Researchers from the University of Bristol found that mammals have two decision-making systems: a fast-but-inaccurate sub-cortical brain and a slow-but-accurate outer cortex. The study suggests that the older system may still be beneficial in modern situations, potentially preventing atrophy and smaller brains in future humans.
A study of nearly 9,000 patients found that inadequate blood sugar control increases the risk of death and major complications after heart surgery, affecting both diabetic and non-diabetic patients. The research suggests that strict protocols for active blood sugar control are necessary to improve patient outcomes.
Researchers found that under certain conditions, a molecule can jump forward instead of backward when collided with another atom. This 'tug-of-war' behavior is crucial for understanding chemical reactions and their mechanics.
Scientists at the University of Bristol developed an intelligent, visual surveillance system to track African penguins' population dynamics and social behavior. The 'Penguin Recognition Project' uses unique biometric identifiers to monitor large numbers of species cheaply and automatically.
Researchers have found that the special atomic structures formed in glass when it cools are responsible for its non-crystalline state. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new materials like metallic glasses, which could be used in flexible products such as aircraft wings and engine parts.
A new approach measures animal emotional states based on human psychology findings that emotions affect information processing. Rats in standard conditions show stronger responses to lost rewards than those in enriched environments, suggesting a negative emotional state.
The genome of Steno, a newly emerging superbug, has been sequenced, revealing an organism with exceptional drug resistance. Understanding its genetic makeup may help researchers develop biochemical compounds to combat this resistance.
Researchers at the University of Bristol demonstrate that birds respond to subtle signals from humans, including eye-gaze direction, to avoid predators. This ability allows starlings to gain valuable feeding time before others join a competitive foraging patch.
Researchers from the University of Bristol have identified a key molecular mechanism controlling synaptic plasticity, which is vital for visual recognition memory and learning. Blocking this mechanism prevents visual recognition memory in rats, demonstrating its importance in brain function.
A team of physicists and engineers at the University of Bristol demonstrated control of single particles of light on a silicon chip, a crucial step towards a super-powerful quantum computer. The controlled-NOT gate, the building block of a quantum computer, was achieved with high-fidelity operation.
Researchers found a positive association between maternal and paternal BMI and offspring fat mass, but the effect of maternal BMI was weaker. The study suggests that interventions improving diet and physical activity levels could slow or halt the obesity epidemic.
A £285,000 grant from The Wellcome Trust will support the development of new infection-control methods that do not rely on conventional antibiotics. The team will focus on understanding how Streptococcus bacteria interact with host tissues and proteins to identify targets for prevention.
Researchers found a significant link between alcohol intake and increased blood pressure, even among moderate drinkers with the *1 *1 genotype. This study challenges previous findings and suggests that alcohol may be a more significant risk factor for hypertension than previously thought.
A study by Alysha Heimberg and colleagues found that microRNAs, previously considered 'junk DNA', are diverse in primitive vertebrates like sharks and lampreys, but less common in invertebrates. This discovery suggests that microRNAs played a crucial role in the evolution of complex organs unique to vertebrates.
Global positioning systems technology can be used to study how children develop spatial awareness and orient themselves in the real world. The study found that children aged three years old could use environmental landmarks to guide their search, improving performance with larger test areas and different colored buckets.
Research from the University of Bristol shows that osteopontin is a key gene in scarring, and suppressing its activity can speed up wound healing and reduce scarring. The study's findings have major implications for treating wounds, organ tissue damage, and fibrosis.
Researchers used computer modeling to show Baryonyx's skull bent and stretched like a crocodile's while eating, revealing it was a fish-eater despite its dinosaur appearance. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of this unusual creature.
Research from the University of Bristol finds Antarctic ice loss is concentrated at narrow glacier outlets, driven by accelerating ice flow, and may dominate the ice sheet mass budget. The study estimates a total loss of 192 billion tonnes of ice over the past decade.
A study published in Nature found that when individuals are choosy about their partners, cooperativeness increases and becomes more stable. This is because individuals with low cooperativeness are penalized by being left by their current partner for a more cooperative one.
A new species of massive carnivorous dinosaur, Carcharodontosaurus iguidensis, has been discovered in Niger, measuring up to 13-14 meters long and 1.75 meters skull length. The fossils provide insights into the ecosystems of Africa 95 million years ago and shed light on the evolution of these ancient creatures.
A new study by University of Bristol scientists found that red blood cell transfusions may increase the risk of heart attack or stroke in cardiac surgery patients, regardless of haemoglobin levels or age. The research suggests a three-fold increase in complications arising from lack of oxygen to key organs.
A 60,000-year-old submarine landslide produced the longest recorded flow of sand and mud on Earth, spanning 1,500 kilometers. The massive event transported sediment volumes equivalent to 10 times those carried by all Earth's rivers annually.
Scientists have discovered a giant fossilized claw from an ancient sea scorpion, indicating that the creature was approximately 2.5 meters long and much taller than the average man. This finding suggests that spiders, insects, crabs, and similar creatures were larger in the past than previously thought.
The Aquatest project aims to provide individuals and communities with the information they need to identify unsafe water and take action. The test, which can detect E. coli contamination, will be available in developing countries within 10 years, leading to improved water management and a potential decline in water-borne diseases.
A recent survey of teachers found that neuroscience can make an important contribution to educational areas, with over 87% of respondents supporting its use. However, the scientific basis of some brain-based teaching methods is highly contentious and often misapplied.
