News archive
May 2021
Forgery of official documents by monks was rife across medieval Europe, new book shows
Forgery of official documents by monks was rife across medieval Europe because of social changes and the growing importance of the written word, a new book shows.
Scientists have developed a new “key-hole surgery” technique to extract metals from the earth - which could revolutionise the future of metal mining
A team of international researchers, including Dr Rich Crane from the Camborne School of Mines, University of Exeter, have developed a new method to extract metals, such as copper, from their parent ore body.
Exeter research team help shape digitalisation of European water networks
Two of the University of Exeter’s foremost experts on hydroinformatics have played significant roles in pivotal new European policy documents, calling for the digitalisation of the water industry.
Cayman Islands sea turtles back from the brink
Sea turtles in the Cayman Islands are recovering from the brink of local extinction, new research shows.
Large bumblebees start work earlier
Larger bumblebees are more likely to go out foraging in the low light of dawn, new research shows.
Warming of 3°C could cause major jump in Antarctic ice melt
Global warming of 3°C could lead to a major jump in melting of the Antarctic Ice Sheet, according to a new study.
University of Exeter to host first-of-its-kind Research Ethics Conference
A cross-disciplinary team of researchers has pioneered a professional development event designed to facilitate provocative and innovative thinking about ethics.
Stem cells create early human embryo structure in major advance for fertility research
Exeter scientists have discovered a simple, efficient way to recreate the early structure of the human embryo from stem cells in the laboratory. The new approach unlocks new ways of studying human fertility and reproduction.
Exeter student wins Black Heritage Undergraduate of the Year Award
A student from the University of Exeter Business School has been named Black Heritage Undergraduate of the Year 2021.
Help fund lifesaving research programme for babies with diabetes
The University of Exeter’s world-leading diabetes research team has appealed for donations to continue a worldwide genetic testing programme which can dramatically improve lives for babies born with diabetes.
Children likely to be pleading guilty when innocent, study argues
Young people need additional support and protection in the criminal justice system because they are more susceptible to pleading guilty when innocent, a new study argues.
Once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen the NHS and invest in UK health and care
Post-pandemic, there is a historic opportunity to strengthen the NHS and improve health and care for all, according to a new LSE-Lancet Commission on the future of the NHS, involving the University of Exeter.
Exeter scientists awarded funding to tackle antimicrobial resistance
Three academics from the University of Exeter’s Living Systems Institute have received half a million pounds funding to tackle antimicrobial resistance.
Penryn labs receive golden sustainability award
Labs at the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus have received top level recognition for introducing and improving sustainable practice and reducing research impact on the environment.
Some meat eaters disgusted by meat
Some meat eaters feel disgusted by meat, according to a new study.
Exeter students embark on virtual study abroad internship
University of Exeter students are soon to take part in a virtual internship with universities in Canada, proving that interest in overseas experiences remains high despite COVID-19.
Sharks in protected area attract illegal fishers
Thousands of sharks have been illegally caught in a Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Indian Ocean, new research shows.
City health boost from nature mapped by researchers
Your local city park may be improving your health, according to a new paper led by Stanford University researchers and involving the University of Exeter.
People in France, Germany, and Sweden split over the lifting of restrictions for vaccinated citizens, study shows
Coronavirus restrictions should be lifted for those vaccinated, 30 to 40 per cent of people in France, Germany and Sweden have said.
Growth of satire during “age of politeness” saw worries ridicule could lead to abuse, research shows
The explosion of satire in the Georgian period saw philosophers worry mockery could lead to abuse, research shows.
New evidence of major impacts of climate change on coral reef growth
The window of opportunity to protect the structure of the world’s coral reefs is still open but time is running out, new research shows.
Friendly pelicans breed better
Captive pelicans that are free to choose their own friendships are more likely to breed successfully on repeated occasions, new research suggests.
Using green social prescribing to prevent and tackle mental ill health
Lockdown highlighted the impact of green spaces on our mental health and wellbeing – and now researchers are investigating whether prescribing nature can help prevent and tackle mental ill health.
Mediterranean turtles recovering at different rates
Numbers of two Mediterranean turtle species have risen in the last three decades – but in Cyprus the recoveries are happening at different rates, new research shows.
Zoo YouTube videos prioritise entertainment over education
YouTube channels run by zoos focus on entertainment over education, according to a new study.
