The UK has produced its first hay fever map, revealing areas with high concentrations of allergenic plants. The maps will help those with allergies and asthma plan their activities to reduce exposure.
Scientists discovered a sharp increase in moss growth on Antarctica's Antarctic Peninsula, indicating major changes in ecosystems. The study found clear evidence of 'changepoints' over the past half century, suggesting that plants and soils will alter substantially even with modest further warming.
A new study found that a simple brain-training game can help children make healthier snack choices by creating an association between happy cartoon faces and healthy food. The game involves reacting to images of healthy food by pressing a button, and doing nothing if unhealthy foods are shown. Researchers tested over 200 schoolchildren...
Researchers used the Met Office Unified Model to simulate Proxima B's climate, finding it could have a habitable atmosphere and stable climate regime. The team also explored different atmospheric compositions and orbital configurations, suggesting the planet could support life.
Scientists from the University of Exeter found that a 183 million-year-old oceanic oxygen depletion event ended after one million years due to increased atmospheric oxygen and rising fire activity. This study highlights the critical need to limit carbon emissions to prevent future anoxic events in the modern ocean.
A team of international researchers has uncovered the primitive atmosphere surrounding a distant exoplanet called HAT-P-26b, also known as Warm Neptune. The study found that the planet's atmosphere is composed almost entirely of hydrogen and helium with no clouds present.
A study by Dr Pallavi Amitava Banerjee found that STEM enrichment activities do not increase participation in science, technology, or mathematics qualifications after 16. Students who only took part in these activities during Key Stage 4 had the lowest STEM participation rates.
Research found that insecticide-resistant male fruit flies are smaller, less aggressive, and struggle with courting females. They also exhibit increased latency in copulation and reduced competitive mating success.
Climate change is shown to impact gut bacteria diversity in common lizards, with a 34% loss of microorganism diversity found at warmed temperatures. This finding highlights the importance of research into how climate change affects bacteria associated with plants and animals.
Researchers from the University of Exeter have developed a method to use graphene to generate complex and controllable sound signals, opening up new possibilities for audio-visual technologies. The technique involves heating and cooling graphene using an alternating electric current, generating sound waves without physical movement.
A global shortage of diphtheria treatment drugs due to lack of market incentive poses a significant threat to Western nations. Experts warn that the medicine is only produced in limited quantities and its availability is compromised by European-wide efforts to coordinate a stockpile.
Researchers found that dominant banded mongooses target close female relatives for eviction due to their ability to resist, reducing competition for offspring. This behaviour is in contrast to expected social norms and highlights the importance of latent threats on social behavior.
Researchers have discovered a new cellular mechanism - an underlying defect in brain cells - that may cause multiple sclerosis. A protein called Rab32 is present in large quantities in the brains of people with MS but virtually absent in healthy brain cells.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine suggests that stimulating the brain through leadership roles at work or staying in education can help people stay mentally healthy in later life. Engaging in activities that challenge the brain and build cognitive reserve can make it more resilient to illnesses such as dementia.
New research suggests that captive meerkat groups in zoos are more susceptible to chronic stress due to their small group sizes and constant exposure to human visitors. The study measured stress levels by analyzing hormone samples from the meerkats' droppings, revealing a link between small group sizes and high visitor numbers.
Researchers from the University of Exeter used online computer games to test animal camouflage and colour vision. They found that trichromats, like humans, outperformed dichromats in finding camouflaged prey, but dichromats improved faster over time.
A large-scale survey found that over half of GPs in the South West report low morale, with seven out of ten intending to change their working patterns, including reducing patient contact. The impending shortage could lead to severe gaps in GP services if action is not taken.
Research by the University of Exeter found that logging debris on beaches in Colombia is impacting breeding turtles' movement and survival. The study revealed that females with high amounts of debris were more likely to be wounded or have eggs at risk due to flooding.
A team of scientists led by the University of Exeter aims to understand how individual characteristics and social relationships influence collective movements in birds. The project seeks to decipher the mechanisms behind flocking behavior, with potential implications for crowd safety, crop management, and robotics.
Researchers have discovered that topaz granites are extremely enriched in lithium and have a high concentration of metals such as tin and tungsten. The study's findings may impact where to look for these metals across the region, particularly in Cornwall and Devon.
Researchers at the Met Office Hadley Centre found that aggressive emission reductions can reduce the risk of extreme seasonal temperatures by half within 20 years. This study challenges previous assumptions that most benefits of mitigation would be delayed until later in the century.
Researchers from the University of Exeter have developed ultrafast flexible memory devices using a hybrid of graphene oxide and titanium oxide. These innovative devices offer low-cost production, eco-friendliness and high capacity, paving the way for flexible electronic applications.
A team of scientists used Met Office technology to study climate change and predicted the behavior of proteins within human cells. They discovered that tail-anchored membrane proteins are routed to specific organelles based on their chemical properties, such as charge and hydrophobicity.
A leading dementia expert emphasizes the importance of cognitive rehabilitation for people with dementia, sharing similarities with physical rehabilitation. Rehabilitation aims to enable individuals to participate meaningfully in everyday life and family/family activities.
A pioneering project aims to develop an innovative 'switch on-switch off' mining method for small deposits, reducing feasibility studies and improving resource consumption. The IMP@CT project, funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 program, has received €7 million funding.
