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All news/A RSS feed provided by Umeå Universityen-usSun, 31 May 2026 06:57:50 +0200/en/news/four-umea-researchers-appointed-arctic-six-chairs_12175411/<description>Four researchers from Umeå University have been appointed Arctic Six Chairs for the period 2026-2028. The appointment provides funding to develop research collaborations with five other Arctic universities in Sweden, Norway and Finland. The appointments show how Arctic issues concern health, technology, working life, resources and living conditions in northern societies.</description><pubDate>Fri, 29 May 2026 12:35:50 +0200</pubDate><atom:content type="html"><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/976c578b81a148288ab8b2ab557a8bdd/ans_winter_scott_wilson2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/976c578b81a148288ab8b2ab557a8bdd/ans_winter_scott_wilson2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/976c578b81a148288ab8b2ab557a8bdd/ans_winter_scott_wilson2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/976c578b81a148288ab8b2ab557a8bdd/ans_winter_scott_wilson2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/976c578b81a148288ab8b2ab557a8bdd/ans_winter_scott_wilson2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/976c578b81a148288ab8b2ab557a8bdd/ans_winter_scott_wilson2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Abisko Scientific Research Station, <span class="photo" style="color: #666666; font-size: 0.66667rem; white-space: nowrap;">Image</span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: 0.66667rem; white-space: nowrap;">Scott Wilson</span></p></div></div><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">More than a title</h2><p>Arctic issues rarely stay within one discipline, one university or one country. They concern climate, health, technology, working life, resources and societal development at the same time. This calls for research collaborations that bring together knowledge across disciplines and national borders.</p><p>This is a key part of the Arctic Six Chairs programme. Being a Chair means both becoming part of a wider network and receiving funding to build relationships, formulate shared research questions and develop collaborations that can lead to larger projects and applications.</p><p>Together, the four appointments show that Arctic research at Umeå University is about more than climate and geography. It also concerns health, technology, working life, healthcare, resources and the concrete conditions that shape life in northern societies.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Four Umeå researchers, four approaches to the Arctic</h2><p>Anna Baranowska-Rataj, Pedro Sanches, Marcus Schmitt-Egenolf and Linda Lundmark from Umeå University have been appointed Arctic Six Chairs for the period 2026-2028.</p><p><strong>Linda Lundmark</strong>, at the Department of Geography, studies sparsely populated Arctic areas and how people, places and economies are affected when resources, climate and societal conditions change. Her research asks what is needed for people to live and work in northern regions over time, and what development means in places where distance, infrastructure and natural conditions shape everyday life.</p><p><strong>Pedro Sanches</strong>, at the Department of Informatics, works at the intersection of design, human-computer interaction and critical data studies. His research examines how bodies, data and digital technologies become entangled, and how design can make visible the assumptions often built into measurements and digital systems. As an Arctic Six Chair, he wants to bring these design methods into an Arctic context and build a collaboration that connects environmental data, Arctic environmental science and participatory design.</p><p><strong>Anna Baranowska-Rataj</strong>, at the Centre for Demographic and Ageing Research, CEDAR, studies how labour markets, family and health are connected. Her research shows how changes such as unemployment can have consequences far beyond the individual and affect the wellbeing of entire families. In northern societies, where labour markets, distances and welfare structures can differ, such connections are important to understand.</p><p><strong>Marcus Schmitt-Egenolf</strong>, at the Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, studies the individual and societal burden of psoriasis and melanoma in a Nordic context. His work highlights how people living with chronic diseases are affected when social solidarity and equity in healthcare are under pressure. As an Arctic Six Chair, he wants to explore how patient empowerment, shared decision-making and the meeting of traditional and modern health concepts can point to new ways of improving health in Arctic societies.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Part of Arctic Six</h2><p>The Arctic Six is a collaboration between six Arctic universities in Sweden, Norway and Finland: Luleå University of Technology, Nord University, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Umeå University, University of Lapland and University of Oulu.</p><p>Through a joint Arctic Agenda, the universities work to promote and share knowledge, education, research and innovation for a more sustainable Arctic. Arctic Six Chairs is one of the alliance’s central programmes for developing research collaboration.</p><p>“The overarching aim is to strengthen the ability of the Arctic Six universities to secure external funding, thereby supporting our shared goal of developing research-based solutions to the joint challenges facing our northern societies,” says Jørgen Berge, Director of the Arctic Six.</p><p>For Umeå University, the appointments strengthen the university’s role in Arctic Six and in the Nordic Arctic research landscape. For researchers, partners and funders, they point to areas where new collaborations can grow during the period 2026-2028.</p><p>Would you like to know more? Contact us at the Arctic Centre.</p></atom:content><link>/en/news/four-umea-researchers-appointed-arctic-six-chairs_12175411/</link></item><item xml:base="en/news/digitalisation-of-forests-overlook-important-values_12175178/"><guid isPermaLink="false">/en/news/digitalisation-of-forests-overlook-important-values_12175178/</guid><title /><description>Digital technology today maps forests in detail. But new research shows that the way data is collected and selected determines how nature is represented in digital systems. The result is often a one-sided picture, where important natural and cultural values are lost.</description><pubDate>Tue, 26 May 2026 16:31:19 +0200</pubDate><atom:content type="html"><p class="quote-center">When data on forests is primarily collected and controlled by large commercial actors, the representations produced tend to reflect their interests. But when more knowledge and perspectives are given space in the systems, the results also change.</p><p>Satellites, sensors and apps are increasingly used to monitor and manage natural environments. But what happens when nature is translated into data within a research field that has primarily studied digital technology in organizations and business processes rather than in nature?</p><p>In her doctoral thesis in information systems, Malaika Torto, examines what happens when natural environments become data, based on several years of studies of digitalization projects in the Swedish forest industry.</p><p>” Information systems research has traditionally focused on companies and organizations, where processes are relatively stable and defined. When the same logic is applied to nature, a mismatch occurs, because natural envorinments behave in very different ways from the human-made environments we usually study. Forests, for example, are more dynamic, change with the seasons, involve complex ecological relationships and hold different meanings for different people," says Malaika Torto.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Data shapes the image of the forest</h2><p>The thesis shows that digitalisation in practice is shaped by a series of concrete choices: what is measured, how it is measured and by whom. These choices in turn determine how the forest appears in digital systems. When data is collected primarily for commercial purposes, certain aspects tend to become visible, while others are left invisible.</p><p>"Data is often perceived as something neutral that simply existes. But in reality, it is the result of many decisions. In the projects I followed, the focus was often on optimising production, which meant that things like timber volume and wood quality were prioritised, while other values were simply not measured," says Malaika Torto.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/0e0a891ec7694f029644226d4e1ccafc/skogsmaskinskog3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/0e0a891ec7694f029644226d4e1ccafc/skogsmaskinskog3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/0e0a891ec7694f029644226d4e1ccafc/skogsmaskinskog3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/0e0a891ec7694f029644226d4e1ccafc/skogsmaskinskog3.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/0e0a891ec7694f029644226d4e1ccafc/skogsmaskinskog3.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/0e0a891ec7694f029644226d4e1ccafc/skogsmaskinskog3.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The use of self-learning computer programs that interact with sensors on forestry machines is increasing in the forestry industry.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Image’in/Adobe Stock</span></div></div><p>The consequence is that the complexity of nature is reduced. Forests are not only raw material resources, but also ecological systems and cultural landscapes. They change over time, support biodiversity and have different significance for different groups – from the forest industry to outdoor recreation and Sami communities.</p><p>This becomes particulary clear in digital representations such as maps and visualizations. The thesis analyzes, among other things, the use of LiDAR technology, which can create highly detailed images of vegetation and terrain.</p><p>”The maps may be technologically advanced and highly accurate in their field, but they only show what they are designed to show. If the starting point is commercial values, you see a certain kind of forest. If, instead, ecological or cultural perspectivesare are used, a completely different picture emerges. So it's not just about technology, but also about selection," says Malaika Torto.</p><p>The research shows that these choices are also linked to questions of influence. Different actors have different interests in how the forest is defined and represented.</p><p>”When certain perspectives dominate data collection, others become invisible. This may involve biodiversity that is not captured, or the use of land by Sámi communities that does not appear on maps. In this way, digitalisation affects not only how we describe nature, but also which decisions seem reasonable,” says Malaika.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Who decides what becomes visible in the systems?</h2><p>At the same time, the study indicates that alternative approaches are possible. When more actors are involved in how data is collected and used – such as environmental organisations or Sami communities – the picture becomes more nuanced.</p><p>”When data on forests is primarily collected and controlled by large commercial actors, the representations produced tend to reflect their</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/0e0a891ec7694f029644226d4e1ccafc/dronare3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/0e0a891ec7694f029644226d4e1ccafc/dronare3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/0e0a891ec7694f029644226d4e1ccafc/dronare3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/0e0a891ec7694f029644226d4e1ccafc/dronare3.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/0e0a891ec7694f029644226d4e1ccafc/dronare3.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/0e0a891ec7694f029644226d4e1ccafc/dronare3.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Drones are used for tasks including surveying, planning, monitoring, and managing storm damage.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Image’in/Adobe Stock</span></div></div><p>interests. But when more knowledge and perspectives are given space in the systems, the results also change. Then the same forest can include information about production, biodiversity and cultural use, making the representations both richer and more legitimate," says Malaika.</p><p>Digitalisation of natural environments is not only a technical issue, but also a social and political process. The tension between commercially driven and more inclusive approaches to digitalisation is fundamentally about power. The choices made today therefore have long-term consequences.</p><p>”The key is to build inclusion from the start. Otherwise, we risk creating digital systems that provide too narrow a picture of nature and thus also affect how it is managed in the future," says Malaika Torto.</p><p><a href="https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?aq2=%5B%5B%5D%5D&c=7&af=%5B%5D&searchType=SIMPLE&sortOrder2=title_sort_asc&query=torto&language=en&pid=diva2%3A2057306&aq=%5B%5B%5D%5D&sf=all&aqe=%5B%5D&sortOrder=author_sort_asc&onlyFullText=false&noOfRows=50&dswid=9126">Link to the thesis</a></p><p> </p></atom:content><link>/en/news/digitalisation-of-forests-overlook-important-values_12175178/</link></item><item xml:base="en/news/it-is-now-clear-what-data-was-affected-by-the-cyberattack--less-than-feared_12175213/"><guid isPermaLink="false">/en/news/it-is-now-clear-what-data-was-affected-by-the-cyberattack--less-than-feared_12175213/</guid><title>It is now clear what data was affected by the cyberattack – less than fearedIt is now clear which data were accessed by the attackers in connection with the cyberattack on Canvas. At Umeå University, neither personal identity numbers nor UmU IDs were affected. The impact varies between universities.Tue, 26 May 2026 15:50:48 +0200<p>In early May, the learning platform Canvas was subjected to a cyberattack, which led, among other things, to the system being taken offline for several days. At the time, there were concerns that data relating to students and staff had been leaked outside the system. On 12 May, it was reported that an agreement had been reached between the attackers and Instructure, the provider of Canvas. As a result, the data accessed by the attackers were returned, and Canvas once again became safe to use as normal.</p><p>Canvas contains, among other things, contact details, personal identity numbers, study-related information and communication between teachers and students.</p><p>Until now, it has been unclear which data the attackers accessed. However, based on new information from the provider, it can now be established that, for Umeå University, the data included:</p><ul><li>Names.</li><li>Short names/aliases chosen by users.</li><li>Messages within Canvas, including both subject lines and content.</li><li>Email addresses belonging to individuals who have sent messages to someone within Canvas.</li><li>Metadata such as time zone and selected language for the user, as well as internal system metadata, for example when a particular record was updated in the system.</li></ul><p>The attackers did not access personal identity numbers, UmU IDs, or large volumes of other personal data relating to students and staff at Umeå University.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Always remain vigilant</h2><p>The extent of data affected varies between higher education institutions. Umeå University is considered to have been relatively lightly impacted. At some other universities, the attackers accessed significantly larger amounts of data.</p><p>“Although this cyberattack is assessed to have had limited impact on Umeå University, it is of course very serious that this type of attack occurs. Unfortunately, such incidents are becoming increasingly common, and we all need to work together to remain vigilant and cautious in order to create safe and secure digital environments,” says Per Ragnarsson, Assistant University Director at Umeå University.</p><p>If you suspect any intrusion or malware in your IT environment, it is important to act without delay.</p><p><a href="/en/student/help-and-support/if-something-happens/it-security-breach/">IT security breach.</a></p><p>Anyone experiencing any kind of anxiety related to the incident can contact Occupational health service through Student Health Service.</p><p><a href="/en/student/help-and-support/student-health-service/">More information about Student Health Service.</a> </p>/en/news/it-is-now-clear-what-data-was-affected-by-the-cyberattack--less-than-feared_12175213//en/news/ice-may-release-more-iron-than-climate-models-predict_12174679/Ice may release more iron than climate models predictMost people think of ice as frozen and lifeless, but research at Umeå University shows the opposite. A new study published in PNAS demonstrates that ice actively speeds up the breakdown of iron minerals and may release more iron than current environmental models account for. This is crucial for predicting how nutrient cycles, carbon storage, and water quality will change in polar and mountain regions as the planet warms.Tue, 26 May 2026 10:00:06 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>When water freezes, salts become concentrated in small pockets between ice crystals, where they can accelerate the breakdown of iron minerals.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Johnér Bildbyrå AB</span></div></div><p>Roughly 17 percent of Earth's land surface sits on permafrost, and vast additional areas experience seasonal freezing. As climate change increases the frequency of freeze-thaw cycles and causes permafrost to degrade, ice-driven mechanisms could be releasing iron and other trace elements at rates that current environmental models do not account for.</p><p>“To understand how climate change affects natural systems, we also need to understand the chemistry inside ice,” says Jean-François Boily, Professor at the Department of Chemistry, who led the study.</p><p>Iron is a key nutrient that controls algae growth in lakes and oceans, binds carbon in soils, and affects water color and quality. Changes in iron release could therefore have cascading effects on ecosystems from mountain streams to Arctic coastlines.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">The stronger the binding, the greater the boost</h2><p>The research group looked at how different dissolved salts, found everywhere in nature, affect iron minerals. They specifically examined the dissolution of goethite, a rust-colored iron mineral abundant in soils, sediments, and dust.</p><p>“The result was remarkably clear. Ice boosted the dissolution rate for every salt that binds to iron, and the stronger the binding, the greater the boost,” says Jean-François Boily. “This reveals a simple rule: If you know how strongly a substance binds to iron, you can likely estimate how much ice will amplify its.”</p><p>Fluoride, the strongest binder tested, released more than four times as much iron in ice as in liquid water. Sulfate, a weaker binder, showed a smaller but still measurable boost. Perchlorate, which barely interacts with iron at all, produced no dissolution in either phase.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Valuable tool for modeling</h2><p>The mechanism lies in what happens when water freezes. Substances that cannot be incorporated into the ice are concentrated into tiny pockets of remaining liquid trapped between ice crystals. In these environments, where salt concentrations can increase up to 500-fold, chemical reactions can proceed much faster, which helps explain the increased breakdown of minerals observed in the study.</p><p>"What surprised us most was how consistent this effect appeared across the compounds we tested. If the pattern holds more broadly, we could potentially predict ice-enhanced mineral breakdown based on a single chemical property. That would be a valuable tool for environmental modeling," says Jean-François Boily.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="3d8d9d20-4b5c-4198-9983-3800748ed38b" data-contentname="">{}</div>/en/news/ice-may-release-more-iron-than-climate-models-predict_12174679//en/news/ec2u-forum-2026-highlights-collaboration-and-quality-education_12174955/EC2U Forum in Turku highlights collaboration and quality educationThe European Campus of City-Universities (EC2U) Alliance annual forum took place at the University of Turku, Finland, from 18 to 21 May 2026. The event brought together more than 500 staff, students, partners and stakeholders from across Europe to exchange ideas, strengthen collaboration and discuss the role of high-quality education in building a stronger Europe. The next EC2U Forum will be held in Umeå in April 2027.Tue, 26 May 2026 09:10:15 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/day_2_-_group_photos._drone-22.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/day_2_-_group_photos._drone-22.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/day_2_-_group_photos._drone-22.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/day_2_-_group_photos._drone-22.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/day_2_-_group_photos._drone-22.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/day_2_-_group_photos._drone-22.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Over 460 delegates from all EC2U member universities gathered on site at the EC2U Forum in Turku, Finland (18–21 May 2026), alongside 60 participants joining online.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>EC2U</span></div></div><p>Organised under the theme “<strong>Shaping European Futures through Quality Education,</strong>” the <a title="10th EC2U Forum" href="https://www.ec2u.eu/ec2u-forum-university-turku">10th EC2U Forum</a> provided a platform for discussions on current challenges, the development of future collaborations and the strengthening of networks across the Alliance’s universities and partner cities. Umeå University was represented by a delegation of 40 researchers, staff and students, including three representatives from Umeå Municipality.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/lexelius_peter_5113_231129_mpn.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/lexelius_peter_5113_231129_mpn.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/lexelius_peter_5113_231129_mpn.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/lexelius_peter_5113_231129_mpn.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/lexelius_peter_5113_231129_mpn.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/lexelius_peter_5113_231129_mpn.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Peter Lexelius, EC2U Project Coordinator.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>"The forum gave us a valuable opportunity to exchange perspectives with colleagues from across Europe and explore new avenues for collaboration in education and research, with a view of creating a fairer, more equal and sustainable world,” says Peter Lexelius, EC2U project coordinator at Umeå University.</p><h3>Advancing quality education via collaboration and student engagement</h3><p>The themes of the EC2U Forums are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This year’s programme focused on the importance of high-quality education and addressed topics such as sustainability, wellbeing, multilingualism, inclusion, accessible education, talent retention and active European citizenship.<br><br>As part of the Forum programme, the EC2U Student Challenge brought together ten groups of students who worked collaboratively on themes including equitable and accessible learning, digital transformation and the future of education, and sustainability and employability. Each group developed a poster presenting their ideas and proposed solutions, which were shared during the Voice of Students poster walk session. </p><p class="quote-center">The most valuable part for me was the exchange of knowledge, with students and staff from different backgrounds sharing experiences to build a better European future.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/img_0257.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/img_0257.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/img_0257.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/img_0257.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/img_0257.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/img_0257.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Karina Eremin participated in the EC2U Student Challege which resulted in the <em>Voice of Students</em> poster session on 21 May 2026.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>David Meyers</span></div></div><p>“The most valuable part for me was the exchange of knowledge, with students and staff from different backgrounds sharing experiences to build a better European future,” says Karina Eremin, student in the International Business and Economics programme at Umeå University and one of ten students from the Umeå delagtation.<br><br>“The discussion on employability and supporting local communities stood out,” she continues. “Universities face similar challenges but take different approaches, which pushed us to think beyond our own context and find solutions together.” </p><p>At the Forum, the outcomes of local EC2U Think Tank sessions were presented and discussed, highlighting the role of education systems in developing digital skills and promoting digital citizenship. The discussions also emphasised the importance of addressing existing power structures in language use and strengthening cultural competences to support inclusion and mutual understanding. These insights will form the basis for future policy recommendations within the Alliance.</p><h3>Team Umeå wins EC2U Science Contest semi-final</h3><p>The Forum also hosted the semi-final of the EC2U Science Contest, where teams of researchers and doctoral students from Friedrich Schiller University Jena (Germany), the University of Turku and Umeå University developed solutions to challenges submitted in advance by the public. One question the teams had to answer in less than 60 seconds was, “If AI suddenly became human, what would it do first and why?”</p><p>Following a very close vote, Team Umeå was selected as the winner and will advance to the final in 2027, where they will compete against teams from the University of Pavia and Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași.<br><br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/l7NNk-3CJrE?si=Y317ivAmFRNsxvX4&t=140">Watch the Science Contest recording on the EC2U Youtube channel</a></p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/ec2u_-_day_3_competition-54.