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News by Category: Superconductors New breast cancer test could save lives 06 May 2007 - University of Bristol A team of researchers at the University of Bristol is developing a revolutionary new test to detect breast cancer at an early stage. If successful, this test will be effective for women of all ages; given that breast cancer is the largest killer of women between the ages of 35-55 in Europe, the test could have a dramatic effect on the number of deaths from this disease. Parents of large families may be at greater risk of heart disease 06 May 2007 - University of Bristol Mothers and fathers of large families may have a higher risk of heart disease, according to new research by the University of Bristol. Dr Debbie Lawlor and colleagues in the Department of Social Medicine, analysed data from two UK Department of Health and British Heart Foundation sponsored studies of 4,286 women and 4,252 men aged 60 to 79. Peanut allergy may be linked to skin creams and soy milk 05 May 2007 - University of Bristol Interim research findings from the Children of the 90s study have identified possible risk factors for the development of peanut allergy in children. The research was commissioned by the UK Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and now taken over by the UK Food Standards Agency. Insect hearing helps nanoscience 05 May 2007 - University of Bristol Physicists and biologists at Bristol University are using the way that insects hear to devise new instruments for use in nanoscience. Using these new tools will then allow them to look even closer at how insects hear. This unusual symbiotic relationship between physicists and biologists means each helps the other’s science to progress. Can genetic research improve public health? 04 May 2007 - University of Bristol Genetic studies have an important part to play in the health of the general public, according to new research from Bristol University published today in the International Journal of Epidemiology. Is body mass index a risk factor for road traffic injuries? 03 May 2007 - University of Bristol Drivers who are overweight or underweight are at greater risk of suffering an injury in a road accident than people of average size, according to a study of deaths and injuries from motor vehicle accidents in New Zealand published in the current issue of the International Journal of Epidemiology. Groundbreaking research set to reduce suffering of millions of horses worldwide 03 May 2007 - University of Bristol New research is set to change the health and welfare of millions of working horses and donkeys in some of the poorest parts of the world. Equine welfare charity, the Brooke, together with the University of Bristol’s Veterinary School, have devised a research method to reduce the suffering of millions of working horses, donkeys and mules worldwide. Three-year-olds who spend more than eight hours watching television a week are at risk of obesity 02 May 2007 - University of Bristol The toddlers’ TV habit is just one of eight aspects of early life which have been found to be linked to the size and shape of British children by the time they are aged seven. Scientists discover the universe's smallest galaxies 02 May 2007 - University of Bristol A multi-national team of scientists has discovered an entirely new class of galaxy, the first such discovery since the 1930s. The team, headed by Dr Steve Phillipps, an astrophysicist at the University of Bristol, and Dr Michael Drinkwater of the University of Queensland, used the famous Hubble Space Telescope and the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope in Chile, amongst others, to study the galaxies, which they have christened ultra-compact dwarfs. Their findings are published in Nature this week. Bristol scientist challenges new study on powerlines and childhood leukaemia 01 May 2007 - University of Bristol In response to the study by Dr David Lloyd and colleagues published in the British Journal of Cancer today, Professor Denis Henshaw of Bristol University has questioned whether the study provides evidence that powerlines do not cause childhood leukaemia, given the already acknowledged link between childhood leukaemia risk and exposure to magnetic fields, such as those found near high voltage powerlines. Breastfeeding and blood pressure 01 May 2007 - University of Bristol Breastfeeding is as good for children's blood pressure as exercise and dietary salt restriction, according to research from Bristol University published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood. The longer the period of breastfeeding, the lower the blood pressure reading, the research found. New drug could transform treatment of Alzheimer's 30 April 2007 - University of Bristol Research conducted by Professor Gordon Wilcock of the University of Bristol, with colleagues in the UK and Canada, could result in one of the most exciting advances in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, if current results are confirmed by Phase 3 trials. Diet important for children's bones 30 April 2007 - University of Bristol The foods our children eat in early life affects the health of their skeleton in later childhood, according to research revealed at the Ninth Bath Conference on Osteoporosis. Less fruit for toddlers when Mum smokes 29 April 2007 - University of Bristol What a child eats is highly influenced by whether the mother smokes, according to research published by Bristol's Children of the 90s study. Children of smokers ate less fruit and fibre, but more crisps, chips and sweetened drinks than children of non-smokers. The level of the mother's education is another major factor affecting diet, and to a lesser extent the mother's age. Low birth weight linked to psychological distress 29 April 2007 - University of Bristol Low birth weight is associated with adult psychological distress, according to a new study. The research found that children born full term but weighing less than 5.5 lbs (almost 3% of the total sample) had a 50% increased risk of psychological distress in later life. This remained the case after taking into account potential confounding factors, such as the father's social class, maternal age and adult marital status. Early vision tests help cure