Extreme weather affecting UK agriculture – but adapting to changing climate a challenge for many farmers, study shows
Extreme weather is harming UK agriculture – but many farmers have not yet made adapting to the effects of the climate emergency a priority, a new study shows.
New partnership between the University of Exeter and the National Trust to help protect the natural world
A new, national partnership between the University of Exeter and the National Trust will see the two organisations join forces to help protect the natural world.
New documentary series shows mystery, history and beauty of Cornwall’s maritime churches
A new documentary series shows the mystery, beauty and history of Cornwall’s stunning maritime churches.
Antarctic ice sheet retreat could trigger chain reaction
The Antarctic ice sheet was even more unstable in the past than previously thought, and at times possibly came close to collapse, new research suggests.
Few realistic scenarios left to limit global warming to 1.5°C
Of the over 400 climate scenarios assessed in the 1.5°C report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), only about 50 scenarios avoid significantly overshooting 1.5°C.
Businesses supported by the University of Exeter have raised £10.3m investment despite the global pandemic
SETsquared has released data which shows that companies supported by the University of Exeter, including SETsquared Exeter, have raised £10.3m worth of investment from private and public sources in 2020.
New tools needed to prevent plant disease pandemics
Plant disease surveillance, improved detection systems and predictive modelling – integrated at the global scale – are necessary to mitigate future plant disease outbreaks and protect the global food supply, researchers say.
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Study uncovers drivers of fishers' decisions of where to fish
A team of researchers from ZSL’s Institute of Zoology and the University of Exeter, alongside Oceanswell, have used a new approach to understand the movement and drivers of commercial fishing fleet activity in one of the world’s most over-exploited oceans.
African rainforests still slowed climate change despite record heat and drought
Scientists studying the impact of record heat and drought on intact African tropical rainforests were surprised by how resilient they were to the extreme conditions during the last major El Niño event.
Save our oceans to protect our health – scientists call for global action plan
Scientists have proposed the first steps towards a united global plan to save our oceans, for the sake of human health.
University of Exeter professor announced Editor-in-Chief of flagship journal
A top physiology professor at the University of Exeter has been appointed the Editor-in-Chief of the leading journal for the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world.
University of Exeter launches Green Futures campaign in critical year for climate action
The University of Exeter has launched a ‘Green Futures’ campaign and website to drive action on the environment and climate emergency ahead of the G7 in Cornwall and COP26 in Glasgow this year.
Global leaders’ personalities influenced their response to the coronavirus pandemic, study shows
The different personalities of global leaders have influenced their reaction to the coronavirus pandemic, a new study shows.
Primary school children have long-term mental health benefit from counselling in school
Counselling sessions improve long term mental health in primary-school aged children, according to a new study. The research has implications for reversing declining mental health in young people in a COVID-19 era.
Computer Science student wins top prize at automotive tech competition
A student at the University of Exeter has become national champion of a university automotive technology competition.
G7 ministers must 'listen to the science'
G7 ministers meeting this week must "listen to the science" and protect the world's ocean, according to researchers and conversation organisations.
Exeter Clinical Trials Unit: instrumental in important and wide-ranging COVID-19 research
Exeter Clinical Trials Unit: instrumental in important and wide-ranging COVID-19 research
Landmark circular economy programme to start UK ‘resources revolution’
A ‘resources revolution’ for the UK will get underway next week with the launch of the UK’s largest circular economy research programme to date.
Rigour and detail key for climate transformation
Organisations must examine every detail of their environmental impact to tackle the climate emergency, a leading researcher says.
Cornwall EU leave voters wanted to 'take back control' and express concern about immigration, new research shows
Leave voters in Cornwall wanted to exit the EU to “take back control” and express concern about immigration.
Exeter academics author WHO “call to action” on nature, biodiversity and health
The multitude of ways in which the natural environment and human health are inextricably linked have been outlined in a document designed to help individuals and organisations across the 53 member states of the WHO European Region make evidence-based decisions.
South West Genomics Laboratory Hub team given ‘Excellence in Healthcare Delivery’ award by Chief Scientific Officer
A team at the South West Genomics Laboratory Hub has received national recognition.
'Champagne' technology to capture carbon dioxide via the oceans
A new method of capturing carbon from seawater could help us tackle climate change.
