Researchers discovered neurons can burn fat for energy and create their own fats to support functions. Damage to the DDHD2 protein leads to early problems with signaling in HSP54 patients. Healthy neurons rely on fats for fuel, offering a potential pathway for repairing damage and reversing neuropathologies.
A study by the University of Helsinki finds that mothers' difficulties in bonding with their babies at eight months are associated with increased sleep problems. These problems persist up to 24 months, with maternal depressive symptoms exacerbating the issue.
A new study by researchers at the University of Helsinki compares two commonly used approaches to conservation planning, finding that the flexible approach provides higher habitat protection but with uneven distribution and minimum protection levels not guaranteed. In contrast, the target-based approach ensures all species meet their m...
A new study found that extensive low-intensity cattle grazing practices can maintain ground-dwelling arthropod diversity even on intensively cultivated agricultural grasslands. Organic farms with low-intensity grazing showed higher arthropod diversity compared to conventional farms.
A University of Helsinki study found that consuming more legumes and less red and processed meat can significantly reduce total and LDL cholesterol levels in men, leading to weight loss. The study also showed improved dietary iron intake and no negative impact on vitamin B12 or iodine levels.
A study found that children and adults following a vegan diet had adequate intakes of calcium and vitamin D, but differed from omnivorous dieters in bone metabolism. Fortified foods and dietary supplements were crucial for maintaining adequate nutrient levels.
The return of beavers in southern Finland has increased habitat biodiversity and created diverse habitats for species like moose and voles. Over a 54-year period, the habitat suitability index grew almost tenfold, thanks to beaver activity that improves habitat connectivity.
A study by Minttu Venetkoski found that pre-eclampsia increases the risk of ischaemic heart disease and stroke by approximately 1.5-fold. Women with a history of pre-eclampsia are advised to inform their doctors, as this can help mitigate cardiovascular risks during menopause.
Research reveals that day-flying moths have larger hearing organs than their night-flying counterparts despite facing less threat from echolocating bats. This counterintuitive finding suggests a possible new function for tympanal organs in detecting lower-frequency sounds produced by birds or reptiles.
Researchers found traditional methods poorly suited for invertebrates due to limited data and rare species challenges. New statistical methods suggest combining data across species, assessing similar species, or targeting extinction risk assessment to communities and habitats.
A study found that Finnish moth communities are becoming increasingly dominated by warm-adapted species, while cold-adapted species in the north face rapid declines. This thermophilisation is driven by local disappearance of cold-adapted species, with southern Finland experiencing an influx of new warm-adapted species.
Researchers have identified the genetic cause of feline atherosclerosis, an arterial disease in cats. The discovery may help prevent the incidence of the disease in cats and possibly open new courses for human therapies.
A study by the University of Helsinki found that nearly 80% of Ukrainian refugees with war injuries carried multidrug-resistant bacteria. However, non-hospitalized refugees showed no significant increase in MDR bacteria carriage rates. The Finnish healthcare system is taking precautions to tackle this challenge.
The Baltic ringed seal population has increased fivefold since the 1970s due to reduced environmental toxins and hunting bans. A new statistical model reveals that resuming seal hunting in 2015 slowed population growth, with estimates suggesting an annual growth rate of less than 5% without hunting.
The Siberian flying squirrel's genetic diversity is lowest in Finland and highest in the Russian Far East, highlighting a need for taxonomic re-evaluation and conservation efforts. The species' western populations are facing population declines and habitat loss, compromising their capacity to adapt to environmental changes.
Scientists at the University of Helsinki discovered that gas leakage through a wound triggers plant regeneration, using ethylene and oxygen as signals. This finding has implications for improving crop resilience, reducing post-harvest food waste, and enhancing agricultural sustainability.
A new study raises concerns about the evidence base behind EU deregulation efforts, citing methodological flaws in key measurement tools. The Standard Cost Model has faced little scrutiny, despite its central role in policy targets.
A new investigation highlights the critical step of tooth extraction from animal skulls in ancient cultures. Experimental archaeology revealed that wet cooking and pit steaming were effective methods for extracting teeth without damaging them.
A new risk calculator, Clue Post-Surgery VTE Risk Instrument, has been developed to reduce unnecessary overtreatment and undertreatment of postoperative venous thromboembolism and bleeding risks. The tool uses just four inputs and provides evidence-based decisions for clinicians and patients.
Researchers found that stronger alcohol exposure caused more significant changes in gene activity and metabolism, particularly in ectodermal cells. The study suggests that even minor changes in gene function during early pregnancy may influence development and contribute to conditions like FASD.
A study published in Journal of Affective Disorders found that children who experienced lack of breastfeeding, low birth weight, and maternal smoking during pregnancy were more likely to exhibit behavioral difficulties at age five. The researchers used artificial intelligence to analyze data from nearly 6,000 children.
Researchers have found that soft tumour tissue enables cancer cells to hide from the immune system, potentially speeding up disease progression. This discovery may help doctors identify patients unlikely to benefit from immunotherapy, guiding them towards alternative treatments.
A University of Helsinki study found health benefits in overweight men and women who lost an average of 6.5% of their body weight between ages 30-50. Maintaining this weight loss was crucial for optimal health outcomes, with a lifelong BMI under 25 considered ideal.
A study analyzed 22 risk factors and latent factors covering a person's entire life span to predict chronic diseases in eight organ systems. The findings emphasize the need to influence individual risk factors at the national level to prevent diseases, highlighting the importance of identifying new risk factors.