childhood eye problems 28 April 2007 - University of Bristol The long-standing debate over the need for toddlers' eye tests is re-awakened by a new research paper published by the Children of the 90s project. Controversially, pre-school screening for amblyopia, or lazy eye, has been abandoned in much of the UK on the grounds that it can be done more effectively at school age and that age at starting treatment is irrelevant. Renewed hope for Parkinson's patients 28 April 2007 - University of Bristol Analysis of the brain of a patient suffering from Parkinson's Disease has shown that the experimental treatment he received caused regrowth of the nerve fibres that are lost in this disease. This is the first time that any treatment has been shown to reverse the loss of nerve fibres in Parkinson's Disease. Stomach ache and emotional problems 27 April 2007 - University of Bristol A new study of persistent tummy ache in young children has come to the conclusion that for some it may be linked to emotional problems in their families. Researchers say that doctors treating children for recurrent abdominal pain may need to consider psychological symptoms in those children and in their parents. Working mums: the impact on children's early development 27 April 2007 - University of Bristol Mothers who return to fulltime work soon after the birth of their baby would do well to pick their childminder carefully, because it could have long term effects on the development of their child. New approach to autoimmune diseases 26 April 2007 - University of Bristol A new approach to the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and multiple sclerosis is being developed by scientists at Bristol University. Brain science, addiction and drugs 26 April 2007 - University of Bristol New treatments for disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease; improved treatments for addiction, and the development of cognition enhancers, a variety of products that improve mental function, could be less than 20 years away. Sex differences in the heart 25 April 2007 - University of Bristol New research has identified a potential key to understanding the sex differences in heart function. This exciting development could minimise fatal heart disturbances in women. Chronic diseases linked to falls in elderly women 25 April 2007 - University of Bristol Elderly women with chronic diseases, such as arthritis and depression, are at higher risk of falling, finds a study in this week’s BMJ. In fact, chronic diseases may account for 30% of falls in this group. Test offers new hope for leukaemia children 24 April 2007 - University of Bristol A lifesaving test which gives advance warning of leukaemia relapse in children is thecentrepiece of a major new trial which gets underway this month. Piloted for the last year in Bristol and several centres across the UK, the test ensures the accurate detection of minute numbers of leukaemia cells (minimal residual disease, or MRD) that remain after treatment but cannot be detected under the microscope. Recent use of antibiotics doubles your chances of being resistant 24 April 2007 - University of Bristol A new study has shown that a prescription of antibiotics taken within the previous two months doubles the chances of patients carrying antibiotic resistant bacteria. The same effect was not seen in patients who had had antibiotics prescribed within the previous 12 months. Benefits of fish oil to osteoarthritis sufferers 23 April 2007 - University of Bristol A team of researchers in Bristol is hoping to produce definitive evidence that taking fish oil can help people suffering from the painful joint condition of osteoarthritis. One billion children suffer effects of poverty 23 April 2007 - University of Bristol A new study for UNICEF by the Townsend Centre for International Poverty Research at the University of Bristol and the London School of Economics has produced the first scientific measurements of child poverty in the developing world. New insight into memory function 22 April 2007 - University of Bristol Research published in Nature this week suggests that the computational power of the brain is even greater than we previously thought. The new findings show how single cells in the brain can represent more than one experience at the same time, such as where you are and what you are doing. These results could lead to a greater understanding of how the brain processes memories. Pioneering research into the work of deaf educators 22 April 2007 - University of Bristol Researchers at the University's Centre for Deaf Studies have conducted what is thought to be the world's first in-depth study of Deaf educators.The project, funded by the Leverhulme Trust, identified a series of findings, including the existence of unrecognised Deaf educators. Socially deprived less likely to get treatment 21 April 2007 - University of Bristol People living in deprived areas or working in manual occupations are less likely to receive cholesterol and blood pressure-lowering treatment than more affluent people. Heart disease, estimating your risk 21 April 2007 - University of Bristol Current methods used by GPs to work out an individuals' future risk of heart disease appear to overestimate the true risk by about 50. The research team, led by Dr Peter Brindle, a Bristol University researcher and city GP, also found that 84% of the coronary heart disease deaths that actually occurred during the study period, were in men predicted to be at low risk. Predicting the spread of skin cancer 20 April 2007 - University of Bristol A new way of predicting whether skin cancers will spread to other organs is published this week in the British Journal of Cancer. This means that resources can be concentrated on those patients most in need of close follow up, and lead to earlier detection of the cancer spreading. How eating (and growing) could improve your IQ 20 April 2007 - University of Bristol The connection between childhood growth and levels of intelligence is explored in a new study from the Children of the 90s project. Scientists at the University of Bristol have shown that there appears to be a link between the growth hormone IGF-I and the child’s IQ. The findings could explain why some shorter children do worse at school. New study reveals