Animals fake death for long periods to escape predators3 March 2021Many animals feign death to try to escape their predators, with some individuals in prey species remaining motionless, if in danger, for extended lengths of time.
Embed Germ Defence behaviours at home to reduce virus spread now and in the future1 March 2021As COVID-19 vaccines are rolled out, a roadmap for unlocking Britain is announced, new research which looked at data from over 28,000 users of the website 'Germ Defence' since May 2020 highlights the continued, critical importance of breaking chains of virus transmission within our homes.
Childhood obesity prevention evidence biased towards lifestyle interventions26 February 2021An analysis of the studies included in the Cochrane review ‘Interventions for Preventing Obesity in Children’ has revealed a strong bias towards interventions that aim to change individual “lifestyle” behaviours.
Impact of Covid-19 pandemic on domestic abuse referrals in primary care to be explored25 February 2021A new study, led by researchers at the University of Bristol's Centre for Academic Primary Care in collaboration with colleagues in Queen Mary University of London, UCL, University of Oxford and IRISi will explore whether and how GP referrals to domestic abuse services have changed during the coronavirus pandemic.
Tropical paper wasps babysit for neighbours15 February 2021Wasps provide crucial support to their extended families by babysitting at neighbouring nests, according to new research by a team of biologists from the universities of Bristol, Exeter and UCL published today [15 February] in Nature Ecology and Evolution.
Contact patterns changed in response to national COVID-19 guidance11 February 2021The number of daily contacts changed over the course of 2020, following the first lockdown, corresponding to alterations in the COVID-19 guidance, suggests a study among staff and students at the University of Bristol. The research led by scientists at the University of Bristol is published on the pre-print server medRxiv.org.
How GPs coped with the rapid shift to remote consultations to reduce the risk of COVID-199 February 2021One of the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the rapid move to telephone, video and online GP consultations. In a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) funded study, researchers from the Centre for Academic Primary Care at the University of Bristol and NIHR ARC West found that while the rapid shift to remote GP consulting was successful and maintained a focus on vulnerable patients, it was driven by necessity and may have risks.
All in the head? Brains adapt to support new species9 February 2021Scientists studying forest dwelling butterflies in Central and South America have discovered that changes in the way animals perceive and process information from their environment can support the emergence of new species. The study led by the University of Bristol, and published today [9 February] in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), has implications for how new species might evolve and the underappreciated role of changes in the brain.
Healthy oceans need healthy soundscapes8 February 2021Oceans were once filled with the sounds of nature, but overfishing, climate change and human noise have fundamentally changed the natural underwater "soundtrack", researchers say.
Brain-related visual problems may affect one in 30 primary school children3 February 2021A brain-related visual impairment, which until recently was thought to be rare, may affect one in every 30 children according to new research investigating the prevalence of Cerebral Visual Impairment [CVI]. The University of Bristol-led findings published today [3 February] in Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, aim to raise awareness of CVI among parents and teachers to help them identify signs of the condition earlier.
How to blackmail your family2 February 2021Raising kids can be tough, and sometimes you need all the help you can get. Biologists at the University of Bristol argue that some animals might be able to blackmail reluctant relatives into assisting with the rearing of young. The study is published today [2 February] in The American Naturalist.
Belief in Covid conspiracies linked with vaccine hesitancy, study finds2 February 2021Low likelihood of accepting a coronavirus vaccine is associated with having "conspiracy suspicions" about the pandemic, a new study led by by the University of Bristol and King’s College London has found.
Anonymous cell phone data can quantify behavioural changes for flu-like illnesses, study finds29 January 2021Being prepared for a pandemic, like COVID-19, depends on the ability to predict the course of the pandemic and the human behaviour that drives spread in the event of an outbreak. Cell phone metadata that is routinely collected by telecommunications providers can reveal changes of behavior in people who are diagnosed with a flu-like illness, while also protecting their anonymity, a new study has found. The research, led by Emory University and devised by the University of Bristol, is based on data drawn from a 2009 outbreak of H1N1 influenza in Iceland and published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
Bristol Neuroscience’s Brain Research day, 14 January 202119 January 2021The University’s Bristol Neuroscience Research Network (BN) hosted its 2nd Bristol Brain Research day on 14 January 2021, online. This follows the enormous success of the first event of the same name held in June 2019 which welcomed over 150 participants.
DUSSK study reveals the challenges of designing a tailored drug treatment service for street sex workers13 January 2021Street sex workers may require trauma treatment in combination with specialised drug treatment groups, a Bristol study has suggested. Trauma treatment is not usually readily available to sex workers, but the feasibility of offering this as part of a drug treatment service designed specifically for them was tested in the University of Bristol and NIHR ARC West’s DUSSK study.
Global experts urge everyone to talk about COVID-19 vaccines responsibly8 January 2021A team of renowned scientific experts has joined forces from across the world to help fight the spread of misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines, which hold the key to beating the deadly pandemic and releasing countries from debilitating lockdown restrictions.
Researchers to develop a new online approach to cognitive behavioural therapy for depression5 January 2021A major new clinical trial led by researchers at the University of Bristol’s Centre for Academic Primary Care and Centre for Academic Mental Health will develop and evaluate a new way of delivering Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT) for patients with depression.