Faculty of Health Sciences

Study reports mixed findings on medical efficacy of cannabis

A large-scale review that evaluated the medical efficacy of cannabinoids — the active chemical compounds in marijuana — across a range of conditions found there is moderate evidence to support the use of cannabinoids for the treatment of chronic pain and spasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis. The meta-analysis, led by the University of Bristol and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, analysed the results of 79 different randomised-controlled studies involving more than 6,400 patients to investigate the benefits and side effects of medical cannabinoids.

Finding hope in the dark

Advances in stem cell transplantation and gene therapy have been pioneered in vision research. An international team of researchers from Bristol, Toronto, Pittsburgh, Dallas and Montreal have identified a gene that could be responsible for some cases of human night blindness.

Increasing value of ivory poses major threat to elephant populations

The global price of ivory increased tenfold since its 1989 trade ban by the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), new research has found. The University of Bristol Veterinary School study, published in Biological Conservation [25 July], is the first to analyse trends in global ivory market values since the ban came into effect.

Bristol leads on sustainability in healthcare education

Cooling baby treatment one of ‘Nation’s Lifesavers’

A University of Bristol researcher who discovered that cooling babies who have suffered a lack of oxygen at birth improves their survival without brain damage in later childhood, is named by Universities UK as one of the ‘Nation’s Lifesavers’.

Research suggests earlier kitten neutering does not affect bodyweight in later life

Cats that are neutered at four months old compared to the traditional six months old are not at any greater risk of weight problems as they age, new research has found.

When is a child too sick for daycare? Study explores parents’ decision-making

It’s a common dilemma faced by many working parents: your child has a cough or a cold, do you send them to nursery? Researchers from the University of Bristol have, for the first time, investigated the process of decision-making that parents go through when faced with this situation.

Study reveals hip and knee replacement performance in England and Wales

The performance of different prosthetic implant combinations used in patients undergoing hip and knee replacements in England and Wales over the last 14 years have, for the first time, been directly compared in two new studies. The University of Bristol findings, published in the BMJ Open today [Tuesday 30 April], reveal substantial variability in the performance of different joint replacements, and the number of patients requiring a second surgery.

Study reveals schools failing to address most common form of bullying: Weight-based victimisation

A concerning gap in school anti-bullying policies has been revealed in a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded study by the University of Bristol and University of Bath. While weight-based bullying is reportedly the most common form experienced by students, fewer than 7% of schools in southwest England explicitly address it in their anti-bullying policies according to the study published in BMC Public Health.

Public invited to get involved in dementia research in the West

Scientists are inviting members of the public to find out about dementia research in the region at a free event [31 March] which aims to improve patient and public involvement in studies.