Latest University of Exeter Stories
Global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions "“ the main contributor to global warming "“ show no sign of abating and may reach record levels in 2010, according to a study led by the University of Exeter (UK).The study, which also involved the University of East Anglia (UK) and other global institutions, is part of the annual carbon budget update by the Global Carbon Project.In a paper published November 21 in Nature Geoscience, the authors found that despite the major financial crisis that hit...
Research from a six year study on migrating geese has discovered an interesting outcome "“ they return to the same spots they were taken to as youngsters.The findings of the study, published online November 17 in the journal Molecular Ecology, suggest young light-bellied Brent geese learn their migratory destinations from parents.This means their routes are learned through culture rather than inherited genetically, raising some interesting questions about why this species of goose...
New research has revealed up to 16,000 endangered turtles are being caught each year by villagers in just one region of Madagascar, despite a government ban.Researchers from the University of Exeter and Blue Ventures Conservation say the figure, thought to be a conservative estimate, is the first direct assessment of turtle exploitation on the island.The study highlights the extent of small-scale fishing, traditionally very difficult to monitor, and could be vital in finding a way to...
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- The criminal mind is a damaged one. A recent study by University of Exeter researchers found a high rate of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) in young offenders when compared to the population as a whole. They made a connection between TBI and a higher amount of convictions, and also discovered that offenders with three or more TBIs usually had committed more aggravated offenses.Exeter professor and lead author of the study Huw Williams points out that TBI is a...
A new study of young offenders has revealed they have a significantly higher rate of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) than that expected in society as a whole.Researchers at the University of Exeter also found TBI was associated with a greater number of convictions and, when there were three or more TBIs, greater violence in offending.The research, published online on 10 November in the journal Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, suggests brain injury must be taken seriously in the assessment and...
A new study published this week shows a genetic 'battle of the sexes' could be much harder to resolve and even more important to evolution than previously thought.This battle, observed across many species and known as intralocus sexual conflict, happens when the genes for a trait which is good for the breeding success of one sex are bad for the other "“ sparking an 'evolutionary tug-o-war' between the sexes.It has previously been thought these issues were only resolved when the trait in...
New research has provided the first evidence that 'gender bending' chemicals which find their way from human products into rivers and oceans can have a significant impact on the ability of fish to breed in UK Rivers.The findings from the four year study, led by the universities of Exeter and Brunel, has important implications for understanding the impacts of these chemicals on ecosystem health and possibly on humans.Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) disrupt the ways that hormones work in...
A rethink is needed on the 'dire' situation of funding of databases across biology, researchers say.A paper co-authored by Sabina Leonelli, Research Fellow at Egenis at the University of Exeter, reviews the business models currently used to deal with long-term sustainability of these resources, and suggests a 'global change' in funding policies is necessary."There is no point investing resources into collecting data, if the development of tools needed to disseminate and interpret those...
An analysis of geological records that preserve details of the last known period of global warming has revealed 'startling' results which suggest current targets for limiting climate change are unsafe.The study by climate change experts at the University of Exeter has important implications for international negotiators aiming to agree binding targets for future greenhouse gas emission targets.Professor Chris Turney and Dr Richard Jones, both from the University's Department of Geography,...
Employees who have control over the design and layout of their workspace are not only happier and healthier "” they're also up to 32% more productive, according to new research from the University of Exeter in the UK.Studies by the University's School of Psychology have revealed the potential for remarkable improvements in workers' attitudes to their jobs by allowing them to personalize their offices.The findings challenge the conventional approach taken by most companies, where managers...
