News archive

May 2020

Exeter experts win #EUvsVirus hackathon with pioneering solution to fight coronavirus outbreaks

A pan-European interdisciplinary team won a prestigious international competition, to develop pioneering new solutions to aid the recovery from pandemics such as COVID-19.

Hyperlocal project shows that “home is where the art is”

Artists from across Devon and Cornwall have harnessed their creative talents and shown that home is where the art is, to produce an inspirational set of new, small-scale arts commissions.

New research will study impact of COVID-19 on cancer survival

The impact of COVID-19 on cancer diagnosis and survival will be explored through research led by the University of Exeter.

Aphantasia clears the way for a scientific career path

People with low or no visual imagery are more likely to work in scientific and mathematical industries than creative sectors, according to new research.

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.

European partnerships to research depiction of girlhood in the media brings multinational research opportunities for students

Innovative European partnerships set up by University of Exeter academics have created new cross-border research opportunities for students.

Relive Exeter City Football Club's 1990 title win in online exhibition

Football fans can relive the 30th anniversary of Exeter City’s historic 1990 league title win as part of a new online exhibition.

New study will show how important it was to speak French in Medieval Britain

A major new study will uncover the secrets of how communities in Medieval Britain continued to speak French for at least 300 years after the Norman Conquest.

‘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

Coronavirus has led to major change in attitudes about parental responsibility for children’s education, survey shows

School closures have led to a change in attitudes among parents about who should be responsible for their child’s education, a major new survey shows.

World-leading Neuroimaging expert will optimise Exeter’s £10 million new centre

A professor who consistently ranks in the global top five of neuroimaging will bring his expertise to Exeter’s new £10 million Mireille Gillings Neuroimaging Centre.

Exeter student leads research concluding that small red blood cells could indicate cancer

Having abnormally small red blood cells could indicate cancer, according to new research led by a University of Exeter student 

Otters juggle stones when hungry, research shows

Hunger is likely to be the main driver of stone juggling in otters, new research has shown.

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.

Spending time in the garden linked to better health and wellbeing

Spending time in the garden is linked to similar benefits for health and wellbeing as living in wealthy areas, according to a new large-scale study.

State-of-the-art imaging method provides new insights into how bacteria move and exchange genetic information

Scientists have made a pivotal breakthrough in advancing our understanding of how bacteria move and perform genetic exchange.

App-based micro-course for COVID-19 frontline workers

Frontline healthcare workers can take a new app-based micro-course on resilience and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Look beyond rainforests to protect trees, scientists say

Temperate and tropical dry forests – not just rainforests – are home to thousands of unique tree species, a new study reveals.

 

Public would obey major changes to antibiotic advice, research shows

The public would comply with major changes to medical advice – but would then be less likely to follow other new guidelines in the future, research shows.

Predicting the future Fish of the Day: How well do our models work?

Understanding how the physical and biological world reacts to climate change is a challenge that science must contend with.

Grizzly discovery of an arrow through the eye sheds light on horrific injuries caused by medieval arrows

Medieval arrows caused injuries similar to today’s gunshot wounds, according to archaeologists analysing newly discovered human remains.

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.

Report measures public demand for face masks to protect against COVID-19

One in four people already own a disposable face mask to protect themselves against COVID-19, a new study says – despite the UK government saying evidence for their use is “weak”.

Home-based cardiac rehabilitation training offered free to cardiac teams affected by COVID-19

NHS staff are being offered free training to deliver a home-based cardiac rehabilitation programme to help support heart failure patients.

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.

University volunteers help build thousands of face shields for local NHS workers

Volunteers from the University of Exeter have teamed up with the local community to build thousands of disposable face shields, to help protect frontline NHS workers during the COVID-19 epidemic.

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.

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.

New test identifies lobster hybrids

Scientists have developed a test that can identify hybrids resulting from crossbreeding between European and American lobsters.

Solve invasive seaweed problem by turning it into biofuels and fertilisers

UK researchers have developed a cheap and simple way of creating biofuel and fertiliser from seaweed, whilst removing plastic from the oceans and cleaning up tourist beaches in the Caribbean and Central America. 

Professor Sir Steve Smith announced as patron of Exeter College

University of Exeter Vice Chancellor Sir Steve Smith has been announced as a Patron of Exeter College, becoming just the second person to be awarded the prestigious title.

University of Exeter Startup Team launches COVID-19 Startup Support Fund

The University of Exeter’s Student Startup team has launched a new funding initiative, designed to support innovative projects during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Editorial paper finds COVID-19 death among doctors in the UK is mostly in over 60s

An editorial paper has reviewed evidence and found that most of the UK deaths in doctors from COVID-19 are aged over 60.

Exploring the Exe Estuary with Tidelines community project

A new community project designed to celebrate and explore the Exe Estuary and coast, has been launched.

Dozens of prehistoric, Roman and medieval sites discovered by archaeology volunteers working at home during lockdown

Dozens of previously-unrecorded Roman, prehistoric and medieval sites have been discovered by archaeology volunteers based at home during the coronavirus lockdown.

Chemical composition of bedrock limits vegetation growth in karst regions, research shows

Scientists have revealed the critical role that the chemical composition of bedrock plays in limiting vegetation growth in some of the world’s most barren and rocky terrains.

Dementia among “overlooked” conditions linked to high risk of severe COVID19 in older people

A new analysis shows which certain pre-existing diseases may put older people at risk of developing more severe COVID-19, implying they may need special treatments and more shielding.

‘Pingers’ could save porpoises from fishing nets

Underwater sound devices called “pingers” could be an effective, long-term way to prevent porpoises getting caught in fishing nets with no negative behavioural effects, newly published research suggests.

