News in 2024
- Novel Bristol therapeutic to target atheroschlerosis 24 June 2024 Scientists at the University of Bristol have uncovered a new disease driving mechanism which they are aiming to target to help treat the development of atherosclerotic plaques.
- 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.
- New study identifies link between low levels of omega-3s and symptoms of psychosis in early adulthood 12 June 2024 A new study, the largest of its kind, published in Biological Psychiatry today [12 June], tracked the blood test results of over 3,500 participants for a span of 17 years to explore a possible link between diet and mental health.
- Two can play that game: juvenile dolphins who play together are more successful as adults 10 June 2024 Juvenile social play predicts adult reproductive success in male bottlenose dolphins, a new study has found.
- New online CPD course for researchers aims to enhance animal welfare through best practice 6 June 2024 A new continuous professional development course developed by Bristol researchers that builds on more than two decades of animal welfare research has launched online.
- Seeking social proximity improves flight routes among pigeons 6 June 2024 A new University of Bristol-led study looked at the social influences on pigeon flight routes. Researchers compared the flight patterns of pairs of pigeons to a computer model and found that flight paths are improved as younger birds learn the route from older birds and also make route improvements, leading to overall more efficient routes over generations. The study is published in PLOS Biology.
- Researchers identify a genetic cause of intellectual disability affecting tens of thousands of people 31 May 2024 A neurodevelopmental disorder, caused by mutations in a single gene, affecting tens of thousands of people worldwide, has been identified by researchers. The work, published today [31 May] in Nature Medicine, was conducted by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York in collaboration with colleagues at the University of Bristol, KU Leuven, Belgium; and the NIHR BioResource (currently based at the University of Cambridge).
- Bristol PhD student set to compete in European Finals of 3MT competition 31 May 2024 Bristol PhD student Rachel Hare is set to compete in the finals of the European 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) contest, becoming the first University of Bristol entrant to reach this stage of the competition.
- Understanding the journey of self-harm in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire 30 May 2024 ‘Understanding Self-harm in Children and Young People aged 10-24 years in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire’ aimed to help understand self-harm in greater detail as it has been highlighted as an area of concern for the region and also across the South West.
- Gardening sessions are ‘highlight of week’ for dementia patients and BRI staff 29 May 2024 For those living with dementia, a stay in hospital can be a difficult time with a change in routine, loud noises, bright lights and time away from loved ones.
- Prenatal exposure to air pollution associated with increased mental health risks 28 May 2024 A baby’s exposure to air pollution while in the womb is associated with the development of certain mental health problems once the infant reaches adolescence, new research has found. The University of Bristol-led study, published in JAMA Network Open today [28 May], examined the long-term mental health impact of early-life exposure to air and noise pollution.
- Over 45s with joint pain design movement to music classes to manage their condition safely 28 May 2024 A new movement to music programme for people who have pain in their hips and knees – co-designed by participants and run by the Bristol Bones and Joints Health Integration Team – has been piloted in Bristol.
- Caterpillars can detect their predators by the static electricity they emit 23 May 2024 In the study experts showed that caterpillar hairs move in response to electric fields and are most sensitive to the frequencies that correspond to the wingbeats frequencies of other insects, indicating that their hairs could be tuned to pick up the electrical cues of their predators.
- Bristol Professor joins Academy of Medical Sciences Fellowship 23 May 2024 Two Bristol academics, Professors Eugenia Piddini and Gene Feder OBE, have been elected to the Academy of Medical Sciences’ respected and influential Fellowship. They join 58 exceptional biomedical and health scientists selected for their exceptional contributions to the advancement of medical science.
- Bristol spin-out Dynamic Therapeutics wins prestigious Blavatnik Prize for U-RHYTHM technology 25 April 2024 Dynamic Therapeutics, a University of Bristol spin-out, has today [25 April] been awarded a prestigious Blavatnik Prize by QantX, a leading venture capital firm, for its pioneering U-RHYTHM technology. The award recognises the scientific advances and future potential of the UK's most innovative scientists and engineers.
