Our research
Bristol's health research is internationally recognised, with particular strengths in population health, neuroscience, infection and immunity and cardiovascular medicine. From saving hundreds of thousands of babies' lives through groundbreaking research into cot death, to developing cutting edge technologies through the Bristol Robotics Laboratory and SPHERE, Bristol's health research makes huge differences to people's lives.
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) in Bristol
The NIHR is the nation's largest funder of health research. Through its universities and hospitals, Bristol hosts key NIHR infrastructure, as well as attracting millions in NIHR grant funding every year.
The University of Bristol is the only university to host centres for all three NIHR schools - the School for Primary Care Research, the School for Public Health Research and the School for Social Care Research. It also hosts one of only a handful of NIHR Blood and Transplant Research Units (BTRUs) - the BTRU in Red Blood Cell Products, which is growing red blood cells in the laboratory to treat rare diseases.
Click here to find out more about what each part of the local NIHR does, and who it's designed to help.
Information to support funding bids
For those looking to include information about Bristol Health Partners AHSC as part of research grant submissions, we have developed suggested text to be used.
For academics submitting grant applications, click here.
For other grant applications (NHS, local authorities, voluntary, community and social enterprise sector), click here.
Research highlights
NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre
The National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre (NIHR Bristol BRC) is a partnership between University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Bristol.
NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West
The National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West) works with partner organisations, including the NHS, local authorities and universities, to conduct applied health research and implement research evidence, to...
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) in Bristol
The NIHR is the nation’s largest funder of health research. Bristol punches well above its weight in terms of NIHR funding. The city, through its universities and hospitals, hosts key NIHR infrastructure, and attracts millions in NIHR grant funding.
Elizabeth Blackwell Institute for Health Research
The Elizabeth Blackwell Institute for Health Research (EBI), co-funded by the Wellcome Trust and the University of Bristol, brings together leading researchers from disparate fields to collaborate on solutions to the most pressing health problems of the 2...
University of Bristol
Bristol Robotics Laboratory
BRL is a unique collaboration that harnesses the strengths of its university partners, and brings together the best expertise from industry and the academic community to spearhead Britain’s efforts to be a world leader in modern advanced robotics.
University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), University of Bristol
Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children
ALSPAC, or Children of the 90s, has been charting the health of 14,500 families in the Bristol area since the early 1990s in order to improve the health of future generations. ALSPAC is a world-leading birth cohort study.
University of Bristol
WHO Collaborating Centre for Healthy Urban Environments
The WHO Collaborating Centre for Healthy Urban Environments at the University of the West of England promotes healthy and sustainable settlements through research, teaching, consultancy, knowledge exchange and publications.
University of the West of England (UWE Bristol)
Centre for Research in Biosciences
The Centre for Research in Biosciences at the University of the West of England brings together world class researchers working in the fields of biomedicine, bio-sensing technology, agri-food plant and environmental science.
University of the West of England (UWE Bristol)
Vesalius Clinical Training Centre
A unique, world class facility at the University of Bristol for practically-based understanding of anatomy for clinical practice, providing the highest standards of training and development for healthcare professionals.
University of Bristol
Centre for Appearance Research
UWE's Centre for Appearance Research (CAR) strives to make a real difference to the lives of the many hundreds of thousands of people with appearance-related concerns both in the UK and across the world.
University of the West of England (UWE Bristol)
Cancer research at University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is working with Cancer Research UK on a number of projects, including a five year programme to reduce the burden of cancer, and the colorectal tumour biology group which looks at cell survival mechanisms and chemoprevention.
University of Bristol
Helping people with rheumatoid arthritis manage their fatigue
Research at UWE has led to a process of measuring fatigue in people with rheumatoid arthritis which has been adopted internationally in clinical trials, and informed interventions that have improved quality of life for people with rheumatoid arthritis.
University of the West of England (UWE Bristol)
Cardiovascular science
Cardiovascular science in Bristol comprises more than 230 researchers and clinicians from across the University of Bristol and NHS trusts, working to translate basic scientific research into novel clinical practice, improving patient outcome and care.
University of Bristol, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care West
NIHR CLAHRC West works with its partner organisations, including the NHS, local authorities and universities, to conduct applied health research and implement research evidence, to improve health and healthcare across the West.
University of Bristol, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Bristol's research in 2014-15
In 2014-15, both universities performed strongly in health subjects in the Research Excellence Framework. The NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care West and a new synthetic biology research centre, BrisSynBio, launched.
Cot deaths: saving more than 100,000 young lives worldwide
Cot deaths in the UK have fallen by 80 per cent following groundbreaking research by Peter Fleming, Professor of Infant Health and Developmental Physiology and his team at the University of Bristol.
University of Bristol
Latest research news
The importance of ‘Information About Me’: understanding the hidden causes of delays in discharging frail older people from hospital
8 June 2021
Delays in discharging older people living with frailty from hospital are caused by a complex range of factors, but a key factor is how medical and social information about patients becomes fragmented during their stay. This is the conclusion of a study in...
Study launched to investigate whether paramedics can ease GP workload
1 June 2021
The READY study will evaluate how paramedics support GPs and whether they can help reduce GP workloads. This two-year project funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is a collaboration between the University of Bristol and UWE Bristol,...
Pfizer’s Vaccine Centre of Excellence launches at the University of Bristol
25 May 2021
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, the Rt. Hon. Matt Hancock MP, today [25 May] visited the University of Bristol for the official launch of a new Pfizer Centre of Excellence for Epidemiology of Vaccine-preventable Diseases.The centre, whi...
Stroke HIT to develop linked database that could transform clinical decision-making around stroke treatment
25 May 2021
Bristol Health Partners’ Stroke Health Integration Team (HIT) has received funding to create a scalable database of routinely collected NHS stroke clinical and imaging data. This resource, funded by a health data science grant from the University of Bri...
Study finds increased emotional difficulties in children during the pandemic
17 May 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic may be associated with continuing emotional and behavioural difficulties in children after the age of two, a new study out today [17 May] from researchers at the University of Bristol has found.Please note this is a preprint, so it i...
Two BABCON HIT projects included in CNO England’s COVID-19 Nursing Research Portfolio summary
11 May 2021
Two studies led by our Bladder and Bowel Confidence Health Integration Team (BABCON HIT) feature in the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) England’s new Nursing Research Portfolio summary – the only inclusions from the Bristol, North Somerset and South Glouc...
Bristol study to improve success of IVF treatment resumes
4 May 2021
A major study into the factors affecting IVF treatment success, led by NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) researchers at the University of Bristol, is restarting after a year-long pause due to COVID-19.In April this year, the research clinic at...
New projects on predicting which babies and children are at risk of head injuries
26 April 2021
NIHR ARC West is starting two new projects looking at childhood head injuries. One will look at ‘shaken baby’ syndrome and other abusive head traumas inflicted on babies, while the other will focus on post-concussion syndrome among children. Both proj...
Brain-related visual problems may affect one in 30 primary school children
8 February 2021
A brain-related visual impairment, which until recently was thought to be rare, may affect one in every 30 children according to new research investigating the prevalence of Cerebral Visual Impairment [CVI]. The University of Bristol-led findings publishe...
Testing memory over four weeks could predict Alzheimer's disease risk
10 December 2020
New research suggests testing people’s memory over four weeks could identify who is at higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease before it has developed. Importantly, the trial found testing people’s ability to retain memories for longer time p...
Patients shape study on improved monitoring of Parkinson's symptoms
7 December 2020
Members of our Movement Disorders Health Integration Team (MOVE HIT) have published a protocol in BMJ Open for a study on how new technologies could be used to better monitor the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease.This work has been a close collaboration wit...
Bristol University secures £45M to advance gene therapy treatment of chronic kidney diseases
19 November 2020
Purespring Therapeutics will become one of the first kidney gene therapy companies The University of Bristol has secured a £45million deal to advance its groundbreaking gene therapy technology for chronic kidney diseases. The commitment, made by healthc...
Dementia studies across Bristol and Bath are now back up and running
17 November 2020
COVID-19 has dealt a huge blow to research in many areas, including dementia, with many laboratories and research centres having to close their doors for months in order to stop the spread of the virus. Some facilities have reopened, with extra infection...
HIT Conference goes virtual to address the impact of COVID-19 and wider health inequalities
20 October 2020
Bristol Health Partners held its annual Health Integration Team (HIT) Conference as an entirely virtual event this year because of the pandemic. The event, “COVID-19 Call to Action: What else can we achieve in health and social care?”, took place b...
Discovery of a druggable pocket in the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein could stop virus in its tracks
22 September 2020
A druggable pocket in the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein that could be used to stop the virus from infecting human cells has been discovered by an international team of scientists led by the University of Bristol. The researchers say their findings, published...
Dementia research badly affected by COVID-19
4 August 2020
The development of new diagnostic tests and treatments for dementia is likely to be severely hampered due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as the charities that traditionally fund such work have lost much of their income, according to speakers at recent webin...
Key dementia research facility protected thanks to BRACE
15 July 2020
One of the most important facilities supporting dementia research in the country will continue its help in the fight against the disease thanks to an award of £140,000 by Bristol dementia research charity BRACE. BRACE is an active partner of the Dementia...
SHINE HIT toolkits for active travel to school available on Travelwest
13 July 2020
With more people taking an interest in being more active and looking at ways to help tackle climate change, active travel in the form of walking, cycling and scooting has become very popular. Our Supporting Healthy and Inclusive Neighbourhood Environments...
Dementia HIT study looks at barriers preventing BAME communities accessing dementia services
9 July 2020
Members of the Dementia Health Integration Team (HIT) worked together with local Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) partners to produce a study that looks at the factors that create a reluctance for people living with dementia from certain BAME co...
New Better Care South West Partnership will join up data to improve and integrate care
29 April 2020
Health Data Research UK (HDR UK) have announced a new partnership led by the University of Bristol that will join up data and improve patient care in the South West. The HDR UK Better Care South-West Partnership is being awarded £1.2 million over three...
Elizabeth Blackwell Institute reveals the first 25 COVID-19 research projects
9 April 2020
The Elizabeth Blackwell Institute Rapid Response Funding Call (COVID-19) has announced the first 25 research projects in response to the pandemic which include diagnostic research to increase the UK's testing capacity, new vaccines targets, understanding...
BIG HIT Director coordinates University of Bristol efforts to fight COVID-19
2 April 2020
Experts at the University of Bristol have come together to help in the fight against COVID-19. Bristol UNCOVER is the COVID Emergency Research group based at the university and is made up of around 30 senior academics and their teams. One of the group's c...
The Cleft Collective wins prestigious award for PPI work
24 February 2020
The Cleft Collective team have won the Royal College of Paediatric and Child Health/NIHR Paediatric Involvement and Engagement in Research (PIER) prize. The prize recognises significant contributions to excellent patient engagement for NIHR Clinical Resea...
SHINE HIT contributes to international journal on child friendly cities
21 January 2020
Supporting the many initiatives that are helping to make Bristol a child friendly city is an important cross-cutting action to support healthier urban living for everyone. It is also an area of focus for our Supporting Healthy Inclusive Neighbourhood E...
Pilot service in South Glos helps patients with chronic pain reduce their use of opioids
20 January 2020
Researchers at the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Evaluation of Interventions and NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) West have found that a new pilot service in South Gloucestershire is helping patients with chronic pain reduce their use o...
