An international team of experts has identified conditions for various-sized volcanic eruptions using numerical modelling and statistical techniques. Small, frequent eruptions are triggered by magma replenishment, while larger, less frequent eruptions are driven by magma buoyancy.
African sleeping sickness is caused by single-celled parasites that mate and swap genes through a process known as sexual reproduction. This study reveals sex to be a regular part of the trypanosome life cycle, enabling new combinations of genes that could lead to disease-causing strains.
New research found that six in ten 13-year-old girls are afraid of gaining weight or getting fat, with one in three girls and one in five boys avoiding fatty foods. The study also revealed that unhealthy weight-control strategies can lead to higher odds of being overweight and obese at age 15.
A UK study found that common misconceptions about cat reproduction contribute to a significant number of accidental litters. The research reveals that nearly half of respondents believed female cats should have a litter before being neutered or were unsure.
A new study published in PNAS sheds light on the functional importance of dinosaur beaks, revealing they helped stabilize the skull structure during feeding. The research, led by Drs Stephan Lautenschlager and Emily Rayfield, used CT scanning and computer simulations to analyze a therizinosaur's beak.
Researchers at the University of Bristol discovered that a specific protein called RIM1α is modified by SUMO, acting as a 'molecular switch' to regulate neurotransmitter release. This finding has implications for understanding neurological disorders such as epilepsy and schizophrenia.
The MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit will conduct cutting-edge research to improve understanding of biological mechanisms and environmental factors underlying common diseases. Researchers will develop novel approaches to analyze data from 'omics' technologies and identify true causes of disease.
Manipulating protein PRH can hinder the ability of cancer cells to penetrate into neighboring environments, potentially preventing their spread. The findings suggest that PRH regulation of Endoglin may represent a novel method for controlling migration and treating multiple cancers.
The University of Bristol has developed a large semi-autonomous drone called the ARM system to provide visual and thermal monitoring of radiation after nuclear material releases. The system can detect radiation and prevent exposure to response crews, improving safety in disaster response scenarios.
Researchers will investigate how acetylcholine affects brain cell activity and communication within networks to refine the development of therapeutic cholinergic agents. The goal is to improve treatment efficacy for dementia and related cognitive disorders.
Researchers discovered that locusts use a unique mechanism to process sound, with energy density amplified as waves travel across the eardrum. This phenomenon could lead to practical possibilities for tiny microphones and signal processing.
Scientists have re-examined the evolutionary origin of our skeleton and discovered that it originated from the armor of mud-slurping ancestors. The study found that conodonts evolved tooth-like structures within their own lineage, rather than inheriting them from a common ancestor with other vertebrates.
A large-scale study found no evidence of an increased risk of depression, self-harm, or suicidal behavior among patients prescribed varenicline or bupropion compared to those using nicotine replacement therapies. The findings are reassuring for users and prescribers of smoking cessation medicines.
The University of Bristol and NICT successfully demonstrated a multicore fibre-based network, utilizing Space Division Multiplexing (SDM) and Software Defined Network (SDN) control. This breakthrough enables the efficient handling of emerging Internet applications such as global cloud computing.
UltraHaptics allows users to experience multi-point haptic feedback above an interactive surface without touching a device. The system projects tactile sensations through a screen and directly onto the user's hands using ultrasonic vibrations.
Rock ants adjust their search effort based on nest quality and potential new homes, demonstrating a measured approach to evaluating the housing market.
Researchers have discovered that animals deposit marks to show their presence and retreat from similar marks, revealing the importance of spatial overlap in understanding epidemic disease spread. This finding has significant implications for bio-inspired technologies and animal sociality.
New research from the Children of the 90s study at the University of Bristol suggests that fish accounts for only seven per cent of mercury levels in the human body. This finding has significant implications for official advice warning against eating too much fish during pregnancy, which may need to be reviewed.
A study led by the University of Bristol found mortality rates in the first 90 days following hip replacement surgery have dramatically decreased from 0.6% to 0.3%, with four treatment options associated with lower death rates: spinal anaesthetic, posterior approach, heparin and mechanical thromboprophylaxis.
Researchers found that pravastatin impaired learning and recognition memory in rats, while atorvostatin showed no adverse effects. The study suggests chronic treatment with pravastatin may cause cognitive impairment, but further studies are needed to confirm this.
Researchers evaluated nine commonly used anaesthetics and found that several cause stress responses in zebrafish. Etomidate was deemed the most suitable for future routine use, improving the welfare standards of millions of fish used in scientific research worldwide.
A study published in Evolution & Human Behavior suggests that parents and children's mate preferences conflict due to an evolutionary struggle for resources. This conflict arises when parents distribute resources unevenly among their children, leading them to prioritize a partner who offers less support.
New research reveals that sub-shelf melting is a significant contributor to Antarctic ice loss, accounting for up to 90% of mass loss in some areas. This finding is crucial for understanding how the ice sheet interacts with the climate system and its potential impact on global sea levels.
Researchers have discovered a microbe called S. pombe that can escape aging when treated well and reproduce by splitting into two halves with new fully-functional material. The team found that under favourable growth conditions, the yeast is immune to aging and produces offspring that are younger than the parent.
Research reveals how ancient crocodiles evolved and survived alongside dinosaurs, with notable variations in jaw shapes and biomechanics. The study, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, provides new insights into the evolution and adaptation of ancient crocodiles during the Mesozoic Era.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have made a significant breakthrough in cryptography, developing a new protocol that enables fast and secure Multi-Party Computation. This allows for complex computations on secret data without revealing inputs, with potential applications in finance, pharmaceuticals, and other industries.
Researchers at University of Bristol found that removing the carotid body, a small nodule on each carotid artery, reduces blood pressure in rodents with high blood pressure. The discovery has potential to revolutionize treatment for millions suffering from the condition.
Researchers from the University of California reveal that Emperor Penguins can dive to over 500m and stay underwater for up to 27 minutes. They also discover a unique heart rate response, slowing down to as low as 10 beats per minute to conserve energy.
Researchers use airborne radar data to uncover a 750km-long, meandering river channel beneath the Greenland Ice Sheet. The canyon is thought to predate the ice sheet and played a crucial role in transporting sub-glacial meltwater into the Arctic Ocean.
Computer models predict coral reef ecosystem shifts due to warming and acidification, with the Western Pacific becoming less suitable by 2070. Coral Triangle biodiversity is also at risk, while some areas like the eastern Pacific may remain suitable.
A new study models how baby corals disperse in the world's oceans to understand their responses to changing sea conditions. The researchers used a computer model to simulate the paths of coral larvae worldwide, revealing that some may travel thousands of kilometers across open ocean.
Computer modeling reveals that melt-water lubrication will contribute only 8mm to sea-level rise by 2200, less than 5% of total projected contribution from Greenland ice sheet. Melting water can actually lead to a lowering of sea-level in some cases.
Scientists at the University of Bristol found significant differences in viral proteins for all four DENV types, which may impact anti-viral therapy design. This discovery could lead to more effective treatments for dengue disease, a mosquito-borne infection affecting millions worldwide.
Astrocytes, a type of glial cell, respond to neurological trauma by changing shape and forming scars that can either repair or hinder brain function. The study identified proteins controlling this process, revealing a complex mechanism involved.
Researchers at University of Bristol suggest combining antiviral treatment, opiate substitution therapy, and high-coverage needle and syringe programs to achieve substantial reductions in HCV prevalence among people who inject drugs. This approach can lead to a 45% reduction in HCV prevalence over ten years.
The study highlights the need for continuous satellite monitoring to better predict melting and sea-level rise. The ice sheets covering Antarctica and Greenland contain 99.5% of the Earth's glacier ice, with a potential raise of 63m if melted completely.
Physicist Dr Nicolas Brunner and mathematician Professor Noah Linden discovered a connection between game theory and quantum physics, showing that quantum players can outperform classical players in certain games. This breakthrough opens new avenues for research and potential applications for quantum technologies.
Scientists compare results from three commercial-scale carbon capture and storage projects, revealing that not all sites are equal and successful implementation requires careful appraisal. The study's findings highlight the importance of long-term monitoring at CCS storage sites to ensure secure storage.
Researchers discovered that Sahamalaza sportive lemurs significantly increase vigilance after hearing alarm calls of nearby species, including the crested coua and blue-eyed black lemur. This study provides insight into the lemurs' ability to glean information on predator presence and type from referential signals.
A new technique called 'renal denervation' has shown significant reductions in blood pressure and improved long-term stability. The procedure involves removing nerves connecting the kidney to the brain using radio-frequency energy, with minimal side effects and no need for tablets.
Research finds that boat noise can scare fish away from their habitats, disrupting ecosystem balance. The study suggests regulating human activities in protected areas to mitigate the impact of noise pollution on marine communities.
A team of scientists studied Psittacosaurus dinosaurs to understand their growth patterns. They found that arm bones grew fastest during the first few years of life, while leg bones experienced a massive growth spurt, eventually becoming twice as long as the arms.
Researchers found that animals used to rich conditions work less hard when conditions suddenly worsen compared to those exposed to poor conditions all along. The 'contrast effect' affects how animals respond to their current situation and is driven by uncertainty.
Researchers studied 150-million-year-old dinosaur fossils to reconstruct their brain and inner ear anatomy. The study found that the brain underwent significant changes during growth, with important parts for hearing and cognitive processes already well-developed in young dinosaurs.
Scientists have identified a new protective mechanism that could increase cell survival after stroke, highlighting the importance of SUMOylation in promoting nerve cell adaptation and survival. The discovery may lead to new therapies for stroke and other brain diseases.
Researchers found that limiting greenhouse warming to three watts per square metre can slow coral reef habitat loss. However, artificial temperature regulation through solar radiation geoengineering may have unintended consequences on tropical corals.
A pioneering collaboration aims to develop a 24/7 digital home health assistant to address pressing healthcare issues. The SPHERE project will use non-invasive sensors to monitor patients' health and wellbeing, targeting obesity, depression, stroke, falls, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal diseases.
A study published in Biomacromolecules has identified a blend of natural fibers like cellulose and silk as a potential scaffold for stem cells to form into chondrocytes, the cells that produce healthy cartilage. The blend provides complex chemical and mechanical cues that induce stem cell differentiation without the need for expensive ...
Researchers found that a new antiviral treatment could halve chronic HCV prevalence among people who inject drugs in 15 years. In cities like Edinburgh, where chronic prevalence is lower, the treatment is projected to reduce HCV rates by 25%. Doubling treatment rates and increasing budget may be needed to scale up the therapy.
A new study maps the most detailed forecast to date for importing potentially harmful invasive species with cargo ships' ballast water. The research reveals hotspots of bioinvasion, including large Asian ports and US ports like New York and Long Beach.