/A RSS feed provided by Umeå Universityen-usSat, 18 Oct 2025 09:08:01 +0200/en/news/join-the-northern-lights-photo-contest_12146117/Climate-driven oxygen loss in the Black Sea thousands of years ago triggered the expansion of microorganisms capable of producing the potent neurotoxin methylmercury. That is shown in a new study published in Nature Water, led by Eric Capo at Umeå University, which suggests that similar processes could occur in today’s warming oceans.Fri, 10 Oct 2025 08:00:07 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>The researchers&rsquo; findings raise concerns about how climate change may affect the levels of methylmercury in fish and shellfish.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>John&eacute;r Bildbyr&aring; AB</span></div></div><p>Methylmercury is a highly toxic compound that accumulates in fish and seafood, posing severe health risks to humans. It is formed when certain microbes convert inorganic mercury under low-oxygen conditions.</p><p>Today, climate change is causing such oxygen-depleted areas to expand in coastal marine environments, including parts of the Baltic Sea. Warmer and more stagnant waters mix less efficiently, and increased algal blooms contribute to oxygen loss in deeper layers, creating ideal conditions for these microbes.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Traces of ancient microbes</h2><p>By analysing DNA from Black Sea sediments spanning the past 13,500 years, researchers detected genes (<em>hgcA</em>) associated with microorganisms that produce methylmercury. The highest abundance occurred during the warm and humid period around 9,000&ndash;5,500 years ago, when oxygen levels in the water decreased significantly &ndash; a situation similar to ongoing trends observed in modern seas and coastal areas.</p><p>&ldquo;Our findings show that climate warming and oxygen loss alone &ndash; without industrial mercury pollution &ndash; can create hotspots for methylmercury production,&rdquo; says Eric Capo, Assistant Professor at the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science at Ume&aring; University and lead author of the study.</p><p>&ldquo;This raises serious concerns for the future, as expanding oxygen-deficient zones may increase human exposure to this neurotoxin through seafood consumption,&rdquo; says Meifang Zhong, first author of the study and doctoral student in Eric Capo&rsquo;s research group.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Oxygen loss and mercury pollution</h2><p>In the study, the researchers compared the microbial signal from ancient sediments with the one from the present-day water column, and found both similarities and striking differences. While modern mercury-methylating microbes in the Black Sea are influenced by industrial mercury pollution and eutrophication, those living thousands of years ago were primarily fueled by climate-driven oxygen loss and the accumulation of organic matter.</p><p>The results highlight the importance of considering both past and present microbial responses to environmental change. By studying ancient microbial DNA, the researchers show how climate-driven deoxygenation has shaped &ndash; and will continue to shape &ndash; the risks of methylmercury contamination in marine ecosystems.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="fc725325-eafd-4f85-a9f5-9db2ab68944c" data-contentname="">{}</div>/en/news/climate-change-may-increase-the-spread-of-neurotoxin-in-the-oceans_12145837//en/news/researchers-card-game-teaches-children-about-microorganisms_12144957/Two researchers at Umeå University have developed a card game about microorganisms. With the help of playful game cards, they hope to spark curiosity in children and adults about life beneath the water’s surface – and to show that most microorganisms are actually helpful allies in our ecosystems.Tue, 07 Oct 2025 14:35:20 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/271d86f09def4d29baa039c3a476da5f/ff2025_curiosum_micromates_capo-6_adaeliasson2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/271d86f09def4d29baa039c3a476da5f/ff2025_curiosum_micromates_capo-6_adaeliasson2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/271d86f09def4d29baa039c3a476da5f/ff2025_curiosum_micromates_capo-6_adaeliasson2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/271d86f09def4d29baa039c3a476da5f/ff2025_curiosum_micromates_capo-6_adaeliasson2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/271d86f09def4d29baa039c3a476da5f/ff2025_curiosum_micromates_capo-6_adaeliasson2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/271d86f09def4d29baa039c3a476da5f/ff2025_curiosum_micromates_capo-6_adaeliasson2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Eric Capo plays the game MicroMates with visitors during ForskarFredag at Curiosum.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Gabrielle Beans</span></div></div><p>Eric Capo and Meifang Zhong study microorganisms in fjords and lakes, and how they respond to environmental changes. Together, they came up with an original way to share their knowledge: a card game.</p><p>The idea was born during a seminar, when Eric Capo and his colleagues found it difficult at times to keep up with a talk on microorganism &ndash; despite it being their own research topic.</p><p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s when we came up with the idea of creating a card game, partly for ourselves but also to make it easier for people without a research background to understand the lives of microorganisms in the water,&rdquo; says Eric Capo, who has always had a strong interest in science communication.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Works with an artist</h2><p>The game consists of cards representing different microorganisms, vividly illustrated by the French artist Thomas Cerigny.</p><p>In the game, microorganisms are called "mates", and the aim is to help them survive environmental changes while also fighting other microorganisms and threats from their surroundings. The game is highly collaborative and players can exchange attacks and support cards between each other.</p><p>&ldquo;Our main target group is children from the age of six. At this very beginning, we expect mainly to reach science enthusiasts &ndash; and hopefully their children,&rdquo; says Meifang Zhong.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/271d86f09def4d29baa039c3a476da5f/ff2025_micromates_capo_finn_elodie_libby-162.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/271d86f09def4d29baa039c3a476da5f/ff2025_micromates_capo_finn_elodie_libby-162.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/271d86f09def4d29baa039c3a476da5f/ff2025_micromates_capo_finn_elodie_libby-162.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/271d86f09def4d29baa039c3a476da5f/ff2025_micromates_capo_finn_elodie_libby-162.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/271d86f09def4d29baa039c3a476da5f/ff2025_micromates_capo_finn_elodie_libby-162.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/271d86f09def4d29baa039c3a476da5f/ff2025_micromates_capo_finn_elodie_libby-162.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Each playing card represents a microorganism.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Gabrielle Beans</span></div></div><p><strong>What is the purpose of the game?</strong></p><p>&ldquo;We want children to learn that microorganisms are naturally present in the environment, that not all of them are bad (most are actually good), and that they live in ecosystems that are affected by environmental changes, such as lack of oxygen in the water.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Positive feedback</h2><p>At present, the game consists of 30 mate cards. It is still in a development phase, and the team is receiving business support from the innovation support at Ume&aring; University. The aim is&nbsp;a full launch in the coming years with a collection of 100 mate cards, around 40 help cards, and game rules in Swedish.</p><p>The game was showcased for the first time during Researchers' Night (ForskarFredag) at Curiosum on 26 September 2025.</p><p>&ldquo;Overall, we received positive feedback. Many children came by to try the game. There is still a lot of work ahead for us to improve the gameplay and make it simpler for kids, as our main goal is for them to play and learn important knowledge without even realising it,&rdquo; says Eric Capo.</p><p>Read more about the game at <a href="http://micromates.se" target="_blank" rel="noopener">micromates.se</a>.</p>/en/news/researchers-card-game-teaches-children-about-microorganisms_12144957//en/news/klas-markstrom-appointed-to-the-swedish-research-councils-new-committee_12144835/The Swedish Research Council has established a new Committee for Engineering Sciences. One of the appointed members is Klas Markström, Professor at Umeå University.Fri, 03 Oct 2025 11:49:38 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/31e9327898e045dba87e8bcbc2ff734f/markstrom_klas_0026_210426_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/31e9327898e045dba87e8bcbc2ff734f/markstrom_klas_0026_210426_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/31e9327898e045dba87e8bcbc2ff734f/markstrom_klas_0026_210426_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/31e9327898e045dba87e8bcbc2ff734f/markstrom_klas_0026_210426_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/31e9327898e045dba87e8bcbc2ff734f/markstrom_klas_0026_210426_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/31e9327898e045dba87e8bcbc2ff734f/markstrom_klas_0026_210426_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Klas Markstr&ouml;m, Professor at the Department of Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>Earlier this year, the Swedish Research Council decided to establish a dedicated committee for engineering sciences. The background is the Government&rsquo;s Research and Innovation Bill 2024, which highlights the rapid technological development and the need for major investments in the field.</p><p>The Swedish Research Council will therefore divide the current Scientific Council for Natural and Engineering Sciences into two separate councils. Since the new Council for Engineering Sciences cannot be established immediately, a committee has been appointed to serve during the transition period until 2028.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Researchers with strong expertise</h2><p>&ldquo;During that time, the committee will, among other tasks, manage several initiatives on excellence clusters in engineering sciences and, together with the current Scientific Council for Natural and Engineering Sciences, prepare for the new council,&rdquo; says Klas Markstr&ouml;m, Professor at the Department of Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics.</p><p>The Committee for Engineering Sciences will consist of eleven members. At present, nine researchers with strong expertise in engineering and natural sciences have been appointed, while two representatives of research outside academia will be appointed at a later stage.</p>/en/news/klas-markstrom-appointed-to-the-swedish-research-councils-new-committee_12144835//en/news/natural-barriers-disrupt-the-ecosystems-in-northern-swedens-rivers_12144622/Rivers in northern Sweden do not always become wider or richer in species further downstream. Natural barriers shape the flow and stop plants from spreading, new research from Umeå University shows.Fri, 03 Oct 2025 09:00:07 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>The terrain in northern Sweden was shaped by the last Ice Age.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Richard Mason</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;Our results suggest that many foundational assumptions in river science may not apply here,&rdquo; says Lina Polvi Sj&ouml;berg, Associate Professor at the Department of Ecology, Environment and Geoscience at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>The rivers in northern Sweden flow through terrain shaped by the last Ice Age. The landscape is dotted with lakes and covered in sediment brought by the ice: sand, gravel and plenty of boulders. A news study from Ume&aring; University shows that this creates natural barriers that disrupt the flow of water. It also hinders the transport of sediment and the dispersal of plant seeds. All of this affects both the shape of the streams and the mix of plant types found along the shores.</p><p>&ldquo;We found that these landscapes are naturally fragmented, and that local conditions &ndash; such as sediment type and proximity to lakes &ndash; play a much larger role than previously thought,&rdquo; says Lina Polvi Sj&ouml;berg.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">The streams do not become wider</h2><p>Together with researcher Lovisa Lind, she studied two catchments in northern Sweden, Bjurb&auml;cken and Hjuks&aring;n, located above and below the highest coastline after the last glaciation. Using maps and field studies, they analysed the shape of the streams and the plant life along tens of kilometers of the shores.</p><p>Their findings challenge widely accepted theories that streams become wider and more biologically diverse downstream. The researchers found no clear relationships between the drainage area and channel width, and no consistent increase in plant species diversity downstream within these medium-sized catchments.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="caa67b86-4359-46bf-90a5-0794d772f623" data-contentname="">{}</div><p>&ldquo;In the catchment below the former highest coastline, we did see slightly stronger patterns, likely due to finer sediments from the sea. But overall, the presence of lakes and coarse glacial deposits breaks up the expected downstream trends,&rdquo; says Lina Polvi Sj&ouml;berg.</p><p>The study shows that lakes stop the transport of plant seeds by water. This leads to differences in the composition of plant life between nearby parts of the rivers. The researchers also saw an unexpected pattern: that species density (the number of species in a given area) was constant &ndash; or even decreased &ndash; downstream.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Important for river restoration</h2><p>These results are important for river restoration in areas shaped by the Ice Age. In these fragmented systems, passive recovery &ndash; where plants recolonise naturally &ndash; will probably not succeed. Instead, active interventions such as planting and physically reshaping the stream channels might be necessary.</p><p>&ldquo;Restoration strategies need to be adapted to these local realities,&rdquo; says Lina Polvi Sj&ouml;berg.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="5b0a16dc-6974-4612-a2b0-0f1beda1f8d0" data-contentname="">{}</div>/en/news/natural-barriers-disrupt-the-ecosystems-in-northern-swedens-rivers_12144622//en/news/cell-death-in-microalgae-resembles-that-in-humans_12143823/For the first time, researchers at Umeå University have observed the same type of programmed cell death in microalgae as in humans. The discovery, published in Nature Communications, shows that this central biological process is older than previously thought.Mon, 29 Sep 2025 08:55:15 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/0c95231c41be49b89cde314e5acffada/starter_notransformation3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0c95231c41be49b89cde314e5acffada/starter_notransformation3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0c95231c41be49b89cde314e5acffada/starter_notransformation3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/0c95231c41be49b89cde314e5acffada/starter_notransformation3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0c95231c41be49b89cde314e5acffada/starter_notransformation3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0c95231c41be49b89cde314e5acffada/starter_notransformation3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Under the microscope, it is possible to see for the first time how microalgae undergo the same type of programmed cell death as animal cells. (Microalgae in purple and apoptotic bodies as small dots.)</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Luisa Fernanda Corredor Arias</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;This is the first photosynthetic organism, and the first single-cell organism, shown to produce so called apoptotic bodies during cell death. This proves that apoptosis, a pathway of programmed cell death which was thought to be unique to animals, is more ancient and widespread than previously believed,&rdquo; says Christiane Funk, Professor at the Department of Chemistry, Ume&aring; University.</p><p>Cells can die naturally from age or disease, but organisms can also actively trigger the death of certain cells when needed. This is known as programmed cell death (PCD), a central biological system that allows the development of organs in our bodies and provides advantage during an organism&rsquo;s life cycle. One example is the differentiation of fingers in a developing human embryo, others are the control of cell numbers or the elimination of non-functional cells.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Challenges previous understanding</h2><p>There are several pathways leading to PCD, the best studied being apoptosis. The clearest sign of apoptosis is the formation and release of membrane-enclosed extracellular vesicles called apoptotic bodies. Although other pathways have been described in plants, yeast, protozoa and phytoplankton, the production of apoptotic bodies has been thought to be limited to multicellular animals.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/0c95231c41be49b89cde314e5acffada/funk_christiane_8620_191218_sjn_ok2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0c95231c41be49b89cde314e5acffada/funk_christiane_8620_191218_sjn_ok2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0c95231c41be49b89cde314e5acffada/funk_christiane_8620_191218_sjn_ok2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/0c95231c41be49b89cde314e5acffada/funk_christiane_8620_191218_sjn_ok2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0c95231c41be49b89cde314e5acffada/funk_christiane_8620_191218_sjn_ok2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0c95231c41be49b89cde314e5acffada/funk_christiane_8620_191218_sjn_ok2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Christiane Funk, Professor at the Department of Chemistry.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>For the first time the group of Christiane Funk at Ume&aring; University has now been able to observe the formation of apoptotic bodies in microalgae.</p><p>&ldquo;Our results demonstrate that the microalga Guillardia theta experiences apoptotic cell death in physiological conditions, similar to animal cells. Since these algae already existed prior to the origin of multicellularity, our discovery questions the evolutionary origin of PCD,&rdquo; says Christiane Funk.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Can have multiple uses</h2><p>The new findings may also have long-term implications beyond basic research. If scientists could one day induce or prevent programmed cell death in microorganisms, it might be possible to both manage harmful algal blooms and improve the harvesting of algal products in biotechnology.</p><p>&ldquo;But this is still far ahead of our current study,&rdquo; emphasises Christiane Funk.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="f4450458-4856-4d1b-a587-3895fd0611a6" data-contentname="About the study">{}</div>/en/news/cell-death-in-microalgae-resembles-that-in-humans_12143823//en/news/land-use-and-restoration-affects-carbon-storage-in-mangroves--_12143736/A new study from Umeå University shows that the restoration of mangroves can increase carbon storage. However, the researchers, who studied carbon locked up in Vietnamese mangrove forests, found these new ecosystems may not regain a normal function.Mon, 29 Sep 2025 13:59:43 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/e21f65d4513343eb843fd9511450cf8e/blue_carbon_heidi_burdett.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e21f65d4513343eb843fd9511450cf8e/blue_carbon_heidi_burdett.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e21f65d4513343eb843fd9511450cf8e/blue_carbon_heidi_burdett.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/e21f65d4513343eb843fd9511450cf8e/blue_carbon_heidi_burdett.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e21f65d4513343eb843fd9511450cf8e/blue_carbon_heidi_burdett.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e21f65d4513343eb843fd9511450cf8e/blue_carbon_heidi_burdett.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Sediment coring in old-forest mangrove within a shrimp farm pond in the Red River delta, northern Vietnam.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Heidi Burdett</span></div></div><p>Marine coastal ecosystems play an important role in capturing and storing large amounts of carbon in the sediment, so-called "blue carbon". One of the most important ecosystems for this are mangrove forests.&nbsp;</p><p>&ldquo;Compared to some other marine ecosystems, there are good opportunities to succeed in the reforestation and restoration of mangrove forests. Therefore, they hold exciting potential for achieving climate policy goals," says Heidi Burdett, Associate Professor at the Department of Ecology, Environment &amp; Geoscience, and Ume&aring; Marine Sciences Centre, Ume&aring; University.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/e21f65d4513343eb843fd9511450cf8e/heidi_burdett.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e21f65d4513343eb843fd9511450cf8e/heidi_burdett.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e21f65d4513343eb843fd9511450cf8e/heidi_burdett.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/e21f65d4513343eb843fd9511450cf8e/heidi_burdett.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e21f65d4513343eb843fd9511450cf8e/heidi_burdett.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e21f65d4513343eb843fd9511450cf8e/heidi_burdett.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Heidi Burdett, Associate professor at Department of Ecology and Environmental Science and Ume&aring; Marine Sciences Centre (UMF).</p><p>&nbsp;</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Heidi Burdett</span></div></div><p>However, the amount of carbon that is taken up and locked away can vary greatly between different areas. To find out what factors affect carbon storage, the researchers examined mangrove forests in northern Vietnam, comparing older untouched forests with areas of natural regrowth and where restoration has taken place.</p><p>Changes in carbon storage over time followed patterns linked to coastal land use, inland dam construction, and alternating dry and wet climate periods.</p><p>&ldquo;Our results highlight how vulnerable mangrove carbon storage is to human activities, which might be happening hundreds of kilometers away,&rdquo; says Heidi.</p><p>The study shows that the deposition of sediment generally increased in the mangrove forests over the past few decades, but this increase did not match how much carbon accumulated. This indicates that the efficiency of carbon burial has declined.</p><p>&ldquo;The exception was in restored areas, which since the 1960s has had higher amounts of stored carbon, peaking in the 1990s. One explanation may be that restored mangrove forests are ecologically different, becoming more closed-off from external inputs of carbon,&rdquo; says Heidi.</p><p>The researchers suggest that mangrove restoration may therefore be a useful way to increase coastal carbon storage, but caution against assuming that restored ecosystems will always perform like their older counterparts.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Read the full article:<br><a href="https://journals.plos.org/sustainabilitytransformation/article?id=10.1371/journal.pstr.0000197">Burdett et al (2025) Land use change drives decadal-scale persistence of sediment organic carbon storage of restored mangrove. Plos Sustainability and Transformation, 4:e0000197.</a> </p>/en/news/land-use-and-restoration-affects-carbon-storage-in-mangroves--_12143736//en/news/ice-dissolves-iron-faster-than-liquid-water_12142036/Ice can dissolve iron minerals more effectively than liquid water, according to a new study from Umeå University. The discovery could help explain why many Arctic rivers are now turning rusty orange as permafrost thaws in a warming climate.Mon, 22 Sep 2025 08:00:13 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>When ice freezes and thaws repeatedly, chemical reactions are fuelled that can have significant impact on ecosystems. The photo was taken in Stordalen, Abisko.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Jean-Fran&ccedil;ois Boily</span></div></div><p>The study, recently published in the scientific journal PNAS, shows that ice at minus ten degrees Celsius releases more iron from common minerals than liquid water at four degrees Celsius. This challenges the long-held belief that frozen environments slow down chemical reactions.</p><p>&ldquo;It may sound counterintuitive, but ice is not a passive frozen block,&rdquo; says Jean-Fran&ccedil;ois Boily, Professor at Ume&aring; University and co-author of the study. &ldquo;Freezing creates microscopic pockets of liquid water between ice crystals. These act like chemical reactors, where compounds become concentrated and extremely acidic. This means they can react with iron minerals even at temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Releases organic compounds</h2><p>To understand the process, the researchers studied goethite &ndash; a widespread iron oxide mineral &ndash; together with a naturally occurring organic acid, using advanced microscopy and experiments.</p><p>They discovered that repeated freeze-thaw cycles make iron dissolve more efficiently. As the ice freezes and thaws, organic compounds that were previously trapped in the ice are released, fuelling further chemical reactions. Salinity also plays a crucial role: fresh and brackish water increase dissolution, while seawater can suppress it.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">From mines to the atmosphere</h2><p>The findings apply mainly to acidic environments, such as mine drainage sites, frozen dust in the atmosphere, acid sulfate soils along the Baltic Sea coast, or in any acidic frozen environment where iron minerals interact with organics.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Angelo Sebaaly, doctoral student at the Department of Chemistry.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Giacomo Gorza</span></div></div><p>The next step is to find out if the same is true for all iron-bearing ice. This is what ongoing research in the Boily laboratory will soon reveal.</p><p>&ldquo;As the climate warms, freeze-thaw cycles become more frequent,&rdquo; says Angelo Pio Sebaaly, doctoral student and first author of the study. &ldquo;Each cycle releases iron from soils and permafrost into the water. This can affect water quality and aquatic ecosystems across vast areas.&rdquo;</p><p>The findings show that ice is not a passive storage medium, but an active player. As freezing and thawing increase in polar and mountain regions, for the impact on ecosystems. and the natural cycling of elements could be significant.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="6c6957ec-b8a6-4209-aaaa-6316dd66fec6" data-contentname="About the article">{}</div>/en/news/ice-dissolves-iron-faster-than-liquid-water_12142036//en/news/collaboration-with-biotechnology-companies-opens-new-doors-for-umea-chemist_12141643/An unexpected collaboration between professor Magnus Wolf-Watz at Umeå University and the biotech company Vakona is a prime example of how fundamental research can gain new relevance and impact. By combining academic curiosity with industrial application, the project has led to technological breakthroughs and new research — while also contributing to societal benefit in form of acne treatment.Wed, 24 Sep 2025 09:33:07 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/1929bd7b551a4972a1bb716b1920f684/wolf-watz_magnus_5402_180823_soj2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/1929bd7b551a4972a1bb716b1920f684/wolf-watz_magnus_5402_180823_soj2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/1929bd7b551a4972a1bb716b1920f684/wolf-watz_magnus_5402_180823_soj2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/1929bd7b551a4972a1bb716b1920f684/wolf-watz_magnus_5402_180823_soj2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/1929bd7b551a4972a1bb716b1920f684/wolf-watz_magnus_5402_180823_soj2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/1929bd7b551a4972a1bb716b1920f684/wolf-watz_magnus_5402_180823_soj2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Magnus Wolf-Watz, professor at the Department of Chemistry at Ume&aring; Univerisiy has a succesful cooperation with the company Vacona.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">the project bridges practical application with biological mechanisms</p><p>&ldquo;The greatest value is how the project bridges practical application with biological mechanisms,&rdquo; says Magnus Wolf Watz, Professor of Biophysical Chemistry at the Department of Chemistry, Ume&aring; University.</p><p>The partnership began when Ume&aring;-based Vakona reached out to Magnus to discuss patent related to the enzyme BMD. What started as a conversation quickly evolved into a collaboration of growing scope and significance.</p><p>Acne arises from several interacting factors. A key cause is an imbalance in the skin&rsquo;s microbiome. The bacterium <em>Propionibacterium acnes</em> can proliferate and form a protective biofilm, which contributes to the disease and makes antibiotic treatment more difficult.</p><p>Vakona&rsquo;s product is based on research by Dr. Oleg Alexeyev, Department of Medical Biosciences, and is designed as a skincare solution using a naturally occurring bacterial enzyme that breaks down the protective biofilm formed by <em>P. acnes</em>. Their need for structural biology expertise aligned perfectly with Magnus&rsquo;s research group&rsquo;s ambition to make a technological leap in cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM), a method that has become central to the project.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Fundamental research with clear application</h2><p>For Magnus, whose background is in structural enzymology, the project has been a welcome step toward research with direct societal relevance. Working with an enzyme that could potentially be used in acne treatment makes the research easier to communicate &mdash; to both funders and the general public.</p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s exciting to be able to describe your research in one sentence, we&rsquo;re developing a therapy for acne. It makes it easier to explain and sparks interest.&rdquo;</p><p>The collaboration has also led to new research funding. Magnus and Oleg Alexeyev were awarded SEK 1.1 million from the Kempe Foundations to fund a two-year postdoctoral position fully dedicated to the Vakona project. Magnus also supervises a PhD student working on the project with support from the university&rsquo;s structural biology platform.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">New methods, new perspectives</h2><p>The project has marked a technical leap for Magnus&rsquo;s lab, which has traditionally focused on nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Through the collaboration with Vakona, the group has now established Cryo-EM as a new method, opening up significant opportunities for other projects as well.</p><p>&ldquo;This step will be hugely important for us. We already have other collaborations using the technique, including one with KTH, where we hope to publish soon.&rdquo;</p><p>At the same time, the partnership has brought new challenges, particularly around patents and publishing. Balancing corporate interests has influenced research methods, and numerous meetings were needed to find a middle ground between openness and confidentiality.</p><p>&ldquo;You have to align your goals. Industry wants to make money, we want to publish. But we&rsquo;ve found a good plan for that.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Lessons learned and looking ahead</h2><p>For Magnus, the project has been both educational and inspiring. It&rsquo;s his first time collaborating with a company, offering insights into how researchers and businesses can work together and how to navigate the intersection between academic freedom and commercial interests.</p><p>&ldquo;There&rsquo;s a societal push for these kinds of collaborations. It&rsquo;s important to understand the basic premises before entering a project.&rdquo;</p><p>He encourages other researchers to seize the opportunity if it arises but to be diligent about discussing patents and publishing from the outset.</p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a solid setup. We hope the collaboration leads to a strong publication, that the company secures funding, and can hire people. It&rsquo;s a win-win.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3">An innovation ecosystem</h2><p>The partnership between Ume&aring; University and Vakona illustrates how academic research can contribute to a local innovation ecosystem. Growth in spin-off companies can create new jobs for trained researchers, strengthening both the university&rsquo;s role and regional development.</p><p>&ldquo;If we can contribute in that way and help create a job market, that&rsquo;s fantastic.&rdquo;</p><p>The project also demonstrates that research with clear applications can have greater impact both within academia and beyond.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/1929bd7b551a4972a1bb716b1920f684/akne2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/1929bd7b551a4972a1bb716b1920f684/akne2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/1929bd7b551a4972a1bb716b1920f684/akne2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/1929bd7b551a4972a1bb716b1920f684/akne2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/1929bd7b551a4972a1bb716b1920f684/akne2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/1929bd7b551a4972a1bb716b1920f684/akne2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Acne mainly affects teenagers, especially during puberty when hormonal changes increase sebum production.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>plainpicture</span></div></div>/en/news/collaboration-with-biotechnology-companies-opens-new-doors-for-umea-chemist_12141643//en/news/methane-production-may-increase-as-arctic-lakes-warm_12141395/A warmer and wetter climate makes lakes more productive – which in turn leads to more methane being released from sediments. A new study involving Umeå University shows that Arctic lakes may contribute even more to the greenhouse effect in the future.Thu, 18 Sep 2025 08:00:03 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>F&auml;ltarbete vid sj&ouml;ar n&auml;ra Abisko naturvetenskapliga station.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Sofia Kjellman</span></div></div><p>Methane is more than 25 times stronger as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Arctic lakes account for a significant share of global methane emissions, but until now, knowledge about the processes in northern lakes has been limited. An international team of researchers from Norway, Sweden and Spain has now shown that methane production varies greatly between lakes and is closely linked to their characteristics.</p><p>The researchers investigated ten lakes on Svalbard and in the subarctic region of Scandinavia, three of them via the Abisko Scientific Research Station. They found that most methane production occurs in the top ten centimetres of lake sediments, where there is abundant organic matter and favorable conditions for microbes.</p><p>&ldquo;The Arctic is already greening in response to the warmer and wetter climate, and longer summers up north, impacting the inputs of organic matter fueling methane production in lakes&rdquo;, says Alexandra Rouillard, Ume&aring; Marine Sciences Centre, Ume&aring; University, and co-supervisor of the study.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Bottles in which methane was collected in Abisko.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Alexandra Rouillard</span></div></div><p>The study clearly showed that especially shallower lakes, with many algae, bottom plants, and surrounding vegetation, generate higher methane production. However, the amount of gas produced varied greatly between lakes.</p><p>The researchers compared their results with data from more than 60 lakes worldwide. They found that lakes in tropical and temperate regions generally have higher methane production. However, the large number of lakes at northern latitudes, combined with the strong variation between them, still makes the total emissions significant.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Link to publication:</strong> <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2024JG008508">https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2024JG008508</a></p><p><strong>Contact:</strong> <br>Alexandra Rouillard, +46 738 400 273<br>Ume&aring; Marine Sciences Centre &amp; Climate Impacts Research Centre<br>Department of Ecology, Environment and Geoscience<br>Ume&aring; University</p><p><a href="mailto:alexandra.rouillard@91��ý����">alexandra.rouillard@91��ý����</a></p>/en/news/methane-production-may-increase-as-arctic-lakes-warm_12141395//en/news/from-cookstoves-to-sustainable-bioenergy--energy-solutions-for-africa_12140937/Millions of households in Africa still cook on smoky, inefficient stoves that harm both health and the environment. In his doctoral thesis at Umeå University, Natxo García-López shows how improved cookstoves and bioenergy systems can make a real difference, for people and for the environment. Tue, 16 Sep 2025 16:29:14 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/bea0ba91c90c4a17b4ec339b38a79f5f/bild_4_13.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/bea0ba91c90c4a17b4ec339b38a79f5f/bild_4_13.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/bea0ba91c90c4a17b4ec339b38a79f5f/bild_4_13.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/bea0ba91c90c4a17b4ec339b38a79f5f/bild_4_13.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/bea0ba91c90c4a17b4ec339b38a79f5f/bild_4_13.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/bea0ba91c90c4a17b4ec339b38a79f5f/bild_4_13.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Participants at a workshop in the village of Rusagara, Rwanda. Natxo Garc&iacute;a-L&oacute;pez presented results from one of the studies.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Natxo Garc&iacute;a-L&oacute;pez.</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">The work is challenging and complex</p><p>&ldquo;The work is challenging and complex, but through interdisciplinary projects in Africa we can create cleaner air, better health, and a more sustainable energy future,&rdquo; says Natxo Garc&iacute;a-L&oacute;pez, PhD student at the Department at of Applied Physics and Electronics at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>Access to clean and reliable energy remains a major challenge in rural sub-Saharan Africa. Millions of families still use traditional and inefficient cookstoves, which pollute homes with smoke, cause respiratory illness, place heavy burdens on women who collect firewood, and contribute to environmental degradation. In his doctoral thesis at Ume&aring; University, Natxo Garc&iacute;a-L&oacute;pez examines how more sustainable bioenergy solutions can address these challenges.</p><p>His work combines laboratory studies, field experiments in Rwanda, systematic reviews, and a perspective study that explores new bioenergy approaches. The findings highlight the value of improved cookstoves, which burn more efficiently and reduce both emissions and health risks. Still, Garc&iacute;a-L&oacute;pez&rsquo;s research extends beyond stoves to integrated energy solutions. In his thesis, he broadens the perspective to the community level, examining how bioenergy can be scaled and integrated into broader frameworks of rural development and energy access.</p><p>By integrating agroforestry with bioenergy, he outlines a model in which farmland serves more than its traditional role of producing food. Sustainably managed trees and crops can supply households with cleaner cooking fuel while also generating surplus biomass for electricity production through gasification. In this way, everyday cooking becomes directly connected to rural development, energy security and access to modern energy services.</p><p>&nbsp;&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a blueprint for scalable, community-level energy solutions,&rdquo; he says.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Fieldwork challenging but rewarding</h2><p>Conducting research in rural Rwanda was demanding, both logistically and scientifically. It involved traveling to remote areas, working with limited resources, and operating advanced instruments under difficult conditions. At the same time, it created opportunities to work closely with local communities and to collect data directly from rural households, offering valuable insights into their everyday challenges.</p><p>&ldquo;It gave me a first-hand understanding of the challenges rural households and of how cleaner technologies can truly make a difference,&rdquo; says Garc&iacute;a-L&oacute;pez.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Beyond technology &ndash; a matter of people&rsquo;s lives</h2><p>Although the thesis devotes considerable attention to the technical analysis of combustion processes, emissions and particles, its implications reach far beyond engineering. It sheds light on the everyday realities of people in rural Africa, particularly the lack of access to modern energy services such as clean cooking and electricity. The findings also resonate with several pressing global challenges &ndash; from public health and gender equality to climate change and environmental sustainability.</p><p>&ldquo;Cleaner cookstoves can make indoor environments safer, reduce disease risks, and help preserve both forests and climate,&rdquo; says Garc&iacute;a-L&oacute;pez.</p><p>Beyond the technical contributions, Garc&iacute;a-L&oacute;pez hopes that his work can spark dialogue among decision-makers and practitioners. Its true impact will depend on how it is received by the research community, policymakers, NGOs and other actors, but his ambition is that it will make a positive difference for people in rural sub-Saharan Africa who remain without access to modern energy services.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">The way forward</h2><p>While the dissertation provides new evidence and technical insights, it also opens the door to future research directions. Garc&iacute;a-L&oacute;pez sees his work not as an endpoint but as the beginning of a broader research journey, one that blends technological innovation with real-world application in countries with developing economies.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/bea0ba91c90c4a17b4ec339b38a79f5f/img_59662.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/bea0ba91c90c4a17b4ec339b38a79f5f/img_59662.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/bea0ba91c90c4a17b4ec339b38a79f5f/img_59662.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/bea0ba91c90c4a17b4ec339b38a79f5f/img_59662.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/bea0ba91c90c4a17b4ec339b38a79f5f/img_59662.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/bea0ba91c90c4a17b4ec339b38a79f5f/img_59662.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Garc&iacute;a-L&oacute;pez during fieldwork in the village of Rusagara, Rwanda. Data collection with advanced instruments in rural environments involves many challenges.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Sabine Ingabire</span></div></div>/en/news/from-cookstoves-to-sustainable-bioenergy--energy-solutions-for-africa_12140937//en/news/ai-designed-paint-can-cool-buildings-during-heatwaves_12135258/Researchers have used artificial intelligence to develop a paint that can keep buildings cooler. The method, presented in Nature, may lead to both energy savings and more comfortable indoor climates. Max Yan at Umeå University has contributed to developing the method and interpreting the results.Tue, 02 Sep 2025 08:00:08 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>The new paint, developed using AI, reflects solar radiation and helps buildings maintain a more comfortable indoor temperature.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>John&eacute;r Bildbyr&aring; AB</span></div></div><p>On a sunny day, buildings absorb much of the sun&rsquo;s radiation and quickly heat up. Now, researchers from the USA, China, Singapore and Sweden have succeeded in creating a variety of advanced thin metamaterials which not only block solar radiation but also emit heat, hence lowering the indoor temperature. One of the materials can be sprayed or brushed from paint.</p><p>&ldquo;A roof painted with the specially designed material maintained an indoor temperature 5.6 degrees lower than another building painted with conventional white paint,&rdquo; says Max Yan, Associate Professor at Ume&aring; University and co-author of the study published in the scientific journal Nature.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Machine learning creates complex structures</h2><p>Metamaterials are artificially engineered materials with properties that are superior to those found in natural materials. Developing cooling metamaterials has previously been a time-consuming process where researchers had to rely on trial and error. The new method is based on machine learning and artificial intelligence, which in just a few days can generate thousands of complex structures with the desired properties of reflecting solar radiation and emitting thermal radiation. The best candidates are then identified in terms of mass producibility and cost.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Max Yan, Associate Professor at the Department of Applied Physics and Electronics.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>The new paint can provide significant energy savings by reducing the need for air conditioning. Calculations show that if the paint is applied to the roof of a typical four-storey apartment building with a roof area of 780 square metres in Bangkok, it could save about 12,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually.</p><p>In addition to being used on buildings, the new paint can be applied to other objects, such as cars, trains, or machines. The need for effective cooling is increasing as the climate changes and heatwaves become more frequent and intense.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Saves energy in a warming world</h2><p>&ldquo;This type of material can contribute both to improved living environments and considerable energy saving,&rdquo; says Max Yan.</p><p>In the longer term, the technology might be used for regulating the climate on a global scale.</p><p>&ldquo;Will massive deployment of this type of radiative cooling metamaterial help to slow down global warming? I have not spent much time on this question, but I would say it is worth investigating,&rdquo; says Max Yan.</p><p>In countries with cold winters, like Sweden, the AI approach can be adapted to design thin materials or paints that can help retain heat in buildings.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="44c6c286-a629-4b6c-81fc-bb26c9388bb6" data-contentname="About the study">{}</div>/en/news/ai-designed-paint-can-cool-buildings-during-heatwaves_12135258//en/news/moving-the-faculty-forward-together_12133923/With curiosity and a strong commitment to both education and research, Thomas Wågberg and Karolina Broman are stepping into their new roles as dean and deputy dean. For them, leadership is above all about teamwork and developing the faculty together.Wed, 27 Aug 2025 11:11:33 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/61dc6ff17300453d8f9ff98e1a635db5/thomas-o-karolina4355-250819-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/61dc6ff17300453d8f9ff98e1a635db5/thomas-o-karolina4355-250819-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/61dc6ff17300453d8f9ff98e1a635db5/thomas-o-karolina4355-250819-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/61dc6ff17300453d8f9ff98e1a635db5/thomas-o-karolina4355-250819-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/61dc6ff17300453d8f9ff98e1a635db5/thomas-o-karolina4355-250819-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/61dc6ff17300453d8f9ff98e1a635db5/thomas-o-karolina4355-250819-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Thomas W&aring;gberg and Karolina Broman, dean and deputy dean at the Faculty of Science and Technology.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>On 1 July, Thomas W&aring;gberg took office as dean and Karolina Broman as deputy dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology. Together with the faculty board, they form the faculty&rsquo;s highest academic leadership and are responsible for developing its core activities: education, research and collaboration.</p><p>Both are alumni of Ume&aring; University. Thomas studied physics, while Karolina trained as an upper secondary school teacher in chemistry and biology. For the past eight years, Thomas has been head of the Department of Physics while continuing his research in nanomaterials and materials physics, with applications in areas such as hydrogen technologies and solar cells. He also has a strong passion for teaching.</p><p>&ldquo;Meeting students gives me an incredible amount of energy; it is one of the things I enjoy most,&rdquo; he says.</p><p>For Karolina Broman, teaching has always been the common thread. She worked as an upper secondary school teacher for five years before pursuing a doctorate and becoming a researcher in chemistry education. In 2017 she became a member of the faculty board, and from 2022 she served as associate dean with responsibility for education and educational collaboration.</p><p>Their experiences have given them both valuable insight into the organisation and a wide network of contacts. They describe the faculty as well-functioning and humbly step into their new assignments as dean and deputy dean.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Strengths of the faculty</h2><p>&ldquo;The faculty&rsquo;s strength lies in its staff and students. In addition, the STEM strategy provides political incentives to work with subjects linked to our faculty. Our programmes are in demand, and we attract talented staff,&rdquo; says Karolina Broman.</p><p class="quote-center">We need to work to put Ume&aring; University on the map and compete for the most prestigious grants.</p><p>Thomas W&aring;gberg highlights the faculty&rsquo;s development in recent years:</p><p>&ldquo;The faculty has been on a very positive trajectory, not only thanks to its strong breadth but also its excellence, which we aim to develop further. We want to achieve breakthrough research &ndash; the major discoveries that truly make a difference in the world.&rdquo;</p><p>He also points to the international mix of colleagues and the many collaborations between the faculty&rsquo;s research groups, departments and centres that create a dynamic research and educational environment.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Challenges and ambitions</h2><p>The appointments as dean and deputy dean cover 75 per cent of their working time and also include serving as chair and vice-chair of the faculty board. The board makes decisions on issues such as finances, organisation and administration.</p><p>While research and education are Thomas W&aring;gberg&rsquo;s and Karolina Broman&rsquo;s respective main areas of responsibility, they will work closely together. On the research side, Thomas wants to continue strengthening the faculty&rsquo;s competitiveness.</p><p>&ldquo;Funding is a challenge; costs are rising faster than resources. We need to work to put Ume&aring; University on the map and compete for the most prestigious grants. In five years, I hope every department will have one or more projects funded by an ERC grant,&rdquo; he says.</p><p class="quote-center">I want to talk about education not only in terms of what we teach, i.e. the subjects, but also how and why we teach.</p><p>Karolina Broman, in turn, wants to raise the profile of educational matters within the university.</p><p>&ldquo;I want to talk about education not only in terms of <em>what</em> we teach, i.e. the subjects, but also <em>how</em> and <em>why</em> we teach,&rdquo; she says.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">A team effort</h2><p>For both Thomas and Karolina, the appointments are an opportunity to develop and to work closely with others. They are curious and enthusiastic about the coming four years of their mandate.</p><p>&ldquo;Above all, I am a team player. It feels both challenging and rewarding to work for the whole faculty,&rdquo; says Thomas.</p><p>Karolina agrees:</p><p>&ldquo;The faculty is a &lsquo;we&rsquo;. It feels reassuring to take on this role together with Thomas, knowing that we are both rooted in the core activities.&rdquo;</p><p>Most of all, they look forward to working with issues they are truly passionate about.</p><p>&ldquo;To be able to do something so meaningful is a privilege. I am truly grateful for it,&rdquo; says Karolina Broman.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="77d6362b-b2ba-488f-b832-6b2db8dffc2c" data-contentname="About the faculty">{}</div>/en/news/moving-the-faculty-forward-together_12133923//en/news/life-at-the-limits-meet-the-lab-that-hunts-for-life-on-mars_12133579/In the cellar of the KBC building, a group of researchers are collecting signatures of life. In the windowless room, with artificial UV-lights, freezers and saline solutions, they put microorganisms like yeast and cyanobacteria through extreme environments, pushing them to their limits. Their goal? To discover biosignatures on their favorite planet: Mars.Wed, 27 Aug 2025 13:22:00 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/704200515a1d4761bb87d8580de1ab8d/p81813574.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/704200515a1d4761bb87d8580de1ab8d/p81813574.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/704200515a1d4761bb87d8580de1ab8d/p81813574.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/704200515a1d4761bb87d8580de1ab8d/p81813574.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/704200515a1d4761bb87d8580de1ab8d/p81813574.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/704200515a1d4761bb87d8580de1ab8d/p81813574.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Group leader and assistant professor Merve Yeşilbaş, postdoc Alef dos Santos, student assistant Frida Folkesson Ragnebrandt, PhD student Zoe Asimaki and postdoc Surendra Vikram Singh. Together, they are searching for biosignatures on Mars.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Rebecca Forsberg</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;We needed a place that is dark, cold and alone, just like space, so this is perfect,&rdquo; laughs Merve Yeşilbaş, assistant professor at the Department of Chemistry, as she opens the door to her lab.<br><br>When she arrived in Ume&aring; for the first time, in 2010, it was as an Erasmus student with the goal to study spectroscopy. It was a record cold January with metre-high piles of snow &ndash; extreme weather that set the course for her research. &ldquo;Being born and raised in Istanbul, my dad joked that I was going the North pole,&rdquo; she says.<br><br>Falling in love with spectroscopy in Ume&aring;, her Erasmus turned into a master&rsquo;s degree in physics and a PhD in chemistry. Ultimately, this led her to her childhood dream: NASA, where she spent 3 years as a postdoc. <a href="~/link/eb1c3aa9422d41299815da4d19dab3b4.aspx">In 2022</a>, Merve&nbsp;Yeşilbaş&nbsp;had just returned to Ume&aring; and was setting up her own space lab in an old storage room.<br>&nbsp;<br>Now, three years later, I visited the lab to see how far things have come, and to talk about mentoring, the vision of the lab, and of course: Mars.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/704200515a1d4761bb87d8580de1ab8d/p81812402.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/704200515a1d4761bb87d8580de1ab8d/p81812402.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/704200515a1d4761bb87d8580de1ab8d/p81812402.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/704200515a1d4761bb87d8580de1ab8d/p81812402.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/704200515a1d4761bb87d8580de1ab8d/p81812402.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/704200515a1d4761bb87d8580de1ab8d/p81812402.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>In the space lab, bacteria and yeast are cultivated and exposed to UV, cold, and salty environments similar to those on Mars. What chemical signals do the microorganisms emit? By creating a catalogue of these signals, the hunt for life becomes clearer. <span class="photo" style="color: #666666; font-size: 0.66667rem; text-wrap-mode: nowrap;">Image</span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: 0.66667rem; text-wrap-mode: nowrap;">Rebecca Forsberg</span></p></div></div><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Icy cool science&nbsp;</h2><p>Merve Yeşilbaş radiates energy as she shows me around the lab. Her team &ndash; two postdocs, a PhD candidate and a student assistant &ndash; move between workstations where experiments are being prepared. In one corner, a newly installed spectrometer hums with a sign saying: &ldquo;Experiment in progress.&rdquo; A small Tintin figurine with his rocket to the Moon keeps watch besides a Mars globe covered in sticky notes.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="afd75a1c-1ce5-47a7-8c60-68c8fcfef83d" data-contentname="Photo cyano">{}</div><p>Postdoc Alef dos Santos, with a background in organic chemistry, tends to cultures of cyanobacteria and bacteria from Antarctica, growing them in salty solutions similar to those on Mars.</p><p>&ldquo;They are like my babies,&rdquo; he says, explaining that on Earth cyanobacteria survive in some of the most hostile places imaginable &ndash; inside rocks, lava tubes and below the upper surface. &ldquo;Perhaps it&rsquo;s the same on Mars, waiting to be discovered underneath the surface&rdquo; he says in <a href="~/link/061a6b03a0654828a56b865951762483.aspx">an interview</a> from earlier this year.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>By another bench, PhD student Zoe Asimaki, with a background in biology and planetary science, is busy grinding rocks into fine powders.&nbsp;<br>&ndash; I&rsquo;m preparing Mars regolith analogues, by exposing the powder to oxidation and radiation, she explains.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/704200515a1d4761bb87d8580de1ab8d/p81813142.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/704200515a1d4761bb87d8580de1ab8d/p81813142.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/704200515a1d4761bb87d8580de1ab8d/p81813142.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/704200515a1d4761bb87d8580de1ab8d/p81813142.