News in 2024
- Pioneering report exposes worsening health threats of climate change in UK 5 September 2024 A new report has revealed for the first time the wide-ranging and increasing health dangers posed by long-term weather extremes in the UK, as the effects of climate change deepen.
- Study of 18 million people finds increased mental illnesses incidence following severe COVID-19, especially in unvaccinated people 21 August 2024 A new study that examined health data on 18 million people reveals higher incidence of mental illnesses for up to a year following severe COVID-19 in unvaccinated people. Vaccination appeared to mitigate the adverse effects of COVID-19 on mental illnesses. The University of Bristol-led study, published in JAMA Psychiatry today [21 August], investigated associations of COVID-19 with mental illnesses according to time since diagnosis and vaccination status.
- Pioneering research sheds light on how babies and young children understand the art of pretence 13 August 2024 Babies recognise pretence and around half of children can pretend themselves by 12 months, new research has found.
- Prescription painkiller misuse and addiction are widespread in chronic pain patients 8 August 2024 A new scientific review of 148 studies enrolling over 4.3 million adult chronic pain patients treated with prescription opioid painkillers has found that nearly one in ten patients experiences opioid dependence or opioid use disorder. The University of Bristol-led study, published in Addiction today [8 August], also found nearly one in three shows symptoms of dependence and opioid use disorder.
- ‘House of the Dragon’ technology winging its way to University of Bristol’s world-first facility 30 July 2024 A new virtual production stage which uses computer generated imagery (CGI) to help create imagined worlds, will be installed alongside a one-of-a-kind Smart Cinema that can measure what the audience is feeling.
- Research reveals nearly half of children in Wales had additional learning needs 24 July 2024 A new study has highlighted the prevalence of additional learning needs, formerly known as special educational needs, among under 16-year-olds in Wales.
- Smell of human stress affects dogs’ emotions leading them to make more pessimistic choices 22 July 2024 Dogs experience emotional contagion from the smell of human stress, leading them to make more ‘pessimistic’ choices, new research finds. The University of Bristol-led study, published in Scientific Reports today [22 July], is the first to test how human stress odours affect dogs' learning and emotional state.
- Research to help tackle knife crime in Bristol makes headway 22 July 2024 Researchers at the University of Bristol are joining forces with Bristol City Council and other partners in a bid to help reduce knife crime locally and beyond.
- New study identifies two proteins that may contribute to stroke recurrence 22 July 2024 People who experience an arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) or transient ischemic stroke (TIA) are at an increased risk of suffering a second stroke or other major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), making it critically important to identify risk factors and treatments to prevent these subsequent occurrences. The new study, led by Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) and University of Bristol researchers, has identified new genetic and molecular risk factors that may reveal new pathways for treating patients after they experience their first stroke.
- Suicide rates lower for almost all ethnic minority groups living in England and Wales 18 July 2024 Suicide rates among almost all ethnic minority groups living in England and Wales are lower than among the majority White-British population. However, this does not apply to people from a Mixed-heritage background and those identifying as Gypsy / Irish Travellers, according to a study published in Lancet Psychiatry.
- New films set to boost effective adoption of Health Impact Assessments 18 July 2024 Expert voices from planning, health, government and consultants have shared their insights of using Health Impact Assessments as a force for good to create healthier new communities.
- Ultra-processed food makes up almost two-thirds of calorie intake of UK adolescents 17 July 2024 Adolescents consume around two-thirds of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods (UPFs) new research from the Universities of Bristol and Cambridge has found.
- Optimising timing of psychological interventions could improve their effectiveness 16 July 2024 Delivering some psychological interventions at times suited to a person’s chronotype (when they are naturally likely to wake up and go to sleep) could improve how effective the interventions are. Initial evidence from a study supported by the NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre has shown that late chronotypes (or ‘night owls’) could benefit most from taking part in interventions scheduled later in the day.
