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Reposted by MRC Biostatistics Unit

Janne Pott @pottj.bsky.social · 2d

📣Preprint alert - a tricky one, as there are no significant results (and we all know null-results are hard to publish)
Do PCSK9 levels affect survival in breast cancer patients?
We tried to replicate findings in cell lines and mouse model using 3 Mendelian Randomization approaches, but failed.

medRxivpreprint @medrxivpreprint.bsky.social · 3d

PCSK9 and breast cancer survival: a Mendelian Randomization study https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.10.03.25337270v1

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MRC Biostatistics Unit @mrc-bsu.bsky.social · 2d

Our Director John Whittaker took part in a short video interview discussing; what motivated him to work in biostatistics, why he enjoys being Director, and his thoughts on the future of #Biostatistics.

Watch here 👇
youtu.be/o3ArK999wgE

Meet our researchers: Interview with John Whittaker

YouTube video by MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge

youtu.be

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Reposted by MRC Biostatistics Unit

Stephen Burgess @stevesphd.bsky.social · 2d

Full recording of the PSI webinar by myself and @jack_bowdenjack on instrumental variable methods is available online: psiweb.org/vod/item/efs...

PSI

The community dedicated to leading and promoting the use of statistics within the healthcare industry for the benefit of patients.

psiweb.org

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MRC Biostatistics Unit @mrc-bsu.bsky.social · 8d

There are 2 weeks left to register for our annual flagship event - 22nd Armitage Workshop and Lecture.

The theme this year is integration of data from multiple domains, with a brilliant programme of talks.

23 Oct, Cambridge and online

onlinesales.admin.cam.ac.uk/conferences-...

Promotional graphic/flyer advertising the 22nd Armitage Workshop, with the text about the theme of the workshop which integration of data from multiple domains, and text about the date and location which is 23 October at the CRUK Cambridge Institute in Cambridge.

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Reposted by MRC Biostatistics Unit

Oxford Population Health @oxpop.bsky.social · 15d

🧠Any level of alcohol consumption increases risk of dementia

This study, led by Oxford Population Health, @yaleschoolofmed.bsky.social, @mrc-bsu.bsky.social and @oxfordpsychiatry.bsky.social shows even low levels of drinking may increase risk of dementia.

Learn more ➡️

Any level of alcohol consumption increases risk of dementia

Study finds any alcohol intake may increase dementia risk, challenging assumptions about moderate drinking and highlighting no safe level for brain health.

buff.ly

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MRC Biostatistics Unit @mrc-bsu.bsky.social · 19d

Happy #PostdocAppreciationWeek 😀🎉🤩

Programme Leaders, Sofia Villar and Paul Kirk, endorse just how brilliant our BSU postdocs are and how they add significant value to our research portfolio and working environment.

Thank you to each and every one of you 🙏

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Reposted by MRC Biostatistics Unit

MRC Epidemiology Unit @mrcepid.bsky.social · 20d

At our next hybrid Bradford Hill Seminar, @dannydorling.bsky.social of the University of Oxford will discuss:

The politics of epidemiology and public health in the UK

📅 Wed 15 October, 1 PM (UK)

Register at buff.ly/wblZfOx

@dphpc.bsky.social @mrc-bsu.bsky.social @phgfoundation.bsky.social

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MRC Biostatistics Unit @mrc-bsu.bsky.social · 21d

A few weeks ago, we filmed a lovely short interview with Research Associate, Rajenki Das 🤩

Rajenki gives a summary of her current research and discusses what she enjoys about working at the BSU, as well as what she likes to do outside of work.

Watch the video at 👇
youtu.be/NzQl4KXkgwo

Meet our researchers: Interview with Rajenki Das

YouTube video by MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge

youtu.be

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MRC Biostatistics Unit @mrc-bsu.bsky.social · Sep 8

This summer we welcomed another fantastic cohort of #Interns to work on and contribute to BSU research projects.

"The internship has not only given me technical skills and research experience, but also something deeper - a sense of direction."

Read more:
www.mrc-bsu.cam.ac.uk/news/another...

Group of photo of BSU interns, standing in line next to each other on grass, smiling at the camera and raising an arm in the air, standing in front of brick building.