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/704200515a1d4761bb87d8580de1ab8d/p81813142.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/704200515a1d4761bb87d8580de1ab8d/p81813142.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>PhD student Zoe Asimaki has hammered and ground down rock into a fine powder. The purpose is to create dust &ndash; regolith &ndash; similar to that on Mars surface. <span class="photo" style="color: #666666; font-size: 0.66667rem; text-wrap-mode: nowrap;">Image</span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: 0.66667rem; text-wrap-mode: nowrap;">Rebecca Forsberg</span></p></div></div><p>But what really makes the Yesilbas lab unique is its focus on ice. &ldquo;We believe biosignatures on Mars will be found in the ice,&rdquo; says Merve Yeşilbaş. Just as heat can drive chemical reactions, so can cold. Mars cycles through extremes, from &ndash;100&deg;C nights to days that barely reach +20&deg;C, repeatedly freezing and thawing. This process can trap salts, dust and organics within ice layers, preserving traces of life, or chemistry that resembles it.</p><p>&ldquo;Ice chemistry is very fascinating,&rdquo; says postdoc Surendra Vikram Singh, who, although he has a background in physics, now studies how RNA reacts to icy Martian conditions. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s key to understanding how and where we might detect life on Mars.&rdquo;<br><br>&ldquo;At NASA, I was taught to be a brave scientist, to ask outside-the-box questions and to dare to dream big,&rdquo; says Merve Yeşilbaş, a legacy she is passing on to her team. &ldquo;I feel a lot of trust from Merve in our ability to do the right thing, which gives freedom to explore and learn,&rdquo; says Zoe Asimaki.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/704200515a1d4761bb87d8580de1ab8d/p81812823.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/704200515a1d4761bb87d8580de1ab8d/p81812823.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/704200515a1d4761bb87d8580de1ab8d/p81812823.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/704200515a1d4761bb87d8580de1ab8d/p81812823.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/704200515a1d4761bb87d8580de1ab8d/p81812823.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/704200515a1d4761bb87d8580de1ab8d/p81812823.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>During the summer, Alef dos Santos, together with student assistant Frida Folkesson Ragnebrandt, studied extremophiles &ndash; organisms that survive in extreme environments on Earth. <span class="photo" style="color: #666666; font-size: 0.66667rem; text-wrap-mode: nowrap;">Image</span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: 0.66667rem; text-wrap-mode: nowrap;">Rebecca Forsberg</span></p></div></div><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence&nbsp;</h2><p>The phrase &ldquo;Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence&rdquo;, popularised by astronomer Carl Sagan, is the foundation for the team's research. The spacelab does not work in a vacuum, and to get the most data out of their samples, the lab collaborates with several scientists, groups and infrastructures at the Chemical-Biological Centre. &ldquo;Having close access to infrastructures like the <a href="~/link/b3535c2f6803442f8cf20120b93e6074.aspx">Swedish Metabolomics Centre</a>, <a href="~/link/7ad40d1b1e824ed090819213088c0afb.aspx">NMR</a>, <a href="~/link/fb48be8ddb6347308d7622d64012b103.aspx">UCEM</a>, and the expertise of the helpful staff scientists, is invaluable for our research,&rdquo; says Alef dos Santos.</p><p>Having a diverse set of backgrounds is what makes the team so successful. &ldquo;In a way you have to shift your identity, from being a biologist to something more diverse&rdquo; says Zoe Asimaki. &ldquo;Although reading papers that are outside of your own field might take a bit longer, we get help from each other and in the end, we know more as a team.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="9ddbe845-f6b9-49b8-990b-cda2600388b0" data-contentname="Photo tintin">{}</div><p>The aim of the lab is to build a catalogue of both abiotic and astrobiological signatures &ndash; traces of processes that are biological in origin, and those that are not. &ldquo;On broad terms, we are pioneering the way we search for life,&rdquo; Zoe Asimaki says, Merve Yeşilbaş filling in: &ldquo;The key is to have a common vision, sharing a goal. I believe that the learning progress is endless, and every day we explore together.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">From the cellar to space</h2><p>Today, the lab is filled with ambition and laughter. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve made this room into my happy place, where everything is possible. Now, I&rsquo;m in a good place,&rdquo; says Merve Yeşilbaş.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="f93f1438-77c1-4f4d-b8a6-ef2476285a04" data-contentname="Photo Surendra">{}</div><p>Student assistant Frida Folkesson Ragnebrandt describes the atmosphere as supportive. &ldquo;Everyone &nbsp;shares the fascination with space, and that makes it fun to come here&rdquo;.<br>&nbsp;<br>So where is the lab going next, up and beyond? Together, they are preparing for the next generation of Mars missions, aiming to equip ESA and NASA with tools and constraints for detecting reliable biosignatures. Merve Yeşilbaş, who still collaborates closely with NASA, hopes to expand the lab, and continue to influence and be involved with future Mars- and space missions.</p>/en/news/life-at-the-limits-meet-the-lab-that-hunts-for-life-on-mars_12133579//en/news/a-unique-shopwith-a-50-year-legacy_12129043/For over 50 years, the Chemistry Store “Chem Store”, or Kemiförrådet, has been the central hub for chemicals and laboratory equipment at Umeå University. Just in time for the university’s 60th anniversary, Hans Sjöström – the man behind the shop's development – shares the story of how a cluttered collection of metal cabinets became a well-oiled research service. Mon, 25 Aug 2025 09:16:08 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/afe4c672ddb14a658fcce07b7c28d70e/p6241123-25.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/afe4c672ddb14a658fcce07b7c28d70e/p6241123-25.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/afe4c672ddb14a658fcce07b7c28d70e/p6241123-25.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/afe4c672ddb14a658fcce07b7c28d70e/p6241123-25.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/afe4c672ddb14a658fcce07b7c28d70e/p6241123-25.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/afe4c672ddb14a658fcce07b7c28d70e/p6241123-25.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Boris Jonsson at Chem Store (Kemif&ouml;rr&aring;det) and Hans Sj&ouml;str&ouml;m who spent 40 years of his working life to develop the shop into the research support it is today.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Rebecca Forsberg</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">I have never regretted accepting that job, not for a second</p><p>&ldquo;When I arrived here in 1976, it became something of a small revolution,&rdquo; says Hans Sj&ouml;str&ouml;m, formerly employed at the Department of Chemistry, who developed the Chem Store from the ground up.</p><p>In the 1970s, the store was simply a small storage space at the Department of Chemistry. It wasn&rsquo;t until Hans came on board and began to organise the operations that the shop the researchers know today began to take shape. He started by cleaning and tidying, putting up a blackboard for orders, and removing the doors from the numerous metal cabinets. Making all equipment visible and easy to access was important &ndash; both for efficiency and for creating a pleasant work environment.</p><p>&ldquo;It gave me a much better overview of what we had and what needed to be purchased,&rdquo; Hans recalls. In the first decade, he kept track of everything bought and sold, along with every researcher&rsquo;s customer number, neatly organised in binders. Those customer numbers, still in use today, are second nature to Hans.</p><p>&ldquo;Back then, every research group had its own number, a bit like an area code, and I knew everyone in the building,&rdquo; he says.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/afe4c672ddb14a658fcce07b7c28d70e/p62411332.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/afe4c672ddb14a658fcce07b7c28d70e/p62411332.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/afe4c672ddb14a658fcce07b7c28d70e/p62411332.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/afe4c672ddb14a658fcce07b7c28d70e/p62411332.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/afe4c672ddb14a658fcce07b7c28d70e/p62411332.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/afe4c672ddb14a658fcce07b7c28d70e/p62411332.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Old "Vi p&aring; Kemikum" ("We at Kemikum") and catalogues from Chem Store.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Rebecca Forsberg</span></div></div><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">From the lathe to logistics&nbsp;</h2><p>Hans began his career as an instrument maker at the mechanical workshop &ldquo;Blockverkstaden&rdquo; (later known as <a href="~/link/ed1b42f2b42d46ae9203fa0e3bc432cb.aspx">UNIMEG</a>). When the stationary work by the lathe started giving Hans back problems, he began looking for other work &ndash; preferably something more active. He heard about a position at the Department of Chemistry and decided to give it a try, despite having limited knowledge of chemistry.</p><p>&ldquo;I was simply really interested in stacking goods and playing shop at home &ndash; this was exactly what I wanted to do. I have never regretted accepting that job, not for a second,&rdquo; says Hans.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="a1c5ec95-02b8-4c13-a4a8-d3fbbf6ea81e" data-contentname="Photo Hans Sjöström">{}</div><p>He quickly discovered the international nature of the work and had to learn English to communicate with visiting researchers from all over the world.&nbsp;<br>&ldquo;I felt immediately at home &ndash; I find it easy to talk to people, and there were a lot of people coming and going to talk to.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p><p>But running Chem Store in its early days was hard work. Among other things, it initially produced its own liquid nitrogen, with staff on call for urgent needs.&nbsp;</p><p>&ldquo;Liquid nitrogen is a staple in laboratories for cooling instruments and samples &ndash; it&rsquo;s like milk and butter for a researcher &ndash; so naturally, everyone wanted access to it as often as possible.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">A facility in constant development&nbsp;</h2><p>Over time, word spread about the well-stocked and service-oriented Chem Store, and researchers from several departments began using it. In 1986, a computerised system for bookkeeping and inventory management was introduced, making the work significantly easier.&nbsp;</p><p>Hans remained at Chem Store for 40 years. Although he retired eight years ago, he still visits every year to catch up with his former colleague, Boris Jonsson.</p><p class="quote-center">With the digital system we have today, we&rsquo;re light-years ahead of other facilities trying to get started elsewhere in the country</p><p>&ldquo;The Chem Store is quite unique &ndash; apart from Ume&aring; and Stockholm University, there&rsquo;s nothing quite like it in Sweden, as far as we know,&rdquo; explains Boris, adding that Karolinska Institutet has made site visits to learn from the effective system developed at Ume&aring;.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>&ldquo;With the digital system we have today, we&rsquo;re light-years ahead of other facilities trying to get started elsewhere in the country,&rdquo; Boris notes.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="1af124d1-4ab0-4c3d-b4aa-aea837a1c002" data-contentname="Photo Boris Jonsson by desk">{}</div><p>Thanks to the system that Hans helped to establish, four people now work at the Chem Store, assisting researchers with purchases and orders in line with current procurement agreements (in accordance with the Swedish Public Procurement Act, LOU).</p><p>The time researchers save by not having to find suppliers and contracts themselves, Hans and Boris hope, is spent doing what they do best &ndash; research.</p><p>&ldquo;The Chem Store is here for everyone at the university,&rdquo; they conclude.&nbsp;</p>/en/news/a-unique-shopwith-a-50-year-legacy_12129043//en/news/new-research-facility-allows-scientists-to-watch-molecules-in-action_12131582/The C-Trap Facility at Umeå Plant Science Centre is the result of a joint effort of different departments and faculties at Umeå University. Now fully operational, it opens up exciting new possibilities for research at the single molecule scale. At the heart of the facility is the C-Trap instrument, which combines laser-based optical tweezers with advanced microfluidics and confocal microscopy, enabling scientists to manipulate and observe dynamic molecular processes in real time.Wed, 20 Aug 2025 14:49:46 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2eba15698de843b2b59cf5c03acdef02/ruben-casanova-saez-8779-250527-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2eba15698de843b2b59cf5c03acdef02/ruben-casanova-saez-8779-250527-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2eba15698de843b2b59cf5c03acdef02/ruben-casanova-saez-8779-250527-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/2eba15698de843b2b59cf5c03acdef02/ruben-casanova-saez-8779-250527-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2eba15698de843b2b59cf5c03acdef02/ruben-casanova-saez-8779-250527-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2eba15698de843b2b59cf5c03acdef02/ruben-casanova-saez-8779-250527-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Rub&eacute;n Casanova S&aacute;ez is loading a sample into the microfluidics unit of the C-Trap instrument.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>Sitting in a windowless room, the C-Trap instrument may appear unremarkable at first glance. Yet, its capabilities are very powerful. At its core lies an optical tweezer, two highly focused laser beams capable of trapping tiny particles to which single molecules can attach. The laser beams can hold the molecules steady and their mechanical properties can be analysed while the surrounding is manipulated.</p><p>&ldquo;The C-Trap allows us for example to visualize how a single protein binds to a DNA or RNA molecule that is held in place by the laser traps,&rdquo; explains Rub&eacute;n Casanova S&aacute;ez who is the manager of the newly established C-Trap Facility at the Ume&aring; Plant Science Centre. &ldquo;We can monitor how quickly and strongly the protein binds and test how different substances or mechanical forces affect this interaction &ndash; all in real time.&rdquo;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2eba15698de843b2b59cf5c03acdef02/ruben-casanova-saez-8716-250527-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2eba15698de843b2b59cf5c03acdef02/ruben-casanova-saez-8716-250527-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2eba15698de843b2b59cf5c03acdef02/ruben-casanova-saez-8716-250527-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/2eba15698de843b2b59cf5c03acdef02/ruben-casanova-saez-8716-250527-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2eba15698de843b2b59cf5c03acdef02/ruben-casanova-saez-8716-250527-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2eba15698de843b2b59cf5c03acdef02/ruben-casanova-saez-8716-250527-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Inside the flow cell, a tiny chamber, molecules and the surrounding liquid flow through narrow channels. Trapping lasers and confocal microscopy opperate inside the flow cell, which makes it possible to manipulate and image single molecules in real time.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">New capabilities for studying molecular dynamics</h2><p>In addition to the optical tweezer, the C-Trap instrument includes a microfluidics unit and a confocal microscope. The microfluidics unit allows researchers to adjust the flow and to rapidly introduce new substances, enabling precise control over the environment around the trapped molecule. At the same time, the confocal microscope captures high-resolution images of the trapped molecule, along with the surrounding molecules as they move and interact with it.</p><p>&ldquo;We can also observe dynamic molecular events such as DNA transcription, where proteins not only bind but also move along the DNA strand,&rdquo; says Rub&eacute;n Casanova S&aacute;ez. &ldquo;The C-Trap allows us to measure the speed at which these proteins move, detect where they pause and for how long, and quantify the force they exert on the DNA as they move. It is also ideal for studying how strongly certain molecules interact with cell membrane receptors, or for measuring forces involved in protein folding.&rdquo;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2eba15698de843b2b59cf5c03acdef02/ruben-casanova-saez-8885-250527-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2eba15698de843b2b59cf5c03acdef02/ruben-casanova-saez-8885-250527-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2eba15698de843b2b59cf5c03acdef02/ruben-casanova-saez-8885-250527-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/2eba15698de843b2b59cf5c03acdef02/ruben-casanova-saez-8885-250527-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2eba15698de843b2b59cf5c03acdef02/ruben-casanova-saez-8885-250527-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2eba15698de843b2b59cf5c03acdef02/ruben-casanova-saez-8885-250527-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Using the joystick, the laser beams - shown as a small red circle on the middle screen - are controlled to trap a molecule.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>While Ume&aring; University already had facilities for imaging single molecules such as the Biochemical Imaging Centre Ume&aring; and even in-house developed optical tweezers from the Biophysics and Biophotonics group at the Department of Physics, the C-Trap offers new possibilities. What makes it unique is the integration of multiple capabilities, allowing researchers to study molecular mechanisms and mechanical properties in a dynamic real-time setting.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">A central tool for advancing research across fields</h2><p>&ldquo;This technology is fundamental to a wide range of research fields, including immunology, cell mechanobiology, microbiology, virology, physics and beyond,&rdquo; adds Rub&eacute;n Casanova S&aacute;ez. &ldquo;The C-Trap can help answer many different research questions and I am excited to collaborate with researchers from across disciplines. Anyone interested in using the C-Trap, or even just curious about how it might support their research, is welcome to visit the facility&rsquo;s homepage and contact me.&rdquo;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2eba15698de843b2b59cf5c03acdef02/ruben-casanova-saez-8938-250527-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2eba15698de843b2b59cf5c03acdef02/ruben-casanova-saez-8938-250527-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2eba15698de843b2b59cf5c03acdef02/ruben-casanova-saez-8938-250527-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/2eba15698de843b2b59cf5c03acdef02/ruben-casanova-saez-8938-250527-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2eba15698de843b2b59cf5c03acdef02/ruben-casanova-saez-8938-250527-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2eba15698de843b2b59cf5c03acdef02/ruben-casanova-saez-8938-250527-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>PhD student L&eacute;a Bogdziewiez (left), one of the first users of the facility, is using the C-Trap to study single-molecule adhesion mechanisms in plant cells.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>Currently, three projects are running at the C-Trap Facility, with several more in preparation from departments including Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Clinical Microbiology and Physics. Users of the facility receive comprehensive support throughout the process, from experimental design and sample preparation to feedback during data acquisition. Anyone interested can join an introductory training on how to operate the C-Trap and receive support for data analysis and interpretation.</p><p>&ldquo;When we first began setting up the facility, everything seemed challenging,&rdquo; reflects Rub&eacute;n Casanova S&aacute;ez. &ldquo;But I was fortunate to receive great support, especially from our C-Trap steering group and its chair &Aring;sa Strand. At this point we are an official KBC facility and have recently been recognised as a research infrastructure at Ume&aring; University. With a growing number of projects and collaborations in future, I hope to see the C-Trap Facility grow into an interdisciplinary research hub at Ume&aring; University.&rdquo;</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="7ba6c26c-3d49-4e40-9c3c-e56c4e0f5bb3" data-contentname="About the C-Trap Facility">{}</div>/en/news/new-research-facility-allows-scientists-to-watch-molecules-in-action_12131582//en/news/swedens-most-powerful-laser-delivers-record-short-light-pulses_12130002/For the first time, researchers at Umeå University have demonstrated the full capabilities of their large-scale laser facility. In a study published in Nature Photonics, the team reports generating a combination of ultrashort laser pulses, extreme peak power, and precisely controlled waveforms that make it possible to explore the fastest processes in nature.Fri, 15 Aug 2025 09:00:03 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>The laser system is 11 metres long and generates extremely short laser pulses.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>The custom-built laser system, called the Light Wave Synthesizer 100 (LWS100), spans 11 metres in length and 1.5 metres in width &ndash; far larger than many commercial lasers which are comparable in size to a pencil or a book. Its size is necessary to generate and amplify ultrashort laser pulses to extreme peak power. At its peak it generates 100 terawatts &ndash; equivalent to five times the average power consumption of the world &ndash; although only for a few millionth of a billionth of a second. This makes the system the most powerful laser in Sweden and opens the doors to groundbreaking applications like understanding ultrafast processes in biomolecules, developing light-driven electronics and improving solar panel efficiency.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">"Films" electron movements</h2><p>What sets the system apart is that the pulses are not only extremely short (4.3 femtoseconds) and powerful &ndash; they also have a reproducible and controlled electric field waveform, identical from pulse to pulse. Achieving this level of control is particularly challenging in large-scale laser systems, but critical for many advanced applications. This can generate even shorter attosecond x-ray pulses that can be used to "film" the movement of electrons in real time.</p><p>&ldquo;We can now show that the system delivers exactly what we envisioned when it was built. This is a milestone for our research,&rdquo; says Laszlo Veisz, Professor at Ume&aring; University.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>L&aacute;szl&oacute; Veisz, professor at the Department of Physics, has built the unique laser together with his colleagues.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Experiments underway</h2><p>A wide range of experiments are planned using this laser system, taking advantage of its extreme temporal and spatial light concentration. By shaping and focusing ultrashort pulses, attosecond electron bunches can be accelerated to ultra-relativistic energies in compact micro-accelerators, or next-generation X-ray sources can be created to advance attosecond science.</p><p>The laser system was installed and inaugurated at the Department of Physics at Ume&aring; University in 2022. This newly published paper is the first scientific study to demonstrate its full performance.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="7e42a389-6d26-4b48-9999-df99a8fcc924" data-contentname="About the scientific article">{}</div>/en/news/swedens-most-powerful-laser-delivers-record-short-light-pulses_12130002//en/news/millions-of-lakes-reveal-new-patterns-when-viewed-as-one_12128601/By analysing data from millions of lakes, researchers have created global models that treat the world’s lakes as one composite lake. This reveals new relationships and emergent properties, reshaping how researchers view freshwater’s role in climate change.Tue, 12 Aug 2025 10:32:52 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/71962374aa874725a851ba2cb11c10c2/gudasz_cristian_7513-250514-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/71962374aa874725a851ba2cb11c10c2/gudasz_cristian_7513-250514-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/71962374aa874725a851ba2cb11c10c2/gudasz_cristian_7513-250514-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/71962374aa874725a851ba2cb11c10c2/gudasz_cristian_7513-250514-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/71962374aa874725a851ba2cb11c10c2/gudasz_cristian_7513-250514-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/71962374aa874725a851ba2cb11c10c2/gudasz_cristian_7513-250514-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Cristian Gudasz, researcher at the Department of Ecology, Environment and Geoscience.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>Scientists have long seen lakes as miniature worlds &ndash; natural laboratories for studying ecosystems. But understanding what they do at a planetary or regional scale is a scientific challenge. Viewing lakes as an integrated whole can capture emergent behaviors that no lake-by-lake analysis can reveal.</p><p class="quote-center">It&rsquo;s like zooming out and suddenly seeing hidden structures and responses take shape.</p><p>Research published in the scientific journal Nature Water now shows that the ensemble of lakes, taken as a composite system, may hold vital clues about how freshwater systems function globally and interact with the planet&rsquo;s response to climate change.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Working with high-performance computing</h2><p>Researchers at Ume&aring; University, together with colleagues internationally, analysed large amounts of data from lakes around the world, integrating information on their depth, shape and climate. Using high-performance computing, they built global models that aggregate lakes&rsquo; physical characteristics and functions into so-called &Uuml;ber-lakes &ndash; composite representations of lakes globally and in different regions or climate zones.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="bd157429-79f3-446f-aae5-64d151d4d6ae" data-contentname="Film lakes">{}</div><p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve known for over a century that lakes are powerful ecological testbeds. What we&rsquo;re showing now is that, taken together as a composite, they also reveal emergent patterns that help us understand how freshwater systems contribute to Earth system resilience,&rdquo; says Cristian Gudasz, researcher at the Department of Ecology, Environment and Geoscience at Ume&aring; University and first author of the study.</p><p>At the heart of this new approach is lake hypsography, how a lake&rsquo;s area changes with its depth. This determines how it mixes, stores heat, exchanges gases, and cycles nutrients. Hypsography makes it possible to model lake functions and has allowed researchers to uncover new patterns in the composite, such as how lakes in cold, glaciated regions differ structurally and functionally from those in warmer climates.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Lakes mirror land more than oceans</h2><p>The models also reveal a striking insight: the combined structure of the world&rsquo;s lakes more closely mirrors land than oceans. Unlike oceans, which are dominated by depth, most lake area worldwide is shallow &ndash; a feature that strongly influences their ecological and climatic roles.</p><p>&ldquo;This work bridges the gap between the complexity of individual lakes and the patterns that emerge when you analyse millions of them. It&rsquo;s like zooming out and suddenly seeing hidden structures and responses take shape,&rdquo; says Cristian Gudasz.</p><p>The concept of &Uuml;ber-lakes makes it possible to not only understand how the world&rsquo;s lakes reflect environmental change, but also how they can influence it.</p><p>&ldquo;We can average their properties, but what really matters is that composite lakes reveal how lakes interact with the climate system in a way that is more than the sum of individual lakes. Understanding how they function together as a global system gives us a powerful new lens on climate feedback and ecological stability,&rdquo; says Cristian Gudasz.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="59773fc6-412d-4754-9fe7-798e217879ee" data-contentname="About the article">{}</div>/en/news/millions-of-lakes-reveal-new-patterns-when-viewed-as-one_12128601//en/news/how-small-changes-in-atoms-improve-hydrogen-production_12113583/Researchers at Umeå University have identified the inner workings of a highly efficient and stable catalyst for hydrogen production, a process central to many sustainable energy initiatives.Wed, 18 Jun 2025 09:28:51 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/d29b8807829142da85ce4f87194adda9/mouna-rafei-press-release3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/d29b8807829142da85ce4f87194adda9/mouna-rafei-press-release3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/d29b8807829142da85ce4f87194adda9/mouna-rafei-press-release3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/d29b8807829142da85ce4f87194adda9/mouna-rafei-press-release3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/d29b8807829142da85ce4f87194adda9/mouna-rafei-press-release3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/d29b8807829142da85ce4f87194adda9/mouna-rafei-press-release3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Mouna Rafei, doctoral student at the Department of Physics.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Eduardo Gracia</span></div></div><p>In a recently published study in the scientific journal Communications Materials, researchers have found a way to improve catalysts for water electrolysis, which splits water into hydrogen and oxygen to generate clean fuel.</p><p>The study tackles a long-standing mystery: how can catalysts made of nickel, iron and molybdenum maintain their exceptional activity and continue to efficiently split water, even after a significant portion of their molybdenum is lost during operation.</p><p>Hydrogen is an excellent energy source, and its production from water through electrolysis forms the basis of several sustainable energy initiatives. The problem has been that the catalysts responsible for generating oxygen often wear out under harsh operational conditions, a major limitation for widespread adoption.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Works even after losing components</h2><p>For years, the activity and stability of these nickel-iron-molybdenum catalysts has been a puzzle: How could they maintain their exceptional performance even after molybdenum, a key component, washed away?</p><p>The key lies in subtle but critical changes in how the atoms are arranged. When molybdenum is present at the start, it influences how nickel and iron are positioned in the material.</p><p>&ldquo;You can think of it like stretching a perfect diamond into a slightly enlarged shape. This makes it easier for the catalyst to react with water and form compounds that are important for splitting water,&rdquo; says Mouna Rafei, first author of the study.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Like building a stable foundation</h2><p>Interestingly, even after molybdenum has disappeared, these changes in the atomic structure remain. It is like building a stable foundation: even after removing the scaffolding, the structure still stands and works as it should.</p><p>These results will guide the development of even more robust and cost-effective catalysts for water electrolysis, and may also inspire similar strategies for designing durable catalysts in other electrochemical applications.</p><p>&ldquo;We were able to understand what the role of molybdenum is, and why we need it in our material even if it eventually washes away,&rdquo; says Eduardo Gracia, senior author of the study. &nbsp;&ldquo;This makes us wonder if there are other, more accessible chemical elements or processes that could create similar distortions. Our results suggest that other materials might experience similar effects if molybdenum, or other elements, are added. In a way, this opens new routes to design entirely new types of catalysts.&rdquo;</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="eceefd30-8fc3-41dc-8ab5-ac608bd28297" data-contentname="Explanation of terms">{}</div><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="e650138f-17c5-477f-8c94-2c27b40a6f32" data-contentname="About the scientific study">{}</div>/en/news/how-small-changes-in-atoms-improve-hydrogen-production_12113583//en/news/spectroscopy-expert-appointed-honorary-doctor-at-umea-university_12105687/Professor Kevin K. Lehmann from the University of Virginia, USA, has been appointed honorary doctor at the Faculty of Science and Technology at Umeå University for 2025. He is recognised for his strong commitment to research at the Department of Physics and for his important contributions to spectroscopy.Thu, 05 Jun 2025 08:00:09 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Kevin K. Lehmann, University of Virginia.</p></div></div><p>&ldquo;I was very surprised and grateful for the honor. I associate honorary doctorates with individuals of outstanding accomplishments which, to be honest, isn&rsquo;t how I usually think about myself. It&rsquo;s moving to know that my contributions to the field of spectroscopy are so highly valued,&rdquo; says Kevin K. Lehmann.</p><p>Kevin K. Lehmann is an internationally recognised expert in molecular spectroscopy &ndash; a technique that uses laser light to study how molecules behave and interact. His research has influenced both fundamental science and real-world applications, such as measuring greenhouse gases, analysing human breath for medical purposes, and monitoring industrial chemical processes.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Returns to Ume&aring;</h2><p>His connection to Ume&aring; University began in 2017 when he met Professor Aleksandra Foltynowicz at a conference in Europe. Their shared scientific interests quickly led to a collaboration that continues to this day. He first visited Ume&aring; in 2019 and has since returned several times, most recently for a six-month sabbatical which ended in March 2025.</p><p>His influence and close collaboration have led to a new research orientation at the department, which has gained significant international recognition and resulted in the awarding of several major research grants as well as multiple high-impact publications.</p><p>&ldquo;Professor Lehmann has played a key role in the development of a new line of research in our group,&rdquo; says Aleksandra Foltynowicz. &ldquo;His ideas helped us use our frequency comb method to tackle some unresolved problems in molecular spectroscopy, and his generous and collaborative spirit has been a real source of inspiration &ndash; not least for our doctoral students and postdocs.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">&ldquo;Followed my curiosity&rdquo;</h2><p>During his time in Ume&aring;, Professor Lehmann has not only worked closely with the lab team, but also given lectures for students and shared his expertise.</p><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve always followed my own curiosity and worked on questions that seemed important to me &ndash; sometimes in unconventional ways,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;Collaborating with researchers at other universities has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career. That&rsquo;s why this recognition from Ume&aring; University feels especially meaningful.&rdquo;</p><p>The installation of the faculty's new honorary doctorate will take place at Ume&aring; University's Annual Celebration in October.</p>/en/news/spectroscopy-expert-appointed-honorary-doctor-at-umea-university_12105687//en/news/one-single-rule-helps-explain-life-from-ocean-depths-to-open-savannas_12106068/A new study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution has found a simple rule that seems to govern how life is organised on Earth. The researchers believe this rule helps explain why species are spread the way they are across the planet. The discovery will help to understand life on Earth – including how ecosystems respond to global environmental changes.Wed, 04 Jun 2025 11:00:05 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Rub&eacute;n Bernardo-Madrid, Department of Physics, is the lead author of the study.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Gabrielle Beans</span></div></div><p>At first glance, Earth seems like a collection of wildly different worlds. Each region has its own species and environmental conditions. Yet, beneath this variety, there is a universal organising pattern, new research led from Ume&aring; University shows. This finding can help scientists explore how biodiversity has been shaped through time and how biodiversity can response against global change.</p><p>The planet is divided into large biogeographical regions, or bioregions, separated by oceans, mountain ranges or extreme climates. These barriers limit the movement of species, turning each region into a natural experiment where distinct groups of species have evolved under different conditions, timescales, and histories.</p><p class="quote-center">It seems these cores provide optimal conditions for species survival and diversification.</p><p>In this study, an international collaboration of research institutions from Sweden, Spain, and the UK examined species from very different life forms in bioregions across the world: amphibians, birds, dragonflies, mammals, marine rays, reptiles, and trees. Given the vast differences in life strategies &ndash; some species fly, others crawl, swim, or remain rooted &ndash; and the contrasting environmental and historical backgrounds of each bioregion, the researchers expected that patterns of species distribution would vary widely across bioregions. Surprisingly, they found the same pattern everywhere.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>The researchers were surprised to find that the pattern of species distribution was the same, regardless of the life form.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Wirestock/Freepik</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;In every bioregion, there is always a core area where most species live. From that core, species expand into surrounding areas, but only a subset manages to persist. It seems these cores provide optimal conditions for species survival and diversification, acting as a source from which biodiversity radiates outward,&rdquo; explains Rub&eacute;n Bernardo-Madrid, lead author and researcher at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>These findings support the disproportionate ecological role that some small areas play in sustaining the biodiversity of entire bioregions, and their conservation value.</p><p>The research also identifies the plausible mechanisms driving this pattern: the environmental filtering &ndash; the principle that only species able to tolerate local conditions, like heat or drought, can survive and colonise new areas. While this has long been a central theory in ecology, global empirical evidence has been scarce. This study provides broad confirmation across multiple branches of life and at a planetary scale.</p><p>&ldquo;The predictability of the pattern and its association with environmental filters can help to understand better how biodiversity may respond to global change,&rdquo; says Joaqu&iacute;n Calatayud, co-author from Rey Juan Carlos University.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="8971d0f2-f0a4-4a4d-9539-b338316da5ba" data-contentname="About the study">{}</div>/en/news/one-single-rule-helps-explain-life-from-ocean-depths-to-open-savannas_12106068//en/news/new-ai-research-secures-privacy_12105625/An international research team, led by Jian-Feng Mao, have developed PlantLncBoost, a new computational tool that helps to identify long non-coding RNAs in plants. These RNAs are crucial for numerous biological processes but differ a lot between different plant species. PlantLncBoost addresses this challenge with very high accuracy offering new possibilities for genomic studies in plants. These findings were recently published in the journal New Phytologist.Wed, 11 Jun 2025 14:59:57 +0200<p>Long non-coding RNAs, called lncRNAs, are transcribed from DNA as other RNAs but they do not carry instructions for proteins. Instead, they help controlling genes, guide plant development and are involved in plant responses to stress like drought or heat. Identifying these lncRNAs has been difficult because their genetic sequences vary a lot between different plant species.</p><p>The team around Jian-Feng Mao tackled the problem using machine learning, a type of artificial intelligence that is trained on large amounts of data to find patterns. They analysed over 1,600 different features of lncRNAs and identified just three key features that could effectively distinguish lncRNAs from RNAs containing the code for a protein.</p><h3>Identification of sequence patterns using mathematical parameters</h3><p>What makes PlantLncBoost particularly innovative is its use of mathematical parameters to capture intrinsic sequence properties beyond traditional biological features. The research team used so called Fourier transformation-based approaches. That allowed them to detect patterns in the RNA sequences that are consistent across diverse plant species despite of the high variability in the genetic sequences.</p><p class="quote-center">We have developed a tool that achieves both high accuracy and strong generalization capabilities.</p><p>&ldquo;Through systematic evaluation of multiple machine learning algorithms and rigorous parameter optimization, we have developed a tool that achieves both high accuracy and strong generalization capabilities,&rdquo; explains Jian-Feng Mao, Associate professor at Ume&aring; University who established his lab at the Ume&aring; Plant Science Centre in 2023.</p><p>To make sure their new tool worked, the team tested PlantLncBoost on datasets from 20 different plant species. It correctly identified lncRNAs with over 96% accuracy, significantly outperforming existing tools. The tool even recognised nearly all 358 long lncRNAs that had been experimentally validated before, including those from twelve species that were not included in the training set used to develop the tool.</p><h3>New possibilities to analyse long non-coding RNAs across species</h3><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="45573d4b-e151-4284-b6fb-a637ada105eb" data-contentname="Xue-Chan Tian">{}</div><p>&ldquo;Developing PlantLncBoost was an exciting opportunity to apply machine learning to solve a complex biological problem,&rdquo; says first author Xue-Chan Tian, who completed this work as part of her PhD thesis at Beijing Forestry University. &ldquo;My doctoral programme focused on combining advanced computational methods with plant genomics to extract meaningful biological insights from complex sequence data.&rdquo;</p><p>The project brought together experts in genomics, bioinformatics and computer science from around the world, including researchers from Sweden, China and Brazil. The tool is now freely available to the scientific community and has been integrated in a larger analysis workflow that was developed earlier by Jian-Feng Mao&rsquo;s group. It allows not only to identify but also to characterise lncRNAs in plants. By implementing PlantLncBoost in this workflow, researchers can now identify long non-coding RNAs from different plant species much more accurate, making it easier to compare and analyse them.</p>/en/news/new-computational-tool-helps-to-identify-long-non-coding-rnas_12104417//en/news/laura-bacete-cano-becomes-a-member-of-the-young-academy-of-sweden_12100337/She wants to help shape the academic environment and highlight the importance of research in plant cell and molecular biology. Laura Bacete Cano, Assistant Professor at Umeå University and group leader at Umeå Plant Science Centre, is one of eight new members that have been elected to the Young Academy of Sweden. In her new role, she will actively engage in research policy discussions, outreach towards young people and other activities the academy is involved.Fri, 30 May 2025 11:39:14 +0200<p><em><strong>- Congratulations! You have been elected as new member to the Young Academy of Sweden. What does this mean for you?</strong></em></p><p>It means a lot, both professionally and personally. I see it as a chance to work with researchers from different fields and backgrounds, and to take part in discussions that go beyond my own research. It is also a way to help shape the academic environment in Sweden and beyond.</p><p><em><strong>- What motivated you to apply for the membership?</strong></em></p><p>I was really drawn to how the Academy brings together researchers from different fields to work on questions that matter for science and for society. The focus on research policy, public engagement, and international collaboration felt like a good match for the kind of work I want to do alongside my research. It is quite rare to find a space where you can have those kinds of conversations across disciplines in a structured but open way.</p><p>I also noticed that there was not anyone in the Academy with a background in plant cell and molecular biology. It is a field that is key both for fundamental science and for real-world issues like sustainable agriculture and climate resilience. Sweden has a lot of excellent research in this area, so it felt important to have that perspective represented too.</p><p><em><strong>- What responsibilities come with your membership?</strong></em></p><p>There is a strong expectation to be actively involved, which I really appreciate. In the next months, I will take part in a few in-person meetings held in different parts of Sweden. These gatherings are the heart of the Academy&rsquo;s work and where many ideas and decisions take shape. One thing I really like is that new members are expected to contribute from the beginning, whether that is through participating in policy discussions, taking part in outreach, or helping develop new initiatives. It feels like a very open and hands-on environment.</p><p>For me, another important part is improving my Swedish. Even though the other members are happy to speak English when needed, Swedish is the main working language of the Academy. I am really looking forward to using the language more and getting better at it through this role. It feels like a great opportunity to learn in a supportive setting.</p><p class="quote-left">I think scientists have a responsibility to communicate with the public.</p><p><em><strong>- Do you plan to engage with the public or policymakers through your new role?</strong></em></p><p>Yes, absolutely. I think scientists have a responsibility to communicate with the public, and I have been involved in that kind of work before. But what I am especially looking forward to now is the chance to engage more directly with policymakers. That is not something that is always easy to do in everyday academic life. I am particularly interested in questions around how we support researchers, how we evaluate work, and how we build a research environment that people actually want to stay in; and also about how long-term thinking and evidence can play a stronger role in shaping decisions (for example, regarding new genomic techniques in agriculture). I also appreciate that the Academy works internationally, and I look forward to contributing to those collaborations through my own networks and experience.</p><p><em><strong>- What are you most looking forward to during your time in the academy?</strong></em></p><p>I&rsquo;m looking forward to working with people who care about the same kinds of questions, even if they come from completely different fields. The Academy seems like a rare space where people have time and freedom to talk about how science works, how it could work better, and what role it plays in society. I am also looking forward to the in-person meetings and the chance to get to know colleagues from other disciplines. I think those conversations can lead to unexpected ideas and collaborations, which is something I really enjoy.</p><p><em>Laura Bacete Cano, originally from Spain, is an Assistant Professor at Ume&aring; University and leads a research group at Ume&aring; Plant Science Centre, which she established in 2023. Her research focuses on how plants perceive and maintain their cell walls, especially during growth, development and in response to environmental stress. </em><em>After completing her PhD in 2018, she moved to the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim to pursue a postdoc. Laura Bacete Cano has been awarded research funding from the Research Council of Norway and the Swedish Research Council. She is also a co-inventor on a European patent related to strategies for enhancing plant health and resilience.</em></p><p><a href="https://sverigesungaakademi.se/en/press-release/eight-new-top-researchers-join-swedens-young-academy/"><strong>Link to the official press release from the Young Academy of Sweden</strong></a></p>/en/news/laura-bacete-cano-becomes-a-member-of-the-young-academy-of-sweden_12100337//en/news/a-blend-of-science-fun-and-nature-scenery-when-postdocs-meet_12100359/In mid-May, the postdoctoral fellows in the ’Excellence by Choice’ programme at Umeå university gathered for a lunch-to-lunch retreat in Kronlund in Vindeln. The scope of the meeting was to get to know each other, get new insights, and share experiences as an interdisciplinary postdoctoral fellow.Thu, 18 Sep 2025 09:20:01 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/postdoc_retreat.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/postdoc_retreat.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/postdoc_retreat.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/postdoc_retreat.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/postdoc_retreat.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/postdoc_retreat.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>In the front: Gabriel Torrens Ribot, Fredrik Almqvist, Joram Kiriga Waititu, and Suvam Roy. In the back: Samuel Agyei Nyantakyi, T&uacute;lio Yoshinaga, Antonio Blasquez, Jagadish Mangu, Harshit Malhotra, Dhruv Agrawal, Baptiste Bogard, Ben Johns, and Marta Bally.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ingrid S&ouml;derbergh</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">It was inspiring to see how different areas of expertise can complement each other</p><p>&ldquo;The highlight of the retreat was realizing just how diverse and dynamic the research within our community truly is," says Joram Kiriga Waititu, postdoc in Kemal Avican, Johan Henriksson and Maria F&auml;llman labs at the Department of Molecular Biology at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>He continues:</p><p>"It was inspiring to see how different areas of expertise can complement each other, and it reinforced the idea that meaningful collaboration has the potential to drive real science breakthroughs.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/img_0381.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/img_0381.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/img_0381.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/img_0381.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/img_0381.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/img_0381.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Kronlund kursg&aring;rd is a nature lodge that specialises in offering a quiet, beautiful and relaxing atmosphere.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ingrid S&ouml;derbergh</span></div></div><p>It was an enthusiastic group of eleven postdoctoral fellows who arrived in a minibus at Kronlund kursg&aring;rd.</p><p>&ldquo;The venue was super nice! I like peaceful places in the middle of nature like Kronlund. I hope to get back here another time&rdquo;, says T&uacute;lio Yoshinaga, postdoc in Constantin Urban lab at the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Ume&aring; University, Lo Persson&rsquo;s group at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, and Henrik Jeute at the Ume&aring; County administrative board.</p><p>The uniqueness with the &lsquo;Excellence by Choice' postdoctoral programme in life science is that it aims to cross traditional discipline boundaries. Thus, each postdoc has created and lead a collaborative project under the supervision of at least two principal investigators with different areas of expertise.</p><p>The first &lsquo;EC&rsquo; postdoc started in 2022, and the number has summed up to 15 after four international calls. Some postdocs are in the initial stages and some are ready to take the next step in the career, all with different experiences and subjects.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/konferens_2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/konferens_2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/konferens_2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/konferens_2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/konferens_2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/konferens_2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Harshit Malhotra is one of the newest postdoc on board and he explained his research to come.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ingrid S&ouml;derbergh</span></div></div><p>At the retreat everyone presented their project and how they have evolved. The subjects showed a fantastic variety in the field of life science: chemo-optogenetic tools to control cellular processes in bacteria, search for potential drug against the parasite <em>Cryptospodirium</em>, new method to prevent fungi disease in salmonids, the role of protein complexes in regulation of growth and development in plants, the regulation of the host cell epitranscriptome in salmonella infection &ndash; to mention a few.</p><p>For sure, a few postdocs could discover potential areas for new collaboration.</p><p>Through games and other activities, the postdocs spend some relaxing time in the afternoon and evening with valuable conversations about life in general and of course about research.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/game_2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/game_2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/game_2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/game_2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/game_2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/game_2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>An exciting pentathlon took place in the afternoon with a lot of laughter.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ingrid S&ouml;derbergh</span></div></div><p>In a final session before going home the next day, UCMR directors Fredrik Almqvist and Marta Bally led a group discussion on future career steps. What opportunities are there after a postdoc? What are my needs in career support? Ho can I navigate to pursue my career in academia or industry?</p><p>It might be important to position yourself for a competitive academic or professional future. The postdocs found this session urgent and were engaged.</p><p>&ldquo;I learned that I should focus on becoming more independent already after my first postdoc position, says Suvam Roy, postdoc in Eric Libby lab at the Department of Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics, and Peter Lind lab at the Department of Molecular Biology at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>&ldquo;This topic is very important for us, and it could have had an even more prominent place in the schedule to ensure everyone has the time and space to share experiences, ask questions, and explore different career paths more deeply,&rdquo; says Joram Kiriga Waititu.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/grill_12.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/grill_12.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/grill_12.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/grill_12.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/grill_12.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/grill_12.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Perhaps it is right there at the edge of the forest by the Vindel River, with a cup of coffee in hand and a new colleague by your side, that the next major scientific breakthrough begins to take shape.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ingrid S&ouml;derbergh</span></div></div>/en/news/a-blend-of-science-fun-and-nature-scenery-when-postdocs-meet_12100359//en/news/record-number-of-doctoral-theses-at-the-department-of-computing-science_12100284/The Department of Computing Science at Umeå University has grown at record speed in recent years. Now, the efforts are bearing fruit, with as many as seven doctoral theses being defended in the space of three weeks. "This is remarkable evidence of the department's thriving research environment. We are very proud of our doctoral students and their achievements," says Professor Frank Drewes, Head of the Department.Mon, 02 Jun 2025 10:33:04 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildText"><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/7d041b8326dd4ee4aa29a97e9c8848bb/frank_drewes3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/7d041b8326dd4ee4aa29a97e9c8848bb/frank_drewes3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/7d041b8326dd4ee4aa29a97e9c8848bb/frank_drewes3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/7d041b8326dd4ee4aa29a97e9c8848bb/frank_drewes3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/7d041b8326dd4ee4aa29a97e9c8848bb/frank_drewes3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/7d041b8326dd4ee4aa29a97e9c8848bb/frank_drewes3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Flera talangfulla doktorander vid institutionen f&ouml;r datavetenskap som nu f&ouml;rsvararar nu sina arbeten. &ndash; Vi &auml;r oerh&ouml;rt stolta &ouml;ver v&aring;ra forskare och den livskraftiga akademiska milj&ouml; som de bidrar till att uppr&auml;tth&aring;lla, s&auml;ger professor Frank Drewes, prefekt vid institutionen.