News archive

March 2015

University of Exeter Chancellor Baroness Floella Benjamin steps down after ten fantastic years

It was announced today, 2 March 2015, that Winter Graduation 2016 in the University’s Diamond Jubilee year, will be the last to be presided over by Baroness Benjamin OBE DL after ten fantastic years as Chancellor.

Hormone disrupting chemicals and climate change increase the risk of population-level impacts in wildlife populations

The impact of pollution on wildlife could be made dramatically worse by climate change according to a new study published today in the journal PNAS. 

Tackling concussion with Exeter Chiefs

Specialists from the University of Exeter are working with Exeter Chiefs Rugby Club on a project to model what happens to the brain of a player when they are concussed in order to improve safety and manage the impact of injuries following head trauma.

Help to shape the Global 100 strategy

Staff opinion is needed to develop a new strategy to take the University of Exeter to 2020 and beyond.

‘No take zones’ in English Channel would benefit marine wildlife and the fishing industry

Marine conservationists are increasingly pinning their hopes on marine protected areas (MPAs) to save threatened species and reduce over-fishing.

Exeter Engineering expert receives premier science award

Head of Engineering, Professor Stephen Eichhorn, has been bestowed with one of the most prestigious accolades in his field.

First direct evidence that drought-weakened Amazonian forests ‘inhale less carbon’

For the first time, an international research team, including a tropical forest ecologist from the University of Exeter, has provided direct evidence of the rate at which individual trees in the Amazon Basin ‘inhale’ carbon from the atmosphere during a severe drought. 

Old mothers know best: killer whale study sheds light on the evolution of menopause

A new study led by the Universities of Exeter and York has shown that female killer whales survive after menopause because they help their family members find food during hard times. 

Being smart about SMART environmental targets

Successful environmental conservation needs to focus on the negotiation process, not just the end target.

New novel uncovers darkness and deceit in a rural setting

A sinister tale of an eccentric American visitor to a small Sussex town searching for stories about his grandfather forms the basis of a new novel, Scorper.

Love, love me do: male beetles that have more sex are more insecure, study shows

Males that mate more often are more insecure about their social status than those mating less, according to new research on the behaviour of burying beetles.

PhD research celebrated at Medical School showcase

The wide range of research projects undertaken by PhD students at the University of Exeter Medical School was celebrated at a dynamic showcase and networking event.

England's treasured landscapes to benefit from new partnership

A pioneering partnership is being launched to care for some of England’s most beautiful and vulnerable high ground. The Uplands Alliance (UA) brings together for the first time practitioners, researchers and policy makers with interests in the highest areas of land, including treasured landscapes of the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and Dartmoor.

Nature’s inbuilt immune defence could protect industrial bacteria from viruses

Findings from a new study that set out to investigate the evolution of immune defences could boost the development of industrial bacteria that are immune to specific viral infections.

Professor Stephen Eichhorn elected divisional Chair of American Chemical Society

An Exeter Engineering expert has been elected as the new divisional Chair at the world’s largest scientific society.

Black men less willing to be investigated for prostate cancer

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. Until now it has been unclear why these disappointing outcomes exist.

Prestigious award for Exeter genomic medicine expert

A leading light in genetic diabetes research has been awarded a prestigious national award for outstanding scientists.

Switch off the lights for bats

New research has discredited the popular belief that street lighting is attractive to common bats.

Light pollution shown to affect plant growth and food webs

Artificial night time light from sources such as street lamps affects the growth and flowering of plants and even the number of insects that depend on those plants for food.

Paul hopes to solve the mysteries of flamingo fatherhood

A researcher at the University of Exeter has launched a bid to analyse the DNA of a group of flamingos in order to answer some of the questions surrounding paternity and social behaviour in the distinctive pink birds.

Amazon’s carbon uptake declines as trees die faster

The most extensive land-based study of the Amazon to date reveals it is losing its capacity to absorb carbon from the atmosphere.