- Opioid dependence remains high but stable in Scotland, new surveillance report finds 19 April 2024 Opioid dependence in Scotland remains high but largely stable, according to a new University of Bristol-led analysis published in Addiction and by Public Health Scotland. The study is the first to estimate the number of people dependent on opioid drugs (such as heroin), and who are in or could benefit from drug treatment, among Scotland’s population since 2015/2016 estimates were published.
- Octopus inspires new suction mechanism for robots 18 April 2024 A new robotic suction cup which can grasp rough, curved and heavy stone, has been developed by scientists at the University of Bristol.
- Pioneering immersive virtual museum opens university’s collections to all 17 April 2024 One of the world’s first virtual museums has been created by the University of Bristol in which users can access and interact with items and artefacts from the University’s cultural collections.
- 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].
- Xylazine has infiltrated the UK’s illicit drug market 10 April 2024 Xylazine, a powerful animal tranquiliser linked to horrific side effects, is now widespread in the UK illicit drug market, according to a new study, published today [10 April] in Addiction, involving University of Bristol researchers.
- Report warns performing arts under threat from future global shocks unless lessons are learned from pandemic 28 March 2024 Live performing arts are facing an existential threat from a range of potential global shocks unless there is significant and sustained investment in resilience planning, according to a new international study.
- UK rabbit owners can recognise pain in their pets, study finds 27 March 2024 Rabbits are popular family pets, with around 1.5 million in the UK and it is important that owners can recognise when their animal is in pain, and know when to seek help to protect their rabbit's welfare. New research by the University of Bristol Veterinary School has found the majority of rabbit owners could list signs of pain and could mostly identify pain-free rabbits and those in severe pain, but many lacked knowledge of the subtler sign of pain.
- University of Bristol and UCL to lead support hub for UK's longitudinal population studies 27 March 2024 The University of Bristol and UCL will lead the Population Research UK (PRUK) co-ordination hub, part of an existing strategic investment from the UKRI Infrastructure Fund.
- App can help people reduce their alcohol intake 25 March 2024 A free smartphone app, Drink Less, can help people who would benefit most from reducing their alcohol consumption to do so successfully, according to a large randomised controlled trial led by UCL researchers and involving University of Bristol academics.
- 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.
- £2.2 million for clinical trial to improve general practice response to men and children affected by domestic abuse 15 March 2024 A new clinical trial of a general practice programme to improve the identification and referral of men and children affected by domestic abuse begins in May thanks to a £2.2 million National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) award to University of Bristol researchers, in partnership with Oxford University and the social enterprise IRISi.
- Creative Art of Ageing competition proves hit with Zimbabwe and The Gambia communities 12 March 2024 A creative arts competition giving older people in Zimbabwe and The Gambia a platform to express their experiences about ageing saw hundreds of entries showcase their artistic talent across four categories: music, dance, prose, and mixed media from across both countries. The competition, part of a University of Bristol led research project, hopes to improve the health and wellbeing of older people living in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Bristol leaps ahead in training next generation of leaders to tackle major global challenges 12 March 2024 Hundreds of talented scientists and engineers are set to advance solutions for some of the world’s most pressing challenges, ranging from reaching net-zero and developing sustainable energy to improving digital security and making the latest health breakthroughs.
- Happiness can be learnt, but we have to work at it – study finds 11 March 2024 We can learn to be happy, but only get lasting benefits if we keep practising, a first-of-its-kind study has revealed.
- New Digital Health Hub launches in South West England and Wales 11 March 2024 A consortium of universities from across the South West of England and Wales have come together to form a brand new Digital Health Hub which will elevate the region’s digital health capability through leadership, engagement, acceleration and partnership (LEAP).
- Bristol academic presents water supply research in Parliament 5 March 2024 An engineer who is working to improve the provision of safe drinking water in Sub-Saharan Africa presented her research in Parliament this week as part of the STEM for BRITAIN initiative.
- Pioneering research reveals empathetic communication can help overcome vaccine hesitancy 4 March 2024 An international study has shown for the first time how empathetic correction of misinformation among vaccine-hesitant patients can significantly improve attitudes towards vaccination – and potentially boost vaccine uptake.
