‘Shorter toilet queues are here to stay!’
Queues for the women’s toilets are swiftly becoming a thing of the past, with the UK’s first ‘squat and go’ urinals now a “permanent fixture” at UK events.
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News in March
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Student who beat eating disorder now running London Marathon
An inspirational student who spent nine months in an eating disorder clinic wants to show others “there is always hope”.
University of Bristol and UCL to lead support hub for UK's longitudinal population studies
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.
Study highlights potential new approach for early intervention for diabetic patients at risk of kidney disease
Researchers at the University of Bristol have uncovered a mechanism by which a hormone can protect the blood vessels in the kidneys from the damage caused by diabetes. In doing so, the team has identified a potential early treatment strategy to prevent or slow progression of kidney disease in people with diabetes. The study, part-funded by Kidney Research UK, is published in Diabetes.
UK rabbit owners can recognise pain in their pets, study finds
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.
Researchers a step closer to a cure for HIV
A new study involving University of Bristol researchers has shown a virus-like particle (HLP) can effectively 'shock and kill' the latent HIV reservoir.
Report warns performing arts under threat from future global shocks unless lessons are learned from pandemic
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.
Nature's artistry springs to life at the Botanic Garden
Human creativity and the natural world will be on display this weekend at the University of Bristol Botanic Garden annual Easter Sculpture and Arts Festival. The event marks the start of the gardening year as the garden springs into life.
New partnership set to upskill workforce and advance research to achieve more sustainable future
An exciting agreement aiming to reshape the educational and economic landscape of the South West in pursuit of green goals has been signed by the University of Bristol and Bridgwater & Taunton College.
Harnessing wind power for international shipping receives new wave of funding
Bristol-based maritime engineering start-up WingTek, in collaboration with the University of Bristol and the National Composites Centre, has won a £2.2m innovation grant.
Patient recovery after surgery for oesophageal cancer isn’t influenced by using standard or keyhole incisions
New research has found no evidence of a difference between recovery time and complications when comparing standard and keyhole surgical incisions for the treatment of oesophageal cancer (cancer of the gullet). The study, led by the University of Bristol Medical School and published in the British Journal of Surgery, showed surgeons treating patients with oesophageal cancer do not need to change their practice if they have a strong preference for either procedure type.
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Bristol graduates are fifth most targeted by top employers
Graduates from the University of Bristol are the fifth most sought after by top employers, a study has found.
App can help people reduce their alcohol intake
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.
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University of Bristol academic to chair prestigious tech conference in San Diego
Professor Dimitra Simeonidou, Director of the Smart Internet Lab at the University of Bristol, will take a leading role at the upcoming Optical Fiber Communications (OFC) Conference and Exhibition being held in San Diego, California.
Students and staff meet UK’s Spanish Ambassador to further strengthen Hispanic relations
More than 100 students and staff enjoyed thoughtful conversations with the Ambassador of Spain to the United Kingdom as part of a visit to further Spanish engagement across education and research.
Shakespeare’s sister: how using digital archives revealed hidden insights into world famous playwright’s unknown sibling
By analysing digital copies of an incredibly rare and obscure 17th century Italian religious text, a University of Bristol academic has revealed that a long-lost document previously thought to have been written by William Shakespeare’s father belongs in fact to his relatively unknown sister Joan.
New online resource to help healthcare professionals treat patients with infections after hip replacement surgery
Although infection after hip replacement surgery is relatively rare (around 1 in 100), the impact on patients’ lives can be devastating. A new NHS England eLearning programme, website and toolkit has been developed to help healthcare professionals understand and implement best-practice guidelines on treating and supporting patients with prosthetic hip joint infection.
Nudging the public’s thirst for draught alcohol-free beers could significantly reduce alcohol-associated harms
Making alcohol-free beer more widely available on draught in pubs and bars may help people switch from alcoholic to alcohol-free beer, a new study published in Addiction today [21 March], has found. Pubs and bars taking part in the University of Bristol-led trial saw an increase in sales of healthier non-alcoholic draught beer.
Bristol’s Children of the 90s seeks participants to attend its biggest ever clinic
Thousands of Bristol and Weston families are already part of the world-renowned Children of the 90s health study based at the University of Bristol. Their participation has led to many scientific discoveries about health. From how babies can safely sleep on their backs to genes that may cause obesity or deteriorating liver health in young people – much of what is now known about health is due to Children of the 90s data, and the study is now calling on more people to take part.
Bristol Composites Institute makes two key appointments to enable new technology partnerships
The Bristol Composites Institute (BCI) at the University of Bristol has appointed two prominent sector leaders as Honorary Industrial Professors.
Discovery sheds new light on lost Bristol landmark
The exact location of a long-lost stone cross erected by the 14th century that acted as a boundary marker to define the then city limits of Bristol, and which was also the site of a gallows which stood for hundreds of years, has been discovered by an historian from the University of Bristol.
