Anthropology and health law: between separations and enlistments

This chapter interrogates the distinctive contributions of anthropology to health law as an academic field. I first delineate which and whose anthropology I am referring to, highlighting that there are different forms of anthropology. The chapter then explores the possibilities and limits of a mutual influence between health law and anthropology. I ask whether a genuine exchange is possible, beyond these two straw men: the enlistments of ethnographic data by health lawyers, and health law being an empirical object of study for anthropologists. The chapter does not provide a comprehensive review of impactful anthropological interventions on health law. Instead, it focuses on one exemplar anthropological idea, the category of the gift, following its journey within the discursive exchange between anthropology and health law and policy. I will demonstrate how the gift has been at different times invented, borrowed and enlisted to effectuate change, further research, and sometimes, bring more justice. I close the chapter by suggesting not to exaggerate the gap between law and anthropology. Both face challenges in how they generate knowledge and move back and forth between normative and reflective registers. These common challenges and movements constitute an invitation for further study, not a barrier to interdisciplinary conversation. Studying how elements of anthropological knowledge travel to legal audiences offers an opportunity to reflect on interdisciplinarity more generally, and in turn, on the changing remit and shape of the academic field recognised as health law

Vagus nerve stimulation in Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment: current evidence and future directions

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) may improve cognition and promote underlying brain health through various mechanisms including the noradrenaline and cholinergic pathways. Whilst early human studies used invasive devices (iVNS), recent decades have seen the emergence of non-invasive devices that stimulate the vagus nerve transcutaneously (tVNS) via either the cervical branches in the neck (tcVNS) or the auricular branch in the ear (taVNS). With this increase in more accessible devices, tVNS is gaining interest as a novel therapy in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This targeted review aims to understand the current evidence in human trials in this specific population. PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar were searched. Six human interventional studies were found (one iVNS; five taVNS). VNS is well tolerated and study designs demonstrate feasibility within this population for future blinded and appropriately powered long-term studies with participants applying tVNS at home. However, protocols and tVNS settings remain variable. Working memory domains such as verbal fluency and 3D processing show the most promise but global cognitive scores were also sensitive in some cases. The role of biomarkers of tVNS activity and its effect on AD markers and neuroinflammation should be considered in the design of future studies

Large-scale structure-based virtual screening identifies diverse KNa1.1 (KCNT1) potassium channel inhibitors

Severe drug-resistant childhood epilepsy is caused by KCNT1 gain-of-function genetic variants, resulting in increased KNa1.1 channel activity. KCNT1-associated epilepsy is thought to affect around 1 in 300,000 births worldwide. Current treatment for KCNT1 epilepsy only provides mild symptomatic relief and uses a cocktail of experimental medications which must be personalised for the individual and are often poorly tolerated. Critically, with many patients, no therapeutic benefit is achieved. We sought to address this by using large-scale virtual screening to accelerate the development of a molecule which binds directly to KCNT1 to supress overactivity. We purchased a total of 71 compounds and using a combination of fluorescent thallium flux assays and patch clamp electrophysiology, identified a series of eight structurally diverse, novel inhibitors of the KNa1.1 channel with potency in the low micromolar range. These provide potential starting points for further development of drugs to treat KCNT1-associated epilepsy

Supervised toothbrushing programmes in England: a national survey and multi-site case study

Aims Supervised toothbrushing programmes (STPs) reduce oral health inequalities and are a cost-effective way of preventing dental caries in children. This study aimed to detail current STP provision across England, compare it with 2022 and 2024 data, and explore barriers and facilitators to implementation. Methods A national survey of local authorities (LAs) was combined with a longitudinal multi-site case study. Survey data were analysed descriptively, while semi-structured interviews with 14 stakeholders engaged in the commissioning and delivery of STPs across four sites were thematically analysed using implementation science frameworks. Results Responses were received from 152 of 153 LAs, with 81% reporting a STP in 2025 (up from 48% in 2022 and 59% in 2024). The number of participating children more than doubled from 106,273 in 2022 to 238,636 in 2025. Case study findings highlighted two persistent barriers: uncertain funding and challenges engaging early years settings; and two key facilitators: relationship building and knowledge sharing. Conclusions STP provision is expanding but remains variable. To achieve government targets of reaching 600,000 children, attention must move beyond one-off funding to ensure recurrent investment, workforce stability, and logistical support. Building local partnerships and facilitating knowledge exchange will be critical to sustaining equitable implementation

Changing political narratives on apprenticeship

Purpose This paper aims to consider the political rhetoric surrounding apprenticeships in England since 2012 in the light of publicly available data on the implementation of apprenticeship policy. Design/methodology/approach A series of key speeches made by skills ministers have been analysed using political discourse analysis (van Dijk, 2008), identifying the key messages for different stakeholders and the potential reasons behind these messages. From this, a narrative policy analysis is used to consider any key changes since 2014 to the dominant narrative about apprenticeships. This narrative is compared to the adoption of key changes to the apprenticeship system – the levy, the development of standards and the role of assessment and qualifications – and their implementation using publicly available data. Findings The paper finds that there is one dominant narrative focused towards employers, highlighting the value of apprenticeships to fill skills gaps and provide well-trained staff (including progressing existing staff) for employers. When speaking to training providers and employers, politicians focus more on apprenticeships at all ages and on quality, in addition to employer-led apprenticeships. Originality/value This paper uses methods from political analysis in the context of apprenticeship policy, establishing how narrative can be similar to or detached from policy implementation. This paper considers the extent to which the development of this policy is affected by the political narrative and the individual Skills Ministers

