New research reveals that flamingos are 'middle of the road' when it comes to preening time among waterbirds. The study found that captive flamingos actually spend less time preening compared to wild birds and other waterbird species like pelicans and gannets.
A study by University of Exeter scientists found that warming conditions can break the symbiotic relationship between single-celled organisms and algae, leading to a loss of productivity in these relationships. This has serious implications for global photosynthesis rates, particularly in coral reefs.
Researchers warn of rapid global changes and geo-political instability due to climate change. International cooperation is needed to rethink mobility and cultural integration to ensure a benign transition.
The research integrated zooarchaeological analysis with rock art depictions, showing a diverse diet and exploitation of various environments. The findings suggest that the artists did not just paint what they ate, but also represented complex mythology and supernatural connections.
Researchers studied a flock of Chilean flamingos locked indoors due to avian influenza, finding they became inactive upon release, but more alert while indoors. The study suggests providing varied activities can help alleviate bird stress during lockdowns.
A new study suggests that targeted career support for care-experienced academics could help boost the number of future care-experienced people in academia. The research found that these individuals face unique challenges in their educational journeys and often struggle with mental health and financial insecurity.
A recent study by the University of Exeter warns that intensive livestock farming may raise the risk of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs). The researchers highlight the need to consider social and economic factors in traditional assessments.
A new study found that AI enhances creativity by boosting novelty and usefulness of stories, making them more enjoyable, well-written, and engaging. However, this comes at the expense of less varied content, as AI-assisted stories contain more similarities to each other.
Researchers found that herring gull chicks fed a marine diet preferred fish over urban foods, indicating they may prioritize seafood for nutrition. The study suggests that early life dietary influences do not impact adult fish preferences in herring gulls.
A new study finds that Brazilian industrial policies are more effective when involving workers and civil society. Researchers analyzed policy plans and found that those with stronger labor union involvement outperformed weaker ones, highlighting the importance of societal participation in shaping national development goals.
A new genetic cause of obesity has been discovered, linking it to the SMIM1 gene variant. People with this variant tend to expend less energy when at rest, leading to excess weight and increased risk of obesity.
A hurricane transformed a monkey society by changing the pros and cons of interacting with others. Macaques that displayed more social tolerance were 42% less likely to die than those that were less tolerant after Hurricane Maria. This shift in social behavior enabled them to access scarce shade, critical for survival.
A study has found that specialist training for football coaches increases their confidence to intervene when witnessing abusive behaviour towards females. The programme also promotes positive role models among players, shaping social attitudes towards women.
A new study by Dr. Allan Hassaniyan argues Iran's water policy is discriminatory, leading to socioecological deterioration in peripheral regions and causing devastating effects on agriculture, health, and the environment.
Researchers have found a vast number and variety of day-flying insects migrating through the Pass of Bujaruelo in the Pyrenees, with flies making up 90% of the total. The insects begin their journeys further north in Europe and continue south into Spain.
A new study using stem cell-based models has revealed how early embryo cells decide between contributing to the foetus or to the supporting yolk sac. Understanding this decision is crucial for infertility treatment using in vitro fertilized (IVF) embryos, as producing the right number of yolk sac forming cells may be critical.
Researchers discovered that azole fungicides kill fungal pathogens by initiating self-destruction through two pathways: apoptosis and macroautophagy. This mechanism explains why azoles are losing effectiveness against resistant fungal strains.
Researchers found metal-tolerant trout populations in British and Irish rivers are genetically distinct due to high levels of metal pollution. The lack of genetic diversity in these populations makes them more susceptible to environmental changes.
A study by the University of Exeter found that motivational messaging encouraging women to be resilient in the face of setbacks can reduce their willingness to protest gender discrimination. This could hinder progress towards achieving gender equality.
A recent study by experts suggests that Keir Starmer's emphasis on probity and competency in politics is symptomatic of the 'juridification' of politics. This trend prioritizes rules, norms, and procedures over values-based politics, leading to a reliance on law and administration to address public policy issues.
Researchers discovered the key role of protein Contactin-4 in shaping neurons and its interaction with APP, a gene strongly linked to Alzheimer's disease. The study found that CNTN4 regulates neural elongation and is co-dependent with APP for brain development.
A new study by University of Exeter researchers found that access to gardens and citizen science projects can encourage pro-conservation behavior among pupils. These experiences foster a positive attitude towards environmental safeguarding and can inspire students to pursue botanical careers or spend more time gardening.
A young sperm whale's long-range migration across the Mediterranean poses significant threats to its survival due to busy straits and pollution. The study demonstrates the need for targeted protection at key locations to safeguard marine life in the region.
A new study found that communities with higher-than-average illegal market opportunities are more likely to be targeted by organised crime groups. Organised crime offenders tend to move into areas with similar socio-demographic profiles and target urban communities with higher levels of criminal activity.
Researchers have discovered that the gene KDM5B regulates learning and memory in mice, with reduced function resulting in loss of learning ability and memory consolidation. The study found that KDM5B plays a crucial role in strengthening connections between neurons, key to forming memories.
