Researchers at the University of Helsinki and Aalto University have developed a gel-grown mini-breast cancer model that can effectively treat hormone-dependent breast cancers. The discovery opens new avenues for hormonal therapies, individual drug responses, and drug resistance mechanisms.
A study by Katariina Koivusaari found that high cow's milk consumption is associated with a higher risk of developing preclinical type 1 diabetes in genetically predisposed children. The study also linked high-temperature treated infant formula to an increased risk of asthma in children.
Researchers studied 4022 dogs fed different diets as puppies to see if it affected allergy and atopy related skin symptoms in adulthood. They found that puppies fed raw tripe, organ meats, and human meal leftovers had fewer allergies and skin issues.
The Lef1 gene is found to suppress the development and growth of colorectal cancer by restricting cancer stem cell niches. Blocking this gene leads to increased tumor stem cell niches and accelerated tumor growth.
A functional precision medicine study demonstrates that treatment selection based on results from drug sensitivity testing can be clinically useful in patients with aggressive hematological cancer. The approach combines deep molecular profiling with comprehensive drug sensitivity testing to advance the therapy decision-making system.
A major Finnish–Norwegian study found that obesity does not lower the risk of subarachnoid haemorrhage, as smoking habits are a significant factor in the condition. The study analyzed over 200,000 individuals and comprehensively considered confounding factors.
Researchers discovered a new biomarker, inactive AMPK (lo-P-AMPK), that may predict immune evasion in lung cancer. The finding could enable better personalized care for lung cancer patients by identifying those most likely to benefit from immunotherapies.
Research found that damselflies infected with Wolbachia bacterium have reduced genetic diversity, making them less adaptable to changing environments. This could lead to a decline in the species' ability to expand its range and survive climate change.
Astronomer Dr. Lauri Jetsu discovers multiple new companion star candidates for the eclipsing binary Algol AB, with orbital periods between 20 and 219 years. The companions are too faint to be detected by modern space telescopes, but their periodic signals can predict observed O-C changes.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki and the University of Eastern Finland found six candidate drugs with antiviral effects against SARS-CoV-2. The study used a combination of modern technologies to identify protein targets for repurposed drugs, suggesting that existing compounds could be faster and safer alternatives.
A study found that infant formula is associated with a 70% higher occurrence of antibiotic resistance genes in newborns. Breastfeeding, on the other hand, reduces the proliferation of opportunistic pathogens, potentially lessening the risk of difficult infections.
A recent study has discovered genetic markers associated with high levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the blood, a toxin linked to sepsis and cardiovascular diseases. The research also found a connection between LPS levels and blood coagulation disorders, such as thromboembolism and stroke.
A study on over 100 species found that climate change affects animal behavior, including changes in aggression, activity, and sociability. The researchers believe that behavioral changes can serve as a buffer for animals to avoid negative effects of environmental change.
Researchers identified environmental factors and breed-specific traits contributing to canine ADHD-like behaviour. Dogs who spent more time alone at home were more hyperactive, impulsive and inattentive, while breeds bred for work displayed increased hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Several lizard groups evolved teeth with multiple tips, allowing them to transition to plant-based diets and increasing speciation rates. The study also found that tooth evolution was more flexible in lizards and snakes than mammals.
Wildlife trade is a pervasive issue affecting ecosystems, economies, and human well-being. IUWT can drive biodiversity loss, invasive species, and zoonotic diseases, highlighting the need for cooperation and sustainable management.
Researchers from the University of Helsinki found that inhibiting beta2-integrin adhesion on dendritic cells enhances tumour rejection. By regulating epigenetic changes, these integrins dampen dendritic cell functionality and migration, making them more effective at activating T cells and rejecting cancer.
The University of Helsinki-led research project partners with UCSF to develop new therapies targeting MYC cancer gene vulnerabilities. The goal is to create next-generation cancer drugs that selectively kill cancer cells while leaving normal cells unharmed.
Linguists propose that reported speech, a common way people describe others' thoughts and statements, is the source of many grammatical categories. This new theory explains why similar meanings are found in languages worldwide.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki have identified two distinct patterns of alpha-synuclein accumulations in the olfactory bulb, associated with differing disease types of dementia with Lewy bodies. These findings support the classification of the disease into two distinct forms, one progressing to the amygdala and another to th...
A recent study reconstructed environmental conditions in Europe during early human occupation, revealing a range of climates and vegetation types. The research suggests that early humans preferred sites with mild climates and wooded environments, but later phases saw absences from areas with severe conditions.
Researchers found that insect protein has great potential to reduce global warming associated with food consumption in Europe, especially when used in broiler meat production. Using edible insects or low-value food industry side stream products can increase the carbon footprint benefits of using insect protein over soybean meal protein.
Researchers identified a minimal set of defined factors that can convert normal human fibroblast cells to liver cancer cells, providing a mechanistic proof-of-principle for understanding why certain mutations cause cancer in particular tissues.
A new questionnaire revealed seven distinct feline personality and behavior traits, including activity playfulness, fearfulness, and aggression. Breed-specific differences were also found, with some breeds exhibiting more fearful or passive tendencies.
