exeter

Shingles vaccine most promising common drug to potentially prevent Alzheimer’s  – research

A new study has identified three existing medications that could be repurposed to treat or prevent Alzheimer’s disease.  The research funded by Alzheimer’s Society and led by the University of Exeter, is published today in Alzheimer’s Research and Therapy. It found that a shingles vaccine (Zostavax), is the most promising existing medicine that could be repurposed to treat or prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Viagra (sildenafil) and a drug used to treat motor neurone disease (riluzole) also showed strong promise.  …

Continue ReadingShingles vaccine most promising common drug to potentially prevent Alzheimer’s  – research

Ten-hour mission to excavate huge whale head in Cornwall

Ten-hour mission to excavate huge whale head in Cornwall

BBCThe skull, which was buried in Falmouth, is the length of a minibus The two-tonne head of a whale that died after stranding in Cornwall has been excavated in a 10-hour mission, five years after its burial.As the local community had previously attempted to rescue the fin whale in 2020, a decision was made to keep part of it so it could eventually be displayed as a memorial.Scientist Robbie McDonald said he buried the skull on University of…

Continue ReadingTen-hour mission to excavate huge whale head in Cornwall

Call for safety measures at Timepiece after Freshers’ Week fall

Call for safety measures at Timepiece after Freshers’ Week fall

Miles DavisDevon political reporterBBCTimepiece said staff did everything needed to get the young woman homeSerious concerns have been raised for students during Freshers' Week after a young woman fell backwards down stairs in a nightclub before she was moved out of the club by security staff.The woman, a first year student at the University of Exeter, was seen on CCTV in the Timepiece nightclub in September coming out of toilets supported by friends before she fell backwards down…

Continue ReadingCall for safety measures at Timepiece after Freshers’ Week fall

St Petrock’s launches fundraising appeal as number of people sleeping rough in Exeter continues to rise

St Petrock’s launches fundraising appeal as number of people sleeping rough in Exeter continues to rise

Exeter homelessness charity St Petrock’s has launched its 2025 Christmas fundraising appeal with a short film underscoring its mission: that everyone deserves a place to feel safe, supported and connected – especially at Christmas.The sixty-second film, produced by Devon film-makers All Told, features interviews with St Petrock’s client Richard, volunteer Linda and head of client services, Rowan.Richard says he would have “been in the gutter twelve, thirteen years ago” if not for the charity, which he describes as…

Continue ReadingSt Petrock’s launches fundraising appeal as number of people sleeping rough in Exeter continues to rise

New data shows how critically endangered penguins are directly competing with fishing vessels for their food

A new study finds critically endangered African penguins are significantly more likely to forage in the same areas as commercial fishing vessels during years of low fish abundance, increasing competition for food and adding pressure to a species already in crisis. The study, led by the University of St Andrews and including Dr Richard Sherley from the University of Exeter’s Centre for Ecology and Conservation in Cornwall, introduces a novel metric called “overlap intensity” which measures not just…

Continue ReadingNew data shows how critically endangered penguins are directly competing with fishing vessels for their food

Flooding from heavy rain closes rail line in Devon

Flooding from heavy rain closes rail line in Devon

A rail line in Devon has been closed due to flooding after heavy rain. Great Western Railway (GWR) said services between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple have been cancelled and the disruption was expected to last until Tuesday. The closure follows additional suspensions affecting the line between Crediton and Barnstaple last week, again caused by flooding.GWR said Network Rail detected water levels exceeding its threshold for triggering an automatic closure of three bridges and viaducts for the "safety…

Continue ReadingFlooding from heavy rain closes rail line in Devon

Exeter plays key role in new toolkit to prevent falls in over 65s

A new digital toolkit designed to help reduce falls in older adults has been launched with the help of the University of Exeter. The new Falls Management Exercise Programme (FaME) Implementation Toolkit is an evidence-based, practical guide aimed at improving delivery of community exercise programmes that can reduce falls by up to 30 per cent. The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) South West Peninsula (PenARC) at the University of Exeter was…

Continue ReadingExeter plays key role in new toolkit to prevent falls in over 65s

Gary Caldwell: Exeter City boss takes positives despite Leyton Orient loss

Gary Caldwell: Exeter City boss takes positives despite Leyton Orient loss

Gary Caldwell says there is lots to be positive about despite his Exeter City side's 2-1 loss at Leyton Orient.The Grecians led 1-0 until the final part of the game when a defensive error let in Idris El Mizouni to equalise before Tyreeq Bakinson got the winner with Exeter defender Jack Fitzwater off the field after receiving treatment.The defeat ended a five-game unbeaten run in all competitions and was just Exeter's second League One loss since the end…

Continue ReadingGary Caldwell: Exeter City boss takes positives despite Leyton Orient loss

Scientists map the genetic distribution of maerl-forming algae across South West

Scientists map the genetic distribution of maerl-forming algae across South West

A habitat-building coralline algae that provides a vital nursing ground for marine species and an important blue carbon ecosystem has been genetically mapped around south-west Britain in a first-of-its-kind study. Using a technique called Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), marine biologists at the University of Exeter have identified the genetic diversity of several types of calcareous red seaweed that form maerl beds from key locations stretching from Cornwall to South Wales. It is the first time such a multi-site…

Continue ReadingScientists map the genetic distribution of maerl-forming algae across South West

Film inspired by Devon woman suing water firm premieres

Film inspired by Devon woman suing water firm premieres

George Thorpe and John Danks,DevonBBCExmouth sea swimmer Jo Bateman is taking action against SWWA film about a woman campaigning against sewage pollution in the sea has premiered.Jo in the Water follows the journey of Exmouth sea swimmer Jo Bateman, who is taking legal action against South West Water (SWW) over the amount of sewage dumped into the water along the Devon coast.SWW said the film looked at historic challenges the firm had been working on resolving, including the…

Continue ReadingFilm inspired by Devon woman suing water firm premieres

People in Exeter encouraged to explore green spaces by train

People in Exeter encouraged to explore green spaces by train

Richard GreenBBC South West BBCCouncillor Ruth Williams said the project provided an opportunity for everyone to enjoy Exeter's green space A campaign to encourage people to explore a city's green spaces by train is under way.The Green Circle project in Exeter is part of the Railway 200 celebrations - marking the 200th anniversary of the modern railway.It aims to raise awareness of how Exeter St Davids, Marsh Barton and Polsloe Bridge stations can be used as green gateways…

Continue ReadingPeople in Exeter encouraged to explore green spaces by train

‘Blue Islands staff – we need you’, Loganair CEO says

‘Blue Islands staff – we need you’, Loganair CEO says

Georgina Barnes,Jersey and Robert Hall,JerseyBBCLuke Farajallah, Loganair's CEO, hopes to recruit Blue Islands staffAirline staff who lost their jobs after Blue Islands ceased operating are needed by the new company, Loganair's CEO has said.The Channel Islands airline, which employed about 100 staff, announced on Friday that it had suspended trading and cancelled all future flights.Bailiwick airline Aurigny began its rescue flights on Saturday, followed by Loganair on Sunday, to replace the cancelled routes to destinations including Jersey, Guernsey,…

Continue Reading‘Blue Islands staff – we need you’, Loganair CEO says