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Aarhus University


Danish nasal filter looks promising for allergy sufferers

A clinical study from Aarhus University finds that a newly developed Danish mini-filter, Rhinix, appears to be significantly more effective against the discomfort of seasonal hay fever than a filterless placebo. The filter reduces nasal symptoms by up to 75% and alleviates throat irritation.

SourceAarhus University·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateMar 7, 2014

Large mammals were the architects in prehistoric ecosystems

Research shows that temperate ecosystems consisted of a mosaic of closed and semi-closed forests and parkland created by large grazers. The study also found that woodland beetles were less dominant in the previous interglacial period than in the early Holocene, indicating a shift towards more forested landscapes after human arrival.

SourceAarhus University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 3, 2014

Researchers make the invisible visible

Researchers have developed a groundbreaking MRI technique that can visualize metabolic changes in the body's cells. This breakthrough could lead to earlier diagnoses of diseases such as diabetes and cancer. The hyperpolarization method provides a fingerprint of cellular activity, allowing for real-time monitoring of disease progression.

SourceAarhus University·JournalKidney International·DateFeb 23, 2014

Extreme weather decides distribution of insects

Researchers found that insect distribution is primarily defined by their tolerance to extreme temperatures, not average temperature changes. This knowledge helped model the expected shift in distributions due to climate change, with some species predicted to disappear entirely in a few decades.

SourceAarhus University·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateFeb 20, 2014

Tiny soft medicine factories

Researchers at Aarhus University have developed tiny, degradable 'medicine factories' inside the body that can produce specific medicines in response to specific enzymes. The technology, funded by a €2 million ERC grant, has the potential to revolutionize pain relief and cancer treatment.

Medicine protects against strokes

A large Danish study found that anticoagulant medicine significantly reduces the risk of serious brain damage or death due to a stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. The study, which followed over 11,000 patients, also showed that mortality within 30 days is lower for those receiving treatment.

SourceAarhus University·JournalStroke·DateJan 8, 2014

How the cells remove copper

A study published in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology reveals that the protein responsible for copper excretion uses a unique transport mechanism to remove toxic copper from cells. This knowledge has important implications for understanding copper-related diseases, as well as developing new antibiotics targeting harmful bacteria.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateDec 20, 2013

New research provides insight into epilepsy

Scientists have discovered that microRNA-128 plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression in neurons, leading to increased neuron activity and epilepsy. The study used mice experiments to demonstrate the effects of reducing microRNA-128 levels, which can help hamper muscle activation.

SourceAarhus University·JournalScience·DateDec 20, 2013

Big data project reveals where carbon-stocking projects in Africa provide the greatest benefits

A new study by Aarhus University reveals the optimal locations for carbon-stocking projects in Africa, prioritizing regions with high carbon potential, biodiversity conservation, and feasibility. The research identifies areas such as the Upper Guinean rainforests of West Africa and the Lower Guinean rainforests along the coast of Niger...

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 19, 2013

Nanorobot for transporting drugs in the body

Scientists at Aarhus University and Duke University have developed a DNA nanorobot that can encapsulate and release active biomolecules, including enzymes. The nanorobot uses temperature changes to open and close its structure, allowing for targeted drug delivery to diseased cells.

SourceAarhus University·JournalACS Nano·DateDec 2, 2013

Labor mobility generates growth

A study by Aarhus University researchers reveals that labor mobility is essential for small European countries to match China's export growth rates. Companies can hire employees with experience in and knowledge about new export destinations to gain a competitive edge.

Biochar and water to solve problems in West Africa

A new research project led by Aarhus University scientists aims to improve agricultural production in Ghana using irrigation and biochar. The initiative seeks to increase crop yields, reduce deforestation, and protect the environment while providing more employment opportunities and a better economy for local communities.

World's first mapping of America's rare plants

A comprehensive botanical data set reveals that stable climates and small habitat areas are key factors in the distribution of rare plant species. The study highlights the importance of preserving these regions from human-induced climate changes, which could threaten the survival of many unique species.

SourceAarhus University·JournalEcology Letters·DateOct 17, 2013

The immune system benefits from life in the countryside

Research from Aarhus University shows that exposure to a farming environment can prevent or dampen hypersensitivities and allergies, even in adults. The study found that working in farming environments stimulates the immune system, dampening its response to environmental irritants, which may trigger hypersensitivity.

SourceAarhus University·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateSep 30, 2013

Uphill for the trees of the world

A study by Aarhus University researchers found that global forests are being cleared and restricted to steep terrain, leading to reduced biodiversity. The shift is driven by human activities such as agriculture, urbanization, and efficient land use practices.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 24, 2013

Researchers predict greener Greenland

Researchers predict significant growth of trees and bushes in large parts of ice-free Greenland by 2100, with southern regions likely to become greener. The analysis identifies over 400,000 square kilometers suitable for forest flora, offering new opportunities for activities such as hunting and commercial exploitation.

SourceAarhus University·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateAug 28, 2013

Environmental toxins enter the brain tissue of polar bears

Researchers have detected perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the brain tissue of polar bears, which could have severe impacts on human health. The study suggests that PFASs are crossing the blood-brain barrier and accumulating in all parts of the brain, highlighting the need for further research into their effects.

SourceAarhus University·JournalEnvironmental Toxicology and Chemistry·DateJul 23, 2013

Test tube children develop mentally normal

A new research project from Aarhus University found that test-tube children are generally as mentally healthy as naturally conceived children. However, children born to mothers who received hormone stimulation treatment for infertility have a small but increased risk of developing mental disorders such as autism or ADHD.

Knowing the end goal increases productivity

A new study from Aarhus University's Interacting Minds Centre found that when team members know their exact goal, they are more willing to trust and cooperate with each other. The research suggests that trust and clear goals are essential ingredients for successful cooperation in various settings.

SourceAarhus University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 3, 2013

Infections increase risk of mood disorders

A study of over 3 million Danes found that those admitted to hospital with an infection prior to a mood disorder diagnosis had a 62% increased risk of developing the condition. The immune system's impact on brain function may play a role in this connection.

SourceAarhus University·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateJun 17, 2013

Researchers explode the myth about running injuries

A new study from Aarhus University suggests that using neutral running shoes is not associated with an increased risk of injury for healthy novice runners who overpronate or underpronate. The researchers found that the risk of injury was similar among runners with different pronation types, regardless of shoe type.

SourceAarhus University·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·DateJun 14, 2013

Virus and genes involved in causation of schizophrenia

A study by an international team of researchers has found that a combination of cytomegalovirus infection in the mother and a specific gene variant in the child significantly increases the risk of schizophrenia. The risk is five times higher than usual, according to the research published in Molecular Psychiatry.

SourceAarhus University·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateMar 8, 2013

This is why it takes so long to get over tendon injuries

Researchers discovered that Achilles tendons retain high levels of carbon-14 from the Cold War era, indicating limited renewal and a slow healing process. This finding explains why tendon injuries often persist for years, but also opens up opportunities for developing new treatments to provoke dormant cells into repairing the tendon.

SourceAarhus University·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateFeb 15, 2013