Poor produce fewer traffic emissions than rich but are most affected – study finds
2 December 2019
A study analysing vehicle emissions in relation to different parts of society in England and Wales has found that more affluent households emit the highest levels of traffic-related pollutants but the poor are most exposed to this form of pollution.
Urinary tract infection device could reduce need for precautionary antibiotics
2 December 2019
University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) researchers are supporting clinicians at the North Bristol NHS Trust to develop a device that can diagnose urinary tract infections (UTI) in a matter of minutes. Current diagnostic testing takes a few days...
Evidence that tobacco smoking increases risk of depression and schizophrenia
2 December 2019
A new study published today [Wednesday 6 November] in Psychological Medicine and led by University of Bristol researchers has found that tobacco smoking may increase your risk of developing depression and schizophrenia.
Study looked for links between teenage anxiety and later harmful drinking
2 December 2019
Researchers at the University of Bristol have found evidence of an association between generalised anxiety disorder at age 18 and harmful drinking three years later, thanks to the long-term health study Children of the 90s.
New study finds children become less active each year of primary school
2 December 2019
A new study from the University of Bristol has revealed a dramatic drop in children’s physical activity levels by the time they finish primary school. Between the ages of six and 11, children lost on average more than an hour of exercise in the week, wit...
Some complementary and alternative therapies to treat colic show promise
2 December 2019
A review of the evidence on the use of complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies to treat babies with colic has shown some that some treatments - including probiotics, fennel extract and spinal manipulation - do appear to help, but that overall the e...
Children of abused mothers 50 per cent more likely to have low IQ
2 December 2019
Children of women who reported domestic violence in pregnancy or during the first six years of the child's life are almost 50 per cent more likely to have a low IQ at age eight, research has found.
Doctors should avoid co-prescribing benzodiazepines to opioid dependent patients due to increase in overdose death
2 December 2019
Doctors should avoid co-prescribing benzodiazepines to opioid dependent patients who are being treated with methadone or buprenorphine, also known as opioid agonist treatment (OAT), due to a three-fold increase in risk of overdose death, according to a s...
Bristol researchers lead new national guidance on how to stay fit and healthy
13 September 2019
Guidance on how the UK population can stay fit and healthy has been updated thanks to a major review led by the University of Bristol.
Genetic analyses indicate that the effect of being overweight and obesity on cancer risk is at least double than previously thought
13 September 2019
The effect of being overweight and obesity on risk of cancer is at least twice as large as previously thought according to new findings by an international research team which included University of Bristol academics.
Poor diet can lead to blindness
13 September 2019
An extreme case of "fussy" or "picky" eating caused a young patient’s blindness, according to a new case report published today [2 Sep 2019] in Annals of Internal Medicine. The University of Bristol researchers who examined the case recommend clinicians...
Generational study looks for biological links between adverse childhood experiences and self-harm
13 September 2019
New research from the University of Bristol is the first to use a large generational family study to examine links between childhood trauma, the impact of inflammation and self-harm.
HITs secure £2.9 million in research funding in 2018-19
5 June 2019
Bristol Health Partners Health Integration Teams (HITs) have attracted nearly £2.9 million in research funding to Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire during 2018-19, for nearly 40 different projects.
Chronic Kidney Disease HIT tele-clinics proof of concept published in BMJ Open
14 May 2019
The Chronic Kidney Disease HIT has published its proof of concept study for tele-clinics for kidney transplant patients in BMJ Open. The study found that the tele-clinics were well received by patients, increased attendance rates and saved money.
3D-printed brains reveal Alzheimer’s secrets
14 May 2019
The University of the West of England (UWE Bristol)’s Health Tech Hub has printed three 3D brain models that show the effects of dementia on the organ, printed for Bristol based dementia charity BRACE.
£6.6m for major UK non-communicable disease prevention project
10 May 2019
The University of Bristol in partnership with the Universities of Bath, West of England, Manchester, Reading and Cardiff and Bristol City Council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority has been awarded £6.6m by the UK Prevention Research Partnership.
Alzheimer's drug trial taking place at Southmead Hospital
10 May 2019
ReMemBr Group, a joint University of Bristol and North Bristol NHS Trust research group based at Southmead Hospital, is one of 250 study sites around the world taking part in the Generation Program, a multinational trial of two new drugs which may be abl...
£1.1 million project to develop new biodegradable stents
9 April 2019
A £1.1 million project to develop biodegradable stents for patients with severe vascular disease, which affects around one million people in the UK, has started thanks to Innovate UK funding.
Hepatitis C could be prevented worldwide by reducing transmission in people who inject drugs
9 April 2019
Stepping up efforts to prevent transmission of hepatitis C among people who inject drugs, could reduce future infections by 43 per cent globally, according to a study by researchers at the University of Bristol.
Child and adolescent anxiety could be linked to later alcohol problems
20 March 2019
New research led by the University of Bristol has found some evidence that children and adolescents with higher levels of anxiety may be at greater risk of developing alcohol problems.
‘Body positive’ social media content can lift body image and mood, new study finds
12 March 2019
Viewing social media content aimed at challenging mainstream beauty ideals can boost body confidence among young women, a new study has revealed.
Mindfulness found to improve mental health of students
11 March 2019
Mental health amongst university students could be improved by introducing mindfulness training. These are the findings from the first UK study to measure the efficacy of mindfulness based cognitive therapy on students.
Could genetic breakthrough finally help take the sting out of mouth ulcers?
5 March 2019
A large breakthrough has been made in the genetic understanding of mouth ulcers which could provide potential for a new drug to prevent or heal the painful lesions.
Drinking in pregnancy could affect children’s mental health
1 March 2019
New research led by the University of Bristol has found children whose mothers drink during pregnancy could be at greater risk of mental health problems, particularly anxiety, depression and conduct disorder.
North Bristol Trust has taken part in a pioneering trial offering hope for restoring brain cells damaged in Parkinson’s
27 February 2019
North Bristol Trust has taken part in a pioneering trial programme by offering patients with Parkinson’s an experimental treatment directly to the brain to see if it is possible to restore the cells damaged by the disease.
Global study finds high success rate for hip and knee replacements
14 February 2019
After reviewing thousands of case studies going back 25 years across six countries, generalisable survival data is now available for the first time to estimate how long hip and knee replacements are likely to last.
Thinking positive during pregnancy? You could be helping your child's ablity in maths and science
8 February 2019
Your attitude during pregnancy could have an effect on your child’s ability in maths and science, according to a new study published by Frontiers in Psychology today (Friday 8 February). Using data from Bristol’s Children of the 90s study the re...
Needle and syringe programmes are highly cost-effective at preventing hepatitis C transmission
24 January 2019
Providing clean injecting equipment through needle and syringe programmes is a highly cost-effective way of preventing hepatitis C (HCV) transmission among people who inject drugs and could save millions of pounds in infection treatment costs in the UK.
New kidney research sheds light on harms of certain drugs
24 January 2019
Scientists have identified an enzyme that is a “master regulator” of kidney function that if excessively suppressed, can trigger renal failure. Their findings have implications for the use of existing drugs and the development of new pharmaceuticals.
Teens keep active despite asthma or eczema, study finds
22 January 2019
A fresh look by the University of Bristol at how teenagers are affected by their asthma, eczema or obesity has some reassuring findings published in BMJ Open.
NHS 10-year plan: researchers warn online GP consultations need careful implementation and rigorous evaluation before widespread adoption
14 January 2019
Research led by NIHR CLAHRC West and CAPC at the University of Bristol found that unless GP online consultation systems are carefully implemented, they won’t yield the benefits policymakers hope for in the NHS 10 year plan.
BMI is a good measure of health after all, new study finds
11 December 2018
A new study from the University of Bristol supports body mass index (BMI) as a useful tool for assessing obesity and health.
Research that reduced cot deaths across the world is recognised as one of UK’s best breakthroughs
6 December 2018
A University of Bristol study which showed lives could be saved if babies were placed on their backs - and not their fronts - to sleep, has today been named as one of the UK’s 100 best breakthroughs by Universities UK for its significant impact on peop...
What are the cost-effective implants in hip replacement surgery?
4 December 2018
New research led by the Hip Implant Prosthesis Study team at the University of Bristol Medical School has shown that small-head cemented metal-on-plastic hip replacements are the most cost-effective in men and women older than 65 years.
Requests for emergency contraception could be an important sign of abuse
4 December 2018
Women who experience domestic violence and abuse (DVA) are more than twice as likely to seek emergency contraception as other women, according to a study by NIHR-funded researchers at the University of Bristol and Queen Mary University of London.
First UK estimates of children who could have conditions caused by drinking in pregnancy revealed
30 November 2018
Up to 17 per cent of children could have symptoms consistent with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) according to new research published on 30 November in Preventative Medicine.
New psychological intervention proves ‘life-changing’ for women experiencing domestic abuse
28 November 2018
Training domestic violence and abuse (DVA) advocates to deliver psychological support to women experiencing DVA could significantly improve the health of those affected, a randomised controlled trial led by the University of Bristol has shown.
Psychotic experiences could be caused by trauma in childhood
21 November 2018
Researchers at the University of Bristol have established greater evidence for a causal link between trauma in childhood and psychotic experiences at 18 years old.
Popular drug combination for treatment resistant depression is not more effective than a single antidepressant in primary care
31 October 2018
A large clinical trial led by the University of Bristol and published in the British Medical Journal, looked at the effectiveness of adding mirtazapine to an SSRI or SNRI in patients who remain depressed after at least six weeks of conventional treatment...
Incarceration is likely to increase HIV and HCV transmission among people who inject drugs, new study finds
30 October 2018
New research led by the University of Bristol has found among people who inject drugs, that recent incarceration was associated with an 81 per cent and 62 per cent increase in HIV and HCV acquisition risk, respectively.
Study of 500,000 people clarifies the risks of obesity
25 October 2018
Elevated body mass index (BMI) – a measure of weight accounting for a person’s height - has been shown to be a likely causal contributor to population patterns in mortality, according to a new study led by the University of Bristol.
Researchers explore ups and downs of early parenthood thanks to new funding
23 October 2018
New Wellcome Trust funding means researchers from the University of Bristol can undertake a new study exploring fathers' early parenting experiences.
Evidence that increased BMI causes lower mental wellbeing
26 September 2018
There is an increasing need to prevent obesity because of the consequences for mental as well as physical health, new research by academics at the University of Bristol has found.
Prescribing antibiotics for children with cough in general practice does not reduce the risk of hospitalisation
11 September 2018
Doctors and nurses often prescribe antibiotics for children with cough and respiratory infection to avoid return visits, symptoms getting worse or hospitalisation.
New study on public attitudes to dementia launches survey
5 September 2018
A new research survey has been launched that will take a snapshot of public attitudes to dementia. Led by researchers at the University of West of England, the survey is supported by the Dementia Health Integration Team.
Bans on gluten-free prescribing save the NHS money in the short-term but the impact on patients is unclear
2 August 2018
Full or partial bans on GPs prescribing gluten-free (GF) foods to people with coeliac disease save the NHS money in the short-term. But the impact on patients is unknown, NIHR-funded researchers at the University of Bristol have warned.
