Discover the secrets of the garden
The University of Bristol Botanic Garden will be transformed into a living science lab this Sunday [19 May] for Fascination of Plants Day.
International
Apply now for the UKIERI Study India Programme 2014
Undergraduates interested in living and working in India can apply for this year’s UKIERI Study India Programme.
Scientists identify brain’s ‘molecular memory switch’
Scientists have identified a key molecule responsible for triggering the chemical processes in our brain linked to our formation of memories. The findings, published in the journal Frontiers in Neural Circuits, reveal a new target for therapeutic interventions to reverse the devastating effects of memory loss.
Study finds that maternal vitamin D levels in pregnancy do not affect children's bone health
A study of nearly 4,000 pairs of mothers and their children in the Children of the 90s study at the University of Bristol has shown that maternal vitamin D levels during pregnancy are not associated with the child's bone health in later life. The research, published online first in The Lancet, is the largest ever observational study of the effects of mothers' vitamin D levels in pregnancy on their children's bone health, and suggests that UK health guidelines may be overstating the importance of vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy.
Launch of world-leading power electronics research centre
A Centre for Power Electronics that will focus on delivering the underpinning science and engineering behind many low carbon technologies from electric vehicles to renewable energy generation and distribution has been launched thanks to funding of £18 million by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
Xenon gas successfully delivered to babies in ambulance
Two babies at risk of brain injury following a lack of oxygen at birth have received xenon gas and cooling therapy while being transferred from one hospital to another in a specially equipped ambulance.
Patients with chronic fatigue use additional areas of brain when using memory
Scientists studying the brain scans of chronic fatigue patients have found they use additional brain regions to do simple tasks requiring attention. This may explain the problems many sufferers have with memory. The findings are just one of several new studies being presented today [22 Apr] at the launch of a new UK-wide research body to advance understanding and treatment into this debilitating condition which affects over 600,000 people in the UK.
Exploring dinosaur growth
Tracking the growth of dinosaurs and how they changed as they grew is difficult. Using a combination of biomechanical analysis and bone histology, palaeontologists from Beijing, Bristol, and Bonn have shown how one of the best-known dinosaurs switched from four feet to two as it grew.
Boat noise stops fish finding home
Boat noise disrupts orientation behaviour in larval coral reef fish, according to new research from the Universities of Bristol, Exeter and Liège. Reef fish are normally attracted by reef sound but the study, conducted in French Polynesia, found that fish are more likely to swim away from recordings of reefs when boat noise is added.
Shape-shifting mobile devices
Prototype mobile devices that can change shape on-demand will be unveiled today [Monday 29 April] by academics in the University’s Department of Computer Science and could lay down the foundation for creating high shape resolution devices of the future.