News archive 2018
Exeter research ranked among the most influential of 2018
Research conducted by Exeter experts has been recognised amongst the top 100 influential in 2018.
A win for Build Solar at the Cornwall Sustainability Awards
Build Solar, an innovative spin-out company from the University of Exeter, lead the way at the Cornwall Sustainability Awards with a win in the "Innovation - Tomorrow's Contribution to Sustainability" category for their impressive new product Solar Squared, a multifunctional glass brick.
Penryn Campus businesses reach finals of Cornwall Sustainability Awards
Two organisations based at the Penryn Campus have been announced as finalists for this year’s Cornwall Sustainability Awards.
‘Bee-lief’ in wildflowers’ value to courgette pollination
A pioneering new study has revealed the value of pollination services to courgette.
Powerful film highlighting the impact of plastic pollution in the Arctic showcased
A powerful film made by campaigners showing the impact of plastic pollution in the Arctic Ocean will be shown in Cornwall.
Asian hornets: First UK use of radio tags to find nest
Electronic radio tags have been used for the first time on the UK mainland to help find a nest of invasive Asian hornets, which was then destroyed.
Night-time lighting changes how species interact
Night-time lighting from streetlights and other sources has complex and unexpected effects on communities of plants and animals, new research shows.
Microclimates may provide wildlife with respite from climate change
Sheltered pockets of cooler and more variable conditions in the British countryside may help native species
Viruses cooperate to overcome immune defences of bacteria
Virus particles that infect bacteria can work together to overcome antiviral defences, new research shows.
Asian hornet nests found by radio-tracking
Electronic radio tags could be used to track invasive Asian hornets and stop them colonising the UK
Pioneering mooring rope deployed at a cutting-edge wave energy device
A sophisticated new type of mooring rope has been successfully deployed at a cutting-edge wave energy device.
More woodland management needed to help save dormice
Managing woodlands to a greater extent could help stop the decline of Britain’s dormice, new research suggests.
Increase in storms could have ‘catastrophic impact’ on fishing industry
Potential changes in the frequency and intensity of storms off the coast of the UK and around the world could have a “catastrophic impact” on the livelihood of fishermen and sustainability of fishing industries, research led by the University of Exeter has shown.
Public can help create night map of Earth
Researchers are asking the public to help them create the first high-resolution photographic map of Earth at night.
‘Virtual safe space’ to help bumblebees
The many threats facing bumblebees can be tested using a “virtual safe space” created by scientists at the University of Exeter.
Exeter academic to lead new journal
A University of Exeter academic will lead a new international journal published by the British Ecological Society.
Research gives new ray of hope for solar fuel
The quest to develop the ‘Holy Grail’ of affordable, viable and environmentally-friendly fuels using sunlight has taken an exciting new twist.
Children‘s bug hotel help nurture nature in an unexpected place
More than 100 bug rooms for the bug hotel will start to help bring a Redruth playing field back to life as students from year 4 at Treleigh Community Primary School provide accommodation for unloved insects to help grow nature.
Creative Exchange ‘Melting Pot’ invites new collaborations
The University of Exeter’s Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI) hosted the Creative Exchange Programme’s ‘Melting Pot’ on 19 April 2018. The event brought together local creative practitioners to discuss and develop new collaborations with University of Exeter research staff.
Droughts mean fewer flowers for bees
Bees could be at risk from climate change because more frequent droughts could cause plants to produce fewer flowers, new research shows.
Experts team up to study bluefin tuna and confirm return to UK waters
Atlantic bluefin tuna are known for being amongst the biggest, fastest and most valuable fish in the sea.
Wasting the World Away: the ESI’s sixth Environment and Sustainability Day
Year 10 pupils from five schools across Cornwall took part in a series of workshops at the University of Exeter’s Environment and Sustainability Institute for the sixth annual Environment and Sustainability Day: ‘Wasting the World Away’.
Fussy eating prevents mongoose family feuds
Mongooses living in large groups develop “specialist” diets so they don’t have to fight over food, new research shows.
No-fishing zones help endangered penguins
Small no-fishing zones around colonies of African penguins can help this struggling species, new research shows.
Reversing the Destructive Effects of Fast Fashion
The devastating yet often unreported effect that “fast fashion” has on the natural environment will be exposed at a special symposium, held later this month.