News archive 2017
Antibiotic resistance: ‘sleeping’ bacteria that can survive drug treatment identified
‘Sleeper cells’, which can survive doses of antibiotics and lie resting in a dormant state, may hold a key to understanding antibiotic resistance, research has found.
Human societies evolve along similar paths
Societies ranging from ancient Rome and the Inca empire to modern Britain and China have evolved along similar paths, a huge new study shows.
Exeter marine biologist is star of the Blue Planet
Blue Planet II, which has captured the nation’s imagination and highlighted the beauty and plight of marine life around the world, starred the University of Exeter’s Steve Simpson, Associate Professor of Marine Biology & Global Change.
Marine turtles dying after becoming entangled in plastic rubbish
Hundreds of marine turtles die every year after becoming entangled in rubbish in the oceans and on beaches, including plastic ‘six pack’ holders and discarded fishing gear.
Boost for green research at Exeter
Sustainable seafood and electric cars are among the eco-friendly industries that will be the focus of new research at the University of Exeter.
Tuna dissected by university scientists
A tuna accidentally caught off Devon has been dissected by scientists at the University of Exeter.
Stunning ocelot picture wins photography prize
A researcher overcame termites, mice, flash floods and camera malfunctions to win a nature photography award.
University partnership awarded £2m grant for freshwater research
A £2m grant has been awarded to the GW4 Alliance by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) to fund the establishment of a Freshwater Centre for Doctoral Training.
Female mongooses help their pups by driving out rivals
Mongoose mothers boost their pups’ survival chances by evicting rival females from their social groups, new research shows.
Forecasts help predict future of UK birds
Forecasts which predict how climate change will affect UK birds are improving, new research suggests.
Crime-scene technique used to track turtles
Scientists have used satellite tracking and a crime-scene technique to discover an important feeding ground for green turtles in the Mediterranean.
Every individual has a role to play: getting more from our models for environmental risk
In a paper published last month in Critical Reviews in Toxicology, Katie Mintram, a PhD researcher at Exeter, discusses the environmental impacts of endocrine activating chemicals on freshwater fish.
Exeter evolutionary genomics expert delivers Sir Julian Huxley Lecture 2017
A leading expert in evolutionary genomics will deliver a high-profile lecture at the prestigious Linnean Society of London on Thursday, November 2 2017.
Tropical forest reserves slow down global warming
National parks and nature reserves in South America, Africa and Asia, created to protect wildlife, heritage sites and the territory of indigenous people, are reducing carbon emissions from tropical deforestation by a third, and so are slowing the rate of global warming, a new study shows.
Diversity and immigration increase productivity in microbial communities
Natural selection quickly turns a melting pot of microorganisms into a highly efficient community, new research shows.
Sustainable seafood top of menu for new research group
A new research group will focus on how seafood can be safely and sustainably produced for the world’s growing population.
Biosciences bakers ‘raise’ almost £280 for cancer care
A coffee morning organised by Biosciences volunteers has raised £279.63 in donations towards supporting cancer care charity Macmillan.
Conservationists should harness ‘Hollywood effect’ to help wildlife
Researchers say conservation scientists could work with filmmakers to harness the “Hollywood effect”.
Exeter Annual Fund delivers postgraduates a sporty wellbeing boost
Biosciences PhD student, Rebecca Millard, has been awarded a grant of £320 by the University of Exeter Annual Fund to set up weekly indoor hockey sessions to enhance mental wellbeing for Exeter’s postgraduate researcher community.
Plastic pollution discovered on ice floes near the North Pole
Melting ice is releasing frozen plastic into the Arctic Ocean, as plastic waste flows towards the Pole.
Fish have complex personalities, research shows
Tiny fish called Trinidadian guppies have individual “personalities”, new research shows.
High-flying ducks cross Himalayas
A high-flying duck species reaches altitudes of up to 6,800 metres (22,000 feet) to cross the Himalayas, new research shows.
Breakthrough in understanding mitochondria
Scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding how mitochondria – the “powerhouses” of human cells – are made.
Otters learn by copying each other
Otters can learn how to solve puzzles by watching and copying each other, new research shows.
Virus reprogrammes ocean plankton
A virus which infects plankton can reprogramme cells and change the way they absorb nutrients, new research shows.
