Bristol scientists to study potential new way of treating diabetes
Scientists at the University of Bristol are to investigate a potential new way of treating diabetes, following funding from the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
News in February
Families needed for study into children's common illnesses
University of Bristol researchers are inviting Bristol families to take part in a new study to find out more about how parents manage children’s coughs, colds, sore throats and ear infections in the community.
Bristol archaeological project wins national award
A major project investigating the medieval castle and landscape at Berkeley, Gloucestershire, has won a national award, voted for by the public and readers of Britain's most popular archaeology magazine.
Neil Lange, 1960-2016
Neil Lange, Deputy Grounds Manager at Coombe Dingle, died recently. Peter Hudson, Grounds Manager, offers a tribute.
Flowers tone down their petals and avoid confusing bees
Flowers’ iridescent petals, which may look plain to human eyes, are perfectly tailored to a bee’s-eye-view so that these pollinators can find and recognise them more easily, research from the University of Bristol and the University of Cambridge has found.
Queen’s Anniversary Prize awarded
Professor Hugh Brady, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bristol, Denis Burn, Chair of the Board of Trustees, and Professor Katharine Cashman, leader of Bristol's Volcanology Group have been presented with the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher Education on behalf of the University in a ceremony held at Buckingham Palace yesterday [25 February].
One of the biggest sporting events in the south west is coming to Bristol
Bristol will play host to the Varsity series - one of the biggest sporting events in the south west - over the next fortnight as the city’s two universities battle it out to be crowned sporting champions.
Bristol researchers aim to improve the use of antibiotics in primary care
New research led by Bristol NHS CCG and the University of Bristol, aimed at improving the quality of primary care for children with respiratory tract infections (RTIs) will be presented in London today.
Botanic Garden curator awarded prestigious RHS award
A University of Bristol horticulturist is to be presented with one of the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) highest awards for his work with plants and education today [Thursday 25 February].
Schools invited to get creative for brain art competition
Prize money of up to £100 and the chance for school pupils to have their work displayed in public are up for grabs in the University of Bristol’s brain art competition.
The Rev Richard Coles’ lecture to explore the Church’s approach to marriage
The subject of marriage – and in particular same sex marriage – is perhaps one of the most difficult and divisive issues faced by the Church of England. At a free public lecture hosted by the University of Bristol on Tuesday 8 March, the Rev Richard Coles will set out the problems, explore possible ways through them, and ask how marriage within the Church of England may continue to be, as the Book of Common Prayer puts it, 'an honourable estate'.
In search of Lawrence of Arabia
T. E. Lawrence is the subject of two forthcoming books, a play and a major exhibition inspired by fieldwork carried out in the deserts of southern Jordan by an international team, including archaeologists from the University of Bristol, which has shed new light on Lawrence’s role in the Arab Revolt and the subsequent history of the Middle East.
SETsquared Bristol appoints new Centre Director
The University of Bristol has today announced that ‘rising star’ Monika Gierszewska will become the new director of its world-leading business incubator.
Social sunbathing in the mint-sauce worm
Self-organizing social behaviour in the so-called plant-animal, a ‘solar-powered’ species of marine flat worm that gains all its energy from the algae within its own body, has been demonstrated by researchers from the University of Bristol.
University wins strategic awards to support translational research
The University of Bristol has won two awards from the Medical Research Council (MRC) to support translational research – work that turns fundamental scientific discoveries into improvements in human health and economic benefit. A total of £650,000 was awarded to the University to provide flexible funding for early stage translational projects, to enable the development of academic-industry collaborations, and allow impact development.
Bristol enterprise leader named in UK’s top 100
Bristol business leader Nick Sturge, who runs the University of Bristol’s award-winning SETsquared business incubation centre, has been named in an elite list of Britain’s most successful philanthropists, investors, mentors, advisors and ascending entrepreneurs.
Institute receives funding from the A. G. Leventis Foundation
The A. G. Leventis Foundation has awarded a grant of £147,819 to the University of Bristol’s Institute of Greece, Rome and the Classical Tradition.
Baby gorilla born after rare caesarean section
A baby Western lowland gorilla has been born at Bristol Zoo Gardens after an emergency caesarean procedure by University of Bristol academic, David Cahill, Professor in Reproductive Medicine and Medical Education.
Student’s witty and captivating performance tackles skin colour taboo
The coming of age story of a young black girl, as told in a compelling performance by University of Bristol student Eno Mfon, will captivate audiences at Bristol Old Vic this week.
Donna Constant, 1964-2016
Donna Constant, a General Assistant at Goldney Hall, died recently. Her colleague, Sam Norcliffe, offers a tribute.