Researchers at University of Bristol show that small drops can climb an incline of 85 degrees by overcoming surface tension through vigorous shaking. The method may aid in understanding fluid manipulation and DNA microarray analysis.
Researchers at the University of Bristol identified a heart protection mechanism in mice that may be exploited to improve treatments for patients with coronary disease. The study found that hearts with coronary disease became more resistant to damage after mock surgery, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy.
A study analyzing sediments from a British bog found that methane emissions increased due to intense global warming around 55 million years ago. The team discovered that carbon isotope values of hopanoids suddenly decreased, indicating a shift in the diet of bacteria from carbon-based compounds to methane.
The discovery of geologic time revolutionized our understanding of the world, allowing scientists to date rocks and calculate the age of the Earth. This breakthrough, achieved by Arthur Holmes in the early 20th century, had a profound impact on fields like plate tectonics and evolution.
Researchers from the University of Bristol and Mass Spec Analytical Ltd found that geographical location has no influence on the distribution of drug contamination on bank notes. The study analyzed £10 and £20 notes from areas across the UK, including urban and rural regions, and found that contamination levels were unrelated to location.
Revolymer's Clean Gum boasts great taste, easy removal, and potential for environmental degradation. The technology uses an amphiphilic polymer to alter interfacial properties, making it less adhesive to common surfaces.
Research suggests that cravings for chocolate are driven by sugar and fat content rather than psychoactive compounds, contradicting popular notions of 'addiction'. The study also reveals a preference for milk chocolate and chocolate-covered confectionery over dark chocolate.
Researchers will inject selected stem cells from patients' own bone marrow into their hearts during coronary bypass surgery. The goal is to prevent late scar formation and improve heart contraction, reducing the risk of congestive heart failure.
Researchers at the University of Bristol and MIT have discovered a key role for the dentate gyrus in rapid place recognition, which may help alleviate confusion among elderly individuals. The study's findings could also inform therapies for learning and behavioral disorders.
Army ants form living 'plugs' to plug uneven potholes in their trails, reducing the impact on prey-laden foragers and increasing daily prey intake. The study found that specialized behavior by a minority of ant workers improves the performance of the majority, resulting in a clear benefit for the society as a whole.
Increasing SUMO levels could help treat diseases like epilepsy by reducing over-excitation in brain cells. The discovery provides new insights into the causes of brain disorders and potential targets for drug development.
The discovery of a 300-million-year-old rainforest fossil has transformed our understanding of the ecology of the Earth's first rainforests. The fossilized forest, covering over 10,000 hectares, provides a unique snapshot of tropical rainforests 300 million years ago.
Scientists at the University of Bristol have found that inflammation caused by trapped white blood cells can obstruct blood flow to the brain, leading to poor oxygen supply. This discovery suggests a new mechanism for high blood pressure, with potential therapeutic targets for treatment.
A study by researchers at the University of Bristol found that female woodhoopoes that started breeding later in life produced more offspring than those that started earlier. The researchers attributed this to a high mortality rate among young females, suggesting they were not yet in optimal condition to breed.
Dr Alwyn Ruddock's extraordinary claims about her research on John Cabot's voyages to America have been explored by Dr Evan Jones of the University of Bristol. Ruddock's findings suggest that Cabot explored a large section of the American coastline, claiming it for England in the process.
Researchers at the University of Bristol found that treatment with beneficial soil bacteria activated neurons producing serotonin, a key brain chemical linked to depression. This discovery sheds light on why some individuals are vulnerable to mood disorders like depression and may lead to new treatments.
A new nine-category matrix of harm ranks drugs by their physical harm to users, dependence potential, and societal impact. Alcohol and tobacco are found to be more harmful than previously classified substances like LSD and cannabis.
A new report published in PLoS Medicine suggests that making small increases to daily exercise routine, such as walking to school, could have dramatic long-term results. Researchers found that doing 15 minutes of moderate exercise per day lowered a child's chances of being obese by almost 50%.
A new study reveals that Muslim schools in Britain could be an effective way to integrate religious minorities into British citizenship. The seven state-funded Muslim schools have exceptionally high academic achievement records and offer a curriculum that promotes universal dignity and worth.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have discovered how controlling glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) activity can improve neuronal connections and prevent memory erasure in brain disorders. This breakthrough sheds light on the role of GSK3 in normal neuronal function and may lead to the development of drugs to inhibit its activity.
Academics have identified significant differences in chemical composition between healthy faeces and faeces from patients with infectious diarrhoea, such as Clostridium difficile. This breakthrough could lead to the development of a rapid diagnosis device, saving time and money.
Researchers found maternal cells in children with type 1 diabetes that produce insulin and may aid in pancreas repair. The study indicates that microchimerism, the transfer of mother's cells to child during pregnancy, might have therapeutic benefits.
A 40,000-year-old skull found in Romania shows both modern human and Neandertal characteristics, indicating complex population dynamics as humans spread into Europe. The skull, named Oase 2, has a mix of archaic and derived features, raising questions about the evolutionary history of modern humans.
A study by the University of Bristol revealed that children's packed lunches are often lacking in essential nutrients like potassium and zinc. In contrast, school meals tend to provide higher intakes of protein, vitamins, and minerals, as well as lower sugar and saturated fat content.
A University of Bristol study found that grocery store tours are an effective way to increase nutritional knowledge and promote healthy eating habits. The tours, led by a nutritionist or dietician, provided evidence-based dietary advice and encouraged participants to make changes to their diet.