Global news
Rock glaciers will slow Himalayan ice melt
Some Himalayan glaciers are more resilient to global warming than previously predicted, new research suggests.
Religion played an important role in Britain voting to leave the EU in 2016, research shows
Faith played an “important and under-appreciated role” in the UK’s choice to leave Europe, with Anglicans more likely to back Brexit, a major new study shows.
European rules to protect consumers using digital services such as social media need “significant changes”, experts warn
European laws protecting consumers using digital services such as social media and search engines need “significant changes”, experts have warned.
Monkeys made more friends after hurricane
Monkeys formed more friendships and became more tolerant of each other after their island was devastated by a hurricane, new research shows.
University of Exeter joins Europe’s largest astronomy network
The University of Exeter is joining Europe’s largest, ground-based astronomy collaborative network, it has been announced.
Carbon uptake in regrowing Amazon forest threatened by climate and human disturbance
Large areas of forests regrowing in the Amazon to help reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are being limited by climate and human activity.
Major new study shows ancient international trading routes between Exeter and Europe
Cutting-edge scientific techniques used to study ancient artefacts found in Exeter have revealed more about the ancient international trading routes between the city and Europe.
“Stark warning”: Combating ecosystem collapse from the tropics to the Antarctic
Eminent scientists warn that key ecosystems around Australia and Antarctica are collapsing, and propose a three-step framework to combat irreversible global damage
Far-right political parties are ambivalent rather than sceptical about Europe, analysis shows
Far right political parties have acted in an ambivalent rather than overtly sceptical way towards Europe, analysis shows.
Ancient Amazonian farmers fortified valuable land they had spent years making fertile to protect it from conflict
Ancient Amazonian communities fortified valuable land they had spent years making fertile to protect it from conflict, excavations show.
Exeter research receives global recognition
Research conducted by University of Exeter experts has been recognised among the most shared and discussed of 2020.
“Attitude of gratitude” keeps older people in Japan feeling hopeful as they age, study shows
Older people in Japan have an “attitude of gratitude” which keeps them feeling hopeful despite the challenges of aging, a new study says.
Pioneering research unravels hidden origins of Eastern Asia’s ‘land of milk and honey’
A study has revealed for the first time the ancient origins of one of the world’s most important ecosystems.
Statement of support from the University of Exeter on the importance of languages
The University of Exeter is delighted to endorse and support the international call to action recently released by the British Academy and partners under the title The Importance of Languages in Global Context.
Explore Spanish and South American history and culture in new virtual film festival
People can explore the history and culture of Spain and South America as part of a new virtual film festival.
Ivory Coast creates first Marine Protected Area
Ivory Coast has announced the creation of its first Marine Protected Area (MPA).
Access to nature important for mental health during Covid lockdowns
People in European countries with the strictest COVID-19 lockdown policies were more likely to show symptoms of depression and anxiety, according to an international study investigating the impact of disconnecting from nature.
Leading researchers receive prestigious ERC funding awards
Two of the University of Exeter’s most respected researchers have received a significant funding boost from the European Research Council (ERC), it has been announced.
Peatland preservation vital to climate
Preserving the world's peatlands – and the vast carbon stores they contain – is vital to limiting climate change, researchers say.
Experts, politicians, charity leaders and activists join forces to discuss impact of religion and culture on the lives of people with disabilities in Namibia
Experts, politicians, charity leaders and activists met to discuss the impact of religion and culture on the lives of people with disabilities in Namibia.
Newly discovered ancient villages laid out like a clock face are further proof of human impact on the Amazon
Ancient Amazonian villages laid out like a clock face have been discovered by experts, thanks to technology that allows them to see below the rainforest canopy.
'Message in a bottle' tracks plastic pollution
Electronic tags released in the Ganges river show plastic pollution can travel thousands of kilometres in just a few months.
Exeter Diabetes Professor wins Belgian’s top scientific prize from country’s queen
Andrew Hattersley, Professor of Molecular Medicine at the University of Exeter, has won the Baillet Latour Health Prize 2020
Public can explore hundreds of new prehistoric, Roman and medieval archaeological sites identified through aerial reconnaissance
The public can explore hundreds of new prehistoric, Roman and medieval sites discovered in Romania by archaeologists using aerial reconnaissance.
Newly discovered Amazon rock art show the rainforest’s earliest inhabitants living with giant Ice Age animals
Amazonian rock art newly discovered by researchers provides further proof the rainforest’s earliest inhabitants lived alongside now-extinct giant Ice Age animals.
