Research suggests that the menopause evolved to reduce competition between related women, enabling cooperation in childcare. Women who stopped reproducing around age 50 had more grandchildren due to reduced rivalry with their daughter-in-laws.
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.
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.
A new study analyzing public basking shark sightings suggests an increase in the number of animals recorded in British waters since the 1980s. The researchers found a rise in medium and large-sized sharks, indicating an aging population, and identified three hotspots off South West England, Western Scotland, and the Isle of Man.
A study by the University of Exeter found that brain activity in response to food images predicted snack consumption, with greater effects on eating than conscious feelings of hunger or desire. Individuals with low self-control were more likely to overeat and gain weight due to a stronger brain response to food cues.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have developed a new method for making three-dimensional aluminium composite parts using Selective Laser Manufacturing (SLM). This process produces strong, lightweight parts with innovative geometries, reducing weight and material usage.
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.
Scientists at the University of Exeter have identified a specialized group of proteins called septins in plant infection for the first time. The discovery sheds light on how the rice blast fungus channels its pressure to form an infection peg that breaches the rice leaf surface, enabling it to infect rice tissue.
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.
New research suggests that Arctic forest growth could lead to increased carbon dioxide emissions, contrary to previous predictions. This is due to the stimulation of soil decomposition by trees, releasing previously stored carbon into the atmosphere.
Training participants to inhibit simple movements reduced risk-taking in a simulated gambling situation, with effects lasting at least two hours. The study suggests that controlling motor responses can influence high-level decision-making, paving the way for potential treatments for addictions and impulse-control disorders.
A new study by the University of Exeter found that seniors who perceive themselves as older are five times more likely to meet dementia criteria on standard screening tests. The research highlights the significant impact of age attitude on mental functioning and clinical tools used in dementia diagnosis.
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.
Researchers found that a specific gene, CCR2, associated with immune activity is linked to memory and cognitive function in people. This discovery could lead to new approaches to slowing or preventing Alzheimer's disease.
Research by the University of Exeter finds that light pollution is transforming communities of insects, with more predators and scavengers found near artificial lights. This could have a knock-on effect on entire ecosystems, including birds and mammals that rely on these species for food.
GraphExeter, a graphene-based material, enhances solar panel efficiency by up to 30% due to its wide light spectrum transparency. It has the potential to replace indium tin oxide in wearable devices and smart windows, offering a flexible alternative for electronics industry
Researchers found male bowerbirds growing fruit-bearing plants around their bowers to attract females, using these fruits for decoration. The birds' preferred color of the fruit led to changes in plant selection over time.
Researchers have created a transgenic zebrafish that reacts to environmental estrogens by producing fluorescent signals, revealing new insights into the effects of pollution on human health. The study found responses in previously unknown tissues, including skeletal muscle and eyes.
A recent study published in Global Ecology and Biogeography reveals that 35% of the world's green turtles inhabit Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), significantly higher than expected. The research also shows that older MPAs are more likely to contain turtles, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts.
Research by the Universities of Exeter and Liverpool reveals that redder ladybirds are more poisonous than their paler peers, with better-fed individuals producing stronger warning signals and toxic chemicals. This variation in coloration is linked to diet in early life, making redder ladybirds less likely to be eaten by predators.
The arrival of the first land plants 470 million years ago led to a series of 'ice ages' as they extracted minerals from rocks, causing chemical weathering and removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This cooling effect would have been around five degrees Celsius.
A study on marine turtle mating patterns reveals that a population of endangered green turtles in Northern Cyprus is protected from the disproportionate number of females being born due to global warming. The researchers found a large number of males siring offspring with multiple females, reducing the risk of inbreeding.
New research by the University of Exeter suggests that our subconscious plays a significant role in how we respond to danger. Participants in the study showed a primitive response to fear-inducing stimuli, contradicting their conscious assessments of danger. This finding has implications for anxiety disorders and treatment.
Researchers discovered that predators choose diets with optimal balance of protein and fat to produce healthy eggs, outperforming those without nutritional balance. This finding challenges the assumption that predators focus solely on calorie quantity, highlighting their selective eating behavior.
Research shows that high-quality females, which produce more offspring, are more likely to have daughters. Conversely, weaker females, with their grandfather's qualities, produce more sons. This study found that females can manipulate the sex of their offspring to compensate for genetic limitations.
A 15-minute walk can cut snacking on chocolate at work in half, regardless of task difficulty or stress levels. Researchers found that employees who took a short break consumed an average of 15g, equivalent to a small 'treat size', compared to 28g for those who didn't exercise.
In a study on Trinidadian guppies, females spend time with more attractive companions to reduce harassment from males. This strategy is successful in minimizing interactions with males and increasing mating opportunities.
