Read the latest Research News - Autumn 2011 now available for download in PDF format. For previous editions visit our archive.
Older males make better fathers says new research on beetles
Mature males work harder and care less about female infidelity.
Rice blast research reveals details on how a fungus invades plants
A study by an international team of researchers has shed light on how the rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae, invades plant tissue.
Advances in genetic sequencing diagnose Paralympic hopeful’s rare condition
National Paracycling Champion Tom Staniford has an extremely rare condition which, until now, has puzzled his doctors.
New research urges caution on use of peer support in chronic disease
Health organisations need to give careful consideration to schemes which encourage people with chronic diseases to seek support from peers, to avoid the potential negative effects, new research shows.
New local energy system could heat Exeter
A new study has shown that a system of local electricity generation and a network of underground hot water pipes can be developed to heat buildings in Exeter.
Islamic graffiti and Sufi-Dub music enliven campus
Expressing Muslim belief through the creative arts forms the basis of an exhibition and series of live events at the University of Exeter on 11-13 June.
Study reveals significant leakage of carbon stored on land to rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal regions
When carbon is emitted by human activities into the atmosphere it is generally thought that about half remains in the atmosphere and the remainder is stored in the oceans and on land.
Timely new report on research impact gives guidance to institutions and funders
Ahead of this year’s Research Excellence Framework (REF) a team from the University of Exeter, funded by Jisc, have authored a report which gives guidance on the definition, evidence and structures required to capture research impacts and benefits.
British butterfly desperate for warm weather this summer
Butterflies are extremely sensitive to changes in temperature and new research has revealed that when summer weather turns bad the silver-spotted skipper battles for survival.
Gannets don’t eat off each other’s plates
Colonies of gannets maintain vast exclusive fishing ranges despite doing nothing to defend their territory from rival colonies, scientists have discovered.
Union Jack and Stars and Stripes investigate public history
The University of South Carolina (USC) has one of the leading postgraduate Public History programmes in America and a group of their students and lecturers are in the UK to explore best practice in public history.
Female company directors are better judges of longer-term company performance
Groundbreaking research by the University of Exeter Business School reveals that female company directors defy negative gender stereotyping by astutely valuing future company performance.
University of Exeter supports government funded WW1 commemoration project
2014 is the centenary commemoration of one of the most important events of the 20th century, the First World War.
Personality is the result of nurture, not nature, suggests study on birds
Personality is not inherited from birth parents says new research on zebra finches.
Is enough being done to make drinking water safe?
There is a lack of evidence regarding the effectiveness of technologies used to reduce arsenic contamination finds research in BioMed Central’s open access journal Environmental Evidence.
Shedding light on moths: whiter street lighting attracts more moths, but some like it more than others
Like their more visible cousins the butterflies, moths are undergoing rapid population declines.
Scientists pave the way for vaccine to combat devastating avian disease
Recent reduction in the use of antibiotic growth promoters in animal feeds has resulted in a dramatic increase in the severe poultry disease - necrotic enteritis.
New research discovers snail shell coiling programmed by protein patterning
Snail shells coil in response to a lopsided protein gradient across their shell mantles, suggests research in BioMed Central’s open access journal EvoDevo.
Do Doctors understand the individualisation of treatments?
The individualisation of drug treatments to support patients to self-manage their conditions is a concept that sits at the heart of policy, but a recent study in BMJ Open shows that there is no concrete definition of the term and consequently no cohesive understanding of what it means in practice among prescribing doctors.
University involved in boosting family business growth in rural South West
One of Devon’s oldest family businesses has joined forces with the University of Exeter and a world class business school in Switzerland to pioneer a scheme which will benefit hundreds of rural family businesses across Devon and Somerset.
From suffragettes to Margaret Thatcher and beyond
A century ago thousands of women marched across Britain to Hyde Park in London as part of the Great Suffrage Pilgrimage.
Public creativity put to the test in Chelsea Flower Show psychology experiment
This year’s 100th Chelsea Flower Show will host an experiment to investigate whether office plants can be used to boost staff well-being and business profitability.
Children of long-lived parents less likely to get cancer
The offspring of parents who live to a ripe old age are more likely to live longer themselves, and less prone to cancer and other common diseases associated with ageing, a study has revealed.
Children act on healthy living programme
Schools across Devon are becoming interactive theatres during a series of Healthy Lifestyle Weeks designed to formulate a programme which could ultimately be rolled out across all schools.
Why a little Beet It goes a long way
Athletes no longer ask whether beetroot juice improves sporting performance - they just want to know how much to drink, and when. A new study has the answers.
Study of the machinery of cells reveals clues to neurological disorder
Investigation by researchers from the University of Exeter and ETH Zurich has shed new light on a protein which is linked to a common neurological disorder called Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
Food security expert, Sarah Gurr, gives talk for Research Focus Week
Food security is a global issue which affects us all. From production to supply, feeding a rapidly expanding population requires cutting edge technology and complex logistical networks.
Astronomers find evidence of hungry young exoplanets
While astronomers now know that exoplanets are exceedingly common in the galaxy, the mechanics by which they are formed aren’t well understood. Planetary childhood remains a mystery.
Cardiff joins the Food Security Land Research Alliance
The Food Security Land Research Alliance (FSLRA) today (Friday 10 May 2013) announced that Cardiff University is to join the partnership.