The North Water Polynya, an Arctic oasis, is susceptible to climate change, with its high rate of primary production maintaining a diverse ecosystem. The polynya's stability has varied over the last millennia, with periods of instability linked to warmer climate periods and low productivity rates.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Helsinki found that low-density granulocytes (LDG) play a significant role in weakening the immune response in covid-19 patients. The study revealed that LDGs inhibit T lymphocyte division, leading to suppressed adaptive immunity against the virus.
A new policy brief from University of Helsinki and Aalto University focuses on efficient demo areas for urban carbon sequestration using biochars. The research highlights the importance of safe, visible, and scientifically sound demonstration sites for reliable verification of carbon sequestration.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki discovered a potential contributing mechanism to kidney dysfunction in acute hantavirus infection by investigating the body's response to the virus. Elevated levels of free light chains were found to be associated with kidney problems and may play a role in other infectious diseases.
The Stoffenmanager and Advanced REACH Tool models have significant deficiencies in their use, affecting chemical safety assessments. The models are based on subjective parameter values and lack physical principles, leading to uncertainty in exposure values.
Chlorophyll fluorescence tracks photosynthesis rate, providing an 'optical window' for monitoring plant health. Recent advances enable estimation and imaging of SIF at ecosystem scales, paving the way for applications in precision agriculture and ecology.
A study by the University of Helsinki found raccoon dogs to be a significant threat to ground-nesting bird populations in Northern Europe. The invasive species was found to destroy nests and prey on farmed mallard eggs, contributing to the decline of waterbird populations.
A study of 4,661 Finnish children found that six hours of physical activity per week reduces the risk of being overweight at age 14 associated with heavy digital media use. Physical activity appears to reverse adverse effects of screen time.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki have made a significant advance in fibroids research by identifying a new mechanism of tumorigenesis. Multiple tumors carried mutations in genes involved in histone trafficking, which affected gene expression levels and led to hereditary predisposition to the disease.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki have identified short non-coding RNA molecules in human ova and embryos, shedding light on embryonic development. The study's findings may lead to improved infertility treatments and a deeper understanding of early miscarriages.
A study found that learning foreign languages can enhance the processing of musically relevant sounds, particularly pitch processing, in Chinese elementary school pupils. The research suggests a close link between musical and linguistic brain functions in developing brains.
A single butterfly species introduced to an island in the 1990s had a significant impact on several insect populations, leading to genetic decline and high extinction risk for some species. The parasitoid wasp's mobility and symbiotic bacterial relationships played key roles in shaping this outcome.
Researchers found that listening to vocal music improves language recovery in stroke patients by enhancing structural connectivity and functional plasticity of the language network. This discovery expands our understanding of music-based neurological rehabilitation methods.
A team of researchers found that wild birds can learn to avoid distasteful prey by observing what others eat, resolving a long-standing evolutionary problem. This breakthrough highlights the critical role of social information transmission in predator-prey dynamics and eco-evo processes.
Researchers have identified the gene responsible for faba bean's production of vicine and convicine, two compounds that cause favism in susceptible individuals. The team has also found a specific mutation within this gene that reduces synthesis, leading to low vicine and convicine content in certain varieties.
Scientists at the University of Helsinki discovered that ECM protein Lama5 guides the growth and differentiation of epithelial cells in breast tissue, especially during pregnancy. The production of Lama5 strengthens the functionality of hormone-sensitive cells, allowing them to relay signals and support tissue growth.
A study published in iScience has identified dozens of muscle proteins with decreased quantities in individuals with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. The findings highlight the significance of mitochondrial energy metabolism in the progression from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes.
A Finnish-English study published in the Lancet Digital Health found that accelerating risk factor changes can identify high-risk individuals, who may lose 2 to 6 life-years if preventive measures are delayed. An online tool has been developed to study the impact of risk history on estimated cardiovascular disease risk.
A Finnish study published in Acta Diabetologica found that gestational diabetes significantly increases the risk of fetal hypoxia during labor. The risk is nearly seven-fold compared to non-diabetic mothers, and can lead to birth injuries, brain damage, and infant mortality.
A recent study found that Finland's lakes in Lapland will have higher mercury levels due to climate change and increased land use. The warmer climate and more intense land use lead to the leaching of nutrients and carbon-bound mercury into waterways, causing a biomagnification effect on fish and food webs.
The study used live tissue imaging to show that cell migration drives the growth of the mammary bud, while ring cells exert contractile force through the actomyosin network. This novel mechanism for invagination may be essential for developing organs.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that carefully considered surgical treatment improves the prognosis for elderly brain tumour patients. Almost half of patients who had ended up in institutional care due to a brain tumour were able to return home thanks to surgery.
A study found that permafrost peatlands in Russia experienced a positive effect on the climate during a cool climate period, causing plant communities to dry up and release stored carbon. This led to increased emissions of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, warming the atmosphere further.
A study published in Scientific Reports demonstrates the use of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to track the elimination of plastic particles from the bodies of mice. The research reveals that most small plastic particles are eliminated within two days, with smaller particles cleared faster than larger ones.
Researchers discovered that cancer cells hijack an ageing gene to block environmental factors and gain a competitive advantage over healthy stem cells. The study's findings suggest that blocking the function of this enzyme could lead to new therapies for patients predisposed to intestinal cancers.
Climate change is affecting Baltic herring larvae with earlier appearances and faster growth rates. Rising water temperatures are a key factor driving this shift in the Baltic Sea ecosystem.