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Privat</span></div></div></div></div><p>While many organisations faced uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Computing Science at Ume&aring; University made a strategic round of recruitments &ndash; a decision that is now paying off.</p><p>"We congratulate Mariam Taha, Ayush Kumar Varshney, Maarten Laurits Jensen, Lidia Kidane, Sonakshi Garg, Emil H&auml;glund and Charles Meyers for reaching this important step in their academic journeys. Their work spans a wide range of cutting-edge topics, reflecting the department's broad expertise and commitment to innovation," says <a href="~/link/8d61155f1de64f248dd69815ea48bf84.aspx">Frank Drewes</a>, Head of the Department.</p><p>"These defences are not only a celebration of individual accomplishments but also a reflection of the department&rsquo;s long-term vision and resilience. We are immensely proud of our researchers and the vibrant academic community they help sustain.&rdquo;</p><h3>Defences of doctoral theses</h3><p>The department is looking forward to the presentations of these scholars&rsquo; research work. You are welcome to participate!</p><ul><li><a href="~/link/2198a3e20ee04c6282337f35c6998714.aspx">M</a><a href="~/link/2198a3e20ee04c6282337f35c6998714.aspx">ariam</a><a href="~/link/2198a3e20ee04c6282337f35c6998714.aspx"> Taha</a>, "Probabilistic metric space for machine learning: data and model spaces". Friday 23 May, 09:00 - 12:00. More information can be found <a href="~/link/281bd70c5c9f465ab2e02f463285fee1.aspx">here</a>. Doctoral thesis can be found <a href="https://umu.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2:1954823">here.</a><br><br></li><li><a href="~/link/9bd2ca460c4f40c6ae26f4b7e838d5f0.aspx">Ayush Kumar Varshney</a>, "Navigating model anonymity and adaptability.&nbsp; Monday 26 May at 10:00 - 14:00. More <a href="~/link/2d09b31908a041f1a97254fda2e522b5.aspx">information</a>. Doctoral thesis can be found <a href="https://umu.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2:1954774">here</a>.<br><br></li><li><a href="~/link/0c25de726b474215aea464b926b7a3cf.aspx">M</a><a href="~/link/0c25de726b474215aea464b926b7a3cf.aspx">aarten</a><a href="~/link/0c25de726b474215aea464b926b7a3cf.aspx"> Laurits</a><a href="~/link/0c25de726b474215aea464b926b7a3cf.aspx"> Jensen</a>, "Dynamic context-sensitive deliberation for social simulations: balancing scalability and realism". Tuesday 27 May, 13:00 - 17:00. More information can be found <a href="~/link/1d741365ea7b49a99a6bd86a4db5f798.aspx">here</a>. Doctoral thesis can be found <a href="https://umu.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2:1955085">here</a>.<br><br></li><li><a href="~/link/2e3cd44e029544828a8ef0e691d2b4bd.aspx">Lidia Kidane,</a> "Accurate and low-overhead workload prediction for cloud management". Friday 30 May, 13:15 - 17:00. <a href="~/link/5d2b505c723542fd8a61980ae380b75d.aspx">More information</a>. Doctoral thesis can be found <a href="https://umu.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2:1956902">here</a>.<br><br></li><li><a href="~/link/4b979954eed6429fb43a9ab433a4c51a.aspx">Sonakshi Garg</a>, "Bridging AI and privacy: solutions for high-dimensional data and foundation models". More information about the event can he found <a href="~/link/5d2b505c723542fd8a61980ae380b75d.aspx">here</a>. Doctoral thesis can be found <a href="https://umu.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2:1955416">here</a>.<br><br></li><li><a href="~/link/dd97344c356649848ed2bf226ce3ca3f.aspx">Emil H&auml;glund</a>, "Contextual intelligence: leveraging AI for targeted marketing. Thursday 5 June at 10:00 - 13:00. More information about the event can be found <a href="~/link/06b9848f928f4568bacac542c0a08f50.aspx">here</a>. Read the doctoral thesis <a href="https://umu.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2:1955463">here</a>.<br><br></li><li><a href="~/link/f0cd46ffe89c42f3beb191917774ed6c.aspx">Charles Meyers</a>, "Trustworthy Machine Learning". Wednesday 11 June at 13:15 - 17:00. More information can be found <a href="~/link/9f3529ee162d45a28a71232faa4151ea.aspx">here</a>. (link to the doctoral theis will be available later)</li></ul>/en/news/record-number-of-doctoral-theses-at-the-department-of-computing-science_12100284//en/news/new-project-aims-to-turn-residues-into-high-quality-animal-feed_12098536/What if leftovers of organic materials could become valuable feed for animals? A new research project, led by Olivier Keech, is addressing this question and aims at developing circular solutions for more sustainable and efficient food systems. With generous support from the Kamprad Family Foundation for Entrepreneurship, Research & Charity, the team wants to transform residues from the forest and food industries into high-quality animal feed by combining fermentation and pelleting techniques.Fri, 30 May 2025 11:41:10 +0200<p class="quote-center">Our goal is to support local industries, improve circularity and reduce the carbon footprint of food production in Nordic countries.</p><p>Biological residues such as sawdust from the forest industry, cereal bran from breweries, and municipal food wastes, accumulate during wood and food processing. Even though they are rich in carbohydrates, these wastes often have a low residual value because the presence of cellulose and lignins makes them difficult for animals to digest. A scientific team, led by Olivier Keech, plan to use the carbohydrates stored in these residues to create higher-value feed while supporting the development of a local, circular, and environmentally friendly economy.</p><p>&ldquo;Many of these organic residues contain a lot of fibres, a poorly accessible source of sugar. We plan to use a combination of modern chemical and biochemical techniques to break down the material and release the carbohydrates, which bacteria and yeast will then ferment and turn into valuable proteins&rdquo;, explains Olivier Keech, Associate Professor at Ume&aring; University and research group leader at Ume&aring; Plant Science Centre. &ldquo;The fermentation product will then be pelleted and used as animal feed.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Fermented feed as a natural immune booster for farm animals</h2><p>The fermented feed has an additional value: it acts as a probiotic for animals. This means that it will naturally boost the immune system of the farmed animals. The researchers will analyse how feed fermented by different bacteria and yeast strains affects the animal&rsquo;s gut health and immune system. These bacteria and yeast strains each have unique traits and produce different substances during fermentation. By testing various combinations, they aim to tailor the feed recipe to the needs of different animals, primarily focusing on chicken, pigs and shrimps.</p><p>For this ambitious project, Olivier Keech is joined by three experts coming from different fields. Leif J&ouml;nsson, Professor at the Department of Chemistry, Ume&aring; University, will bring his expertise in hydrothermal catalysis, a process that uses hot, pressurised water to help break down cellulose-containing plant residues.</p><p>Volkmar Passoth, Professor at the Department of Molecular Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, is a food biotechnologist. He studies how microbial fermentation, especially from yeast, can enhance the quality of animal feed in circular production systems that aim to reuse resources rather than throwing them away.</p><p>The team is completed by Anders Kiessling, also Professor at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. He works at the Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare with sustainable animal nutrition sources and how nutrients can be recycled in closed farming systems. He collaborates with Olivier Keech already on another project focusing on integrated multi-trophic farming, a sustainable farming approach that combines different species from various levels of the food chain in one system.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Combining lab experiments with tests in modern aquaculture systems</h2><p>&ldquo;We will first do several experiments in our respective labs. However, thanks to the pilot platform for research and development on sustainable food farming that we are setting up at &Ouml;stersj&ouml;fabriken in V&auml;stervik, we will quickly be able to test the quality of the newly produced feed in modern aquaculture systems focusing on shrimp and fish production,&rdquo; says Olivier Keech.</p><p>And he concludes: &ldquo;Our goal is to support local industries, improve circularity and reduce the carbon footprint of food production in Nordic countries. Ultimately, this should deliver a great product to the consumers. Thanks to the Kamprad Family Foundation for Entrepreneurship, Research &amp; Charity, we can hopefully soon come closer to reaching this goal".</p>/en/news/new-project-aims-to-turn-residues-into-high-quality-animal-feed_12098536//en/news/advanced-coatings-boost-the-competitiveness-of-solar-thermal-energy_12094833/Researchers at Umeå University have developed new sustainable coatings that improve the performance of solar thermal collectors – strengthening solar heat's position as a climate-smart energy source. Using nanomaterials and simple manufacturing methods, the technology can become both more efficient and more accessible.Thu, 15 May 2025 08:00:07 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>The research results could lead to more efficient solar thermal collectors that have the potential to compete with fossil energy sources.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Absolicon</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;Solar thermal has great potential to contribute to the green transition, especially as a source of industrial process heat. But the technology needs to become even more competitive to gain broader traction,&rdquo; says Erik Z&auml;ll, doctoral student in experimental physics at the Industrial Doctoral School at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>In his doctoral thesis, he demonstrates how optical coatings &ndash; thin films that control how light interacts with surfaces &ndash; can be tailored to improve both efficiency and durability. His work focuses on two key components of solar thermal collectors: the cover glass that allows sunlight to enter, and the receiver that absorbs the light and converts it into heat.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Erik Z&auml;ll, doctoral student at the Industrial Doctoral School and the Department of Physics.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>For the glass, Erik Z&auml;ll has developed an anti-reflective coating made of silica with small, hexagonally ordered pores. By adjusting the size and shape of the pores, as well as the thickness of the coating, he has succeeded in increasing the light transmitted through the glass. At the same time, the coating&rsquo;s resistance to scratches, dirt and moisture is improved &ndash; factors that would otherwise reduce performance over time.</p><p>For the receiver, the thesis presents two solutions. One is an electroplated cobalt-chromium coating that absorbs light thanks to its surface structure. It is produced using a type of chromium that is far more environmentally friendly than those previously used. The second solution is a composite film made of carbon nanotubes and silica, spray coated on annealed stainless steel using ultrasonic technology. The thermal treatment of the steel creates a thin oxide layer that improves both optical properties and heat resistance.</p><p>Both coatings absorb most of the sunlight while emitting very little thermal radiation. They can be manufactured using low-cost, environmentally friendly methods suitable for large-scale production.</p><p>The research has been carried out in close collaboration with Swedish solar energy company Absolicon Solar Collector and is directly adapted to their collector technology. The results have led to two patent applications and may eventually lead to more efficient solar thermal collectors, boosting Absolicon&rsquo;s competitiveness in the global solar thermal market.</p><p>&ldquo;Our work shows that it&rsquo;s possible to combine sustainability, cost-effectiveness and high performance in optical coatings &ndash; a key to making solar heat a viable alternative to fossil fuels on a larger scale,&rdquo; says Erik Z&auml;ll.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="113c4a4f-a3c3-4d85-81ca-a3b518471b10" data-contentname="About the thesis">{}</div><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="74b92039-6a80-4930-ba4f-6ad48cdf6752" data-contentname="Fakta Företagsforskarskolan ENG (standard)">{}</div>/en/news/advanced-coatings-boost-the-competitiveness-of-solar-thermal-energy_12094833//en/news/chemist-lisa-lundin-receives-faculty-pedagogical-award_12087189/A new study from Umeå University has revealed that trees’ circadian clocks guide their growth and the timing of seasonal events like the appearance of leaves in spring. The researchers investigated the growth of genetically modified poplars in greenhouse and field conditions, combining statistical learning and plant biology methods. Their findings suggest that adjusting clock-associated genes could help trees better synchronize with changing climates, offering new opportunities for forestry. Tue, 15 Apr 2025 16:01:12 +0200<p class="quote-center">This study is a proof-of-concept that trees conditioned to a particular length of day at a certain latitude can be adapted to a new latitude, effectively extending their growing season.</p><h3>A Large-Scale Approach to Understanding a Trees&rsquo; Clock</h3><p>Trees, like humans, have a circadian clock that regulates their daily and seasonal rhythms. Research has suggested that this clock is important to regulate growth and the timing of &nbsp;important seasonal events, like for example bud formation in autumn and bud opening in spring. However, most of this research has been done in controlled greenhouse conditions and not outside in the field where plants are exposed to natural environmental conditions. In the field, as in the real world, temperature fluctuations, insect predation and other factors affect plant growth.</p><p>To address this, the researchers conducted an extensive study based on 68 poplar or aspen lines with different, modified properties. Among the genes that were modified were many associated with the circadian clock. These trees&rsquo; growth was studied in multiple greenhouse and field experiments over several years. The results clearly showed that the circadian clock has a strong role in regulating tree growth and the timing of seasonal events in the life of a tree, like the budding of leaves.</p><p>&ldquo;Our study is the first to combine datasets from greenhouse and field studies to show that multiple aspects of the circadian clock system influence tree growth and the timing of life-cycle events,&rdquo; says Bertold Mari&euml;n, lead author of the study. &ldquo;By applying statistical modelling to these datasets, we were able to pinpoint which circadian clock-associated genes impact tree growth or, for example, the time when leaves appear or change colour.&rdquo;</p><h3>Insights for Forestry and Climate Adaptation</h3><p>The study provides a new perspective on how trees use their circadian clock to coordinate their growth with the environment. For example, certain genetic modifications in key clock regulators changed the trees&rsquo; sensing of the day length and allowed trees to continue growing later into the season.</p><p>"This study is a proof-of-concept that trees conditioned to a particular length of day at a certain latitude can be adapted to a new latitude, effectively extending their growing season. This is especially useful at higher latitudes like in Northern Sweden where short growing seasons limit timber production," explains Maria E. Eriksson, last author of the study.</p><p class="quote-center">By properly incorporating our findings on the circadian clock into global vegetation models, we can improve predictions of how forests will respond to climate change.</p><p>Additionally, some gene modifications improved the trees&rsquo; resilience under environmental fluctuations. By focusing on these specific genes, it would be possible to breed tree varieties that are better adapted to rapid changes in the local climate, and to new growing locations, for example in other latitudes. &nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p>"In the future, forestry management could be improved by integrating trees&rsquo; circadian clocks and their natural growth cycles with traditional practices&rdquo;, says Eriksson. &ldquo;In this way, tree growth and resilience could be optimized in a changing world.&rdquo;</p><p>Beyond the implications for forestry, the study also has relevance for global vegetation models that predict forest growth and carbon storage. The importance of the clock in shaping trees&rsquo; sensitivity to environmental conditions is often underestimated in these models, according to Mari&euml;n. He concludes, &ldquo;By properly incorporating our findings on the circadian clock into global vegetation models, we can improve predictions of how forests will respond to climate change.&rdquo;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>/en/news/adjusting-trees-internal-clocks-can-help-them-cope-with-climate-change_12076832//en/news/largest-study-to-date-shows-pharmaceutical-pollution-alters-migration-in-atlantic-salmon_12076632/Umeå researcher Jerker Fick, together with researchers at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU, has conducted the largest study to date investigating how pharmaceutical pollution affects the behaviour and migration of Atlantic salmon. They found that typical environmental levels of a pharmaceutical used for sleep disorders influenced the migration success of juvenile salmon in the wild. Thu, 10 Apr 2025 20:13:57 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/image6_credit_michael_bertram3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/image6_credit_michael_bertram3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/image6_credit_michael_bertram3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/image6_credit_michael_bertram3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/image6_credit_michael_bertram3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/image6_credit_michael_bertram3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The researchers Daniel Cerveny and Marcus Michelangeli from SLU in Ume&aring; are collecting juvenile salmon in the Dal River. The juvenile salmon formed the foundation of the study published in Science.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Michael Bertram</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">Pharmaceuticals are present in most surface waters globally</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Pharmaceuticals in aquatic ecosystems &ndash;&nbsp;a growing issue&nbsp;</h2><p>&ldquo;The presence of pharmaceuticals in our surface waters has been studied for two decades now,&rdquo; says Jerker Fick, Associate professor at the Department of Chemistry who contributed to the study published in <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adp7174">Science</a>.&nbsp;&ldquo;Pharmaceuticals are present in most surface waters globally, often in low concentrations. However, there are hotspots, for instance&nbsp;near production facilities and in densely populated, water-scarce areas. On top of that, we also know that the usages of pharmaceuticals are increasing globally,&rdquo; he says.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>Psychoactive pollutants, such as antidepressants and pain medications, are of particular concern, due to their ability to influence brain function and alter the behaviour of wildlife species.<br><br>&ldquo;Almost all of the existing research into the effects of pharmaceutical pollution on wildlife has investigated the effect under simplified conditions in the laboratory that do not capture real-world complexity,&rdquo; says Michael Bertram, Assistant Professor SLU, senior author of the study. Animal behaviour is very sensitive to environmental conditions, and behavioural effects of drug exposure seen in the laboratory may not be reflective of behavioural responses in the wild.&nbsp;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/p4042087-22.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/p4042087-22.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/p4042087-22.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/p4042087-22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/p4042087-22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/p4042087-22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Jerker Fick, researcher at the Deparmtent of Chemistry, contributed to the study with his expertise of measuring pharmaceutical pollutants using mass spectrometry.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Rebecca Forsberg</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span></div></div><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Moving out of the laboratory&nbsp;</h2><p>The research team conducted the largest field-based study to date that investigates the effects of exposure to pharmaceutical pollutants. They used newly developed slow-release pharmaceutical implants and animal-tracking transmitters to investigate how exposure to clobazam &ndash; a drug often prescribed for sleep disorders &ndash; and the opioid painkiller tramadol affected the behaviour and migration of juvenile Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar. The study took place in the Dal River, Sweden, and looked at the salmon's migration to the Baltic Sea.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>&ldquo;We found that the salmon exposed to clobazam passed hydropower dams faster than the unexposed fish. It also meant that more of the medicated salmon eventually reached the Baltic Sea," says Jack Brand, researcher at SLU and first author of the publication, in a press release from SLU.<br>&nbsp;<br>&ldquo;Our results demonstrate the capacity for pharmaceutical pollution to influence key behaviours of animals in the wild, with potentially wide-ranging consequences&rdquo;, he says in a <a href="https://www.slu.se/en/ew-news/2025/4/pharmaceutical-pollution-affects-migration-in-atlantic-salmon/">press release from SLU</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/img_14022.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/img_14022.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/img_14022.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/img_14022.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/img_14022.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/img_14022.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The dam in &Auml;lvkarleby, Uppland. The dam is one of the obstacles that juvenile salmon must navigate in the Dal River on their migration toward the Baltic Sea, and one of the two dams included in the study published in Science</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Rebecca Forsberg</span></div></div><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">A way towards less-polluted wildlife&nbsp;</h2><p>Atlantic salmon are an ecologically, economically, and culturally important species that recently was classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in parts of Europe. While overexploitation (e.g., from fishing), habitat loss, and fragmentation are the primary drivers of this worrying trend, the results of this experiment suggest that pharmaceutical pollution may&nbsp;alter behaviours during events that are key for the survival&nbsp;in migratory fish. &nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>Nonetheless, pharmaceuticals play a key role in modern human and animal health and will remain important for disease management and prevention into the future. &nbsp;<br><br>&ldquo;However, most pharmaceuticals exhibit poor biodegradability, and wastewater treatment processes often fail to completely remove these substances,&rdquo; says Professor Tomas Brodin, previously researcher at Ume&aring; University, now at SLU and co-author of the study.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/tomas_och_jerker_9502_180508_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/tomas_och_jerker_9502_180508_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/tomas_och_jerker_9502_180508_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/tomas_och_jerker_9502_180508_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/tomas_och_jerker_9502_180508_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/tomas_och_jerker_9502_180508_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Jerker Fick, researcher at the Department of Chemistry, here with Tomas Brodin, researcher at SLU, co-author of the study, and previously a research at the Department of Ecology and Enviornmental Science, EMG.&nbsp;</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">A multi-pronged approach will be required to mitigate the threat of pharmaceutical contaminants</p><p>Whilst several advanced wastewater treatment methods have been successful in reducing pharmaceutical contamination, they remain unavailable in many parts of the world due to economic and infrastructure reasons.&nbsp;<br><br>&ldquo;While addressing pharmaceutical pollution is not simple, it is clear that a multi-pronged approach will be required to mitigate the threat of pharmaceutical contaminants to wildlife health into the future,&rdquo; says Michael Bertram.&nbsp;<br><br>Jerker Fick concludes&nbsp;that these findings&nbsp;would have been much harder to obtain without the collaborative efforts of the large study:&nbsp;&ldquo;It is very fulfilling to be able to collaborate with experts in different research fields and together investigate the effects of these pollutants.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>/en/news/largest-study-to-date-shows-pharmaceutical-pollution-alters-migration-in-atlantic-salmon_12076632//en/news/physicist-awarded-eu-fellowship-to-explore-the-role-of-light-in-future-computing_12074773/Ben Johns, 'Excellence by Choise' postdoctoral researcher at Umeå University, has been awarded a Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship from the EU to investigate how light-based technologies could make future computing both faster and more energy efficient.Mon, 07 Apr 2025 13:47:51 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/9007fcb982b543b9a6960212bb7c0cfc/johns-ben-7079_240605-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/9007fcb982b543b9a6960212bb7c0cfc/johns-ben-7079_240605-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/9007fcb982b543b9a6960212bb7c0cfc/johns-ben-7079_240605-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/9007fcb982b543b9a6960212bb7c0cfc/johns-ben-7079_240605-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/9007fcb982b543b9a6960212bb7c0cfc/johns-ben-7079_240605-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/9007fcb982b543b9a6960212bb7c0cfc/johns-ben-7079_240605-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Ben Johns, postdoctoral fellow in the research group Ultrafast Nanoscience at the Department of Physics.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>Can we use only light to perform data processing and computations in the future? That is the question Ben Johns hopes to answer, now with support from a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) postdoctoral fellowship. His research focuses on so-called polaritons &ndash; a hybrid of light and matter particles that exhibits unique properties.</p><p>&ldquo;In my project, I will investigate polaritons to study their suitability for all-optical technologies which can be much faster than current electronics-based systems while also being potentially more energy efficient&rdquo;, says Ben Johns.</p><p>His goal is to understand how polaritons behave after interacting with extremely short pulses of light. These &lsquo;ultrafast&rsquo; dynamics can shed new light the properties of polaritons that may make them useful in designing all-optical technologies in the future.</p><p>&ldquo;My research is primarily focused on fundamental science. But since interest in polaritons is growing rapidly, this could lead to practical applications in the not-too-distant future,&rdquo; he says.</p><p>The MSCA fellowship allows Ben Johns to pursue his ambitious research idea with a high degree of independence and to lay the foundation for a long-term research programme in the field.</p><p><a href="~/link/7984db287ff94883ba81f31cb27d0998.aspx">Read a longer interview with Ben Johns</a></p>/en/news/physicist-awarded-eu-fellowship-to-explore-the-role-of-light-in-future-computing_12074773//en/news/how-quicklime-production-can-be-electrified-without-losing-quality_12073643/A transition to electrified quicklime production could significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions. However, process modifications may impact product quality. New research from Umeå University and the Industrial Doctoral School explores how different process conditions affect quicklime quality and offers insights for a more sustainable industry.Thu, 03 Apr 2025 08:00:07 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Jutj&auml;rn limestone quarry located in Dalarna, Sweden.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Katarzyna Olovsson</span></div></div><p>Quicklime is an essential material used in various industries, including steel production, where its quality is crucial. Currently, the process of quicklime production takes place in fuel-fired high-temperature kilns, emitting large quantities of carbon dioxide. Most of these emissions come from the decomposition of limestone, while the rest originate from the burning of the fossil fuels.</p><p>A possible route for carbon dioxide mitigation is electrification of the production process, which, in combination with carbon capture, could enable net-zero emissions in the long run. However, this would lead to altering the process conditions, which in turn could affect the quicklime quality.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Tested different temperatures</h2><p>Katarzyna Olovsson, doctoral student at the Department of Applied Physics and Electronics at Ume&aring; University, has investigated several quality measures of quicklime. One important quality measure is slaking reactivity. Especially in steel production, high reactivity quicklime is required.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Katarzyna Olovsson, doctoral student at the Department of Applied Physics and Electronics.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Jonas Olovsson</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;In the experiments simulating an electrified heating process, we tested how different burning temperatures and durations affect the slaking reactivity. Our results showed that all quicklime samples had medium to high reactivity, demonstrating the possibility of achieving this quality in an electrically heated process,&rdquo; says Katarzyna Olovsson.</p><p>Another important quality aspect is carbonation, which can occur in the cooling zone of a kiln and lowers the quality of the quicklime product.</p><p>In her research, Katarzyna Olovsson found substantial variations in carbonation depending on the type of limestone and the atmosphere in which it is processed. She studied the microstructure of two different types of limestone, sedimentary and metamorphic, and how it changed during heating and carbonation in three different atmospheres, representing conventional combustion and electrically headed kilns.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Quality is crucial</h2><p>&ldquo;The quality of limestone and of quicklime is important for the suppliers, producers and their customers. Depending on the industrial application, requirements can vary, and increased knowledge of the factors that affect the quality is very important. Our results should be taken into consideration while designing a cooling zone of an electrified quicklime production kiln,&rdquo; says Katarzyna Olovsson.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Currently, the process of quicklime production takes place in fuel-fired high-temperature kilns, emitting large quantities of carbon dioxide.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Katarzyna Olovsson</span></div></div><p>The study provides useful insights for industries looking to make quicklime production more sustainable. As the focus on cutting carbon dioxide emissions increases, electrifying high-temperature processes is emerging as a promising solution.</p><p><em>Katarzyna Olovsson&rsquo;s doctoral project has been funded by the Industrial Doctoral School at Ume&aring; University, SMA Mineral, Heidelberg Materials, Nordkalk och Swedish Mineral Processing Research Association &ndash; MinFo.</em></p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="9e859f01-7c01-4d35-8163-fcc6a5a67fe1" data-contentname="">{}</div><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="74b92039-6a80-4930-ba4f-6ad48cdf6752" data-contentname="Fakta Företagsforskarskolan (standard)">{}</div>/en/news/how-quicklime-production-can-be-electrified-without-losing-quality_12073643//en/news/catalytic-system-turns-biomass-waste-to-renewable-chemical-stock_12065887/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.Wed, 02 Apr 2025 08:00:06 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Van Minh Dinh in the lab at the Department of Chemistry, Ume&aring; University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Huton Nguyen</span></div></div><p>As fossil fuel reserves deplete and the challenges of climate change intensify, renewable and sustainable resources are emerging as a key solution. Among these, biofuels and commodity chemicals derived from biomass, particularly lignin, have gained increasing attention.</p><p>Lignin constitutes about 30 percent of plant dry mass, with 50-70 million tons released annually, mainly as a byproduct in the paper and pulp industry. Despite its abundance, lignin&rsquo;s complex structure makes it difficult to convert into valuable products, limiting its potential as a sustainable resource.</p><p>To tackle this challenge, researchers at Ume&aring; University, Sweden, alongside scientists from Finland, Vietnam, India, and Italy, have designed a catalytic system that efficiently breaks down structures in lignin. Their results are presented in Van Minh Dinh&rsquo;s doctoral thesis at the Department of Chemistry, Ume&aring; University, Sweden.</p><p>&ldquo;We first evaluate the performance of the catalytic system using lignin-model compounds&rdquo; says Van Minh Dinh. &ldquo;They are small molecules that closely resemble lignin&rsquo;s structure, making them an ideal model for our research&rdquo; he explains.</p><p class="quote-left">An exciting aspect of our research is the catalyst&rsquo;s excellent reusability</p><p>Under optimal conditions, the catalytic system selectively cleaves chemical bonds in lignin models, producing a variety of value-added products, such as hydrocarbons for jet fuel additives or oxygenates for industrial chemicals.</p><p>&ldquo;An exciting aspect of our research is the catalyst&rsquo;s excellent reusability&rdquo; Van Minh Dinh adds. &ldquo;It remains structurally stable across a broad range of test conditions, while maintaining high activity over multiple cycles.&rdquo;</p><p>The research team is now focused on scaling up the catalytic system using lignin samples from around Sweden. The research has the potential to drive further innovation in biomass conversion strategies and contribute to replacing fossil fuels with renewable resources.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="7af3f8a3-84fa-49dd-aa90-9b2665d03686" data-contentname="About the dissertation">{}</div><p><strong>For more information, please contact:</strong></p><p>Van Minh Dinh, doctoral student, Department of Chemistry, Ume&aring; University<br>E-mail:&nbsp;van.dinh@91��ý����&nbsp;<br>Phone:&nbsp;(+46) 76 390 16 68</p>/en/news/catalytic-system-turns-biomass-waste-to-renewable-chemical-stock_12065887//en/news/the-devastating-impact-of-humans-on-biodiversity_12069113/Humans are having a highly detrimental impact on biodiversity worldwide. Not only are the numbers of species declining, but the composition of species communities is also changing. This is shown by a study by Eawag and the University of Zurich, in collaboration with Umeå University, published in the scientific journal Nature.Wed, 26 Mar 2025 17:00:05 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Studies from around the world, including from the Ume River, have been compared to map human impacts on plant and animal life.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>Biological diversity is under threat. More and more plant and animal species are disappearing worldwide. Humans are responsible for this. Until now, however, there has been no synthesis of the severity of human interventions in nature and whether the effects can be found everywhere in the world and in all groups of organisms.</p><p>In order to close these research gaps, a team lead from the aquatic research institute Eawag and the University of Zurich has now conducted one of the largest syntheses studies ever of the effects of humans on biodiversity. One of the co-authors of the study, which has just been published in the journal &ldquo;Nature&rdquo;, is Eric Capo, Assistant Professor in the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science at Ume&aring; University.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Covers all groups of organisms</h2><p>The researchers collaborated to compile data from around 2,100 studies that compared biodiversity at almost 50,000 sites affected by humans with almost 50,000 reference sites that were unaffected. Several of the studies were conducted in Sweden.</p><p>The studies cover terrestrial, freshwater and marine habitats around the world, and all groups of organisms, from microbes and fungi to plants and invertebrates, fish, birds and mammals. Among the included studies are, for example, comparisons of habitat changes in the Ume River and the effect of pollution on aquatic life in Swedish lakes.</p><p>&ldquo;This kind of meta-analysis project may soon be replaced by AI tools, but digging into papers &ndash; published across different decades and by different research groups &ndash; still requires scientific expertise and a human eye. For example, to identify which images show samples taken before and after a perturbation, or which represent control versus experimental groups,&rdquo; says Eric Capo.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Striking results</h2><p>The findings of the study are unequivocal and leave no doubt as to the devastating impact humans are having on biodiversity worldwide.</p><p>&ldquo;We have analysed the effect of the five main human impacts on biodiversity: habitat changes, direct exploitation such as hunting or fishing, climate change, pollution and invasive species. Our findings show that all five factors have a strong impact on biodiversity worldwide, in all groups of organisms and all ecosystems,&rdquo; says Fran&ccedil;ois Keck, the lead author of the study.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>According to the study, environmental pollution, such as from the spraying of pesticides, and habitat changes have a particularly negative impact on the number of species and the composition of species communities.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Pixabay</span></div></div><p>On average, the number of species at impacted sites was almost twenty percent lower than at unaffected sites. Particularly severe species losses across all biogeographic regions are found in vertebrates such as reptiles, amphibians and mammals. Their populations are usually much smaller than those of the invertebrates; this increases the probability of extinction.</p><p>&ldquo;This study illustrates why the biological monitoring of ecosystems is important, both in non-impacted and human polluted areas. Without data from before human impact, it is more difficult to fully understand how &ndash; and to what extent &ndash; ecosystems and their services are altered by human societies,&rdquo; says Eric Capo.</p><p><em>Text:Sara-Lena Br&auml;nnstr&ouml;m (Ume&aring; University) / Simon Koechlin (Eawag)</em></p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="f225729f-6414-41df-9352-9beb237ceaf7" data-contentname="About the scientific article">{}</div>/en/news/the-devastating-impact-of-humans-on-biodiversity_12069113//en/news/social-simulations-will-assist-in-the-policymaking-process_12069245/Making decisions that affect large groups of people can be challenging as we all relate to norms in different ways. In his doctoral work, Christian Kammler at Umeå University has studied how social simulations can help decision-makers understand how their decisions affect people, specifically based on individuals' perspective on norms.Thu, 27 Mar 2025 15:28:24 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/8b409b93e3ff4d98b7c50f1cbad05b4a/christian_kammler_1692.png?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/8b409b93e3ff4d98b7c50f1cbad05b4a/christian_kammler_1692.png?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/8b409b93e3ff4d98b7c50f1cbad05b4a/christian_kammler_1692.png?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/8b409b93e3ff4d98b7c50f1cbad05b4a/christian_kammler_1692.png?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/8b409b93e3ff4d98b7c50f1cbad05b4a/christian_kammler_1692.png?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/8b409b93e3ff4d98b7c50f1cbad05b4a/christian_kammler_1692.png?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Christian Kammler, Doctoral student at the Department of Computing Science, Ume&aring; University</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Private</span></div></div><p>"It is challenging for decision-makers to make well-founded decisions because some people follow the norm while others try to circumvent it. There are, of course, also those who completely break the norm," says Christian Kammler, doctoral student at the Department of Computer Science, Ume&aring; University.</p><p>Christian&rsquo;s doctoral work has led to an agent-based decision system, where virtual agents&mdash;simulated individuals or groups&mdash;interact within social simulations to model real-world behaviors. This system helps explore how people respond to policies from different perspectives, providing insights into societal dynamics.</p><p>"Decision-makers need intuitive tools that help them change and create new norms, understand how people behave, and analyze the potential impacts of their intended policies", says Christian.</p><p>Christan&rsquo;s system relies on three key elements to determine how individuals react to a norm: needs, which drive what we do right away; values, which guide our behavior on a larger scale; and social affordances, which help individuals understand what actions are possible based on how they see the world.</p><p>Models using Christian&rsquo;s agent-based decision system allow decision-makers to see the consequences of their decisions before they are implemented and can be adjusted accordingly. In this way, potentially negative consequences can be detected in good time.</p><p>"A central aspect of this system is the ability for decision-makers to modify norms in real-time within the simulation. This feature makes it possible to test and adjust policies dynamically and observe potential effects before they are put into practice," says Christian.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Part of Sweden's largest research initiative on the impact of AI</h2><p>Christian Kammler is a researcher within the national research program Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program &ndash; Humanity and Society (WASP-HS). WASP-HS enables cutting-edge research, expertise, and capacity building in the humanities and social sciences on how artificial intelligence affects humanity and society and vice versa. The program is coordinated from Ume&aring; University. <a href="https://wasp-hs.org/">Read more about WASP-HS.</a></p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">About the thesis</h2><p>Christian Kammler, Department of Computer Science, Ume&aring; University, will defend his doctoral thesis "Modeling Norms for Social Simulations: Increasing Realism in Social Simulations to Support Decision-Makers in Their Decision-Making" on Friday, April 4, 2025. The faculty opponent is Javier V&aacute;zquez-Salceda from Universitat Polit&egrave;cnica de Catalunya, Spain. <br><a href="https://umu.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?aq2=%5B%5B%5D%5D&amp;c=75&amp;af=%5B%5D&amp;searchType=LIST_LATEST&amp;sortOrder2=title_sort_asc&amp;query=&amp;language=sv&amp;pid=diva2%3A1942906&amp;aq=%5B%5B%5D%5D&amp;sf=all&amp;aqe=%5B%5D&amp;sortOrder=author_sort_asc&amp;onlyFullText=false&amp;noOfRows=50&amp;dswid=7078">Read the full thesis.</a></p>/en/news/social-simulations-will-assist-in-the-policymaking-process_12069245//en/news/ciphepeoples-interpretations-central-in-new-framework-for-evaluating-ai_12068551/The Gulf of Bothnia seems to be heading towards eutrophication. It is not only the increasing blooms of cyanobacteria that indicate this. An analysis of many years of monitoring data shows that phosphorus concentrations are increasing and the ratio of nitrogen to phosphorus is decreasing. A research group from the Umeå Marine Sciences Centre at Umeå University has analysed nutrient dynamics and how human activity has affected the situation.Tue, 06 May 2025 08:31:38 +0200<p>The Gulf of Bothnia, with its two sea basins the Bothnian Sea and the Bothnian Bay, has long been considered to be spared from eutrophication. At present, for example, the requirements for nitrogen removal only apply to the treatment plants located south of the Gulf of Bothnia. In 2022, a revised wastewater directive was issued in which the rules were tightened and will apply to all of Sweden's coastal areas. This has raised the question of where the situation in the Gulf of Bothnia is heading, and what we really know about it. There has been criticism against that nitrogen removal should also be required in the Gulf of Bothnia, but the results from the recently published study show that it is relevant to re-evaluate the issue of nitrogen removal in the Gulf of Bothnia as well.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/e91a7555fe26402f8ec008d4e781f539/vattenprovtagning_4075__210917_mjn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e91a7555fe26402f8ec008d4e781f539/vattenprovtagning_4075__210917_mjn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e91a7555fe26402f8ec008d4e781f539/vattenprovtagning_4075__210917_mjn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/e91a7555fe26402f8ec008d4e781f539/vattenprovtagning_4075__210917_mjn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e91a7555fe26402f8ec008d4e781f539/vattenprovtagning_4075__210917_mjn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e91a7555fe26402f8ec008d4e781f539/vattenprovtagning_4075__210917_mjn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Water sampling from the research vessel KBV 181. Sampling is carried out all year round in the Gulf of Bothnia, as part of the national environmental monitoring.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Marlene Johansson</span></div></div><h3>Increasing nitrogen sensitivity</h3><p>The issue of eutrophication is very much about the balance between the amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus. If the amounts of phosphorus increase, the system will become nitrogen-sensitive, which means that the production of, for example, phytoplankton will increase if more nitrogen is added. In a nitrogen-sensitive system, the risks for problems with eutrophication increase significantly. One effect may be that potentially toxic algal blooms increase, as the imbalance between nitrogen and phosphorus favours nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria. The study clearly shows that nitrogen sensitivity is increasing in both the Bothnian Sea and the Bothnian Bay, although the situation has not yet reached as far in the Bothnian Bay. In the Bothnian Sea, cyanobacteria blooms have already increased.</p><h3>Phosphorus-rich water from the south</h3><p>Why are we seeing this development in the Gulf of Bothnia? The explanation that may seem obvious is that the wastewater treatment plants' emissions have caused the problems. Therefore, a review of measurement data from water both upstream and downstream treatment plants was made at a large number of premises along the coast. It was not possible to trace the cause of the change in nutrient balance to the treatment plants. Does this show that the emissions from the treatment plants have no significance?</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/e91a7555fe26402f8ec008d4e781f539/ulvon_algblomning2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e91a7555fe26402f8ec008d4e781f539/ulvon_algblomning2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e91a7555fe26402f8ec008d4e781f539/ulvon_algblomning2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/e91a7555fe26402f8ec008d4e781f539/ulvon_algblomning2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e91a7555fe26402f8ec008d4e781f539/ulvon_algblomning2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e91a7555fe26402f8ec008d4e781f539/ulvon_algblomning2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Cyanobacteria blooms increase when marine areas become nitrogen-sensitive. The photo is taken in Ulv&ouml;hamn in the Bothnian Sea in summer 2024.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Kristina Viklund</span></div></div><p>"Probably not," says Joakim Ahlgren, environmental analyst at Ume&aring; Marine Research Centre and one of the researchers behind the study. "The measurement programs at the treatment plants are not designed to answer that question. In addition, there is a dilution effect from the large rivers, which further complicates the analysis."</p><p>What can be shown, however, is that some of the problems stem from the Baltic Proper. Through the passage around &Aring;land, phosphorus-rich water flows in from the Baltic Proper, causing the balance between nitrogen and phosphorus to change in the Bothnian Sea. Water also flows northwards in the area between the Bothnian Sea and the Bothnian Bay, the northern Quark. The already known problems in the Baltic Proper are thus spreading to the entire Gulf of Bothnia.</p><p>"The question is no longer IF the Gulf of Bothnia will have problems with eutrophication, but rather WHEN. Knowledge about nutrient conditions and ecosystem responses in the Gulf of Bothnia has so far been very limited. By compiling data from both Sweden and Finland, we have gained a clearer picture of how the situation has been, is and how it can be expected to develop," says Joakim.</p><h3>Advice for marine management</h3><p>The report contains a lot of concrete advice for marine management and arouses great interest among the authorities responsible for the marine environment in the Gulf of Bothnia.</p><p>"The report will provide input throughout the chain from mapping the conditions to planning measures linked to eutrophication. The fact that there is now nitrogen limitation in the Bothnian Sea is an important finding they have been able to make, together with the conclusion that the supply of nutrients from the Baltic Proper plays a major role in the nutrient situation in the entire Gulf of Bothnia. We will take this with us when we start the work of planning measures in the autumn. " says Anneli Sedin, environmental officer at the County Administrative Board of V&auml;sterbotten.</p><p>The researchers will now deepen their knowledge further through detailed studies of what is happening in the southern and northern Quark.</p><p>"This is where it all happens. By examining the water flows over these passages, we can get an even clearer picture of the development in these sea areas," says Agneta Andersson, project manager and professor at the Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Ume&aring; University.</p><p><a href="https://www.naturvardsverket.se/publikationer/7100/978-91-620-7178-3/">Report Naturv&aring;rdsverket 2025 (in Swedish, summary in English)</a></p><p><a href="https://www.naturvardsverket.se/om-oss/aktuellt/nyheter-och-pressmeddelanden/2025/mars/ny-forskning-visar-att-fosforhalterna-okar-i-bottniska-viken/">Press release Naturv&aring;rdsverket (In Swedish)</a></p>/en/news/bottniska-viken-pa-vag-mot-overgodning_12066347//en/news/groundbreaking-steel-project-develops-robust-steel-with-lower-co2-emissions_12061920/Research project AUSNANITE aims to revolutionize steel technology. Between July 2025 and December 2028, researchers in Germany, Spain, and Sweden—including four experts from the Department of Applied Physics and Electronics at Umeå University—will work to optimize steel manufacturing processes. The goal: stronger, more cost-effective steel with a reduced environmental footprint.Fri, 14 Mar 2025 13:07:31 +0100<p>By utilizing a new type of ausferritic nanostructure, the steel becomes stronger and more robust while also being cheaper to produce. Additionally, the manufacturing process requires significantly less energy, leading to lower CO₂ emissions.</p><p class="quote-center">This method minimizes both energy consumption and CO₂ emissions while also being significantly cheaper</p><p>Compared to conventional mild steels, today&rsquo;s ultra-high-strength steels rely on a higher carbon content combined with a heat treatment (QT) that rapidly cools the material in an oil bath, resulting in a large carbon footprint&mdash;especially in countries that use fossil fuels in production.</p><p>"This new paradigm involves adding a high silicon content and hardening through austempering&mdash;cooling and heat-holding in a molten salt bath. For certain material dimensions, the ausferrite can begin forming during air cooling after hot rolling of bars or after hot forging and then be &lsquo;baked&rsquo; in air at a low temperature. This method minimizes both energy consumption and CO₂ emissions while also being significantly cheaper than all other through-hardening methods for steel," says Richard Larker, Associate Professor at the Department of Applied Physics and Electronics at Ume&aring; University, and the initiator of the project.&nbsp;</p><h3>Collaborations with Industry</h3><p>To ensure that ausferritic steels offer competitive advantages, AUSNANITE collaborates with several leading companies, including the Spanish steel bar manufacturer Sidenor, Epiroc, and Rototilt, where Richard Larker previously served as Head of Research. These partners will manufacture and test the steel under extreme loads, also subject to impact and wear.&nbsp;</p><h3>Part of the EU&rsquo;s Sustainable Materials Initiative</h3><p>The project aligns with the EU&rsquo;s Green Deal, as the high silicon content reduces the need for more critical alloying elements, while the process itself requires less energy and lowers environmental impact during hardening. If 10% of traditionally produced steel were replaced with ausferritic steel, greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by approximately 100,000 tons of CO₂ per year.</p><h3>A Bright Future for Steel</h3><p>In summary, AUSNANITE has the potential to take steel technology to the next level. By combining research and industrial practices with a strong focus on sustainability, the project could pave the way for more robust and long-lasting industrial materials while also strengthening Europe&rsquo;s competitiveness.</p><p><em><strong>More information can be found in this article published in the <a href="~/link/7e1e105d0e0f428cbf0e359f951a315e.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">magazine "Gjuteriet" in 2021</a>.&nbsp;</strong></em></p>/en/news/groundbreaking-steel-project-develops-robust-steel-with-lower-co2-emissions_12061920//en/news/high-school-students-get-a-glimpse-into-the-world-of-research_12062491/This spring, nearly 140 high school students from natural science programs at schools in Umeå, Skellefteå, Piteå, Luleå, and Finland will visit Umeå University. The students will have the opportunity to meet researchers, explore advanced laboratories and equipment, and receive information about studying here in Umeå.Fri, 14 Mar 2025 08:40:55 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p10119163.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p10119163.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p10119163.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p10119163.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p10119163.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p10119163.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Staff scientist at UCEM, Nils Hauff, shows high school student Simon Blind how he can zoom in on the details of a fly using one of the university's sophisticated electron microscopes at UCEM.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Rebecca Forsberg</span></div></div><p>The first visit took place today, when 15 students studying natural science and biotechnology at Balderskolan in Skellefte&aring; came to Ume&aring;. Among other things, they met researchers developing complex molecules that can be used in cancer treatment.&nbsp;<br><br>"I find everything related to the human body and medicine very interesting," says Tilda Br&auml;nnstr&ouml;m Skilling, who has long set her sights on becoming a dentist. "But I&rsquo;m trying to keep my options open in case something else seems exciting," she adds.&nbsp;<br><br>Rocky Jonsson, who is studying natural science to build a broad foundation for the future, particularly enjoys the hands-on aspect of biotechnology. &nbsp;<br>"I like working practically and could see myself doing something in architecture," he says.&nbsp;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p1011897.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p1011897.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p1011897.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p1011897.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p1011897.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p1011897.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Nils Hauff shows students Tilda Br&auml;nnstr&ouml;m Skilling, Rocky Andersson, Lovisa Wikman and Leona St&aring;l the large electronmicroscope at UCEM.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Rebecca Forsberg</span></div></div><p>Among the students, there are dreams of pursuing careers ranging from medicine to police, while some are keeping their future more open.&nbsp;<br>"I&rsquo;m not entirely sure what I want to study yet, but visiting like this is not only fun but also important to see what opportunities exist," says Simon Blind.&nbsp;<br><br>The students also had the chance to visit advanced laboratories and try using high-resolution electron microscopes to study microscopic structures at Ume&aring; Centre for Electron Microscopy (UCEM).&nbsp;</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="4f46ece6-a272-4e2b-8763-b66c0bc76ff7" data-contentname="Image display visit">{}</div><p>"These visits are always incredibly appreciated, which is why we keep coming back every year," says Fredrik Mor&eacute;n, chemistry teacher at Balderskolan.