News archive

October 2018

16-24 year olds are the loneliest age group, according to new BBC Radio 4 survey

BBC Radio 4 has today announced the results of The Loneliness Experiment, a nationwide survey conducted by BBC Radio 4’s All In The Mind in collaboration with Wellcome Collection. It is the largest survey into the issue of loneliness to date.

‘I just don’t fancy drinking’ – Exeter study helping alcoholics

“I suppose I’d say I was high-functioning but still a problem drinker. I drank in the evenings and although I wasn’t in trouble with the police, or going broke, or getting ill, if you drink at that level, it takes a toll.”

Experiencing extreme weather is not enough to convince climate change sceptics

Experiencing extreme weather is not enough to convince climate change sceptics that humans are damaging the environment, a new study shows.

Medicine students raise £10,000 for water wells in Ethiopia

Twelve thousand people living in the Ethiopian town of Nekemte, now have access to free, clean water thanks to money raised by University of Exeter Medicine students.

Miniature magnetic swimming devices to revolutionise diagnostics and drug delivery

Scientists have created miniature magnetic swimming devices – which mimic the appearance of sperm cells – that could revolutionise disease treatment by swimming drugs to specific areas of the body.

Weight gain from adolescence linked to higher risk of type 2 diabetes

New research presented at this year’s annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Berlin, Germany, reveals that weight gain between the age of 10 and adulthood is associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk that is independent of body mass index (BMI).

Medical students to use plastinated human tissue made famous in Body Worlds exhibition

The University of Exeter Medical School has acquired ‘plastinates’ – resin-preserved body parts – famously used in the Body Worlds exhibit for use in teaching anatomy.

UK government Doctoral Loan scheme: applications open

Doctoral-level students can now apply for a loan under the new UK government Doctoral Loan scheme

New scholarships help top Canadian students visit Exeter

Students from Canada are being given the opportunity to study at the University of Exeter Business School, thanks to a new scholarship programme set-up by an Exeter alumnus.

Warmer springs can reduce summer plant productivity

Warmer springs are leading to substantially reduced plant productivity across the Northern hemisphere in the later months of the year, a new study has revealed.

Over 30s with type 1 diabetes frequently misdiagnosed with type 2

New research presented at this year’s annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) reveals that many cases of type 1 diabetes (T1D) diagnosed after the age of 30 are not being properly identified and are frequently misdiagnosed as being type 2 diabetes (T2D), potentially leading to delays in receiving appropriate treatment.

Charities set to benefit from Engagement Survey donations

We’ll be supporting local hospices, foodbanks and Cancer Research when our survey opens on 5 November.

Future European science leaders to work on cutting-edge peroxisome research

The EU funded Marie Sklodowska Curie Innovative Training Network PerICo has announced the start of a new, four-year, research programme on Peroxisome Interactions and Communication.

Exeter academic wins renowned cancer research award

An Exeter paper has won Research Paper of the Year under the cancer category in the Royal College for General Practitioners (RCGP) Research Awards.

Royal Visit for pioneering Exeter Mathematics School

Pupils at the pioneering Exeter Mathematics School have received a royal visit thanks to their innovative work with academics and leading technology organisations.

Student and staff achievements celebrated in Medical School awards

The University of Exeter Medical School has recognised some of its excellent students and staff for their academic achievements during the 5th Annual awards evening.

Exeter secures international autism research grant

A three year international research grant of $975,000 USD (almost £750,000) has been awarded to the University of Exeter for research by Professor Jonathan Mill into the genetics of autism.

New state-of-the-art optical spectrum analyser will help to detect disease

Pioneering research, conducted by Professor Frank Vollmer at the University of Exeter’s Living Systems Institute, will advance even further thanks to support from the Berthold Leibinger Stiftung.

Award-winning author Kamila Shamsie to speak at University’s Creative Dialogues series

Award-winning author Kamila Shamsie will be the next guest in Exeter’s event series Creative Dialogues on Thursday 18 October.

App to understand and improve the mental health of young people

Teenagers’ attachment to their smart phones is being harnessed to prevent anxiety and depression and improve wellbeing.

Home rehabilitation helps people with heart failure achieve better quality of life

A new home-based rehabilitation programme could help thousands of heart failure patients to achieve a better quality of life.

Research into equine vision leads to trial of new fence and hurdle design to further improve safety in jump racing

The colours deployed on hurdles and fences on British racecourses may be set to change following cutting-edge research led by the University of Exeter into the way that horses perceive colour.

New half-light half-matter particles may hold the key to a computing revolution

Scientists have discovered new particles that could lie at the heart of a future technological revolution based on photonic circuitry, leading to superfast, light-based computing.

E-cigarettes should be used more actively to help smokers quit, experts recommend

“Ongoing nervousness” about the use of e-cigarettes in stop-smoking services can be a “significant” barrier to people finding support, research revealed during “Stoptober” shows.

 

Exeter academics secure prestigious Alan Turing Institute Fellowships

Prestigious fellowships from The Alan Turing Institute will help nurture the next generation of data science research excellence at Exeter.

MPs to consider brain injury report

MPs will consider a report by scientists on the services available to people with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI).

Mental Well-Being Related to Better Brain Health in Older Adults

A positive sense of mental well-being is related to better brain health among older adults, according to a new report issued today by the Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH) and involving University of Exeter research.

Engineering expert secures prestigious RAEng Industrial Fellowship

An Engineering expert from the University of Exeter has been awarded a prestigious Fellowship to help pioneer better and more reliable flight control systems for unmanned aerial vehicles.