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/ec2u_-_day_3_competition-54.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/ec2u_-_day_3_competition-54.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/ec2u_-_day_3_competition-54.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/ec2u_-_day_3_competition-54.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/ec2u_-_day_3_competition-54.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Team Umeå from left to right: Hanna Söderlund, Associate Professor, Language Studies; Jesper Enbom, Associate Professor, Media and Communications; Manju Maharjan, Doctoral Student, Plant Physiology; Kristina Lejon, Professor, Immunology; and Jerker Fick, Associate Professsor Chemistry (not seen in photo).</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>EC2U</span></div></div><h3>Umeå to host the 2027 Forum</h3><p>The Forum in Turku also marked the starting point for the next EC2U Forum, which will be held in Umeå on<strong> 12–15 April 2027</strong>. As the eleventh Forum and the first to be hosted in Umeå, preparations are already well underway in close cooperation with local and regional stakeholders. Approximately 500 delegates are expected to attend.</p><p class="quote-center">We are proud to host the next Forum and warmly invite the EC2U community to join us in creating an open, inclusive and meaningful event.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/norberg_cath_rine9157_230112_mpn.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/norberg_cath_rine9157_230112_mpn.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/norberg_cath_rine9157_230112_mpn.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/norberg_cath_rine9157_230112_mpn.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/norberg_cath_rine9157_230112_mpn.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/norberg_cath_rine9157_230112_mpn.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Cathrine Norberg, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Education.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>“The EC2U Forum is an important platform for strengthening collaboration and advancing high-quality education and research," says Cathrine Norberg, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Education at Umeå University. <br><br>"It reflects Umeå University’s commitment to working together with partners, students and society to shape knowledge that contributes to a sustainable and democratic future," she continues. "We are proud to host the next Forum and warmly invite the EC2U community to join us in creating an open, inclusive and meaningful event. We also encourage participants to experience the culture, environment and natural surroundings of Umeå and northern Sweden."</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/day_2_-_group_photos-24.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/day_2_-_group_photos-24.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/day_2_-_group_photos-24.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/day_2_-_group_photos-24.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/day_2_-_group_photos-24.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/day_2_-_group_photos-24.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Umeå delegation at the EC2U Forum 2026 in Turku, Finland.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>EC2U</span></div></div>/en/news/ec2u-forum-2026-highlights-collaboration-and-quality-education_12174955//en/news/crisis-communication-healthcare-at-home-and-future-mobility_12174845/Crisis communication, healthcare at home and future mobilityOn 2–3 June 2026, Umeå Institute of Design (UID), part of Umeå University, presents UID26 | Design Talks & Degree Show. Graduating students from MFA Advanced Product Design, MFA Interaction Design, MFA Transportation Design, and the BFA Programme in Industrial Design share their final projects through talks and a public exhibition.Tue, 26 May 2026 08:00:07 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>UID26 explores what design leaves behind: in materials, systems, and people’s lives.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>David Dahlberg</span></div></div><p>This year’s student-chosen theme, <strong>TRACES</strong>, explores what design leaves behind: in materials, systems, and people’s lives. It reflects the journey behind each project, from early research and fieldwork to tangible proposals, and invites discussion about the long-term impact of design on society and the planet.</p><h3>Design proposals grounded in real-world challenges</h3><p>UID26 presents design proposals that respond to current challenges across healthcare, mobility, sustainability, and everyday life. The projects move beyond concepts to address how systems work in practice, from hospital workflows and infrastructure to domestic routines and public spaces.</p><p>The exhibition brings together work that explores:</p><p>·      how care is moving from hospitals into the home</p><p>·      how cities adapt to changing mobility needs and climate conditions</p><p>·      how everyday products can support independence, dignity, and inclusion</p><p>·      how design can strengthen resilience in uncertain or fragile systems</p><p><strong>Highlights from the Class of 2026</strong></p><p>In <strong>MFA Advanced Product Design, Cosima Pauli</strong> explores how people can stay connected when digital infrastructure fails, proposing a discreet communication device designed for censorship, shutdowns, and crisis situations.</p><p>Also in Advanced Product Design, <strong>Pierre Brand</strong> develops a multisensory learning system that supports children with dyslexia through haptic feedback, translating reading into tactile cues that reduce cognitive overload and build confidence.</p><p>In the same programme, projects also address healthcare systems directly, from a next-generation anaesthesia platform that reduces complexity and material waste in operating rooms, to concepts that make long-term treatment in the home more manageable and less intrusive in everyday life. At the same time, other projects shift focus to everyday rituals, including a tactile music system designed to counter digital fatigue and restore a sense of presence at home.</p><p>In <strong>MFA Interaction Design, Ece Günesen</strong> questions how women’s health technologies represent the body, proposing more open and interpretative ways of engaging with health data that prioritise lived experience over constant optimisation.</p><p>“I would love to explore women’s health data as something that is to be lived with, and not something to be fixed,” says Günesen.</p><p>Across the <strong>Interaction Design programme</strong>, projects also explore how design can support attention, inclusion, and participation in everyday life, from gaze-aware interfaces in cars to tools that help people feel more confident navigating unfamiliar public spaces.</p><p>In <strong>MFA Transportation Design, David Dahlberg</strong> explores how long-distance rail travel could become more attractive by improving the social and emotional experience of night trains, balancing privacy with safe and optional interaction.</p><p>Other mobility projects in the programme address urgent challenges such as emergency response in remote terrain, climate adaptation in extreme heat, and how shared mobility can support more inclusive and service-oriented travel experiences.</p><p>In the <strong>BFA Programme in Industrial Design</strong>, students focus on everyday systems and lived experience, developing tangible solutions for areas such as home-based healthcare, food storage and preparedness, workplace safety, and access to nature. These projects show how design can make systemic challenges more manageable in daily life, without requiring large-scale change to existing infrastructure.</p><h3>A platform for critical conversation</h3><p>UID26 is both a public showcase and a moment to reflect on the responsibilities behind design decisions.</p><p>For Demian Horst, Head of Institute at Umeå Institute of Design, the theme highlights process as well as impact.</p><p>“TRACES reminds us that design is never only what we make, but also what we change through the act of making. At UID26, our students show how careful research, collaboration, and craft can lead to work that is inclusive, sustainability-minded, and honest about the imprint design leaves on the world,” says Horst.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="486d2a83-995d-4d2f-9d01-33a23e7262ac" data-contentname="Global access: digital exhibition and live programme">{}</div><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="363de611-b0b7-4a5b-b8bd-5f318a713306" data-contentname="Public exhibition: welcome to visit">{}</div><p> </p>/en/news/crisis-communication-healthcare-at-home-and-future-mobility_12174845//en/news/human-geographer-receives-umea-municipalitys-scientific-prize_12174990/Human geographer receives Umeå municipality's scientific prize Dorothee Bohn, postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Geography, receives the prize for her research that highlights how the development of tourism, climate change and political decisions are reshaping the relationship between society and nature in the Arctic. The prize will be awarded during the Annual Ceremony on October 17, 2026.Mon, 25 May 2026 15:17:49 +0200<p>Dorothee Bohn defended her doctoral thesis in Human Geography at Umeå University in April 2024 with the thesis Arctic geographies in the making, in which she analyzed the political economy and institutional governance of tourism in Arctic regions. Since her dissertation, she has been active as a postdoc at the Department of Geography with the project Understanding society–nature relationships in regional development.</p><p>Her research is clearly focused on environmental issues in northern and Arctic areas, with a particular focus on how societal processes affect natural resources, landscapes and ecological conditions. Through qualitative and theoretical in-depth analysis, she examines how climate change, tourism development and regional forms of governance reshape the relationship between society and nature.</p><p>Several of her publications deal with environmentally sensitive environments in the Arctic and subarctic regions. She analyses, for example, how the expansion of tourism affects natural environments and how notions of "untouched nature" are produced and commercialised in Arctic landscapes. In other work, she studies how public funding and multi-level governance shape development pathways in sparsely populated regions, with consequences for land use, natural resource utilisation and long-term sustainability.</p><p>A central part of her research concerns the importance of climate change for tourism and regional development, including snow- and glacier-based tourism in a warming world. Here, she contributes to the understanding of how climate-related risks and uncertainties affect local communities, planning and policy-making.</p><p>In addition to empirical studies, Dorothee Bohn contributes to theoretical development by critically examining how nature and the environment are treated in social science theory. She problematizes the use of scientifically inspired metaphors in, for example, economic geography and argues for more integrated and environmentally conscious theoretical frameworks for understanding the contemporary so-called polycrisis, where climate change is a central component.</p><p>Since her dissertation, she has received the Arctic Six Fellowship (2025–2027), been a co-applicant in international projects and established international collaborations within Critical Arctic Studies and the International Polar Tourism Network. All in all, she has quickly established herself as an independent and internationally visible researcher in environmental social science research with particular relevance to northern Sweden.</p>/en/news/human-geographer-receives-umea-municipalitys-scientific-prize_12174990//en/news/the-growth-of-sami-political-institutions_12174996/The growth of Sámi political institutionsA new doctoral thesis by Luke Laframboise, Umeå University, demonstrate that Sámi political institutions have historically grown through adaptive, relational strategies that enabled significant political gains. Mon, 25 May 2026 15:03:17 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/0e049a31a4534287804049c99d1028f3/luke_laframboise_img_6228-1.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/0e049a31a4534287804049c99d1028f3/luke_laframboise_img_6228-1.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/0e049a31a4534287804049c99d1028f3/luke_laframboise_img_6228-1.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/0e049a31a4534287804049c99d1028f3/luke_laframboise_img_6228-1.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/0e049a31a4534287804049c99d1028f3/luke_laframboise_img_6228-1.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/0e049a31a4534287804049c99d1028f3/luke_laframboise_img_6228-1.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Luke Laframboise</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Per Melander</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">Shows a growing gap between expected outcomes and political realities</p><p>Luke Laframboise says that the Sámi of Sápmi are an Indigenous people of one nation, split across four borders. <br> <br>“Perhaps unsurprisingly, working within and across four separate state systems has made them excellent diplomats. Yet, until recently, their role in international politics has been underexplored”, Luke Laframboise says and continues:  <br> <br>“Moreover, the question of how and why they engage with state institutions has become ever more relevant, as Sámi–state relations across the Nordics have become increasingly strained. This has only been made worse by climate change, neglect and the changing nature of international politics”.</p><h3>Adaptive and pragmatic strategies</h3><p>He further says that using three case studies spanning three political levels, and how his dissertation explores how the structures that govern Sámi-state relations have been shaped over time, and what the current state of relations says about placing faith in state institutions. <br> <br>“Through this process, this project finds that historically Sámi political institutions grew through adaptive, pragmatic strategies of engagement. However, as these institutions have matured and become embedded within state frameworks, their strategic flexibility has diminished”. <br> <br>As a result, Sámi actors now face barriers towards expanding their political influence through the very same institutions they have come to rely on. <br> <br>“What this demonstrates is a growing rift between expected outcomes and political realities, highlighting risks inherent in pursuing Indigenous sovereignty through formal political institutions.” <br> <br>This dissertation contributes to Sámi research, Indigenous studies, and International Relations by theorising the effects of institutional maturation on Indigenous political agency, empirically tracing Sámi engagement across borders and governance levels, and critically problematising state-based pathways to Indigenous self-determination. In doing so, it highlights the structural limits and risks inherent in pursuing Indigenous sovereignty through formal political institutions. </p>/en/news/the-growth-of-sami-political-institutions_12174996//en/news/same-data-different-answer-a-new-nature-study-counts-the-gap_12174815/Same data, different answer? A new Nature study counts the gapSame data, a different result? A new study published in Nature measures how much published findings depend on who analyses them — and a recently arrived researcher at Umeå University was part of the work.Mon, 25 May 2026 08:00:05 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>The study has looked into how much a finding depends on the particular person who happens to analyse the data.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Johnér Bildbyrå AB</span></div></div><p>A new study in Nature has put a number on something the published literature usually leaves unmeasured: how much a finding depends on the particular person who happens to analyse the data. Across 100 social and behavioural science studies reanalysed by 457 independent researchers, only a third of the new effect-size estimates fell close to the original. Marcus Kubsch, recently appointed Associate Professor at the Department of Science and Mathematics Education (NMD) at Umeå University, contributed three of those reanalyses.</p><p>The project, known as Multi100 and led by Balazs Aczel and Barnabas Szaszi at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, Hungary, gave each of 100 published claims to at least five independent analysts. Each analyst received the data and the claim, but no instructions about how to test it. The question was simple: if competent researchers are left to make their own justifiable choices about how to analyse the same data, do they reach the same answer?</p><h3>One third of the numbers, three quarters of the conclusions</h3><p>Results often differed — at least when it came to the exact numbers. In just over a third of cases, the new estimates were close to the original, and with a wider margin this rose to just over half. However, the overall conclusions were more consistent: in nearly three out of four cases, researchers reached the same general conclusion as in the original study. The differences could not be explained by the analysts’ statistical expertise, and larger datasets did not make the results more consistent.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareleft"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Marcus Kubsch, associate professor at the Department of Science and Mathematics Education.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>The implication is not that the published literature is broadly wrong but that a single analytical path through a dataset is not, by itself, enough to settle a question. The authors behind the study recommend that high-stakes findings be accompanied by structured robustness reports or multi-analyst checks.</p><h3>A question that predated the project</h3><p>Marcus Kubsch took three of the 100 datasets, built his own analysis from the claim and the raw data, and submitted code and results to the lead team. His interest in the subject actually predates the paper. As a master's student he read John Ioannidis's Why most published research findings are false, and the argument stayed with him. As a PhD student, while analysing data for the project he was working on, he found a quiet bug in an R script that had been inflating effect sizes.</p><p>"Once you have seen one of those errors, you start asking how often the same kind of thing happens and never gets caught” he says. “Multi100 is the systematic version of that question."</p><p>The work travelled with him geographically. He began the reanalyses as a postdoctoral research group leader, continued them through his time as assistant professor, and saw the paper appear shortly after taking up his Umeå University position in May 2026.</p><h3>A global effort</h3><p>Multi100 is part of the Systematizing Confidence in Open Research and Evidence (SCORE) programme, funded by DARPA and coordinated by the Center for Open Science. The wider SCORE collaboration drew on 865 researchers across the social and behavioural sciences.</p><p>"Several hundred people on every continent were willing to spend real hours on a problem whose only payoff is a clearer picture of how science actually works" Kubsch says. "That tells you something about the field as well as about the finding."</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="2de77d63-d201-48a5-9061-b5288c70ba82" data-contentname="About the author">{}</div><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="b58ab23e-5907-4be1-98da-dc62e8a39df8" data-contentname="About the study">{}</div><p> </p><p> </p>/en/news/same-data-different-answer-a-new-nature-study-counts-the-gap_12174815//en/news/whole-organ-3d-imaging-reveals-remaining-insulin-producing-cells-in-type-1-diabetes_12174867/Whole organ 3D imaging reveals remaining insulin producing cells in type 1 diabetesResearchers at Umeå University have conducted a unique three-dimensional mapping of an entire human pancreas. The study shows that insulin-producing cells can remain long after the onset of type 1 diabetes – a finding that suggests the disease progression is more complex than previously assumed.Mon, 25 May 2026 07:48:35 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/e3862f35da31471dbbcf09ba8ecd6a6e/image_1_3d2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/e3862f35da31471dbbcf09ba8ecd6a6e/image_1_3d2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/e3862f35da31471dbbcf09ba8ecd6a6e/image_1_3d2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/e3862f35da31471dbbcf09ba8ecd6a6e/image_1_3d2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/e3862f35da31471dbbcf09ba8ecd6a6e/image_1_3d2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/e3862f35da31471dbbcf09ba8ecd6a6e/image_1_3d2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Three‑dimensional images of entire human pancreases in which the islets of Langerhans are stained for insulin (red). Despite the marked difference between the pancreas from the non‑diabetic and the type 1 diabetic donor, the latter still contained hundreds of thousands of insulin‑producing cells.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ulf Ahlgren</span></div></div><p>“Our results suggest the pancreas can retain β cells – those insulin‑producing cells that are typically destroyed in type 1 diabetes – in a way that has not previously been recognized,” says Ulf Ahlgren, Professor at the Department of Medical and Translational Biology at Umeå University.</p><p>Using advanced imaging technologies, researchers at Umeå University have created the first complete 3D map of an entire pancreas from a donor with late‑onset type 1 diabetes, at a microscopic resolution. The analysis revealed that while traditional islets of Langerhans were largely depleted of β-cells, a substantial number of insulin‑producing cells still remained outside the islet structures. These were primarily found as individual cells or as small clusters of b-cells, in which the cells were distanced from all other endocrine cell types. In total, the researchers identified hundreds of thousands of insulin‑positive objects.</p><p>“The fact that these cells are located outside the islets and are more numerous than the islet‑associated β-cells, i.e. in inversed proportions compared to non-diabetic subjects, suggests that they may either be more resistant to destruction or that new β-cells can be formed,” says Ulf Ahlgren.</p><p>The researchers argue that analyses traditional islet-focused analyses risk underestimating how many β-cells actually survive in type 1 diabetes. The new findings point to a previously overlooked cellular reservoir that could, in the long term, become a target for novel therapeutic strategies.</p><p>“The ability to study individual cells throughout an entire organ and from all angles has the potential to change how we think about β‑cell loss,” explains Ulf Ahlgren. “If certain regions of the pancreas promote β‑cell survival, understanding these microenvironments could help guide the development of therapies that stabilize, or even expand the remaining b-cells in type 1 diabetes.”</p><p>Doctoral student Joakim Lehrstrand also emphasizes the importance of broadening the perspective.</p><p>“This work shows that we must look beyond the islets when studying β‑cell biology in type 1 diabetes,” he says.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/e3862f35da31471dbbcf09ba8ecd6a6e/joakim_och_ulf3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/e3862f35da31471dbbcf09ba8ecd6a6e/joakim_och_ulf3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/e3862f35da31471dbbcf09ba8ecd6a6e/joakim_och_ulf3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/e3862f35da31471dbbcf09ba8ecd6a6e/joakim_och_ulf3.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/e3862f35da31471dbbcf09ba8ecd6a6e/joakim_och_ulf3.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/e3862f35da31471dbbcf09ba8ecd6a6e/joakim_och_ulf3.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>PhD student Joakim Lehrstrand (foreground) and Professor Ulf Ahlgren at a so‑called light sheet fluorescence microscopy, one of the techniques they use to create three-dimensional images of the pancreas in diabetes. </p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Björn Morén</span></div></div><p>The research group believes that whole‑organ 3D imaging will become a key tool in future studies of type 1 diabetes and other pancreas related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and pancreas cancer. The method makes it possible to identify specific regions or even individual cells throughout the entire organ, something that has previously been extremely difficult using conventional techniques. These regions can then be isolated for further molecular analyses.</p><p>“Hopefully, this will help us understand whether and how β-cells and their microenvironment differ within the pancreas in diabetes,” says Ulf Ahlgren.</p><p>The results have been published in Science Advances.</p>/en/news/whole-organ-3d-imaging-reveals-remaining-insulin-producing-cells-in-type-1-diabetes_12174867//en/news/new-project-investigates-how-plants-stay-strong-while-growing_12174532/New project investigates how plants stay strong while growingThe cell wall gives plants strength and structure, but contrary to what one might assume, it is not a rigid structure. Instead, it is highly dynamic and constantly interacts with the rest of the cell and the neighbouring cells as the plant grows. There are still many open questions about the nature of these interactions and this is what Laura Bacete Cano investigates in her project DYNAMO, recently funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation.Thu, 21 May 2026 17:34:02 +0200<p>Fast growth and structural stability often pull in opposite directions. In agriculture, plants that grow quickly can become weak and prone to bending or collapsing. In forestry, rapid growth can reduce wood quality. Finding ways to combine speed and strength is therefore a long-standing goal in plant science with important implications for agriculture and forestry.</p><p class="quote-right">When we think of a wall, we imagine something rigid and inert: a city wall, the side of a house. But the plant cell wall is constantly changing</p><p>At the heart of this challenge lies the plant cell wall - a tough, flexible outer layer that surrounds every plant cell. The wall gives plants their shape, supports their growth, and forms materials from dietary fibers to wood used for construction. But it is not just a passive structure.