News archive

January 2016

Exeter Professor tops TEDx YouTube Channel playlist

A talk given by the University of Exeter’s Professor Michelle Ryan for the 2015 TEDxExeter talk series has been viewed nearly 70,000 times in the past six months, and tops a recent international compilation of TEDx talks on the way we work.

A far from perfect host

Biologists at the universities of Exeter and York have published new research which shows that an ancient symbiosis is founded entirely on exploitation, not mutual benefit.

Changing the use of agricultural land could massively reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Making farmland more productive could bring about significant reductions in the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, University of Exeter research has found.

Expert help for business professionals from the University of Exeter’s Business School

Professionals can understand trends and issues affecting businesses in the South West and globally through masterclasses run at the University of Exeter.

People face subconscious urges to over-eat at this time of year

People have evolved to have subconscious urges to over-eat, and limited ability to avoid becoming obese, especially in winter, a University of Exeter study has found.

£2M grant to reduce major aquaculture diseases

The University of Exeter and the Centre for the Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (Cefas) are leading on a £1.97M BBSRC-Newton Fund project.

Updated app will boost Ménière’s research

Research into Ménière’s Disease is getting a big boost this week, with the release of a newly updated tool to record and analyse symptoms.

Scientist helps bring Attenborough’s Great Barrier Reef into UK homes

A marine biologist from the University of Exeter has taken part in a David Attenborough series which is giving viewers unprecedented interactive access to the Great Barrier Reef via an innovative new website.

Small males have more sex appeal, new research shows

Female burying beetles are more attracted to small partners because they are less likely to get into fights, a study by researchers at the University of Exeter has found.

Storms bring record-breaking waves to Falmouth Bay

The New Year storms that battered the British coastline brought record-breaking waves to the normally sheltered Falmouth Bay, it has been revealed.

Exeter scientist secures prestigious award

A University of Exeter scientist has been honoured by the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) for his ground-breaking research.

Dementia: new insights into causes of loss of orientation

New research has revealed how disease-associated changes in two interlinked networks within the brain may play a key role in the development of the symptoms of dementia.

Research indicates most accurate picture yet of how the Amazon will respond to climate change

Research indicates most accurate picture yet of how the Amazon will respond to climate change.

Pioneering study to help adults delay frailty and live independently for longer

A major study, involving researchers from the University of Exeter, has launched aiming to help older people stay fitter and live independently for longer.

Migrant values adapt over just one generation

Migrants’ thinking styles and social values rapidly shift over a single generation to become more similar to those of the wider society they have moved into, new research has indicated.

University of Exeter academic appointed to prestigious project ahead of EU referendum

A University of Exeter researcher has been appointed to be part of a group of leading academics who will provide expert analysis ahead of the forthcoming EU referendum.

Exeter ranked amongst top 100 most international universities

The University of Exeter has been recognised as one of the most international universities in the world.

Mothers’ comments linked to eating disorders in Asian young adults

Study to look at the influence of Asian parents on their young adult child’s body dissatisfaction levels and disordered eating in Singapore.

Media coverage focusing on slim majority of the Conservative Party influences voter perceptions

Voters who read media reports highlighting the slim Parliamentary majority of the Conservative Party are less likely to believe Prime Minister David Cameron can have an impact on their lives.

Exeter study offers free online depression therapy

In January, the most depressing month of the year, researchers are urging people to take up free therapy courses in a bid to help them find a definitive answer to what works best in online treatment for depression.

Beat the January blues with food, say Exeter researchers

If you are prone to the January blues after an over-indulgent festive season, you could help researchers at the University of Exeter discover whether healthy eating can ward off depression.

Rewilding, wellbeing and return of lynx in spotlight at Exeter

Rewilding the United Kingdom – from restored forests to the return of predators such as the lynx – were in the spotlight at a topical lecture. 

Exeter City FC is accumulating a significant heritage collection thanks to University of Exeter research

The legacy and impact of more than a hundred years of Exeter City FC will be showcased at home ground St James Park thanks to the work of University of Exeter academics.

New study gives squirrels plenty of food for thought

The age-old adage that ‘practice makes perfect’ has been found to illustrate how the humble grey squirrel solves problems in the search for food.

Exeter receives outstanding rating for its Teach First programme

Outstanding teacher training programmes run by the University of Exeter and Teach First are helping to supply effective teachers in areas of social and economic disadvantage.