Waste fishing gear threatens Ganges wildlife
Waste fishing gear in the River Ganges poses a threat to wildlife including otters, turtles and dolphins, new research shows.
Plant evolves to become less visible to humans
A plant used in traditional Chinese medicine has evolved to become less visible to humans, new research shows.
Exeter experts recognised as being among world’s most influential scientists
Leading academics from the University of Exeter have been recognised as being amongst the world’s most influential researchers, according to a prestigious new ranking.
Pacific project will build a circular economy to target plastic pollution
Scientists aim to tackle plastic pollution in the Galapagos Islands and wider Eastern Pacific in a major project based on cooperation with local researchers and communities.
New app allows people to explore some of Europe’s most historic cities from their own homes
People can step back in time to Renaissance Italy or Elizabethan England as part of a new app which allows people to take exciting tours of some of Europe’s most historic cities from their own homes.
Scientists unravel how and why Amazon trees die
A huge new study has unravelled what factors control tree mortality rates in Amazon forests and helps to explain why tree mortality is increasing across the Amazon basin.
Water engineering expert launches new £10 million European water systems project
A University of Exeter academic is set to receive a share of £10 million pounds of funding for a six-year European research project, looking at designing the next generation of intelligent urban drinking water systems.
'Remarkable' project wins Newton Prize award
A "remarkable" project that aims to bring safe and reliable energy to informal settlements in South Africa has won the Chair's Prize in the 2020 Newton Fund awards.
Project to investigate Southeast Asia plastic pollution
Researchers have launched an ambitious project to discover the impacts of plastic pollution in the oceans of Southeast Asia – and how the problem might be tackled.
New project to find Europe’s green technology metals
A new four-year project ‘GREENPEG’ has received a grant of €8.3 million from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme to develop new techniques to explore for pegmatite rocks containing lithium and other green technology metals.
Australian carp virus plan 'dead in the water'
Plans to release a virus to reduce numbers of invasive Common Carp in Australia are unlikely to work and should be dropped, researchers say.
COVID sparks volunteering boost
Researchers working on a project across four European countries have seen a "significant rise" in volunteering and community action during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pioneering collaborative research project helps enhance understanding of climate tipping points
Mathematicians from the University of Exeter will play a pivotal role in a new collaborative research project to help enhance our understanding of climate tipping points.
A change at the top before elections boosts MP turnover across Europe, research shows
Appointing a new leader just before an election leads to a higher turnover of MPs after the poll, a study of political parties across Europe during the past 80 years shows.
Galapagos guides to 'barcode' wildlife
Galapagos tourist guides are being retrained to catalogue the islands' famous biodiversity.
Earliest humans stayed at the Americas ‘oldest hotel’ in Mexican cave
A cave in a remote part of Mexico was visited by humans around 30,000 years ago – 15,000 years earlier than people were previously thought to have reached the Americas.
New soap opera, comic and apps being used to tackle kidnappings in Mexico
A new soap opera, comic and app are the latest weapons being used to tackle the epidemic of kidnappings in Mexico.
Air pollution in China fell 48% due to economic impact of COVID-19 policies
Air pollution in China, as measured by levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), fell by 48% during lockdown, as a result of the economic fall-out from policies implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19, a study has found.
Palm trees most abundant in tropical forests in the Americas
Palm trees are more than five times more numerous in tropical forests in the Americas than in comparable Asian and African forests, a new study shows.
Project to enhance climate hazard resilience and related disease prevention in Africa receives funding boost
Experts from the University of Exeter will lead a pioneering project to design digital innovations to help communities across Africa become more resilient to climate hazards and prevent outbreaks of associated diseases.
Exeter in global top five for research on green space and public health
The University of Exeter has leapt into the top five institutions in the world for research output on the links between green space and public health.
‘Gatekeepers’ of biodiversity hotspots facing COVID crisis
Impoverished communities and diverse ecosystems in Colombia are under threat due to the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers say.
Innovation by ancient farmers adds to biodiversity of the Amazon, study shows
Innovation by ancient farmers to improve soil fertility continues to have an impact on the biodiversity of the Amazon, a major new study shows.
Half of the world’s population exposed to increasing air pollution, study shows
Half of the world’s population is exposed to increasing air pollution, new research has shown.
Exeter joins new European initiative to turn wastewater into valuable resource
Experts from the University of Exeter will play a crucial role in a new pan-European initiative to develop new techniques to turn wastewater into a valuable resource.
