News archive 2016
A far from perfect host
Biologists at the universities of Exeter and York have published new research which shows that an ancient symbiosis is founded entirely on exploitation, not mutual benefit.
Exeter Professor tops TEDx YouTube Channel playlist
A talk given by the University of Exeter’s Professor Michelle Ryan for the 2015 TEDxExeter talk series has been viewed nearly 70,000 times in the past six months, and tops a recent international compilation of TEDx talks on the way we work.
People face subconscious urges to over-eat at this time of year
People have evolved to have subconscious urges to over-eat, and limited ability to avoid becoming obese, especially in winter, a University of Exeter study has found.
£2M grant to reduce major aquaculture diseases
The University of Exeter and the Centre for the Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (Cefas) are leading on a £1.97M BBSRC-Newton Fund project.
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Scientist helps bring Attenborough’s Great Barrier Reef into UK homes
A marine biologist from the University of Exeter has taken part in a David Attenborough series which is giving viewers unprecedented interactive access to the Great Barrier Reef via an innovative new website.
Small males have more sex appeal, new research shows
Female burying beetles are more attracted to small partners because they are less likely to get into fights, a study by researchers at the University of Exeter has found.
Research indicates most accurate picture yet of how the Amazon will respond to climate change
Research indicates most accurate picture yet of how the Amazon will respond to climate change.
Migrant values adapt over just one generation
Migrants’ thinking styles and social values rapidly shift over a single generation to become more similar to those of the wider society they have moved into, new research has indicated.
Exeter study offers free online depression therapy
In January, the most depressing month of the year, researchers are urging people to take up free therapy courses in a bid to help them find a definitive answer to what works best in online treatment for depression.
Beat the January blues with food, say Exeter researchers
If you are prone to the January blues after an over-indulgent festive season, you could help researchers at the University of Exeter discover whether healthy eating can ward off depression.
Giving the Lords the low-down on drones
The ESI's drones-expert has been talking to MPs and Lords about the emergent technology's use in research.
New study gives squirrels plenty of food for thought
The age-old adage that ‘practice makes perfect’ has been found to illustrate how the humble grey squirrel solves problems in the search for food.
People with dementia gain from learning self-management skills
People with early-stage dementia benefit when they are empowered to manage their own condition, a study led by researchers at the University of Exeter has found.
Promiscuity could reduce benefits of successful mating, research shows
Mating with a large number of partners may not be as good an indicator of success as it appears, new research has shown.
Easier diagnosis for fungal infection of the lungs
New clinical imaging method may enable doctors to tackle one of the main killers of patients with weakened immune systems sooner and more effectively.
Land management could help wildlife beat the challenges brought by climate change
The harmful effects of climate change on wildlife habitats can been counteracted by localised land management, a new research paper has suggested.
Tagging project confirms Sea of the Hebrides importance to basking sharks
A pioneering three-year project to learn some of the secrets of Scotland’s basking sharks by using satellite tag technology has shown an area off the west coast to be truly important for these giant fish.
Crowd-funding launched to research and protect Dartmoor wildlife
A new crowd-funding initiative has been launched by a University of Exeter PhD researcher in a bid to secure backing to help expand their bird conservation research.
Lizards camouflage themselves by choosing rocks that best match the colour of their backs
New research shows wild Aegean wall lizards found on Greek islands choose to sit on rocks that better match their individual colouring.
Exeter researcher awarded 1000th Leverhulme Fellowship
A leading behavioural ecologist from the University of Exeter has become the 1,000th researcher to receive a national fellowship for her pioneering research contributions in the field of social evolution and animal behaviour.
Camouflage really does reduce the chances of being eaten
A ground-breaking study has confirmed the long held assumption that camouflage protects animals from the clutches of predators.
Exeter psychologist wins prestigious awards
A University of Exeter psychologist has been given three prestigious prizes for his work to further understanding of how the human mind regulates behaviour.
Competition between mothers starts in the womb, new study suggests
Female mammals, including humans, may try to outcompete one another by producing bigger babies, ground-breaking research conducted by scientists at the University of Exeter has suggested.