Coral reefs' collapse isn't inevitable, researchers say
Coral reefs are in decline, but their collapse can still be avoided with local and global action.
Literary expertise in full effect at newly named festival
The name of a Cornish literary festival may have changed, but the involvement of University of Exeter academics literary contributions has increased.
Exeter academic contributes to key Gulf report
A Middle East expert from the Strategy and Security Institute and the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter has co-authored a major report focusing on the UK’s strategic reorientation of its defence and security in the Gulf.
Problematic pupil-teacher relationship could predict psychological problems
Problematic child-teacher relationships may be a predictor of psychological problems in later life, according to new research published online by the British Journal of Psychiatry.
Two Exeter academics appointed Wolfson Research Merit Award holders
The Royal Society, the UK’s national academy of science, has announced the appointment of two Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award holders from Exeter out of a total of 27 new awards.
Saturn’s youthful appearance explained
New research published in the journal Nature Geoscience has revealed how Saturn keeps itself looking young and hot.
Foul-smelling gas shows health benefits in reducing joint swelling
A gas associated with the smell of rotten eggs has proven to effectively reduce joint swelling, in research which could lead to advances in the treatment of arthritis.
Fish win fights on strength of personality
When predicting the outcome of a fight, the big guy doesn’t always win, suggests new research on fish.
Battling with bugs to prevent antibiotic resistance
New scientific research published in the journal PLoS Biology shows that bacteria can evolve resistance more quickly when stronger antibiotics are used.
Epigenetic changes shed light on biological mechanism of autism
A University of Exeter Medical School scientist is part of a team to have identified patterns of epigenetic changes involved in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by studying genetically identical twins who differ in autism traits.
Bugs produce diesel on demand
It sounds like science fiction but a team from the University of Exeter, with support from Shell, has developed a method to make bacteria produce diesel on demand.
Green spaces may boost wellbeing for city dwellers
New research published in the journal Psychological Science has found that people living in urban areas with more green space tend to report greater wellbeing than city dwellers that don’t have parks, gardens, or other green space nearby.
Revolutionary new device joins world of smart electronics
Unique properties of graphene and graphExeter combine to create a new flexible, transparent, photosensitive device.
Thomas Hardy the man behind the classics
Thomas Hardy is one of the West Country’s most famous writers whose novels, such as Far from the Madding Crowd and Tess of the D’Urbervilles are internationally renowned.
Investigating Cornwall’s political past and present
Cornwall’s political heritage and relationship with Westminster is being explored in a new research programme.
Stress - a modern day issue?
Today, many people consider stress to be part of life, yet most of us have little understanding of what the concept means or where it comes from.
New research from the Centre for Innovation and Service Research identifies best practice in process redesign
There are many stories and anecdotes of world-class organisations that have been very successful in carrying out process redesign initiatives.
Revolutionary Iran
As Iran gears up for its elections in June, it is timely to have a major new book about the Islamic Republic. ‘Revolutionary Iran’ is the latest book by Dr Michael Axworthy, the Director of the University of Exeter’s Centre for Persian and Iranian Studies.
Air pollution stunts coral growth
A new study has found that air pollution can shade corals from sunlight and cool the surrounding water resulting in reduced growth rates.
Thinking you’re old and frail
Older adults who categorise themselves as old and frail encourage attitudinal and behavioural confirmation of that identity.
Predicting drought or rainfall in the desert
A new study by Professor Jim Haywood, from Mathematics at the University of Exeter, and colleagues suggests that sporadic volcanic eruptions in the northern hemisphere strongly influence the sea surface temperature and cause drought in the Sahel – the area of sub-Saharan Africa, just south of the Sahara desert.
Miniature aircraft could help scientific data take off
In their most basic form, remote-controlled aircraft are the perfect gadget-lover’s toy, but now their high-tech cousins have the potential to revolutionise the way ecological data are collected.
Exciting and original technologies made freely available by University
The University of Exeter has joined Easy Access IP, which promotes new ways of sharing intellectual property (IP).
Exeter receives share of £84 million boost to PhD training
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is this year investing £84.2 million in postgraduate training through its annual Doctoral Training Grants (DTGs).
Goddess of Easter shines light on collective Christian worship
Millions of people will be tucking into chocolate eggs this Easter, but very few may be aware of the Pagan influence on the Christian festival.
Meditation technique enhances children’s mental health
Teachers in schools across the globe are turning to a new philosophy to help improve the behaviour and well-being of students.
Religious Education in schools defined by secular pressure groups
Secularists and Humanists played a critical role in the development of modern Religious Education in the 1960s and 1970s, according to new research by Education experts from the University of Exeter and University of Worcester.
Researchers discuss health and wellbeing at Parliament
A team of researchers has hosted a briefing to Parliament, focusing on the complex links between the environment and health.
Live tracking of vulnerable South Atlantic seabirds
Real-time information showing the locations of the threatened frigatebird is now available online thanks to a new Darwin Initiative funded study led by the University of Exeter and Ascension Island Government Conservation Department.
Superfast model brain to predict flooding during heavy rain
Heavy rain has once again resulted in widespread flooding across the country. With climate change likely to cause further severe weather events in the coming years, methods of quickly predicting flooding will become increasingly important.
Long predicted atomic collapse state observed in graphene
The first experimental observation of a phenomenon in quantum mechanics that was predicted nearly 70 years ago holds important implications for the future of graphene-based electronic devices.
