New study reveals how reptiles divided up the spoils in ancient seas 30 September 2020While dinosaurs ruled the land in the Mesozoic, the oceans were filled by predators such as crocodiles and giant lizards, but also entirely extinct groups such as ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs.
Young adults needed to take part in digital technology study29 September 2020Digital technology can present both opportunities and harms to young people and their mental health. A new research project is asking for young adults to take part in a UK-wide online survey to identify the importance of adolescents' digital technology use to consultations about mental health.
Discovery of a druggable pocket in the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein could stop virus in its tracks21 September 2020A druggable pocket in the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein that could be used to stop the virus from infecting human cells has been discovered by an international team of scientists led by the University of Bristol. The researchers say their findings, published today [21 September] in the journal Science, are a potential 'game changer' in defeating the current pandemic and add that small molecule anti-viral drugs developed to target the pocket they discovered could help eliminate COVID-19.
Do rats like to be tickled?21 September 2020Not all rats like to be tickled but by listening to their vocalisations it is possible to understand in real-time their individual emotional response, according to new research by the University of Bristol. The study, published today [21 September] in Current Biology, suggests that if this same relationship is observed for other situations, then it may be possible to use call patterns in rats to measure their emotional response and understand how best to improve their welfare.
Discovery of a new mass extinction16 September 2020It’s not often a new mass extinction is identified; after all, such events were so devastating they really stand out in the fossil record.
Positive reaction to Somerset study into the best way to prevent domestic abuse16 September 2020A Somerset study into the most effective way to tackle domestic abuse has received a positive response from its first participants. Barnardo's in Somerset has been funded by the University of Bristol to deliver weekly groups to local men and improve safety for their partners, ex-partners and children.
Slower growing chickens experience higher welfare, commercial scale study finds16 September 2020Slower growing broiler chickens are healthier and have more fun than conventional breeds of birds, new evidence from an independent commercial scale farm trial has shown. The study carried out by researchers from FAI Farms, the University of Bristol and The Norwegian University of Life Sciences, is published today [16 September], in Scientific Reports.
Stopping the spread of coronavirus in universities14 September 2020As universities prepare to welcome students back, infectious disease modelling experts at the University of Bristol have conducted a rapid review and developed a new epidemic model which contributed to evidence considered by SAGE to assess the effectiveness of different interventions that could stop the spread of Sars-CoV-2 in a university setting. The findings, published on the preprint server medRxiv, provides the sector with recommendations to help reduce the risk for students, staff and the wider community.
Study to identify transmission risk of COVID-19 aerosols during medical procedures11 September 2020Many operations, due to the potential risk of COVID-19 aerosols being generated, have been delayed or are being performed with additional personal protective equipment (PPE), which has greatly reduced NHS services. A new National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)-funded study will identify which medical procedures are truly aerosol generating and whether the virus remains viable in the aerosol produced. The findings will be crucial in providing guidance about the safe reopening of essential NHS services.
How can we get pupils and staff back-to-school safely during COVID-19?11 September 2020Ensuring pupils and staff stay safe when they return to school this autumn is a major challenge because there is very little scientific evidence on the incidence and transmission of COVID-19 within schools. A ground-breaking research project will test whether 5,000 staff and pupils have active or past COVID-19 infection, develop systems to help schools prevent and cope with an outbreak and assess strategies to support the mental wellbeing of the school community now and moving forward.
Bristol Vet School announces new equine clinical rotation teaching partnership with CVS Group11 September 2020A new educational partnership for equine clinical rotation teaching has been announced by the University of Bristol Veterinary School (BVS) and CVS Group. Starting this autumn, final-year undergraduate veterinary students will benefit from a structured clinical rotation placement in a number of commercial equine clinics operated by CVS. The student experience is in addition to other first opinion and charity clinical rotations that are operated by the School through Langford Vets. This new model will allow vet students access to a wide equine caseload in the authentic learning environment of busy clinical practices as part of the Vet School’s accredited teaching programme.
Research unravels what makes memories so detailed and enduring7 September 2020In years to come, personal memories of the COVID-19 pandemic are likely to be etched in our minds with precision and clarity, distinct from other memories of 2020. The process which makes this possible has eluded scientists for many decades, but research led by the University of Bristol has made a breakthrough in understanding how memories can be so distinct and long-lasting without getting muddled up.
Genetic study of proteins is a breakthrough in drug development for complex diseases 7 September 2020An innovative genetic study of blood protein levels, led by researchers in the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (MRC-IEU) at the University of Bristol, has demonstrated how genetic data can be used to support drug target prioritisation by identifying the causal effects of proteins on diseases.
German Ambassador visits the University 7 September 2020Andreas Michaelis, German Ambassador to the Court of St James's, visited Bristol on Wednesday 2 September accompanied by his wife Frau Heike Michaelis, German Consul General Hans-Guenther Loeffler, and the new Honorary German Consul for Bristol Kai von Pahlen.
Robotic muscles could turn back body clock by 2050 4 September 2020Loss of strength and muscle wastage is currently an unavoidable part of getting older and has a significant impact on health and quality of life.
European grants recognise excellent science at Bristol4 September 2020Four researchers from the University of Bristol have been awarded almost €7M in European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grants in recognition of their ‘excellent science’ and potentially ground-breaking research.
True size of prehistoric mega-shark finally revealed 3 September 2020To date only the length of the legendary giant shark Megalodon had been estimated but now, a new study led by the University of Bristol and Swansea University has revealed the size of the rest of its body, including fins that are as large as an adult human.
Revolutionary quantum breakthrough paves way for safer online communication 2 September 2020The world is one step closer to having a totally secure internet and an answer to the growing threat of cyber-attacks, thanks to a team of international scientists who have created a unique prototype which could transform how we communicate online.
World university rankings puts Bristol in UK top 102 September 2020The University of Bristol has been named the 10th best in the country and one of only 11 UK institutions to feature in the top 100 universities worldwide.
Handgrip strength shown to identify people at high risk of type 2 diabetes2 September 2020A simple test such as the strength of your handgrip could be used as a quick, low-cost screening tool to help healthcare professionals identify patients at risk of type 2 diabetes. In new research, scientists at the universities of Bristol and Eastern Finland measured the muscular handgrip strength of 776 men and women without a history of diabetes over a 20-year period and demonstrated that the risk of type 2 diabetes was reduced by around 50 per cent for every unit increase in handgrip strength value. The findings are published today in Annals of Medicine.