Genetics could help diagnose diabetes in Indians, study shows
A new way of using genetics to diagnose diabetes could pave the way for better diagnosis and treatment in Indians, new research has concluded.
New project explores perceptions of China
A new research project exploring how the West perceives China is to be launched at the University of Exeter.
Early African Muslims had a halal – and cosmopolitan diet - discovery of thousands of ancient animal bones shows
Early Muslim communities in Africa ate a cosmopolitan diet as the region became a trading centre for luxury goods, the discovery of thousands of ancient animal bones has shown.
COVID-19 crisis causes 17% drop in global carbon emissions
The COVID-19 global lockdown has had an “extreme” effect on daily carbon emissions, but it is unlikely to last – according to a new analysis by an international team of scientists.
New test identifies lobster hybrids
Scientists have developed a test that can identify hybrids resulting from crossbreeding between European and American lobsters.
Voters across Europe perceive the EU as less democratic than it is, survey suggests
Large portions of voters across Europe misunderstand the workings of the European Union and think it is less democratic than it actually is, research suggests.
Traumatised communities reflecting on loss of war meant many didn’t celebrate on VE day
It is remembered as a time when seemingly everyone in Britain lined the streets to mark the end of six years of conflict around the world – but in reality the trauma of war meant many people didn’t celebrate on Victory in Europe Day.
University of Exeter health and housing project to combat isolation during lockdown
A project that links technology and housing to improve health and wellbeing in Cornwall is developing a guide to using online devices to reduce feelings of isolation during COVID-19 lockdown.
Pivotal new project aims to promote and implement green domestic heating
A pivotal new project, involving Renewable Energy experts from the University of Exeter, has been launched to pioneer new initiatives for greener home heating.
University of Exeter help diversify farming of the future
The University of Exeter Business School is working with more than 40 other institutions as part of a major EU-funded project worth nearly 10 million euros.
University of Exeter celebrates European partnerships, research and education
Friday 8 May 2020 is the 75th anniversary of VE Day, a time of reflection and remembrance, and the following day is Europe Day, when many will celebrate the hard won peace and unity following the Second World War.
‘Near-unlivable’ heat for one-third of humans within 50 years if greenhouse gas emissions are not cut
Areas of the planet home to one-third of humans will become as hot as the hottest parts of the Sahara within 50 years, unless greenhouse gas emissions fall, according to research published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
‘Ethnic spaces’ make minority US students feel at home
“Ethnic spaces” at US universities make students from underrepresented minority groups feel a greater sense of belonging and engagement with their university, new research suggests.
Stunning scroll paintings and graphic art show shared history of famine in India and Britain
Beautifully illustrated scrolls and graphic art storytelling traditions will help communities to reflect on shared histories of famine in India and Britain and cope with today’s environmental changes.
University of Exeter expert elected to prestigious American Academy of Arts & Sciences
A University of Exeter expert has been elected to one of the world’s most prestigious academic organisations.
Earliest humans in the Amazon created thousands of “forest islands” as they tamed wild plants for food, study shows
The earliest human inhabitants of the Amazon created thousands of artificial forest islands as they tamed wild plants to grow food, a new study shows.
Vexing Nemo: motorboat noise makes clownfish stressed and aggressive
Hormonal changes caused by motorboat noise cause clownfish to hide, skip meals and attack their neighbours – putting damselfish in distress.
Ocean changes almost starved life of oxygen
Chemical changes in the oceans more than 800 million years ago almost destroyed the oxygen-rich atmosphere that paved the way for complex life on Earth, new research suggests.
World-leading plastics research team collect Queen’s Anniversary prize
Prince Charles has awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher Education to a team at the University of Exeter.
Exeter launches Master in Public Health to develop future global leaders
A new Master in Public Health programme is launching at the University of Exeter, to nurture future global leaders with skills around complexity, leadership and decision-making.
Fundraising campaign hits target one year early
£60 million raised to support students and research at Exeter
£1.2 million USA grant to investigate psychosis in Alzheimer’s disease
Funding expected to total £1.2 million ($1,566,874) over four years from the USA’s National Institutes of Health (NIH) will help Exeter academics advance understanding about the underlying biological mechanisms leading to some people with Alzheimer’s disease developing psychosis.
Climate scientist receives prestigious ERC funding award
One of the University of Exeter’s most talented climate researchers has received a significant funding boost from the European Research Council (ERC), it has been announced.
Exeter-based tech company named in global top 10 VR experiences of 2019
A virtual reality simulation developed near Exeter has made a global list of top 10 VR experiences for 2019.