Weight differences contribute to heart health in the young
30 July 2018
Increased weight in young adults is likely to cause higher blood pressure and a thickening of the heart muscle, according to findings by the University of Bristol published in the American Heart Association’s journal on 30 July...
Patients undergoing hip replacement may be at lower risk of infection
25 July 2018
Researchers from the Musculoskeletal Research Unit at the University of Bristol have identified the most important risk factors for developing severe infection after hip replacement.
Depression and antidepressants are associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism
24 July 2018
In the first review of its kind, new research has found that depression and the use of antidepressants are each associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE).
Gosport may have a negative impact on end-of-life care in general practice
17 July 2018
Researchers from the University of Bristol have highlighted the potentially negative impact the deaths at Gosport War Memorial Hospital may have on end-of-life care delivered at home.
Depression during pregnancy rises in a generation
17 July 2018
Anxiety and depressive symptoms during pregnancy have risen by 51 per cent within a generation according to findings from a major study by the University of Bristol published last week...
High blood pressure in pregnancy linked to mother's heart function
6 July 2018
Pregnant women who develop high blood pressure, or have small babies, may have hearts that pump less blood with each beat.
£1.7 million awarded to tackle domestic violence in low and middle-income countries
6 July 2018
Professor Gene Feder at the University of Bristol’s Centre for Academic Primary Care has been awarded £1.7 million by the National Institute for Health Research to fund a Global Health Group for research into health systems responses to violence against...
How Bristol’s research and teaching has helped shape the NHS and save lives
5 July 2018
Today we celebrate 70 years of the NHS - the first universal health care system to be established anywhere in the world...
Can peer power make teenage girls more active?
2 July 2018
A new study by the University of Bristol will test whether teenage girls’ activity levels can be increased through deliberate intervention from their peers, rather than their families or teachers.
Results of the largest ever multimorbidity trial in primary care challenge current thinking
29 June 2018
In the largest ever trial of an intervention to treat people with multiple long-term conditions in primary care, researchers found that the patient-centred approach taken improved patients’ experience of their care but not quality of life.
Bristol researchers use gene editing to improve red blood cell transfusion compatibility
27 April 2018
Synthetic biologists at the University of Bristol have succeeded in generating laboratory-made red blood cells with rare blood group types that could one day be used to help patients who cannot be matched with donor blood.
Buprenorphine may be a safer opioid substitute than methadone but only if treatment duration is longer, study suggests
20 April 2018
The less commonly prescribed opioid substitute buprenorphine may be safer than methadone for problem opioid users, especially if used during the first month of treatment, according to a study by researchers from the University of Bristol, King’s College...
ClairCity game to help determine Bristol’s clean air future
13 April 2018
A new game has been launched, and it’s all about Bristol. The ClairCity Skylines game from the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) and Bristol City Council, enables people in the city to shape how they want their city to look in the future.
Novel hormone replacement therapy trial demonstrates improved memory function in adrenal patients
10 April 2018
Better timing for cortisol replacement therapies, to more closely replicate the secretion patterns of people with normal levels of the hormone, has shown a significant improvement in patients' cognitive function.
What is the best way to treat infected hip replacements?
6 April 2018
New research has found treating an infected hip replacement in a single stage procedure may be as effective or better than the widely used two-stage procedure. To date no well-designed study has compared these procedures head-to-head to decide if one is...
‘Microsphere’ protein could help 50 per cent of patients who have heart bypass surgery failure
5 April 2018
A new £147,000 research project funded by Heart Research UK aims to help 50 per cent of patients who suffer from failed heart bypass surgery, saving them from further invasive surgery and potentially fatal heart attacks.
Outpatient treatment for cancer condition offers effective new approach for patients
5 April 2018
A novel approach to treating fluid build-up around the lungs of cancer patients could deliver a more effective home-based treatment for thousands of people who might be approaching the end of their lives, according to a new study led by the University of...
New study on nicotinic receptors and long-term memory could lead to more targeted and effective therapies for dementia
27 March 2018
A new University of Bristol study, which identifies how acetylcholine impacts learning and memory by acting at different receptors, could prove significant in the drive to develop more targeted and effective therapies for dementia.
Bristol scientists to study how Porcupine could improve heart surgery
26 March 2018
Scientists at the University of Bristol are to study how stopping Porcupine – a protein named after the spiky rodent - could improve heart surgery. Professor Sarah George has been awarded £140,000 to investigate if blocking the protein could help people...
Research finds orbital radiotherapy should not be used to treat thyroid eye disease
26 March 2018
The first NHS-led clinical trial for thyroid eye disease (TED) - also called Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) – a disfiguring condition causing protruding eyes, double vision and swelling around the eyes affecting mostly women – has shown that currently widely u...
Surgeries employing GPs with additional training in complementary medicine appear less likely to prescribe antibiotics
20 March 2018
GP surgeries with doctors who also have training in complementary and alternative medicines appear to be less likely to prescribe antibiotics to patients and may hold the key to reducing over-prescribing of these drugs, suggests the study led by Universi...
Gum disease having devastating impact on general health and well-being warn dentists
19 March 2018
A new report has revealed that the number of people affected by tooth decay and gum disease is having a widespread and devastating impact not only on patients mouths but also on their general health and wellbeing, particularly in the older population.
Academics urge rethink on 28-day prescriptions for people with long-term conditions
14 March 2018
The widely adopted practice of issuing 28-day rather than longer duration prescriptions for people with long-term conditions lacks a robust evidence base and should be reconsidered, according to a study published in the British Journal of General Practic...
Screening and treatment for prostate cancer: two trials address the controversies
12 March 2018
Jenny Donovan, Professor of Social Medicine, University of Bristol and Director of the NIHR CLAHRC West on the recent findings from two large prostate cancer trials that she has led.
One-off PSA screening for prostate cancer does not save lives
7 March 2018
Inviting men with no symptoms to a one-off PSA test for prostate cancer does not save lives according to results from the largest ever trial conducted by Cancer Research UK-funded scientists based at the University of Bristol.
New targets revealed for the treatment of inflammatory conditions
14 February 2018
Research by the University of Bristol has shed light on the way our clotting cells and immune cells control their interactions with each other.
20mph speed limits in Bristol save lives, reduce injuries and save the NHS £15 million a year
13 February 2018
The 20mph speed limits in residential areas in Bristol have prevented more than four fatal casualties a year, as well as 11 serious and 159 slight injuries, an evaluation by UWE Bristol has found, estimated to have saved the NHS £15 million a year.
£1.6m study will determine how bone size, shape and structure contributes towards arthritis and other musculoskeletal diseases
12 February 2018
How the size, shape and structure of bones and joints contribute towards the development of common age-related diseases such as osteoarthritis and osteoporosis will be investigated by an international research team thanks to a £1.6 million Wellcome Trust...
New £1.5m study will investigate what the ‘best interests’ are of patients who lack mental capacity
9 February 2018
A new study that will explore the healthcare decisions made in the “best interests” of patients who are unable to make decisions for themselves because they lack mental capacity or competence has been awarded £1.5 million by the Wellcome Trust.
Excess winter deaths: routine data won’t help GPs identify patients who are most at risk
30 January 2018
Expecting GPs to use medical records to identify individual patients who are most vulnerable to cold weather is unrealistic, according to a study by researchers at the University of Bristol, UCL and the University of Birmingham.
Alternatives to face-to-face GP consultations unlikely to deliver hoped-for benefits in practice
30 January 2018
The realities of implementing alternatives to face-to-face GP consultations, such as online and video consultations, mean that hoped-for reductions in GP workload and increases in available appointments for patients might not be realised.
Study of 3,000 drinkers’ attempts to cut down produces sobering results
25 January 2018
A new study by the University of Bristol that assessed data on the drinking patterns of nearly 3,000 drinkers who reported that they were planning to reduce their alcohol consumption found that very few managed it when followed up six months later.
Screening could catch a quarter of hip fractures before they happen
18 December 2017
Community screening for osteoporosis could prevent more than a quarter of hip fractures in older women – according to new research involving researchers from the Centre for Academic Primary Care, University of Bristol and local hospitals, and led by...
Teenagers with incontinence are at risk of underachieving at secondary school
12 December 2017
New research has found teenagers with incontinence are at greater risk of underachieving academically, and need more support to remove barriers so they can reach their academic potential.
Scientists successfully demonstrate a new way to help nerve regeneration in spinal cord injury
11 December 2017
A new way of triggering nerve regeneration to help repair spinal cord injury and in the longer-term potentially paralysis has successfully been demonstrated by University of Bristol scientists.
Twitter can reveal our shared mood
11 December 2017
In the largest study of its kind, researchers from the University of Bristol have analysed mood indicators in text from 800 million anonymous messages posted on Twitter.
New eczema ‘written action plan’ developed to help parents manage their child’s eczema
5 December 2017
Researchers from the University of Bristol’s Centre for Academic Primary Care have developed an eczema written action plan (the eWAP) to help parents manage their child’s eczema at home. The plan, completed by parents with their GP, will help parents...
GP online consultations: not the panacea policy makers are hoping for
23 November 2017
Online GP consultation systems may not be the silver bullet for reducing GP workload and patient waiting times that government policymakers are hoping for, NIHR-funded research from the University of Bristol has found.
‘Best practice’ programme that has helped GPs refer thousands of victims of domestic violence to specialist services announces ambitious plans to expand
21 November 2017
A highly successful, evidence-based domestic violence and abuse identification and referral programme (IRIS – Identification and Referral to Improve Safety) developed by researchers at the University of Bristol has launched as a social enterprise.
Older cars in urban areas not to blame for harmful emissions
16 November 2017
Research for the RAC Foundation has added weight to the argument that scrapping the oldest cars owned by people living in towns and cities would have negligible effect on air quality.
Discontinuity of care puts older patients at risk of emergency hospital admission
15 November 2017
Older patients who do not see the same GP over a period of time are at higher risk of emergency hospital admission than those who see the same or a small number of GPs, according to new research.
Primary care is key to optimising value in healthcare
14 November 2017
Balancing improvements in health against the cost of such improvements in primary care is vital to achieve a cost-effective and efficient healthcare system, finds a new report by University of Bristol researchers and published in the BMJ.
Breastfed babies are less likely to have eczema as teenagers, study shows
13 November 2017
Babies whose mothers had received support to breastfeed exclusively for a sustained period from birth have a 54 per cent lower risk of eczema at the age of 16, a new study shows.
Electronic GP consultations: not quite there yet
7 November 2017
Online GP consultation systems as they currently stand are unlikely to take the pressure off GPs and practices, despite NHS England’s drive to promote them through a £45 million fund.
What is the most effective type of hip implant combination for patients undergoing a hip replacement?
3 November 2017
Researchers from the Bristol Medical School at the University of Bristol have found that there is no evidence that any of the newer hip implant combinations are better than the widely used small head metal-on-plastic cemented hip combination.
Policy and regulation stand in the way of NHS use of unlicensed eye injection drug with potential to save millions of pounds
1 November 2017
Eye injection drugs recommended by NICE cost the NHS up to £447 million annually, but could be replaced by an unlicensed drug, bevacizumab, costing as much as ten times less.
Scientists pinpoint genetic risk factors for asthma, hay fever and eczema
30 October 2017
A major international study has pinpointed more than 100 genetic risk factors that explain why some people suffer from asthma, hay fever and eczema.