World is embracing clean energy, says University of Exeter professor
Renewable, energy efficient and flexible electricity sources are being adopted by policy makers and investors across the globe and this is sign of optimism in the battle against climate change.
Careers in Sport
On Friday 15th January 2016 approximately 300 Sport and Health Science students attended a bespoke and unique Careers in Sport day in the Great Hall and Forum Street on the Streatham Campus at the University of Exeter.
Stress in fish from noise may be short-lived, new research shows
Two commercially important fish species can rapidly recover from stress attributed to short-term exposure to man-made underwater noise pollution, new research has shown.
Bee virus spread manmade and emanates from Europe
The spread of a disease that is decimating global bee populations is manmade, and driven by European honeybee populations, new research has concluded.
Motorboat noise gives predators a deadly advantage
The rate that fish are captured by predators can double when boats are motoring nearby, according to pioneering work led by a University of Exeter marine biologist.
Exeter’s world-leading climate change research showcased in prestigious science event
University of Exeter research into the impact of climate change will be featured at a prestigious science event in the USA, held this week.
Catastrophic failure of South American ice age dam changed Pacific Ocean circulation and climate
Research could help scientists understand potential effects of melting ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica.
Scientists - Think more broadly to predict wildlife climate change survival
Scientists studying whether species can adapt to climate change should not simply focus on how far they can move, says a conservation biologist at the University of Exeter.
New funding to develop cutting edge medical research ideas
The University of Exeter has received a slice of £23.2 million in Government funding for cutting-edge medical research to ensure academics can work with industry and that their research transforms medical care.
Gene could help identify psychosis risk in cannabis users
Researchers have identified a gene which can be used to predict how susceptible a young person is to the mind-altering effects of smoking cannabis.
Deception and trickery are rife in natural world, scientist says in new book
A University of Exeter academic is the author of a new book that describes how animals and plants use ingenuity and cunning to exploit and mislead one another in order to survive and reproduce.
Exeter experts receive €700,000 grant to study the future security of water, food and energy provision
Researchers from the University of Exeter are leading a pioneering international research project to deliver new guidance for governments to safeguard long-term provision of crucial natural resources.
New Satellite Applications Catapult Centre of Excellence for region
The University of Exeter will be better able to support business growth thanks to a new partnership with the UK Space Agency.
Exeter student wins £1000 prize for pioneering plastics research project
A University of Exeter student has won a top £1,000 research award for her pioneering work into plankton and plastic.
New vaccine could save thousands of lives
Work led by University of Exeter experts could help to protect thousands of people from an often fatal disease found in most tropical regions.
Plankton faeces could move plastic pollution to the ocean depths
Plastic waste could find its way deep into the ocean through the faeces of plankton, new research from the University of Exeter and Plymouth Marine Laboratory shows.
New research helps solve the riddle of the ocean carbon conundrum
About a quarter of the carbon dioxide we release each year into the atmosphere ends up in the ocean, but how it happens is still not fully understood.
Intense competition for reproduction results in violent mass evictions
Intense levels of reproductive competition trigger violent evictions of male and female banded mongooses from their family groups, University of Exeter researchers have found.
Dementia: “illness” label can lower mood
People who perceive dementia symptoms as an illness feel more negative than those who see it as an inevitable part of getting older, a new study indicates.
The overlooked commotion of particle motion in the ocean
Most aquatic species sense sound via particle motion, yet few studies on underwater acoustic ecology have included measurements of particle motion.
University of Exeter hosts extreme weather festival
BBC presenter Dr Helen Czerski and Met Office Chief Scientist Professor Dame Julia Slingo will be among the world-leading climate change experts speaking at a family-friendly festival at the University of Exeter this weekend.
Beetles assert dominance by being a lover not a fighter, new research shows
Beetles that demonstrate same-sex sexual behaviour may be asserting dominance over rival males without having to resort to fighting, a new study has shown.