</p><p>“When we think of a wall, we imagine something rigid and inert: a city wall, the side of a house. But the plant cell wall is constantly changing: it senses its own state, loosens and stiffens as the plant grows, and actively interacts with neighbouring cells,” says Laura Bacete Cano, who recently received an Emerging Investigator Grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation for her project DYNAMO.</p><p>As plant cells grow, their walls must loosen to allow expansion. At the same time, the walls also need to maintain enough strength to support the growing tissue. Plants therefore continuously adjust the properties of their cell walls as they develop.</p><p class="quote-left quote-center">We know that genes and hormones play a central role in controlling how plants grow. What DYNAMO asks is whether the wall itself is also part of that conversation.</p><p>The DYNAMO project explores how this process is regulated. The researchers propose that chemical and mechanical changes in the cell wall - meaning how stiff or flexible it is - act as signals. They describe the wall as a communication system, where structural changes are encoded, transmitted, and decoded into decisions about how the plant grows. In other words, the wall itself may tell the cell how to coordinate continued growth with mechanical support.</p><p>“We know that genes and hormones play a central role in controlling how plants grow,” says Laura Bacete Cano. “What DYNAMO asks is whether the wall itself is also part of that conversation: whether the chemical and mechanical changes in the wall are not just consequences of growth, but signals that actively help guide plant development.”</p><p>To test this idea, the team aims to identify early signals in the cell wall by modifying certain wall components. Preliminary results in the laboratory model Arabidopsis thaliana are already promising. Now, they want to continue and track how these signals spread between neighbouring cells, which is crucial for the plants to coordinate growth across tissues and maintain overall stability.</p><p>The researchers will also build computational models linking early wall properties to later developmental outcomes. These models will then be tested in hybrid aspen, a fast-growing tree species widely used in forestry research.</p><p>Beyond the fundamental science, the project could open new possibilities for plant breeding. By identifying structural and chemical changes in the cell wall linked to plant growth, the findings may eventually help breeders identify crop varieties and tree lines that combine speed and strength earlier and more reliably. This could save both time and resources in plant breeding. In the longer term, this could contribute to more productive and resilient crops and forests.</p><p> </p><p>The project: <strong>DYNAMO - Dynamics of Mechanochemical Signals in Plant Cell Walls</strong></p><p><a href="https://researchleaderprogramme.com/">More information about the Research Leader Programme of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, including the Emerging Investigator Grant</a></p>/en/news/new-project-investigates-how-plants-stay-strong-while-growing_12174532//en/news/swedes-seek-a-life-between-the-countryside-and-the-city_12174410/Swedes seek a life between the countryside and the cityWhen you arrive in a big city, do you feel energised by the diversity of opportunities around you – or overwhelmed by crowds, stress, noise and the sense that everything moves too fast? New research from Umeå University suggests that many Swedes are looking for something in between. Neither the pace of city life nor the limitations of remote rural areas appear to be the most attractive option.Thu, 21 May 2026 07:45:04 +0200<p>For a long time, major cities have been seen as natural centres of opportunity, innovation and economic growth. At the same time, many people in Sweden continue to move from metropolitan regions to non-metropolitan areas in search of different ways to organise work, family life and everyday wellbeing.</p><p>Sarper Neyse, a doctoral student at Umeå University, has examined the interaction between people and regions in Sweden’s non-metropolitan areas. These places are often overshadowed by Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö, despite the fact that a large share of Sweden’s population actually lives there.</p><p>Using survey and register data, he has studied why people leave large cities, how they experience life after moving and which factors influence whether they stay long term.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Findings that challenge common assumptions</h2><p>The findings suggest that many people who leave large cities do not experience the trade-off between career opportunities and quality of life that is often assumed. Several respondents reported improvements in their living environment, reduced stress and more time with family. At the same time, many also experienced positive changes in their working lives.</p><p>“The findings challenge the common assumption that people must choose between career opportunities and quality of life,” says Sarper Neyse.</p><p>His research also shows that many people do not move to isolated rural areas. Instead, they tend to choose accessible areas outside major cities that still maintain strong connections to larger labour markets.</p><p>“This suggests that counterurban migration is less about completely leaving urban systems behind and more about repositioning oneself within them,” says Sarper Neyse.</p><p>He describes this development as an attempt to create a more sustainable everyday life where work, family life and leisure are easier to combine.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Cities continue to attract people</h2><p>Large cities continue to attract young people, investments and specialised labour markets. At the same time, a growing body of research points to increasing stress, housing pressure and mental health issues linked to the fast pace of urban life. More remote rural areas, on the other hand, often struggle to attract and retain younger populations due to more limited job opportunities.</p><p>“These in-between areas could perhaps be described as a geographical form of the Swedish concept of ‘lagom’ – a balance between accessibility and opportunities on the one hand, and wellbeing and continuity in everyday life on the other,” says Sarper Neyse.</p><p>Another finding is that long-term settlement matters more than temporary relocation. People tend to remain longer when job opportunities, accessibility, family circumstances and social integration reinforce each other over time.</p><p>“Families with children, individuals with stronger labour market attachment and people who become socially integrated in their destination regions are more likely to stay long term,” he says.</p><p>Sarper Neyse also raises a broader question about the human need for social context and manageability in everyday life.</p><p>“Perhaps this tension reflects something deeply human: our constant search for environments where social relationships, work, family life and daily routines feel manageable and meaningful,” he says.</p><p>He believes that the human need for overview and social belonging may also influence where we choose to live. Humans evolved in relatively small and socially cohesive groups, and even in modern societies our ability to maintain relationships, routines and a sense of belonging remains limited by time, attention and the organisation of everyday life.</p>/en/news/swedes-seek-a-life-between-the-countryside-and-the-city_12174410//en/news/investigative-journalist-and-internationally-recognised-professor-appointed-honorary-doctors_12174287/<description>The Faculty of Social Sciences at Umeå University appoints two new honorary doctors: a journalist and author with extensive experience of investigative work in northern Sweden, and an internationally recognized professor from South Africa focusing on global educational transition and the development of green skills.</description><pubDate>Tue, 19 May 2026 14:47:17 +0200</pubDate><atom:content type="html"><p>Journalist and author Arne Müller is awarded an honorary doctorate for his prominent role as an investigative journalist with a focus on industrial transformation, mining, energy and climate policy and regional development.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareleft"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2aea15ea6ae24a4ea013fff8c4037de1/muller_arne4.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/2aea15ea6ae24a4ea013fff8c4037de1/muller_arne4.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/2aea15ea6ae24a4ea013fff8c4037de1/muller_arne4.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/2aea15ea6ae24a4ea013fff8c4037de1/muller_arne4.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/2aea15ea6ae24a4ea013fff8c4037de1/muller_arne4.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/2aea15ea6ae24a4ea013fff8c4037de1/muller_arne4.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Arne Müller, honorary doctor at the Faculty of Social Sciences, 2026.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Erland Segerstedt</span></div></div><p>For over thirty years, he has through independent and investigative journalism provided in-depth perspectives on how resource extraction affects the economy, society and the environment, with a particular focus on northern Sweden. His work is characterized by extensive document studies, economic analysis, interview-based empirical data and systematic review of political decision-making processes. Through his writing, he has become an important voice in debates on industrial growth, state support and regional development.</p><p>With a background in economics from Umeå University, Arne Müller  has on several occasions been invited as a lecturer and also collaborated with researchers at the Department of Geography and the Centre for Regional Science. The honorary doctorate is a recognition of his exceptional contribution to critical knowledge development and public education on social issues of great importance for our time.</p><p>The Faculty of Social Sciences also appoints Professor Heila Lotz-Sisitka as an honorary doctor for her groundbreaking research on transformative learning, for her global leadership in sustainability education and for her long-term and</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2aea15ea6ae24a4ea013fff8c4037de1/lotz-sisitka_heila_12.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/2aea15ea6ae24a4ea013fff8c4037de1/lotz-sisitka_heila_12.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/2aea15ea6ae24a4ea013fff8c4037de1/lotz-sisitka_heila_12.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/2aea15ea6ae24a4ea013fff8c4037de1/lotz-sisitka_heila_12.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/2aea15ea6ae24a4ea013fff8c4037de1/lotz-sisitka_heila_12.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/2aea15ea6ae24a4ea013fff8c4037de1/lotz-sisitka_heila_12.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Heila Lotz-Sisitka, honorary doctor at the Faculty of Social Sciences, 2026.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Jackie Grove</span></div></div><p>rewarding collaboration with Umeå University. Heila Lotz-Sisitka is an internationally recognized professor and Distinguished Professor at Rhodes University in South Africa. Since 2016, she has held a national research professorship focusing on how education systems around the world can respond to global change, including through learning for green skills. In 2000, she was awarded Africa's first professorship in environmental education and has since established herself as one of the world's leading voices in education for sustainable development.</p><p>Lotz-Sisitka has collaborated with Umeå University for over fifteen years, first within the national doctoral program GRESD (Graduate School in Education and Sustainable Development) and later within the STINT-funded collaboration SASUF (The South Africa-Sweden University Forum). Her contribution to the research environment at the Department of Applied Educational Sciences and other departments, as well as to the graduate school of educational sciences at Umeå School of Education, has been of great importance to both doctoral students and researchers at the faculty.</p></atom:content><link>/en/news/investigative-journalist-and-internationally-recognised-professor-appointed-honorary-doctors_12174287/</link></item><item xml:base="en/news/key-takeaways-from-scilifelab-infrastructure-day-in-umea_12174277/"><guid isPermaLink="false">/en/news/key-takeaways-from-scilifelab-infrastructure-day-in-umea_12174277/</guid><title>Exploring the infrastructure landscape and data management challenges: key takeaways from SciLifeLab Infrastructure Day in UmeåSciLifeLab Infrastructure Day gave participants a clearer picture of the infrastructures and support systems available for life science research in Umeå. At the same time, the event highlighted both the complexity of today’s research data landscape and the ongoing efforts to make it easier to navigate, particularly during the panel discussion on data management where the audience played an active role in shaping the conversation.Tue, 19 May 2026 14:09:42 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_114338.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_114338.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_114338.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_114338.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_114338.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_114338.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Participants of the SciLifeLab Infrastructure Day 2026 at Umeå University</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Anna Shevtsova</span></div></div><p>For one day, a little over 130 researchers, technical staff and support functions gathered at Umeå University to discuss the infrastructures behind modern life science research. Participants from SciLifeLab, SLU, Umeå University and Region Västerbotten came together around a shared question: how can research infrastructures and data management better support science?<br>Throughout the day, participants moved between infrastructure pitches, presentations and poster sessions showcasing a broad range of technologies, infrastructures and support functions linked to life science research. Some were connected to the national SciLifeLab network, while others represented local initiatives and research environments from Umeå University, SLU and Region Västerbotten.<br>Overall, SciLifeLab Infrastructure Day offered participants both a clearer understanding of the infrastructure available within the national SciLifeLab network and a space for new conversations around future collaboration. The event reflected both the complexity of today’s research landscape and the ongoing efforts to build systems that allow researchers to spend more time on science and less time navigating fragmented infrastructures.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_102017.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_102017.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_102017.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_102017.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_102017.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_102017.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Participants of the SciLifeLab Infrastructure Day 2026 at Umeå University are mingling during the poster session</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Anna Shevtsova</span></div></div><p><br>While the day covered a wide range of infrastructures and technologies, one part of the programme focused specifically on the growing challenges connected to research data management. Vivien Horváth Wallemberg fellow, who joined Umeå University in 2025 commented on the day:</p><p class="quote-center">“I think the day was great and it was a very good opportunity to hear about the available infrastructure at Umeå University, especially for someone like me who recently joined as a group leader. I thought the topic of the panel discussion was very important and timely and it seemed that the facilities and responsible staff are aware of the challenges that we face when it comes to data storage and analysis, especially sensitive data, and I hope that in the future they will actively work on trying to find solutions.”</p><h3><br>When research data becomes difficult to manage</h3><p><br>One of the most engaged discussions of the day centred on the practical realities of working with research data. The panel discussion highlighted challenges many researchers recognise: fragmented systems for storing and accessing data, increasing legal and security requirements, and the amount of time needed to organise data correctly throughout a project.<br>The panel brought together perspectives from several parts of the infrastructure landscape. Dr. Björn Nystedt represented NBIS, the national bioinformatics infrastructure, while Dr. Björn Torkelsson discussed the role of the high-performance computing infrastructure HPC2N and member of NAISS. Dr. Nicolas Delhomme, Coordinator for Data and Computational Support within the Wallenberg Initiative for Forest Research (WIFORCE), spoke about the challenges he is currently facing in research data management in connection with the establishment of the new data and computational support centre for WIFORCE.<br>Dr. Kelly Swarts reflected on the challenges researchers face when generating and organising large amounts of data in practice and said that she spent a lot of time at the beginning of her project thinking through and drafting a clear plan for how the data her research would be managed and used. Elisabeth Mach, legal officer at Umeå University, also highlighted how legal and ethical requirements surrounding research data are an important part of research workflows and that should not be overviewed.<br>Throughout the session, the audience contributed through Mentimeter questions that helped shape the discussion in real time. The format illustrated how many different competences are involved in supporting modern research data management, from bioinformatics and computing infrastructure to legal expertise and practical research experience.</p><h3>A need for simpler systems</h3><p>Several participants including members of the panel, described current data management systems as difficult, fragmented and time-consuming. A recurring theme throughout the discussion was the need for more coordinated solutions that allow researchers to spend less time navigating systems and more time focusing on science.</p><p class="quote-center">“There is a need to simplify how researchers work with data”</p><p>was a message that was expressed by Teresa Frisan and agreed by both panel and participants.The discussions also pointed toward ongoing national efforts to improve coordination between infrastructures, support functions and data systems. Shared platforms, national registries and improved support services were highlighted as important steps toward making research data easier to handle securely and efficiently, particularly when sensitive data are involved. Several speakers also pointed to ongoing efforts to improve coordination between infrastructures, support functions and data systems. Shared platforms, national registries and improved support services were highlighted as important steps toward making research data easier to handle securely and efficiently, particularly when sensitive data are involved. At the same time, it was noted that researchers also need to understand the importance of following institutional guidelines and regulations, and of attending relevant training and courses in data management to ensure good research practice.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_133414.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_133414.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_133414.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_133414.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_133414.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_133414.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Members of the panel discussion on Data Management at the SciLifeLab Infrastructure Day, 11 May 2026, at Umeå University. From left to right: Nicolas Delhomme (Coordinator for data and computational support for WIFORCE), Björn Nystedt (NBiS, UU), Kelly Swarts (DDLS Fellow, SLU & UMU), Elisabeth Mach (Legal Officer at Legal and Infromation Management Office UMU), Björn Torkelsson (Assistant Director of HPC2N, UMU)</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Anna Shevtsova</span></div></div><h3>Connecting local research to national infrastructure</h3><p>Beyond the discussions on data management, the event also highlighted SciLifeLab Site Umeå role within the national SciLifeLab network. Through the network, local expertise is connected to shared large-scale infrastructures and services across Sweden, allowing researchers access to technologies, support and collaborations beyond their own institutions.<br>Throughout the day, the conversations reflected both the opportunities and the growing complexity of modern life science research. More importantly, they showed how collaboration between researchers, infrastructures and support functions is becoming increasingly essential in a research landscape shaped by growing amounts of data.<br>Throughout the day, the conversations reflected both the opportunities and the growing complexity of modern life science research. More importantly, they showed how collaboration between researchers, infrastructures and support functions is becoming increasingly essential in a research landscape shaped by growing amounts of data.<br>The event was originally aimed at users, postdocs and young PIs. Still, several infrastructure representatives joked that the intended audience seemed somewhat difficult to spot in the room.<br>One thing became clear during SciLifeLab Infrastructure Day, it is that modern life science research no longer depends only on producing data — but also on understanding how to work with it together. The challenge for future events may simply be convincing even more PhD students, postdocs and young group leaders to step away from the lab bench for a day and join the conversation.</p>/en/news/key-takeaways-from-scilifelab-infrastructure-day-in-umea_12174277//en/news/new-molecules-breakthrough-in-fight-against-antibiotic-resistance_12173353/New molecules breakthrough in fight against antibiotic resistanceResearchers at Umeå University together with international partners have developed a new class of compounds that can both eliminate harmful bacteria and reduce their ability to cause infection. The findings could, in the longer term, contribute to addressing one of the most pressing global health challenges – antibiotic resistance. The study is published in the journal Science Advances.Tue, 19 May 2026 08:00:09 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>The researchers have developed an entirely new class of compounds with antibacterial properties. From left: Hasan Tükenmez, Mari Bonde, Souvik Sarkar, Fredrik Almqvist, Shaochun Zhu and Pardeep Singh.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Simon Jönsson</span></div></div><p>In a new study, researchers show how so‑called TriPcides can target the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, including antibiotic‑resistant strains such as MRSA. The compounds disrupt the bacteria’s ability to cause infection and can also kill dormant bacterial cells, which are often difficult to treat with existing antibiotics.</p><p>“We have developed an entirely new class of compounds with very promising antibacterial properties. What stands out is that the bacteria we have studied do not easily develop resistance to these synthetic antibiotics. We have also not observed any existing resistance in a wide range of clinical isolates, which is encouraging” says Fredrik Almqvist, Professor at the Department of Chemistry at Umeå University.</p><p>Antibiotic resistance is widely recognised as a growing global threat to public health. As bacteria become resistant to existing drugs, the risk increases of infections that are difficult to treat, longer hospital stays and higher mortality rates. There is therefore an urgent need for new strategies that can complement or replace current antibiotics.</p><p>The new compounds act by affecting bacterial cell membranes and interfering with processes that are essential for establishing infection. In laboratory studies, they have shown activity against several Gram‑positive bacteria, including resistant strains.</p><p>An important finding is that the compounds are also effective against so‑called persister cell – bacteria in a dormant state that often survive antibiotic treatment. These cells can later cause a relapse of the infection.</p><p>“Persister cells are bacteria that enter a state similar to dormancy, in which they do not divide and are metabolically inactive. A small fraction of the bacteria causing an infection are in this state and can therefore survive antibiotic treatment. Once treatment ends, they can resume growth and cause the infection to return. Our TriPcides also showed activity against persister cells, which is very exciting” says Fredrik Almqvist.</p><p>The discovery could, in the longer term, contribute to new treatment approaches for severe infections, although further research is required before the findings can be applied clinically.</p><p class="quote-left">There is a significant global need for new types of antibiotics to which bacteria have not already developed resistance, and this discovery is a positive step forward</p><p>In addition to antibiotic resistance, the findings are also relevant to another societal challenge: the strain on healthcare systems. More effective treatments could reduce the need for care and free up resources, particularly in cases where infections currently require prolonged treatment and repeated interventions.</p><p>“This study is the first to investigate this new type of antibiotic and offers hope that we can continue developing effective new treatments. There is a significant global need for new types of antibiotics to which bacteria have not already developed resistance, and this discovery is a positive step forward. We may be moving towards a new and effective option for combating infectious diseases” says Fredrik Almqvist.</p><p>The study is based on an international collaboration. Three research groups at Umeå University contributed, and the Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR) played an important role in bringing together complementary expertise.