News archive

May 2019

Explore Cornwall’s fascinating wildlife at this year’s BioBlitz Penryn

Join a team of students at the University of Exeter’s Penryn campus for a day filled with interactive wildlife activities for all the family.

Early intervention could be key to battling invasive species

An international team of ecologists has carried out the first global meta-analysis of the characteristics and size of invasive alien species’ impacts on native species as invaders become more abundant.

How both mother and baby genes affect birth weight

The largest study of its kind has led to new insights into the complex relationships surrounding how mothers’ and babies’ genes influence birth weight.

Exeter subjects among very best nationwide, according to new influential rankings

Exeter’s science and humanities subjects are among the very best in the country, according to the latest league table.

Genetic data allows detailed picture of the history of inner Eurasia to be revealed for the first time

An international team of researchers has used genetic data from hundreds of people – as well as archaeological finds – to construct the most detailed picture of the history of inner Eurasia for the first time.

Exeter hosts Digital Twinning event

Industrial digitisalisation was on the agenda at Exeter’s recent Developing Digital Twinning collaborations in an Engineering context event.

Exeter experts join Ganges plastic pollution mission

Two University of Exeter scientists will be part of an international team studying plastic pollution in the River Ganges.

Tinder-style approach could help organisations’ partnerships and projects to flourish

The fear of being rejected and losing face can have such a big impact that companies and policy-makers could consider introducing `Tinder-style’ matching environments, according to new research from the University of Exeter Business School.

Study reveals how social relationships transform bird flocks

Flocks of birds may appear to move with a single mind, but new research shows jackdaws stick with their mates – even though it harms the flock.

Banana disease boosted by climate change

Climate change has raised the risk of a fungal disease that ravages banana crops, new research shows.

Rising research star receives prestigious fellowship

One of the new generation of rising research stars at the University of Exeter has received a prestigious national fellowship.

Cancer risk tools underused in general practice, research shows

Potentially life-saving cancer risk assessment tools are being widely underused by general practices across the UK, according to new research.

New electoral regulations must tackle “inequalities” caused by political advertising on Facebook

Regulators must find a way of monitoring and addressing the way political advertising on Facebook creates new types of inequalities for campaigners, experts have said.

Exeter research technician wins award

A University of Exeter technician has won the Higher Education Bioscience Technician of the Year Award 2019.

‘Robopets’ can benefit health and wellbeing of older care home residents

Robotic pets that respond to human interaction can benefit the health and wellbeing of older people living in care homes, a study from the University of Exeter Medical School has found.

Researchers take a step towards light-based brain-like computing chip

Scientists have unveiled a new integrated photonic hardware that can store and process information in ways similar to that of the human brain.

Impact of horses on wellbeing and mental health measured in new research project

New research by the University of Exeter Business School will assess the benefits of a programme where horses are central to improving mental health and wellbeing.

Can listening instead of just looking change attitudes to how we experience a day out at the zoo?

What can we hear if we stop and listen to the zoo? Does this change our experience of the animals we visit? Which species and what aspects of their behaviour come to the fore and what do we learn as a result?

Scientist to face royals and Dragons

A Devon scientist will face royalty and the stars of TV show Dragons’ Den in a competition for entrepreneurs.

Huge growth in use of quartz for tools shows sophistication of ancient communities

A growth in the use of crystal quartz to make tools thousands of years ago shows the sophistication of ancient communities, according to new research.

Green light for pioneering new Nursing programme

The University of Exeter’s pioneering new Nursing programme has received official approval from the Nursing and Midwifery council.

Leaders in machine learning and dementia research gather in Exeter

Experts in machine learning and dementia research convening at the University of Exeter identified that machine learning can be used to predict incorrect initial diagnoses.

Exeter climate scientist secures distinguished international award

A world-leading climate scientist from the University of Exeter has been honoured with a prestigious international science award.

Pressure from advertisers and self-help gurus contribute to mid-life crises

Mid-life crises are caused by people feeling pressured by advertisers and self-help gurus to live a better life after they pass the age of 40, according to new research.

£1.6m grant to improve building façade technologies for better energy efficiency

A pioneering project to create new technologies to improve the energy efficiency of buildings has begun, after receiving a substantial grant.

Five rules to tackle antibiotic resistance

Current efforts to tackle antibiotic resistance are “not nearly radical enough”, a leading scientist says.

Policy makers must attend to menstrual stigma to improve wellbeing, study finds

Researchers have found that addressing attitudes to menstruation may be necessary to improve well-being in low and middle-income countries, far more than simply better access to sanitary products.

Exeter rises in influential global rankings

Exeter has reinforced its position as being amongst the leading universities worldwide, according to the latest influential global rankings.

