News archive
January 2021
Diabetes nursing professor chosen for global celebration of women in healthcare
Diabetes nursing professor Maggie Shepherd is one of just four UK nurses and midwives to be included among the Women in Global Health’s 100+ Outstanding Women Nurses and Midwives.
Business School launches new Exeter Sustainable Finance Centre
The University of Exeter Business School has launched a new research centre focusing on finance and sustainability, an area experiencing huge growth within the financial sector.
Ongoing sudden stratospheric warming could increase risk of snow over coming weeks
A pioneering new study helps shed light on the chances of extreme cold, and potentially snow in the UK in the next fortnight.
Poorer pupils most likely to be away from school at the end of 2020, researchers tracking coronavirus learning loss have found
Poorer pupils were most likely to be away from school at the end of 2020, experts analysing the learning loss caused by coronavirus have found.
New research sheds light on early mechanisms driving diatom bloom formation
Scientists have discovered how diatoms (a globally important group of eukaryotic algae) sense the availability of phosphorus, a vital macronutrient that controls diatom growth and productivity in the oceans.
Speeding up machine learning by means of light
Scientists have developed a pioneering new approach that will rapidly speed up machine learning – using light.
University of Exeter KTP plays key role in the manufacturing process of the new Covid-19 vaccine
A Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between the University of Exeter and Smart Manufacturing LTD is playing a direct and key role in the production process of the new COVID-19 vacccine.
BCG vaccine trial extends across Devon, in partnership with RD&E
A large global trial designed to test the theory that the widely used BCG vaccine might help protect against COVID-19 amongst healthcare staff and care home workers is expanding.
Stephen Fry announced as special guest for Exeter’s online ‘Creative Dialogues’ event
Stephen Fry, one of the UK’s best loved and most prodigious talents of the small and big screen, will give a fascinating insight into his influential and innovative work, during a special event at the University of Exeter.
Statement of support from the University of Exeter on the importance of languages
The University of Exeter is delighted to endorse and support the international call to action recently released by the British Academy and partners under the title The Importance of Languages in Global Context.
Positive ‘tipping points’ offer hope for climate
Positive “tipping points” could spark cascading changes that accelerate action on climate change, experts say.
BAME parliamentary candidates not picked to fight ‘winnable seats’ in areas with less tolerance towards diversity, study suggests
Political parties are increasingly likely to avoid selecting ethnic minority candidates for ‘winnable’ constituencies at General Elections in areas where there are less tolerant attitudes toward diversity, study suggests.
Take 15 minutes to complete the Big Farming Survey
RABI has launched the largest ever survey of farming people in England and Wales, with a target of achieving 26,000 responses.
Sir Richard Atkins and Professor Andrew Thompson recognised in New Year’s Honours List
Members of the University of Exeter community have been recognised in this year’s New Year’s Honours list for their outstanding achievements in education and academic research.
Rotten Egg Gas Could Guard Against Alzheimer’s Disease
Typically characterised as poisonous, corrosive and smelling of rotten eggs, hydrogen sulfide’s reputation may soon get a facelift
Discovery of thousands of pieces of fabric gives historians a rare glimpse into fashions of the past
The discovery of thousands of pieces of 18th century fabric has given historians a rare glimpse into fashion hundreds of years ago.
‘Fake News Law’ needed to protect the public against the spread of fake news, experts argue
There is an urgent need to regulate fake news, and even criminalising the deliberate creation and spread of false information should not be ruled out, legal experts have warned.
Grey camouflage 'better than zebra stripes'
Dull, featureless camouflage provides better protection from predators than zebra stripes, according to a new study.
Ancient DNA reveals secrets of Game of Thrones wolves
An extinct species of wolf made famous in the TV show Game of Thrones split off from others nearly six million years ago and are only a distant relative of today’s wolves, researchers have found.
COVID-19: Mortality risk increases by 20 per cent when ICUs are full
Patients admitted to very full hospitals have an increased chance of dying which is equivalent to being up to 11 years older
Exeter researcher awarded "frontiers of knowledge" prize for science of climate change adaptation
A University of Exeter researcher is one of three winners of this year's BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award.
Changing resilience of oceans to climate change
Oxygen levels in the ancient oceans were surprisingly resilient to climate change, new research suggests.
Exeter researcher receives prestigious Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB) Award
Dr Neeltje Boogert from the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus in Cornwall has won the 2021 ASAB Christopher Barnard Award for Outstanding Contributions by a New Investigator.
Guppies have varying levels of self-control
Just like humans trying to stick to New Year's resolutions, guppies have varying levels of self-control, a new study shows.