- Toddlers' brains show significant growth in cognitive skills by 16 months, study finds 11 July 2024 Toddlers engage more regions of their brains around 16-months to help them develop important cognitive skills enabling them to follow simple instructions and control impulses. Findings from the study, led by the Universities of Bristol and Oxford, and published in Imaging Neuroscience, suggests 16 months is a critical period for brain development.
- Clever clothes! Seams in clothing can capture body movement 3 July 2024 Everyday clothing may soon be able to capture and record body movements according to new research published by the Universities of Bristol and Bath.
- World at their fingertips: Bristol researchers make robotic hand breakthrough 28 June 2024 The University of Bristol has made a key breakthrough in the development of tactile robotic hands.
- Novel Bristol therapeutic to target atheroschlerosis 24 June 2024 Scientists at the University of Bristol have uncovered a new disease driving mechanism which they are aiming to target to help treat the development of atherosclerotic plaques.
- Restricting flavoured vapes could harm smoking cessation efforts, finds study 13 June 2024 Restricting the choice of flavoured vapes, also known as e-cigarettes, could have an adverse effect on the many adults who use them to reduce or quit smoking, according to a new University of Bristol-led study published in the journal Harm Reduction.
- 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.
- Two can play that game: juvenile dolphins who play together are more successful as adults 10 June 2024 Juvenile social play predicts adult reproductive success in male bottlenose dolphins, a new study has found.
- New online CPD course for researchers aims to enhance animal welfare through best practice 6 June 2024 A new continuous professional development course developed by Bristol researchers that builds on more than two decades of animal welfare research has launched online.
- Seeking social proximity improves flight routes among pigeons 6 June 2024 A new University of Bristol-led study looked at the social influences on pigeon flight routes. Researchers compared the flight patterns of pairs of pigeons to a computer model and found that flight paths are improved as younger birds learn the route from older birds and also make route improvements, leading to overall more efficient routes over generations. The study is published in PLOS Biology.
- Researchers identify a genetic cause of intellectual disability affecting tens of thousands of people 31 May 2024 A neurodevelopmental disorder, caused by mutations in a single gene, affecting tens of thousands of people worldwide, has been identified by researchers. The work, published today [31 May] in Nature Medicine, was conducted by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York in collaboration with colleagues at the University of Bristol, KU Leuven, Belgium; and the NIHR BioResource (currently based at the University of Cambridge).
- Bristol PhD student set to compete in European Finals of 3MT competition 31 May 2024 Bristol PhD student Rachel Hare is set to compete in the finals of the European 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) contest, becoming the first University of Bristol entrant to reach this stage of the competition.
- Understanding the journey of self-harm in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire 30 May 2024 ‘Understanding Self-harm in Children and Young People aged 10-24 years in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire’ aimed to help understand self-harm in greater detail as it has been highlighted as an area of concern for the region and also across the South West.
- Gardening sessions are ‘highlight of week’ for dementia patients and BRI staff 29 May 2024 For those living with dementia, a stay in hospital can be a difficult time with a change in routine, loud noises, bright lights and time away from loved ones.
- 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.
- Over 45s with joint pain design movement to music classes to manage their condition safely 28 May 2024 A new movement to music programme for people who have pain in their hips and knees – co-designed by participants and run by the Bristol Bones and Joints Health Integration Team – has been piloted in Bristol.
- Caterpillars can detect their predators by the static electricity they emit 23 May 2024 In the study experts showed that caterpillar hairs move in response to electric fields and are most sensitive to the frequencies that correspond to the wingbeats frequencies of other insects, indicating that their hairs could be tuned to pick up the electrical cues of their predators.
- Bristol Professor joins Academy of Medical Sciences Fellowship 23 May 2024 Two Bristol academics, Professors Eugenia Piddini and Gene Feder OBE, have been elected to the Academy of Medical Sciences’ respected and influential Fellowship. They join 58 exceptional biomedical and health scientists selected for their exceptional contributions to the advancement of medical science.
