Girls born extremely preterm are three times more likely to be diagnosed with depression than their full-term peers. Poor fetal growth and increasing gestational age exacerbate this risk, according to a nationwide Finnish registry study.
A new study found that prenatal exposure to maternal thyroid hormones can result in longer telomeres in chicks, making them appear younger at birth. This could have significant implications for understanding the effects of telomere length on aging and mortality risk.
Researchers found that competing groups of insectivores consume the same type of food, such as chironomids, which could lead to an unprecedented ecocatastrophe. The study sheds new light on the decline in insect populations and highlights the potential cascading effects on ecosystems.
Scientists at the University of Turku discovered that titanium is key to hackmanite's glow and developed a material with a longer afterglow. The study reveals complex composition differences in natural minerals and their role in luminescence, offering valuable insights for synthetic materials development.
Scientists created more sensitive optogenetic tools to investigate cell signaling pathways in cancer and neuropathic pain. The new tools revealed how chemotherapy drugs disrupt signaling, enabling the development of targeted therapeutic compounds.
Protected areas facilitate wintering waterbird adaptation to climate warming, with species shifting faster inside protected areas. This suggests that protected area networks can contribute to expanding species ranges and preventing local extinctions.
Researchers have developed an artificial cyanobacterial biofilm that can sustainably produce green ethylene for up to 40 days. The biofilm's design limits cell growth, promoting efficient light utilization and biomass allocation towards ethylene biosynthesis.
Research finds that glyphosate residue in manure fertilizer inhibits the growth of strawberry and meadow fescue plants, despite reduced soil concentrations. The study also reveals indirect effects, such as increased herbivorous insects on larger strawberries.
Researchers analyzed Parkinson's patient skin cells to discover reduced protein synthesis due to active LRRK2 enzyme. Adding LRRK2 inhibitor drugs restored normal protein production levels. The study suggests a critical role for LRRK2 in controlling protein synthesis and may lead to biomarker development and improved treatment options.
Researchers at the University of Turku developed a rapid point-of-care diagnostic test to detect ovarian cancer from blood samples in 30 minutes. The new test shows improved sensitivity and accuracy compared to conventional CA125 diagnostics.
A study of 270 overweight women found no link between gut microbiota composition and the incidence of gestational diabetes. However, the combination of fish oil and probiotics was shown to modulate gut microbiota in women who did not develop gestational diabetes. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.
Researchers from University of Turku and Helsinki have conducted a review on wind farm impacts on bats in the Baltic Sea region, finding that impacts have barely been investigated due to limited data. The study aims to monitor bats for several years to define high-risk areas and design measures to reduce wind turbine impact.
A study of Finnish parents reveals a link between vaccine scepticism, low trust in medical doctors, and defiance. The research also found that individuals who defy rules and recommendations are more likely to use alternative medicine.
PIM kinases promote metastatic growth by regulating actin fibre formation in the cytoskeleton, supporting PIM-targeted therapies to prevent metastasis. The study provides critical information on factors regulating cancer cell motility, essential for preventing cancer spread.
Researchers from the University of Turku discovered a novel molecular mechanism in conifers that enables them to adapt to winter conditions by dissipating excess light energy as heat. This finding sheds new light on photosynthesis regulation and its importance for conifer forests' carbon sink capacity.
Pygmy owls' ability to overwinter is threatened by climate-driven rot of their stored food. The study found that warmer temperatures and increased rainfall lead to reduced food quality, affecting female owls' survival.
A new study from the University of Turku found that prenatal stress is associated with changes in infant gut microbiota composition, specifically with increased abundances of Proteobacteria and decreased abundances of Akkermansia. The study also discovered a link between low cortisol concentrations and increased Lactobacillus bacteria ...
A new study found that depressive and anxious symptoms are linked to reduced opioid receptors in the brain, which can be an important mechanism in treating depression. The study, conducted with Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans, suggests that drugs affecting the opioid system may help treat depression.
A study conducted in Finland found that women who experienced childhood trauma became mothers earlier than those with a more stable upbringing. The research used data from volunteers who served in the 'Lotta Svärd' organisation during World War II, showing an increased rate of early motherhood among affected individuals.
Researchers at University of Turku find glucocorticoids inhibit interferon signalling, leading to increased mortality rates. Glucocorticoids have been banned by WHO for COVID-19 treatment due to their harmful effects.
Research reveals that age, sex and smoking impact μ-opioid receptor density in brain. Dysfunctions of the brain's opioid system are linked to disorders like addiction and chronic pain.
Regular dietary counselling from infancy leads to improved cardiovascular health and reduced risk factors, such as lower serum cholesterol levels and better insulin sensitivity. The intervention group continued to have a heart-healthy diet even after the counselling ended.
Researchers developed a new method to separate extracellular vesicles from urine with high purity, revealing protein signatures specific to urological cancers. This breakthrough brings us closer to developing promising new urine tests for faster diagnosis and timely treatment of urological cancers.
A Finnish study found that childhood exposure to secondhand smoking is associated with poorer learning ability and memory in midlife. The study of over 2,000 participants showed that those exposed to parental smoking had worse cognitive performance, equivalent to up to five years of aging.
Researchers discovered that UM cells lacking the BAP1 protein activate mechanisms shutting down T lymphocytes, which are crucial immune cells fighting cancer. The study identified potential target molecules using existing drugs approved for other diseases, offering a promising approach to combat metastatic uveal melanoma.
