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Topics: Science, general

  • New research shows that conifers have special strategies to survive the harsh winters in the north. Photo: Johnér Bildbyrå AB

    The science behind Christmas trees: How conifers brave winter's worst

    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.

  • Possible explanation for link between diabetes and Alzheimer's

    People with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive problems. A new study led by Umeå University, Sweden, shows that the reason may be that people with type 2 diabetes have more difficulty getting rid of a protein that may cause the disease.

  • Future diet – plant-based fermented foods on the plate

    Future diet – plant-based fermented foods on the plate

    The first consumer study focusing on plant-based fermentation. Researchers at Umeå University have conducted the first consumer study focusing on plant-based fermentation and its role in the necessary dietary transition to achieve European health and sustainability goals.

  • National school for cancer research to be started in Umeå

    With support from Cancerfonden, the Swedish Cancer Society, Umeå University will start a new cancer research school in the spring of 2025. The programme, which is unique in Sweden, is aimed at doctoral students throughout the country.

  • Aerial view of an unmodified boulder-bed stream showing the density of boulders and the diverse habitats these create. Photo: Richard Mason and Jens Andersson

    Clues from the ice age can help restore Swedish streams

    Human intervention has destroyed critical habitats for salmon and trout in Swedish streams. Researchers at Umeå University have discovered crucial clues to help restore the streams to their natural state. "To understand the processes that shape them, we need to think more about how glaciers function, rather than streams,” says Lina Polvi Sjöberg.

  • Holding a conversation with humans can be a challenge for robots. Photo: Pixabay

    Researchers give robots better tools to manage conflicts in dialogues

    A new thesis shows how robots can manage conflicts and knowledge gaps in dialogues with people. By understanding the reasons behind dialogues that don't unfold as expected, researchers at Umeå University have developed strategies and mechanisms that could be important when living side by side.

  • In his doctoral thesis Naresh Kumar Wagri investigates how lime kiln are affected when fueled with biofuels. Photo: Charlie Ma

    Increased understanding of corrosion in lime kilns fired with biofuel

    To reduce carbon dioxide emissions from lime kilns, there is a growing interest in introducing bio-based fuels as an alternative to fossil fuels. Naresh Kumar Wagri, Department of Applied Physics and Electronics, Umeå University, shows in his thesis that this presents challenges due to the different chemical and physical properties of biofuels.

  • Pierrick Bru, PhD student at the Department of Plant Physiology and Umeå Plant Science Centre. Photo: Alexis Brun

    A sun protection mechanism helps plants to survive

    Just like people can get sunburned, plants can also suffer from too much sunlight. To stay healthy, they use an internal “sun protection mechanism”. Pierrick Bru, a PhD student working with Alizée Malnoë at Umeå Plant Science Centre and Umeå University, has been studying a special component of this mechanism, called qH, and has found that it is quite adaptable.

  • Scientists at Umeå University has pressure cooked birch leaves picked on campus to produce carbon particles that can be used as raw material in organic semiconductors. Photo. Mattias Pettersson

    Birch leaves as raw material for the production of organic semiconductors

    Today, petrochemical compounds and rare metals are usually used to produce semiconductors for optoelectronics, such as organic LEDs for super-thin TV and mobile phone screens. By pressure-cooking birch leaves picked on the Umeå University campus, the scientists behind this study produced carbon particles that can be used as raw material for organic semiconductors.

  • In the sea, phytoplankton are the first step when methylmercury is absorbed into the food web. The image was taken under a microscope and shows a spring bloom of phytoplankton in the Bothnian Sea. Photo: Marlene Johansson

    Uptake of methylmercury by phytoplankton is controlled by thiols

    Methylmercury is one of the chemicals that poses the greatest threat to global public health. People ingest methylmercury by eating fish, but how does the mercury end up in the fish? A new study shows that the concentrations of so-called thiols in the water control how available the methylmercury is to living organisms.

  • Virginia Dignum is one of 38 experts in UN's new high-level advisory body on artificial intelligence. Photo: Johan Gunséus

    Umeå professor new member of the United Nations AI Body

    Virginia Dignum, Professor at the Department of Computing Science, Umeå University, has, as the only Swedish representative, been appointed as a member of the United Nation’s High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence, AI. The tasks of the body are to provide advice and propose solutions for the governance and management of AI at the global international level.

  • Tan Luong, doctoral student at the Department of Chemistry. Photo: Trung Nguyen

    Water films – the silent architects of chemical transformations

    Air moisture landing on surfaces of materials forms thin, invisible, water films. These films play crucial roles in Earth’s soils and atmosphere as well as in new technologies. A thesis at Umeå University sheds new light on how this silent architect mediates chemical reactions.

  • Photo: Johnér Bildbyrå AB

    New method measures pressure with high precision

    A newly developed instrument makes it possible to measure gas pressure by using laser light. The method, developed at Umeå University and the Industrial Doctoral School for Research and Innovation, provides very precise measurements and can, for example, quickly detect extremely small gas leaks.

  • Cheap forest waste can be used to make supercapacitors. Photo: Johnér bildbyrå AB

    Carbon from forest waste can be used for future energy storage

    Researchers found how to convert cost free forest waste, like pine cones, into carbon materials useful for energy storage. The method allows for easy and environmentally friendly dispersion of carbon in water, even when it is not water-soluble. The blend can then be sprayed onto a surface to produce electrodes for supercapacitors.

  • Photo: Ive van Krunkelsven

    Arctic research grows and strengthens international cooperation

    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.

  • An international research team is exploring how polaritons, light-matter mixed objects, respond to short pulses of light. Illustration: Alexandre Dmitriev

    A pulse of light makes polaritons disappear

    Polaritons are a peculiar state, a kind of quasi-particles consisting of part-light and part-matter that can bring unexpected abilities to conventional chemical reactions. New research from Umeå University and others reveals that when the polaritons are hit by very short pulses of light they collapse, and from then the reaction will be completely controlled by conventional electronic transitions.

  • Conifer needles consume oxygen in early spring even during the day, new research shows. Image: Stefan Jansson

    Conifer needles consume oxygen when times are hard

    Plants give us oxygen through photosynthesis - this is commonly taught in school. An international research team have now shown that particularly in early spring when low temperatures coincide with high light, conifer needles consume – not produce – oxygen by using an ancient mechanism. The results were published in Nature Communications.

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