Bristol volcanologists featured in BBC Radio 4's Tribes of Science
Dr Matt Watson and colleagues in the School of Earth Sciences featured in an episode of BBC Radio 4's Tribes of Science about their work as volcanologists.
News in 2011
Scientists develop new technologies for understanding bacterial infections
Understanding how bacteria infect cells is crucial to preventing countless human diseases. In a recent breakthrough, scientists from the University of Bristol have discovered a new approach for studying molecules within their natural environment, opening the door to understanding the complexity of how bacteria infect people.
Mural cells from saphenous vein could have long-term benefits in heart attacks
Stem cell therapies promise to regenerate the infarcted heart through the replacement of dead cardiac cells and stimulation of the growth of new vessels. New research has found the transplantation of stem cells that reside in human veins can help in the recovery of a heart attack. The findings could lead, in the next few years, to the first human clinical trial.
Rocks and clocks help unravel the mysteries of ancient Earth
Research into the dating techniques used to identify the origins of the living world has found the way in which fossils are used to calibrate the Earth’s evolutionary clock is of critical importance. The findings could help us better understand the gaps in the evolutionary timeline.
Bristol-Open University collaboration wins Peter Townsend memorial book prize
A book co-authored by Randall Smith, Professor of Social Gerontology in the School for Policy Studies, and colleagues Julia Johnson and Sheena Rolph from The Open University, has won the inaugural Peter Townsend Policy Press Prize.
Helping to improve how the weather’s forecast, come rain or shine
Dark clouds and downpours have blighted many people’s summer, with the unpredictable weather being a hot topic of conversation. Now, a new study is hoping to improve how the likelihood of sunshine or showers is communicated with the public.
Should the work of Banksy be listed?
Graffiti has traditionally been seen as a menace by local authorities, its appearance viewed as an indicator of decline in amenity and something to be painted over or scrubbed away. However, new research by the University's Law School questions whether the work of the well-known British street artist, Banksy, should be protected as a listed asset.
Gorillas for sale
The University is hosting a charity auction of life-size gorilla sculptures at the Victoria Rooms, Clifton, on Thursday 29 September at 7.15 pm.
Procurement Exhibition 2011
The University’s Procurement Exhibition will be held over two days this year, on 14 and 21 September, according to supplier type.
Gladys Salt, 1925-2011
Gladys Salt, formerly a laboratory technician in the Department of Biochemistry, has died. Professor Stephen Halford writes a note of appreciation.
University of Bristol Innocence Project asks: Is William Beck a victim of mistaken eyewitness identification?
William Beck was 20 when he was arrested for an armed robbery of a post van in Livingston, Scotland on 16 December 1981. Nearly three decades later, after serving six years of imprisonment for a conviction based exclusively on eyewitness identification, he continues to maintain his innocence. The University of Bristol Innocence Project (UoBIP) has taken on Mr Beck’s case and has today submitted a response on his behalf following two rejections by the Scottish Criminal Case Review Commission — the independent public body set up to review alleged miscarriages of justice.
Double success for new graduate’s gaming business
Computer Science graduate Chris Strand hasn’t wasted any time since graduating in July, with his business idea already having won two top competitions.
NHS and University researchers awarded over £11 million in record funding
Two University and NHS research partnerships in Bristol have been awarded £11.5 million for research into cardiovascular disease, nutrition, diet and lifestyle. The funding forms part of a Government initiative to enable the country’s top scientists to develop new scientific discoveries into groundbreaking medicines, treatments and better care for NHS patients.
Undergraduate admissions 2011
The University of Bristol received around 33,600 applications for the 3,238 undergraduate places available across the full range of subjects from this October.
Getting inside the mind (and up the nose) of our ancient ancestors
Reorganisation of the brain and sense organs could be the key to the evolutionary success of vertebrates, one of the great puzzles in evolutionary biology, according to a paper by an international team of researchers, published today in Nature.
National Student Survey 2011
A message from Professor Avril Waterman-Pearson, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students), about the results of the 2011 National Student Survey.
New research reveals brain’s natural protection mechanism during stroke
Neuroscientists have identified a natural protection mechanism in some of the brain’s nerve cells during the onset of stroke. The findings, published today [17 August] in the Journal of Neuroscience, could be used to develop treatments to protect other nerve cell types responsible for speech and movement.
Creative industries in £16million funding boost
The University of Bristol is to play a key part in a new Knowledge Exchange Hub which has been established to boost the region’s creative economy.
