News in April
- New research offers insight into the proteins in the brain that detect cannabis 30 April 2019 Researchers at the University of Bristol have made new progress in understanding how cannabinoid receptors (CB1Rs), the proteins that detect the active components of marijuana, are controlled in the brain.
- New research to explore peer-to-peer ‘free trade’ in excess energy 30 April 2019 Households and businesses that generate their own power through micro-renewables, such as solar panels and wind turbines, may soon be able to decide where to distribute their extra energy thanks to funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
- Study reveals hip and knee replacement performance in England and Wales 30 April 2019 The performance of different prosthetic implant combinations used in patients undergoing hip and knee replacements in England and Wales over the last 14 years have, for the first time, been directly compared in two new studies. The University of Bristol findings, published in the BMJ Open today [Tuesday 30 April], reveal substantial variability in the performance of different joint replacements, and the number of patients requiring a second surgery.
- Study shows older men feel ‘excluded, overlooked and cut-off’ 29 April 2019 With increasing numbers of older men experiencing loneliness, a new report published today [29 APRIL] calls for a better understanding of how to tackle the growing public health challenge.
- Bristol researchers venture to the Chernobyl Red Forest 26 April 2019 A multidisciplinary group of researchers from the University of Bristol, as part of the National Centre for Nuclear Robotics, recently travelled to Chernobyl exclusion zone, 33 years after the nuclear accident at the power plant in Ukraine.
- School students ‘graduate’ from unique university taster course 25 April 2019 Over 900 students from schools and colleges across the Bristol area have ‘graduated’ from a unique scheme which gives them an insight into studying at university.
- New insights into quantum measurements 25 April 2019 Researchers from the University of Bristol have shed new light on the process of quantum measurement, one of the defining, and most quantum features of quantum mechanics.
- School choice does not achieve social mix across schools 25 April 2019 A new study has found that school choice is associated with higher levels of segregation among school children from different socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds.
- Peer-led drug prevention 24 April 2019 Researchers at Bristol and Cardiff universities are running the largest ever trial of a peer-led drug prevention programme in schools across the West of England and South Wales. FRANK Friends will run over three years, across 48 schools, and involve around 5,655 students. It will evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a peer-led programme in preventing drug use among young people.
- Welding with stem cells for next-generation surgical glues 23 April 2019 Scientists at the University of Bristol have invented a new technology that could lead to the development of a new generation of smart surgical glues and dressings for chronic wounds. The new method, pioneered by Dr Adam Perriman and colleagues, involves re-engineering the membranes of stem cells to effectively “weld” the cells together.
- Come and see sculptural delights inspired by faraway shores 18 April 2019 A Tuareg musician from the Sahara wearing a traditional tagelmust-turban veil, Greek gods, multimedia figures, stained glass creations and bronze and marble sculptures based on Buddhist prayer wheels, are all waiting to welcome visitors to this year's University of Bristol Botanic Garden Easter Sculpture Festival.
- New satellite data sets reveal flood risk for vulnerable populations 18 April 2019 Scientists from the University of Bristol have modelled the likelihood of flooding in some of the world’s most hazardous zones to an unparalleled degree of accuracy.
- Uncover the hidden stories of World War One 18 April 2019 A national festival exploring the hidden stories of the First World War is being held in Bristol later this month, timed to mark the 100-year anniversary of the release from prison of absolutist conscientious objectors - those who refused to assist the war in any way.
- Risk factors identified for patients undergoing knee replacements 17 April 2019 In the largest study of its kind, researchers from the Musculoskeletal Research Unit at the University of Bristol have identified the most important risk factors for developing severe infection after knee replacement. Patients who are under 60 years of age, males, those with chronic pulmonary disease, diabetes, liver disease, and a higher body mass index are at increased risk of having the joint replacement redone (known as revision) due to infection.
- Is one toe really better than three? How horses’ legs evolved for endurance travel rather than speed 17 April 2019 Palaeobiologists from the University of Bristol and Howard University (USA) have uncovered new evidence that suggests that horses’ legs have adapted over time to be optimised for endurance travel, rather than speed.
- Two academics honoured with Royal Society Fellows 17 April 2019 Two University of Bristol academics, Professors George Davey Smith and Michael Kendall, have achieved the rare distinction of being elected Fellows of the world's most eminent scientific academy, the Royal Society, for their exceptional contributions to science.
- University appoints new Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education 17 April 2019 The University of Bristol is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Tansy Jessop to the post of Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education.
- University of Bristol declares a climate emergency 17 April 2019 The University of Bristol is joining with other organisations and institutions across the country and the world to become the first UK university to declare a climate emergency, reaffirming our strong and positive commitment to take action on climate change.
- Political fake news: they might be a liar but they're my liar 16 April 2019 An international collaboration has investigated how people perceive politicians when they spread misinformation. The research found supporters of the politicians reduced their belief in misinformation once corrected, yet their feelings towards the political figure remained unchanged if misinformation was presented alongside an equal number of facts.
- Computer games for fish uncover why some prey lead and others follow 15 April 2019 For the first time, researchers have shed new light on the evolution of different social roles within animal groups by exploring how fish predators target and attack groups of virtual prey. The study, led by the universities of Bristol and Oxford and published today [Monday 15 April] in the journal PNAS, found leaders in groups of animals are more vulnerable to attack from predators.
