News

Research suggests earlier kitten neutering does not affect bodyweight in later life 3 June 2025 Cats that are neutered at four months old compared to the traditional six months old are not at any greater risk of weight problems as they age, new research has found.
Study reveals schools failing to address most common form of bullying: Weight-based victimisation 3 June 2025 A concerning gap in school anti-bullying policies has been revealed in a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded study by the University of Bristol and University of Bath. While weight-based bullying is reportedly the most common form experienced by students, fewer than 7% of schools in southwest England explicitly address it in their anti-bullying policies according to the study published in BMC Public Health.
Early detection key to improving treatment of uveitis, a leading cause globally of vision loss 28 May 2025 New treatment guidance has been developed to help doctors tackle uveitis — one of the leading causes of vision loss. The new clinical guidance, by a team at the University of Bristol, aims to help thousands of sufferers keep this painful eye condition at bay. The study is published in JAMA today [28 May].
Bristol professor joins Academy of Medical Sciences Fellowship 22 May 2025 A University of Bristol academic who is the Principal Investigator for the Children of the 90s health study has been elected a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences. Professor Nic Timpson joins 53 exceptional biomedical and health scientists from UK institutions selected to the Academy for their exceptional contributions to the advancement of medical science.
Study reveals stark ethnic and social disparities in stillbirths within individual hospitals and healthcare trusts in England 16 May 2025 Stillbirth rates are known to be higher for Black and Asian women than for white women, and those living in the most deprived areas are more at risk than those in the least deprived areas. Now a new University of Bristol-led study published in the Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology (BJOG) today [16 May] reveals that these disparities exist even within individual hospitals and NHS Trusts.
School dinners may encourage picky teenagers to eat better, says new study 15 May 2025 Having school dinners rather than packed lunches could encourage picky eating 13-year-olds to eat a wider variety of foods, according to a new University of Bristol-led study. The findings are published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics today [15 May].
Breaking the cycle: supporting young boys in violent homes could prevent relationship violence, study suggests 1 May 2025 Young men growing up around parents who are physically violent to each other are 43% more likely to carry out violence or abuse in their own relationships, new University of Bristol research has found.
Depression and other mental health conditions linked with immune response, study finds 30 April 2025 Depression, schizophrenia and other mental health conditions affect 1 in 4 people in their lifetime, but mechanisms underlying these conditions are poorly understood. New research led by researchers at the University of Bristol has linked the body’s immune response with schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and bipolar disorder. The study demonstrates mental health conditions might be affected by the whole body as well as changes in the brain. The findings could pave the way for better treatments of some mental health conditions.
What research needs to be prioritised in global burns – results from a project spanning 88 countries 24 April 2025 Each year, more than 11 million people worldwide suffer serious life-changing burns, affecting both adults and children. The largest-ever project of its kind — the Priorities in Global Burns Research partnership, led by the University of Bristol — has identified the top 10 priorities in burns care research from 88 countries. The findings are published today [23 April] in The Lancet Global Health.
New UK Centre hopes to change public attitudes towards grief 24 April 2025 Grief affects everyone but is still very much a taboo subject in the UK. A new Centre - the first of its kind in the UK - hopes to shift public attitudes towards grief and create communities that are compassionate and connected in their support of people who are bereaved. The Centre for Grief Research and Community Engagement (Grief Centre) at the University of Bristol is launched today [24 April].
Study looks at impact of COVID-19 pandemic on rates of congenital heart disease procedures among children 14 April 2025 Major reallocation of healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic meant that elective surgery in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) was significantly reduced, so that those needing urgent, lifesaving and emergency surgery could be treated. However, this prioritisation of the most severely ill children did not increase overall post-operative complications rates or death, a study led by the University of Bristol has shown.
Study estimates proportion of adolescents living with overweight and obesity in England has increased by 50% between 2008 and 2023 12 April 2025 The proportion of adolescents living with overweight or obesity in England has increased by 50% from 2008-2010 (22%) to 2021-2023 (33%) according to two new studies involving University of Bristol researcher, Dr Dinesh Giri. The research is being presented at next month's [11-14 May] European Congress on Obesity (ECO).
Landmark study identifies new genetic cause of neurodevelopmental disorders, bringing long-awaited answers to families 10 April 2025 A new genetic cause of neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) has been uncovered by an international team of researchers. The discovery, published in Nature Genetics [10 Apr] and led by the University of Bristol, the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York and KU Leven in Belgium, offers diagnostic certainty and hope to potentially thousands of families worldwide who have long been searching for answers.
Relaxation techniques may help lower high blood pressure—at least in the short term 8 April 2025 Relaxation techniques may help lower high blood pressure—at least in the short term—but the longer term effects are unclear, finds a pooled data analysis of the existing research. The study, led by the Universities of Bristol and Exeter and published in BMJ Medicine, is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
Smartwatch technology could help with future alcohol interventions, new study finds 2 April 2025 Alcohol harm costs NHS England £3.5 billion annually, with 70 people dying every day from alcohol-related causes in the UK (1). According to new University of Bristol-led research smartwatches could provide a more accurate picture of people’s daily drinking habits than current methods. The technology could be a key element for future alcohol interventions.
Bristol BRC to host new translational research collaboration in surgery and perioperative care 1 April 2025 The NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) - hosted by the University of Bristol and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) - is bringing together 12 other BRCs to host a translational research collaboration focusing on surgery and perioperative care.
Landmark research recommends gastric bypass for people with severe obesity undergoing surgery 31 March 2025 Gastric bypass is the most clinically and cost effective form of interventional surgery for people living with severe obesity, reveals landmark research. The new University of Bristol-led trial, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), is published today [31 March] in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
Bristol cardiac surgeon who pioneered life-saving surgery receives Lifetime Achievement Award 24 March 2025 Professor Gianni Angelini, Director of the Bristol Heart Institute at the University of Bristol, and cardiac surgeon at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW), has been honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society for Coronary Artery Surgery for his pioneering work.
Electric scooter schemes reduce bicycle collisions by 20%, study suggests 21 March 2025 Electric scooter schemes appear to reduce the risk of bicycle collisions by around 20%, according to a University of Bristol-led study. The research, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), is published in Injury Prevention today [21 March].
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.