</p><p>The study has been published in the scientific journal Science Advances.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="f6b4d118-799d-468f-b902-450d91bc2879" data-contentname="About the scientific article">{}</div>/en/news/new-molecules-breakthrough-in-fight-against-antibiotic-resistance_12173353//en/news/swedens-image-abroad-may-influence-democracy-ahead-of-the-election_12173660/Sweden’s image abroad may influence democracy ahead of the electionSweden has long had a strong international reputation as an open, modern and democratic country. But that image is changing. Research from Umeå University shows how foreign political actors use the image of Sweden to advance their own ideological agendas, particularly on social media and in digital environments ahead of elections.Tue, 19 May 2026 07:45:04 +0200<p>Samuel Merrill, Associate Professor at the Centre for Digital Social Research and the Department of Sociology at Umeå University, has together with a team of international researchers examined how Sweden is portrayed in digital and political environments abroad. Their studies have focused, among other things, on how far-right groups in the United States, Germany, China and India describe Swedish politics and social developments online.</p><p>For a long time, Sweden has enjoyed a strong international reputation. The country has been described as a social laboratory, a neutral state and a model for welfare and modernity. During the 1930s, Sweden was seen as a possible “middle way” between capitalism and communism, and from the 1960s onwards the image of the Swedish model spread internationally.</p><p>– For example, during the Cold War, when the Swedish model was sometimes considered a little too close to communism for the taste of the US government, says Samuel Merrill.</p><p>Sweden’s international reputation has also been built through public institutions such as the Swedish Institute. For a long time, Swedish governments have worked to strengthen Sweden’s image abroad to exert so-called soft power, meaning influence created through culture, values and international trust rather than military or economic power.</p><p>– Over roughly the past century, Sweden has often been internationally identified as a utopian and ultramodern state, says Samuel Merrill.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">A changing image of Sweden</h2><p>At the same time, Samuel Merrill and his team’s research shows that the image of Sweden today is far more contested than before.</p><p>– In recent years, Sweden’s international image has been affected by the handling of the 2015 refugee crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic. At the same time, the image of Sweden as an exceptional country and a “humanitarian superpower” has begun to weaken, says Samuel Merrill.</p><p>Several developments in recent years have affected Sweden’s image internationally. These include migration policy after 2015, the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, the growing influence of the Sweden Democrats and Sweden’s entry into NATO in 2024. Research suggests these developments have altered the image of Sweden as a neutral state and as a country long seen as resistant to radical right-wing populism.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="c2e65f06-b37d-4c04-aeaf-283a0dd9d3e7" data-contentname="">{}</div><p>– These examples and others suggest that Sweden is beginning to fall in line with its Nordic and European neighbours, and that what was once considered unique about the country is gradually disappearing from the international view, says Samuel Merrill.</p><p>At the same time, social media and digital platforms have changed who shapes the image of Sweden internationally. Previously, the narrative about Sweden was mainly dominated by governments and established media outlets. Today, the image is also influenced by online activists, political movements, and alternative media.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Digital environments intensify conflicts</h2><p>In the project The Radicalisation of Sweden’s Image, funded by the Swedish Research Council, Samuel Merrill and collaborating researchers examined how foreign far-right actors use Sweden symbolically in their own political narratives.</p><p>One study within the project shows that American far-right actors repeatedly used Sweden between 2015 and 2022 to reinforce anti-immigration messages in the United States. News events from Sweden were not primarily used because they were important in Sweden itself. Instead, they were used when they suited the American political debate at a particular moment.</p><p>Another project study shows differences between how traditional media and far-right digital environments portrayed the Swedish election in 2022. International news media described Sweden’s political shift to the right in a more restrained way, although reporting was influenced by the political leanings of different media outlets. In far-right digital environments, the tone was considerably more exaggerated. There, developments in Sweden were portrayed as part of a broader inescapable international right-wing wave.</p><p class="quote-center">During the 2018 election, international far-right actors and Russian state-backed media attempted to influence Swedish domestic politics through disinformation campaigns</p><p>The close connection between international and Swedish far-right portrayals of Sweden demonstrates how anti-democratic ideas can spread between countries. The research also indicates that ideas connected to different forms of discrimination risk influencing Swedish domestic politics and may have negative consequences for democracy.</p><p>The researchers also see signs that disinformation has become more subtle and normalised within the political landscape. As a result, it may also become more difficult to detect.</p><p>– During the 2018 election, international far-right actors and Russian state-backed media attempted to influence Swedish domestic politics through disinformation campaigns. These campaigns painted a picture of Sweden in severe decline and aimed to benefit anti-immigration nationalist parties, Similar campaigns are likely to reappear ahead of the election in September, even if they are now often more subtle and harder to detect, says Samuel Merrill.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Democracy is affected by sweden’s image abroad</h2><p>Samuel Merrill believes that many people in Sweden still take the country’s international reputation for granted. At the same time, research shows that Sweden’s image can change rapidly in a time characterised by social media, digital disinformation and increasing political polarisation.</p><p>– Naturally, the world around Sweden is also changing, and how these changes, as well as those we may witness in September 2026, affect the image of the country also depends on the politics taking shape elsewhere, says Samuel Merrill.</p><p>He means that ultimately the progressive image of Sweden risks disappearing. It needs more support. Real actions to create a more, not less, democratic Swedish society, a more open, not closed, society, are needed.</p><p>– Such actions will hopefully not only benefit those living in Sweden, but also help revive the international perception of our country, says Samuel Merrill.</p><p>He also explains that ahead of the 2026 election, the question of who shapes the image of Sweden will become increasingly important.</p><p>– The image of Sweden, which will be in focus during the upcoming election both nationally and internationally, matters. Who gets to contribute to and shape that image, and how closely that image reflects people’s lived reality in this country, is an indicator of Sweden’s democratic health, says Samuel Merrill.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="390e6203-4815-46f0-b69b-64c8a27d3d6b" data-contentname="">{}</div>/en/news/swedens-image-abroad-may-influence-democracy-ahead-of-the-election_12173660//en/news/digital-strategies-by-indigenous-people-in-brazil_12174082/Digital strategies by media collectives of Indigenous people in BrazilA new doctoral dissertation by Camila Emboava Lopes, at Umeå University, highlights the importance of media production by Indigenous Peoples to the field of media and communication studies. Mon, 18 May 2026 15:12:07 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/032d0666f96e4d24a5c2d314d0d0bb40/camila_emboava_lopes_16_9_img_20210927_141420.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/032d0666f96e4d24a5c2d314d0d0bb40/camila_emboava_lopes_16_9_img_20210927_141420.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/032d0666f96e4d24a5c2d314d0d0bb40/camila_emboava_lopes_16_9_img_20210927_141420.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/032d0666f96e4d24a5c2d314d0d0bb40/camila_emboava_lopes_16_9_img_20210927_141420.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/032d0666f96e4d24a5c2d314d0d0bb40/camila_emboava_lopes_16_9_img_20210927_141420.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/032d0666f96e4d24a5c2d314d0d0bb40/camila_emboava_lopes_16_9_img_20210927_141420.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Camila Emboava Lopes</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Lieuwe Jan Hettema</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">Indigenous media producers seem to value on-site communication activities as much as digital communications</p><p>Camila Emboava Lopes says that media produced collectively by minorities such as Indigenous Peoples can be considered alternative because it is often produced outside the centres of power.</p><p>“Such groups often operate with fewer resources, and find creative ways to make their voices heard, combining on-site and digital communication strategies”, Camila Emboava Lopes says and continues:</p><p>“This doctoral dissertation provides an analysis of how different media initiatives developed by Indigenous producers in Brazil use digital media in their communication work.”</p><p>“One of the surprising findings is that Indigenous media producers seem to value on-site communication activities as much as digital communications. For example, even the initiatives that operate mainly on social media also promote on-site events like workshops, meetings and festivals.”</p><h3>Contemporary rather than the past</h3><p>Camila Emboava Lopes emphasizes that digital forms of communications seem to be particularly useful to communicate with outsiders. Communicators use digital media to reinforce that Indigenous Peoples are contemporary, rather than belonging to the past.</p><p>“Furthermore, digital media is widely used to gather local and international support for mobilizations in favour of Indigenous rights. A crucial theme related to such mobilizations is how Indigenous rights relate to ideas of nature protection and sustainable development.”</p><h3>Social media brings possibilities and challenges</h3><p>She further describes how indigenous peoples are according to previous research underrepresented in majority media. However, Indigenous media producers have been developing communication alternatives to try to echo their voices for many decades.</p><p>“In a time when communications are dominated by digital media and corporate social media platforms, this doctoral dissertation underlines the importance of studying how Indigenous Peoples relate to the possibilities and challenges in such communication contexts.”</p><p>The doctoral dissertation examines five different media initiatives developed by Indigenous producers in Brazil: Rádio Yandê, Mídia Indígena, APIB, ASCURI and Tybyra. The research activities included online and on-site observations, interviews with media producers and analysis of media content posted by the initiatives on their social media pages.</p>/en/news/digital-strategies-by-indigenous-people-in-brazil_12174082//en/news/hereditary-amyloidosis-not-linked-to-increased-risk-of-aortic-valve-disease_12173602/Hereditary amyloidosis not linked to increased risk of aortic valve diseaseThe association between amyloidosis and aortic valve stenosis has attracted considerable international attention. However, when researchers at Umeå University investigated the hereditary form of amyloidosis known as Skellefteå disease, they found no evidence of an increased prevalence of aortic valve disease.Mon, 18 May 2026 10:37:48 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/hjartbild_13.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/hjartbild_13.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/hjartbild_13.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/hjartbild_13.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/hjartbild_13.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/hjartbild_13.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p> Research at Umeå University has shown that the hereditary form of amyloidosis known as Skellefteå disease does not increase the risk of aortic stenosis, in contrast to previous findings on non-hereditary wild-type amyloidosis.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Johnér bildbyrå</span></div></div><p>“Our findings were expected based on clinical experience, but needed to be investigated to provide greater clarity, including with regard to potential differences between various types of amyloidosis,” says Kurt Boman, lead author, consultant cardiologist and internal medicine specialist, and Professor Emeritus at the Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine at Umeå University.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/kurt_boman2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/kurt_boman2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/kurt_boman2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/kurt_boman2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/kurt_boman2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/kurt_boman2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Kurt Boman, consultant cardiologist and internal medicine specialist, and Professor Emeritus at the Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine at Umeå University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ola Westerberg</span></div></div><p>Amyloidosis is a rare condition in which proteins produced by the body misfold and accumulate in organs such as the heart, nerves, and kidneys. These deposits disrupt normal organ function and can, over time, lead to serious damage.</p><p>In recent years, several international studies have highlighted a link between aortic valve stenosis and amyloidosis. Some studies have found that 11–20% of patients who underwent surgery for aortic stenosis also had amyloidosis. However, these cases involved a specific form of the disease known as wild-type amyloidosis, a non-hereditary variant.</p><p>In northern Sweden, a hereditary form of amyloidosis known as Skellefteå disease is present. This has raised the question of whether a similar association exists between this condition and aortic stenosis.</p><p>A research group at Umeå University led by Kurt Boman has conducted a cross-analysis of the surgical registry and the amyloidosis registry at Umeå University Hospital to investigate the co-occurrence of aortic stenosis and amyloidosis.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/jonas_wixner_0y7a2463_light2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/jonas_wixner_0y7a2463_light2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/jonas_wixner_0y7a2463_light2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/jonas_wixner_0y7a2463_light2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/jonas_wixner_0y7a2463_light2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/jonas_wixner_0y7a2463_light2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Jonas Wixner, physician at the Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine at Umeå University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span> Elin Berge</span></div></div><p>The results indicate that the prevalence of aortic stenosis in patients with hereditary amyloidosis does not appear to exceed the expected baseline prevalence in the general population of northern Sweden.</p><p>“The hereditary form differs in several key aspects from non-hereditary amyloidosis, particularly in terms of age and sex distribution, and likely also in other underlying mechanisms,” says Jonas Wixner, physician at the Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine at Umeå University.</p><p>The findings have been published in the journal European Journal of Internal Medicine.</p>/en/news/hereditary-amyloidosis-not-linked-to-increased-risk-of-aortic-valve-disease_12173602//en/news/he-wrote-swedens-best-physics-thesis_12172477/<description>Rasmus Öberg at the Department of Physics, Umeå University, has been awarded the Oseen Medal by Svenska Fysikersamfundet for the best doctoral thesis in physics in 2025. “It feels fantastic to receive confirmation that your work is of high quality and sparks interest beyond academia,” he says. </description><pubDate>Mon, 25 May 2026 11:24:33 +0200</pubDate><atom:content type="html"><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2ec65cc99af9400385f1d78fcd8f14ae/oberg_rasmus_912_09102024_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/2ec65cc99af9400385f1d78fcd8f14ae/oberg_rasmus_912_09102024_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/2ec65cc99af9400385f1d78fcd8f14ae/oberg_rasmus_912_09102024_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/2ec65cc99af9400385f1d78fcd8f14ae/oberg_rasmus_912_09102024_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/2ec65cc99af9400385f1d78fcd8f14ae/oberg_rasmus_912_09102024_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/2ec65cc99af9400385f1d78fcd8f14ae/oberg_rasmus_912_09102024_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Rasmus Öberg. </p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>Rasmus Öberg, a former doctoral student at the Department of Physics, the Industrial Doctoral School, and the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), is recognised for his thesis entitled “Spotlight the killer: detecting harmful chemical and biological agents using optical spectroscopy.”</p><p>In its citation, Svenska Fysikersamfundet writes:</p><p><em>“Rasmus Öberg has developed and combined several advanced optical spectroscopic techniques, including Raman, absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, to identify chemical fingerprints of harmful substances. His work has resulted in highly sensitive detection methods, for example for narcotics, chemical warfare agents and bacterial spores.”</em></p><p>The prize committee also highlights Rasmus Öberg’s ability to communicate his research to a broader audience.</p><p>“I genuinely enjoy the writing process. The key is to place the research in a broader context. My work is relatively applied, which may have given me a slight advantage, but I have also made a conscious effort to explain how the physical phenomena we use relate to things we can observe in everyday life,” says Rasmus Öberg, who is currently a postdoctoral researcher at Umeå University and the Technical University of Denmark.</p><p>The Oseen Medal is awarded annually to a doctoral graduate at a Swedish higher education institution. In addition to the medal and a diploma, the prize includes SEK 100,000 in prize money.</p><p><a title="Read Rasmus Öberg's doctoral thesis" href="https://umu.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?language=sv&pid=diva2%3A2002435&dswid=7756">Read Rasmus Öberg’s doctoral thesis </a></p></atom:content><link>/en/news/he-wrote-swedens-best-physics-thesis_12172477/</link></item><item xml:base="en/news/routine-scans-may-reveal-tumour-aggressiveness-in-head-and-neck-cancer--without-additional-tests_12173341/"><guid isPermaLink="false">/en/news/routine-scans-may-reveal-tumour-aggressiveness-in-head-and-neck-cancer--without-additional-tests_12173341/</guid><title>Routine scans may reveal tumour aggressiveness in head and neck cancer – without additional testsMedical imaging routinely used in cancer care may hold far more biological information than previously thought. An international study involving Umeå University guest professor Lukas Kenner shows that PET/CT scans can capture the molecular activity of particularly aggressive head and neck tumours, opening new possibilities for more precise diagnosis and treatment planning.Wed, 13 May 2026 08:57:47 +0200<p>Most head and neck cancers are so-called squamous cell carcinoma, that affect tissues of the mouth, throat and larynx. Tumours that are HPV-negative – that is, not caused by the human papillomavirus, HPV – tend to be aggressive and difficult to treat. Reliable markers that predict how these cancers will progress, and how they might respond to therapy, have been lacking. However, a new study suggests that medical imaging already in use may also be useful for identifying and monitoring high‑risk tumours.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/004859d157de4f0a8cddba61c8b2c8db/lukas_kenner2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/004859d157de4f0a8cddba61c8b2c8db/lukas_kenner2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/004859d157de4f0a8cddba61c8b2c8db/lukas_kenner2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/004859d157de4f0a8cddba61c8b2c8db/lukas_kenner2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/004859d157de4f0a8cddba61c8b2c8db/lukas_kenner2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/004859d157de4f0a8cddba61c8b2c8db/lukas_kenner2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Lukas Kenner, guest professor at the Department of Molecular Biology.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Medizinische Universität Wien</span></div></div><p>“Imaging has traditionally been used to determine where and how large a tumour is,” says Lukas Kenner, guest professor at Umeå University and corresponding author. “Our results show that the images also contain information about the tumour’s molecular behaviour, meaning how aggressive it is.”</p><p>Normally, the aggressiveness of a tumour would be determined through biopsies, which are small tissue samples from the tumour that are examined with a microscope. However, biopsies are invasive, time-consuming, and only sample small parts of the tumour, so the most aggressive regions can sometimes be missed. In this study, the research team analysed tumour samples together with clinical PET/CT imaging from patients with HPV-negative head and neck cancer. They found that tumours driven by activation of the Hedgehog signalling pathway, a key regulator of cancer growth, exhibit distinct patterns on PET/CT scans. These tumours accumulate more of the tracer used in imaging, reflecting higher biological activity and poorer prognosis. To test whether imaging also reflects treatment effects, the researchers blocked the Hedgehog pathway in laboratory experiments. Tumour growth slowed, and the PET/CT signal changed in parallel, mirroring the patterns seen in patients in the clinic.</p><p>“This is particularly encouraging because it suggests we may be able to monitor biological treatment response non-invasively,” Kenner says.</p><p>By combining molecular multi-omics with quantitative imaging analysis, the study establishes a framework linking tumour biology to radiological features. Such approaches are expected to contribute to AI-supported cancer diagnostics and more individualised therapy decisions.</p><p>“Before this can be used clinically, prospective studies are needed,” Kenner notes. “But the work shows how integrating imaging and molecular data can move precision oncology forward.”</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="912a2683-b4e8-48a5-ba97-70f511969a2c" data-contentname="About the study">{}</div>/en/news/routine-scans-may-reveal-tumour-aggressiveness-in-head-and-neck-cancer--without-additional-tests_12173341//en/news/umea-professor-on-unusual-hantavirus-outbreak-with-human-to-human-transmission_12173235/Umeå Professor on unusual hantavirus outbreak with human-to-human transmissionHantaviruses are typically transmitted from animals to humans, but in the outbreak aboard the cruise ship *MV Hondius* in the Atlantic, an unusual virus variant capable of spreading between people is involved. Three people have died and several others have fallen ill on board, where passengers are now being kept in isolation. Additional cases have now been detected in the United States and Switzerland among former passengers.Wed, 13 May 2026 08:35:38 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/6ee1a7f63b1e484fac178237448b3945/ahlm_clas_9436_230131_hkn3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/6ee1a7f63b1e484fac178237448b3945/ahlm_clas_9436_230131_hkn3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/6ee1a7f63b1e484fac178237448b3945/ahlm_clas_9436_230131_hkn3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/6ee1a7f63b1e484fac178237448b3945/ahlm_clas_9436_230131_hkn3.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/6ee1a7f63b1e484fac178237448b3945/ahlm_clas_9436_230131_hkn3.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/6ee1a7f63b1e484fac178237448b3945/ahlm_clas_9436_230131_hkn3.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The hantavirus found in Sweden is the Puumala virus, which causes nephropathia epidemica (bank vole fever). Professor Clas Ahlm’s research focuses on studying the disease mechanisms of nephropathia epidemica, as well as immune responses during acute infection and long-term immunity.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>Is this an outbreak that people in Sweden need to worry about? We put our questions to Professor Clas Ahlm, senior consultant and professor of infectious diseases at the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Umeå University, who studies the hantavirus variant found in Sweden.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">What is currently known about the hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship *MV Hondius*?</h2><p>“The outbreak on board the *MV Hondius* cruise ship has been caused by Andes virus, a rarer and more aggressive type of hantavirus found in South America. The virus is spread via rodents and can cause severe illness with serious lung involvement and a high mortality rate, even with advanced hospital care.”</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">How does this virus differ from the hantaviruses found in Sweden?</h2><p>“Unlike the hantaviruses found in Sweden – primarily Puumala virus, which causes nephropathia epidemica (bank vole fever) – Andes virus can, in rare cases, be transmitted between humans, usually through close contact. This feature makes the outbreak more serious, although its transmissibility is still significantly lower than that of well-known airborne viruses such as influenza and coronaviruses.”