Researchers found that humans and chimps share approximately 96% of their genes, with the remaining 4% being unique to each species. The study discovered a significant increase in gene duplication among humans, including those influencing brain functions, providing new insights into human evolution.
A new study by researchers at the University of Bristol found that genetic vulnerability, not organophosphate exposure, may be a factor in Gulf War veterans' and farmers' depression. The study suggests that everyday toxins and activities, rather than specific chemical hazards, are likely to contribute to depressive symptoms.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have discovered that Yellow Underwing moths change their ear sensitivity to bats' calls when being chased, and remain tuned for several minutes after. This phenomenon challenges current understanding of bat-moth co-evolution and has implications for other hearing systems in animals.
Researchers at University of Bristol have made a major breakthrough in measuring energy levels inside living heart cells, real-time. This could lead to better understanding of heart disease and improved recovery of the heart during cardiac surgery or after a heart attack.
New research reveals that European Neanderthals had the capacity for symbolic thinking and possessed sophisticated artefacts around 44,000 years ago. This challenges the conventional interpretation of the Grotte de Fées site in Central France.
Researchers from the University of Bristol warn that Eurasia, eastern China, Canada, Central America, and Amazonia are at risk of forest loss due to global warming. The team predicts more intense droughts in West Africa, southern Europe, and the eastern USA, while regions north of 50°N will face excessive runoff and flooding.
A team of scientists has revealed detailed images of embryos over 500 million years old, shedding light on the evolutionary changes of the penis worm. The study uses synchrotron-radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy to reconstruct internal anatomy and reveals unique patterns in embryonic development.
Researchers at the University of Bristol successfully regenerated cartilage in injured knees using bioengineered tissue implants. The study showed that engineered cartilage tissue can grow and mature even in knees affected by osteoarthritis, offering a promising approach to treating joint damage.
A new calculator tool, ETHRISK, has been developed to better assess the risk of heart disease in British black and minority ethnic groups. The tool is based on a re-calibration of the Framingham risk equations and provides more realistic assessments of heart disease risks within a 10-year period.
A new treatment using fosfomycin has shown promise in treating Listeria infections, which cause severe food-borne diseases. The drug was ineffective in laboratory tests but proved effective in the body, highlighting the need to revise testing methods.
A study in rural Ethiopia found that a tapped water supply reduced the time spent carrying water, leading to improved child survival but also increasing birth rates and childhood malnutrition. The researchers suggest that development projects should be multisectoral to avoid long-term problems.
A subset of brain cells with pacemaking abilities has been identified as essential for gasping in infants, resolving a 15-year-old controversy. The discovery highlights the importance of autoresuscitation and gasping in maintaining oxygen supplies and heart rate during critical low-oxygen conditions.
Researchers argue that targeting childhood obesity prevention is crucial in reducing adult obesity and associated chronic disease. Interventions during critical periods like the perinatal period and puberty/adolescence could have long-term effects.
Researchers at University of Bristol observed ants using 'tandem running' to teach each other routes, a behavior that meets the criteria for formal teaching. This discovery suggests that information value rather than brain size may drive the evolution of teaching in animals.
A study by the University of Bristol found that socio-economically deprived individuals are less likely to receive cholesterol and blood pressure-lowering treatment. The Framingham score, used to identify high-risk patients, was shown to underestimate risk in these groups, resulting in inadequate preventive treatments.
A new study shows that taking antibiotics within two months increases the likelihood of developing resistant bacteria. GPs are responsible for most antibiotic prescriptions in the UK, but may underestimate the individual risk.
Researchers have discovered that an experimental drug can reverse the loss of nerve fibres in Parkinson's Disease. The study found that dopamine-containing nerve fibres had sprouted back in the brain, leading to improved motor function and sustained benefits even after treatment cessation.
Research found that children born full term but weighing less than 5.5 lbs had a 50% increased risk of psychological distress in later life, regardless of childhood factors. The study suggests that early factors before birth may be important in increasing vulnerability to depression in adult life.
Researchers argue that oxygen-rich atmospheres are essential for complex life to exist. However, since levels of oxygen won't have had time to develop sufficiently before a sun dies, life may not be able to evolve on planets orbiting short-lived suns.
Scientists from Bristol, The Open and Sheffield Universities have dated the engravings at Creswell Crags to over 12,800 years old, making them Britain's oldest rock art. The dating method used uranium-series dating, which measures minute traces of radioactive uranium in thin limestone crusts that formed over the engravings.
A new study found that people with learning difficulties face discrimination, harassment, and bullying due to their sexuality. Despite these challenges, most participants desired social connections and romantic relationships.
A large-scale study identified a genetic basis for certain behaviors, including alcohol consumption, suggesting that genetic make-up may influence drinking habits. The research focused on the dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2) and found a strong association between this gene variant and alcohol consumption.
Research from University of Bristol provides strongest evidence that disruptive patterns protect insects from birds, a predator that shaped evolution of protective coloration. By varying colors, size, and location of patterns on artificial moths, the team identified effective combinations that mimicked tree characteristics.
The study reveals that Iraqi Turkmen are a well-educated population with high socio-economic circumstances, contributing to forced migration. The report emphasizes the importance of Turkmen participation in Iraq's reconstruction and suggests their valuable human resource can aid in rebuilding efforts.
Researchers have found that cooling can significantly reduce brain damage in newborn babies who suffer from oxygen deprivation at birth. The treatment involves lowering the body temperature of the baby for 72 hours after birth using a water-filled cap. This breakthrough discovery has the potential to bring routine treatment to babies s...
A team of researchers has solved a puzzle in climate research by explaining why micro-organisms break down carbon in soils at varying rates. The new theory predicts that an increase in climate temperatures will lead to more rapid carbon dioxide release and accelerated climate change.
Dr. Hinke Osinga and Professor Bernd Krauskopf from the University of Bristol have created a crochet pattern for a chaos model, known as the Lorenz manifold, which helps understand complex systems like chemical reactions and weather patterns. The pattern consists of 25,511 stitches and took over 85 hours to complete.
Research found that individuals who slept for shorter durations had reduced leptin and elevated ghrelin, leading to increased feelings of hunger. This may contribute to the rising obesity pandemic, emphasizing the importance of good sleep in fighting weight-related issues.
Scientists at Bristol University analyzed a Roman canister containing cosmetics and recreated the 'foundation' cream, finding it composed of refined animal fat, starch, and tin. The researchers concluded that tin was used as a pigment due to its non-toxic properties.
A team of researchers from Bristol University and Saratov University in Russia analyzed 675 specimens of amphibians and reptiles from 289 areas spanning 13 geological time zones. The study found a profound loss of animal groups and ecosystems, with many species still absent after 15 million years of recovery.
A team of researchers has discovered a new form of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) called VEGF165b, which inhibits the growth of new blood vessels required for tumours to grow above one millimetre. This protein is found in normal tissues and can prevent cancer growth by starving tumours of nutrients.
Researchers at Bristol University found a link between magma storage depth and eruption explosiveness in the 1980 Mount St Helens eruption. Monitoring isotopic content of gases emitted from the volcano may help predict the next eruption's style and timing.