Male researchers receive more than three times as much funding as female researchers Male researchers receive far greater funding for cancer research than their female equivalents, suggests a study published in the journal BMJ Open. Within the European Union (EU), women represent nearly half of the workforce and more than half of all university graduates, […]
Latest articles
Top 10 Most Read in April: Effect of pasta on body weight in GI diets, maternal caffeine intake and childhood weight, and the effectiveness and safety of surgery for endometriosis
April saw five new papers enter into BMJ Open’s top 10 most read articles. In first place is a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials that aimed to examine the effects of pasta on body weight and measures of adiposity in adults following a low glycaemic index (GI) diet. Compared to those […]
Moderate to severe mid-life anxiety may be linked to later life dementia
But it’s not clear whether active treatment might curb risk, say researchers Moderate to severe mid-life anxiety may be linked to dementia in later life, suggests an analysis of the available published evidence in the online journal BMJ Open. But as yet, it’s not clear whether active treatment could curb this risk, and whether non-drug […]
Fetal exposure to moderate/high caffeine levels linked to excess childhood weight gain
Should mums-to-be cut out caffeine altogether, ask the researchers? Exposure to moderate to high caffeine levels while in the womb is linked to excess weight gain in early childhood, suggests a large observational study published in the online journal BMJ Open. The findings, which back general advice to limit caffeine intake while pregnant, prompt the […]
Alcohol intake may be linked to premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Around 1 in 10 cases worldwide might be associated with drinking, estimate the researchers Drinking alcohol may be linked to pre-menstrual syndrome, or PMS for short, suggests a pooled analysis of published study data in the online journal BMJ Open. Based on the global prevalence of alcohol drinking and their study findings, the Spanish researchers […]
Huge variation in prescribing practice for gluten free foods in England
Those in most deprived areas least likely to get a prescription Prescribing practice for gluten free foods in England varies hugely, and doesn’t seem to be driven by obvious medical factors, reveals research published in the online journal BMJ Open. And those living in the most deprived areas of the country are the least likely […]
Top 10 Most Read in March: dietary fats and changes in cardiovascular risk factors, declaration of conflicts of interest by clinicians and the association between eating speed and obesity
March saw a varied selection of articles enter the Top 10 Most Read. In the top spot, and receiving quite a bit of attention on social media, is a randomised trial by Khaw et al looking at coconut oil, olive oil and butter as dietary fats and the changes in blood lipid profile, weight, fat distribution […]
Poor practice on conflict of interest in NHS may be damaging trust in clinicians
US-style statutory body needed to ensure all trusts have strong policies in place, say researchers Many NHS trusts in England are failing to log, track, or disclose information on conflicts of interest (COI) for their staff, so potentially undermining public trust in health professionals, suggests research published in the online journal BMJ Open. A statutory […]
New requirements for patient and public involvement statements in BMJ Open
Patient partnership at The BMJ: Walking the talk In 2014, The BMJ launched it’s patient partnership strategy, seeking “to promote patient partnership by walking the talk“. The strategy, informed by an international patient advisory panel, launched a number of innovative editorial practices, including patient peer review and patient co-production of educational articles. Listening to patients’ voices […]
Surgeries employing GPs with additional training in complementary medicine appear less likely to prescribe antibiotics
Use of complementary/alternative medicine may help reduce over prescribing of antibiotics GP surgeries with doctors who also have training in complementary and alternative medicines appear to be less likely to prescribe antibiotics to patients and may hold the key to reducing over-prescribing of these drugs, suggests a study published in the journal BMJ Open. Inappropriate […]