- Defense or growth - the more a plant species invests in defense, the less potential it has for growth, according to a new study. Research made possible by open science provides new insights into plant adaptation and interspecies variation. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/life-sciences/defense-or-growth-how-plants-allocate-resources 22 comments science
- In a recent study, researchers found that 78% of the world’s bird species do not thrive in the most modified human-dominated environments. These species are also most likely to have declining populations. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/biodiversity-loss/four-five-bird-species-cannot-tolerate-intense-human-pressures 11 comments science
- From embryo to evolution; the distinctions between snake and lizard heads emerged gradually because of synchronized changes in skull and sensory tissues shows a recent study, which provides a framework for future animal studies aiming to analyze patterns of skull and other tissue variation. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/evolution/embryo-evolution-insights-head-lizards-and-snakes 2 comments science
- Study in mice found that maternal microbes are important to her offspring’s development and health and the expression of many important genes was associated with the concentration of metabolites likely to be modulated by the maternal microbiota https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/healthier-world/maternal-microbiota-can-affect-foetal-development 2 comments science
- Probable cause found for Parkinson's disease https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/brain/researchers-discover-potential-cause-parkinsons-disease 473 comments worldnews
- A nasal spray protects against coronavirus infection – Effective also against recent immune-evasive variants https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/pandemics/nasal-spray-protects-against-coronavirus-infection-effective-also-against-recent-immune-evasive-variants 139 comments science
- Huge magma eruptions can initiate deeper below the Earth’s surface than previously believed. An international group of geologists challenges widely held views with their with computer simulation. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/mathematics-and-science/magma-floods-erupt-deeper-sources-earlier-believed 3 comments science
- Researchers at the University of Helsinki have discovered a number of mutual connections between feline fearfulness, aggression and excessive grooming. Identifying such connections can provide means for preventing problematic behaviour. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/cats/fearful-cats-also-express-other-problematic-behaviour-socialisation-important-already-early-stages-life 9 comments science
- Soil analysis helped identify microscopically small fragments of bird feathers, canine and small mammalian hairs, and plant fibres in Stone Age burial site in eastern Finland. The findings are unique as organic matter is poorly preserved in Finland’s acidic soil. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/culture/artefacts-made-bird-feathers-plant-fibres-and-fur-buried-child-mesolithic-stone-age 4 comments science
- Researchers propose that the role of the ectomycorrhizal fungi should be taken into account in models of carbon accounting. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/fungi/researchers-propose-ectomycorrhizal-fungis-role-be-integrated-carbon-accounting 15 comments science
- Researchers discover dozens of genetic defects important for immune defence - relevant for patients with rare diseases https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/rare-disease/researchers-discover-dozens-genetic-defects-important-immune-defence-relevant-patients-rare-diseases 2 comments science
- Mining in shallow marine areas conflicts with international conservation and sustainability goals, bringing with it great environmental risks, states a recent study completed at the University of Helsinki, https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/environmental-protection/mining-shallow-marine-areas-endangers-sustainability-goals 14 comments science
- New study on pathogenic Leishmania parasite sheds light on the evolution of cell’s force-producing machinery https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/healthier-world/new-study-pathogenic-leishmania-parasite-sheds-light-evolution-cells-force-producing-machinery 3 comments science
- In the Stone Age, pendants with potent symbolism were made from animal teeth and bones, but human bones were also used as a raw material for pendants, as demonstrated by a study where burial finds dating back over 8,200 years were re-examined after 80 years. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/culture/human-bones-used-making-pendants-stone-age 9 comments science
- Researchers at the University of Helsinki have discovered a novel mechanism by which Borrelia bacteria distributed by ticks avoid the human immune defence system. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/one-health/borrelia-bacterias-method-avoiding-human-immune-defences-uncovered 9 comments science
- Trained sniffer dogs accurately detect airport passengers infected with SARS-CoV-2. The diagnostic accuracy of all samples sniffed was 92%: combined sensitivity— accuracy of detecting those with the infection—was 92% and combined specificity—accuracy of detecting those without the infection—was 91%. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/healthier-world/scent-dogs-detect-coronavirus-reliably-skin-swabs 120 comments science
- "A single course of antibiotics caused a shift in the infant fungal gut composition. The phenomenon could be a contributing factor in the long-term adverse effects of antibiotics" (Mar 2022, n=37) The Effect of Antibiotics on the Infant Gut Fungal Microbiota https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/healthier-world/single-course-antibiotics-affects-gut-microbiota-infants 220 comments science
- Fetal exposure to antidepressants or antiepileptic medications may affect the development of newborn brain networks..In the study novel mathematical methods were developed to allow future research on how commonly used drugs or other environmental conditions affect the newborn brain. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/healthier-world/fetal-exposure-drugs-may-affect-infants-brain-development 46 comments science
- Researchers investigate the health benefits of choir singing – Indications of improved cognitive functioning among the elderly. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/health-news/researchers-investigate-the-health-benefits-of-choir-singing-indications-of-improved-cognitive-functioning-among-the-elderly 5 comments science