&nbsp;<br><br>As the final highlight of the day, the students received information about the Bachelor's program in Life Science and the Engineering program in technical chemistry.&nbsp;<br><br>"We hope to inspire these young people to study here, whether in science, technology, or another field. We need well-educated people to help us face the future," concludes Tobias Sparrman, staff scientist and head of the NMR Core facility, who has been organising the visits from Skellefte&aring; since 2010.&nbsp;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p1011967.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p1011967.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p1011967.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p1011967.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p1011967.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p1011967.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Liquid nitrogen is always fun, isn&rsquo;t it? Tobias Sparrman, staff scientist and head of the NMR Core facility, demonstrates small experiments with liquid nitrogen for the high school students.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Rebecca Forsberg</span></div></div>/en/news/high-school-students-get-a-glimpse-into-the-world-of-research_12062491//en/news/technological-advancement-can-make-cement-production-both-more-energy-efficient-and-sustainable_12061451/Concrete is the world's most widely used building material – but the production of cement, its key component, generates significant carbon dioxide emissions. New research at Umeå University shows how electrification and carbon capture can make production both more energy-efficient and climate-smart.Thu, 13 Mar 2025 08:00:05 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Through advanced experiments and analysis of cement clinker composition, Jos&eacute; Aguirre Castillo, a doctoral student at Ume&aring; University, has demonstrated how new methods can enable more sustainable cement production.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Heidelberg Materials</span></div></div><p>The cement industry accounts for approximately eight percent of global carbon dioxide emissions. These emissions mainly originate from chemical reactions when limestone is heated and from the fossil fuels used in production. By electrifying the production process and implementing carbon capture, emissions can be reduced. This has been investigated in a doctoral thesis at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>Jos&eacute; Aguirre Castillo, an industrial doctoral student at Ume&aring; University and process engineer at Heidelberg Materials Cement Sweden, has examined how different carbon capture technologies &ndash; such as electrified plasma heating, oxy-fuel combustion, and calcium looping &ndash; affect cement production. In these technologies, cement is produced in environments with extremely high carbon dioxide concentrations. Jos&eacute; Aguirre Castillo has discovered that this can actually enhance production efficiency, as it facilitates the formation of key minerals in the cement.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Promote chemical reactions</h2><p>&ldquo;Our results show that high carbon dioxide levels can promote high-temperature reactions. By leveraging this, we have optimised the material with promising results, improving both the product's properties and reducing its climate impact,&rdquo; says Jos&eacute; Aguirre Castillo.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>The rotary kiln in the &ldquo;rock lab&rdquo; at Tec-lab, Ume&aring; University, is designed for experiments under high carbon dioxide levels. The kiln's silica tubes can be heated up to 1600 degrees Celcius and was set to 1450 degrees for these experiments. The image shows fully sintered cement clinker produced according to an optimised recipe.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Jos&eacute; Aguirre Castillo</span></div></div><p>The research shows that a key component of cement, the mineral tricalcium silicate, can be formed more efficiently with carbon capture. Since tricalcium silicate normally requires a lot of energy to produce, production adjustments made to reduce emissions could also lead to a more energy-efficient production process and improved cement quality.</p><p>Jos&eacute; Aguirre Castillo has also explored how the composition and particle size of raw material can be adjusted to lower energy consumption while making the clinker more reactive. Increased reactivity creates the conditions for diluting the cement with alternative binders, such as volcanic material, further reducing the climate impact.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Extensive research on cement</h2><p>Ume&aring; University is conducting extensive research on sustainable cement and quicklime production in collaboration with Sweden&rsquo;s leading industrial players in the field. Several studies have contributed valuable knowledge to support the transition that the cement industry is facing.</p><p>Jos&eacute; Aguirre Castillo's doctoral thesis shows that carbon capture can be integrated into existing cement plants without compromising cement quality. This enables the industry to reduce emissions while maintaining the strength and durability of the cement.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="bbc1906b-2fb3-440a-804b-ac9f0e579199" data-contentname="About the thesis defence">{}</div>/en/news/technological-advancement-can-make-cement-production-both-more-energy-efficient-and-sustainable_12061451//en/news/how-plants-adapt-to-the-cold_12059463/As climate conditions become increasingly unpredictable, understanding how plants respond to cold is crucial for securing future crop resilience. In her doctoral thesis, Varvara Dikaya at Umeå University has studied the protein PORCUPINE, which plays a central role in how plants adapt to low temperatures. Her research reveals that this protein is part of multiple intertwined signalling pathways that help plants survive.Fri, 07 Mar 2025 13:57:03 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/3e9af4db14414cebac054ee1a9268bb6/17403398642833.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/3e9af4db14414cebac054ee1a9268bb6/17403398642833.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/3e9af4db14414cebac054ee1a9268bb6/17403398642833.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/3e9af4db14414cebac054ee1a9268bb6/17403398642833.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/3e9af4db14414cebac054ee1a9268bb6/17403398642833.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/3e9af4db14414cebac054ee1a9268bb6/17403398642833.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Doctoral student Varvara Dikaya has studied how plants adjust to cold by focussing on the protein PORCUPINE.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Nabila El Arbi</span></div></div><p>Plants cannot seek shelter from the cold &ndash; they must adapt at the cellular level. Much of the research on plant cold responses has focused on molecules such as amino acids and sugars that prevent freezing and on the core mechanisms of the temperature response. However, there are many new players that are still disconnected from the big picture.</p><p>Varvara Dikaya&rsquo;s research sheds light on an essential part of this puzzle: RNA splicing, a process that determines which proteins are produced in a plant&rsquo;s cells.</p><p>&ldquo;Splicing acts as a central hub controlling the information flow from DNA to RNA defining which proteins are synthesised from a certain gene,&rdquo; explains Varvara Dikaya, doctoral student in the Department of Plant Physiology at Ume&aring; University and Ume&aring; Plant Science Centre.</p><p>The protein she studied, PORCUPINE, was discovered because plants with a mutation in this gene became particularly cold-sensitive. The name comes from the spiky shape of the shoot tip in these mutants.</p><p>&ldquo;The PORCUPINE mutant appears normal under ambient temperature conditions but cannot develop properly in case of even a mild temperature drop. Already at 16 degrees, the mutant grows shorter roots with increased root hair density and much smaller rosettes than normal. This is very special.&rdquo;</p><p>Varvara Dikaya&rsquo;s research reveals that PORCUPINE is involved in multiple cellular processes. On one hand, colder temperatures increase the amount of PORCUPINE RNA in cells, suggesting that more of the protein is produced. On the other hand, this protein is part of the spliceosome, a molecular complex that modifies RNA before it is translated into proteins.</p><p>Varvara Dikaya and her colleagues also identified several genes regulated by PORCUPINE that play key roles in how plants respond to temperature changes.</p><p>&ldquo;Our findings show the complexity of the cold response in plants. It is important to understand all aspects and identify fundamental mechanisms that could be applied later on in a practical manner. Such knowledge will be essential to create more resilient plants capable of withstanding environmental challenges in the future, even though it is still a long way to go.&rdquo;</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="78f30fab-ca4d-4a63-8d07-e6a26a0f3e52" data-contentname="About the doctoral thesis">{}</div><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="1d25738e-0a9f-4d78-8213-405de509bdc4" data-contentname="Contact">{}</div>/en/news/how-plants-adapt-to-the-cold_12059463//en/news/dynamic-battle-between-mars-atmosphere-and-the-solar-wind_12058948/Qi Zhang, a doctoral student at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics and Umeå University, explores in her doctoral thesis the interaction between Mars and the stream of charged particles from the sun, the solar wind. Her research provides new insights for understanding how the atmosphere of Mars have evolved over time.Thu, 06 Mar 2025 13:53:04 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/44f82b62137d45e6968771be65b647a9/pressbild_qi-zhang3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/44f82b62137d45e6968771be65b647a9/pressbild_qi-zhang3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/44f82b62137d45e6968771be65b647a9/pressbild_qi-zhang3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/44f82b62137d45e6968771be65b647a9/pressbild_qi-zhang3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/44f82b62137d45e6968771be65b647a9/pressbild_qi-zhang3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/44f82b62137d45e6968771be65b647a9/pressbild_qi-zhang3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Qi Zhang's research at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics and Ume&aring; University, provides insights into how the atmosphere on Mars has evolved over time and may look like in the future. Photo: IRF.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Swedish Institute of Space Physics</span></div></div><p>Unlike Earth, Mars lacks a global magnetic field and interacts with the solar wind directly. Over billions of years, this interaction has stripped much of the Martian atmosphere, transforming the planet from a warm, wet world into the cold, arid landscape we see today.</p><p>Qi Zhang&rsquo;s research introduces a groundbreaking approach to study this process, focusing on the escape of heavy ions from Mars.</p><p>By combining data from Mars satellites with advanced computer models, the study unveils how solar activity &ndash; such as solar radiation, solar dynamic pressure and interplanetary magnetic field &ndash; affects the atmospheric escape rate.</p><p>&ldquo;My method allows us to estimate how much of Mars&rsquo; atmosphere is being lost to space under different conditions and understand the forces driving this process. This is crucial for piecing together the planet&rsquo;s history and predicting its future,&rdquo; says Qi Zhang.&nbsp;</p><p>One of Qi Zhang&rsquo;s key discoveries is the concept of a degenerate induced magnetosphere &ndash; a state in which extreme solar wind conditions trigger a unique interaction feature and a surge in atmospheric escape. These findings have broader implications for planetary science, including the study of exoplanets and their interactions with stellar winds.</p><p>Qi Zhang&rsquo;s studies not only deepen our understanding of Mars but also have practical implications for future exploration.</p><p>Her research is based on computer models and observations from scientific instruments, as IRF&rsquo;s Analyzer of Space Plasmas and Energetic Atoms (ASPERA-3), onboard the ESA spacecraft Mars Express and NASA&rsquo;s spacecraft MAVEN, both of which orbit around Mars.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="b904a91e-e18f-408b-aee7-e255a3d2d36c" data-contentname="About the dissertation">{}</div>/en/news/dynamic-battle-between-mars-atmosphere-and-the-solar-wind_12058948//en/news/the-way-forward-for-the-european-cbrne-center_12054436/It was during the summer of 2024 that Niklas Eklund, Professor of Political Science at the Department of Political Science, received an exciting question from the University Management: Would he be interested in taking over as Director of the European CBRNE Center? After a period of reflection and internal processes, it became clear that he would take on the responsibility in the beginning of 2025. Fri, 28 Feb 2025 08:47:49 +0100<p>The fact that the choice fell on a political scientist and not a biologist or chemist may, given the subject area CBRNE, seem unexpected but Niklas belives his background in security policy change, geopolitics and Arctic security, led to him being entrusted with the position. The European CBRNE Center has a tradition of initiating, participating in and coordinating EU projects, and within these there is an increasing demand for interdisciplinary perspectives, including Social sciences and Humanities.</p><p>Niklas is also not new to the task of leading a center. He was previously the Director of <a href="~/link/d00e699181f84765bc083ac4784453b2.aspx">the Arctic Center</a> at Ume&aring; University, which gave him valuable experience.</p><p>&rdquo;As a political scientist, I am of course a great believer in good governance, but I also realise that all organisations have their inherent logic. I really hope to combine a sense of order with flexibility at the European CBRNE Center. It is always an exciting journey to try to take on genuinely interdisciplinary environments. At the moment, I'm still learning the ropes here at the center, but the opportunity to work across departments and disciplines is very exciting.&rdquo;</p><h3>Challenges and future perspectives</h3><p>As for the challenges and perspectives&nbsp;on CBRNE issues in Sweden and Europe, Niklas&nbsp;believes&nbsp;the&nbsp;growing&nbsp;availability of information and connections online, along with the rapid development of&nbsp;new&nbsp;technology, is changing current and future threat scenarios.</p><p>&rdquo;We live in complex times, especially with the technological possibilities that exist today to acquire materials and methods for using CBRNE substances in an antagonistic way. Look at the explosions that take place around Sweden almost daily, it makes you wonder what could happen if malicious people or groups gain access and the skills to use other methods or dangerous substances, such as chemical or biological. Another challenge, not only related to CBRNE, is the question of trust in sources of information, will 'people' continue to listen to scientists and authorities, or will they in the future obtain their information mainly through other channels or from other actors? And if so, which ones?&rdquo;</p><p>He also believes that the European CBRNE Centers' contribution and CBRNE issues in general will be of much bigger importance in the years to come.</p><p class="quote-center">I believe that CBRNE issues will become increasingly important in the renewal of our various defense models in the Nordic region. I also see extensive security policy change underway both within and across national borders here in the north, and it would be a shame if Ume&aring; University with its broad range of competence would not take part in that change.</p><h3>Ume&aring;'s role as a CBRNE hotspot</h3><p>What Niklas is looking forward to is building on the centre's strong contacts with authorities, organisations and actors. The steering committee and the collaboration with the centre's partner organisations represent a great potential in further developing collaborations that strengthen Swedish, Nordic and European security.</p><p>&rdquo;Although I have only met the steering committee twice so far, I look forward to continuing the work and together exploring the way forward for the European CBRNE Center.&rdquo;</p><p><strong>How do you see Ume&aring;'s role, position and importance within the CBRNE topics contributing to the work of the European CBRNE Center?</strong></p><p>&rdquo;In the Ume&aring; region, we sometimes talk about the 'CBRNE cluster'. Although it sounds like a strange expression, it stands for something important. In the region, CBRNE expertise is close, between the Swedish Armed Forces, FOI and Ume&aring; University. There are also good contacts with other central actors such as the Swedish Police, the Swedish Fortifications Agency, Ume&aring; Municipality, Region V&auml;sterbotten and the County Administrative Board of V&auml;sterbotten, among others. There is a critical mass here in both research and practice that makes the Ume&aring; region unique.&rdquo;</p><p>And outside work? Then there is another passion that perhaps not everyone knows about.</p><p>&rdquo;Not many people know that I have a soft spot for old cars. And not only that, I own one myself. Niklas says with a smile and excuses himself to continue his workday and his mission as Director of the European CBRNE Center.&rdquo;</p>/en/news/the-way-forward-for-the-european-cbrne-center_12054436//en/news/scilifelab-site-umea-celebrates-16-new-group-leaders_12053865/Scientists at Umeå University have found a way to break open the protective walls of pollen grains – one of the hardest biomaterials in the world – without damaging the inside cell and its components. This achievement opened the possibility to isolate and study mitochondria – parts of the cell essential for energy production. To their surprise, several proteins that are key for maintaining the energy production of the mitochondria, were nowhere to be found.Tue, 18 Feb 2025 06:53:44 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/fe0910a233304c20a5f83138cce41581/p1011441-22.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/fe0910a233304c20a5f83138cce41581/p1011441-22.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/fe0910a233304c20a5f83138cce41581/p1011441-22.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/fe0910a233304c20a5f83138cce41581/p1011441-22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/fe0910a233304c20a5f83138cce41581/p1011441-22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/fe0910a233304c20a5f83138cce41581/p1011441-22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Researchers Olivier Keech and Cl&eacute;ment Boussardon at the Department of Plant Physiology, Ume&aring; University, are studying pollen grains from Arabidopsis plants in the Ume&aring; Plant Science Centre's green house.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Rebecca Forsberg</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">This tough outer wall is largely made of one of the most resistant biomaterials known on this planet.</p><h3>Pollen Grains: Nature's Resilient Capsules&nbsp;</h3><p>&ldquo;Flowering plants are dependent on pollen to reproduce, and the pollen grains are very special in many ways,&rdquo; says Olivier Keech, Associate Professor at the Department of Plant Physiology, Ume&aring; University and group leader at Ume&aring; Plant Science Centre, UPSC.</p><p>He explains that&nbsp;each pollen grain contains a tiny capsule, a cell that carries&nbsp;the male genetic material necessary for the next generation of plants.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>When a pollen grain encounters a female plant of the same species, fertilization may happen and can give rise to a new generation. But immediate contact is not always a given. To survive harsh environments, pollen grain has developed a specific outer structure that protects the cell, allowing it to travel long distances with the wind or pollinators, such as insects, birds or reptiles.<br><br>&ldquo;This tough outer wall is largely made of one of the most resistant biomaterials known on this planet. This makes the pollen grain wall highly resistant to environmental damage and some pollen grains can remain preserved in sedimentary rocks for millions of years,&rdquo; says Olivier Keech.&nbsp;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/fe0910a233304c20a5f83138cce41581/olivier_keech_151127_141033_jgs2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/fe0910a233304c20a5f83138cce41581/olivier_keech_151127_141033_jgs2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/fe0910a233304c20a5f83138cce41581/olivier_keech_151127_141033_jgs2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/fe0910a233304c20a5f83138cce41581/olivier_keech_151127_141033_jgs2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/fe0910a233304c20a5f83138cce41581/olivier_keech_151127_141033_jgs2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/fe0910a233304c20a5f83138cce41581/olivier_keech_151127_141033_jgs2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Olivier Keech, Associate Professor at the Department of Plant Physiology and UPSC, Ume&aring; University.&nbsp;</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Johan Guns&eacute;us</span></div></div><p>That a pollen grain can survive for such long time span is thanks to an&nbsp;in-house energy production &ndash; the mitochondria. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a tiny compartment of the cell that is essential for its survival,&rdquo; says Olivier Keech. &nbsp;&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>The mitochondria have its own genetic material, essential for its biological activity, and notably for producing the energy that keeps the cell alive. But to study the pollen mitochondria, they had to break open the protective wall. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p class="quote-center">These are biological structures, a million times smaller than a meter, encapsulated in a tiny safe &ndash; dynamite was not an option!</p><h3>A Surprising Discovery and a Collaborative Success &nbsp;</h3><p>The idea to study pollen mitochondria germinated at a conference in 2019. Olivier Keech and his colleague at UPSC, Clement Boussardon, presented a new technique developed in Ume&aring;, that enables trapping and isolation of mitochondria. This innovative technique intrigued collaborators who studied pollen cells. &nbsp;<br><br>However, from the birth of the idea, it took a few years to reveal the secrets of pollen, quite literally. &ldquo;Breaking up pollen grains and isolating intact mitochondria was truly challenging. These are biological structures, a million times smaller than a meter, encapsulated in a tiny safe &ndash; dynamite was not an option!&rdquo; says Clement Boussardon, staft scientist in Keech&rsquo;s group and first author of the study published in Current Biology. &nbsp;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/fe0910a233304c20a5f83138cce41581/dsc_01372.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/fe0910a233304c20a5f83138cce41581/dsc_01372.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/fe0910a233304c20a5f83138cce41581/dsc_01372.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/fe0910a233304c20a5f83138cce41581/dsc_01372.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/fe0910a233304c20a5f83138cce41581/dsc_01372.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/fe0910a233304c20a5f83138cce41581/dsc_01372.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Staff scientist Cl&eacute;ment Boussardon at the Department of Plant Physiology, Ume&aring; University, are studying mitochondria from Arabidopsis pollen grains.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Rebecca Forsberg</span></div></div><p>Cl&eacute;ment Boussardon, together with their collaborator Matthieu Simon from INRAE in France, spent over four years perfecting their method to open the pollen grains while preserving the cell. What they discovered, was not what they expected.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>&ldquo;What we found was quite surprising,&rdquo; says Olivier Keech. &ldquo;We discovered that the proteins that are associated with maintenance and the expression of the genetic material in mitochondria, essential for keeping it alive, were nowhere to be found.&rdquo;&nbsp;<br><br>&ldquo;This is a bit like mitochondria were ready to produce energy but were not equipped for any repairs if needed. This discovery may explain why a pollen grain in the end has a limited lifetime, and why it is fine tuned to survive for the duration of its unique mission &ndash; fertilization,&rdquo; says Olivier Keech. &nbsp;</p><p class="quote-center">Combining the expertise of our diverse research teams has been a great pleasure and was key to this success</p><p>Olivier Keech and Clement Boussardon credit their success to the multidisciplinary nature of the study, which brought together researchers from Germany, France, New Zealand, and of course Ume&aring;. <br><br>&ldquo;Combining the expertise of our diverse research teams has been a great pleasure and was key to this success,&rdquo; concludes Clement Boussardon. &nbsp;</p>/en/news/scientists-unlock-one-of-the-toughest-biomaterials-and-find-clues-to-pollens-expiration-date_12048528//en/news/new-ultra-sensitive-method-for-detecting-bacterial-spores_12047886/Researchers at Umeå University have recently developed a highly sensitive method for detecting bacterial spores — tough microorganisms that survive extreme conditions and can cause both food poisoning and infections. This method could help improve food safety and healthcare.Thu, 13 Feb 2025 09:01:33 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/9af5ee5d37254367bdbf14f9f38a6310/dsc066412.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/9af5ee5d37254367bdbf14f9f38a6310/dsc066412.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/9af5ee5d37254367bdbf14f9f38a6310/dsc066412.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/9af5ee5d37254367bdbf14f9f38a6310/dsc066412.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/9af5ee5d37254367bdbf14f9f38a6310/dsc066412.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/9af5ee5d37254367bdbf14f9f38a6310/dsc066412.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Jonas Segervald and Dmitry Malyshev in the lab.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Daniel Nilsson</span></div></div><p>Bacterial spores are one of nature&rsquo;s most resilient organisms. These tiny, seed-like structures form when bacteria enter a dormant state to survive unfavorable conditions. They can endure extreme environments, including boiling water, common disinfectants and radiation &mdash; conditions that would kill most bacteria. Their resilience and ability to reactivate when conditions improve make them a major problem in healthcare, agriculture and food production.</p><p>&ldquo;In this interdisciplinary study, we have developed a new, ultra-sensitive method to detect bacterial spores by combining nanoscience and biophysics," says Jonas Segervald, a doctoral student at the Department of Physics, Ume&aring; University. He is one of the researchers behind the new discovery, which was recently published in the scientific journal ACS Sensors.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Early detection crucial in industry</h2><p>The method uses gold nanorods and laser technology to amplify signals from a unique molecule found in spores. This technique, called surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), enables the identification of incredibly small amounts of chemicals &mdash; down to individual molecules. It allows for early detection of bacterial spores even at very low concentrations, which is important in many industries, as preventive measures can be applied at an early stage.</p><p>&ldquo;Spores are highly problematic in hospitals and the food industry, as they can cause recurring contamination by attaching to surfaces and equipment, leading to illness, spoilage and costly cleaning measures,&rdquo; says Dmitry Malyshev, staff scientist at the Department of Physics and co-author of the article.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Health risks in dairy production</h2><p>One promising use of this new method is in the dairy industry, where bacterial spores, particularly from Bacillus species, pose a significant risk. Contamination in dairy production lines can lead to spoilage, product recalls and potential health risks. As milk and dairy products are a central part in Sweden's diet, ensuring a high level of food safety is a top priority. In line with this goal, the researchers successfully detected spores in a contaminated sample of milk, demonstrating the method&rsquo;s potential in improving food safety.</p><p>&ldquo;Our method offers enhanced sensitivity, allowing us to detect much smaller amounts of bacterial spores than previously possible. Although we are still in the early stages, we are actively working to improve this technology into a practical sensor that can be customized for industries at risk of spore contamination," says Jonas Segervald.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="52bdfa36-719b-470b-bc53-4436cd559dd9" data-contentname="About the scientific article">{}</div>/en/news/new-ultra-sensitive-method-for-detecting-bacterial-spores_12047886//en/news/the-internship-in-germany-was-an-eye-opener_12043405/Doing an internship abroad is a chance to both broaden your skills and gain new perspectives on working methods and cultures. For Andreas Eriksson, a doctoral student at the Industrial Doctoral School, a stay at the Sartorius research lab in Germany was an experience filled with lessons, insights and some surprising challenges. "It was a unique opportunity to see product development up close in a lab environment that was completely different from the academic research world," says Andreas. Mon, 03 Feb 2025 15:26:26 +0100<p class="quote-center">All the documentation was in German, which I wasn't really prepared for.</p><p>Andreas Eriksson is running a research project within the Industrial Doctoral School that is about improving the production of biological drugs, together with the company Sartorius, which has locations around the world, including Ume&aring;.</p><p>For two weeks in September 2024, Andreas worked at Sartorius' plant outside Bielefeld. The company manufactures cell medium, liquid mixtures of nutrients used to grow living cells for drug production, and the research lab works to analyze and characterize these complex biochemical processes.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">From theory to state-of-the-art practice</h2><p>Andreas, who is used to the research environment at the university, describes the contrast between academic labs and the high-tech production environment as striking.</p><p>&ldquo;A research lab is usually smaller and designed around specific instruments that are used in a narrow area. At Sartorius' lab, the environment was much larger and the range of instruments was significantly broader than I had previously experienced,&rdquo; he says.</p><p>The state-of-the-art equipment not only meant new opportunities, but also a steep learning curve because the instruments he had to work with in Germany were from a different manufacturer than those used in Sweden.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/3780975f21014a0c8103163d03e8cf57/eriksson_andreas_5308_231205_hkn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/3780975f21014a0c8103163d03e8cf57/eriksson_andreas_5308_231205_hkn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/3780975f21014a0c8103163d03e8cf57/eriksson_andreas_5308_231205_hkn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/3780975f21014a0c8103163d03e8cf57/eriksson_andreas_5308_231205_hkn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/3780975f21014a0c8103163d03e8cf57/eriksson_andreas_5308_231205_hkn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/3780975f21014a0c8103163d03e8cf57/eriksson_andreas_5308_231205_hkn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Andreas Eriksson is a doctoral student in the Department of Chemistry and the Industrial Doctoral School.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;They also used a different principle to quantify chemical compounds. It was a challenge, but it feels like I've added a new tool to my toolbox,&rdquo; says Andreas Eriksson.</p><p>Although many of his colleagues spoke good English, the language became an unexpected challenge for Andreas.</p><p>&ldquo;All the documentation was in German, which I wasn't really prepared for. I often had to use translation tools and figure things out, even though German is close to Swedish. It gave me a new respect for the role of language in working life.&rdquo;</p><p>He also reflects on how easy it is to take for granted that English works everywhere.</p><p>&ldquo;In Sweden, we are so used to English working in most contexts, but this is not always the case in other countries. It was a useful insight.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Cross-border knowledge exchange</h2><p>In addition to the technical aspect of the internship, the informal conversations with German colleagues became an important part of the experience.</p><p>&ldquo;I talked a lot with my colleagues about the differences and similarities between Germany and Sweden, both in terms of work and everyday life. It's conversations like that that make you really get to know other people's ways of thinking and living,&rdquo; he says.</p><p>The cultural differences were also evident in small details, such as how work was organised and what expectations there were in the workplace.</p><p>&ldquo;It was interesting to see how the precision and structure of their work processes differ from how we do things here at home. We exchanged many ideas on how to improve the workflow.&rdquo;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/3780975f21014a0c8103163d03e8cf57/sartorius-campus-goettingen-data2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/3780975f21014a0c8103163d03e8cf57/sartorius-campus-goettingen-data2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/3780975f21014a0c8103163d03e8cf57/sartorius-campus-goettingen-data2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/3780975f21014a0c8103163d03e8cf57/sartorius-campus-goettingen-data2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/3780975f21014a0c8103163d03e8cf57/sartorius-campus-goettingen-data2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/3780975f21014a0c8103163d03e8cf57/sartorius-campus-goettingen-data2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Andreas Eriksson also visited the headquarters, Sartorius Campus, in G&ouml;ttingen for a few days during his stay.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Marco B&uuml;hl, Sartorius AG</span></div></div><p>Andreas also took the opportunity to explore Germany during his stay &ndash; and he wants to advise others who do internships abroad to do the same. For his part, the weekends were perfect opportunities to explore nearby towns and try out local restaurants.</p><p>&ldquo;If you can, stay a few extra days and discover the country. It's easy to get stuck in work and miss out on all the other things that a stay abroad can bring. I tried to eat dinner in different places every night and learn as much as I could about the local culture,&rdquo; he says.</p><p>So far, Andreas has used two of the three months offered by the Industrial Doctoral School's doctoral programme for internships. He has worked both on-site in Germany and remotely with data analysis for Sartorius.</p><p>&ldquo;We plan to use the third month in the future as well. It will probably be an arrangement where I continue to assist with data analysis remotely. There may also be a shorter visit to Germany, but nothing long-term like last autumn.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">An experience to recommend</h2><p>For Andreas, the internship has been a positive experience that has provided both professional and personal development. He hopes that more people will take the opportunity to do an internship abroad if the opportunity arises.</p><p>&ldquo;I was able to broaden my knowledge and gain new perspectives. I would definitely recommend it to others. It's an experience that I will carry with me for a long time,&rdquo; says Andreas Eriksson.</p><p><a href="~/link/73eeb92474f44f07902e5fef5c2e7a59.aspx">Read more about Andreas Erikssons research project</a></p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="f5669cea-b5a7-48cc-9281-3f365d46d0f0" data-contentname="Företagsforskarskolan och praktiken ENG">{}</div>/en/news/the-internship-in-germany-was-an-eye-opener_12043405//en/news/aleksandra-foltynowicz-elected-optica-fellow_12043321/Optica, the leading society for scientists and other professionals in the science of light, has elected Aleksandra Foltynowicz a Fellow Member in recognition of her significant contributions to her field of research.Mon, 03 Feb 2025 15:20:07 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/a7f75c08f71a4767b20a0be6c505939c/foltynowicz_matyba_aleksandra_220120255334_hkn7.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/a7f75c08f71a4767b20a0be6c505939c/foltynowicz_matyba_aleksandra_220120255334_hkn7.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/a7f75c08f71a4767b20a0be6c505939c/foltynowicz_matyba_aleksandra_220120255334_hkn7.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/a7f75c08f71a4767b20a0be6c505939c/foltynowicz_matyba_aleksandra_220120255334_hkn7.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/a7f75c08f71a4767b20a0be6c505939c/foltynowicz_matyba_aleksandra_220120255334_hkn7.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/a7f75c08f71a4767b20a0be6c505939c/foltynowicz_matyba_aleksandra_220120255334_hkn7.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Aleksandra Foltynowicz, Professor at the Department of Physics.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>Founded in 1916, Optica is dedicated to promoting the generation, application, archiving, and dissemination of knowledge in the field. Fellow membership is an honorary distinction reserved for members who have served with distinction in the advancement of optics and photonics.</p><p>Aleksandra Foltynowicz is being honored specifically &ldquo;for outstanding and sustained contributions to research in precision molecular spectroscopy and frequency comb spectrometers&rdquo;.</p><p>121 members were elected Optica Fellows in 2025, with Aleksandra Foltynowicz being the only one from Sweden.</p><p><a href="https://www.optica.org/get_involved/awards_and_honors/fellow_members/elected_fellows/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">List of all new Fellows</a> (Optica.org)</p>/en/news/aleksandra-foltynowicz-elected-optica-fellow_12043321//en/news/ukrainian-researchers-visited-umea-for-collaboration-and-inspiration_12041064/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.Thu, 30 Jan 2025 09:51:00 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/5694cbbb42eb464a8c9f0837866b232d/yaowen_and_collegues3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/5694cbbb42eb464a8c9f0837866b232d/yaowen_and_collegues3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/5694cbbb42eb464a8c9f0837866b232d/yaowen_and_collegues3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/5694cbbb42eb464a8c9f0837866b232d/yaowen_and_collegues3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/5694cbbb42eb464a8c9f0837866b232d/yaowen_and_collegues3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/5694cbbb42eb464a8c9f0837866b232d/yaowen_and_collegues3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Jun Zhang, Laura Herzog and Yaowen Wu have found a way to control proteins in living cells.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Shuang Li</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">In our experiments, we were able to demonstrate precise control over several processes in the cell</p><p>&ldquo;Cellular processes are complex and constantly change depending on when and where in the cell they occur. Our new chemical tool with light switches will make it easier to control processes in the cell and study how cells function in real time. We can also determine where we make such regulation with a resolution of micrometres within a cell or tissue&rdquo;, says Yaowen Wu, professor at the Department of Chemistry and SciLifeLab Group leader at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>The intricate choreography of what happens in a cell is based on the precise distribution and interaction of proteins over time and space. Controlling protein or gene function is a cornerstone of modern biological research. However, traditional genetic techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9 often operate on a longer time scale, which risks causing cells to adapt. In addition, the techniques lack the spatial and temporal precision required to study highly dynamic cellular processes.</p><p>To address these challenges, so-called chemo-optogenetic systems have emerged as powerful tools. These systems combine chemical molecules, optics, and genetically modified proteins to precisely control protein activities at specific locations in cells using light-sensitive small molecules. Professor Yaowen Wu&rsquo;s lab is at the forefront of developing chemo-optogenetic systems.</p><p>Previously, Yaowen Wu&rsquo;s lab introduced systems based on a type of molecular glue. These work by bringing two proteins close together to change the localization or activity of a protein. The molecular glues are activated or deactivated by light by removing or cleaving a light-sensitive group. Although these tools represented significant advances, they had limitations in their use and insufficient photo- and chemical stability.</p><p>In two new publications selected as hot papers in the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition and Chemistry &ndash; A European Journal, researchers in the Wu lab have developed next-generation chemo-optogenetic tools based on photoswitchable molecular glues. These improve on previous systems and overcome limitations. Through the modified molecular design, these molecular glues can be turned &ldquo;on&rdquo; or &ldquo;off&rdquo; like a light switch using light of specific wavelengths, allowing for multiple activation cycles where the two different states either promote or inhibit protein function.</p><p>&rdquo; The new modular design enables enormous versatility of the system with adaptable properties and more stability&rdquo;, says Jun Zhang, staff scientist at the Department of Chemistry at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>&ldquo;In our experiments, we were able to demonstrate precise control over several processes in the cell, including protein function and localization, organelle positioning and protein levels&rdquo;, says Laura Herzog, postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Chemistry at Ume&aring; University.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/5694cbbb42eb464a8c9f0837866b232d/fotomask_final3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/5694cbbb42eb464a8c9f0837866b232d/fotomask_final3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/5694cbbb42eb464a8c9f0837866b232d/fotomask_final3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/5694cbbb42eb464a8c9f0837866b232d/fotomask_final3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/5694cbbb42eb464a8c9f0837866b232d/fotomask_final3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/5694cbbb42eb464a8c9f0837866b232d/fotomask_final3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The activity of a luminescent protein can be tuned by light using the photoswitchable molecular glues developed in these studies. Cells in which the protein is active will produce a luminescent signal. By guiding the light through photomasks, exposing certain cells to light while shielding others, the researchers were able to produce patterns on cell populations.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Laura Herzog</span></div></div>/en/news/new-light-tuned-chemical-tools-control-processes-in-living-cells_12040145//en/news/jens-wants-more-students-to-study-abroad-and-get-a-double-degree_12033582/What help would I want if I were a new student in a foreign country? That is physicist Jens Zamanian's starting point when he meets exchange students. Since the beginning of the year, he has been the new internationalization manager at the Faculty of Science and Technology. Fri, 17 Jan 2025 09:40:36 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/527a2705e3d04405a231a2003baaf406/zamanian_jens_6354_200224_hkn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/527a2705e3d04405a231a2003baaf406/zamanian_jens_6354_200224_hkn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/527a2705e3d04405a231a2003baaf406/zamanian_jens_6354_200224_hkn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/527a2705e3d04405a231a2003baaf406/zamanian_jens_6354_200224_hkn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/527a2705e3d04405a231a2003baaf406/zamanian_jens_6354_200224_hkn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/527a2705e3d04405a231a2003baaf406/zamanian_jens_6354_200224_hkn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Jens Zamanian is new in the role of managing internationalization at the Faculty of Science and Technology.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;It feels really fun and a chance to kind of see "the big picture" when you think about which universities we should collaborate with&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;What is relevant for our faculty and our students?&rdquo;</p><p>Jens Zamanian does a lot of teaching in his job. Among other things, he is responsible for the Classical Mechanics course that about a hundred MSc engineering students take every year. When he was awarded the faculty's pedagogical prize in 2024, his valued work with international students was also highlighted.</p><p>Since 2014, he has been international contact person at the Department of Physics. There, he has worked on everything from signing exchange agreements with universities in other countries to guiding incoming students.</p><p>&ldquo;You are a bit vulnerable when you come to a foreign country. Many have travelled halfway around the world and don't understand the language. I usually think about what I would have wanted help with if it were me.&rdquo;</p><h3>Long exams a shock</h3><p>Students often come to him for support in matching which courses they should take, especially if they are courses given at several different institutions. Jens also gets to explain how the study system in Sweden works.</p><p class="quote-left">You are a bit vulnerable when you come to a foreign country</p><p>&ldquo;Many are quite shocked that we can have six-hour exams. They may be used to two hours, but then you are in a hurry and can't get all the assignments done.&rdquo;</p><p>&ldquo;I also usually talk a little about Swedish culture when I meet them and explain that it is okay to address your teachers by their first names. Then the International Office does a great job with Orientation Day and other activities! It has made the care of international students much better.&rdquo;</p><p><em>What makes working with international students fun, in your opinion?</em></p><p>&ldquo;I get an insight into how they study in other countries, what the differences are compared to here and how they view it. And many students are very nice and fun to talk to!&rdquo;</p><h3>Fewer after the pandemic</h3><p>Before the pandemic, the Physics Department received around 70 exchange students each year. Currently, 40-50 come per year. Significantly fewer Swedish students take the chance to study abroad.</p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s about two to four students. Things were turning around, one year we had more than that going to Hong Kong and South Korea. The following year I had nominated 16 who wanted to go, but then the riots in Hong Kong came and then the pandemic.&rdquo;</p><p><em>How can we get more domestic students to choose to study abroad?</em></p><p>&ldquo;I think what has the most effect is that those who have gone abroad can come and tell others here about their experiences.&rdquo;</p><p>Most of the foreign students that the Physics Department receives come from Germany, France, Turkey, Spain, Portugal and China.</p><p>&ldquo;We offer quite a few courses at advanced level and the exchange students allow us to maintain a wider range of courses than we otherwise could.&rdquo;</p><h3>Increased independence</h3><p><em>What do you see as the biggest benefits for students participating in exchange studies?</em></p><p>&ldquo;That they feel more independent, that they can go out into the world and feel that they can handle it. For some who come here from other countries, when they move away from home to study, they live in a college, have food served and their room cleaned. Here they have to manage everything themselves. Another big advantage, which the students themselves may not always think about, is that they get the opportunity to study courses that are not available at their home university.&rdquo;</p><p><em>Have you been abroad as an exchange student yourself?</em></p><p>&ldquo;No, but after my dissertation I was a post doc in Strasbourg in France. I didn't know the French language and took evening classes and such, but it was still tough and I was quite isolated. But, of course, more research work was done instead.&rdquo;</p><p>Now Jens will have to take a bigger grip on the internationalization work than at his own department. Step one is to familiarize himself with all the agreements that exist and continue the work that his predecessor Konrad Abramowicz started.</p><p>&ldquo;He started with meetings for all departments' international contact persons and to have a joint call for applications for outgoing students. This has simplified a lot, but I think there are more opportunities for collaboration and that we may be able to encourage more departments to have similar agreements as we have for double degrees.&rdquo;</p><h3>Double degrees bring advantages</h3><p>The Physics Department has agreements with two Chinese universities, Shenzhen and South West University, which give students the opportunity to obtain a bachelor's degree from two countries at the same time. The students study three years at their home university and one year in Ume&aring;, including their degree project.</p><p>&ldquo;They can count their studies in China towards their degree from here and vice versa. It shows more clearly that they have studied in two places. It also makes it easier if they want to study further in Europe, then they have a Swedish bachelor's degree. We also drill them quite hard, they have several advanced courses in their bachelor's degree, which gives a stronger bachelor's degree. That is also an advantage for them.&rdquo;</p><p>A similar model could be viable at more departments, as well as inspire more Swedish students to obtain a double degree, Jens Zamanian believes.</p><p>&ldquo;When we had a visit from Shenzhen, Konrad, Markus &Aring;dahl and Victor Falgas-Ravry from the mathematics department were there and met them. If mathematics is interested, I think more people might be.&rdquo;</p><p>&ldquo;I also know that sometimes several departments have exchange agreements with the same university. There may be advantages in combining these into a faculty agreement.&rdquo;</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="3d311aac-589d-4bc1-a0cc-06f5073c831b" data-contentname="ABOUT Jens Zamanian">{}</div>/en/news/jens-wants-more-students-to-study-abroad-and-get-a-double-degree_12033582//en/news/permafrost-thaw-threatens-up-to-three-million-people-in-the-arctic_12032685/Permafrost thaw poses multiple risks to local Arctic communities, their livelihoods, infrastructure and environment. A transdisciplinary study led by Umeå University and others has identified key risks across four Arctic regions. This allows communities to adapt and make informed decisions.Thu, 16 Jan 2025 11:00:05 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Like in many regions of the Arctic, in Ilulissat, Greenland, roads built on sensitive permafrost terrains are particularly prone to ground surface deformations. Faced with limited budgets and numerous challenges, local stakeholders are concerned about the costs of repeated maintenance, and difficulty of prioritizing and planning on the long-term.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Johanna Scheer</span></div></div><p>Permafrost underlies about 15 percent of the northern hemisphere's land area and is rapidly degrading due to climate change. Thawing permafrost not only poses a global threat through the release of greenhouse gases, but is also expected to have far-reaching implications for about three million Arctic inhabitants who live in areas most susceptible to permafrost degradation.</p><p>&ldquo;In Sweden, permafrost lands are important as soil carbon reservoirs and for traditional land use practices, such as reindeer herding. Like in other regions of the Arctic, permafrost thaw is causing landscape changes and hazards that impact local ecosystems and livelihoods,&rdquo; says Johanna Scheer, postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science at Ume&aring; University.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Johanna Scheer, postdoktor vid Institutionen f&ouml;r ekologi, milj&ouml; och geovetenskap</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Johanna Scheer</span></div></div><p>As part of an EU-funded project, a team of scientists, led by Ume&aring; University, University of Vienna and Technical University of Denmark, investigated permafrost thaw risks alongside local stakeholders in four Arctic regions: Longyearbyen (Svalbard, Norway), the Avannaata municipality (Greenland), the Beaufort Sea region and the Mackenzie River Delta (Canada), and the Bulunskiy district (Republic of Sakha, Russia).</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Five key hazards</h2><p>The researchers identified five key hazards related to infrastructure, mobility and supply, water quality, food security and health. The findings have been published in the scientific journal Nature Communications Earth and Environment.</p><p>&ldquo;The physical processes, hazards and societal consequences associated with permafrost thaw constitute risks that are perceived differently across the Arctic depending on the local context and place-dependent specificities. Understanding the complex nature of these risks is essential to support the resilience and adaptive capacity of Arctic communities,&rdquo; says Johanna Scheer.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Endanger local ecosystems</h2><p>Infrastructure failure and disruptions of mobility and supplies raised concerns across all regions due to their widespread impacts on society and the economy. In Canada, the release of contaminants from failing industrial legacy infrastructure, such as abandoned oil and gas wells, was notably considered a serious threat to both animal and human health. Finally, in regions where traditional land use practices and subsistence are important parts of local populations&rsquo; cultural identity, permafrost thaw&rsquo;s negative effects on food security also represented a major concern.</p><p>Permafrost thaw risks considerably endanger local ecosystem and population health. In the follow-up ILLUQ EU-funded project, researchers at Ume&aring; University are now focusing on the complex relationships between permafrost thaw, vegetation changes, pollution and land use. By combining field-based and remote sensing techniques, their focus will specifically be directed towards mapping and assessing the impacts of legacy oil wells and permafrost thaw on vegetation in the Mackenzie River Delta region, Canada.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="a50e7a81-55b5-4b79-9c8b-c3817f3a4345" data-contentname="">{}</div><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="ef90df20-3f03-48a7-a388-5a491a6e4edf" data-contentname="">{}</div>/en/news/permafrost-thaw-threatens-up-to-three-million-people-in-the-arctic_12032685//en/news/chemistry-professor-in-new-role-at-swedish-environmental-research-institute-ivl_12033114/Chemistry professor Patrik Andersson, Umeå University takes up a new role with IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, with the aim of increasing collaboration between academia and the sector when it comes to “safe” use of chemicals.Fri, 17 Jan 2025 16:09:56 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/c2810c8088ac4af99b4d411ced55645f/patrikandersson_foto_annastrom3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/c2810c8088ac4af99b4d411ced55645f/patrikandersson_foto_annastrom3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/c2810c8088ac4af99b4d411ced55645f/patrikandersson_foto_annastrom3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/c2810c8088ac4af99b4d411ced55645f/patrikandersson_foto_annastrom3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/c2810c8088ac4af99b4d411ced55645f/patrikandersson_foto_annastrom3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/c2810c8088ac4af99b4d411ced55645f/patrikandersson_foto_annastrom3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Patrik Andersson.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Anna Strom</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;This is a time where organisations and projects are aimed at making society sustainable. I am excited to be part of this effort. I will have the possibility to shape this role&rdquo;, said Andersson, a longstanding member of the Department of Chemistry.</p><p>Previously part of its management team, focusing on education, he sees his new role as Innovation Coordinator for Sustainable Chemistry with IVL both as an opportunity to promote graduate education and to deepen sectoral collaboration on &ldquo;safe&rdquo; chemicals.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Doing the right thing from the start</h2><p>As a scientist, Andersson has been part of developing screening and testing of chemicals. In a string of projects his team focused on understanding the fate and effects of substances on various host organisms and the development of computational techniques, he said.</p><p>Funds from the Swedish government bodies Swedish Research Council and Formas have allowed for multiannual studies and Andersson has held work packages in European Union projects, of which Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals that kicked off in 2022.</p><p>&ldquo;We should do the right thing from the start&rdquo;, Andersson said;</p><p>&ldquo;This is why we talk about safe and sustainable chemicals by design&rdquo;.