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University of Copenhagen


Nano-tech makes medicine greener

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have developed a nano-tech method to test new medicines in extremely small volumes, allowing for faster and cheaper drug development. The technique uses self-assembling systems made from biological materials, significantly reducing environmental impact.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateNov 3, 2011

Dirt prevents allergy

Researchers at University of Copenhagen found that children born vaginally with diverse gut bacteria have lower risk of allergies. The study suggests that early exposure to a variety of bacteria is crucial for a healthy immune system, contradicting the long-held notion that bacteria are a threat to public health.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateNov 2, 2011

Tracing the first North American hunters

Researchers have pushed back the timeline of North America's first known hunters to at least 14,000 years ago, revealing a longer period of large mammal hunting and potentially contributing to their extinction. The discovery was made through DNA analysis of a spearhead found in a mastodon remains.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalScience·DateOct 20, 2011

New world record for Danish nano researchers

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have achieved a world record in nano research by tracking the largest contraction in an inorganic molecule ever recorded. The study used time-dissolved X-ray scattering to measure the contraction of Iridium atoms, resulting in a 62% increase over the previous record.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalInorganic Chemistry·DateSep 12, 2011

New record for measurement of atomic lifetime

Researchers have measured the lifetime of an extremely stable energy level of magnesium atoms with great precision, achieving a record-breaking 2050 seconds. This is the longest lifetime ever measured in a laboratory and has significant implications for the development of ultra-precise atomic clocks.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 7, 2011

New piece to the puzzle of brain function

Scientists have discovered a new binding site on the most common subtype of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which could lead to the development of better medicines for psychiatric disorders. The findings challenge existing scientific ideas and provide a general mechanism that applies across the receptor family.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalInternational Journal of Neuroscience·DateAug 19, 2011

Quantum optical link sets new time records

Researchers at the Niels Bohr Institute have successfully maintained entanglement between two gas clouds of caesium atoms for up to an hour using controlled laser light. This breakthrough enables quantum communication and has potential applications in ultra-precise measurements, including studying human brain activity.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 17, 2011

Large variations in Arctic sea ice

Researchers uncover large variations in Arctic sea ice extent over the past 10,000 years, revealing that current amounts are likely less than half of those seen during the Holocene Climate Optimum. The team's findings suggest changes in wind patterns contribute to climate-driven ice loss.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalScience·DateAug 4, 2011

Cancer gene therapy from camels

Scientists have successfully used camel blood-derived nanobodies to target and kill cancer cells expressing specific markers. The approach involves attaching the nanobodies to nanoparticles that deliver a killer gene, preventing non-specific cell killing and improving safety.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalJournal of Controlled Release·DateJul 14, 2011

Malaria parasites use camouflage to trick immune defences of pregnant women

Researchers have discovered that malaria parasites employ camouflage to avoid detection by the immune system in pregnant women. This allows the parasite to infect the placenta, putting both the mother and unborn child at risk. The study provides insight into the complex ways in which malaria evades the human immune response.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 11, 2011

Vitamin D increases speed of sperm cells

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen found a positive correlation between serum vitamin D levels and sperm motility in healthy men. Laboratory stimulation with activated vitamin D also increased forward movement of human spermatooza, sparking new hypotheses about the role of vitamin D in male reproduction.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalHuman Reproduction·DateMay 25, 2011

Novel ash analysis validates volcano no-fly zones

A team of researchers from the University of Copenhagen and Iceland developed a protocol for rapidly providing air traffic authorities with data on volcanic ash risks. The new method can provide safety assessment information in under 24 hours, reducing the difficulty faced by aviation authorities during eruptions.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 26, 2011

What's your intestinal bacteria type?

Scientists from the University of Copenhagen have discovered three distinct clusters of intestinal bacteria, known as enterotypes, which affect digestion, energy metabolism, and drug absorption. These enterotypes are independent of nationality, gender, and age, providing a new biological fingerprint for personalized medicine.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalNature·DateApr 20, 2011

Sleep-disordered breathing comes at a heavy cost

People with sleep apnoea or obesity-related respiratory difficulties incur twice as high medicine and hospital costs as healthy control subjects, with unemployment rates 30% higher. Violent snoring costs €705 per person, while sleep apnoea costs €3860 and obesity-related respiratory difficulties cost €11,320.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalThorax·DateJan 12, 2011

The high price of sleep disorders

The study found that individuals with untreated hypersomnia incur significant economic costs, including increased medication use, hospital admissions, and unemployment. The researchers estimate that each person with violent snoring or narcolepsy costs society approximately €10,223 per year.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalActa Neurologica Scandinavica·DateDec 17, 2010

Vaccine boosts your immune system

Researchers have discovered a protein that can prevent chronic tissue inflammation and boost the immune system. The therapeutic vaccine has been shown to effectively treat conditions like multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 14, 2010

Anesthetic gases heats climate as much as 1 million cars

A recent study by chemists from University of Copenhagen and NASA found that anesthetic gases have a significant impact on the climate. One kilo of anaesthetic gas affects the climate as much as 1620 kilos of CO2, with three commonly used gasses having global warming potentials ranging from 210 to 1620 times that of CO2.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalBritish Journal of Anaesthesia·DateDec 3, 2010

Danish researchers finally solve the obesity riddle

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that a diet high in protein and low-Glycemic Index (GI) foods can help prevent weight regain. The study, which involved 772 European families, showed that those who followed a high-protein, low-GI diet had less weight regain than those on other diets.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 24, 2010