Centralised care needs to be improved to ensure children with cleft lip and palate have best outcomes
30 October 2017
Around 1,000 children are born with cleft lip and/or palate in the UK each year, with many children requiring long-term multi-disciplinary care.
An additional 20 minutes commuting each day lowers job satisfaction equivalent to a 19 per cent pay cut
23 October 2017
An additional 20 minutes of commuting each working day is equivalent to a 19% annual pay cut when it comes to measuring how satisfied people say they are with their jobs, a new study has found.
Key discoveries offer significant hope of reversing antibiotic resistance
23 October 2017
Two recent studies led by the University of Bristol provide significant new hope in the fight against antibiotic resistance.
Kidney failure’s effects on the psychosocial health and lifestyle of young adults
19 October 2017
Kidney failure is associated with lower quality of life in young people and limited employment, independence, and relationships compared with healthy peers.
Public support for 20mph limits holds firm, new study reveals
16 October 2017
Seven in every 10 adults in Great Britain support the introduction of 20mph speed limits in busy streets, according to a major new survey.
Domestic violence education inadequate across UK medical schools, finds new study
6 October 2017
Teaching on domestic violence and abuse (DVA) should be mandatory in medical education according to a new University of Bristol study that highlights current levels as inadequate.
Cooling treatment reduces epilepsy in children
3 October 2017
Cooling babies deprived of oxygen at birth (perinatal asphyxia) can reduce the number of children who develop epilepsy later in childhood, according to a new study published in the journal Epilepsia.
Interventions for reducing hepatitis C infection in people who inject drugs
26 September 2017
The first global review to quantify the impact of needle syringe programmes (NSP) and opioid substitution treatment (OST) in reducing the risk of becoming infected with the hepatitis C virus is published in Cochrane Library Drug and Alcohol Review Group...
New study aims to find the best moisturiser for treating eczema in children
22 September 2017
Researchers at the Universities of Bristol, Nottingham and Southampton have been awarded £1.4 million by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme to discover which is the best emollient (moisturiser) for treating childhood eczema.
Study investigating effectiveness of The Lightning Process® programme to treat children with mild or moderate CFS or ME finds symptoms improve
21 September 2017
The first trial of The Lightning Process® has published its results. It looked at the effectiveness of LP in addition to specialist medical care was compared to specialist medical care alone in children with mild or moderate chronic fatigue syndrome.
Bristol-led grant to harmonise and improve bereavement care research
19 September 2017
Dr Danya Bakhbakhi, Academic Clinical Fellow in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Bristol and Southmead Hospital, has been awarded £367,000 for an NIHR Doctoral Research Fellowship to investigate outcomes after stillbirth.
Sobering evidence on drinking during pregnancy: do we know how little is too much?
11 September 2017
New research from the University of Bristol suggests that consuming even small amounts of alcohol in pregnancy may be linked with higher chances of having a small baby and delivering prematurely, though evidence was surprisingly lacking.
Living near fast food outlets linked to weight gain in primary school children
11 September 2017
Children with greater access to fast food outlets are more likely to gain weight compared to those living further away, new research suggests. Academics from UWE Bristol tracked the weight of more than 1,500 primary school children in South Gloucestershi...
First aid 'could help ease the pressure on A&E' according to research
24 August 2017
New research commissioned by British Red Cross and led by Dr Julie Mytton at UWE Bristol shows that over a third of people who attend accident and emergency departments were seeking help because they were 'worried and didn't know what to do'.
Extending liaison psychiatry service at the Bristol Royal Infirmary improves care and reduces costs for self-harm patients
23 August 2017
Extending the operating hours of the liaison psychiatry service at the Bristol Royal Infirmary’s (BRI) Emergency Department has led to improved care and outcomes for patients who have self-harmed, NIHR-funded research has found.
Steroids not effective for chest infections in adults who don’t have asthma or other chronic lung disease
22 August 2017
Oral steroids should not be used for treating acute lower respiratory tract infection (or ‘chest infections’) in adults who don’t have asthma or other chronic lung disease, as they do not reduce the duration or severity of symptoms.
Calling all dads…let’s talk
14 August 2017
Talking about the highs, and understanding the lows, of being a dad is the theme of a new project led by an inter-disciplinary team of academics from the University of Bristol.
Highly hazardous pesticides: policies should focus on bans, rather than secure storage, Lancet studies suggest
11 August 2017
Global policies on access to highly hazardous pesticides – commonly ingested in acts of self-poisoning and suicide in rural Asia – should focus on national bans, rather than safe storage, according to two studies in The Lancet and The Lancet Global Healt...
Alternatives to acute hospital admissions for older people are safe and reduce hospital use
9 August 2017
Alternatives to acute hospital admissions for older people appear safe and could reduce use of acute hospital care and length of time receiving care, a new study from the University of Bristol published in BMJ Open has found.
Sexual health professionals should be supported to ask about domestic abuse
7 August 2017
Sexual health professionals feel that it is appropriate and valuable to ask their patients about domestic violence and abuse, NIHR-funded research has found. But time, workload and finding the right moment during consultations can be barriers to doing so...
University of Bristol team to develop a new test to assist GP antibiotic prescribing
1 August 2017
A research team at the University of Bristol, including researchers from ITHAcA HIT and NIHR CLAHRC West, has won a prestigious international award for a technology that could help in the fight against antibiotic resistance.
Research shows regular road closures help children get active
31 July 2017
New research from the University of Bristol shows that playing outside, aided by regular road closures, helps to increase children’s physical activity.
Bristol researcher wins prestigious diabetes research award
26 July 2017
Bristol researcher Dr Emma Vincent, whose own family has been affected by diabetes, has been awarded £587,237 from Diabetes UK to find out why people with Type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop some cancers.
New discovery could reverse tissue damage caused by heart attacks
25 July 2017
A new discovery by University of Bristol scientists helps to explain how cells which surround blood vessels, called pericytes, stimulate new blood vessels to grow with the hormone ‘leptin’ playing a key role.
Sexual health clinics should ask about abuse
21 July 2017
Training clinicians to proactively ask patients about domestic violence is feasible for sexual health clinics to implement and could increase referrals to specialist services, according to a study by Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) and the Univers...
Adrenal gland activity change under severe stress causing abnormal release of glucocorticoid stress hormones
18 July 2017
To respond to stress optimally, the body needs to produce glucocorticoid hormones, such as cortisol, extremely quickly. New research by scientists from the Universities of Bristol and Exeter has revealed the molecular network that enables rapid glucocort...
Women speak out about experiences of domestic violence and abuse to help others
6 July 2017
A new resource designed to support women experiencing domestic violence and abuse has been launched on the HealthTalk charity website today, developed by researchers from the Universities of Bristol and Oxford.
What is best practice in school sex education?
3 July 2017
New research led by the University of Bristol has found clear evidence that school-based sex and relationship education (SRE) and school-linked sexual health services can be effective at improving sexual health.
£2 million award will advance understanding of mechanisms of learning and memory
22 June 2017
Neuroscientists at the University of Bristol have been awarded a prestigious £2 million Wellcome Trust Investigator Award for a five-year study to investigate the neuronal circuits that drive our recognition memory.
Research finds nutrient deficiencies in heavy drinking homeless people, but evidence is limited
19 June 2017
An NIHR CLAHRC West review has found that heavy drinking homeless people may experience a range of nutrient deficiencies, including vitamin B1, but the amount and quality of research on this issue is low.
Epigenetics could help diagnose different types of cleft
14 June 2017
Cleft lip and palate are common birth defects and affect around 15 in every 10,000 births in Europe. New research by the University of Bristol from the the Cleft Collective has found epigenetics could help diagnose different types of cleft...
New trial for prosthetic hip joint infection
13 June 2017
The first ever randomised trial to investigate why some patients develop infections after their hip or knee replacement surgery, and which type of surgical revision treatment is best is being run by the University of Bristol and members of the public are...
Technology which makes electricity from urine also kills pathogens, researchers find
13 June 2017
A scientific breakthrough has taken an emerging biotechnology a step closer to being used to treat waste water in the developing world.
'Big Data’ resource raises possibility of research revolution
12 June 2017
A group of UK scientists involving researchers from the University of Bristol have demonstrated how aggregating image data from laboratories all around the world has the potential to revolutionise scientific research.
Bristol study finds link between teen cannabis use and illicit drug taking in early adulthood
8 June 2017
Researchers from the University of Bristol have found regular and occasional cannabis use as a teen is associated with a greater risk of other illicit drug taking in early adulthood.
Largest study to date finds autism alone does not increase risk of violent offending
1 June 2017
A diagnosis of autism alone does not increase the risk of violent offending suggests a study published in the June 2017 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (JAACAP).
Researchers looking for men to take part in new domestic violence study
25 May 2017
Researchers at the University of Bristol’s Centre for Academic Primary Care are looking for men who are concerned that they are, or have been, abusive in their relationships with women to take part in a new study that will help improve how we support men...
Life or death medical decisions involving a child – new study asks questions about current process
18 May 2017
How parents and clinicians make life or death medical decisions involving very young children is the focus of a new study published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood. The findings may offer insight into how the ‘best interests’ of a child are decid...
Cystic fibrosis study offers new understanding of silent changes in genes
16 May 2017
Researchers studying the root cause of cystic fibrosis have made a major advance in our understanding of silent gene changes with implications for the complexity of cystic fibrosis. The findings were published on 16 May in PLoS Biology.
Combining heroin and commonly prescribed non-opioid pain killers leads to a significant rise in overdose deaths
11 May 2017
A multi-disciplinary study has shown that the recent substantial increase in prescriptions for two drugs, pregabalin and gabapentin, used widely for a range of neurological disorders is closely correlated with a rise in the number of overdose deaths in E...
Life expectancy for people with HIV has increased by 10 years in the US and Europe since introduction of antiretroviral therapy
10 May 2017
Life expectancy of 20-year-olds starting treatment for HIV has increased by around a decade in the EU and North America since the introduction of antiretroviral therapy in the mid-1990s, according to a study published in The Lancet HIV.
UK health spending needs to grow faster than GDP
3 May 2017
The NHS is frequently in the news about its ongoing funding crisis. New research suggests demand for health services is set to continue to grow faster than GDP per head in all developed countries around the world.
Staff engagement app leads to service delivery improvements in central Bristol hospitals
2 May 2017
A staff engagement app developed by a team at University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust (UH Bristol) has led to improved staff engagement and service delivery at the trust’s central Bristol hospitals.
Study finds primary school children get less active with age
28 April 2017
There is an age-related decline in children’s physical activity levels as they progress through primary school, according to a British Heart Foundation-funded study.
Proof that magnesium could prevent fractures
13 April 2017
Magnesium could hold the key to preventing one of the most preventable causes of disability in middle-aged to elderly people, according to new research led by academics at the Universities of Bristol and Eastern Finland.
Children with autism find understanding facial expressions difficult but make similar mistakes as peers - new study finds
31 March 2017
Young people with autism spectrum conditions (ASC) have difficulties recognising and distinguishing between different facial expressions, according to research from one of the largest studies to look at emotion recognition in children and adolescents wit...
Therapies that target dementia in early stages critical to success
28 March 2017
Targeting dementia in the earlier stages of the condition could be critical for the success of future therapies, say researchers from the University of Bristol, who have found that the very earliest symptoms of dementia might be due to abnormal stability...