£1 million to investigate epigenetic factors in schizophrenia
Scientists will investigate the role of epigenetic processes in schizophrenia, a major cause of mental illness.
Devon's turbulent political past revealed
Today it is hard to imagine mid-Devon as a hotbed of political ferment but things were quite different a century ago when politicians risked physical assault in towns like Newton Abbot and Bovey Tracey.
Perfectly mixed up
Drama has become a regular activity for Exeter’s young people in care who have joined forces with students from the University of Exeter to stage a play in Austin, Texas.
3D laser scanning of dhows in Doha
A unique collection of traditional seagoing boats in Doha, Qatar has been recorded for posterity using a 3D scanning process.
Brain study seeks answers on dementia
Research which seeks to understand how the brain’s electrical behaviour is linked to dementia could pave the way for better treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Scottish sharks to be tracked for a second year
Scientists are to extend a popular basking shark tracking project for another year, it was announced today.
Beetroot juice – the winning formula for team sports
New research shows that drinking beetroot juice can significantly improve performance in team sports involving bouts of high intensity exercise.
European countries pool expertise to save water
Intelligent water monitoring systems could soon be in place across Europe thanks to iWIDGET, a €5 million European Commission project that will use cutting edge smart-metering technology to improve water use efficiency.
Bioscience to battle ash dieback
The University of Exeter is a member of a consortium awarded £2.4M by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) for urgent research into the ash dieback fungus and the genetics of resistance in ash trees.
Exeter appoints new Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Professor Mark Goodwin has been appointed as Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Exeter. He takes up his new role on 1 August and succeeds Professor Mark Overton who becomes Dean of the Faculty of Taught Programmes.
Screen Talks at Picture House
Great films and great debates are the basis of ‘Screen Talks’, linking University of Exeter academics and the public through a programme of talks and film screenings at Exeter Picturehouse.
Breast cancer technique to be tested on human breast tissue for the first time
A technique that could take away the anxious wait by patients for breast cancer results by removing the need for a needle biopsy is to have its performance evaluated for the first time, on breast tissue and lymph nodes.
Buoyant bronze age boat makes history in Cornwall
Today history was made in Cornwall as a unique project to recreate a 4000 year old boat reached its dramatic conclusion as it launched into the waters of Falmouth Harbour.
How birds of different feathers flock together
When different species of birds flock together, their flight formations are determined by social dynamics between and within species.
Lizards facing mass extinction
Climate change could lead to dozens of species of lizards becoming extinct within the next 50 years, according to new research published today.
Business School lecturer highly commended by leading academic publisher
Dr Stephen Jollands from the Business School has been given a Highly Commended Award in the 2012 Emerald/European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) Outstanding Doctoral Research Awards.
New report offers academic insight to improve gender equality in the financial services sector
True gender diversity is lacking in the financial services sector especially at senior management level.
Flamingos need friends too
UK scientists are embarking on a four-year study of flamingo behaviour to explore how their relationships could be key to improving breeding success and the overall welfare of captive flocks.
Reducing numbers of one carnivore species indirectly leads to extinction of others
A team from the University of Exeter and the University of Bern has now found that reducing the numbers of one species of carnivore can lead to the extinction of others.
Toxic oceans may have delayed spread of complex life
A new model suggests that inhospitable hydrodgen-sulphide rich waters could have delayed the spread of complex life forms in ancient oceans.
Ship noise makes crabs get crabby
A study published today in Biology Letters found that ship noise affects crab metabolism, with the largest crabs faring worst, and found little evidence that crabs acclimatise to noise over time.
Healthy rivalry could boost sport and business performance
New research shows that people can recover from poor performance when rivals comment on their failures.
University to work with Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Hospital Trust on sustainability
The Centre for Energy and the Environment (CEE) based at the University of Exeter has been awarded £25,000 by the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Hospital Trust to research the prioritisation of sustainability measures at the Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust (RD&E).
Combined expertise creates a hub of weather and climate excellence in Exeter
Since its move to Exeter, the Met Office’s partnership with the University has made Exeter an international hub of expertise in weather and climate research, with joint projects worth over £30 million in various stages of development.
Study shows cost-effectiveness and benefits to patients of early hip replacement
Early access to hip replacement is cost-effective and provides significant benefits for patients' quality of life, a study has shown.
Pioneering robotic surgery research taking place in Exeter
Pioneering new research in robotic surgery is forging ahead thanks to a partnership between the University of Exeter and the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust (RD&E).
£5 million to expand knowledge on human health, life and space
Grants totalling more than £5 million will allow world-class researchers at the University of Exeter to push the boundaries of knowledge in ground-breaking five year projects.
Students inspired to engage with research
Medical Schools across the South West have teamed up to offer a scheme which aims to foster a research culture among doctors and dentists entering the NHS.
Rip roaring short stories about childhood
Once upon a time, is a classic opening phrase for children’s stories and the adventures they entail.
Business School part of 3 million Euro research grant win
The Business School has won a bid for European research funds to work on ‘sustainability-driven innovation’ (SDI). Research and training in Exeter will concentrate on Biomimicry, creating business innovations inspired by nature.
Singles feel singled out
How come a wonderful person like you is still single? Research from the University of Exeter has revealed that single people feel worse about being single when they think about themselves as the odd ones out.
