- Even though many adolescents consider getting help or seek help from informal sources for their mental health problems, very few seek professional help. This unmet need was prevalent across all eight Asian and European countries involved in the study but especially in lower-income countries. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/international-study-reveals-high-unmet-need-for-mental-health-care-among 36 comments science
- A well-known X-ray binary Cygnus X-3, whose exact nature has been a mystery to scientists until now, was revealed to be a hidden ultraluminous X-ray source residing in the Milky Way. These cosmic sources consume matter at a gargantuan rate and have previously been observed only in distant galaxies. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/a-hidden-treasure-in-the-milky-way-astronomers-uncover-ultrabright-x-ray-source 2 comments science
- High caffeine consumption alters brain dopamine function in Parkinson's patients without easing symptoms, even though caffeine is known to reduce disease risk. The research suggests that patients should not consume caffeine for 24 hours before diagnostic DAT imaging, as it can impact the results https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/caffeine-affects-brain-dopamine-function-in-patients-with-parkinsons-disease 4 comments science
- Maternal grandmothers' investment can improve the well-being of grandchildren who have faced adversities in life. The positive effects can last well into adulthood. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/maternal-grandmothers-support-buffers-children-against-the-impacts-of-adversity 44 comments science
- Parkinsson’s disease alters the bodily sensations related to basic emotions. For example, sensations of anger shift from the chest area more towards the abdominal region, which is consistent with the dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system associated with the disease. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/stirring-up-emotions-parkinsons-disease-alters-emotion-related-bodily-sensations 4 comments science
- Spending time in nature can help us to address the time pressure of contemporary urban lifestyles, as nature experiences can impact our perception of time: we get a sense of gaining time while in nature and develop a more positive and balanced time perspective. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/gaining-time-in-nature-nature-experiences-may-hold-the-key-to-a-healthier-relationship-with 11 comments science
- Researchers have clarified the evolutionary history of a previously poorly known group of ferns from the tropical rainforests of America using DNA methods. The study discovered many new fern species, 18 of which have now been given official names and species descriptions. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/genetic-research-revealed-several-new-fern-species-in-tropical-america 2 comments science
- New cancer drug bexmarilimab alters the function of immune cells so that they can infiltrate the tumor in cancer patients who do not respond to other current therapies. Bexmarilimab stimulates macrophages which then activate T lymphocytes that are proficient in killing cancer cells. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/cancer-therapy-bexmarilimab-awakens-immune-cells-to-attack-tumours-that-have 8 comments science
- New drug called plixorafenib shows potential in the treatment of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma – the most common form of metastatic skin cancer. The drug was originally developed for melanoma and lung cancer and is currently in phase II clinical trial for these diseases. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/new-drug-developed-for-melanoma-and-lung-cancer-shows-potential-in-treatment-of 3 comments science
- Researchers developed a new method using microcontact printing of protein mixtures on stiffness hydrogels to study how cancer cells function in soft tissue environments. This insight challenges the existing paradigm, opening up new possibilities for research in cancer biology and tissue engineering. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/unlocking-the-secrets-of-cell-behaviour-on-soft-substrates-a-paradigm-shift-in 3 comments science
- A new study reveals that the bodily sensations evoked by art contribute to our emotions: the stronger the body's reaction is to the artwork, the stronger are the experienced emotions. Even though many of the pieces handled sad or scary topics, the emotions measured in the study were mainly positive. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/art-evokes-feelings-in-the-body 5 comments science
- Mother’s health and lifestyle during pregnancy are important regulators of the child's neurodevelopment. Maternal gestational diabetes and obesity may have unfavourable effects, whereas a healthy, comprehensive diet supports the development of the child’s cognitive, language and motor skills. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/mothers-health-and-lifestyle-during-pregnancy-shape-neurodevelopment-of-2-year 13 comments science
- Although a majority of pregnant women believed that they knew the recommendations on food supplement use, these were not always adhered to in practice, shows a new study. Many women exceeded the recommended doses and thought that multivitamin supplements are generally recommended during pregnancy. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/food-supplement-use-during-pregnancy-differs-from-recommendations 2 comments science
