News archive

November 2017

“Newspapers” devoted to reporting spooky behaviour were a hit with communities in the 17th century

People in the 17th century were so keen to read news of ghostly behaviour that they bought “newspapers” devoted to reporting the latest paranormal goings on around the country, research shows.

Scientists create magnetic system that transforms heat into motion

Scientists have discovered a pioneering new technique to transform ambient heat into motion in nanoscale devices - which could revolutionise future generations of data storage and sensors.

Ancient toilet and Elizabethan illustrations among the historic treasures surviving in Exeter’s oldest buildings

An ancient toilet, Elizabethan wall illustrations and Victorian wallpaper are among the historic treasures surviving in Exeter’s oldest buildings, new research shows.

Exeter evolutionary genomics expert delivers Sir Julian Huxley Lecture 2017

A leading expert in evolutionary genomics will deliver a high-profile lecture at the prestigious Linnean Society of London on Thursday, November 2 2017.

Law students to give free legal advice

University of Exeter law students are helping vulnerable people who are missing out on legal services by providing free information and advice clinics in Devon.

Nanoscale ‘abacus’ uses pulses of light instead of wooden beads to perform calculations

The quest to develop ever-faster and more powerful computers has led to one of the most rudimentary methods of counting being given a 21st century make-over.

Crime-scene technique used to track turtles

Scientists have used satellite tracking and a crime-scene technique to discover an important feeding ground for green turtles in the Mediterranean.

Double Delight For Students In Anglo Welsh Cup

Current students and Rugby 1st XV players Sal M’Boge and Sam Morley have been selected for the Exeter Chiefs side to face Northampton in the first leg of the Anglo Welsh Cup.

Film lovers celebrate 20th birthday of the UK’s foremost museum of moving image history

Film lovers are celebrating the 20th birthday of the UK’s foremost museum of moving image history.

More women than men diagnosed with bowel cancer as an emergency despite extra GP visits

More than a third (34%) of women with bowel cancer in England were diagnosed after an emergency hospital visit compared to less than a third of men (30%).

Old human cells rejuvenated in breakthrough discovery on ageing

A new way to rejuvenate old cells in the laboratory, making them not only look younger, but start to behave more like young cells, has been discovered by researchers at the Universities of Exeter and Brighton.

Historians working to analyse legacy of World War I centenary events

Members of the public are being asked for their views on the way Britain has commemorated the centenary of the First World War by completing a new survey being launched on Armistice Day (11 November).

Sports psychologists suffer fear and uncertainty working with elite footballers, research shows

Sports psychologists have to cope with “fear and uncertainty”, job insecurity and long working hours when working with elite footballers, research shows.

App inspired by Pokémon GO aims to reconnect people with British wildlife

Two students have created an app inspired by Pokémon GO to help people connect with nature.

Traditional Amazonian drug linked to improved sense of wellbeing

A psychedelic drug traditionally used in South America improves people’s general sense of wellbeing and may offer a treatment for alcoholism and depression, new research suggests.

Women on Boards: progress on appointments, but too few women appointed to senior board roles

The percentage of women holding FTSE 100 non-executive (NED) positions is at an all-time high of 33%.

Research highlights ethical sourcing of materials for modern technology

Researchers have identified methods to predict the environmental and social cost of resourcing new deposits of rare earth minerals.

Lonely pheasant takes up residence in mirror sculpture, to marvel at his own reflection

A pheasant has taken up residence in a sculpture made of mirrors on Exeter University’s campus, believing his own reflection is a rival male he must see off.

Forecasts help predict future of UK birds

Forecasts which predict how climate change will affect UK birds are improving, new research suggests.

Bishop son of Lord Salisbury suggested political conscientious objectors faced horrors of German bombing raids to change their stance

A prominent bishop and son of the former Conservative Prime Minister Lord Salisbury suggested political conscientious objectors in World War 1 should face the full horror of German bombing raids to “bring about a sudden conversion” from their views.

Cornish residents help improve health and wellbeing within their communities

Residents from Camborne, Pool, Illogan and Redruth have united with businesses and academics in a project designed to improve people’s health and wellbeing in tomorrow’s homes.

Record high CO2 emissions delay global peak

Global emissions of carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels have risen again after a three year hiatus, according to new figures from the Global Carbon Project (GCP).

Exeter to participate in TEF subject level pilot scheme

Exeter will participate in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) subject level pilot scheme, it has been announced.

Hong Kong residents invited to study to maintain healthy brain

People in Hong Kong aged 50 and over are being invited to join a ground-breaking online study called PROTECT, to help learn how they can maintain a healthy brain in later life.

‘Friends of friends’ relationships may be simpler than they seem

New research gives clues into how social networks can evolve by showing that complex social patterns seen in the animal kingdom may be simpler than they appear.

Female mongooses help their pups by driving out rivals

Mongoose mothers boost their pups’ survival chances by evicting rival females from their social groups, new research shows.

Artificially cooling planet “risky strategy”, new research shows

Proposals to reduce the effects of global warming by imitating volcanic eruptions could have a devastating effect on regions prone to either tumultuous storms or prolonged drought.

New version of Rock, Paper, Scissors with a twist at Exeter games event

A new version of Rock, Paper, Scissors, with a twist, and the chance to defeat a monster are among the games on offer at an Exeter event which will show how the past can help make sense of the present.

