# Research updates

**URL:** https://kidneycommunity.kidneyresearchuk.org/c/kidney-research/research-updates/27.md

[Latest](https://kidneycommunity.kidneyresearchuk.org/latest.md) · [Categories](https://kidneycommunity.kidneyresearchuk.org/categories.md) · [Tags](https://kidneycommunity.kidneyresearchuk.org/tags.md)

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## [Could a new blood test identify kidney damage earlier?](https://kidneycommunity.kidneyresearchuk.org/t/could-a-new-blood-test-identify-kidney-damage-earlier/1031)

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**Author:** [@Kidney\_admin](https://kidneycommunity.kidneyresearchuk.org/u/Kidney_admin)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [22 October 2026 13:05 UTC](https://kidneycommunity.kidneyresearchuk.org/t/could-a-new-blood-test-identify-kidney-damage-earlier/1031 "2026-10-22T13:05:08Z")

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Researchers at the University of Bristol, led by Dr Matthew Butler and Professor Simon Satchell, have developed a potential new blood test that could detect early kidney damage. Their study, published in Nature Communica…

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## [Help shape the research we share](https://kidneycommunity.kidneyresearchuk.org/t/help-shape-the-research-we-share/553)

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**Author:** [@Kidney\_admin](https://kidneycommunity.kidneyresearchuk.org/u/Kidney_admin)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [20 May 2026 13:42 UTC](https://kidneycommunity.kidneyresearchuk.org/t/help-shape-the-research-we-share/553 "2026-05-20T13:42:34Z")

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We’re going to start sharing bite-sized research updates here on Kidney Community, but we want to make sure it’s what you want to see :blush: Please take a quick second to vote in the poll below :down\_arrow: poll If yo…

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## [Looking forward to 2026](https://kidneycommunity.kidneyresearchuk.org/t/looking-forward-to-2026/105)

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**Author:** [@Kidney\_admin](https://kidneycommunity.kidneyresearchuk.org/u/Kidney_admin)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [6 February 2026 14:43 UTC](https://kidneycommunity.kidneyresearchuk.org/t/looking-forward-to-2026/105 "2026-02-06T14:43:30Z")

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This year, we are excited to see the progress our funded researchers are making in transforming the lives of people affected by kidney disease. We have spoken to some of these researchers to hear the latest updates on t…

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## [New results suggest that bladder cancer could be caused by the body’s response to common childhood virus](https://kidneycommunity.kidneyresearchuk.org/t/new-results-suggest-that-bladder-cancer-could-be-caused-by-the-body-s-response-to-common-childhood-virus/102)

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**Author:** [@Kidney\_admin](https://kidneycommunity.kidneyresearchuk.org/u/Kidney_admin)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [6 February 2026 13:55 UTC](https://kidneycommunity.kidneyresearchuk.org/t/new-results-suggest-that-bladder-cancer-could-be-caused-by-the-body-s-response-to-common-childhood-virus/102 "2026-02-06T13:55:17Z")

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BK virus is a common virus that nearly everyone picks up in childhood generally without noticing. Once you have been infected with BK virus, it can hide in the kidneys without causing obvious symptoms. Reactivation of B…