News in 2024

Wishing MoBa happy 25th birthday from ALSPAC 11 November 2024 To mark the 25th anniversary of the MoBa cohort in October, Professors George Davey Smith and Nic Timpson reflect on the relationship between ALSPAC and MoBa and the important role different types of cohorts play in addressing important health questions.
Daylight saving time clock changes have substantial, but short-lived effect on how much sleep we get 25 October 2024 With the clocks going back this weekend, a new study has found that moving the clocks one hour forward in Spring and one hour back in Autumn has a substantial, but short-lived effect on sleep duration.
The transformative potential of family-based biobanks 23 October 2024 A team of researchers from the UK, USA, Norway, Australia, and the Netherlands is calling for a shift towards family-based sampling to advance genetic research.
Study of 18 million people finds increased mental illnesses incidence following severe COVID-19, especially in unvaccinated people 21 August 2024 A new study that examined health data on 18 million people reveals higher incidence of mental illnesses for up to a year following severe COVID-19 in unvaccinated people. Vaccination appeared to mitigate the adverse effects of COVID-19 on mental illnesses. The University of Bristol-led study, published in JAMA Psychiatry today [21 August], investigated associations of COVID-19 with mental illnesses according to time since diagnosis and vaccination status.
Incidence of heart attacks and strokes was lower after COVID-19 vaccination, finds study of 46 million adults 31 July 2024 A new study involving nearly the whole adult population of England has found that the incidence of heart attacks and strokes was lower after COVID-19 vaccination than before or without vaccination. The research, involving University of Bristol researchers, is published in Nature Communications today [31 July].
New study identifies two proteins that may contribute to stroke recurrence 22 July 2024 People who experience an arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) or transient ischemic stroke (TIA) are at an increased risk of suffering a second stroke or other major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), making it critically important to identify risk factors and treatments to prevent these subsequent occurrences. The new study, led by Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) and University of Bristol researchers, has identified new genetic and molecular risk factors that may reveal new pathways for treating patients after they experience their first stroke.
Pioneering clinical epidemiologist among outstanding scientists elected to EMBO 9 July 2024 George Davey-Smith, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology, has been elected to the prestigious EMBO Membership, an honour which recognises research excellence and outstanding achievements in the life sciences.
Restricting flavoured vapes could harm smoking cessation efforts, finds study 13 June 2024 Restricting the choice of flavoured vapes, also known as e-cigarettes, could have an adverse effect on the many adults who use them to reduce or quit smoking, according to a new University of Bristol-led study published in the journal Harm Reduction.
Epidural linked to reduction in serious complications after childbirth 23 May 2024 Expanding access to epidural analgesia could improve maternal health, say researchers. Having an epidural during labour is associated with a marked reduction in serious complications in the first few weeks after giving birth, finds a study involving University of Bristol researchers, published in The BMJ.
Adiposity in childhood affects the risk of breast cancer by changing breast tissue composition, study suggests 13 May 2024 Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. With rates continuing to rise, there is an urgent need to identify new modifiable breast cancer risk factors. New research led by the University of Bristol suggests that higher adiposity in childhood leads to less dense breast tissue forming, which results in a reduced breast cancer risk. However, further research is needed to understand the mechanism of the overall protective effect of childhood adiposity to identify new targets for intervention and prevention.
Unlocking insights into insomnia: UK Biobank data reveals discrepancies between reported symptoms and GP records 8 May 2024 GP data can provide unique insights into common health conditions, new research looking at insomnia symptom prevalence in England has shown. The University of Bristol-led study, published in BMJ Open today [8 May], also highlights the value of improving access to this data for future health research.
Family and media pressure to lose weight in adolescence linked to how people value themselves almost two decades later 16 April 2024 People who as teenagers felt pressure to lose weight from family or from the media, females, sexual minorities, and people experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage, are most at risk of 'internalised' weight stigma, new research led by the University of Bristol has found. The study is published in The Lancet Regional Health Europe today [16 Apr].
Nudging the public’s thirst for draught alcohol-free beers could significantly reduce alcohol-associated harms 21 March 2024 Making alcohol-free beer more widely available on draught in pubs and bars may help people switch from alcoholic to alcohol-free beer, a new study published in Addiction today [21 March], has found. Pubs and bars taking part in the University of Bristol-led trial saw an increase in sales of healthier non-alcoholic draught beer.
Professor Deborah Lawlor honoured with epidemiology prize 4 March 2024 The International Epidemiological Association (IEA) has awarded its most prestigious prize, the 2024 Richard Doll Prize in Epidemiology, to Professor Deborah Lawlor of the MCR Integrative Epidemiology Unit.
Weight loss intervention in people with type 2 diabetes influences cancer-associated proteins 30 January 2024 A weight loss intervention in people with type 2 diabetes was found to alter levels of cancer-related proteins, according to the findings of a new University of Bristol-led study. The study, published in eBioMedicine, is the first to show that weight loss in people recently diagnosed with diabetes can change the levels of cancer-related chemicals circulating in the blood.
Supporting childbearing women to maintain a healthy weight could reduce the risk of pregnancy complications, study finds 29 January 2024 Supporting women of childbearing age to have a healthy weight could reduce the risk of several pregnancy complications, new research led by the University of Bristol has found. The international collaborative study is published in BMC Medicine today [29 January].
Exposure to high humidity and temperature in pregnancy could influence blood pressure changes in childhood 10 January 2024 Outdoor humidity and temperature levels during pregnancy could affect the future blood pressure of the unborn child, according to new research by the University of Bristol, published in JACC: Advances