No ‘weekend admission effect’ for the elderly sustaining broken hips in the NHS
27 March 2017
New research has found NHS patients admitted to hospital at the weekend with a hip fracture are at no greater risk of death compared to weekdays. In fact, the risk of death during the hospital stay was lower at the weekend than in the week.
Major breakthrough in the manufacture of red blood cells
24 March 2017
Researchers have generated the first immortalised cell lines which allow more efficient manufacture of red blood cells. The team, from the University of Bristol and NHS Blood and Transplant, were able to manufacture red blood cells in a more efficient sc...
Is there a link between telomere length and cancer?
23 March 2017
Telomeres are regions of repetitive DNA at the end of human chromosomes, which protect the end of the chromosome from damage. Whilst shorter telomeres are hypothesized biological markers of older age and have been linked to many diseases, including cancer...
Stem cell therapy could help mend the youngest of broken hearts
21 March 2017
Researchers have shown stem cells from the umbilical cord may hold the key to a new generation of graft and could reduce the number of surgeries required to treat young children born with certain types of congenital heart disease.
Antibiotics not effective for clinically infected eczema in children
14 March 2017
Estimates suggest that 40 per cent of eczema flares are treated with topical antibiotics, but findings from a study involving academics from the University of Bristol’s Centre for Academic Primary Care, suggest there is no meaningful benefit from the use...
Researchers to develop ‘wearable’ robotic tools for surgery
14 March 2017
A team of researchers led by UWE Bristol is to develop a wearable robotic system for minimally invasive surgery, also known as keyhole surgery, that will offer surgeons natural and dexterous movement and the ability to ‘sense’, ‘see’, control and safely...
Gambling a problem for 1 in 20 people visiting their GP
14 March 2017
A study published in the British Journal of General Practice today found that around 1 in 20 people waiting to see their GP in surgeries in Bristol reported having a gambling problem.
Young adults on the verge of a gambling habit
14 March 2017
Young males and people who use drink or drugs are at greater risk of developing a gambling habit, according to new research published today. Experts say it is an indication of an area that needs more attention if primary care services are to help those i...
Girls in care more likely to report lower well-being than boys
8 March 2017
About a quarter of girls in care have low well-being and feel the stigma of care more deeply than do boys according to a new study, announced today, which set out to understand what well-being means to looked after children.
Brain stimulation raises hopes for patients with drug-resistant high blood pressure
28 February 2017
A Bristol team has used a deep brain stimulation technique to dramatically reduce a woman’s high blood pressure – the first time in the world the procedure has been carried out for hypertension. The discovery raises hopes for patients with drug-resistant...
Report recommends BME led voluntary and community organisations for older people work closely with statutory services
20 February 2017
Research funded by Bristol City Council and carried out by UWE Bristol in collaboration with local groups found that black and other minority ethnic community leaders are increasingly aware of how dementia affects many people from BME communities.
New discovery a major advance for understanding neurological diseases
13 February 2017
The discovery of a new mechanism that controls the way nerve cells in the brain communicate with each other to regulate our learning and long-term memory could have major benefits to understanding how the brain works and what goes wrong in neurodegenerat...
Bacterium lassoes its way from the mouth to the heart to cause disease
7 February 2017
The human mouth can harbour more than 700 different species of bacteria. Under normal circumstances these microbes co-exist with us as part of our resident oral microbiota. But when bacteria spread to other tissues via the blood stream, the results can b...
Bristol part of European initiative to study diabetic kidney disease
7 February 2017
Researchers from the University of Bristol are part of a major pan European €28.9 million initiative that aims to improve the prevention and management of diabetic kidney disease (DKD), which is the leading cause of kidney failure in the world.
‘Continuity of primary care matters and should be protected’
2 February 2017
Continuity of care – seeing the same GP – has proven benefits and could be a key line of defence against rising hospital admissions argue leading academics in an editorial published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).
Call for national guidance to help GPs document domestic violence
31 January 2017
Guidance is urgently needed to help GPs decide what information to include on electronic records of children and families experiencing domestic violence and abuse (DVA).
A brain wide chemical signal that enhances memory
24 January 2017
How does heightened attention improve our mental capacity? This is the question tackled by new University of Bristol research published today in the journal Cell Reports, which reveals a chemical signal released across the brain in response to attention...
Final report of five-year telehealth research programme published
23 January 2017
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) has published the final report of a five-year research programme on the use of telehealth in primary care settings for patients with long-term conditions.
Study identifies brain’s connections which keep related memories distinct from each other
20 January 2017
Neuroscientists at the University of Bristol are a step closer to understanding how the connections in our brain which control our episodic memory work in sync to make some memories stronger than others.
Disabled people reveal their experiences of social care
19 January 2017
At a time when Social Care in England is at a ‘tipping point’, according to the Care Quality Commission, it is vital that local authorities find ways of working together with people who use social care services.
New guidelines could help improve research into vascular cognitive impairment
16 January 2017
New guidelines have been developed that it is hoped will help to progress research into vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) following a study led by academics at the University of Bristol that brought together the views of over 150 researchers in 27 coun...
Patients with long term conditions overestimate life expectancy
11 January 2017
A review of studies examining perceived life expectancy among people with long term health conditions has found patients may overestimate their life expectancy.
The economics of grief
10 January 2017
The loss of a child can cause intense grief for parents and for many, life is never the same again. Now, for the first time, researchers have built up a comprehensive picture of the devastating social and economic impact that a child’s death can have.
Job clubs could help reduce depression in people who lose their job, study finds
4 January 2017
Job clubs seem to be effective in reducing depression in people who lose their jobs, particularly those at high risk of depression, an NIHR-funded study has found. But evidence for other types of support for people during times of financial hardship, inc...
Just what the doctor ordered: Study praises new approach to GP visits
22 December 2016
A cultural shift in how patients access care through their GPs is one step closer after a university study highlighted the benefits of an emerging approach known as ‘social prescribing’.
Further evidence found for causal links between cannabis and schizophrenia
19 December 2016
People who have a greater risk of developing schizophrenia are more likely to try cannabis, according to new research, which also found a causal link between trying the drug and an increased risk of the condition.
Supporting children exposed to domestic violence: call for stronger evidence base
12 December 2016
Services for children who are exposed to domestic violence and abuse are vital, but NIHR-funded researchers have found that there is little evidence for what support works best.
“It was like walking without knowing where I was going”: autism in the Bristol Somali community findings published
17 November 2016
The cultural and societal barriers that Somali families with children with autism experience are explored in a paper published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. The NIHR-funded research team, made up of University of Bristol and...
Suicidal patients need better online support from clinicians and help groups
10 November 2016
Improve clinicians’ understanding of the online world, review web-based support services for vulnerable people and safeguard the public against pro-suicide content. Those are some of the recommendations being put to the internet industry, health provider...
Testing online treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME)
1 November 2016
Over 700 children and young people are to take part in the largest clinical trial ever undertaken in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), which affects up to two per cent of young people, most of whom do not have access to treatment.
Fracture pain study paper from Integrated Pain Management HIT published
31 October 2016
Members of the Integrated Pain Management Health Integration Team (IPM HIT) have published a paper looking at 'sensorimotor dysfunction' after limb fracture. Sensorimotor dysfunction is when people feel sensations or movements in a limb that aren't actua...
SPHERE project wins MRC dementia award
27 October 2016
Bristol is one of six universities to receive a Momentum award from the Medical Research Council (MRC) to develop the UK’s research base in dementia science.
Risk of hospital admissions could be reduced with better general practice strategies
25 October 2016
Hospital admission rates are 55 per cent higher in some areas than in others because of a greater prevalence of conditions such as diabetes, alcoholism, dementia and socioeconomic deprivation.
GPs need better training to help children affected by domestic violence
14 October 2016
Although doctors and nurses are becoming more aware of patients experiencing domestic violence, the needs of children are often ignored, according to new research published today that reveals a lack of training about how to identify and support children...
How baby’s genes influence birth weight and later life disease
28 September 2016
Genetic differences could help to explain why some babies are born bigger or smaller than others, according to new research from the Early Growth Genetics (EGG) Consortium, an international collaboration of researchers including experts from the Universit...
BAME patients may be underrepresented in trials for diabetes treatment, study finds
26 September 2016
Failure to directly and appropriately assess language proficiency when recruiting patients to randomised controlled trials (RCTs) for diabetes treatments may be leading to black and ethnic minority (BAME) patients being underrepresented or excluded, new...
Research on stress hormone effects on the brain reveals unexpected findings
23 September 2016
Stress is a major problem in many people’s lives often resulting in poor health and mental disorders. It is thought that disturbances in the action of stress hormones play a key role in causing mental disorders, like major depression and post-traumatic s...
Healthy fat stem cells can protect against obesity-associated type 2 diabetes
15 September 2016
Obesity is responsible for the deaths of over three million people a year worldwide due to its associated diseases such as diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease. However, a subset of obese individuals seems to be protected from such diseases.
Monitoring prostate cancer offers the same survival chance as surgery or radiotherapy over 10 years, but treatment reduces risk of cancer progression
14 September 2016
Active monitoring is as effective as surgery and radiotherapy, in terms of survival at 10 years, reports the largest study of its kind, funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).
Bristol research receives £21 million Biomedical Research Centre award over five years
14 September 2016
University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust (UH Bristol) and the University of Bristol have been awarded more than £21 million over five years by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), to fund cutting-edge research.
Size is everything when it comes to high blood pressure
13 September 2016
The size of a grain of rice, the carotid body, located between two major arteries that feed the brain with blood, has been found to control your blood pressure. A team of clinical scientists at the University of Bristol have found a new way to treat hi...
‘Negative’ school sex education needs a revamp
12 September 2016
Sex and relationship education (SRE) is in need of an overhaul, according to research by the University of Bristol. The wide-ranging study looked at how young people in 10 countries viewed their school-based SRE. It found schools appear reluctant to ackn...
Post-mortem assessment guidelines for vascular cognitive impairment
5 September 2016
New research, led by academics at the University of Bristol, has outlined the first validated set of pathological criteria for assessing the likelihood that cognitive impairment was caused by vascular disease.
Researchers eyeing first new anti-hypertensive drug treatment strategy in more than 15 years
5 September 2016
Researchers at the University of Bristol and Afferent Pharmaceuticals have identified a potential new way of treating high blood pressure, or hypertension, by targeting aberrant nerve signals in the carotid bodies, which sit on the common carotid arterie...
New algorithm could help GPs reduce antibiotic use in children with coughs and RTIs
2 September 2016
Researchers have developed a technique that will help GPs identify which children with coughs and respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are most at risk of future hospitalisation.
FDA warning on drug for quitting smoking needs rethink, say researchers
1 September 2016
Researchers from the University of Bristol have called for the USA Food and Drug Administration’s ‘black box’ warning for smoking cessation drug varenicline to be lifted.
Unravelling the biology of parkinsonism
19 August 2016
Scientists have taken another step towards understanding the causes of parkinsonism by identifying what’s happening at a cellular level to potentially help develop future treatments.
PolicyBristol explores conflicts of interest in healthcare and NHS procurement
4 August 2016
PolicyBristol, which brings together diverse policy-relevant work from across the University of Bristol, has produced a briefing called Conflicts of interest in healthcare: NHS procurement rules must be clarified. This research takes stock of recent deve...
