News

Longevity gene from supercentenarians offers hope for disease that causes rapid ageing in children

16 October 2025

A new breakthrough in a rare genetic disease which causes children to age rapidly has been discovered using ‘longevity genes’ found in people who live exceptionally long lives - over 100 years old. The research, by the University of Bristol and IRCCS MultiMedica, found these genes which helps keep the heart and blood vessels healthy during ageing could reverse the damage caused by this life-limiting disease.

New weight loss pill aims to bridge gap in obesity treatments

15 October 2025

An innovative new pill could soon offer a new and affordable weight management treatment, following a successful clinical trial involving University of Bristol researchers and supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The results are published in Obesity today [15 October].

The winning team of the PEN Award 2025 ‘Communicating Effectively with Patients and Families’ category

Online guide launched to support people affected by vulval lichen sclerosus wins national award

14 October 2025

An online guide to support people affected by vulval lichen sclerosus (LS) has won a national award. Since its launch earlier this year, the guide has been viewed by over 23,000 people in more than 50 countries.

New breakthrough shows promise for protecting people against kidney damage in type 1 diabetes

14 October 2025

A new gene therapy approach aimed at protecting people with type 1 diabetes from developing diabetic kidney disease — a serious and common complication of the condition, has shown promising results in a University of Bristol study.

Artwork of a child's height being measured

New method brings growth charts to children with rare genetic conditions

13 October 2025

Growth charts for children with rare genetic disorders - giving healthcare professionals and families clearer guidance on how a child is developing - have been created by an international team, led by the University of Bristol.

Cholesterol-lowering drugs could reduce the risk of dementia, study finds

10 October 2025

Low cholesterol can reduce the risk of dementia, a new University of Bristol-led study with more than a million participants has shown.

Tweeting at night linked with worse mental wellbeing, new study finds

10 October 2025

Posting on Twitter (also known as X) throughout the night is associated with worse mental wellbeing, according to a new study from the University of Bristol published in Scientific Reports today [10 October].

View of people's legs walking along the pavement

Distribution of fat could influence cancer risk, study suggests

24 September 2025

How fat is distributed in people’s bodies could make a difference to their risk of certain cancers, according to new research led by the University of Bristol. The international study is published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (JNCI) today [24 September].

New Mental Health Research Group launches to support young people

15 September 2025

Mental health problems can have a significant impact on people’s lives, with most emerging before the age of 25. Working in partnership with local organisations to enhance and complement existing mental health services, a new Mental Health Research Group (MHRG) has launched today [15 September].

Child deaths higher during winter in England, new analysis finds

10 September 2025

More child deaths occur in winter months compared with the rest of the year, new findings by the University of Bristol-led National Child Mortality Database (NCMD) have shown. The findings are published today [10 September]. NCMD records all child deaths in England before their 18th birthday.

Head of Bristol Medical School prepares for latest epic challenge in 20-year swimming history

18 August 2025

“Prioritise making time for what makes you happy,” says Professor Chrissie Thirlwell, who as well as being a Medical Oncologist and Head of the University of Bristol Medical School, is about to embark on the latest in a 20-year journey across the world’s seas as she raises money for a charity close to her heart.

Pioneering research reveals worldwide scale of Hepatitis C among babies and children

28 July 2025

A new study, coinciding with World Hepatitis day, has estimated for the first time the number of children born globally with hepatitis C virus.

New genetic analysis predicts risk of adult obesity from childhood

21 July 2025

A new genetic analysis using data from over five million people has provided a clearer understanding of the risk of going on to live with obesity. New research led by the Universities of Copenhagen and Bristol shows analysing genes at a young age may support early strategies to prevent obesity developing later in life.

University experts team up with Team GB hockey Olympian to make school PE kits fitter for purpose and put ball in pupils’ court

17 July 2025

Top researchers have united with Team GB hockey player and sports inclusivity trailblazer Tess Howard MBE on a mission to help teenage girls feel more comfortable in their school PE uniforms – and own bodies – in a bid to boost self-confidence and sports participation.

Image shows a painting of a parent holding a child's hand, created by a bereaved mother.

Research reveals majority of children who die in England have life-limiting conditions and exposes inequities in palliative care provision

10 July 2025

New research shows the majority of child deaths in England were among children with life-limiting conditions and highlights key shortcomings with their end-of-life care, prompting calls for urgent reform to tackle inequities in care.

Dr Tilly Gardener who graduated with a medical degree from the University of Bristol

Inspirational Bristol student overcomes eating disorder to graduate as a doctor

9 July 2025

An inspirational student whose dream of becoming a doctor was threatened after battling an eating disorder and learning that her BMI was below the General Medical Council’s fitness to practise threshold wants to show others that perseverance pays off as she graduates from the University of Bristol with a distinction in medicine. In the top 5% of her class, she’s now set to begin her first rotation in geriatrics — a field close to her heart — at an NHS hospital in Chesterfield and Derby.

Bristol graduate overcomes life-changing injuries to fulfil dream of becoming a doctor

8 July 2025

“It’s never too late” – these are the words Paul Edwards stands by, as he achieves his dream of graduating as a doctor from the University of Bristol. It's a milestone that almost never came as Paul’s journey to medicine began not with a university offer, but with a life-changing accident.

International experts and patients unite to help ensure all patients are fully informed before consenting to new surgical procedures

8 July 2025

Leading doctors, researchers, and lawyers have joined forces with patient representatives and created the first-ever information guide to better support and protect patients across the world who are considering pioneering, but also potentially risky, surgery.

New study finds routine vaccination holds key to reducing future mpox outbreaks in England

2 July 2025

Continuing to vaccinate for mpox through a routine targeted programme for gay and bisexual men delivered by sexual health services will greatly reduce the number of cases and save the NHS millions, new research has found.

New exhibition explores mental health and community through art

2 July 2025

How does it feel to live in Weston-super-Mare when you are struggling with your mental health? What resources exist in the local community – and what barriers are there to accessing them? A new free exhibition coming to Weston Museum from Tuesday 8 to Thursday 17 July explores these questions through the creative storytelling of people who often feel excluded.

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