link between suicide and body mass index 19 April 2007 - University of Bristol A new study has found a link between a person’s weight body mass index and their risk of suicide, after studying over a million Swedish men. The study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that as a person’s body mass index rose their risk of suicide fell. Stress gene found in plants 19 April 2007 - University of Bristol A single gene has been discovered that helps plants cope with stressful situations such as disease or poor environments. Scientists at the universities of Bristol and Oxford isolated and characterised the gene called OXI1 (pronounced oxy-one) from thale cress, a common roadside weed. OXI1 boosts the plant's ability to stop fungal infection from spreading, and helps roots to grow despite poor conditions. Breastfeeding linked to lower blood pressure 18 April 2007 - University of Bristol Doctors at the University of Bristol have reported that the benefits of breastfeeding could pay off many years later by helping to reduce levels of blood pressure, a factor that contributes to heart attacks in later life. Paternal ancestors’ experiences can affect development, health and survival 18 April 2007 - University of Bristol New research has provided evidence for ‘environmental inheritance’, a radical theory of transgenerational genetic adaptation proposed by Professor Marcus Pembrey of the Institute of Child Health, UCL in the mid 1990’s The latest evidence challenges accepted thinking on genetic inheritance, suggesting that historic events can contribute to some common modern illnesses. Breakthrough in treatment for osteoarthritis sufferers 17 April 2007 - University of Bristol Scientists at the University of Bristol have given arthritis sufferers new hope of an effective treatment after a breakthrough in stem cell research. Professor Anthony Hollander and his team at Southmead Hospital have successfully grown human cartilage from a patient's own stem cells for the first time ever. New from the International Journal of Epidemiology 17 April 2007 - University of Bristol The first epidemiological study to be conducted in the UK on reproduction following service in the Gulf War in the early ‘90s is published today in the International Journal of Epidemiology, edited in the Department of Social Medicine at the University of Bristol. Bristol scientists aim to develop osteoarthritis test 16 April 2007 - University of Bristol Bristol researchers are hoping to develop simple blood tests which could predict the severity of osteoarthritis, a common, disabling joint condition which affects more than two million people in the UK. Benefits of flu vaccine substantially overestimated says study 16 April 2007 - University of Bristol Studies of influenza vaccine effectiveness in elderly people substantially overestimate vaccine benefits, according to new research from the US published today in the International Journal of Epidemiology, edited at the University of Bristol. Why are people from big families at greater risk of a stroke? 15 April 2007 - University of Bristol Babies who suffer severe diarrhoea in the first few months of their lives could be at greater risk of suffering a stroke many years later. New research published by Bristol’s Children of the 90s study shows how the small proportion of babies who were so ill they had to be taken to hospital for dehydration appeared to have higher blood pressure at the age of seven. New study rules out connection between whooping cough vaccine and asthma 15 April 2007 - University of Bristol Parents who may be concerned by a scare over the side effects of the whooping cough vaccine will be reassured by a new study involving thousands of children. The Department of Health advice that babies should be vaccinated against whooping cough (pertussis) at the age of two, three and four months has been questioned by some scientists who have suggested a link with asthma and allergies. How doctors can predict the risk of adult diseases in infancy 14 April 2007 - University of Bristol A new way of predicting which young children are most at risk of eventually contracting diabetes and heart disease in adult life is being developed by researchers at Cambridge University, with help from Bristol’s Children of the 90s. Benefits of a seafood diet outweigh the risks 14 April 2007 - University of Bristol Restrictions on fish consumption during pregnancy could have damaging consequences for the child in the womb. Under current guidelines in the United States, pregnant women, or those likely to become pregnant are advised to limit overall consumption of seafood to 12 oz per week (340 g). The advice by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration was designed to protect against traces of methyl mercury in fish. Acupuncture deactivates 'pain area' in brain 13 April 2007 - University of Bristol An experiment conducted in the BBC TV series Alternative Medicine: The Evidence presented by scientist Professor Kathy Sykes from Bristol University, shows that acupuncture has a powerful and measurable effect on the human brain. The effect is surprising, because scientists have previously predicted that parts of the cortex would be activated during acupuncture. This unique experiment suggests that, on the contrary, parts of the brain, beyond the cortex, are actually deactivated. Vitamins not associated with reduced heart disease 13 April 2007 - University of Bristol Eating large amounts of antioxidant vitamins (vitamins A, C and E) is unlikely to prevent heart disease and other diseases such as cancer according to a new study by the Universities of Bristol and London published in this week’s edition of The Lancet. Magnetic glue found in superconductors 12 April 2007 - University of Bristol A breakthrough has been made by a team of scientists, led by Professor Stephen Hayden from the University of Bristol, in understanding how high temperature superconductors work. Their results, announced today in Nature, suggest they have found the ‘binding glue’ that allows superconductivity to happen. Music, media and the brain 12 April 2007 - University of Bristol Does listening to music benefit the mind? How much do advertising and the media influence our decisions and behaviour? Dr John Barrett, an experimental