News archive

July 2018

New Exeter institute to tackle ‘global challenges’

How can our planet and its people flourish as the human population reaches an estimated 9-11 billion?

Testicular cancer study reveals highest risk symptoms to aid diagnosis

A new study has identified the highest risk symptoms that can indicate testicular cancer, in research that aims to improve diagnosis.

Asian hornet nests found by radio-tracking

Electronic radio tags could be used to track invasive Asian hornets and stop them colonising the UK

British farmers could play a key role in helping to promote better public health

British farmers could find business opportunities and help promote better public health

Exeter leads early cancer diagnosis in major policy centre

A national expert on cancer diagnosis will take a lead role in a new £4.75 million centre to create research that guides policy.

Leading climate scientist wins prestigious award

A leading climate scientist has received a prestigious international award

Take part in virtual reality nature study

A new research project in Truro is calling for members of the public to help study the effects of virtual reality on health.

University Crowdfunder races past £12k thanks to Eagle One

A University Crowdfunding Campaign to help student entrepreneurs stay in the city after graduation

Exeter diabetes experts to help diagnose and treat diabetes in Africa

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) has awarded Exeter experts £2 million to answer important questions on diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa.

Stop antibiotics before resistance ‘tipping point’

Treatments using antibiotics should stop as soon as possible to prevent microorganisms becoming resistant, new research shows.

LED lights reduce seabird death toll from fishing by 85 per cent, research shows

Illuminating fishing nets with low-cost lights could reduce the terrible impact they have on seabirds and marine-dwellers by more than 85 per cent, new research has shown.

Future coders start intensive training at the University of Exeter

The next generation of computer coders have started intensive training as part of a new summer school at the University of Exeter.

Discovery of ancient tools in China suggests humans left Africa earlier than previously thought

Ancient tools and bones discovered in China by archaeologists suggest early humans left Africa and arrived in Asia earlier than previously thought.

Celebrating positives improves classroom behaviour and mental health

Training teachers to focus their attention on positive conduct and to avoid jumping to correct minor disruption improves child behaviour, concentration and mental health.

High-intensity exercise in teenagers could ward off heart disease

New research published in Experimental Physiology has indicated potential differences in heart health

Former Home Secretary, legendary journalist and record-breaking female rower among University of Exeter honorary graduates

A former Home Secretary, an LGBT campaigner, the leader of the first all-female crew to cross the Pacific and a legendary journalist are among those being given honorary degrees by Exeter.

Charitable organisation funds vital global testing for babies with rare disease

A charitable organisation is providing vital funding for people with a rare condition across the world to have genetic screening at the University of Exeter.

Green Flag flies across University of Exeter campuses

The University of Exeter has retained the prestigious Green Flag Awards

First Medicine students graduate from Exeter

The University of Exeter Medical School will celebrate a major milestone on July 17, when its first Medical students will graduate.

Cranes here to stay, new model predicts

The UK’s tallest bird – the common crane – is here to stay and the UK could have as many as 275 breeding pairs within 50 years, a new study says.

University of Exeter University Challenge team speak of their excitement after competing in the iconic TV quiz show

The University of Exeter’s University Challenge team faced the “intimidating gaze” of Jeremy Paxman

Exeter students marry and graduate on the same day

A young Romanian couple who met while studying together in Exeter have married and graduated from Medical School on the same day.

Viruses cooperate to overcome immune defences of bacteria

Virus particles that infect bacteria can work together to overcome antiviral defences, new research shows.

History of medicine expert receives prestigious Royal Society medal

A University of Exeter expert in the history of medicine has been honoured by the Royal Society

New law designed to encourage first major reforms to divorce in 50 years published

Draft legislation designed to encourage the Government to make the first major changes to divorce legislation

Professor Tia DeNora elected to prestigious British Academy fellowship

A University of Exeter expert has been elected as a fellow of the prestigious British Academy for her research on the therapeutic value of music making.

