Two Exeter papers in top 100 for global attention

The Altmetric Top 100 is an annual list of research papers that has most captured the public’s imagination, being classified by how much it is discussed in news outlets, social media and reader statistics on the published site.

From the University of Exeter, Dr Mathew White’s paper on spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature being linked to good health and wellbeing made number 38. Professor David Llewellyn’s paper, led by Dr Ilianna Lourida and co-authored by Dr Elzbieta Kuzma on the association of lifestyle and genetic risk with  dementia reached number 82. 

Professor Clive Ballard, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean said: “It’s fantastic to see such international reach on our excellent research. We have an outstanding calibre of academics, and it’s really important to communicate our research globally, as we know that makes it more likely to translate into meaningful impact.

“Dr White’s paper demonstrates our unique focus on the environment and human health. Professor Llewellyn’s paper combines our excellence in dementia and genetics research. Both of these papers are vital academic areas in the current climate of research.”

Dr White is based at European Centre for Environment and Human Health. His research found that spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated the increased likelihood of reporting good health and high wellbeing. Professor Llewellyn’s paper found that a healthy lifestyle was associated with lower risk of dementia among participants with low or high genetic risk.

Professor Lora Flemming, Director of the European Centre for Environment and Human Health, said: "It's fantastic to see this research has been included in the top 100 discussed papers in the world. Similar to established international recommendations for exercise, the 120 minutes in nature research supports GPs and others recommending a weekly dose of nature to improve well being."

Combined, both papers have amassed over 500 news stories and over 4,500 tweets.  

Professor Llewellyn said: "It’s amazing that there’s been so much interest in our work globally. The University of Exeter provides an ideal environment to do impactful dementia research with an international outlook."

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Dr White’s paper was published in Scientific Reports, on June 13, 2019 and was entitled Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing. Authors were Mathew P. White, Ian Alcock, James Grellier, Benedict W. Wheeler, Terry Hartig, Sara L. Warber, Angie Bone, Michael H. Depledge & Lora E. Fleming

Professor Llewelleyn and Dr Kuzma’s paper was published in JAMA: Journal of the American Medical Association, on July 14, 2019 and was entitled Association of Lifestyle and Genetic Risk With Incidence of Dementia. Authors were Ilianna Lourida ; Eilis Hannon; Thomas J. Littlejohns; Kenneth M. Langa; Elina Hyppönen; Elżbieta Kuźma; David J. Llewellyn.