</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">How is hantavirus transmitted, and how common is human-to-human transmission?</h2><p>“To our knowledge, only the type of hantavirus found in South America, Andes virus, can be transmitted between humans. Close or prolonged contact is required for such transmission.”</p><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3">Is there a risk that this variant could reach Sweden, for example through travel?</h2><p>“Yes, the virus has a relatively long incubation period, around two weeks and in some cases up to six to eight weeks. This means that infected individuals may travel to other regions or countries, potentially leading to secondary cases, where the infected person transmits the virus to others. However, the risk of further spread is considered low if exposed individuals take appropriate precautions.”</p><h2 id="info4" data-magellan-target="info4">What symptoms does hantavirus cause, and is there reason for concern?</h2><p>“The symptoms of hantavirus infection are flu-like, including fever, general malaise, and often body aches and headaches. Depending on the type of hantavirus, either the lungs or the kidneys are primarily affected. Currently, there is no vaccine and no specific treatment for hantavirus infection.</p><p>“There is no reason for concern among the general public. However, this event highlights the importance of strong preparedness within both society and the healthcare system to rapidly detect and manage unusual infectious disease outbreaks.”</p><h2 id="info5" data-magellan-target="info5">Tell us about the hantavirus research underway at Umeå University!</h2><p>“At Umeå University, several research projects are ongoing, focusing on hantaviruses, including studies of disease mechanisms, immune responses during acute infection and immunity, as well as ecological aspects. Researchers at Umeå University are also involved in international collaborations aimed at developing vaccines and future treatments.</p><p>“My research focuses on the disease mechanisms of nephropathia epidemica, immune responses during acute illness, and long-term immunity. We aim to answer questions such as: What happens in the body during infection? How can we treat the disease, alleviate its course, and prevent severe illness and death? Does infection confer lifelong immunity, and can we develop vaccines that protect against hantavirus infection?”</p>/en/news/umea-professor-on-unusual-hantavirus-outbreak-with-human-to-human-transmission_12173235//en/news/land-power-and-culture-in-focus-at-arctic-arts-summit-in-umea_12173445/<description>As the Arctic is reshaped by climate change and growing geopolitical tensions, artists, researchers and policymakers will gather in Umeå for Arctic Arts Summit 2026. Under the theme “Land, Power, Art”, the summit will explore how arts and culture shape the understanding of societal change in the Arctic. </description><pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2026 15:45:45 +0200</pubDate><atom:content type="html"><p>From 16–18 June 2026, the fourth edition of Arctic Arts Summit will take place in Umeå. The summit aims to strengthen dialogue between culture, politics and society across the Circumpolar North. </p><p>The programme combines international discussions and policy issues with a broad cultural programme. Representatives from Indigenous communities, academia, politics and the arts will meet in plenarysessions, while concerts, exhibitions, literary events and film screenings take place across the city. </p><p>- Discussions about the Arctic are often framed through security, climate change and natural resources. But large parts of the Arctic are also lived-in regions with cities, infrastructure, cultural life and communities where people build their everyday lives. The Arctic is often portrayed as something remote and temporary, despite the fact that many northern communities are long-term societies shaped by the people who live there. Arctic Arts Summit also wants to highlight the people, cultures and lived experiences that shape the Arctic,” says Keith Larson at Arctic Centre at Umeå University, one of the summit’s co-organisers. </p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">A meeting place for Arctic culture — both onsite and online</h2><p>A dedicated “Off-Summit” programme will give smaller cultural actors and grassroots organisations the opportunity to connect their own activities to the international network gathered in Umeå. </p><p>Beyond the physical meeting, Arctic Arts Summit continues through a digital platform featuring conversations, essays, online events and reports on Arctic arts and cultural policy. </p><p>The deadline for registration is 15 May 2026. More information is available through <a href="https://arcticartssummit.com/">Arctic Arts Summit 2026. </a></p><p>Arctic Arts Summit 2026 is co-hosted by Viermie K, Umeå Municipality, Region Västerbotten, the Swedish Arts Council, Umeå University and the Arctic Arts Summit Secretariat. </p></atom:content><link>/en/news/land-power-and-culture-in-focus-at-arctic-arts-summit-in-umea_12173445/</link></item><item xml:base="en/news/research-education-alignment-opens-pathways-for-students_12172986/"><guid isPermaLink="false">/en/news/research-education-alignment-opens-pathways-for-students_12172986/</guid><title>Research-education alignment opens pathways for students to reach the research frontierHow can universities create learning environments where students do not only learn about research, but actively contribute to it? At the Department of Computing Science, one recent example demonstrates how research-education alignment can create opportunities for both students and researchers. A few weeks ago, a paper co-authored by former AI master’s student Anaïs de Graaf was accepted to ICAPS, one of the world’s leading conferences in artificial intelligence research. Tue, 12 May 2026 11:30:42 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/51f04c6878804a248ac5fdb0cd5f33ad/mit-huset2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/51f04c6878804a248ac5fdb0cd5f33ad/mit-huset2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/51f04c6878804a248ac5fdb0cd5f33ad/mit-huset2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/51f04c6878804a248ac5fdb0cd5f33ad/mit-huset2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/51f04c6878804a248ac5fdb0cd5f33ad/mit-huset2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/51f04c6878804a248ac5fdb0cd5f33ad/mit-huset2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The Department of Computing Science works with research-education alignment to create opportunities for both students and researchers.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Magnus Mikaelsson</span></div></div><p>Research-education alignment provides a strong pathway for promoting high quality student learning as well as providing them with the best opportunities for the next steps of their career. For researcher and supervisor Loïs Vanhée, the journey of Anaïs, leading to the publication is a great example of the importance of carefully designed educational structures. An appropriately calibrated emphasis on research productions provides students with concrete and authentic academic goals to pursue: the achievement of these goals is highly appreciated expand for later job prospects, as an accepted publication in a good venue is solid evidence of competence and thoroughness from the student.</p><p>– Going through the motions of writing an academic paper is a very rich learning experience: learners must expand beyond the learning environment to engage with a broader world and provide a meaningful contribution to it, says Loïs.</p><p class="quote-center">Enabling and facilitating research-education alignments hardly happen by accident but instead require the conscientious development of proper learning environments.</p><p>– Many variables are to be managed altogether for such an environment to be successful: prior competences and skills, learning outcomes, educational resources and processes, scientific resources and processes, financial resources and processes, long temporalities, follow-up career opportunities, etc. Miss one link and the whole chain breaks.</p><p>The education provided at the Master’s Programme in Artificial Intelligence creates a good foundation for addressing these challenges: students have the right pre-requisites and educational processes can facilitate the research-education alignment.</p><p>At the Department of Computing Science, one focus is to create opportunities for students to grow through interdisciplinary research and collaborations, partly through TAIGA, Umeå University’s centre for transdisciplinary AI. This approach gives each student opportunities to learn a new domain and transversal skills and to be empowered in thinking out of the box, to apply what they know in a real-world setting and can demonstrate that they can create direct value to others.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">From thesis project to international publication</h2><p>Through their thesis projects, the students are given opportunities to contribute to authentic research questions that can later develop into a publication. Loïs role as supervisor involves guiding students in defining research questions, selecting methods and analysing results, while also connecting them with collaborators from other disciplines. Over the years, several of these collaborations have resulted in master’s theses developing into full research papers.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/51f04c6878804a248ac5fdb0cd5f33ad/anais_de_graaf3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/51f04c6878804a248ac5fdb0cd5f33ad/anais_de_graaf3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/51f04c6878804a248ac5fdb0cd5f33ad/anais_de_graaf3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/51f04c6878804a248ac5fdb0cd5f33ad/anais_de_graaf3.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/51f04c6878804a248ac5fdb0cd5f33ad/anais_de_graaf3.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/51f04c6878804a248ac5fdb0cd5f33ad/anais_de_graaf3.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Anaïs de Graaf, is an alumni at the Master’s Programme in Artificial Intelligence and co-author of an article that recently was accepted to ICAPS.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Anais de Graaf</span></div></div><p>Anaïs' is an example of a student who followed this process. The first contact emerged during a meeting where AI researchers presented possible research directions for students.</p><p>– When I started my master thesis, the teachers and some other people that had thesis projects did short presentations. I thought the one from Loïs was really interesting, so I continued that topic, says Anaïs.</p><p>According to Anaïs, the close contact with teachers and researchers is one of the programme’s greatest strengths. Students can easily approach faculty members, discuss ideas and engage with ongoing research.</p><p class="quote-center">It’s always possible to reach the research groups, and they often have presentations for us to see what they are working on. If you’re interested, you’re always free to contact them and maybe collaborate on papers and stuff like that.</p><p>– I remember when I did my master thesis, Loïs would tell me that there were a few other students that he supervised that also published a paper together with him. I think it’s a very good initiative, says Anaïs.</p><p>She chose to be co-author of the paper due to a lot of other things going on at the time. Loïs and Anaïs continued the dialogue and collaborated to write the paper after Anaïs finished her studies, eventually resulting in it being accepted to ICAPS in 2026.</p><p>– I was glad that Anaïs found the thesis proposal interesting. She did a very original and thorough thesis work. As I saw the potential in her results, I offered to continue and push her research further to the academic scene. We got the results a few weeks ago, she ended up co-authoring a paper in an A* conference (ICAPS), giving her for a first-class ticket to an academic future if she is interested. It makes me very happy for her and proud that our education programme manages to elevate our students to reach the research frontier, says Loïs.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Read more</h2><p><a href="https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2%3A1878936&dswid=-1008">Off the Beaten Path: Modelling Path Uncertainty using Markov Decision Processes </a></p>/en/news/research-education-alignment-opens-pathways-for-students_12172986//en/news/data-back-in-safe-hands-after-cyberattack_12173292/Data back in safe hands after cyber attackThe provider of Canvas has reached an agreement with the hacker group that breached the learning platform. The data they obtained has been returned to the provider and will not be disseminated further.Tue, 12 May 2026 11:07:21 +0200<p>The American company Instructure provides the Canvas learning platform to thousands of colleges and universities worldwide; in Sweden, the system is used by over 30 universities and colleges. The attackers who breached the system threatened to leak data, such as personal information, outside the system.</p><p>Instructure now reports that an agreement has been reached with the attackers, who have consequently returned the data they obtained. Instructure assures that no personal data has been or will be disseminated further.</p><p>Vigilance and caution are always important in digital environments. If you suspect a breach or virus in your IT environment, it is important to act quickly.</p><p><a href="/en/student/help-and-support/if-something-happens/it-security-breach/">Read more about Incidents in IT Environments</a></p>/en/news/data-back-in-safe-hands-after-cyberattack_12173292//en/news/hur-sakrar-vi-norra-sveriges-konkurrens--och-innovationskraft_12173252/Svenska framtider 26 May: How can we safeguard northern Sweden’s competitiveness and innovative capacity?How can Sweden strengthen its position as a hub for technology and innovation at a time characterised by geopolitical uncertainty, fierce global competition and rapid technological development? What do regions such as northern Sweden need to do to keep pace with global competition for jobs, investment and talent? On 26 May a forward-looking meeting as part of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences’ (IVA) vision project ‘Svenska framtider’.Tue, 12 May 2026 08:52:00 +0200<p>“Sweden needs an overarching vision for how we can become a leading nation in technology and innovation by 2035. This is what IVA will be working on over the next few years, and meetings like this are incredibly valuable in that work. I hope as many people as possible will take the opportunity to attend the event in Umeå,” says Professor Sylvia Schwaag Serger, CEO of IVA.</p><p>On 26 May, Umeå University, in collaboration with IVA, is hosting the conference ‘Swedish Futures – Perspectives from Northern Sweden’ in the Aula Nordica at Umeå University. During the afternoon, representatives from business, academia, the public sector, students and organisations will gather for an important discussion on how Sweden can build long-term competitiveness and how northern Sweden can continue to be an attractive region.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/cced3602c3f34190aad87197b8055076/holmberg-tora-5521-250403-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/cced3602c3f34190aad87197b8055076/holmberg-tora-5521-250403-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/cced3602c3f34190aad87197b8055076/holmberg-tora-5521-250403-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/cced3602c3f34190aad87197b8055076/holmberg-tora-5521-250403-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/cced3602c3f34190aad87197b8055076/holmberg-tora-5521-250403-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/cced3602c3f34190aad87197b8055076/holmberg-tora-5521-250403-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>This is a golden opportunity to come together for truly strategic discussions,” says Tora Holmberg, Vice-Chancellor of Umeå University. Photo: Mattias Pettersson</p></div></div><p>“As the world around us changes rapidly, it becomes increasingly important to bring together different societal actors to address common issues for the future. Umeå University plays a vital role as a driver of knowledge – this is something we work on every day. This is a golden opportunity to come together for truly strategic discussions for the whole of northern Sweden and, by extension, for the whole country,” says Tora Holmberg, Vice-Chancellor of Umeå University.</p><h3>IVA’s vision for 2035</h3><p>‘Svenska framtider’ aims to develop a comprehensive and widely supported vision for Sweden as a country of technology and innovation by 2035. The perspective is clearly international, but with strong links to Swedish – and northern Swedish – conditions.</p><p>“In a world where the US and China are investing heavily in innovation, individual initiatives are not enough; we need a shared understanding of where we are heading, what our strengths are and how we get there. That is what Svenska framtider aims to contribute to,” says Sylvia Schwaag Serger, Professor and CEO of IVA.</p><p>Northern Sweden’s rapid transition, with major industrial investments and a growing need for skilled labour, makes the region particularly relevant to the debate on Sweden’s future.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/cced3602c3f34190aad87197b8055076/240822_helene152.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/cced3602c3f34190aad87197b8055076/240822_helene152.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/cced3602c3f34190aad87197b8055076/240822_helene152.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/cced3602c3f34190aad87197b8055076/240822_helene152.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/cced3602c3f34190aad87197b8055076/240822_helene152.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/cced3602c3f34190aad87197b8055076/240822_helene152.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>I am convinced that this afternoon will be a key meeting point,” says Helene Hellmark Knutsson, County Governor of Västerbotten. Photo: Patrik Trädgårdh</p></div></div><p>"In Northern Sweden, many of the issues affecting the whole country are concentrated in one place – the supply of skilled labour, sustainable growth and collaboration between different societal actors. This makes Umeå an important and natural venue for vital discussions such as these, so I am convinced that this afternoon will be a key meeting point,” says Helene Hellmark Knutsson, County Governor of Västerbotten.</p><h3>Discussions on skills, innovation and collaboration</h3><p>The programme includes both presentations and panel discussions. There is a particular focus on how the skills supply in northern Sweden can be secured, and how collaboration between education, research, industry and the public sector can be strengthened in practice. Researchers and representatives from industry, local authorities and regions will take part in the discussions.</p><p>The conference will be held in Swedish and conclude with two panel discussions under the headings ‘Hur säkrar vi kompetensförsörjning i norra Sverige?' och 'Hur formar vi vår svenska framtid?’. <a href="~/link/673fb0b694bf4bd7a375b536c25f95b1.aspx">Please read more about the event and the panellists</a>.</p><p><strong>Svenska framtider – med utblickar från norra Sverige</strong></p><ul><li>Date: 26 May 2026</li><li>Time: 2.00–5.00 pm</li><li>Venue: Aula Nordica, Umeå University</li><li><strong>Registration deadline: 18 May</strong></li></ul><p>The event is open to anyone interested and free to attend; <a href="https://www.trippus.se/web/registration/registration.aspx?view=registration&idcategory=AB0ILBCIvGBo0v6zOLFP_NVU5Rz2MPIXmNQZrLqA59_23jnUIquIVDafj6-1oTfBDQceGc7eO9we&ln=swe">please register here</a>.</p>/en/news/hur-sakrar-vi-norra-sveriges-konkurrens--och-innovationskraft_12173252//en/news/early-career-researchers-trained-in-interdisciplinarity-in-abisko_12172955/Early career researchers prepared for interdisciplinary collaboration in AbiskoHow are strong collaborations built between researchers from different disciplines? At Abisko Scientific Research Station, 29 early career researchers gathered to practice working across disciplinary boundaries and understanding each other’s research.Mon, 11 May 2026 15:26:30 +0200<div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="5be2f60a-d293-4121-8457-5dcc1ebf0eab" data-contentname="Ice drill">{}</div><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Arctic challenges require multiple perspectives</h2><p>Climate change, shifting ecosystems, and societal change in the Arctic affect the environment, communities, and economies at the same time. Understanding these challenges often requires knowledge from several research fields working together. At the same time, many researchers mainly work within their own disciplines, using their own methods and scientific language.</p><p>That was the starting point for the CIRC Early Career Interdisciplinary Workshop in Abisko. The workshop brought together researchers from Umeå University, SLU Umeå, Uppsala University, and the University of Gothenburg, among others. The event was organised by researchers from the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science at Umeå University with support from the Climate Impacts Research Centre, CIRC.</p><p>– Many of today’s research questions and funding calls require collaboration across disciplines. That is why it is important that researchers early in their careers have opportunities to meet and develop an understanding of each other’s perspectives and ways of working, says Keith Larson, Director of the Arctic Centre at Umeå University.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Describe your research with a limited vocabulary</h2><p>An important part of the workshop focused on making research easier to understand for people from other disciplines. In the application process, participants were asked to describe their research using only the “one thousand most common words”. The goal was not to simplify the research itself, but to make it understandable to researchers from other fields.</p><p>During the week, participants took part in exercises where they explained key concepts to each other, discussed shared challenges, and developed new research ideas together. The workshop concluded with a “collaboration challenge”, where groups rapidly developed interdisciplinary research proposals.</p><p>The exercises highlighted how researchers often work on similar questions, while using very different methods and language depending on their discipline. A central part of the workshop was therefore finding shared ways to understand each other and work together.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="689a7994-d05c-45a4-8861-d24da1a5de99" data-contentname="Workshop Abisko_EN">{}</div><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">New networks and ideas in Abisko</h2><p>The week also showed that interdisciplinary collaborations need both time and spaces for people to meet. In addition to seminars and group exercises, participants were introduced to the research environment in Abisko through presentations at Naturum Abisko Visitor Centre.</p><p>These presentations became a way to test research ideas outside participants’ own disciplines and practice making their research relevant and understandable to a broader audience.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/5c95c524c72341f89c9ed7000ec427e5/ima1791933.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/5c95c524c72341f89c9ed7000ec427e5/ima1791933.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/5c95c524c72341f89c9ed7000ec427e5/ima1791933.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/5c95c524c72341f89c9ed7000ec427e5/ima1791933.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/5c95c524c72341f89c9ed7000ec427e5/ima1791933.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/5c95c524c72341f89c9ed7000ec427e5/ima1791933.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Aurora borealis.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Johnér Bildbyrå AB, Matilda Holmqvist</span></div></div><p>The workshop also created space for conversations and shared experiences outside the formal programme. These informal moments often help accelerate new ideas and collaborations.</p><p>For many participants, the week in Abisko became a first step towards new research networks and future collaborations across disciplinary boundaries. At the same time, the workshop highlighted something becoming increasingly important in research: complex societal challenges often require both specialised expertise and the ability to work together across disciplines.</p>/en/news/early-career-researchers-trained-in-interdisciplinarity-in-abisko_12172955//en/news/canvas-will-reopen_12173146/Canvas will reopenThe Canvas learning platform, which has been closed since Friday due to an IT attack, will reopen on Monday at 13:00. The supplier assures that the system is safe to use.Mon, 11 May 2026 11:24:58 +0200<p>Umeå University decided to close Canvas to all users from Friday onwards for security reasons. The Canvas supplier, Instructure, has issued a statement assuring that the system is safe to use.</p><p>The University has closely monitored developments and can confirm on Monday that there are no indications of any new attacks from the perpetrators over the weekend.</p><p><a title="Canvas closed" href="~/link/4017abab01d043f2bf51f775c833585a.aspx">Read the previous news article about the IT attack.</a></p><p>As Canvas is a highly business‑critical system used by teachers and students to deliver teaching, Umeå University will reopen access to the system on Monday at 13:00.</p><p>“Our assessment is that users can use the system as normal. However, we continue to monitor the situation closely. We know that the attackers are still exerting some pressure on the supplier, so we all need to remain very vigilant for some time to come,” says Therese Strandberg, Head of the Unit for IT Support and Systems Development (ITS) at Umeå University.</p><p>The supplier can confirm that the attackers have gained access to some personal data stored in Canvas. It is still unclear exactly which data is involved, but it is likely that the attackers have obtained names, email addresses, messages sent within the system and student ID numbers, which in the case of Umeå University also include personal identity numbers, as well as employees’ personal identity numbers.</p><p>“This provides further reason to remind all Canvas users to be alert to so‑called phishing. Any unusual messages or requests to disclose personal data should be avoided and reported,” says Therese Strandberg.