Wellcome Trust [to 18 June 2016]
http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/News/2016/index.htm

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News 15 June 2016
Fisheries decline may increase malnutrition
A new analysis predicts that falling fish stocks could have serious health consequences for more than 10% of the world’s population.
For many people in low- and middle-income countries, fish is a crucial source of nutrients such as vitamin B12 and DHA omega-3 fatty acids. It is also rich in zinc, iron and vitamin A.

But fish stocks, which have been declining since the 20th century, are likely to shrink further in coming decades. This is due to a combination of damaging trends and practices, including:
:: destructive and illegal fishing
:: pollution
:: poor management
:: coastal development
:: climate change.

Christopher Golden and colleagues at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health have calculated that this decline could leave:
:: 845 million people (11% of the global population) at risk of deficiencies in iron, vitamin A or zinc
:: 1.39 billion people (19% of the global population) vulnerable to deficiencies in vitamin B12 and DHA omega-3 fatty acids.
This would increase the risk of maternal and child mortality, and health problems such as cognitive deficits and reduced immune function…

The research is supported by Wellcome’s Our Planet, Our Health initiative.

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News 13 June 2016
Protecting mental health: call for Frontiers Innovators
We’re holding our next Frontiers meeting on 3-4 October this year. The topic is ‘Protecting Mental Health – acting early against anxiety and depression’.

Most mental health conditions are chronic. Over 75 per cent begin before the age of 24 and half begin by the age of 15.1
We’re interested in exploring whether there is more Wellcome can do to accelerate research in mental health, specifically for the prevention and early detection of anxiety and depression.

This Frontiers meeting is to help shape our strategy and how we work in this area. We want to:
:: define the research gaps and opportunities for building an evidence base for the prevention and early detection of depression and anxiety
:: identify what is needed to help translate this research into policy and health initiatives.
We’re inviting applications to attend the meeting from early-career researchers and professionals who want to become a Frontiers Innovator. You can work in academia, industry, education or any sector relevant to mental health.

Frontiers Innovators are a core part of our Frontiers meetings. We want you to share your experiences and knowledge, drive conversations and help devise fresh solutions with other innovators and experts in the field.
The deadline for applications is Monday 1 August 2016.
Find out more about why this subject is important to us and how to apply.

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News 13 June 2016
Doug Turnbull and Damon Buffini knighted
Doug Turnbull, Director of the Wellcome Trust Centre for Mitochondrial Research, and Damon Buffini, a Wellcome governor, have been awarded knighthoods in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.