Bats obey ‘traffic rules’ when trawling for food
Foraging bats obey their own set of ‘traffic rules’, chasing, turning and avoiding collisions at high speed, new research from the University of Bristol has found.
News in 2015
Space Agency on a mission to boost new technology and services
The UK Space Agency has joined forces with SETsquared – Europe’s top university business incubator programme – to help foster new innovations in space-related technology.
New University tree planting project looks set to make Bristol even greener
Hundreds of new trees will be planted across the city thanks to a project being launched by the University of Bristol to ensure the European Green Capital legacy lives on for future generations.
Meet Lambmark Larry – one of 50 sheep flocking to the capital
A giant Shaun the Sheep sculpture covered in London landmarks will greet millions of passengers passing through Paddington Train Station from Saturday [28 March]. The colourful creature, created by Bristol-based artist Jenny Urquhart and sponsored by the University of Bristol, is one of 50 sculptures adorning the capital for two months as part of the Shaun in the City public arts trail.
The forgotten flies: study finds insects are key to pollination
Flies play an important role as pollinators and should no longer be neglected in pollination studies, according to a new study led by University of Bristol researchers, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
Boeing awards scholarships to two engineering students
Two undergraduate students from the Faculty of Engineering who have excelled in their academic studies have each been awarded a £3,000 scholarship from Boeing.
Bristol student co-author on paper at leading cryptography conference
A University of Bristol student is co-author on a paper to be presented at one of the world’s top cryptography conferences being held in Warsaw this week [23-25 March]. The Theory of Cryptography Conference (TCC-2015) is a leading conference for research on cryptography and, in particular, theoretical cryptography.
How do humans interact with a changing visual world?
A new £1.4 million research project led by the University of Bristol will use engineering and science in the design of radically new approaches and solutions to vision-based technology.
‘Incredible honour’ for Simon Pegg as he opens new theatre
After conquering zombies, aliens and Hollywood, Simon Pegg has returned to the university where he first learnt his trade.
£1.4m award for research into childhood congenital heart disease
Professor Massimo Caputo in the School of Clinical Sciences has been awarded £1.4 million by the Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust to investigate the use of stem cell therapy for the repair of congenital heart abnormalities in very young children.
Bristol named as National College for Nuclear partner to combat future industry skills shortage
Business Minister, Matt Hancock has today (20 Mar) announced the four education providers named as partners in the National College for Nuclear — a virtual college specialising in training and development which forms a key part of the government’s strategy to address a skills shortage in the industry. The partnership will include a northern hub comprising Lakes College, Sellafield Ltd and the University of Cumbria, and a southern hub comprising Bridgwater College, EDF Energy and the University of Bristol.
EBI Fellow awarded Stroke Association Lectureship
Dr Phil Clatworthy, Elizabeth Blackwell Institute Early Career Research Fellow at the University of Bristol, has been awarded the prestigious Stroke Association Thompson Family Senior Clinical Lectureship.
University Boat Race takes over Bristol Harbourside
Bristol’s floating harbour will once again play host to the Annual Varsity Boat Race on Saturday [21 March], in a day of fierce competition which pits the University of Bristol against the University of the West of England (UWE).
Work and play at Bristol’s Festival of Postgraduate Research
The University is holding its second Festival of Postgraduate Research on 30 April to showcase the postgraduate research taking place at the University, encourage collaborative research across all disciplines and help build a robust postgraduate research community.
Triffids win the day in science photography competition
Professor Paul May in the School of Chemistry has won the overall prize in a national science photography competition organised by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) with an image of a diamond-coated forest of carbon nanotubes that can act as miniature electron emitters.
Bristol Law School yields two Academy of Social Sciences Fellows
Two academics in the University of Bristol Law School are among 33 leading social scientists recently appointed as Fellows of the Academy of Social Sciences.
Bristol’s Cabot Institute launches new Venture
Professor Nishan Canagajarah, Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of Bristol, will launch the Cabot Institute’s new corporate partnership today [18 March] to help develop the responses to 21st Century challenges.
Clinical trial to assess effectiveness of urological tests in men
For the first time ever, a major new clinical trial, led by the Bristol Urological Institute at Southmead Hospital Bristol, aims to assess the clinical and cost effectiveness of urological tests in men who have difficulty passing urine. The trial is being managed by the Bristol Randomised Trials Collaboration at the University of Bristol’s School of Social and Community Medicine.
East meets West and music meets science: two major ERC grants in the Arts
Researchers in the School of Arts have been awarded almost 3.5 million Euros from the European Research Council (ERC) for two innovative music projects.
Bristol academics receive Wolfson Research Merit Awards
Two Bristol academics are among the 19 new Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award holders.
Bristol leaders commit to becoming a Zero Tolerance City
The University of Bristol and other leading organisations in the city joined the Mayor of Bristol, George Ferguson, on Saturday 7 March to pledge their support to tackle gender-based violence.
Professor Malcolm Evans OBE appointed to Child Abuse Inquiry panel
Professor Malcolm Evans OBE, a human rights expert at the University of Bristol Law School, has been appointed as a panel member to the reformed Independent Child Sexual Abuse Inquiry in England and Wales.