Cystic Fibrosis Trust announces £750,000 investment in Exeter-based research centre
A pioneering new strategic research centre, that will aid health professionals design exercise plans to improve the everyday lives of young people with cystic fibrosis, has been launched.
Real-life aliens extremely efficient at turning their hosts into new parasites
The way parasitoid wasps feed may be gruesome, but it is an extremely efficient way to exploit prey, University of Exeter research has found.
House of Commons showcase for University of Exeter dementia research
University of Exeter research which can help people living with early-stage dementia to manage their everyday lives and remain independent will be showcased by politicians at the House of Commons.
Female animals look drab to avoid sexual harassment, study shows
A new explanation for why female animals are usually less colourful and decorated than their male counterparts has been suggested by scientists from the University of Exeter – it could be to avoid sexual harassment.
CLES One Step Beyond Mentoring Scheme Launch
The CLES One Step Beyond Mentoring Scheme for research and academic staff was launched on Thursday 10th March.
Risk of multiple tipping points should be triggering urgent global action on climate change
To avoid multiple climate tipping points, policy makers need to act now to stop global CO2 emissions by 2050.
Exeter subjects ranked amongst very best in the world
The University of Exeter’s status as one of the best academic institutions in the world has been confirmed by new global subject rankings.
Changes to environment helps protect young pheasants
Making changes to the early lives of young pheasants can help prevent them dying needlessly, University of Exeter researchers have found.
Green light stops sea turtle deaths
Illuminating fishing nets is a cost-effective means of dramatically reducing the number of sea turtles getting caught and dying unnecessarily.
Mediterranean loggerhead turtles dying in waters off the Middle East and North Africa
Thousands of loggerhead turtles are killed annually in areas of Syria, Libya and Egypt and Tunisia where they travel to find food.
Divers and researchers help protect UK reef habitats
Divers and experts are calling for more action to protect biodiversity-rich UK rocky reefs for the future.
University of Exeter postgraduate research student wins “I’m a scientist, Get me out of here” contest
A University of Exeter scientist has been voted by children as the winner of a challenging “X Factor” style event.
Improving the lives of coastal communities in Central Africa
University of Exeter experts will work to improve the livelihoods of coastal communities and conserve marine life in Central Africa.
Genetic diversity helps to limit infectious disease
New research by University of Exeter academics shows that genetic diversity helps to reduce the spread of diseases by limiting parasite evolution.
Exeter scientists call on public to look and listen out for cuckoos
Devon residents are being asked to record cuckoos seen or heard in the county as part of an ongoing conservation project.
Low concentrations of oxygen dramatically changes the toxicity of a metal pollutant to fish embryos
Low concentrations of oxygen in water systems, hypoxia, results in dramatic changes in how toxic copper is to fish embryos, new research has shown.
Exeter researchers in celebrity-endorsed research to save swans
Researchers at the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus are involved in a pioneering project to safeguard Europe’s smallest swan.
Researchers find significant greening on Earth
There has been an increase in leaves on plants and trees on the Earth equivalent in area to two times the continental USA, a new study shows.
Commuters set to take front seat in new project to cut traffic congestion
Commuters are set to become the driving force behind a new initiative designed to help reduce traffic congestion in and around Exeter.
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy helps prevent depression recurrence
The largest meta-analysis so far of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for recurrent depression has found that MBCT is an effective treatment option.
Researcher gives evidence on young adult offenders in wake of deaths
A neuropsychologist from the University of Exeter called for better treatment of young adults when giving evidence to an influential parliamentary inquiry yesterday.
£100,000 grants for two medical research leaders of the future
Two talented researchers from the University of Exeter have each been awarded £100k to further their work.
National award for muscle pain research from University of Exeter
New research on the association between psychological variables and pain intensity of delayed onset muscle soreness has won a prestigious national award.
Pioneering spin-out company secures major investment
A pioneering Bioscience spin-out company founded by experts from the University of Exeter has secured a major investment to help develop the business.
A new mobile phone app for grassroots mapping
Exeter academics have created an app which could help aid humanitarian rescue work in disaster-struck regions by using geographic data to map landscapes.
Sonic net could save birds and aircraft, study suggests
Introducing a noise net around airfields that emits sound levels equivalent to those of a conversation in a busy restaurant could prevent collisions between birds and aircraft.
Dementia researchers tell their story on BBC’s Horizon
Researchers from the University of Exeter will appear on BBC Two’s flagship science strand Horizon this week.
Exeter marine plastics expert to advise parliamentary select committee
A University of Exeter expert on marine pollution will be giving advice to a cross-party committee of MPs at the Palace of Westminster in London today (Monday).
Pint of Science Exeter to take local science breakthroughs to city pubs
Experts from the University of Exeter and the Met Office will bring their research out of the laboratory and into city watering holes.
BioBlitz returns for another action-packed day
Badgers, dragonflies and robins are just a selection of the species that can be observed at the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus for the annual BioBlitz day.
Conservation laws need reshaping to protect sea turtles, research finds
Researchers call for socio-economic influences to be factored into future protection policies
Tiny ocean organism has big role in climate regulation
Scientists have discovered that a tiny, yet plentiful, ocean organism is playing an important role in the regulation of the Earth’s climate.
For cells, some shapes are easier to swallow than others
Scientists have probed the process that allows cells to swallow up particles, finding that some shapes are easier to swallow than others.
Citizen science game is “Big Brother for bugs”
A citizen science website game akin to “big brother for crickets” allows participants to take part in important hands-on research using insects.
University placed 35th globally in latest influential rankings
The University of Exeter has reinforced its position amongst the leading universities both nationally and internationally, according to the latest influential global rankings.
Pregnant mothers may shield unborn young from damage and risk their own mortality
Mammals can protect their unborn young from harmful chemicals in their blood even at the expense of their own survival odds.
Too much sex causes genitals to change shape, beetle study shows
Sexual conflict between males and females can lead to changes in the shape of their genitals, according to research on burying beetles.
New £1M facility to reveal the secrets of marine microbial communities one member at a time
University of Exeter and Plymouth Marine Laboratory have unveiled a state of the art facility for the study of environmental microbes.
Crucial interaction between fire and mankind explored in new research
A pioneering team of international researchers have devised a ‘manifesto for fire science’ to explore the pivotal relationship that exists between mankind and fire, on a global stage.
South West MEP takes policy advice from scientists at Penryn Campus
South West MEP Clare Moody has visited the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus to take advice from leading academics.
Women scientists bring their subject to life on Exeter streets
Female academics from the University of Exeter, the Met Office and beyond will tackle some of the world’s biggest questions in a fun and engaging way when Soapbox Science hits the streets of Exeter.
City birds are less afraid of litter says Exeter researcher
Urban birds are less afraid of litter than their country cousins according to a new study co-authored by a University of Exeter academic.
How to organise a cell: novel insight from a fungus
University of Exeter researchers have found novel insight into the ways cells organise themselves.
Genetic switch that turned moths black also colours butterflies
The same gene that enables tropical butterflies to mimic each other’s bright and colourful patterning also caused British moths to turn black.
Roads “a serious threat” to rare bats
Roads present a serious threat to bat populations, indicating that protection policies are failing.
MPs want academic “match-making” service to help inform policy
MPs have expressed an overwhelming willingness to use a proposed new service to swiftly link them with academics in relevant areas
New cheap method of surveying landscapes can capture environmental change
Cheap cameras on drones can be used to measure environmental change which affects billions of people around the world, new research from the University of Exeter shows.
Flamingo researcher wins top award
A zoo biologist from the University of Exeter has won a prestigious gold award for his research into flamingo friendships.
Last call for commuters to help steer traffic congestion project
Researchers at the University of Exeter who are working on an initiative to curb traffic congestion are issuing a final call for help from commuters.
Humans could learn something from pigeons to improve their efficiency
Humans could become better at switching between tasks if they behaved more like pigeons.
Risk-taking in birds is more contagious at certain times, research shows
Birds copy one another when trying new foods but will take more risks when doing so at different times of year.
