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Patients could soon see faster progress in cancer diagnosis and treatment as Kingston University officially joins the prestigious London Cancer Hub. This major collaboration brings together academics, clinicians, and innovators to speed up the fight against the disease.

A New Hub for Hope

From August, researchers from Kingston University’s School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, and the School of Nursing, Allied and Public Health will be based at the Hub’s Innovation Gateway. This puts them right alongside world-leading experts at The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.

The move gives Kingston University’s Health, Education and Society Knowledge Exchange and Research Institute (HES KERI) direct access to a powerhouse of cancer expertise. This will create new chances for collaboration and help turn research into real-world benefits for patients.

Professor Adam Le Gresley, Director of Kingston University’s HES KERI, said the partnership is crucial. "Joining the London Cancer Hub community puts our researchers side-by-side with world-leading institutions and industry partners," he stated. "It's a fantastic opportunity to translate our science — from precision oncology to tackling cancer inequalities — into real impact for patients."

Accelerating Discoveries

The team’s expertise covers everything from the tiny molecules involved in cancer to improving patient care and addressing inequalities in treatment. They will work with researchers and a growing number of life sciences companies.

Dr Jon Wilkinson, Director of Business and Innovation at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, welcomed the move. "We’re very pleased to see Kingston University joining the ecosystem at the Innovation Gateway," he commented. "We are looking forward to collaborating further with partners like Kingston at The London Cancer Hub – a project we have long championed as a route to translate our discoveries into patient benefit."

Kingston University has already been working with teams at The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden’s Oak Drug Development Unit, offering students valuable experience in clinical trial management.

More Than Just Music

The festival brought together artists, students, and community partners to showcase the impact of Alchemy. It's not just about music; it's about creating a space for young people to grow.

Omar Elsaaidi, a student on the BA (Hons) Social Science, Community Development & Youth Work course, shared his experience. "Alchemy opened the door for me. I never thought it would be possible."

A Decade of Impact

Alchemy began in 2017, responding to a need to support young people through music. It has since grown into a programme connecting schools, community groups, and artists across south-east London.

Mikey Kirkpatrick, Director of Alchemy, highlighted the festival's aim. "The Alchemy festival was the first time we really opened the doors to show what Alchemy is all about." He added, "Every Saturday at Goldsmiths I am privileged to witness the alchemy of combining creativity and youth work."

Finding a Voice and Belonging

Participants spoke passionately about finding their confidence and a sense of belonging. For many, Alchemy has been a safe haven to explore their creativity without judgement.

Lara Paquete Pereira, a lecturer in Community Studies, reflected on the programme's unique approach. "What is particular to Alchemy is the deep listening that takes place. From a youth work perspective, deep listening is not static; it is followed by action."

Growing Future Leaders

A distinctive feature of Alchemy is how participants often return in new roles. Many who started as teenagers are now mentors, facilitators, and even students at Goldsmiths, helping to shape the next generation.

The festival celebrated the transformative power of creativity, relationships, and community. It showed how universities and communities can work together to unlock new possibilities for young people.

What is Shigella?

Shigella is a type of bacteria that causes diarrhoea, fever, and stomach cramps. It's usually spread through contaminated food or water. However, this particular strain is also being transmitted sexually.

The Superbug Threat

What's particularly concerning is that this Shigella is resistant to common drugs. This means infections could be much harder to treat. The study highlights a significant increase in cases.

"We are seeing a concerning increase in drug-resistant Shigella infections," stated the researchers. This rise is linked to sexual transmission.

Another expert warned, "This is a serious public health challenge that requires urgent attention." The spread is particularly prevalent among men who have sex with men.

What You Need To Know

Public health officials are urging people to be aware of the symptoms. Practising safe sex and good hygiene are crucial. If you experience symptoms, seek medical advice promptly.

A City Boy's Palette

The striking tower is the latest development in Batchelor's 30-year artistic journey exploring how colour impacts our cities, both culturally and emotionally. He describes the work as "a vehicle for colour."

Batchelor explained his fascination with urban colour, stating, "I've been working with colour as a subject for over 30 years." He noted the historical resistance to colour in Western art, saying, "When I went to art school in the 70s, no one was really doing colour. It was conceptual art, minimalism – very austere, very black and white and grey."

Illuminating the Urban Night

Batchelor, who identifies as "a city boy," draws inspiration from the illuminated colours of urban environments rather than natural landscapes. He finds the city's glow most prominent at night.

"In cities, the best colours come out at night. The city, which is largely grey during the day, it's in the night that it begins to glow," Batchelor observed. His work often incorporates salvaged materials, reflecting the industrial and everyday nature of urban colour.

Battling Chromophobia

The installation also ties into Batchelor's influential writings, particularly his book 'Chromophobia,' which examines the historical prejudice against colour in Western culture. He argues that colour has often been marginalised.

"I was trying to describe what I'd begun to notice, this resistance to colour in the West, this tendency to marginalise colour and to treat it as other to the workings of the higher Western mind," he said.

