News archive

June 2016

Renewable Energy students visit space station to see biomass technology in action

Renewable Energy students from the University of Exeter’s Penryn campus will be visiting Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station this month.

University to chair EU referendum discussions

Experts from the University of Exeter are to host a special two-part discussion series about whether the UK should stay or leave the European Union.

Patient-Initiated Clinic project wins at Health Service Journal Awards

Medical School staff were involved in PenCLAHRC’s Patient-Initiated Clinic (PIC) project team.

Stormlamp project to shine light on the impact of waves on lighthouses

Engineers have launched a new research project to examine the structural impact that waves have upon lighthouses.

Clay country poet suffered from congenital syphilis

Cornish ‘Poet of the Clay’ Jack Clemo became blind and deaf because of congenital syphilis inherited from his father, a new University of Exeter study has found.

Business School appoints new Pro-Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean

Professor David Bruce Allen has been appointed as the new Pro-Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean at the University of Exeter Business School.

How to organise a cell: novel insight from a fungus

University of Exeter researchers have found novel insight into the ways cells organise themselves.

New short stories and novel by Radclyffe Hall uncovered

Previously unpublished short stories and a novel by British author Radclyffe Hall have been discovered by a University of Exeter expert.

Genetic switch that turned moths black also colours butterflies

The same gene that enables tropical butterflies to mimic each other’s bright and colourful patterning also caused British moths to turn black.

Roads “a serious threat” to rare bats

Roads present a serious threat to bat populations, indicating that protection policies are failing.

MPs want academic “match-making” service to help inform policy

MPs have expressed an overwhelming willingness to use a proposed new service to swiftly link them with academics in relevant areas

New research shows South West farmers concerned by Brexit

Farmers have expressed concern about the unknown implications of Britain leaving the European Union, according to a new survey by experts at the University of Exeter.

New cheap method of surveying landscapes can capture environmental change

Cheap cameras on drones can be used to measure environmental change which affects billions of people around the world, new research from the University of Exeter shows.

First British astronaut launches school for scientists and engineers

A Devon school sponsored by the University of Exeter has been officially launched by the first Briton into space, Dr Helen Sharman.

Flamingo researcher wins top award

A zoo biologist from the University of Exeter has won a prestigious gold award for his research into flamingo friendships.

Last call for commuters to help steer traffic congestion project

Researchers at the University of Exeter who are working on an initiative to curb traffic congestion are issuing a final call for help from commuters.

Humans could learn something from pigeons to improve their efficiency

Humans could become better at switching between tasks if they behaved more like pigeons.

Risk-taking in birds is more contagious at certain times, research shows

Birds copy one another when trying new foods but will take more risks when doing so at different times of year.

Camouflage influences life-and-death decisions that animals make

Nesting birds time their escape from an approaching predator depending on how well camouflaged their eggs and their own bodies are.

Renewable energy expert to take part in key discussion at Houses of Parliament

A University of Exeter expert will take part in a round-table discussion at the Houses of Parliament.

Carbon dioxide biggest player in thawing permafrost

Carbon dioxide emissions from dry and oxygen-rich environments are likely to play a much greater role in controlling future rates of climate change.

El Nino drives fastest annual increase on record of carbon dioxide

The rising concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide has passed a symbolic threshold early due to the fastest annual increase on record.

Major outbreak of pest moth spotted in Cornwall

Millions of moths that destroy vegetable crops have been spotted in Cornwall by a University of Exeter expert.

University of Exeter researchers offer local clubs and societies £1,000 team challenge

Researchers at the University of Exeter are inviting groups of people from across Cornwall to take part in a fun experiment.

Discovery of newborn exoplanet could help explain planetary evolution

A team of international researchers have discovered the youngest fully-formed exoplanet ever detected, orbiting a young star 500 light years from Earth.

University of Exeter expert welcomes UNESCO status for rare historical document

One of Exeter Cathedral’s greatest treasures – and the focus of new research by a University of Exeter expert – has been honoured for its ‘outstanding significance’ to British history.

Exeter researcher shortlisted for prominent ESRC prize

A University of Exeter geographer has been nominated for a prestigious national award that celebrates research that makes a difference to society. 

Devon village had links with the Roman empire

A team of archaeologists, students and local volunteers have unearthed evidence of a Romano-British settlement in a rural Devon village.

University expert wins prestigious literary prize

A University of Exeter expert who brought to life the unusual romance between politician Benjamin Disraeli and his wife has won a prestigious literary prize for her work.

GraphExeter illuminates bright new future for flexible lighting devices, study shows

Researchers from the University of Exeter have pioneered an innovative new technique to make flexible screens more effective and efficient.

Better information needed to understand extreme weather

Scientists need more credible and relevant information to help communities become more resilient to extreme weather events such as floods.

UK votes to leave the European Union – what does this mean for us?

As you will undoubtedly be aware, the UK has voted to leave the European Union. 

Scientists uncover route for finding out what makes individuals nice or nasty

A University of Exeter scientist has helped develop an innovative mathematical model for exploring why some individuals evolve to be genetically programmed to be nice, while others stay nasty.

In pheasant harems, bigger is not always better

Too many females in a wild pheasant harem harms the ability of the group to spot predators, experts from the University of Exeter have found.

Experts from around the world gather to discuss challenges of warfare

Representatives from the armed forces of several nations, NATO and the International Committee of the Red Cross joined Exeter academics to debate some of the most pressing legal challenges facing military operations.

Birds pushed to the edge by floods

A flock of cranes that ended up at the centre of a once-in-200-year flood has given researchers a rare insight into how wildlife copes with extreme weather.

Night-time light pollution causes Spring to come early

Human use of artificial light is causing Spring to come at least a week early in the UK.

Victims of flooding frustrated by Government support

Victims need clearer information on what they can expect in the aftermath of major flooding from the government and other authorities, new University of Exeter research shows.

South West celebrates 100,000 Genomes Project

Families affected by rare conditions or cancer across the South West are having their genomes sequenced as part of a national research bid. 

Crucial peatlands carbon-sink vulnerable to rising sea levels

Rising sea-levels linked to global warming could pose a significant threat to the effectiveness of the world’s peatland areas as carbon sinks.

Physical activity boosts kids’ brain power and academic prowess

A consensus statement which includes a University of Exeter researcher says exercise boosts kids’ and young people’s brain power.

University of Exeter experts to provide crucial advice to farmers, government and communities

Senior politicians have welcomed work by University of Exeter academics to promote smart decision-making which will safeguard the environment.

Camera which captured the Battle of the Somme on display

A camera which is thought to have shot the first war film will be on display at a special exhibition to mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme.