News archive

September 2018

Exeter welcomes new Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Impact)

The University of Exeter has welcomed one of the world’s foremost microbiologists as its new Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Impact).

Victorians enjoyed rudimentary version of Netflix, new research shows

Victorian families were able to enjoy their own version of Netflix by utilising an early form of ‘pay-per-view’ entertainment to while away winter evenings, new research has found.

Exeter researchers awarded nearly £1 million to target lethal lung disease

Exeter researchers have been awarded a grant of almost £1 million to develop new compounds which could treat the UK's second most common lung disease.

Exeter in new UK Research and Innovation Mental Health Networks

The University of Exeter is involved in two of eight new Mental Health Networks to be announced by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The networks will bring researchers, charities and other organisations together to address important mental health research questions.

Burly bird gets the worm

The pecking order of garden birds is determined by their size and weight, new research shows.

Ancient household waste gives more clues about Devon’s Roman history

Recently discovered household waste thrown away by families thousands of years ago will provide valuable clues for archaeologists uncovering the secrets of Devon’s Iron Age, Roman, and Medieval history.

Bird bacteria study reveals evolutionary arms race

A study of a songbird and a bacterium that infects it has revealed how species in conflict evolve in response to each other.

Exeter maths expert's cryptic conundrums feature in new puzzle book

A selection of cryptic conundrums and bamboozling brainteasers, designed by a maths expert from Exeter, are set to test the mental agility of the nation’s puzzle masters.

Dame Ellen MacArthur to launch new University of Exeter Business School centre dedicated to addressing some of the world’s greatest challenges

Record-breaking sailor Dame Ellen MacArthur, founder of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, will launch a new University of Exeter Business School centre dedicated to addressing the world’s greatest social and economic challenges.

Peatlands will store more carbon as planet warms

Global warming will cause peatlands to absorb more carbon – but the effect will weaken as warming increases, new research suggests.

Study reveals night-time habits of captive flamingos

What do captive flamingos do at night, when their zoo or wildlife park is closed?

Britain’s first ‘national’ anthem embraced Boudica and druids

The national fervour that traditionally surrounds the Last Night of the Proms would have had a very different focus if Britain’s first ‘national’ anthem was still in vogue, research has shown.

Worms in space: The Molecular Muscle Experiment

Thousands of worms are being flown to the International Space Station later this year for scientists to understand more about spaceflight-induced muscle loss -  the first UK experiment to take place on the International Space Station.

Striking increase in mental health conditions in children and young people

The proportion of children and young people saying they have a mental health condition has grown six fold in England over two decades, new research reveals.

New bacterial strain named after Cornish discovery

A new bacterial strain will be named after Cornwall following its identification from a skin infection. 

One foot in the grave for pheasants that favour a side

Pheasants that more strongly favoured one foot over the other die younger than those that don’t, new research suggests.

Disrupting genetic processes reverses ageing in human cells

Research has shed new light on genetic processes that may one day lead to the development of therapies that can slow, or even reverse, how our cells age.

Famous theory of the living Earth upgraded to ‘Gaia 2.0’

A time-honoured theory into why conditions on Earth have remained stable enough for life to evolve over billions of years has been given a new, innovative twist.

New University of Exeter Business School centre opened by Dame Ellen MacArthur

Record-breaking sailor Dame Ellen MacArthur, founder of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, has officially marked the opening of a new centre at the University of Exeter Business School, which is dedicated to tackling some of the world’s greatest social and economic challenges.

University Campaign enters home straight

The University of Exeter’s ‘Making the Exceptional Happen’ Campaign has reached 75% of its ambitious target with two years to go.

J.P. Morgan and University of Exeter partner to offer UK’s first financial services apprenticeship with Russell Group degree

Building on the success of its established apprenticeship scheme, J.P. Morgan is partnering with the University of Exeter to deliver Financial Services Apprenticeships to degree level. 

Research shows that more companies should treat diversity as part of business strategy

The majority of the UK’s largest companies have adopted policies on boardroom diversity but their reporting to stakeholders needs to improve. 

Exeter joins UK’s leading mental health experts to solve treatment challenge

The University of Exeter is part of a new collaboration which will see the country's top mental health researchers and clinicians joining forces to solve some of the greatest mental health challenges facing the UK public.

Knowing your neighbour cares about the environment encourages people to use less energy

Giving people information about how much gas or electricity their neighbours use encourages them to use less energy, research shows.

£1 million gift to support vital agricultural research

Critical research at the University of Exeter’s Centre for Rural Policy Research (CRPR) is to expand thanks to further investment from the John Oldacre Foundation.

