A long-term study on a rooftop in Copenhagen reveals that climate change is altering the local insect community, with specialized species being more sensitive to temperature increases. The research found that some species are moving northwards in Europe, while others are being squeezed out of their range.
A new study reveals that vulnerable countries are largely disconnected from scientific knowledge on climate change, hindering their policymaking. The study calls for initiatives across private and governmental organizations, researchers, and individuals to bridge the knowledge gap and promote cross-national collaborations.
A large dataset of bird sightings across Europe shows that some species benefit from warmer winters and more productive spring times, while others decline due to changing conditions. The study suggests that climate change will favor some species over others, with the most vulnerable being those adapted to colder regions.
Researchers discovered genetic adaptations in Greenlanders that allow them to thrive in extreme environments, including changes related to fat synthesis and a mutation affecting height. The study highlights the importance of studying small and historically isolated populations like the Inuit.
A new study reveals that soil bacteria and animal species below ground regulate ecosystem functions, including carbon storage and nutrient availability, with below-ground biodiversity explaining 32% of variation.
The Sumatran rhinoceros is considered extinct in the wild in Malaysia due to lack of sightings since 2007. The remaining individuals are estimated to be fewer than 100 in Indonesia, with nine in captivity; conservation experts urge increased efforts to save the species.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have developed a method for self-assembling molecular electronics using soap, creating ordered molecular structures that can be used to make solar cells and transistors. The breakthrough is a significant step forward in the development of environmentally sustainable and flexible electronics.
Researchers adapted rock imaging methods to study fungi on paper, revealing that fungi grow similarly to mushrooms and can be embedded within paper fibers. This new insight enables conservators to develop effective conservation strategies for paper artefacts.
A genome-scale study reveals that all present-day Native Americans descended from a single migration wave into the Americas, arriving no earlier than 23,000 years ago. The ancestral population diversified into two basal branches around 13,000 years ago.
A new study based on Kennewick Man's genome sequence shows that he is more closely related to modern Native Americans than to any other population worldwide. This contradicts earlier cranial morphology analyses that suggested a European or Asian ancestry, sparking controversy and legal battles over the skeleton's repatriation.
The study confirms massive migrations led to huge changes in the European gene-pool, conferring admixture on modern populations. Genetic analysis reveals a new perception of family, property, and personhood emerged during this period, influencing language families and later developments in the Bronze Age.
Chemistry student Anders Bo Skov has made a breakthrough in developing molecules capable of harnessing and storing substantial amounts of solar energy. His achievement doubles the energy density in a molecule that can hold its shape for a hundred years, offering potential for sustainable solar power.
A new blood test has been developed to predict future breast cancer by analyzing metabolic profiles of over 57,000 people. The test shows a sensitivity of 80% in predicting the likelihood of developing breast cancer within two to five years.
Ecosystems subjected to disturbances like fires or insect outbreaks are more sensitive to climate change, research finds. The study suggests that reducing disturbance intensity and frequency can help make ecosystems less vulnerable to climatic change.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have made a groundbreaking discovery by bonding positively charged phosphorus atoms with positively charged hydrogen ones. This finding may revolutionize our understanding of how biologically important molecules like DNA and proteins form properly.
A new compound based on rare earth ions has been developed to measure oxygen concentrations in living tissue with high precision. The compound works by emitting coloured light that varies in colour with the amount of oxygen present, making it possible to measure oxygen using optical microscopes already present in hospitals.
Researchers analyzed DNA from three enslaved Africans with highly degraded skeletal remains to uncover their origins. The study's findings demonstrate the potential for genomic data to identify ancient individuals' genetic ancestry, especially in cases where historical records are limited.
Lene Oddershede's work focuses on merging physics, biology, and medicine to develop new treatments for diseases. Her award-winning research includes the creation of Scandinavia's first optical tweezers, which enable the study of individual cells and molecules without damaging surrounding tissues.
Scientists studied lake cores in Greenland to understand the ice sheet's response to a warm period 8,000-5,000 years ago. They found that during this time, the ice sheet was losing mass at a rate of 100 Gigaton per year, delivering an equivalent 16 cm of global sea-level rise.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have discovered that Ras protein misregulation is linked to cell shape. By targeting changes in membrane curvature, they hope to develop new ways to diagnose and treat cancers.
Weed control in conventional farming methods has a negative impact on the environment. Research from the University of Copenhagen reveals that crops like corn, grains, and beans can suppress weed growth when sown in tighter grid patterns. This results in up to 72% reduction in weed biomass and a 45% increase in grain yields.
A recent study using whole genome sequencing of ancient and modern horses has identified 125 candidate genes involved in physical and behavioral traits. The research also highlights the 'cost of domestication', including increased levels of inbreeding and deleterious mutations in domesticated horses.
Researchers reconstructed how fungus-growing ants improved their clonal crops into a robust farming system. The ant farmers lost the ability to produce vital amino acids and enzymes themselves, relying on the fungus for delivery.
Vultures have developed a tough digestive system to destroy most bacteria ingested, but also appear tolerant of deadly species that flourish in their lower intestine. This adaptation may confer dietary benefits, highlighting the importance of the avian microbiome in evolution.
A 36,000-year-old fossil skeleton's DNA reveals the early divergence of Eurasians once they left Africa and their deep shared ancestry. The study also shows that Neanderthals and early modern humans interbred around 54,000 years ago.
A new database has been developed to support sustainable modes of electricity production as hydropower dams are expected to double global electricity capacity by 2030. This boom may reduce the number of free-flowing rivers by 20% and threaten freshwater biodiversity, highlighting the need for a systematic management approach.
The 'SWITCH' tool enables policymakers to assess the economic and environmental implications of different energy scenarios, revealing significant variations in air pollutant emissions and land use. Researchers call for a move beyond sole focus on carbon reduction targets to consider local energy and environmental contexts.
Termite fungus farmers developed a sophisticated system of cooperation between fungi and gut bacteria to break down complex plant components. The symbiotic community optimized for efficient plant decomposition involves division of labor, with fungi handling carbohydrates and gut microbes contributing enzymes for final digestion.
New research from the Copenhagen Centre for Social Evolution and Yale University found a strong link between birth weight and risk of developing mental health disorders such as autism and schizophrenia in adolescence. The study, which analyzed medical records of 1.75 million Danish births, found that smaller babies were at higher risk ...
A new method allows researchers to observe ultra-weak protein-protein interactions, which are crucial for protein cooperation and disease prevention. This discovery has significant implications for pharmaceutical development, disease research, and understanding of protein aggregation.
A new study highlights the need for better implementation of evolutionary approaches to address societal challenges. The research suggests that applying evolutionary biology can help reduce the escalating problem of antibiotic resistance and chronic disease costs.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have developed a new screening method that reduces precious sample consumption by a billion times, enabling faster and cheaper drug development. The method uses nanotechnology to study cell membrane proteins binding drugs like cannabis and adrenaline.
In a new study, researchers found that baboons groom each other early in the day to gain access to food and mating opportunities. The study suggests that social strategies of baboons can vary across short periods of time, optimizing certain elements for maximum fitness.