Significant new study shows importance of help for childhood sexual abuse victims
While the sexual abuse of children is currently an issue at the forefront of public life, concern has focused on the protection of children and the identification of perpetrators. However, a new study by the Universities of Bristol and Durham for the NSPCC, hopes to refocus attention on what can be done to help the victims of childhood sexual abuse.
New book on food fraud sorts the beef from the bull
A new book, co-authored by Professor Richard Evershed of the University of Bristol, which explains the role of science in uncovering some of the century’s biggest food scams is published by Bloomsbury this week.
The ‘ugliest fossil reptiles’ who roamed China
Long before the dinosaurs, hefty herbivores called pareiasaurs ruled the Earth. Now, for the first time, a detailed investigation of all Chinese specimens of these creatures – often described as the ‘ugliest fossil reptiles’ – has been published by a University of Bristol palaeontologist.
Best to sleep on it: brain activity patterns during sleep consolidate memory
Why does sleeping on it help? This is the question tackled by new research at the University of Bristol, which reveals how brain activity during sleep sorts through the huge number of experiences we encounter every day, filing only the important information in memory.
Sauropod swimmers or walkers?
An international team of scientists, led by the China University of Geosciences in Beijing and including palaeontologists from the University of Bristol, has shed new light on some unusual dinosaur tracks from northern China. The tracks appear to have been made by four-legged sauropod dinosaurs yet only two of their feet have left prints behind.
Honorary degrees awarded at the University of Bristol – Thursday 18 February
The University of Bristol is awarding honorary degrees to Simon King OBE and Professor Dame Teresa Rees DBE at degree ceremonies taking place today [18 February] in the Wills Memorial Building.
James Blunt returns to university to collect top accolade
Pop superstar James Blunt today [17 February] returned to his former university to collect an honorary degree recognising his contribution to music.
Have you rehomed a dog in the last six months?
People who have adopted a dog in the last six months are being asked by the University of Bristol’s School of Veterinary Sciences to take part in a survey about their decisions and how they came to choose the dog which they adopted.
Student Callum rows into the history books
After a tough 58 days at sea, battling the elements on his own as he rowed 3,000 nautical miles, University of Bristol student Callum Gathercole has become the youngest person to row across an ocean solo.
New type of optical material discovered in the secret language of the mantis shrimp
A study into how animals secretly communicate has led to the discovery of a new way to create a polarizer - an optical device widely used in cameras, DVD players and sunglasses.
Honorary degrees awarded at the University of Bristol – Wednesday 17 February
World-renowned musicians James Blunt and Alfred Brendel KBE will be receiving honorary degrees from the University of Bristol today [17 February].
Honorary degrees awarded at the University of Bristol – Tuesday, 16 February
The University of Bristol is awarding an honorary degree to John Partridge at a degree ceremony taking place today [16 February] in the Wills Memorial Building.
Researchers ask for public’s views on Bristol’s shared spaces
Researchers at the University of Bristol are asking people for their views about ‘shared space’ in the city. Pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and others are often expected to share routes or public spaces in order to get around in Bristol. Sometimes this works well, but at other times it can cause difficulties.
BBC Bristol Partnership to build on city’s creative profile
The University of Bristol has joined forces with the BBC and other partners to foster creativity, innovation and talent across the city.
Rooting the family tree of placental mammals
The roots of the mammalian family tree have long been shrouded in mystery – when did the placental mammals go their separate ways? Now, researchers led by Dr James Tarver at the University of Bristol say they’ve found where the family tree of placental mammals first branched apart – and when it happened.
Genome studies can help identify lifestyle risks for diseases
A type of study commonly used to pinpoint genetic variants associated with diseases can also be used to identify the lifestyle predictors that increase the risk of a disease – something that is often overlooked in genetic studies
Catastrophic failure of ice age dam changed ocean circulation and climate
The catastrophic release of fresh water from a vast South American lake at the end of the last Ice Age was significant enough to change circulation in the Pacific Ocean, according to new research co-authored by a PhD student from the University of Bristol.
Stronger evidence found for link between prenatal exposure to paracetamol and the risk of developing asthma
Researchers have provided new evidence that developing asthma can be linked to pregnant women and infants being exposed to paracetamol; by testing that the association was not simply due to the medical complaint for which the person is taking paracetamol. The findings were published in the International Journal of Epidemiology.
Collaboration seeks to create open solutions to urban challenges
Bristol Is Open and NEC Corporation have signed a long-term partnership agreement to develop the open programmable city.
Dinosaurs take over Bristol Museum for British Science Week
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery will be celebrating British Science Week (11-20 March 2016), with a Dinosaur Takeover. Bristol Museums have partnered with dinosaur experts at the University of Bristol to deliver an exciting half day experience for school groups in the region, packed with thrilling dinosaur-related activities.