Cornish artist, Kurt Jackson to be guest of honour at University of Exeter launch event

The event, held at the University’s Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI) at the Penryn Campus on Thursday 27 September from 5-7pm, will celebrate Jackson’s new painting Taxonomy and Biodiversity and the reinstallation of water sculpture Cornish Trembling Sea Mat.  

Models could own the rights to their own catwalk sashay, new analysis shows

Models could make a claim to own the rights to the recording of their sashays and struts they use on the catwalk – and should be able to make more money from their appearances during fashion shows, new legal analysis shows.

Women scientists take to their soapboxes in Exeter city centre

Soapbox Science, an event that brings science to the public and showcases female scientists, returns to Exeter Saturday 29 September.

Remains of weapons, sandals and coins shed new light on Roman conquest of Northwest Iberia

Newly discovered remains of weapons, hobnails from sandals and coins will help experts piece together the untold story of how the Romans won control of Galicia and Northern Portugal from local tribes for the first time.

Workshy bosses breed contempt and abuse in the workforce, research shows

Workshy bosses can promote a contemptuous attitude amongst their staff - leading to anger, frustration and abuse in the work place, new research has shown.

Discovery could explain failed clinical trials for Alzheimer’s, and provide a solution

Researchers have discovered a vicious feedback loop underlying brain degeneration in Alzheimer’s disease which may explain why so many drug trials have failed.

Double award nomination success for pioneering waiting times app

An app which gives people real-time information about their local urgent NHS services has been shortlisted in two of the most prestigious national awards: the Health Service Journal (HSJ) Awards and the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards.

Addressing casualisation: improving employment contracts for postgraduate teaching assistants

The University of Exeter has announced trailblazing improvements to the contracting arrangements for postgraduate students.

The Empathy Effect: Teaching Literature about the World Wars and the Holocaust

Academics, educational practitioners, playwrights and filmakers gathered at the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum to consider the role empathy plays in the teaching of the two world wars, including the Holocaust.

More work needed to help students make successful transitions from revised A-levels to university, study finds

The reformed A-level system is not effectively preparing students for aspects of their university studies, a new report has found.

Multi-million-pound project will put Devon at the forefront of solving global environmental and big data challenges

A £6.4 million initiative to boost Devon’s expertise in solving future global environmental and big data challenges has formally launched in Exeter - The Environmental Futures & Big Data Impact Lab (Impact Lab).

Major funding to explore genomic changes in dementia

Exeter researchers will join forces with global experts to investigate the mechanisms behind Alzheimer’s disease, in a project announced on World Alzheimer’s Day (September 21).

Exeter secures position as ‘best of the South West’ in influential rankings

Exeter has been named the top university in the South West in the influential The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019.

Eye training to help children with dyspraxia

Children with a coordination disorder can improve skills like throwing and catching with new training videos developed by the University of Exeter.

Exeter hits top 10 for Medicine in prestigious rankings

Medicine at the University of Exeter has entered the top 10 in the Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide.

Professor adds to Health Economics expertise at Exeter

A professor who specialises in clinical trials further bolsters Exeter’s contributions to improving public healthcare.

Microplastics found deep in sand where turtles nest

Microplastics have been found deep in the sand on beaches where sea turtles lay their eggs.

Tevi supports new circular economy initiative for Cornish businesses

Businesses from across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly gathered at the University of Exeter campus, Penryn today for the 2018 Circular Economy Summit.

Rare genetic disorders more complex than thought

Researchers have found that the genetic causes of rare neurodevelopmental disorders vary more than previously thought.

Exeter retains position in world top 150, according to influential rankings

Exeter has retained its position in the top 150 universities in the world, in the latest influential league table.

Why a ‘cuckoo in the nest’ can go undetected

Researchers at the Universities of Exeter and Cambridge have shed light on why some species cannot tell the difference between their own offspring and those of intruders that have been slipped into their nests.

University sets ambitious carbon reduction target

The University of Exeter has announced a new carbon reduction target that commits to achieving a 50 per cent reduction in energy-related carbon emissions by 2026, and has approved investment in a range of energy-saving projects to help achieve this.

Exeter tops tables for sports science

Exeter is the best university in the UK for sports science, according to two major league tables.

Singling out “rising stars” in companies could demotivate staff, research shows

Firms who fast-track individuals to leadership positions and identify “rising stars” risk demotivating their employees, a study shows.

Dog intelligence ‘not exceptional’

People who think dogs are exceptionally intelligent are barking up the wrong tree, new research shows.