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MRC Biostatistics Unit @mrc-bsu.bsky.social · Sep 1

Our short course on Adaptive Methods in Clinical Research is back!

17 - 19 Nov, Cambridge

We introduce the definition of adaptive designs and consider its several most common types.

More info & registration 👇
onlinesales.admin.cam.ac.uk/conferences-...

Adaptive Methods in Clinical Research, 17-19 November 2025 | University of Cambridge

Many confirmatory clinical trials turn out to be negative and do not lead to the registration of a new drug or the introduction of a new treatment. Consequ

onlinesales.admin.cam.ac.uk

MRC Biostatistics Unit @mrc-bsu.bsky.social · Jul 31

We were delighted to take part in the first Cambridge Biomedical Campus School Safari.

We welcomed a group of local school students to our Unit, to have fun with statistics and inspire future careers in #STEM.

Read more 👇
www.mrc-bsu.cam.ac.uk/news/local-s...

Group of children sat on floor facing adults who are standing in line and speaking.

BSU researcher holding bucket with plastic ducks in, speaking to small group of children sat on floor.

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MRC Biostatistics Unit @mrc-bsu.bsky.social · Jul 31

This summer, we are privileged to have a fantastic group of interns with us for eight weeks.

They are each working with our researchers on projects and experiencing life at our Unit.

It's great to have you all with us 😀

Group photo of eight BSU interns, standing in line, smiling and raising an arm in the air, standing on grass in front of building.

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Reposted by MRC Biostatistics Unit

Stephen Burgess @stevesphd.bsky.social · Jul 22

New pre-print online: "Context-stratified Mendelian randomization: exploiting regional exposure variation to explore causal effect heterogeneity and non-linearity", arxiv.org/abs/2507.11088. We propose an alternative approach to assess non-linearity in Mendelian randomization.

Context-stratified Mendelian randomization: exploiting regional exposure variation to explore causal effect heterogeneity and non-linearity

Mendelian randomization (MR) uses genetic variants as instrumental variables to make causal claims. Standard MR approaches typically report a single population-averaged estimate, limiting their abilit...

arxiv.org

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Reposted by MRC Biostatistics Unit

Jeffrey Pullin @jeffreypullin.bsky.social · Jul 22

Very excited to share new work from my PhD on a new software package for eQTL mapping: quasar. The quasar software package is a C++ program designed to provide a flexible and efficient eQTL mapping. www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...

Flexible and efficient count-distribution and mixed-model methods for eQTL mapping with quasar

Identifying genetic variants that affect gene expression, expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs), is a major focus of modern genomics. Today, various methods exist for eQTL mapping, each using dif...

www.medrxiv.org

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Reposted by MRC Biostatistics Unit

Natsal @natsal.bsky.social · Jul 16

We're sharing more Natsal methods innovations at #ESRA25 today:

Tommy Nyberg @mrc-bsu.bsky.social is presenting on integrating survey data from different samples

Eileen Irvin @ipsosintheuk.bsky.social is presenting about remote biosample collection

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MRC Biostatistics Unit @mrc-bsu.bsky.social · Jul 16

Today, Tommy Nyberg is speaking at #ESRA2025 about his work on the Natsal Study @natsal.bsky.social -
"Data Integration Using Doubly Robust and Bayesian Meta-Analysis Methods for Probability and Convenience Samples"

www.europeansurveyresearch.org/conf2025/pro...

ESRA Conference

The European Survey Research Association (ESRA) is the leading professional organisation of survey researchers in Europe, with members from the academic, government, non-profit and commercial sectors

www.europeansurveyresearch.org

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Reposted by MRC Biostatistics Unit

Natsal @natsal.bsky.social · Jul 15

👀Look out for three Natsal-4 talks at #ESRA25 this week:

Katharine Sadler @natcen.bsky.social with an overview of Natsal-4's methods

Eileen Irvin @ipsosintheuk.bsky.social on remote biosampling

Tommy Nyberg @mrc-bsu.bsky.social on analysis methods to combine probability and non-probability data

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Reposted by MRC Biostatistics Unit

