News archive

August 2017

Boat noise disrupts fish co-operation

Noise from motorboats changes the behaviour of cleaner fish and the species they help.

Children to explore natural world at Science in the Square

Budding nature-lovers will be taken on a voyage of discovery to find out how animals have evolved to deal with friends and foe, at a special interactive event.

Outstanding new teachers honoured for their inspirational work

Outstanding new teachers have been honoured for their work in the classroom as well as their academic work as part of an awards scheme in honour of one of the UK’s best educators.

University and leading British surf brand seek wetsuit recycler

A pioneering inventor is being sought to create recycled and recyclable wetsuits.

Riding the wave: pioneering research tames Nanoquakes

Researchers from the University of Exeter have pioneered a new technique to control high frequency sound waves, commonly found within everyday devices such as mobile phones.

How to keep your brain sharp in older age

New research from the Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH) has revealed which mentally engaging activities best keep the brain sharp.

Hubble Detects Exoplanet with Glowing Water Atmosphere

Scientists have found the strongest evidence to date for a stratosphere on an enormous planet outside our solar system, with an atmosphere hot enough to boil iron.

Dedicated mathematicians honoured for work to calculate how to score goals and predict rainfall

Enthusiastic teenage mathematicians in the South West have used their talents to try to work out how to take the perfect free kick in football, predict rainfall or make Britain float.

New children’s books mix storytelling and science

Birds and turtles are common enough on the pages of children’s books – but what about bacteria or psyllids (otherwise known as jumping plant lice)?

Students help to save lives through stem cell donations

Cornish students are hoping to save lives by donating their stem cells to strangers fighting cancer.

Commuters could help cut Exeter congestion

City commuters could play a pivotal role in helping curb traffic congestion in and around Exeter, thanks to a pioneering initiative.

£3,300 charity donations make a real difference

Colleagues raised £3,306 for four charities in last year's Employee Engagement Survey

‘Inefficient’ sailing fleet keeps oyster fishery alive

Oyster stocks in a Cornish fishery are sustained thanks to “inefficient” traditional fishing methods, new research suggests.

Smart doll uses ‘espionage’ powers for education

A controversial “smart doll” has been reprogrammed to enlighten adults rather than potentially spying on children.

Evolved masculine and feminine behaviour can be inherited from social environment – not just from genes

The different ways men and women behave, passed down from generation to generation, can be inherited from our social environment – not just from genes, experts have suggested.

Telling people not to ‘down’ drinks could make them drink more

Campaigns designed to stop young people “bolting” drinks can make them more likely to do it, new research suggests. 

Buildings to generate their own power with innovative glass blocks

Buildings could soon be able to convert the sun’s energy into electricity without the need for solar panels, thanks to innovative new technology.

3,000 turn out for Science in the Square

More than 3,000 people joined scientists from the University of Exeter for a fun-filled day in Falmouth last week.

Students at unique mathematics school achieve outstanding A-level results

Students at a unique South West sixth form for mathematicians have once again scored some of the best A-level results in the country.

Virus reprogrammes ocean plankton

A virus which infects plankton can reprogramme cells and change the way they absorb nutrients, new research shows.

Exeter City Football Club to become museum thanks to National Lottery funding

Exeter City’s home ground St James Park will become a museum as club supporters and experts work together to showcase the incredible history of the football club.

Scientists take first snapshots of molecular propeller that runs at 100 degrees Celsius

Scientists have made a new discovery into how ancient microbes that survive in some of the harshest environments propel themselves forward.

University gardener honoured by Queen will be sorely missed

Tributes have been paid to well-loved and highly respected former University of Exeter gardener Gordon Newton MBE, who has passed away at the age of 71.

Otters learn by copying each other

Otters can learn how to solve puzzles by watching and copying each other, new research shows.

Breakthrough in understanding mitochondria

Scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding how mitochondria – the “powerhouses” of human cells – are made.