A Return Home for Chromorama

Originally commissioned for a corporate site in the City of London, 'Chromorama' has been structurally re-engineered for its new public home at Goldsmiths. This relocation is particularly meaningful for Batchelor.

He has a long-standing connection with Goldsmiths, having taught and exhibited there for decades, even holding the position of Emeritus Professor. "The first bit of teaching I picked up in London was at Goldsmiths, in about 1985 or 86," he shared.

Batchelor hopes the installation will bring simple pleasure and delight to viewers. "Art for me can be about pleasure, delight – just going, ‘I like that,’ like a firework display almost," he commented.

Boosting research careers

The shake-up at KCATO, based at King's College London, comes as the terms of its founding directors have ended. The move is designed to build on existing success and expand opportunities for those wanting to make a real difference in healthcare through research.

Professor Rina Dutta is the new KCATO Director. She previously served as Deputy Director and is keen to embed KCATO as the main hub for clinical academic training across King's College London and its partner NHS trusts.

"My priorities are to embed KCATO as the clear institutional home for clinical academic training across King’s College London and King’s Health Partners," Professor Dutta said. She added, "I am most excited about leading the team to work with multidisciplinary colleagues across trusts to make KCATO a national exemplar of how a university health partnership can create ambitious and sustainable clinical academic researchers, who genuinely improve care for the communities they serve."

Support for all health professionals

Professor Julie Sanders will lead as Deputy Director for Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals (NMAHPs+). She is a Professor of Cardiovascular Care and is dedicated to advancing clinical academic careers for these vital groups.

"Supporting clinical academic careers is one of the most effective ways to improve patient care, strengthen the healthcare workforce and drive innovation," Professor Sanders stated. She is committed to ensuring talented clinicians have the support they need to thrive.

Dr Cynthia Yu-Wai-Man is the new Deputy Director for Medics and Dentists. She is a Reader in Ophthalmology and an Honorary Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon.

The appointments signal a strong commitment to fostering a new generation of researchers who can translate their findings into better patient outcomes. This initiative from King's College London could have a significant impact on healthcare services across the region.

Unlocking the secrets of brain cells

The major funding boost will allow researchers, co-led by King's College London and University College London, to explore how neurons can shield themselves from toxic protein build-up. This is a key factor in conditions like Alzheimer's and motor neuron disease.

Professor Jernej Ule, a leading neuroscientist at King's College London, is co-leading the project. He explained the significance of the research.

"Our project aims to reveal how genes and environmental factors work together to maintain the delicate balance of condensates within cells," Professor Ule said. "We will study the crosstalk between interstasis and the known protein clearance mechanisms to help explain how neurons remain healthy during ageing."

A new discovery called 'interstasis'

The study builds on a recent discovery called 'interstasis'. This is a mechanism where cells manage proteins that tend to clump together. These clumps, called 'condensates', help cells organise important molecules.

However, if these condensates aren't controlled properly, they can turn into harmful protein clumps. The new research will investigate how interstasis might prevent this from happening.

Dr. Mathieu Bourdenx, Group Leader at the UK DRI at UCL, highlighted the collaborative effort. "We will study the crosstalk between interstasis and the known protein clearance mechanisms to help explain how neurons remain healthy during ageing," he commented.

This groundbreaking work could lead to a better understanding of how our brains age and how to keep them healthy for longer.

Feeling Excluded

The report, by Dr Freya Aquarone at the Centre for Public Policy Research, found that schools and colleges need better support to weave democracy into their teaching. This is crucial as the UK prepares to extend the vote to 16-year-olds for all elections, likely in late 2026 or early 2027.

Research shows a strong link between learning about democracy and actually participating in it. However, submissions to the inquiry revealed that many young people feel "systematically excluded from the decisions made about them." This can lead to a drop in trust in political institutions.

Barriers to Democracy

The UK Youth Parliament noted that a keen interest in politics among young people is "frequently undermined by inconsistent access to high-quality political and citizenship education." Overloaded curricula and high-stakes testing also create significant hurdles for democratic learning in schools.

"The findings of this inquiry are clear: if we want to empower young people as democratic citizens, we need to ensure they have opportunities to practice democracy first hand," said Freya Aquarone. This means schools must offer meaningful chances for students to engage in governance and feel their voices are valued.

Recommendations for Change

The report urges the government to tackle these barriers. It suggests giving young people real opportunities to participate in decision-making. It also calls for better teacher training and a clear, well-sequenced citizenship curriculum.

MORE: King's College London: Housing policies popular but don't boost votes for the needy — https://southlondonnews.com/2026/05/07/kings-college-london-housing-policies-popular-but-dont-boost-votes-for-the-needy/

MORE: King's College London gets £2m boost for vital end-of-life care research — https://southlondonnews.com/2026/06/17/kings-college-london-gets-2m-boost-for-vital-end-of-life-care-research/

OFFICIAL SOURCE VERIFICATION:

This report is based on official data from King's College London.