</p><p>At present, there are no indications that the attackers have leaked this data to third parties.</p><p><a href="/en/student/help-and-support/if-something-happens/it-security-breach/">Read more: IT security incident.</a></p><p><a title="Student health" href="/en/student/help-and-support/student-health-service/contact-the-student-health-service2/">Anyone feeling concerned about the incident can contact the Student Health Services.</a></p><p><a href="/en/student/help-and-support/it-services/software-and-services/canvas/canvas-exposed-to-cyber-attack/">Stay up to date on the situation via the temporary page about the incident on the Student Web.</a></p>/en/news/canvas-will-reopen_12173146//en/news/support-for-teachers-following-the-temporary-shutdown-of-canvas_12173040/Support for teachers following the security incident in CanvasDue to the security incident in Canvas, the system was temporarily shut down. As of Monday, 11 May at 13:00, Canvas is open for use again.Tue, 19 May 2026 10:42:37 +0200<p>Reporting of results to Ladok via Canvas was affected during the intrusion. The university can now confirm that result reporting to Ladok is up and running again, and all functions in Canvas are therefore operating normally.</p><p>The university has created a shared contact point via Infocenter to handle general questions regarding the security incident. Questions from teachers concerning teaching, examination and evaluation will be referred to UPL, and we are prepared to assist you.</p><p>Please contact us at <a href="mailto:upl@ͯ��Ƶ">upl@ͯ��Ƶ</a></p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="a5377ba2-7c25-4b11-a443-78df48421297" data-contentname="Fakta om säkerhetsläget intrång Canvas">{}</div><p> </p><p> </p>/en/news/support-for-teachers-following-the-temporary-shutdown-of-canvas_12173040//en/news/canvas-has-experienced-an-it-incident--currently-offline_12173016/Canvas has experienced an cyber attack – currently offlineThe Canvas learning platform has been the target of a cyberattack and has therefore been temporarily shut down. The system will be out of service until at least 13:00 on Monday. There is a risk that data may have been leaked from the system. “We are now doing everything we can to minimise the security risks. We understand that this is having a significant impact on students and teachers, and it is, of course, deeply regrettable,” says Therese Strandberg, Head of ITS at Umeå University.Fri, 08 May 2026 17:13:07 +0200<p>Canvas is the university’s shared learning platform, which is widely used in teaching. Sunet, the Swedish organisation for national IT services in higher education, has received information from the platform’s provider – Instructure – that a group of hackers has gained access to Canvas. <br><br>Canvas contains, among other things, contact details such as names, email addresses and personal identification numbers for the university’s students and staff. It also contains study-related data, such as quizzes, assignments and communication between teachers and students.</p><p>At present, it is unclear what data the attacker has accessed and whether this has been leaked further. <br><br>Due to the cyber attack, Umeå University has shut down Canvas, meaning that no one has access to the system. Canvas will remain closed until Monday, 11 May at 13:00, initially. This period may be extended.</p><p>"We understand, of course, that this is having a significant impact on both students and teachers, as teaching cannot be carried out as planned. But in this situation, our priority must be to do everything we can to protect the IT security of students, staff and the university,” says Therese Strandberg.</p><p>Umeå University is working intensively on the matter and is monitoring developments closely.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Questions and concerns?</h2><p>Students who have questions regarding teaching, examinations and assessment should contact the course coordinator.</p><p><a href="/en/student/help-and-support/it-services/software-and-services/canvas/canvas-exposed-to-cyber-attack/">Here you can keep up to date with the latest information we have on the incident. </a>That page also includes a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ).</p><p>Anyone feeling concerned about the incident can contact the Student Health Services.</p><p><a href="/en/student/help-and-support/student-health-service/contact-the-student-health-service2/">Contact the Student Health Services.</a><br><br>Other enquiries can be sent to Infocenter.</p><p><a href="/en/student/new-students/infocenter/">Contact Infocenter.</a></p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">What can I do?</h2><p>The University urges all staff and students to be extra vigilant regarding suspicious emails, text messages or phone calls.</p><p>If you suspect that you have been the victim of an incident related to your IT security, you should report it.</p><p><a href="/en/student/help-and-support/it-services/software-and-services/canvas/canvas-exposed-to-cyber-attack/">Read more on the Student website.</a></p>/en/news/canvas-has-experienced-an-it-incident--currently-offline_12173016//en/news/new-ai-solution-for-smarter-urban-and-climate-planning_12171718/New AI solution for smarter urban and climate planningSatellite images, weather maps and other data are collected in enormous quantities – but much of this remains unused. The reason is simple: the data is fragmented, difficult to interpret, and stored in different formats. Dr. Arka Ghosh has developed a system capable of transforming this data into comprehensible knowledge. “It is an advanced AI solution that could be highly significant for urban planners as well as crisis and emergency response coordinators.” Thu, 07 May 2026 14:00:07 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>With Dr Arka Ghosh’s new AI solution, urban planners can be supported in designing more sustainable and climate‑smart cities, companies can choose better locations, and public authorities can respond more quickly during, for example, heatwaves or floods.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>Satellite images and other environmental data are stored and available as images. Through his solution <em>Ontoraster</em>, Dr Arka Ghosh has created an intelligent network in which every data point – every pixel in the images – is given a clear meaning and linked to other relevant elements.</p><p>“Think of it as a super‑organised spider’s web where every thread leads to the right information. Or in Minecraft terms: every block finally knows why it exists,” says Arka Ghosh.</p><h3>Faster decisions in crises and planning</h3><p>By combining knowledge graphs with advanced AI, the system can understand how different data sources are connected. This allows users to ask complex questions and receive direct, comprehensible answers – without needing any programming or data analysis skills themselves.<br>The technology can be used in a range of socially important contexts.</p><p>“Urban planners can be supported in designing more sustainable and climate‑smart cities. Companies can choose better locations. And authorities can act more quickly during, for example, heatwaves or floods,” Arka Ghosh explains.</p><p>One example of a question the system can answer directly is: “Where are the hottest areas near densely populated districts in Umeå or Stockholm?”</p><p>“What previously required extensive manual analysis can now be done in a matter of seconds – without large amounts of data needing to be moved or processed,” says Arka Ghosh.</p><h3>AI that unlocks complex data</h3><p>A central part of the solution is a refined AI technique that translates everyday questions into something the computer can understand. “This means that even people without a technical background can use the system and receive advanced analyses in return,” says Arka Ghosh.</p><h3>Funded by WASP</h3><p><a href="~/link/f1ccf1d251be4f538a13df854f18fb07.aspx">The Department of Computing Science</a> at Umeå University has a strong connection to <a href="https://wasp-sweden.org/">WASP</a> – The Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program –Sweden’s largest individual research initiative aimed at positioning the country as a leading nation in the field. Several of the department’s doctoral students, including Arka Ghosh, are funded through the programme, giving the research environment access to both national collaborations and cutting‑edge expertise in AI.</p><h3>AI‑driven question‑answering system</h3><p>For several years, Arka Ghosh has immersed himself in international research on geodata, raster data, knowledge graphs and semantic technologies. The result is an AI‑driven question‑answering system that can interpret complex data in an entirely new way and provide meaningful answers to advanced questions. In practice, this means that authorities, engineers and other decision‑makers can quickly obtain insights that previously required extensive manual analysis.</p><p>“I have tried to transform a chaotic pile of pixels into something that can actually be built with. A bit like in Minecraft: when the right blocks are put together, you can create something fantastic – but here it’s about shaping the cities of the future and our environmental planning,” he says.</p><h3>Further information </h3><p>Read the doctoral thesis here: "<a href="https://umu.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?language=en&pid=diva2%3A2045634&dswid=2174"><em>Semantic integration and query answering of multidimensional data with knowledge graphs</em></a>"<br>Supervisor: Professor <a href="~/link/63284e4dfa5147229fa94740c4dc6090.aspx">Diego Calvanese</a><br><br></p><h3>Contact information</h3><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="a8bfe3d5-d269-4154-8d6e-d4aa0d31f335" data-contentname="Arka Ghosh kontakt">{}</div>/en/news/new-ai-solution-for-smarter-urban-and-climate-planning_12171718//en/news/umea-university-on-stage-at-the-ec2u-science-contest_12172666/Umeå University on stage at the EC2U Science Contest – watch live and voteOn 20 May 2026, the EC2U Science Contest will take place during the EC2U forum in Turku, Finland. Three teams will compete in a live science contest that combines research, creativity and audience engagement. The Umeå team comprises five researchers: Kristina Lejon, Jerker Fick, Hanna Söderlund, Jesper Enbom and Manju Maharjan. Thu, 07 May 2026 09:56:00 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/3ed8a34343984c97b995d202897ea35a/sciencecontestteamet.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/3ed8a34343984c97b995d202897ea35a/sciencecontestteamet.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/3ed8a34343984c97b995d202897ea35a/sciencecontestteamet.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/3ed8a34343984c97b995d202897ea35a/sciencecontestteamet.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/3ed8a34343984c97b995d202897ea35a/sciencecontestteamet.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/3ed8a34343984c97b995d202897ea35a/sciencecontestteamet.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The Umeå University team competing in the EC2U Science Contest 2026, streamed live from Turku on 20 May.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hanna Söderlund</span></div></div><p>In the competition, they will be up against teams of researchers from the University of Turku and Friedrich Schiller University in Jena (Germany). The competition will be streamed live on YouTube. Students and staff at Umeå University, as well as the general public, are welcome to watch online and vote.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="8c4c82bd-ce1a-4333-9bbf-b43c6880ca43" data-contentname="Fact box SC 2026">{}</div><p>Manju Manharjan, a doctoral student in plant physiology at Umeå Plant Science Centre, shares her thoughts on being part of the Umeå team in the EC2U Science Contest:<br><br>"I feel very proud and honored to be part of the Umeå team for the EC2U Science Contest. Even though it’s my first year in Umeå, I’ve already had the opportunity to join such an exciting event. I’m looking forward to collaborating closely with my team, tackling challenges together, and learning from other teams at the center. At the same time, I’m excited to visit the vibrant city of Turku and experience its culture."</p><h3>What is the EC2U Science Contest?</h3><p>The EC2U Science Contest is a fast‑paced, interdisciplinary competition where teams of five researchers are given the same question and a limited amount of time to agree on an answer before presenting it to the audience.<br><br>The questions are submitted in advance by the public and can explore scientific, societal or ethical topics, as well as curious “what if?” scenarios. There is no set format for the answers. The focus is on clear reasoning, collaboration and the ability to explain complex ideas in an engaging way.<br><br>Both the audience and an international jury award points based on clarity, logic, creativity and entertainment value. The contest is held in English and broadcast online, allowing audiences to take part from anywhere in the world.</p><h3>Meet the Umeå University team</h3><p>Umeå University will be represented by a multidisciplinary team of five researchers in the EC2U Science Contest 2026. Together, they bring different academic perspectives to the stage and collaborate under time pressure to tackle questions submitted by the audience.</p>/en/news/umea-university-on-stage-at-the-ec2u-science-contest_12172666//en/news/tree-communities-shape-hidden-energy-flows-under-european-forests_12172414/Tree communities shape hidden energy flows under European forestsMixing tree species can lead to better growth in the forest – at least above ground. A new international study published in Nature shows that mixed forests had lower activity in the complex belowground ecosystems than previously thought. Researchers suspect this could affect the long-term growth of forests.Thu, 07 May 2026 09:00:04 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Tree traits shape life in the soil in several ways, a new study in Nature shows. But the combination of different tree species also turned out to have effects that were unexpected to the researchers. Image from a field survey in Italy.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Paul Kardol</span></div></div><p>The study, led by researchers from the Umeå University  and Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU, was an international collaboration between nine universities through the SoilForEurope-project. By sampling and identifying the different organisms in forest soils from 64 areas in four European countries, they aimed to better understand how different tree species and their combinations affect how energy moves through the web of life beneath the forest floor.</p><p>The study shows that tree species play a key role in the function of the soils. Forests containing fast-growing, resource-hungry trees which produce a lot of organic material also show higher activity in the soil, with faster nutrient cycling compared to forests with slower-growing species. Different tree species channel energy into the soil in different ways, either through living roots or fallen leaves, with important consequences for soil life.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p> In the project, the researchers mapped species communities in forest soils to see how energy flows are altered by different dominant tree species. Shown here: springtails and mites.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Paul Kardol</span></div></div><p>However, the researchers made an unexpected finding. A mix of tree species that usually leads to faster growth above ground, such as, pine, spruce, and birch, did not show the same improved activity in the soil. Rather, the opposite was observed.</p><p>“We were surprised to see that mixed forests didn’t lead to more functional soils. Instead, they showed slightly poorer results than some of the forests with a single tree species” says Paul Kardol, Professor in Forest Microbiology at SLU.</p><h3>Trees fuel miniature ecosystems with energy</h3><p>Zooming in on the life at and below the surface, we find an entire microscopic ecosystem. Here, many organisms are fueled with organic material from trees, understory plants, and mosses, energy that then flows though the food web among microbes, springtails, mites, spiders, and worms, to name a few.</p><p class="quote-left">It is highly dynamic, with continuous energy flow and rapid biological activity, but it is also sensitive to environmental changes</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>David Wardle, professor at the Department of of Ecology, Environment and Geosciences, Umeå University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>A, Alexandra Granath</span></div></div><p>“It is highly dynamic, with continuous energy flow and rapid biological activity, but it is also sensitive to environmental changes” says David Wardle, Professor at the Department of Ecology, Environment and Geosciences at Umeå University.</p><p>Mixed forests create more biomass aboveground which shades the ground more, lowering the temperature and affecting the activity in the soil. This is one likely cause to the phenomenon, says Wardle. But the results point at other, more tree species-specific factors that dictate how soils function in the long term.</p><p>“Ultimately, long-term forest health depends on the soil food web’s ability to process organic inputs and release nutrients in forms that plants can use” says David Wardle.</p><p><a title="Read the article" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-10455-1">Read the article Tree community resource economics control soil food web multifunctionality</a></p>/en/news/tree-communities-shape-hidden-energy-flows-under-european-forests_12172414//en/news/felipe-cava-elected-to-european-academy-of-microbiology_12172694/Felipe Cava elected to European Academy of MicrobiologyFelipe Cava, professor in infection biology at the Department of Molecular Biology at Umeå University, has been elected Fellow of the European Academy of Microbiology. This is in recognition of his research on bacterial cell walls.Wed, 06 May 2026 14:06:10 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/12570010302b40e6bec87a60a422dec8/cava_felipe_4160_220422_mpn3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/12570010302b40e6bec87a60a422dec8/cava_felipe_4160_220422_mpn3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/12570010302b40e6bec87a60a422dec8/cava_felipe_4160_220422_mpn3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/12570010302b40e6bec87a60a422dec8/cava_felipe_4160_220422_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/12570010302b40e6bec87a60a422dec8/cava_felipe_4160_220422_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/12570010302b40e6bec87a60a422dec8/cava_felipe_4160_220422_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Professor Felipe Cava becomes a member of the European Academy of Microbiology, enhancing Umeå University’s international visibility and reflecting the strong microbiology research environment in Umeå.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson, simon ohman jonsson inhousebyran</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">Being elected as a Fellow of the European Academy of Microbiology feels very special and is a real honor</p><p>“Being elected as a Fellow of the European Academy of Microbiology feels very special and is a real honor, especially because it comes from peers whose work I deeply respect. I also see it very much as a recognition of the collective efforts of my research group and collaborators over the years”, says Felipe Cava, Professor at Department of Molecular Biology at Umeå University.</p><p>The European Academy of Microbiology brings together elected researchers who are actively engaged in advancing microbiology in Europe. At a European level, the academy plays an important role in promoting excellence in microbiology, supporting evidence-based decision-making, and strengthening the visibility and societal relevance of the field.</p><p>“Being part of the European Academy of Microbiology adds to the international visibility of Umeå University and reflects the strong microbiology research environment here. Umeå already has several colleagues who are EAM fellows, which really says something about the quality and breadth of research at the university”, says Professor Cava.</p><p>The Cava lab researches bacterial cell walls to understand its biology and its role in environmental adaptation and signalling. The cell wall is one of the primary targets for antibiotics, and a better understanding of it is crucial in developing new ways of treating infectious diseases. As EAM Fellow, Professor Cava hopes to make new connections within the microbiology community in Europe.</p><p>“On a personal level, it is an encouraging milestone and a nice moment to reflect on the path so far. From a research perspective, it opens doors to closer interactions across Europe. These connections are valuable for exchanging ideas, starting new collaborations, and gaining wider perspectives that can positively shape our future work”, says Professor Cava.</p>/en/news/felipe-cava-elected-to-european-academy-of-microbiology_12172694//en/news/approved-aacsb-cir-application_12172709/Approved AACSB CIR ApplicationThe Continuous Improvement Review (CIR) Business Accreditation Application for the AACSB accreditation of Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics (USBE) has been approved.Wed, 06 May 2026 14:03:35 +0200<p>USBE has held AACSB accreditation since 2018, placing the school within a group of business schools worldwide that meet the organization’s global standards for excellence in education, research, and engagement activities related to societal impact. Maintaining this accreditation enables an ongoing commitment to quality and continuous development.</p><p>The CIR application, submitted in November 2025, provides a comprehensive account of USBE’s continuous improvement processes, including developments in education, research, faculty qualifications, and societal engagement. Its approval confirms that USBE continues to meet AACSB’s standards and remains on track for its next full reaccreditation review, scheduled for 2028.</p><p>– This milestone reflects the collective efforts of faculty, staff, students, and external partners who contribute to the school’s quality management and strategic development. Their work ensures that USBE continues to strengthen its position as a nationally influential and internationally respected and recognized business school dedicated to sustainable societal development through education and research of a high international standard, says the dean of USBE, Agneta Marell.</p>/en/news/approved-aacsb-cir-application_12172709//en/news/skytteansk-prize-awarded-to-distinguished-heart-and-lung-researchers_12172382/Skytteansk prize awarded to distinguished heart and lung researchersThe Royal Skytteanska Society (Kungl. Skytteanska Samfundet) has decided to award the Margareta and Eric Modig Prize for 2026 to Professor Stefan Söderberg and Professor André Nyberg at the Faculty of Medicine, Umeå University. The prize recognizes outstanding medical research, with a particular focus on cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.Mon, 04 May 2026 16:10:27 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/020c447d13ba4c5d8b3182cc6c8e88b6/soderberg_stefan_9579_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/020c447d13ba4c5d8b3182cc6c8e88b6/soderberg_stefan_9579_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/020c447d13ba4c5d8b3182cc6c8e88b6/soderberg_stefan_9579_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/020c447d13ba4c5d8b3182cc6c8e88b6/soderberg_stefan_9579_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/020c447d13ba4c5d8b3182cc6c8e88b6/soderberg_stefan_9579_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/020c447d13ba4c5d8b3182cc6c8e88b6/soderberg_stefan_9579_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Stefan Söderberg.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>“I am overwhelmed and deeply grateful. This award recognizes the long‑term research trajectory at Umeå University which, based on the MONICA and Västerbotten projects, has followed the development of cardiovascular disease over time. My research group and I are sincerely thankful for the opportunity to build upon the work laid by visionary researchers during the 1980s and 1990s,” says professor Stefan Söderberg, a physician and professor of cardiology at the Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine at Umeå University.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Focus on cardiovascular risk factors</h2><p>He is awarded the prize for his long-standing and influential contributions to research in cardiovascular and respiratory medicine. His clinically oriented and registry-based research has played a significant role in the development of new clinical practices and guidelines, including in the areas of pulmonary hypertension and cardiovascular risk assessment.</p><p>Through extensive scientific publishing, strong research funding, and leadership roles in major research collaborations, he has had a substantial impact both nationally and internationally.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Research on COPD and physiotherapy</h2><p>Professor André Nyberg, a physiotherapist and professor of physiotherapy, receives the prize for his innovative and clinically relevant research in physiotherapy and respiratory disease, with a particular focus on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/020c447d13ba4c5d8b3182cc6c8e88b6/nyberg_andre_2503_230620_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/020c447d13ba4c5d8b3182cc6c8e88b6/nyberg_andre_2503_230620_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/020c447d13ba4c5d8b3182cc6c8e88b6/nyberg_andre_2503_230620_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/020c447d13ba4c5d8b3182cc6c8e88b6/nyberg_andre_2503_230620_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/020c447d13ba4c5d8b3182cc6c8e88b6/nyberg_andre_2503_230620_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/020c447d13ba4c5d8b3182cc6c8e88b6/nyberg_andre_2503_230620_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>André Nyberg</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>“It is a great honour to receive the award. The distinction is not only a personal recognition, but also an important acknowledgement of the research we conduct and something that provides stronger conditions for our continued work. I share this award with my research group and our collaborators, whose commitment and efforts have been crucial to the results we have achieved,” he says.