Bristol heart research receives funding boost thanks to European partnership
A Bristol researcher will join forces with a team in the Netherlands to drive breakthroughs in heart and circulatory diseases research, thanks to a pioneering partnership between the British Heart Foundation (BHF), Dutch Heart Foundation (DHF) and German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK).
University of Bristol experts appointed Senior Investigators by National Institute of Health and Care Research
Two University of Bristol academics have been awarded Senior Investigator status by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
‘Transformative’: Event celebrates Bristol as a University of Sanctuary
Students praised the “transformative potential of education” at a special event celebrating the University of Bristol as a University of Sanctuary.
University of Bristol collaboration secures nearly £2 million for technical experts
A pioneering new project that will develop the abilities of Research Technical Professionals (RTPs) and support them to build the skills to work with industrial partners to address real-world challenges and opportunities has been awarded £1.97 million.
Rapid realist review reveals how to achieve effective virtual wards for people with frailty
Proactive care, a whole-system approach and a ‘team-of-teams’ are important elements in achieving effective virtual wards for people with frailty, according to the first rapid realist review of the evidence. The findings of the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded review, published in Age and Ageing and involving University of Bristol researchers, also apply to multidisciplinary virtual wards for other complex conditions.
Waist-to-height ratio detects fat obesity in children and adolescents significantly better than BMI, study finds
An inexpensive measure of obesity in children and adolescents that could replace body mass index (BMI) has been identified in a new study as waist circumference-to-height ratio. This measure detected excess fat mass and distinguished fat mass from muscle mass in children and adolescents more accurately than BMI. The study, published in Pediatric Research, was conducted in collaboration between the universities of Bristol, Exeter and Eastern Finland.
£2.2 million for clinical trial to improve general practice response to men and children affected by domestic abuse
A new clinical trial of a general practice programme to improve the identification and referral of men and children affected by domestic abuse begins in May thanks to a £2.2 million National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) award to University of Bristol researchers, in partnership with Oxford University and the social enterprise IRISi.
Prelaunch event held for new £11m REWIRE Innovation and Knowledge Centre
A special prelaunch event was held for the UKRI’s new Innovation and Knowledge Centre (IKC) REWIRE at the University of Bristol on Tuesday (12 March).
Tsetse fly fertility damaged after just one heatwave, study finds
The fertility of both female and male tsetse flies is affected by a single burst of hot weather, researchers at the University of Bristol and Stellenbosch University in South Africa have found.
Bristol leaps ahead in training next generation of leaders to tackle major global challenges
Hundreds of talented scientists and engineers are set to advance solutions for some of the world’s most pressing challenges, ranging from reaching net-zero and developing sustainable energy to improving digital security and making the latest health breakthroughs.
Cancer survivor who could barely walk now running to help others
A lecturer who survived stage 4 cancer thanks to a stem cell transplant is running the London Marathon to help others in need.
Creative Art of Ageing competition proves hit with Zimbabwe and The Gambia communities
A creative arts competition giving older people in Zimbabwe and The Gambia a platform to express their experiences about ageing saw hundreds of entries showcase their artistic talent across four categories: music, dance, prose, and mixed media from across both countries. The competition, part of a University of Bristol led research project, hopes to improve the health and wellbeing of older people living in sub-Saharan Africa.
Happiness can be learnt, but we have to work at it – study finds
We can learn to be happy, but only get lasting benefits if we keep practising, a first-of-its-kind study has revealed.
New Digital Health Hub launches in South West England and Wales
A consortium of universities from across the South West of England and Wales have come together to form a brand new Digital Health Hub which will elevate the region’s digital health capability through leadership, engagement, acceleration and partnership (LEAP).
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Social worker inspired into profession by ‘larger than life’ late father-in-law
A newly-qualified social worker is now helping vulnerable children thanks to her “inspirational” father-in-law, who taught thousands of social workers before his tragic death aged 55.
New films share first-hand family experiences of living in unhealthy places
Four families explain the toll of living conditions on their physical and mental health in a series of films to help change urban planning policy and practice in the UK.
Breakthrough technology for energy storage launches today
A new cutting-edge energy storage technology has been developed by green energy company Superdielectrics Group Plc. This new technology stems from an ongoing collaboration with leading researchers at the University of Bristol who identified and validated the key mechanisms involved.
Bristol academic presents water supply research in Parliament
An engineer who is working to improve the provision of safe drinking water in Sub-Saharan Africa presented her research in Parliament this week as part of the STEM for BRITAIN initiative.
University of Bristol academic awarded prestigious social sciences fellowship
University of Bristol academic Professor Sarah Ayres has been elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in recognition of her significant contributions to the field of social sciences.