Increase in non-COVID-19 respiratory infections predicted this winter9 August 2022An increase in the number of non-COVID-19 respiratory infections should be expected this winter, say scientists. The warning comes following the results of a new study, published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, which found that over 55% of respiratory disease hospitalisations during the pandemic’s peak were caused by non-SARS-CoV-2 infections.
New DNA repair-kit successfully fixes hereditary disease in patient-derived cells 29 July 2022Genetic mutations which cause a debilitating hereditary kidney disease affecting children and young adults have been fixed in patient-derived kidney cells using a potentially game-changing DNA repair-kit. The advance, developed by University of Bristol scientists, is published in Nucleic Acids Research.
Famine and disease drove the evolution of lactose tolerance in Europe27 July 2022Prehistoric people in Europe were consuming milk thousands of years before humans evolved the genetic trait allowing us to digest the milk sugar lactose as adults, finds a new study. The research, published in Nature, mapped pre-historic patterns of milk use over the last 9,000 years, offering new insights into milk consumption and the evolution of lactose tolerance.
Study finds no evidence of genetic legacy in children of UK's nuclear test veterans22 July 2022Military men who had been present when British nuclear weapons were tested in the 1950s and 60s are no more likely to pass on to their descendants more changes to their DNA in comparison to other veterans, a new study involving University of Bristol researchers, has found.
Bristol academics elected as Fellows to The British Academy22 July 2022Two University of Bristol academics have been elected to The British Academy as Fellows in recognition of their outstanding contributions to social sciences and humanities.
Global plant health network receives £500K grant from UKRI-International 21 July 2022The Community Network for Vector-Borne Plant Viruses (CONNECTED), based at the University of Bristol, has been awarded half a million pounds from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) International from the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF).
Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca vaccines offer high protection against severe COVID-19, six months after second doses, study finds20 July 2022Protection against severe COVID-19 by two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines remained high up to six months after second doses, finds new research which analysed NHS health record data on over seven million adults. Reassuringly, the University of Bristol-led study published in The BMJ today [July 20], found protection in older adults aged over 65 years, and in clinically vulnerable adults.
Singing sensation Cassa Jackson graduates19 July 2022Rising star Cassa Jackson is used to performing to tens of thousands of people in venues like the London O2 and Manchester Arena.
Study identifies potential welfare concerns for privately kept snakes
15 July 2022New University of Bristol-led research has highlighted several potential welfare concerns relating to how snakes are kept in private homes including issues with enclosure size, temperature and humidity.
Scientists discover genes that affect the risk of developing pre-leukaemia14 July 2022The discovery of 14 inherited genetic changes which significantly increase the risk of a person developing a symptomless blood disorder associated with the onset of some types of cancer and heart disease is published today [July 14] in Nature Genetics. The finding, made in one of the largest studies of its kind through genetic data analysis on 421,738 people, could pave the way for potential new approaches for the prevention and early detection of cancers including leukaemia.
New report finds stark impact of newborn illness on mortality throughout childhood14 July 2022New evidence has found a link between poor health as a newborn and mortality up to the age of ten. The new report from England’s National Child Mortality Database (NCMD), led by the University of Bristol, shows of the 4,829 children aged ten and under who died in England between 2019 and 2021, 72 per cent were found to have required additional care in the neonatal period.
“Hope saved my life”: How the Hope project helped men at risk of suicide14 July 2022A project to help men aged 30-64 who are at risk of suicide has saved lives and reduced depression and suicidal thoughts, a study by National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded researchers at the University of Bristol has shown. Hope, run by mental health charity Second Step, aims to help men in mental health crisis because of debt, financial, employment or welfare difficulties.
Environmental stability on Earth allowed marine biodiversity to flourish13 July 2022Modern ocean biodiversity, which is at its highest level ever, was achieved through long-term stability of the location of so-called biodiversity hotspots, regions of especially high numbers of species, scientists have found.
First in human study to assess knee cartilage repair implant launches at Southmead Hospital13 July 2022A new first in human study to assess the safety and performance of FibroFix Cartilage P™ (FibroFix™), an innovative implant that repairs knee cartilage, is starting at Southmead Hospital, Bristol. The FFLEX clinical trial has been awarded nearly £1.2million by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and will be led by Orthox, the company behind FibroFix™, and researchers from the University of Bristol.
People from low socioeconomic backgrounds could reduce chronic kidney disease risk with regular exercise, study suggests12 July 2022New research has found people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds who regularly exercise could substantially reduce their risk of chronic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease is linked to poor quality of life and an increased risk of death. Its treatment is also associated with high healthcare costs, with diabetes and high blood pressure major factors that contribute to the disease.
Poor communication of test results poses risk for patients12 July 2022A lack of clear systems for communicating test results in primary care can lead to confusion, frustration and anxiety for patients and potential delays in diagnosis and treatment, according to research published in the British Journal of General Practice today [July 12].
Sensitive dark matter detector comes to life7 July 2022The world’s largest and most sensitive dark matter experiment has come to life and is delivering results, moving a step closer to offering clues about one of the biggest mysteries of the Universe.
Contribute to the design of a full-scale Martian House in Bristol5 July 2022Space scientists from the University of Bristol have consulted on a pioneering public art project to build a ‘Martian House’ at Harbourside - and now the people of Bristol are invited to create the interior.