Skip to content

Categories: 2021

  • Diabetes drug gives hope for new treatment for prostate cancer

    A drug used to treat type 2 diabetes may also be effective in slowing the progression of prostate cancer. This is shown by an international study in which researchers at Umeå University, Sweden, have participated. The researchers have found that drugs that regulate a particular protein have a key role in reducing prostate cancer recurrence among diabetic patients.

  • Belkis Ayón, La cena, 1991. Courtesy of the Belkis Ayón Estate.

    Press Invitation: Belkis Ayón / Mythologies

    Belkis Ayón (1967–1999) is one of Cuba’s most prominent artists. In the first Nordic presentation of the artist’s work, Bildmuseet presents creative highlights from her brief but intense career, from the mid-1980s to the late 1990s. The exhibition opens on Art Friday, 23 March, and will be previewed to the media by arrangement from Monday, 19 May. Welcome!

  • Daniel Öhlund, associate professor at Umeå University

    New cells in connective tissue open up for strategy against pancreatic cancer

    Researchers at Umeå University, Sweden, have discovered a previously unknown type of connective tissue cells that surround cancer cells in pancreatic tumours. The newly discovered cells counteract tumor development and may therefore be a target for research into new treatments for pancreatic cancer, which is one of the deadliest forms of cancer.

  • Van Minh Dinh in the lab at the Department of Chemistry, Umeå University. Photo: Huton Nguyen

    Catalytic system turns biomass waste to renewable chemical stock

    Researchers at Umeå University in Sweden, in collaboration with scientists from Finland, Vietnam, India, and Italy, have developed a catalytic system to convert lignin structures into highly valuable chemicals. This innovative technology offers promising solutions to pressing environmental and energy challenges.

  • Fouzia Bano, Staff scientist at Department of Clinical Microbiology, Dario Conca, Postdoctoral fellow at Department of Clinical Microbiology and Marta Bally, Associate professor at Department of Clinical Microbiology.

    Binding to surface sugars enhances Omicron's cell attachment

    A new study from Umeå University reveals how SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Omicron, have adapted to bind more effectively to human pulmonary cells. The stronger binding is explained by an increased and optimised interaction between the virus and heparan sulfate, a long sugar molecule on the cell surface.

  • Anders Holmer, from the book Utflykt [The Excursion] (2025). Courtesy of the artist.

    Press invitation: Swedish Picture Book of the Year / The Excursion

    Anders Holmer’s Utflykt [The Excursion] has been named the Swedish Picture Book of the Year 2024. On March 14, in conjunction with the award ceremony at Littfest, Bildmuseet opens an exhibition of the original illustrations from the winning book.

  • Shubigi Rao, Shadowstitch (still), 2025. Courtesy of the artist.

    Press invitation: Shubigi Rao / Pulp I–IV

    "Shubigi Rao / Pulp I–IV," opening at Bildmuseet on March 14, is the first comprehensive survey of the artist’s decade-long project so far about censorship, destruction of books, assaults on literacy and libraries, erasure of women’s voices, and loss of languages.

  • “The aim is to discover new unexpected biological patterns, which can lead to new research questions”, says Johan Henriksson. Photo: Mattias Pettersson

    New knowledge about cell division with data-driven techniques

    Research from Umeå University paves the way for a quantitative data analysis method to study the cell division process in individual cells. The improved resolution will promote advanced cell analysis in the human body, especially in cases of incorrect cell division such as in the context of cancer.

  • Jun Zhang, Laura Herzog and Yaowen Wu have found a way to control proteins in living cells. Photo: Shuang Li

    New light-tuned chemical tools control processes in living cells

    A research group at Umeå University has developed new advanced light-controlled tools that enable precise control of proteins in real time in living cells. This groundbreaking research opens doors to new methods for studying complex processes in cells and could pave the way for significant advances in medicine and synthetic biology.

  • 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.

  • Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg's Machine Auguries, Bildmuseet 2024–2025. © Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg Ltd. Photo: Malin Grönborg

    Northern dawn chorus in Machine Auguries by Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg

    Bildmuseet unveils a new site-specific iteration of Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg’s sound and light installation Machine Auguries, this time set in Umeå in northern Sweden. Premiere on 12 January! Presented alongside the previous iterations from London and Toledo, these three artificial dawn choruses from different parts of the world invite us to reflect on our relationship with nature.

  • Discovery may open new way to attack prostate cancer

    Discovery may open new way to attack prostate cancer

    A special protein can play a key role in the fight against certain types of prostate cancer. This is shown in a study by an international research group led from Umeå University, Sweden.

  • Nanoplastics can impair the effect of antibiotics

    Minuscule particles of plastic are not only bad for the environment. A study led from Umeå University, Sweden, has shown that the so-called nanoplastics which enter the body can impair the effect of antibiotic treatment. The results also indicate that the nanoplastics may lead to the development of antibiotic resistance.

  • A mixed forest leads to less damage to trees, according to extensive data analysed by Micael Jonsson and his colleagues. Photo: Ulrika Bergfors

    Mixed forests reduce the risk of forest damage in a warmer climate

    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.

  • Self-driving machines need to be able to adapt to changes in the environment in order not to risk harming the environment or, in the worst case, people. Graphic: Martin Servin

    Computational physics to make AI-controlled heavy machinery safer

    When heavy machinery is to become robots with autonomous capabilities, safety is at highest priority. In a new EU project, researchers and industry collaborate to develop reliable and efficient AI-driven machines that minimize the risk of harming people or the environment.

Show more