‘Inefficient’ sailing fleet keeps oyster fishery alive
Oyster stocks in a Cornish fishery are sustained thanks to “inefficient” traditional fishing methods, new research suggests.
Boat noise disrupts fish co-operation
Noise from motorboats changes the behaviour of cleaner fish and the species they help.
How camouflaged birds decide where to blend in
Animals that rely on camouflage can choose the best places to conceal themselves based on their individual appearance, new research shows.
Grown-up gannets find favourite fishing grounds
Like humans, some birds can spend years learning and exploring before developing more settled habits.
Moth larvae testing firm wins grant
A spinout company, which provides moth larvae for use in scientific testing – reducing the need for tests on mice and rats – has won a £100,000 grant.
‘No solid evidence’ for biopesticide-diarrhoea link
A report commissioned by EU food regulators wrongly linked a highly effective biopesticide with diarrhoea in humans, an expert says.
A fifth of male fish in UK rivers now ‘trans-gender’ due to chemicals in human waste
Anti-depressants flushed down the loo reduce natural shyness in fish.
New RAD-seq Revolution: New Method Optimises Analysis
An international partnership between the University of Exeter and University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign have recently published the first method of its kind for standardising analysis of Restriction site-Associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq) data.
Hydrogen peroxide protects plants against sun damage
Plants use hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to control how their cells react to varying levels of light, new research shows.
Prize for ‘outstanding’ University of Exeter ecologist
A University of Exeter ecologist has won a prestigious prize for his outstanding achievements.
Drowsy dormice doze into decline
Britain’s population of hazel dormice has declined by more than 70%, new research shows.
‘BEEHAVE’ project wins innovation award
A project which helps protect bees has won the 2017 BBSRC Innovator of the Year award for Social Impact.
Climate change risk for animals living in prime conditions
Animals living in areas where conditions are ideal for their species have less chance of evolving to cope with climate change, new research suggests.
Cornwall cats needed for behaviour study
Where does your cat go when it leaves the house? What does it eat?
Motor-boat noise makes fish bad parents, leading to the death of their babies
Noise from motorboats is making fish become bad parents, and reducing the chance of their young surviving, research led by marine experts at the University of Exeter has shown.
Exeter researchers help protect Peru’s river dolphins
Peru's river dolphins will get new protection thanks to a plan developed with help from the University of Exeter.
‘BEEHAVE’ project up for award
A project which helps protect bees has been nominated for an innovation award.
Global warming kills gut bacteria in lizards
Climate change could threaten reptiles by reducing the number of bacteria living in their guts, new research suggests.
Insecticide-resistant flies ‘rubbish’ at courting females
Insecticide resistance sounds like a superpower for the average male fruit fly – but there’s a catch.
Mongoose pups conceal identity to survive
Young mongooses may conceal their identity – even from their own parents – to survive.
Light pollution has serious impact on coastal wildlife, research shows
Scientists have recognised for some years that light pollution is a growing phenomenon that impacts on the behaviour and success of many animals.
New population of endangered cats found in Borneo
A new population of an endangered and elusive cat species has been found in Borneo.
Banded mongooses target family members for eviction
Banded mongooses target close female relatives when violently ejecting members from their social groups, University of Exeter scientists have found.
Captive meerkats at risk of stress
Small groups of meerkats – like those often seen in zoos – are at greater risk of chronic stress.
Computer game helps scientists understand animal camouflage
Computer games have helped scientists understand animal camouflage and colour vision.
Logging threatens breeding turtles
Debris from logging in tropical forests is threatening the survival of hatchling leatherback turtles and the success of mothers at one of the world’s most important nesting sites in Colombia.
Birds to help unravel the inner working of nature’s most complex societies
Prestigious Human Frontiers Science Programme grant awarded to international research team led by University of Exeter
Beach debris to be transformed into art as part of Falmouth Spring Festival
Families can make art from litter found in the sea and on beaches as part of a free event at Falmouth Art Gallery.
Weather forecasting technology used to predict where proteins anchor within human cells
Met Office technology used to study climate change is being used by scientists to predict the sorting and location of proteins in cells of the human body.
Explore the fascinating creatures on Cornwall’s shores with free guided rockpooling session
Families can identify the fascinating creatures found on Cornwall’s shores with the help of a University of Exeter animal ecology expert as part of the Falmouth Spring Festival.