- Bristol spin-out Dynamic Therapeutics wins prestigious Blavatnik Prize for U-RHYTHM technology 25 April 2024 Dynamic Therapeutics, a University of Bristol spin-out, has today [25 April] been awarded a prestigious Blavatnik Prize by QantX, a leading venture capital firm, for its pioneering U-RHYTHM technology. The award recognises the scientific advances and future potential of the UK's most innovative scientists and engineers.
- Opioid dependence remains high but stable in Scotland, new surveillance report finds 19 April 2024 Opioid dependence in Scotland remains high but largely stable, according to a new University of Bristol-led analysis published in Addiction and by Public Health Scotland. The study is the first to estimate the number of people dependent on opioid drugs (such as heroin), and who are in or could benefit from drug treatment, among Scotland’s population since 2015/2016 estimates were published.
- Octopus inspires new suction mechanism for robots 18 April 2024 A new robotic suction cup which can grasp rough, curved and heavy stone, has been developed by scientists at the University of Bristol.
- Pioneering immersive virtual museum opens university’s collections to all 17 April 2024 One of the world’s first virtual museums has been created by the University of Bristol in which users can access and interact with items and artefacts from the University’s cultural collections.
- 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].
- Xylazine has infiltrated the UK’s illicit drug market 10 April 2024 Xylazine, a powerful animal tranquiliser linked to horrific side effects, is now widespread in the UK illicit drug market, according to a new study, published today [10 April] in Addiction, involving University of Bristol researchers.
- Report warns performing arts under threat from future global shocks unless lessons are learned from pandemic 28 March 2024 Live performing arts are facing an existential threat from a range of potential global shocks unless there is significant and sustained investment in resilience planning, according to a new international study.
- UK rabbit owners can recognise pain in their pets, study finds 27 March 2024 Rabbits are popular family pets, with around 1.5 million in the UK and it is important that owners can recognise when their animal is in pain, and know when to seek help to protect their rabbit's welfare. New research by the University of Bristol Veterinary School has found the majority of rabbit owners could list signs of pain and could mostly identify pain-free rabbits and those in severe pain, but many lacked knowledge of the subtler sign of pain.
- 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.
- App can help people reduce their alcohol intake 25 March 2024 A free smartphone app, Drink Less, can help people who would benefit most from reducing their alcohol consumption to do so successfully, according to a large randomised controlled trial led by UCL researchers and involving University of Bristol academics.
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
Unlocking insights into insomnia
GP data can provide unique insights into common health conditions, new research looking at insomnia symptom prevalence in England has shown. The University of Bristol-led study also highlights the value of improving access to this data for future health research.
The study aimed to explore how useful GP records are in measuring how many people experience insomnia symptoms. The researchers used data from the UK Biobank, a database which contains health, genetic and lifestyle information on around half a million participants.
The research team directly compared the proportion of English participants reporting insomnia symptoms in a questionnaire completed when they signed up to the UK Biobank to the same people's linked GP records The study found 29 per cent of the sample reported having insomnia symptoms. Of those, only 10 per cent had insomnia symptoms documented in their GP records. Most notably, the research also revealed that over a quarter of people who had insomnia symptoms noted in their GP record in the month immediately before they completed the UK Biobank questionnaire, and had an accompanying prescription for insomnia medication, didn't report having insomnia symptoms in the questionnaire.
This could be due to the stigma associated with having insomnia or because medication reduced the symptoms. Either way, it suggests that GP data can play a vital role in identifying people with insomnia who are not captured by questionnaire data.
The researchers found that many of the characteristics of people visiting their GP with insomnia symptoms were similar to those reporting insomnia symptoms in the questionnaire. These included being female, older, having poorer physical and mental health, smoking, having a high caffeine intake and doing little exercise.
Read the full University of Bristol news item
Paper: ‘Insomnia symptom prevalence in England: a comparison of cross-sectional self-reported data and primary care records in the UK Biobank' by Melanie A de Lange, Sophie V Eastwood, Rebecca C Richmond and Neil M Davies in BMJ Open [open access]