A group of top scientists, including Professor Callum Roberts and Professor Johan Rockström, are calling for a permanent ban on extractive activities in international waters. The authors argue that stopping all extractive activity would prevent irreversible damage to the climate, marine biodiversity, and ocean equity.
The University of Exeter has unveiled a new Handbook providing practical guidance for states to develop or review their national positions on international law and cyber activities. The 176-page guide offers concrete and accessible steps for government lawyers, policy officials, academics, and experts in this rapidly evolving field.
Involving communities in nature-based solutions leads to innovation in design and quality, as well as people gaining greater benefits from green spaces. The study highlights the importance of citizen participation and consultation in NBS projects.
A new international collaboration by the University of Exeter found that people living in greenest neighbourhoods are 13% less likely to smoke and 31% less likely to drink daily. Intentional visits to nature also have benefits, reducing smoking rates.
A new clinical trial found mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) significantly improved depression symptoms compared to continued treatment as usual. MBCT was also shown to be cost-effective, saving the NHS money by changing service use.
A study found that vegetarians reject meat due to a complex emotion of disgust, similar to the aversion felt towards human flesh, faeces, or dog meat. The researchers also discovered that people who reject vegetables they dislike feel 'distaste', whereas those who reject meat do so due to disgust.
The Exeter Climate Forum will bring together world-leading researchers and policymakers to address the urgent need for climate action. The event aims to share the latest climate science and inspire bold ideas for solutions.
Mother wasps exhibit exceptional brainpower in managing food for their young, using visual landmarks to locate and remember up to nine separate nests. This intricate scheduling ensures the survival of their offspring, with mothers adjusting feeding orders based on availability and larval development.
A study by the University of Exeter and Fishtek Marine found that illuminated pots caught significantly more northern shrimp and attracted fish, raising hopes for sustainable fisheries. The 'attraction cascade' creates a self-baiting pot, potentially leading to new low-impact trap fisheries.
A study by Brazilian, UK, and Dutch scientists found that just 30 species of trees dominate the Cerrado, accounting for almost half of all its trees. This phenomenon of hyperdominance has significant implications for understanding and conserving the ecosystem.
A new £5 million project will tackle fundamental questions in solar physics by simulating the Sun's radiation and atmospheric conditions. The Solar Atmospheric Modelling Suite (SAMS) aims to build a next-generation modelling tool for the solar atmosphere, capturing its complex dynamics.
Research in China's Greater Bay Area found that almost 6,000 vessels move daily, leaving little space for nature. The study highlights the need for conservation efforts and sustainable management of coastal development.
A new study of gorillas found that friendly relationships have varying costs and benefits, depending on group size and sex. For example, female gorillas with strong social bonds tend to get ill less often, but have fewer offspring.
Research shows fish species like Atlantic cod and hagfish contribute significantly to seabed ecosystem health. Bioturbation impacts on organic carbon storage and greenhouse gas absorption are crucial for understanding ocean's role in climate change.
A study of 274 people with ketamine use disorder found high levels of physical health problems, including bladder issues and K-cramps, as well as psychological symptoms like cravings and low mood. The research highlights the need for improved treatment programs and awareness of ketamine use to support those seeking care.
A new study predicts that new plant pests and diseases will severely damage UK trees and woodlands by 2050, potentially losing over half of their growth. The research highlights the need for increased tree diversity and resilience to biocontrol measures.
A large-scale database of macaque behavior is driving a shift towards open science, bringing together researchers from across the globe to share data on social lives of over 3,000 individual monkeys. The platform has grown into a collaborative effort promoting culture of sharing within the research community.
New research warns that global policies may lead to triggering of multiple climate tipping points, with a 62% risk on average. However, sustainable future pathways with lower greenhouse gas emissions can significantly reduce this risk.
The study highlights the growing reliance on unregulated private tutoring in Lebanon, driven by government neglect of public education. This is particularly affecting disadvantaged families who are forced to sacrifice their children's well-being to secure their future opportunities.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have observed wild chimpanzees consuming and sharing fermented African breadfruit containing ethanol, raising questions about the potential benefits of alcohol consumption in primates. The study suggests that chimps may be seeking out alcohol for social bonding and relaxation, similar to humans.
Researchers found that pheasants released in the UK can carry Lyme disease bacteria in ticks, increasing the risk of human exposure. The study suggests 'spillback' from non-native species can lead to the emergence of zoonoses.
A new survey-based study from the University of Exeter found that police officers are more than twice as likely to have traumatic brain injuries compared to the general population. The study also revealed that officers who report a history of multiple traumatic brain injuries are over twice as likely to develop complex PTSD.
A study found that brain activity can predict a person's political affiliation with 80% accuracy when making food purchases. Researchers used fMRI to measure brain activity in Republicans and Democrats, finding distinct neural patterns for each group.
Rising temperatures and increased trade enable pests to spread globally, intensifying agriculture weakens natural pest control. Crop losses exceed 40% due to pest and disease impacts, necessitating urgent action for climate-smart management strategies.
A recent study by Chris O'Meara from the University of Exeter Law School argues that existing laws can be used to limit when and how states may lawfully target satellites using ASAT technologies. This could help address pressing international concerns regarding space militarization and the fear of wars between states.