A study of 900 species over 20 years found that diverse natural communities are more stable than those with fewer species. Functional diversity is a key factor in stabilizing communities, especially for species with different traits.
Researchers develop new recycling concept using fatty acids to extract silver from electronic waste, making it financially viable. The process uses light and diluted hydrogen peroxide, resulting in a sustainable separation method.
A new study from the University of Helsinki unravels the causes of ancient climate changes that led to severe droughts in North America thousands of years ago. Researchers used fossil pollen grains and machine learning algorithms to reconstruct moisture levels, confirming that conditions were below modern levels for thousands of years.
A University of Helsinki study shows that pesticides can negatively affect non-target species living in agricultural environments. The effects vary greatly depending on the substance tested, with one fungicide increasing mortality rates and reducing reproductive success in butterflies.
A nationwide Finnish register-based cohort study found that young people with mental disorders are less likely to become parents compared to those without such diagnoses. The strongest associations were for schizophrenia and depression, with men being 38% less likely to become fathers due to depression diagnosis.
International team improves asteroid impact threat estimates from 3% to below 0.001%, with a new risk of 4% chance of impacting the Moon instead, threatening human space infrastructure.
Researchers have found that the unique shape of lymphatic vessel endothelial cells allows for efficient absorption and transport of fluids while withstanding sudden changes in tissue fluid volume. This distinctive cell shape is also seen in plant leaves, where it helps support structural stability.
Researchers developed MAIJU, an AI-driven wearable that assesses early motor development at home with high precision. The suit measures a child's activity during free play and identifies specific motor milestones, providing objective assessments of developmental progress.
Susanna Heikkil s doctoral thesis resolves a problem in topology, classification of quasiregularly elliptic 4-manifolds. Her work complements Gromov's question on quasiregular mappings and relates to Euclidean geometry.
Consumers purchasing natural pasture-raised beef believe high-quality meat is part of a sustainable diet, but struggle to link it to reduced overall intake. The study highlights the need for clearer definitions and guidance on sustainable meat consumption criteria.
Researchers discovered a wide range of natural Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in bedrock groundwater from depths of 500-2,300 meters. The findings may impact understanding the global carbon cycle and air quality in underground facilities.
Electric sparks can now be guided around obstacles and hit specific spots using ultrasonic waves, opening up new possibilities for atmospheric sciences, biological procedures, and circuit power.
A recent study published in One Earth reveals that the climate effects of new particles in urban areas have been significantly underestimated. Particle formation is more pronounced at higher altitudes, where factors such as sulfuric acid and increased relative humidity promote particle growth.
A recent study by the University of Helsinki found that placentas from fresh embryo transfers are smaller on average compared to those from frozen embryo transfers. The researchers also identified altered gene function and DNA methylation in ART-conceived children, particularly in relation to metabolism and growth.
Researchers discovered a single gene, vgll3, regulating thousands of genes in salmon sexual maturation, influencing traits like reproductive cell development and growth patterns. This study sheds light on how genetic variation can impact complex traits like puberty onset and has significant implications for managing wild populations.
Researchers analyzed 826 string figures from 92 cultures worldwide and found 83 recurring designs, suggesting ancient cultural origins. The study's computational method enabled the construction of a 'family tree' for string figures, offering insights into human creativity, cognitive evolution, and mathematical thinking.
Researchers at University of Helsinki and colleagues have mapped the 'hijackome', detailing how SARS-CoV-2 variants exploit specific cellular pathways to spread and evade immune defenses.
A recent study published in Nature found that isoprene, a naturally occurring organic compound emitted by vegetation, significantly contributes to the formation of new particles in the upper troposphere. Isoprene oxygenated organic molecules can rapidly form new particles under certain conditions.
Researchers found that ancient rock painting sites by water generated strong echoes that could be heard by people approaching the site. The echoes allowed prehistoric hunter-gatherers to perceive their surroundings in a unique sensory environment. This discovery sheds light on the importance of sound reflections in past societies.
Research reveals a strong correlation between psychotic-like experiences and depressive symptoms in adolescents, highlighting the need for systematic surveying and consideration of individual factors. The study's findings suggest that brief cognitive psychotherapy can help alleviate symptoms and improve mental health outcomes.
Mitophagy, a recycling process crucial for cellular health, increases and then declines in midlife brain cells, while lysosomes lose acidity with age. The study highlights the importance of developing new perspectives when studying brain aging in longer-lived species.
A new international canine gene research database has been developed, covering over 100 different tissues and enhancing understanding of hereditary diseases. The database provides a comprehensive resource for studying gene expression in various tissues and prioritizing hereditary factors related to diseases.
A new study reveals that plant species invest less in defense to prioritize growth, with a negative correlation between defense genes and growth traits observed. Researchers identified significant variation among plant species in their investment in disease defense, using open databases to analyze 184 plant species.
A study reveals that infant gut microbiota succession is predictable and malleable, allowing for the shaping of gut health through birth mode and feeding practices. This research has significant implications for reducing childhood allergic diseases, overweight, and respiratory infections.
Researchers developed a new imaging analysis technique combining biomarkers and tumor architecture to create a 'fingerprint' for each patient, enabling precise prognosis and treatment response. The method identified two previously undetected groups of patients, with exceptional good or bad prognoses.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki studied brain activity of people watching a live dance performance, finding that dance experience affects brain functions associated with movement visualization and social interaction. The study also showed that experts in dance or music displayed stronger synchrony with the performance.