Researchers designed and tested plasmonic nanoantenna arrays to enhance fluorescence emission from contaminants in water, leading to a six-fold increase. The arrays can be used to develop highly integrated multi-wavelength sensors for low-cost and portable water quality monitoring.
Researchers analyzed 50 years of rainfall data in a semi-arid drainage basin in Arizona, finding a decline in heavy rainfall events despite increased total rainfall. A new model simulates convective rainfall and shows less runoff from dryland basins under climate change.
A recent study by the University of Bristol found that India's methane emissions have shown little growth over the last few years, with accurate reporting by the country's authorities. The research used a combination of observations from the surface, an aircraft, and a satellite to quantify India's methane emissions.
Researchers debunk previous claims of preserved dinosaur blood, showing degraded organics in fossils rather than actual cells. Experimental treatments demonstrate keratin degradation into foul-smelling fluid under simulated burial conditions.
A recent study in the Journal of Applied Volcanology analyzed volcanic fatalities in unprecedented detail, identifying common causes and victims. The research found that nearly half of all fatal incidents occurred within 10 km of volcanoes, with tourists, media, and emergency response personnel being among the most at-risk groups.
A new study published in Epilepsia found that cooling treatment for newborns who suffer from perinatal asphyxia significantly reduces the number of children developing epilepsy later in childhood. The research also showed improved cognitive performance, life quality, and life expectancy for these patients.
Researchers found that super-powerful quantum computers must be even more powerful than previously thought to outperform ordinary PCs. The team simulated boson sampling for 20-50 photons on laptops and servers, pushing the boundary of what is possible.
The UK's first nationwide PhD training program to tackle antimicrobial resistance has been launched, with the University of Bristol leading delivery. The program aims to train a new generation of researchers to develop innovative solutions to this major global health challenge.
Scientists from the University of Bristol have discovered evidence suggesting that massive collisions during planetary accretion resulted in significant mass loss, altering a planet's composition. This process, which occurred in the Earth and Mars formation, led to their distinctive volatile poor compositions.
A global review of 28 studies found that opioid substitution treatment (OST) reduces hepatitis C infection risk by 50% and when combined with high coverage needle syringe programmes (NSP) reduces risk by 74%. OST is essential for comprehensive strategies to prevent HCV transmission and disease.
Researchers discovered intricate finger-like structures with suckers on the tip of the saliva tube, a previously unknown feature. This finding adds to our understanding of the African tsetse fly's unique feeding mechanism and its role in spreading human sleeping sickness.
Research shows that people confuse faces with different expressions, even when they are clearly from the same person. Facial recognition is hindered by expressive faces until familiarity increases.
A recent study published in the BMJ Journal of Sexually Transmitted Infections warns of the rapid increase in drug resistance of Mycoplasma genitalium (MG), a common sexually transmitted infection. The study suggests that reducing azithromycin use, currently used to treat MG, is necessary to mitigate this issue.
Researchers at the University of Bristol discovered a family of proteins controlling brain connectivity through multiple checkpoints. This discovery could lead to new therapies targeting conditions like autism and epilepsy by regulating neuronal circuits.
A new study published in JAMA found that oral steroids do not reduce the duration or severity of symptoms in non-asthmatic adults with acute chest infections. Researchers compared 398 participants who received prednisolone for five days to those receiving a placebo, and found no significant difference in symptom improvement.
The University of Bristol team has developed a 3D-printed acoustic levitator, allowing users to levitate liquids and insects at home. This technique has the potential to improve diagnosis in blood tests and support innovative processes in pharmaceuticals and biology.
A new study reveals that the chloroplast lineage split from its closest cyanobacterial ancestor over 2.1 billion years ago in low salinity environments, marking a crucial step in photosynthesis evolution. The association of the chloroplast with its eukaryotic host took place around 800-750 million years ago in marine environments.
Researchers from University of Bristol and Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz have found a critical point in the glass transition, enabling reconciliation of mutually incompatible interpretations. The study suggests that the thermodynamic and dynamic interpretations are different reflections of the same underlying phenomenon.
A randomized trial in Sri Lanka found that secure storage of pesticides had no impact on rates of self-poisoning or suicide. A review of global policies concluded that bans are the most effective way to reduce pesticide-related suicides. Secure storage is not a sufficient solution to this public health problem.
Fan worms have developed unusual compound eyes on their tentacles to detect motion and predators, alerting them to danger. The eyes' unique genetic makeup reveals an independent evolutionary history from other visual systems.
A University of Bristol team has developed a new portable device to help doctors select the right antibiotic for a patient's infection. The rapid diagnostic test can determine which antibiotic is most effective within 20 minutes, reducing unnecessary use and potential complications.
A global study concludes that building dikes to reduce flood damage yields economic benefits, outweighing initial costs. The researchers found that some regions can even avoid higher flood damages by 2080 with effective investment in flood protection measures.
Researchers at University of Bristol observed the formation of a crystal gel and discovered new mechanisms for creating sponge-like nanoporous crystals. The process resembles ice crystal growth in clouds and can lead to materials for catalytic, optical, sensing, and filtration applications.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have made a groundbreaking discovery that could lead to a new treatment for heart attacks. Pericytes, cells surrounding blood vessels, stimulate new blood vessel growth with the help of hormone leptin, which may help restore blood supply to damaged heart muscle after a heart attack.