Low-carbon self-compacting glass fiber-reinforced concrete using calcium sulpho-aluminate cement and recycled concrete fine aggregate

This study presents the development and comprehensive evaluation of low-carbon self-compacting glass fiber-reinforced concrete (GRC) utilizing calcium sulpho-aluminate (CSA) cement and recycled concrete fine aggregate (RFA), targeting enhanced sustainability and durability for high-performance infrastructure applications. Through rigorous mix design optimization, the research demonstrates that substituting natural sand with RFA in CSA cement-based matrices yields a compressive strength of up to 55 MPa after 28 d, comparable to or exceeding conventional mixes, while increasing elastic modulus by approximately 15%, resulting in a stiffer, denser composite. Flexural performance tests revealed that CSA and RFA with GRC achieves a modulus of elasticity of 17 GPa and a modulus of rupture (MOR) of 3.77 kN, coupled with substantial toughness and ductility, particularly under loads. After 75 d of accelerated aging, RFA–GRC retained 50% to 70% of its initial MOR and 20% to 40% of strain to failure, outperforming traditional GRC by about 30%, confirming its superior long-term durability. Environmental analysis verifies a dramatic reduction in carbon footprint of CSA RFA GRC achieves up to 74% less CO2 emissions and 48% lower embodied energy than ordinary Portland cement controls, with values as low as 275 kg CO2/m3 and 675 MJ/m3. Practical validation through prototype drainage channels and permanent formwork further underscores the material’s viability, demonstrating excellent workability, structural integrity, and crack resistance. Furthermore, the test results establish CSA and RFA with GRC as a highly sustainable, resilient alternative, supporting circular construction and long-life design in aggressive environments

Realist Evaluation

Developed by Ray Pawson and Nick Tilley in the 1990s, realist evaluation is a theory-driven approach for evaluating policies, programmes, projects, and interventions. It investigates complex causal relationships using Context-Mechanism-Outcome (CMO) configurations to answer: “What works, for whom, in what circumstances, and why?” Rooted in scientific realism, it assumes outcomes depend on contextual and human factors. Rather than offering universal judgements of effectiveness, it refines programme and middle-range theories. Methodologically neutral, it often employs mixed methods to test and revise hypotheses. Closely related approaches include realist synthesis and realist research, which share the same ontological and epistemological foundations. Emerging from theory-driven evaluation and the principle of generative causation, realist evaluation treats programmes as theories to be tested. Its distinct data collection strategies, such as the “learner–teacher cycle” in realist qualitative interviews, facilitate iterative theory development. The entry traces its origins, philosophy, and applications, highlighting its strength in evaluating complex interventions

Changes in out-of-home food purchasing following the introduction of England’s calorie labelling regulations: a population-level controlled interrupted time series analysis

Introduction: Large out-of-home (OOH) food businesses in England have been required by law to display calorie information on menus since 6 April 2022. This study investigated whether the implementation of this policy was associated with changes in calories purchased OOH by consumers. Methods: Controlled interrupted time series analysis was used to estimate changes in calories purchased from all OOH outlets in England (intervention group). Secondary outcomes included purchases from large chains, non-chain outlets and five subtypes of purchases (meals, lower-calorie coffee, higher-calorie coffee, sandwiches and fish and chip meals). The control series consisted of purchases from non-chain outlets in Scotland and Wales to avoid spillover labelling in chains across Great Britain. We aggregated self-reported itemised OOH food and non-alcoholic drink purchases from a rolling consumer panel of ~7500 individuals spanning 13 weeks pre intervention and 34 weeks post intervention to population-level average weekly per-person calorie (kcal) purchase estimates. Linear regression, adjusted for season and inflation, modelled level and trend changes compared with the counterfactual of no mandatory policy. Subgroup analyses explored effects by age, sex, occupational socioeconomic status, weight status and weekday/weekend purchases. Results: Compared with the counterfactual, we found no evidence of a change in overall calories purchased OOH associated with mandatory calorie labelling (level change −95.6 kcal, 95% CI −471.2 to 280.0; trend change 5.1 kcal, 95% CI −5.5 to 15.8). There was also no robust evidence of changes in calories purchased OOH for secondary outcomes and by subgroups compared with the counterfactual of no mandatory calorie labelling. Small changes observed in these analyses were sensitive to analytical choices. Conclusions: This study supports existing evidence that calorie labelling alone is unlikely to secure significant changes in food purchasing behaviour at population level. Possible changes to menus were not included in the study and warrant further investigation

UK guidelines for the medical and laboratory procurement and use of sperm, egg and embryo donors (2025): association of reproductive and clinical scientists, British fertility society, British association for sexual health and HIV, British HIV association

These guidelines replace the previous (2019) UK guidelines for the medical and laboratory screening of sperm, egg and embryo donors and were achieved by a joint working group composed of representatives from the Association of Reproductive and Clinical Scientists (ARCS), the British Fertility Society (BFS), the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) and the British HIV Association (BHIVA), with review and comments from their respective memberships. It was written to guide best practice in clinics but is not intended as a tool to judge the practice of centres within the UK or beyond. Guidance on core information that should be supplied to all parties involved in donation is provided. Screening tests and standards required are summarized, as are specific considerations for known donation and embryo donation. The assessment of genetic risk and heritable disorders has been fundamentally reviewed in light of technological advances. Extended carrier screening is also discussed, although we do not suggest that this is routinely performed