News in 2024
- Bristol study awarded £5.2 million to continue groundbreaking health research across three generations 7 March 2025 The Children of the 90s health study at the University of Bristol, which researches the lives of thousands of families in the south west, has been awarded £5.2 million to continue its pioneering work to improve people’s health.
- Smoking tobacco from childhood can cause premature heart damage 11 December 2024 Two-thirds of children who started tobacco smoking at 10 years of age continued until their mid-twenties, significantly increasing their risk of early heart damage
- New study identifies link between low levels of omega-3s and symptoms of psychosis in early adulthood 12 June 2024 A new study, the largest of its kind, published in Biological Psychiatry today [12 June], tracked the blood test results of over 3,500 participants for a span of 17 years to explore a possible link between diet and mental health.
- Prenatal exposure to air pollution associated with increased mental health risks 28 May 2024 A baby’s exposure to air pollution while in the womb is associated with the development of certain mental health problems once the infant reaches adolescence, new research has found. The University of Bristol-led study, published in JAMA Network Open today [28 May], examined the long-term mental health impact of early-life exposure to air and noise pollution.
- High-THC Cannabis Varieties Twice as Likely to Cause Psychotic Episodes 23 May 2024 New study suggests high-potency cannabis use between 16-18 doubles the risk of psychotic experiences from 19-24, compared to lower-potency use in young adults.
- Family and media pressure to lose weight in adolescence linked to how people value themselves almost two decades later 16 April 2024 People who as teenagers felt pressure to lose weight from family or from the media, females, sexual minorities, and people experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage, are most at risk of 'internalised' weight stigma, new research led by the University of Bristol has found. The study is published in The Lancet Regional Health Europe today [16 Apr].
- University of Bristol and UCL to lead support hub for UK's longitudinal population studies 27 March 2024 The University of Bristol and UCL will lead the Population Research UK (PRUK) co-ordination hub, part of an existing strategic investment from the UKRI Infrastructure Fund.
- Bristol’s Children of the 90s seeks participants to attend its biggest ever clinic 21 March 2024 Thousands of Bristol and Weston families are already part of the world-renowned Children of the 90s health study based at the University of Bristol. Their participation has led to many scientific discoveries about health. From how babies can safely sleep on their backs to genes that may cause obesity or deteriorating liver health in young people – much of what is now known about health is due to Children of the 90s data, and the study is now calling on more people to take part.
- Bristol heart research receives funding boost thanks to European partnership 20 March 2024 A Bristol researcher will join forces with a team in the Netherlands to drive breakthroughs in heart and circulatory diseases research, thanks to a pioneering partnership between the British Heart Foundation (BHF), Dutch Heart Foundation (DHF) and German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK).
- Waist-to-height ratio detects fat obesity in children and adolescents significantly better than BMI, study finds 14 March 2024 An inexpensive measure of obesity in children and adolescents that could replace body mass index (BMI) has been identified in a new study as waist circumference-to-height ratio. This measure detected excess fat mass and distinguished fat mass from muscle mass in children and adolescents more accurately than BMI. The study, published in Pediatric Research, was conducted in collaboration between the universities of Bristol, Exeter and Eastern Finland.
- ‘Loneliness loop’ risks trapping young people in repeating cycle of abuse, UK study of intimate partner violence and abuse finds 1 February 2024 A detailed study of intimate partner violence and abuse (IPVA) among young people in the UK has found that a 'loneliness loop' risks trapping young people in a repeating cycle of abuse. The University of Bristol-led research, which analysed survey data from 3,000 young people, recommends early intervention to prevent young people from experiencing IPVA.
- Exposure to high humidity and temperature in pregnancy could influence blood pressure changes in childhood 10 January 2024 Outdoor humidity and temperature levels during pregnancy could affect the future blood pressure of the unborn child, according to new research by the University of Bristol, published in JACC: Advances.
- Diet in childhood linked to blood vessel damage in teenage years 10 January 2024 Diets high in calories, fat and sugar in childhood can cause damage to blood vessel function, known to heighten the risk of early heart attacks and strokes, as early as adolescence according to research funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF). The team behind the University of Bristol-led study, published in the British Journal of Nutrition today [10 January], say their findings highlight the importance of healthy eating habits throughout life to protect heart health.
