2006 | News and features | University of Bristol

Unintended consequences of pensions reform 1 December 2006 Since the Pensions Commission made its recommendations in May 2006, there has been relatively little reflective scrutiny of its proposals. Researchers at the CMPO look at two crucial aspects of the Commission’s proposals - the retirement age and means testing for state pensions – and raise some worrying concerns about the proposed reforms.

The latest evidence on children's development 1 December 2006 In the Autumn 2006 issue of Research in Public Policy, leading experts look at the latest evidence on three key aspects of children’s development – health, behavioural and cognitive development – and their impact on educational attainment and hence ‘life chances’.

Professor Dixon to chair Hospitals Trust 30 November 2006 Professor Richard Dixon in the School of Chemistry has been elected Chairman of the Charitable Trust for the United Bristol Hospitals.

Festive treat in store for local kids 30 November 2006 Up to 120 local children will be given a Christmas treat this week, thanks to Bristol University’s Student Community Action (SCA) which is holding a special party to help them celebrate the festive season. The party takes place on Saturday, 2 December.

University leader explores Bristol's role as a 'Science City' 30 November 2006 Bristol University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eric Thomas, will give a free public talk on Monday, 4 December reflecting on the Government’s recent designation of Bristol as one of the UK’s six Science Cities. He will ask, ‘What would Brunel have thought?’.

Are two medicines better than one? 29 November 2006 Parents should be advised to use the minimum dose necessary when treating a child with fever

Professors Claxton and Deem become Academicians 29 November 2006 Professor Guy Claxton and Professor Rosemary Deem have been elected Academicians of the Academy of Learned Societies for the Social Sciences.

PhD graduate wins UK neuroscience prize 29 November 2006 Karen Luyt, a recent Bristol PhD graduate, has won the 2006 British Neuroscience Association (BNA) Postgraduate Prize for the year’s best neuroscience thesis.

Conference explores neighbourhood ‘accident hotspots’ 29 November 2006 Young children living in some neighbourhoods of Bristol are 3 times more likely to have an accident in the home than those living in ‘safer’ areas of the city.

Bristol's partnership success highlighted at European cities summit 23 November 2006 Cities across Europe should develop strong partnerships between universities, public bodies and the business sector so that academic,social and commercial research can be better integrated and help drive forward city economies, Bristol City Council Leader Cllr Barbara Janke will tell a meeting of European leaders on Thursday, November 23rd 2006.

Crystals, nanostructures and lasers: three new Chemistry grants 23 November 2006 Three new research grants have recently been awarded to academics in the School of Chemistry.

Royal Society Wolfson Award for Professor Mann 23 November 2006 Professor Stephen Mann FRS in the School of Chemistry has been awarded a five-year Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award.

War without limits: Spain 1936-39 and beyond 22 November 2006 The Spanish Civil War and beyond

The Duchess of Cornwall becomes Patron of the Langford Trust 22 November 2006 Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall has become Patron of the Langford Trust for Animal Health and Welfare.

Preventing meningitis: improving recognition, improving practice 20 November 2006 Junior doctors need specific training in the diagnosis and management of suspected bacterial meningitis and other severe infections concludes a study published in the Quarterly Journal of Medicine.

Calling all students: sporting chance to win an iPod nano 20 November 2006 Complete a survey on the kinds of sport you do and enter a prize draw.

Safeguarding children from abuse and neglect 17 November 2006 Children and young people at risk of abuse and neglect are the focus of new research by the University of Bristol.

Archaeology and European Modernity: Producing and Consuming the ‘Minoans’ 17 November 2006 In recent years, scholars have started exploring the relationship between archaeology, ‘Modernity’ and Europeanism. A new book examines the intriguing case study of ‘Minoan’ Crete, often claimed to be the ‘cradle of European civilisation’.

Professor Arthur Willis, 1922-2006 17 November 2006 Arthur Willis, a Bristol alumnus and former lecturer and reader in the Department of Botany, died in June.

John H. W. Barrett (1933-2006): psychologist and inspirational educator 17 November 2006 John Barrett embodied everything that is best in a university academic: widely read, welcoming to students, challenging, scholarly, diplomatic, resourceful, and able to contribute original research.

Rare lightshow seen in deep ocean 16 November 2006 Rare footage of marine creatures putting on deep sea “lightshows” on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean has been captured by scientists using the latest technology.

