Brunel University London

Scientists call for more research into the efficacy of lower back pain medications

Chronic Pain

Drugs no better than placebos for lower back pain relief, study finds

A study of 15,000 adults suffering from acute lower back pain found that not only is the effectiveness of the medicines uncertain, but that the scientific evidence base used to inform good healthcare decisions is shockingly "fragile and incomplete."

The mushroom sausages can be molded into desired shapes and assembled

Materials

"Mushroom sausages" provide building material with a tasty bonus

Mushroom sausages may sound like a vegan dish, but for Brunel University London student Aleksi Vesaluoma, they're an unorthodox building material that not only allows for light, biodegradable structures, but has the added bonus of providing a delicious side dish for the morning bacon and eggs.

The prototype hybrid solar system incorporates PV panels and flat heat pipes

Environment

Hybrid solar roofing system uses heat pipes to boost efficiency

As photovoltaic cells heat up, their efficiency decreases. To capture that heat and put it to good use, a team of scientists from Brunel University in London has created a hybrid system that turns the whole roof into a solar generator.

Amin Amini Maghsoud Bigy and Dr Konstantinos Banitsas with the Kinect modified to help Parkinson's patients overcome Freezing of Gait

Wellness & Healthy Living

Kinect hacked to allow Parkinson's sufferers to walk the line

Researchers have hacked a Kinect sensor to overcome a symptom of Parkinson's disease known as Freezing of Gait (FOG), where the sufferer's muscles can freeze mid-stride, making them feel like their feet are glued to the ground or resulting in them falling over.