Inbreeding reduces cooperation in mongooses
Inbreeding can reduce cooperation in banded mongooses, according to a recent study. Swansea University reports its researchers, along with colleagues from the University of Bielefeld and University of Exeter, studied inbreeding and cooperative care in banded mongooses, an African mammal which lives in colonies with a complex social structure. In the Thirties it was proposed … Continue reading Inbreeding reduces cooperation in mongooses
£2.9m awarded to tackle antibacterial resistance in Thailand
An inter-disciplinary research consortium led by the University of Bristol has won a £2.9m award from the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) to help tackle the growing incidence of antibacterial resistance in Thailand. Antimicrobial resistance and specifically antibacterial (antibiotic) resistance (ABR) is a growing threat to human health and economic development across the globe. In … Continue reading £2.9m awarded to tackle antibacterial resistance in Thailand
Current understanding of renal physiology challenged
New research by the University of Bristol has found that the microscopic structure of the human kidney is different to what was previously known. The kidney is a key organ balancing blood and body chemistry through filtration and reabsorption. The control of blood flow and pressure through the kidney is crucial for maintaining this process. … Continue reading Current understanding of renal physiology challenged
Healthy soil lifts animal weight
Managing soil by well designed grazing is key to an animal’s growth and wellbeing according to new research linking soil health, pasture value and sustainable production. Individual pastures on livestock farms yield surprisingly dissimilar benefits to a farm’s overall agricultural income, and those differences are most likely attributable to the varying levels of “soil health” … Continue reading Healthy soil lifts animal weight
Alternatives to seeing a GP unlikely to deliver benefits
The realities of implementing alternatives to face to face GP consultations, such as telephone, email, online and video consultations, mean that hoped for reductions in GP workload and increases in available appointments might not be realised. NHS policy encourages general practices to introduce alternatives to face to face consultations as a way of increasing access … Continue reading Alternatives to seeing a GP unlikely to deliver benefits
Potential new method to prevent scar formation in organs
Researchers at Cardiff University and the Wales Kidney Research Unit have discovered a potential new method for preventing the process that causes scar formation in organs. Cardiff University reports the new research, which they did in collaboration with the University of Exeter and the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, involves altering the cells responsible for … Continue reading Potential new method to prevent scar formation in organs
Bristol Veterinary School study looks at the use of antimicrobials
The University of Bristol has reported that a new study led by academics at the Bristol Veterinary School has reviewed the literature on the use of antimicrobials (AMs) in livestock practice together with the views of stakeholders. The study found that although there are some barriers to change, there is a clear awareness of the … Continue reading Bristol Veterinary School study looks at the use of antimicrobials
MRSA survival chances predicted by DNA sequencing
University of Bath scientists, publishing in Nature Microbiology, have said sequencing the DNA of MRSA can accurately identify patients most at risk of death and could help medics develop new treatments. MRSA is a Staphylococcus aureus bacterium that has become resistant to most types of antibiotics, and up to 20% of patients with invasive infections … Continue reading MRSA survival chances predicted by DNA sequencing
Researchers to look at how diagnostics can deliver more effective use of antibiotics in animals
A consortium of seven academics, including two veterinarians from the University of Bristol’s School of Veterinary Sciences, have received a £1.75m grant to understand how better diagnostics can encourage responsible antibiotic use in animals (University of Bristol, 2017). The award, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) working in partnership with the Department … Continue reading Researchers to look at how diagnostics can deliver more effective use of antibiotics in animals
GW4 Alliance to open new microscopy facility
The GW4 Alliance will open a £2.3m shared facility for cryo-microscopy on September 1st 2017 at the University of Bristol (Cardiff University, 2017). The facility will provide researchers across the Great West region with a suite of state of the art microscopy and analysis tools, enabling them to better understand the molecular processes responsible for … Continue reading GW4 Alliance to open new microscopy facility
