News archive
April 2022
Exeter experts comment on IPCC report
University of Exeter researchers have commented on the new report published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Learn about Ukraine’s spectacular culture and language at new University of Exeter course
People can learn about Ukraine’s spectacular culture and language at a new University of Exeter course.
Major research effort to save future of European peatlands
A five-year, £3.7m research project involving scientists from the UK and across Europe will assess the risk that climate change poses to peatlands, and improve methods of managing these important ecosystems.
Spoken descriptions of new technologies provoke more positive attitudes than written ones
People react more positively to new technologies when hearing spoken descriptions of them than when the identical information is written down, a new study finds.
Exeter academic warns of ‘funding issue’ over government’s ambitious tree planting plans
A senior Exeter academic has warned that the government will fail to meet its ambitious tree planting targets without “major and rapid changes” to how the scheme is financed and run.
Success for Exeter subjects in influential league rankings
Subjects from across all disciplines at the University of Exeter have been recognised as being amongst the very best in the world, according to the latest influential global league table.
Students recognise College of Medicine and Health staff for excellence
Students in the University of Exeter’s College of Medicine and Health have awarded prizes to staff to thank them for their support.
Selective breeding sustainably protects honey bees from Varroa mite
A new breed of honey bees provides a major advance in the global fight against the parasitic Varroa mite, new research shows.
Surfer science supports seawater study
Seawater samples taken from a surfboard have helped scientists understand microscopic life in the waves, new research shows.
Medicine and Health students recognised at prizes award
A Medicine student who helped with an emergency houseboat evacuation and a Neuroscience student who supported hospital patients with dementia are among dozens of students to be recognised for excellence in a prizes ceremony.
Children think farm animals deserve same treatment as pets
Children differ dramatically from adults in their moral views on animals, new research shows.
Close bond between two of Spain’s finest female writers brought to life in new stage show
The close bond between two of Spain’s finest female writers will be brought to live in a major new London stage show.
Blockchain has potential to redefine democracy and can support electoral law, an expert has said
Blockchain has the potential to redefine politics and support new electoral law, an expert has said.
Musical treasures from West Side Story, The Pink Panther and Breakfast at Tiffany’s on show as part of Bridport’s From Page to Screen Festival
Some of the best-known music from films, including The Pink Panther and ‘Moon River’ from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, is on display as part of Bridport’s From Page to Screen Festival.
New research calls to scrap the smoking prevention/cessation binary when addressing the issue of tobacco use among young adults
A complex array of smoking behaviours and identities among young adults explains why public health initiatives around smoking prevention and cessation are not working for this age group, according to latest research led by Dr Ria Poole at the University of Exeter.
Experts develop new ways of visualising ancient small objects by combining technologies from archaeological research, computer graphics and video game development
Experts have developed new ways of visually representing ancient objects such as stone tools and fossils developing technologies currently only used in video games and computer graphics.
Protected areas don’t always boost biodiversity
Protected areas such as national parks have a "mixed impact" on wildlife, according to the largest ever global study of their effects.
University spin-out company aiming to treat degenerative disease announces funding
A biotech company which aims to harness University of Exeter research to develop new therapeutics to stop the progression of degenerative diseases has received new seed financing.
University of Exeter experts nominated for the prestigious Wolfson History Prize 2022
Two University of Exeter experts have been nominated for the UK’s most prestigious history writing award.
Fertility support for people with variations in sex characteristics overlooked by medics, report shows
An over-medicalised approach to support for adults with variations in sex characteristics means their emotional and psychological needs are being overlooked, a new report shows.
'Whup' and 'grumble' calls reveal secrets of humpback whales
Sounds made by humpback whales – including a previously unknown call – have given researchers a glimpse of their lives in the high seas.
Multi-million funding for new 'terrestrial blue economy' research
A pioneering new research project, designed to unlock the true potential of sustainable shrimp production in the UK using renewable energy technology, has received a multi-million pound funding boost.
