International

Powerful new synthetic vaccines to combat epidemics

25 September 2019

A new type of vaccine that can be stored at warmer temperatures, removing the need for refrigeration, has been developed for mosquito-borne virus Chikungunya in a major advance in vaccine technology. The findings, published in Science Advances today [Wednesday 25 September], reveal exceptionally promising results for the Chikungunya vaccine candidate, which has been engineered using a synthetic protein scaffold that could revolutionise the way vaccines are designed, produced and stored.

Ultrasound accelerates skin healing – especially for diabetics and the elderly

13 July 2015

Healing times for skin ulcers and bedsores can be reduced by a third with the use of low-intensity ultrasound, scientists from the Universities of Sheffield and Bristol have found.

Could biological clocks in plants set the time for crop spraying?

16 August 2019

Plants can tell the time, and this affects their responses to certain herbicides used in agriculture according to new research led by the University of Bristol. The study, in collaboration with Syngenta, found that plant circadian rhythms regulate the sensitivity of plants to a widely used herbicide according to the time of day. The findings could benefit agriculture by reducing crop loss and improving harvests.

Tough Mudder challenge for paralysed student Rob

20 August 2015

Student Rob Camm will be the first tetraplegic in the world to take part in a Tough Mudder challenge – navigating the gruelling course on a special wheelchair which he controls with his chin. The 21-year-old, who studies politics and philosophy at the University of Bristol, was left paralysed from the neck down and is reliant on a ventilator after a car crash two years ago.

Adult fly intestine could help understand intestinal regeneration

25 September 2019

Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) are exposed to diverse types of environmental stresses such as bacteria and toxins, but the mechanisms by which epithelial cells sense stress are not well understood. New research by the universities of Bristol, Heidelberg and the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have found that Nox-ROS-ASK1-MKK3-p38 signaling in IECs integrates various stresses to facilitate intestinal regeneration.

Cardiologist elected to post with the European Society of Cardiology

15 September 2015

A Bristol cardiology consultant lecturer has been elected to a prestigious post with the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).

New insight into bacterial infections found in the noses of healthy cattle

16 August 2019

New research led by academics at the University of Bristol Veterinary and Medical Schools used the 'One Health' approach to study three bacterial species in the noses of young cattle and found the carriage of the bacteria was surprisingly different. The findings which combined ideas and methods from both animal and human health research could help prevent and control respiratory diseases.

International consortium hopes to ensure high-speed internet for the future

14 September 2015

The next generation of mobile wireless systems, known as “5G”, will ensure that the internet is always accessible and if a new European project, 5G-XHaul, achieves its ambitious goals then coverage dead spots will be a thing of the past.

Rebel robot helps researchers understand human-machine cooperation

22 October 2019

In a new twist on human-robot research, computer scientists at the University of Bristol have developed a handheld robot that first predicts then frustrates users by rebelling against their plans, thereby demonstrating an understanding of human intention.

Engineering students create volcano-monitoring UAS during design challenge

14 September 2015

Engineering students from the University of Bristol are developing a unique unmanned airborne system (UAS) that will be used to monitor the activity of a live volcano in Latin America.