Tiny extracellular vesicles influence ovarian development and function, affecting gene expression and hormone production.
The Estonian Research Council's ERC grant project investigates adult ADHD causes and develops more accurate diagnostic methods using genetics, psychology, and data science. The goal is to create a novel biology-based assessment tool to identify adults with undiagnosed ADHD and better distinguish it from other mental health conditions.
A recent study found that frequent use of artificial intelligence tools can lower academic results in students. Researchers suggest that guided use of AI is essential to support learning, rather than replacing it. The study also reveals creative applications of AI in learning, providing valuable insights for educators.
Estonian researcher Eduardo Brito's work on decentralized Proof-of-Location systems offers a new way to verify physical presence without compromising privacy. The system uses a network of witnesses to co-sign location claims, making it tamper-resistant and privately verifiable.
A recent AI-powered study sheds light on the genetic origins of Papua New Guineans, finding a close relationship with other Asian populations. The research suggests that Papua New Guineans share a common ancestry from the 'Out of Africa' event, contrary to earlier theories.
Researchers analyzed 13,000 gene donors' data to understand why some individuals experience more side effects from antidepressants. The study found that a genetic variant affecting metabolism and polygenic risk are associated with increased side effect occurrence.
A new study explores using a pretrained jet foundation model to reconstruct hadronically decaying tau leptons, achieving better performance than models trained from scratch. The approach could make particle physics analyses more efficient and scalable, especially in situations with limited high-quality simulated data.
The Genome of Europe initiative is conducting a public awareness survey in five European countries to evaluate citizens' knowledge of genetics and attitudes toward using genomics in personalized healthcare. The results will help identify knowledge gaps and guide future communication strategies.
A study published by the Estonian Research Council found that people's perception of financial well-being goes beyond just money, involving factors like investing in themselves and social relationships. The researchers developed a new digital tool to assess financial well-being, focusing on security, freedom, and pleasure.
Researchers at the University of Tartu Institute of Computer Science have developed a novel approach to reduce electronic waste by turning old smartphones into tiny data centers. These mini data centers can efficiently process and store data, offering a wide range of applications in urban environments.
Jarek Kurnitski, a leading European scientist in building energy efficiency, has been recognized by Japan's SHASE ventilation association for his collaboration and contributions to zero-emission buildings. This honor reflects the strong cooperation between Europe and Japan in this area.
The service uses a polygenic risk score test to assess individual risk and offers personalized recommendations for screening and prevention. Women with higher risk are offered clear guidelines, including the possibility of more frequent and potentially earlier screening.
The study found that AMPK activation varies across different muscle types, with heart and postural muscles exhibiting higher levels of activation. This suggests that the extent of AMPK activation is tailored to the specific function of each muscle, such as endurance and force generation.
A new study found significant sex differences in the subcellular composition of human carotid plaques, despite similar major cell types. The research highlights the importance of understanding biological sex in atherosclerosis to improve risk prediction and diagnosis.
A recent Nature study found that human activities negatively affect wildlife biodiversity hundreds of km away, with only one out of five suitable species present in heavily impacted regions. Maintaining at least 30% pristine surrounding land supports conservation targets to protect about 1/3 of the land.
The new guidance outlines clinical indications, interpretation of PRS test results, and practical implementation considerations. It aims to enhance preventive care by integrating polygenic risk scores into routine healthcare for women at higher risk of breast cancer.
A new study published in The Lancet HIV reveals gaps in knowledge surrounding HPV-related cancers in people living with HIV. Existing disparities in healthcare and a lack of evidence on the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine in this population highlight the need for further research and targeted interventions.
Researchers analyzed Estonian Biobank and FinnGen data on female reproductive health diagnoses, identifying previously undescribed genetic associations and shared genetics. The study provides valuable information for understanding the biological background of diseases and traits.
Researchers at Tartu University have developed a robotics concept that redefines adaptability by weaving its body on demand, like spiders spin their webs. The robot creates custom components in situ using heated polymer solutions, enabling it to operate in complex environments and interact with its surroundings dynamically.
A study published in Human Reproduction Open found that infertile men have a significantly increased load of hereditary cancer-linked germline variants, which may explain their higher risk of cancer. The researchers identified nearly five-fold more cancer-linked findings in infertile men compared to fertile men.
Researchers used language-based models to reconstruct tau leptons from jet patterns, achieving more accurate energy and decay property determinations. This approach promises significant improvements in future analyses involving the tau lepton.
The PIPEON project aims to develop autonomous robots for efficient sewer maintenance by mapping and monitoring sewer networks using AI-based tools. Early preventative repair and maintenance actions can limit sewage spills and protect river ecosystems.
A pan-European study reveals a significant imbalance in the proportions of long-styled and short-styled flowers among insect-pollinated plants. The shift towards more short-styled flowers is associated with increased summer precipitation and intensive land use, which may contribute to species extinction.
A recent study using ancient human remains found that Ukraine's genetic composition was highly diverse until around 500 years ago, influenced by migrations from various regions including Europe, Anatolia, and the Eurasian Steppe. The research reveals a complex history of population mixing in the region.
The Defence Resources Agency and TalTech are developing technologies for national defence, with a focus on engineering and IT students. The cooperation aims to strengthen national defence through the use of digital and technologically complex systems.