</p><p>André Nyberg's research has contributed to the development of new assessment methods and exercise interventions with clear benefits for patients, and is characterized by high scientific quality and strong international impact. He is also actively involved in international research networks and within the European Respiratory Society.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">About the prize</h2><p>The prize amounts to SEK 200,000 per recipient. The awards will be presented at the Royal Skyttean Society’s annual ceremonial meeting on 22 May 2026, and the recipients will deliver ceremonial lectures in connection with Umeå University’s annual celebration in October.</p><p><a href="https://skytteanskasamfundet.se/en/about-the-association/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Royal Skyttean Society</a>, based in Umeå, is one of Sweden’s 18 royal academies and works to promote science and culture, with a particular focus on the development of northern Sweden.</p><p>Further information: <a href="mailto:camilla.sandstrom@ͯ��Ƶ">Camilla Sandström</a>, Vice President, Royal Skyttean Society</p>/en/news/skytteansk-prize-awarded-to-distinguished-heart-and-lung-researchers_12172382//en/news/call-for-application-global-solutions-olympiad-2026_12172360/Call for Application: Global Solutions Olympiad 2026 in JapanMIRAI invites Master’s and PhD students from MIRAI member universities in Japan and Sweden to form international, interdisciplinary teams and develop innovative, feasible solutions to pressing global challenges. Application deadline: 16 August 2026.Mon, 11 May 2026 11:25:08 +0200<h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Empowering the next generation to co-create solutions for global challenges</h2><p>This team-based Olympiad is designed to foster cross-border collaboration, creative problem-solving, and real-world impact, and is directly connected to the <strong>MIRAI Research & Innovation Week 2026</strong>, to be held in <strong>Fukuoka, Japan, 8–11 December 2026.<br></strong></p><h3>Why Participate?</h3><ul><li>Collaborate in international, interdisciplinary student teams</li><li>Tackle real societal challenges linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals</li><li>Gain experience in innovation-driven research and solution design</li><li>Present your work to an international audience at MIRAI R&I Week 2026</li><li>Winning teams are invited to Fukuoka with travel and accommodation covered</li></ul><h3>Challenge Tracks</h3><p>Teams will choose one of the following four challenge areas:</p><ul><li><strong>Health and an Ageing Population (SDG 3)</strong></li><li><strong>Climate Adaptation, Disaster and Risk Management (SDG 13)</strong></li><li><strong>Resilient Cities and Communities: Governance and Urban Planning (SDG 11)</strong></li><li><strong>Energy Conversion and Storage Materials for a Sustainable Future (SDG 7)</strong></li></ul><p>Each challenge calls for bold, evidence-based ideas that integrate perspectives from multiple disciplines and are relevant to both Japan and Sweden.</p><h3>Programme Overview</h3><ul><li>Online kick-off workshop: Late August / early September 2026</li><li>Team working phase: Two weeks in mid-September 2026</li><li>Final deliverable: Solution brief or pitch video</li><li>Winner announcement: Early October 2026</li><li>Final presentation: MIRAI Research & Innovation Week, Fukuoka (December 2026)</li></ul><h3>Eligibility at a Glance</h3><ul><li>Master’s or PhD students at MIRAI member universities in Japan or Sweden</li><li>Teams of up to four students (self-organised)</li><li>English as the working language</li><li>Strong commitment during the programme period</li></ul><h3>Application Deadline</h3><p>16 August 2026, 23:45 CEST <br>Apply as a team via the<a title="Online application form: Global Solutions Miriad" href="https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=i0BTVM2mHkyLEBi1APtUTjDj6iFIqkxLq0MpvBhgsqlUNFBTSU9GWFlXTzQ2OTNZVEcxSlNUWjVEQi4u&route=shorturl"> online application form</a></p><p><a class="documentIcon" title="Call-for-Applications-MIRAI-Global-Solutions-Olympiad_FINAL.pdf (171 kB)" href="~/link/14caa2998d8141e5b02e1475f16b509a.aspx">Call-for-Applications-MIRAI-Global-Solutions-Olympiad_FINAL.pdf (171 kB)</a></p><p>Students are encouraged to review the full call carefully and contact their MIRAI contact persons before submitting their application.</p>/en/news/call-for-application-global-solutions-olympiad-2026_12172360//en/news/mistletoe-extract-shows-no-effect-in-patients-with-advanced-pancreatic-cancer_12172211/Mistletoe extract shows no effect in patients with advanced pancreatic cancerNew research shows that palliative patients with pancreatic cancer neither live longer nor experience improved quality of life when taking mistletoe extract in addition to standard cancer treatment, compared to placebo.Mon, 04 May 2026 10:09:23 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/3f7b4968486b48c599e3ec3497f92fa3/pallilativ_vard3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/3f7b4968486b48c599e3ec3497f92fa3/pallilativ_vard3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/3f7b4968486b48c599e3ec3497f92fa3/pallilativ_vard3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/3f7b4968486b48c599e3ec3497f92fa3/pallilativ_vard3.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/3f7b4968486b48c599e3ec3497f92fa3/pallilativ_vard3.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/3f7b4968486b48c599e3ec3497f92fa3/pallilativ_vard3.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p> A new study led by Kathrin Wode, a researcher and consultant physician in oncology and palliative medicine at Umeå University, shows that mistletoe extract has no effect on either survival or the well-being of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>plainpicture. Johnérs bildbyrå</span></div></div><p>“Previous research has shown promising results for mistletoe extract as a complementary treatment for this patient group, but our findings indicate that it has no effect on either survival or patients’ quality of life,” says Kathrin Wode, researcher and specialist physician in oncology and palliative medicine, PhD at the Department of Diagnostics and Intervention, Umeå University.</p><p>Mistletoe extract is one of the most widely used plant-based medicinal products in Europe, but scientific evidence for its effectiveness against cancer remains limited. The MISTRAL study was conducted between 2016 and 2022 at Umeå University and nine Swedish oncology clinics and investigated the effectiveness of mistletoe extract as an adjunct treatment for patients receiving palliative care for pancreatic cancer. The researchers examined, among other outcomes, patient survival, quality of life, weight loss, and the use of corticosteroids.</p><p>“This is a patient group with a poor prognosis and a heavy symptom burden. There is a great need for gentle treatment options, which is why we wanted to investigate whether mistletoe extract could be helpful as an adjunct therapy,” says Per Fransson, Professor at the Department of Nursing, Umeå University.</p><p>“The study is quite unique because it focuses on complementary medicine rather than standard cancer treatment. It is also the first placebo-controlled study of mistletoe extract to examine both survival and quality of life,” says Roger Henriksson, Senior Professor at the Department of Diagnostics and Intervention, Umeå University.</p><p>The study included 290 patients with pancreatic cancer, who were randomised to receive either injections of a mistletoe preparation or placebo. The study was double-blind, meaning that neither the patients nor the researchers knew who received mistletoe extract and who received placebo. Previous results in 2024 showed no improvements in survival in the group receiving mistletoe extract compared to the placebo group. The new results showed that there were also no improvements in survival or quality of life.</p><p>“Based on our study results, there is no clinical reason to recommend adding mistletoe extract in the treatment of pancreatic cancer,” says Kathrin Wode.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/3f7b4968486b48c599e3ec3497f92fa3/wode_kathrin_2137_220524_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/3f7b4968486b48c599e3ec3497f92fa3/wode_kathrin_2137_220524_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/3f7b4968486b48c599e3ec3497f92fa3/wode_kathrin_2137_220524_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/3f7b4968486b48c599e3ec3497f92fa3/wode_kathrin_2137_220524_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/3f7b4968486b48c599e3ec3497f92fa3/wode_kathrin_2137_220524_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/3f7b4968486b48c599e3ec3497f92fa3/wode_kathrin_2137_220524_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Kathrin Wode, researcher and specialist physician in oncology and palliative medicine, PhD at the Department of Diagnostics and Intervention, Umeå University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div>/en/news/mistletoe-extract-shows-no-effect-in-patients-with-advanced-pancreatic-cancer_12172211//en/news/industrial-designer-alex-liebert-appointed-honorary-doctor_12171865/Industrial designer Alex Liebert appointed honorary doctorAlex Liebert, CEO of Changeworks and guest lecturer at Umeå Institute of Design, has been appointed honorary doctor for 2026 at the Faculty of Science and Technology at Umeå University. He is recognised for his long-standing commitment to design education and for building bridges between academia and professional practice.Thu, 30 Apr 2026 09:42:41 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/c5afffbb39b9456eb6af554dab7a9f52/alex_liebert_14.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/c5afffbb39b9456eb6af554dab7a9f52/alex_liebert_14.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/c5afffbb39b9456eb6af554dab7a9f52/alex_liebert_14.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/c5afffbb39b9456eb6af554dab7a9f52/alex_liebert_14.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/c5afffbb39b9456eb6af554dab7a9f52/alex_liebert_14.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/c5afffbb39b9456eb6af554dab7a9f52/alex_liebert_14.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Alex Liebert is appointed honorary doctor at Umeå University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Sara-Lena Brännström</span></div></div><p>“I'm incredibly happy and pleasantly surprised. Being awarded an honorary doctorate is a great honour,” he says.</p><p>Alex Liebert is trained as an industrial designer and has held leading positions in industry, consultancy and the public sector. Today, he is CEO, change leader and design strategist at his own company, Changeworks.</p><p>He is awarded the title of honorary doctor for his significant contributions to design education, strategic design practice and academic development at Umeå Institute of Design.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Design as leadership</h2><p>In 2012, through his then role at Atlas Copco, Alex Liebert initiated his first collaborations with Umeå Institute of Design. Since then, he has served as a guest lecturer in the strategic design course, which he has also helped to develop and shape in terms of content.</p><p>Strategic design is about using design in a long-term perspective, not only to shape products but to influence how companies and organisations develop their business models and operations.</p><p>“As a designer, you can create almost anything – so why not a business strategy? I see strategic design as a leadership discipline and want to help students develop into leaders who can improve our world through design,” says Alex Liebert, who is keen to highlight the designer's role in organisational development.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Strengthening the programme internationally</h2><p>Each year, Thomas Degn, programme director for the master's programme, invites a company with exciting products to take part in the course. Students explore future design opportunities, develop concepts aligned with the company's brand and create a well-considered design language. At the same time, they are trained in addressing complex future-oriented and technological challenges.</p><p>“I am very grateful for the appreciation shown by Umeå Institute of Design and especially for the close and long-term collaboration with Thomas Degn. Without his commitment, this would not have been possible,” says Alex Liebert.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/c5afffbb39b9456eb6af554dab7a9f52/alex_liebert_22.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/c5afffbb39b9456eb6af554dab7a9f52/alex_liebert_22.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/c5afffbb39b9456eb6af554dab7a9f52/alex_liebert_22.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/c5afffbb39b9456eb6af554dab7a9f52/alex_liebert_22.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/c5afffbb39b9456eb6af554dab7a9f52/alex_liebert_22.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/c5afffbb39b9456eb6af554dab7a9f52/alex_liebert_22.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>As a guest lecturer at Umeå Institute of Design, Alex Liebert has made a significant contribution to the programme.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Sara-Lena Brännström</span></div></div><p>Through his work, Alex Liebert has contributed to strengthening both the academic quality and the international relevance of the programme.</p><p>Now in his fourteenth year as a guest lecturer, he has no plans to stop. He praises the collaborative culture and positive spirit at Umeå Institute of Design.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">“A unique school”</h2><p>“I love teaching and I feel genuinely happy every time I come here. It's a unique school with a spirit and level of engagement that I haven't seen anywhere else,” says Alex, who is based in Örebro and also teaches industrial design to mechanical engineering students at Örebro University.</p><p>He finds it particularly rewarding when former students describe the concrete benefits they have gained from the course tools in their collaborations with companies, especially their ability to measure the value of design and to develop a clear design language.</p><p>“I see how they gain confidence and dare to take greater initiative. That feels really wonderful,” he says.</p><p>Alex Liebert will be formally conferred as honorary doctor at Umeå University's annual celebration in October.</p><p> </p><p><strong>For more information, please contact:</strong></p><p>Alex Liebert, CEO of Changeworks and guest lecturer at Umeå Institute of Design</p><p>Phone: +46 70 607 46 55</p><p>E-mail: <a href="mailto:alex@changeworks.se">alex@changeworks.se</a></p>/en/news/industrial-designer-alex-liebert-appointed-honorary-doctor_12171865//en/news/lars-nyberg-is-a-top-ranked-neuroscientist--ranked-eighth-in-sweden_12171771/<description>Lars Nyberg, Professor of Neuroscience, has been named the eighth leading researcher in neuroscience in Sweden by Research.com. In the global ranking, he is ranked 333rd in the world – a recognition that confirms his long-standing and successful research career.</description><pubDate>Thu, 30 Apr 2026 09:17:36 +0200</pubDate><atom:content type="html"><p>Lars Nyberg’s research focuses on the brain and functional brain imaging, with a particular interest in the link between brain functions and various memory processes. As early as the 1980s, he helped launch the <em>Betula research project – ageing, memory and dementia</em> – in which participants were followed for over 30 years to study how memory changes over time.</p><p>In 2025, Lars Nyberg was awarded the Bengt Winblad Prize for his research in geriatrics, with a primary focus on how the brain and memory change with ageing. Now, less than a year later, his work is receiving further recognition through Research.com’s international ranking – with a place amongst the top ten neuroscientists in Sweden.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/bb82efde6dfa407ba24c988a9c42b808/nyberg_lars__mg_3975_160610_ebe2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/bb82efde6dfa407ba24c988a9c42b808/nyberg_lars__mg_3975_160610_ebe2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/bb82efde6dfa407ba24c988a9c42b808/nyberg_lars__mg_3975_160610_ebe2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/bb82efde6dfa407ba24c988a9c42b808/nyberg_lars__mg_3975_160610_ebe2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/bb82efde6dfa407ba24c988a9c42b808/nyberg_lars__mg_3975_160610_ebe2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/bb82efde6dfa407ba24c988a9c42b808/nyberg_lars__mg_3975_160610_ebe2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Lars Nyberg, professor, Institutionen för diagnostik och intervention och UFBI.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Elin Berge</span></div></div><p>“Receiving this feedback on the impact of our work from Research.com is very encouraging for me and also reflects the excellent efforts of my colleagues in various research projects,” says Lars Nyberg.</p><p> </p></atom:content><link>/en/news/lars-nyberg-is-a-top-ranked-neuroscientist--ranked-eighth-in-sweden_12171771/</link></item><item xml:base="en/news/umea-university-researchers-shaping-arctic-knowledge_12171727/"><guid isPermaLink="false">/en/news/umea-university-researchers-shaping-arctic-knowledge_12171727/</guid><title>Umeå University researchers shaping Arctic knowledge through UArctic’s thematic networksResearchers at Umeå University are playing an active role in shaping Arctic research and collaboration through UArctic’s thematic networks, a key international platform that connects expertise across disciplines and regions.Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:41:25 +0200<p class="quote-center">We see great potential for even more researchers at Umeå University to engage in and benefit from these networks.</p><p>These networks often function as small international research platforms, where collaborations, projects and ideas begin to take shape. This often happens long before they develop into larger funded initiatives.</p><p>With more than 60 thematic networks covering areas from climate and biodiversity to culture, health and governance, UArctic provides a structure for collaboration that is presented annually through the Year in Review publications.</p><p>The reports highlight how research communities contribute to Arctic knowledge. They also show that Umeå University is not only participating but, in several cases, helping to lead and develop these efforts.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Strong contributions across research fields</h2><p>Umeå University researchers are engaged in a wide range of thematic networks spanning the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.</p><p>In the Thematic Network on Northern Tourism, Umeå University is a key contributor, building on a strong research tradition while continuing to shape the field of Arctic tourism. Today, researchers from Umeå play an active role in advancing both knowledge development and international collaboration within the network.</p><p>Umeå is also strongly represented in the Arctic Sustainable Arts and Design (ASAD) network. Professor Cindy Kohtala, based at Umeå Institute of Design, serves as Vice-Lead of the network. The Institute will host an international workshop in 2026, further strengthening Umeå’s role as a hub for design and sustainability in Arctic contexts.</p><p>Beyond these examples, researchers from Umeå University contribute to networks such as Critical Arctic Studies, Herbivory, Health and Well-being in the Arctic, and several others, reflecting the breadth of Arctic-related research at the university.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Shaping Arctic research at a system level</h2><p>Umeå University also plays a unique role in supporting and shaping Arctic research more broadly through the Thematic Network on Polar Research Analytics, which is led by researchers at the university.</p><p class="quote-center">Through bibliometric analysis, we can better understand how Arctic research is evolving, where collaborations are emerging, and how knowledge flows across regions and disciplines.</p><p>The network is led by Professor Rickard Danell and Associate Professor Lena Maria Nilsson, with Arctic Centre Director Keith Larson serving as UArctic’s Associate Vice-President for Polar Research Analytics. Together, they contribute to mapping and analysing global Arctic research trends. This work provides a broader perspective on how Arctic research develops globally.</p><p>“Through bibliometric analysis, we can better understand how Arctic research is evolving, where collaborations are emerging, and how knowledge flows across regions and disciplines,” says Keith Larson. “This helps strengthen both individual research efforts and the collective impact of Arctic research.”</p><p>It also provides valuable insights for researchers, institutions and policymakers, and supports the continued development of UArctic’s thematic networks.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">A platform for collaboration and impact</h2><p>UArctic’s thematic networks offer Umeå University researchers opportunities to engage in international collaboration, develop new research initiatives, and increase the visibility of their work.</p><p>The networks connect researchers globally, with activities and collaborations spanning Arctic regions as well as institutions around the world.</p><p class="quote-center">Participating in a thematic network creates opportunities not only for collaboration, but also for making research more visible and relevant.</p><p>Within the networks, researchers organise workshops and conferences, develop joint publications, run field courses and initiate collaborative research projects across institutions.</p><p>The recent Year in Review initiative also illustrates the growing importance of communicating research activities and outcomes within these networks.</p><p>“Participating in a thematic network creates opportunities not only for collaboration, but also for making research more visible and relevant,” says Professor Cindy Kohtala. “Working together across different contexts, including through bioregional perspectives, helps us better understand and develop the sustainability potential of art and design research and practice.”</p><p>Researchers at Umeå University interested in joining a thematic network or learning more about ongoing activities are encouraged to explore UArctic’s network structure or contact the Arctic Centre.</p><p>“From the perspective of the Arctic Centre, we see great potential for even more researchers at Umeå University to engage in and benefit from these networks,” says Simon Oja, Deputy Director, Arctic Centre. “Strengthening participation will not only support individual research, but also enhance Umeå University’s overall contribution to Arctic knowledge and collaboration.”</p>/en/news/umea-university-researchers-shaping-arctic-knowledge_12171727//en/news/major-formas-grant-awarded-for-research-on-milk-spoilage_12171754/Major Formas grant awarded for research on milk spoilageAssistant Professor Laura Carroll has been awarded 6 million SEK from Formas to further develop bioinformatic tools aimed at improving the understanding and prevention of bacterial contamination in food such as milk. Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:46:58 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b60c91c5e056476eb93caac20785a138/laura_carroll3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/b60c91c5e056476eb93caac20785a138/laura_carroll3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/b60c91c5e056476eb93caac20785a138/laura_carroll3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/b60c91c5e056476eb93caac20785a138/laura_carroll3.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/b60c91c5e056476eb93caac20785a138/laura_carroll3.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/b60c91c5e056476eb93caac20785a138/laura_carroll3.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Laura Carroll, Assistant Professor at the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Umeå University, receives 6 MSEK for research within diary microbiology.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ingrid Söderbergh</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">It feels amazing!</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">How does it feel to receive the Formas grant?</h2><p>“It feels amazing! We applied to Formas last year but were not selected, so receiving the grant this year is especially exciting.”</p><p>“A large part of my PhD research focused on dairy microbiology, particularly the genomics of spore‑forming microorganisms involved in milk spoilage. That is why I am especially enthusiastic about this project. It gives me the opportunity to return to this research area, but now using novel single‑cell methods developed by our team here at Umeå University.”</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">What problem does the project address, and why is milk spoilage such an important area of research?</h2><p>“Food waste represents a massive environmental and economic burden. Nearly one third of all food produced globally is affected by food loss or waste, corresponding to estimated global annual economic losses exceeding one trillion US dollars. A significant portion of this is due to microbial spoilage, where microorganisms cause food to deteriorate in terms of taste, smell, or appearance. Dairy products, and milk in particular, are especially susceptible.”</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">How will you approach the research in this new project?</h2><p>“In this project, we are addressing milk spoilage using a data‑driven precision approach, based on a novel single‑cell metagenomic sequencing method developed by our team. Using this method, we will generate large volumes of genomic data from the microbiome of fluid bovine milk.”</p><p>“These data will be used to identify biomarkers, such as specific microbial species, strains, or genes, that can predict whether a batch of milk is likely to spoil during or prior to consumer storage. In the longer term, we aim to use these single‑cell‑based biomarkers to develop rapid and cost‑effective tests for the dairy industry.”</p><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3">What does “maximum resolution” mean in practice, and why is single‑cell metagenomics a breakthrough for this field?</h2><p>“Previous approaches to studying the microbial flora of bovine milk have primarily relied on so‑called bulk methods, where DNA from all cells – both microbial and bovine – is analysed together. This makes it difficult to determine which DNA originates from which organism.”