Tax Administration Research Centre holds official launch
The official launch of the Tax Administration Research Centre (TARC) is taking place today, Tuesday 12 February, at a reception being held at Church House Conference Centre in Westminster.
Lungs of the planet reveal their true sensitivity to global warming
Tropical rainforests are often called the “lungs of the planet” because they generally draw in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen.
UK's most confident and successful corporate managers live abroad during their formative years, new research reveals
Corporate managers widely exposed to more than one culture during their formative years (up until 23 years of age) are more likely to be confident taking difficult and risky decisions, such as acquisitions, new research from the University of Exeter Business School reveals.
New evidence highlights threat to Caribbean coral reef growth
Many Caribbean coral reefs have either stopped growing or are on the threshold of starting to erode, new evidence has revealed.
Bio-inspired fibres change colour when stretched
A team of materials scientists at Harvard University and the University of Exeter has invented a new fibre which changes colour when stretched. Inspired by nature, the researchers identified and replicated the unique structural elements, which create the bright iridescent blue colour of a tropical plant’s fruit.
New Tax Administration Research Centre hosts international workshop
The new Tax Administration Research Centre (TARC) , a partnership between the University of Exeter and the Institute for Fiscal Studies funded by the ESRC, HMRC, and HMT, is hosting its first international workshop on Jan 28-29.
Mystery of Laurence Olivier screenplay solved by Exeter academic
Screenplays of Laurence Olivier’s unmade film version of Macbeth, widely thought to have been lost, have been uncovered by a University of Exeter academic.
How intermediate health and social care services enable better care closer to home
A new report by the University of Exeter Medical School researchers sheds light on how health and social care arrangements can avoid hospital admissions or enable people to leave hospital earlier.
South West research-intensive universities form grouping to bring together research strengths
The Universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter today announced a formal collaboration, bringing together a high concentration of research expertise and capability in the South West of England and Wales.
Pigeon project highlighted on BBC’s Winterwatch
Many people view pigeons as pests, or even ‘rats with wings’ - but according to one student, they are ‘super doves’.
4,000-year-old Shaman’s stones discovered near Boquete, Panama
Archaeologists working at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama have discovered a cluster of 12 unusual stones in the back of a small, prehistoric rock-shelter near the town of Boquete.
Why the Industrial Revolution happened explored in TV documentary
University of Exeter historian to examine one of the most extraordinary periods in British history: the Industrial Revolution in an hour long programme on BBC Two.
How does our brain “learn” from stressful events?
A study that aims to investigate how the brain processes stress and creates memories of psychologically stressful events will begin shortly thanks to funding of £758,000 from the Biotechnology and Biological Research Council.
Health and medicine showcase hailed a success
A dynamic event highlighted the wide range of medical and health research involving the University of Exeter, the NHS and business partners.
Exeter historian awarded American history prize
A historian from the University of Exeter has won the best essay accepted for publication in Historically Speaking, an American academic journal.
£1.1 million will help develop products from super-material
New ways of making and using the wonder material graphene will be identified through pioneering work by engineers and scientists at the University of Exeter and Bath.
Syria policy warning over weapons of mass destruction risk
Policy-makers have been warned that premature military action in Syria could lead to uncontrolled access to weapons of mass destruction and a prolonged, bitter insurgency following any intervention that resulted in the sudden collapse of the Syrian security forces.
£1.5 million grant could help develop more robust water systems
A University of Exeter expert has been awarded a five-year fellowship grant for a green engineering research aimed at developing a new approach to water management in UK cities.
Badger sleeping habits could help target TB control
Sleeping away from the family home is linked to health risks for badgers, new research by the University of Exeter and the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) has revealed.
Birdsong bluster may dupe strange females, but it won’t fool partners
Male birds use their song to dupe females they have just met by pretending they are in excellent physical condition.
Medical historian shortlisted for prestigious history award
A book by a medical historian from the University of Exeter has been shortlisted for the Longman/History Today Book Prize 2013.
Pantomime's enduring appeal put through academic scrutiny
“Oh yes it is”: Pantomime season is gathering momentum in theatres around the country.
Slinky science inspires African school children
A University of Exeter physicist has inspired hundreds of African school children to engage with science during a whirlwind outreach tour to Malawi.
Double win for water research projects
Two prestigious awards have been presented to projects in which University of Exeter scientists are helping to develop groundbreaking methods to monitor the success of restoration of the South West’s upland peatlands.
Medieval New Year resolutions both a blessing and a blaspheme
The custom of making resolutions for the New Year goes back to the Medieval period. As the year end approaches, a University of Exeter historian has shed light on how the future was predicted centuries ago.
Group interaction among elderly is the key to significant health outcomes
The health benefits of 'water clubs' in care homes for the elderly, where residents gather together regularly to drink water, owe as least as much to the social nature of the activity as to the value of drinking water itself, an investigation by psychologists has shown.
Viruses cooperate or conquer to cause maximum destruction
Scientists have discovered new evidence about the evolution of viruses, in work that will change our understanding about the control of infectious diseases such as winter flu.
Vaccination reduces the risk of unvaccinated badger cubs testing TB positive
New evidence from a four-year field study has shown that BCG vaccination reduces the risk of tuberculosis infection in unvaccinated badger cubs in vaccinated groups, as well as in badgers that received the vaccine.
Cognitive behavioural therapy proves effective at reducing depression in people who have not responded to antidepressants
Antidepressants are the most widely used treatment for people with moderate to severe depression.
Top conservation issues to look out for in 2013
A UK-led team of researchers has identified 15 issues that could affect the diversity of life on Earth in 2013.
Research council selects Exeter academic to lead the way
University of Exeter historian Professor Andrew Thompson has been selected as one of the new Leadership Fellows for the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).
FAB Test wins Best Business Innovation at the Green Energy Awards
The Green Energy Awards 2012, organised by the not-for-profit environmental organisation RegenSW, gave recognition to six companies and researchers out of a possible 130 throughout the South West.
Genes link growth in the womb with adult metabolism and disease
Researchers have identified four new genetic regions that influence birth weight, providing further evidence that genes as well as maternal nutrition are important for growth in the womb.
Close as a blade-shaving and masculinity
Moustaches from the classic handlebar to the dramatic Dali are soon to be cut short as the month of Mo’vember draws to a close, and clean shaven faces return from their period of charitable exile.
Ecologists shed new light on effects of light pollution on wildlife
Light pollution is often associated with negative effects on wildlife.
Attitudes towards security threats uncovered
New research has revealed a significant gap between what the government claims are the biggest security threats facing the UK and the fears of the population.
Blame, responsibility and demand for change following floods
New research shows that concerns about governmental failure to act effectively and fairly in the aftermath of extreme weather events can affect the degree to which residents are willing to protect themselves.
Poetry, photography, and procedures - the arts meet medicine
Preventive medicine, cancer and body image are the issues which will be explored in a creatively focused event at the University of Exeter on 27 November.
£2 million research boost for Exeter scientists is part of major international push to help the world’s poorest farmers
University of Exeter scientists have received a £2 million boost to their efforts to tackle crop diseases that affect farmers globally – from Sub Saharan Africa to South West England.
Say hi to a magpie via new app
A new app which encourages people to say “good morning Mr Magpie” via their mobile phone will help scientists evaluate the benefits which birds bring to the quality of human life.
Teenagers urged to exercise to ward off bone disease
Playing football or running for at least three hours a week could help teenagers counteract the potential damage to their bone health caused by prolonged spells of sitting.
Artists channel their inner CALM through 3D printing
Unique works of art created using specialist equipment at the University of Exeter are on display in an exhibition which showcases the diverse potential of the technology.
Streetlight policies could cast a shadow over wildlife
Scientists have conducted the first study into the ecological effects of a variety of energy-saving options to reduce overnight street lighting.
New funding for research on conflict management in Central Asia
Three incidents of armed conflict in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan form the focus of a major new research project assessing the effect of conflict management in Central Asia and how this affects the development of relationships with these young countries.
Cultural dimensions of climate change are underestimated, overlooked and misunderstood
The impact of climate change on many aspects of cultural life for people all over the world is not being sufficiently accounted for by scientists and policy-makers.
First World War poet's home reveals hidden treasure
Long-forgotten letters, papers and manuscripts detailing the life and times of a heroic First World War poet have been discovered in a house in Gloucestershire which has remained virtually unchanged for 80 years.
Methane from waste could power homes thanks to £4 million research
The UK could gain an edge in the race to become the most efficient converters of waste into energy when a £4million research project comes to fruition.
Project to bridge the gap surrounding Ireland and the First World War
With Ireland’s ‘Decade of Commemorations’ underway, historians at the University of Exeter and Goldsmiths, University of London have created a special website to gather information and knowledge about Ireland’s involvement in the First World War.
Inspirational Scientist wins European award for Communicating Research
A University of Exeter academic has been hailed as one of Europe’s best young researchers when she received an award in recognition of her work in making complex science easily accessible.
Literature which connects with new writers
Literature is being used to assist vulnerable and homeless people to view their past and future in alternative and more positive ways.
Exeter academics contribute to Festival of Social Science
As part of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC’s) Festival of Social Science, the University of Exeter is holding several events to share their research in mental and physical health with the wider public.
Grant award of €5 million will fund pioneering University research
Four of Europe’s most promising scientists from the University of Exeter have received a total of more than €5 million to advance cutting-edge research which will help develop a deeper understanding of the world.
Exeter scientist goes from lab bench to backbench
Dr Annette Plaut from the University of Exeter is swapping a lab coat for legislation as she visits Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw at the House of Commons.
New show celebrates failure through dark humour
A new performance by a University of Exeter Drama lecturer that is somewhere between stand-up comedy and theatre is being performed at the Bikeshed Theatre, Exeter 30 October to 3 November.
American academic to assess impact of Frankenstorm
An American scientist at the University of Exeter is assessing the impact of the mega storm resulting from Hurricane Sandy as it rips through his homeland.
Theatre performance turns back the tide
A play that looks at the metaphorical connections between coastal erosion and memory loss provides the basis for the latest play by University of Exeter Senior Drama Lecturer Rebecca Loukes’ award winning company, RedCape Theatre.
Medieval manuscripts to get technological makeover
The world’s largest collection of Anglo-Saxon (Old English) poetry may soon be available on a smart device App, as part of a project initiated by the University of Exeter.
Exeter Scientists key to creating one of UK's greenest schools
Scientists at the University of Exeter have been heavily involved in developing a school which is in the national top ten for energy efficiency.
