Peace breaks out in dating the tree of life
For several decades, paleontologists and molecular biologists have squabbled over dating the tree of life.
News in 2006
Engineering Neurons
Despite the small numbers of women in engineering, they do still have successful careers.
Local businessman donates £100,000 towards community sport
Local sport in the community will benefit thanks to a generous £100,000 donation from Bristol businessman John Rutley to the University of Bristol’s Centre for Sport, Exercise and Health. The money will be used to set up and launch The John Rutley Sport Fund, an initiative to develop a range of sport and activity related projects that will help young people in Bristol.
What makes a good EU presidency?
A structured comparison of the Italian and Irish presidencies of the EU.
Experts confounded by young bat’s long-distance journey
A greater horseshoe bat, which has flown around 100 miles, has amazed experts by both the extraordinary length and speed of its journey and the reasons for it.
Doubts cast on organophosphate poisoning as cause of Gulf War Syndrome depression
New research casts doubt on the belief that organophosphate poisoning causes symptoms of depression among Gulf War veterans and farmers, who are exposed regularly to these chemicals.
What it means to be human
Approximately six per cent of human and chimp genes are unique to those species, report scientists from the University of Bristol and three other institutions. The new estimate takes into account something that other measures of genetic difference do not – the genes that are no longer ther
Intute: 'Higher education's answer to Google' says The Guardian
A recent article in The Guardian highlighted a new free online service, co-developed by the ILRT, to help academics and students find high-quality internet resources.
How to avoid a bat
New research has shown how the Yellow Underwing moth changes its sensitivity to a bat's calls when the moth is being chased. This throws into question our current understanding of the co-evolution of bats and moths.
Academy project takes giant step forward
A South Bristol community has cause to celebrate today with the news that the contract to build the Merchants’ Academy Withywood has been signed. The University of Bristol is closely involved in the project.
University presents Long Service Awards
At the annual meeting of University Court earlier this month, seven members of staff were presented with Long Service Awards in recognition of 40 years or more of service to the University.
University joins Bristol’s reading adventure
University staff and students are invited to join Bristol's 2007 Great Reading Adventure - by reading Andrea Levy's 'Small Island'. Hundreds of free copies are available.
International approaches to ethnic minority employment
A new report by researchers at the University of Bristol into the range of programmes being implemented across EU states and North America to help tackle low levels of ethnic minority employment is published today by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Problems with email server, Friday 15 December
Staff who use the central email server will be unable to access their email today until further notice because of technical hardware errors following maintenance work.
Blood vessel cells could be used to treat diabetes ulcers
Scientists have identified blood vessels cells that succeed in repairing ulcers caused by diabetes mellitus.
Bristol biologist heading for deep waters down under
Dr Julian Partridge in the School of Biological Sciences is the lead UK participant in a series of international expeditions to investigate the little-explored deep waters off the coast of Australia.
A few not particularly seasonal thoughts
A December message from the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eric Thomas.
The gene dance that promotes atherosclerosis
A new discovery could lead to novel ways of treating hardening of the arteries, a condition responsible for almost half of all deaths in Europe.
The gene dance that promotes atherosclerosis
A new discovery could lead to novel ways of treating hardening of the arteries, a condition responsible for almost half of all deaths in Europe.
Mary Christine Moore (née Davis), 1925-2006
The University and members of Convocation were shocked to learn of the death of Mary Moore on 2 December 2006, aged 80, six days after attending a Convocation Awards' sub-committee meeting. Her involvement with the University spanned almost 60 years.
Bristol bags best business idea
The winner of the University’s 2006 New Enterprise Competition has come top in a three-way contest with the Universities of Bath and the West of England to decide which of their award-winning business ideas most deserves the title of Winner of Winners 2006.
Give the ultimate gift this Christmas
It was late in 2005 when a local press advert caught Sarah’s eye, just as she was looking forward to Christmas with her husband and two children aged four and two at their home near Weston-super-Mare.
Honorary degree awarded to former local councillor
Bristol University has awarded an honorary degree to Betty Topham, Alderman of Bristol. Betty was awarded a Doctor of Laws on Friday, 8 December, for her dedication to charitable causes and tireless work within the community.
High praise for Aimhigher West
The work of Aimhigher West, of which the University is a key member, has been commended by HEFCE.
£1.4 million for research into safe and effective medicines for children
A South West-based research team has secured funding of £1.4 million to help develop medicines specifically for use in children.
£300,000 grant for history of English gardens
A Bristol University project which aims to document all the historically significant gardens of England has received a £314,411 boost from the Leverhulme Trust.
Dr Mary Morrison
Dr Mary Morrison, who died in Cambridge on 6 November after a short illness, was for many years the mainstay of Renaissance studies in the French Department at Bristol.
ILRT researcher wins e-learning award
An e-learning application written by Simon Price from the Institute for Learning and Research Technology (ILRT) has won the 2006 eLearning Award for excellence in the production of learning content.
University scores hit with public lecture series
A series of public lectures organised by the University as part of its contribution to the Brunel 200 celebrations has been deemed ‘a resounding success’.
New chief for governing body
Bristol University’s governing Council has a new Chair. He is Jim Foulds, who has been Vice-Chair since 2004 and Chair of the Personnel and Staff Development Committee since 1998. He is also one of the University’s four Pro-Chancellors and so can deputise for its Chancellor, The Right Honourable the Baroness Hale of Richmond. He succeeds Dr Moger Woolley, who has served with distinction in the role since 1997.
Local pupils enjoy a university style sports day
Fifty pupils from Teyfant Community Junior School will be given the chance to try out a variety of different sports this week, when they team up with Bristol University students and staff for an all-action programme of sporting fun. The Teyfant School Sports Day takes place tomorrow, Friday, 8 December at the University’s Centre for Sport, Exercise and Health.
The serotonin effect
Exploring the lesser-known roles of the neurotransmitter serotonin.
Taste test may identify best drugs for depression
New research has shown that it might be possible to use taste as an indicator as to whether someone is depressed, and as a way of determining which is the most suitable drug to treat their depression.
Bristol team to lead largest study into vitamin D
A large epidemiological study on the link between vitamin D and prostate cancer gets underway at the University of Bristol, thanks to a £149,367 grant from World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF).
£3.65 million for Particle Physics
The Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council has awarded a £3.65 million grant to the University’s Particle Physics group.
Evolution of the penis worm
Images of the developmental stages of embryos more than half a billion years old were reported by Dr Phil Donoghue
An explosive Christmas in store for science pupils
The Earth’s atmosphere, pollution, climate and chemical reactions are the theme of a special Christmas lecture featuring some explosive results for science pupils from across Bristol.
Wolfson Award for Professor Cristianini
Professor Nello Cristianini, holder of the Chair in Artificial Intelligence in the Department of Engineering Mathematics and the Department of Computer Science, has received a Royal Society Wolfson Merit Award.
Gender equality: have your say
The University invites all staff and students to complete a short online questionnaire as part of its development of a Gender Equality Scheme.
Domestic abuse in same sex relationships
More work is needed to raise awareness of domestic abuse in same sex relationships, according to a new study due to be discussed in Bristol next week.