psychologist at the University of Bristol, will attempt to answer these fascinating questions at two free lunchtime public talks, taking place this February. New study reveals true levels of poverty in Britain 11 April 2007 - University of Bristol A quarter of British adults are poor and one third of children are forced to go without at least one of the things they need, such as three meals a day, toys, out of school activities or adequate clothing, according to the most comprehensive survey of poverty and social exclusion ever undertaken. Launched at the House of Lords, Poverty and social exclusion in Britain: The Millennium survey shows that three million adults and 400,000 children are not properly fed by today's standards. Leg length linked to coronary heart disease 11 April 2007 - University of Bristol Researchers at Bristol University have found a link between adult leg length, an indicator of diet and living conditions during childhood, and coronary heart disease in women. Superbug increasingly resistant to last resort antibiotic 10 April 2007 - University of Bristol Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that are increasingly resistant to vancomycin, the antibiotic of last resort in the war against superbugs, have emerged independently in at least eight countries including the UK, according to new research from the Universities of Bath and Bristol and Southmead Hospital in Bristol. The research is published this month in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases. Cause of ongoing spontaneous pain discovered 10 April 2007 - University of Bristol New research shows that it is undamaged nerve fibres that cause ongoing spontaneous pain, not those that are injured. Previous research into ongoing chronic pain has tended to focus on the damaged nerve fibres after injury or disease and overlooked the intact fibres. This new understanding may help pharmaceutical companies formulate novel pain killers. No pacemakers in the brain may explain cot death 09 April 2007 - University of Bristol The mystery of cot death may be explained by new research published online in Nature Neuroscience. A failure to ‘gasp’ has long been proposed as the basis for sudden infant death syndrome, or cot death. A team at the University of Bristol has discovered a subset of cells in the brain that have the ability to self-generate nervous impulses, which appear essential for gasping. These cells have been termed ‘pacemakers’. Fish and children: seafood may improve development 09 April 2007 - University of Bristol A new study of children in Bristol has shown that women who ate fish regularly during pregnancy had children with better language and communication skills by the age of 18 months. Study questions link between antibiotics and asthma 08 April 2007 - University of Bristol Antibiotic use early in life does not increase the subsequent risk of asthma, according to a new study by an international team of researchers. Previous research has indicated that infections in early life may offer protection from developing asthma. Panorama investigations linked to rise in adverse drug reports 08 April 2007 - University of Bristol The number of adverse reactions reported by UK doctors to the antidepressant paroxetine, often know by its brand name Seroxat, rose by 61 per cent after three editions of the BBC’s award-winning current affairs programme Panorama explored increasing concerns about the drug. Cancer trigger arrested by molecular handcuffs 07 April 2007 - University of Bristol A molecule that promotes cell growth, and is frequently increased in different types of tumours, can be restrained by a molecular version of handcuffs, raising the prospect of a new way of treating the disease according to new research from the University of Bristol, funded by Cancer Research UK. New study reveals widening gap between rich and poor 07 April 2007 - University of Bristol Researchers at the University of Sheffield have created a Census atlas of the UK, which compares Census data with other data. The atlas maps the current picture and change in all key Census topics, from age and sex to qualifications and employment. It also reports on trends and statistics on poverty, income and wealth from the Breadline Britain Surveys and other sources. New from the International Journal of Epidemiology 06 April 2007 - University of Bristol A study of French power company employees has found a significant link between depression and the development of coronary heart disease. The research is published today in the International Journal of Epidemiology, edited in the Department of Social Medicine at Bristol University. New understanding of DNA repair 06 April 2007 - University of Bristol A mechanism by which genes are repaired has been described in detail for the first time. This new understanding may, in the long term, provide the scientific foundation upon which therapies to treat genetic diseases or cancers can be built. New way to detect early breast cancer 05 April 2007 - University of Bristol A safer way to test for early-stage breast cancer has secured new funding to further develop the technique. The new technique will enable women to be tested regularly without the fear of over-exposure to radiation, a problem with existing X-ray tests. New study of children's behaviour problems 05 April 2007 - University of Bristol A new study of children’s behaviour problems has come to the conclusion that there is no discernible link with the three-in-one vaccine now being phased out in the UK. Tiny babies may face development and behaviour problems 04 April 2007 - University of Bristol The long term difficulties facing Britain’s “miracle babies” are revealed by a new study following the lives of some of the tiniest infants born in this country. Researchers have been watching the development of all the children who were born 15 weeks or more early across the UK in the first 10 months of 1995. Understanding how we hear 04 April 2007 - University of Bristol A new understanding of how we can hear such a wide range of sounds is reported in the online issue of Nature. The study, by researchers at the universities of Bristol, Wisconsin and Cambridge, describes a new mechanism for amplifying sounds within the inner ear. Bottle-fed babies who graduate to solid food