Biotech company wins Bristol’s Tech-Xpo 20211 July 2021Ferryx, a biotech company tackling gastrointestinal inflammation, pitched against ten other startups from Bristol’s world-leading tech scene, to win ‘Best Elevator Pitch’ at SETsquared Bristol’s Tech-Xpo on Wednesday 30 June.
Major research project to study chronic pain30 June 2021Chronic pain is a major global public health challenge that causes significant disability. A new research consortium and national chronic pain data hub could improve outcomes for the many people living with painful and debilitating conditions, such as fibromyalgia, lower back pain, headaches and migraines, thanks to a joint £14 million grant from UKRI and Versus Arthritis.
Bee behaviour to influence energy efficiency communication to homes 30 June 2021A revolutionary project launching in December 2021 is set to redefine how households are advised on the most efficient use of their energy, based on bees’ social organisation and communication patterns.
Dinosaurs were in decline before the end, according to new study29 June 2021The death of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago was caused by the impact of a huge asteroid on the Earth. However, palaeontologists have continued to debate whether they were already in decline or not before the impact.
Friends and family found creative ways to support women experiencing domestic abuse during COVID-19
29 June 2021In usual times, women experiencing domestic abuse reach out to those around them for support, but the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated social restrictions have made this more difficult to do. New research has found friends, family, neighbours and colleagues (informal supporters) used creative ways to keep in touch with and to continue offering support domestic abuse survivors.
Microbes feast on crushed rock in subglacial lakes beneath Antarctica29 June 2021Pioneering research has revealed the erosion of ancient sediments found deep beneath Antarctic ice could be a vital and previously unknown source of nutrients and energy for abundant microbial life.
Playing wind instruments generates less aerosol than vocalisation, COVID-19 study finds29 June 2021Aerosol generated by playing woodwind and brass instruments is less than that produced when vocalising (speaking and singing) and is no different than a person breathing, new research has found. The findings, published online in the journal Aerosol Science and Technology, could be crucial to developing a roadmap for lifting COVID-19 restrictions in the performing arts, which have been significantly restricted since the start of the pandemic.
Mask-wearing reduces COVID-19 transmission, study finds28 June 2021Mask-wearing is associated with a significant reduction in COVID-19 transmission and factors other than mandates contributed to the global uptake of mask-wearing in 2020, new research has found.
Professor Richard Dixon FRS, 1930-202125 June 2021Professor Richard Dixon FRS, Emeritus Professor of Chemistry, died on 25 May 2021. Professors Mike Ashfold and Andrew Orr-Ewing offer this appreciation.
Protocells spring into action 24 June 2021A University of Bristol-led team of international scientists with an interest in protoliving technologies, has today published research which paves the way to building new semi-autonomous devices with potential applications in miniaturized soft robotics, microscale sensing and bioengineering.
Bridging Histories project helps city explore its past24 June 2021Communities in Bristol and beyond are being invited to explore their past, present and future, by taking part in a new learning project launched by the We Are Bristol History Commission and partners, which includes the University of Bristol.
Longest known SARS-CoV-2 infection of nearly 300 days successfully treated with new therapy 24 June 2021An immunocompromised individual with the longest known PCR confirmed case of SARS-CoV-2 infection, lasting more than 290 days, has been successfully treated with two investigational monoclonal antibodies (laboratory engineered antibodies). Clinicians and researchers from the University of Bristol and North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) worked closely to assess and treat the infection and want to highlight the urgent need for improved access to treatments for such people with persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection.
How does the one-humped Arabian camel survive without drinking?23 June 2021Research led by scientists at the University of Bristol has shed new light on how the kidneys of the one-humped Arabian camel play an important role in helping it to cope with extremes.
The humidity of flowers acts as an invisible attractor for bumblebees22 June 2021As well as bright colours and subtle scents, flowers possess many invisible ways of attracting their pollinators, and a new study shows that bumblebees may use the humidity of a flower to tell them about the presence of nectar, according to scientists at the Universities of Bristol and Exeter.
Bristol Teaching Awards: lights, camera, action!18 June 2021It was curtains up for the Bristol Teaching Awards 2021 on June 16, as staff gathered online to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of those who teach and support learning.
GW4 takes a world leading One Health approach to tackling the antimicrobial resistance pandemic 17 June 2021The GW4 Alliance (Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter universities – GW4) formally launched their new ‘One Health’ antimicrobial resistance research consortium this week [Wednesday 16 June]. The World Health Organisation cites antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as one of the most significant risks facing the world. AMR threatens global health and development as it impacts on human, animal and plant health and also our environment, water safety and food security.
How have vaccines helped to protect the world and how can they continue to do so?16 June 2021The power of vaccines to help save lives and shape our world has never been more evident as countries around the world fight against COVID-19. The pandemic has also highlighted how vital it is for industry, academia and global populations to work together in the race for effective vaccines. The importance of vaccine research to global public health will be discussed later this week by a distinguished panel of experts at a live online event jointly organised by the University of Bristol and Pfizer.
UK faces post-pandemic bereavement crisis and lasting legacy of grief15 June 2021New research has highlighted the difficulties and distress people experienced when trying to get support after the death of a loved one during the pandemic, with more than half of people (51 per cent) experiencing high or severe vulnerability in their grief and those seeking support facing long waiting lists or being told they are ineligible.
HIV has detrimental effect on children’s growth and bone strength, finds landmark study14 June 2021Children growing up with HIV infection have concerning deficits in skeletal strength which become more apparent towards the end of pubertal growth, finds the largest study to date to investigate the link between HIV and skeletal health in children. The study, conducted in Zimbabwe and published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, identifies a link between these skeletal deficits and the first-line antiretroviral-HIV drug, tenofovir disproxil fumarate (TDF), which is widely used across sub-Saharan Africa.
Dental procedures are very low risk in the aerosol spread of COVID-19, study finds14 June 2021Many of the common procedures carried out by dentists have very low risk of increasing the aerosol spread of COVID-19 and some procedures, such as ultrasonic scaling, were not shown to generate aerosol other than from the clean instrument itself, new research has found.
Half who said they definitely wouldn’t get a Covid vaccine have since had one12 June 2021Half (52 per cent) of those who said they would definitely not get a COVID-19 vaccine when asked back in November/December 2020 have now done so, indicating that many people’s hesitancy has disappeared since the UK's vaccine rollout began, according to a new study.
Phil Gould, 1948–202111 June 2021Phil Gould, Estates Assistant in the Victoria Rooms, passed away earlier this month. Matt Davies and other colleagues offer a remembrance.
Young infants produce strong immune response to SARS-CoV-2, study finds11 June 2021Young infants show strong immune responses to SARS-CoV-2, new research has found. In particular, compared with adults, young infants produce relatively high levels of antibodies and immune cells that can specifically protect against COVID-19.
Analysis of child deaths in England shows importance of care for premature and young babies10 June 2021Actions to reduce the number of babies born before 37 weeks’ gestation and improve their outcomes are among the recommendations made by the University of Bristol National Child Mortality Database (NCMD) team, who carried out national analysis of child deaths in England. This is one of the findings, published today [10 June] in NCMD’s second annual report, which aims to learn lessons from all child deaths in order to reduce the number of children who die in the future.