</p><p>His approach echoes that of leading public health researchers, calling for a new global &ldquo;precautionary&rdquo; approach, in a recent article in New England Journal of Medicine, that would only allow chemical products on the market if their manufacturers could establish through independent testing that the chemicals are not toxic at anticipated exposure levels.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Smart substitution of risky chemicals</h2><p>Swedish IVL, meanwhile, offers research and consulting services in the areas of environment and sustainability and has an overarching aim of bringing together industry, policymakers, higher learning institutions and relevant international organisations to work on the topical areas it oversees, according to its website.</p><p>It also plays host to the coordination of multiannual projects backed by Swedish national funders, such as Mistra SafeChem, where Andersson is new director and previous member of the Board.</p><p>Riding on the concept of substitution of chemicals deemed to pose a risk to people and the environment under the 2007 EU Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals and related rules, Mistra SafeChem focuses on &ldquo;smart&rdquo; substitution in the field of organic synthesis and catalysis, in particular.</p><p>&ldquo;I am going to work with key players including companies in the sector. I think that we can deepen the collaboration&rdquo;.</p><p>Andersson will continue to work part time as a scientific research leader at Ume&aring; University, and will be one of two IVL representatives based at Ume&aring;, Sweden.</p><p>&ldquo;I hope that I can contribute with a different perspective. I see the academic world and can highlight its advantages&rdquo;, he said;</p><p>&ldquo;As a researcher, you may have very little contact with industry&rdquo;.</p><p>Andersson stepped into his new role of innovation coordinator and programme director 1 January 2025.</p>/en/news/chemistry-professor-in-new-role-at-swedish-environmental-research-institute-ivl_12033114//en/news/new-documentary-on-the-challenges-of-climate-research_12017646/What does a fjord in northern Norway have in common with the climate challenges of the future? More than you might think. In the new documentary Fjords Frontiers: Digging into the Future of Climate Change, researchers Eric Capo and Erik Björn take us on a journey through the fjord. Here, under the ice-covered surface of Rossfjordsvatnet, we explore how toxic compounds are formed in oxygen-free environments and what clues these waters can provide about our future in an increasingly warmer world.Wed, 08 Jan 2025 13:54:50 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/4577ef6d4e2a437f9ec340a34d4bd7de/fjords_frontiers_documentary3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/4577ef6d4e2a437f9ec340a34d4bd7de/fjords_frontiers_documentary3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/4577ef6d4e2a437f9ec340a34d4bd7de/fjords_frontiers_documentary3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/4577ef6d4e2a437f9ec340a34d4bd7de/fjords_frontiers_documentary3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/4577ef6d4e2a437f9ec340a34d4bd7de/fjords_frontiers_documentary3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/4577ef6d4e2a437f9ec340a34d4bd7de/fjords_frontiers_documentary3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Photo from the film Fjords Frontiers: Digging into the future of climate change</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Eric Capo</span></div></div><p>A sharp breeze sweeps over Rossfjordsvatnet in northern Norway. On the surface, the fjord is still and seemingly untouched, but beneath its surface hides a history that stretches back tens of thousands of years &ndash; and which may provide clues to what our future will look like. Right here, researchers Eric Capo and Erik Bj&ouml;rn, both at Ume&aring; University, have dug deep into the fjord's sediments and water masses to investigate one of climate research's most burning topics: how toxic compounds such as methylmercury are formed and spread in oxygen-free ecosystems.</p><p>Their work is not only documented in scientific articles but also in films. The documentary Fjords Frontiers: Digging into the Future of Climate Change premiered on December 12 at Curiosum, and the researchers are looking forward to sharing their research with a wider audience.</p><h3>Reading the fjord as an archive</h3><p>At the heart of their research is the question of how oxygen deprivation in aquatic ecosystems, which is exacerbated by climate change and eutrophication, affects the formation of methylmercury. This extremely toxic compound can be produced by microorganisms in oxygen-free environments and accumulate in fish, which can ultimately pose a health risk to humans.</p><p>"We see that oxygen depletion in coastal zones and oceans increases with global warming, and this can lead to an increase in methylmercury production. We want to understand the key processes that govern this, in order to be able to predict which areas are most vulnerable in the future," says Erik Bj&ouml;rn, professor at the Department of Chemistry.</p><p class="quote-left">We wanted to give a picture of what it means to be a researcher and work with climate change. At the same time, we hope to inspire young people to become researchers and get involved in the major environmental challenges</p><p>By analysing the sediment archive in Rossfjordsvatnet and studying the microbial diversity in the fjord, the research team has gained new knowledge about how these processes work. An early finding is that methylmercury levels increase sharply in oxygen-free water &ndash; a result that now forms the basis for further analyses.</p><p>"It was in line with our expectations, but the really important thing is to find out whether this is controlled by the chemical properties of the mercury or by the biology of the microorganisms," says Eric Capo, Associate Senior Lecturer at the Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences.</p><h3>From lab to film screen</h3><p>Documenting the research in film format was a new approach for Eric and Erik. The idea was born out of a desire to show people how research is done and what issues drive science forward.</p><p>"We wanted to give a picture of what it means to be a researcher and work with climate change. At the same time, we hope to inspire young people to become researchers and get involved in the major environmental challenges," says Eric Capo.</p><p>The documentary gives viewers an insight into everything from on-site sampling to advanced analyses in the laboratory. By combining beautiful nature images with educational explanations, the researchers hope that the film will be both engaging and educational.</p><h3>Premiere nerve and public issues</h3><p>Premiering the film felt both nervous and exciting, according to Eric and Erik. Their hope is that the film will lead to conversation and reflection on climate issues. They look forward to meeting viewers' questions, which often challenge them to think outside the box.</p><p>"Discussions with the public can really enrich research. Questions from people outside academia can provide new perspectives that we ourselves have not thought of," says Erik Bj&ouml;rn.</p><p>Although the film is now finished, the research continues. The project started in September 2023 and will run for at least another 2&ndash;3 years. During that time, the team hopes to add more pieces to the puzzle of how methylmercury is formed and which ecosystems are most vulnerable.</p><p>"Our hope is that the results can be used to protect marine ecosystems and reduce risks to human health," says Eric Capo.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="f66b6839-93f5-45d8-8f6e-54c404650ab7" data-contentname="Documentary film">{}</div>/en/news/new-documentary-on-the-challenges-of-climate-research_12017646//en/news/new-members-from-umea-university-in-the-swedish-research-councils-scientific-councils_12021283/Fredrik Almqvist, Sofia Lundberg, and Jörgen Johansson from Umeå University have been appointed as new members of the Swedish Research Council's three scientific councils. The mandate period runs from 2025 to 2027.Fri, 20 Dec 2024 10:12:39 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/ad0d005064f043a0b35b3709a8309c1a/vr_kollage3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/ad0d005064f043a0b35b3709a8309c1a/vr_kollage3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/ad0d005064f043a0b35b3709a8309c1a/vr_kollage3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/ad0d005064f043a0b35b3709a8309c1a/vr_kollage3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/ad0d005064f043a0b35b3709a8309c1a/vr_kollage3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/ad0d005064f043a0b35b3709a8309c1a/vr_kollage3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Fredrik Almqvist, Sofia Lundberg and J&ouml;rgen Johansson.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>The Swedish Research Council has three scientific councils responsible for allocating research funding, as well as following up and evaluating research within their respective subject areas. The following persons from Ume&aring; University were recently appointed new members:</p><p><strong>Fredrik Almqvist</strong>, Professor at the Department of Chemistry, Council for Natural and Engineering Sciences</p><p><strong>Sofia Lundberg</strong>, Professor at Ume&aring; School of Business, Economics and Statistics, Council for Humanities and Social Sciences</p><p><strong>J&ouml;rgen Johansson</strong>, Professor at the Department of Molecular Biology, Council for Medicine and Health</p><p>At the same time, <strong>Niklas Arnberg</strong>, Professor at the Department of Clinical Microbiology, was re-elected as a member of the Swedish Research Council's board, and <strong>Charlotte H&auml;ger</strong>, Professor at the Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, was re-elected as a member of the Council for Medicine and Health.</p><p><a href="https://www.vr.se/english/just-now/news/news-archive/2024-12-17-new-members-of-the-swedish-research-councils-board-and-scientific-councils-2025-2027.html">Read more on the Swedish Research Council&rsquo;s website</a> (vr.se)</p>/en/news/new-members-from-umea-university-in-the-swedish-research-councils-scientific-councils_12021283//en/news/the-science-behind-christmas-trees-how-conifers-brave-winters-worst_12020740/As the festive season approaches, evergreen conifers like spruce and pine 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 and blinding sunlight in the boreal forests but now scientists can unwrap the science behind conifers’ winter survival. Fri, 20 Dec 2024 08:00:04 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Conifers have special strategies to survive the harsh winters in the north.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>John&eacute;r Bildbyr&aring; AB</span></div></div><p>​The photosynthetic process of most green plants is highly conserved; it functions overall the same in green algae, tulips and redwood trees. Yet, there are differences and scientists are gradually understanding more about both the differences and commonalities.</p><p>Conifers have extraordinary winter survival strategies, some of them were not understood until recently. Scientists from Ume&aring; University have, together with colleagues, summarized recent breakthroughs in an article published in Trends in Plant Science.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Dissipates extra energy</h2><p>One of the two main findings, both of which this group of researchers have contributed to, is that conifers change the structure of their thylakoid membranes &ndash; where photosynthesis takes place &ndash; making Photosystem I (PSI) and Photosystem II (PSII), which otherwise by large remain separated, come in winter closer to each other and work together in a special way named spill-over.</p><p>&ldquo;This helps them to safely dissipate extra energy and avoid damage from too much sunlight in the cold,&rdquo; says Stefan Jansson, Professor at Ume&aring; Plant Science Centre at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>Others have previously, without understanding the mechanism, named the process &lsquo;Sustained Quenching&rsquo; as it could put photosynthesis into a lock down mode for days.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>The findings could be used for breeding conifers that are resilient to extreme weather conditions.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Stefan Jansson and Pushan Bag</span></div></div><p>The second strategy, operating in parallel to spillover, is that conifers use special routes for moving the electrons in photosynthesis. These paths, known as alternative electron flow, involve flavodiiron proteins and help keep the photosynthesis process balanced. This also prevents the system from becoming overloaded when there's too much light and freezing temperatures.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Conifers are the dominant species</h2><p>In addition, the photosynthetic apparatus of conifers differs from that of flowering plants (angiosperms) in a few other ways. They lack, for example, some so-called light-harvesting proteins found in other plants.</p><p>&ldquo;All together this can explain why conifers are the dominant species in boreal forests, thriving where few others can, perhaps at the expense of advantages during less challenging conditions; few conifers, if any, grow where water, nutrients and temperature conditions are all favourable&rdquo; says Pushan Bag, lead author who during his doctoral studies at Ume&aring; Plant Science Centre studied these phenomena.</p><p>Understanding these mechanisms may also aid conservation and help predict forest responses to climate change and may in the longer perspective inform strategies for breeding crops that are resilient to extreme weather conditions.</p><p>Co-author Alexander Ivanov adds:</p><p>&rdquo;This paper highlights the intricate adaptations of conifers to extreme winter conditions. By combining structural, molecular, and evolutionary insights, it advances our understanding of how these trees have come to dominate some of the harshest ecosystems on Earth.&rdquo;</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="1c3ae6ff-c6a7-45df-b202-9668b500b32d" data-contentname="">{}</div><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>For more information, please contact:</strong></p><p>Dr. Pushan Bag, University of Oxford<br>Email: <a href="mailto:pushan.bag@biology.ox.ac.uk">pushan.bag@biology.ox.ac.uk</a></p><p>Stefan Jansson, professor at the Department of Plant Physiology and Ume&aring; Plant Science Centre, Ume&aring; University<br>Phone: +46 70&nbsp;677 23 31<br>Email: <a href="mailto:stefan.jansson@91��ý����">stefan.jansson@91��ý����</a></p>/en/news/the-science-behind-christmas-trees-how-conifers-brave-winters-worst_12020740//en/news/life-science-umea-highlighted-in-documentary-project_12020144/Umeå has long been identified as a key actor within life science innovation and will soon be highlighted in an exciting new documentary project. Journalist and documentary filmmaker Luis Jachmann visited North Sweden to document Umeå's role as a life science hub. This marked one holding point in the year-long documentary project, which aims to explore innovative initiatives across Europe and their connection to an integrated European continent. Wed, 18 Dec 2024 17:03:32 +0100<p>The project focuses on how collaboration and funding by the European Union empower groundbreaking research and development.</p><p>&rdquo;During my research I got the impression that this Northern European town is closely linked to the idea of a strong, integrated EU,&rdquo; says Luis Jachmann.</p><p>The documentary will feature <a href="~/link/274d3c87105f4a7a82c425560b684571.aspx">Support Office for Life Science &amp; Health (SOLH)</a> and Ume&aring; Biotech Incubator (UBI) as important enablers of innovation in the region. An interview with Mats Falck, SOLH and Peter Jacobsson, UBI delved into how the project and the incubator function as launchpads for new project initiatives, fostering collaboration and driving progress.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">The Life Science Ecosystem in Ume&aring;</h2><p>Jachmann&rsquo;s four-day visit captured a wide array of interviews, activities and facilities, showcasing Ume&aring;&rsquo;s dynamic Life Science Ecosystem. This included an interview with Fredrik Almqvist, director of the Ume&aring; Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), an engaging ice-skating session and interview in Tavelsj&ouml; with Emil Bystr&ouml;m, CEO of SpinChem, and a visit at Lipum for a session with Susanne Lindquist and Pernilla Abrahamsson. A central question for the interviews was: What is the main goal of the initiatives, and how does European funding contribute to achieving it? Jachmann also got to tour the life science facilities at Ume&aring; University and UBI, which featured advanced laboratories, instruments, and microscopes.</p><p>&ldquo;Those few days gave me a precise insight of how life science research is a key branch in Ume&aring;. I got an idea of how emerging companies are closely linked with high-quality research that is done at Ume&aring; university. So these strong ties between academic world and business ideas can have, and are probably going to have, a strong impact on economic and demographic effects for the whole region. And by the end Europe benefits from the innovations that are born in Sweden's North,&rdquo; says Jachmann.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Watch a sample video&nbsp;</h2><p>We eagerly anticipate the final documentary and look forward to seeing how Life Science Ume&aring; is featured as part of a broader European narrative. Watch a short preview of the video material, the video below displays a sample from the ice skating in Tavelsj&ouml;.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>/en/news/life-science-umea-highlighted-in-documentary-project_12020144//en/news/pesticides-in-cambodian-agriculture-investigated-for-health-risks_12019043/Researchers at Umeå University have investigated a group of substances used to combat weeds and insects suspected of carrying risks to human health and inducing cancer.Wed, 18 Dec 2024 14:41:09 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/fd2483b4442b432eacc8384e06bb85b2/puthearyngin-thesis-defence_dec_20243.png?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/fd2483b4442b432eacc8384e06bb85b2/puthearyngin-thesis-defence_dec_20243.png?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/fd2483b4442b432eacc8384e06bb85b2/puthearyngin-thesis-defence_dec_20243.png?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/fd2483b4442b432eacc8384e06bb85b2/puthearyngin-thesis-defence_dec_20243.png?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/fd2483b4442b432eacc8384e06bb85b2/puthearyngin-thesis-defence_dec_20243.png?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/fd2483b4442b432eacc8384e06bb85b2/puthearyngin-thesis-defence_dec_20243.png?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Putheary Ngin, PhD student at the Department of Chemistry.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Private</span></div></div><p>They chose to study pollution loads and associated risks of such polar pesticides in the Southeast Asian country of Cambodia, and four provinces that share the Mekong River, important to biodiversity and livelihoods.</p><p>Putheary Ngin, Department of Chemistry, outlines their findings in a PhD dissertation that gives the concentrations of these modern pesticides, primarily in soils and water.</p><p>In 2022 the European Union banned one of the most common types and recommended in a regulation that polar pesticides be analysed both in plant and animal matrices. However, no comparable analyses had been performed in Cambodia since, according to the researchers.</p><p>There many farmers prefer to use imported products because of their relatively low price, but may not be able to understand the instructions on the package.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Pesticides in all foods</h2><p>"It was discovered ten years ago, around 2011, that pesticides were very common in all food in Cambodia. We selected these novel pesticides to see if there was a risk to human health and which matrix was most exposed", Ngin said.</p><p>The researchers started from the assumption that the use of polar pesticides could carry a risk of toxic pollution of crops and the environment. They performed an encompassing study entailing field sampling and laboratory testing.</p><p class="quote-center">This marks a previously undocumented environmental presence of these chemicals.</p><p>Ngin also interviewed a number of farmers who had used modern pesticides to spray crops.</p><p>"There is a tendency for overuse. Spread today, sell tomorrow. This is one of our main conclusions", according to Ngin.</p><p>Fifty-six new polar pesticides were found in surface water and 43 in soil samples.</p><p>"This marks a previously undocumented environmental presence of these chemicals&hellip; Ten per cent of these pesticides present a high or very high risks to aquatic life, particularly in the Mekong River, a vital ecosystem supporting biodiversity and livelihoods in the region".</p><p>It is well known to the scientific community studying these matters, that analysis of polar pesticides does not come easy, however.</p><p>The research team including PhD student Ngin and her academic supervisor Jerker Fick, associate professor, circumvented the issue by combining a range of sophisticated techniques for analysis, available to them at Ume&aring; University in northern Sweden and in the academic cluster to which it is attached.</p><h2 data-magellan-target="info1">Farmer education</h2><p>"Results indicate that vegetables are the primary source of pesticide exposure, followed by rice and fish, with water identified as the least risky matrix", Ngin said.</p><p>The research results are aimed at policymakers, other scientists and public health campaigners.</p><p>"They also underscore the importance of targeted farmer education to prevent overuse and encourage sustainable agricultural practices".</p><p>&nbsp;</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="db68b58a-15ae-42c3-be95-3e0dcc666f2a" data-contentname="About the doctoral thesis">{}</div>/en/news/pesticides-in-cambodian-agriculture-investigated-for-health-risks_12019043//en/news/students-found-few-resistant-bacteria-at-open-house_12018580/What bacteria and fungi do we carry, and are any of them antibiotic-resistant? That’s what two students in the Bachelor’s Programme in Life Science set out to investigate during the Open house at Umeå University – and the results were unexpected.Wed, 18 Dec 2024 13:10:07 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Hendi Lamaj, Sena Gizem S&uuml;er, and Pol Cuesta Turull at Open house.</p></div></div><p>Each square centimetre of our skin can host close to a million microorganisms &ndash; bacteria and fungi that play an important role in our daily lives. With this as their starting point, Hendi Lamaj and Pol Cuesta Turull, students in the Bachelor&rsquo;s Programme in Life Science, conducted an experiment during the Open house on 6 November.</p><p>Visitors were invited to provide samples from their hands and everyday items, such as mobile phones and jewellery, by leaving prints on agar plates &ndash; Petri dishes used to culture microorganisms. Some of the plates also contained antibiotics to test for the presence of ampicillin-resistant bacteria. A total of 31 samples were collected from volunteers curious to learn more about the microorganisms in their surroundings.</p><p>&ldquo;The experiment was a way to showcase our programme in an entertaining and engaging manner while also tackling the important issue of antibiotic resistance,&rdquo; says Teresa Frisan, programme co-director with Erik Chorell for the Bachelor&rsquo;s Programme in Life Science.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Example of bacterial and fungal growth on an agar plate without ampicillin. Two types of bacterial colonies can be observed as well-defined round items: white colonies and yellow colonies. Fungal growth appears as bigger and not-rounded items.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hendi Lamaj </span></div></div><p>After the samples were incubated for 48 hours at a temperature of 37 degrees Celsius, the results were analysed. All 31 regular agar plates showed growth of both bacteria and fungi. Among the plates with antibiotics, only two showed growth of microorganisms, in the form of small bacterial colonies.</p><p>&ldquo;We are pleasantly surprised by the results gathered. The growth of bacteria was a lot lower than expected and the antibiotic-resistant growth was very minimal. This implies that the most common bacteria in the university environment do not carry ampicillin antimicrobial resistance yet,&rdquo; says Teresa Frisan.</p>/en/news/students-found-few-resistant-bacteria-at-open-house_12018580//en/news/per-erik-johansson-retires-as-director-of-the-european-cbrne-center_12015423/After nearly a decade as the Director of the European CBRNE Center, Per-Erik Johansson is stepping down at the end of the year to enjoy his retirement. During his years at the center, he has become an important and unifying figure within the European CBRNE community.Tue, 07 Jan 2025 15:05:06 +0100<p>Curiosity about the the European CBRNE center&rsquo;s work led Per-Erik Johansson to accept an invitation for coffee from his predecessor, <a href="~/link/8d8b38b5d26149e6ba6b486ccca5b150.aspx">Dzenan Sahovic</a>. During their chat, Per-Erik learned that the position of Director for the European CBRNE Center was about to be announced. Having previously been involved in the center&rsquo;s founding under &Aring;ke Sellstr&ouml;m&rsquo;s leadership, Per-Erik saw an opportunity to continue the important work of his predecessors while keeping his home base in Ume&aring;, despite the job&rsquo;s European focus.</p><p>Per-Erik applied for the position and, in July 2015, two staff members and the center&rsquo;s steering committee welcomed him. In the early years, the focus was on securing research funding and building connections with relevant networks and stakeholders. After successful applications and networking efforts, the center coordinated and participated in several projects and initiatives at both national and international levels. As the workload grew, the center expanded its team with two additional staff members.</p><p>Since 2015, exciting projects such as <a href="~/link/f7f9868fd0ce4457ac1c12ae596b945e.aspx">Safety &amp; Security Test Arena</a>, <a href="~/link/8f8982a705e4405da37b855a41bf564f.aspx">CELECTIVE</a>, and <a href="~/link/70faf26d0c4547ddbd1250934f8d5b8d.aspx">MELODY</a> have been initiated and completed. Per-Erik has plenty of stories and anecdotes about great ideas and results achieved, as well as setbacks and successes, which he shares with enthusiasm without forgetting a single name of those involved. One memory he holds dear is how the idea for the PROACTIVE project emerged during a reflective conversation after an exercise that had come to a halt when a guide dog (belonging to a blind participant) left first responders scratching their heads in confusion.</p><p>"During the exercise, the first responders didn&rsquo;t know the best course of action to take with the dog, and it sparked thoughts about what other elements need to be considered when managing large, diverse groups, and how to care for people &mdash; and even animals &mdash; that previously haven&rsquo;t been included in exercises. This became the starting point for what later became PROACTIVE, a groundbreaking project in CBRNE research with a focus on groups that may be considered as being particularly vulnerable during CBRNE incidents."</p><p>When asked about the most challenging aspect of his role, Per-Erik responds:</p><p>"It&rsquo;s probably the slowness I perceive when it comes to applying innovations and new methods. Then again, patience isn&rsquo;t my strongest trait," he says with a chuckle before answering the next question before it&rsquo;s asked: "But I&rsquo;ve enjoyed the job, especially meeting so many skilled colleagues at local, national, and international levels."</p><p>Per-Erik is looking forward to life as a retiree, with a lighter schedule, more time for outdoor activities, and much more photography. In January, he will hand over the reins to his successor, although he will remain at the center for a while to provide support, experienced advice, and perhaps a story or two.</p>/en/news/per-erik-johansson-retires-as-director-of-the-european-cbrne-center_12015423//en/news/eu-invests-68-million-in-umea-researchers_12014634/How can we fight deadly viruses, turn nuclear waste into valuable resources, and create almost limitless digital storage? These are just a few of the challenges Umeå University researchers have received EU funding to tackle.Thu, 12 Dec 2024 11:22:24 +0100<p>Looking at the outcomes of the 2023 funding calls, 20 research projects at Ume&aring; University will share nearly &euro;5.9 million (around SEK 68 million) in support from various EU research programmes. These projects address some of the most urgent issues of our time, including sustainability, health, technological innovation, and societal security.</p><p>EU funding gives researchers at Ume&aring; University the opportunity to advance their pioneering work, develop innovative solutions, and collaborate with leading organisations across Europe and globally.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Interested in the projects?</h2><p>Click on the expandable headings below to discover more about the research and the specific goals our researchers are working towards.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/ccbbaf29109b4007833291cc362108fe/kamenos_nick_5124_220518_sjn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/ccbbaf29109b4007833291cc362108fe/kamenos_nick_5124_220518_sjn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/ccbbaf29109b4007833291cc362108fe/kamenos_nick_5124_220518_sjn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/ccbbaf29109b4007833291cc362108fe/kamenos_nick_5124_220518_sjn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/ccbbaf29109b4007833291cc362108fe/kamenos_nick_5124_220518_sjn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/ccbbaf29109b4007833291cc362108fe/kamenos_nick_5124_220518_sjn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Nicholas Kamenos, professor at the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, is one of the Ume&aring; University researchers awarded EU funding. His research focuses on collaborations aimed at better equipping us to face climate change and improve the management of the world&rsquo;s water resources.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Simon J&ouml;nsson, Inhousebyr&aring;n</span></div></div><p>&nbsp;</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">HORIZON EUROPE</h2><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Scientific Excellence<br><br></h2><h3>European Research Council (ERC) &ndash; Starting Grant</h3><p class="foldable">MagneticTWIST: Twisted light could revolutionise data storage</p><p><strong>For decades, magnetism has been the cornerstone of data storage, from cassette tapes to hard drives. Researcher Nicol&ograve; Maccaferri is now testing an innovative idea that could, in theory, offer us virtually limitless storage capacity.</strong></p><p>He is investigating a phenomenon known as 'twisted light' &ndash; light that not only moves forward but also spins around its axis, much like the way Earth rotates on its axis while orbiting the Sun.</p><p>As light is a form of electromagnetic radiation, it can influence the magnetism in hard drives. By directing short pulses of twisted light with extreme precision at the nanometre (one billionth of a metre) scale, it may be possible to manipulate magnetism in new ways never considered. This breakthrough could enable vast amounts of data to be stored on tiny surfaces, all while maintaining speed and efficiency.</p><p>Maccaferri has received research funding to explore this idea and demonstrate that it is indeed possible to control magnetism with twisted light. If successful, this technology could transform data storage and processing, with significant potential for applied research fields such as cryptography, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies.</p><p><a href="~/link/6d85dab80f72466f86b1d24a8dcc5847.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Nicol&ograve; Maccaferri</a>, assistant professor at the Department of Physics, has received just over 2 million euros for the project.&nbsp;</p><h3>Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions &ndash; Postdoctoral Fellowships</h3><p class="foldable">EnteroInfection: One step closer to stopping viruses</p><p><strong>Enteroviruses, like polioviruses, do more than infect cells &ndash; they transform them into "virus factories." Researchers are uncovering how these viruses hijack cellular structures to replicate, bringing us closer to discovering ways to stop them.</strong></p><p>The project EnteroInfection focuses on how enteroviruses exploit autophagy &ndash; the cell&rsquo;s recycling process &ndash; to create an environment conducive to viral replication. A key player in this process is the viral protein 2C, which assembles virus components at the right location within the cell.</p><p>Researchers have found that autophagosomes, cellular structures usually responsible for cleanup, are instead repurposed to house proteins crucial for the virus&rsquo;s strategy. By integrating insights from cell biology, biochemistry, and structural biology, the team seeks to map how these proteins contribute to viral replication.</p><p>Using tools like cryo-electron microscopy and mass spectrometry, the researchers aim to uncover methods to block viral infections. Their findings could pave the way for new treatments for virus-related diseases.</p><p>Postdoctoral fellow <a href="~/link/72a62eb8c42a4b759a48da25e9a7c9bd.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marie Sorin</a> and research leader <a href="~/link/516fa112a87b429188cd28ea9d945b03.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lars-Anders Carlson</a> at the Department of Medical Chemistry and Biophysics have received nearly 207,000 euros for the project.</p><p class="foldable">EBOVmembrinteract: Advancing treatments for deadly viruses</p><p><strong>Filoviruses, including Ebola, rank among the deadliest pathogens, with emerging species posing increasing risks. Researchers are exploring how these viruses invade our cells and why some are more dangerous, aiming to develop effective treatments.</strong></p><p>The EBOVmembrinteract project focuses on the virus&rsquo;s surface glycoproteins &ndash; proteins essential for attaching to and entering host cells. These glycoproteins are decorated with specific viral carbohydrates that seem to influence how efficiently the virus spreads.</p><p>Using advanced techniques like mass spectrometry and biophysical analysis, researchers are investigating how these carbohydrates affect the virus's ability to enter and exit host cells. Understanding these mechanisms could help identify ways to block infection, paving the way for new treatments.</p><p>The project&rsquo;s findings have the potential to significantly enhance global efforts to combat these deadly viruses and bolster preparedness for future outbreaks.</p><p>Postdoctoral fellow <a href="~/link/64e9baccdb0546a894dbf346220a702d.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Malgorzata Graul</a> and research leader <a href="~/link/1c0a359d7b484a57887181ad3ee98fab.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marta Bally</a> at the Department of Clinical Microbiology have received nearly 207,000 euros for the project.</p><p class="foldable">CryoARC: Mapping virus factories to develop new treatments</p><p><strong>Alphaviruses, transmitted by mosquitoes in tropical regions, cause severe diseases in humans. In the CryoARC project, researchers are exploring how these viruses create small &ldquo;factories&rdquo; on the surface of cells to replicate and spread infection.</strong></p><p>The virus forms tiny spherical structures, known as spherules, where it rapidly multiplies. By mapping how these factories are built and how they function, the researchers aim to develop new drugs that block the virus&rsquo;s replication, offering protection against these diseases.</p><p>A central tool in this research is cryo-electron microscopy, which allows scientists to study the virus at the nanoscale. By uncovering which components of the cell&rsquo;s machinery the virus exploits to build its factories, the team hopes to identify ways to disrupt its spread.</p><p>The CryoARC project could become an important step forward in combating diseases caused by alphaviruses, providing new tools to protect people in vulnerable regions.</p><p>Postdoctoral fellow Dinesh Dhurvas Chandrasekaran and research leader <a href="~/link/516fa112a87b429188cd28ea9d945b03.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lars-Anders Carlson</a> at the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics have received just over 222,000 euros for the project.</p><p class="foldable">MitoDNASen: Towards healthier ageing</p><p><strong>Could mitochondria hold the secret to healthier ageing? Researchers in the MitoDNASen project are diving into these vital parts of our cells to find ways to combat age-related diseases and harmful inflammation.</strong></p><p>When our cells face stress, such as DNA damage or shortened telomeres, they can enter a state where they stop dividing. This process, called senescence, is a natural defence mechanism that prevents the development or spread of cancer. However, as senescent cells accumulate in the body, they can trigger inflammation and contribute to conditions like arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.</p><p>The MitoDNASen project investigates how mitochondrial DNA changes during this process. The researchers have found that mitochondria play a much larger role than previously understood in driving the inflammatory responses linked to these diseases. By unravelling how mitochondrial DNA is affected during senescence, they hope to develop new treatments that mitigate the negative effects of these cells and promote better health in older individuals.</p><p>The project holds the potential to become a key piece in alleviating diseases caused by cellular ageing, ultimately improving the quality of life for many.</p><p>Postdoctoral fellow <a href="~/link/3b2fafef2d7d471194bea369ed694e92.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Valentin L'H&ocirc;te</a> and research leader <a href="~/link/29452e085fb743ef84fb904db7e09944.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sjoerd Wanrooij</a> at the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics have received nearly 207,000 euros for the project.</p><p class="foldable">ATOPS: Using light and magnetism to revolutionise electronics</p><p><strong>What if magnetism could be controlled by light at unprecedented speeds? Researchers at Ume&aring; University are pursuing this groundbreaking idea, with the potential to unlock faster, more energy-efficient technologies.</strong></p><p>The ATOPS project investigates how ultrafast light pulses, lasting just a few femtoseconds (one quadrillionth of a second), can influence magnetic properties. The aim is to create faster and more precise electronic devices by using light to manipulate magnetism.</p><p>The researchers are focusing on MnPd2, a material with unique electronic and magnetic properties that can be controlled with light. They believe it has the potential to accelerate data storage and improve information processing efficiency.</p><p>Using advanced optical methods, the team hopes to demonstrate how MnPd2 can enable ultrafast magnetic control. If successful, their work could pave the way for next-generation technologies, including quantum computing.</p><p>Postdoctoral fellow <a href="~/link/0ea2755dfb0c4c1b83b40040274d0298.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lakshmi Das</a> and research leader <a href="~/link/6d85dab80f72466f86b1d24a8dcc5847.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nicol&ograve; Maccaferri</a> at the Department of Physics have received nearly 207,000 euros for the project.</p><p class="foldable">UNID: One light source to transform multiple industries</p><p><strong>Imagine a lighting solution that is sustainable, cost-effective to produce, recyclable, and versatile enough to be used in healthcare, packaging, architecture, and fashion. Too good to be true? Light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) could make it a reality.</strong></p><p>LEC technology relies on a simple layer of organic materials mixed with electrolytes, enabling the creation of thin, flexible, and biodegradable light sources that emit a soft glow. However, LECs have faced challenges, including short lifespans and low efficiency. This is due to the ions that power the light also degrading the organic material.</p><p>Researchers in the UNID project are working intensively to understand and control this process, aiming to extend the lifespan and improve the efficiency of LEC lighting. If successful, this groundbreaking technology could offer not just a sustainable light source but also transform multiple industries by making lighting both eco-friendly and cost-efficient.</p><p>Postdoctoral fellow <a href="~/link/0ce03f4a681e4f598c1e24ab87a2802b.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anton Kirch</a> and research leader <a href="~/link/6fb653224d8b4dc9b1f903f2945a1183.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ludvig Edman</a> at the Department of Physics have received just over 222,000 euros for the project.</p><h3>Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions &ndash; Doctoral Networks</h3><p class="foldable">ENDAMR: Fighting antibiotic resistance</p><p><strong>Antibiotic resistance is one of the most pressing global health threats, contributing to millions of deaths each year. The ENDAMR project is empowering young researchers with the tools and knowledge to better understand and tackle the rise of resistance &ndash; an effort that could ultimately save lives.</strong></p><p>As part of the EU Doctoral Networks, ENDAMR provides PhD students with the opportunity to participate in international, interdisciplinary research. Participants not only contribute new insights into antibiotic resistance, but also gain skills for future careers in both academia and industry, with a focus on entrepreneurship, teaching, and science communication.</p><p>The research within ENDAMR spans several key areas. One team is investigating how antibiotic resistance affects bacteria in the gut microbiome and exploring microbiome-based treatments to help control infections. Another team is mapping the spread of resistance between bacteria, examining the genetic and environmental factors at play. Additionally, researchers are studying mechanisms such as tolerance and heteroresistance, aiming to develop more effective diagnostic tools and treatment strategies. The project also explores the potential of antibiotic combinations to improve patient care and reduce the risk of resistance.</p><p>The ENDAMR project is training a new generation of researchers who are committed to developing innovative solutions to combat antibiotic resistance &ndash; today and for the future.</p><p><a href="~/link/faa3434db59e461ea19ee62305e8468f.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Andre Mateus</a> at the Department of Chemistry has received nearly 294,000 euros for his part of the project.</p><h3>Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions &ndash; MSCA and Citizens</h3><p class="foldable">ForskarFredag: A chance to explore the world of science</p><p><strong>What does a scientist actually do? How does research shape our daily lives? During ForskarFredag, Sweden&rsquo;s largest science festival, the public gets to meet researchers, participate in exciting experiments, and discover why science matters for society.</strong></p><p>Held annually across the country and online, ForskarFredag invites people of all ages to explore science under the motto: "Researchers are ordinary people with extraordinary jobs." From debates and science shows to hands-on experiments, the festival offers something for everyone. Children and young people can even "borrow a researcher" for their classrooms or join real citizen science projects.</p><p>As part of the EU&rsquo;s European Researchers&rsquo; Night, the festival shines a spotlight on how research helps tackle global challenges. This year&rsquo;s theme focuses on sustainable development and future technologies, with activities developed in collaboration with research projects from across Europe.</p><p>ForskarFredag is coordinated by the non-profit association Vetenskap &amp; Allm&auml;nhet, which has been connecting organisers nationwide since 2006 to create an inspiring and educational celebration of science for all ages.</p><p><a href="~/link/7e966bc84b3147e98c92fe6a682befd6.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gabrielle Beans Pic&oacute;n</a>, staff scientist at Curiosum, has received nearly 15,000 euros for her contribution to this initiative.</p><h3>Research infrastructures</h3><p class="foldable">Infra4NextGen: Gathering data and young voices for a better Europe</p><p><strong>The Infra4NextGen project aims to make it easier for policymakers to access and use social science data. By bringing together information scattered across national registries, the project seeks to support a stronger, more sustainable Europe in the wake of the pandemic.</strong></p><p>The Next Generation EU recovery fund is all about building a better future &ndash; greener, more digital, healthier, fairer, and more resilient. But achieving these goals requires reliable data that is easy to interpret and use. This is where Infra4NextGen steps in.</p><p>Led by the European Social Survey (ESS), the project brings together top social science institutions to collect, harmonise, and share data. This information will be accessible to policymakers, analysts, and even the public. Interactive tools and training materials will also be created to make the data as useful as possible.</p><p>A special focus is on Europe&rsquo;s youth. Their voices will help shape discussions around the EU&rsquo;s priorities, ensuring young people&rsquo;s perspectives are part of the decision-making process for a more inclusive future.</p><p><a href="~/link/c17837c3cd1c4dd7be9c757ce798cca3.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mikael Hjerm</a>, professor at the Department of Sociology and Swedish coordinator for the European Social Survey, has received just over 105,000 euros for his part in the project.</p><p class="foldable">AQUASERV: Pooling resources for a sustainable blue economy</p><p><strong>Our waters are vital to life and livelihoods, but protecting them requires a collective effort. The AquaServ project is creating a network that allows researchers and businesses across the EU to share tools, facilities, and expertise to study and improve sustainable water management.</strong></p><p>This initiative will provide access to cutting-edge resources &ndash; from lab equipment to expert advice &ndash; for those working on freshwater and marine ecosystems. Whether online or on-site, these resources will help accelerate discoveries and solutions for managing our seas and lakes sustainably.</p><p>Beyond research, AquaServ is focused on ensuring a lasting impact. Networking, training programmes, and outreach activities will ensure that the project&rsquo;s benefits extend well beyond its funding period, empowering not only researchers but also policymakers and technical teams.</p><p><a href="~/link/1c54b05d535a47f1be96058a78c51334.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nicholas Kamenos</a>, professor at the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, has received just over 272,000 euros for his part of the project.&nbsp;</p><p class="foldable">IRISCC: Joining forces to tackle climate change</p><p><strong>Climate change is one of the most urgent challenges of our time. Addressing it requires a deep understanding of the complex factors at play &ndash; from extreme weather events to social and economic impacts. This is where IRISCC aims to make a difference.</strong></p><p>IRISCC is an EU initiative that unites leading research infrastructures from diverse scientific fields to create a shared platform. This platform will enable researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to exchange data and resources, driving sustainable solutions to climate challenges.</p><p>The project will develop a comprehensive catalogue of research resources, including a collaborative lab for transdisciplinary studies and demonstrators showcasing the benefits of integrated approaches. IRISCC will also offer targeted services for policymakers and risk management professionals.</p><p>The goal is to accelerate research, make resources accessible to all, and support faster, more effective action against climate change. All data will be openly available and aligned with FAIR principles to benefit both research and policymaking.</p><p><a href="~/link/1c54b05d535a47f1be96058a78c51334.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nicholas Kamenos</a>, professor at the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, has received just over 113,000 euros for his part of the project.&nbsp;</p><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3">Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness<br><br></h2><h3>Cluster 1: Health</h3><p class="foldable">NEMESIS: Protecting against hormone-disrupting chemicals</p><p><strong> Certain chemicals in the environment can disrupt metabolism and increase the risk of diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. The Nemesis project aims to develop new insights and practical tools to understand and counter these risks.</strong></p><p>Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), found in products ranging from plastics to cosmetics, can interfere with essential bodily functions. Studies show these chemicals affect organs like the liver and pancreas, contributing to conditions such as atherosclerosis and diabetes. Exposure during critical early life stages can be especially harmful, with potential effects passed on to future generations.</p><p>The Nemesis project brings together experts from diverse research fields to investigate how EDCs impact human health. Researchers will explore whether these chemicals alter gut bacteria composition, which can influence metabolism, and develop biomarkers for early detection. The project will also create new testing methods to reduce reliance on animal studies.</p><p>By involving the public and key societal stakeholders, Nemesis aims to ensure that the research findings inform future decisions on chemical management, ultimately protecting health and reducing the risks associated with harmful chemicals in our environment.</p><p><a href="~/link/84d5d1bf2f1347ac9bada1a53dccec48.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sophia Harlid</a>, docent at the Department of Diagnostics and Intervention, and <a href="~/link/d37c9f9f78844576951856007aa294c3.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marie-Therese Vinnars</a>, assistant professor at the Department of Clinical Sciences, have received just over 212,000 euros for their part of the project.</p><h3>Cluster 4:&nbsp;Digital, Industry and Space</h3><p class="foldable">ELECTRA: Electrification could make cement production fossil-free</p><p><strong>Cement and lime are essential building materials, but their production is a major source of global CO₂ emissions. The Electra project explores whether electric heating could replace fossil fuels in the process, potentially cutting emissions to near zero.</strong></p><p>Instead of burning fuel to heat limestone to the necessary temperature of up to 2,000 degrees Celsius, Electra aims to use electricity from renewable energy sources. This shift could enable fossil-free production of cement and lime. The technique, currently under development and upscaling, is flexible enough to suit both new factories and retrofitted older facilities. Researchers estimate it could eliminate fuel-based emissions entirely in these industries, cutting total carbon dioxide emissions by more than 90 percent.</p><p>Given cement&rsquo;s global importance as a construction material, this innovation could significantly lower the industry&rsquo;s carbon footprint. Electra is also accelerating the transition to electric-powered production through scalable platform solutions designed for rapid implementation.</p><p>If successful, the project could revolutionise cement and lime manufacturing, bringing us closer to a fossil-free future.</p><p><a href="~/link/61c32be3ebc749be9cd649259dbbdfc1.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Markus Brostr&ouml;m</a>, professor at the Department of Applied Physics and Electronics, has received just over 201,000 euros for his part of the project.</p><h3>Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment</h3><p class="foldable">ILLUQ: Addressing the threats from thawing permafrost in the Arctic</p><p><strong>The rapid thawing of permafrost due to climate change is releasing harmful substances that pose a significant threat to both people and infrastructure in the Arctic. The interdisciplinary Illuq project seeks long-term solutions to mitigate these risks.</strong></p><p>Currently, permafrost covers over a fifth of the Northern Hemisphere&rsquo;s landmass. As it thaws, large amounts of organic material and hazardous substances, including heavy metals and microorganisms, are released. This creates serious risks for both human and animal life, as well as local infrastructure, with far-reaching consequences for public health, the economy, and society.</p><p>While these challenges are well-recognised, they have often been studied in isolation, resulting in solutions that fail to address the full scope of the issue. The Illuq project takes a holistic approach, bringing together researchers and local communities to develop effective tools and knowledge to tackle future Arctic challenges.</p><p>The project aims to deliver concrete results for managing the risks associated with thawing permafrost, including its impact on health, pollution, and infrastructure &ndash; and contribute to a more sustainable future in a rapidly changing world.</p><p><a href="~/link/78dc524dac6e4e67a10673fb3f073101.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Matthias Siewert</a>, associate professor at the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, has received just over 330 000 euros for his part of the project.</p><h3>European Partnerships</h3><p class="foldable">The META Trial: Hoping to prevent diabetes in people living with HIV</p><p><strong>People living with HIV are at a higher risk of developing diabetes. In Tanzania, researchers are studying whether metformin, a medication for type 2 diabetes, can prevent or delay diabetes in this group.</strong></p><p>Launched in October 2021 in Dar es Salaam, the study is a randomised, placebo-controlled trial in people on antiretroviral therapy with pre-diabetes. Participants are being followed for three years to evaluate whether metformin reduces the risk of diabetes in this high-risk group.</p><p>The study is a collaboration between Tanzanian and European researchers, conducted in close partnership with Tanzanian health authorities.</p><p>The project aims to determine metformin&rsquo;s effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, while also generating valuable knowledge to inform future health policies and manage the dual challenges of diabetes and HIV in Africa.</p><p><a href="~/link/20fa79b0f27649c99d3cf9c285e26364.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Anni-Maria Pulkki-Br&auml;nnstr&ouml;m</a>, associate professor at the Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, has received nearly 76,000 euros for her part of the project.</p><h3>Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence</h3><p class="foldable">WIDE AcrossEU: Collaboration to strengthen research capacity across the EU</p><p><strong>Through the WIDE AcrossEU project, researchers in the Czech Republic, North Macedonia, and Ukraine are receiving support from Sweden and Finland to build capacity and foster networking. The goal is to improve their chances of participating in the EU&rsquo;s largest research programmes.</strong></p><p>Spanning 40 months, the project focuses on enhancing skills and creating new opportunities for researchers in "widening countries" &ndash; nations that have historically had lower participation in EU research programmes.</p><p>By mapping the researchers' needs and offering training and networking opportunities, the project aims to increase their ability to engage in EU-funded projects. It also seeks to help these countries better utilise the research and infrastructure already funded through regional EU programmes like ERDF and Interreg.</p><p>In the long term, WIDE AcrossEU hopes to contribute to a more equal and inclusive research environment in Europe, where more people can both contribute to and benefit from EU collaborations in research and innovation.</p><p><a href="~/link/ba62272c8d2c4885ad0805d3382ad56b.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Agneta H. Plamboeck</a>, EU expert at the Research Support and Collaboration Office, has received nearly 135,000 euros for her part in the project.</p><h3>Euratom Research and Training Programme</h3><p class="foldable">MaLaR: New method turns nuclear waste into a resource</p><p><strong>Nuclear waste poses a significant environmental challenge, but the Malar project is pioneering a sustainable solution. Researchers aim to develop a method that manages nuclear waste while recycling valuable metals &ndash; a breakthrough in resource management.</strong></p><p>The project focuses on lanthanides, rare earth metals vital for technologies like mobile phones, electric vehicles, and wind turbines. Traditional methods of extracting these metals from nuclear waste are costly and inefficient. By utilising innovative 3D structures made from 2D materials, the project seeks to revolutionise the process, making it more efficient and eco-friendly.</p><p>This innovation simplifies the separation of lanthanides from nuclear waste, enhancing waste management and enabling the recycling of valuable metals. The project brings together leading European institutions, including Ume&aring; University, known for its expertise in material design.</p><p>With its cutting-edge approach, the Malar project addresses the dual challenge of nuclear waste and sustainable materials, paving the way for a greener, resource-efficient future.</p><p><a href="~/link/e5bfd959cf0447518516facc70f06a65.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alexandr Talyzin</a>, professor at the Department of Physics, has received nearly 567,000 euros for his part of the project.</p><h2 id="info4" data-magellan-target="info4">ERASMUS+</h2><p class="foldable">CriticalMaking: Fighting digital misinformation through hands-on teaching</p><p><strong>In a world where misinformation spreads quickly online, educators need practical tools to help their students separate fact from fiction. The&nbsp;CriticalMaking&nbsp;project is giving teachers the skills and confidence to do just that.