Researchers tracked northern gannets' movement and behaviour using GPS devices, finding that fishing vessels influence their distribution and foraging patterns. The study suggests each boat can significantly impact seabirds within a 22km diameter circle surrounding it.
Anusha Mujumdar, a 3rd year PhD student at Exeter University, has won the Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellowship to support her pioneering research on spacecraft control for the Mars Sample Return mission. Her work will help develop 'rendezvous and capture' technology for retrieving samples from Mars.
Researchers at University of Exeter have developed a new method to accurately measure the surface temperature of nanoscale objects by analyzing their Brownian motion in air. This technique can determine different temperatures across the surface of tiny spheres, opening doors for studying nanotechnology and aerosol research.
Researchers at the University of Exeter found that burying beetle size depends on a combination of early life experiences and adult competition. Beetles with good nutrition as larvae had an advantage over those with poor nutrition, especially in high-competition contests.
Researchers found that costly mating behaviors in females reduce overall reproductive productivity due to their primary role as caregivers. Artificial selection experiments revealed no change in male parental care behavior despite increased mating rates, highlighting the importance of female-led parental care.
A study by Sarah Crowley reveals the complex history of camels in Australia, from their role in infrastructure development to their current status as 'humped pests.' The estimated 1 million-strong population poses a significant environmental threat, causing damage to agriculture and water resources.
A new study has identified several risk factors for Ménière's Disease, including female sex, white background, age, poverty, and overweight status. The research also found links to immune system disorders and diseases related to the autonomic nervous system.
A new technique predicts MRSA toxicity from its genome sequence, allowing clinicians to personalize treatment for individual infections. The study identified 125 genetic mutations associated with high or low toxicity, enabling the prediction of severe disease.
Researchers tracked bar-headed geese's remarkable tolerance to low oxygen while exercising at top speed in simulated high altitude conditions. The study found that the birds' hearts can supply more oxygen to their muscles, suggesting adaptations for humans could prevent or treat heart attacks and stroke.
A groundbreaking study from the University of Exeter reveals a significant discrepancy between observed and modelled precipitation levels in the Northern Hemisphere mid-latitudes. The study suggests that aerosol concentrations in the atmosphere may be underestimating the impact on regional temperature and precipitation changes.
A systematic review found that doctors' recorded blood pressure levels are 7/4mmHg higher than those taken by nurses. This phenomenon, known as the 'white coat effect,' can lead to unnecessary medication and anxiety for patients. The study suggests that using other healthcare professionals to take blood pressure readings could help red...
Researchers at the University of Exeter have developed new methods to accurately measure and predict wave conditions in test sites. This breakthrough could significantly enhance wave energy production, a key player in the quest for sustainable renewable energy.
New research suggests that rising temperatures will increase methane fluxes from freshwater ecosystems, a key component of global methane emissions. This finding highlights the importance of understanding biological methane fluxes to predict the response of this component to global warming.
New research suggests that the first animals oxygenated the deep oceans, creating conditions for more complex life to evolve. This finding challenges the long-held belief that a rise in atmospheric oxygen triggered the development of complex life forms.
A comprehensive framework identifies crucial elements supporting evolution of social behaviour in structured populations. Helping neighbours reproduce more or live longer does not have same indirect consequences on own fitness.
A new study found that gamblers' brains exhibit similar increases in theta activity to wins and near-misses, particularly in the insula and orbitofrontal cortex. This response is associated with gambling severity and susceptibility to problem gambling. The research suggests that brain responses to near-misses resemble those to actual w...
A new study published in Nature Climate Change found no link between warmer winters and reduced excess winter death rates in the UK. Instead, flu activity was identified as the main cause of year-to-year variation in winter mortality.
A comprehensive review of global marine turtle fisheries reveals that over 42,000 turtles are caught annually through legal means. This number is largely driven by the green turtle species, with the majority coming from the Caribbean and Indo-Pacific regions.
Scientists propose that conventional steroid treatments deliver medication in a way that disrupts the body's natural hormone release patterns, leading to debilitating side effects. The report recommends developing novel techniques to mimic these natural cycles, which could alleviate suffering for patients.
A study by the University of Exeter reveals that crop pests are greatly underestimated in developing countries, posing a significant threat to global food security. With many nations underreporting pest loads, investment in pest observations is crucial to identifying and controlling losses.
Research reveals tropical ecosystems releasing 2 billion extra tonnes of carbon into atmosphere per year with each 1 degree rise in tropical temperature. The study suggests increased vulnerability of tropical ecosystems to climate change, contradicting current land carbon cycle models.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that maintaining higher blood glucose levels than recommended does not increase the risk of diabetes complications. People with MODY, a genetic change leading to elevated blood glucose from birth, had the same risk as their normal relatives.
Research by the University of Exeter Medical School reveals two new genetic causes of neonatal diabetes, providing insights into how insulin-producing beta cells are formed in the pancreas. This discovery increases the number of known genetic causes of neonatal diabetes, offering hope for improved treatment and potential therapies.
A new study published in Environmental Science & Technology found that moving to a greener area improves mental health and the effect continues long after the move. The research team analyzed data from over 1,000 participants and found significant and sustained improvements in mental health for those who relocated to greener areas.