Research by the University of Exeter shows that trainee surgeons learn technical surgical skills more quickly and deal better with stress if taught to mimic expert eye movements. The study highlights the potential for 'gaze training' to speed up initial skill learning, getting trainees ready for the operating room earlier.
Research suggests that carbon dioxide emissions must decrease to zero within two decades to limit global warming to safe levels. To achieve this, countries need to reduce their emissions by at least three percent per year.
Concreteness training (CNT) significantly reduces depression and anxiety symptoms, shifting thinking style from abstract to specific. CNT outperforms relaxation training, with the habituated group experiencing more significant symptom reduction.
Researchers from the University of Exeter found that male insects are not aggressive towards their mates but instead protective and willing to risk their lives to ensure female safety. This challenges previous assumptions about insect relationships, suggesting a more nuanced understanding of natural selection in the wild.
Research shows playing street football two to three times a week can halve the risk of early death in homeless men. The study found improvements in aerobic fitness, cholesterol, body fat, and blood pressure.
A recent study published by the University of Exeter found that green turtle eggs laid on naturally hot beaches withstand high temperatures better than those from cooler beaches. This adaptation allows turtles to thrive in hot environments, making them crucial for species survival in a warming world.
Researchers found that adventurous females prefer mates with similar outgoing personalities, regardless of physical attributes. This study provides evidence that compatible personalities play a crucial role in partner choice in non-human species.
Researchers have discovered how butterflies mimic neighboring species to avoid being eaten by birds, using a 'supergene' that controls distinct wing-pattern forms. This phenomenon has puzzled scientists for centuries and is now understood to be controlled by a single gene change.
A new study reveals that small-scale fisheries in Peru are capturing tens of thousands of turtles from across the Pacific. The researchers found that thousands of sea turtles are likely to be caught annually while foraging in Peru's waters, often resulting in injuries from becoming tangled in fishing gear.
A new study examining climate change impacts on plant and animal species finds that predictions are generally accurate, with many species already declining. The research covers a wide range of species worldwide and confirms human-induced climate change as a threat to global biodiversity.
Research by the University of Exeter reveals that drinking beetroot juice enables competitive-level cyclists to cut down the time it takes to ride a given distance. The study found that riders who consumed beetroot juice had a higher power output and were 11 seconds quicker over a 4km distance.
A University of Exeter team monitored loggerhead turtles in the US Atlantic Ocean, finding they rarely leave the USA or continental shelf. The study highlights the value of satellite tracking for predicting migrations and directing conservation efforts.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have demonstrated a novel technique using phase-change materials for simultaneous information processing and storage. This breakthrough could revolutionize computing by making computers faster, more energy-efficient, and brain-like in their architecture.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have developed a system to anticipate high-risk climate tipping points, providing early warning systems for devastating consequences. By analyzing observational data, scientists can identify signs of instability in climate systems, allowing for forewarning and adaptation.
A new €3.5 million EU-funded research project will examine the impact of climate policies on human health in seven cities across Europe and China, with a focus on integrating data from various sources to inform key policy decisions.
Scientists have found a hitherto unknown type of fungi, cryptomycota, which has significantly expanded our knowledge of fungal diversity. The discovery was made possible by analyzing DNA samples taken from the University of Exeter's pond, revealing a previously hidden branch in the fungal tree of life.
Researchers found that caterpillars position themselves in areas with abundant twigs during the day to avoid detection, but switch to richer feeding grounds at night. This complex behavior shows that masquerading prey use habitat-selection strategies to exploit predators' hunting behavior.
A new study published in Nature suggests that biodiversity can evolve in complex environments where previously thought to be impossible. Researchers found that both 'fit' and 'unfit' species can coexist indefinitely due to trade-offs between growth rate and efficiency.
A study published in Ecology Letters found that seemingly mindless survival strategies can be more effective than adapting to changes. This 'multiplier effect' states that individuals will thrive in their optimal environment if they follow what their parents did, leading to the success of their genes.
Research reveals fish produce fine-grained carbonates through their intestines, which are then excreted and released into the environment. This discovery sheds light on the origins of ancient limestone and chalk deposits.
Research by the University of Exeter reveals that ants have a significant impact on their environment as ecosystem engineers and predators. The study found that ants can increase diversity and density of other animal groups at low densities, but higher densities counteract this effect through increased predation.
Researchers at the University of Exeter found that zebra finches with like-minded partners raised healthier chicks than those with dissimilar dispositions. The study suggests improved cooperation and coordination of effort may contribute to better parenting outcomes.
A study investigated the impact of disease-resistant genetically-modified (GM) wheat lines on insect food webs. The findings show that the differences between GM and non-GM wheat strains are similar to those found between different conventional wheat strains, suggesting no ecological problems with GM wheat.