Camouflage influences life-and-death decisions that animals make
Nesting birds time their escape from an approaching predator depending on how well camouflaged their eggs and their own bodies are.
Carbon dioxide biggest player in thawing permafrost
Carbon dioxide emissions from dry and oxygen-rich environments are likely to play a much greater role in controlling future rates of climate change.
El Nino drives fastest annual increase on record of carbon dioxide
The rising concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide has passed a symbolic threshold early due to the fastest annual increase on record.
Major outbreak of pest moth spotted in Cornwall
Millions of moths that destroy vegetable crops have been spotted in Cornwall by a University of Exeter expert.
University of Exeter researchers offer local clubs and societies £1,000 team challenge
Researchers at the University of Exeter are inviting groups of people from across Cornwall to take part in a fun experiment.
Exeter researcher shortlisted for prominent ESRC prize
A University of Exeter geographer has been nominated for a prestigious national award that celebrates research that makes a difference to society.
Scientists uncover route for finding out what makes individuals nice or nasty
A University of Exeter scientist has helped develop an innovative mathematical model for exploring why some individuals evolve to be genetically programmed to be nice, while others stay nasty.
In pheasant harems, bigger is not always better
Too many females in a wild pheasant harem harms the ability of the group to spot predators, experts from the University of Exeter have found.
Birds pushed to the edge by floods
A flock of cranes that ended up at the centre of a once-in-200-year flood has given researchers a rare insight into how wildlife copes with extreme weather.
Night-time light pollution causes Spring to come early
Human use of artificial light is causing Spring to come at least a week early in the UK.
Victims of flooding frustrated by Government support
Victims need clearer information on what they can expect in the aftermath of major flooding from the government and other authorities, new University of Exeter research shows.
Crucial peatlands carbon-sink vulnerable to rising sea levels
Rising sea-levels linked to global warming could pose a significant threat to the effectiveness of the world’s peatland areas as carbon sinks.
Physical activity boosts kids’ brain power and academic prowess
A consensus statement which includes a University of Exeter researcher says exercise boosts kids’ and young people’s brain power.
Exeter expert delivers talk to UN on ocean plastic pollution
A marine pollution expert from the University of Exeter has given a high level presentation at the United Nations headquarters.
Be wary of knotweed advice on the web, researchers warn
Gardeners turning to the internet for advice about Japanese knotweed are likely to find a wide range of potentially misleading advice.
Drought stalls tree growth and shuts down Amazon carbon sink
A recent drought completely shut down the Amazon Basin’s carbon sink, a ground-breaking study has found.
Experts listen in on noisy Falmouth seas
A long-term plan for managing noise in shallow parts of the ocean such as Falmouth Bay is needed to protect the environment, scientists have said.
Study recruits volunteers to trial ketamine as new treatment for alcoholism
A study aiming to evaluate the use of the drug ketamine as a treatment for severe alcohol disorder is currently recruiting volunteers.
Acting together can reduce the risks climate change poses to the UK
The independent Committee on Climate Change today concludes that the impacts of climate change are already being felt in the UK, and urgent action is required to address climate-related risks.
Scavenger crows provide public service, research shows
Crows are performing a useful function and keeping our environment free from rotting carcasses, research carried out at the University of Exeter in Cornwall has discovered.
Subtropical Cornwall climate could mean exotic new crops
The subtropical weather in Cornwall means new exotic crops such as quinoa and Japanese persimmon are now more likely to succeed, according to a new technique.
Traumatic brain injury costs £15 billion a year in the UK, says new research
Traumatic brain injury costs a total of £15 billion nationally every year and puts young people at higher risk of poor mental health and offending.
Tiny microbe turns tropical butterfly into male killer, scientists discover
A scientist from the University of Exeter has helped to identify a male-killing microbe in a tropical butterfly called the African Queen.
Exercise can change brain structure and reduce dementia risk
Getting regular exercise can lower the risk of cognitive decline and can even change our brain structure.