Bristol Is Open announces its first partnerships
Bristol took a bold step today towards becoming the world’s first Open Programmable City with the launch of Bristol Is Open, a joint venture set up between the University of Bristol and Bristol City Council. The Mayor of Bristol George Ferguson and Professor Sir Eric Thomas, Vice Chancellor of the University of Bristol welcomed the partners at a launch event on Tuesday 10 March for the joint venture.
Students’ 10 hour extreme sports day set to raise £40,000
Over 1,000 University of Bristol students will take part in an ‘extreme sports day’ – undertaking some tough challenges over 10 hours – in a bid to raise £40,000 for charity on Thursday [19 March].
University Challenge team battle for semi-final place
A place in the semi-finals of University Challenge is at stake tonight [16 March], when the University of Bristol’s quiz team faces a crucial quarter final tie against Magdalen College, Oxford.
Plain cigarette packaging changes attitudes to smoking but doesn’t impact smoking behaviour in the short term
Using plain packaging for just one day can change smokers’ attitudes towards their cigarette packs, according to the first randomised controlled trial into the effects of short-term exposure to plain cigarette packaging on smoking attitudes and behaviour.
Study reveals what difference Bristol’s elected mayor has made to the city
Having a directly elected mayor in Bristol has led to a dramatic increase in the visibility of leadership in the city, according to the latest results from a ‘before and after’ study of the impact the role has had on urban governance. The Bristol Civic Leadership Project, led by local democracy experts at the University of Bristol and the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), assessed the perceptions of the public and of civic leaders towards the mayoral model of governance. By working with stakeholders it aims to influence policy in this area.
New website aims to improve understanding of chronic kidney disease
A new website is launched today that will help bridge the communication gap between healthcare professionals and patients diagnosed with mild chronic kidney disease (CKD) after research revealed a disparity between what GP’s explain and what patients understand about the condition. The resource has been developed by University of Bristol academics.
Largest review of clinical trials to date finds no increased risk of suicide in patients using Champix
Findings from the largest review of clinical trials to date to determine whether patients prescribed the smoking cessation drug Varenicline (brand name Champix in the UK) are at an increased risk of neuropsychiatric events are published online in the British Medical Journal [BMJ] today [12 Mar]. The study was carried out by researchers at the University of Bristol.
Bristol ChemLabS sets new Outreach record in China
Bristol ChemLabS, part of the School of Chemistry at the University of Bristol, pulled out all the stops to set a new Outreach record at the 2015 Science Alive public engagement event in Hong Kong earlier this month.
Could 2015 chart a new course for climate change?
Extreme weather events are predicted to become more common, warns a recent Nature study(1) but how much progress, if any, has been made by governments in controlling the advance of global warming? Lord Anthony Giddens, a world-renowned sociologist, will address the political issues posed by climate change at a free public lecture on Tuesday 17 March at the University of Bristol.
When should blood transfusions be given after cardiac surgery?
New research led by the University of Bristol has shown that patients having heart surgery do not benefit if doctors wait until a patient has become substantially anaemic before giving a blood transfusion.
Fossil skull sheds new light on transition from water to land
The first 3D reconstruction of the skull of a 360 million-year-old near-ancestor of land vertebrates has been created by scientists from the Universities of Bristol and Cambridge.
It’s sound - Bristol Pound encourages community unity
There is a rapidly growing momentum driving the development of mobile payment systems. New research by the universities of Bristol and Brunel has shown systems, such as the Bristol Pound, can have a positive effect on the local community by encouraging consumers to support and value their local businesses.
Government commits to new Bristol school for children with autism
A new all-through school in Bristol for children with autism has been given the go-ahead by the Department for Education. The Bristol Autism Free School will be sponsored by the Society of Merchant Venturers and the University of Bristol, which already jointly sponsor Merchants' Academy in south Bristol.
Bristol’s major employers sign up to a more energy efficient future
Bristol City Council, the University of Bristol and University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust (UH Bristol) have committed themselves to a more energy efficient future with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to work together on a district energy network.
Outdoor learning reaches lofty new heights
Helen Knowler, a Senior Lecturer in Education, has received funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ERSC) to develop an innovative treehouse-style outdoor learning environment for teenagers who struggle to cope in school.
Educating economists after the 2008 recession
Ensuring the future generation of economists are equipped with the ‘real-world’ skills they need in light of the recent financial crisis is one of the issues being addressed at a Bank of England event on Tuesday 17 March. The one-day conference, organised by the Economics Network at the University of Bristol, will explore a range of issues concerning economics education with a particular focus on the practical challenges of implementing change to the economics curriculum.
Shaun in the City flocks to Paddington
Although it’s famous for another fictional character, Paddington Train Station will soon be home to a giant Shaun the Sheep thanks to a new public art trail involving 120 eye-catching sculptures.
Researchers report new gene associated with thyroid levels
Thyroid hormones have important and diverse roles in human health and regulate metabolic rate. Thyroid disease is common (affecting 5-10 per cent of the population) and synthetic thyroid hormones are one of the commonest drug therapies prescribed worldwide. A new study, published in Nature Communications involving University of Bristol academics, reports a new gene called SYN2 associated with thyroid levels.