Research warns that law fails victims of financial abuse, with no effective mechanisms to compel lenders to transfer debt. The study recommends greater responsibility for coerced debt and restoration of credit records following the end of an abusive relationship.
The number of male Oxbridge students from elite schools declined significantly by the middle of the twentieth century, according to a new study. In contrast, female students remained steady, with those from professional families increasing dramatically.
Research from the University of Exeter found that physical activity in natural environments can prevent six non-communicable diseases, including depression and type 2 diabetes. The study estimated that nature-based physical activity prevented 12,763 cases of disease in England annually, saving £108.7m in healthcare costs.
A new study by the University of Exeter finds that China's growing use of emerging technologies in civilian and military domains has escalated its stakes as a threat and near-peer competitor to the US. Western states have responded with diplomatic efforts, bans, and restrictions to undermine China's power.
A new study by Dr. Ben Hudson from the University of Exeter Law School criticizes the European Court of Human Rights for reversing its principles on protecting asylum seekers. The research finds that the court has become uncertain about what makes an applicant 'sufficiently vulnerable' to receive special protection.
Researchers found a unique genetic mutation in the PD-L1 gene, essential for preventing autoimmune diabetes. The discovery sheds light on the role of PD-L1 in regulating immune cells and could lead to new treatments for the devastating disease.
High levels of plastic pollution can kill the embryos of a wide range of ocean animals, preventing healthy development in all seven tested species. This study highlights the
Researchers found that schools' perception of girls as more emotionally open leads to them being prioritized for mental health support, while boys are often overlooked due to disruptive behaviors. This creates a new form of gender inequality, where both genders remain 'trapped' in unhelpful stereotypes.
A new study highlights the need for clear guidelines for synthetic data to prevent adverse effects on individuals and society. The researchers emphasize the importance of transparency, accountability, and fairness in the generation and processing of synthetic data.
A new project investigates how and why groups of animals fight each other, with implications for human evolution. The study focuses on warlike species like mongooses and termites to understand the factors that lead to extreme aggression and peace.
Deeper areas of the Great Barrier Reef are insulated from harmful heatwaves due to separation between warm surface water and cooler deeper water. However, this protection will be lost if global warming exceeds 3°C above pre-industrial levels, threatening coral mortality and reef collapse.
A new study by University of Exeter researchers found that COVID-19 school closures led to increased stress, guilt, and worry among working mothers. The study highlights the need for maternal wellbeing support and family-friendly work policies.
Researchers have developed VespAI, an automated system that attracts hornets to a monitoring station and captures standardized images using an overhead camera. The system uses AI algorithm to identify the species with almost perfect accuracy, allowing authorities to mount a rapid response.
Researchers developed a model predicting how changes in anvil cloud area affect global warming, confirming its effectiveness and reducing uncertainty. However, the brightness of clouds remains understudied and is a key obstacle to predicting future global warming.
Research on aphantasia, a condition where people cannot visualize images in their mind's eye, reveals its subtypes and links to variations in physiology and behavior. A review of nearly 50 studies found that aphantasia is not a disorder but rather a variation in human experience with both advantages and disadvantages.
A new study found that about half of Cerrado plant species will experience a net range loss due to climate change by 2040, leading to less plant diversity in lowland areas. The research suggests that the fate of plant species depends on their geographical range, with mountain plants having nowhere to go.
A study by the University of Exeter warns that children with language disorders are susceptible to making false friends due to a lack of awareness about peers' motives and thoughts. Children consider peers as friends because they play with them, without fully understanding what constitutes a good or bad friend.
Researchers used isotope analysis to identify the origins of elite horses in medieval London, finding half had diverse international origins. The horses, used in jousting tournaments and status symbols, were sourced from Europe specifically for their height and strength.
A new study has found that people are less likely to acknowledge war crimes on social media, citing fear of being stereotyped and judged. The research suggests that social media can be a barrier to post-conflict reconciliation, particularly when it comes to discussing the legacy of war.
Female Diadem butterflies have evolved colours and patterns that closely match those of toxic African Queens, making them appear toxic to predators. This convergent evolution allows the Diadems to avoid being eaten by birds and other predators.
A recent study highlights how Kurdish uprisings have led to increased expressions of Kurdish identity through protests and commemorations. The research also notes the historical erasure of Kurds in mainstream Iranian media and its ongoing impact on the community.
Female whales of certain species experience menopause, living up to 40 years longer than their peers by prioritizing family care over breeding. This unique trait allows them to support their offspring and grandchildren without overlap with their daughters' reproductive cycles.
A large-scale study found that individuals with haemochromatosis genes have higher levels of liver, musculoskeletal, and brain diseases, particularly after age 65. The research analyzed data from over 450,000 European Ancestry participants in UK Biobank.
Researchers found that explicitly teaching socioemotional skills in PE lessons can have a key role in supporting students' communication skills, handling stress and accepting failure. This approach can be integrated into everyday teaching to ensure young adolescents enjoy positive outcomes linked to wellbeing and academic success.
Scientists monitored seedlings in North Borneo's natural and restored forests, finding low survival rates in logged areas. This suggests that different restoration approaches may have longer-term implications for forest recovery, including carbon sequestration and biodiversity.