As the festive season approaches, evergreen conifers adorn homes worldwide. But while Christmas trees bring warmth and joy into our lives, they endure some of the harshest conditions on Earth in their natural habitats. Most people take it for granted that they maintain their needles lush and green in freezing winters but now scientists can unwrap the science behind conifers’ winter survival.
Forests with few tree species pose considerably higher risk of being damaged and especially vulnerable is the introduced lodgepole pine. This is shown in a new study by researchers from Umeå University and the Swedish University of Agricultural Science in Uppsala. The results can be useful for preventing forest damages and financial losses related to the forest industry.
The Waste2Plastic project at Umeå University has received SEK 15 million from the Swedish Energy Agency and its industrial partners to produce biodegradable plastics, PHA, using microalgae. The algae are grown in wastewater in Umeå and convert carbon dioxide from flue gases into biomass.
It is possible to forecast how different infectious diseases will spread across Europe in relation to global warming. This is made by using artificial intelligence and mathematical modelling of changing travel patterns and disease effects. In this way, it will be possible to take countermeasures and build up preparedness. This is shown in a new doctoral thesis at Umeå University, Sweden.
The carbon dioxide emissions of the growing human population have a massive impact on the climate. While many are seeking solutions, researchers in Umeå, Sweden, might have found one right in front of their houses: Nordic microalgae. A thesis from the Industrial Doctoral School at Umeå University shows that microalgae fed on wastewater can be used to produce degradable bioplastic.
The biodiversity of rainforests is threatened by climate change. Researcher Daniel Metcalfe conducts large-scale experiments to predict the consequences – but was ready to shut down when the funds ran out. Now, he has been awarded a major government grant from Formas to continue and expand the work.
A new report by UArctic highlights the growing diversity and number of research activities across the Arctic. UArctic is a collaboration between academic institutions and other organizations with an interest in northern regions. The report demonstrates a high degree of international cooperation and presents Arctic research trends.
Carbon dioxide emissions from lime kilns in Sweden have been reduced by more than 36 000 tons per year. This has been achieved through a collaboration between the Centre for Sustainable Cement and Quicklime Production at Umeå University, Nordkalk AB and the Swedish Energy Agency.
Emil Thorin from Umeå University has developed a new optical method for rapid measurements of gaseous inorganic species in biomass combustion and gasification. The new technology will contribute to more efficient conversion of biomass into renewable energy.
Thermal conversion processes, such as combustion and gasification, are used worldwide to generate heat, electricity and chemicals. In the q
Groundwaters that circulate through the subsoil as a result of melting permafrost can transport carbon dioxide and methane to arctic lakes and in turn be emitted to the atmosphere. This process of transporting greenhouse gases increases the effects of climate change and is now being quantified for the first time by researchers from the universities in Umeå, Barcelona, and Linköping.
The right tools are key to ensure investment decisions that reduce global emissions. This is shown by Helena Nydahl, Department of Applied Physics and Electronics, in her thesis Communication of Life Cycle Assessment Results - Life Cycle Key Performance Indicators, which will be defended on October 10 at Umeå University, Sweden.
Many lakes are found at high-latitudes in arctic areas. Yet, their remote location and long winter periods make studying these systems difficult. This period of ice-cover and subsequent ice-melt is of significant importance for understanding CO2 emission from arctic clear water systems, Dirk Verheijen shows in his thesis at Umeå University, Sweden.