Devon school children solve genetic riddle

Scandal has erupted on Devon’s sporting scene as previously unknown athletes smash all known records. Police call on the only team who can scrutinise the mysterious yeast found in their bags: The X-Men in White.

Team Brief launches 23 March

A new internal communications process called Team Brief is beginning on Monday, with ‘drop-in’ sessions for all staff on Wednesday 25 and Friday 27 March.   

Celts of the world unite at major conference in Cornwall

All things Celtic are coming Cornwall’s way at this year’s annual conference of the Association of Celtic Students of Ireland and Britain. The event will be held at the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus on Saturday 21 – 22 March and is open to both members of the public and students.

Part-night lighting is ineffective in capturing natural peaks in bat activity

Part-night lighting, a proposed mitigation option to reduce the negative impacts of light pollution, is unlikely to benefit bats, a study published this week confirms.

New discovery: Queen Anne's coronation medal was designed by Isaac Newton

To mark Queen Anne’s coronation, a ‘highly political medal’ was issued, initially thought to be designed by Sir Godfrey Kneller turns out to be the work of Isaac Newton, who was Master of the Mint when Anne was crowned in 1702.

Policy makers should not discount the damages from future climate tipping points

Society should set a high carbon tax now to try and prevent climate change reaching a point of no return according to a new study. 

Students make final preparations for 2015 International Mining Games

Mining students are making their final preparations before embarking to take part in a prestigious international competition.

World-leading dementia research team joins the University of Exeter

A global figure in the field of dementia study has joined the University of Exeter to lead a new Centre for Research in Ageing and Cognitive Health (REACH).

A difficult climate: New study examines the media’s response to the IPCC

A study, published today in the journal Nature Climate Change, has for the first time analysed how Twitter, TV and newspapers reported the IPCC’s climate evidence.

Consent for research participation:Time to change?

A major investigation into the views of volunteers on the consent process for medical research has been found to conflict with the standard practice required for consent in the UK. 

Sally Gunnell OBE supports staff wellbeing

Sally Gunnell OBE and the University’s Wellbeing Team are joining forces to further develop staff wellbeing opportunities at the University.

Fellowship awards for two outstanding scientists

Two rising research stars at the University of Exeter Medical School have been awarded prestigious Sir Henry Dale Fellowships.

Global Conversation: Exeter’s New Global Lecture Series

The University of Exeter has launched Global Conversation; a new international lecture series, showcasing some of the latest developments in world-leading research.

University of Exeter top three in England for additional government research money

The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has awarded the University of Exeter an additional £3.8 million for research, the third highest gain amongst English universities. The £3.8 million represented a 22% uplift on an already significant base figure.

University of Exeter deepens ties with China and Hong Kong

A senior delegation from the University of Exeter, led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Steve Smith, visited China and Hong Kong this week to enhance Exeter’s links with its partners and alumni in the region.

Antibiotic resistance risk for coastal water users

Recreational users of coastal waters such as swimmers and surfers are at risk of exposure to antibiotic resistant bacteria, according to new research published this week.

Easter baptism with BBC's Songs of Praise and Exeter theologian

As part of the Easter special on BBC ONE’s religious television programme Songs of Praise, a University of Exeter theologian will be exploring the practice of early Christian baptism and its symbolism of death and resurrection.

Direct evidence for a positive feedback in climate change

A new study has confirmed the existence of a positive feedback operating in climate change whereby warming itself may amplify a rise in greenhouse gases resulting in additional warming.

Short bouts of high-intensity exercise before a fatty meal best for promoting vascular health in youth

A short burst of intensive exercise before eating a high fat meal is better for blood vessel function in young people than the currently recommended moderate-intensity exercise.

Expedition studies Indian monsoon’s past to discover future impact of climate change

The quest to discover how future climate change will impact the formidable Indian monsoon phenomenon could find the answer rooted in the prehistoric past.