Researchers at Tallinn University of Technology have developed bio-inspired feet that enhance robot mobility on challenging terrains like mud and wet snow. The modified robo-moose feet reduce sinkage and suction force by half, while also reducing energy consumption by up to 70%.
Researchers will analyze digital newspaper archives and databases to identify shifts in perceptions about the environment, science, and technology. The goal is to understand how conventional thinking blocks sustainable solutions and pinpoint countries with potential for a 'deep sustainability turn'.
A new study reveals that industrial hot spots in North America, Europe, and Asia can induce ice formation in clouds, leading to reduced cloud cover and localized snowfall. This occurs when aerosol particles from factories like powerplants and refineries freeze supercooled liquid clouds.
A new ERC grant will support research into the dietary practices of ancient people, revealing their identities and social connections. The study will analyze biomolecular samples from at least 150 ancient burials, combining methods to identify relations and uncover nuanced dietary data.
A study by University of Tartu researchers and international scientists reveals cell-specific gene expression patterns underlying atherosclerosis transformation. The research provides a deeper understanding of vascular cell behavior and potentially effective treatment targets.
Researchers develop a soft robot that mimics a spider's leg using a liquid-based exoskeleton and artificial muscle. The robotic leg can interact with delicate structures without damaging them, demonstrating its potential applications in fields like surgery and disaster response.
A new study has identified genetic variants under selection associated with blood-related phenotypes in Papua New Guinean highlanders and lowlanders. The findings show that highlanders have adaptations for lower oxygen availability, while lowlanders have adaptations to combat specific pathogens like malaria.
Researchers found that approximately 2-4% of male newborns are born with cryptorchidism, a congenital malformation that can lead to infertility and testicular cancer. Undiagnosed cases were detected in ten infertile men, highlighting the importance of broader health counselling for men with fertility issues.
Research found associations between high genetic risk of ADHD and comorbid health conditions, such as obesity, type II diabetes, and heart diseases. The study suggests timely detection and treatment of ADHD symptoms can mitigate these consequences.
A large-scale study identified 39 genes regulating spermatogenesis and disease-causing variants in ~12% of men with unexplained infertility; the findings have improved molecular diagnostics and treatment for infertile couples worldwide.
Researchers propose geometry-adaptive electrocatalysis to overcome oxygen electrocatalysis limitations and accelerate the transition to a hydrogen economy. This approach utilises catalysts that dynamically adjust their geometry during a reaction.
A recent study published in Nature Communications suggests that the Persian Plateau was the ancestral home of all present-day non-African human populations, who lived there for approximately 20,000 years before expanding across Eurasia and beyond. The researchers used a novel genetic approach to identify the plateau as the likely 'Hub'...
A new study analyzing over 600 film festivals worldwide found that festival programming has become more thematically diverse and the inclusion of films by women creatives has increased between 2012-2021. The research also identified five thematic festival clusters, including general, documentary, genre, queer, and children's festivals.
Nõo Meat Factory partners with University of Tartu to test AI and robotics solutions for enhanced production optimization and quality control. The cooperation aims to identify possibilities for using artificial intelligence in the food industry, making it more competitive globally.
Researchers found that galaxy groups can be divided into two classes with distinct properties, differing from clusters. High-luminosity groups and clusters have mostly non-star-forming red galaxies, while low-luminosity poor groups may have blue or red star-forming galaxies.
Researchers developed a live imaging protocol to observe 3D tissue dynamics and discovered the Interplanar Amida Network (IPAN), which supports cellular connections during early inflation stages and enables mitotic spindle reorganization.
The ERC project will integrate data on plant traits from above- and below-ground levels to predict the effects of global change scenarios on plant communities. This comprehensive approach aims to shed new light on how plant communities structure and respond to environmental pressures.
A new study identifies countries with high potential for transformative change, combining data on attitudes, institutional quality, environmental regulations, and more. Sweden tops the list, while Kuwait ranks last, highlighting the need for policymakers to reconsider how societies think about science and technology.
A European Research Council grant facilitates the creation of genetically engineered bacterial strains capable of producing a range of useful compounds, including fuels and chemicals. The project aims to compile a comprehensive knowledgebase accelerating biotechnology research and industrial applications.
The European Union aims to position itself as a world-class hub for AI, prioritizing trustworthiness and human-centric innovation. Key experts discuss the importance of security, accuracy, and ethical deployment in AI development.
Researchers found a way to precisely calculate forces affecting galaxies in tidal cycles, a crucial step towards measuring dark matter velocity. Lopsided galaxies, common in outer space, can provide isolated environments to study dark matter relative motion.
A research team has discovered a set of candidate genes causing albinism in Wels catfish by analyzing gene expression patterns and splicing variation in multiple tissues. These genes are also linked to albinism and pigmentation disorders in humans, channel catfish, and mice.
A new ERC grant aims to develop models using remote sensing data and machine learning to identify critical nutrient runoff sites and plan nature-based solutions. The project will create a global data cube solution, enabling policymakers and farmers to make informed decisions.
Researchers argue that current AI algorithms lack key features of conscious awareness, including embodied sensory information and thalamocortical system architecture. This suggests that AI systems are unlikely to become conscious anytime soon.
Researchers have developed a novel method to estimate de facto population groups in disaster areas using mobile phone data. This allows for better evacuation planning, resource allocation, and emergency communication.