Behavioural Activation as effective as CBT for depression, at lower cost
A simple and inexpensive therapy is equally as effective at treating depression as the “gold standard” of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
High chance that current atmospheric greenhouse concentrations commit to warmings greater than 1.5 °C
Current levels of atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations warm air temperatures overland by over 1.5°C.
World’s largest behavioural ecology conference comes to Exeter
The University of Exeter will host global research leaders in the field of behavioural ecology on July 28 to August 3.
Expert on political crisis wins top psychology award
An expert on the psychology of political crisis is to receive this year’s Presidents’ Award for Distinguished Contributions to Psychological Knowledge from the British Psychological Society.
Cornish children get hands-on with academia at Science in the Square
Children will ponder global scientific questions alongside some of the best researchers in the country at a free, interactive event in Cornwall.
Nature, not nurture, defines cricket social networks
The social lives of crickets are similar generation to generation, even though the insects can’t learn directly from their mum and dad.
Experts to use drones to discover more about killer whales
Drones will be used to discover more about the social lives of killer whales and help conserve these amazing mammals, which are at risk of extinction.
Exeter professor honoured for world-class fish research
A University of Exeter marine biologist has won a prestigious award for his world-class work in the field of fish ecology.
Humble moss helped create our oxygen-rich atmosphere
The evolution of the first land plants including mosses may explain a long-standing mystery of how Earth’s atmosphere became enriched with oxygen.
Sea habits of migratory birds highlight conservation need in the Canary Current
Scientists have tracked the behaviour of seabirds migrating across the Atlantic to better understand how these animals use the marine environment.
Climate change alters the rules of sperm competition in the sea
The impact of climate change on global seawater conditions could change the rules of sperm competition for many important marine species.
Scientists develop interactive game demonstrating impact of climate change on the Antarctic Ice Sheet
Scientists and games developers have joined forces to help communicate the impact of climate change on the Antarctic Ice Sheet.
Biological invasions threaten biodiversity, economy and human livelihood in developing countries
Invasions from alien species threaten the economies and livelihoods of residents of some of the world’s poorest nations.
University of Exeter welcomes call for ban on microbeads in cosmetics
A University of Exeter academic has welcomed calls from MPs for a ban on the use of microbeads in cosmetics because of the marine pollution they are causing.
Exeter geographers use games to show festival goers the importance of water management
Revellers at Green Man Festival explored the importance of water and land use management by using a range of games and information boards.
Rotten egg gas could help protect diabetics from heart complications
A gas that was formerly known for its noxious qualities could help people with diabetes recover from heart and blood vessel complications.
African fishers undertake highly risky expeditions to make a living
Fishers in Central Africa often cover hundreds of miles in very basic boats without engines searching for food to feed their families and make a living, a new study shows.
Seek and you shall find – bees remain excellent searchers even when ill
Honeybees are hardwired to efficiently search the landscape enabling them to continue working for the greater good of their hives even when they are sick, according to new research.
More than one in ten UK species threatened with extinction, new study finds
Climate change, urban expansion and agricultural intensification blamed for risk to some of Britain’s best loved species
University of Exeter sports coaches full of pride for silver medal winning alumni Paralympian Crystal Lane
Eight years ago Crystal Lane spent endless hours at the University of Exeter training to become one of the world’s best Paralympic cyclists.
Ocean fronts attract ocean wanderers – foraging gannets on the front line
Foraging seabirds use oceanic fronts as an efficient means to forage for food, according to an international study that could help safeguard the future of protected species.
Consistency builds cohesion - the art of group success
New research finds that fish with consistent and predictable personalities are more successful in social groups and help to build tighter and more coordinated shoals.
Coastal wildlife more vulnerable to microplastics than expected
Coastal dwelling marine wildlife, including crabs, lobsters and shellfish, which play a crucial role in the food chain, are more vulnerable to harmful plastic pollution than previously expected.
University of Exeter student success in international awards
University of Exeter science and engineering students have been successful in an academic competition referred to as the “junior Nobel Prize”.
Exeter scientists awarded prestigious Royal Society University Research Fellowships
Three outstanding early-career scientists from the University of Exeter have been bestowed with prestigious fellowships from the Royal Society.