- Researchers used artificial nests to test how the eggs of endangered, ground-nesting birds could be protected from predators, such as the red fox. Chemical camouflage proved especially effective and could offer an alternative, non-lethal solution for creating protection for vulnerable prey. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/endangered-birds-can-be-protected-from-predators-with-chemical-camouflage 5 comments science
- Even a small dose of Roundup, a popular herbicide containing glyphosate, weakens bumblebees’ colour vision and memory. The researchers warn that this can severely impair bumblebees’ foraging and nesting success. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/popular-herbicide-weakens-bumblebees-colour-vision 1000 comments science
- The length of daylight hours impacts opioid receptor levels in brown fat. When daylight hours shorten, the receptor activity levels elevate. A similar phenomenon also takes place in the brain. Both phenomena help people and animals in the adaptation to seasonal changes. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/daylight-hours-impact-opioid-receptor-levels-in-brown-fat 8 comments science
- Natural mineral hackmanite has a unique intelligent quality, gamma exposure memory, and changes color upon exposure to nuclear radiation. This which allows the use of hackmanite as e.g. non-toxic and reusable radiation detector. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/hackmanite-changes-colour-also-upon-exposure-to-nuclear-radiation-memory-trace 67 comments science
- A genetic defect causes an accumulation of lipids in the pulmonary alveoli, which leads to PAP lung disease. The new discovery can offer solutions not only for PAP but also for treating obesity and heart disease where similar changes in the alveoli can be observed. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/development-defect-in-macrophages-causes-lung-disease 4 comments science
- Horses can be more reluctant in new situations if they have had multiple riders, several owners or been with the current owner only for a short period of time. The study on the interaction between horses and humans shows that it takes time to build a good interactive relationship with a horse. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/long-term-relationship-with-owner-reduces-horses-stress-reactions-in-new 76 comments science
- The axis of rotation of a black hole in a binary system is tilted more than 40 degrees relative to the axis of the stellar orbit. Scientists have often assumed this difference to be very small and the finding challenges current theoretical models of black hole formation. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/death-spiral-a-black-hole-spins-on-its-side 9 comments space
- Scientists discovered that a large amount of enterobacteria in the gut microbiota is related to long-term mortality risk in adult population. The research is so far the largest population-level study in the world examining the connection between human gut microbiota and health and mortality https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/researchers-discovered-a-gut-microbiota-profile-that-can-predict-mortality 218 comments science
- The FinnBrain research of the University of Turku has demonstrated for the first time that the stress the father has experienced in his childhood is connected to the development of the white matter tracts in the child’s brain. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/fathers-early-life-exposure-to-stress-associated-with-childs-brain-development 3 comments science
- Scientists Believe Studies by Colleagues Are More Prone to Biases than Their Own Studies https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/scientists-believe-studies-by-colleagues-are-more-prone-to-biases-than-their-own 13 comments science
- Phosphorus and fluorine have been discovered in solid dust particles collected from a comet. This is the first time life-necessary CHNOPS elements are found in solid cometary matter and indicates that all the most important elements necessary for life may have been delivered to Earth by comets. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/researchers-discovered-solid-phosphorus-from-a-comet 9 comments space
- Sleep apnea may be risk factor for COVID-19 and anticipates a severe form of the disease. The new study also shows that the extent of sleep apnea among COVID-19 patients cannot only be explained by obesity, which is one of the already known risk factors and often met in sleep apnea patients. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/news/sleep-apnea-may-be-risk-factor-for-covid-19 21 comments science
- Children born extremely preterm are three times more likely to be diagnosed with depression than their peers born close to the expected date of delivery. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/children-born-extremely-preterm-are-more-likely-to-be-diagnosed-with-depression 16 comments science