Twitter principles of social networking increase family success in nesting birds
New research carried out by scientists at Universities in Exeter, France and Switzerland reveals for the first time the importance of social networking in producing a successful family.
Research to reveal route to affordable, secure and sustainable energy
What is the best way for people in the UK to have access to affordable, secure and sustainable energy?
University academic works with manufacturing giant on project to influence consumer recycling behaviour
Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) recently announced the details of a new project led by Dr Stewart Barr in Geography which will try to understand household recycling behaviours.
Rediscovering Cornwall's rural past through storytelling
A new project working with communities and primary schools to explore and rediscover Cornwall’s rural past through storytelling has been given the go ahead.
New report by Exeter academic identifies connection between brain injury and crime in young people
Psychology Professor Huw Williams has authored a major new report, published today, on the impact that acquired brain injuries can have on young people in childhood.
Football scores a health hat trick for hypertensive men
Playing football (soccer) could be the best way for people with high blood pressure, known as hypertension, to improve their fitness, normalise their blood pressure and reduce their risk of stroke.
Breakthrough study identifies 'trauma switch'
Researchers from the University of Exeter Medical School have for the first time identified the mechanism that protects us from developing uncontrollable fear.
Cornwall students reveal what lies beneath
We will soon know more than ever before about what lies beneath the water at some of Cornwall’s top beauty spots, thanks to University of Exeter students from the Cornwall Campus.
Exeter scientist discovers UK's rarest bat in East Devon
University of Exeter scientist Dr Fiona Mathews has discovered one of Britain’s rarest mammals living in East Devon.
Pesticides not yet proven guilty of causing honeybee declines
The impact of crop pesticides on honeybee colonies is unlikely to cause colony collapse, according to a paper in the journal Science.
Exeter research reveals winning ingredient that can’t be beet
Athletes competing this summer have benefited from an unlikely ingredient to fuel their Olympic and Paralympic success.
Long menopause allows killer whales to care for adult sons
Scientists have found the answer to why female killer whales have the longest menopause of any non-human species - to care for their adult sons.
Exeter academics contribute to arts-science debate
Artists, scientists and policy makers will come together at the third Creative Coast Forum event at the University of Exeter on 10 September.
Blanket bogs need protection from climate change
Blanket bogs, which provide vital habitats for a unique range of plants, birds, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians, are at risk of declining as a result of climate change.
Children’s role and influence on family justice system debated
The family justice system is currently going through major change and the role of children in the legal process forms the focus of a series of debates, lectures and workshops at the University of Exeter.
Firefighters to join the Exeter 10,000
Firefighters from Devon and Somerset Fire Service Red Watch have taken part in the Exeter 10,000 project, run by the National Institute for Health Research Exeter Clinical Research Facility (CRF), University of Exeter Medical School (formerly Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry).
New physio guidelines for the elderly at risk of falls
Taking a fall in older life can not only result in injury, but also a potentially debilitating loss of confidence.
Menopause evolved to prevent competition between in-laws
The menopause evolved, in part, to prevent competition between a mother and her new daughter-in-law, according to research published in the journal Ecology Letters.
Research identifies mechanism responsible for eye movement disorder
A research team from King’s College London and the University of Exeter Medical School has identified how a genetic mutation acts during the development of nerves responsible for controlling eye muscles, resulting in movement disorders such as Duane Syndrome, a form of squint.
Archaeological dig in Devon unearths Roman influence
Excavations are underway to unearth the mysteries of Devon’s newly discovered settlement dating back to Roman times.
Warming causes more extreme shifts of the Southern Hemisphere's largest rain band
South Pacific countries will experience more extreme floods and droughts, in response to increasing greenhouse gas emissions, according to a paper in the journal Nature.
Research links Bisphenol-A to narrowing of the arteries
A research team from the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry (PCMD), University of Exeter, and University of Cambridge has for the first time established a link between high levels of urinary Bisphenol-A (BPA) and severe coronary artery stenosis (narrowing of the arteries).
Study proves that one extinction leads to another
When a carnivore becomes extinct, other predatory species could soon follow, according to new research.
Making sense of an historic landscape
For the countryside to avoid becoming as homogenised as the High Street we need to learn from how it evolved; according to a new book by a University of Exeter archaeologist.
Exeter geographers collaborate with artists on the Jurassic Coast
University of Exeter geographers have helped shape a series of new artworks and special free events for visitors to Hive Beach, Dorset, to enjoy this summer.
Coral reef thriving in sediment-laden waters
Rapid rates of coral reef growth have been identified in sediment-laden marine environments, conditions previously believed to be detrimental to reef growth.
Dairy cows' health and productivity set to benefit from Exeter study
University of Exeter scientists are undertaking the first ever study of its kind to investigate how the way dairy cows interact with one another impacts on their health and productivity.
Exeter physicist bends light waves on surfboards
A University of Exeter scientist is bringing together his passions for physics and surfing with research that could inspire a host of new technologies.
Obama needs to show Americans he's still 'one of them'
To win a second term in office, President Obama needs to persuade voters that he is still 'one of them' – and recapture some of the charisma that helped propel him to the top four years ago.
Snacking and BMI linked to double effect of brain activity and self-control
Snack consumption and BMI are linked to both brain activity and self-control, new research has found.
Public sightings suggest increase in basking sharks in British waters
The number of basking sharks recorded in Britain’s seas could be increasing, decades after being protected from commercial hunting in the late 20th century.