Rarest Brunel treasures available to view
Some of the treasures from the National Brunel Archive will be available for the public to view when they go on display in the ss Great Britain Trust’s new Brunel Institute. The display marks the launch of a new range of events called the ‘Archive in Five’ showcasing some the collection’s rarest objects during lunch hours.
Racing like the wind
Teams from around the world will be challenging each other at an international wind energy car race later this week.
Getting on board to give businesses a jump start
A major initiative to help people start and grow their own business will be rolling into Bristol later this month.
University team spurs on land speed record attempt
An attempt to beat a UK land speed record this weekend is being fuelled by the expertise of electrical engineers at the University of Bristol.
Calling all artists: Children of the 90s seeks online exhibition curator
The Children of the 90s project, based at the University of Bristol, is looking for an artist to develop and deliver an online exhibition to celebrate its longitudinal research into the health and wellbeing of 14,000 mothers and their children.
New two-drug approach to treat type of respiratory disease
A therapy combining two existing drugs could provide an effective new approach for treating patients with pleural infections, a serious condition where infected fluid builds up in the space between the ribs and lungs.
£281,000 fellowship for dental graduate and oral cancer research
New research looking at the impact of oral cancer has secured a prestigious fellowship and funding of £281,000.
National media coverage for research into teenage motherhood
New research by the University’s Centre for Market and Public Organisation into the factors that shape the fertility decisions of teenagers, has been covered by BBC News Online, Guardian Online, the Bristol Evening Post, the Daily Mail, the Daily Telegraph.
Is teenage motherhood contagious?
New research into the factors that shape the fertility decisions of teenagers has found that within families, teen births tend to be contagious. The study by the University of Bristol has identified the impact of sibling influences on teenage fertility.
Research on protocells sheds new light on the evolution of life
Researchers at the University of Bristol have designed a chemical system which represents perhaps the simplest protocell model of cell formation on the early Earth. The work is described in an article published today in Nature Chemistry.
Pioneering Bristol chemistry scheme reaches South Africa
A unique initiative to engage young people with the world of chemistry has been rolled out in South Africa.
Paul Woods, 1948-2011
Paul Woods, a former Subject Librarian at the Arts and Social Sciences Library, passed away on 17 July. Jez Conolly pays tribute to a man of 'innate professionalism' and 'infectious joviality'.
Bristol academic shaping the future of tech evolution
David May FRS FREng, Professor of Computer Science at the University of Bristol features in this week’s Economist about his pioneering work in the microchip industry and helping to create Bristol’s very own ‘Silicon Valley’.
Have we met before? Scientists show why the brain has the answer
Have you ever been approached by someone whose face you recognise but whose name you can’t remember? Neuroscientists at the University of Bristol have identified the reasons behind why we are, at times, unable to link a face to a name.
Helping families with disabled children access childcare
A new research report aimed at improving service provision for disabled children and their families has been published by the Department for Education. The publication is co-authored by the University of Bristol, the National Centre for Social Research and the University of Warwick.
University of Bristol Theatre Collection celebrates 60th anniversary with first Artist in Residence
Bristol artist Clare Thornton will become the inaugural Artist in Residence at the University of Bristol Theatre Collection as part of the diamond anniversary celebrations of this internationally renowned theatre and performance archive.
Interact with the sights and sounds of quantum mechanics
Step into and interact with visuals and sounds generated by quantum particle dynamics at Arnolfini this weekend – thanks to a unique fusion of art and science created by a researcher at the University of Bristol.
Performers prepare for the bright lights of the Edinburgh Festival
Actors and comedians from Bristol University are busy rehearsing ahead of appearances at the Edinburgh Festival – the largest cultural event in the world.
Engage 2011
The University’s third annual public engagement conference will take place on 29 September. The conference is free and open to all those with an interest in public engagement.
Dramatic simplification paves the way for building a quantum computer
An international research group led by scientists from the University of Bristol has demonstrated a new technique that dramatically simplifies quantum circuits, bringing quantum computers closer to reality.
One million euro grant for research into UK advice agencies
Advice organisations, rather than professional lawyers, are becoming key players in legal arenas, particularly for citizens whose access to rights is most limited. A grant of over one million euros has been awarded to Dr Morag McDermont at the University of Bristol by the European Research Council (ERC) to investigate the ways in which UK advice agencies mediate between citizens and the practices of law.
TV time: why children watch multi-screens
New research examines the relationship children have with electronic viewing devices, such as TV, computer game time and internet use, and their habits of interacting with more than one at a time.