News archive

April 2015

Biodiversity damage mapped by global land-use study

Humanity’s use of land for agricultural production has come at a cost to local ecosystems worldwide, but some of the damage can be reversed.

Students lead gold rush at International Mining Games

Students from the Camborne School of Mines (CSM) are celebrating after leading a gold rush at an internationally-celebrated mining competition.

Scientists describe a new alga that may help corals adapt to climate change

Changes in ocean chemistry associated with climate change are exacerbating the global decline of coral reefs.

Discover breadth of health services research at Medical School

An insight into the wide range of research taking place at the University of Exeter Medical School’s Institute of Health Research will be on offer at a series of inaugural lectures which are open to all.

Public urged to report basking shark sightings for new tracking project

The University of Exeter and the Marine Conservation Society are joining forces in an exciting new satellite tracking project to tag and follow basking sharks in Cornish waters.

Magic, Malta and a Muslim during the Inquisition in 1605

Making a living by practising magic can have dramatic consequences, especially if you are a Muslim slave with mainly Christian clients at the time of the Inquisition in early 17th century Malta.

Research shows alternating antibiotics could make resistant bacteria beatable

Pioneering new research has unlocked a new technique to help combat the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, that cause debilitating and often life-threatening human illness.

Exeter students amongst happiest in UK according to Times Higher survey

The University of Exeter has maintained its position in the top ten in the UK in the prestigious Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2014, appearing in eighth position. It also places students at the University the most satisfied in the South West region.

Conference helps health community wake up to sleep disorders

Sleep disorders are common and fascinating – but neglected. Having a sleep disorder can affect every aspect of life. Now a conference will give an insight into what causes these disorders and how they can be treated.  

Scientists urge public to take part in final part of health survey

Scientists in Cornwall are making a final appeal for people to take part in research that will shed light on the health effects of marine pollution.

Queen of Crime's hidden talents revealed

Solving mysteries is the work of Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple made famous by the creative hand of Agatha Christie; but few are aware of another of the author’s attributes – her astute business sense.

Greatest mass extinction driven by changes to oceans, study finds

Changes to the Earth’s oceans, caused by extreme volcanic activity, triggered the greatest extinction of all time.

Warming seas pose habitat risk for fishy favourites

Popular North Sea fish such as haddock, plaice and lemon sole could become less common on our menus because they will be constrained to preferred habitat as seas warm.

Student entrepreneur hopes website will encourage more of us to vote

University of Exeter History student and entrepreneur, Matthew Morley believes that his platform can help to make politics easy and relevant to voters ahead of the General election.

New £10.5 million facility upgrades St Luke’s Campus

A dramatic overhaul to a former hall of residence at St Luke’s has created a modern, high quality research and education facility on the University’s campus.

Complex cognition shaped the Stone Age hand axe

New research has shown that the ability to make a Stone Age hand axe depends on complex cognitive control and memory.

Mindfulness-based therapy could offer an alternative to antidepressants for preventing depression relapse

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) could provide an alternative non-drug treatment for people who do not wish to continue long-term antidepressant treatment.

Online discussion forums good for well-being, study shows

A new study has found that internet discussion forums have positive links to well-being and are even associated with increased community engagement offline.

Water project scoops prestigious national award

A research project which showed how enhancing water storage on peat land can improve water quality and carbon storage – as well as releasing less water during times of flooding – has won a national award.

Exeter voted as UK’s top university for international student experience

The University of Exeter has won a prestigious award for providing the best international student experience of any university in the UK.

University adds to its Athena SWAN awards in 2015

The University added an additional award to its Athena SWAN tally this year with a Bronze for the Biosciences department at Exeter.

University of Exeter needs local people to hear or catch sight of a cuckoo

The people of Devon are being urged to get involved in the second phase of a project which is trying to map the movements of cuckoos.

Family becomes first in South West to take part in ground-breaking DNA research

A six-year-old boy and his mum and dad today became the first family in the South West to take part in ground-breaking DNA research at the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust (RD&E), with support from the University, to help fight rare health conditions.

Persistent swollen neck glands could indicate cancer

Referring patients with unexplained swollen neck glands for specialist investigations could help to avoid some of the thousands of deaths each year from lymphoma, a type of cancer.

New Zealand stoats provide an ark for genetic diversity

Extinct British genes have been preserved in the stoat population of New Zealand, a new study has found.

Climate change: how Brits feel about ‘smart’ energy

Reluctance to share data about personal energy use is likely to be a major obstacle when implementing ‘smart’ technologies.

Childhood Obesity – One Epidemic or Two?

New research has indicated that obesity in children has quite different causes at different ages.

Defence and Uncertainty lecture by Strategy and Security expert

The issues behind unforeseen events like the disorder in the Ukraine to the revolutions of the Arab Spring which caught intelligence organisations off guard, is the subject of a fascinating lecture at the University of Exeter.

New study shows parrotfish are critical to coral reef island building

Parrotfish, commonly found on healthy coral reefs, can also play a pivotal role in providing the sands necessary to build and maintain coral reef islands.

One percent of tree species in the Amazon forest account for half of its carbon

A new study published in the journal Nature Communications has discovered that fewer than 200 species of Amazonian tree, barely 1%, are responsible for half of all tree growth and carbon stored in the Amazon.

Top 10 UK and best in the South West - University of Exeter subjects on the rise in Complete University Guide 2016

The University of Exeter has reinforced its position as one of the leading universities in the country, according to an influential league table.

New guide a helping hand for young voters

A University of Exeter student has created an online resource to educate young people in the basics of British politics in the run-up to the General Election. 

Male beetles up their game when they catch a whiff of competition

Male flour beetles increase their courtship effort and their sperm count if a female smells of other males according to a study published in the journal Behavioural Ecology.

Elderly crickets are set in their ways, study finds

As insects grow old their behaviour becomes increasingly predictable according to new research.

Coastal light pollution disturbs marine animals, new study shows

Marine ecosystems can be changed by night-time artificial lighting according to new research.

Exeter subjects ranked amongst very best in the world

Exeter has strengthened its position as being ranked amongst the world’s best universities, according to an influential international league table.

The University of Law and the University of Exeter launch groundbreaking collaboration

Students planning a career in law will be able to complete both the academic stage of their training and the Legal Practice Course (LPC) at the University of Exeter thanks to an innovative collaboration with The University of Law (ULaw).

Sir Michael Barber argues for new approach to government with lecture at University of Exeter

Sir Michael Barber, a leading authority on education systems and education reform, turns his attention to the business of government in a lecture on the 5 May at the University of Exeter.

Commercial out-of-hours care providers score on average lower with patients

Patients receiving care from commercial providers of out-of-hours care report poorer ratings of care when compared with not-for-profit or NHS providers, a new study has shown.

£3 million research centre will target disease

A new research centre will bring together experts in a diverse range of fields to tackle some of the greatest health issues of our time – and the public are being invited to get involved.

Dialling outside lines made easier

From Wednesday 6 May, anyone who dials 0 or 9 from an internal phone at the University’s Streatham and St Luke’s campuses will get an outside line. To reach the switchboard team please dial 1000.