Landmark new technology to improve efficiency of sewer system surveys
A new AI tool is set to improve the efficiency of surveying sewerage systems and has the potential to benefit the entire water industry.
Blockchain to play a key part in ensuring copyright laws can be used for 3D printing
Blockchain technology will soon be able to be applied within items produced by 3D printers thanks to pioneering work by experts.
Exeter expert leading charge against online misinformation wins British Science Association Award Lecture
An Exeter researcher is among the winners of the British Science Association’s Award Lecture series for his research into online misinformation.
Protected areas don’t always boost biodiversity
Protected areas such as national parks have a "mixed impact" on wildlife, according to the largest ever global study of their effects.
Scientists solve key exoplanet questions through Hubble observations
The quest to solve some of the most crucial mysteries surrounding the atmospheres of planets far outsider the solar system has taken a significant step forward
Major new poem about Cornwall’s Red River to be premiered at Tate St Ives
A major new poem inspired by Cornwall’s unique Red River – the most “unnatural” in the UK – will be premiered at Tate St Ives.
Researchers discover drug-resistant environmental mould is capable of infecting people
A new study led by Imperial College London, working with the University of Exeter, finds that drug-resistant mould is spreading from the environment and infecting susceptible people’s lungs.
Newly connected datasets track how exposure to green space impacts health
A new data cohort, funded by the NIHR Public Health Research programme, can for the first time link national green/blue space data with electronic health records for over a decade.
Professor Mark Kermode and Carol Morley are the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum’s first patrons
Leading film critic Mark Kermode and acclaimed filmmaker Carol Morley are the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum’s first patrons.
Online lockdown outdoor science lessons boosted teachers’ skills, study shows
Online outdoor science lessons run during the pandemic helped to engage children with the subject and boosted teachers’ skills, analysis suggests.
Supporting staff to improve the lives of those living with dementia in care homes
A study to evaluate a care home dementia training programme that could improve the lives of the most vulnerable people with dementia in the UK has begun as part of the National Institute for Health and Social Care Research (NIHR) National Priorities Programme (NPP).
UK wildlife watchers welcome "ecological refugees"
Wildlife watchers generally welcome species that have arrived in the UK due to climate change, new research suggests.
Cut emissions "starting now" – Global Carbon Project experts
The Global Carbon Project has published its full analysis for 2021, reinforcing the need for rapid emissions cuts.
Lighting Up Artificial Neural Networks
A team of international scientists have performed difficult machine learning computations using a nano-scale device, named an “optomemristor”.
Origin of complex cells started without oxygen
The origin of complex cells started without oxygen, new research suggests.
University of Exeter decarbonising supply chain
The University of Exeter is decarbonising its supply chain as part of the drive for net zero by 2030.
Exeter secures global top 50 position in THE Impact Rankings 2022
The University of Exeter has secured a place in an influential ranking’s global top 50 for the first time – in recognition of its steadfast commitment to sustainability, improving health and tackling inequality.
Loneliness leads to higher risk of future unemployment, study finds
Experiencing loneliness appears to lead to a higher risk of future unemployment, according to new research.
Pandemic left hospitality workers more vulnerable to conflict from customers and less able to challenge managers over safety due to financial insecurity, study shows
Hospitality workers felt less able to challenge and negotiate bad practice or unsafe working conditions during the coronavirus pandemic, a new study shows.
South West blighted by low social mobility, experts warn in new report
The South West suffers some of the lowest levels of social mobility in the UK, blighting the prospects of hundreds of thousands of young people across the peninsula, experts have warned.
Marine-i helps National Lobster Hatchery to develop an innovation to improve lobster stocks
Marine-i is supporting the National Lobster Hatchery to develop a new kind of larval rearing vessel.
Resilience of ecosystems can be measured from space
A natural habitat's ability to withstand and recover from damage can be empirically monitored from space.
New environmental education manifesto launch led by University of Exeter expert
A new manifesto, led by a University of Exeter academic has been launched to help young people meet the environmental challenges of the future.