International Clinical Trials Day is on Saturday 20 May this year.
The HRB-CRCI have teamed up with experts in the clinical trials area to host a seminar ‘Improving Patient Health Through Clinical Research’ to showcase what is happening in this space in Ireland. This event will highlight some of the other activities that will take place in the build up to International Clinical Trials Day itself. Improving Patient Health Through Clinical Research takes place on Monday, 15th May 2017  
The seminar is free to attend and will takes place from 10.30am-3.00pm and includes a poster session. A light lunch will also be available.
Full details: https://www.hrb-crci.ie/2017/04/international-clinical-trials-day-2017/
Now in its second year, the HRB-TMRN START competition invites primary school pupils in 4th, 5th and 6th class to conduct their own randomised trial. The goal is to introduce kids to the scientific method to solve problems. 11 schools have entered the competition this year.
Some of the research questions being asked are:

  • Does coloured paper affect a student’s test results of attention? 
  • Do children concentrate more or less when they use coloured pens? 
  • Can you change the psychological behaviour of students through the use of visual aids?
  • Can interactive spelling games improve spelling? 
  • Does an apple a day keep the doctor away? 
  • Does listening to music improve memory recall (or are our parents right and it is a distraction)? 
  • Does reading aloud in class impact on the ability to retain information compared to silent reading? 
  • Does completing an exercise program have an effect on mood / concentration / sleep patterns? 
  • Can 15 minutes of exercise a day increase fitness levels? 
  • Does exercise (yoga) improve children posture?

We’re certainly looking forward to hearing the answers. This year’s winners will be announced on Friday 19 May. You can get a sense of last year’s excitement at https://youtu.be/3hyJ5Dp7R3g