MRC Epidemiology Unit @mrcepid.bsky.social · Jul 9

On 7 May 2025, Victoria Hall of the UK Health Security Agency delivered a Bradford Hill Seminar:

The SIREN study at five years: Tracking SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory infections in UK healthcare workers since 2020

Watch a recording: buff.ly/S6Y59TP

@mrc-bsu.bsky.social @phgfoundation.bsky.social

Bradford Hill Seminar by Victoria Hall, UK Health Security Agency

Title: “The SIREN study at five years: tracking SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory infections in UK healthcare workers since 2020” Background: The SARS-CoV-2 Immunit...

buff.ly

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MRC Biostatistics Unit @mrc-bsu.bsky.social · Jul 8

In May, we organised a one-day workshop on the topic of HIV and STI data and how they can be better used to inform sexual health services.

Read more:
www.mrc-bsu.cam.ac.uk/news/using-l...

MRC Biostatistics Unit @mrc-bsu.bsky.social · Jul 3

Registration now open for short course on:
Efficient Adaptive Designs for Phase I Dose-Finding and Dose-Optimisation Studies

24 - 26 Sept, Cambridge

Register:
onlinesales.admin.cam.ac.uk/conferences-...

@pmozgunov.bsky.social @thomasjaki.bsky.social

Efficient Adaptive Designs for Phase I Dose-Finding and Dose-Optimisation Studies, 24-26 Sep 2025 | University of Cambridge

Early phase trials are recognised to have a major impact on later phase confirmatory trials. This course presents state of the art methodology for Phase I

onlinesales.admin.cam.ac.uk

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MRC Biostatistics Unit @mrc-bsu.bsky.social · Jun 19

Congratulations to our Emeritus Director, Prof Sylvia Richardson, on being named a 2024 Top Scholar by Scholar GPS 👏

scholargps.com/scholars/184...

Photo of Sylvia Richardson, smiling and looking at camera, leaning against whiteboard with writing and calculations on it.

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MRC Biostatistics Unit @mrc-bsu.bsky.social · Jun 13

Many congratulations to Research Associate, Mia Tackney, on being awarded an NIHR Advanced Fellowship 👏🤩

Mia's fellowship will focus on digital outcome measures in clinical trials.

Read more 👇
www.mrc-bsu.cam.ac.uk/news/mia-tac...

@nihr.bsky.social

Photo of Mia Tackney, smiling and looking at camera.

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MRC Biostatistics Unit @mrc-bsu.bsky.social · Jun 12

Sarah Dawson and Sofia Villar from the BSU are at #CCR25.

Sarah is presenting about the Nasal High-Flow Oxygen Therapy after Cardiac Surgery, with colleagues Andrew Klein and Siddesh Shetty.

@criticalcarereviews.com

Photo of people all smiling and looking at camera.

Photo of Sarah Dawson giving talk on stage, stood at podium.

MRC Biostatistics Unit @mrc-bsu.bsky.social · Jun 11

We had a fantastic away day yesterday, bringing together our amazing and talented staff and students for a day of sharing, learning and recognising the great people who work at the BSU.

Big thanks to the organising team for creating a brilliant day for us all 🤩

Photo of staff and students at the BSU, some standing and some sitting, all smiling at the camera.

Photo of people sat in auditorium, facing forwards.

Photo of people sat in auditorium, facing speaker on stage with screen on projector.

Photo of people stood in groups having conversations.

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Reposted by MRC Biostatistics Unit

Janne Pott @pottj.bsky.social · Jun 10

📣Paper alert!
(Spoiler: this is not my usual GenEpi paper 😁 #phylogenetics)
How many small trees do you need to define one supertree? Mareike Fischer and I explored this question and defined a subclass of taxon sets that guarantees decisiveness aka one supertree
link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Perfect Taxon Sampling and Fixing Taxon Traceability: Introducing a Class of Phylogenetically Decisive Collections of Taxon Sets - Bulletin of Mathematical Biology

Phylogenetically decisive collections of taxon sets have the property that if trees are chosen for each of their elements, as long as these trees are compatible, the resulting supertree is unique. Thi...

link.springer.com

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