- Mood changes indicating depression and anxiety are linked to changes in the brain's opioid system already in healthy individuals. As both the brain’s own opioids and synthetic opiate-based drugs regulate mood, drugs that have an effect on the opioid system can help in the treatment of depression. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/brain-research-sheds-light-on-the-molecular-mechanisms-of-depression 35 comments science
- Dietary counselling introduced at an early age leads to better cardiovascular health in adulthood. Participants who received dietary counselling for 20 years from the age of 7 months had lower serum cholesterol level and better insulin sensitivity than those in the control group. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/dietar-%20counselling-introduced-at-an-early-age-leads-to-better-cardiovascular-health-in-adulthood 9 comments science
- Researchers found that high levels of stress hormones correlate with white blood cell ratio in Asian elephants. The indicators can be used to assess animals’ wellfare as constant stress has a negative impact on their health. Stress can also be reliably assessed by observing the animal’s behaviour. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/elephant-welfare-can-be-assessed-using-two-indicators 39 comments science
- Preterm babies are more likely to be diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder that causes problems in emotional bonding, social interaction, and expression of emotions. The risk is three times higher if the child's gestational age at birth is less than 32 weeks. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/preterm-babies-more-likely-to-be-diagnosed-with-reactive-attachment-disorder 26 comments science
- Small, fiercely predatory damselflies catch and eat hundreds of thousands of insects in a small area during a single summer. In terms of weight, this equates to a total mass of just under a kilo. Understanding the functioning of food webs is important now when biodiversity is quickly diminishing. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/dragonflies-are-efficient-predators-that-consume-hundreds-of-thousands-of-insects 6 comments science
- Horror movies expertly manipulate brain activity to enhance excitement by exploiting the brain's response to threat. MRI scans show that slowly increasing anxiety and jump scares activate different regions of the brain which are in continuous talk-back with each other as if to prepare for action. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/horror-movies-manipulate-brain-activity-expertly-to-%20enhance-excitement 27 comments science
- Researchers discovered 15 parasitoid wasps of the genus Acrotaphus in the Amazon. The wasps are able to manipulate the behaviour of the host spiders so that they spin a special web that protects the wasp’s developing pupa. This kind of host manipulation is a rare phenomenon in nature. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/news/new-parasitoid-wasp-species-discovered-in-the-amazon-can-manipulate-hosts-behaviour 678 comments science
- Gut microbes of a 2.5-month-old infant are associated with temperament traits at six months of age. Greater diversity in gut bacteria is connected to lesser negative emotionality and fear reactivity, which can also affect depression risk later in life. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/gut-microbes-associated-with-temperament-traits-in-children 1074 comments science
- Personality traits differ between sexes in Asian elephants: males are more aggressive than females, whereas female elephants are more sociable. Studies indicate that higher female agreeableness seems to be a common pattern in long-lived highly social mammals. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/sex-differences-in-personality-traits-in-asian-elephants 100 comments science
- Stars over eight times more massive than the Sun end their lives in supernovae explosions and lose their mass to companion stars during their lives. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/stars-exploding-as-supernovae-lose-their-mass-to-companion-stars-during-their-lives 5 comments science
- Maternal smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of ADHD among offspring up to 3-fold. The higher the cotinine levels are in the mother’s blood during pregnancy the greater is the child’s risk of developing ADHD later in life. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/maternal-smoking-during-pregnancy-increases-risk-of-adhd-among-offspring-up-to-3-fold 16 comments science
- A new study by researchers show that people with more peace of mind in the waking state have more positive dreams, whereas those with more anxiety in the waking state have more negative dreams https://www.utu.fi/en/news/news/pages/sweeter-dreams-in-a-peaceful-mind.aspx 10 comments science
- Researchers have discovered a new wasp species in the Amazon which has an exceptionally large stinger. The new insect, which is found in the extremely diverse transitional zone between the Andes and the Amazonian lowland rainforest, uses its stinger both for laying eggs and injecting venom. http://www.utu.fi/en/news/news/pages/new-wasp-species-with-a-giant-stinger-discovered-in-amazonia.aspx 9 comments science
- A study has found the most massive galaxies in the universe have been aligned with their surroundings for a least ten billion years. http://www.utu.fi/en/news/news/pages/galaxy-alignments-traced-back-ten-billion-years.aspx 32 comments science