too early could be storing up weight problems for years to come 04 April 2007 - University of Bristol A new study of babies' feeding habits suggests that in families who do not follow guidelines on weaning, the children may turn out to be heavier than expected by the age of five, and so may be at increased risk of obesity as they got older. Magnetic resonance imaging not sufficient for MS diagnosis 03 April 2007 - University of Bristol The accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging is not sufficient to rule in or rule out a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis with a high degree of certainty, according to new research from Bristol University’s Department of Social Medicine, published online by the BMJ. Magnetic resonance imaging not sufficient for MS diagnosis 03 April 2007 - University of Bristol The accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging is not sufficient to rule in or rule out a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis with a high degree of certainty, according to new research from Bristol University’s Department of Social Medicine, published online by the BMJ. New study highlights variations in psychiatric hospital admission rates 03 April 2007 - University of Bristol Annual psychiatric hospital admission rates in England vary markedly from region to region, according to a new study from the University of Bristol published in the British Journal of Psychiatry this week. Heart disease risk factors rooted in childhood 02 April 2007 - University of Bristol Lifestyle factors that increase the risk of heart disease in adults begin to take hold in childhood, and possibly even before birth, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of Bristol and published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association. Benefits of omega 3 fats questioned 02 April 2007 - University of Bristol These findings do not rule out an important effect of omega 3 fats, but suggest that the evidence should be reviewed regularly, say the researchers from the University of Bristol. Discovery that could prevent limb loss 01 April 2007 - University of Bristol Diabetes sufferers have been given new hope in a groundbreaking study that has found causes of a condition that can lead to lower limb loss. The Action Medical Research study has found a link between oxygen deficiency in skin tissue and the formation of leg ulcers in people with a circulatory problem known as peripheral vascular disease. Diabetes sufferers are particularly susceptible to developing this condition. Air fresheners can make mothers and babies ill 01 April 2007 - University of Bristol Air fresheners and aerosols can make babies and their mothers ill, research from the University of Bristol’s Children of the 90s study has revealed. A number of previous studies have shown that air fresheners and aerosols are responsible for high levels of volatile organic compounds in the home. Suicidal thoughts more common among women 31 March 2007 - University of Bristol One in 38 women and 1 in 50 men in Britain develop suicidal thoughts in a year, but less than 1 in 200 of these people kill themselves, according to new work published in the November issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry. The research was carried out by the University of Bristol and the Office for National Statistics. Why do people with learning difficulties self-harm? 31 March 2007 - University of Bristol A research project that will look at why people with learning difficulties self-harm has been awarded over £250,000 by the Big Lottery Fund. The three-year project will be carried out by Bristol University’s Norah Fry Research Centre and the Bristol Crisis Service for Women. New treatment for food poisoning 30 March 2007 - University of Bristol A team of researchers working at the University of Bristol has found a potential new treatment for listeriosis, a deadly form of food poisoning. Their work is reported in Nature Medicine. Bristol scientists find key to unlock body's own cancer defence 30 March 2007 - University of Bristol Scientists at Bristol University have found that a protein present in normal body tissues can prevent tumour growth. A team led by Dr Dave Bates, British Heart Foundation Lecturer, and Dr Steve Harper, Senior Research Fellow in the Microvascular Research Laboratories, in the Department of Physiology at Bristol University, have discovered that a type of vascular endothelial growth factor found in normal tissue, including blood, can prevent cancers from growing. A new study of atopic disease in families found fathers' genes play an equal part in spread of eczema 29 March 2007 - University of Bristol Doctors have known for many years that eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, runs in families. In the past, it was thought that if a baby suffered from eczema, it was more likely to have come from the mother's side. Supercomputers to transform science 29 March 2007 - University of Bristol New insights into the structure of space and time, climate modeling, and the design of novel drugs, are but a few of the many research areas that will be transformed by the installation of three supercomputers at the University of Bristol. Common congenital birth defect can lead to increased risk of heart disease in later life 28 March 2007 - University of Bristol A collaboration between scientists and surgeons at Bristol University and the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children have revealed that a common congenital birth defect affecting the heart and blood pressure, which can be corrected by surgery, dramatically increases the risk of cardiovascular disease in later life due to changes within the nervous system. Does the lack of sleep make you fat? 28 March 2007 - University of Bristol The recent rise in obesity may be partly due to the reduced amount of time we spend asleep, according to new research from the University of Bristol, UK. Dr Shahrad Taheri from Bristol University, and colleagues in the United States, examined the role of two key hormones that are involved in regulating appetite, ghrelin and leptin. Ghrelin increases feelings of hunger while leptin acts to suppress appetite. Climate research breakthrough 27 March 2007 - University of Bristol A long standing