Pocket feature shared by deadly coronaviruses could lead to pan-coronavirus antiviral treatment23 November 2022Scientists have discovered why some coronaviruses are more likely to cause severe disease, which has remained a mystery, until now. Researchers of the University of Bristol-led study, published in Science Advances today [23 November], say their findings could lead to the development of a pan-coronavirus treatment to defeat all coronaviruses—from the 2002 SARS-CoV outbreak to Omicron, the current variant of SARS-CoV-2, as well as dangerous variants that may emerge in future.
New trial to assess whether rapid tests reduce antibiotic prescribing for respiratory infections in primary care23 November 2022A new randomised controlled clinical trial, led by the University of Bristol, will investigate whether rapid microbiological 'point-of-care' tests for respiratory infections could reduce antibiotic prescribing in primary care, thanks to funding of £1.6 million by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The tests, which are carried out in GP surgeries rather than sent to a laboratory, detect the presence of viruses and some bacteria, with results available on the same day.
This year’s Doctoral Prize winners are…18 November 2022Each year the University of Bristol picks six outstanding theses – one from each faculty – from hundreds of fascinating submissions by doctoral researchers in the last year. This year’s winners each receive £500 and a special certificate.
Infectious disease modellers recognised for pandemic modelling work10 November 2022University of Bristol academics, Drs Ellen Brooks Pollock OBE, Leon Danon, Robert Challen, Amy Thomas and Emily Nixon have been recognised for their epidemiological modelling work supporting the UK government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Films explain how we can find solutions for a healthier future1 November 2022Climate change is one of the biggest health threats facing humanity. It is already affecting our health, and these impacts are likely to increase. A series of short films developed by the University of Bristol’s Elizabeth Blackwell Institute for Health Research and Cabot Institute for the Environment explain how the health of our planet is linked to human health, and how research at Bristol will help us to understand these complex and interwoven issues.
NIHR funds trial to evaluate the use of food allergy tests for eczema control21 October 2022The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is funding a definitive follow-on trial to TEST (Trial of Eczema allergy Screening Tests), which investigated the feasibility of evaluating the use of routine food allergy tests for the control of childhood eczema.
Continuity of care associated with improved prescribing for patients at risk of heart disease4 October 2022People at risk of heart disease are more likely to be prescribed relevant medications if they see the same GP over time (known as continuity of care) but not more likely to take their medications (known as adherence), according to researchers at the University of Bristol.
Discovery of Er Blood Group System26 September 2022Scientists from the University of Bristol and NHS Blood & Transplant (NHSBT) have discovered a rare new blood group system. The findings, published in Blood, the journal of the American Society of Hematology, also solve a 30-year mystery.
Increase in non-COVID-19 respiratory infections predicted this winter9 August 2022An increase in the number of non-COVID-19 respiratory infections should be expected this winter, say scientists. The warning comes following the results of a new study, published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, which found that over 55% of respiratory disease hospitalisations during the pandemic’s peak were caused by non-SARS-CoV-2 infections.
New DNA repair-kit successfully fixes hereditary disease in patient-derived cells29 July 2022Genetic mutations which cause a debilitating hereditary kidney disease affecting children and young adults have been fixed in patient-derived kidney cells using a potentially game-changing DNA repair-kit. The advance, developed by University of Bristol scientists, is published in Nucleic Acids Research.
Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca vaccines offer high protection against severe COVID-19, six months after second doses, study finds20 July 2022Protection against severe COVID-19 by two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines remained high up to six months after second doses, finds new research which analysed NHS health record data on over seven million adults. Reassuringly, the University of Bristol-led study published in The BMJ today [July 20], found protection in older adults aged over 65 years, and in clinically vulnerable adults.
New report finds stark impact of newborn illness on mortality throughout childhood14 July 2022New evidence has found a link between poor health as a newborn and mortality up to the age of ten. The new report from England’s National Child Mortality Database (NCMD), led by the University of Bristol, shows of the 4,829 children aged ten and under who died in England between 2019 and 2021, 72 per cent were found to have required additional care in the neonatal period.