Dementia Health Integration Team survey of public attitudes paper published
28 July 2016
The Dementia Health Integration Team (HIT) have published their first paper as a HIT. The aim of the study was to carry out a survey of public attitudes toward people affected by dementia in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
Bristol GP wins major Royal College of General Practitioners research award
27 July 2016
A Bristol GP and lecturer has been awarded the 2017 John Fry Award by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and Society of Academic Primary Care (SAPC).
Research will help GPs diagnose urinary tract infections in children and improve antibiotic use
11 July 2016
After a three-year study involving more than 7,000 children, researchers have developed a technique to help GPs and nurses to decide from which children a urine sample should be collected if they suspect a urinary tract infection is present.
Can YOU predict activity from sensor data?
5 July 2016
A challenge has been launched for people to predict posture and movement within a smart home from video, accelerometer and environmental sensor data. The competition is part of the University of Bristol’s SPHERE project.
Personality disorders have long-term effects on mental health and social relationships
1 July 2016
People with personality disorder (PD) have enduring relationship difficulties. The condition affects about one in 20 people in the UK and up to 40 per cent of adult mental health service users.
Health Integration Team model evaluation paper published
1 July 2016
The results of NIHR CLAHRC West's preliminary evaluation of the ‘Health Integration Team’ model have been published in BMC Health Services Research.
Hospital-at-home is a safe alternative to hospital admission for elderly patients
29 June 2016
When considering admitting patients over the age of 65 for acute hospital care, alternatives such as hospital at home, admission to a local community hospital or extended stays and treatment in A&E are a viable option say NIHR-funded researchers from the...
Ten minutes on children’s internet game enough to lower body satisfaction among young girls, study finds
22 June 2016
Young girls reported heightened body dissatisfaction after playing a children’s internet game for just 10 minutes, a study has found. Primary school children expressed a more pronounced desire for a slimmer figure immediately after playing a free game wh...
Research project looking for mums-to-be with family history of eczema
20 June 2016
Researchers at the University of Bristol are looking for pregnant women to take part in a study into preventing babies developing eczema. Barrier Enhancement for Eczema Prevention (BEEP), aims to recruit 1,300 babies.
Bristol research highlights in 2015-16
15 June 2016
2015-16 saw the opening of the Bristol Brain Centre, bringing Bristol’s considerable strengths in neurological disorders together under one roof, and a new personalised assisted living facility at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory. A Genomic Medicine Cen...
Radical approach for parents with learning disabilities developed with Bristol researchers
14 June 2016
Researchers from the University of Bristol have contributed to the development of a radical new approach to supporting parents with learning disabilities.
Bristol and Leeds collaboration reveals a new mechanism for protein secretion
14 June 2016
A UK research team has discovered that a cell's protective layer acts like a turnstile, allowing proteins to be exported while preventing them from moving back in.
Researchers net £1.5m grant to boost understanding of drug resistant infections
9 June 2016
A consortium of nine academics from the University of Bristol has been awarded £1.5 million to carry out research on antibiotic resistance (AMR) in animals and the risks it poses to humans.
From bench to bedside: new research centre to benefit humans, animals and the environment
9 June 2016
A new national centre, unique in the UK and Europe, that will take research out of the laboratory and closer to the bedside to ensure more patients worldwide can access ground-breaking treatments as quickly as possible has opened in Bristol.
Telehealth interventions provide limited health benefits, concludes study
2 June 2016
There is considerable optimism amongst policy-makers that telehealth could transform health care delivery, but researchers have concluded that while telehealth could provide some benefit to some patients, it is not a simple answer to a complex problem.
Are Bristolian and British attitudes to cycling on different trajectories?
27 May 2016
Dr Adrian Davis, Director of the Supporting Healthy Inclusive Neighbourhood Environments (SHINE) Health Integration Team, talks about the differences between Bristol and the rest of the country in terms of attitudes to cycling.
Survey reveals few GPs use alternatives to face-to-face consultations
24 May 2016
Despite policy pressure on GPs to offer consultations by email or internet video programmes such as Skype, few GPs do and most have no plans to introduce them in future, according to a new study.
You are what you eat: immune cells remember their first meal
19 May 2016
Scientists at the University of Bristol have identified the trigger for immune cells' inflammatory response – a discovery that may pave the way for new treatments for many human diseases.
Could hepatitis C treatments help prevent virus transmission?
18 May 2016
An international team of researchers has shed light on the potential impact of new drugs for hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV is an important cause of liver cancer and is transmitted through blood to blood contact.
New innovations to combat antmicrobial resistant infections
12 May 2016
Two scientists at the University of Bristol have been awarded prestigious research grants to develop novel technologies that will help fight the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Experts call for NHS to boost bariatric surgery rates
11 May 2016
The NHS should increase bariatric surgery rates to 50,000 procedures a year to bring major health benefits to patients and save money in the long run, according to a team of experts.
Infant swaddling for sleep associated with sudden infant death syndrome
9 May 2016
The risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) appears to increase when infants are swaddled while sleeping on their stomachs or sides, new research has found.
New research could help would-be A&E attendees
9 May 2016
New research funded by the British Red Cross and carried out by UWE Bristol (the University of the West of England) and the University of Bristol aims to discover what information will help people know what to do and where to go when a person is unwell.
Creating a vision for green healthy cities
5 May 2016
How can we green our cities to make them healthier and more sustainable places to live? A substantial grant awarded to a European collaboration, including researchers at the University of Bristol, will help to develop the best, most cost effective polici...
Human heart cells show stress response to tobacco smoke, but not to e-cig vapour
4 May 2016
New research has showed substantial differences in the way human heart cells respond to e-cigarette smoke and conventional cigarette smoke.
Placenta size and offspring bone development linked
4 May 2016
A larger placenta during pregnancy could lead to larger bones in the children, a new study has shown. Researchers from the University of Southampton, studied 518 children in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children.
A faster and cheaper way to produce new antibiotics
4 May 2016
A novel way of synthesising a promising new antibiotic has been identified by scientists at the University of Bristol. By expressing the genes involved in the production of pleuromutilin in a different type of fungus, the researchers were able to increas...
New training could help health workers support millions across Europe with body image fears
4 May 2016
New training developed by the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) could help the next generation of health workers support millions of patients across Europe burdened by ‘visible differences’ and body image fears. Academics from UWE Bri...
Major funding to develop slow-releasing antimicrobial agent for dentistry and medicine
25 April 2016
A University of Bristol spin-out company working to advance the treatment and prevention of bacterial infection by developing a solution to improve the efficacy of chlorhexidine-based products has received major investment to progress the technology.
Mental health ‘first aid’ for teachers focus of new study by University of Bristol
25 April 2016
Researchers from the University of Bristol have begun a trial to find out how well a training and support package for teachers works in recognising and combatting mental health problems.
University of Bristol researchers help shape NHS England mental health service for GPs
20 April 2016
Researchers at the Universities of Bristol, Keele and University College London have fed back early research findings to help shape the development of a NHS England commissioned service for GPs with mental health problems.
IRIS domestic violence programme shortlisted for BMJ Awards
15 April 2016
A domestic violence training and support programme developed by Professor Gene Feder and his colleagues at the University of Bristol's Centre for Academic Primary Care has been shortlisted for the BMJ Awards in the category Innovation into Practice.
Stress leads to longer, later bedwetting
12 April 2016
In the largest study of its kind to date, researchers have confirmed that high levels of family stress in early life can cause children to wet the bed for prolonged and persistent periods of time.
Humanoid robotics and computer avatars could help treat social disorders
11 April 2016
A collaborative research team has found humanoid robotics and computer avatars could help rehabilitate people suffering from social disorders such as schizophrenia or social phobia. It is thanks to the theory of similarity, which suggests that it is easie...
Bristol researchers awarded funding to investigate Alzheimer's and high blood pressure
11 April 2016
A team of researchers at the University of Bristol is embarking on a study to investigate the link between high blood pressure and dementia thanks to a £388,000 funding boost from the charity Alzheimer’s Research UK.
New insights into how the brain adapts to stress
11 April 2016
Stress is a major burden in many people’s lives affecting their health and wellbeing. New research led by the University of Bristol has found that genes in the brain that play a crucial role in behavioural adaptation to stressful challenges are controlle...
New research suggests early life factors could increase prostate cancer risk
7 April 2016
Factors that influence when boys go through puberty could affect a man’s future risk of developing prostate cancer, a large study funded by World Cancer Research Fund has found.
General practice in England nearing ‘saturation point’ as study reveals extent of GP workload increase
5 April 2016
The largest analysis of GP and nurse consultations to date shows workloads in general practice have increased by 16 per cent over the past seven years, with more frequent and longer consultations.
Researchers uncover the factors associated with hospital deaths in the oldest old
23 March 2016
Researchers from the University of Bristol and Public Health England have found that, although the rates of hospital deaths in England are declining, nearly two-thirds of people aged 85 and over, and more than half of people aged 95 and over, still die i...
New research programme aims to improve healthcare professionals' approach to domestic violence
23 March 2016
Researchers at the University of Bristol have received more than £2.5 million from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to carry out research that aims to increase the safety and well-being of victims of domestic violence and abuse (DVA).
Autism genes are in all of us, new research reveals
21 March 2016
New light has been shed on the genetic relationship between autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) and ASD-related traits in the wider population, by a team of international researchers including academics from the University of Bristol, the Broad Institute o...
Railway suicide rates climb despite industry efforts
16 March 2016
Railway suicide rates in England and Wales have risen since the year 2000 despite measures aimed at reducing them, researchers from the University of Bristol have warned.
Antibiotic resistance in children is high and associated with previous antibiotic use
16 March 2016
Antibiotic resistance in children with urinary infections is high and could render some antibiotics ineffective as first-line treatments, warns a study published by The BMJ.
Pregnant mother’s weight, glucose and blood pressure affect baby’s size
15 March 2016
Being overweight or obese in pregnancy causes babies to be born larger, according to new research, led by the universities of Bristol and Exeter. The study also found that having higher blood glucose (sugar) during pregnancy causes babies to be born larg...
Videos exploring antibiotic use for RTIs in children in primary care launched at TARGET event
10 March 2016
Videos and other resources to help GPs and parents manage coughs and respiratory tract infections (RTIs) have been launched by the University of Bristol's Centre for Academic Primary Care (CAPC) at an antimicrobial stewardship event on 26 February in Lon...
Why it’s good to eat your greens
1 March 2016
Research has found pre-school children whose parents considered them to be ‘picky eaters’ ate less dietary fibre, and were 30 per cent more likely to be constipated than those who were ‘never choosy’.
Bristol neuroscientist honoured with the world’s largest prize for ground-breaking brain research
1 March 2016
A University of Bristol professor is one of three neuroscientists who have won the world’s most valuable prize for brain research, for their outstanding work on the mechanisms of memory.
Families needed for study into children's common illnesses
29 February 2016
University of Bristol researchers led by Professor Alastair Hay are inviting Bristol families to take part in a new study to find out more about how parents manage children’s coughs, colds, sore throats and ear infections in the community.