</strong></p><p>Through creative 'makerspaces' &ndash; hands-on learning environments &ndash; educators in science, technology, engineering, and maths will explore real-world scenarios and learn how to use experiments to counter false information. This practical approach equips teachers with tools to fight misinformation not just through arguments but through demonstrations, inspiring their students to think critically about the information they encounter online.</p><p>Part of the&nbsp;EU Digital Education Action Plan, CriticalMaking is also about building a sustainable future. The project will develop teaching materials and training programmes for teachers and policymakers, helping Europe&rsquo;s educators prepare the next generation for the digital age.</p><p><a href="~/link/15c6c555ca8e401280f3c537a5cc19a9.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Madelen Bodin</a>, associate professor at the Department of Science and Mathematics Education and director of Curiosum, has received nearly 215,000 euros for her part in the project.</p><p class="foldable">Good Game: Promoting better mental health in esports</p><p><strong>While esports offer exciting opportunities, they also present significant mental health challenges. The Good Game project aims to combat these issues by developing and implementing targeted interventions across Europe.</strong></p><p>Esports, where individuals or teams compete in popular video games, has grown rapidly, attracting players of all levels. However, research highlights that the pressure, long training hours, and competitive environment can negatively impact players&rsquo; mental well-being. As such, new tools and strategies are needed to support mental health within esports.</p><p>The Good Game project will develop an online-based psychoeducational intervention, combining psychological education with practical tools. The programme targets both amateur and professional players and consists of modules focused on emotion management, sleep improvement, mental training, and coaching for players, coaches, and parents.</p><p>The goal is to provide players and their support networks with the tools to manage the psychological challenges of esports, fostering a more sustainable and positive future for everyone involved in this rapidly growing field.</p><p>Michael Trotter at the Department of Psychology has received nearly 30,000 euros for his part in the project.</p>/en/news/eu-invests-68-million-in-umea-researchers_12014634//en/news/important-and-large-donation-to-umea-university_12014071/Umeå University and the Department of Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics have received a generous donation from Lennart Bondesson, an professor at the department who passed away in the summer of 2024. The donation will be administered by the Lennart Bondesson Foundation and used for travel grants, guest lecturers and conferences. Mon, 09 Dec 2024 09:05:26 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/f4de9e81294d44298dd1f5b2e3836187/konrad_abramowicz2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/f4de9e81294d44298dd1f5b2e3836187/konrad_abramowicz2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/f4de9e81294d44298dd1f5b2e3836187/konrad_abramowicz2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/f4de9e81294d44298dd1f5b2e3836187/konrad_abramowicz2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/f4de9e81294d44298dd1f5b2e3836187/konrad_abramowicz2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/f4de9e81294d44298dd1f5b2e3836187/konrad_abramowicz2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Konrad Abramowicz, Head of Department of Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics. Photo: Anna-Lena Lindskog.</p></div></div><p>&ldquo;Lennart Bondesson was a highly accomplished researcher who made significant contributions in both theoretical and applied mathematical statistics. As a passionate teacher and valued mentor, he inspired new generations and was always willing to share his extensive expertise,&rdquo; says Konrad Abramowicz, Head of Department of Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics.</p><p>&ldquo;We are deeply honoured and grateful for his generous donation, which will support research and collaboration and foster growth in the research areas that were particularly close to Lennart's heart.&rdquo;</p><p>The donation is approximately SEK 34 million, and 80 per cent of the return will be distributed over each rolling five-year period. When the foundation is established, it will be the second largest affiliated foundation that Ume&aring; University has, measured in equity, only the fund for Ume&aring; School of Business, Economics and Statistics is larger.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/f4de9e81294d44298dd1f5b2e3836187/ragnarsson_per_9885_230215_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/f4de9e81294d44298dd1f5b2e3836187/ragnarsson_per_9885_230215_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/f4de9e81294d44298dd1f5b2e3836187/ragnarsson_per_9885_230215_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/f4de9e81294d44298dd1f5b2e3836187/ragnarsson_per_9885_230215_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/f4de9e81294d44298dd1f5b2e3836187/ragnarsson_per_9885_230215_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/f4de9e81294d44298dd1f5b2e3836187/ragnarsson_per_9885_230215_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Per Ragnarsson, Assistant University Director at Ume&aring; University. Photo: Hans Karlsson.</p></div></div><p>&ldquo;Ume&aring; University recognises the importance of donations to our research, and we see an increased interest among private individuals to make donations. It is fantastic with this large donation that means that the department will receive annual funding that will contribute to continued positive development.&rdquo; says Per Ragnarsson, Assistant University Director at Ume&aring; University.</p>/en/news/important-and-large-donation-to-umea-university_12014071//en/news/mikael-elofsson-takes-a-seat-in-royal-academy_12012460/Umeå Centre for Electron Microscopy (UCEM) recently inaugurated an advanced microscope which will contribute greatly to research in several life science fields. The new instrument is a FIB-SEM (Focused Ion Beam – Scanning Electron Microscope), specifically designed to reveal thin layers of cells whilst operating at extremely low temperatures, enabling detailed studies of biological samples at the nanoscale.Wed, 04 Dec 2024 09:33:54 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2dc289fc3d224c2abf5b3d3fe5347f3a/aquilos2_invigning24.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2dc289fc3d224c2abf5b3d3fe5347f3a/aquilos2_invigning24.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2dc289fc3d224c2abf5b3d3fe5347f3a/aquilos2_invigning24.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/2dc289fc3d224c2abf5b3d3fe5347f3a/aquilos2_invigning24.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2dc289fc3d224c2abf5b3d3fe5347f3a/aquilos2_invigning24.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2dc289fc3d224c2abf5b3d3fe5347f3a/aquilos2_invigning24.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Erin Schexnaydre, staff scientists at UCEM, shows the new FIB-SEM instrument "Aquilos 2". The microscope can image biological samples at nanoscales, whilst the sample is kept at freezin -180 degrees Celsius.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Anna Shevtsova</span></div></div><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Operating at -180&deg;C&nbsp;</h2><p>Here in Ume&aring;, we are used to freezing conditions, but in the labs at Ume&aring; Centre for Electron Microscopy (UCEM), they take the cold one step further. &nbsp;<br>&nbsp;&ldquo;Having cells frozen to very low temperatures preserve the biological structures within them, such as proteins, and allows us to study the functions of these proteins&rdquo;, explains Erin Schexnaydre, staff scientist at UCEM, who will be the manager of the new instrument, named Aquilos 2. &nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>Before the microscope is put to use, samples are frozen to below -180 &deg;C. This is done in a&nbsp;rapid cooling process, preventing ice crystals from forming in the sample which would otherwise cause damage to the sensitive biological structures.&nbsp;<br><br>&ldquo;However, the sample is at this stage too thick to be directly imaged by an electron microscope," says Erin Schexnaydre, &ldquo;which is why we need the combination of both the focused ion beam and the electron microscope.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p><p>By using a beam of charged particles &ndash; ions, Aquilos 2 can create thin layers of frozen samples &ndash; called cryo-lamella. Cryo-lamella can be as thin as 200 nanometers, which is 500 times thinner than human hair, and much thinner than the average size of a human cell. This technique opens the cell for detailed studies of its inner structures in 3D and is ideal for obtaining detailed images of the interior of cells.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Round-the-clock science&nbsp;</h2><p>Although purchase was finalised already at the end of last year, it has been a long wait for the new microscope to be up and running. Following some necessary room reconfigurations, the instrument is now in use and was celebrated with a cheerful inauguration at UCEM and a contest of the best electron microscope image.&nbsp;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2dc289fc3d224c2abf5b3d3fe5347f3a/aquilos2_invigning13.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2dc289fc3d224c2abf5b3d3fe5347f3a/aquilos2_invigning13.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2dc289fc3d224c2abf5b3d3fe5347f3a/aquilos2_invigning13.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/2dc289fc3d224c2abf5b3d3fe5347f3a/aquilos2_invigning13.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2dc289fc3d224c2abf5b3d3fe5347f3a/aquilos2_invigning13.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2dc289fc3d224c2abf5b3d3fe5347f3a/aquilos2_invigning13.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Cheerful mood at UCEM as the new FIB-SEM microscope "Aquilos 2" was inaugurated in November. It was celebrated with drinks and a competition of the best electron microscopy image.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Anna Shevtsova</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;Aquilos 2 is designed to use the ion-beam overnight, which increases the throughput of cryo-lamella production and thus the collection of data,&rdquo; says Erin Schexnaydre. Obtaining more data quicker allows the researchers to explore complex biological structures more efficiently, opening doors to new scientific discoveries.&nbsp;<br><br>Who has access to the new microscope? &ldquo;Anyone at Ume&aring; University, or collaborators in SciLifeLab, who have projects requiring this microscope can be trained by the UCEM staff to use the new instrument,&rdquo; says Erin Schexnaydre, who hopes it will come in good use for many exciting research projects.</p>/en/news/new-microscope-will-reveal-3d-cell-structures-at-nanoscales_12010819//en/news/northern-lights-peak-season---space-physicist-explains-the-phenomenon_12009791/Winter is the peak season for seeing the northern lights. But what are the northern lights, when is the best time to see them and can you really hear them?Patrik Norqvist, a doctor of astrophysics at Umeå University, explains. "The best chance is when it is dark and clear in the evenings," he says.Mon, 14 Apr 2025 13:51:35 +0200<p>They are nature&rsquo;s fireworks with bright colours dancing across the sky. For both young and old, seeing the Northern Lights is a powerful experience, and many people travel long distances to Northern Europe just to see them. The light we see consists of small particles, primarily electrons, thrown off from the Sun and crashing into atoms in Earth&rsquo;s upper atmosphere at high speeds.</p><p>&ldquo;The phenomenon can be compared with what happens in a fluorescent tube or a neon sign. When the different shells around the atoms are hit by these electrons, light is emitted,&rdquo; explains Patrik Norqvist, doctor of space physics and associate professor in physics at Ume&aring; University.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/edd02e8fad134a13bf30431c8ad9700a/northen_lights_at_loberget_fredrik_larsson_visit_umea3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/edd02e8fad134a13bf30431c8ad9700a/northen_lights_at_loberget_fredrik_larsson_visit_umea3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/edd02e8fad134a13bf30431c8ad9700a/northen_lights_at_loberget_fredrik_larsson_visit_umea3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/edd02e8fad134a13bf30431c8ad9700a/northen_lights_at_loberget_fredrik_larsson_visit_umea3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/edd02e8fad134a13bf30431c8ad9700a/northen_lights_at_loberget_fredrik_larsson_visit_umea3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/edd02e8fad134a13bf30431c8ad9700a/northen_lights_at_loberget_fredrik_larsson_visit_umea3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Northern Lights over Loberget, Botsmark. But it doesn't have to be snow on the slopes or cold to be able to see the Northern Lights.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Fredrik Larsson / Visit Ume&aring;</span></div></div><p>The colours we see in Northern Lights are result from the type of atom that the electrons hit. Some atoms, like oxygen, can emit more than one colour. Green often results from oxygen while hydrogen atoms usually emit purple or pink.</p><p>The high acceleration of electrons required to trigger Northern Lights and Southern Lights (also known as aurora borealis and aurora australis, respectively) only occurs around the Earth&rsquo;s two magnetic poles in the southern and northern hemispheres. Northern Sweden is within the so called auroral zone in the northern hemisphere, allowing ample opportunities to see the Northern Lights.</p><p>&ldquo;If the speed of the electrons is extremely high, the auroral zone can be pushed down into southern Sweden or in extreme cases into continental Europe. But reaching south of Sweden requires very high speeds. So Stockholm has less Northern Lights than Ume&aring; and Ume&aring; has less than Kiruna. When southern Sweden does see Northern Lights, however, they can be quite the show since they are the result of very strong Northern Lights,&rdquo; says Patrik Norqvist.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Extreme periods of Northern Lights occur&nbsp;</h2><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/edd02e8fad134a13bf30431c8ad9700a/norqvist_patrik_5010_220221_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/edd02e8fad134a13bf30431c8ad9700a/norqvist_patrik_5010_220221_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/edd02e8fad134a13bf30431c8ad9700a/norqvist_patrik_5010_220221_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/edd02e8fad134a13bf30431c8ad9700a/norqvist_patrik_5010_220221_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/edd02e8fad134a13bf30431c8ad9700a/norqvist_patrik_5010_220221_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/edd02e8fad134a13bf30431c8ad9700a/norqvist_patrik_5010_220221_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Patrik Norqvist, doctor of space physics and associate professor in physics at Ume&aring; University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>There are periods when the Northern Lights are unusually visible, when the Sun is in a particularly chaotic phase that occurs every 11 years. This is when the sun's magnetic field changes direction, which, in simple terms, causes a lot of fuss and bother, with more sunspots and turbulent magnetic fields. As a result, more solar storms occur, which can affect everyday life on Earth through, for example, power cuts, air traffic disruptions or even the Northern Lights.</p><p>One such period occurred during the winter of 2024/2025.</p><p>&ldquo;This ebbs and flows with a periodicity that we have been able to follow for hundreds of years and seems to be very stable in its 11-year cycle. The solar maximum of 2024/2025 provided lots of impressive Northern Lights.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">How to improve your chances of seeing Northern Lights</h2><p>To see Northern Lights, it needs to be dark and you need clear skies and as little light pollution as possible. So your best bet is to get away from the city centre.</p><p><strong>Is it a myth that it has to be cold?</strong></p><p>&ldquo;In a way. It is important that it is clear, but cold weather often is associated with clear weather. The temperature doesn&rsquo;t play a role though. The action up there is not impacted by whether it is -20 &deg; or +20 &deg;. It needs to be dark and clear skies to see the stars. Of course, it is darker longer in the winter.&rdquo;</p><p>There are now apps and websites that can forecast when Northern Lights might be visible by combining estimates of solar activity with the risk of cloud cover. These are dependable in the same way that weather apps show us the best estimate for weather conditions, explains Patrik.</p><p>An interesting aspect is that cameras tend to capture Northern Lights better than the human eye.</p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s odd that Northern Lights are often better in pictures than when seeing them in real life. So one suggestion is to take your camera or mobile phone and take pictures even if you don&rsquo;t see much.&rdquo;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/edd02e8fad134a13bf30431c8ad9700a/norrsken-nydala-fredrik-larsson2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/edd02e8fad134a13bf30431c8ad9700a/norrsken-nydala-fredrik-larsson2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/edd02e8fad134a13bf30431c8ad9700a/norrsken-nydala-fredrik-larsson2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/edd02e8fad134a13bf30431c8ad9700a/norrsken-nydala-fredrik-larsson2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/edd02e8fad134a13bf30431c8ad9700a/norrsken-nydala-fredrik-larsson2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/edd02e8fad134a13bf30431c8ad9700a/norrsken-nydala-fredrik-larsson2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Northern Lights over Nydala Lake, Ume&aring;.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Fredrik Larsson / Visit Ume&aring;</span></div></div><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">No evidence that Northern Lights can be heard</h2><p>Can you hear Northern Lights? Probably not, explains Patrik.</p><p>"Many people say they have heard Northern Lights, even space physicists and people who I know well and have great confidence in. But as far as I know there is no evidence for hearing them, and no one has succeeded in recording any sounds, which is a strong indication that there aren&rsquo;t any.&rdquo;</p><p>Northern Lights occur much too far away, and it would take several minutes for the sound to reach us on the Earth&rsquo;s surface. Additionally, the air is too thin to be able to convey sound waves to us. But there are other possible explanations.</p><p>&ldquo;Perhaps the brain produces a sound to match what it sees? There is also a theory that Northern Lights could create electromagnetic waves that cause a crackling sound in the hair or in the hair in our ears in some way, a type of radio waves or artificial sound. But we can definitely eliminate the possibility that it would be a normal sound from the Northern Lights,&rdquo; explains Patrik.</p>/en/news/northern-lights-peak-season---space-physicist-explains-the-phenomenon_12009791//en/news/david-wardle-on-the-list-of-the-worlds-most-cited-researchers_12007724/David Wardle, Professor of Ecology at Umeå University, is one of the most cited researchers on Clarivate's list 2024. The researchers on the list are in the top one percent and have an exceptional influence in their respective fields.Wed, 20 Nov 2024 15:31:30 +0100<p>The &ldquo;Highly Cited Researchers&rdquo; list is compiled by Clarivate, an analytics company which owns the Web of Science publication database, and lists the researchers whose work has been cited most frequently (top 1 percent) over the past decade.</p><p>One of them is David Wardle. He researches how environmental change affects ecosystems both above and below ground. He has conducted field studies in many parts of the world, including south-east Asia, New Zealand and northern Sweden. In 2023, he was appointed professor at the Department of Ecology and Environment Science at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>The list of most cited researchers also includes a visiting professor at Ume&aring; University: Linda Hollebeek at the Ume&aring; School of Business, Economics and Statistics. Her home university is Sunway University in Malaysia.</p><p>In total, the list consists of 6,886 world-leading researchers, 60 of whom are from Swedish higher education institutions.</p><p><a href="https://clarivate.com/highly-cited-researchers/">To the list "Highly Cited Researchers" (Clarivate.com)</a></p>/en/news/david-wardle-on-the-list-of-the-worlds-most-cited-researchers_12007724//en/news/mixed-forests-reduce-the-risk-of-forest-damage-in-a-warmer-climate_12003407/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.Wed, 20 Nov 2024 08:49:27 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/4eb378a3bb6d42708a4ecbaf7f7bf295/blandskog2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/4eb378a3bb6d42708a4ecbaf7f7bf295/blandskog2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/4eb378a3bb6d42708a4ecbaf7f7bf295/blandskog2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/4eb378a3bb6d42708a4ecbaf7f7bf295/blandskog2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/4eb378a3bb6d42708a4ecbaf7f7bf295/blandskog2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/4eb378a3bb6d42708a4ecbaf7f7bf295/blandskog2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>A mixed forest leads to less damage to trees, according to extensive data analysed by researchers.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Jan Bengtsson</span></div></div><p>Fungi, insects, fires and cervids, such as moose, are examples of natural factors behind tree damages in Swedish forests. Sometimes, the damages become so extensive that they impact the function of forest ecosystems, not least the ability of forests to provide wood and other tree products.</p><p>&ldquo;In a warmer climate with more extreme weather and new pest organisms, and with a more intense forestry, forest damages are expected to become more common and more severe. It is therefore important to understand causes of forest damages and whether it can be prevented,&rdquo; says researcher Micael Jonsson at Ume&aring; University, who led the study.</p><p class="quote-center">Our results show that there is a potential to reduce the risk of forest damages via a changed forest management.</p><p>The Swedish national forest inventory has collected extensive data from Swedish forests. Since 2003, data on forest damages have also been collected.</p><p>In the current study, the research group has analyzed 15 years of these data from all over Sweden, to investigate which damages are most common and which factors determine the risk of a tree becoming damaged. The study is more extensive both in time and geographically than previous studies.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Wind and snow cause most damages</h2><p>The results show that wind and snow are the most common causes of tree damage, followed by forestry and then fungi. Damages from cervids &ndash; mostly moose &ndash; are on fifth place. 94 percent of all trees showed some kind of damage. Coniferous trees and young stands showed the highest risk of damage, and in warmer parts of Sweden, stands with few tree species showed a considerably higher risk of being damaged compared to stands with a higher number of tree species.</p><p>&ldquo;Our results show that there is a potential to reduce the risk of forest damages via a changed forest management. Especially, a higher proportion of broadleaf trees in the otherwise so coniferous-dominated production forest would result in fewer damages. We can for example see that the lodgepole pine, introduced by the forestry industry, has the highest risk of damage. Its introduction therefore counteracts a profitable forestry,&rdquo; says Micael Jonsson.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Weaknesses in data material</h2><p>The results also indicate that a higher number of tree species in a stand act as an insurance against extensive forest damages in a warmer climate.</p><p>&ldquo;We must adapt Swedish forests and forest management methods to a future warmer climate. Including more tree species in production forests seems to be an adaptation that could work!&rdquo; says co-author Jan Bengtsson at the Swedish University of Agricultural Science.</p><p>However, the study also shows that the data material has some weaknesses. For example, it has not been possible to establish the cause behind a large proportion of the damages.</p><p>&ldquo;The national forest inventory collects important data for our understanding of the forest, but when it comes to the damage inventory, the data quality needs to improve to be fully usable in forestry practices,&rdquo; says Jon Moen, co-author at Ume&aring; University.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="cce2b626-7767-4834-ba80-7ad9e003b0ae" data-contentname="About the scientific article">{}</div>/en/news/mixed-forests-reduce-the-risk-of-forest-damage-in-a-warmer-climate_12003407//en/news/umea-university-hosted-scilifelab-leadership-for-a-full-day-tour-of-local-facilities_12006806/Last week Umeå University hosted the new director for SciLifeLab, Jan Ellenberg, and SciLifeLab board chair Ylva Engström, for a full-day visit of Umeå and our facilities. The day included tours of the local research infrastructures, lunch with representatives of the University and meetings with the staff scientists who make the infrastructures accessible for national users within life science. Tue, 19 Nov 2024 08:40:24 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b0bfe9b349884b85b48537a0645cd864/scilifelab_visit_13.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b0bfe9b349884b85b48537a0645cd864/scilifelab_visit_13.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b0bfe9b349884b85b48537a0645cd864/scilifelab_visit_13.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/b0bfe9b349884b85b48537a0645cd864/scilifelab_visit_13.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b0bfe9b349884b85b48537a0645cd864/scilifelab_visit_13.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b0bfe9b349884b85b48537a0645cd864/scilifelab_visit_13.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The new director for SciLifeLab, Jan Ellenberg, and SciLifeLab board chair Ylva Engstr&ouml;m, visited Ume&aring; for a full-day tour of infrastructures and meetings with members. Seen here with Tobias Sparrman, Jurgen Schleucher and Gerhard Gr&ouml;bner in the NMR Core facility.&nbsp;</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Rebecca Forsberg</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">The staff is key in running the infrastructures for the greater good of life science research</p><p>SciLifeLab, a national wide resource of sophisticated technologies and expertise available to researchers in life science, has since 2022 expanded with several local sites in Sweden, including Ume&aring;.&nbsp; By connecting the already existing cutting-edge infrastructures at Ume&aring; with the national network, our community of researchers in areas such as biomedicine, ecology and evolution expands.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>As of this summer, SciLifeLab has a new director, Jan Ellenberg, who visited the site in Ume&aring; for a full day of activities. The site director Linda Sandblad, Associate Professor at the Department of Chemistry and director of Ume&aring; Center for Electron Microscopy (UCEM), kicked the day off with an introduction of SciLifeLab in Ume&aring;, highlighting the strengths of the infrastructures being integrated with two universities, Ume&aring; University and SLU, as well as Region V&auml;sterbotten through University Hospital of Ume&aring; (Norrlands Universitetssjukhus, NUS). &nbsp;</p><p>&ldquo;Meeting Jan Ellenberg on site in Ume&aring; was important for us. Jan&rsquo;s experience of international research infrastructure development for&nbsp;life science is valuable for the continued development here in Ume&aring;.&nbsp;Now, when he knows both staff scientists and our facilities, we can work more effectively together&rdquo;, says Linda Sandblad.&nbsp;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b0bfe9b349884b85b48537a0645cd864/scilifelab_visit_22.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b0bfe9b349884b85b48537a0645cd864/scilifelab_visit_22.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b0bfe9b349884b85b48537a0645cd864/scilifelab_visit_22.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/b0bfe9b349884b85b48537a0645cd864/scilifelab_visit_22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b0bfe9b349884b85b48537a0645cd864/scilifelab_visit_22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b0bfe9b349884b85b48537a0645cd864/scilifelab_visit_22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Tobias Sparrman and Jurgen Schleucher shows Jan Ellenberg one of the many state-of-the-art instruments at NMR.&nbsp;</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Rebecca Forsberg</span></div></div><p><br>&nbsp;Tours of infrastructures started at the Swedish NMR Centre, followed by a meeting with Chemical Biology Consortium Sweden (CBCS), tours of Swedish Metabolomics Centre (SMC) and the Data Science Node, including High Performance Computer Center North (HPC2N), National Bioinformatic Infrastructure Sweden (NBIS), and Data Driven Life Science (DDLS). Although much to see, there was still room for coffee and visits in some of the labs where the life science research takes place. &nbsp;</p><p>&ldquo;The staff is key in running the infrastructures for the greater good of life science research, and meeting the people who do the work at the sites is very important and something I cherish&rdquo;, Jan Ellenberg said, stressing the importance of working together across the sites in order to both overcome shared problems, and achieve shared ambitions and goals.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>During the lunch with Ume&aring; University representatives, including vice-chancellor Hans Adolfsson, and Mikael Elofsson, Dean at the Faculty of Science and Technology, Jan Ellenberg took the opportunity to present himself and his visions for how SciLifeLab and Ume&aring; will strenghten its connections further. Jan Ellenberg provides great inspiration on how infrastructure and large scall research projects can synergise&rdquo;, said Linda Sandblad. &nbsp;</p><p>The lunch followed with facility tours at Clinical Genomics and UCEM. To summarise the visit, the delegation from SciLifeLab met with staff from Ume&aring; University, to identify possibilities and map out ideas for the future, in order to make life science infrastructures accessible to as many as possible.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>&ldquo;I feel that here in Ume&aring; you have realised that there is much to gain from working together, with people coming together from different departments and areas of expertise, in order to create the infrastructures and facilities that are needed for the good of life science research&rdquo;, Jan Ellenberg concluded. &nbsp;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b0bfe9b349884b85b48537a0645cd864/scilifelab_visit_32.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b0bfe9b349884b85b48537a0645cd864/scilifelab_visit_32.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b0bfe9b349884b85b48537a0645cd864/scilifelab_visit_32.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/b0bfe9b349884b85b48537a0645cd864/scilifelab_visit_32.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b0bfe9b349884b85b48537a0645cd864/scilifelab_visit_32.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b0bfe9b349884b85b48537a0645cd864/scilifelab_visit_32.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Annika Johansson, Head of Unit at the Swedish Metabolomics Centre (SMC) shows Jan Ellenberg and Ylva Engstr&ouml;m the lab in Ume&aring;.&nbsp;</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Rebecca Forsberg</span></div></div>/en/news/umea-university-hosted-scilifelab-leadership-for-a-full-day-tour-of-local-facilities_12006806//en/news/computer-scientist-new-representative-in-the-royal-swedish-academy-of-engineering-sciences_11993299/Oliver Larsson, a doctoral student at the Department of Computing Science, Umeå University, has been selected to participate in the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences' Student Council. "It's a unique opportunity to bring a younger perspective to debates at high level in society. Personally, I have always enjoyed getting involved where there is an opportunity to make a difference. I am honoured, says Oliver Larsson. Mon, 18 Nov 2024 14:25:14 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/317e67cd465e4eb298b1cf088929bb7c/oliver_larsson3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/317e67cd465e4eb298b1cf088929bb7c/oliver_larsson3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/317e67cd465e4eb298b1cf088929bb7c/oliver_larsson3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/317e67cd465e4eb298b1cf088929bb7c/oliver_larsson3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/317e67cd465e4eb298b1cf088929bb7c/oliver_larsson3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/317e67cd465e4eb298b1cf088929bb7c/oliver_larsson3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>"It feels good that I can contribute my perspective as a young engineer and researcher in northern Sweden", says Oliver Larsson, doctoral student at the Department of Computing Science, and new representative in IVA.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Larsson</span></div></div><p>The Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA) brings together expertise and experience from around 1,300 Academy members and 250 companies. For more than 100 years, it has been a meeting place that support humanity's capacity to contribute positively to society through the engineering and economic science. Now, <a href="~/link/a966302e32984ffdbf5bdab72d5e34c3.aspx">Oliver Larsson</a>, a doctoral student at the <a href="~/link/f1ccf1d251be4f538a13df854f18fb07.aspx">Department of Computing Science</a>, has been chosen to represent Ume&aring; University in the Academy's Student Council.&nbsp;</p><p>"Only those with long experience and a proven impact on societal development are selected as members of the IVA, and younger perspectives tend to be missing. This is why the Student Council was formed. For me, it is important to contribute my perspective as a young engineer and researcher in northern Sweden. This is a demographic that has historically been underrepresented in these forums, says Oliver Larsson.&nbsp;</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Perspectives from North Sweden&nbsp;</h2><p>IVA carries out activities that are important for the development of Sweden. The Academy works in various forums on issues relating to knowledgde, future business, climate, resources and energy. "The northern parts of Sweden is central to much of the technological development and there is a great need for sharp engineering expertise. There are incredible opportunities to develop both technology and society if we take advantage of this, and also make it more attractive for a young engineer to move up in the country. It feels good that I, as a representative of the north of Sweden, can participate in raising these issues", says Oliver Larsson.&nbsp;</p><h3>Projects already underway&nbsp;</h3><p>IVA's student council brings together 13 engineering and economic student and doctoral students from Sweden's universities and colleges, and the level of ambition is high.&nbsp;"We are just about to start work on a major project that we intend to implement in the coming year. We believe it can have a really positive impact on the future development of technology in Sweden", says Oliver Larsson.&nbsp;</p><p>The Student Council meets eight times a year and a weekend conference takes place every semester. In addition to his involvement in IVA, Oliver Larsson is also part of the <a href="~/link/3cb68daa1317460cab60e9e76435b68c.aspx">Autonomous Distributed Systems Lab</a> research group, where he is doing his doctoral thesis. "Autonomous systems can make their own decision and use AI to analyse data. Distributed systems consist of multiple computers or devices that work together to solve a task. This combination leads to systems such as self-driving cars and smart energy systems", Oliver Larsson explains.&nbsp;</p><h3>Learning from experience&nbsp;</h3><p>Looking ahead, Oliver Larsson hopes that the Student Council will give him an opportunity to develop both personally and professionally. Above all, he is looking forward to getting to know and learn from the experiences and wisdom of the elected Academy members.&nbsp;</p><p>"This is a community of people I would never have had the opportunity to meet otherwise, and their collective experience is unrivalled by any other group in the technology sector. IVA is an incredible platform to influence for the better, and I really want to take advantage of that opportunity," Larssons says.&nbsp;</p><p><em>Read more about <a href="https://www.iva.se/en/the-academy/the-history-of-iva/?epslanguage=en">The Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA) here.</a></em></p>/en/news/computer-scientist-new-representative-in-the-royal-swedish-academy-of-engineering-sciences_11993299//en/news/kbc-days-strengthens-interdisciplinary-collaboration_12005601/A new doctoral thesis at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics, IRF,and Umeå University explains how the interaction between a certain comet and the flow of charged particles from the Sun, the solar wind, becomes complex when the comet approaches the Sun. Anja Möslinger studied the motion of individual ions to explain this complex state.Thu, 14 Nov 2024 13:55:00 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/81ace567db954547892722130ab2b007/press_image_cred_photo_irf_illustrations__esa_navcam_and_esa_atg_medialab3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/81ace567db954547892722130ab2b007/press_image_cred_photo_irf_illustrations__esa_navcam_and_esa_atg_medialab3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/81ace567db954547892722130ab2b007/press_image_cred_photo_irf_illustrations__esa_navcam_and_esa_atg_medialab3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/81ace567db954547892722130ab2b007/press_image_cred_photo_irf_illustrations__esa_navcam_and_esa_atg_medialab3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/81ace567db954547892722130ab2b007/press_image_cred_photo_irf_illustrations__esa_navcam_and_esa_atg_medialab3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/81ace567db954547892722130ab2b007/press_image_cred_photo_irf_illustrations__esa_navcam_and_esa_atg_medialab3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Anja M&ouml;slinger's doctoral thesis provides new insights into the interaction between a comet and the solar wind as the comet approaches the sun.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Annelie Klint Nilsson/IRF, Illustrations: ESA:NAVCAM and ESA:ATG medialab.jpg</span></div></div><p>The physics behind the interaction between a comet and the solar wind changes fundamentally when a comet gets closer to the Sun. While scientists already understand the physical processes of comet-solar wind interaction far away and close to the Sun quite well, the transition between has not been well-studied.</p><p>In her thesis, Anja has focused on how the charged particles in a cometary atmosphere, cometary ions, interact with the solar wind ions during this transition period. The results can help us understand what happens when the solar wind meets other objects with atmospheres in the solar system.</p><p>&ldquo;I have analyzed how individual ions move to understand how the collection of ions behave and shape the comet magnetosphere. Instead of flowing in a streamlined fashion, some of the solar wind ions whirl in circles like leaves blown off trees during an autumn storm when they encounter the comet atmosphere. How energy is transferred from the solar wind to the cometary atmosphere and how the solar wind slows down during this transition period depends on the motion of these ions&rdquo;, says Anja M&ouml;slinger, doctoral student at IRF and Ume&aring; University.</p><p>How the solar wind is slowed down around obstacles it encounters is one of the fundamental problems in space physics. In particular the initial deceleration is little understood. Comets are excellent plasma laboratories for scientists to study the evolution of plasma interactions, since their distance to the Sun, and therefore their plasma environments, constantly change.</p><p>The thesis is based on data analysis from ESA&rsquo;s Rosetta mission to comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, and simulations using the numerical model Amitis.</p><p><em>Anja M&ouml;slinger, raised near Linz, Austria, had her first introduction to comet research in 2020 when working on the design of a particle instrument for the Comet Interceptor mission for her master thesis at IRF in Kiruna.</em></p><p><em>She will defend her doctoral thesis entitled &ldquo;Physics at sub-ion-gyroradius scales near low-activity comets&rdquo; at the auditorium at IRF in Kiruna, Sweden, on Friday 15 November, at 09.00. The faculty opponent is Professor Jan Egedal from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, U.S.</em></p><p><a href="http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-230927">Read the doctoral thesis</a></p>/en/news/ion-motion-in-focus-when-a-comet-transforms-from-hibernating-to-active_12005277//en/news/taking-research-from-the-lab-to-real-world-practice_12004095/Rasmus Öberg, a doctoral student at the Industrial Doctoral School, has spent his internship at the Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI, developing methods to detect hazardous chemical substances. These methods could become crucial tools for authorities in maintaining security and detecting threats.Tue, 12 Nov 2024 12:28:05 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/55c94956293e4577a5a2f689053a459d/oberg_rasmus_912_09102024_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/55c94956293e4577a5a2f689053a459d/oberg_rasmus_912_09102024_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/55c94956293e4577a5a2f689053a459d/oberg_rasmus_912_09102024_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/55c94956293e4577a5a2f689053a459d/oberg_rasmus_912_09102024_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/55c94956293e4577a5a2f689053a459d/oberg_rasmus_912_09102024_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/55c94956293e4577a5a2f689053a459d/oberg_rasmus_912_09102024_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Rasmus &Ouml;berg, doctoral student in the Department of Physics.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>Rasmus &Ouml;berg's research project at the Industrial Doctoral School at Ume&aring; University focuses on detecting and identifying harmful biological and chemical agents, such as bacterial spores or chemical weapons. One of the main reasons he applied for the doctoral position was to see his research put to practical use.</p><p>&ldquo;I think it's very important that what we discover doesn't just stay at the university,&rdquo; he says.</p><p>In early 2024, Rasmus &Ouml;berg began his three-month paid internship at the Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI, which is his external partner within the Industrial Doctoral School.</p><p class="quote-center">My dream has always been to combine research and societal benefit</p><p>&ldquo;Over the past few years, I've focused a lot on chemical substances, an area that many of FOI's partners are very interested in. FOI's work is heavily oriented toward detecting chemical warfare agents, but the techniques we use are also applicable for more civilian purposes. For example, drug detection is a hot topic due to ongoing drug epidemics both in the United States and here in Europe,&rdquo; he says.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Translating research into practical benefits</h2><p>During his internship, Rasmus &Ouml;berg applied his research in practical settings by developing methods to detect extremely small amounts of hazardous substances in various environments, including a drug detection system that could hopefully be used by authorities in the field within a few years.</p><p>Rasmus &Ouml;berg uses laser-based methods &ndash; spectroscopy &ndash; in his research. When a substance is targeted with a laser, the light interacts with the chemical structures in a unique way depending on its components, allowing the identification of specific chemicals.</p><p>&ldquo;Traditionally, these methods have required large, bulky instruments, but over time, they have become much smaller. Now, using certain types of surfaces with microscopic structures, we can amplify the signals from harmful substances. This allows us to achieve a high signal even with smaller systems. This means working with smaller lasers and detection systems, reducing the size of the entire detection process. Instead of an instrument in a large lab, you could, in theory, have the equipment in a specialized police car or a regular vehicle to detect threats in the field, whether they are drugs or chemical weapons,&rdquo; says Rasmus &Ouml;berg.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Participating in an EU security project</h2><p>In addition to his work on drug detection, Rasmus &Ouml;berg also participated in an EU project during his internship. This project, conducted with researchers from several other European countries, focuses on developing so-called SERS surfaces, which amplify the signal from chemical agents thousands of times when targeted with a laser. This makes it possible to detect extremely small amounts of hazardous substances.</p><p>In 2025, Rasmus &Ouml;berg will defend his thesis, and after that, he hopes to pursue a postdoctoral position abroad with partners involved in the EU project. He wants to maintain his connection with FOI, further broaden his knowledge, and build a career that combines academic research with practical applications in society.</p><p>&ldquo;The internship has helped me understand what I want to do after my PhD. My dream has always been to combine research and societal benefit. There are far too few researchers who have one foot in academia and the other in industry or public sector. I think that&rsquo;s how I can make the most impact, and that&rsquo;s what I find exciting.&rdquo;</p><p>He describes how the combination of learning research and applying his knowledge in practice has been a rewarding experience within the Industrial Doctoral School, a unique opportunity.</p><p>&ldquo;Compared to other doctoral students, you gain a broader perspective, especially if, like me, you have the privilege of working at two physical locations. You get more contacts, project opportunities, and ideas, and you learn so much more.&rdquo;</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="f5669cea-b5a7-48cc-9281-3f365d46d0f0" data-contentname="Företagsforskarskolan och praktiken ENG">{}</div>/en/news/taking-research-from-the-lab-to-real-world-practice_12004095//en/news/environmental-science-students-reviewed-sustainability-on-campus_12002949/Stephan Wenkel, Professor at Umeå University, is part of an international collaboration of plant scientists awarded the ERC Synergy Grant of €10 million aimed at tackling one of the most complex challenges in biological sciences – understanding how multicellular organisms generate their intricate forms.Tue, 05 Nov 2024 15:06:53 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/463da71365ce487398277c4b243319ce/wenkel_stephan_8764_230405_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/463da71365ce487398277c4b243319ce/wenkel_stephan_8764_230405_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/463da71365ce487398277c4b243319ce/wenkel_stephan_8764_230405_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/463da71365ce487398277c4b243319ce/wenkel_stephan_8764_230405_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/463da71365ce487398277c4b243319ce/wenkel_stephan_8764_230405_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/463da71365ce487398277c4b243319ce/wenkel_stephan_8764_230405_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Stephan Wenkel, Professor in the Department of Plant Physiology.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>Despite substantial advancements in the field, the ability to predictively model and re-engineer developmental processes remains a grand challenge. This research is not only fundamental to our understanding of plant biology but also critical for and improving agriculture.</p><p>&ldquo;We will deepen our understanding of protein regulation in plant development, which may open pathways for innovative bioengineering applications in plant biology and beyond,&rdquo; says Stephan Wenkel, Professor in the Department of Plant Physiology at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>The grant will fund the RESYDE project, a six-year partnership between Ume&aring; University, Humboldt-Universitaet zu Berlin (Germany), University of Sydney (Australia), Sainsbury Laboratory and University of Cambridge (UK). The project seeks to unravel the complex processes in plant development called &ldquo;symmetry breaking&rdquo; using flowers as a model system.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">How an egg becomes a human</h2><p>Symmetry breaking refers to the process by which a symmetrical structure develops into patterns leading to diverse forms and functions. This fundamental phenomenon is crucial in all multicellular organisms. For example, how a single fertilised egg develops into a human body or how a set of identical plant cells develop into distinct floral organs.</p><p>The research teams will leverage their different expertise to take on this challenge in a multidisciplinary approach.</p><p>Stephan Wenkel's role, together with his research team, is to investigate microproteins and their role in flower development. Through experiments in which they induce new flower shapes, they want to learn more about the mechanisms that control flower development.</p><p>&ldquo;Understanding how individual cells communicate and cooperate is vital in the progression of the development of flowers. We will also use a method to alter floral symmetry breaking processes to better understand evolutionary floral architectural changes,&rdquo; says Stephan Wenkel.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Critical for future plant breeding</h2><p>Studying how flowers have developed and evolved their form is essential because it reveals the intricate co-evolutionary relationships between flowers and their pollinators, such as insects and animals. The complex tissues of flower organs must be fertilised and then develop into fruit and grain, so the specifics of flower function are critical for future plant breeding and agriculture.</p><p><em>Stephan Wenkel conducts his research at Ume&aring; Plant Science Centre, UPSC. Another researcher from UPSC, St&eacute;phanie Robert, Professor at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, also received an ERC Synergy Grant in this year&rsquo;s call. <a href="https://www.slu.se/en/ew-news/2024/11/erc-synergy-grant-enables-mapping-of-the-functions-of-the-plant-hormone-auxin-within-plant-cells/">Read more about her here (SLU.se)</a>.</em></p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="ceabc29a-344a-4062-82ea-e4183a0d8b5d" data-contentname="About ERC Synergy Grant">{}</div>/en/news/umea-researcher-receives-erc-synergy-grant-to-study-plant-development_12001651//en/news/researcher-awarded-for-globally-renowned-centre_12000401/Linda Sandblad, Associate Professor at the Department of Chemistry, has been awarded the Bo and Barbro Hammarström Prize. She receives the award for her outstanding contributions to the establishment of the Umeå Centre for Electron Microscopy. “I'm very happy. It's great that they highlight that we have built up our centre so that it can benefit researchers all over the world,” she says.Wed, 28 May 2025 14:29:26 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/059e27edbd724d8b9a87bee3daa00bc4/img_8090_13.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/059e27edbd724d8b9a87bee3daa00bc4/img_8090_13.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/059e27edbd724d8b9a87bee3daa00bc4/img_8090_13.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/059e27edbd724d8b9a87bee3daa00bc4/img_8090_13.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/059e27edbd724d8b9a87bee3daa00bc4/img_8090_13.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/059e27edbd724d8b9a87bee3daa00bc4/img_8090_13.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Barbro Hammarstr&ouml;m and Bo Hammarstr&ouml;m visiting Ume&aring; Centre for Electron Microscopy, UCEM.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Anna Shevtsova</span></div></div><p>Ume&aring; Centre for Electron Microscopy, UCEM, is one of Sweden's best-equipped facilities for electron microscopy, with seven different microscopes for high-resolution imaging of molecules, cells and surfaces.</p><p>&ldquo;The reason why we use electrons in particular is because their wavelength is so small, which means that you can get very high resolution &ndash; you can see molecules down to the atomic level,&rdquo; says Linda Sandblad, who is the coordinator of the centre.</p><p class="quote-center">These are methods and instruments that are in demand internationally</p><p>UCEM can be described as a research infrastructure where there are labs, advanced instruments and knowledgeable staff, so-called staff scientists, that researchers throughout Sweden &ndash; and the world &ndash; can use.</p><p>&ldquo;At present, ten people are employed by the centre and they help other researchers to manage the equipment, which is very advanced. This means that the researchers learn the methods and can get results from the unique equipment. All research areas are welcome here, even if we are best at life sciences,&rdquo; says Linda Sandblad.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/059e27edbd724d8b9a87bee3daa00bc4/sandblad_linda_7383_220831_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/059e27edbd724d8b9a87bee3daa00bc4/sandblad_linda_7383_220831_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/059e27edbd724d8b9a87bee3daa00bc4/sandblad_linda_7383_220831_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/059e27edbd724d8b9a87bee3daa00bc4/sandblad_linda_7383_220831_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/059e27edbd724d8b9a87bee3daa00bc4/sandblad_linda_7383_220831_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/059e27edbd724d8b9a87bee3daa00bc4/sandblad_linda_7383_220831_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p><span class="photo" style="font-weight: 300;">Image</span><span class="photo" style="color: #666666; font-size: 0.66667rem; text-wrap-mode: nowrap;">Image</span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: 0.66667rem; text-wrap-mode: nowrap;">Mattias Pettersson</span></p></div></div><p>With the help of external funding from, for example, the Wallenberg Foundations and the Kempe Foundations, new methods for electron microscopy can be constantly developed in the centre.</p><p>&ldquo;These are methods and instruments that are in demand internationally. Since 2016, the centre is not only linked to Ume&aring; University, it&rsquo;s a national centre,&rdquo; says Linda Sandblad.</p><p>A number of projects within UCEM are driving the development forward for even higher resolution, better image quality and smart tools for displaying images digitally.</p><p>&ldquo;All of this provides a greater understanding of the biological processes we cannot see with the eye. And in addition, it opens the doors to new innovations in industry.&rdquo;</p><p>At the Annual Celebration at Ume&aring; University, Linda Sandblad was awarded the Bo and Barbro Hammarstr&ouml;m Prize of SEK 100,000.</p><p>The motivation reads:</p><p><em>Associate Professor Linda Sandblad receives the award for her outstanding contributions in the establishment of the current Ume&aring; Centre for Electron Microscopy (UCEM), a joint resource for research and higher education in electron microscopy technology.</em></p><p>&ldquo;I'm really happy about the award. Thanks to our centre, very good research has been conducted with good results. I am also proud that the centre is inclusive and invites researchers from all over the world to Ume&aring;,&rdquo; says Linda Sandblad.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="f5c8e239-3c7f-46d8-8512-a6bc30ff6d63" data-contentname="Bo and Barbro Hammarström">{}</div>/en/news/researcher-awarded-for-globally-renowned-centre_12000401//en/news/new-algorithms-increase-the-privacy-of-sensitive-data_11999516/Sensitive and personal data, such as medical records and bank information, can now be stored more securely than before, thanks to new algorithms developed at Umeå University. These improved algorithms reduce the risk of data leakage during system updates, for example.Tue, 29 Oct 2024 14:19:40 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/992e4894f69b4d59b797e0ca33bbcb7b/saloni_kwatra3.png?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/992e4894f69b4d59b797e0ca33bbcb7b/saloni_kwatra3.png?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/992e4894f69b4d59b797e0ca33bbcb7b/saloni_kwatra3.png?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/992e4894f69b4d59b797e0ca33bbcb7b/saloni_kwatra3.png?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/992e4894f69b4d59b797e0ca33bbcb7b/saloni_kwatra3.png?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/992e4894f69b4d59b797e0ca33bbcb7b/saloni_kwatra3.png?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Saloni Kwatra shows her thesis.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hanna Nordin</span></div></div><p>When you visit a doctor, information such as medication prescriptions, X-rays, and genetic tests is recorded to assist the physician. In these cases, a technology called federated learning, or collaborative learning, is used to reduce the risk of exposing sensitive data. This technology allows multiple devices to work together without sharing actual data with each other.</p><p>Saloni Kwatra, doctoral student at the Department of Computer Science, has identified flaws in the technology in her dissertation and developed new algorithms to enhance user security.