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University of Exeter


Study reveals leakage of carbon from land to rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal regions

A new study found that human activities are increasing the movement of carbon from land to rivers, estuaries, and coastal regions, with a significant fraction stored in aquatic systems. This discovery affects current estimates of carbon storage on land, highlighting the need for accurate assessments of the 'land-ocean aquatic continuum'.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJun 10, 2013

Fish win fights on strength of personality

New research from the University of Exeter suggests that small fish with aggressive personalities are more likely to win food contests against larger, passive counterparts. The study found that consistently aggressive fish were able to put on weight and survive in resource-scarce environments.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateApr 26, 2013

Bugs produce diesel on demand

A team from the University of Exeter has developed a method to make bacteria produce diesel on demand, using special strains of E. coli. The resulting diesel is almost identical to conventional diesel fuel and can be used with current supplies without modification.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 22, 2013

Thinking you're old and frail

A study by Krystal Warmoth found that older adults who categorize themselves as old and frail experience a cycle of decline, leading to reduced physical activity, poor health, and stigmatization. This self-fulfilling prophecy can result in a lower quality of life.

Air pollution stunts coral growth

Researchers found that fine particles in air pollution shade corals from sunlight, cooling surrounding waters and reducing growth rates. The study, published in Nature Geoscience, links coral growth to particulate pollution in the atmosphere.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Geoscience·DateApr 7, 2013

Lizards facing mass extinction

A new study suggests that climate change may lead to the extinction of dozens of lizard species within the next 50 years due to rising temperatures. Lizards with viviparous reproduction are particularly vulnerable as changing weather patterns affect their ability to adapt and survive in cold environments.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalGlobal Ecology and Biogeography·DateMar 7, 2013

Soccer scores a health hat trick for hypertensive men

Research from the University of Exeter found that soccer training significantly lowered blood pressure in middle-aged men with hypertension, improving exercise capacity and reducing body fat. The study suggests that regular soccer training can be a game-changing approach to managing cardiovascular disease risk.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalMedicine & Science in Sports & Exercise·DateOct 15, 2012

Study proves that 1 extinction leads to another

A study by University of Exeter researchers found that the demise of one carnivore species can indirectly cause another to become extinct due to ripple effects on a food web. This supports growing evidence against 'single species' conservation approaches, favoring instead ecosystem-centric strategies.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalBiology Letters·DateAug 14, 2012

Coral reef thriving in sediment-laden waters

A new study has discovered that Middle Reef, part of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, has grown more rapidly than other reefs in areas with lower levels of sediment stress. The reef thrives in water with high levels of sediment, which had previously been believed to be detrimental to growth.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalGeology·DateJul 31, 2012

Marine energy doubled by predicting wave power

Researchers at the University of Exeter have developed a system that accurately predicts wave power, enabling devices to extract twice as much energy as currently possible. This breakthrough addresses key challenges in marine energy technology, including device durability and efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalRenewable Energy·DateJun 26, 2012

Eat less meat and farm efficiently to tackle climate change

Research from the University of Exeter suggests that adopting a diet with lower meat consumption could significantly reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. The study found that increasing agricultural efficiency, especially in livestock production, could help achieve this goal by making better use of resources and reducing waste.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateJun 19, 2012

'Jack Spratt' diabetes gene identified

A new study from the University of Exeter has identified a genetic predisposition to Type 2 diabetes in lean patients, contradicting the long-held assumption that obesity is the primary cause. The study found that genetic variants near the LAMA1 gene are linked to type 2 diabetes risk only in lean patients.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateJun 1, 2012