Researchers developed a novel medical device using octopus vision technology to assess macular pigment levels, enabling optometrists to provide preventative advice to patients. The technology can screen people from 5-95 years of age for low macular pigments, a strong risk factor for macular degeneration.
A team from the University of Bristol's QETLabs developed an algorithm that uses machine learning to reverse engineer Hamiltonian models and formulate approximate models for quantum systems. This breakthrough enables the automated characterization of new devices, such as quantum sensors.
A systematic review found no conclusive evidence on portable air filters' ability to reduce respiratory infections, including COVID-19. Two studies did demonstrate capture of airborne bacteria and reduced bacterial counts, but not viral particles or a reduction in incidence.
Research led by University of Bristol scientists reveals that male dolphins categorize allies according to a shared cooperative history. Dolphins respond strongly to friends who have consistently helped them in the past, while ignoring those who haven't, indicating a social concept of 'team membership'.
A new study by University of Bristol experts finds that internet adoption and urbanization are complementary, reinforcing higher population concentrations in national urban systems. The research suggests that digital technologies have not led to an exodus from cities, but rather attracted more people towards them.
A new study found that individuals with negative attitudes towards vaccines and conspiracy suspicions are more likely to be hesitant about getting vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. The research suggests that communication strategies must account for the polarising nature of conspiracy theories to increase vaccine compliance.
Scientists have discovered ancient honey hunting in prehistoric West Africa using chemical analysis of pottery fragments. The study found that around one-third of the pottery vessels used by the ancient Nok people were used to process or store beeswax, indicating a significant role of honey in their diet.
A Cretaceous beetle fossil, named Pelretes vivificus, has been found to have fed on pollen from early flowering plants, providing conclusive evidence of the intimate association between ancient pollinators and angiosperms. The discovery sheds light on the origin of this mutualistic relationship.
Archaeologists have found evidence of a kosher diet in pottery fragments from Oxford's early medieval Jewish community. The findings, published recently, reveal that the inhabitants of two houses used only meats from cattle, sheep and goat, with no pig bones present.
Bioengineers have discovered a way to harness multiple forms of regulation in living cells to strictly control gene expression. This breakthrough enables precise regulation of biochemical processes involved in producing chemicals, medicines, and other products, leading to improved biotechnologies.
Researchers found that climate change and human disturbances like fire can slow down forest regrowth in the Amazon. The study suggests that protecting these forests is crucial to mitigate climate change.
A study by University of Bristol Veterinary School has identified 27 breeds at higher risk of osteosarcoma due to their body size and shape. The research used data from over 1,700 confirmed cases, finding that dogs with shorter skulls and legs have lower osteosarcoma risk.
A new trial conducted in hospitals across India found that tocilizumab improves outcomes in severely ill COVID-19 patients. Analysis revealed a subset of patients with severe disease may benefit from tocilizumab treatment, reducing mortality risk.
A rapid microbiological point-of-care test for respiratory infections has proved popular with GPs and may reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescribing. The study found that clinicians changed the diagnosis in one in five patients following testing and were more certain of the diagnosis after detecting a virus or bacterium.
A study of prehistoric teeth sheds new light on the diets of ancient lizards and snakes, revealing they already had a full spectrum of diet types, including flesh-eating and plant-based. The research found that these species had achieved modern levels of dietary specialization by 100 million years ago.
Researchers found that antlion larvae can remain motionless for up to 61 minutes by 'playing dead', confusing predators and encouraging them to search elsewhere. This clever tactic allows the larvae to stay alive in an arms race with their predators.
A new study reconstructs the ancient habitat of early dinosaurs in the UK around 200 million years ago. The research reveals that small dinosaurs and lizard-like animals coexisted on flooded tropical islands, contradicting previous assumptions about their desert habitats.
Scaling up opioid agonist treatment (OAT) to 40% of people who inject drugs could avert between 12-24% of all drug-related deaths, including 13-19% of overdose deaths. Longer treatment durations and prison-based OAT are predicted to have significant additional impact.
New research reveals urban gardens produce an overwhelming amount of nectar, equivalent to thousands of flying bees, and account for 85% of food sources for pollinating insects. The study highlights the pivotal role gardens play in promoting biodiversity in urban areas.
A new flexible and lightweight power system for soft robotics has been developed, paving the way for wearable assist devices. The electro-pneumatic pump is soft, bendable, low-cost, and easy to make, transforming lives of people with mobility issues.
Research by the University of Bristol team found that tropical paper wasps provide crucial support to extended family members, including helping neighboring nests. By observing twenty thousand baby wasps and their carers, the team discovered that workers become less useful as colony sizes rise due to a surplus of help.
Global emissions of CFC-11 have fallen dramatically, with thousands of tonnes per year dropped between 2017 and 2019. The rapid decline is attributed to enhanced international efforts in eastern China and other regions, preventing a substantial delay in ozone layer recovery.
Researchers found substantial differences in brain morphology between forest edge and deep forest butterfly species, with the latter investing more in visual information processing. The study suggests that changes in brain structure play a crucial role in speciation across environments.
A new study in South Africa found that male clients of female sex workers contribute significantly to HIV transmission, with a rate of 6.9% over a decade. Increasing treatment among these individuals could reduce transmission by up to five times, making them a key focus for HIV prevention and treatment efforts.
A study by the University of Bristol found that one in every 30 children may have brain-related visual problems, which can affect learning outcomes. The research suggests that detailed vision checks could improve educational and wellbeing outcomes for affected children.
