The Latest Breaking News from University of Exeter

Painting eyes on takeaway boxes can stop gulls stealing chips, study shows

Research from the University of Exeter find that the method could help reduce thefts by as much as 50%

The Guardian - UK · Apr 1

AI hallucinations work both ways, study shows — using chatbots can amplify and reinforce our own delusions

Research reveals the sycophantic nature of generative AI is inadvertently creating a form of distributed delusions.

LiveScience · Mar 12

Inherited diseases don't work like we thought they did

"Monogenic" diseases, triggered by mutations in just one gene, may actually be more complex than scientists thought.

LiveScience · Feb 27

No, private schools aren’t victims of ‘reverse discrimination’ – and Cambridge should know better

Trinity Hall’s plan to target elite schools sends the message that privilege equals talent, when the reality is that poorer students are already on the back foot, says professor of social mobility at the University of Exeter, Lee Elliot Major

The Guardian - UK · Jan 10

New finger-prick blood test could help detect Alzheimer's from a home-collected sample

A simple, at-home fingertip blood test shows promise for early Alzheimer’s disease detection, according to a new Europe-wide study.

Euronews · Jan 9

African penguins starved ‘en masse’ due to food shortages driven by climate shifts and overfishing

Severe food shortages have caused thousands of penguins to ‘starve’ to death, a new study has found.

Euronews · Dec 5, 2025

The surprising drugs that could be used to halt Alzheimer’s

Study found drugs used to prevent shingles and treat erectile dysfunction could be promising for Alzheimer’s patients

The Independent UK · Nov 18, 2025

Scientists have discovered why type 1 diabetes is worse for young children

Type 1 diabetes is more severe and aggressive in young children and scientists have now discovered why

The Independent UK · Nov 13, 2025

How to stop a seagull from stealing your chips, according to science

Researchers from the University of Exeter have found that the tone of your voice may be enough to scare a seagull away

The Independent UK · Nov 12, 2025

Worth a shout? Yelling is best way to deter gulls, UK study suggests

Animal behaviourists tested 61 gulls in Cornwall to find most effective method of countering feathery threat

The Guardian - UK · Nov 12, 2025