Serving up the 'compleat' salmon 16 November 2006 The salmon is more than just a fish. It has become a symbol of fortitude, fecundity, self-sacrifice, loyalty to place and unwavering pursuit of destiny. Now, an innovative and richly illustrated bio-biography by Dr Peter Coates, an environmental historian at the University of Bristol, tells the story of this remarkable species.

In-depth analysis of National Student Survey published 16 November 2006 HEFCE-commissioned research, analysed by a sociologist at the University of Bristol, has explored in detail how student, course and institution characteristics influenced the results of the National Student Survey.

Family lawyers to highlight the support needs of parents with learning difficulties 15 November 2006 The support needs of parents with learning disabilities will be highlighted at a family lawyers conference later this week, together with the launch of a new national network for people working with parents with learning disabilities.

Students on the run for charity 15 November 2006 Students will be putting on their running shoes for charity later this month for Bristol University’s annual Half Marathon and 5k challenge. The event takes place on Sunday, 26 November at Coombe Dingle Sports Complex and there are still places available for members of the public.

Breathtaking discovery by Bristol University academic set to rock art world 14 November 2006 The discovery of two Fra Angelico paintings, one of the greatest artists of the early Renaissance, by Bristol University academic, Michael Liversidge, has been hailed as one of the most exciting art finds for a generation.

US Ambassador visits Bristol's Centres of Excellence 13 November 2006 Mr Robert Tuttle, US Ambassador to Britain, visited the University’s two Centres for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETLs) recently, and met members of staff in the Schools of Chemistry and Medical Sciences.

Reward for clinic's breakthroughs in tackling childhood obesity 10 November 2006 The UK is in the grip of an epidemic of childhood obesity with one in five children overweight or obese. But one clinic in Bristol has had unprecedented success in turning back the tide of obesity in children through its pioneering research and innovative interventions.

How to catch a mosquito 9 November 2006 Male mosquitoes increase their chances of mating with a passing female by enhancing their ability to hear her flying past. Much like the human ear, the mosquito ear is able to amplify the sounds it hears, making the female appear closer.

Improving Education Quality 8 November 2006 Assisting the fight against poverty and gender inequality

Research shows drop in income will hit harder 8 November 2006 Although 23 per cent of UK mortgage borrowers believe they will face real financial difficulties if interest rates rise as predicted later this week, their fears are not entirely justified; in fact just 1 per cent would be affected.

Students donate over 100,000 hours to local community 3 November 2006 Student volunteers at Bristol University will be swapping their normal roles for those of decorators at Withywood Community School tomorrow [Saturday, 4 November] to mark the start of this year’s Student Community Action (SCA) Week. The painting and decorating day is the first of many community volunteering projects being held during SCA Week, which aims to highlight the voluntary work carried out by students.

Professor Sir Philip Randle, 1926-2006 3 November 2006 Professor Sir Philip Randle founded the Department of Biochemistry at Bristol in 1964, building it up into one of the strongest in the UK both in research and teaching.

New degree addresses educational psychologist shortage 3 November 2006 The School of Applied and Community Health Studies in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law has launched a new degree that aims to provide more strategic, research-based training for educational psychologists.

Purchasing Exhibition 2006 2 November 2006 The University’s Purchasing Exhibition takes place on Wednesday 8 November in the Great Hall of the Wills Memorial Building.

Chewing the quid in Papua New Guinea 1 November 2006 Dr Steve Thomas first visited Papua New Guinea in 1983 where he stayed for four years looking into the cause and prevention of oral cancer.

Bristol Law student enters debate on capital punishment 1 November 2006 Gabe Tan, a student in the School of Law and a Student Representative at the University of Bristol Innocence Project, contributed a letter to Straits Times in Singapore arguing against capital punishment.

Major US grant for Candida study 1 November 2006 Professor Howard Jenkinson in the Department of Oral and Dental Sciences has been awarded a $2 million research grant by the US National Institutes of Health to explore the causes of Candida infections.

Aiming high with maths 1 November 2006 A new building costing more than £34 million is to be developed for the University of Bristol's Mathematics Department.

Opportunity knocks for local pupils 1 November 2006 An exciting new initiative designed to help local pupils enter higher education is taking place at Bristol University today [Wednesday, 1 November]. Over 80 pupils from local schools and colleges will be visiting the University to take part in the Access to Bristol scheme. The scheme is offering pupils the chance to gain access to some of the world-class teaching available on their doorstep, at one of the country’s leading universities.