A new technology developed by the University of Bristol has created a fast, reliable and cost-effective alternative for producing microfluidic devices. This breakthrough promises to democratize microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip technology, benefiting resource-poor countries and settings.
A new study from the University of Bristol suggests that vitamins D, K, and A could help combat COVID-19 by binding to the viral Spike protein. This reduces SARS-CoV-2 infectivity, while high cholesterol may enable the virus. Researchers identified potential antiviral drug candidates among approved pharmaceuticals and dietary components.
A new study has solved Charles Darwin's long-standing puzzle about the origin of flowering plants, revealing they likely emerged around 100 million years ago. The research team used complex modeling and fossil data to estimate the age of flowering plants, contradicting earlier estimates that suggested a much more recent origin.
Researchers find that nuclei, chloroplasts, and pyrenoids can persist for weeks and months after cell death in eukaryotic cells, challenging previous assumptions about their decay rate. This discovery helps to narrow the age range of complex life on Earth, suggesting its emergence around 1,700 million years ago.
New findings published in Science Advances show that northern Tibetan mountain growth increased rainfall, leading to a stable, wet climate conducive to vast plant and animal diversity. The region's biodiversity hotspot, home to rare species like monkeys, tigers, and seals, relies on this unique climate.
A study found that the majority of people in the UK are willing to use privacy-encroaching tracking technology and support immunity passports. However, there is a significant gap between public willingness and actual adoption rates, particularly with the NHS Test and Trace app.
Research by University of Bristol scientists shows neonicotinoid insecticides disrupt bees' and flies' ability to get a good night's sleep, affecting daily behavioral rhythms. The pesticides also impair memory and circadian behavior in these insects, leading to potential decline in pollinator populations.
Researchers have reconstructed a small Psittacosaurus dinosaur's all-purpose opening for the first time, comparing it to modern vertebrates. The cloaca displays pigmentation and features reminiscent of crocodilians and baboons, potentially indicating display and signaling functions.
Research reveals that environmental factors influence human behavior in ways comparable to those of non-human species, including mammal and bird populations. Foraging patterns, reproductive habits, and social interactions show remarkable similarities across species and locations.
Scientists have discovered that ancient wetlands experienced increased methane cycling during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, an ancient global warming event. This finding suggests that rapid global warming can disrupt methane cycling in wetlands, potentially exacerbating climate change.
Research reveals that Megalodon's unique tooth shape allowed it to withstand bite forces generated by its powerful lateral head movements. This challenges traditional assumptions about the evolution of the species' dentition.
Research suggests that crocodiles' slow evolutionary rate is a result of their versatile body plan, allowing them to adapt to environmental changes. This efficiency may explain why they thrived during the Cretaceous period when dinosaurs perished.
A study of over 1,400 protein-coding genes resolved the mystery of fleas' placement in the insect tree of life. Fleas are classified as scorpionflies, evolving to feed on vertebrates between 290 and 165 million years ago.
A new study found that paying patients undergoing cardiac surgery in England have a 20% lower risk of death or complications compared to NHS patients. The researchers controlled for socioeconomic factors and concluded that a complex interaction between socioeconomic and health system-related factors exists for these patients.
A new study found that higher BMI is more dangerous for men than women, while a higher waist-to-hip ratio raises colorectal cancer risk in women. Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of this deadly cancer.
Researchers used advanced imaging and 3-D modeling to digitally rebuild the brain of Thecodontosaurus, finding it may have eaten meat and walked on two legs. The study also suggests the dinosaur was relatively agile and had a high hearing frequency, indicating social complexity.
Researchers from the University of Bristol and Phasecraft have developed new strategies to solve the Fermi-Hubbard model using optimised quantum circuits with limited device size. The study suggests that current supercomputers are unable to solve instances of the model, but near-term quantum devices can.
Researchers found that testing long-term memory recall predicted cognitive decline in healthy older people more accurately than classic memory tests. The study also showed that combining this test with an MRI brain scan improved accuracy in predicting Alzheimer's disease risk.
The 4CMenB vaccine has shown 79% effectiveness in preventing meningococcus group B disease among children and young adults. In a real-world study, nearly all vaccinated cases survived, while unvaccinated cases experienced severe outcomes, including death and long-term injuries.
A team of scientists has built tiny droplet-based microbial factories that produce hydrogen instead of oxygen when exposed to daylight in air. This discovery could provide an important step forward towards photobiological green energy development under natural aerobic conditions.
A new study found that young people's anxiety levels increased significantly during the first COVID-19 lockdown, doubling from 13% to 24%, and remained high even after restrictions were eased. The study highlights the need for mental health support and interventions to address emerging inequalities.
Researchers discovered the precise construction of moths wings that enable extraordinary ultrasound-absorptive properties, creating a resonant absorber 100 times thinner than sound wavelength. This breakthrough inspires the design of ultra-thin sound absorbers for homes and offices.
A team of researchers has developed biocompatible protocells that can generate nitric oxide gas, leading to blood vessel expansion. The synthetic cells are coated in red blood cell fragments and contain an enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide, which is then converted into nitric oxide.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have developed a new virtual reality technique to aid in drug design against COVID-19. The innovative tool, called iMD-VR, enables users to 'step inside' a 3D model structure of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease and visualize molecules binding to the enzyme.
Women who experience combined intimate partner violence suffer greater damage to their health and are more likely to attempt suicide. The study found that combinations of psychological, physical, and sexual abuse were associated with long-lasting harm to health.