Exeter retains top-200 position for best employers for LGBT staff

The University of Exeter has been named as one of the top-200 best employers in Britain for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender staff.

The Dennis and Mireille Gillings Foundation donates £1 million for cutting-edge medical research

The University of Exeter Medical School has received a £1 million donation from The Dennis and Mireille Gillings Foundation.

People with dementia gain from learning self-management skills

People with early-stage dementia benefit when they are empowered to manage their own condition, a study led by researchers at the University of Exeter has found.

Promiscuity could reduce benefits of successful mating, research shows

Mating with a large number of partners may not be as good an indicator of success as it appears, new research has shown.

Collaboration to improve child mental health

A University of Exeter Medical School Professor is involved in a project to bring together specialists to find solutions to improve mental health services for school children across the country.

Exeter Alumni receive funding for innovative service

Three graduates from the University of Exeter have received funding for their new and innovative online medical revision service.

Easier diagnosis for fungal infection of the lungs

New clinical imaging method may enable doctors to tackle one of the main killers of patients with weakened immune systems sooner and more effectively.

Video game principles used to enhance exhibits at Exeter museum

Pioneering work by a University of Exeter researcher will see the principles behind video games used to expand what visitors to the city’s Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) can learn and see.

Land management could help wildlife beat the challenges brought by climate change

The harmful effects of climate change on wildlife habitats can been counteracted by localised land management, a new research paper has suggested.

Vice-Chancellor joins new Social Mobility Advisory Group

Professor Sir Steve Smith, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Exeter, will play a key role in new high profile advisory group aimed at improving social mobility within the higher education sector.

Original art from British graphic novels on display

More than a hundred pieces of original art from British graphic novels will be on show as part of a new University of Exeter research project.

Tagging project confirms Sea of the Hebrides importance to basking sharks

A pioneering three-year project to learn some of the secrets of Scotland’s basking sharks by using satellite tag technology has shown an area off the west coast to be truly important for these giant fish.

University of Exeter celebrates winter graduation

Olympic Gold medallist Sally Gunnell OBE will be among a number of inspiring figures to be honoured at the University of Exeter’s winter graduation this year.

Crowd-funding launched to research and protect Dartmoor wildlife

A new crowd-funding initiative has been launched by a University of Exeter PhD researcher in a bid to secure backing to help expand their bird conservation research.

Flood expert helps create winning flood awareness app

A team featuring a flood expert from the University of Exeter’s Centre for Water Systems (CWS)  has claimed first prize for the creation of an app that will aid global flood management and help save lives

Lizards camouflage themselves by choosing rocks that best match the colour of their backs

New research shows wild Aegean wall lizards found on Greek islands choose to sit on rocks that better match their individual colouring.

Exeter expert participates in pairing scheme to foster links between science and policy

A University of Exeter academic will spend three days shadowing Labour MEP Clare Moody in Brussels this week as part of a scheme to foster links between scientists and European policy makers.

£5500 gift to fund female mining student

A University of Exeter professor has presented a £5,500 cheque to the chair of the Camborne School of Mines (CSM) Trust to fund a new female scholarship in mining engineering.

Study of violent decolonisation may provide lessons about insurgency today

A new study which examines the causes and consequences of anti-colonial violence following the Second World War may offer insights into current conflicts today in the Middle East and elsewhere.

Exeter expert named in top 25 leaders in worldwide water industry

An engineering expert from the University of Exeter has been named among the top 25 industry leaders worldwide.

University of Exeter research to help the teaching of foreign languages

Hundreds of students around the world will be surveyed as part of a University of Exeter study which could help to improve the teaching of foreign languages.

Exeter researcher awarded 1000th Leverhulme Fellowship

A leading behavioural ecologist from the University of Exeter has become the 1,000th researcher to receive a national fellowship for her pioneering research contributions in the field of social evolution and animal behaviour.

Cornwall’s researchers lead €6m investigation into ‘Blue Health’

A new €6 million research project launches this month, aiming to shed light on how coasts and rivers affect the health of populations across Europe.

Climate change may have had a huge impact on ancient South American civilisations

Climate change may have brought huge disruption to ancient South American societies before Europeans arrived in 1492, University of Exeter academics have discovered.

Camouflage really does reduce the chances of being eaten

A ground-breaking study has confirmed the long held assumption that camouflage protects animals from the clutches of predators.

Exeter psychologist wins prestigious awards

A University of Exeter psychologist has been given three prestigious prizes for his work to further understanding of how the human mind regulates behaviour.