Document: Schools must embed democracy to prepare for votes at 16 | King's College London

Source Link: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/schools-and-colleges-must-embed-democracy-to-prepare-young-people-for-votes-at-16

Little ones struggling with big emotions might soon get a helping hand thanks to a groundbreaking digital programme developed with London South Bank University (LSBU). A major new study suggests this online tool could help children aged four to seven manage their feelings, potentially steering them away from needing specialist mental health support.

Embers the Dragon to the Rescue

The independent EMERGENT trial, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, put Embers the Dragon to the test. This digital programme is designed to teach emotional literacy to young children.

Over 456 families took part in the 24-week study. It's one of the biggest UK evaluations of its kind for early-years mental health.

Making a Real Difference

The Embers programme offers a range of accessible mental health tools for kids and their carers. It includes an app with activities and an animation series featuring famous voices.

Parents using Embers reported significant improvements in their children's emotional and behavioural regulation. This progress was better than in the group that didn't use the programme.

LSBU's Professor Dan Frings, who co-led the trial, said: “In this trial, children using Embers, on average, moved from scores considered clinically concerning to levels no longer requiring a CAMHS referral, suggesting that accessible early digital support could help families before difficulties escalate.”

More Than Just Screen Time

A key finding was how the programme encouraged meaningful parent-child interaction. Parents didn't see it as just screen time. They viewed it as a shared emotional experience.

It helped them reflect, talk about feelings, and bond with their children. One parent shared: “It makes me think of things from a different point of view, looking at how [my children] react and I think ‘well yes, I could try that myself’, so it helps me mentally to realise what is happening...to calm situations in our home…[and] stay more calm and patient.”

Cost-Effective Support

The study also looked at the cost. It found Embers is a cost-effective intervention. It delivers better outcomes at a lower cost than typical support routes.

Families using Embers spent £272 on average. This is significantly less than the £392 spent by families accessing standard care.

Trial co-leader Professor Paula Reavey added: “Our findings show that early digital support can make a meaningful difference for families before challenges reach crisis point. What’s striking is that we saw improvements not just in children’s emotional and behavioural scores, but also in parents’ confidence and their ability to navigate difficult moments together.”

A breath of fresh air

Scientists believe the physical effects of laughter could offer a cheap and easy way to help people outside of hospitals. It could be particularly beneficial for conditions like bronchiectasis, which affects around 1 in 200 people in the UK.

This lung disease makes it hard for airways to clear phlegm. Current treatments involve antibiotics and breathing exercises.

Mimicking the medicine

Laughing, whether it's a spontaneous giggle or a planned session of laughter yoga, mimics the vibrations and exercises used in physiotherapy. It can also help people connect with others, boosting their overall quality of life.

Dr Arietta Spinou, lead researcher at King’s College London, said: “Many people with lung conditions already know that laughing can trigger coughing, which helps to get rid of mucus in the airways.”

She added: “I wanted to understand the physiological mechanism behind the link between laughing, coughing and airway clearance.”

Promising early results

Early lab results in healthy adults are looking good. Dr Spinou is now leading a six-week programme with patients who have bronchiectasis.

The sessions involve laughter yoga and education. The team will then use patient feedback to develop a larger programme.

Dr Laura Wilde, research associate at King’s College London, commented: “Laughter yoga offers real potential for those living with lung conditions, curious about trying something different.”

"All sticks, no carrots"

Experts from City St George's, University of London, believe the ban, announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, will not protect young people. Dr Elinor Carmi, a Senior Lecturer in Data Politics & Data Justice, stated, "All sticks, no carrots."

She explained that bans often lead to people finding "unsafe and hidden ways" to access forbidden things. "When you make something forbidden, especially for kids and teens, it makes it even more appealing," she added.

A "disingenuous consultation"

Professor Carrie-Anne Myers, Director of the Centre for Online Safety, Safeguarding, Privacy and Identity (COSPI) at City St George's, questioned the speed of the decision. She called the Government's consultation process "disingenuous."

"Have submissions really been reviewed in a two-week period, or is this a political game play," she asked. Professor Myers argued that banning something is rarely effective and that the focus should be on teaching responsibility.

"Politically convenient" move

Dr Yusuf Oc, a Senior Lecturer in Marketing, described the ban as a "politically convenient move dressed up as a child safety policy." He believes the government is ignoring research that suggests a blanket ban is not the right answer.

"Rather than taking the harder but more effective route of forcing social media companies to clean up their algorithms... the government has reached for the easiest lever available: a blanket ban," he said.

Misdiagnosing responsibility

Dr Devina Sarwatay, a Presidential Fellow at City St George's, argued that the ban "misdiagnoses responsibility." She believes the policy targets access rather than the platform design and business models that cause harm.

"The evidence we have consistently points to platform design and business models as the root causes of harm," she stated. Dr Sarwatay also raised concerns about the social consequences, noting that social media is a vital space for connection and identity formation, especially for marginalised young people.

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The Superbug Threat

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