Binge drinking increases risk of cognitive decline in older adults
Researchers from the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry (PCMD), University of Exeter, will present the findings of a new study suggesting a link between binge drinking in older adults and the risk of developing dementia.
Largest analysis of public opinions at outbreak of World War I challenges popular myth
A groundbreaking book presents new evidence that challenges the way we understand British and Irish responses to the outbreak of the First World War in 1914.
University scientists to reveal the secret life of sharks
University of Exeter scientists are part of a team investigating the movements of large sharks visiting Scottish waters.
New research shows agri-environment schemes improved by training
A research programme exploring the effectiveness and value for money of agri-environment schemes found that a relatively small amount of training for farmers could significantly improve their environmental outcome.
Obsession with wealth explored in new book
What constitutes the good life? What is the true value of money? Why do we work such long hours merely to acquire greater wealth? These are some of the questions that were asked when the financial system crashed in 2008.
Helping family is key for social birds
Social birds that forgo breeding to help to raise the offspring of other group members are far more likely care for their own close relatives than for more distant kin, a new study has found.
Exeter physicist awarded Faraday Medal
A physicist whose University of Exeter career spans 40 years has been awarded the Faraday Medal of the Institute of Physics.
Bronze Age boat project reaches milestone
The University of Exeter’s ambitious prehistoric boat building project has reached a milestone with the laying of the keel, which forms the backbone of the vessel.
Research paves the way for accurate manufacturing of complex parts for aerospace and car industries
Producing strong, lightweight and complex parts for car manufacturing and the aerospace industry is set to become cheaper and more accurate thanks to a new technique developed by engineers from the University of Exeter.
Dramatic change spotted on a faraway planet
A University of Exeter scientist is part of a team of astronomers that has seen dramatic changes in the upper atmosphere of a faraway planet, using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.
Responsibility misused by politicians
The concept of responsibility is being used by politicians as a distraction from the real problems in society, which have to do with inequality according to research from the University of Exeter.
Marine energy doubled by predicting wave power
The energy generated from our oceans could be doubled using new methods for predicting wave power.
Major changes critical for Energy Bill and Green Deal to succeed
The University of Exeter, SSE, Consumer Focus and WWF, along with representatives from 20 other organisations, have published the results of a series of roundtables on UK energy policy.
University of Exeter boosts research in disease prevention and treatment
The University of Exeter is furthering our understanding of the causes and treatments of diseases.
University of Exeter invites artists to work in 3D
The University of Exeter’s Centre for Additive Layer Manufacturing (CALM) has teamed up with the Exeter Phoenix to offer 30 artists from across the South West the opportunity to explore the possibilities of making work in the emerging technology of 3D printing.
University of Exeter research uncovers rice blast infection mechanism
Scientists at the University of Exeter have made a new discovery that they hope might lead to effective control of rice blast disease.
Eat less meat and improve farming efficiency to tackle climate change
We need to eat less meat and recycle our waste to rebalance the global carbon cycle and reduce our risk of dangerous levels of climate change
Expansion of forests in the European Arctic could result in the release of carbon dioxide
Carbon stored in Arctic tundra could be released into the atmosphere by new trees growing in the warmer region, exacerbating climate change, scientists have revealed.
Training people to inhibit movements can reduce risk-taking
New research from psychologists at the Universities of Exeter and Cardiff shows that people can train their brains to become less impulsive, resulting in less risk-taking during gambling.
Ancient story of Dartmoor tors has an ice-cold twist
Ice extended further across the UK than previously thought and played a part in sculpting the rocky landscape of Dartmoor in South West England during the last Ice Age, according to new research which challenges previously held theories.
Attitude towards age increases risk of dementia diagnosis
Our attitude towards our age has a massive impact on the likelihood of being diagnosed with dementia.
University scientists develop new tools for conservation and wildlife management
A University of Exeter team has developed new software tools for helping prioritise efforts in species conservation.
Exeter scientist plunges school pupils into marine science
University of Exeter biologist Dr Ceri Lewis is supporting a national campaign to get marine science on the agenda of Britain’s schools.
UK study into whether physical activity aids depression finds no additional benefit
Current clinical guidance recommends physical activity to alleviate the symptoms of depression.
'Jack Spratt' diabetes gene identified
Type 2 diabetes is popularly associated with obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. However, just as there are obese people without type 2 diabetes, there are lean people with the disease.
South West food security research boosted by 'globally unique' farm facility
Ambitions to make the South West of England a centre of global significance in the arena of food security and land research have been boosted thanks to a state-of-the-art farm research facility in North Devon.
Renewable Energy students help Guernsey develop renewable energy strategy
Renewable Energy academics and students from the Cornwall Campus, near Falmouth recently visited Guernsey on a field trip to make a high level strategic assessment of the island's renewable energy potential.
Education expert wins influential doctoral studentship
The University of Exeter’s Professor of Education Wendy Robinson has won a prestigious doctoral studentship award from the Higher Education Academy (HEA).
Exeter researchers awarded prestigious fellowships
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has today announced the recipients of its first ever Fellowships in Manufacturing.
Light pollution transforming insect communities
Street lighting is transforming communities of insects and other invertebrates, according to research by the University of Exeter.
