News archive

July 2019

‘Gentle recovery’ of Brazil’s leatherback turtles

Brazil’s leatherback turtles are making a “gentle recovery” after 30 years of conservation efforts, new research shows.

Exeter experts awarded prestigious Institute of Physics medals

Two physicists from the University of Exeter have received prestigious national awards in recognition of their long-standing, pioneering research.

It’s dog eat dog on the canine social ladder

Climbing the social ladder is a ruff business for dogs, new research shows.

Quorn protein builds muscle better than milk protein

Data presented at the European College of Sport Science (ECSS) conference demonstrates mycoprotein is a more effective source of protein to support post exercise muscle building compared to some animal proteins.

Astronomers help wage war on cancer

Techniques developed by astronomers could help in the fight against breast and skin cancer.

Project to examine ‘price of birdsong’

What is the natural world worth? Can you put a price on birdsong?

Student satisfaction at Exeter amongst the best in prestigious Russell Group

Exeter has maintained its position as one of the leading Russell Group universities for overall student satisfaction, it has been confirmed.

Study Provides Insights into Depression in People with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Depression is common in people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but the actual causes of depression in this group are unknown.

Students tackle infectious diseases and extreme heat at Glastonbury Festival

Staff and students from the University of Exeter Medical School treated nearly 5,000 patients at Glastonbury Festival, including a case of mumps.

Hundreds of sharks and rays tangled in plastic

Hundreds of sharks and rays have become tangled in plastic waste in the world’s oceans, new research shows.

Overfishing plus climate change equals threat to fisheries

Overfishing increases the threat posed by climate change to fish stocks and fisheries, according to a new report for MPs.

Best male biathletes ‘more attractive’

Top male biathletes are more attractive to the opposite sex, according to a new study by scientists at the universities of Exeter and Bristol.

£10 million funding for pioneering new Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water and Waste announced

A £10.5 million investment will fund a pioneering new collaborative research centre, designed to solve some of the most pressing global environmental challenges of our time.

Standing frame intervention improves life for people with MS, research shows

A new study has shown that people in the advanced stage of multiple sclerosis (MS) experience significant improvements in movement and balance thanks to a specialised standing frame.

Researcher prize and $200,000 for worm research that could help treat rare genetic child diseases

A prehistoric gas and tiny microscopic worms are part of a bid to find new treatments for a group of rare genetic children’s diseases, thanks to a $200,000 award from US charity The United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation.

£9 Million Boost to South West Health Research

A partnership that carries out health research in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, with direct benefits to patients’ health and NHS care delivery, has secured a further £9m in funding for the next five years.

No new males: Climate change threat to Cape Verde turtles

Rising temperatures could mean no male loggerhead turtles hatch at a key breeding ground by the end of this century, new research suggests.

QuantIC wins £28m funding boost in ‘Next Leap Forward’

A ground-breaking research hub involving the University of Exeter, which is focused on the development of quantum-enhanced imaging systems, will be funded for five more years, it has been announced.

Renowned chemistry expert, author and city leader honoured at city graduation ceremonies

Renowned chemistry expert, author and city leader honoured at city graduation ceremonies

Exeter researcher scoops award at international dementia conference

An Exeter researcher has won an award at an international Alzheimer’s conference, in recognition of his work in contributing to possible new treatments for symptoms of neurodegenerative disease.

Healthy lifestyle may offset genetic risk of dementia

Living a healthy lifestyle may help offset a person’s genetic risk of dementia, according to new research.

Wearing hearing aid may help protect brain in later life

A new study has concluded that people who wear a hearing aid for age-related hearing problems maintain better brain function over time than those who do not.

Exeter nurse chosen to be part of prestigious new national research leadership programme

An Exeter academic has been selected to become part of a brand new nurse and midwife research initiative.

Apathy: The forgotten symptom of dementia

Apathy is the most common neuropsychiatric symptom of dementia, with a bigger impact on function than memory loss – yet it is under-researched and often forgotten in care.

University of Exeter campuses recognised as among the best green spaces in the country

The University of Exeter’s beautiful campuses have been recognised as among the best green spaces in the country.

Exeter experts help shape report into future ‘non-toxic environment’ for the UK

Experts from the University of Exeter have played a pivotal role in shaping a new Government report to combat exposure to toxic chemicals in the home.

‘Intensive’ beekeeping not to blame for common bee diseases

More “intensive” beekeeping does not raise the risk of diseases that harm or kill the insects, new research suggests.

Centenarian could hold key to brighter future

Climate protests by young people hit the headlines this year – but could the theories of a 100-year-old man hold the key to protecting our planet?

