#uk-biobank

#uk-biobank

Angus Burns, a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, said the work highlights the potency of our circadian rhythm, which not only regulates sleep, but also independently affects nearly every organ in the body, changing how they function when we nod off. For those experiencing the brightest nights, the research showed increased risk of between 30 percent and 50 percent for heart attack, stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and coronary artery disease.

A recent study tracking nearly half a million people has delivered sobering news for people who prefer their morning brew piping hot: drinking very hot beverages may significantly increase the risk of a form of throat cancer called esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The research, published in the British Journal of Cancer, followed 454,796 adults through the UK Biobank for over a decade, finding that "very hot" beverages were a clear risk factor for the disease.

Rafaella Rogatto De Faria was nearing the end of her PhD when her adviser proposed a fresh project. The idea was to analyse genetic, imaging and surgical-outcome data, to find biomarkers that could help to identify which people with osteoarthritis would respond best to knee-replacement surgery. De Faria, an athlete and a biomedical engineer at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, knew the profound impact of cartilage and joint injuries on people's lives,

Whole-genome sequencing in 490,640 UK Biobank participants has enabled the discovery of approximately 1.5 billion genetic variants, vastly surpassing previous technologies in observed variation.

The completion of the decade-long imaging project means qualifying researchers will have access to 1bn de-identified images alongside medical histories and genetic data.

Data locked away benefits no one, but when data is shared responsibly and carefully with bright minds everywhere, we get results that will give us all a healthier future.