Silicon chip enables mass-manufacture of quantum technologies3 September 2012Scientists from the University of Bristol’s Centre for Quantum Photonics have developed a silicon chip that will pave the way to the mass-manufacture of miniature quantum chips. The announcement was made at the launch of the 2012 British Science Festival [4 to 9 September].
How behavioural insights could save millions of pounds31 August 2012How can analysing people’s behaviour save money and lives? This will be the fundamental question addressed in a public lecture which aims to help organisations make key policy decisions.
Glass shape influences how quickly we drink alcohol31 August 2012The speed at which we drink alcohol may be influenced by the shape of the glass we drink from, according to new research from the University of Bristol, published in PLoS ONE. This could be a target to help control the problematic levels of drunkenness that are becoming increasingly common in our society.
Non-equilibrium quantum states in atmospheric chemistry31 August 2012Research which sheds new light on the microscopic chemical physics driving one of the most important reaction sequences in atmospheric chemistry is published in Science today by Dr David Glowacki from the University of Bristol's School of Chemistry, in collaboration with an international team including experimentalists and theoreticians based in Leeds, Cambridge, and Chicago.
University helps children in care get into gear30 August 2012An innovative project to support children growing up in care learn to drive, and to assess the impact it has on their lives, has been launched in Bristol.
Study reveals extent of social connections in shaping boardroom appointments30 August 2012Early findings from a University of Bristol study that investigated school, college and club connections in the boardrooms of the UK’s top companies has found that social connections – through membership of elite private members’ clubs and golf clubs – may still play a role in boardroom appointments.
New insights into placebo effect30 August 2012Mathematical models developed by scientists at the University of Bristol are providing new insights into why the placebo effect exists and when it should occur. Their research is published today in the journal of Evolution and Human Behaviour.
Student Ellie brings science to life at Paralympic opening ceremony30 August 2012Engineering student Ellie Cosgrave starred in last night’s [Wednesday, 29 August] opening ceremony for the Paralympic Games, which took billions of viewers on a journey through the history of science.
Potential methane reservoirs beneath Antarctica29 August 2012The Antarctic Ice Sheet could be an overlooked but important source of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, according to research published today in Nature and conducted by an international team led by Professor Jemma Wadham from the University of Bristol's School of Geographical Sciences.
The RoboWorld Cup attracts worldwide media coverage29 August 2012The excitement of the RoboWorld Cup, which saw 26 teams from around the world pit their robotic skills against each other, captured the attention of media around the globe.
Negotiating Britain’s racialised hierarchies24 August 2012In contrast to recent findings which revealed how being ‘white’ has not exempted many of the 1.9 million East Europeans who have come to the UK from the effects of racism. New evidence, published online (ahead of print) in the Journal Ethnic and Racial Studies, suggests that some East Europeans turn to their ‘whiteness’ to try to improve their place in UK society.
Video-gaming fish play out the advantages of groups24 August 2012A video game designed for predatory fish might have unravelled some lingering evolutionary questions about group formation and movement in animals, according to new research that took a unique approach to observing interactions between real and simulated animals.
Bringing science to the streets23 August 2012Complicated concepts from the world of engineering, nanoscience and chemistry have been communicated on canvas thanks to postgraduate students from the University of Bristol who contributed to the huge success of See No Evil – the UK’s largest permanent street art project.
University spin-out “Azellon” announces recruitment phase of knee repair clinical trial23 August 2012Meniscal tears are suffered by over one million people a year in the US and Europe alone. Meniscal tears currently only have the potential to heal if they are located in the peripheral edge of the meniscus which has a blood supply. Ninety per cent or more of tears currently are therefore not amenable to repair. Instead, treatment usually involves removal of the damaged part of the meniscus, however this surgery is strongly correlated with development of osteoarthritis several years later.
Study questions regulation of teachers’ salaries22 August 2012Teacher productivity is a large concern for the current coalition government. A new study by researchers from the University of Bristol’s Centre for Market and Public Organisation investigated the relationship between centralised pay setting of teachers’ salaries and school performance and found a negative impact on pupil learning. The findings are covered extensively in today's media [22 Aug].
Pupils pay for regulation of teachers’ salaries22 August 2012Teacher productivity is a large concern for the current coalition government. A new study, published today [22 August] investigated the relationship between centralised pay setting of teachers’ salaries and school performance and found a negative impact on pupil learning. The findings reveal that centralised pay setting leads to an average loss of one GCSE exam grade per pupil.
Are East Europeans victims of racism in the UK?21 August 2012Since 2004, nearly 1.9 million East Europeans have come to the UK. New research, led by academics at the University of Bristol, has examined how current East European migration to the UK has been racialised in immigration policy and tabloid journalism, providing the first insights into how racism is affecting migrants' experiences of work and life in the UK.
Art blooms in the Botanic Garden20 August 2012An exhibition and sale of original botanical artwork by local artists will take place at the University of Bristol’s Botanic Garden from Saturday [25 August] to Bank Holiday Monday [27 August].
