The eastern Sahara Desert was once home to a 45,000 km2 freshwater lake similar in surface area to the largest in the world today. A study led by the University of Exeter has revealed that the mega lake was probably formed more than one hundred thousand years ago in the White Nile River Valley in Sudan. Dr Tim Barrows of the University of Exeter and colleagues used a dating approach based on exposure to cosmic rays to measure the amount of the isotope beryllium-10 in shoreline deposits. Its abundance can be used to calculate how long rocks or sediments have been exposed at the surface of...
Patients have expressed an appetite for potential cancer symptoms to be checked out much sooner than current NHS thresholds guidelines suggest, new research has revealed. A study led by the University of Bristol, with colleagues at the University of Exeter Medical School and the University of Cambridge, found that 88 per cent of participants opted for further investigation, even if their symptoms carried just a one per cent risk of indicating cancer. Although no fixed threshold is defined for the UK, in practice, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines suggest that...
Budding astronomers will be given a unique opportunity to witness the remarkable atmospheric properties of exoplanets when the BBC's hugely popular programme Stargazing Live returns for a new series this week.
Experts from the University of Exeter’s Physics and Astronomy programme will be discussing their pioneering research into exoplanets – or planets that orbit other stars – on the much-loved astronomy programme, on Thursday, January 9.
One of the numerical simulations produced by Dr Nathan Mayne, from the University of Exeter, will also be used to create a distinctive...
During a glittering ceremony last night in the Great Hall, the winners of the University of Exeter Impact Awards 2013 were revealed.
The impact awards celebrate the outstanding contributions researchers at the University have made to wider society.
Each award was separated into categories to showcase the particular area that they benefit.
This included research which changes the way we approach teaching and public life from a political standpoint with the Outstanding impact in Policy and Education award.
Researchers from the Centre for Research in Writing...
One of the UK’s biggest carol services is taking place in the heart of the city, St James' Park football stadium, on Monday 9 December, from 7-8pm.
The carol service, hosted by the university's Evangelical Christian Union, is set to attract over 3,000 students and members of the public to St James’ Park.
Highlights of the evening will include plenty of classic carols, mulled wine, and a talk on the Christmas message. There will also be free mince pies!
There’s even something for the more reluctant (or just tone deaf!) singers as the university's A-Capella...
The students and staff of Exeter University will be putting on their annual Christmas craft fair tomorrow (Friday 6th December) in the Forum building, from 12-4pm.
Come along and support your friends, colleagues, staff and the university in their largest event so far. Music and food and a Farmer's Market will be on-site too!
Exhibitors include:
- Mehndi~B - a freelance henna artist who specialises in the application of beautiful, traditional designs as well as the supply of henna starter kits.
- Stunning individual paintings and images produced by Jo Thomas...
Doctor Willie Hamilton from the University of Exeter, has designed a computer app for GP surgeries that is able to improve the detection of cancer symptoms in the early stages of the disease, potentially helping save thousands of lives.
The app costs £50 and is currently on trial at 160 GP surgeries nationwide.
It works by recording a patient's symptoms upon each doctor's visit. If, over various visits, the patient shows several otherwise harmless symptoms which together could be an early indicator of cancer, a warning will appear on the doctor's computer screen.
University of Exeter staff are taking part in a second day of national strikes over pay conditions today (3 December). Members of the UCU, Unite and UNISON unions are holding a second day of strikes having already taken industrial action on October 31. Members of the EIS union, which represents Scottish university staff, are also join today’s strikes not having taken part of the previous strike. Unions are striking over a 1% returned pay offer from University employers which the unions argue actually represent a 13% pay cut due to the rising cost of living. The Univesities and Colleges...
Daily reportage of World War II was covered first hand on the battlefields and the home front by journalists from The New York Times.
A collection of articles have been selected by a University of Exeter historian for a new book. Professor Richard Overy has edited The New York Times Complete World War II 1939 – 1945, which seeks to provide a new perspective on World War II with more than 500 of the most pivotal and interesting articles from the archives of The New York Times.
The articles are some of the most riveting and gripping reportage of the war - first-hand accounts...
Recent research done by The Sutton Trust reveals that 28% of students at Exeter University are privately educated.
While investigating the education gap between poor and privileged students at English universities, the Trust found that, unsurprisingly, Oxford and Cambridge had the highest percentage of privately educated students, with 46.6% and 42.7% respectively.
This contrasts with London's South Bank University, which came last in the listing. Nearly a quarter of the students there received free school meals at school, compared with a tiny 1% at Exeter. This suggests...