The study found that almost 600 of the over 125,000 known fly species are likely to be migratory, highlighting their importance as pollinators, decomposers, and pest controllers. The review emphasizes the need for connected habitats to support flies along their epic journeys, as climate change and human impacts threaten many species.
Researchers argue that scientists should use storytelling techniques to convey their work, appealing to humans beyond technical writing. They propose methods such as embracing storytelling, sharing behind-the-scenes stories, and using personal anecdotes to inspire meaningful action.
Recent 'unprecedented' floods are not exceptional if looking further into the past, new research suggests. Geological palaeo-flood records reveal many previous floods exceeded modern peaks, highlighting the need for using these records in flood planning.
A new study shows that classroom discussion plays a vital role in the teaching of writing. Teachers manage this discussion to develop pupils' understanding of writer's choices and their impact on readers. The study emphasizes the importance of 'scaffolding' discussion, making explicit relationships between language choices and meaning.
Researchers say the amount of carbon released by seabed fishing worldwide is uncertain and must be urgently investigated. The Convex Seascape Survey found that vessel and gear sizes vary greatly from country to country, leading to large inaccuracies in global estimates.
A new study by the University of Exeter highlights how the Syrian regime systematically employed internal displacement as a military-political strategy to depopulate key areas and create new realities. This tactic has lasting post-war consequences, embedding displacement beyond immediate conflict and requiring policymakers to engage wi...
A new study led by the University of Exeter shows that social media can be used to monitor animal species relocating due to climate change. The researchers examined posts about Jersey tiger moths on Instagram and Flickr, finding they are unexpectedly common in towns and cities.
A new study found that viewing nature can help ease how people experience pain by reducing the brain activity linked to pain perception. The research suggests that the pain-relieving effect of nature is genuine and could provide an alternative way to relieve pain, potentially used in conjunction with medication.
Interest in second-hand electric vehicles (EVs) has doubled from 3.5% to 7% of advert views between 2022 and 2023, indicating a potential tipping point in the UK used car market. This growth is driven by 'sticky' interest that lasts longer, suggesting drivers are becoming more receptive to EVs.
A new study by University of Exeter researchers finds that Chinese contractors win significantly more contracts in authoritarian countries with similar economic profiles to China. In contrast, democratic countries with strong institutions limit business opportunities for Chinese firms.
Climate change will make it economically unsustainable for many areas to grow bananas for export by 2080, affecting the $11 billion banana industry. Socioeconomic factors such as labor availability and infrastructure hinder climate change adaptation in banana production.
A study by the University of Exeter finds that Lebanon's dual education system exacerbates social inequalities, with parents favoring private schools over public ones. The economic crisis has led to reduced government funding, causing school days to be shortened and curricula to be rushed.
A study of Asian hornets found over 1,400 different species in their guts, including a wide range of bees, wasps, and insects. The diet varied strongly over the seasons and between regions, showing that they are highly flexible predators.
A new study finds that tree planting can be the most cost-effective way of removing carbon as long as careful choices are made about which type of trees to plant and where. This approach balances risks and minimizes the danger of betting on the wrong future.
Researchers at the University of Exeter developed an innovative way to identify the most effective glucose-lowering drugs for people with type 2 diabetes. The tool predicts which drug will lead to the largest reduction in blood glucose levels, paving the way for better health for millions.
A large-scale study has found huge variation in GP practices on prostate cancer testing, with one in five patients diagnosed without symptoms. The study suggests a need for more consistent approach to testing people without symptoms to redress the imbalance.
Researchers found that turtles are nesting earlier in response to rising temperatures, with females advancing the start of nesting by 0.78 days per year since 1993. This shift is helping ensure egg hatching success despite elevated temperatures brought about by climate change.
Researchers have discovered evidence that plague may have been involved in epidemics a century before the Black Death, challenging previous assumptions about the disease's arrival in Western Eurasia. The study uses historical sources and genetic analysis to propose a new timeline for the plague's emergence.
Researchers found that seamounts support vast numbers of predators, including sharks and tuna, with shark biomass being 41 times higher at shallow seamounts. The study suggests that seamounts serve as 'hubs' for predators to gather, socialize, mate, or rest, and concentrate food in predictable spots.
New research by the University of Exeter reveals that female hoverflies are better adapted for long-distance migration, flying nearly nine times further than males. Females also have lower wing loading values and suppressed hormones to redirect energy towards migration, allowing them to outperform males on their journeys.
A large-scale study has identified genetic overlaps in 72 long-term health conditions associated with ageing, revealing opportunities for new prevention and treatment strategies. The research also found that specific genes are linked to co-occurring conditions, leading to a more personalized approach to care.
Researchers found positive correlations in susceptibility to viruses across diverse fruit fly species, suggesting a general pattern of resistance. The study's findings have implications for understanding viral evolution and predicting pandemics.
Certain mouth bacteria may support better memory and attention, while others increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease. The study found that an imbalance between beneficial and harmful bacteria can reduce nitric oxide production, crucial for brain communication.
Researchers found that more than a third of beekeepers deviate from recommended treatment guidelines, leading to exacerbated colony losses. Adhering to specific timeframes for treatments can significantly reduce honey bee mortality caused by the parasitic Varroa mite.
A new study reveals how legal and financial industries enable kleptocracy through deregulation and under-enforcement of the law. This 'enabling' allows elites to offshore wealth, enhance reputations, and influence via philanthropy and politics. The UK's punitive libel regime also facilitates this process.