Researchers near hereditary blindness cure

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has announced its approval of a new treatment to be used in the NHS for Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) – a form of hereditary blindness. LHON causes rapid deterioration of eyesight and affects 2,5000 people in the UK. A six-month trial with the drug idebenone, led by Cambridge professor Patrick Chinnery in 2011, revealed potential benefits for the treatment of LHON. A follow-up trial was held by Patrick Yu-Wai-Man, a Professor of Ophthalmology at Cambridge, on the efficacy of idebenone use for LHON patients for 24 months up to five years after symptoms began. The LEROS trial revealed that the treatment could help stabilise vision in some patients. With this vital evidence for the use of idebenone to treat LHON, the drug has now been approved by NICE for use in the NHS for patients aged 12 and over in England.

Not so alone?

Astronomers using the Webb telescope’s Mid-Infrared Instrument have found strong evidence of a giant gas orbiting a star in Alpha Centauri – the closest stellar system to our own. The international team, which includes researchers from Cambridge, has pointed out that since the planet is a gas giant, it would likely not support life as we know it. If the existence of this gas giant is confirmed, it would become the planet closest to Earth that orbits the habitable zone of a star with similar properties to our Sun. According to the scientists, this confirmation would “mark a new milestone for exoplanet imaging efforts”.

Grantchester star takes a punt

Stars of popular ITV detective series, Grantchester, were seen filming the 11th series of the show on Senate House Passage. The 10th series of the show will air in the UK at the start of 2026, but filming for the 11th and final series has already begun. Throughout its run, the show has become well-known for its use of filming locations in Cambridge and nearby Grantchester, with King’s College and King’s Parade being frequently used locations. Outside of filming hours, Robson Green, who plays the show’s star, Geordie Keating, was spotted on a punt on a sightseeing tour around Cambridge. Seems Cambridge students are not the only ones who enjoy punting!

Cambridgeshire street wins big in Postcode Lottery

On August 2nd, twenty-nine neighbours were happily surprised after winning £1 million in the People’s Postcode Lottery, when their postcode was announced. Each winning ticket is worth £28,571, with six lucky winners managing to double their prize money thanks to playing with two tickets. Joy, one of the lottery winners, said: “I’ve never seen so much money in my life. It’s fantastic that so many people on our street have won. It’s a lovely feeling.” Thanks to the Postcode Lottery, players’ local charities have also won thousands of pounds of support. One charity, SERV Suffolk and Cambridge, which delivers donated blood and blood samples to NHS hospitals, benefitted from £30,000.