Stunning virtual tour of exoplanets wins prestigious award

A stunning virtual reality documentary that allows budding astronomers and space enthusiasts to explore the exotic worlds orbiting distant stars has been honoured with a special pan-European award.

RHS Britain in Bloom Award for the Exeter in Bloom 2018 Campaign

Exeter has been awarded a Britain in Bloom Silver Gilt Award for the beauty of its outdoor spaces.  

Asian hornets: First UK use of radio tags to find nest

Electronic radio tags have been used for the first time on the UK mainland to help find a nest of invasive Asian hornets, which was then destroyed.

University of Exeter postgraduate receives prestigious fellowship from the WWF

An Exeter Student has been awarded a prestigious fellowship to further her research into the threats river dolphins face from fisheries and infrastructure in the Peruvian Amazon.

Exeter launches new undergraduate programmes in Data Science

The University of Exeter has launched a range of Data Science programmes for undergraduates that will teach students the integral skills required to be a part of the digital revolution.

Higher Education roadshow aims to reach 3,000 pupils in South West

HE Advisers and academics, including those from the University of Exeter, are on hand to give advice to thousands of young people on a special Higher Education Roadshow which is visiting schools and colleges across the south west until October 19th.

Beaver numbers increase across Tayside

Beaver numbers across Tayside have increased in the past six years, according to a new survey commissioned by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and carried out by the University of Exeter.

Exeter student sparks Galapagos fire kit donation

Firefighters on one of the Galapagos Islands will wear UK fire brigade kit thanks to a surprising series of events sparked by a University of Exeter student.

How schools can optimise support for children with ADHD

New research gives the clearest guidance yet on how schools can best support children with ADHD to improve symptoms and maximise their academic outcomes.

Public must help shape ‘smart cities’

The public must play a key role in the ongoing “smart cities” revolution, researchers say.

Research gives new insight into the evolution of the nervous system

Pioneering research has given a fascinating fresh insight into how animal nervous systems evolved from simple structures to become the complex network transmitting signals between different parts of the body.

Innuendo alone can fuel conspiracy theories, research shows

Innuendo alone in news coverage can fuel belief in conspiracy theories, according to a new study.

Societies can remain distinct despite migration

Countries around the world can retain distinct cultures despite migration, new research shows.

Academic Promotions July – October 2018

Congratulations to our academic colleagues below who have recently achieved promotion. 

Ultra low water-use toilets to help meet ambitious sustainability goals

Exciting water and energy saving project starts this November

High stakes decision-making causes a little more cheating, a lot less charity, research shows

The age old adage of virtue being its own reward may not hold true in the corporate world – in fact, honourable acts could lead workers to behave more selfishly later on, new research has shown.

Exeter among top 100 universities in the world for social sciences and law

The University of Exeter has been named as one of the top 100 places in the world to study social sciences and law in new influential rankings.

New University of Exeter arts and culture strategy unveiled

Ambitious new plans have been unveiled showing how the University of Exeter will play a leading role in supporting innovative arts and culture projects in the South West and beyond.

Boost for Exeter’s construction workforce

The construction sector across Greater Exeter is set to benefit from additional support to help attract, retain and upskill its workforce.

Losing control of gene activity in Alzheimer’s disease

Pioneering research into the mechanisms controlling gene activity in the brain could hold the key to understanding Alzheimer’s disease and might help identify effective treatments in the future.

Birds startled by moving sticks

Do animals – like humans – divide the world into things that move and things that don’t? Are they surprised if an apparently inanimate object jumps to life?

University of Exeter wins gender equality award

The University of Exeter has won an Athena SWAN silver award for the advancement of gender equality.

 

Celebration of pioneering partnership between University of Exeter and the London Film School

Experts are celebrating a pioneering partnership between the University of Exeter and the London Film School which gives students unique training in the movie industry.

Event marks closer ties between University of Exeter and museums in Cornwall

University of Exeter academics and experts looking after Cornwall’s historic treasures will collaborate to shed more light on Cornwall’s unique history and help local museums thrive.

University of Exeter hosts top Defra experts

The University of Exeter recently hosted a senior delegation from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

£2.7m study to focus on dementia support workers in primary care

A new study is investigating how to introduce dementia support workers into GP surgeries, with the ultimate aim of improving the quality of life for dementia patients and their carers.

Powerful film highlighting the impact of plastic pollution in the Arctic showcased

A powerful film made by campaigners showing the impact of plastic pollution in the Arctic Ocean will be shown in Cornwall.

Influential film critic Mark Kermode appointed Honorary Professor

Influential film critic Mark Kermode has been appointed as an Honorary Professor at the University of Exeter.

Honeybees at risk from Zika pesticides

Up to 13% of US beekeepers are in danger of losing their colonies due to pesticides sprayed to contain the Zika virus, new research suggests.

Free movement can protect humans from environmental threats

Greater freedom of movement and investments in human rights and social opportunities can help protect humans from environmental threats like rising sea levels, new research says.

3% of children hit daily activity target

Only one in 30 children does the recommended amount of daily physical activity, new research suggests.

Bonfire Night provided another excuse for a riot in city ruled by “the tyranny of a mob”

Exeter may now have a genteel image – but centuries ago the city was known for its disorderly and violent mobs who would cause havoc on occasions such as Bonfire Night, according to new research.

Are Frankenstein and Dracula Blood Brothers?

In Hollywood films, Frankenstein’s monster (or ‘Being’) usually appears as a shambling zombie. Count Dracula is sleek and sophisticated. Though they have often appeared on double bills, they are very different monsters – or are they?