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University of Bristol


Digital tabletop system with views on demand

A new digital tabletop system, PiVOT, allows users to view shared content while each individual receives a personalized view, with multiple views possible at the same location without interfering with others. The system supports various applications and has been implemented with a sample prototype evaluated for its effectiveness.

Protecting genes, one molecule at a time

An international team of scientists has shown at an unprecedented level of detail how cells prioritize the repair of genes containing potentially dangerous damage. Cells use proteins to detect and replace damaged DNA, with critical steps at individual protein reads likely critical for successful repair.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature·DateSep 9, 2012

Glass shape influences how quickly we drink alcohol

Researchers at University of Bristol found that participants drank more slowly from curved 'beer flute' glasses than straight-sided glass containing lager, suggesting curved glasses compromise ability to gauge liquid levels and pace drinking. This could have positive impact on reducing intoxication and excessive drinking.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 31, 2012

Potential methane reservoirs beneath Antarctica

A new study suggests that beneath Antarctica's ice sheet lies a massive potential methane reservoir, with estimates suggesting up to 400 billion tonnes of carbon. Microorganisms in sub-ice environments have been found to metabolize organic carbon into methane gas, which could be released during future ice-sheet collapse.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature·DateAug 29, 2012

Trigger for past rapid sea level rise discovered

Researchers at the University of Bristol used climate and ice sheet models to identify the cause of rapid sea level rise in the past. They found that a process called 'saddle-collapse' led to two major events, including the 14,600-year-old Meltwater pulse 1a event, which resulted in a 9m sea level rise.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature·DateJul 11, 2012

Exploring one of climate's 'known unknowns'

Research reveals faster water condensation on less viscous aerosol particles, affecting cloud albedo and lifetime. The study's findings provide insight into the climate's 'known unknowns', highlighting the importance of understanding condensation rates.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 2, 2012

Scientists struggle with mathematical details

A study by Dr Tim Fawcett and Dr Andrew Higginson found that articles with many equations are seldom referenced, highlighting the importance of clear communication between theory and experiments. The authors recommend improved mathematical training for science graduates to overcome this barrier.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 25, 2012

Scientists correct Amazon water level gauges from space

The University of Bristol scientists developed a technique to calibrate six Amazon gauges using ICESat elevation data, correcting large discrepancies in water levels. This method enables researchers to accurately estimate water levels and river slope, crucial for understanding the exchange of water with floodplains and other processes.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalWater Resources Research·DateJun 11, 2012

Inequality dates back to the Stone Age

A new study by archaeologists from the Universities of Bristol, Cardiff and Oxford found that Neolithic farmers buried with distinctive stone adzes had access to better land than those without. The analysis revealed sex-biased mobility patterns and status differences among early European populations.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 28, 2012

How plants chill out

Researchers studied thale cress under high temperature conditions, finding that plants with reduced stomata exhibit greater water loss and leaf evaporative cooling. This adaptation may promote the diffusion of water vapor from stomata, cooling the plant.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 21, 2012

Courtship in the cricket world

A new study by the University of Bristol reveals that male tree crickets can change the frequency of their songs with temperature, allowing them to adjust their size. This allows males to increase sound power, which may be linked to attracting mates and disguising their true size.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 30, 2012

Doubling the information from the double helix

A new group of regulatory molecules called mirror-microRNAs has been discovered to control multiple aspects of brain function. These microRNA genes are produced from the same piece of DNA but have different functions in regulating protein production and movement, doubling the capacity of regulation.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateApr 27, 2012

Bristol researchers solve 70-year-old mystery

Researchers at the University of Bristol have solved the 70-year-old mystery of stipitatic acid synthesis by identifying genes responsible for its production. The discovery has far-reaching implications for understanding organic chemistry and potentially leads to new drugs with antibacterial and antimalarial properties.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 16, 2012

Are we really a nation of animal lovers?

A new study by the University of Bristol estimated that over 260,000 cats and dogs entered UK rescue organizations in 2009. The majority of these animals were not rehomed but instead cared for until space became available, revealing a significant need for animal adoption and welfare support.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalVeterinary Record·DateApr 3, 2012

A test of the senses in the search for a shoal mate

Research from the University of Bristol and Radboud University Nijmegen found that young French grunts are attracted to coral reef noises and muddy soft-sediment smells, but only visual cues of familiar fish guide them to their shoal mates. This hierarchical approach allows the fish to navigate safely in complex habitats.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalEcology·DateMar 8, 2012

The cutting edge

Using guillotine-based experiments and computer modeling, researchers at the University of Bristol studied the efficiency of bladed tooth shapes. They found that different shaped teeth are optimized for different types of food, with V-shaped edges being similar to those found in sharks and carnivorous mammals.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalInterface·DateMar 6, 2012

Millennium Development Goals progress reports overestimate access to safe water

A study by University of Bristol researchers found that relying solely on improved water source type oversimplifies the measure of safety, leading to substantial underestimations in four developing countries. The adjustment increased estimates of people without access to safe drinking water in Ethiopia and Nigeria by millions.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalBulletin of the World Health Organization·DateMar 1, 2012

Which type of obesity surgery is best?

A new UK-based study will compare gastric bypass and stomach band surgeries to determine which is most effective in improving patients' quality of life and reducing healthcare costs. The BY-BAND study, led by the University of Bristol, aims to enroll over 700 participants and follow their outcomes for up to three years.

Fossil cricket reveals Jurassic love song

A fossilized bushcricket from the Jurassic period has revealed a new species' musical call, shedding light on the acoustic environment and potential auditory capacity of other animals. The song was reconstructed using biomechanical principles and is believed to have been used for long-distance communication.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 6, 2012

Why the brain is more reluctant to function as we age

Researchers at the University of Bristol identified a novel cellular mechanism underlying age-related cognitive decline, revealing that changes to sodium channels contribute to decreased neuronal excitability. The study found that aged brain cells struggle to generate action potentials due to altered sodium channel activation properties.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNeurobiology of Aging·DateFeb 1, 2012

Scientists map 1 of life's molecular mysteries

Researchers at University of Bristol have successfully mapped the molecular gateway across cellular membranes, revealing the mechanism responsible for protein secretion. The study, published in Cell Reports, provides a major breakthrough in cell biology, shedding light on how proteins are transported across membranes.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalCell Reports·DateJan 26, 2012

UK scientists produce world's first magnetic soap

Researchers at the University of Bristol developed a magnetic soap composed of iron-rich salts, which levitates through an organic solvent when exposed to a magnetic field. The soap's properties were confirmed using neutron scattering, and its potential applications include environmental clean-ups and industrial cleaning products.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateJan 23, 2012

Balancing the womb

A new study reveals that precise regulation of myosin phosphorylation is crucial for uterine activity during labor. The researchers discovered that specific amino acids are phosphorylated to control uterine contractions, providing insights into premature births and failed inductions.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalMolecular Human Reproduction·DateDec 21, 2011