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University of Exeter


Roads 'a serious threat' to rare bats

A recent study by the University of Exeter found that roads present a real and growing danger to protected bat populations, disrupting their ability to reach feeding and roosting areas. The research identified over 1,000 bat fatalities caused by collisions with cars.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalMammal Review·DateJun 6, 2016

How to organize a cell: Novel insight from a fungus

Researchers have found that random distribution of organelles in cells is an energy-dependent activity, utilizing ATP to transport organelles along cytoskeleton fibers. This study has implications for understanding human disorders, such as Zellweger syndrome, and highlights the importance of interdisciplinary research.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 2, 2016

Crucial interaction between fire and mankind explored in new research

A pioneering team of researchers has devised a 'manifesto for fire science' to examine the intricate relationship between fire and humanity on a global scale. The study reveals that factors such as invasive plants, landscape change, climate change, and population growth create tension between fire and human inhabitants.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateMay 22, 2016

Tiny ocean organism has big role in climate regulation

Scientists have discovered that a tiny ocean organism called Pelagibacterales is playing an important role in the regulation of the Earth's climate. The bacterial group produces dimethylsulfide (DMS), a gas that stimulates cloud formation, and helps to stabilize the Earth's atmosphere through a negative feedback loop. This discovery op...

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Microbiology·DateMay 16, 2016

Sonic net could save birds and aircraft, study suggests

A new study suggests that a sonic net around airfields can prevent collisions between birds and aircraft, reducing the number of birds in the area by 80%. The noise levels emitted are equivalent to those of a conversation in a busy restaurant, deterring bird species at high risk of strike such as starlings.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalEcological Applications·DateMay 6, 2016

A new mobile phone app for grassroots mapping

Researchers at the University of Exeter have developed an Android mobile app that harnesses the capabilities of modern smartphones to generate spatial data for mapping landscapes. The app uses on-board sensors in smartphones, including GPS, compass, and camera, along with lightweight drones or kites, to capture high-quality images.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 4, 2016

Blood pressure difference linked to heart disease risk

A large-scale study found that a difference of 5mm Hg in systolic blood pressure measurements between the two arms was associated with almost double the risk of death from heart-related disease over an eight-year period. This suggests that measuring blood pressure in both arms is crucial for identifying individuals at higher risk of ca...

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalBritish Journal of General Practice·DateApr 14, 2016

Green light stops sea turtle deaths

Conservation biologists at the University of Exeter found that attaching green LED lights to gillnets reduced sea turtle deaths by 64%, without affecting fish catch, in a small-scale Peruvian fishery. The study showed that the cost of saving one turtle was £24, making it a cost-effective solution.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalMarine Ecology Progress Series·DateMar 23, 2016

Changes to environment helps protect young pheasants

Research by University of Exeter found that providing early life perches to young pheasants can improve their survival rates and fitness. This is because raised perches help develop essential survival characteristics such as stronger legs, better spatial awareness, and memory. As a result, more pheasants are likely to thrive in the wild.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateMar 22, 2016

New research helps solve the riddle of the ocean carbon conundrum

Scientists have made significant breakthroughs in understanding the ocean's role in absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Using satellite and ship measurements, they found that around a quarter of the CO2 released into the atmosphere ends up in the oceans, equivalent to two million double-decker buses or 72,000 Boeing 747s annu...

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology·DateMar 1, 2016

New vaccine could save thousands of lives

Researchers at the University of Exeter have created a vaccine that offers high-level protection against melioidosis, a bacterial infection that causes pneumonia and sepsis. The new vaccine, which has been tested on mice, holds promise for preventing a disease that affects thousands in tropical regions and is often misdiagnosed.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalVaccine·DateFeb 29, 2016