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University of Copenhagen


Sea level rise of 1 meter within 100 years

Researchers used historical data and ice core analysis to calculate the relationship between global temperature and sea level over 2000 years. The new model predictions indicate a sea level rise of 0.9-1.3 meters, exceeding IPCC estimates due to faster-than-expected ice sheet melting.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalClimate Dynamics·DateJan 8, 2009

F-MARC funds more 'soccer and health' research

The F-MARC project aims to investigate the long-term cardio-vascular and musculo-skeletal health effects of regular football and jogging participation. The research focuses on premenopausal untrained women and middle-aged men with hypertension, aiming to provide scientific recommendations for millions of soccer players worldwide.

Researchers hack final part of the immune system code

A team of researchers from the University of Copenhagen has deciphered the final part of the immune system's key codes using artificial neural networks. This breakthrough should enable the prediction of all known and unknown immune system codes, leading to new targeted treatments for cancer and infectious diseases.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJul 10, 2008

1 step closer to green chemistry and improved pharmaceuticals

A team of researchers at the University of Copenhagen has developed a new mathematical model to describe the three-dimensional shape of proteins. This breakthrough tool will aid in the development of more efficient pharmaceuticals for diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and AIDS by enhancing understanding of protein structures.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 25, 2008

The fight for the best quantum bit (qubit)

Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery by studying the interaction between two electrons in a carbon nanotube, paving the way for a quantum mechanical bit. The breakthrough could lead to the creation of a revolutionary quantum computer capable of solving complex calculations much faster than current computers.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalNature Physics·DateJun 25, 2008

Rewriting Greenland's immigration history

New DNA analysis reveals that the original immigrants to Greenland came from a Siberian population, contradicting previous assumptions about their origins. The study found mitochondrial DNA similarities between ancient Greenlandic hair and eastern Siberia, suggesting a migration route via Alaska and Canada.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalScience·DateMay 29, 2008

Memory in artificial atoms

Scientists at University of Copenhagen develop carbon nanotube transistors that can function as magnetic memories. The discovery demonstrates direct electrical control over a single electron spin, opening doors to new data storage possibilities.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalNature Physics·DateApr 7, 2008

Blue-eyed humans have a single, common ancestor

A team at the University of Copenhagen discovered that people with blue eyes have a single common ancestor due to a genetic mutation in the OCA2 gene. This mutation resulted in reduced melanin production in the iris, effectively 'diluting' brown eyes to blue. Brown-eyed individuals exhibit more individual variation in their DNA.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalHuman Genetics·DateJan 30, 2008

Solar cells of the future

Researchers at University of Copenhagen have discovered a new material that can convert up to 30% of solar energy into electricity, twice the current conversion rate. The use of nanotechnology reduces production costs and minimizes energy loss in solar cell transportation.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateDec 18, 2007

The secret is in the hair

A new DNA method developed at the University of Copenhagen uses hair samples to answer questions about human history, such as why mammoths died out. The technique also holds promise for forensic analysis in crime solving, providing faster results than traditional methods.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalScience·DateSep 27, 2007

The world's oldest bacteria

A research team has found ancient bacteria with active and living DNA, marking the oldest finding of organisms containing life on Earth. The discovery sheds light on cell aging and regeneration processes.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 27, 2007

Money illusion and the market

Money illusion refers to the phenomenon where people base their decisions on nominal values rather than real value, leading to irrational behavior in markets. Experimental evidence shows that firms are reluctant to cut prices during deflation due to money illusion, but more willing to increase prices during inflation.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalScience·DateAug 23, 2007

Soccer burns more fat than jogging

A study by the University of Copenhagen found that soccer players experienced greater improvements in fitness ratings and muscle mass compared to joggers. The researchers attribute this to the shifts between walking, running, and sprinting in soccer, which engages multiple muscle fibers.

Fossil DNA illuminates life

Researchers found genetic material from plants and insects in ancient ice cores, contradicting previous theories about southern Greenland's climate. The discovery provides evidence of forest cover and mild winters, dating back around 450,000 years.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalScience·DateJul 5, 2007

Latent memory of cells comes to life

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have discovered that environmental changes can trigger dormant capacities in cells, allowing them to suddenly change their behavior. This phenomenon is made possible by the dynamic nature of nucleosomes and their ability to carry chemical modifications that control DNA expression.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalCell·DateMay 17, 2007

Danish researches solve virus puzzle

Danish researchers have shed light on how viruses, like HIV and bird flu, trick human cells into producing proteins needed for replication. They developed optical tweezers to investigate the mechanical unfolding of pseudoknots, a crucial step in virus replication.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 30, 2007

Global temperature -- politics or science?

Researchers argue that calculating a global temperature is mathematically impossible due to the complexity of the Earth's climate system. The concept relies on averaging multiple temperatures from different locations, which can lead to misleading conclusions about climate trends.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalJournal of Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics·DateMar 15, 2007

On the (sound) track of anesthetics

Denmark's researchers claim anesthetics are based on sound pulses rather than electrical impulses. The membrane of the nerve is similar to olive oil and can change state with temperature, allowing concentrated sound pulses to propagate without heat.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateMar 6, 2007

How stem cells are regulated

Researchers identified Jumonji proteins essential for cellular differentiation, inactivating genes critical to embryogenesis. The study uses C. elegans and mouse embryonic stem cells, with potential applications in cancer treatment using inhibitors.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalCell·DateFeb 22, 2007

Thinking with the spinal cord?

Researchers have discovered that spinal cord neurons show irregular firing patterns during network activity, similar to the cerebral cortex. This finding enables exploration of how spinal cords generate movements, shedding light on the complex system controlling human motion.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalScience·DateJan 23, 2007

New type of massive stellar death

Scientists have identified a new type of massive stellar death, where stars may collapse into black holes without exploding in supernova explosions. This discovery was made using data from two long-duration Gamma-ray bursts detected by NASA's Swift satellite.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalNature·DateDec 20, 2006