Research Lives: Anna Markella Antoniadi, PhD candidate, FutureNeuro centre for chronic and rare neurological diseases

During lockdowns, ‘hippy crack’ became an increasingly popular way of getting high

HSE sees surge in number of people hospitalised and seeking care over past year

Ireland has the third-highest rate of cocaine use in Europe, and use by women is growing

Research Lives: Dr Marina Zaki, manager of Barrett’s Oesophagus BioBank at St James’s Hospital, Dublin

Research Lives: Dr Stephanie Bollard, specialist registrar in plastic and reconstructive surgery

Women increasingly more likely to become addicted to drug – Health Research Board

Ireland is ‘wild west’ in terms of industry regulation and advertising, says expert

Number of homeless and of young women with eating disorders admitted increases

Survey shows number of ‘ex-smokers’ bigger than ‘current smokers’ for the first time ever

Work could help in developing treatments to prevent life-threatening complication

Quantity of illicit drugs seized and the value of cash confiscated from gangs reached record levels in the State last year

Measures signed off by Cabinet mean alcohol will not be available at ‘pocket-money prices’

Some 42% who began drinking at that age got alcohol from parents, says co-author of report

Strategy will include community-based programmes and health interventions

Mental health experts warn, however, that the fallout post-Covid could be worse than anticipated

Frequent users lose about two points, mainly effecting verbal dexterity, Dublin team finds

Pipes distributed to reduce risk of hepatitis C as number of users in Ireland rises

Scientists to use national supercomputer and artificial intelligence to develop system

Half of deaths over 65 years of age and two-thirds men – fire brigade data

Vaccines are victim of their success as generations have no awareness of vaccine-preventable diseases, conference is told

Neurological disorders associated with ageing could benefit from breakthrough

Full disclosure of coronavirus vaccine data will be ‘key to securing public confidence’

Acute shortages reported in number of countries because of difficulties with stocks from US

Another Government-funded project is to create plastic packaging that is resistant to the virus

Young people in crisis are left with unacceptable ‘choice’, says watchdog

Median age of those entering alcohol treatment in 2019 was 41, almost two-thirds men

HRB finds women who drink harmfully particularly likely to think drinking is moderate

Study shows 20–24 year age group had highest rate of admissions

More than 5,000 patients recruited to date across 35 countries to evaluate potential new treatments for virus

Research project is one of 11 to share a total of €1.4m in State’s response to pandemic

The lungs may be the coronavirus gateway, but it can extend much further into the body

Understanding the biochemical interplay between virus and cell could help identify new ways to tackle coronavirus

NUIG researchers to help public access clear and precise facts on coronavirus

Authorities fear fake Xanax tablets, purchased online, remain in circulation

Warning comes as gardaí continue to investigate if Offaly deaths are linked to suspected internet buy

Research & development critical to supporting Ireland’s national action plan – Harris

Garda reexamining death of man at hostel last Wednesday

Organised crime and online selling also contributing to increase in overdoses

They’ve been asked to undertake critical research, development and innovation projects