High definition polarization vision discovered in cuttlefish20 February 2012Cuttlefish have the most acute polarization vision yet found in any animal, researchers at the University of Bristol have discovered by showing them movies on a modified LCD computer screen to test their eyesight.
The decline of David and Mary: New inventiveness driving the diversification of popular culture20 February 2012Inventiveness in the naming of babies in the United States suddenly increased in the late 1980s, having changed little during the previous hundred years. A new study from the Universities of Bristol and Durham considers what this tells us about the competing forces at work in popular culture: globalization and local innovation.
Academic George Ferzoco impresses on Mastermind18 February 2012George Ferzoco, from the Department of Theology and Religious Studies, won Friday's episode of Mastermind with an impressive 27 points and will now compete in the semi-final stages of the show.
Students return with popular RAG procession17 February 2012Students from the University of Bristol will flood the streets of the city tomorrow [18 February] with a parade of floats, performers, rickshaws and classic cars as part of the annual RAG procession. Now in its 87th year, RAG – which stands for Raising and Giving – has raised over £500,000 in the past four years for local, national and international charities. This year promises to be bigger, brighter and better.
University of Bristol academic takes to the Mastermind hot seat17 February 2012University of Bristol academic George Ferzoco is to be quizzed on national television tonight [17 February] when he sits in the famous Mastermind hot seat. George, who is a Research Fellow and Teaching Fellow in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies, will come under the spotlight at 8.30pm on BBC2 when host John Humphrys tests his general knowledge.
Honorary degree for Hargreaves Lansdown's bedroom business success story16 February 2012The achievements of two of Bristol’s most respected businessmen, who grew their financial firm from a bedroom in Clifton into the ninth largest on the London Stock exchange, will receive honorary degrees from the University of Bristol today [16 February].
Honorary degree for teacher who helped improve Bristol’s state education16 February 2012An inspirational head teacher who has revolutionised education in Bristol and changed the life chances of thousands of pupils, will today [16 February] receive an honorary degree from the University of Bristol. Professor Ray Priest helped to establish City Academy in 2003, which was the first academy in the South West and its success has subsequently made a huge contribution to improving the state education system in Bristol.
Should Bristol have an elected mayor?16 February 2012Contentious plans to introduce an elected mayor and overhaul the way Bristol is governed will come under the spotlight at a public debate featuring voices from both sides of the argument. The event, organised by the University of Bristol, looks set to address many of the issues which have arisen from the proposal to introduce a Boris Johnson-style leader to run the city.
Owning a dog encourages exercise in pregnant women15 February 2012A study of more than 11,000 pregnant women in Children of the 90s at the University of Bristol shows that those who owned dogs were approximately 50 per cent more likely than those who didn’t to achieve the recommended 30 minutes of exercise a day through high levels of brisk walking.
Chemists reveal why sea urchins are no easy prey15 February 2012The spine of a sea urchin is 99.9 per cent chalk, a very common material forming tiny crystals that are very hard but easy to break apart. Scientists have now discovered how these marine animals use chalk or lime to grow spines combining this hardness with shock-absorbing flexibility.
Award-winning film director in the Bristol spotlight15 February 2012Michael Winterbottom, one of Britain’s most prolific, provocative and innovative film directors, will collect a top honour from the University of Bristol today [15 February]. He is being awarded with an honorary Doctor of Letters degree in recognition of a career which has produced over 30 films since the late 1980s and includes highly-acclaimed works such as Welcome to Sarajevo, Jude and 24 Hour Party People.
Leading theatre director honoured for cultural and creative impact15 February 2012A figurehead in Britain’s cultural and creative economies is returning to the University of Bristol today [15 February] to collect an honorary degree in recognition of her contribution to the arts. Jules Wright, the brains behind The Wapping Project art venue in London, studied theatre in the city before embarking on an acclaimed career which saw her become one of the leading theatre directors of her generation.
Penguin Parade: Celebrating the Penguin Books Archive15 February 2012An exhibition produced by the University of Bristol Penguin Archive Project opens at the Royal West of England Academy (RWA) on 10th March 2012. Penguin Parade raises awareness of the extensive Penguin Archive held in the University of Bristol Library, Special Collections.
Dame Clare’s work to combat child abuse recognised by honorary degree14 February 2012A University of Bristol alumna, who is now the Chief Executive of one of the UK’s leading children’s charities, is today [14 February] being honoured for her work to safeguard youngsters. Dame Clare Tickell, who heads up Action for Children, will receive an honorary degree in recognition of her efforts to ensure the safety and welfare of children throughout the country.
Prestigious honour for businessman who’s helped shape Bristol14 February 2012A businessman who has helped to shape the economy in Bristol will today [14 February] be honoured by the University of Bristol. Tim Stevenson, who is credited with bringing 20,000 jobs to the city through his work as a surveyor, is being awarded an honorary degree in recognition to his achievements.
Report calls for better guidance on Mental Capacity Act13 February 2012The University’s Norah Fry Research Centre, in conjunction with the Mental Health Foundation and the Centre for Applied Social Research at the University of Bradford, has published a report of the first national-level research study about best interests decisions under the Mental Capacity Act.
