University

Medical Imaging students graduate early online to support NHS with COVID-19

Medical Imaging students from the University of Exeter Medical School who opted to graduate early had an online ceremony to qualify as diagnostic radiographers during the COVID-19 crisis.

32 final year Medical Imaging students joined the online graduation, some even fashioned home-made mortarboards and gowns, to celebrate their graduation on the virtual platform with peers and lecturers.

By graduating early, students will be able to relieve pressure on other more experienced colleagues currently working in the fight against COVID-19, starting their jobs in health trusts...

£100,000 grant for rising-star medical researcher at Exeter

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Tue, 05/19/2020 - 6:31pm

A rising research star from the University of Exeter has won £100k to launch her work into depression as part of a prestigious grant scheme.

Dr Valentina Mosienko, a Lecturer at the University of Exeter Medical School, has received the grant from the Academy of Medical Sciences’ £4.9million Springboard scheme, designed to support promising early career researchers.

The funding will allow Dr Mosienko to investigate the underlying biological causes of depression by looking at the influence of star-shaped brain cells – known as astrocytes - on depression.

Dr...

Researchers track COVID-19 isolation effects on older people’s health and wellbeing

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Fri, 05/15/2020 - 11:57am

An online study of 25,000 people is recruiting participants to help study the impact of COVID-19 isolation on the health and wellbeing of older people, and find new ways to support them.

People aged 50 and over are being invited to join the PROTECT study , an innovative online platform run by the University of Exeter and King’s College London, which already has 25,000 people signed up. Now, a new arm of the NIHR-funded study will track both mental and physical health impacts of lockdown policy on older people, by incorporating a questionnaire to seek the experiences of the cohort...

University academic announced as Patron of Exeter College 

Authored by stephendixon
Posted: Wed, 05/13/2020 - 10:55am

University of Exeter Vice Chancellor Sir Steve Smith has been announced as a Patron of Exeter College, becoming just the second person to be awarded the prestigious title.

Exeter College awards patronages in recognition of exceptional achievements of distinguished friends of the College and Sir Steve joins renowned Chef Michael Caines MBE in receiving the honour.

Sir Steve has been instrumental in shaping the education landscape within Exeter and the wider region. Together, the University of Exeter and Exeter College are co-sponsors of both the Ted Wragg Multi-Academy Trust...

Relive Exeter City Football Club's 1990 title win in online exhibition

Football fans can relive the 30th anniversary of Exeter City’s historic 1990 league title win as part of a new online exhibition.

St James Park may be closed but people can still celebrate sporting success virtually thanks to the exhibition, hosted on the website Grecian Archive, a partnership between the University of Exeter, the club and supporters’ trust.

As part of the National Lottery heritage funded project, the ECFC museum team - who work in collaboration with colleagues from the University’s College of Humanities and Digital Humanities Lab – have put materials...

Spending time in the garden linked to better health and wellbeing

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Wed, 05/06/2020 - 3:32pm

Spending time in the garden is linked to similar benefits for health and wellbeing as living in wealthy areas, according to a new large-scale study.

Research conducted by the University of Exeter and the Royal Horticultural Society charity, published in Elsevier’s Landscape and Urban Planning , analysed data from nearly 8,000 people collected by Natural England between 2009 and 2016. The research, conducted with funding from Innovate UK and NIHR, found that people who spend time in the garden are significantly more likely to report general good health, higher psychological...

Otters juggle stones when hungry, research shows

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Wed, 05/06/2020 - 2:19pm

Hunger is likely to be the main driver of stone juggling in otters, new research has shown.

Researchers from the University of Exeter have carried out an extensive study into why captive otters tend to play with stones, commonly referred to as “rock juggling”.

The dextrous mammals are often seen lying on their backs and batting the stones into the air, catching them and rolling them around their chests and necks.

Experts had suggested the behaviour might help the animals practise the foraging skills they need to extract foods from complex prey such as mussels...

World-leading Neuroimaging expert will optimise Exeter’s £10 million new centre

A professor who consistently ranks in the global top five of neuroimaging will bring his expertise to Exeter’s new £10 million Mireille Gillings Neuroimaging Centre.

Marios Politis has been appointed Professor of Neurology and Director of the Mireille Gillings Neuroimaging Centre at the University of Exeter Medical School. His research involves using cutting edge PET and MRI scanners to understand how the brain works, and to gain insight into how best to prevent and treat diseases including dementia and Parkinson’s disease.

Marios and his Neurodegeneration Imaging Group...

Mingtao Fu

Exeter postgraduate researcher is Hospiscare Hero

A University of Exeter postgraduate researcher and teaching assistant has made an extraordinary donation of 3000 facemasks to help Hospiscare doctors and nurses in Devon provide compassionate end of life care during the coronavirus crisis.

Mingtao Fu works at the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences and felt so moved by the coronavirus healthcare situation that he wanted to make a personal contribution to the Devon community.

Mingtao said: “I heard about the lack of face masks as the coronavirus pandemic started to spread in the UK. As a member of...

Five tips from project to support people with dementia and carers in COVID-19 lockdown

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Mon, 04/27/2020 - 11:39am

New guidance has been developed as part of a major project to support people with dementia and family carers who are facing isolation and reduced services as a result of COVID-19.

A new leaflet features five simple tips, developed using the latest robust research and with the input of people affected by dementia. The leaflet is part-funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), in a project led by the University of Exeter and the NIHR Older People and Frailty Policy Research Unit, with partners including Alzheimer’s Society, Manchester University, Bradford...

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