Scientists identify mechanisms in kidney disease that trigger heart attacks and strokes20 August 2012Up to 15 per cent of the population in the UK are affected by kidney disease. While a small number of individuals will develop kidney failure, a far greater number will develop circulatory diseases such as heart attacks and strokes. New research, led by academics at the University of Bristol, has now identified the underlying mechanisms that can contribute to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Motorcycling vet has horsepower as she crosses Europe17 August 2012A veterinary surgeon from the University of Bristol is preparing to embark on a motorbike ride across Europe to raise funds for the care of animals living in some of the world’s poorest countries.
James Marriott, 1972-201217 August 2012James Marriott, a Senior Library Assistant as well as the author of several books, died in late July at the age of 39. Jez Conolly and Liz Cooper offer a tribute.
Chronically fatigued patients face huge inequalities in accessing specialist services17 August 2012New research has identified the true extent of inequalities faced by adults who require access to specialist Chronic Fatigue Syndrome [CFS] or Myalgic Encephalopathy [ME] services in England. The findings, published in the journal BMJ Open, reveal a ‘postcode lottery’ whereby patients from more affluent postcode districts are more likely to be referred to specialist services than those from more deprived areas.
John Brown, 1925-201216 August 2012John Brown, Emeritus Professor of Experimental Psychology, died recently. Professor Jan Noyes offers an appreciation.
Undergraduate admissions 201216 August 2012The University of Bristol received around 33,817 applications for the 4,405 undergraduate places available across the full range of subjects from this October.
Seven steps to ‘billion dollar’ drugs15 August 2012A highly efficient method for making prostaglandins — natural, hormone-like chemicals that have pharmaceutical applications — is reported by University of Bristol scientists this week in Nature. Some synthetic analogues of prostaglandin are ‘billion dollar’ drugs; the prostaglandin analogue latanoprost, which is used to treat glaucoma and ocular hypertension, generates approximately $1.6 billion in sales each year.
Bristol provides backdrop for new BBC Paralympic drama15 August 2012Actors Eddie Marsan and Rob Brydon star in The Best of Men - the uplifting story about the birth of the Paralympic Games, which was filmed at the University of Bristol and is being screened on BBC2 tomorrow night [16 August].
Researchers awarded almost £1 million to target high blood pressure15 August 2012University of Bristol researchers have received funding of almost £1 million from the British Heart Foundation to provide novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of high blood pressure.
Britain and the independence of the Bolivarian Republics15 August 2012The independence of Colombia and Venezuela and the ways they are commemorated now is the focus of an afternoon and evening conference organised by the University of Bristol's Department of Hispanic, Portuguese and Latin American Studies at Canning House in London on 5 September 2012. The event is free and all are welcome.
University's Olympic stars hit the headlines14 August 2012The outstanding success of Bristol University's Olympians has hit the national and local headlines as Great Britain hails its athletic heros.
Bristol morris dancers take to the stage at the Olympic Closing Ceremony14 August 2012Members of the University of Bristol Rag Morris were watched by millions of people around the world as they performed at the closing ceremony for London 2012, celebrating the best of British music and dance.
Bristol students to compete on University Challenge13 August 2012Students representing the University of Bristol will do battle with Wadham College, Oxford, on tonight's University Challenge for a place in the second round.
High-five! Medal collection puts Bristol among the best13 August 2012Past and present University of Bristol students won a total of five medals at London 2012, an achievement which puts the University among the most successful in the country. Only four institutions across the UK had alumni who managed to win so many medals according to Podium, the further and higher education unit for the 2012 Olympic Games.
First the Olympic Games, now it’s time for Great Britain to welcome the robots13 August 2012No sooner has the curtain come down on London 2012 than Great Britain prepares to welcome its next international sporting event – this time with robots as the competitors. Sports such as football, basketball and weightlifting will come under the spotlight as the world’s most advanced robots and their creators go head-to-head at the FIRA RoboWorld Cup, taking place in the UK for the first time from 20 to 25 August.
Arthritis awareness in cats and dogs13 August 2012A free event next week by the University's School of Veterinary Sciences will highlight arthritis in cats and dogs and treatments available.
Researchers identify which sensory nerve cells contribute to chronic nerve pain13 August 2012New research, led by academics at the University of Bristol and published in the journal Pain, has identified the subtypes of sensory nerve cells that are likely to contribute to long-term nerve pain from partial nerve injury. It is hoped this will aid in development of more effective pain killers.
Bristol composers at the Proms10 August 2012Works by two University of Bristol composers will be performed at the BBC Proms this Sunday [12 August] by the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.
Tears of joy and despair for Bristol’s star Olympians9 August 2012Former University of Bristol student and Olympic star Laura Bechtolsheimer has won a bronze medal to add to the gold she’d previously won in the dressage at London 2012.
Dr Aitken Couper, 1920-20129 August 2012Emeritus Professor Brian Vincent remembers Dr Aitken Couper, a former senior lecturer in the School of Chemistry, who has died aged 92.