- South Wales and South West researchers awarded £4.3 million for world-leading research into severe mental illness 1 March 2024 A pioneering new Mental Health Platform Research Hub, which will advance the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of severe mental illness has been awarded a £4.3 million grant from UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) and the Medical Research Council (MRC).
- National partnership to tackle health inequalities in coastal communities awarded £2.4 million 27 February 2024 A national partnership led by researchers at the Universities of Bristol and Liverpool has received £2.4 million to tackle health inequalities in coastal communities. The award is one of a number announced today [15 February] by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) under its Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)-led Mobilising Community Assets to Tackle Health Inequalities programme, which aims to improve health through access to culture, nature and community.
- Understanding the relationship between our sleep, body clock and mental health 19 February 2024 Problems with our sleep and internal body clock can trigger or worsen a range of psychiatric disorders, according to a new review of recent research evidence.
- Disinformation Is the Real Threat to Democracy and Public Health 8 February 2024 An opinion piece written by Prof Stephan Lewandowsky (School of Psychological Science), Sander van der Linden (Cambridge) & Andy Norman (Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative), Scientific American, 30 January 2024
- Professor John Coggon appointed to World Health Organization Technical Advisory Group on Ethics and Climate Health 8 February 2024 The World Health Organization (WHO) recognises climate change as the biggest health threat facing humanity, with the potential to undermine decades of progress in global health.
- Fakes, facts, society and health 8 February 2024 The Elizabeth Blackwell Institute for Health Research welcomed Patricia Kingori, Professor of Global Health Ethics at the University of Oxford, as their 10th Annual Public Lecture speaker.
- Nurturing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion - Supporting Research Careers in Health and Biomedicine 8 February 2024
- Bristol scientists supercharge Artificial Intelligence in revolutionary £80 million national initiative 6 February 2024 Experts are helping put the UK at the forefront of AI advances, using it to transform current uses and tackle important global challenges.
Elizabeth Blackwell Institute for Health Research has appointed Professor Pat Kehoe as new Director
Elizabeth Blackwell Institute for Health Research has appointed Professor Pat Kehoe as new Director it was announced today (Thursday 23 May 2024).
EBI are delighted to announce that Professor Pat Kehoe has been formally appointed as the Director of the Elizabeth Blackwell Institute. Pat’s research expertise is in dementia research, and he brings a wealth of experience in interdisciplinary health research through his role as Health and Life Science Faculty Research Director. Professor Pat Kehoe will take up the post of Institute Director from 1 August 2024.
Read the full story here: https://bristol.ac.uk/blackwell/news/2024/new-ebi-director.html
Unlocking insights into insomnia
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 also highlights the value of improving access to this data for future health research.
The study aimed to explore how useful GP records are in measuring how many people experience insomnia symptoms. The researchers used data from the UK Biobank, a database which contains health, genetic and lifestyle information on around half a million participants.
The research team directly compared the proportion of English participants reporting insomnia symptoms in a questionnaire completed when they signed up to the UK Biobank to the same people's linked GP records The study found 29 per cent of the sample reported having insomnia symptoms. Of those, only 10 per cent had insomnia symptoms documented in their GP records. Most notably, the research also revealed that over a quarter of people who had insomnia symptoms noted in their GP record in the month immediately before they completed the UK Biobank questionnaire, and had an accompanying prescription for insomnia medication, didn't report having insomnia symptoms in the questionnaire.
This could be due to the stigma associated with having insomnia or because medication reduced the symptoms. Either way, it suggests that GP data can play a vital role in identifying people with insomnia who are not captured by questionnaire data.
The researchers found that many of the characteristics of people visiting their GP with insomnia symptoms were similar to those reporting insomnia symptoms in the questionnaire. These included being female, older, having poorer physical and mental health, smoking, having a high caffeine intake and doing little exercise.
Read the full University of Bristol news item
Paper: ‘Insomnia symptom prevalence in England: a comparison of cross-sectional self-reported data and primary care records in the UK Biobank' by Melanie A de Lange, Sophie V Eastwood, Rebecca C Richmond and Neil M Davies in BMJ Open [open access]