People from low socioeconomic backgrounds could reduce chronic kidney disease risk with regular exercise, study suggests12 July 2022New research has found people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds who regularly exercise could substantially reduce their risk of chronic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease is linked to poor quality of life and an increased risk of death. Its treatment is also associated with high healthcare costs, with diabetes and high blood pressure major factors that contribute to the disease.
Impact of exposure to COVID-19 infection early in life on a child’s brain development28 June 2022More than 650,000 babies are born every year in the UK, and during the pandemic some of them will have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus which causes COVID-19. A national study, funded by the charity Action Medical Research, will investigate the long-term impact of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in the womb or shortly after birth.
Infectivity of airborne SARS-CoV-2 could decrease by 90% within 20 minutes of exhalation28 June 2022The SARS-CoV-2 virus can lose 90% of infectivity when in aerosol particles within 20 minutes, according to new University of Bristol findings. The study, published in the journal of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), is the first to investigate the decrease in infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in aerosol particles over periods from seconds to a few minutes. The aim of the study was to explore the process that could change viral infectivity over short timescales following exhalation.
New initiative Bristol Innovations expands potential for transformative research24 June 2022The University of Bristol is launching Bristol Innovations, a new initiative that will combine its far-reaching research expertise with the industry know-how of global partners, leading to progressive sector-wide and multidisciplinary discoveries.
Vaccines: Discovery to Uptake event, 21 June 202222 June 2022The University of Bristol's Infection and Immunity Network, supported by the Elizabeth Blackwell Institute, hosted its 11th annual symposium in the Geographical Sciences Building on 21 June 2022. Jointly hosted with the Bristol Vaccine Centre, the event presented a narrative of the vaccine pathway, from initial cellular work through to delivery in communities.
Novel host cell pathway hijacked during COVID-19 infection14 June 2022An international team of scientists, led by the University of Bristol, has been investigating how the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, manipulates host proteins to penetrate into human cells. After identifying Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) as a host factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection, new findings published in the journal of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) today [14 June] describe how the coronavirus subverts a host cell pathway in order to infect human cells.
Antimicrobial resistance study begins on Welsh farms7 June 2022Bacterial sampling is now underway to assess the abundance and types of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria on Welsh dairy, beef and sheep farms.
The right moisturiser for children with eczema is the one that they like to use24 May 2022The Best Emollients for Eczema trial has found that no one type of moisturiser is better than another. This study, the first in the world to directly compare different types of moisturisers, highlights the importance of patient education and choice when deciding which moisturisers to use for children with eczema. The results from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded study are published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health and British Journal of General Practice today [24 May].
Inhaled antibiotics could help reduce antimicrobial resistance12 May 2022Using inhaled antibiotics to treat lower respiratory tract infections could help reduce antimicrobial resistance, according to researchers from the University of Bristol and University of Bath.
Professor Imre Berger elected Fellow of prestigious Academy of Medical Sciences11 May 2022Imre Berger, Professor of Biochemistry and Chemistry and Director of Bristol’s Max Planck Centre for Minimal Biology has been elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences for his outstanding contributions to biomedical science and notable discoveries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
People were hesitant rather than opposed to the COVID-19 vaccine11 May 2022A study that explored the attitudes of vaccine hesitant adults in the UK towards uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine found that participants were hesitant rather than opposed to the vaccine. They had questions about their need for, and the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. Concerns were exacerbated by a lack of trust in government and misunderstanding of science, the University of Bristol-led study found.
International siblings study sheds new light on the nature of the genetics of disease10 May 2022Genetic studies aim to find regions of the genome that associate with diseases or other outcomes. A new study has shown that for social traits these genetic effects are due to a mixture of direct effects (e.g. biological effects of DNA), and indirect effects (e.g. family or social environment). Whereas biological traits are mainly driven by direct effects.
Childhood obesity increases risk of type 1 diabetes29 April 2022Being overweight in childhood increases the risk of developing type 1 diabetes in later life, according to the findings of a new study that analysed genetic data on over 400,000 individuals. The study, co-led by researchers from the Universities of Bristol and Oxford and published today in Nature Communications, also provides evidence that being overweight over many years from childhood influences the risk of other diseases including asthma, eczema and hypothyroidism.