Newly analysed letters show Vivien Leigh’s close relationship with fans
Newly analysed letters written by Vivien Leigh show her close bond with fans - and how the actress would share highly-personal details about her health and relationships with them.
Exeter’s NetZeroPlus project to form vital part of UK bid to remove greenhouse gases from atmosphere
A project to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere will be crucial to the UK’s bid to reach Net Zero by 2050 – and is set to spark the biggest change in land use since the Second World War.
Road verges provide opportunity for wildflowers, bees and trees
Road verges cover 1.2% of land in Great Britain – an area the size of Dorset – and could be managed to help wildlife, new research shows.
Tackling attempts by kleptocrats to launder reputations must be a priority for universities, report warns
Universities must make tackling attempts by kleptocrats to use higher education to launder reputations a greater priority, a new report warns.
How can the amount we eat affect our ability to maintain muscle as we age?
Researchers at the University of Exeter are recruiting participants aged 35-65 to investigate how the amount we eat affects muscle mass as we age.
Choir recitals to make virtual return to Exeter Cathedral in cross-Channel collaboration
Virtual reality devices at heritage sites in France and the UK have been adapted so tourists can ‘visit’ an attraction in lockdown – and in the case of Exeter Cathedral even listen to the choir sing.
New handbook to help prescribe nature for mental health and wellbeing
Understanding how the power of nature can help people improve their mental health and overcome conditions such as depression, anxiety and stress has been boosted thanks to a new handbook.
Exeter researcher wins prestigious paediatric infectious diseases award
Professor Adilia Warris, co-director of The MRC Centre for Medical Mycology based at the University of Exeter, has received this year’s Bill Marshall Award for her pioneering paediatric infectious diseases research.
Camborne School of Mines Trust funds pioneering scholarships
The Camborne School of Mines Trust has generously bestowed a significant financial gift to support students embarking on the first steps towards forging a successful mining career.
Scent trails could boost elephant conservation
Travelling elephants pay close attention to scent trails of dung and urine left by other elephants, new research shows.
Exeter subjects ranked in the world top 100
Subjects from across the sciences and humanities at the University of Exeter have been ranked amongst the world’s best, according to an influential international league table.
International experts provide roadmap to Net Zero ahead of G7 and COP26 summits
A major new report on climate change that draws on the expertise of a leading University of Exeter Business School academic aims to transform the pledges of countries to reach Net Zero into “concrete action plans”.
Universities in South West vow to help region bounce back stronger from Covid-19
Universities, employers, and local leaders will be working together to create thousands of local jobs as the recovery from the pandemic gathers pace.
New Book Market Celebrates Independent Booksellers from Across South Devon
Powderham Castle and Exeter City of Literature are to host a brand-new Book Market in the Castle grounds on Sunday 20 June from 11am to 4pm.
Exeter pupils need encouragement more than catch-up sessions, survey suggests
Exeter pupils need encouragement, reassurance and mental health support, not a focus on “catching-up” or “lost learning”, a survey of children, parents and teachers in the city suggests.
University of Exeter student awarded grant to study exoplanet climates
University of Exeter astrophysics student Mei Ting Mak has been awarded one of this year’s prestigious grants from the Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund.
Plastic in Galapagos seawater, beaches and animals
Plastic pollution has been found in seawater, on beaches and inside marine animals at the Galapagos Islands.
Exeter scientist appointed as NERC Constructing a Digital Environment Senior Expert
Prof Albert Chen at the Centre for Water Systems (CWS) has been appointed as a UK Senior Expert in the NERC Digital Environment Expert Network, as a part of NERC/UKRI Constructing a Digital Environment (CDE) Programme.
Twitter experiment finds correcting misinformation makes problem worse
Correcting misinformation on Twitter may only make the problem worse, according to a new study.
Legislation should ensure Covid-19 health status certificates are only used during the pandemic, study argues
Lawmakers around the world should include “sunset clauses” in legislation to ensure Covid-19 health status certificates are only used during the pandemic, a new study says.
Ethnic diversity in research identifies more genomic regions linked to diabetes-related traits
By including multi-ethnic participants, a largescale genetic study has identified more regions of the genome linked to type 2 diabetes-related traits than if the research had been conducted in Europeans alone.