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Stockholm University


Small mussels in the Baltic are getting even smaller

Researchers at Stockholm University found that Baltic Sea blue mussels are getting smaller due to changes in phytoplankton availability, which is linked to climate change. The study also discovered an increase in tiny mussels, which may compensate for the reduction in size but could lead to reduced water filtration rates.

SourceStockholm University·JournalLimnology and Oceanography·DateOct 27, 2020

Present-day dogs defy the domestication syndrome

A study published in Evolution Letters found that dog breeds do not exhibit the expected correlation between their physical traits and behavior, contradicting earlier hypotheses. This challenges our understanding of the domestication process and highlights the need to distinguish between domestication traits and improvement traits.

SourceStockholm University·JournalEvolution Letters·DateApr 21, 2020

Scientists 'film' a quantum measurement

Researchers created a 'film' of a single atom's measurement process, showing that the state changes gradually over time. This study provides new insights into the inner workings of nature and sheds light on the predictions of modern quantum physics.

SourceStockholm University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 26, 2020

Frozen bird turns out to be 46,000-year-old horned lark

A 46,000-year-old horned lark found in Siberian permafrost has provided valuable insights into the evolution of sub species and the transformation of ecosystems during the last Ice Age. The analysis suggests that the bird belonged to a population that was a joint ancestor of two sub species of horned larks living today.

SourceStockholm University·JournalCommunications Biology·DateFeb 21, 2020

Climate change is not the only threat for our plants

A recent study published in PNAS found that fires have a significant impact on plant survival and distribution, often exceeding the effects of climate change. The research highlights the importance of considering other environmental factors, such as human land use practices, in understanding biodiversity.

SourceStockholm University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 15, 2020

Short-lived light sources discovered in the sky

A team of international researchers has discovered approximately 100 red transients in publicly available sky data from the 1950s to the present, which could be attributed to natural astrophysical phenomena or rare events. The findings have potential implications for our understanding of stellar evolution and active galactic nuclei.

SourceStockholm University·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·DateDec 12, 2019

Increased risk of tularemia as the climate changes

Researchers at Stockholm University developed a method to predict impacts of climate change on tularemia outbreaks. The study shows that relatively small changes in climate and water conditions can sharply increase incidence of tularemia in humans.

SourceStockholm University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateOct 15, 2019

Physicists have found a way to 'hear' dark matter

Researchers propose a novel method to search for dark matter by harnessing the power of plasmas and magnetic fields. This approach, known as axion plasma haloscopes, enables the detection of dark matter in previously unexplored areas. By tuning into specific frequencies, scientists may uncover evidence of this elusive substance.

SourceStockholm University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 9, 2019

Switching on the Atlantic heat pump

Researchers found that a dramatic increase in North Atlantic salinity caused the Arctic-Atlantic gateway to close, preventing ocean-sinking and kickstarting the modern circulation. The study suggests that changes in the Atlantic conveyor belt could dramatically alter Europe's climate in a future warm world.

SourceStockholm University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 22, 2019

Twelve centuries of European summer droughts

A study of 12 centuries of European summer droughts reveals that recent changes in drought patterns are not unprecedented. The research team found that climate models exaggerate temperature-driven drought risk in northern Europe, while underestimating excessive precipitation and flood risks.

SourceStockholm University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateAug 5, 2019

The gene helping submerged plants

Researchers at Stockholm University found a special gene PLD that helps plants stay healthy and resistant to oxygen deficiency when underwater. The study suggests that increasing the amount of this gene may help protect crops from flooding, improving harvest yields.

SourceStockholm University·JournalPhysiologia Plantarum·DateDec 17, 2018

Great apes and ravens plan without thinking

Researchers have found that great apes and ravens develop planning capacities through associative learning, rather than human-like mental simulations. The new model shows how animals can learn to make decisions that lack immediate benefits but lead to meaningful outcomes in the future.

SourceStockholm University·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateNov 28, 2018

Selfish people have fewer children and earn less money

A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that unselfish individuals have more children and higher salaries than their selfish counterparts. The researchers examined data from four major studies on Americans and Europeans, concluding that generosity is associated with greater economic success.

SourceStockholm University·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateOct 17, 2018

The ultrafast dance of liquid water

Researchers at Stockholm University have discovered correlated motion in water dynamics on a sub-100 femtosecond timescale, indicating a complex network of hydrogen bonds that play a role even on ultrafast timescales. The study reveals the coordinated dance of water molecules due to the formation of tetrahedral structures.

SourceStockholm University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 17, 2018

Protein can slow intestinal tumor growth

Researchers at Stockholm University discovered a new mechanism regulating stem cells in the fruit fly's intestine and found that a specific protein can slow tumour growth. The study sheds light on how intestinal diseases occur and may contribute to the development of new medicine to prevent and cure them.

SourceStockholm University·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateApr 19, 2018