Bristol scientists to study potential new way of treating diabetes
29 February 2016
Scientists at the University of Bristol are to investigate a potential new way of treating diabetes, following funding from the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
Bristol researchers aim to improve the use of antibiotics in primary care
26 February 2016
New research led by Bristol NHS CCG and the University of Bristol, aimed at improving the quality of primary care for children with respiratory tract infections (RTIs) has been presented in London.
Researchers uncover GPs’ dilemma over prescribing antibiotics for children with respiratory tract infections
24 February 2016
GPs find making decisions about prescribing antibiotics in children with respiratory tract infections (RTIs) difficult - on the one hand, the over-prescription of antibiotics is recognised as a serious concern but, on the other, treating a significant in...
University of Bristol wins strategic awards to support translational research
23 February 2016
The University of Bristol has won two awards from the Medical Research Council (MRC) to support translational research – work that turns fundamental scientific discoveries into improvements in human health and economic benefit.
Breathtaking innovation: New device could end blood test agony for thousands
23 February 2016
Patients could be spared the unpleasant ordeal of having blood taken in future thanks to the work of a University of the West of England academic who has devised a new breath testing device.
Significant new study shows importance of help for childhood sexual abuse victims
22 February 2016
While the sexual abuse of children is currently an issue at the forefront of public life, concern has focused on the protection of children and the identification of perpetrators. However, a new study by the Universities of Bristol and Durham for the NSP...
Best to sleep on it: brain activity patterns during sleep consolidate memory
19 February 2016
Why does sleeping on it help? This is the question tackled by new research at the University of Bristol, which reveals how brain activity during sleep sorts through the huge number of experiences we encounter every day, filing only the important informat...
Genome studies can help identify lifestyle risks for diseases
12 February 2016
A type of study commonly used to pinpoint genetic variants associated with diseases can also be used to identify the lifestyle predictors that increase the risk of a disease – something that is often overlooked in genetic studies.
New milestone for prostate cancer urine diagnostic test
11 February 2016
A research team from UWE Bristol and University of Liverpool has reached an important milestone towards creating a urine diagnostic test for prostate cancer that could mean invasive diagnostic procedures that men undergo become a thing of the past.
Stronger evidence found for link between prenatal exposure to paracetamol and the risk of developing asthma
10 February 2016
Researchers have provided new evidence that developing asthma can be linked to pregnant women and infants being exposed to paracetamol; by testing that the association was not simply due to the medical complaint for which the person is taking paracetamol...
New discovery strengthens how bones bond to titanium orthopaedic implants
27 January 2016
Scientists at the University of the West of England have discovered a new way of making titanium implants bond better with bones. Successful implant surgery is dependent on this bonding process working so that the implant integrates into the skeleton.
Bristol researchers launch unique dataset of GP / patient consultations
25 January 2016
Researchers from the Centre for Academic Primary Care at the University of Bristol have created a unique dataset of 300 GP / patient consultations that will soon be made available for research and educational purposes.
Pilot programme helps new mums with learning difficulties
13 January 2016
New mothers with learning difficulties have benefitted from a pilot programme that helped them learn to care for and interact with their babies, an evaluation by University of Bristol experts has found.
How drugs can help your brain encode memories
13 January 2016
Medical researchers at the University of Bristol have uncovered a fundamental mechanism that explains the interaction between brain state and the neural triggers responsible for learning.
Common dementia drug found to improve Parkinson’s symptoms
13 January 2016
Scientists in Bristol have discovered that a commonly prescribed dementia drug could hold the key to helping prevent debilitating falls for people with Parkinson’s.
Pioneering study to help adults delay frailty and live independently for longer
11 January 2016
A major study, led by researchers from the Active Older People Health Integration Team (APPHLE HIT), has launched aiming to help older people stay fitter and live independently for longer.
NHS reorganisation and workload pressures causing GP retention crisis
7 January 2016
NHS reorganisation, coupled with increased GP workload and reduced time for patient care, are combining to force many doctors to leave general practice early, according to a significant new study.
Study finds CBT offers long-term benefits for people with depression
7 January 2016
People with depression that has not responded fully to treatment with antidepressants benefit long-term from receiving cognitive behavioural therapy, given in addition to their usual treatment that includes antidepressant medication.
People face subconscious urges to over-eat at this time of year, study finds
6 January 2016
People have evolved to have subconscious urges to over-eat, and limited ability to avoid becoming obese, especially in winter, a study by the Universities of Bristol and Exeter has found.
Two thirds of IVF couples will have a baby after six attempts
23 December 2015
Couples seeking fertility treatment should view IVF as a multiple cycle process rather than a “single shot”, according to new research. The study has found that around two thirds of patients will be successful after six or more cycles of IVF.
Parents may need more guidance to prevent toddlers overeating
4 December 2015
Reducing toddlers’ portion sizes or number of eating occasions could potentially help to target weight gain in later life, according to new research from the University of Bristol and University College London (UCL).
Innovate UK funding for assistive robotic system will offer a ‘new perspective on ageing’
4 December 2015
A consortium of leading researchers, care providers and robotics experts have received a major award of over £2m from Innovate UK to develop a modular robotic solution for the home to revolutionise long-term care by giving people the choice to stay indep...
Passive smoking is associated with earlier delivery and lower birth weight
24 November 2015
New research by academics from the University of Bristol has found women exposed to passive smoking, on average, deliver their babies earlier and with lower birth weights compared to unexposed women.
UWE-designed anxiety app reaches half a million downloads
24 November 2015
A free self-help app for anxiety (SAM app) conceived and co-designed by experts at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) has been downloaded by over 500,000 users in more than 100 countries since its launch in July 2013.
Bristol team to help in the fight against superbugs
18 November 2015
Researchers at the University of Bristol have received £1.5 million from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) for a trial looking at easing the pain of ear infections. This is part of a larger investment of over £15.8 million into research t...
Babies fed cow’s milk too early are more likely to become overweight
12 November 2015
New research from Children of the 90s shows that the weight gain of infants given cow’s milk as a main drink in place of breast or formula milk before 12 months of age may be greater than that of breastfed infants.
Evidence shows low energy sweeteners help reduce energy intake and body weight
10 November 2015
Use of low energy sweeteners in place of sugar, in children and adults, leads to reduced calorie intake and body weight – and possibly also when comparing these beverages to water – according to a review led by researchers at the University of Bristo...
Research finds risk of suicide and mental illness increases during recession
6 November 2015
The economic recession of 2008 – 2013 was followed by increases in rates of suicide, suicide attempts, and mental illness, a PolicyBristol report from a team led by academics at the University of Bristol has found.
Estimated two-thirds of world’s population under 50 infected with herpes simplex virus type 1
28 October 2015
More than 3.7 billion people under the age of 50 are infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which commonly causes ‘cold sores’ and can also cause genital herpes, according to new research by the University of Bristol and WHO.
New £4.1 million cancer research programme announced
21 October 2015
A major new £4.1 million cancer research programme that will focus on new ways to prevent and predict cancer development and progression is announced by Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and the University of Bristol.
University of Bristol cancer paper wins 'Research Paper of the Year'
23 September 2015
A research paper published in 2014 by researchers from the University of Bristol’s Centre for Academic Primary Care and colleagues from the universities of Cambridge and Exeter has won Research Paper of the Year Award 2014 from the Royal College of Gener...
Methadone increases death risk in first four weeks of treatment for opioid dependence
16 September 2015
Patients who start treatment for dependence on opioids are five times as likely to die in the first four weeks when they are prescribed the most commonly used treatment, methadone, than with an alternative treatment, buprenorphine, a study by researchers...
Choral singing therapy may lead to improved quality of life for stroke survivors
16 September 2015
Singing in a choir can improve the feelings of social isolation and low mood experienced by stroke survivors with aphasia (communication difficulties) according to new research from the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) and the University o...
Bristol to benefit from new £3m Blood and Transplant Research Unit
11 September 2015
A new £3 million NIHR Blood and Transplant Research Unit to advance pioneering research on the manufacture of red blood cells from stem cells and their translation from the lab to human trials has been announced.
New Anchor Robotics facility opens to develop robots that help elderly to live independently
9 September 2015
Bristol Robotics Laboratory's new Anchor Robotics Personalised Assisted Living (ARPAL) facility enables robotics researchers, elderly people with assistive needs and those supporting them, to work together to devise and test new robotic solutions in a ho...
Parents need more help to assess their child's activity levels, says study
9 September 2015
Mothers who took part in a study about preschool children’s physical activity and sedentary behaviour do not feel that the government targets are relevant to their preschooler.
Study suggests couples need better antenatal care following fertility treatment
1 September 2015
Couples who have successfully conceived following fertility treatment need additional antenatal care and support, new research from the University of Bristol has found.
Goth teens could be more vulnerable to depression and self-harm
28 August 2015
Young people who identify with the goth subculture might be at increased risk of depression and self-harm, according to new research led by academics at the Universities of Oxford and Bristol, published in The Lancet Psychiatry journal.
Dementia research boosted by surge in volunteers
26 August 2015
Ambition to find a cure for dementia has been boosted by the surge of people volunteering to take part in dementia research.
Heavy smoking may lead to increased waist circumference
21 August 2015
Heavy smoking may result in a relative increase in waist circumference, according to a new study led by the University of Bristol.
Cause of disruption in brain’s communication channels linked to psychiatric disorders
17 August 2015
New research has identified the mechanisms that trigger disruption in the brain’s communication channels linked to symptoms in psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia. The University of Bristol study, published on 17 August in the Proceedings of Na...
Study finds patients will discuss more problems with GPs they know well
31 July 2015
Patients often complain that they can't see the same doctor, but does this matter? A new study from Samuel Merriel and colleagues from the University of Bristol suggests that it may where a relationship between patient and doctor has been built.
AWP involved in dementia delay drug
22 July 2015
Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership Trust's clinical trials centre, the Kingshill Research Centre, has been involved in trialling a new drug which may cut the rate of progression in a third of people with early onset Alzheimer's disease.
New evidence linking brain mutation to autism
15 July 2015
Findings, published on 15 July in Nature Communications, reveal the extent a mutation associated with autism and epilepsy plays in impairing a biochemical process in the brain.
Ultrasound accelerates skin healing
13 July 2015
Healing times for skin ulcers and bedsores can be reduced by a third with the use of low-intensity ultrasound, scientists from the Universities of Sheffield and Bristol have found.
Tissue ‘scaffold’ could help rebuild large organs
17 June 2015
Scientists have developed a new tissue ‘scaffold’ technology that could one day enable the engineering of large organs. Research led by the Universities of Bristol and Liverpool has shown that it is possible to combine cells with a special scaffold to pr...
Finding hope in the dark
10 June 2015
Advances in stem cell transplantation and gene therapy have been pioneered in vision research. An international team of researchers from Bristol, Toronto, Pittsburgh, Dallas and Montreal have identified a gene that could be responsible for some cases of...
How the UK can improve cancer diagnosis
2 June 2015
After five years of research involving cancer diagnosis experts from six UK universities, including University of Bristol, researchers have made a number of recommendations on how the UK can improve the early diagnosis of cancer.
Researchers develop intelligent handheld robots
26 May 2015
What if handheld tools know what needs to be done and were even able to guide and help inexperienced users to complete jobs that require skill? Researchers at the University of Bristol have developed and started studying a novel concept in robotics - int...
