researchers

Three researchers at the University of Exeter are calling for action to cut down on the five and a half million tonnes of plastic being generated globally in the course of scientific research.

In a Correspondence article entitled ‘Labs should cut plastic waste too’ published in the journal Nature this week, they estimate that bio scientific research is responsible for 1.8 per cent of total global plastic production, waste which weighs the equivalent of 67 cruise ships a year.

Drs Mauricio Urbina, Andrew Watts and Erin Reardon estimated that the 280 scientists in their own...

Two rising research stars at the University of Exeter have been recognised by each receiving a highly prestigious Philip Leverhulme Prize.

Climate scientist Dr James Screen and optical physicist Dr Jacopo Bertolotti have both been awarded prizes of £100,000 towards their continued research, in recognition of their respective work on rapid Arctic climate change and light scattering in fundamental physics.

The Philip Leverhulme Prize is awarded to researchers who have already had a significant international impact and whose future research career is exceptionally promising...

Researchers at University of Exeter have developed a new test to help diagnoses diabetes, which they say will lead to more effective diagnosis and patient care.

Research published in the journal Diabetes Care, shows how a genetic test can help doctors to differentiate between type 1 and type 2 diabetes in young adults.

With rising obesity levels it is sometimes difficult for doctors to distinguish between type 1 diabetes, which requires treatment with insulin injections and type 2 diabetes, which can be controlled through diet and weight loss. The Exeter team has devised a...

New camera technology that reveals the world through the eyes of animals has been developed by University of Exeter researchers. The details are published in the journal Methods in Ecology and Evolution.

The software, which converts digital photos to animal vision, can be used to analyse colours and patterns and is particularly useful for the study of animal and plant signalling, camouflage and animal predation, but could also prove useful for anyone wanting to measure colours accurately and objectively.

The software has already been used by the Sensory Ecology group in a...

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) has recognised researchers at the University of Exeter Medical School as being among the most outstanding health researchers in the UK.

Three researchers have been appointed as NIHR Senior Investigators. Professor David Richards has been appointed for a second term as a Senior Investigator. Professor Richards leads research in increasing access to mental health care and improving the evidence base for nursing. Professor Rod Taylor, who works in the field of cardiac secondary prevention and rehabilitation, has received the accolade...

Birds learn new foraging techniques by observing others in their social network according to a study involving University of Exeter researchers. The report on how innovations spread and persist in wild great tits (Parus major) shows that ‘copycat’ behaviour can sustain foraging ‘traditions’ that last years. The study involved experiments with eight local populations of great tits in Wytham Woods, Oxfordshire (UK). In five of the populations two male birds were trained to slide a puzzle box door either to the left or to the right. In three control groups two males were captured but not...

A team of researchers from the University of Exeter are heading to London today (14 November) to showcase their research on badgers and meerkats as part in the Great British Bioscience Festival.

The festival takes place between 14 and 16 November and is the culmination of a year-long tour offering visitors the chance to explore the fascinating world of biology through interactive science exhibits from real scientists.

Working with the At-Bristol science centre, Professor Robbie McDonald and team have built a virtual interactive farm landscape where badgers, cattle and TB...

The University of Exeter recognised a diverse range of its world class research and its local business partners at the Exeter Impact Awards last night.

Research projects taking place across the university were highlighted for their benefit and contribution to society at the awards ceremony sponsored by the Wates group.

Research projects run with help from some of the South West’s highest profile organisations were also highlighted through the George Smith regional partnership award for their impact the local area.

The ceremony featured, philanthropist and prominent...

Researchers from the University of Cambridge have discovered a novel genetic cause of severe obesity which, although relatively rare, demonstrates for the first time that genes can reduce basal metabolic rate - how the body burns calories.

Previous studies (performed by David Powell and colleagues at Lexicon Pharmaceuticals in Texas) demonstrated that when the gene KSR2 (Kinase Suppressor of Ras 2) was deleted in mice, the animals became severely obese. As a result of this research, Professor Sadaf Farooqi from the University of Cambridge's Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic...