COVID-19: Risks of severe illness in children shown to be very low in largest study yet9 July 2021The risk of severe illness and death from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, is extremely low in children and teenagers, according to the most comprehensive analyses of public health data, led by researchers at UCL, University of Bristol, University of York and the University of Liverpool.
Interleukin-6 antagonists improve outcomes in hospitalised COVID-19 patients7 July 2021Findings from a study published today [6 July] in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) have prompted new World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations to use interleukin-6 antagonists in patients with severe or critical COVID-19 along with corticosteroids.
New guidance published to help GPs interpret Lateral Flow Device test results
5 July 2021New guidance for GPs and other health professionals on how to interpret and communicate results from Lateral Flow Device (LFDs) tests based on the current understanding of the tests’ performance is published in the BMJ. Researchers from the Universities of Bristol, Cambridge, and Trinity College Dublin have devised a calculator which aims to help doctors, who are increasingly asked by patients what they should do after receiving their results, to better advise patients on what their LFD test result means.
Biotech company wins Bristol’s Tech-Xpo 20212 July 2021Ferryx, a biotech company tackling gastrointestinal inflammation, pitched against ten other startups from Bristol’s world-leading tech scene, has won ‘Best Elevator Pitch’ at SETsquared Bristol’s Tech-Xpo on Wednesday 30 June.
Pregnant women in Bristol have doubts about new COVID-19 vaccines, study reveals1 July 2021Pregnant women said taking their routine vaccines like whooping cough and flu was even more important during the COVID-19 pandemic but they have doubts about the safety of taking new COVID-19 vaccines during their pregnancy, new research has found.
Playing wind instruments generates less aerosol than vocalisation, COVID-19 study finds30 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.
Longest known SARS-CoV-2 infection of nearly 300 days successfully treated with new therapy24 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.
GW4 takes a world leading One Health approach to tackling the antimicrobial resistance pandemic16 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.
HIV has detrimental effect on children’s growth and bone strength, finds landmark study15 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 finds15 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 one14 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.
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.
Scientific evidence that informed UK Government’s response to COVID-191 June 2021Scientific evidence that was used to inform the UK government’s key policies impacting millions of people during the first wave of COVID-19 including the rule of six and the first national stay-at-home order is published today [31 May] in the journal of the Royal Society. The Special Theme issue is compiled and guest edited by SPI-M scientists including infectious disease modellers Drs Ellen Brooks Pollock and Leon Danon at the University of Bristol.
Pfizer’s Vaccine Centre of Excellence launches at the University of Bristol25 May 2021The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, the Rt. Hon. Matt Hancock MP, today [25 May] visited the University of Bristol for the official launch of a new Pfizer Centre of Excellence for Epidemiology of Vaccine-preventable Diseases.
Sex cells in parasites are doing their own thing11 May 2021Researchers at the University of Bristol have discovered how microbes responsible for human African sleeping sickness produce sex cells.
Aerosol generating procedures: are they of relevance for transmission of SARS-CoV-2?7 May 2021Emerging evidence indicates that many currently defined aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) are unlikely to play any significant role in the generation of infectious aerosol that poses a risk to hospital staff. In a comment article published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine today [6 May] a research team from the University of Bristol discusses AGPs and the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in a healthcare setting.
One in five will have vaccine resentment over summer holidays4 May 2021Nearly one in five people who haven’t had a Covid vaccine say they'll feel resentful towards those who have if they don’t get one in time for their summer holidays, while the proportion of the public who think vaccine passports will infringe civil liberties has increased since March and about half think they’ll be sold on the black market, according to a new study.
Preference for AZ vaccine declines – but vaccine confidence undented28 April 2021The public's preference for the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine has declined since last month, and belief that it causes blood clots has increased – but despite this, vaccine confidence is higher than it was towards the end of 2020, and there has been a big rise in the proportion of people who say they want to be vaccinated as soon as possible, according to a new study.
Covid vaccines: passports, blood clots and changing trust in government9 April 2021Four in 10 people think those without a Covid-19 vaccination will be discriminated against, while around a quarter of the public have concerns about vaccine passports, according to a new study. The research, by the University of Bristol and King’s College London, also finds that three in ten people say the vaccine rollout has increased their trust in the UK government, and that before the latest news about the AstraZeneca vaccine, a majority did not believe it causes blood clots.
New research shows risk of COVID-19 from aerosols to healthcare workers30 March 2021New research challenges the guidance that special aerosol precautions are only needed when using oxygen therapies for COVID-19 patients, and raises concerns about safety of staff and patients on hospital wards, if they are not protected from infectious aerosols.
Bristol COVID-19 antibody testing study launched25 March 2021A study that will enable researchers to understand more about the second wave of COVID-19 and its long-term health effects has been launched today [24 March] by Children of the 90s, a health study based at the University of Bristol.
Germ Defence rolled out through GP practices across England to help reduce household COVID-19 infections18 March 2021Even though COVID-19 vaccines are being rolled out, it is still important to try to reduce the spread of infection in the home. During restrictions, infections are most likely to be transmitted in households. Research has shown people who follow the advice from the Germ Defence website are less likely to catch flu or other viruses and less likely to pass it on to members of their household.
Professor John Macleod awarded NIHR Senior Investigator status5 March 2021Professor John Macleod, joint Head of the Centre for Academic Primary Care at the University of Bristol and Director of the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) West, is one of 31 academics in the UK to be awarded Senior Investigator status by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) in 2021.
