research

Image: Sophie Hedges

Honeybee mite raises bumblebee virus risk

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Sat, 06/15/2019 - 3:31pm

A mite that spreads a dangerous virus among honeybees also plays an indirect role in infecting wild bumblebees, new research shows.

The Varroa destructor mite lives on honeybees and can spread deformed wing virus (DWV) throughout the hive.

The mite has emerged as a parasite of Western honeybees, after switching from its original host, the Asian honeybee at the beginning of the last century. It has since spread globally through the man-made movement of infested honeybee hives and has turned into a viral vector.

The invasive mite does not live on bumblebees, but...

Patients needed for biggest ever study into depression and anxiety

Healthcare professionals in the South West are proud to be able to offer patients in the region the opportunity to take part in the biggest ever study of depression and anxiety.

Depression and anxiety are the most common mental health disorders worldwide. In the UK, 1 in 3 people will experience symptoms during their lifetime.

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and researchers in the region are encouraging patients to sign up to take part in the GLAD study (Genetic Links to Anxiety and Depression) which aims to better understand depression and anxiety in order to...

Efforts to tackle antibiotic resistance must take account of fourfold difference in use across Europe, report says

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 02/14/2019 - 11:19am

Global efforts to tackle antibiotic resistance will be more effective if they focus on the cultural context for the fourfold difference in total antibiotic use and consumption across Europe, according to a new report.

Understanding how regional variations in economy and lifestyle affects the use of the drugs will help to improve the fight against antibiotic resistance, argues a new WHO policy brief written by University of Exeter academics.

Instead of being “one-size-fits-all” policies must be tailored to take account of the different ways medicines are prescribed and used...

Devon’s real housing needs revealed in major new independent report launched by conservation charity

Too many homes are being planned for Devon over the next decade, most of them are to be built on greenfield sites, and a staggering two-thirds will be bought by people who have moved into the county. These are the key findings of an independent study, commissioned by the Devon branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, which exposes the stark truth behind ‘official’ assessments of Devon’s housing needs. More than 150 members of the public attended a special launch seminar in Tiverton on Friday 12th October to collect copies of the report, produced by leading research company Opinion...

Victorians enjoyed rudimentary version of Netflix, new research shows

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Wed, 09/05/2018 - 12:01am

Victorian families were able to enjoy their own version of Netflix by utilising an early form of ‘pay-per-view’ entertainment to while away winter evenings, new research has found.

Nineteenth-century households were able to have access to hundreds of images of far and exotic lands, comic scenes and classic novels, all from the comfort of their homes after magic lanterns and stereoscopes became available to hire.

While magic lanterns existed from the early 1600s, they were an expensive item which only the most affluent could hope to own.

However, the new research,...

Exeter leads early cancer diagnosis in major policy centre

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Fri, 07/06/2018 - 11:35am

A national expert on cancer diagnosis will take a lead role in a new £4.75 million centre to create research that guides policy.

Professor Willie Hamilton, of the University of Exeter Medical School, has been appointed Early Diagnosis Lead for the new National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Policy Research Unit in Cancer Awareness, Screening and Early Diagnosis.

The new unit is a collaboration between a number of universities to try to improve cancer treatment and survival rates. Professor Hamilton said: “Early diagnosis of cancer is crucial to getting the best...

£250,000 funding boost to investigate whether vitamin D promotes brain health

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Mon, 05/07/2018 - 8:24am

A robust clinical trial to investigate whether taking vitamin D can help keep our brains sharp in older age has been supported by a donation of nearly £250,000 from the J P Moulton Charitable Foundation.

The University of Exeter Medical School will conduct a three-year study on whether vitamin D can improve brain health in people at risk of dementia. Using the PROTECT online study of people aged 50 and over, the trial will assess whether supplements could help to prevent decline in memory and other cognitive functions.

It follows a large-scale study led by Exeter which...

Pub-goers invited to raise a pint to science in Exeter

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Tue, 04/24/2018 - 10:44am

Experts from the University of Exeter will bring their research out of the laboratory and into city watering holes, as the world’s largest festival of public science talks arrive in Exeter.

Pub goers will hear talks on everything from habitable exoplanets to online social identity detection at the three day Pint of Science festival. Local researchers will take to the stage as Exeter joins more than 100 cities around the world who will be taking part in the global event from the 14th-16th May. Tickets are now on sale .

The international, three day event will see thousands of...

Kaleider joins forces with Watershed and four SW Universities on a new £6.5m digital innovation project

The new​ South West Creative Technology Network ​is expanding the use of digital technologies throughout the region’s creative, health and manufacturing sectors.

The network is one of 14 nationwide hubs to have won a share of a £67 million Research England-funded investment announced this week.

Exeter-based Kaleider is joined by Bristol’s Watershed as Co-Executive Producers of the 3-year project led by UWE, in collaboration with Bath Spa University, Falmouth University and University of Plymouth.

The southwest hub will partner with a community of innovators, drawn...

Exercise could delay progression of Type 1 diabetes when first diagnosed

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 03/15/2018 - 8:37am

Innovative new research has suggested that physical activity around the time people are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes could have long-term health benefits, improve blood glucose levels, reduce hypos and reduce the risk of complications, such as retinopathy and neuropathy.

It is believed that around 60 per cent of adults newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes experience a ‘honeymoon’ period. This means the beta cells in their pancreas are still working and their body is still sensitive to insulin, which means they don’t need much of it.

Scientists at the Universities of...

Pages