Researchers at University of Helsinki and Aalto University developed a new model to explain tooth enamel formation, proposing that differences in enamel thickness are regulated by nutrient diffusion rates. This discovery helps uncover why human and orangutan teeth have distinct characteristics.
Researchers found that short-term opioid use intensifies feelings of pleasure while weakening negative emotions, shifting emotional responses towards the positive side. This effect is distinct from prolonged opioid use, which alters brain reward systems and diminishes sensitivity.
A study using social media data revealed that popular bird species sites have higher visitation rates, while sites with high tourism facilities receive more visitors. The research suggests that these areas face potentially great threats or opportunities due to high numbers of visitors, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts.
A recent study found that organic animal farms increase bird numbers in agricultural environments, contrary to other environmental subsidies. The proximity of organic farms was particularly beneficial for insectivore birds.
Researchers from the University of Helsinki developed a new method to measure chlorophyll fluorescence in trees, revealing information on plant performance and structure. The technique uses LED technology to light up the forest at night, allowing for easier interpretation of data.
Researchers at University of Helsinki found that MDGI protein plays a key role in regulating lysosomal membrane stability. Inhibiting this protein causes glioblastoma cell death, particularly with antihistamine clemastine, which can cross the blood-brain barrier.
Researchers have discovered a new moth family, Ustyurtiidae, in Eurasia, revealing the existence of previously unknown species. The newly described family is a sibling group of the false burnet moth family Urodidae, and its members are well adapted to hot desert conditions.
Researchers have successfully used circulating tumor DNA to monitor patient responses and find targeted treatments for ovarian cancer. The technique can detect genomic alterations in late-stage cancers, even when biopsies are difficult or impossible, and identify poor-responding patients after chemotherapy.
Researchers found that childhood oral infections, such as caries and periodontitis, are associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. A 27-year follow-up study showed that the more signs of oral infections present in childhood, the higher the risk for adulthood atherosclerosis.
Researchers developed a new method to analyze sediment in mountain rivers to determine landslide frequency and residence time, revealing that most sediment remains in the river system for only ten years. This study has significant implications for understanding and mitigating landslide risk in mountainous regions.
A recent study by the University of Helsinki found that over half of residents on housing estates want to move away due to economic constraints. Involuntary staying is linked with perceived poor health, stress, and cramped residential arrangements.
Scientists have identified a crucial role for GDNF in regulating the length of the ureter, a tube connecting the kidneys to the bladder. Excessive GDNF production can lead to reproductive organ malformations and infertility in males and females.
Researchers found grains of barley and wheat on the Aland Islands and in Sweden, dating back 4,300-5,300 years. The discovery suggests that small-scale farming was adopted by the Pitted Ware Culture from farmers of the Funnel Beaker Culture.
The study identifies regions under high-intensity threat from commercial harvesting of species, highlighting urgent need for sustainable use and protection. High-risk areas contain 82% of impacted species, with only 16% covered by protected areas on land.
A study suggests that individualized screening intervals can effectively reduce cardiovascular disease risk by detecting high-risk individuals more timely. The researchers found that the current 5-yearly screenings are unnecessarily frequent for low-risk individuals and insufficiently frequent for intermediate-risk individuals.
Scientists have identified a new ebolavirus species, Bombali virus, in an Angolan free-tailed bat captured in Kenya. The researchers found high amounts of the virus in bat tissues, confirming productive infection occurs in this species.
A recent study found a gene variant in the SGK3 gene causing hairlessness in Scottish Deerhounds. The defect results in puppies born with thin fur that loses all their hair in weeks. This discovery may also provide insights into human non-hormonal baldness, as the SGK3 gene is also associated with early hair loss and baldness.
Two new genes, ENAM and ACP4, have been identified as causative variants in canine enamel development defects. The study reveals that these genes are also associated with human enamel development disorders.
Breast cancer cells exploit the FGFR4 receptor to regulate growth and prevent programmed cell death. Targeting this vulnerability with combination therapies shows promise for improving treatment outcomes.
An international study found that wastewater treatment plants in seven European countries have varying levels of antibiotic resistance, with southern Europe showing higher rates. The study suggests that modern treatment plants are effective in removing resistant bacteria, but older or poorly managed plants may contribute to the problem.
A systematic review suggests that vitamin C administration can decrease ICU length of stay by an average of 7.8%, with higher doses reducing duration by up to 8.6%. Vitamin C's role in energy metabolism and cardiovascular system makes it a promising intervention for critically ill patients.
Researchers develop AI method to extract clinically important movement patterns from normal video recordings, enabling early CP detection and assessment of neurological development. The study shows promise for automated movement analyses in diverse applications, including out-of-hospital screening and therapeutic decision-making.
A new optical measurement method for radioactive methane has been developed by Juho Karhu, offering a cheaper and more agile alternative to accelerator mass spectrometry. The method uses spectroscopy to measure the absorption of materials at different wavelengths, enabling the detection of low levels of radioactive methane in various a...
A new study found that local Atlantic salmon produce vastly more offspring than those spawning on unfamiliar grounds. This 'home ground advantage' may help wild salmon populations and inform conservation efforts.