The heart rules the head when we make financial decisions
Our ‘gut feelings’ influence our decisions, overriding ‘rational’ thought, when we are faced with financial offers that we deem to be unfair, according to a new study.
£30,000 award to South West sea-life scientist
HRH The Princess Royal (Princess Anne) has presented a Whitley Award for inspirational conservation leadership to University of Exeter research fellow Joanna Alfaro Shigueto for her work to build a better future for Pacific coast wildlife and fishing communities.
Exeter professors win research prizes from the Royal Meteorological Society
Professor David Stephenson and Professor Jim Haywood in Mathematics at the University of Exeter have won prestigious research prizes from the Royal Meteorological Society.
University scientist joins international team to sequence butterfly genome
A University of Exeter scientist has joined a landmark effort to sequence the genome of a South American butterfly.
Universities showcase creativity and lift the lid on research for the local community
The University of Exeter and University College Falmouth will be showcasing creativity, originality and ground-breaking research in all sorts of ways for the local community and visitors to Falmouth to enjoy between 10am and 4pm on Saturday 19 May 2012.
First satellite tag study for manta rays reveals habits and hidden journeys of ocean giants
Using the latest satellite tracking technology, conservationists from the Wildlife Conservation Society, the University of Exeter and the Government of Mexico have completed a ground-breaking study on a mysterious ocean giant: the manta ray.
Research reveals threats to ice sheet stability in West Antarctica
Threats to the stability of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet have been revealed by new research involving the University of Exeter.
International research team unravels origin of devastating kiwifruit disease
An international research team including an Exeter scientist has used the latest DNA sequencing technology to trace a devastating pathogen back to its likely origin of China.
Exeter biologist rediscovers 'forgotten' 19th century illustrations
A unique collection of nineteenth century visual teaching aids belonging to the University of Exeter has been rediscovered after more than six decades.
Exeter scientist wins Rosenhain Medal
University of Exeter physicist Professor Steve Eichhorn has won the Rosenhain Medal in recognition of his distinguished achievement in materials science.
New graphene-based material could revolutionise electronics industry
The most transparent, lightweight and flexible material ever for conducting electricity has been invented by a team from the University of Exeter.
Birds cultivate decorative plants to attract mates
An international team of scientists has uncovered the first evidence of a non-human species cultivating plants for use other than as food.
Spin-out wins Queen's Award for Enterprise in Innovation
University of Exeter spin-out company Simpleware Ltd has been awarded a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation for its new approach to converting 3D image data into high-quality computer models (CAD, Rapid Prototype, CFD and Finite Element models).
Green-glowing fish provides new insights into health impacts of pollution
Understanding the damage that pollution causes to both wildlife and human health is set to become much easier thanks to a new green-glowing zebrafish.
University researcher reaches finals of prestigious global competition
Joanna Alfaro-Shigueto, from Lima (Peru) has been named as a finalist in one of the world’s most prestigious wildlife conservation competitions - the Whitley Awards.
Exhibition reveals South West's repair industries as threatened and thriving
An exhibition offering a unique insight into the business of repairing everyday objects opens at the University of Exeter on 11 April.
Business School awarded £1.5 million to research digital economy
A consortium of researchers, headed by the University of Exeter Business School has been awarded £1.5 million by the Research Council UK to undertake research into the digital economy.
800-year-old farmers could teach us how to protect the Amazon
In the face of mass deforestation of the Amazon, we could learn from its earliest inhabitants who managed their farmland sustainably.
University of Exeter announces spin out company for 3D chocolate printing
Following a huge amount of interest in the potential for personalised 3D chocolate, Dr Liang Hao from the University of Exeter has founded Choc Edge Ltd, a company which will develop and sell its unique 3D chocolate printers to the world.
Exeter to become catalyst for engaging research
The University of Exeter has been awarded £300,000 to become a centre of excellence for public engagement in research.
Local schools trial radical new approach to Easter story
Six local schools are changing the way in which Religious Education is taught, thanks to a pioneering new approach to learning developed by researchers from the University of Exeter’s Graduate School of Education.
Exeter team to adapt weather forecasting for Exoplanets
A University of Exeter team is adapting the UK Met Office’s weather and climate model to study the atmospheric properties of planets orbiting other stars.
New £3.6 million mood disorders research facility opens its doors
The South West region is set to benefit from a new £3.6 million building dedicated to researching treatments for mood disorders such as depression and Bipolar Disorder.
Marine Protected Areas are keeping turtles safe
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are providing sea turtles with an ideal habitat for foraging and may be keeping them safe from the threats of fishing.
Bilingual education works – if you do your homework
More schools should consider adopting bilingual education for part of their teaching, according to a language education expert from the University of Exeter.
Exeter professor contributes to national literacy debate
An academic from the University of Exeter’s Graduate School of Education has contributed to a national debate on how we can improve literacy among school children.
Aerial survey reveals Exmoor's rare peatlands as never seen before
An unmanned aircraft has captured hundreds of images of Exmoor’s peatlands, revealing the condition of this rare environment as never seen before.
University team to lead project to safeguard Ascension Island's wildlife
A University of Exeter team will deliver an ambitious programme to protect the unique flora and fauna of Ascension Island.
Centre for Sport Leisure and Tourism Research announces London showcase event
Researchers from the Centre for Sport Leisure and Tourism Research (CSLTR) will be showcasing their latest findings in a high profile event in London on Monday April 23 2012.