Large animals, such as the imperious African elephant, most vulnerable to impact of human expansion
Some of the most iconic giants of the animal kingdom, such as the imperious African elephant and the majestic lion, are most vulnerable to the detrimental impact of human expansion.
Experts embark on project to save the world from “bananageddon”
Experts are hoping to stop the UK’s favourite fruit, the banana, from disappearing from our shops.
Scientists search for regional accents in cod
Fish may have regional accents and use slightly different “chatter” in different parts of the world.
Non-smoking planet: clues for tipping from vicious to virtuous behaviour identified
A new analysis shows that social norms can cross tipping points faster if new behaviour is difficult for others to ignore.
University sees huge rise in research funding
The University of Exeter has more than doubled the amount of research funding it receives from Research Councils UK (RCUK), bucking the trend for falling government investment in research in the university sector.
Scientists find link between tropical storms and decline of river deltas
A change in the patterns of tropical storms is threatening the future of the Mekong River delta in Vietnam, indicating a similar risk to other deltas around the world, new research shows.
Climate Change Impairs the Survival Instincts of Fish and Can Make Them Swim Towards Predators
Fish farms may hold key to studying the impact of rising CO2 on marine life, and if fish could adapt to climate change.
Wanted: Hedgehogs, Dead or Alive
The public have been urged to help solve the mystery of why one of Britain’s best-loved animals, the hedgehog, is in decline.
No evidence climate change boosts coffee plant disease
Fears that climate change is promoting a fungal disease which can devastate coffee crops may be unfounded, research by the University of Exeter suggests.
New Exeter Clinical Trials Unit boost to health research
The University of Exeter’s new dedicated unit to facilitate and conduct clinical trials in health research will officially launch next month.
Take advantage of evolution in malaria fight, scientists say
Scientists could harness the power of evolution to stop mosquitoes spreading malaria, according to new research by the University of Exeter and the University of California, Berkeley.
New warning over spread of ash dieback
The ash dieback fungus could spread more quickly and affect more trees than previously expected, according to research at the University of Exeter.
Food supply – not ‘live fast, die young’ mentality – makes male crickets chirpy
Shedding a few pounds might be a good strategy in the human dating game, but for crickets the opposite is true.
Large-scale study reveals new insights into coral and symbiotic algae partnership
A large-scale study of Caribbean coral has yielded discoveries on the pairing process between an endangered coral and the microscopic symbiotic algae they rely on for survival.
Soil could become a significant source of carbon dioxide, experts warn
If people continue using and changing land over the next century in the same way they currently do, soils will have limited potential to counter the effect of climate change.
NHS England boss delivers Exeter Lecture
Simon Stevens, Chief Executive of NHS England, has delivered the latest in the University of Exeter’s ‘Exeter Lecture’ series.
Bees use multiple cues in hunt for pollen
Bees use a variety of senses and memory of previous experiences when deciding where to forage for pollen, research by the University of Exeter suggests.
Hundreds of bat deaths at wind farms could be prevented, finds new research
Hundreds of bat deaths at on-shore windfarms in the UK could be prevented by better risk assessments and simple changes to the operation of turbines.
New partnership between Exeter and the Center for Whale Research
The Vice Chancellor met with Professor Darren Croft and Dr Deborah Giles at the Center for Whale Research on San Juan Islands USA to talk about the work they have been doing.
First UK assessment of underwater noise published
The first assessment of underwater noise in the UK marine environment has been carried out by a research partnership including the University of Exeter.
Production of seedless fruits an under-estimated tool for improving food security, research shows
The opportunity to produce bountiful levels of vital food crops such as apples, tomatoes and watermelons could be boosted by reducing a crop’s demand for pollinators, new research has shown.
Even physicists are "afraid" of mathematics
Physicists avoid highly mathematical work despite being trained in advanced mathematics, new research suggests.
Microplastics’ Impact on Human Health Needs “Urgent Research,” says leading expert
One of the world’s foremost marine pollution experts has welcomed today’s (Monday) announcement that there will be a Government review into the impact of microplastics on human health.
New report recommends measures to improve dementia care
Enabling people with dementia to maintain control of the decisions surrounding their care is key to avoiding isolation, according to a new report by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Exeter professor appointed to influential global research advisory group
A world-leading social scientist from the University of Exeter has been appointed to an influential global research group, designed to pioneer new ways to tackle some of today’s greatest challenges.
Concept of "glass cliff" resonates for women
The inventors of the term “glass cliff” – which appears on the shortlist for the Oxford Dictionaries word of the year 2016 – say it has found fame because it resonates for so many women.
Universities unite with industry to foster next generation researchers
The University of Exeter is part of a newly awarded £19 million doctorial training partnership programme with industry leaders.
Nearly £6 million for patient-centred research facility
An Exeter research facility which puts people at its heart has received nearly £6 million in funding over the next five years.
‘Minimal’ shoes may reduce running injuries
Runners who wear trainers with no cushioning and land on the ball of their foot rather than the heel put significantly less demand on their bodies, new research suggests.
Electronic Tracking of Song Birds Shows Roads and Urban Features Influence Choice of Gardens
Bird feeders visited more often in suburban gardens than terraced streets.
Laser technique boosts aerial imaging of woodlands
A ground-breaking technique which allows green spaces to be mapped in 3D from an aircraft could boost biodiversity, aid human wellbeing and even help protect rainforests.
Beach litter study finds rise in polystyrene foam, balloons and fishing nets
Researchers from the University of Exeter and Plymouth Marine Laboratory have studied the findings from beach litter surveys carried out over a ten year period.
New mothers preoccupied with their problems can find it more difficult to respond to their babies
Mothers who have repetitive and self-focused negative thoughts about their own problems can have poorer-quality relationships with their babies, new research from the University of Exeter shows.
Should parents lie to children about Santa?
Shops are bursting with toys, mince pies are on the menu and radios are blasting out Christmas tunes – so it’s time for another festive favourite: lying to children.
Yo-yo dieting might cause extra weight gain
Repeated dieting may lead to weight gain because the brain interprets the diets as short famines and urges the person to store more fat for future shortages, new research suggests.
Longest-living animal gives climate change clues
A study of the longest-living animal on Earth, the quahog clam, has demonstrated the vital role oceans play in the planet’s changing climate.
Exeter students reach final two in global competition
A team of students from the University of Exeter have reached the final knock-out round of an esteemed international competition, designed to help boost their career potential.
Exeter academic wins teaching award
A University of Exeter academic has won a prestigious teaching award from the Higher Education Academy (HEA).
Exeter research wins Elsevier Atlas prize
A University of Exeter research paper on using mobile phones to manage disease outbreaks has won a prestigious prize.
Commuter-led project to cut congestion set to move into second gear
The first stage of a commuter-driven initiative designed to help reduce traffic congestion has revealed some fascinating results, organisers have said.
Mysteries of Father Christmas ‘solved’ by relativity theory
The mystery of how Father Christmas can deliver presents to 700 million children in one night, fit down the chimney and arrive without being seen or heard has been ‘solved’ by a physicist.
Internet data could boost conservation
Businesses routinely use internet data to learn about customers and increase profits – and similar techniques could be used to boost conservation.
Male bumblebees leave home without looking back
Male bumblebees leave home and fly away without looking back, making no effort to remember the location of the nest, researchers at the University of Exeter have found.
Mass insect migrations in UK skies
As Britain voted for Brexit amid furious debate over migration, trillions of migrants were coming and going, unseen by all but the sharpest eyes.
Ash dieback: Insect threat to fungus-resistant trees
Ash trees which can resist the killer dieback fungus may be more vulnerable to attacks by insects, according to new research.
Family squabbles over Christmas? Re-playing arguments in detail may be the best way to cope with them
Re-playing an argument in your head and recalling what happened in detail can be therapeutic and prevent you getting quarrels out of proportion, or becoming depressed and anxious as a result.