Anyone following progress on open access since the Finch Review report last year might think that the UK’s direction of travel is pretty much set. Since the Government and then Research Councils UK (RCUK) backed Gold open access, the same policy endorsed by the Wellcome Trust, it seemed likely that this would become much […]
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New cases of autism in UK have levelled off after five-fold surge during 1990s
The number of newly diagnosed cases of autism has levelled off in the UK after a five-fold surge during the 1990s, finds research published in BMJ Open. The findings differ from widely publicised results issued by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last year, which reported a 78% increase in the prevalence of […]
Journal policy on research funded by the tobacco industry
This article is being copublished as an editorial in the BMJ, Heart, and Thorax and as a blog in BMJ Open. Full references, competing interests, provenance and citation details can be read here. Fiona Godlee editor in chief [1], Ruth Malone editor, Tobacco Control [2], Adam Timmis current/outgoing editor, Heart [2], Catherine Otto incoming editor, Heart [2], Andy Bush coeditor, Thorax [2], Ian Pavord coeditor, Thorax [2], Trish Groves […]
War Veterans, OTC Medications and Dementia: Most read articles in September
The most-read article in September was once again, Carpenter et al‘s article on Bed sharing and the risk of SIDS. Wakefield et al‘s study of Australian packaging policy stayed in the top ten for another month. Other newly-published papers in the top ten include Brabers et al‘s survey investigating consumers’ attitudes towards over the counter medication. Rank Author(s) […]
Plentiful mid-life stress linked to heightened risk of dementia in late life
Coping with a lot of stress in middle age may boost the risk of developing dementia in late life – at least among women – suggests research published in BMJ Open. The response to common life events may trigger long lasting physiological changes in the brain, say the authors. They base their findings on 800 […]
International “war” on illegal drugs is failing to curb supply
The international war on illegal drugs is failing to curb supply, despite the increasing amounts of resource being ploughed into law enforcement activities, finds research published in BMJ Open. Since 1990, the street price of illegal drugs has fallen in real terms while the purity/potency of what’s on offer has generally increased, both of which […]
Hospital admissions, podcasts and rural vaccinations: Most read articles in August
The most-read article in August was Hornshøj et al‘s article on vaccination coverage in rural Guinea-Bissau. Carter et al‘s interview study of workplace bullying in the NHS stayed in the top ten for another month. Another title was the subject of the first BMJ Open podcast: Griffiths et al on how active our children are. Other newly-published papers in the […]
Half of all UK 7 year olds sedentary for 6 to 7 hours every day and not exercising for recommended minimum
Half of all UK seven year olds are sedentary for six to seven hours every day, and only half clock up the recommended daily minimum of moderate to vigorous physical activity, indicates research published in BMJ Open. Click here to listen to the podcast Girls, children of Indian ethnic origin, and those living in Northern Ireland […]
Cigarette packaging, twitter and workplace bullying: Most read articles in July
The most-read article in July was Wakefield et al‘s article on effects of the Australian plain cigarette packaging policy on adult smokers, which received widespread press coverage. Another popular title was Brynolf et al‘s paper on physician’s use of Twitter. Other newly-published papers in the top ten include Wallace et al‘s systematic review on the epidemiology of malpractice claims in […]
Certain blood pressure drugs slow dementia deterioration
A class of drug, called ACE inhibitors, which are used to lower blood pressure, slow the rate of cognitive decline typical of dementia, suggests research published in BMJ Open. Furthermore, these drugs may even boost brain power, the research indicates. The researchers compared the rates of cognitive decline in 361 patients who had either been diagnosed […]