News in 2024
- New online resource to help healthcare professionals treat patients with infections after hip replacement surgery 22 March 2024 Although infection after hip replacement surgery is relatively rare (around 1 in 100), the impact on patients’ lives can be devastating. A new website and toolkit has been developed to help healthcare professionals understand and implement best-practice guidelines on treating and supporting patients with prosthetic hip joint infection.
- 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).
- Tsetse fly fertility damaged after just one heatwave, study finds 13 March 2024 The fertility of both female and male tsetse flies is affected by a single burst of hot weather, researchers at the University of Bristol and Stellenbosch University in South Africa have found.
- Bristol leaps ahead in training next generation of leaders to tackle major global challenges 12 March 2024 Hundreds of talented scientists and engineers are set to advance solutions for some of the world’s most pressing challenges, ranging from reaching net-zero and developing sustainable energy to improving digital security and making the latest health breakthroughs.
- New Digital Health Hub launches in South West England and Wales 11 March 2024 A consortium of universities from across the South West of England and Wales have come together to form a brand new Digital Health Hub which will elevate the region’s digital health capability through leadership, engagement, acceleration and partnership (LEAP).
- Pioneering research reveals empathetic communication can help overcome vaccine hesitancy 4 March 2024 An international study has shown for the first time how empathetic correction of misinformation among vaccine-hesitant patients can significantly improve attitudes towards vaccination – and potentially boost vaccine uptake.
- €5.3 million to tackle fatal bloodstream infections 22 February 2024 A team of researchers, led by a University of Bristol and University of College Cork (UCC) scientist, have been awarded €5.3 million of Wellcome Trust Discovery Award funding to investigate the leading global cause of fatal bloodstream infections.
- Droughts may trigger HIV transmission increase among women in rural sub-Saharan Africa 20 February 2024 Droughts have the potential to increase the spread of HIV for women living in rural parts of Africa, researchers at the University of Bristol have found.
- Global research network to combat deadly Strep A infections 16 February 2024 Bristol researchers are part of a newly-launched multi-institution network to research bacterial cause of sepsis and heart damage in children. Each year, around half a million people, including many children and young people, die around the world because of serious group A streptococcal (Strep A) bacterial infections. While most cases are relatively mild – affecting only the skin or throat - some infections can lead to deadly sepsis or autoimmune damage to the heart. There is currently no available vaccine for Strep A.
- Haemotoxic and cytotoxic snake venom metalloproteinases – production, enzymatic specificity, snakebite treatment, and biomedical use 14 February 2024 Engineering biology has enormous potential to address global challenges, drive economic growth, and increase national security, resilience and preparedness. Six new Mission Hubs and 22 Mission Awards projects will play a key role in achieving the goals of government’s national vision for engineering biology.
- Prediction scores ineffective for assessing group A streptococcus pharyngitis 8 February 2024 Centor and McIsaac clinical prediction scores are ineffective at assessing patients who need antibiotics when they come to hospital with a sore throat.
- Professor John Coggon appointed to World Health Organization Technical Advisory Group on Ethics and Climate Health 8 February 2024 The World Health Organization (WHO) recognises climate change as the biggest health threat facing humanity, with the potential to undermine decades of progress in global health.
- Fakes, facts, society and health 8 February 2024 The Elizabeth Blackwell Institute for Health Research welcomed Patricia Kingori, Professor of Global Health Ethics at the University of Oxford, as their 10th Annual Public Lecture speaker.
- Nurturing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion - Supporting Research Careers in Health and Biomedicine 8 February 2024
- Bristol scientists supercharge Artificial Intelligence in revolutionary £80 million national initiative 6 February 2024 Experts are helping put the UK at the forefront of AI advances, using it to transform current uses and tackle important global challenges.
- Vending machines could improve access to sexual health testing 6 February 2024 Vending machines dispensing test kits for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) could be useful for improving access to sexual health testing for people who have never tested or don’t test often. Users valued machines for their convenience, ease of use and instant access, although return rates were lower compared to postal kits.
- New drug could prevent diabetic eye and kidney disease in people with diabetes 5 February 2024 New research has shown a new type of inhibitor drug could prevent microvascular diabetic complications, such as diabetic eye and kidney disease. The University of Bristol-led research is published in Cardiovascular Diabetology.
- University of Bristol stem cell spinout secures £7.6m seed funding 22 January 2024 CellVoyant, an AI-first biotechnology spin-out from the University of Bristol accelerating the development of new stem cell therapies, has announced a £7.6 million seed round.
- Early Career Researchers’ Symposium 2024: Engaging the Broader Infection and Immunity Community 21 January 2024 The Elizabeth Blackwell Institute's Infection and Immunity Research Network hosted its 9th annual Early Career Researchers' (ECRs) symposium on 19 January 2024. The event provides a fantastic opportunity for ECRs to go through a conference submission process and present to an audience of their peers in an informal setting.
Elizabeth Blackwell Institute for Health Research has appointed Professor Pat Kehoe as new Director
Elizabeth Blackwell Institute for Health Research has appointed Professor Pat Kehoe as new Director it was announced today (Thursday 23 May 2024).
EBI are delighted to announce that Professor Pat Kehoe has been formally appointed as the Director of the Elizabeth Blackwell Institute. Pat’s research expertise is in dementia research, and he brings a wealth of experience in interdisciplinary health research through his role as Health and Life Science Faculty Research Director. Professor Pat Kehoe will take up the post of Institute Director from 1 August 2024.
Read the full story here: https://bristol.ac.uk/blackwell/news/2024/new-ebi-director.html