</p><p>"Federated learning is often used to protect user privacy. However, during system updates, sensitive information can still leak. My research has led to algorithms that can prevent such leaks," says Saloni Kwatra.</p><p>To achieve this, she has used two techniques: k-anonymity and differential privacy. With k-anonymity, data is organized so that each combination of identifying details (such as height, age, or eye color) is shared by multiple individuals. This makes it difficult to distinguish or identify anyone, as they are grouped with others who have the same characteristics. Differential privacy, on the other hand, ensures that the results of an analysis are not significantly affected whether or not a specific individual is included in the dataset. This way, individual privacy is protected even when data is used for research or studies.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Methods to Combat Interference Attacks</h2><p>Saloni Kwatra has also explored how synthetic data, which imitates real patterns without containing actual personal information, can be protected against so-called attribute inference attacks. In these attacks, an adversary attempts to reconstruct specific characteristics of an individual. These new algorithms are particularly relevant for sectors where data integrity is crucial, such as healthcare, finance, and telecommunications.</p><p>"In those areas, these algorithms can help maintain user privacy while making systems both more secure and efficient," says Saloni Kwatra.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">About the Thesis</h2><p>On Monday, November 4, Saloni Kwatra from the Department of Computing Science at Ume&aring; University will defend her doctoral thesis titled "Navigating Data Privacy and Tools: A Strategic Perspective." The public defense will take place at 9:15 in BIO.A.206 Aula Anatomica, Biologihuset. The opponent is S&eacute;bastian Gambs, professor at the Department of Computer Science, Universit&eacute; du Qu&eacute;bec &agrave; Montr&eacute;al (UQAM).</p><p><a href="https://umu.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2%3A1904274&amp;dswid=862">Read the full thesis.</a></p>/en/news/new-algorithms-increase-the-privacy-of-sensitive-data_11999516//en/news/recreated-uk-river-inspires-in-sweden_11999235/A UK river restoration project, involving researchers from Umeå University, has shown excellent results after one year, with flourishing animal and plant life. This type of intervention may now become a model for river restoration in northern Sweden.Tue, 29 Oct 2024 12:47:36 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/4cc76dcb5488433b9bc3c593d23ebc85/pxl_20240726_1337534572.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/4cc76dcb5488433b9bc3c593d23ebc85/pxl_20240726_1337534572.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/4cc76dcb5488433b9bc3c593d23ebc85/pxl_20240726_1337534572.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/4cc76dcb5488433b9bc3c593d23ebc85/pxl_20240726_1337534572.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/4cc76dcb5488433b9bc3c593d23ebc85/pxl_20240726_1337534572.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/4cc76dcb5488433b9bc3c593d23ebc85/pxl_20240726_1337534572.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Restoration on this section of the Varg&aring;n river resulted in a dramatic increase in habitat diversity.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Richard Mason</span></div></div><p>The restoration of the River Aller in the UK has gained international attention as one of the first attempts in Europe to reset a river and fully reconnect its waters with the surrounding floodplain. After one year, the results have exceeded the researchers' expectations.</p><p>By filling in a 1.2-kilometer managed, straightened, and deepened section of the river, they have dramatically transformed the area, creating seven hectares of waterscapes and wetlands (equivalent to more than ten football pitches), an increase of 1800 percent.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">&ldquo;A real surprise&rdquo;</h2><p>&ldquo;The speed with which the site developed into a diverse patchwork of habitats has been a real surprise.&nbsp; After only a few months the river was already adjusting, creating deep pools, fast riffles, and a mosaic of wetlands. The system has moved from a very tidy area with little for wildlife to a messy complex jumble of waterscapes and diverse habitats that is full to the brim with a huge variety of plants and animals, including migratory fish,&rdquo; says Richard Mason from Ume&aring; University.</p><p>He is one of the team of researchers from different countries who are monitoring water flow, water quality and changes to habitat.</p><p>Restoration to &ldquo;stage zero&rdquo; &ndash; a complete restart, or a &ldquo;Ctrl+Alt+Delete&rdquo; &ndash; is gaining momentum internationally due to its potential to increase river resilience and provide critical habitats for many plants and animals, including migratory fish.</p><p>Similar river and wetland restorations to the one in UK are currently being undertaken by L&auml;nsstyrelsen V&auml;sterbotten through the Ecostreams for LIFE project. For example, parts of Varg&aring;n, a tributary of the &Ouml;re&auml;lven in V&auml;sterbotten, have been restored with inspiration from &ldquo;stage zero&rdquo;. Other watercourses included in the restoration project are Ammer&aring;n, R&ouml;rstr&ouml;ms&auml;lven and &Aring;re&auml;lven (J&auml;mtland) and Mo&auml;lven and Hemlings&aring;n (V&auml;sternorrland).</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Ume&aring; researchers collect data</h2><p>Richard Mason and Lina Polvi Sj&ouml;berg from Ume&aring; University will collaborate with L&auml;nsstyrelsen to collect data from these novel restoration projects and compare to the River Aller, to gain a global picture of how restoration to Stage Zero can help build resilient rivers for people and wildlife.</p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s an exciting time for river restoration and this novel technique has real potential to transform our riverscapes, helping animal and plant life and increasing resilience to climate change. What we learn from our detailed monitoring of the River Aller will help river restoration techniques globally. I&rsquo;m excited to see how the site continues to develop&rdquo;, says Richard Mason.</p>/en/news/recreated-uk-river-inspires-in-sweden_11999235//en/news/computational-physics-to-make-ai-controlled-heavy-machinery-safer_11997014/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.Tue, 22 Oct 2024 08:00:09 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Researchers at Ume&aring; University are developing autonomous systems that combine the laws of physics with advanced AI.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Martin Servin</span></div></div><p>Ten European universities and companies, including Ume&aring; University and the Ume&aring; companies Algoryx and Komatsu Forest, are participating in the project where computational science meets the latest AI technology. The goal is to combine methods in computational physics with artificial intelligence, AI, to create safe and efficient autonomous systems that work in practice.</p><p>Heavy mobile machinery plays an important role in many industries, such as mining, forestry, agriculture, and construction, but in many places, there is a shortage of operators, and the need to reduce the machines' environmental footprint is urgent. Increased automation and efficiency of the machines are therefore high on the agenda.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Must be predictable</h2><p>Self-driving machines, however, are associated with several difficult challenges. They are heavy and powerful &ndash; designed to physically manipulate their surroundings. Therefore, the systems must be safe and reliable, i.e., predictable. At the same time, they must have the ability to quickly adapt to sudden changes in the environment.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>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.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Martin Servin</span></div></div><p>Balancing these seemingly contradictory requirements is the goal of the research project XSCAVE. The project's results will be demonstrated on forest machines operating in rough terrain, earthmoving equipment suddenly encountering soil with large embedded rocks, and outdoor logistics robots in challenging weather conditions.</p><p>&ldquo;Today, physics-based simulation is used to test and train control systems and advanced AI models, so-called deep neural networks. The use of simulation is a safe and efficient way to cover a wide range of scenarios, but it remains difficult to ensure a safe behavior in situations that differ significantly from the training cases,&rdquo; says Martin Servin, who leads Ume&aring; University's research in the project.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Informed about cause and effect</h2><p>Instead, the researchers want to give AI models more direct insight about the physics of the machines and of the environment. By incorporating mathematical constraints and models, they will be able to learn only patterns that are consistent with the fundamental laws of physics regarding energy, inertia, and forces.</p><p>&ldquo;When we embed computational models and equation solvers for the physics, we make the AI informed about cause and effect, and a tool for predicting the probable outcome of planned movements before they are executed. This makes it possible to rule out options associated with an unacceptable risk of damage or negative environmental impact. At the same time, we believe this is a way to achieve higher precision and efficiency,&rdquo; says Martin Servin.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="b59d5000-4ba0-479e-bd56-e45c61b7b39f" data-contentname="">{}</div><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="fdec1653-3c89-448c-91c5-d1c44dbe3bf8" data-contentname="">{}</div>/en/news/computational-physics-to-make-ai-controlled-heavy-machinery-safer_11997014//en/news/umea-institute-of-design-tops-red-dot-design-ranking-for-9th-year_11995115/Umeå Institute of Design (UID) at Umeå University has once again secured top spot on the Red Dot Design Ranking. This achievement marks nine consecutive years that UID has led the rankings, underscoring the school’s leading position in design education on the international stage.Wed, 16 Oct 2024 15:01:01 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2e2eacb44c06431aa4c80463e8aac599/img_3823-22.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2e2eacb44c06431aa4c80463e8aac599/img_3823-22.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2e2eacb44c06431aa4c80463e8aac599/img_3823-22.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/2e2eacb44c06431aa4c80463e8aac599/img_3823-22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2e2eacb44c06431aa4c80463e8aac599/img_3823-22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2e2eacb44c06431aa4c80463e8aac599/img_3823-22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Yuchen Lan, during the development of &rsquo;Moii&rsquo;, her Red Dot-winning winning project helping adolescents suffering from cystic fibrosis.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Yuchen Lan </span></div></div><p>The Red Dot Design Ranking tracks and measures the success of an organisation in producing exciting new design concepts. Universities are exclusively evaluated based on the merit of design projects executed by their students. This year, UID&rsquo;s winning student projects highlight a diverse range of innovative designs &ndash; from smart police body cams to a training kit for people suffering from cystic fibrosis to the next generation of products in maritime cargo security.</p><p>&ldquo;Achieving the top position once again highlights the exceptional accomplishments of our students and the quality of our teaching team supporting them,&rdquo; says Demian Horst, Head of Ume&aring; Institute of Design. &ldquo;We are incredibly fortunate to cultivate such a diverse and talented group. Our goal remains to educate designers who are responsible, highly skilled and ready to tackle future challenges."&nbsp;</p><p class="quote-left">Achieving the top position once again highlights the exceptional accomplishments of our students and the quality of our teaching team supporting them</p><h3>The smart body camera for tomorrow&rsquo;s law enforcement</h3><p>One of the winning projects from Ume&aring; is C3-ID, a groundbreaking body camera designed to enhance roadside police interventions, created by Gerado Soler and Ellis Walker. In typical traffic stops, officers manage multiple tools and tasks, from checking licenses to assisting injured individuals, often leading to stress and mistakes. The C3-ID addresses these challenges with its four main features: 3D scanning, distance measuring, ID verification, as well as video and audio capturing. This easy-to-use, yet advanced tool, allows officers to focus on the people they serve rather than their equipment.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2e2eacb44c06431aa4c80463e8aac599/nd24234615-22.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2e2eacb44c06431aa4c80463e8aac599/nd24234615-22.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2e2eacb44c06431aa4c80463e8aac599/nd24234615-22.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/2e2eacb44c06431aa4c80463e8aac599/nd24234615-22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2e2eacb44c06431aa4c80463e8aac599/nd24234615-22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2e2eacb44c06431aa4c80463e8aac599/nd24234615-22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The C3-ID body camera is a revolutionary device aimed at improving roadside police interventions.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Gerado Soler &amp; Ellis Walker</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;Juggling numerous tools, coupled with the perpetual stress of their environments, presents a significant challenge for officers in maintaining focus and effectively managing situations. In conversations with police officers during our research phase, we realised that we needed to design a product that helps officers and civilians communicate in a safe and open way&rdquo;, says Gerardo Soler.</p><h3>Empowering youth with respiratory illness</h3><p>Inspired by the opportunity to make positive change, Red Dot winning student Yuchen Lan designed a motivational training kit for young people suffering from cystic fibrosis. By targeting patients during young adulthood, when they normally start to manage treatments themselves, she is hoping to get patients motivated about their daily treatment.</p><p>&rdquo;Cystic fibrosis is a rare disease where patients are diagnosed from birth. The people suffering from it have a shortened life span, and their daily needs revolve around essential treatments for maintaining lung function. I chose this topic because I hope I can make their lives a little more colourful&rdquo;, says Yuchen Lan.</p><p>Yuchen&rsquo;s final concept, Moii, is a progressive &ldquo;Airway Clearance Therapy&rdquo; training kit, training adolescents to complete their home therapy more effectively, and gradually freeing them from cumbersome equipment. The kit comprises three key components: modular breathing devices for airflow detection, a chest mobility wearable, and an intuitive mobile application.</p><h3>A game-changer for safe and efficient maritime cargo operations</h3><p>FLIR-TS, a project by students Niklas Andreasen, Ellis Walker and Silvester K&ouml;ssler, won the prestigious &ldquo;Best of the Best&rdquo; award at the Red Dot ceremony. Their innovative clamping device addresses a critical issue in the maritime cargo industry: the lack of real-time feedback on container lashings. Improper lashing can lead to accidents and losses, posing severe safety and environmental threats. FLIR-TS enhances maritime cargo security by providing real-time tension monitoring, offering timely warnings of loosening through LED indicators and remote feedback.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2e2eacb44c06431aa4c80463e8aac599/nd24335012-22.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2e2eacb44c06431aa4c80463e8aac599/nd24335012-22.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2e2eacb44c06431aa4c80463e8aac599/nd24335012-22.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/2e2eacb44c06431aa4c80463e8aac599/nd24335012-22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2e2eacb44c06431aa4c80463e8aac599/nd24335012-22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2e2eacb44c06431aa4c80463e8aac599/nd24335012-22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>FLIR-TS is a pioneering clamping device that tackles the absence of real-time feedback on container lashings, thereby minimizing the risk of pollution from lost cargo and vessel damage.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ellis Walker, Silvester K&ouml;ssler &amp; Niklas Andreasen</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;By turning this previously invisible aspect of cargo safety into precise, reliable, and actionable real-time data, we want to enhance maritime safety, reducing the risk of pollution from lost cargo and damaged vessels, as well as promoting responsible and resource-saving shipping practices.&rdquo;, says Silvester K&ouml;ssler.</p><p>In an effort to bring the product to market, the three young designers now hope to team up with specialists to build a functional prototype from cast steel and test its operations under laboratory conditions.&nbsp;</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="0ec2e1c5-7570-424c-afbb-f2f974f6b0a6" data-contentname="ABOUT Red Dot Design ranking">{}</div><p><a title="Read more about education at Ume&aring; Institute of Design" href="/en/umea-institute-of-design/education/">Read more about education at Ume&aring; Institute of Design</a></p>/en/news/umea-institute-of-design-tops-red-dot-design-ranking-for-9th-year_11995115//en/news/research-on-calcium-transport-can-provide-safer-food_11993649/Researchers at Umeå University have revealed details on how bacteria use calcium to regulate vital processes, in a way that differs from human cells. This breakthrough is significant in the fight against antibiotic resistance and for increasing safety in food production.Mon, 14 Oct 2024 07:00:07 +0200<p>Calcium ions are important messengers in the cells of plants, animals, and humans. They help regulate vital processes such as nerve impulses, stress responses, and heartbeats. In a study published in the scientific journal Science Advances, a research team at Ume&aring; University has shown how a protein in Listeria bacteria transports calcium differently from eukaryotic cells (such as those in humans or plants).</p><p>The protein, called LMCA1, helps the bacterium&mdash;which can cause food poisoning&mdash;survive in harsh conditions, such as when it is exposed to the human immune system or the basic environments used to kill bacteria in commercial food production.</p><p>&ldquo;The results are therefore particularly interesting for the development of new drugs against bacterial infections and for the food industry,&rdquo; says Magnus Andersson, Associate Professor at the Department of Chemistry, who leads the research team.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareleft"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>The illustration shows the structure of the LMCA1 protein (purple) in the surrounding cell membrane with the calcium ion (yellow) bound in the membrane part of the protein.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Magnus Andersson</span></div></div><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">&ldquo;Amazing to see&rdquo;</h2><p>The team has developed a method using synchrotron X-rays to study the movements of proteins as they perform their functions. Thanks to this method, they can now track how the LMCA1 protein changes its structure to transport calcium and also measure how quickly this occurs. They have also succeeded in capturing LMCA1 at the critical moment when the protein binds calcium during transport through the cell membrane.</p><p>&ldquo;It was amazing to be able to see this for the first time. By also identifying clear differences between calcium transport in eukaryotic and prokaryotic systems, our study has taken an important step toward the development of new antimicrobial strategies and ensuring safety in food production,&rdquo; says Magnus Andersson.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">May help prevent heart failure</h2><p>Much is known about how calcium is managed in complex organisms like humans. But it is only recently that researchers have begun to discover how bacteria, which are simple single-celled organisms, handle calcium. They lack organelles, such as mitochondria, which typically help regulate calcium levels. Despite this, bacteria can still respond to changes in calcium levels, particularly under stress conditions like exposure to toxins or during infections.</p><p>When calcium levels in humans are out of balance, it can lead to diseases&mdash;such as neurological, muscle-related, and cardiovascular diseases.</p><p>&ldquo;It is particularly exciting that the work has also led to funding from the National Institute of Health in the USA, which will finance a new collaboration with the University of Michigan. We will now use the methods we have developed to produce molecules that can activate calcium transport proteins in cases of heart failure,&rdquo;&nbsp;says Magnus Andersson.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="163ff014-6214-4645-8976-a6085c9f4c93" data-contentname="">{}</div>/en/news/research-on-calcium-transport-can-provide-safer-food_11993649//en/news/virginia-dignum-invited-to-the-vatican-to-lecture-on-ai_11993738/Umeå researcher and AI expert Virginia Dignum guest lectured and participated in the Pontifical Academy of Sciences' Biennial 2024 in the Vatican. The group met to discuss how science, technology, and especially artificial intelligence, AI, can help tackle some of the biggest challenges facing the world. “I am deeply honored that I was able to participate," she says.Fri, 11 Oct 2024 14:46:33 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b702745ced434b9597e8b63ac19cb960/kollage_virginia3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b702745ced434b9597e8b63ac19cb960/kollage_virginia3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b702745ced434b9597e8b63ac19cb960/kollage_virginia3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/b702745ced434b9597e8b63ac19cb960/kollage_virginia3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b702745ced434b9597e8b63ac19cb960/kollage_virginia3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b702745ced434b9597e8b63ac19cb960/kollage_virginia3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Photos from Virginia Dignum's visit to the Vatican at the end of September.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Virginia Dignum</span></div></div><p>The papal academy of sciences has the mission to honor science, protect its freedom, and promote research for the advancement of science. Every other year, the academy gathers for scientific discussions, and this year Ume&aring; researcher Virginia Dignum was invited as a guest.</p><p>The theme of the event was "Science for Sustainability and Well-being in the Anthropocene", where the Anthropocene is the period where human activities have reshaped the planet with everything from climate change to biodiversity loss.</p><p>&ldquo;We met to talk about how science, technology, and especially AI, can help tackle some of the biggest challenges facing our planet today, that is the Anthropocene and biodiversity. Our focus was how science can help us deal with and even reverse some of the damage,&rdquo; says Virginia Dignum.</p><p class="quote-center">AI can be a game-changer for science and innovation, but we need to be aware of its potential drawbacks</p><p>She believes that AI is a powerful tool that is already changing the way we live, work and solve difficult problems.</p><p>&ldquo;AI can help us with major global challenges. At the meeting, we saw examples of how it can make agriculture more sustainable, improve climate forecasts and speed up medical research. But AI also has a downside &ndash; if it is developed and used irresponsibly, it can exacerbate problems such as inequality and environmental challenges,&rdquo; says Virginia Dignum.</p><p>Virginia Dignum's talk during the biennial discussed how to make AI develop in a way that benefits everyone.</p><p>&ldquo;AI can be a game-changer for science and innovation, but we need to be aware of its potential drawbacks,&rdquo; says Virginia Dignum.</p><p>The event in the Vatican brings together experts from all fields &ndash; climate scientists, ethicists, engineers, theologians and more.</p><p>&ldquo;I am deeply honored that I was able to participate. We are at a pivotal moment, where the choices we make will shape the future &ndash; not just for AI, but for humanity and our planet. Let us ensure that these choices are responsible.&rdquo;</p><h3>What was it like to meet the Pope?</h3><p>&ldquo;Unfortunately, the Pope was ill on the day he was supposed to meet us, so it was cancelled, but the meeting was very relevant anyway!&rdquo;</p><p>With a busy schedule, Virginia Dignum is also attending the World Summit AI in Amsterdam and chairing a session on AI future at the World Economic Forum in Dubai.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="be1d9a82-edbc-4652-bc73-24d4262790ec" data-contentname="About the papal academy of science">{}</div>/en/news/virginia-dignum-invited-to-the-vatican-to-lecture-on-ai_11993738//en/news/professor-diego-calvanese-appointed-to-lead-one-of-the-most-prestigious-ai-conferences_11992325/WASP Professor Diego Calvanese at the Department of Computing Science, Umeå University, has been appointed to lead The International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence, (IJCAI), one of the world's largest and most prestigious conferences in AI. In 2026, it will be held together with the European Conference in AI (ECAI). "I am both delighted and honoured to have been given this responsible role," says Professor Calvanese. Fri, 11 Oct 2024 15:01:34 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/f0503bd435d240f98cf645062851d5f6/calvanese_diego_4240_220824_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/f0503bd435d240f98cf645062851d5f6/calvanese_diego_4240_220824_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/f0503bd435d240f98cf645062851d5f6/calvanese_diego_4240_220824_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/f0503bd435d240f98cf645062851d5f6/calvanese_diego_4240_220824_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/f0503bd435d240f98cf645062851d5f6/calvanese_diego_4240_220824_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/f0503bd435d240f98cf645062851d5f6/calvanese_diego_4240_220824_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Diego Calvanese is one of the world's leading experts in AI for data management. He is a visiting professor at the Department of Computing Science and will now lead one of the world's most prestigious AI conferences.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>How do we develop AI tools and techniques that help businesses and governments to fully utilise the potential of their data, and how do we evaluate these technologies? This is what Professor <a href="~/link/7d0d69e1f59c4f95921139c600bad74b.aspx">Diego Calvanese</a> focuses on in his research. He is considered one of the world's leading experts in the field and has received several prestigious awards.</p><p>Currently, he is a visiting professor at the <a href="~/link/f1ccf1d251be4f538a13df854f18fb07.aspx">Department of Computing Science</a> with funding from <a href="https://wasp-sweden.org/sv/om-wasp/">WASP</a>, Sweden's single largest research programme. Now, Professor Diego Calvanese has been appointed to lead the work when the world's top AI researchers and experts gather in 2025 and 2026.<br>Calvanese has been appointed Associate Programme Chair of IJCAI 2025 in Montreal, Canada, and the following year, Professor Calvanese will take on the role of Programme Chair of IJCAI-ECAI 2026, which will be held in Bremen, Germany.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Founded in 1969</h2><p>The International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence is the oldest and most comprehensive conference on artificial intelligence in the world. Founded back in 1969, it now attracts in the order of 8000 submissions and<br>4000 &ndash; 5000 participants.</p><p>"Although the appointment as Associate Programme Chair in 2025 will be demanding, it will give me the opportunity to familiarise with the activities and responsibilities that I will face in the following year. So, I hope to be well prepared for managing the scientific programme of the 2026 edition of the conference," Professor Calvanese says.</p><p>In his role as Programme Chair, he will appoint and manage a large number of reviewers, senior program committee members and area chairs.<br>"We will evaluate and discuss the submitted articles to reach an agreement on which ones to include in the scientific programme. It is both an exciting and rewarding challenge," Professor Calvanese says.</p><p>The number of submissions to the conference has been steadily increasing in recent years due to the great interest in AI. "Perhaps we will receive in the order of 10,000 submissions, possibly much more," says Prof Calvanese.</p><h3>Technical and societal challenges</h3><p>The International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence 2026 offers a platform to address several challenges in AI development.</p><p>"While an important focus is placed on cutting-edge research tackling complex technical problems in AI, the conference also addresses concerns about the impact of AI on health, climate, democracy, jobs and humanity in general."&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>For example, IJCAI 2024 included a special track on human-centred AI, which continue in future years.<br>"By combining advancement in AI methodologies and technologies with discussions on ethical frameworks and policies, IJCAI ensures a balanced approach to promoting responsible and innovative AI development," says Diego Calvanese.</p><h3>Continue the collaboration</h3><p>"Professor Calvanese has contributed to new insights and collaborations at our department, where he also supervises three doctoral students. We wish him the best of luck and hope for continued good cooperation," says Professor <a href="~/link/8d61155f1de64f248dd69815ea48bf84.aspx">Frank Drewes</a>, Head of the Department of Computing Science.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="2fc06781-a559-41f7-95f6-679b6b100a19" data-contentname="Diego Calvanese eng">{}</div>/en/news/professor-diego-calvanese-appointed-to-lead-one-of-the-most-prestigious-ai-conferences_11992325//en/news/ndpia--important-player-at-the-infection-biology-arena_11990087/The National Doctoral Programme in Infections and Antibiotics, NDPIA, covers infection biology in a broad sense, from humans and animals to plants and is a success story. Since the first student enrolled in 2014, the research school has hosted more than 700 PhD student and postdoc members.Thu, 03 Oct 2024 15:22:30 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/85945fd4e8ea4ce18180f96f3f36c9a0/debra_och_hanna_1045-240927-mpn.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/85945fd4e8ea4ce18180f96f3f36c9a0/debra_och_hanna_1045-240927-mpn.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/85945fd4e8ea4ce18180f96f3f36c9a0/debra_och_hanna_1045-240927-mpn.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/85945fd4e8ea4ce18180f96f3f36c9a0/debra_och_hanna_1045-240927-mpn.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/85945fd4e8ea4ce18180f96f3f36c9a0/debra_och_hanna_1045-240927-mpn.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/85945fd4e8ea4ce18180f96f3f36c9a0/debra_och_hanna_1045-240927-mpn.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>In the NDPIA research school, Debra Milton works closely with the project coordinator, Hanna Eriksson.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">&nbsp;I hope that NDPIA has played a small role in their continued interest in research</p><p>With a solid experience from running two prior research schools at Ume&aring; University, Professor Debra Milton was appointed director of the research school in 2020.</p><p>&ldquo;I absolutely enjoy this work! I meet so many amazing scientists and learn new state-of-the-art techniques in infection biology,&rdquo; says Debra Milton, professor at the Department of Molecular Biology at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>NDPIA was initiated by The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, MIMS, in Ume&aring;. Professors Bernt Eric Uhlin and &Aring;ke Forsberg organised a joint application between six national universities and institutes for a 2013 Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsr&aring;det) call for funding a research school focused on infection biology.</p><p>The application was successful, and the six Swedish partner universities received an initial 15 million SEK to establish and run the new research school. In 2016, the funding was prolonged for another 5 years with an additional 10 million SEK. In 2021, a further extension for use of the funding through 2024 was granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. &Aring;ke Forsberg was the first national director from 2013-2019.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/85945fd4e8ea4ce18180f96f3f36c9a0/debra_och_hanna_1061-240927-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/85945fd4e8ea4ce18180f96f3f36c9a0/debra_och_hanna_1061-240927-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/85945fd4e8ea4ce18180f96f3f36c9a0/debra_och_hanna_1061-240927-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/85945fd4e8ea4ce18180f96f3f36c9a0/debra_och_hanna_1061-240927-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/85945fd4e8ea4ce18180f96f3f36c9a0/debra_och_hanna_1061-240927-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/85945fd4e8ea4ce18180f96f3f36c9a0/debra_och_hanna_1061-240927-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Current NDPIA director Debra Milton gets very involved in the courses; she is creative and has lots of ideas aiming to meet the needs of young researchers.&nbsp;</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Good reputation</h2><p>PhD students and postdocs enrolled at a Swedish university or at one of NDPIA&rsquo;s&nbsp;international partners&nbsp;and studying infection biology and/or antibiotics are welcome to&nbsp;apply for a membership in NDPIA.</p><p>The NDPIA-organized courses are a core activity of the programme and are either free of charge or co-funded by NDPIA. Each course enrols 25-40 members, and the students may receive ECTS credits at their home university for their participation.</p><p>&ldquo;Our courses are often fully booked and very well received. We have a good reputation; a good token is that the students participate in more than one course and the courses receive interest from international students,&rdquo; says Debra Milton.</p><p>Throughout the years, the courses have been held in many different sites within Sweden.</p><p>&ldquo;Now, we hold the courses most often at a venue, which allows the students to focus on a topic for 3-5 days and to present poster presentations. We have experienced that hosting a course at a conference centre leads to a relaxed atmosphere with more time to network and to discuss with other participants and lecturers, who are national and international experts within the course topic. In this way the students build up their scientific network. That is quality time!&rdquo;</p><p>By attending the NDPIA courses, students have stated that they have gained new ideas and directions for their research and some students have established new research collaborations with other labs in Sweden or international labs.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/85945fd4e8ea4ce18180f96f3f36c9a0/ndpia-ai-course-2024-workshop.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/85945fd4e8ea4ce18180f96f3f36c9a0/ndpia-ai-course-2024-workshop.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/85945fd4e8ea4ce18180f96f3f36c9a0/ndpia-ai-course-2024-workshop.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/85945fd4e8ea4ce18180f96f3f36c9a0/ndpia-ai-course-2024-workshop.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/85945fd4e8ea4ce18180f96f3f36c9a0/ndpia-ai-course-2024-workshop.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/85945fd4e8ea4ce18180f96f3f36c9a0/ndpia-ai-course-2024-workshop.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Assistant Professors Paul Jensen from University of Michigan, USA, and Mark Hendricks from Whitman College, USA, held a workshop in automated science during the NDPIA course "AI Applications in Infection Biology." The exercise involved finding the best set of catapult factors that resulted in a launched ball landing as close to an arbitrary target as possible. The students trained a Gaussian Process regression to try and model the experiment space.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hanna Eriksson</span></div></div><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Designing state-of-the-art courses</h2><p>A lot of work is put in to designing these courses from scratch, and this is a major part of Debra Milton&rsquo;s work as director. This work is something she does alongside her teaching at the university. Debra Milton gets very involved in the courses; she is creative and has lots of ideas aiming to meet the needs of young researchers.</p><p>&ldquo;I review many articles to find new and hot topics in infection biology. For instance, a new course we gave this year was entitled &lsquo;AI Applications in Infection Biology,&rsquo; which introduced the students to methods on how to use AI in the lab via three hands-on workshops. Other popular course titles are &lsquo;Microbiota and Health,&rsquo; &lsquo;Basic and Applied Phage Biology,&rsquo; and &lsquo;Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistance.&rsquo;&rdquo;</p><p>She continues:</p><p>&ldquo;My vision has been to offer a portfolio of high-quality courses in infection biology that are given biannually. Now, we have seven courses on rotation, and we keep adding new courses. A course on CRISPR-Cas9 applications in infection biology is on my list to develop for the future.&rdquo;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/85945fd4e8ea4ce18180f96f3f36c9a0/ndpia-amr-course-2024-lecture.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/85945fd4e8ea4ce18180f96f3f36c9a0/ndpia-amr-course-2024-lecture.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/85945fd4e8ea4ce18180f96f3f36c9a0/ndpia-amr-course-2024-lecture.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/85945fd4e8ea4ce18180f96f3f36c9a0/ndpia-amr-course-2024-lecture.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/85945fd4e8ea4ce18180f96f3f36c9a0/ndpia-amr-course-2024-lecture.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/85945fd4e8ea4ce18180f96f3f36c9a0/ndpia-amr-course-2024-lecture.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Professor Diarmaid Hughes from Uppsala University gives a lecture on "Resistance from a microbe perspective" during the NDPIA course "Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistance" - one of the most popular courses held at Stora Br&auml;nnbo in Sigtuna, 2024.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hanna Eriksson</span></div></div><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Teamwork and cherry-picking</h2><p>However, designing and organizing a course is a team effort and Debra&rsquo;s helping team is critical for producing a quality course and for finding top international scientists to provide the lectures. National expert researchers on the course topic, who are willing to help, work together with NDPIA to create a course schedule with possible lecturer names.</p><p>&ldquo;We cherry-pick national and international renowned scientists to invite, but as the professors are always super busy, it is important to have a pool of names for each lecture.&rdquo;</p><p>In addition to designed courses, NDPIA subscribes to training courses in graphic design to visualise science and to a suite of 26 on-demand courses with topics from designing an experiment to advancing a career provided by Nature Masterclasses from Springer Nature.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/85945fd4e8ea4ce18180f96f3f36c9a0/debra_och_hanna_1049-240927-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/85945fd4e8ea4ce18180f96f3f36c9a0/debra_och_hanna_1049-240927-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/85945fd4e8ea4ce18180f96f3f36c9a0/debra_och_hanna_1049-240927-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/85945fd4e8ea4ce18180f96f3f36c9a0/debra_och_hanna_1049-240927-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/85945fd4e8ea4ce18180f96f3f36c9a0/debra_och_hanna_1049-240927-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/85945fd4e8ea4ce18180f96f3f36c9a0/debra_och_hanna_1049-240927-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Every course is documented in a booklet.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3">Generous support strengthens infection research</h2><p>Furthermore, by&nbsp;co-funding&nbsp;of travel and accommodation costs, NDPIA supports short research stays in Sweden or abroad, and participation in the biannual National Infection Biology Meeting. This conference is an important network meeting for all NDPIA members and is organized jointly with the Swedish National Infection Biology network and the Swedish Society for Microbiology.</p><p>&ldquo;I do believe what is most unique with our research school is that the financial support from the Swedish Research Council has been so generous and has allowed us to strengthen the national, and even international, network for Swedish infection biologists to attract young scientists to this field of research.&rdquo;</p><p>At the end of this year, Debra Milton retires and Annasara Lenman, associate professor at the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Ume&aring; University, will become the new director of the research school.</p><p>&ldquo;For sure I will miss my job, but I will also find time for other things! I will take up sewing again, cooking, read books especially on history, and learning Swedish more profoundly. Also, a reunion party with my old school friends last summer made me dream of moving back to the US.&rdquo;</p><p>Right now, Debra Milton&rsquo;s last task is to write the NDPIA ten-year report. Through the years, as many as 740 PhD students and postdocs have enrolled as members.</p><p>&ldquo;What is interesting, is that most of our members are still doing research, not necessarily as assistant or associate professors but as staff scientists at universities or employed in companies. I hope that NDPIA has played a small role in their continued interest in research.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info4" data-magellan-target="info4">Uncertain future for NDPIA</h2><p>Reflecting on the future, Debra Milton thinks that funding will be a challenging issue, and a new funding source is crucial. This past Spring, the Swedish Research Council opened a new call for funding for a research school within infection biology.</p><p>&ldquo;Hopefully, our NDPIA application will be a success and we can continue helping to strengthen the national and international network for infection biology in Sweden.&rdquo;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildText">&nbsp;</div></div>/en/news/ndpia--important-player-at-the-infection-biology-arena_11990087//en/news/school-classes-borrow-an-infection-researcher-_11990244/Umeå professor Teresa Frisan participated in the project “Borrow a researcher” within the ForskarFredag initiative last week of September. It was Teresa’s first time to take part in this project, so we must ask three curious questions about her experiences.Tue, 01 Oct 2024 12:36:57 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/ada5798cafc44fb68841c661ef0e7eb6/teresa-webb-2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/ada5798cafc44fb68841c661ef0e7eb6/teresa-webb-2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/ada5798cafc44fb68841c661ef0e7eb6/teresa-webb-2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/ada5798cafc44fb68841c661ef0e7eb6/teresa-webb-2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/ada5798cafc44fb68841c661ef0e7eb6/teresa-webb-2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/ada5798cafc44fb68841c661ef0e7eb6/teresa-webb-2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Teresa Frisan, professor at the Department of Molecular Biology at Ume&aring; University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Tomas Bergstr&ouml;m</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">The pupils were very active, and we had a lot of fun!</p><p>Teresa Frisan shared her enthusiasm for microbial research and interacted through Zoom with eight classes &ndash; in seven different schools spread over Sweden. The groups consisted of second and third-year pupils from the Natural sciences programme at the upper secondary school.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">What was your goal with the lesson?</h2><p>&rdquo;My goal was to give the pupils a sense of what it is like to be a researcher. I hope that I could inspire them.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">How did you achieve your goal?</h2><p>&rdquo; I tried to have an active session. I posed several questions and had the students work in groups for 2-3 minutes before we discussed their answers together. I asked them to imagine what a researcher looks like and how they think a researcher&rsquo;s mind works.&rdquo;</p><p>&rdquo;Next, I introduced the topic of toxins, explaining why bacteria have them as part of their virulence factors. I focused on a specific group of toxins that target DNA, known as bacterial genotoxins. We discussed the consequences of DNA damage in cells, and I asked the pupils to design an experiment to determine the biological role of these toxins in the context of an infection.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">How was the ambiance?</h2><p>&rdquo;The pupils were very active, and we had a lot of fun! Some teachers wrote me afterwards to say that they were very pleased with the active participation approach.&rdquo;</p>/en/news/school-classes-borrow-an-infection-researcher-_11990244//en/news/inland-waters-crucial-for-accurate-climate-assessments_11989368/Inland waters release substantial amounts of greenhouse gases, but this is rarely included in climate assessments. New research from Umeå University shows that not accounting for carbon fluxes between land and water systems leads to incorrect assessments of climate impact and feedback on the carbon cycle.Mon, 30 Sep 2024 08:20:35 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/29509d7a70d14fad9d9780d9ecf2bbd9/rautasjaure13.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/29509d7a70d14fad9d9780d9ecf2bbd9/rautasjaure13.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/29509d7a70d14fad9d9780d9ecf2bbd9/rautasjaure13.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/29509d7a70d14fad9d9780d9ecf2bbd9/rautasjaure13.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/29509d7a70d14fad9d9780d9ecf2bbd9/rautasjaure13.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/29509d7a70d14fad9d9780d9ecf2bbd9/rautasjaure13.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Streams, rivers and lakes in cold regions contribute more to greenhouse gas emissions than previously thought.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Annika Hollsten</span></div></div><p>Cold regions in the north and at high elevation are experiencing rapid warming &ndash; up to four times faster than the global average. This phenomenon not only threatens the status of these ecosystems but also leads to the release of vast amounts of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. However, assessments of how the carbon cycle responds to and feeds back on climate change generally focus on the exchange of greenhouse gases on land, neglecting the large carbon export from land to the abundant inland waters (streams, rivers, and lakes) in these regions.</p><p>&ldquo;Current data and approaches are likely inadequate to capture contemporary and future carbon flows across land and water systems,&rdquo; says Jan Karlsson, Professor at the Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences at Ume&aring; University.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Emissions from 3,000 lakes</h2><p>One example of a large-scale integrated assessment is new research led by Chunlin Song from Sichuan University in China and Jan Karlsson from Ume&aring; University, published in the scientific journal Science Advances. Based on a comprehensive analysis of greenhouse gas emissions from over 3,000 lakes and rivers across the Northern Hemisphere, they show that lakes and rivers in cold regions contribute more to greenhouse gas emissions than previously understood and that these emissions could offset a major part of the carbon uptake by land ecosystems in the north.</p><p class="quote-center">This finding is particularly alarming, as it suggests that thawing of permafrost releases significant amounts of stored carbon into the atmosphere.</p><p>The study also reveals regional differences in greenhouse gas emissions between rivers and lakes, with particularly high significance of rivers and of systems in regions with extensive coverage of permafrost.</p><p>&ldquo;This finding is particularly alarming, as it suggests that thawing of permafrost releases significant amounts of stored carbon into the atmosphere, further exacerbating climate change.&rdquo;</p><p>The implications of this research are profound, according to Jan Karlsson.</p><p>&ldquo;As global temperatures continue to rise, the role of cold regions in greenhouse gas emissions may become increasingly significant,&rdquo; he says.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Specific conditions</h2><p>In another paper published in the scientific journal Nature Water, Jan Karlsson emphasizes that the climate impact on the coupled land-water carbon cycle varies largely depending on specific climate conditions and landscape characteristics. According to him, there are significant challenges in studying land and water systems at a relevant scale and detail to make accurate assessments.</p><p>&ldquo;In order to advance the field, we need collaborative studies across scientific disciplines and approaches. Optimally, research infrastructures, funding, and educational programs should be designed to facilitate the integrated collaborative approaches needed,&rdquo; says Jan Karlsson.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="fa7df0fe-e7e7-4d6f-a9b2-a4abf4462ffb" data-contentname="About the scientific articles">{}</div>/en/news/inland-waters-crucial-for-accurate-climate-assessments_11989368//en/news/seminar-series-sparks-international-research-collaborations_11989401/UCMR Seminar Series aims to connect the microbial research environment in Umeå to the world and promote collaborations. A good concept according to professor Stefano Corni who visited Umeå through this programme and concludes “As any human being, researchers need informal, personal interactions to feel part of a community, that in turns helps one’s research to grow faster and healthier.”Fri, 27 Sep 2024 14:48:51 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/f9b544370d3c4f939b357c0cece09ba6/stefano_o_nicolo.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/f9b544370d3c4f939b357c0cece09ba6/stefano_o_nicolo.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/f9b544370d3c4f939b357c0cece09ba6/stefano_o_nicolo.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/f9b544370d3c4f939b357c0cece09ba6/stefano_o_nicolo.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/f9b544370d3c4f939b357c0cece09ba6/stefano_o_nicolo.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/f9b544370d3c4f939b357c0cece09ba6/stefano_o_nicolo.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Professor Stefano Corni and assistant professor Nicol&ograve; Maccaferri deeepen their collaboration through UCMR Seminar Series support.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ingrid S&ouml;derbergh</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">my impression is that the research performed at Ume&aring; University is of world-class scientific level</p><p>&ldquo;I am very grateful to Ume&aring; Centre of Microbial Research, UCMR, for funding my short visit to Ume&aring; and allowing me to connect with a new reality, since this is my first time in Sweden and I am happy with my experience,&rdquo; says Stefano Corni, professor at the Department of Chemical Sciences at the University of Padova in Italy.</p><p>In late September, Nicol&ograve; Maccaferri and his research group had the pleasure to host Stefano Corni in the context of UCMR Seminar Series. Corni&rsquo;s research is focusing on using the basic principles of chemistry and physics to model the properties of complicated systems involving molecules, nanostructures and light and he is already an important collaborator of Nicol&ograve; Maccaferri in the Pathfinder project &lsquo;iSenseDNA&rsquo; funded by the European Innovation Council.</p><p>&ldquo;Stefano Corni&rsquo;s team is helping our group to model the experimental results that we obtain here. We use a homemade multidimentional spectroscopy setup to measure the dynamics of molecules at very short timescales and from this we extract structural information useful to understand their elementary functions,&rdquo; says Nicol&ograve; Maccaferri, assistant professor and group leader of the Ultrafast Nanoscience Unit at the Department of Physics at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>As a mandatory part of the UCMR Seminar Series programme, Stefano Corni gave a lecture. His talk covered multiscale modelling of molecules interacting with nanostructures, a topic at the intersection between chemistry and physics, partially connected to some other on-going projects in the Nicol&ograve; Maccaferri lab.</p><p>Furthermore, a lot of time was devoted to informal discussions about on-going experiments and projects and future new ideas involving researchers in different units.</p><p>&ldquo;For instance, Stefano Corni has started a collaboration with Magnus Andersson lab at the Department of Physics, where the idea is to validate his theoretical models using Raman spectroscopy. Furthermore, Corni&rsquo;s team can help us in modeling experiments we plan to do together with Andr&eacute; Mateus lab at the Department of Chemistry,&rdquo; says Nicol&ograve; Maccaferri.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/f9b544370d3c4f939b357c0cece09ba6/hinduja_1_besk.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/f9b544370d3c4f939b357c0cece09ba6/hinduja_1_besk.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/f9b544370d3c4f939b357c0cece09ba6/hinduja_1_besk.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/f9b544370d3c4f939b357c0cece09ba6/hinduja_1_besk.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/f9b544370d3c4f939b357c0cece09ba6/hinduja_1_besk.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/f9b544370d3c4f939b357c0cece09ba6/hinduja_1_besk.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>PhD student Hinduja Bhuvanendran and &lsquo;Excellence by Choice&rsquo; postdoctoral fellow Ben Johns are showing professor Stefano the experimental setup used in both the Pathfinder project &lsquo;iSenseDNA&rsquo; and the UCMR postdoctoral project funded by Kempestiftelserna.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>[Nicol&ograve; Maccaferri]</span></div></div><p>Corni&rsquo;s expertise is also complementary to that of Ludvig Lizana, who is co-supervisor to postdoctoral fellow Ben Johns together with Andr&eacute; Mateus (co-supervisor) and Nicol&ograve; Maccaferri (main supervisor). This additional collaboration will strengthen the Ume&aring; University team in performing a challenging interdisciplinary research project within the &lsquo;Excellence by Choice&rsquo; postdoctoral fellow programme in life science.</p><p>Stefano Corni thinks that the highlight of his stay was meeting researchers that were so enthusiastic about their work and visiting their labs.</p><p>&ldquo;I was particularly impressed by the strong research in materials science and photonics carried out at the Department of Physics, funded by prestigious grants such as the European Research Council and Knut och Alice Wallenbergs Stiftelse (KAW). Even though I was here only for a short time, my impression is that the research performed at Ume&aring; University is of world-class scientific level. I have a strong feeling that Ume&aring; University is a pleasant place to study at and to do research in an open and collaborative manner.&rdquo;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/f9b544370d3c4f939b357c0cece09ba6/mouna_2_besk3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/f9b544370d3c4f939b357c0cece09ba6/mouna_2_besk3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/f9b544370d3c4f939b357c0cece09ba6/mouna_2_besk3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/f9b544370d3c4f939b357c0cece09ba6/mouna_2_besk3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/f9b544370d3c4f939b357c0cece09ba6/mouna_2_besk3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/f9b544370d3c4f939b357c0cece09ba6/mouna_2_besk3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>PhD student Mouna Rafei is explaining to professor Stefano Corni how they make nanomaterials using chemical synthesis techniques.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Nicol&ograve; maccaferri</span></div></div>/en/news/seminar-series-sparks-international-research-collaborations_11989401//en/news/umea-researchers-in-new-un-report-on-ai-urgent-to-collaborate_11989386/A report by the UN Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence shows that unregulated AI development poses risks at societal and ethical levels, as well as in terms of global governance. Something that requires urgent action. The advisory board includes Umeå researcher and AI expert Virginia Dignum. “The report emphasizes the importance of global cooperation and warns that AI development is currently controlled by a few companies and countries,” she says. Fri, 11 Oct 2024 12:28:21 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/0fd00b9ad08844e1b30808585cfe0a8d/dignum-virginia-8004-240620-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0fd00b9ad08844e1b30808585cfe0a8d/dignum-virginia-8004-240620-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0fd00b9ad08844e1b30808585cfe0a8d/dignum-virginia-8004-240620-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/0fd00b9ad08844e1b30808585cfe0a8d/dignum-virginia-8004-240620-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0fd00b9ad08844e1b30808585cfe0a8d/dignum-virginia-8004-240620-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0fd00b9ad08844e1b30808585cfe0a8d/dignum-virginia-8004-240620-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Virginia Dignum, Professor in the Department of Computing Science and member of the UN expert organ on AI.