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University of Copenhagen


Sweet building blocks of life found around young star

Researchers have observed glycolaldehyde molecules, a simple form of sugar, in the gas surrounding a young star. This discovery suggests that the building blocks of life were already present during planet formation. The finding was made using the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) telescope and provides insights into the possibility...

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateAug 29, 2012

Key to burning fat faster discovered

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have discovered an enzymatic ignition key that can be turned on and off, allowing enzymes to work three times harder. This breakthrough has significant implications for understanding and potentially curing diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and acne.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 22, 2012

30 minutes of daily exercise does the trick

A study published in the American Journal of Physiology found that 30 minutes of daily exercise resulted in significant weight loss and calorie burn, surpassing 60 minutes. The research, led by Mads Rosenkilde, also revealed that participants exercising 30 minutes per day had higher motivation to engage in physical activity.

Researchers identify new brain receptor for fantasy

A team of researchers has identified the natural receptor in the brain where GHB binds, shedding light on its physiological function and potential risks. This discovery opens up new research opportunities, including the development of targeted pharmaceuticals with reduced side effects.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 2, 2012

Breaking the limits of classical physics

A new experiment shows that light exhibits both electric and magnetic fields simultaneously, violating classical physics, and demonstrating its quantum mechanical nature. The study's findings have implications for understanding the behavior of other systems and developing quantum computers.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 7, 2012

Anxiety disorders in children are not detected in due time

A study by University of Copenhagen researchers found that only 5.7% of Danish children with anxiety disorders were diagnosed between 2004 and 2007, compared to 27-45% in Western countries. The low diagnosis rate indicates a lack of reporting and inadequate treatment options for children suffering from the most common anxiety disorders.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalJournal of Anxiety Disorders·DateJun 1, 2012

New research shows runners can improve health and performance with less training

A study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that runners can improve their performance and health by reducing their training time to 20-30 minutes per session. The research involved 18 moderately trained runners who followed the 10-20-30 training concept, which consists of 5-minute running intervals with rest periods.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalJournal of Applied Physiology·DateMay 31, 2012

Scientists study serious immune malfunction

Scientists have mapped how the XIAP protein activates a vital component of the immune defense system, specifically fighting bacterial infections. The study provides important insights into X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome type 2 (XLP2), a rare genetic disorder affecting male children.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalMolecular Cell·DateMay 17, 2012

Baby galaxies grew up quickly

Researchers found that some baby galaxies from over 12 billion years ago had a high content of heavier elements, similar to our Sun. This suggests potential for planet formation and life in the early Universe. The study used quasars as light sources to analyze the spectral lines and measure the amount of elements.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMay 16, 2012

Leeches are DNA bloodhounds in the jungle

A new method developed by the University of Copenhagen allows researchers to track mammal species in Southeast Asian rainforests using DNA-analysis from collected leeches. The technique has been successfully tested on local Vietnamese mammals, including rare species, and could revolutionize the monitoring of threatened wildlife.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 23, 2012

The Blue Planet's new water budget

Scientists at University of Copenhagen have reconstructed the isotopic composition of 3.8 billion-year-old seawater, revealing that young planet's oceans had proportionately more 'normal water' than 'heavy water'. This discovery suggests Earth has lost less than ¼ of its water budget over the last roughly 4 billion years.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 5, 2012

Promising new compound for treating stroke

Researchers have designed a new chemical compound that binds 1,000 times more effectively to the target protein in the brain than current drugs, reducing cell death by 40% in animal models. The compound also improves motor function and passes through the blood-brain barrier.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 21, 2012

Research prevents eco-fraud

The AuthenticFood project aims to develop reliable analysis methods to determine a food product's geographical origin and organic status. By analyzing the chemical composition of fruits and vegetables, researchers can trace differences between conventional and organic growing methods.