11 Jan 2019

High intake of dietary fibre and whole grains associated with reduced risk of non-communicable diseases

People who eat higher levels of dietary fibre and whole grains have lower rates of non-communicable diseases compared with people who eat lesser amounts, while links for low glycaemic load and low glycaemic index diets are less clear. Observational studies and clinical trials conducted over nearly 40 years reveal the health benefits of eating at least 25g to 29g or more of dietary fibre a day, according to a series of systematic reviews and meta-analyses published in The Lancet. The results suggest a 15-30% decrease in all-cause and cardiovascular related mortality when comparing people who eat the h...

10 Jan 2019

Surgical robot signals new age of medical training in Scotland

Dundee Institute for Healthcare Simulation (DIHS) has taken delivery of a leading-edge surgical robot. DIHS, a medical education centre formed by the University of Dundee, NHS Tayside and industry partners Medtronic, are developing the first training programme for robotic-assisted surgery in Scotland. Surgical robots are used to carry out operations across four health boards in Scotland, but surgeons must travel to England or overseas to be trained in their use. The installation of the £1.7 million da Vinci robot at DIHS is the first step towards a full robotic training centre being established nor...

9 Jan 2019

Scotland’s slavery past among Transatlantic Movements to be traced

Scotland’s involvement in the Atlantic slave trade is among the topics that will be explored by University of Dundee academics and local artists at a public debate next week. ‘Tracing Transatlantic Movements: Atlantic Journeys and Scottish-Caribbean Connections in Conversation’ is an interdisciplinary panel discussion taking place at the Baxter Suite, Tower Building on Tuesday 15 January. It accompanies ‘Moving Jamaica’, an exhibition at the University’s Lamb Gallery that contrasts photographs of 19th century Jamaica with contemporary images of the island. Presenters i...

8 Jan 2019

Understanding enterprise ‘ecosystem’ can increase number of women-owned businesses

Making an economic case for female entrepreneurship will do more to increase the number of women-owned businesses rather than treating it as a diversity issue, according to new research led by the University of Dundee. Figures show that of the six million businesses in Britain, only one-fifth are run by women, and there are twice as many male entrepreneurs as females despite there being more women in the UK. Furthermore, it has been estimated that increasing female entrepreneurship could result in a boost of £60 billion for the UK economy. Dr Norin Arshed, of the University’s School of Busine...

7 Jan 2019

University spinout announces major investment, collaboration

Exscientia, a world leader in artificial intelligence (“AI”) driven drug discovery and a spinout company of the University of Dundee, has made two announcements today regarding major investments and collaboration. The Company has raised US$26 million in a Series B financing round to scale up its pipeline and advance selected programmes towards clinical development. The round included participation from new investors Celgene Corporation and specialist healthcare investor GT Healthcare Capital Partners, as well as existing investor Evotec AG. An AI drug discovery collaboration with Roche wort...