GW4 celebrates successful £7m Wellcome Trust bid for PhD programme for health professionals
The GW4 Alliance is set to launch a new PhD programme for health professionals after receiving a £7m grant from the Wellcome Trust.
News in October
New research highlights 250,000 unowned cats live in the UK’s towns and cities
Around a quarter of a million cats – or broadly the human population of Southampton - are living rough in the UK’s towns and cities.
Bristol academics identify ways to make equestrian sport safer for horses and riders
In the first study of horse falls for over 20 years, University of Bristol academics have identified some simple interventions to reduce the risk of injury in equestrian sport - making it safer for both horses and riders.
Giant pandas’ distinctive black and white markings provide effective camouflage, study finds
The high-contrast pattern of giant pandas helps them blend in with their natural environment.
Facemask ventilation of patients for surgery does not increase the risk of spread of COVID-19
New research published in Anaesthesia (a journal of the Association of Anaesthetists) says that the use of facemask ventilation during routine surgery should not be classed as an aerosol-generating procedure and does not increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission compared with normal breathing/coughing of patients.
Pioneering research reveals powerful lure of gambling adverts on social media to children
A new report has exposed how children and young people are vulnerable to the growing popularity of gambling adverts on social media, prompting calls from leading experts for much tighter regulations.
Clues from the ancient past can help predict abrupt climate change
Climate ‘tipping points’ can be better understood and predicted using climate change data taken from the ancient past, new research led by scientists from the universities of Birmingham and Bristol shows.
New research identifies who should be offered testing for coeliac disease
Targeted testing of individuals with a range of signs and symptoms could improve diagnosis of coeliac disease, a new National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) funded study led by the University of Bristol and published in PLOS ONE has found. Signs and symptoms include family history of coeliac disease, dermatitis herpetiformis, anaemia, type 1 diabetes, osteoporosis and chronic liver disease.
Survey opens for growers and workers who produce fruit and vegetables
Researchers from the University of Bristol have launched a new survey that aims to gather information and data on the challenges and experiences faced by everyone working in fruit and vegetable production.
Leading global experts set to join charge against climate change at COP26
A team of University of Bristol experts on a wide range of hot topics spanning climate change, environmental justice, emissions, sustainable energy, green finance and the economy are poised to join the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, better known as COP26.
Pioneering new process creates versatile moldable wood
Structures and vehicles built with sustainable materials are in high demand to meet today’s needs and for future generations.
Eliminating hepatitis C in Pakistan could yield a return-on-investment of US$9.10 billion
Pakistan has one of the highest rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the world, accounting for over ten per cent of global HCV infections. A new modelling study led by the University of Bristol, UK, suggests that achieving the World Health Organization goal of eliminating HCV as a public health problem by 2030 in Pakistan is likely to be highly cost-effective by 2030, cost-saving by 2031, and could deliver US$9.10 billion in savings to the Pakistan national economy by 2050.
Can portable air filters prevent respiratory infections and COVID-19 in care homes?
A major new randomised controlled trial will investigate the effectiveness of air filtration systems in preventing respiratory infections (such as coughs, colds and flu) and COVID-19 among care home residents in England. The AFRI-c (Air Filters to Prevent Respiratory Infections including COVID-19 in Care Homes) study, which received funding from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), is led by researchers at the University of Bristol.
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‘Life-changing’ scholarship for refugees and asylum seekers grows
A scholarship that gives refugees and asylum seekers life-changing access to University education has been expanded, the University of Bristol has announced.
Robot farm: Pioneering facilities are a game-changer for UK atomic research
The University of Bristol is leading an initiative to make cutting-edge robotics, drones and testing spaces available for nuclear research with the launch of four ‘Hot Robotics’ facilities in the UK.
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Take part in Bristol's first Pesticide Amnesty
Bristol residents will have the chance to hand back their pesticides as part of a city-wide amnesty - the first of its kind in England.
New website about infection and antibiotic resistance launched for schools
Children will learn about how infection takes place and the growing threat of antibiotic resistance thanks to a new website co-produced by scientists and teachers.
Runners in 15 countries take part in Bristol Run Series
More than 1,100 people in 15 countries took part in a series of virtual running events put on by the University of Bristol.
Bristol physicist lands prestigious award
Associate Professor Jonathan Matthews has been awarded the 2021 Philip Leverhulme Prize for physics.
New project to reduce generation costs of medical radioisotopes for NHS
University of Bristol researchers will lead one of three new Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) projects aimed at reducing the production and delivery costs of medical radioisotopes used in diagnostic and therapeutic patient treatment.
Region’s top football clubs back new #ChangeChampions domestic abuse campaign
Bristol Rovers, Bath City FC and Newport’s County In The Community, three of the region’s leading football clubs and charitable organisations, are teaming up with University of Bristol researchers to back #ChangeChampions — a new domestic abuse campaign aimed at supporting men who want to change their behaviour in relationships with women.
Bristol behind world’s first massive egocentric dataset
The University of Bristol is part of an international consortium of 13 universities, in partnership with Facebook AI, that have collaborated to advance egocentric perception.
New study shines a light on likely suicide among children and young people in England
A new report led by University of Bristol academics has identified that 108 young people in England died under circumstances that were assessed as highly or moderately likely to be due to suicide between 2019 and 2020. The analysis, led by the University of Bristol’s National Child Mortality Database [NCMD] programme, which gathers comprehensive information on all children who die in England below the age of 18 years with the aim of identifying ways that could help reduce them in future, is published today [14 Oct].
‘Life begins at 60,’ says new PhD student
For some it’s a new watch, a bottle of whiskey or that dream holiday, but marriage advocate Harry Benson had other ideas.
Ruby Wax to headline this month’s Good Grief Festival
American-British actress, comedian, writer, mental health campaigner and lecturer - Ruby Wax - will headline the Good Grief Festival, which returns later this month (Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 October).
Bristol gifted garden crowned Best in Show at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show
The Guangzhou China: Guangzhou Garden that was crowned the best garden at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, taking home the coveted Best in Show prize, has been gifted by Guangzhou to Bristol and will be rebuilt at the University of Bristol’s Botanic Garden. Bristol has been twinned with Guangzhou since 2001.
Planning permission secured for first new research facilities in Temple Quarter
The University of Bristol has secured planning permission to convert two former industrial buildings into a new hub for some of its most state-of-the-art and world-leading research facilities.
University launches pre-incubator to create more UK deep tech start-ups
The University of Bristol’s Quantum Technology Enterprise Centre (QTEC) is launching a new pre-incubator programme, QUEST, this November.
Student's epic challenge in memory of ‘beautiful mummy’
A Bristol student will hike through the night as he takes on a formidable charity challenge in memory of his “beautiful mummy”.
Combined treatments are the most effective to stop smoking, study finds
Combination therapies, particularly varenicline and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) combined, are the most effective tobacco cessation pharmacotherapies, the largest review to examine the effectiveness and safety of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and medicines that people use to quit tobacco has found.
Dr Colin Western, 1957–2021
Dr Colin Western, Reader in Chemistry, died on 21 September 2021. Professors Andrew Orr-Ewing and Mike Ashfold offer this appreciation.
University statement regarding complaint against Professor Steven Greer
The process of investigating a formal complaint made by the University of Bristol Islamic Society (BRISOC) against one of our Law academics, Professor Steven Greer, has concluded. After rigorous examination of the facts and considering the views of both parties, we can confirm that the complaint has not been upheld and those involved have been informed of the outcome.
Report calls for urgent action to address alarming lack of diversity in climate change decision making as final countdown until COP26 begins
Bristol prides itself on being a leading city in the UK and globally in its commitment to tackle climate change, but a new report has revealed extremely low levels of ethnically diverse and equal gender representation in the debate and decision-making process to make this transition just and fair.
Birds learn to avoid plants that host dangerous insects, researchers have found
Scientists have discovered that birds know to avoid the plants where toxic animals dwell.
Collaborative COVID-19 lockdown effort delivers major boost for vaccine innovation in Bristol
Faster vaccine development could be a step closer thanks to £4 million investment to Imophoron Ltd, a Bristol University biotech start-up developing a novel, next generation rapid-response vaccine platform called ADDomer™. Imophoron will use the investment to bring ADDomer vaccines to clinical stage, initially targeting three viruses, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), COVID-19, and mosquito-borne Chikungunya.
New Welsh animal project launched to combat antimicrobial resistance
A Welsh project designed to help combat antimicrobial resistance in animals and the environment in Wales has been launched.
The smarter the bird, the more mental stimulation it needs in captivity, a study has found
Researchers have discovered that intelligent birds have unique welfare needs in captivity.
Allergies including asthma and hay fever not linked to mental health traits
Allergic diseases such as asthma, atopic dermatitis and hay fever do not cause the onset of mental health conditions or vice versa, according to the findings of a new University of Bristol-led study published today (6 October) in the journal Clinical and Experimental Allergy.
New digital art experience exploring Bristol’s legacy of enslavement seeks participants
An art project exploring sites in Bristol connected to the legacy of enslavement and countered with creative dance inspired by the culture and history of dance of the African diaspora is looking for people to take part.
Statue of Henrietta Lacks unveiled at University of Bristol
A life-size bronze statue of Henrietta Lacks, a Black American woman whose cells were the first ever to survive and multiply outside the body, and whose use changed the course of modern medicine, has been unveiled at the University of Bristol by members of her family to honour the 70th anniversary of her cells first being used.