Genital shape key to male flies' sexual success
Having genitals of a certain shape and size gives male flies a major reproductive advantage, new research shows.
Motion sensitivity research could benefit people with inner ear condition
Research into motion sensitivity could lead to improved rehabilitation programmes and an improvement in building designs for people with a rare inner ear condition that affects their balance
Simple, cheap test can help save lives from colorectal cancer
New research has demonstrated that a simple, cheap test can help identify who is at risk of developing colorectal cancer, aiding early diagnosis and potentially saving lives
Breakthrough in understanding 'tummy bug' bacteria
Scientists have discovered how bacteria commonly responsible for seafood-related stomach upsets can go dormant and then "wake up".
National circular economy hub to lead the way in UK bid to create a sustainable future
A new research hub led by the University of Exeter will spearhead national efforts to create a sustainable, circular economy where fewer resources are used and more waste materials reused – delivering huge benefits to the environment and UK economy.
Study pinpoints difficulties and tensions in creating ‘thought leadership’
A new study examines the risks and tensions in producing ‘thought leadership’, a concept that sees individual gurus and organisations share their expertise to intrigue, challenge and push the boundaries of knowledge – and enhance their reputations.
Exeter research receives global recognition
Research conducted by University of Exeter experts has been recognised among the most shared and discussed of 2020.
Covid lockdown loneliness linked to more depressive symptoms in older adults
Loneliness in adults aged 50 and over during the COVID-19 lockdown was linked to worsening depressive and other mental health symptoms, according to a large-scale online study.
Pioneering new technique could revolutionise super-resolution imaging systems
Scientists have developed a pioneering new technique that could revolutionise the accuracy, precision and clarity of super-resolution imaging systems.
Comedy and academia collide in a special Arts and Culture online event
Stand-up comedian Siân Docksey and Dr Ina Linge from the University of Exeter’s Department of Modern Languages and Cultures have been collaborating on a series of special online events which explore what queerness in nature can tell us about ourselves
“Attitude of gratitude” keeps older people in Japan feeling hopeful as they age, study shows
Older people in Japan have an “attitude of gratitude” which keeps them feeling hopeful despite the challenges of aging, a new study says.
New study will show how efforts to tackle coronavirus can inadvertently cause shame and stigma
Experts have begun a major new study to understand how public health efforts to tackle coronavirus can inadvertently cause shame and discrimination.
The Glorious Revolution inspired birth of modern satire long before coffee shop culture, according to new research
The arrival of William of Orange in England helped to inspire the birth of modern satire – long before coffee shop culture made the cutting art form fashionable, a new study argues.
Preventing loneliness among children of depressed mothers may help prevent adolescent suicidality
Children of mothers experiencing depressive symptoms are more at risk, as adolescents, of experiencing suicidal thoughts and attempting suicide.
New nature experiment launched with BBC Music
A new experiment goes live today, investigating how people respond to different kinds of digital nature experience
ISIS and the Taliban use different strategies to appeal to women in English-language magazines, study shows
ISIS, Al Qaeda, and the Taliban use their English-language magazines to encourage women to support jihad in different ways, according to new research.
Business School offers research-led solutions to global challenges in Exeter Expertise blog
The University of Exeter Business School has launched a new blog offering research-led practical advice and know-how that will help businesses and organisations tackle the world’s greatest challenges.
Celebrities join Business School professor in virtual call to address Arctic change during ‘digital Davos’
Adventurer Bear Grylls, musician Billie Eilish and the actors Robert Downey Jr and Rainn Wilson will be among the famous faces demanding climate action at the Davos Agenda’s Environment Day, taking place tomorrow (27 January).
Ocean sharks and rays threatened with extinction
Three quarters of ocean shark and ray species face an elevated risk of extinction, according to new research.
Pioneering research unravels hidden origins of Eastern Asia’s ‘land of milk and honey’
A study has revealed for the first time the ancient origins of one of the world’s most important ecosystems.
LGBTQIA communities to help create new Exeter play showing history of loneliness and exclusion
A new play co-created by people living in the South West – due to be performed in Exeter – will show the long history of LGBTQIA loneliness and marginalisation.
Dr Alex Corbett awarded Industry Fellowship
Dr Alex Corbett has received a Royal Society Short Industry Fellowship to work with M Squared Life Limited.
Learn about national and regional social mobility challenges from leading University of Exeter expert
The stark social mobility challenges facing the South West – and the UK – will be the focus of an event led by a leading expert on the issue.
New study investigates photonics for artificial intelligence and neuromorphic computing
Scientists have given a fascinating new insight into the next steps to develop fast, energy-efficient, future computing systems that use light instead of electrons to process and store information.