Researchers have developed a strategy to create new small-molecule drugs by reprogramming rapamycin. A library of 45,000 altered molecules was screened to identify a new compound, rapadocin, that inhibits cellular nucleoside uptake without toxicity. Rapadocin targets ENT1 protein and shows promise for treating kidney injury.
The study reveals that gene transcription is equally important to DNA damage response, with activated transcription facilitating DNA repair and limiting abnormal transcripts. Cells become hypersensitive to DNA damage-inducing agents when the RBM7-P-TEFb axis is interfered with.
Birds have on average advanced their spring migration by a little over a week since the late 1950s, with some species arriving two weeks earlier than in the 1980s.
Researchers found that evacuees who returned to their homes after initial evacuation had more children, while those who stayed in western Finland had fewer. Those who intermarried with the host population increased their social status, but were less likely to have children.
Researchers identified a gene defect underlying childhood-onset osteoporosis in two Finnish families and four additional families worldwide. The SGMS2 gene mutation causes changes in bone metabolism and mineralisation, leading to severe short stature and disturbed bone development.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki have uncovered a novel cellular stress response to toxic mitochondrial proteins, which causes complex neurological syndromes. A clinically approved drug has been found to block the production of toxic proteins and trigger a stress response in animal models.
A team of scientists used LOFAR data to study a massive solar storm on September 10, 2017, revealing that particles accelerate simultaneously in multiple locations. This discovery may help improve space weather forecasting and mitigate potential effects on communication, navigation, and power grids.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki found that allergen immunotherapy reduces symptom scores and alters nasal epithelial transcriptome in patients with allergic rhinitis. The study also showed improved diversity of the nasal microbiome in response to treatment.
A study by the University of Helsinki found that insufficient sleep is associated with changes in DNA methylation in gene regulatory elements related to the nervous system development pathway. This indicates a potential link between chronic sleep deprivation and long-term health risks.
Researchers found that combining metformin with venetoclax and a PD-1-targeted antibody can efficiently kill breast tumor cells and prevent tumor growth. The treatment strategy was tested in animal models and showed promising results.
The EU project BBMRI-LPC identified divergent access governance structures, complex legal and ethical frameworks, as obstacles for sample and data transfer in Europe. Practical solutions for streamlined access governance are urgently needed to optimize the scientific value of these research resources.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki have identified a genetic defect in dogs that causes a rare metabolic bone disease similar to human hypophosphatasia. The study provides the first spontaneous animal model of the disease and may lead to the development of new therapies.
Researchers discovered that the European flounder, once abundant in the Gulf of Finland, has almost completely disappeared due to worsening environmental conditions. The decline mirrors the loss of this species from local assemblages, highlighting the need for proper management and monitoring.
Researchers identify overlapping genomic regions underlying canine fearfulness and human mental disorders, including anxiety and psychosis. The study suggests a hereditary link between the two conditions.
FinnGen aims to produce comprehensive genome variant data from 500,000 participants, combining health data from national registries. This enables correlations between genetic factors and health outcomes, enriching drug discovery programs.
Researchers created a viable mouse model of Hirschsprung's disease to study its development and progression. The new model revealed that mucin-producing goblet cells may be a target for preventative treatment and that reduced expression of GFRa1 contributes to susceptibility to the disease.
Researchers found that sulfuric acid, ammonia, and organic vapors are necessary for efficient particle formation in continental moderately polluted atmospheres. Nitrogen oxides decrease newly formed particles, affecting climate change models and aerosol-cloud interactions.
Researchers developed an AI model to predict the risk of developing a serious infection from Staphylococcus epidermidis genomic features. The model uses large-scale population genomics and machine learning to identify high-risk genotypes, which could lead to proactive identification of individuals at risk before surgical procedures.
A recent study has found that European mountain bird populations have declined by as much as 10% in the 2000s, mainly due to climate change and changes in land use. The decline is particularly worrying for species that only inhabit mountain regions and are unable to live in other environments.
A study found that using two memory tests to assess episodic memory improves the accuracy of diagnosing mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease. Those who performed poorly in both tests showed faster brain atrophy, highlighting the importance of comprehensive neuropsychological assessment.
A recent study by the University of Helsinki found a connection between autism spectrum disorders and stem cell dysfunction. Gene mutations in certain genes were linked to abnormalities in neuronal network formation and function in individuals with autistic spectrum disorders.
Researchers in the University of Helsinki have confirmed a fossilized seal hybrid between grey and ringed seals, with genetic analysis suggesting possible interbreeding in the wild. The discovery provides insights into hybridization between mammalian species, including early humans.
A study published in Music Perception reveals that children with hearing impairments who engage in regular music activities exhibit better speech perception in noisy conditions. The results suggest that parental singing and daily musical engagement are crucial for developing communication skills.
Researchers have created a new method to efficiently extract rare-earth metals, including scandium, from aluminium industry waste. This innovation could reduce environmental hazards and conserve mining resources.
A Finnish study found that men who participated in the national colorectal cancer screening programme were less likely to require emergency surgery, chemotherapy, and incomplete tumour removals. The benefits of screening were particularly pronounced among male patients with left-sided colorectal cancer.
A recent study by the University of Helsinki reveals that pathological tau triggers a safety valve mechanism in cell membranes, leading to accelerated neuronal cell death and loss of synapses. Omega-3 fatty acids have been found to modify the microstructure of cell membranes, capturing tau aggregates within cells.