, having first joined the corporation as a radio technician and producer 20 years prior. Her first major break came covering the Iranian embassy siege in 1980, after which she went on to report from war zones around the world, including the Gulf War, the 1986 bombing of Libya, and the Bosnian war. During the Tiananmen Square massacre, Ms Adie was hit in the elbow by a bullet which is reported to have killed the man standing next to her, and was nicked by a bullet fired at point-blank range in Libya. She was awarded an OBE in 1993. The newly opened archive is reported to contain more than 2,300 items donated to the university, including Ms Adie's tapes, letters, photographs and the bullet which grazed her at Tiananmen Square. The Independent has approached the BBC for comment.