Researchers modelled adrenal gland responses to stress, predicting abnormal glucocorticoid release and testing in rats. The study reveals dynamic complexity in the adrenal gland's response to stress, highlighting its role in regulating hormones.
The study reveals that ancient Rapa Nui people consumed a balanced diet of seafood and terrestrial resources, with evidence suggesting deliberate management of agricultural crops. This challenges the ecocide hypothesis, which attributes societal collapse to environmental destruction.
Despite massive climate change and volcanic eruptions, larger fish were no more likely to go extinct than small fish during the Permian-Triassic mass extinction. The study used a detailed analysis of fossil records to conclude that body size played no role in determining which species survived or went extinct.
A recent study found that reduced summer cloud cover over Greenland has led to increased ice melt, with a one percent decrease in cloud cover resulting in 27 gigatons of extra melting. This contributes significantly to global sea level rise.
A UK study found that regular and occasional cannabis use among teens is associated with a greater risk of other illicit drug taking in early adulthood. Cannabis use was also linked to harmful drinking and smoking habits.
A new study published in i-Perception reveals that facial expressions can cause problems in telling unfamiliar faces apart. Researchers found that expressive training responses were slower and more erroneous than neutral training responses.
A large study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that a diagnosis of autism alone is not associated with an increased risk of violent offending. Instead, conditions like ADHD that co-occur with autism may increase this risk.
Researchers from the University of Bristol found that a recently developed molecular clock method called RelTime failed to relax the clock, sparking debate on the age of animals. The team's findings suggest that animals are unlikely to be older than approximately 850 million years, in agreement with previous studies.
A recent study finds that large areas of the Amazon forest are less susceptible to a tipping point into savannah, contrary to previous research. The key factor was controlling for seasonality and removing data points from human-influenced areas, revealing a more resilient ecosystem.
A team of scientists has provided a new evolutionary tree for Archaea, resolving their deepest relationships. The study suggests that early Archaea likely used the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway to make energy, dating back over 3.5 billion years.
Researchers from the Bristol BioDesign Institute created a miniprotein with a stripped-down structure to investigate molecular forces that assemble and stabilize protein structures. They discovered subtle forces beyond hydrophobic interactions, which could lead to new drug targets.
Researchers discover a silent change in the CFTR gene that alters protein production and transport in cells. This finding reveals new insights into cystic fibrosis genetic complexity.
A recent study found a substantial correlation between increased prescriptions for pregabalin and gabapentin and rising overdose deaths. These drugs have become abuse-prone when used with heroin or other opioids, especially due to their association with feelings of loss of control and enhanced heroin effects.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have developed a spatially adaptive broadcast system that enables broadcasters to adapt their geographical coverage in real-time, reducing energy consumption by up to 35%. This technology has the potential to improve the energy efficiency of wireless and broadcast networks.
New research contradicts previous study suggesting East Antarctic Ice Sheet gains mass, instead shows significant losses. The findings indicate Antarctica as a whole contributes to sea level rise, with the East Antarctic Ice Sheet playing a more limited role.
The Weng'an Biota fossils, once thought to be among the world's oldest evidence of animal life, may actually belong to other groups like algae. Researchers have found that characteristics previously used to define animals are not unique to them, leaving room for alternative identifications.
New research suggests UK health spending must increase at a rate faster than GDP to meet growing demand for healthcare services. The J-value model, developed by Professor Philip Thomas, indicates that developed countries like France and Germany are already prioritizing health care as a fraction of their income.
Wild mice have highly-activated immune systems due to exposure to infections, with more activated myeloid cells compared to laboratory mice. The study's findings emphasize the importance of considering natural variability when interpreting research results.
Researchers found that in areas with high predation risk, fish differentiate into leaders and followers, leading to increased shoal cohesion. The study suggests that decision-making in social groups can adapt depending on ecological factors.
A study found that primary school children spent less time doing physical activities and more time sedentary as they aged. By Year 4, around a third of boys and two-thirds of girls failed to meet the recommended hour of physical activity per day. The researchers tracked 1,300 children over a week in Year 1 and again three years later t...
A study of 14,500 participants found that maternal grandmothers who smoked during pregnancy increased the risk of girls displaying autistic traits by 67% and their grandchildren being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder by 53%. Further research is needed to understand these molecular changes and potential transgenerational influences.
A new paper investigates an alternative possibility: a rise and fall in the concentration of the hydroxyl radical, which destroys methane in the atmosphere. The team's findings suggest that emissions may have risen more gradually over the last couple of decades.
Researchers found that men with lower magnesium levels had an increased risk of fractures, particularly hip fractures. Higher magnesium levels were associated with a reduced risk of fractures, with no cases reported among those with very high magnesium levels.
Veterinarians often use a directive style, which can limit client emotional connection and motivation. Research suggests that an evidence-based, mutually-driven approach can improve uptake of veterinary recommendations.
Researchers found Arctic soils are sensitive to climate change, with warming temperatures increasing microbial growth and respiration rates. This may lead to enhanced CO2 emissions and increased nutrient availability, potentially altering the delicate ecosystem.
A University of Bristol team found that microbes on glacier surfaces produce significant amounts of bioreactive carbon, which is then released in streams and can stimulate other microbes in downstream ecosystems. The study suggests that active microbial processes during the melt season are crucial for this process.