A new study reveals that iridescent colors can serve as a form of deceptive warning coloration, protecting prey from predators. Researchers found that both iridescence and gloss significantly reduced the willingness of birds to attack prey, providing an adaptive explanation for the evolution of iridescence.
New research reveals that squamates evolved in the Jurassic period, between 201 and 145 Myr., with key adaptations emerging earlier than previously thought. This finding challenges current estimates and sheds light on the group's diversity and success.
Researchers found that big bodies compensate for extra drag caused by extreme morphology, debunking the idea of optimal body shape for low drag. Large necks added drag but were countered by evolving large bodies.
A new method assesses sustainable levels of human-caused wildlife mortality, showing that dolphin capture is unsustainable even at low reported annual rates. The study highlights concerns about the impact of climate change on environmental fluctuations and calls for greater transparency and rigorous methods in fisheries management.
A pioneering study led by the University of Bristol found that humans have 'nutritional wisdom,' choosing foods to meet their need for vitamins and minerals. The study suggests that people combine meals in a way that increases exposure to micronutrients, contradicting the long-held view that humans evolved to favor energy-dense foods.
A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Bristol has discovered a potential link between insomnia and an elevated risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The research suggests that poor sleep quality may contribute to insulin resistance and glycemic control issues.
Researchers at the University of Bristol created a 3D-printed artificial fingertip that produces nerve signals similar to those from human tactile nerves. The innovation could improve robot dexterity and prosthetic hand performance by giving them an in-built sense of touch.
Researchers at the University of Bristol found that male bottlenose dolphins rely on vocal exchanges, including whistling, to maintain weaker yet vital social relationships. This study supports the social bonding hypothesis and suggests that vocal exchanges can serve a bonding function.
Using a previously published and carefully curated dataset, researchers reconstructed the evolution of protein sequences to build a comprehensive evolutionary tree of beetles. The study provides a refined timescale of beetle evolution, with over 400 thousand species described.
Researchers studied fossil jaws and found that early jawed vertebrates had optimal shapes for strength and speed. The study used mathematical models to characterise jaw shapes and test their strength and efficiency.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have identified a key pathway in the brain that underpins anxiety and fear behaviors. The discovery provides a novel target for developing better treatments for anxiety disorders, which affect an estimated 264-million people worldwide.
Research reveals SARS-CoV-2 can have multiple variants in one person, with some hiding in specific cells like kidneys or spleens. This can make complete virus clearance more difficult, as the body struggles to defend against dominant strains.
Researchers engineered bacteria to produce proteins that can be broken down when nutrients are scarce, allowing cells to continue growing. This system mimics a biological battery, enabling cells to survive in challenging environments.
Researchers analyzed the largest genomic dataset of plants, revealing how early traits like stomata and roots evolved. The study sheds light on the genetic basis of plant evolution, highlighting the role of new and old genes in adapting to land colonization.
Researchers have developed a mathematical model that explains how parents allocate resources to their offspring based on age. The study found that older parents can provide more resources due to increased experience, but this decreases as they get older. This pattern is observed in many mammals and insects, including the tsetse fly.
A team of researchers used computer modeling to discover that water-rich magmas are more buoyant and fluid than previously thought, allowing them to rise through the upper mantle towards the surface. This discovery provides new insight into the deep Earth water cycle and its connection to Earth's habitability.
Researchers have discovered that p53 protein activates a molecular program turning damaged cells into migratory leader cells for quick epithelial repair. Once repaired, these highly migratory cells are eliminated to restore normal epithelial tissue structure.
A University of Bristol-led study found a significant association between high dose cyproterone acetate and increased risk of meningioma, the most common type of benign brain tumour. The study suggests caution with prescription of high-dose cyproterone acetate, especially for off-label indications.
A new study found that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein transforms human heart vascular cells into inflammatory cells, causing severe microvascular damage. Blocking antibodies could be a new treatment to alleviate cardiovascular complications in COVID-19 patients.
A new drive system has been developed for flapping wing autonomous robots, eliminating the need for conventional motors and gears. The Liquid-amplified Zipping Actuator (LAZA) achieves wing motion without rotating parts or gears, simplifying the flapping mechanism and enabling miniaturization to insect size.
Researchers have discovered that a small protein called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) couples the body's control of blood sugar and blood pressure. This finding could lead to new treatment strategies for patients with hypertension and/or diabetes.
A new study predicts that climate change will lead to a 26.4% increase in flood losses in the US by 2050, with African American communities facing the greatest risk. The research, published in Nature Climate Change, used advanced modeling techniques to analyze nationwide property data and flood projections.
Researchers from the University of Bristol and Imperial College London found that a high BMI in mothers before and during pregnancy is not a major cause of childhood obesity. Instead, lifestyle factors play a more significant role in determining a child's weight.
A new care pathway has been shown to reduce long-term pain and improve quality of life for people after knee replacement surgery. The STAR care pathway is cost-effective and could potentially save the NHS up to £14 million per year.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have reduced simulation time for an optical quantum computer from 600 million years to just a few months, achieving a one-billion-fold speedup. This breakthrough paves the way for future studies on quantum advantage and computational power.
A new study by University of Bristol researchers found increased body fat in females whose grandfathers or great-grandfathers started smoking before puberty. This study extends previous findings on paternal smoking and its effects on sons, now exploring the impact on daughters across multiple generations.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have created new DNA parts that can shape the flow of cellular processes along DNA. This technology allows for the rapid assembly and testing of thousands of DNA parts in parallel, unlocking new tools for building sustainable biotechnologies.
A new study reconstructs the limb muscles of Thecodontosaurus, a small to medium-sized two-legged dinosaur that roamed the UK during the Triassic period. The research suggests that Thecodontosaurus was agile and used its forelimbs to grasp objects, contrasting with its later relatives.
Researchers analyzed ancient pottery fragments from the Central Nigerian Nok culture, revealing diverse and complex plant lipid profiles. The study suggests that leafy plants, grasses, pulses, and underground storage organs were an integral part of the Nok diet, providing cheap yet quality nutrition.
A new study published in Circulation Research found that smoking can increase the risk of a heart attack by activating a gene that affects blood clotting. The researchers discovered that smoking causes changes to DNA methylation at specific sites, leading to increased platelet activity and an increased risk of clotting events.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have developed high-performance sodium and potassium ion batteries using sustainably sourced cellulose. The new battery technology outperforms comparable systems and uses a sustainable material, offering great potential for large-scale applications in electric vehicles and energy storage grids.
A recent study by the University of Bristol found that urban gardens in cities offer a long and continuous supply of energy-rich nectar from March to October. Despite variation between individual gardens, multiple garden visits provide pollinators with a reliable food source, contrasting with farmland's boom-and-bust cycles.
A newly discovered extinct reptile species, Shashajaia, has provided insights into the evolution of human teeth. The ancient creature's unique dental structure shows evidence of canine-like differentiated teeth present in synapsids by the Late Carboniferous period.
A transition to silvopastoral systems could save up to 7% of Colombia's emissions budget for 2030. Adopting more sustainable agriculture, including silvopasture, can prevent further deforestation rates and protect remaining forest remnants.
A new research project, SYSTAM CHINA-SEACS, aims to develop systemic solutions to tackle both undernutrition and overweight, obesity or diet-related NCDs. The study will be piloted in the Chinese city of Fang Cheng Gang and has the potential to improve the health and living conditions of billions of people.
Research led by the University of Bristol and Peking University has found that China is responsible for over half of the global increase in dichloromethane emissions since 2011. The chemical, used as a solvent in various industrial applications, poses a significant threat to ozone layer recovery.
A study of 2,657 young adults found that those with eating disorders and self-harm experienced increased symptoms of depression and anxiety during the pandemic. Lifestyle changes showed little effect on mental health problems in this group.
A large-scale study found that regular physical activity significantly reduces the risk of developing pneumonia and dying from it. The research, led by the University of Bristol, analyzed data from over 1 million participants and showed a strong association between exercise and reduced risk of pneumonia-related death.
Researchers developed a novel sequential analysis method to detect EWSs in daily COVID-19 case data across 24 countries, finding warnings were regularly detectable prior to exponential cases changes. The reliability of these signals depended on the time between successive waves and mathematical likelihood of critical transition.
A University of Bristol-led study found that three-quarters of infants experience two or more symptoms associated with cow's milk allergy, yet the condition only affects one in 100. These symptoms are often common and normal in healthy infants, suggesting guidelines may unintentionally medicalize normal infant symptoms.
A study found that people in the UK and US favour a fairer future with grassroots leadership over returning to normalcy. Nearly half of respondents missed meeting family and friends during the pandemic. The majority expected normality to resume despite their preferences, mistakenly believing they were in the minority.
A new study shows that quantum systems can exist in a superposition of forward and backward time flows, blurring the traditional concept of time. This phenomenon has practical implications for quantum thermodynamics, potentially offering advantages in thermal machines and refrigerators.
Researchers analyzed data from the Office for National Statistics to estimate occupational risk from COVID-19 among school staff. The study found that mortality rates among teachers were low compared to many other occupations.
A new study published in Ecology Letters reveals a global decline in the resilience of vertebrate populations, with accelerating loss of ecological functions and services. The research found that cumulative effects of anthropogenic threats such as climate change, invasive species, habitat loss, and pollution are driving this loss.
Researchers found that humour emerges as early as 1 month, with different types of humour developing at various ages. By 11 months, half the children were producing humour, often within a few hours. The study identified 21 types of humour in young children, shedding light on their cognitive, social, and mental health development.
Flowering plants dramatically increased Earth's biodiversity and rebuilt entire ecosystems after the dinosaur extinction. Angiosperms' unique features, such as colorful flowers and adaptations for insect pollination, drove their success.
A phase 2 clinical trial found that losartan, commonly used to treat high blood pressure, did not significantly slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease in people with mild-to-moderate symptoms. However, the drug may still be beneficial for those with early-stage disease if prescribed for longer periods.
Researchers found that fast-evolving lepidosaurs were more likely to go extinct than slow-evolving rhynchocephalians. The study suggests that the 'slow and steady wins the race' approach may not be as effective for all species.
A study published in Microbiology Spectrum found that parent-collected nose swabs outperform nurse-collected swabs in detecting respiratory infections in children, with high inter-rater agreement rates for viral and bacterial infections. The study's findings suggest that parents can collect high-quality samples, and this method may be ...
Researchers analyzed 70 primary teeth from children to identify potential links between maternal stress during pregnancy and thicker growth lines in tooth enamel. Thicker lines were found in children of mothers with severe depression or anxiety, while those receiving social support had thinner lines.