A study by University of Exeter researchers found that US Republicans are less likely to be critical of Obamacare when reminded about their own medical needs. When asked to assess the performance of the Affordable Care Act in a more personal context, Republicans viewed evidence in a more balanced way.
Research suggests that phytoplankton can rapidly adapt to global warming by increasing photosynthesis rates, leading to increased oxygen production and a more stable food supply for aquatic life. The study monitored green algae in waters warmed by four degrees centigrade above ambient temperature over ten years.
Researchers will use simulators to recreate the experience of working in a high-rise office block, walking across a wobbly bridge, or dancing in a crowded stadium. The study aims to better understand how vibrations from tall buildings can affect people's health and wellbeing.
A new study reveals that the sub-antarctic island of South Georgia was covered by a massive ice cap about 20,000 years ago. The researchers used sonar mapping and gravity corers to find hundreds of distinct ridges bulldozed into the seabed, showing that the ice extended across South Georgia's vast continental shelf.
Researchers found distinct genetic differences between soft coral populations in northwest Ireland, southern Portugal, and southwest Britain. These findings suggest that some marine species can be as disconnected as those divided by mountains or motorways, highlighting the need to protect each species in multiple locations.
A study by the University of Exeter found that drinking concentrated blueberry juice improved cognitive function, blood flow to the brain, and working memory in healthy older adults. Flavonoids, rich in blueberries, may be an important component in causing these effects.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have developed a pioneering technique to engineer computer chips more easily and cheaper than conventional methods. The breakthrough could revolutionize the production of optoelectronic materials, enabling advancements in renewable energy, security, and defence technologies.
Researchers observed banded mongooses fighting over food and territory, often resulting in serious injury and death. However, they found that pregnant females were less likely to lose their litters after conflicts, suggesting a possible strategy to maintain pregnancy and increase group competitiveness.
New research suggests that Arctic sea-ice loss intensifies the negative phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) leading to more cold easterly winds. However, these winds are also warmer than they used to be due to widespread warming effects of Arctic sea-ice loss, resulting in little change in European winter temperatures.
A proposed Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Sea of the Hebrides, Scotland, would provide essential conditions for basking sharks to forage and possibly breed. Satellite tracking data from 36 sharks showed 86% residency within the proposed area.
Research by academics at the University of Exeter found that people living in neighborhoods with more birds, shrubs, and trees are less likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, and stress. The study also found benefits for mental health when observing birds in the afternoon.
A new study found that warming ponds can release almost twice as much methane and absorb half as much carbon dioxide over a seven-year period. This amplifies the effects of global warming on these small ecosystems, contributing significantly to climate change.
Researchers used satellite tracking to study basking shark migrations, revealing they don't hibernate in UK waters but instead seek out warmer temperatures. The data provides crucial information for conservation efforts, as the species is classified as 'vulnerable' and faces threats from human activities.
New research reveals that mass coral die-offs in the Maldives and other Indian Ocean reefs have caused widespread bleaching and erosion, leading to a rapid decline in reef growth rates. The study found that reefs are now eroding at a faster rate than they are growing, with severe consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Male banded mongooses that faced poor conditions in their first year lived longer than those with an easier start, while variable conditions seemed to be beneficial for longevity and reproduction. The researchers used 14 years of data on wild banded mongooses in Uganda.
Research reveals African penguins forage in wrong places due to climate change and fishing, leading to low survival rates. Models suggest breeding numbers could be 50% lower if birds can escape the ecological trap.
Researchers uncovered hundreds of large, mysterious geoglyphs in Brazil's Amazon rainforest, challenging assumptions about the ecosystem. The sites were found to have been built using sustainable 'agroforestry' practices, which concentrated on economically valuable tree species.
New research suggests that LED street lighting can have a major impact on wildlife, but that adjusting the lighting schedule and dimming it by 50% can reduce its effects. The study found that changing the way we light at night could have profound consequences for species such as predatory spiders and beetles.
A new emoticon-style questionnaire, developed by University of Exeter experts, helps teachers and others assess children's happiness levels as young as four. The questionnaire has been shown to be effective in engaging children on their wellbeing and happiness levels, with an average score around 11 or 12.
Researchers found that low atmospheric oxygen levels from the Middle Ages lasted for 2 billion years, hindering complex life forms' emergence. The Great Oxidation Event introduced modern oxygen levels, and land plants played a crucial role in this change.
Researchers found that Trinidadian guppies developed stronger and more stable social bonds when they thought predators were in the area. This coincided with smaller social groups, indicating a possible trade-off between forming strong relationships and living in larger groups.
A new study has developed a mirror game test using computer avatars to accurately detect specific variations in patient movement and social interaction, showing comparable results to clinical interviews and neuroimaging methods. The test may provide an affordable and effective device for early diagnosis and management of schizophrenia.
Research by University of Exeter scientists reveals that less than 4% of climate-change studies have tested the impact of ocean acidification on males and females separately. This could lead to major changes in sustainable supplies of fish and shellfish, as different sexes respond differently to stress.
Researchers at the University of Exeter found that antibiotics can boost bacterial reproduction in E.coli, leading to increased resistance and faster mutation rates. The study discovered that mutated bacteria reproduced faster than before encountering antibiotics and formed populations three times larger due to mutations.
A new translation of Mendel's 1866 paper reveals a more engaged and influenced scientist, with connections to contemporary theories of evolution. The work offers insights into the creation of genetics and challenges long-held debates among philosophers and historians.