Study examines increase in calls to emergency services
22 May 2015
As calls to emergency services increase, there is an urgent need for a reliable and consistent method of measuring whether or not these calls are appropriate. These are the findings from a University of Bristol study, published in BMJ Open, which explore...
Obese 4-5 year olds likely to remain overweight
20 May 2015
A new study published in the Journal of Public Health examining changes in BMI in children aged 4-11 years, found that that the number of obese children doubles between the first and last years of primary school and that children who are obese when they...
Domestic violence linked with mental health problems
20 May 2015
Men visiting their GP with symptoms of anxiety or depression are more likely to have experienced or carried out some form of behaviour linked to domestic violence and abuse, according to a new University of Bristol study.
Small changes to child's head size no cause for concern
18 May 2015
Measuring the size of a child's head is done routinely worldwide to screen for possible learning or developmental problems but new research suggests that differences within the normal range of measurements are common - and mainly due to human error - and...
Seeing same doctor could affect cancer diagnosis speed
27 April 2015
Whether or not patients see the same GP could affect how quickly bowel and lung cancers are diagnosed, according to a Cancer Research UK study led by University of Bristol researchers, published in the British Journal of General Practice on 27 April.
Support and compliance study of 20mph speed limits
27 April 2015
Drivers' attitudes to 20mph speed limits don't necessarily reflect their actual behaviour, with some supporters speeding, while some opponents comply, a study finds.
When is a child too sick for daycare?
23 April 2015
It’s a common dilemma faced by many working parents: your child has a cough or a cold, do you send them to nursery? Researchers from the University of Bristol have, for the first time, investigated the process of decision-making that parents go through w...
Poorer health for deaf people than general population
9 April 2015
Deaf people who sign have poorer health than the general population, according to a study led by researchers from the School for Social and Community Medicine at the University of Bristol.
IVFpredict among most accurate at predicting success
8 April 2015
Accurately predicting the probability of a live birth after in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment is important for both those undergoing the treatment and their clinicians. Findings from a comparison study that analysed the accuracy of the two most wide...
NIHR CLAHRC West thematic analysis of CCG 5 year plans
31 March 2015
The National Institute for Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care West (NIHR CLAHRC West) has produced a thematic analysis of the five year plans of the Clinical Commissioning Groups in its patch.
Research for Health Challenge launched
19 March 2015
The Elizabeth Blackwell Institute for Health Research at the University of Bristol has launched its ‘Research for Health’ funding scheme. Inviting doctors, nurses and allied health professionals to tell them about specific issues that they face whilst tr...
Giving blood transfusions after cardiac surgery
11 March 2015
New research led by the University of Bristol has shown that patients having heart surgery do not benefit if doctors wait until a patient has become substantially anaemic before giving a transfusion.
Research centres to revolutionise cystic fibrosis care
6 March 2015
The development of new drugs to treat the most common cause of cystic fibrosis, a genetic defect (or mutation) carried by around 90 per cent of people living with the disease in the UK, will be helped by the creation of a new virtual Strategic Research C...
Everyone Included celebrates first anniversary
4 March 2015
Everyone Included, the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust's (AWP) approach to recruiting participants in research, was launched on 17 March 2014. AWP are the first trust in the UK to adopt this approach to letting service users know a...
Improving the lives of people with intestinal failure
4 March 2015
Patients being treated for intestinal failure at the Bristol Royal Infirmary could benefit from a simple test used to measure how salty their urine is. Clinicians at University Hospitals Bristol have come up with the idea of using a test that is routinel...
Black men less willing to be tested for prostate cancer
2 March 2015
The incidence of prostate cancer among men of Afro-Caribbean origin is higher than in white men, they are more likely to be diagnosed as emergencies and their mortality rates are higher. Researchers studied the preferences and choice of more than 500 men...
Commissioning consultants
26 February 2015
Management consultants are "only partly successful" in improving the quality of commissioning, according to a study from the Universities of Bristol and Southampton.
Helping breast cancer patients cope with hair loss
24 February 2015
Hair is an integral part of identity and for breast cancer patients its loss can have a significant impact on their quality of life. Researchers at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) are exploring a new way of helping women manage the di...
Manchester United Academy heart health study
28 January 2015
A unique research project to identify the effects of exercise on young hearts will see Manchester United’s Academy players' hearts monitored by the newest imaging technology, to give invaluable insights into how young people’s hearts work while doing exe...
Project aims to improve treatment of childhood eczema
23 January 2015
A group of researchers led by the University of Bristol have received funding for a project that aims to improve the management and treatment of childhood eczema, a common condition that can have a significant impact on quality of life.
Asthma risk in rapid weight gain in first three months of life
8 January 2015
Babies who gain weight rapidly in the first three months of life are more likely to develop asthma and for it to persist into adolescence.
University of Bristol: world-leading with global impact
18 December 2014
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 has ranked the University of Bristol among the UK’s top research universities. Their research is shown to have top quality and major impact on society and the economy, according to this assessment of research...
Developments in treatment for premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
18 December 2014
Low doses of fluoxetine – better known as the anti-depressant Prozac – could hold the key to preventing PMS symptoms, an international team of researchers has found.
Research reveals clues to dementia and Parkinson's
18 December 2014
Researchers based in Bristol and London have uncovered a link between Lewy body diseases like Parkinson’s and the brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s. The findings could help to explain the close relationship between Parkinson’s, more commonly know...
UWE's world-leading research increases by 170 per cent
18 December 2014
The volume of world-leading research at UWE Bristol (the University of the West of England, Bristol) has gone up by 170 per cent, according to the results of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 out today.
Study investigates GP suspected cancer referrals
16 December 2014
A study investigating the extent to which suspected cancer patients feel involved and informed during the referral process was conducted by researchers from the Universities of Bristol, Cambridge, Durham and Exeter.
Body confidence affects girls' and women's aspirations
3 December 2014
A new report by the Centre for Appearance Research at the University of the West of England and AnyBody reveals low body confidence is thwarting girls' and women's confidence and aspirations in education and the workplace. 'Costing the Invisible' report...
Effective treatment for disc related sciatica
18 November 2014
A cohort study conducted in Bristol has reported that selective lumbar nerve root block, an injection targeting one specific spinal nerve, offered good, long lasting pain relief to many patients.
Could technology transform GP consultations?
6 November 2014
A group of researchers from the Universities of Bristol, Oxford, Edinburgh and Exeter have received funding to investigate whether there are alternatives to face-to-face consultations that will not only reduce GP workload but also benefit patients.
CLAHRC West report on health priorities for the West
25 September 2014
NIHR CLAHRC West's new report on the West of England population's health and wellbeing looks at the priorities of the health organisations in the region.
CAPC researcher wins excellence in primary care award
7 September 2014
Dr Sam Creavin from the Centre for Academic Primary Care at the University of Bristol has been named Junior Champion in Research 2014 for excellence in the field of Primary Care Research by the Vasco De Gama Movement, which promotes junior GPs and family...
Primary care telephone triage does not save money
4 August 2014
A new study, published in The Lancet on 4 August, investigating the potential value of telephone triage for patients and the NHS, has concluded that it does not save money or reduce practice workloads.
Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership boosts research figures
23 July 2014
Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership (AWP) has increased its number of studies by more than 20 per cent in the last year.
New insights could help in battle to beat Parkinson’s
26 June 2014
Scientists at the University of Bristol, and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and the Mayo Clinic are a step closer to understanding the causes of Parkinson’s disease, identifying what’s happening at a cellular level to potentially hel...
New pacemaker synchronises heart rate with breathing
23 June 2014
Pacemaker research from the Universities of Bath and Bristol could revolutionise the lives of over 750,000 people who live with heart failure in the UK.
New research centre set to revolutionise asthma care
13 May 2014
The University of Bristol is one of 13 academic and NHS organisations working together to form the Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research.
Domestic violence screening 'not effective'
13 May 2014
A new study from the Universities of Bristol and Melbourne, La Trobe and Columbia Universities and Queen Mary University in London, and published by the BMJ, has found no evidence to support domestic violence screening.
Seeing same GP reduces emergency department attendance
27 April 2014
Attendances at emergency departments can be reduced by enabling patients to see the same GP every time they visit their doctor’s surgery. This is just one of several recommendations made in a report led by researchers at the University of Bristol.
New drug offers hope for devastating childhood disease
9 April 2014
A powerful new drug which could relieve the symptoms of devastating childhood disease Rett syndrome is on the horizon thanks to a funding injection of £180,000 for University of Bristol scientists.
AWP launches Everyone Included research scheme
2 April 2014
All Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust service users now have the chance to decide for themselves about receiving information about relevant research opportunities through the Everyone Included scheme.
1,000th paper for Children of the 90s
2 April 2014
One of the world’s largest population studies, which collects vast amounts of data from 32,000 participants to give new insights into our health, is today celebrating an important landmark in its acclaimed research history. Children of the 90s is based a...
Lifesaving meningitis vaccination gets green light
21 March 2014
The Department of Health has announced that it is working towards introducing a life-saving vaccine for Meningitis B into the childhood immunisation programme.
How seeing the same GP helps your health
7 March 2014
Patients are more likely to raise a health problem with a doctor they’ve seen over time and have built-up a relationship with, new research has revealed.
Work pressure means children attend nursery when ill
6 March 2014
Working parents are often caught between the needs of their sick child and their job, which can lead to continued day care use even when their child is ill.
Report reveals cancer drug divide
4 March 2014
Patients suffering from cancer in England are up to seven times more likely to be prescribed expensive cancer drugs than fellow sufferers in Wales, a new study assessing the impact of the Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) has revealed.
3D study to improve care for patients
3 March 2014
A nationwide £1.78 million study to improve the quality of life for patients suffering with multiple long-term health conditions began on 3 March. The study is a collaboration between the Universities of Bristol, Glasgow, Manchester and Dundee.
Project to investigate the internet's impact on suicide
18 February 2014
Researchers at the University of Bristol are joining forces with Samaritans to carry out groundbreaking research into the role the internet plays for those with suicidal thoughts.
Common medicines should mimic body’s natural timing
18 February 2014
Debilitating side effects associated with prescription medication for some of today’s most common conditions could be eradicated if they mimicked the body’s natural hormone secretion cycles, a new report from the universities of Bristol and Exeter has sa...
Type 2 diabetes insulin use trebles over 20 years
7 February 2014
The number of people using insulin to treat diabetes trebled between 1991 and 2010, researchers from the Universities of Bristol and Cardiff have found. In a study published in the Journal of Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, a team reviewed Clinical P...
AWP's dementia work published in national journals
21 October 2013
Two Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust teams have had their work on dementia published in national health journals. Members of the Bristol Care Home Liaison Team have written an article titled ‘Promoting positive practice in mental he...
Health Integration Teams benefit from investment
9 August 2013
Bristol Health Partners’ Health Integration Teams (HITs) are to benefit from a £9 million investment into the West Country’s health research. The money, a share of £124 million from the government, has been awarded over five years to 13 pioneering resear...
Sniffing out bladder cancer – new diagnostic test
9 July 2013
Researchers from the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), the University of Liverpool and the Bristol Urological Institute have developed a device using sensor technology that may help diagnose patients with early signs of bladder cancer. The...
Our partners' research
Find out more about the research, development and innovation activities of our partners on their websites:
Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group