Companies should monitor egos of employees to prevent unethical behaviour

Monitoring the egos of employees could prevent bad behaviour because people who feel entitled are more likely to behave unethically at work, research suggests.

Climate change impacts already locked in – but the worst can still be avoided

Some impacts of global warming – such as sea level rise and coastal flooding – are already locked in and unavoidable, according to a major research project. 

“Outdated and incoherent” curriculum turning children off Religious Education

The “incoherent, confusing and outdated” Religious Education curriculum is leading children to reject the subject and needs radical reform if it is to stay relevant, experts have said.

University of Exeter researchers among world’s ‘most influential scientific minds’, says new ranking

Leading academics from the University of Exeter – including an authority on plastics pollution – are among the world’s most “influential scientific minds”, according to a new ranking.

Asthma attacks reduced in tree-lined urban neighbourhoods

People living in polluted urban areas are far less likely to be admitted to hospital with asthma when there are lots of trees in their neighbourhood, a study by the University of Exeter’s medical school has found.

University of Exeter injects £1.1 billion into economy, generating 11,000 South West jobs

The University of Exeter injects more than £1.17bn into the economy and generates almost 11,000 jobs in the South West, a major new study has revealed.

O2 backs eco-friendly phone charging network

A trio of graduates have won backing from mobile phone giant O2 for their eco-friendly phone charging network.

Exeter secures significant rise in research funding

Exeter has seen an increase in the amount of research funding it receives from Research Councils UK, continuing its upward trajectory over recent years.

University experts and The Ellen MacArthur Foundation to work towards a circular economy

Experts at the University of Exeter are celebrating a new collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation as they join its network as a Pioneer University.

Dementia research at Exeter gets £190,000 boost

The dementia research charity BRACE and Kirby Laing Foundation have together awarded more than £190,000 to the University of Exeter Medical School to support cutting-edge genomic research to better understand the causes of dementia.

Exeter and Tsinghua establish jointly-awarded Doctoral degree programme

The University of Exeter and Tsinghua University have launched a jointly-awarded PhD degree programme in climate and environmental sciences, it has been announced.

More needs to be done to ensure 24 hour working is not the new norm

Employers should do more to ensure employees do not feel pressured into working outside of their contractual hours and offer more support regarding how they work flexibly, a new study in the International Journal of Management Reviews reports.

Military veterans to take part in new study exploring how they make the transition to civilian life

Military veterans and their families will take part in a new University of Exeter study which will explore their experiences leaving military life behind.

Building empathy between planners and migrants for sustainable cities

Researchers will engage new migrant populations and planners in Bangladesh’s second city to build human security into planning processes.

Universities must work more flexibly for arts and humanities research to have greater value, report finds

A new report recommends that universities respect the expertise of partners in creative and cultural sectors, if they want collaborative arts and humanities research to have greater value.   

Research hopes to make dental visits less stressful for children with autism

Inspired by her own experience as a mum to a five-year-old son with autism, a dental hygienist has published new research hoping to make dental examinations less stressful for autistic children.

New CO2 device for unmanned ocean vessels

Carbon dioxide in remote parts of the world’s oceans will be measured by a new instrument being developed by scientists.

Exeter Clinical Trials Unit receives national registration

The future of high quality health research in Exeter and the South West has been boosted by announcement of the national registration of the Exeter Clinical Trials Unit.

Lighting revolution may increase light pollution

A study of pictures of Earth by night has revealed that artificial light is growing brighter and more extensive every year.

“Exceptional” University of Exeter trainee teachers significantly enhance education in the South West

“Exceptional” University of Exeter trainee teachers are helping to “significantly enhance” the quality of education in South West schools, inspectors have said.

Research will help GPs diagnose dementia more accurately

Research at the University of Exeter designed to help identify patients with dementia and reduce the pressure on health services has received a generous boost of £120,000 from the Halpin Trust.

Gender equality award for university department

A University of Exeter department has won an Athena SWAN Bronze Award, recognising its commitment to advancing the careers of women in science.

University of Exeter appoints Director of Campus Infrastructure and Operational Support Services

The University of Exeter has appointed Craig Nowell as Director of Campus Infrastructure and Operational Support Services.  He will join the University in March 2018.

Polish ambassador visits University of Exeter

Poland’s ambassador to the UK gave a speech about UK-Polish relations and Polish foreign policy during a visit to the University of Exeter.

Students rally support for climate change initiatives

Students are calling on their peers and the wider public to protect the environment by cutting down on single-use plastics and other waste.

Exeter in world's top 125 for Physical Sciences

Exeter has been ranked in the top 125 in the world for Physical Sciences in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Subject Rankings 2017-18.

Nerve cell findings may aid understanding of movement disorders

A pioneering study of the human nervous system could provide a breakthrough in our understanding of the causes of movement disorders, such as motor neurone disease.

Charity funds Medicine students’ placements abroad

Final year Medicine students have spent the summer developing their clinical skills through international work placements in locations around the world, thanks to a charity donation.

Type 1 diabetes as common in adults as children, but many adults are misdiagnosed

Type 1 diabetes is not predominantly a ‘disease of childhood’ as previously believed, but is similarly prevalent in adults, new research published in the Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology shows.