Led Zeppelin star helps legendary music agent celebrate honorary degree

Led Zeppelin star Robert Plant has finally received £8 he was due for playing a gig more than 40 years ago – during a university graduation ceremony. 

Oarsome double record Atlantic rowing challenge for Medical Imaging Graduate

A medical imaging student is attempting to become a double world record breaker in a rowing challenge with her mother who has a hearing impairment.

Dream come true for Medicine Student graduate without A-Levels

After leaving school after his GCSEs, a career in Medicine was far from one University of Exeter Medical School student’s expectations.

Explore nature’s mysterious hidden worlds

Delve into the hidden world of microorganisms, discover the strange creatures that lurk in the deep ocean and the frozen continent, and be amazed by secretive glowing animals at this year’s Science in the Square.

Sustainable land management key to reducing Amazon wildfires, study shows

The unrelenting deforestation of the Amazon region could lead to a dramatic increase to the risk of destructive wildfire outbreaks, research has shown.

More sensitive climates are more variable climates, research shows

A decade without any global warming is more likely to happen if the climate is more sensitive to carbon dioxide emissions, new research has revealed.

Rugby star twins graduate with degree in same subject from the same university

Talented twins have graduated with the same degree from the same university – after playing in the same championship-winning rugby team as students.

New and improved printers coming this Summer

This summer we’re installing new and greener printers at Streatham and St Luke’s. 

Privatization of public goods can cause population decline, research shows

Scientists have given a fascinating new insight into the way microbes adopt a ‘co-operative’ approach to securing the nutrients they need to thrive.

Short films animated by autistic artists provides insight into talent that autism can bring

Autistic adults have created beautiful animations as part of a project that highlights their creativity and different ways of thinking.

Cornish degree ceremony marked with pasties and cream teas

Hundreds of students studying in Cornwall celebrated with a cream tea and pasty as they graduated this week at ceremonies in Truro Cathedral.

Collaboration between historians and community groups key part of success of First World War centenary

Collaboration between historians and community groups has played a key part in the success of the First World War centenary commemorations, research shows.

Supergen ORE Hub awards £1million to advance research in offshore renewable energy sector

The Supergen Offshore Renewable Energy Hub has awarded almost £1million to UK universities to support ambitious research projects investigating all aspects of offshore renewable energy (ORE).

Using weather radar to monitor insects

Scientists are developing a pioneering technique that allows them to monitor insects in the air using weather radars, as part of a research project called BioDAR.

Exeter filmmaker documents search for mysterious beetle

An expedition to tag and track the world’s biggest beetle for the first time has been documented by an Exeter filmmaker.

Maths experts receive prestigious fellowships

Two leading mathematicians from the University of Exeter have been selected to receive prestigious international fellowships.

South-west can lead the way on tackling plastic pollution and creating new bio economy

At a University of Exeter event in Penryn, Cornwall today an audience that included government policy makers, local businesses, community organisations and campaigners discussed how the south-west can lead the way on transforming our approach to plastics.

Market competition sets tone for lower cost of UK mobile phone contracts, research shows

Healthy and competitive markets – and not stringent regulations – help dial back the cost of mobile phone contacts, according to new research.

Ancient stone tools found in remote rock shelter reveal vital clues about life in ancient Central America

Ancient stone tools found in remote rock shelters have revealed new clues about life in ancient Central America.

Analysis reveals economic cost of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are ‘tip of the iceberg’

A new research review highlighting the hidden costs of dementia suggests that traditional measures only show the ‘tip of the iceberg’ of the cost impact on society.

Study reveals how bacteria beat immune systems

The evolution of more severe infections is not necessarily driven by bacteria multiplying faster, new research shows.

National Award for Dementia PhD student

Rising Star Catherine Talbot has been awarded for her research into how Twitter can help people with dementia.

Gulf between UK fracking industry and public opinion laid bare as less than 1 in 10 people say regulation of shale gas extraction is too strict

A major new public attitudes survey on fracking shows people have low trust in the energy companies involved and want decisions taken at a local level.

Humans running planet like ‘rowdy schoolchildren flying Starship Enterprise’

Humans are controlling Earth’s life support systems like “rowdy schoolchildren” let loose on the bridge of the Starship Enterprise, according to a leading scientist.

Some polar tipping points ‘already passed’

Some tipping points that will cause vast quantities of polar ice to reach the ocean have already been passed, a top climate scientist says.

'How-to' guide launched to speed up spread of ‘game-changing’ stroke treatment

An Exeter academic has been involved in the launch of a how-to guide to help accelerate the use of ‘game-changing’ emergency treatment for acute stroke.

Exeter student selected for pioneering new female engineering initiative

A student from the University of Exeter has been selected as one of the first beneficiaries of a new initiative to support the next generation of female engineers.