puzzle that has haunted climate researchers looking at the fate of carbon stored in the world’s soils, has now been resolved. The research suggests that climate warming may be occurring even faster than previously recognised. Minimum dose for children with fever, parents advised 27 March 2007 - University of Bristol Parents should be advised to use the minimum dose necessary when treating a child with fever, say researchers from the University of Bristol in the British Medical Journal. Helping the addicts of today and tomorrow 26 March 2007 - University of Bristol A study exploring how trauma is linked with subsequent drug misuse has been published by Bristol University. The study, ‘The Southmead Project: practices and processes’, was carried out by Bristol University’s Graduate School of Education and funded by the European Social Fund and the Higher Education Funding Council for England. Cooling lessens brain damage 26 March 2007 - University of Bristol Cooling the brains of babies deprived of oxygen at birth can reduce the risk of brain damage and cerebral palsy, according to an international study. To achieve cooling, the body temperature of babies in the trial was lowered by 3-4 degrees for 72 hours after birth, using a water-filled cap. Bioengineered tissue implants regenerate damaged knee cartilage 25 March 2007 - University of Bristol Knee cartilage injuries can be effectively repaired by tissue engineering and osteoarthritis does not stop the regeneration process concludes research led by scientists at the University of Bristol. Bristol leads the way in cardiovascular research 24 March 2007 - University of Bristol Cardiovascular disease, which includes all forms of heart disease and stroke, is the main cause of death in the UK and accounts for almost half of all deaths in the UK, no less for women than men. Although death rates are falling, the number of people living with heart disease is increasing. Leading UK expert, Professor Gianni Angelini, will be speaking about the latest research and treatment, at a free public lecture hosted by Bristol University next week. New technology set to revolutionise care for victims of spinal injury 23 March 2007 - University of Bristol Spinal cord injury affects approximately 40,000 people in the UK. A diagnosis can be devastating, the sudden presence of disability can be frightening, frustrating and confusing to those affected. Evolution of the penis worm 22 March 2007 - University of Bristol The detailed images of embryos more than 500 million years old have been revealed by an international team of scientists, led by the University of Bristol. Writing in the journal Nature, Dr Phil Donoghue and colleagues reveal the various developmental stages of fossilised embryos, from the first splitting of cells to pre-hatching, using synchrotron-radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy. New trigger found for volcanic eruptions 21 March 2007 - University of Bristol New insights into what might trigger the eruption of Mount St Helens and other potentially explosive volcanoes are reported today in Nature by scientists working at the University of Bristol, UK. Born with a superstitious brain 20 March 2007 - University of Bristol An unusual experiment, conducted by Bruce Hood, Professor of Developmental Psychology at the University of Bristol, demonstrating that even the most rational people behave in irrational ways, became one of the star features at this year’s British Association Festival of Science. Major breakthrough for Bristol Heart Institute and Biochemistry Department 19 March 2007 - University of Bristol A major breakthrough in research could lead to improved recovery of the heart when it is re-started after a heart attack or cardiac surgery. For the first time ever, researchers at the University of Bristol have been able to directly measure energy levels inside living heart cells, in real time, using the chemical that causes fireflies to light up. Obesity in children linked to lack of sleep 18 March 2007 - University of Bristol The link between short sleep duration and obesity: we should recommend more sleep to prevent obesity. Soaring levels of obesity might be linked to children sleeping fewer hours at night than they used to, claims Dr Shahrad Taheri of the University of Bristol. Cutting-edge hope for rare heart condition 17 March 2007 - University of Bristol An existing heart medicine may offer life-saving treatment for a rare heart condition, suggests new research from the University of Bristol, funded by the British Heart Foundation. An optical computer could be only light years away 16 March 2007 - University of Bristol One of science’s longest-sought devices, an ‘optical memory’ that can store digital information as light in a way similar to that in which memory chips in PCs store information, could be only light years away thanks to funding of over €1 million by the European Commission. Research shows drop in income will hit harder 15 March 2007 - University of Bristol Although 23 per cent of UK mortgage borrowers believe they will face real financial difficulties if interest rates rise as predicted later this week, their fears are not entirely justified; in fact just 1 per cent would be affected. In contrast, job loss is potentially a far greater threat; with a quarter of all households (27 per cent) at risk of falling into difficulties if the main earner loses their income for a month or more. Breathtaking discovery by Bristol University academic set to rock art world 14 March 2007 - University of Bristol The discovery of two Fra Angelico paintings, one of the greatest artists of the early Renaissance, by Bristol University academic, Michael Liversidge, has been hailed as one of the most exciting art finds for a generation. Preventing meningitis: improving recognition, improving practice 13 March 2007 - University of Bristol Junior doctors need specific training in the diagnosis and management of suspected bacterial meningitis and other severe infections concludes a study published in the Quarterly Journal of Medicine. The latest evidence on children's development 12 March 2007 - University of Bristol In Research in Public Policy, issued by Bristol University's Centre for Market and Public Organisation, leading experts look at the latest