- New scholarship launched to attract students from disadvantaged backgrounds 15 April 2019 The University of Bristol has launched a unique scholarship to attract and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds, incentivising them to study at the University and giving them additional careers funding and advice.
- Chancellor honours Chinese students at Shanghai graduation celebration 13 April 2019 More than 330 students from the University of Bristol were honoured by the University’s Chancellor, Sir Paul Nurse, at the Graduation Celebration in Shanghai today (Saturday 13 April).
- Brexit wasn’t triggered by the old and unhappy, but by financial worries 12 April 2019 People’s feelings about their own financial situation had the greatest influence on them voting to leave the EU, according to new research which challenges the widely-held belief that it was the old and unhappy who swung the Brexit vote.
- Bristol part of €20.8 million study to drive drug discovery for atopic dermatitis and psoriasis 11 April 2019 The lives of patients affected by atopic dermatitis and psoriasis could be improved thanks to the start of an EU-funded research project BIOMAP (Biomarkers in Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis). The five-year project will address key unmet needs in treating these common inflammatory skin conditions by analysing data from more than 50 000 patients to improve disease understanding, patient care and future therapies.
- Share your views as plans for new University campus evolve 11 April 2019 The latest plans for the University of Bristol’s new state-of-the-art campus at Temple Quarter are being unveiled today [11 April] as the first phase of public consultation gets underway.
- Wonder material: individual 2D phosphorene nanoribbons made for the first time 10 April 2019 Tiny, individual, flexible ribbons of crystalline phosphorus have been made and measured an international collaboration, in a world first, and they could revolutionise electronics and fast-charging battery technology.
- Hepatitis C could be prevented worldwide by reducing transmission in people who inject drugs 9 April 2019 Stepping up efforts to prevent transmission of hepatitis C among people who inject drugs, could reduce future infections by 43 per cent globally, according to a study by researchers at the University of Bristol published in the Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology today [Tuesday 9 April 2019].
- £1.1 million project to develop new biodegradable stents 9 April 2019 A £1.1 million project to develop biodegradable stents for patients with severe vascular disease, which affects around one million people in the UK, has started thanks to Innovate UK funding. The unique project, a collaboration between the UK-based medical device company Arterius and the Translational Biomedical Research Centre (TBRC) at the University of Bristol, will develop a new type of bioresorbable stent that prevents the complications associated with metal stents.
- Earth’s recovery from mass extinction could take millions of years 8 April 2019 How long will it take our biosphere to recover from the current climate crisis? It’s a question that makes for a sobering examination of Earth’s ongoing destruction.
- Bristol families continue to give the world unique health information 8 April 2019 Bristol's world-renowned Children of the 90s generational health study reached a landmark this week with a first look at new mums and their children in its 2000th published paper.
- Experimental new BBC sci-fi podcast aims to gauge the benefits of listening to natural sounds 4 April 2019 Academics from Bristol, Exeter and The Open University have joined forces with BBC Radio 4 on an ambitious national experiment looking at how listening to natural sounds could boost well-being.
- Duke of Kent presents Botanic Garden volunteers with Queen's Award 3 April 2019 Volunteers from the University of Bristol Botanic Garden were presented with the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) at a ceremony held at the Garden yesterday [Tuesday 2 April]. The award - the MBE for volunteer groups - was awarded by HRH the Duke of Kent and the Lord Lieutenant of Bristol, Peaches Golding OBE, in recognition of the skill, dedication and enthusiasm of those who help to run and promote the work of the Garden.
- New appointment strengthens Bristol position as world leader in composites 2 April 2019 The University of Bristol and the National Composites Centre (NCC) are delighted to welcome Professor Ole Thybo Thomsen as NCC Chair in Composites Design and Manufacturing.
- What are organisations in Bristol doing to help make the city more sustainable? 2 April 2019 Researchers from the University of Bristol’s Cabot Institute, in partnership with Bristol City Council and the Bristol City Office, are undertaking a consultation to better understand how public, private and non-profit organisations across our city are contributing to building a more sustainable global future.
- ‘Overcoming Barriers: Autism in the Somali community’ film premiere 2 April 2019 World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) is an internationally recognised day on 2 April every year to raise awareness of the hurdles that people with autism – and others living with autism – face every day. Following research by the University of Bristol, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and Autism Independence, a film that tells the stories of Bristol-based Somali families affected by autism and the professionals who support them will be premiered tomorrow [Wednesday 3 April].
- Skyrmions could provide next generation data storage 1 April 2019 Scientists at the Universities of Birmingham, Bristol and Colorado, Boulder have moved a step closer to developing the next generation of data storage and processing devices, using an emerging science called skyrmionics.
- Marine heatwave proves devastating to Shark Bay and dolphins, study finds 1 April 2019 Dolphin survival and reproductive rates suffered a significant decline following a 2011 marine heatwave affecting around 1,000km of Western Australia’s coastline. The findings, published in Current Biology and representing an international collaboration of researchers and universities, including Zurich and Bristol, have important implications for marine conservation and mitigating the effects of climate change.
- NHS launches digital tool to protect children's health 1 April 2019 A world-leading system which will provide a "major boost" to children's health and safety was launched today [Monday 1 April].
- Bristol mathematician cracks Diophantine puzzle 1 April 2019 A mathematician from the University of Bristol has found a solution to part of a 64-year old mathematical problem – expressing the number 33 as the sum of three cubes.