Inspirational twins hit the headlines13 February 2012An identical pair of twins, including University of Bristol student Dan Smith, hit the headlines nationally after sharing the experience of losing their sight and plans for a 570km charity cycle ride from London to Amsterdam. Their plight was covered extensively including an article in The Telegraph, Daily Mail and live interview with BBC World Service.
Twins who were left blind by rare condition plan 570km cycle challenge13 February 2012An inspirational student from the University of Bristol who dramatically lost his sight in a matter of weeks is preparing for a gruelling cycle ride from London to Amsterdam. Daniel Smith and his twin brother Michael, both 20, were living life to the full at university when they noticed their vision deteriorating.
New charitable foundation to help students with their housing needs9 February 2012The University of Bristol has been selected as one of four universities to benefit from a new charitable trust which will offer students bursaries to help with the cost of living. Student accommodation providers UNITE has launched its own charitable trust to support prospective students who might otherwise be deterred from applying to university.
Multiculturalism essential to migration challenges9 February 2012Professor Tariq Modood, the author of a new report launched by the British Academy today (9 Feb 2012), will suggest that models of integration need to be tailored to different migrant groups at the first of the Dialogue Society’s HardTALK series.
Professor Adam Finn comments on the rise in measles cases8 February 2012Adam Finn, Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Bristol Medical School, expressed his concerns to the local media about the rise in reported measles cases in Bristol.
Growing up on a farm directly affects regulation of the immune system8 February 2012A study by a team at the University's School of Veterinary Sciences has shown that growing up on a farm directly affects the regulation of the immune system and causes a reduction in the immunological responses to food proteins.
The Subversive Poetics of Alfred Jarry8 February 2012Dr Marieke Dubbelboer in the Department of French has recently published a book on Alfred Jarry’s experimental and satirical Almanachs du Père Ubu, works which to date have received little critical attention.
Preventing bacteria from falling in with the wrong crowd could help stop gum disease8 February 2012A new study by academics from the University of Bristol's School of Oral and Dental Sciences suggests stripping some mouth bacteria of their access key to gangs of other pathogenic oral bacteria could help prevent gum disease and tooth loss.
Widespread coverage for research on prehistoric cricket's song7 February 2012Research by Dr Fernando Montealegre-Z in the School of Biological Sciences which recreated the song of a 165 million-year-old cricket received widespread media coverage around the world.
Merchants' Academy merger delayed7 February 2012A merger between Gay Elms Primary School and Merchants’ Academy, which is co-sponsored by the University of Bristol, has been delayed.
Getting students on the Inside Track7 February 2012Solar energy and subsea oil and gas industries are just some of the topics to be covered by Inside Track, a new seminar series launched by the Faculty of Engineering in January.
Early warning signals for critical transitions7 February 2012Researchers from the University of Bristol and Max-Planck-Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems have presented a methodology that uses mathematics to exploit easily obtainable information to a greater effect and as a result can reduce the amount of additional data that needs to be collected.
Calling all Bristol researchers7 February 2012The University invites research staff to submit entries for the Vice-Chancellor’s Impact Award 2012. The deadline for entries is Thursday 5 April.
New findings highlight the benefit of exercise electrocardiograms (ECGs) just as they are being scrapped7 February 2012In the UK, the exercise electrocardiogram (ECG) is the most common initial test for the evaluation of stable chest pain and has been used widely for almost half a century. However, recent NICE guidelines recommend that it should not be used to diagnose or exclude stable angina in patient assessments. New research published in the BMJ Open finds that the test has other uses that transcend its technical contribution to diagnosis.
Fossil cricket reveals Jurassic love song6 February 2012The love song of an extinct cricket that lived 165 million years ago has been brought back to life by scientists at the University of Bristol. The song was reconstructed from microscopic wing features on a fossil discovered in North East China. It allows us to listen to one of the sounds that would have been heard by dinosaurs and other creatures roaming Jurassic forests at night.
Nuclear disarmament tops the agenda for first Erudition online debate6 February 2012A national online debating competition has been launched by industrious students at the University of Bristol through the Erudition website – now the most popular student-run online news magazine in the country.
Behind the headlines3 February 2012The British Science Association is inviting applications for its 2012 Media Fellowship scheme, which gives scientists with a chance to gain first-hand experience of how science is reported.
Quantum biology and Ockham’s razor3 February 2012In a paper just published in Nature Chemistry, a team of University of Bristol scientists explores whether new models or concepts are needed to tackle one of the ‘grand challenges’ of chemical biology: understanding enzyme catalysis.
Dignity counts when caring for older people3 February 2012Older people feel that their health problems pose a challenge to their sense of independence, dignity and identity and sometimes the health care they are given makes things worse.
Marathon effort in honour of Registrar’s cancer battle2 February 2012The London Marathon will take on an extra-special meaning for one Bristol alumnus as he aims to complete the gruelling 26 mile course in honour of the University of Bristol’s recently retired Registrar Dr Tony Rich, who is battling the disease.
Why the brain is more reluctant to function as we age1 February 2012New findings, led by neuroscientists at the University of Bristol and published this week in the journal Neurobiology of Aging, reveal a novel mechanism through which the brain may become more reluctant to function as we grow older.