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>The United Nations Advisory Body on AI has released its final report, "Governing AI for Humanity," with proposals for managing AI globally and protecting human rights. The report highlights that current structures are insufficient and that a global, inclusive system for AI governance is needed. The report makes seven recommendations, including the creation of an international scientific panel on AI, the launch of a global AI fund for countries with limited resources, and the development of common standards for AI data. The report emphasizes that international cooperation is crucial.</p><p>&ldquo;It is urgent to work together internationally to create a framework that addresses today's shortcomings, especially around human rights, fairness and risk reduction. Although a global governance structure can be difficult to create, it is important to have a dialogue where countries and regions can work together and find common solutions,&rdquo; says Virginia Dignum.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Can exacerbate inequalities</h2><p>She believes that without governance AI entails great risks, especially as it can affect different population groups around the world unequally. Most governance initiatives today come from a small group of countries and companies, which means that large parts of the world, especially in the Global South, are underrepresented.</p><p>&ldquo;Without the right governance, AI can exacerbate inequalities. But we must also avoid letting the fear of risks prevent us from using AI for good purposes,&rdquo; says Virginia Dignum.</p><p>AI can also provide major benefits, such as supporting the achievement of UN'ssustainable development goals, improving healthcare, education and governance. It can empower local communities, help solve complex problems, and increase productivity and innovation.</p><p>&ldquo;That's why it's so important to have a global network for AI development, so these benefits are available to everyone, not just to a few,&rdquo; says Virginia Dignum.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Over 50 global meetings</h2><p>She feels that the work in the advisory body has been both challenging and rewarding. This has meant working with experts from different fields and regions, bringing in different perspectives and finding common solutions to AI challenges.</p><p>&ldquo;We conducted over 50 global meetings and reviewed contributions from all over the world, which showed the great interest in shaping the future of AI. That made the process very meaningful,&rdquo;&nbsp;says Virginia Dignum.</p><p>There are cultural differences in how different groups view AI, especially around the balance between innovation and regulation and the role of AI in society. Some regions focus on AI's potential for economic growth, while others are more concerned about ethical issues and threats to human rights.</p><p>&ldquo;These different perspectives have enriched our discussions and show the need for a global, inclusive AI governance that takes into account different needs and values around the world. My role was sometimes to keep the group focused and remind them that we must not get caught up in the hype around AI,&rdquo; says Virginia Dignum.</p>/en/news/umea-researchers-in-new-un-report-on-ai-urgent-to-collaborate_11989386//en/news/new-large-language-models-course-addresses-increasing-skills-needs_11988398/The Department of Computing Science continues to invest in skills development for professionals in IT and AI. This after the Summer course on LLMs became one of Umeå University's most popular, attracting a very high number of applicants. "We are responding to the demand and opening a new opportunity specifically designed for established IT professionals," says Michael Minock, Associate Professor in Computing Science. Thu, 26 Sep 2024 13:12:09 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/d40cb0c6bad04ba08e5122f9b7d7689b/large_language_models.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/d40cb0c6bad04ba08e5122f9b7d7689b/large_language_models.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/d40cb0c6bad04ba08e5122f9b7d7689b/large_language_models.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/d40cb0c6bad04ba08e5122f9b7d7689b/large_language_models.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/d40cb0c6bad04ba08e5122f9b7d7689b/large_language_models.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/d40cb0c6bad04ba08e5122f9b7d7689b/large_language_models.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Large language modelling is a type of AI that uses huge amounts of text, drawn from multiple sources. Organisations and companies can use the technology in a variety of ways, and a new course at Ume&aring; University provides insights into how.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Adobe Stock</span></div></div><p>Chat GPT came along and took the world by surprise. Large language models are now being applied in a range of projects, worldwide. But how can professionals already working in a Swedish or international company utilise and integrate the technology into their systems? This is exactly what participants will learn in spring 2025 when the course "Large Language Models (LLMs) for Practitioners" kicks off.</p><h3>LLMs - Concepts, Tools and Development</h3><p>"We provide a systematic introduction to the concepts and tools that form the basis of development. For example, we cover Transformers at a very high level. Then, we explore key methods for successfully using LLM," says <a href="~/link/b9957d9949164f6b93db87d6e9ef8fee.aspx">Michael Minock</a>, Associate Professor at the Department of Computing Science, Ume&aring; University.</p><p>In very simple terms, Transformers have fundamentally changed the way we use technology to process and understand text and natural language. "During the course, participants will have the opportunity to learn more about this, and develop solutions for their own industry-specific data as well," says Michael Minock.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="4461512a-f1e3-4c39-afba-342ffe23ba41" data-contentname="I would like to take the course">{}</div><h3>LLMs for professionals</h3><p>The Department of Computing Science at Ume&aring; University has grown at record speed in recent years. It offers IT and AI programmes and courses of <a href="~/link/8f39a3d9064a4cabba32cfdd76c2fe9f.aspx">high quality and reputation</a>. <a href="~/link/f1ccf1d251be4f538a13df854f18fb07.aspx">The department</a> also conducts world-leading research in areas such as AI, responsible AI, cloud computing, data privacy, natural language processing, data security, explainable AI, and AI for data management.</p><p>"The course Large Language Models (LLMs) for Practitioners" is primarily aimed at those who already work in the IT industry, with experience of, or interest in, development work. Therefore, the course is also held remotely, and does not require physical presence," says Michael Minock.</p><h3>New 2025 summer course on large language models</h3><p>The high number of applications for <a href="~/link/b954ffb2c04c457a8b89b0a63f80e701.aspx">the summer course in 2024</a> has led the Department of Computing Science to plan for a follow-up. "We experienced a huge interest and are now evaluating the course to develop the most important and most appreciated parts for an intensive and educational summer course also in 2025," Michael Minock says.</p><h3>For additional information</h3><p>Please contact Michael Minock, Associate Professor at the Department of Computing Science, who researches on natural language interfaces, knowledge representation and databases. Michael Minock teaches databases, AI, LLMs, logic and algorithms.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="afd6e58b-18d1-4251-9738-8253640d158e" data-contentname="Michael Minock contact">{}</div><p>&nbsp;</p>/en/news/new-large-language-models-course-addresses-increasing-skills-needs_11988398//en/news/feminist-design-strategies-for-transforming-design-museums_11987782/In a world where design is often celebrated for its role in advancing humanity, it is important to also question this narrative through a critical lens. In her doctoral thesis, Anja Neidhardt-Mokoena investigates the role design has played in sustaining discriminatory and patriarchal systems. Through an intersectional feminist perspective, she explores how design museums can help us rethink and improve design to be more sustainable and fair. Mon, 23 Sep 2024 13:15:52 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/6f5b5f7b443140d2a8eb9373e82586ba/anja22.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/6f5b5f7b443140d2a8eb9373e82586ba/anja22.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/6f5b5f7b443140d2a8eb9373e82586ba/anja22.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/6f5b5f7b443140d2a8eb9373e82586ba/anja22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/6f5b5f7b443140d2a8eb9373e82586ba/anja22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/6f5b5f7b443140d2a8eb9373e82586ba/anja22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Anja Neidhardt-Mokoena has been studying design museums.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Jens Persson</span></div></div><p>The research of Neidhardt-Mokoena, a doctoral candidate at Ume&aring; Institute of Design and the Gender Research School (Ume&aring; Centre for Gender Studies) at Ume&aring; University, highlights the uncomfortable truth that design is part of reproducing systems of oppression that contribute to environmental degradation and discrimination based on race and gender. Cars, for example, are primarily designed and tested using crash test dummies based on male bodies, making women 47 percent more likely to be seriously injured. Trousers for women often lack adequate pockets, limiting access to essential items like keys, money, or a phone. Speaking of the phone, the production of aesthetically pleasing and functional smartphones often involves environmentally harmful mining and exploitation of labour.</p><p class="quote-center">Design museums can support design to move towards more justice.</p><p>Despite these issues, design is usually celebrated uncritically in museums. The story often centres around the single star designer &ndash; typically a white, heterosexual, able-bodied man &ndash; whose shiny objects are displayed with a focus on aesthetics rather than societal impact. Neidhardt-Mokoena argues that design museums &ndash; which hold a prominent status in pop culture, politics, and the industry &ndash; could actually facilitate critical dialogue on design&rsquo;s role and lead to more just design practices.</p><p>&ldquo;Design museums can support design to move towards more justice. However, they too need to change. Currently they tend to preserve dominant and problematic narratives and definitions of design. In my thesis, I develop feminist design strategies that can start such processes of transformation&rdquo;, says Anja Neidhardt-Mokoena.</p><p>Neidhardt-Mokoena&rsquo;s research is based on museum visits, hosting participatory design workshops, consulting literature about activist spaces and social movements, and conducting visual analysis. Through these methods, she provides analysis and understanding into how design and its museums reproduce systems of oppression. In addition, the approaches employed by Neidhardt-Mokoena contribute towards activism in the field of design, proposing strategies for how design could be redesigned so that it can better contribute to the development of more just futures.</p><p>In her thesis, Neidhardt-Mokoena shows that much can be learnt from community archives and activist spaces. These are places where people and material come together at the heart of social justice movements. They make alternative histories accessible, and with this enable new ways of dealing with the present as well as envisioning different, better futures.</p><p>The feminist design strategies developed by Neidhardt-Mokoena are envisioned to spark transformational processes in design museums. However, she believes that they can also be applied towards initiating change in other design institutions such as design schools, hoping to support developments towards more equitable and just futures.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="a248bdf2-82bd-4e7a-8440-7f3438f9102c" data-contentname="About the dissertation">{}</div>/en/news/feminist-design-strategies-for-transforming-design-museums_11987782//en/news/increased-privacy-protection-in-personalized-devices_11986651/Soon, our digital devices will be even better at adapting to our needs – without compromising our personal privacy. This is the conclusion of Sourasekhar Banerjee in a new doctoral thesis in computer science at Umeå University.Fri, 27 Sep 2024 14:27:09 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/fdd8a5c58d7e4251900c390ada828b97/cs_sourasekhar_banerjee_foto_victoria_skeidsvoll2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/fdd8a5c58d7e4251900c390ada828b97/cs_sourasekhar_banerjee_foto_victoria_skeidsvoll2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/fdd8a5c58d7e4251900c390ada828b97/cs_sourasekhar_banerjee_foto_victoria_skeidsvoll2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/fdd8a5c58d7e4251900c390ada828b97/cs_sourasekhar_banerjee_foto_victoria_skeidsvoll2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/fdd8a5c58d7e4251900c390ada828b97/cs_sourasekhar_banerjee_foto_victoria_skeidsvoll2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/fdd8a5c58d7e4251900c390ada828b97/cs_sourasekhar_banerjee_foto_victoria_skeidsvoll2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Sourasekhar Banerjee during the nailing ceremony at Ume&aring; University Library.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Victoria Skeidsvoll</span></div></div><p>When we use computers and mobile phones to browse the web and use apps, we share large amounts of data. For example, information is collected about our location, what we click on, and how long we spend on various websites. These data points can be used to map our preferences and online behavior. Recently, the debate about user data has focused on how this impacts our personal privacy.</p><p>In his thesis, Sourasekhar Banerjee has explored how digital devices can be made more efficient and personalized while simultaneously protecting our privacy. The research focuses on a technique called "federal learning" &ndash; or collaborative learning &ndash; where multiple devices work together without directly sharing data with each other. Instead, each device holds different pieces of information, and together they form a complete picture. By connecting multiple devices in this way, it becomes possible to control what data is shared and when. This enables personalized digital services for the user without the need to share sensitive information with third parties.</p><p>&rdquo;Imagine healthcare providers offering personalized medical advice without compromising patient privacy, or financial apps giving customized investment advice without revealing sensitive financial information," says Sourasekhar Banerjee.</p><p>Banerjee emphasizes that companies in healthcare, finance, and digital services can greatly benefit from these techniques to offer smart and privacy-protected AI solutions. The technology can also be used in everyday apps, such as photo applications on mobile phones, where images can be analyzed without the personal data ever leaving the device.</p><h3>About the Doctoral Thesis</h3><p>On Monday, September 23, Sourasekhar Banerjee from the Department of Computer Science at Ume&aring; University will defend his doctoral thesis titled Advancing Federated Learning: Algorithms and Use-Cases. The defense will take place at 13:00 in Lecture Hall HUM.D.210, Humanisthuset. The opponent is Salman Toor, Associate Professor of Scientific Computing at Uppsala University.</p><p><a href="https://umu.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2%3A1892766&amp;dswid=-5893">Read the doctoral thesis.</a></p>/en/news/increased-privacy-protection-in-personalized-devices_11986651//en/news/receives-sek-15-million-will-create-degradable-plastic--from-algae_11986555/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. “The biomass will be fed to bacteria that create plastic for lamps and packaging. We are on our way to a sustainable bioplastics industry,” says Christiane Funk, project manager at the Department of Chemistry. Mon, 23 Sep 2024 16:43:35 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/1bee082d22ea46479887e5cf5979af06/dava2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/1bee082d22ea46479887e5cf5979af06/dava2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/1bee082d22ea46479887e5cf5979af06/dava2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/1bee082d22ea46479887e5cf5979af06/dava2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/1bee082d22ea46479887e5cf5979af06/dava2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/1bee082d22ea46479887e5cf5979af06/dava2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>At the D&aring;va waste treatment plant in Ume&aring;, microalgae are grown in wastewater, both in greenhouses and outdoors.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Christiane Funk</span></div></div><p>The development of plastics has been almost exclusively fossil-based, due to both affordable prices and the availability of fossil raw materials. Over the past 50 years, annual global production has increased from 1.5 million tonnes to over 395 million tonnes. Essentially, fossil-based plastics end up in landfills &ndash; only about 9 percent of plastic is recycled and 12 percent is incinerated, while the remaining 79 percent will slowly decompose, taking hundreds of years.</p><p>&ldquo;Bio-based plastics, generated from renewable resources, can play an important role in the circular economy to avoid the use of fossil fuels. It also involves new methods for degradation or recycling and less toxic chemicals in the manufacturing stages,&rdquo; says Professor Christiane Funk.</p><p>She continues:</p><p>&ldquo;Biodegradable plastics have been proposed as a substitute to meet future plastic needs, but in 2022, bioplastics accounted for only one percent of the plastic produced in the world. One of the biggest problems for the commercialisation of biodegradable plastics is its high production costs compared to plastics derived from petrochemicals.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Algae from the local area</h2><p>The Waste2Plastic project aims to reduce the carbon footprint by using local strains of Nordic microalgae as raw materials, reducing the consumption of fossil fuels in the production of bioplastics and making the plastics biodegradable.</p><p>The algae are grown in industrial and municipal wastewater in Ume&aring; (in collaboration with Vakin and Ume&aring; Energi), where they perform photosynthesis and convert carbon dioxide from flue gases into biomass. The biomass will then be fed to PHA-producing bacteria, which sustainably produce plastic.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/1bee082d22ea46479887e5cf5979af06/diy_photobioreactor_32.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/1bee082d22ea46479887e5cf5979af06/diy_photobioreactor_32.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/1bee082d22ea46479887e5cf5979af06/diy_photobioreactor_32.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/1bee082d22ea46479887e5cf5979af06/diy_photobioreactor_32.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/1bee082d22ea46479887e5cf5979af06/diy_photobioreactor_32.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/1bee082d22ea46479887e5cf5979af06/diy_photobioreactor_32.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The algal strain Coelastrum astroideum (RW-10) producing carbohydrates in control media and synthetic wastewater.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Sanyeet Mehariya</span></div></div><p>The cultivation of microalgae has several positive effects. Carbon dioxide is removed from the flue gases and helps mitigate climate change immediately, microalgae actively remove pollutants in the wastewater recycling process and microalgae biomass is a renewable source that does not require expensive materials, nutrients or arable land.</p><p>&ldquo;Projects like ours will pave the way for the creation of a sustainable bioplastics industry,&rdquo; says Christiane Funk.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">&ldquo;Fantastic organisms&rdquo;</h2><p>From the environmentally friendly PHA, the project's industrial partners will then design lamps and create packaging materials. With the help of a company in Sundsvall, they will also test the biodegradability of PHA.</p><p>She believes that it is very valuable that both Waste2Plastic and Re:Source focus on circularity and sustainability.</p><p>&ldquo;Microalgae are fantastic organisms, which can contribute to a sustainable future. They convert carbon dioxide into biomass, which can then be used in biotechnological processes, they can purify wastewater, they produce most of the oxygen we breathe &ndash; and they are beautiful,&rdquo; says Christiane Funk.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="253c705f-7dda-4170-8f7b-917618d97753" data-contentname="Facts Waste2Plastic">{}</div><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="752cea31-d465-4c86-94e7-fdb6f850db5d" data-contentname="About PHA">{}</div>/en/news/receives-sek-15-million-will-create-degradable-plastic--from-algae_11986555//en/news/new-study-uncovers-unexpected-interaction-between-mars-and-the-solar-wind_11986559/Scientists of the Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF) in Kiruna and Umeå University find that under certain conditions the induced magnetosphere of Mars can degenerate. The findings are presented in a new study, published in the renowned journal Nature. Thu, 19 Sep 2024 11:13:13 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/9c1acf0a27154b92b23c62cabef1143d/degenerate-magnetosphere-of-mars_cred_irf3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/9c1acf0a27154b92b23c62cabef1143d/degenerate-magnetosphere-of-mars_cred_irf3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/9c1acf0a27154b92b23c62cabef1143d/degenerate-magnetosphere-of-mars_cred_irf3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/9c1acf0a27154b92b23c62cabef1143d/degenerate-magnetosphere-of-mars_cred_irf3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/9c1acf0a27154b92b23c62cabef1143d/degenerate-magnetosphere-of-mars_cred_irf3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/9c1acf0a27154b92b23c62cabef1143d/degenerate-magnetosphere-of-mars_cred_irf3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>A study published in Nature describes how Mars interacts with the solar wind. The solar wind flows along the white lines and atmospheric particles are lost to space along the red lines.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Institutet f&ouml;r rymdfysik</span></div></div><p>An induced magnetosphere is formed because of a planets lack of an internal magnetic field and instead the atmosphere of the planet interacts directly with the solar wind. The solar wind is a stream of charged particles from the Sun with an embedded magnetic field.</p><p>The scientists have been using computer models and observations from scientific instruments, as IRF's Analyzer of Space Plasmas and Energetic Atoms (ASPERA-3), onboard the ESA spacecraft Mars Express and NASA's spacecraft MAVEN, both of which orbit around Mars.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareleft"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/9c1acf0a27154b92b23c62cabef1143d/qi_zhang_cred_irf2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/9c1acf0a27154b92b23c62cabef1143d/qi_zhang_cred_irf2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/9c1acf0a27154b92b23c62cabef1143d/qi_zhang_cred_irf2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/9c1acf0a27154b92b23c62cabef1143d/qi_zhang_cred_irf2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/9c1acf0a27154b92b23c62cabef1143d/qi_zhang_cred_irf2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/9c1acf0a27154b92b23c62cabef1143d/qi_zhang_cred_irf2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Qi Zhang, PhD student at IRF and Ume&aring; University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Institutet f&ouml;r rymdfysik</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;When the solar wind protons flow align with the magnetic field of the solar wind, the induced magnetosphere of Mars will degenerate. Such a degenerate magnetosphere will affect how much atmosphere is lost from Mars to space&rdquo;, says the lead author Qi Zhang, PhD student at IRF and Ume&aring; University.</p><p>The results are published in the journal Nature on 18 September 2024.</p><p>The ASPERA-3 instrument measures the fluxes of ions, electrons and neutral atoms in space around Mars. During more than 20 years in orbit around the planet, ASPERA-3 has made a number of interesting observations at Mars, including continuous measurements of the ion outflow from the planet.</p><p><a title="Read the article in Nature" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07959-z">Read the article &ldquo;Mars&rsquo;s induced magnetosphere can degenerate&rdquo; in Nature</a><br><br></p>/en/news/new-study-uncovers-unexpected-interaction-between-mars-and-the-solar-wind_11986559//en/news/forever-chemicals-persist-through-waste-incineration_11985744/PFAS, often called "forever chemicals," present in municipal solid waste can survive the high temperatures of waste incineration and continue to spread into the environment via residues from waste-to-energy plants. A new doctoral thesis from Umeå University’s Industrial Doctoral School reveals that the most common type of PFAS found in ash, condensate, and flue gases is also the most challenging to capture once they have entered the environment.Thu, 19 Sep 2024 08:00:05 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Sofie Bj&ouml;rklund has been studying PFAS substances in her doctoral project in collaboration with Ume&aring; Energi.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>The research, initiated by the collaboration partner Ume&aring; Energi, aimed to uncover the fate of PFAS during the handling and incineration of municipal solid waste.</p><p>&ldquo;When we began this project a few years ago, there was very little research on PFAS behavior in large-scale waste-to-energy facilities. Now, an increasing number of studies, including those from our research group, confirm that PFAS are not completely destroyed during incineration and can be found in the byproducts of the process,&rdquo; says Sofie Bj&ouml;rklund, doctoral student at the Department of Chemistry and the Industrial Doctoral School.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Short-chain PFAS most common</h2><p>The research found that short-chain PFAS were the most common compounds identified, both in the leachate from unburned waste and in the ash, condensate, and flue gases produced during incineration.</p><p>&ldquo;This is concerning because short-chain PFAS are highly mobile in water and difficult to capture once they have entered the environment. What we need to determine next is whether these shorter PFAS are breakdown products of longer-chain PFAS,&rdquo; says Sofie Bj&ouml;rklund.</p><p>One of the studies in the thesis examined the efficiency of flue gas cleaning in reducing PFAS levels. The results showed that wet flue gas treatment removed an average of 35 percent of total PFAS, though the effectiveness varied significantly depending on the specific PFAS compounds.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="db81a17a-188f-465c-a7a3-abc956f976ec" data-contentname="">{}</div><p>The thesis also highlights that adding five percent of sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants to regular waste fuel could increase the annual emissions of PFAS from the incineration plant by three to four times compared to burning regular waste alone.</p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s likely possible to optimize flue gas cleaning to capture even more PFAS. A hazardous waste incineration plant in Belgium has already had success in this area,&rdquo; says Sofie Bj&ouml;rklund.</p><p>Despite these findings, she notes that waste-to-energy plants are not the sole source of PFAS emissions.</p><p>&ldquo;There are several other major sources, such as firefighting training sites and wastewater treatment plants, which likely contribute significantly more PFAS to the environment. That said, minimizing PFAS emissions wherever possible is critical, as these chemicals persist in the environment indefinitely.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Exploring breakdown products</h2><p>&Aring;sa Benckert, senior environmental engineer at Ume&aring; Energi, emphasizes the need for better end-of-life planning for products containing PFAS. When products are brought to market, there&rsquo;s often no plan for how they will be handled once they become waste. There is till a lack a full understanding of what happens to different substances in the collection and treatment chain.</p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s clear that PFAS from consumer products aren&rsquo;t fully destroyed by current waste management practices. More research is needed to understand exactly what happens during incineration and how we can reduce the spread of these harmful substances,&rdquo; she says.</p><p>The research team plans to expand their studies, focusing on the conditions under which PFAS breakdown might occur and identifying the resulting breakdown products. To support this work, a new doctoral student has joined the group.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="a1a65b4c-98bb-4fdc-b56f-15a7c3374de5" data-contentname="">{}</div>/en/news/forever-chemicals-persist-through-waste-incineration_11985744//en/news/graphite-oxidation-experiments-reveal-new-type-of-oscillating-chemical-reaction_11985199/A reaction that puzzled scientists for 50 years has now been explained by researchers at Umeå University. Rapid structural snapshots captured how graphite transforms into graphite oxide during electrochemical oxidation, revealing intermediate structures that appear and disappear over time. The researchers describe this as a new type of oscillating reaction.Tue, 17 Sep 2024 08:00:07 +0200<p class="quote-center">What began as a detailed study of a particular chemical reaction suddenly appeared to be a lot more interesting from the point of view of fundamental chemistry.</p><p>Oscillating chemical reactions are fascinating to watch and important for developing an understanding of how complex systems work, both in chemistry and in nature. Classical visual examples of such reactions show how the colors of a solution change back and forth, cycling through different states and producing a final product after each cycle.</p><p>Ume&aring; researchers recently published a study in the scientific journal Angewandte Chemie, reporting a rather different and new type of oscillating reaction during electrochemical oxidation of graphite.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="ea366b01-187d-45ea-805d-841339816496" data-contentname="">{}</div><p>&ldquo;It has been known for 50 years that some voltage oscillations spontaneously occur when a charge is applied to a graphite electrode immersed in sulphuric acid solution. The end product of this reaction is graphite oxide, a material consisting of layers of graphene oxide. However, what happens to the structure of the material during the reaction at every oscillation cycle had remained a complete mystery,&rdquo; says Alexandr Talyzin, Professor in the Department of Physics at Ume&aring; University.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Surprised the researchers</h2><p>Thanks to new synchrotron methods, researchers can record X-ray diffraction scans in a matter of a few seconds, providing snapshots of the material&rsquo;s structure changes during oxidation. Surprisingly, the experiments revealed an intermediate phase with a specific structure that appears at one part of the cycle, disappears in the next stage and then reappears, repeating the cycle.</p><p>&rdquo;Soon we realised that we had observed a new &ndash; to the best of our knowledge &ndash; type of oscillating reaction. What began as a detailed study of a particular chemical reaction suddenly appeared to be a lot more interesting from the point of view of fundamental chemistry. Bartosz Gurzeda, the first author of the study, also recorded a beautiful video showing periodic changes in the appearance of a sample every few minutes,&rdquo; says Alexandr Talyzin.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="32066cce-ca9f-437c-b307-6d752dc64f77" data-contentname="">{}</div><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Gave a Nobel Prize</h2><p>Oscillation reactions are happening inside all living beings but were once considered impossible in inorganic chemistry. This discovery expands our knowledge of chemical kinetics and reaction mechanisms and could lead to the development of new theories and models in chemistry.</p><p>The first theory explaining oscillating reactions earned Ilya Prigogine the Nobel Prize in 1977 and became a fundamental part of non-equilibrium thermodynamics, showing how order can emerge from chaos.</p><p>&ldquo;We hope that new theories will be developed to explain this new type of oscillating reaction, which may lead to the discovery of new similar examples,&rdquo; says Alexandr Talyzin.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>The figure shows how graphite (left) is transformed into &lsquo;pristine&rsquo; graphite oxide by voltage oscillations.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Alexandr Talyzin</span></div><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="2b0e20fe-0951-4d46-9360-37451655f9f5" data-contentname="">{}</div></div>/en/news/graphite-oxidation-experiments-reveal-new-type-of-oscillating-chemical-reaction_11985199//en/news/from-automated-dj-mixing-to-ai-in-news-media_11981494/This Monday, no less than three doctoral students presented their work at the Department of Computing Science. Guests and opponents congratulated Mickaël Zehren, who succesfully defended his work and now can call himself a doctor. Sourasekhar Banerjee, who nailed his thesis, and Igor Ryazanov, who is halfway through his doctoral studies.Wed, 11 Sep 2024 15:42:54 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/4823eb3416de4b1ba2eadf0619c85703/doctor_zehren5.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/4823eb3416de4b1ba2eadf0619c85703/doctor_zehren5.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/4823eb3416de4b1ba2eadf0619c85703/doctor_zehren5.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/4823eb3416de4b1ba2eadf0619c85703/doctor_zehren5.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/4823eb3416de4b1ba2eadf0619c85703/doctor_zehren5.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/4823eb3416de4b1ba2eadf0619c85703/doctor_zehren5.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Micka&euml;l Zehren was brilliant during his defence and now holds the title of Doctor. <span class="photo" style="color: #666666; font-size: 0.66667rem; text-wrap: nowrap;">Image</span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: 0.66667rem; text-wrap: nowrap;">Zehren</span></p></div></div><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Uniting computer science and music&nbsp;</h2><p>In his thesis, <a href="~/link/d3013ecf52f14d41a303a7aa3473c07b.aspx">Micka&euml;l Zehren</a> studies ways to automatically create DJ mixes by identifying points of interest in music tracks, known as cue points, which are essential for DJ mixing. The four-year thesis is a true interdisciplinary project that successfully brings technology and the humanities together.</p><p>Supervisors <a href="~/link/9787840015304fae99c2edb384749702.aspx">Paolo Bientinesi</a>, Professor at the <a href="~/link/f1ccf1d251be4f538a13df854f18fb07.aspx">Department of Computing Science,</a>&nbsp;Ume&aring; University, and <a href="https://www.marcoalunno.com/">Marco Alunno</a>, Professor of Composition and Theory, at Universidad EAFIT, Colombia, were present at the thesis defense.</p><p>"Micka&euml;l Zehren delivered a nice and multi-faceted presentation, discussing music and algorithms", Professor Paolo Bientinesi says.</p><p>"For the past 4 years, Mickael acted as the link and the interpreter between Marco and myself, as our expertise and language are entirely different."</p><h3>Three-way collaboration</h3><p>Micka&euml;l Zehren also contributed with his knowledge of Machine Learning (ML), together with a real passion for curating and sharing data. <br>"I can safely say that all three of us learned a lot from this three-way collaboration," Bientinesi says.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">A new approach to train AI models</h2><p>At the same time, <a href="~/link/0a6351e181a740c6865a379b1dad38db.aspx">Sourasekhar Banerjee</a> nailed his thesis &lsquo;Advancing Federated Learning: Algorithms and Uses-Cases&rsquo;, in Ume&aring; University Library. Present were principal supervisor <a href="~/link/a2ca362196d44b72a0a9803902c59d0b.aspx">Monowar Bhyan</a>, Professor <a href="~/link/5515db5e59f143309844aea3c8fc430b.aspx">Erik Elmroth</a> as well as colleagues from the department and the <a href="~/link/3cb68daa1317460cab60e9e76435b68c.aspx">Autonomous Distributed, Systems Lab</a> research group. Sourasekhar Banerjee studies how to train and use AI models without moving data from end devices.<br>"His work will ensure privacy while providing cost-effective solutions to users," supervisor Monowar Bhyan says.</p><p>Find out more when Sourasekhar Banerjee defends his thesis <a href="~/link/c648a12238314156a59fda23cb4fb776.aspx">later this month.</a></p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/4823eb3416de4b1ba2eadf0619c85703/cs_sourasekhar_banerjee_foto_victoria_skeidsvoll5.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/4823eb3416de4b1ba2eadf0619c85703/cs_sourasekhar_banerjee_foto_victoria_skeidsvoll5.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/4823eb3416de4b1ba2eadf0619c85703/cs_sourasekhar_banerjee_foto_victoria_skeidsvoll5.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/4823eb3416de4b1ba2eadf0619c85703/cs_sourasekhar_banerjee_foto_victoria_skeidsvoll5.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/4823eb3416de4b1ba2eadf0619c85703/cs_sourasekhar_banerjee_foto_victoria_skeidsvoll5.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/4823eb3416de4b1ba2eadf0619c85703/cs_sourasekhar_banerjee_foto_victoria_skeidsvoll5.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Doctoral student Sourasekhar Banerjee at his nailing ceremony.&nbsp;</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Victoria Skeidsvoll</span></div></div><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Detecting power structures in text</h2><p>This afternoon, guests were also introduced to the interesting work of <a href="~/link/604b18d1627a46c9ac13443ccd594d5e.aspx">Igor Ryazanov</a>, who is halfway through his doctoral studies. Ryazanov's research involves using automatic tools to better understand how characteristics such as initiative and responsibility are expressed in the news media. A headline like, &lsquo;Will AI take your job?' for example, suggests that AI has a greater capacity for initiative than the related headline; &lsquo;This is how AI will affect the future labour markets'.</p><p>"The same methods can then be used to explain how other types of power structures are expressed in text," says associate arofessor Johanna Bj&ouml;rklund, principal supervisor. She looks forward to following Igor Ryazanov's further work.</p><h3>Further information&nbsp;</h3><p>Please contact our researchers and supervisors.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="04dcefae-a6e1-455b-b548-e997e451604f" data-contentname="CS dissertation">{}</div><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3">Dynamic and international atmosphere</h2><p>The Department of Computing Science at Ume&aring; University has grown at a record speed and is today Sweden's second-largest department in this field. Researchers from all over the world are gathered here and cutting-edge research is conducted in areas such as:</p><ul><li><a href="~/link/eb5292fa871f479f8a72d056d69965f9.aspx">Responsible AI</a></li><li><a href="~/link/3cb68daa1317460cab60e9e76435b68c.aspx">Cloud and edge computing</a></li><li><a href="~/link/4f1a9efe0fe14f788f627d7c9e6b3b1e.aspx">Interactive and intelligent Systems</a></li><li><a href="~/link/9d81f42f689d47ed99c8502263f845ca.aspx">Data privacy</a></li><li><a href="~/link/65e3403c35f24ad0b5c4154c2dced97b.aspx">Software Engineering and Security</a></li><li><a href="~/link/e16c1a166e7647968ad885c76a2c4f19.aspx">Explainable AI</a></li><li><a href="~/link/7d0d69e1f59c4f95921139c600bad74b.aspx">AI for data management</a></li><li><a href="~/link/dfa6bfa882664c4589238447c916e2ac.aspx">Machine learning</a></li><li><a href="~/link/6516a2a16ff8422d9a2b8a15a5a87ac9.aspx">Natural languages</a></li><li><a href="https://https//www.91��ý����/en/research/groups/high-performance-and-automatic-computing5/www.91��ý����/forskning/grupper/hogpresterande-och-automatisk-databehandling5/">High-Performance and Automatic Computing</a></li></ul><p>Several of our researchers are linked to Sweden's single largest research programme; WASP, <a href="https://wasp-sweden.org/about-us/">Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program</a>, as well as <a href="https://wasp-hs.org/about/">WASP</a>-HS, which enables cutting-edge research in the humanities and social sciences and how artificial intelligence affects people and society.</p><h3>High-quality education&nbsp;</h3><p>The Department of Computing Science also offers <a href="~/link/8f39a3d9064a4cabba32cfdd76c2fe9f.aspx">high-quality and reputable educational programmes</a>, strongly anchored in research, and in partnership with industry. Find out more about the department by clicking one of the links below!</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/4823eb3416de4b1ba2eadf0619c85703/cs_soursaekhar_banerjee_och_ads_lab_foto_victoria_skeidsvoll5.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/4823eb3416de4b1ba2eadf0619c85703/cs_soursaekhar_banerjee_och_ads_lab_foto_victoria_skeidsvoll5.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/4823eb3416de4b1ba2eadf0619c85703/cs_soursaekhar_banerjee_och_ads_lab_foto_victoria_skeidsvoll5.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/4823eb3416de4b1ba2eadf0619c85703/cs_soursaekhar_banerjee_och_ads_lab_foto_victoria_skeidsvoll5.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/4823eb3416de4b1ba2eadf0619c85703/cs_soursaekhar_banerjee_och_ads_lab_foto_victoria_skeidsvoll5.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/4823eb3416de4b1ba2eadf0619c85703/cs_soursaekhar_banerjee_och_ads_lab_foto_victoria_skeidsvoll5.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Supervisor Monowar Bhuyan and Professor Erik Elmroth at Sourasekhar Banerjee's nailing ceremony, together with doctoral students and postdocs at one of many events on Monday.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Victoria Skeidsvoll</span></div></div><p>&nbsp;</p>/en/news/from-automated-dj-mixing-to-ai-in-news-media_11981494//en/news/two-young-researchers-receive-erc-starting-grant_11981097/Lakshmi Das, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Physics, has been awarded funding through the EU's Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action Postdoctoral Fellowship to study a new magnetic material that could pave the way for more efficient and secure data storage.Tue, 27 Aug 2024 13:52:09 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/53b07b108bc847be934bcbd1fb96dc0b/das_lakshmi_059_20082024_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/53b07b108bc847be934bcbd1fb96dc0b/das_lakshmi_059_20082024_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/53b07b108bc847be934bcbd1fb96dc0b/das_lakshmi_059_20082024_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/53b07b108bc847be934bcbd1fb96dc0b/das_lakshmi_059_20082024_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/53b07b108bc847be934bcbd1fb96dc0b/das_lakshmi_059_20082024_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/53b07b108bc847be934bcbd1fb96dc0b/das_lakshmi_059_20082024_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Lakshmi Das, postdoctoral researcher in the Ultrafast Nanoscience group at the Department of Physics.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>In her new research project, Lakshmi Das will investigate a relatively new magnetic material which has the potential to enable the development of next-generation high-performance electronic devices. It is a manganese-based so called antiferromagnetic material that can work at room temperatures.</p><p>Antiferromagnetic materials contain small magnetic moments that, unlike those in traditional magnetic materials, point in opposite directions, thereby neutralising each other.</p><p>&ldquo;This makes them notoriously difficult to control but also very stable, as they are not affected by external magnetic fields,&rdquo; says Lakshmi Das.</p><p>Traditional magnetic materials are currently used for data storage in devices such as hard drives and electronic cards. However, they have several drawbacks; one of which is that they are easily influenced by nearby magnetic fields. A common example is hotel key cards that can become demagnetized and stop working if stored too close to a mobile phone.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Hot research area</h2><p>In contrast, antiferromagnetic materials are much more stable, making them easier to use and integrate with other devices. They are also significantly faster and more energy-efficient, as they do not dissipate energy in heat. This makes them a highly interesting area of research at the moment.</p><p>&ldquo;They are very useful for future applications in information storage,&rdquo; says Lakshmi Das.</p><p>Despite their promising properties, this manganese-based material remains relatively unexplored. Many questions still need to be answered about how electrons move inside the material, what exactly gives rise to its magnetic properties and how the material reacts to ultrafast light pulses. Lakshmi Das will use advanced techniques to uncover the fundamental physical processes within the material.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Leverages the spin of electrons</h2><p>&ldquo;We are entering a new era. Nobody has done this kind of work before, which makes it interesting both from a fundamental physics perspective and an applied research standpoint, and for the future of spintronics,&rdquo; says Lakshmi Das.</p><p>Spintronics is a field of research that leverages the spin of electrons, in addition to their charge, to store and transfer information, enabling the development of even more advanced electronic components.</p><p>Lakshmi Das is part of the Ultrafast Nanoscience research group, led by Nicol&ograve; Maccaferri, since May 2023. The announcement that she has been awarded the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action Postdoctoral Fellowship is an important milestone for the group.</p><p>&ldquo;It was a very rewarding experience, both for me personally and for us as a group. Both Nicol&ograve; and I put a lot of effort into the application. We are a new and upcoming group, so it feels great to receive such recognition,&rdquo; says Lakshmi Das.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="8ffec85f-b096-42b3-bbef-ee0384494258" data-contentname="Facts">{}</div>/en/news/marie-curie-fellowship-for-the-study-of-promising-magnetic-material_11977026//en/news/10-million-to-project-for-sustainable-shrimp-and-fish-production_11974430/The Swedish Agricultural Agency has granted SEK 10 million for a project on sustainable food production, led by Olivier Keech, Department of Plant Physiology at Umeå University and Umeå Plant Science Centre. The project aims to establish and optimize sustainable production of shrimp and fish in a circular aquaculture system. Fri, 24 Jan 2025 08:17:43 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/71104b2ed346466b9df75190bc3572c5/rakor2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/71104b2ed346466b9df75190bc3572c5/rakor2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/71104b2ed346466b9df75190bc3572c5/rakor2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/71104b2ed346466b9df75190bc3572c5/rakor2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/71104b2ed346466b9df75190bc3572c5/rakor2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/71104b2ed346466b9df75190bc3572c5/rakor2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The project which has received funding from the Swedish Agricultural Agency will develop sustainable methods to produce shrimp and fish in circular aquaculture systems.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Sergio Zimmermann</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;In the project we use bio-RAS, a technology where the water contains particles which are then filtered by a mixture of microorganisms such as bacteria, microalgae and zooplankton. These convert leftover nutrients into natural feed for the fish and shrimp. In addition, it acts as a probiotic for the animals. Overall, it creates a much more sustainable loop&rdquo; says Olivier Keech.</p><p>The project is interdisciplinary and involves researchers from Ume&aring; University, the Swedish University of Agriculture in Ultuna (SLU) as well as the newly started company Cresponix AB and Brazilian partners. Together, they will apply cutting-edge research to develop and optimize the use of bio-RAS. The technology, originally developed by professor Anders Kiessling (SLU) and Sergio Zimmerman (Zimmermann Aqua Solutions) is a tropical alternative to cold water recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) that allows for the recapture of organic resources.</p><p>The team will create an innovative, sustainable production of feed, as well as evaluate various aspects of shrimp physiology with professor Johan Dicksved and associate professor Kartik Baruah at SLU Ultuna. Furthermore, in collaboration with professor Stefan Bertilsson SLU Ultuna, a metagenomic analysis will also be carried out to assess how the microorganisms in the shrimp's gastrointestinal system develop depending on different compositions of feed and water.</p><p>Another part of the project is to develop a mathematical model that can help control and optimize energy conversion, nutrient storage, biomass production and economic viability for the pilot plant the researchers will establish.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareleft"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/71104b2ed346466b9df75190bc3572c5/olivier_keech3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/71104b2ed346466b9df75190bc3572c5/olivier_keech3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/71104b2ed346466b9df75190bc3572c5/olivier_keech3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/71104b2ed346466b9df75190bc3572c5/olivier_keech3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/71104b2ed346466b9df75190bc3572c5/olivier_keech3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/71104b2ed346466b9df75190bc3572c5/olivier_keech3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Olivier Keech.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Fredrik Larsson</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;This is a key component for the expansion of such facilities and municipalities, industries and future investors need to know the efficiency and return on investment of such a food production platform&rdquo; explains Olivier Keech.</p><p>For this, Olivier Keech can also count on his colleagues at Ume&aring; University, Professor Sebastian Diehl, Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, and Associate Professor Jonas Westin, Department of Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics.</p><p>The project is part of a larger project that Anders Kiessling, professor at SLU Ultuna, and Olivier Keech initiated several years ago. In a joint venture with both academics and companies, they are establishing a pilot platform for research and development at &Ouml;stersj&ouml;fabriken in V&auml;stervik.</p><p>The aim is to develop a completely circular food production system that includes both fish, shrimp, vegetables, fruit, insects, mushrooms. Such platforms should ideally be placed strategically downstream of industries, such as server halls and metallurgical companies, which emit large amounts of low-grade heat, i.e. 30-60 degrees Celsius.</p><p>&ldquo;Low-grade heat has no real value in itself and is currently simply cooled down to a certain threshold and released as warm air or lukewarm water into the environment. Instead, channeling the heat into greenhouses and fixing the remaining energy into biomass is a much better way to reduce the environmental impact of human activities&rdquo; says Olivier Keech.</p><p>The idea of ​​the research is to contribute to food security and reduce dependency on imported food. Today, close to 70 percent of the fresh produce consumed in Sweden is imported.</p><p>&ldquo;By producing more "tropical" products locally, you logically lower the carbon dioxide emissions related to imports from distant countries&rdquo; says Olivier Keech.</p><p><strong>For more information, please contact:</strong></p><p>Olivier Keech, associate professor, Department of Plant Physiology, Ume&aring; University Phone: +46 90 786 53 88<br>Email: olivier.keech@91��ý����</p><p>Anders Kiessling, professor, Swedish University of Agriculture, Ultuna <br>Email: anders.kiessling@slu.se</p>/en/news/10-million-to-project-for-sustainable-shrimp-and-fish-production_11974430//en/news/promising-results-for-new-antibiotic-in-tests-on-mice_11971419/Researchers at Umeå University and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have developed a novel compound that effectively clears bacterial infections in mice, including those that can result in rare but potentially fatal “flesh-eating” illnesses. Tue, 13 Aug 2024 13:54:20 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/caea3fbe618d49ee9b34f71d77b99ace/staph_header_1200x8002.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/caea3fbe618d49ee9b34f71d77b99ace/staph_header_1200x8002.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/caea3fbe618d49ee9b34f71d77b99ace/staph_header_1200x8002.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/caea3fbe618d49ee9b34f71d77b99ace/staph_header_1200x8002.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/caea3fbe618d49ee9b34f71d77b99ace/staph_header_1200x8002.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/caea3fbe618d49ee9b34f71d77b99ace/staph_header_1200x8002.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Researchers have developed a potential drug that is effective against common bacteria that can lead to rare, dangerous illnesses. Shown on the left are untreated Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria. After treatment with the compound, the dish is full of dead bacteria (image on right).</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Zongsen Zou, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis</span></div></div><p>The research was recently published in the scientific journal Science Advances.</p><p>The potential drug, now tested for the first time in mice, could be the first of an entirely new class of antibiotics against hard-to-fight bacteria. The compound targets gram-positive bacteria, which can cause drug-resistant staph infections, toxic shock syndrome and other illnesses that can turn deadly. It was developed through a collaboration between the Washington University labs of Scott Hultgren and Michael Caparon, and Fredrik Almqvist, a professor in organic chemistry at Ume&aring; University.</p><h3>Discovered by accident</h3><p>&ldquo;All of the gram-positive bacteria that we&rsquo;ve tested have been susceptible to that compound. That includes enterococci, staphylococci, streptococci, <em>C. difficile</em>, which are the major pathogenic bacteria types. The compounds have broad-spectrum activity against numerous bacteria,&rdquo; says Michael Caparon, the co-senior author.</p><p>It&rsquo;s based on a type of molecule called ring-fused 2-pyridone. Initially, Caparon and Hultgren had asked Almqvist to develop a compound that might prevent bacterial films from attaching to the surface of urethral catheters, a common cause of hospital-associated urinary tract infections. Discovering that the resulting compound had infection-fighting properties against multiple types of bacteria was a happy accident.</p><h3>Good effect on infected mice</h3><p>The team named their new family of compounds GmPcides (for gram-positive-cide). In past work, the authors showed that GmPcides can wipe out bacteria strains in petri dish experiments. In this latest study, they decided to test it on necrotizing soft-tissue infections.</p><p>This study focused on one pathogen, <em>Streptococcus pyogenes</em>, which is responsible for 500,000 deaths every year globally, including flesh-eating disease. Mice infected with S. pyogenes and treated with a GmPcide fared better than did untreated animals in almost every metric. They had less weight loss, the ulcers characteristic of the infection were smaller, and they fought off the infection faster.</p><p>The compound appeared to reduce the virulence of the bacteria and, remarkably, speed up postinfection healing of the damaged areas of the skin. It is not clear how GmPcides accomplish all of this, but microscopic examination revealed that the treatment appears to have a significant effect on bacterial cell membranes, which are the outer wrapping of the microbes.</p><h3>Less risk of bacteria resistance</h3><p>In addition to their antibacterial effectiveness, GmPcides appear to be less likely to lead to drug-resistant strains. Experiments designed to create resistant bacteria found very few cells able to withstand treatment and thus pass on their advantages to the next generation of bacteria.</p><p>Caparon explains that there is a long way to go before GmPcides are likely to find their way into local pharmacies. Caparon, Hultgren and Almqvist have patented the compound used in the study and licensed it to a company, in which they have an ownership stake, with the expectation that they will be able to collaborate with a company that has the capacity to manage the pharmaceutical development and clinical trials to potentially bring GmPcides to market.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="911e0113-cdff-49ab-9b52-03225c75e2fe" data-contentname="About the scientific study">{}</div><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="6401521a-0baa-4bcf-96b7-72ae7bf55ad7" data-contentname="Contact">{}</div>/en/news/promising-results-for-new-antibiotic-in-tests-on-mice_11971419/