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University of Helsinki


Low stream diatom biodiversity potentially decreasing stream oxygen production in remote islands

Research finds that low stream diatom biodiversity on islands may decrease oxygen production due to reduced biodiversity. This could have implications for freshwater ecosystems and the animals that depend on them. The study examines how island location, age, and distance from continents affect diatom diversity and oxygen levels.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalGlobal Ecology and Biogeography·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2024

The rate of climate change threatens to exceed the adaptive capacity of species

A recent study on the Siberian primrose highlights the urgent need to curb climate change to allow species time to adapt through evolution. The research suggests that many wild species have limited capacity to adapt to warming climates, with some facing extinction due to geographic constraints and rapid climate change.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateOct 2, 2024

Forest loss intensifies climate change by increasing temperatures and cloud level, which leads to decrease of water

Research reveals that deforestation in Africa's montane forests has induced a higher warming and cloud level rise than climate change alone, leading to decreased water supply. The study found that air temperature increased by 1.4°C and cloud levels rose by 230 meters over the last 20 years.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateAug 19, 2024

Combining genetic diversity data with demographic information more reliably reveals extinction risks of natural populations

A recent study published in PNAS found that genome-wide genetic diversity is a strong predictor of extinction risk when demographic factors are considered. The researchers analyzed data from a butterfly metapopulation and found a strong negative relationship between genetic diversity and extinction risk, but this correlation was largel...

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 16, 2024

The rotation of a nearby star stuns astronomers

Astronomers have discovered a nearby star that rotates faster than expected, with anomalies in its stellar rotation profile. This finding provides insights into fundamental stellar strophysics and challenges current understanding of stellar dynamics and magnetic dynamos.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 31, 2024

Tracing the largest solar storm in modern times from tree rings in Lapland

Researchers from the University of Helsinki used tree ring analysis to measure radiocarbon concentration after a massive solar storm, revealing new insights into atmospheric dynamics. The study provides valuable information on how to prepare for future threats from solar storms, which could disrupt electrical and mobile networks.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 4, 2024

Investigating the loss of musical ability

A new study has identified the likely origin of tone deafness in the brain, finding that strokes causing amusia affect the right hemisphere and a specific region called the superior temporal gyrus. This discovery highlights the differences between processing music and language in the brain, with implications for diagnosis and treatment.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalJNeurosci·DateMar 26, 2024

Online digital data and AI for monitoring biodiversity

Scientists propose using online digital data from media platforms to complement monitoring efforts for biodiversity conservation. This approach aims to generate novel insights into human–nature interactions and their impact on biodiversity. The proposed framework integrates near real-time data with existing datasets, enabling real-time...

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateFeb 16, 2024

Large Finnish study finds that maternal pulse recording during childbirth prevents encephalopathy in newborn babies

A large Finnish study found that external fetal heart rate monitoring without simultaneous maternal pulse recording increases the risk of neonatal encephalopathy and acidemia. The study suggests that combining maternal pulse recording with fetal heart rate monitoring can effectively prevent these complications and improve neonatal outc...

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·DateJan 29, 2024

A new perspective on the temperature inside tropical forests

A new study provides detailed maps of temperatures inside tropical forests, enabling ecologists to better predict how species will respond to climate change. The research reveals significant variability in forest temperatures, with some areas experiencing temperature differences up to 4 degrees from the surrounding environment.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 23, 2024

New genes can arise from nothing

Researchers discovered a mechanism that creates DNA palindromes and new microRNA genes from noncoding sequences, explaining the origin of small regulatory genes. The study found that this process can create novel genes, potentially affecting human health.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 8, 2023