Teddy bears to show importance of clinical trials to families

If you go down to Princesshay, you’ll be in for a big surprise. Bring your teddy bears along, all shapes and styles, and learn about clinical trials.

Victorian attempts to celebrate hirsute feats with new championship turned hairy

Victorian attempts to introduce the world’s first beard and moustache contest fell flat, when far fewer hairy entrants than expected turned up to have their facial furniture judged, research shows.

Regular crosswords and number puzzles linked to sharper brain in later life

Older adults who regularly take part in word and number puzzles have sharper brains, according to the largest online study to date.

World-leading Exeter diabetes Professor named among Nation’s Lifesavers

World-renowned diabetes researcher Professor Andrew Hattersley has been named as one of ‘The Nation’s Lifesavers’ in the Made@Uni campaign.

Research shows carers’ experience can influence how well a person lives with dementia

New research has identified how a carer’s experience can impact on the ability of a person with dementia to ‘live well’ with the condition.

Research reveals insulin-producing beta cells may change function in diabetes

A revolutionary new study using only materials derived from humans has revealed that insulin-producing beta cells can change their function in diabetes – and that this change may be reversible.

University declares an environment and climate emergency

Exeter has declared an environment and climate emergency to support those calling for urgent action and show commitment to leading the change required.

Penguins and their chicks’ responses to local fish numbers informs marine conservation

How adult penguins fish and the body condition of their chicks are directly linked to local fish abundance, and could potentially inform fishery management, a new study has found

GPs report large numbers of patients suffering mental health issues linked to poverty

GPs in some surgeries estimate that up to half of their patients are seeking help for mental health issues caused or exacerbated by poverty, according to a new study.

Exeter experts lead free online course on transforming energy systems

Experts from the University of Exeter are leading an innovative, free online course to explore how the UK’s energy systems must evolve in order to help tackle climate change.

Older male crickets attract more females – but have less sex

Older male crickets are better at getting females to live with them – but they mate less than younger rivals once they find a partner.

Pupils inspired by the Ancient Greeks as they learn about the secrets of political power

Teenagers around the country may soon have the answer to dealing with rebellious MPs and Brexit as they train in a unique way to understand politics and power with tips from the Ancient Greeks and games like “rock-paper-scissors”.

The search is on for our new Vice-Chancellor

The recruitment process to find our new Vice-Chancellor has begun

Wolf-dog ‘swarms’ threaten Europe’s wolves

“Swarms” of wolf-dog crossbreeds could drive Europe’s wolves out of existence, according to the lead author of new research.

Exeter hosts Summit on Environmental Intelligence

Some of the UK’s leading academics and stakeholders involved in environmental intelligence have gathered at Exeter to take part in a special event.

Crabs’ camouflage tricks revealed

Crabs from a single species rely on different camouflage techniques depending on what habitat they live in, new research shows.

CBT could benefit mental health of children with long term conditions

The mental health of children and young people with some long term physical conditions could benefit from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), according to a recent study from the University of Exeter Medical School.

CSM expert named as Distinguished Lecturer

An Exeter mining expert has spoken of her delight after being awarded a significant honour.

Climate emergency debated at University of Exeter

Hundreds of people gathered to discuss climate and environmental issues at the University of Exeter last night.

Rare examples of Anglo Saxon fake documents on display

Rare Anglo Saxon documents which show a Bishop hoped unconvincing forgeries might protect his property during the instability of the Norman Conquests can be seen by the public.

Exeter hosts joint Data Science workshop with Fudan

The University of Exeter and Fudan University have underpinned their long-standing relationship by co-hosting a special event.

A £300,000 boost for research into an iron overload genetic condition

New funding will help researchers unlock questions about the common genetic iron overload condition, haemochromatosis.

‘Loser effect’ evolves separate from fighting ability

The “loser effect” – which causes animals to shy away from violence after losing a fight – evolves independently of any change in fighting ability, new research suggests.

Greater transparency needed over lobbyist influence on UK renewable energy schemes, research claims

Greater transparency is needed to understand the influence of lobbyists when delivering crucial renewable energy schemes in the UK.

University of Exeter sponsors EDGE awards

The University of Exeter is to be a major sponsor of one of Cornwall’s leading awards for digital innovation.

Some songbird nests are especially vulnerable to magpie predation

A new study has revealed a range of factors that cause a variation in predation by magpies on farmland songbirds.

Places of Poetry Project: stunning new map of England and Wales to provide inspiration for thousands of poems

A stunning digital map of England and Wales will provide the inspiration for thousands of new poems celebrating the diversity and history of both countries.

Fishing among worst jobs for health

People working in the fishing industry have among the poorest health of all workers in England and Wales, new research suggests.