Exeter Bioscientist on exclusive list of top 50 entrepreneurs honoured at House of Commons
A Biosciences expert from the University of Exeter is celebrating after being honoured as one of an exclusive group of leading entrepreneurs, at a special ceremony at the House of Commons.
To stray or stay: population genetics of sea trout helps guide management
New research led by the University of Exeter in partnership with the Environment Agency and Westcountry Rivers Trust highlights how studying population genetics could improve the management of sea trout within the southwest.
The foundation of aquatic life can rapidly adapt to global warming, new research suggests
Important microscopic creatures which produce half of the oxygen in the atmosphere can rapidly adapt to global warming, new research suggests.
Soft coral species exhibit strikingly different patterns of connectivity around the British Isles
The evolution of land animals has been shaped by barriers such as oceans and mountains which have divided them and sent them down different genetic paths.
Breeding oilseed rape varieties for pollinator-friendly traits
Amounts and sugar content of nectar vary between commercial varieties of oilseed rape (OSR) produced with different breeding systems, when tested in the glasshouse.
New ‘frog-swab’ testing device revolutionises diagnosis of the deadly amphibian chytridiomycosis disease
University of Exeter researchers, Dr. Michael Dillon, Dr. Jamie Stevens, and Dr. Chris Thornton have joined forces with Dr. Andrew Bowkett of the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust in developing a ground-breaking new diagnostic device for the rapid detection of the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd).
Scientists reveal core genes involved in honey bee immunity
An international team of researchers has identified a core set of genes involved in the responses of honey bees to multiple diseases caused by viruses and parasites.
A Tool for understanding the future of global coral reefs
Researchers at the University of Exeter, as part of a global collaborative research programme, have produced a guide to help coral reef managers understand the impacts of stressors on coral reef ecosystems.
Banded mongooses go to war over sex and territory
Gang warfare is not unique to humans – banded mongooses do it too.
Planned protection area would help basking sharks
A proposed Marine Protected Area (MPA) off Scotland’s west coast would help basking sharks, researchers say.
Watching birds near your home is good for your mental health
People living in neighbourhoods with more birds, shrubs and trees are less likely to suffer from depression, anxiety and stress, according to research.
Exeter helps protect Myanmar marine life
A new plan to protect Myanmar’s diverse marine life has been announced.
Warming ponds could accelerate climate change
Rising temperatures could accelerate climate change by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide stored in ponds and increasing the methane they release, new research shows.
Tough early life makes wild animals live longer
Growing up in tough conditions can make wild animals live longer, new research suggests.
Climate change and fishing create ‘trap’ for penguins
Endangered penguins are foraging for food in the wrong places due to fishing and climate change, research led by the University of Exeter and the University of Cape Town has revealed.
Penryn research excellence illustrated by competition success
Penryn PhD students are celebrating after sweeping the board at a high-profile research competition.
LED lighting could have major impact on wildlife
LED street lighting can be tailored to reduce its impacts on the environment, according to new research by the University of Exeter.
Climate change scientists should think more about sex
Urgent need to check how males and females respond differently to ocean acidification.
Antibiotics can boost bacterial reproduction
The growth of bacteria can be stimulated by antibiotics, scientists at the University of Exeter have discovered.
Mammal testing could be cut by moth larvae
The number of mammals used in animal testing could be cut dramatically and replaced with moth larvae.
Breakthrough by Exeter cell biologists
We all need contacts – how organelles hug in cells
Why hospital antibiotic management strategies do little to curb resistance
With an alarming growth in antibiotic resistance and doctors increasingly having to resort to last-chance antibiotics to save patients, is there a better way for hospitals to manage antibiotic treatment regimens?
Exeter research helps protect loggerhead turtles
A long-running research and conservation project is helping save an at-risk species of turtle.
PREDICTS database shines a light on ‘dark data’- making projected biodiversity responses to human pressures freely available
Despite a commitment being made during the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity to reduce the rate of global biodiversity loss by 2010, indicators of species richness and abundance continue to show unrelenting declines.
Climate change has mixed effects on migratory geese
Climate change improves the breeding chances of migratory geese in the Arctic – but puts mother geese at more risk of death, according to a new study.
Using ‘fire to fight fire’ to combat disease, including cancer, could make it worse, tests show
A treatment billed as a potential breakthrough in the fight against disease, including cancer, could back-fire and make the disease fitter and more damaging, new research has found.