Scientists at the University of Exeter have identified four distinct routes for cell division, which could lead to errors in cell division and increase cancer risk. The study also found a central molecular complex, Augmin, essential for all these pathways.
In a study on banded mongooses, researchers found that older, dominant females kill entire litters if they did not contribute to them, but allow communal litters with their own young to survive. This coordination is crucial for the group's productivity.
A study found that orb web spiders make up 25% of their diet with pollen, consuming aerial plankton like fungal spores. Spiders that ate both pollen and flies gained optimal nourishment.
A UK Biobank study has found a strong link between fathers' diabetes and their child's low birth weight, with genetic variations potentially explaining this effect. The research used data from 250,000 adults and suggests that treatments aimed at increasing birth weight may not be effective in preventing type 2 diabetes.
Researchers are using an advanced humanoid robot called Nao to measure human interaction with robots in public spaces. The project aims to enhance the public realm as a space where people can interact under conditions of privacy and equality.
A recent Arctic study reveals that tiny crustaceans, known as copepods, may not survive if ocean acidity rises due to increased CO2. Copepods with a wide natural habitat range are likely to be better equipped to handle the changes.
A study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found a link between childhood ADHD and socioeconomic status in the UK. The research analyzed data from over 19,500 children born between 2000 and 2002, revealing that more children with ADHD came from families below the poverty line.
New research suggests that the Amazon rainforest can withstand dry conditions due to its ability to recycle moisture, reducing water stress on plants. This natural process helps mitigate the impacts of climate change-induced drought.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that high concentrations of tungsten are strongly linked with an increased occurrence of stroke. The research, conducted by the University of Exeter, analyzed data from a large US health survey and found that tungsten could be a significant risk factor for stroke, even in people under 50.
Scientists have found the cause of a genetic disease, pancreatic agenesis, in previously unexplored regions of DNA. The condition affects babies and leads to diabetes and digestive issues.
Researchers trained pond snails to forget how to breathe air and found that single stressful events impaired memory, but multiple stresses blocked all learning and memory. The study published in PLOS ONE reveals that stress affects animals' ability to form long-term memories.
A new study suggests that melting Arctic sea ice causes a shift in the jet stream, leading to increased rain in northwest Europe during summers. The research also finds that Mediterranean regions will receive less rain, with potential effects on weather patterns as far as North America.
A pilot study has shown that internet-based Behavioural Action treatment can effectively treat postnatal depression, with participants reporting better results for depression, work, and social impairment. The online program provided support at times convenient to the women, allowing them to complete a course of therapy.
Researchers found that TB-infected badgers were less well-connected within their own groups but formed important links for the spread of infection between groups. The study suggests that this unusual social arrangement may stabilize the spread of TB across the population.
Researchers identify symptoms of depression causing parenting difficulties, including emotional unavailability and problems with memory. The findings suggest that depressed parents may struggle to respond to their child's needs due to brain changes affecting goal-setting and interaction.
Researchers have discovered vast channels beneath an Antarctic ice shelf, stretching hundreds of kilometers. The channels' formation is linked to meltwater flowing under the grounded ice sheet, shedding light on how ice responds to environmental changes.
A new study from the University of Exeter and international collaborators finds that smaller reefs with nearly full lagoons have potential for new island development. This could provide alternative land options in the region as sea levels rise.
Researchers found that cuckoo finches with multiple eggs in a nest confuse host parents, making it harder to distinguish their own eggs from imposter eggs. This strategy combines with egg mimicry to increase reproductive success. The study highlights the cunning tactics of brood parasites like the cuckoo finch.
A new study reveals dramatic ocean mixing in Drake Passage, crucial for regulating Earth's climate and ocean currents. The research provides detailed information needed to accurately predict long-term climate projections.
Researchers found that predators can learn to find certain types of camouflaged prey faster than others. Moths with high contrast markings were initially better at evading predation, but humans learned to find them slower than those with low contrast markings that matched the background.
A new £800,000 grant from the Medical Research Council will enable scientists to connect diverse databases and investigate links between climate, environment, and human health. The project aims to develop an IT system and database linking weather, climate, and environmental data with information on health and wellbeing.
Researchers have discovered the unique properties of Morpho butterfly wings that can be used to develop innovative technologies. The study found that the physical structure and surface chemistry of the wings provide surprising properties for applications such as photonic security tags, sensors and self-cleaning surfaces.
A new approach to calculating flooding costs will be presented at the International Conference on Flood Resilience. The methodology combines land use information with data on vulnerability to estimate past and future damage. This method has already been used in Barcelona and Dhaka to assess heavy rain event impacts.
A systematic review of 12 studies confirms a positive impact on cognitive function associated with higher adherence to a Mediterranean diet. However, results for mild cognitive impairment are inconsistent, highlighting the need for further research.
A new study reveals that global warming is causing crop pests to spread towards the North and South Poles at an alarming rate. Currently, 10-16% of global crop production is lost to pests, with losses from fungi alone amounting to enough to feed nearly nine percent of today's global population.
New research suggests that UK children are far less likely to be diagnosed with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) compared to their US counterparts. The study found that only 1.5% of parents in the UK reported a diagnosis of ADHD in children aged between 6-8, in contrast to 6.3% in the USA.