Researchers at the University of Turku found that elephants with higher cortisol levels also had higher heterophil to lymphocyte ratios, indicating a positive correlation between biological measures of stress. Additionally, elevated stress was linked to weight loss in Asian elephants.
Professor Christina Salmivalli has received a €2.5 million ERC Advanced Grant to study persistent bullying cases. She aims to identify factors explaining why interventions fail in certain cases and develop new operational models.
A new AI technique detects acute ischemic stroke lesions on MRIs with high accuracy, outperforming expert drawn gold standard. The fully automated approach reduces workflow time and operator bias in lesion segmentation.
A new study by the University of Turku suggests that premature babies are three times more likely to be diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder. The risk is also associated with low birth weight and monitoring in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Research from University of Turku identifies JNK protein as a stress sensor that triggers synapse disassembly when stressed. Inhibiting the JNK protein may help prevent chronic stress-related changes in brain circuits.
A study by the University of Turku found that four damselfly species can catch and eat hundreds of thousands of insects during a summer, with chironomids being their favorite food. This has significant implications for understanding natural food web functions and the impact of predation on insect populations.
Researchers found that calf mortality at taming age differs from wild elephants and that calves with less experienced mothers are more likely to die. However, overall calf survival has massively improved over the decades, thanks to changes in management, such as daily veterinary care and access to natural habitats.
A study found a significant association between low maternal vitamin D levels during early to mid-pregnancy and an increased risk of diagnosed attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. The research used the Finnish Maternity Cohort, which included 1,067 children with ADHD and their matched controls.
Researchers found a new long non-coding RNA, PRECSIT, that regulates the growth and invasion of squamous cell carcinoma in skin. PRECSIT's expression is linked to the tumor suppressor gene p53, promoting cancer progression via STAT3 signaling.
Researchers at the University of Turku studied how horror movies affect brain activity and found that unseen threats are the scariest. The study revealed that brains continuously anticipate and prepare for action in response to threat, making horror movies an effective way to enhance excitement.
Researchers discover 15 new species of parasitoid wasps that manipulate spider behavior to protect their young. The wasps' complex web-spinning abilities are a rare phenomenon in nature.
Researchers at the University of Turku have used super-resolution microscopy to study focal adhesions in human pluripotent stem cells. The study reveals novel features in the ultrastructure of these adhesions, which may be important for maintaining pluripotency. Abrogation of focal adhesion structure leads to a speeded-up exit from the...
A new international study has discovered epigenetic marks in Finnish twin pairs discordant for Alzheimer's disease, which were also found in brain samples of patients. These marks are influenced by environmental factors, age, gender, and APOE genotype, and have potential diagnostic applications.
Researchers describe two new African tropical parasitoid wasp species, Epirhyssa quagga and Epirhyssa johanna, which are among the largest wasps known. The discovery expands understanding of parasitoid insect diversity in tropical forests.
A study published by researchers from the Turku Bioscience Centre found changes in circulating molecules in the blood that may be new markers of type 1 diabetes. This discovery could provide an early window for intervention and prevention of the disease.
A study from Finland found that the proportion of adolescents diagnosed with depression in specialized services has been increasing, largely due to an earlier age of diagnosis. The increase in service use poses a burden on specialized mental health services as they provide evidence-based treatment for a growing patient population.
A new study by the University of Turku and Tampere University found that chronic enteroviral infection can modify broadly pancreatic cellular functions, including alterations in protein expression and secretion. The study suggests that such infections may have adverse health effects, particularly on the development of type 1 diabetes.
A University of Turku team has found that PIM kinases regulate the sense of smell in nematodes. The enzymes, previously linked to cancer cell motility and survival, also influenced olfactory neurons' ability to detect attractants or repellents.
A new study found that predictable parent-child interaction has a positive impact on infant brain development, particularly in regulating emotions and actions. This predictability is linked to better self-control and emotional regulation in children.
Researchers at University of Turku investigate parasitoid wasp diversity in Kibale National Park, Uganda, finding that species abundance varies with weather and vegetation conditions. The study contributes to global understanding of parasitoid insect diversity and highlights the urgent need to protect tropical biodiversity.
A new study published in Immunity journal reveals six distinct groups of lymphatic vessels in human lymph nodes, shedding light on the molecular mechanisms behind cancer spread. The research identifies key trafficking and adhesion molecules used by neutrophils to prevent pathogens from spreading.
Researchers discovered a blood signature predicting type 1 diabetes before its onset, enabling early identification of high-risk children. The study, led by the University of Turku, could lead to disease prevention.
Young Asian elephant females are more likely to reproduce when living near a maternal sister, according to a study by the University of Turku. The presence of a maternal sister also improves annual female reproduction rates.
A study by University of Turku researchers found that women are more likely to volunteer for all-female paramilitary organizations if they have brothers or husbands serving in the military. The study suggests that bonding with larger communities, such as the nation state or religious groups, can arise from psychology mechanisms designe...
Scientists have identified a novel pathway allowing subcutaneously administered antibodies to bypass the immune system's traditional route. This breakthrough discovery enables targeted delivery of antibodies to the draining lymph node, potentially revolutionizing treatments for inflammatory diseases and cancers.