evidence on three key aspects of children’s development, health, behavioural and cognitive development, and their impact on educational attainment and hence ‘life chances’. Unintended consequences of pensions reform 11 March 2007 - University of Bristol Since the Pensions Commission made its recommendations, there has been relatively little reflective scrutiny of its proposals. Two articles look at two crucial aspects of the Commission’s proposals, the retirement age and means testing for state pensions, and raise some worrying concerns about the proposed reforms: First cases of adult diabetes found in obese white adolescents in UK 21 December 2006 - University of Bristol The first cases of adult type diabetes have been found in very overweight children in the UK, reports a study in Archives of Disease in Childhood. It heralds a worrying trend, say the authors, in view of the rising rates of obesity among children in the UK and other parts of the developed world. Babies who wheeze don't have to develop asthma 13 November 2006 - University of Bristol Researchers at the University of Bristol have discovered that not all babies who wheeze will develop asthma in later life. Dr Andrea Sherriff and asthma experts from the Institute of Child Health in Bristol and St George's Hospital Medical School in London studied around 10,000 children taking part in the Children of the 90s project in Bristol. Domestic abuse in same sex relationships 10 March 2006 - University of Bristol More work is needed to raise awareness of domestic abuse in same sex relationships, according to a new study due to be discussed in Bristol. The study by Professor Marianne Hester of the University of Bristol's School for Policy Studies and Dr Catherine Donovan of the University of Sunderland, reveals that most survivors of domestic abuse do not report it to organisations such as the police and domestic abuse agencies. Taste test may identify best drugs for depression 09 March 2006 - University of Bristol New research has shown that it might be possible to use taste as an indicator as to whether someone is depressed, and as a way of determining which is the most suitable drug to treat their depression. International approaches to ethnic minority employment 08 March 2006 - University of Bristol A new report by researchers at the University of Bristol into the range of programmes being implemented across EU states and North America to help tackle low levels of ethnic minority employment is published today by the Department for Work and Pensions. The serotonin effect 07 March 2006 - University of Bristol Neurotransmitters are chemicals that allow the signalling between nerve cells and other cells in our body, and are believed to be involved in the regulation of many bodily activities ranging from movement to emotion. Dr John Potokar, Consultant Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry, explores the lesser-known roles of one such neurotransmitter, serotonin. The gene dance that promotes atherosclerosis 06 March 2006 - University of Bristol Hardening of the arteries, atherosclerosis, is a common disorder which occurs when fat, cholesterol and other substances build up in the walls of arteries and form hard substances called plaque. A discovery by Dr Graciela Sala-Newby and colleagues at the Bristol Heart Institute could lead to new ways of treating this condition which is responsible for almost half of all deaths in Europe. Blood vessel cells could be used to treat diabetes ulcers 05 March 2006 - University of Bristol Dr Paolo Madeddu and colleagues have identified blood vessels cells that succeed in repairing ulcers caused by diabetes mellitus. Every 30 minutes a diabetic patient loses the use of a limb due to the ulceration of tissues that degenerates into a necrosis, a typical side effect of the disease. Thus, finding a proper treatment to arrest this complication is one of the main priorities of scientists studying diabetes. Blood vessel cells could be used to treat diabetes ulcers 05 March 2006 - University of Bristol Dr Paolo Madeddu and colleagues have identified blood vessels cells that succeed in repairing ulcers caused by diabetes mellitus. Every 30 minutes a diabetic patient loses the use of a limb due to the ulceration of tissues that degenerates into a necrosis, a typical side effect of the disease. Thus, finding a proper treatment to arrest this complication is one of the main priorities of scientists studying diabetes. New study to reveal night life of parents and babies 15 January 2006 - University of Bristol A major research project aimed at understanding more about how parents and their babies interact at night has been launched by the University of Bristol and the United Bristol Healthcare NHS Trust. New research shows benefits of playing computer games 29 November 2005 - University of Bristol The games playing habits of 700 7- to 16-year-olds is the subject of new research carried out by directors, Professor Angela McFarlane, who holds a Chair in Education at Bristol University, Ysanne Heald and Anne Sparrowhawk, of Teachers Evaluating Educational Multimedia on behalf of the DfES. Bristol scientists nose ahead in exciting new arthritis breakthrough 15 May 2005 - University of Bristol A team of Bristol scientists have moved a step closer to developing an exciting medical breakthrough which could have an enormous impact on the UK's one million-plus osteoarthritis sufferers within the next decade. Chip-scale refrigerators cool bulk objects 21 April 2005 - National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Chip-scale refrigerators capable of reaching temperatures as low as 100 milliKelvin have been used to cool bulk objects for the first time, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) report. Researchers bridge superconductivity gap 31 March 2005 - DOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory The discovery of 'unconventional superconductivity' may lead scientists to a whole new class of superconducting materials and toward the goal of eventually synthesizing 'room-temperature' superconductors. Theories of high-temperature superconductivity violate Pauli principle 24 March 2005 - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Scientists seeking to explain high-temperature superconductivity have