More than 300 million cases of hip and knee osteoarthritis worldwide in 2017

There were more than 300 million cases of hip and knee osteoarthritis worldwide in 2017 reveals a new analysis

Cornish charity exposes Governmental failure to support the most vulnerable

A rapid assessment of COVID-19 implications for disabled people in Cornwall has illustrated a failure by central government to support people 

 

Video link weddings should be allowed to help the desperately ill during the coronavirus pandemic, expert recommends

Weddings via video link should be allowed for those desperately ill during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a leading marriage-law expert.

Researchers track COVID-19 isolation effects on older people’s health and wellbeing

An online study of 25,000 people is recruiting participants to help study the impact of COVID-19 isolation on the health and wellbeing of older people

Exeter leads research into tax compliance strategies

The University of Exeter has led research into the strategies tax authorities are using to manage large business taxpayers.

Pine martens like to have neighbours – but not too near

Pine martens need neighbours but like to keep their distance, according to new research.

Eavesdropping on single molecules with light by replaying the chatter

Scientists have pioneered a new technique to expose hidden biochemical pathways involving single molecules at the nanoscale.

Online medicine lectures attract thousands of students – and Peter Andre!

A Medicine student at the University of Exeter has teamed up with two clinicians to launch an online seminar series.

£100,000 grant for rising-star medical researcher at Exeter

A rising research star from the University of Exeter has won £100k to launch her work into depression as part of a prestigious grant scheme.

Are we underestimating microplastics in the marine environment?

A new study suggests an underestimation of microplastics in the ocean.

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.

Online simulation to help public understand how diseases spread

Scientists have created an online simulation to help people understand how individual actions affect the spread of diseases.

‘Care Under Pressure’: developing interventions to tackle doctors’ mental ill-health

 

A project led by the University of Exeter has developed guidance and recommendations to optimise strategies to tackle mental ill-health in doctors

 

New study will show impact of coronavirus on Britain’s crucial food supply chains

The impact of coronavirus on Britain’s crucial food supply chains will be tracked as part of a new study which will show how the current crisis has affected the journey from farm to plate.

Green and social policies help firms weather COVID-19 crash

Businesses with strong environmental and social credentials are more resilient in times of economic crisis, according to research into the COVID-19 stock market crash.

Special relationship gets Maddy and Megan through coronavirus crisis

Two University of Exeter students Maddy and Megan have forged a special relationship that has kept Seattle resident Maddy safe and well at Megan’s UK home during the global coronavirus crisis. 

Falmouth and Exeter Students’ Union Sustainability Week wins National Award

Falmouth and Exeter Students’ Union have won Collaboration of the Year at the National Societies and Volunteering Awards for their Sustainability Week, it has been announced.

Tropical forests can handle the heat, up to a point

Tropical forests face an uncertain future under climate change, but new research published in Science suggests they can continue to store large amounts of carbon in a warmer world, if countries limit greenhouse gas emissions.

Partnership receives funding boost to develop AI to meet equipment supply and demand in Covid-19 pandemic

A partnership between the University of Exeter and Applegate has secured a significant funding boost to help develop new, cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence technology to help match supply and demand for vital health equipment during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Scientists find first evidence of microplastics passing from insects to predators in rivers

A species of river bird is swallowing hundreds of plastic fibres every day via their insect prey, research by Cardiff University and the Greenpeace Research Laboratories at the University of Exeter has shown.

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.

Medical Imaging students graduate early online to support NHS in COVID-19

Medical Imaging students from the University of Exeter Medical School who opted to graduate early had a successful online graduation ceremony

Quorn protein builds muscle better than milk protein

A study from the University of Exeter has found that mycoprotein, the protein-rich food source that is unique to Quorn products, stimulates post-exercise muscle building to a greater extent than milk protein.

Online treatment to help young people tackle depression, anxiety and worry

An online treatment proven to prevent anxiety and depression in young people is set to become available to the NHS and other mental health services worldwide.

New fundraising site launched to support COVID-19 work

Supporters of the University of Exeter can now support COVID-19 related projects across the institution via a dedicated fundraising website.

Dementia gene raises risk of severe COVID-19

Having a faulty gene linked to dementia doubles the risk of developing severe COVID-19, according to a large-scale study.

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.

Celebrating Prestigious Athena SWAN Awards

Two prestigious Athena SWAN awards have just been granted to three University of Exeter departments to recognise their commitment to gender equality. 

Age, gender and culture ‘predict loneliness’

Young people, men and people in “individualistic” societies report higher levels of loneliness, according to a large-scale global study.

Training bystanders to intervene will help to prevent domestic violence and abuse, study shows

Empowering people to intervene when they witness unacceptable behaviour can help to prevent domestic violence and abuse, a new study has found.

Student raises £10,000 for mental health charity by running five marathons in five days

A University of Exeter student has raised £10,000 for those affected by mental health issues during the coronavirus pandemic by running 131 miles in just five days.

Climate could cause abrupt British vegetation changes

Climate change could cause abrupt shifts in the amount of vegetation growing in parts of Great Britain, new research shows.

Covid generation faces ‘dark age’ of low social mobility - young Britons at risk of long-term damage to future life prospects

The unprecedented economic and educational shocks of the Covid-19 pandemic could inflict long-term damage to young people’s prospects in life, a new study finds.

Information on new opportunities to help shape Project Enhance

We are disappointed that the Exeter branch of the UCU has released a statement relating to a number of new student employment opportunities which unfortunately contains a number of inaccuracies.

Dragon Capital Chair in Biodiversity Economics announced

Professor Ben Groom has been appointed Dragon Capital Chair in Biodiversity Economics at the University of Exeter.