Dr Vincent Smith receives Institute of Physics Phillips Award29 October 2020Dr Vincent Smith has received the Institute of Physics Phillips Award 2020 for his outstanding contributions to the Institute, and for other work promoting physics, including outreach to schools.
Research into how human sperm swim in 3D12 August 2020Using state-of-the-art 3D microscopy and mathematics, Dr Hermes Gadêlha from the University of Bristol, Dr Gabriel Corkidi and Dr Alberto Darszon from the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, worked to reconstruct the movement of the sperm tail in 3D with high-precision.
CERN reports first evidence for ultra-rare process that could lead to new physics30 July 2020Scientists at CERN have reported on their first significant evidence for a process predicted by theory, paving the way for searches for evidence of new physics in particle processes that could explain dark matter and other mysteries of the universe.
Devon playwright wins 2020 Kevin Elyot Award30 July 2020Devon-based playwright and director Lucy Bell has been selected as the fifth recipient of the annual Kevin Elyot Award by the University of Bristol's Theatre Collection.
The genetic basis of bats’ superpowers revealed29 July 2020For the first time, the raw genetic material that codes for bats’ unique adaptations and superpowers such as the ability to fly, to use sound to move effortlessly in complete darkness, to survive and tolerate deadly diseases, to resist ageing and cancer - has been fully revealed by an international research team including scientists at Bristol. The findings are published in Nature.
Practitioners who support young adults needed to take part in digital technology study28 July 2020Digital technology can present both opportunities and harms to young people and their mental health. A new research project is asking for practitioners who support young adults with their mental health to take part in a UK-wide online survey to identify the importance of adolescents' digital technology use to consultations about mental health.
Opening schools should be prioritised24 July 2020A general return to school in September and keeping schools open after that should be prioritised by the government as it manages the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report by the Royal Society’s Data Evaluation and Learning for Viral Epidemics (DELVE) group, led by researchers at the Universities of Bristol and Cambridge.
Scientists outline potential of soil-free farming which could see crops grown in the desert 23 July 2020A new study has outlined the potential of soil-free, computer-controlled farms as climate change and soil erosion limit our ability to grow crops. The research, published in New Phytologist and led by scientists at the University of Bristol, John Innes Centre and LettUs Grow, describe the growing environmental and economic case for vertical farming methods which could see crops grown in previously unfarmable environments such as the deserts of Dubai to countries with short daylight hours like Iceland.
New Head of Bristol Vet School appointed22 July 2020Professor Tim Parkin, a Bristol alum and specialist in population medicine within the European College of Veterinary Public Health, has been appointed as the new Head of the Bristol Veterinary School at the University of Bristol. Professor Parkin will take up the role on 9 November 2020.
Overall COVID-19 intensive care mortality has fallen by a third 15 July 2020A systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies from three continents shows overall mortality of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units (ICUs) has fallen from almost 60 per cent at the end of March to 42 per cent at the end of May — a relative decrease of one third since the start of the pandemic.
Robot jaws shows medicated chewing gum could be the future14 July 2020Medicated chewing gum has been recognised as a new advanced drug delivery method but currently there is no gold standard for testing drug release from chewing gum in vitro. New research has shown a chewing robot with built-in humanoid jaws could provide opportunities for pharmaceutical companies to develop medicated chewing gum.
Genetic differences between global American crocodile populations identified in DNA analysis13 July 2020A genetic analysis of the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) has re-established our understanding of its population structure, aiding its conservation. The collaborative study spanning seven countries and led by the Wildlife Conservation Society and University of Bristol researchers is published in PLOS ONE.
New COVID-19 study could help performers back on the stage10 July 2020The performing arts have been hit hard by the restrictions enforced during the coronavirus pandemic. In particular, singing has been identified as a potentially 'dangerous' activity following the occurrence of clusters of COVID-19 cases, in several choirs around the world. Despite there being no clear evidence that these cases are linked to the activities themselves, singing and playing of woodwind and brass instruments has effectively been banned in many countries.
Researchers make first steps toward a cure for HIV9 July 2020Researchers have developed a way to pull HIV out of the latent reservoir making the virus visible to the immune system and providing the potential to be killed by treatment.
Key dementia research facility protected thanks to BRACE8 July 2020One of the most important facilities supporting dementia research in the country will continue its help in the fight against the disease thanks to an award of £140,000 by Bristol dementia research charity BRACE.
How long to play dead in order to stay alive?8 July 2020Many animals remain motionless or play dead after being attacked by a predator in the hope that it will give up and move onto some other unfortunate prey.
Why it’s no last orders for the Tequila bat: DNA helps conservation of elusive bat6 July 2020Scientists studying the ‘near threatened’ tequila bat, best known for its vital role in pollinating the Blue Agave plant from which the drink of the same name is made from, have analysed its DNA to help inform conservationists on managing their populations.
Pioneering brain haemorrhage treatment reduces long-term disability in premature babies5 July 2020Premature babies with serious brain haemorrhage treated with a ‘brain washing’ technique pioneered by Bristol researchers have shown in a 10-year follow-up study, were twice as likely to survive without severe learning disability when compared with infants given standard treatment. The findings are published today [5 July] in the journal Archives of Diseases in Childhood.
Quantum security company wins Bristol’s Tech-Xpo 20201 July 2020KETS Quantum Security, world leaders in integrated quantum cryptography hardware solutions, pitched against ten other start-ups from Bristol’s world-leading tech scene to win the ‘Best Elevator Pitch’ audience vote at Tuesday’s inaugural online version of SETsquared Bristol’s Tech-Xpo.