National Lottery players help people become archaeologists and explore the history of the South West

People in Devon and Cornwall will work with archaeologists to explore the incredible ancient history

Microclimates may provide wildlife with respite from climate change

Sheltered pockets of cooler and more variable conditions in the British countryside may help native species

Exeter in launch of major US study on brain ageing

The University of Exeter is collaborating with Synexus, the leading global network of dedicated research sites, to launch one of the largest, registry-based research initiatives in the United States to help understand how healthy brains age.

Ancient farmers transformed Amazon and left an enduring legacy on the rainforest

Ancient communities transformed the Amazon thousands of years ago

Exeter subjects ranked in the world top 100

A wide range of subjects at the University of Exeter have been ranked amongst the world’s best, according to an influential international league table.

Acidic oceans cause fish to lose their sense of smell

Fish are losing their sense of smell because of increasingly acidic oceans caused by rising levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, new research shows.

Beavers arrive in the Forest of Dean

A pair of Eurasian Beavers will return to the Forest of Dean today (24 July) for the first time for about 400 years.

Commonly prescribed medications linked to rise in harmful side effects in dementia

 Medications which are commonly prescribed to people with dementia have been linked to an increase in harmful side-effects, research involving the University of Exeter has concluded.

Environment key battle ground in fight to tackle antibiotic resistance

The environment could be as important a battle ground as the clinic in the global fight against the spread of antibiotic resistance, new research has shown.

Pioneering women from University of Exeter honoured in stunning new exhibition

Striking portraits of Dr Sarah Buck OBE and Dame Clare Marx, members of the University of Exeter’s Council

Cornish seal skeleton to go on display

The skeleton of a huge seal that washed up on a Cornish beach will go on display at the University of Exeter on Friday.

Scientists use ‘funnel-vision’ to pioneer cheap and efficient solar energy

Scientists have developed a pioneering new technique that could unlock new methods of making solar energy more efficient.

Night-time lighting changes how species interact

Night-time lighting from streetlights and other sources has complex and unexpected effects on communities of plants and animals, new research shows.

Better clinical trials must address “critically low” dementia research shortfall

New research gives insights into how the design of clinical trials can improve, with new insights into the “critically low” research pipeline and improve the chances of finding effective dementia therapies.

Improving the Prescribing Practice of Newly-qualified Doctors

It is known that prescribing errors in hospitals are common and that junior doctors may make more mistakes than senior doctors as they write the most prescriptions in hospital settings.

Just ten minutes of social interaction a day improves wellbeing in dementia care

An e-learning programme that trains care home staff to engage in meaningful social interaction with people who have dementia improves wellbeing and has sustained benefits.

Exeter part of £5million programme to maintain UK’s status as global leader in offshore renewables

The University of Exeter is part of national consortium awarded £5million to bring together a network of academic,

New research show blueprint for El Niño diversity

A pivotal new research study has isolated the key mechanisms that cause El Niño events to differ amongst each other.

Asking ten “critical” questions before embarking on a serious relationship can help couples thrive

Asking ten “critical” questions before embarking on a serious relationship can help couples thrive, according to a new study backed by the prominent divorce lawyer Baroness Fiona Shackleton.

Student satisfaction at Exeter amongst best in Russell Group in NSS 2018

Students rate teaching quality and learning experience at Exeter amongst the highest in the Russell Group universities, according to the latest results from the NSS 2018.

Rising stars of research at Exeter receive prestigious European Research Council funding

Three rising research stars at the University of Exeter have received a significant funding boost from the European Research Council (ERC), it has been announced.

University Campaign raises more than £1 million for School of Mines

More than £1 million has been donated to the Camborne School of Mines (CSM) this year, through the University of Exeter’s ‘Making the Exceptional Happen’ fundraising Campaign.

Research into cell-to-cell signalling mechanism may lead to new cancer treatments

Pioneering new research into the way in which cells communicate with each other could hold the key

Exeter researchers raise thousands for Alzheimer’s Society in mammoth bike challenge

Two researchers at the University of Exeter have pedalled a whopping 460 km from London to Paris, raising thousands of pounds for Alzheimer’s Society in a gruelling four-day challenge.

Exeter commits to ‘earn and learn’ by joining The 5% Club

The University of Exeter has strengthened its commitment to investing in, and developing, people by joining a pioneering national initiative