- Teeth pendants speak of the elk’s prominent status in the Stone Age https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/language-culture/teeth-pendants-speak-of-the-elks-prominent-status-in-the-stone-age 23 comments anthropology
- Singing to preterm infants during kangaroo care reduces maternal anxiety and supports the mother–infant relationship. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/health-news/singing-to-preterm-infants-during-kangaroo-care-reduces-maternal-anxiety-and-supports-the-mother-infant-relationship 3 comments science
- Study proves that the socioeconomic conditions in childhood are associated with the onset of mental disorders. Based on the study findings, 25.2% of children born into the lowest parental income quintile developed a clinically diagnosed mental disorder by the time they turned 37. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/health-news/risk-of-developing-mental-disorders-later-in-life-potentially-higher-in-children-of-low-income-families 66 comments science
- Researchers in Finland build a "forest floor" in daycare that strengthens children's immune system https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/life-science-news/a-forest-based-yard-improved-the-immune-system-of-daycare-children-in-only-a-month 10 comments science
- Research: COVID-19 is echoed in dreams. The dream cluster named ‘Ignoring social distancing’ included hugging by mistake, hug-handshakes, restrictions related to handshakes, handshaking distance, lapses in social distancing, restrictions related to gatherings and crowded parties https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/health-news/research-covid-19-is-echoed-in-dreams#:~:text=research%20has%20shown%20that%20the,affected%20the%20nightmares%20people%20have.&text=the%20study%20found%20that%20the,of%20the%20bad%20dreams%20reported. 16 comments science
- Insect declines and extinctions are accelerating in many parts of the world. With this comes the disappearance of irreplaceable services to humans, the consequences of which are unpredictable. A group of scientists from across the globe has united to warn humanity of such dangers. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/life-science-news/scientists-warn-humanity-about-worldwide-insect-decline-and-suggest-ways-to-recognise-and-avert-its-consequences 36 comments science
- Music is essential for the transmission of ethnobiological knowledge. Songs are a storehouse for ethnobiological knowledge and a means to construct, maintain and mobilize peoples’ relations with their local environments. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/life-science-news/music-is-essential-for-the-transmission-of-ethnobiological-knowledge 12 comments science
- Heikki Hiilamo, Professor of Social Policy at the University of Helsinki: "Disappointing results from the Finnish basic income experiment" https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/nordic-welfare-news/heikki-hiilamo-disappointing-results-from-the-finnish-basic-income-experiment 10 comments europe
- The first-ever insect vaccine PrimeBEE helps bees stay healthy. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/sustainability-news/the-first-ever-insect-vaccine-primebee-helps-bees-stay-healthy 18 comments europe
- Changes in snow coverage threatens biodiversity of Arctic nature. Many native Arctic plant species rely on a thick, insulating layer of snow for protection from harsh winter conditions. The snow also ensures a shorter growing season, preventing plants from southern latitudes from taking root. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/science-news/changes-in-snow-coverage-threatens-biodiversity-of-arctic-nature 4 comments science
- Breastfeeding protects infants from antibiotic-resistant bacteria, suggests a new study. Babies that are breastfed for at least six months have less antibiotic-resistant bacteria in their gut compared with infants breastfed for a shorter time. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/health-news/breastfeeding-protects-infants-from-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria 7 comments science
- The most common shoulder operation is no more beneficial than placebo. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/health/finnish-study-shows-that-most-common-shoulder-operation-is-no-more-beneficial-than-placebo-surgery 11 comments science
- Smiling human faces are attractive to dogs – thanks to oxytocin: Researchers found that oxytocin made dogs interested in smiling human faces. It also made them see angry faces as less threatening. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/life-science/smiling-human-faces-are-attractive-to-dogs-thanks-to-oxytocin 20 comments science
- ”Morning larks” have weaker sleep spindles (bursts of brain activity on EEG) during night than “night owls”, in the first study to show a link between circadian preference and specific brain activity, as measured by sleep EEG monitoring in adolescents. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/health/morning-larks-have-weaker-sleep-spindles-during-night-than-night-owls 6 comments science
- Light can be used as an accurate method to control gene expression in zebrafish. It has many medical applications, and may be applied in the future to treat human illnesses. First clinical studies are undergoing to restore vision in patients with retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/light-can-be-utilized-to-control-gene-function 3 comments science
- Human empathy can even extend to dogs: empathetic people interpret dogs’ facial expressions more intensely. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/empathetic-people-experience-dogs-expressions-more-strongly 58 comments science
- Can someone tell me why I keep getting this error? http://www.helsinki.fi/~lennes/praat-scripts/public/collect_formant_data_from_files.praat 5 comments learnprogramming
- The relative impact of genetics on height does not increase with improvements to the standard of living, finds a study on the impact of genetic and environmental factors on adult height over more than a century, with 40 twin cohorts, including more than 143,000 twin pairs from 20 countries. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/study-impact-of-genetics-on-human-height-is-not-increasing 28 comments science
- High resting heart rate and blood pressure linked to later mental health disorders https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/high-resting-heart-rate-and-blood-pressure-linked-to-later-mental-health-disorders 54 comments science
- A genetic mutation which makes its bearers more likely to behave impulsively while intoxicated may shield them from obesity. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/aggressive-drunk-gene-may-protect-carriers-from-obesity 3 comments science
- No ghosts: A Blunt Atheist FAQ http://www.helsinki.fi/~ssyreeni/atheist/no-ghost-c-04 85 comments reddit.com