News archive

February 2020

First radiography degree apprenticeship launched in Exeter

The first degree apprenticeship in the UK for diagnostic radiography has been approved and will launch this March.

University of Exeter and University of Madrid welcome new student exchange programme

A new exchange programme between the University of Exeter and University of Madrid will bring exciting new opportunities for staff and students.

Ceremony marks handover of Exeter’s new VSimulators facility

Distinguished guests have gathered to participate in a special ceremony, to mark the handover of a new building that will house the University of Exeter’s pioneering VSimulators experimental facility.

Anxiety-suffering sons of the gentry suffered from emotional turmoil, letters show

Younger sons of the gentry faced so much emotional turmoil from having to make their own way in the world they suffered from anxiety, research shows.

£1.2 million USA grant to investigate psychosis in Alzheimer’s disease

Funding expected to total £1.2 million ($1,566,874) over four years from the USA’s National Institutes of Health (NIH) will help Exeter academics advance understanding about the underlying biological mechanisms leading to some people with Alzheimer’s disease developing psychosis.

Fundraising campaign hits target one year early

£60 million raised to support students and research at Exeter

The Political Studies Association announces its new Chair and Vice Chair

Professor Claire Dunlop has been appointed as Vice Chair of Political Studies Association of the UK (PSA)

Beach clean data could boost science

Beach cleans can provide vital information on plastic pollution, researchers say.

Build-up of brain proteins affects genes in Alzheimer’s disease

New research has shed fresh light on how the build-up of two proteins in the brain might affect the activity of genes involved in Alzheimer’s disease.

Teenagers learn of the horrors and legacy of the Holocaust at University of Exeter event

Teenagers learned of the horrors and legacy of the Holocaust – including a secret Nazi family past - as part of a University of Exeter event.

People power key to new wildlife havens

People power will be the driving force behind new wildlife havens in three Cornish towns.

Power of older people could save villages

Older people could hold the key to revitalising rural communities, researchers say.

Testosterone levels affect risk of metabolic disease and cancers

Having genetically higher testosterone levels increases the risk of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes in women, while reducing the risk in men. Higher testosterone levels also increase the risks of breast and endometrial cancers in women, and prostate cancer in men.

University of Exeter wins £4 million extension for health and housing project

The University of Exeter has announced that it has been awarded £4 million in further funding to continue with a project researching technology, health and housing in Cornwall.

Exeter in global initiative to use wearables to revolutionise dementia detection

The University of Exeter is part of a global initiative to revolutionise the early detection of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Sugar levels in UK soft drinks lowered following government levy

The government’s Soft Drinks Industry Levy has resulted in soft drinks manufacturers lowering sugar levels in their drinks

‘Disruptive Innovation’ in the spotlight at Cornwall Lecture

One of the UK’s most prominent digital experts, Tony Moretta, has spoken about the crucial role that ‘disruptive innovation’ can play in revolutionising the business landscape, during a special lecture event.

Stress in small children separated from their parents may alter genes

Experts in the emotional needs of small children say increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol in babies and small children who are separated from their parents could have a long-term genetic impact.

Trial finds benefits to people and wildlife from beavers living wild in English countryside

A major five-year study into the impacts of beavers on the English countryside has concluded that the water-living mammals can bring measurable benefits to people and wildlife.

World-class musician Nitin Sawhney to star in ‘Creative Dialogues’ event

One of the most important musicians of his generation will give a fascinating new insight into his influential and innovative work, during a special event at the University of Exeter.

South American volcano shows potential signs of instability, research shows

One of South America’s most prominent volcanoes is producing early signals of potential instability, new research has shown.

Researchers to investigate impact of shame on doctors, medical students and patients as part of major new study

Patients, doctors and medical students will share their experiences of shame as part of a new project that aims to understand the impact that the emotion has on healthcare.

£152,000 grant to investigate brain processes linked to diabetes

A grant of £152,000 will allow researchers to investigate how manipulating specific brain cells can impact the body’s response to changes in blood sugar levels, which may help uncover the processes involved in diabetes.

Jet stream not getting ‘wavier’ despite Arctic warming

Rapid Arctic warming has not led to a “wavier” jet stream around the mid-latitudes in recent decades, pioneering new research has shown.

Male doctoral graduates more likely to have a full-time, permanent job than their female counterparts, study shows

Male doctoral graduates are more likely to get a permanent job compared to their female counterparts, a new study shows.

Exeter launches Master in Public Health to develop future global leaders

A new Master in Public Health programme is launching at the University of Exeter, to nurture future global leaders with skills around complexity, leadership and decision-making.

Nine new staff join Global Systems Institute

A University of Exeter research institute has been boosted by the arrival of nine new staff.

World-leading plastics research team collect Queen’s Anniversary prize

Prince Charles has awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher Education to a team at the University of Exeter.

New national circular economy coordinators announced

First investment of a £30m initiative supporting the UK’s transition to a circular economy

Sugar levy had no lasting negative impacts on the UK soft drinks industry

Leading UK soft drinks companies continued to experience positive growth in their share prices, despite widespread industry fears the tax would harm their businesses, researchers have found.

Seagulls favour food humans have handled

Seagulls favour food that has been handled by humans, new research shows.

Plans to improve biodiversity and community use of Ridgegrove’s green spaces

A special workshop has been organised to give members of the public the opportunity to help transform community green spaces in a distinct site in Launceston.

Activism and growth of small independent publishers leading to “profound change” for translated fiction, research shows

Activism, new networks and the growth of small independent presses is leading to profound change in the way translated fiction is published, a new study shows.

Early worm lost lower limbs for tube-dwelling lifestyle

Scientists have discovered the earliest known example of an animal evolving to lose body parts it no longer needed.

Award winning anaesthesia innovation reduces cost and carbon footprint

An award winning innovation being used in theatres at the Royal Cornwall Hospital is saving money and helping to save the planet.

Male-killing bugs hold key to butterflies’ curious colour changes

It is a spectacular butterfly breed with an intriguing back story – now scientists have revealed how male-killing bacteria are helping to create a dazzling hybrid of the African monarch.

Drug shows promise in reducing deadly brain swelling after stroke

Cases of potentially deadly brain damage as a result of stroke could be reduced after new research identified a pathway in the brain that causes swelling, and which responds to an innovative treatment.

Should I Stay or Should I Go? – new exhibition offers fascinating insight into Cornwall’s hidden world

A stunning new exhibition will offer a fascinating glimpse into the colourful and often kaleidoscopic world of bacteria, hidden out of sight throughout the distinctive Cornish landscape.