been violating the Pauli exclusion principle, a team of researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Rutgers University report. RapidScan does it quicker 12 February 2005 - University of Bristol A groundbreaking device that inspects the inside of structures such as aircraft wings faster than any other technology, has been developed by engineers at the University of Bristol. Nanotechnology leads to discovery of super superconductors 09 September 2004 - DOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory University of California scientists working at Los Alamos National Laboratory with a researcher from the University of Cambridge have demonstrated a simple and industrially scaleable method for improving the current densities of superconducting coated conductors in magnetic field environments. Early eye testing could make a huge difference to poorly-sighted children 23 July 2004 - University of Bristol Contrary to official recommendations, children with a common eye disorder called amblyopia, where one eye does not see properly despite wearing glasses, have a better chance of becoming cured if treatment starts before three years old, according to results from the Children of the 90s study at Bristol University. Why calcium improves a high-temperature superconductor 07 June 2004 - DOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory Scientists at the US Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory have found evidence to prove why adding a small amount of calcium to a common high-temperature superconductor significantly increases the amount of electric current the material can carry. Fluid 'stripes' may be essential for high-temperature superconductivity 02 June 2004 - DOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory Scientists have discovered evidence supporting a possible mechanism for high-temperature superconductivity that had previously appeared incompatible with certain experimental observations. High-temperature superconductors: magnetic glue may be the clue 02 June 2004 - University of Bristol Striking pictures of magnetic waves inside advanced ceramics may be the clue to understanding how they can transmit electricity without losing energy, according to results obtained by two teams of scientists using the UK's world-leading ISIS neutron source in Oxfordshire. Another twist in the field of superconductivity 23 March 2004 - DOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory Researchers at the US Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory have discovered an interesting type of electronic behaviour in a recently discovered class of superconductors known as cobalt oxides, or cobaltates. Heavy paracetamol use in pregnancy linked to childhood wheezing 13 March 2004 - University of Bristol Women who frequently use paracetamol in late pregnancy may increase the risk of wheezing in their offspring, new research suggests. Over 9,000 mothers and their children, who were taking part in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, were studied by researchers from King's College, London and Bristol University. This study, popularly known as the Children of the 90s, has monitored the health and development of more than 14,000 families since 1991. The mothers gave the information by completing questionnaires. Pool chemicals do not damage growth of the unborn child 12 November 2003 - University of Bristol Women who swim regularly during pregnancy do not run the risk of reduced birth weight, according to a study published today in the journal Epidemiology. There has been concern of late that certain substances in swimming pools, so-called chlorination by-products (trihalomethanes), have been linked with adverse birth outcomes by other studies. Bristol scientists discover new molecule that could prevent tumour growth 02 October 2003 - University of Bristol Scientists at Bristol University have discovered a new molecule that could prevent tumour growth. Dr Dave Bates and Dr Steve Harper in the Microvascular Research Laboratories in the Department of Physiology, working in collaboration with clinicians at Southmead Hospital, have discovered a type of vascular endothelial growth factor found in normal kidneys that has a different structure from that found in kidney cancer. The research findings will be published in the world's most prestigious scientific cancer journal, Cancer Research. Caesareans could make it more difficult to have other children 28 August 2003 - University of Bristol Women having their babies by caesarean section could find it harder to become pregnant later, a study has found. Researchers in Bristol have discovered that once women have had a caesarean and then try to get pregnant again, the risk of it taking more than a year to conceive another baby increases. Prolonged use of the contraceptive pill could increase fertility 25 October 2002 - University of Bristol Women who take the oral contraceptive pill for a lengthy period could find it quicker to get pregnant once they stop than those who used it for shorter periods, according to a study published today in the journal Human Reproduction. Major breakthrough in treating autism 11 June 2002 - University of Bristol Results of a new programme for treating young children with autism have shown that even the most disabled made outstanding progress. Ninety-four per cent of those completing the programme so far are now able to attend a mainstream school. New ways of reducing salt intake needed to make a long-term impact on blood pressure 19 September 2001 - University of Bristol Research has revealed that reducing salt intake in people's diets only has a slight effect on reducing blood pressure in the long-term.The research, which was carried out by the University of Manchester and the MRC Health Services Research Unit at the University of Bristol, concludes that alternative ways of reducing salt intake are needed to achieve long-term reductions in blood pressure. Off-pump heart surgery reduces complications in overweight patients 31 May 2001 - University of Bristol A new study reveals that overweight people who have new 'off-pump' heart bypass surgery could experience only half the complications associated with a traditional operation.

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