Latest news with #UniversityOfExeter
BBC News
28-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Lifestyle motivation for Cornwall move
Most people who moved to Cornwall did so for lifestyle reasons rather than work, a study has Institute of Cornish Studies at the University of Exeter said its New Household Survey 2024-25 looked at the differences between people who lived in homes built in the last 10 years and those in older properties across the said the research, which received support from Cornwall Council, showed 55% of people who moved to the county rated job opportunities as the least important reason for added 64% of the nearly 1,000 respondents said environmental quality was the most important reason behind their move while 41% rated re-joining family as the top reason. The study said retirement had been marked as the most important reason behind their move to Cornwall."Many respondents moved to Cornwall in search of a slower, more peaceful lifestyle away from the busyness of cities," researchers said."The desire for a quieter, more relaxed pace of life was a key driver for relocation. "Cornwall was perceived as a place that offers tranquillity, community, and a better work-life balance, making it an attractive destination for those seeking a lifestyle change."
BBC News
10-05-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Wasps mothers have super memories scientists say
Wasps often get a bit of a bad reputation due to their buzzing and painful new research suggests there might be much more to these insects than was previously to scientists, wasp mothers have a surprisingly good memory when it comes to feeding their young.A new study has found that they can remember the locations of up to nine separate nests of theirs at once - despite them usually being located among hundreds of others. What did experts discover? Researchers from the University of Exeter decided to take a closer look at the behaviour of digger wasp mothers who live on heathland in Surrey in southern wasps usually make a short burrow for each of their eggs, stocking it with food and returning a few days later to provide were surprised to find that even though the insects are so small, they could still remember the locations of up to nine separate nests at once, rarely making any is despite the fact nests are dug in bare sand containing hundreds belonging to other Jeremy Field, from the University of Exeter explained: "Our findings suggest that the miniature brain of an insect is capable of remarkably sophisticated scheduling decisions."We tend to think that something so small couldn't do something so complex," he research has showed digger wasps use visual objects such as stones to find their nests, but experts are unsure exactly how they have such impressive brainpower."We don't yet know how wasps achieve these remarkable mental feats," Professor Field said.
BBC News
09-05-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Devon scientists reveal 'remarkable' wasp memory
Wasp mothers have stunning brainpower when it comes to feeding their young, according to new wasps make a short burrow for each egg, stocking it with food and returning a few days later to provide study by scientists at the University of Exeter revealed mother wasps can remember the locations of up to nine separate nests among hundreds belonging to other said they did not yet know how the wasps achieved such "remarkable mental feats." 'Rarely make errors' Researchers discovered the insects feed their young in age order, adjusting the order if one dies, and they can even delay feeding offspring that had more food at the first visit."Our findings suggest that the miniature brain of an insect is capable of remarkably sophisticated scheduling decisions," said Professor Jeremy Field, from the University of Exeter."We tend to think that something so small couldn't do something so complex."In fact, they can remember where and when they have fed their young and what they fed them in a way that would be taxing even to human brains." The digger wasps in the study live on heathland in Surrey where they hunt caterpillars on heather plants."Despite nesting in relatively featureless bare sand, often among hundreds of intermingled nests of other females, mothers rarely make errors in revisiting their nests," Mr Field said."Only 1.5% of the 1,293 food deliveries in the study went to other females' nests."
BBC News
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Exmouth interactive art trail explores life by the sea
A new interactive art trail aims to tell the stories of Devon families with a strong connection to the Voices of the Exe Trail, created by the University of Exeter's Resilience of Coastal Communities project, features 10 markers across marker tells a different story and uses audio clips accessible by scanning a QR code.A mural to celebrate the trail was designed and painted by Exmouth artist Gary "Garf" Cook on the side of The Strand Inn pub in the town. The launch event for the trail will take place from 15:00 BST at Bumble and Bee in Exmouth's Manor trail will be in place until October 2026 and it is wheelchair accessible, said organisers. Dr Louisa Evans, from the university, said: "Our coastal communities are vital for the UK's island identity but also hotspots of deprivation and at the forefront of risks from climate change."We spoke to families who represent the resilience of coastal communities, but these oral histories often get parked in a museum and forgotten."The trail was a partnership with Exe Estuary Management Partnership, Exmouth Town Council and Mindfully Wired was funded by the Sustainable Management of UK Marine Resources programme. 'Amazing impact' The family of Debra Quine, who runs cafes in Exmouth, is one of those featured in the Quine said: "I've met people in my cafes who have never seen the sea before and the look on their faces and the impact it has is amazing."I'm delighted to be part of the Voice of the Exe Trail and hope these stories give people an insight into what life by the water is like."
BBC News
09-05-2025
- Science
- BBC News
LED pots catch significantly more shrimp and fish, study shows
Fishing pots fitted with LED lights catch "significantly" more fish and shrimp, a new study shows. The research, by the University of Exeter and Fishtek Marine, showed pots fitted with lights caught up to 19 times more northern shrimp than unlit pots. Dr Robert Enever, from Fishtek Marine, said it was thought the light attracts zooplankton, which in turn attract shrimp that eat it."And that entices larger fish predators into the pots to gobble up the shrimp," he explained. 'Self-baiting pot' The university said the "attraction cascade" effectively creates a self-baiting pot. It said the trial, carried out off Scotland's west coast, did not catch enough shrimp to be commercially viable but the amount might change in places with more Tom Horton, from the centre of ecology and conservation on Exeter's Penryn campus, said shrimp and cod were often fished by trawling which could result in high by-catch and habitat disturbance."Finding lower-impact alternatives - including static gear such as pots - is essential for more sustainable fisheries," he added. The study was funded by the UK Seafood Innovation Fund and Schmidt Marine Technology Partners.
