News archive

June 2015

Sharing Memories of cinema-going in the 1940s, 50s and 60s

An opportunity to share memories of going to the cinema in the UK during the 1940s, 1950s and 60s is being provided on 13th June at the University of Exeter’s Bill Douglas Cinema Museum between 2pm and 5pm.

Frogs face virus risk in garden ponds

Pond owners are being urged not to use garden chemicals, or to release goldfish into ponds.

Study reveals largest turtle breeding colony in the Atlantic

The Central African country of Gabon is providing an invaluable nesting ground for a vulnerable species of sea turtle 

New project to help farmers plan succession

A new initiative to help farmers effectively plan who will take over their farms is being announced at the Royal Cornwall Show on 5 June. The University of Exeter’s Centre for Rural Policy in partnership with NFU Mutual, a leading rural insurer, and Cornwall’s Rural Business School have developed the first UK-wide academic study of succession farming. 

Ladybird colours reveal their toxicity

For one of Britain’s best-loved and colourful group of insects, ladybirds, their colour reveals the extent of their toxicity.

Grant of £885,000 to fund important food crop research

A Physicist at the University of Exeter has received a substantial grant to help improve the sustainability of commercially valuable crops.

Scientists and Surfers team up to assess antibiotic resistance risk

World Ocean’s Day --- Scientists in Cornwall are about to begin an innovative study that will shed light on how surfers exposed to human sewage and diffuse pollution in seawater might be affected by antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Exeter historian contributes to BBC Armada documentary

The final episode of a three-part BBC 2 TV drama-documentary series Armada: 12 years to save England - Endgame will feature a University of Exeter medical historian on Sunday 7 June at 9pm. 

Internal appointments to senior posts announced

The University of Exeter has today (8 June 2015) announced internal appointments to a variety of new senior leadership roles. 

Female scientists take to their soapboxes at free public event

A host of Devon’s leading female scientists will be taking to their soapboxes this week to showcase their fascinating science to the general public at a free event in Exeter city centre.

University to host a series of events for national humanities festival

The University of Exeter is hosting a series of events for Being Human 2015, the UK’s only national festival of the humanities.

Grand Challenges Week 2015

Grand Challenges week concludes in style

Teenagers should exercise like kids to achieve best health outcomes, study shows

As little as two minutes of high-intensity exercise four times a day improves health outcomes in adolescents, but the same amount of moderate-intensity exercise does not reap the same rewards.

Wild mongooses avoid inbreeding with unusual reproductive strategy

Mongooses can discriminate between relatives and non-relatives to avoid inbreeding 

Exeter researchers lead international initiative to face devastating crop disease

Exeter researchers lead international initiative to face devastating crop disease 

Marine Renewable Energy conference comes to Penryn Campus

Some of the country’s foremost experts in marine renewable energy will gather in Cornwall to identify new ways in which to collaborate to develop wave and tidal energy in the South of England.

Queen to honour Exeter education expert with MBE

Debra Myhill, Professor of Education at the University of Exeter has been awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list for her leadership of the Secondary PGCE programme and the Centre for Research in Writing.

Female scientists took to their soapboxes at city centre spectacle

A host of Devon’s leading female scientists took to their soapboxes at the weekend to showcase their fascinating science to the general public

Local schools join the fight against bacterial resistance

Researchers from Biosciences will be working closely with school pupils from Newton Abbot College to discover new antibiotics from soil bacteria.

Join the conversation: the search for life beyond Earth

The University of Exeter’s Global Conversation series visits Paris on 26 June where experts will gather to discuss their work on the search for Earth-like planets beyond the Solar System.

A literary treasure trove awaits fellowship researchers

Two researchers from the University of Exeter will have special access to collections at some of the world’s most prestigious libraries and research institutions later this year. 

From Cornwall to Ethiopia: Medical school link enhances knowledge

Students and staff have returned from the first of a series of six trips to Ethiopia, in a scheme designed to share knowledge and experience.

History of Labour Party explored in new book

The current battle for the leadership of the Labour Party is in full swing with televised show downs between the candidates hitting the airwaves.

Report lays bare public priorities for the natural environment

Public views on the challenges facing policy and decision makers to manage the natural environment have been revealed in a major national public dialogue project.

Exeter researchers and school pupils track ticks to reveal Lyme disease hotspots

University of Exeter researchers are set to work with local school pupils on a new study to explore the distribution of Lyme disease in the region. 

Minister for Universities and Science visits University of Exeter

Jo Johnson MP, the Minister for Universities and Science, has met with key researchers and representatives during a fact-finding visit to the University of Exeter.

Study concludes that racehorses are getting faster

A new study from the University of Exeter has found that racehorses are getting quicker

Letters from famous writers to 'Tarka the Otter' author given to University

A fascinating collection of personal letters from a host of British literature luminaries to Henry Williamson, the author of Tarka the Otter have been donated to the University of Exeter.

Exeter expertise helps underpin new cancer guidelines

Research by the University of Exeter has helped underline new national guidelines to help GPs diagnose cancer earlier, and save lives.

Giant comet-like tail discovered on small exoplanet

The prospect of finding ocean-bearing exoplanets has been boosted, thanks to a pioneering new study.

Breakthrough in graphene production could trigger revolution in artificial skin development

A pioneering new technique to produce high-quality, low cost graphene could pave the way for the development of the first truly flexible ‘electronic skin’, that could be used in robots.

Awards recognise Medical School researchers among UK’s best

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) has recognised researchers at the University of Exeter Medical School as being among the most outstanding health researchers in the UK.

Big Bang event creates an explosive atmosphere

This Year’s Big Bang South West Fair at the University of Exeter was a truly explosive event

Online computer game can help shed weight and reduce food intake

A simple new computerised game could help people control their snacking impulses and lose weight.

How to handle a Greek tragedy

A new book that shows actors and directors how to handle scripts from Greek tragedies has been produced as a practical guide.

Chat rooms can boost success in learning English as a foreign language research shows

Chat rooms play a positive role in motivating students and encouraging an independent approach to learning English as a foreign language.

Humans across the world dance to the same beat

Study reveals a common beat in global music

Key element of human language discovered in bird babble

New study deciphers bird sounds to reveal language precursors in babbler birds

Investors losing out to analysts' career aspirations

Investors are losing out to bias by banking analysts more concerned about career progression than accuracy of their forecasts, says new research by the University of Exeter and Harvard Business School.

Simple classroom measures may reduce the impact of ADHD

But more robust research is needed to identify best approach.

Devon pupils lead citizen science on plastic

Young people will take part in a unique outreach project in which they will lead and participate in a scientific research project on chemicals in plastic food packaging.