Parkinson’s Disease could be diagnosed with skin swab tests, Manchester scientists discover
Scientists at the University of Manchester have made a “game-changing” breakthrough by discovering that Parkinson’s Disease could be diagnosed using a simple skin swab test.
Scientists at the University of Manchester have made a “game-changing” breakthrough by discovering that Parkinson’s Disease could be diagnosed using a simple skin swab test.
Results published this week showed that Parkinson’s sufferers may produce higher amounts of a substance called sebum – which coats and protects the skin.
A swab test can detect these compounds; and may help researchers determine whether new treatments are able to slow, stop or reverse the progression of the disease.
The study was funded following the case of Joy Milne – a woman who stunned scientists by revealing she could detect Parkinson’s disease through smell.
Joy told researchers that she could smell a “musky” odour on her husband Les – who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s years later.
Professor Perdita Barran, Professor of Mass Spectrometry at UoM, said the results were “an extremely encouraging step” towards tests that could be used to help diagnose and monitor Parkinson’s.
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“Not only is the test quick, simple and painless but it should also be extremely cost-effective because it uses existing technology that is already widely available,” said the professor.
“We are now looking to take our findings forwards to refine the test to improve accuracy even further and to take steps towards making this a test that can be used in the NHS and to develop more precise diagnostics and better treatment for this debilitating condition.”
Parkinson’s can be difficult to diagnose / Image: Pixabay
Parkinson’s UK analysis suggests that 1 in 37 people will be diagnosed with Parkinson’s in their lifetime.
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The onset of the disease – which sees the sufferer develop a range of physical symptoms such as tremors and stiff, slow movements – is often gradual; worsening over a period of months and years.
The condition can be difficult to diagnose, too.
In a recent survey of more than 2,000 people with Parkinson’s, more than a quarter revealed they were initially misdiagnosed with a different condition.
It took four years for Daxa Kalayci, 56, to be given an accurate diagnosis of Parkinson’s.
“Despite my diagnosis eventually being confirmed by a DaTscan, a quick and simple diagnostic test for Parkinson’s would have given me the chance to start my treatment earlier and enjoy life a lot more,” said Daxa.
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“But instead, I lost so many years not being able to pursue a career as a paramedic or go back to nursing.
“This test could be a game-changer for people living with Parkinson’s and searching for answers like I was.”
Professor David Dexter, Associate Director of Research at Parkinson’s UK said that two more people in the UK are diagnosed with Parkinson’s every hour – and the COVID-19 pandemic has increased complications with regards to delays and misdiagnoses.
However, he called the new results “significant” in the bid to revolutionise Parkinson’s treatment.
The Professor added: “With this innovative test, we could see people being diagnosed quickly and accurately enabling them to access vital treatment and support to manage their Parkinson’s symptoms sooner.”
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The Boots recycling scheme where you can get £5 off every shop
Thomas Melia
UK high street retailer and healthcare shop Boots has launched an innovative recycling scheme that entitles customers to £5 off their future shopping trips.
If you’re still struggling to come up with a New Year’s resolution, why not try a spot of recycling and earn some money off your next cosmetics shop while you’re at it?
Started in 2020, the Boots Recycling Scheme allows Advantage Card holders the opportunity to get money while also being more conscious about how we recycle our used health and beauty products.
Their third-party app, Recycle at Boots, uses a ‘Scan2Recycle‘ system where users can upload items from various beauty brands by taking a picture of the empty packaging before identifying its form.
This scheme takes items that can’t usually be recycled at home, such as lotion pumps, toothpaste tubes, lipstick, mascaras, travel minis, make-up palettes and more.
Once you have five items approved, head over to your nearest participating Boots store, drop off your empties and scan the QR code on the deposit box.
After you’ve followed all these steps, a voucher will appear entitling you to 500 Advantage Points when you spend £10 in-store at your nearest location, and not only do you have £5 worth of points with your name on it, you’re also an eco-warrior.
There’s even a dedicated section of the app to recycling empty medicine and vitamin blister packs, which gives customers 100 Advantage Points when they spend £5 in-store.
Brilliant.
Credit: Publicity pictures (supplied)
Items dropped into these deposit boxes are taken to MyGroup, a recycling and waste management service which works around the clock to help divert waste from landfill.
These empties will be washed and traditionally recycled into a material called MyBoard, a construction board material most similar to plywood, with lots of different uses.
Nearest Boots locations in Manchester running the Recycle at Boots scheme:
Manchester Market Street – 32 Market Street, M1 1PL
Salford Regent Park – Regents Park, M5 3TP
Manchester Didsbury – 736-740 Wilmslow Road, M20 2DW
The Trafford Centre – 10 Peel Avenue, M17 8BD
Trafford Retail Park – Neary Way, M41 7FN
If you’re up for getting money off your next Boots splurge while also helping recycle cosmetics containers and more, you can download the Recycle at Boots app and find your nearest HERE.
Manchester United issue statement after Bruno Fernandes’ social media is hacked
Danny Jones
Manchester United were forced to issue an official statement following Bruno Fernandes’ social media being hacked.
The Man United star’s digital profile was hijacked in the wake of the defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion this weekend, which saw the Red Devils knocked out of the FA Cup and, it’s fair to say, quite the flurry of activity online.
As if to add insult to injury, with United‘s exit from the competition, a user then commandeered the club captain’s presence to share several fake posts.
With the official Bruno Fernandes X account being targeted following the game, the club had no choice but to respond after several controversial and/or inappropriate posts, not to mention multiple instances of general anti-ownership sentiment.
In case you didn’t see any of the since-deleted posts, besides one understandably troublesome comment which read, “let’s get rid of INEOS“, others were even more provocative/inflammatory.
The comments ranged from everything between messages @ing darts player and United fan Luke Littler to influencers like KSI and Jake Paul.
Offensive language was also present in many of them.
As for the Portuguese midfielder, he also quickly clarified that he obviously had no involvement in the activity; meanwhile, despite plenty of players coming out to apologise for the defeat on Sunday night, the skipper is yet to address the disappointment directly.
The loss to Brighton confirmed that Manchester United will be playing just 40 games for the rest of the campaign – the fewest since the 1914/15 season (i.e. at the outset of the First World War) – which serves as yet another unwanted record for the club of late.
You can see the highlights for the game down below.
It is also likely to have been caretaker manager Darren Fletcher’s final game in charge of the Reds, with an interim replacement set to be appointed imminently following Ruben Amorim’s shock sacking earlier this month.
His predecessor, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, also looked like the frontrunner at one point – and could still be involved in a backroom setup – but The Athletic now has it that Carrick could be is odds-on favourite to be announced before the Manchester derby.
Nevertheless, plenty of supporters still feel the problems remain deeply rooted throughout the club and that a change of personnel among the coaching staff still may not be enough…
The Manc -
11th March 2021 
