Researchers at TalTech's School of Science have revived the abandoned Barbier method for creating organometallic compounds, improving efficiency and environmental friendliness. The new technique uses mechanochemistry, a process that avoids organic solvents and produces stable compounds with minimal waste.
The GreenTwins project developed a layer of dynamic digital urban vegetation for Urban Digital Twins, enabling real-time visualizations and ecosystem services. The project also created digital tools like Virtual Green Planner and Urban Tempo for citizen participation in urban planning.
A European research grant will help understand the behavioral and genetic links to obesity by mapping factors that predict weight loss success. Machine learning and health data from Estonian Biobank will be used to aggregate over 200 proposed predictors, identifying potentially more effective causal factors of weight change.
Researchers have long recognized the potential of phages in fighting bacterial diseases, but their high specificity and unpredictability have limited their use. Tamman's project aims to decipher the mechanisms behind phages' ability to paralyze bacterial defense systems, potentially leading to new antibiotic treatments.
The new tool considers psychological and physiological characteristics of citizens, as well as spatial parameters, to provide site-specific recommendations for urban planners. The results show that balance is key to quality in urban space, with no single element more important than others.
The special issue examines how social vulnerability is defined and whether it can be prevented or mitigated in crises. Economic hardship is often not the main determinant of coping with crises, but rather limited availability of personal or formal support networks.
Researchers will study N2O emissions in three tropical wetland areas, including Borneo and the Amazon lowlands. They aim to understand the role of tree trunks and crowns in capturing gases and producing greenhouse gases.
An international study has introduced a genetics-based breast cancer precision prevention service using polygenic risk scores and telemedicine solutions. Preliminary results show that this approach can identify women at high risk of breast cancer and provide personalized screening recommendations.
In Estonia, approximately one in three ticks carry bacteria that cause borreliosis. Researchers are exploring the potential of local medicinal plants to combat Lyme disease. Studies have shown that extracts from certain plant species, such as Galium verum and Galium aparine, possess significant antioxidant properties.
DigiAudit platform provides real-time energy labeling and indoor climate classes, enabling comparison of building energy efficiency. The platform analyzed data from 35,000 Estonian buildings and found that 73% of new or renovated buildings could achieve carbon neutrality with current progress.
A team of researchers has developed a method to map hidden meltwater paths in glaciers, helping predict glacier motion, melting rates, and possible collapses. This improves climate change forecasts and informs coastal ecosystems' adaptation strategies.
The University of Tartu's Neurotõlge machine translation engine has expanded to support 23 Finno-Ugric languages, with a focus on low-resource languages. Researchers invite speakers from these languages to contribute corrected translations to improve translation quality.
Peeter Laud's research aims to create a distributed identity system by removing single points of failure and improving privacy properties. He will explore how digital evidences can be issued privately using cryptographic technologies like zero-knowledge proofs.
A new study found that around a third of genetic variants associated with autoimmune and allergic disorders were under natural selection, indicating their importance for human adaptation. The research suggests that these genes may have been selected to combat pathogens but now contribute to disease pathology.
Researchers found that food preferences can be combined into unique 'food signatures' linked to individual characteristics such as age, sex, and culture. These signatures were not typical of a specific village or country but rather reflected broader genetic and cultural differences.
Researchers discovered that Inonotus obliquus conks parasitizing on Alnus incana contain bioactive compounds similar to those found on Betula species, including betulinic acid with potent anti-cancer effects. The study also highlights the potential economic value of cultivating this fungus on alder trees.
A recent study by Estonian researchers found that a third COVID-19 vaccine dose significantly increases antibody levels and T cell responses, providing longer protection against the Omicron variant. After six months, antibody levels were still on average six times higher than after the second dose.
A recent study analyzed Neandertal DNA associations with various brain disorders and traits, including sleep patterns, smoking habits, and alcohol use. The research found that certain archaic genetic variants may have conferred benefits in the past, but their impact on human behavior is complex and influenced by modern environments.
Researchers analyzed organic remnants from four small asteroid impact craters in Estonia and Poland to identify a unique charcoal signature. This signature can help scientists predict the size and type of evacuation zone necessary before an asteroid impact, potentially leading to the discovery of new impact craters.
A study identified 22 new genetic variants linked to pelvic organ prolapse, a condition affecting 40% of women after menopause. The findings suggest a complex interaction between biological and environmental factors, and may help predict individual risk using polygenic risk scores.
Researchers found that Northern pike in the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea have genetically distinct populations, suggesting they remember their birthplace and return to reproduce. This study highlights the importance of protecting spawning grounds for sustainable fishing practices.
Researchers have developed a new drug called OximUNO, which has shown to treat breast cancer in mice by targeting tumor-associated macrophages. The treatment reduces primary tumour lesions and lung metastasis, and prolongs the survival of mice with triple-negative breast cancer.
A recent study by Estonian researchers reveals that the country has largely been successful in achieving sufficient progress towards a carbon-neutral building stock by 2050. However, single-family houses and older buildings still need greater attention to meet the target.
A global study found that certain microbial groups, including nitrifying archaea and bacteria, denitrifiers, and ammonifiers, are responsible for nitrous oxide emissions in peatlands. These microbes thrive in both dry and wet environments, suggesting a link to climate change.
A researcher has won an ERC grant to study the effect of land-use change on the interactions between plants and soil organisms. This project aims to improve habitat restoration by understanding how evolutionary changes in plant populations affect soil processes and their resilience to drought.
The conference brings together scientists and artists to discuss eco-aesthetics and crypto-ecology, with a focus on shifting thinking and behavioral patterns towards a biotopian life. Key findings include the importance of understanding beauty in nature and its connection to art and harmony.
Researchers discovered that long-term antibiotic usage has a significant impact on the microbiome, partly explaining common bacterial signatures between diseases. The Estonian Microbiome Project analyzed data from over 2,500 participants, revealing changes in microbiome diversity after just 3-4 courses of antibiotics.
A recent study in Current Biology reveals that ancient migrations significantly influenced the physiology and appearance of contemporary Europeans. The research found that specific ancestries contributed to traits such as height, skin pigmentation, and body mass index, while others were linked to cholesterol levels and sleep patterns.
Researchers have reconstructed the oldest known ancient DNA genome of Haemophilus influenzae serotype b from a 6th-century Anglo-Saxon child, revealing its evolutionary history and virulence profile. The study also highlights the impact of plague infections on sub-adult populations during historical pandemics.
Researchers analyzed media coverage, laws, and patents to understand the relationship between technology, innovation, and environmental policies. While there has been a shift in public discourse on environmental issues since the 1960s, the impact of technological solutions on the climate crisis is still limited.
Researchers at TalTech demonstrate that malicious logic can be inserted into chips while they are being fabricated, compromising sensitive data and secure communication. The team's framework for inserting Trojan Horses causes minimal disturbance to existing circuitry, highlighting the feasibility of this threat.
Day centres in care organisations were severely impacted during the coronavirus crisis, often having to suspend services due to the pandemic. The study highlights the need for crisis support funds, staff training, and involvement in planning crisis strategies to better meet the needs of vulnerable clients.
Researchers at TalTech in Estonia have developed monograin layer solar cell technology that can be used to generate electricity on the Moon. The technology uses pyrite, a mineral found in lunar regolith, and has the potential to provide sustainable power for future lunar outposts.
Researchers have identified two new rare genetic variants associated with polycystic ovary syndrome, which likely affect the CHEK2 gene. These variants may contribute to the condition's impact on fertility and metabolic disorders, offering a potential target for further investigation.
Researchers found a gene, NEGR1, that prevents excessive weight gain and diabetes in male mice on high-fat diets. The study reveals the importance of sex hormones in developing type 2 diabetes. Eating healthy low-fat food can prevent diabetes even with less favourable genes.
Researchers used a new AI method to refine the Out of Africa scenario, suggesting a population turnover event in East-West Africa that homogenized West and East Africans. This event may account for up to 90% of contemporary West African gene pool, explaining lower separation times between Africans and non-Africans.
A new study from the University of Tartu aims to improve the detection of colorectal cancer by analyzing microbiome composition in sample tubes used for screening. The research found that these tubes can be used as a resource for biomarker discovery, potentially leading to earlier detection of cancer or precancerous states.
A global study of thousands of plant species reveals that fine-root traits are fundamentally decoupled from aboveground traits, suggesting that plants employ different strategies to acquire nutrients and water. This discovery challenges the 'plant economics spectrum hypothesis' and highlights the need for further research into the rela...
A recent study found that colexification, where multiple meanings share one word, reduces language complexity. The study also suggests that communicative needs drive lexical choices in languages, with some languages preferring separate words for similar concepts depending on climate.
The loss of threatened vertebrates may lead to varying consequences across different regions, with some losing up to 30% functional diversity. Unique species traits can make their loss more impactful, necessitating tailored conservation strategies for each biome.
Researchers found that Papua New Guinean highlanders have physical traits counteracting hypoxia, such as smaller height and waist, larger lung volume and chest depth, and higher haemoglobin concentration compared to lowlanders. These adaptations may be a result of living at altitude for 20,000 years.
Researchers found that acidic pH enhances the production of butyric acid from apple pectin by faecal bacterial consortia, supporting gut health. A fibre-rich diet with whole-grain products, vegetables, fruits, and berries is essential for good gut health.
A new study identified genetic risk factors for pernicious anemia, a type of anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency due to autoimmune reactions. The study analyzed data from over 660,000 individuals and found associations between pernicious anemia and other autoimmune diseases.
The University of Tartu and Tilde are developing a cutting-edge machine translation platform to advance Estonian translation capabilities. The project aims to create practical tools for public institutions, translation agencies, and developers, leveraging new approaches like modular transformer-type neural networks.
Researchers advocate for updated ventilation standards, including pathogen control and flexible systems, to combat airborne virus transmission. The new guidelines aim to improve indoor air quality, reducing healthcare costs and increasing labor productivity.
The 'Looking for Cowslips' campaign has started successfully, collecting data on the spring flower Primula veris and its populations across Europe. Over 120,000 cowslip observations have been recorded so far.
Ancient DNA analysis reveals that Bronze Age migrations changed burial practices and kinship structures in Italy. The study found that Steppe-related ancestry arrived in Central Italy around 3,600 years ago, while Northern Italy received it around 4,000 years ago.
Researchers identified a new genetic mutation causing progressive muscle damage, shedding light on the function of over 4,000 genes associated with hereditary diseases. The study's findings provide crucial insights into the development of muscle cells and their ability to recover.
A study has found that the recolonization of Europe after the last ice age began at least 17,000 years ago, earlier than previously thought. The analysis of an ancient DNA fragment from northeastern Italy sheds new light on the genetic background of present-day Europeans.
Researchers found that chronic dietary exposure to RNAi pesticides enhances their efficacy in controlling pests, allowing for lower concentrations to be used for effective control. This breakthrough has implications for optimizing dsRNA spray approaches and developing genetically engineered crops with built-in pest control.