</p><p>“With single‑cell metagenomics, we can instead link DNA to individual cells, allowing us to study individual bacteria at a level of detail that was previously not possible. By tailoring the method specifically to fluid bovine milk, we can also track how microbial spoilage develops over time at the cellular level and identify early indicators of milk spoilage – before the product reaches retailers or consumers, when producers still have the opportunity to intervene.”</p><h2 id="info4" data-magellan-target="info4">How might the results be used in practice?</h2><p>“Our hope is that these methods will eventually serve as decision‑support tools for food producers, for example in determining whether a batch of milk should be released, discarded, or repurposed. They may also contribute to more accurate best‑before dates and to the development of targeted interventions that reduce food waste.”</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b60c91c5e056476eb93caac20785a138/kossor2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/b60c91c5e056476eb93caac20785a138/kossor2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/b60c91c5e056476eb93caac20785a138/kossor2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/b60c91c5e056476eb93caac20785a138/kossor2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/b60c91c5e056476eb93caac20785a138/kossor2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/b60c91c5e056476eb93caac20785a138/kossor2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Approximately 2.8 million tonnes of milk are produced annually in Sweden.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Robert Harding</span></div></div>/en/news/major-formas-grant-awarded-for-research-on-milk-spoilage_12171754//en/news/usbe-scientific-award-2026_12171786/<description>This year’s winner of the USBE Scientific Award is Siarhei Manzhynski, Associate professor in Business Administration.</description><pubDate>Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:02:00 +0200</pubDate><atom:content type="html"><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/36979ef0f86349acb8e58c3f4a33c14d/siarhei_m_14.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/36979ef0f86349acb8e58c3f4a33c14d/siarhei_m_14.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/36979ef0f86349acb8e58c3f4a33c14d/siarhei_m_14.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/36979ef0f86349acb8e58c3f4a33c14d/siarhei_m_14.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/36979ef0f86349acb8e58c3f4a33c14d/siarhei_m_14.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/36979ef0f86349acb8e58c3f4a33c14d/siarhei_m_14.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Siarhei Manzhynski, Associate professor in Business Administration.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Privat</span></div></div><p>The award was established to promote research within Umeå School of Business and Economics (USBE), and the idea behind the scientific award is to celebrate scientific writing as well as highlight high-quality research in the field.</p><p>Siarhei Manzhynski expresses both honour and gratitude for receiving the award. He describes that for him research has always been driven by curiosity, shaped by a persistent habit of asking fundamental questions—such as “why?”, “what if?”, and occasionally questioning whether something truly makes sense, sometimes perhaps ”one time too many”.</p><p>– This is one of the best parts of academic life: you are allowed, and even encouraged, to remain curious for a living. This is also why I am so grateful to USBE and Umeå University. They have given me an environment where research feels not only like a job, but like an intellectual journey. Coming to campus, discussing ideas, and doing research here feels very close to my dream academic life.</p><p>Siarhei extends warm thanks to colleagues, co-authors, discussants, mentors, and students who have challenged and inspired him throughout his career. He emphasizes the importance of his family, whose support has made an academic life possible - even during times when he ”forgets to fully switch off the researcher” at home.</p><h3>Jury´s motivation</h3><p>Since defending his doctoral thesis in 2021, Siarhei has demonstrated an impressive, consistent research output, characterized by high productivity and quality. His research has been published in well-established and internationally recognized journals in business administration and sustainability research. In addition, Siarhei has built a strong international research profile through extensive collaborations with scholars at leading universities and research institutions. He has also been successful in securing competitive external research funding and has taken on several positions of trust and academic responsibilities both within and beyond the Business School.</p><p>Marie Wiberg, Chair of USBE Research Institute says that overall, Siarhei's achievements make him a highly deserving recipient of USBE Scientific Award for 2026.</p></atom:content><link>/en/news/usbe-scientific-award-2026_12171786/</link></item><item xml:base="en/news/usbe-pedagogical-prize-2026_12171678/"><guid isPermaLink="false">/en/news/usbe-pedagogical-prize-2026_12171678/</guid><title>USBE Pedagogical Prize 2026Two recipients have been selected for Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics (USBE), Pedagogical Prize 2026: one teaching team in Business Administration and one programme coordinator in Statistics. Both recipients stand out for their deliberate, systematic, and pedagogically grounded work in integrating and developing USBE’s competencies within education, with a clear focus on students’ learning and professional development.Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:09:47 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b79a09d53d35458db49d264f9c235391/handelshogskolans_pedagogiska_pris_2026-44.png?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/b79a09d53d35458db49d264f9c235391/handelshogskolans_pedagogiska_pris_2026-44.png?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/b79a09d53d35458db49d264f9c235391/handelshogskolans_pedagogiska_pris_2026-44.png?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/b79a09d53d35458db49d264f9c235391/handelshogskolans_pedagogiska_pris_2026-44.png?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/b79a09d53d35458db49d264f9c235391/handelshogskolans_pedagogiska_pris_2026-44.png?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/b79a09d53d35458db49d264f9c235391/handelshogskolans_pedagogiska_pris_2026-44.png?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>This year’s winners.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Therese Sarlin</span></div></div><p>USBE annually announces a pedagogical award whose purpose is to encourage teachers who make good pedagogical contributions in undergraduate education and to stimulate pedagogical development at USBE. The award recipients were selected by USBE’s management team following nominations from students and teachers.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b79a09d53d35458db49d264f9c235391/handelshogskolans_pedagogiska_pris_2026_-_lararlaget3.png?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/b79a09d53d35458db49d264f9c235391/handelshogskolans_pedagogiska_pris_2026_-_lararlaget3.png?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/b79a09d53d35458db49d264f9c235391/handelshogskolans_pedagogiska_pris_2026_-_lararlaget3.png?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/b79a09d53d35458db49d264f9c235391/handelshogskolans_pedagogiska_pris_2026_-_lararlaget3.png?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/b79a09d53d35458db49d264f9c235391/handelshogskolans_pedagogiska_pris_2026_-_lararlaget3.png?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/b79a09d53d35458db49d264f9c235391/handelshogskolans_pedagogiska_pris_2026_-_lararlaget3.png?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Peter Gustafsson, Zsuzsanna Vincze and Lucas Haskell. </p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Therese Sarlin</span></div></div><h3>The teaching team of the course <em>Innovation Management</em></h3><p>The teaching team consisting of Peter Gustafsson, Lucas Haskell, and Zsuzsanna Vincze, is awarded USBE’s Pedagogical Prize 2026 for their deliberate and systematic approach to integrating the USBE’s competencies into teaching and assessment. Under the leadership of Zsuzsanna, who over time has played a central and unifying role in the course’s development, the team has designed a student‑centred and practice‑based course format. Through long‑standing collaboration with external stakeholders, the course creates strong conditions for students’ learning and for the development of several core competencies, in particular problem solving, communication, responsible approach, and self‑leadership.</p><p>At the core of the course is an innovation camp, in which students work in groups on real challenges provided by companies. This format places particular emphasis on problem‑solving skills through clear progression from problem formulation to the development and presentation of solutions, with continuous feedback from both teachers and company representatives. Communication skills are developed through group work, presentations for different audiences, and active use of feedback. Responsible approach and self‑leadership are integrated through engagement with ethical and societal considerations, as well as reflection on students’ own learning processes.</p><p>Zsuzsanna shares that the idea behind the concept did not originate solely from her, but emerged in response to a request from the Finnish company MacGregor and its Swedish subsidiary. They wanted to develop an innovation camp in Sweden based on a concept that had already been successfully implemented in Finland.</p><p>– At the time, I was responsible for a newly developed course in innovation management, and the collaboration became a perfect opportunity to strengthen the course’s practical dimensions. I have long believed that innovation and entrepreneurship are best taught through real-world business engagement. Although the course involves intensive work and close coordination, the camp has evolved into a strong collaboration equally benefiting the three key stakeholder groups: students, companies, and faculty.</p><p>Taken together, the course represents an exemplary model of how the development of multiple competencies can be placed at the centre of teaching in a well‑designed and pedagogically sound way. According to Peter the success and long-term sustainability of the course is based on a strong emphasis on practice- and student‑centered learning.</p><p>– We use flipped classroom approaches, where students are given greater responsibility for their own learning. A central feature of the course the Innovation Camp focuses on practical, real‑world challenges, developed in close collaboration with high‑quality external partners such as UKF and Olofsfors. These collaborations help us ensure that the course remains relevant to practice and attractive to students. In addition, the course is closely integrated with our ongoing research in areas such as innovation, sustainability, strategy, and entrepreneurship. By creating this connection, we can continuously combine our research interests and expertise with our pedagogy.</p><p>Lucas describes the award as an honouring recognition of the long-term work invested in course development and collaboration with external partners, and as a motivation to continue developing the education further.</p><p>– Receiving the award feels genuinely good and rewarding, it is an honor. It's especially satisfying to see our work recognized, not only for what we do in the classroom but for the considerable effort we put into collaborating with local organizations to ensure the course is as practically relevant as possible. The award also motivates us to continue developing the course further. Course development has always been a continuous process, shaped over time by both Zsuzsanna and Peter, and the recognition reinforces our commitment to keep improving and refining the course, especially as part of the development of our new master’s programme.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b79a09d53d35458db49d264f9c235391/handelshogskolans_pedagogiska_pris_2026_-_maria_karlsson2.png?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/b79a09d53d35458db49d264f9c235391/handelshogskolans_pedagogiska_pris_2026_-_maria_karlsson2.png?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/b79a09d53d35458db49d264f9c235391/handelshogskolans_pedagogiska_pris_2026_-_maria_karlsson2.png?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/b79a09d53d35458db49d264f9c235391/handelshogskolans_pedagogiska_pris_2026_-_maria_karlsson2.png?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/b79a09d53d35458db49d264f9c235391/handelshogskolans_pedagogiska_pris_2026_-_maria_karlsson2.png?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/b79a09d53d35458db49d264f9c235391/handelshogskolans_pedagogiska_pris_2026_-_maria_karlsson2.png?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Maria Karlsson.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Therese Sarlin</span></div></div><h3>Maria Karlsson, Programme coordinator, Statistics and Data Science</h3><p>Maria is awarded USBE’s Pedagogical Prize 2026 for her dedicated and well‑structured work in ensuring that all USBE’s competencies are systematically practiced and assessed within the Programme in Statistics and Data Science. Her work is particularly notable in the areas of responsible approach, communication, and data literacy. Through carefully designed course components and assessment tasks, students are trained to analyse, interpret, and evaluate data, make well‑informed ethical judgements, and adapt oral, written, and visual communication to different audiences and contexts.</p><p>Through this long‑term and coordinating approach, Maria contributes to increased quality, clarity, and progression in students’ competency development, as well as to a strengthened holistic perspective across the programme.</p><p>For Maria, the award is a recognition of the pedagogical development work that takes place in close collaboration with colleagues.</p><p>– I am very grateful for this recognition, as it draws attention to pedagogical work that often takes place in the background and through close collaboration with colleagues. Together, we have worked to strengthen coherence across courses and to ensure clear progression in the program. One concrete contribution has been the development of support for subject‑integrated writing and communication, allowing students to build these abilities step by step over time. I have also worked to integrate ethical perspectives as an explicit and visible part of course content. Ethics is an important part of several of the competencies we work with at USBE, such as responsible approach, data literacy, and self‑leadership.</p><p>The Dean of USBE, Agneta Marell, extends her congratulations to this year’s award recipients and expresses her appreciation for their valuable contributions to the USBE’s students.</p><p>– Providing our students with the best possible opportunities for the future requires teachers who combine a holistic perspective with strong commitment and long-term coordination and collaboration — both within and beyond academia. This year’s award recipients truly live up to these expectations.</p>/en/news/usbe-pedagogical-prize-2026_12171678//en/news/charity-run-for-community-and-a-good-cause_12170452/<description>On 9 May, Välgörenhetsflåset will once again take place on the Umeå University campus. Following last year’s well‑received comeback, students, staff and the general public are invited to take part in an inclusive fun run for a good cause—where participation matters more than performance.</description><pubDate>Wed, 29 Apr 2026 09:04:59 +0200</pubDate><atom:content type="html"><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/c284a22aa30a4e4ba77f299684411ebd/_dsc04463.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/c284a22aa30a4e4ba77f299684411ebd/_dsc04463.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/c284a22aa30a4e4ba77f299684411ebd/_dsc04463.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/c284a22aa30a4e4ba77f299684411ebd/_dsc04463.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/c284a22aa30a4e4ba77f299684411ebd/_dsc04463.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/c284a22aa30a4e4ba77f299684411ebd/_dsc04463.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Välgörenhetsflåset 2025</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Enklast kommunikationsbyrå</span></div></div><p>The Charity Run "Välgörenhetsflåset" is a non‑profit event where participants can choose between distances of 2.5, 5 or 10 kilometres. The run is open to everyone, and all routes are paved and accessible for wheelchairs, walkers and strollers. 100% of the proceeds will go to a selected organisation. This year’s beneficiary is Barncancerfonden Norra, a non‑profit organisation that supports children affected by cancer and their families.</p><p>The race starts at 12:00 on 9 May at the campus fountain, with the course running around Umeå University. In connection with the event, there will also be coffee sales, raffles and music, contributing to a festive and welcoming atmosphere. The participation fee is SEK 100, or an optional higher amount.</p><h3>A student‑led initiative driven by strong engagement</h3><p>The event is organised by Idrottsvetarföreningen, an association made up of students from the Sports Science programme - Strategic Leadership and Development. Välgörenhetsflåset is carried out with the support of Umeå School of Sport Sciences and Umeå University’s work towards A Healthy Campus.</p><p>For the students, Välgörenhetsflåset is more than just a fitness event. It brings together several elements they value in their education and in their future professional roles within sport..</p><p>“On the one hand, it’s about putting theory into practice by planning, organising and delivering a real event. But it’s also about contributing to something bigger than ourselves. By linking the event to charity, we get the opportunity to use sport as a tool for social benefit, which feels both meaningful and motivating. At the same time, we develop our teamwork skills and gain experience in project management, communication and responsibility. And on top of that, it’s a great deal of fun to organise, and it feels good knowing that all the money we raise goes towards making a real difference,” says Frida Helmersson, a member of the Charity Run project group.</p><p>Välgörenhetsflåset has been organised since 2015, but was paused for several years before being revived in 2025. Last year, more than SEK 10,000 was raised for a local organisation. The students hope that this year’s run will be just as well attended and inspiring.</p><p>“Above all, we want everyone to feel satisfied with the event and the day itself. Beyond that, we hope participants will learn more about the important work of Barncancerfonden Norra. We also want to highlight why Umeå University ranks highly as a Healthy Campus and create a recurring event that people want to return to year after year,” says Frida.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="0551727d-0eaf-4b17-88d5-d079121b546b" data-contentname="Facts: Välgörenhetsflåset">{}</div><p><a title="Read more about Välgörenhetsflåset" href="https://www.instagram.com/valgorenhetsflaset">Read more about Välgörenhetsflåset</a></p></atom:content><link>/en/news/charity-run-for-community-and-a-good-cause_12170452/</link></item><item xml:base="en/news/mapping-the-genetic-weaknesses-of-the-malaria-parasite_12171638/"><guid isPermaLink="false">/en/news/mapping-the-genetic-weaknesses-of-the-malaria-parasite_12171638/</guid><title>Mapping the genetic weaknesses of the malaria parasiteA tiny parasite causes disease in around 280 million people every year, yet much of its biology still remains a mystery. Researcher Ellen Bushell is studying the malaria parasite at the molecular level to identify the genes that play a crucial role in the infection process. She is mapping the parasite’s innermost functions to find its weaknesses, and hopefully, contribute to future treatments.Tue, 28 Apr 2026 13:10:12 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b6e04fcbc0a94f49bb205005928f3858/bushell-labb3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/b6e04fcbc0a94f49bb205005928f3858/bushell-labb3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/b6e04fcbc0a94f49bb205005928f3858/bushell-labb3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/b6e04fcbc0a94f49bb205005928f3858/bushell-labb3.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/b6e04fcbc0a94f49bb205005928f3858/bushell-labb3.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/b6e04fcbc0a94f49bb205005928f3858/bushell-labb3.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Ellen Bushell, researcher at the Department of Molecular Biology at Umeå University and Wallenberg Academy Fellow.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Johan Gunseus</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">We are trying to understand what the parasite’s genes do</p><p><em>This article was produced by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.</em></p><p>Bushell heads a research team at Umeå University that is studying the most fundamental functions of the malaria parasite. Their research operates at the molecular level, focusing on what actually happens inside the body when the infection takes hold.</p><p>“We are trying to understand what the parasite’s genes do. To do so, we are developing and using genetic tools that enable us to inactivate numerous genes at once to see which ones are necessary for the parasite to grow and cause disease,” says Bushell.</p><p>Malaria is caused by parasites of the Plasmodium genus, which carry around 5,000 genes. Despite decades of research, many of them are still poorly characterized. Bushell’s research is intended to gradually fill in those gaps.</p><p>A critical stage is when the parasite infects red blood cells. That is when symptoms occur – including the cyclical fever characteristic of malaria, which comes and goes and can also lead to anemia. In severe cases, life-threatening complications can occur. But what happens at the cellular level is far more complex than the symptoms suggest.</p><p>“The parasite takes over the blood cell and remodels it. It creates its own system of proteins and membranes that enable it to survive, take up nutrients and protect itself. This is quite a radical transformation of a cell that is otherwise very simple.”</p><p>Ellen Bushell is Wallenberg Academy Fellow and teceived a prolongation grant 2024 from Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Original news article:</h2><p><a href="https://kaw.wallenberg.org/en/research/mapping-genetic-weaknesses-malaria-parasite" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Read the whole article on KAW’s website</a></p>/en/news/mapping-the-genetic-weaknesses-of-the-malaria-parasite_12171638//en/news/umea-university-and-rise-are-strengthening-their-partnership_12171520/Umeå University and RISE are strengthening their partnership Umeå University and RISE, Research Institutes of Sweden, recently met to deepen and strengthen their collaboration. There is already a great deal of collaboration between the two organisations, but there is significant potential for a deeper and more strategic partnership in research projects, joint applications and scientific publications. Wed, 06 May 2026 16:58:00 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/738b4d471da341099b872a4845064f87/gruppbild_rise_6008_260422_mgg3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/738b4d471da341099b872a4845064f87/gruppbild_rise_6008_260422_mgg3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/738b4d471da341099b872a4845064f87/gruppbild_rise_6008_260422_mgg3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/738b4d471da341099b872a4845064f87/gruppbild_rise_6008_260422_mgg3.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/738b4d471da341099b872a4845064f87/gruppbild_rise_6008_260422_mgg3.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/738b4d471da341099b872a4845064f87/gruppbild_rise_6008_260422_mgg3.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>From left: Marco Lucisano, Senior Vice President – Built Environment at RISE; Tora Holmberg, Vice-Chancellor of Umeå University; Jonas Joelsson, Director Research and Business Development at RISE; Malin Johansson, Head of Department at RISE, and Thomas Olofsson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Umeå University, who discussed deeper and more strategic collaboration at a meeting at Umeå University. Photo: Malin Grönborg</p></div></div><p>“We have many points of contact and ongoing collaborations, not least within the digital innovation hub Digital Impact North. At the same time, there is significant potential to further develop our collaboration, and I therefore look forward to closer and more long-term cooperation in the future,” says Tora Holmberg, Vice-Chancellor of Umeå University.</p><p>RISE is a research institute and innovation partner that works to develop technologies, products, services and processes that contribute to a sustainable society and a competitive business sector. RISE can help ensure that university research is effectively and clearly integrated into practical solutions for, for example, improved preparedness and enhanced security.</p><p>"Umeå University is a key and strategically important player in the region’s development, and we already have a well-established partnership, but at the same time we see clear potential to take the next step. At RISE, we therefore view deepening our collaboration in the future very positively, with the aim of strengthening both Umeå University and the surrounding community, as well as contributing to a faster transition and increased competitiveness for industry, society and Sweden as a whole," says Marco Lucisano, Senior Vice President – Built Environment at RISE.</p>/en/news/umea-university-and-rise-are-strengthening-their-partnership_12171520//en/news/a-student-led-space-for-interdisciplinary-perspectives-on-ai_12171423/Student-led space for interdisciplinary AIWhat does it mean to study, question and shape AI beyond the boundaries of technology alone? At Umeå University, a student-led initiative within TAIGA is creating space for these conversations.Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:48:47 +0200<p>TAIGA S4S (Students for Students) is run by students, for students, and brings together participants from across disciplines to explore AI through discussion, critical reflection and shared learning. Rather than focusing on technical expertise, the initiative emphasises curiosity, dialogue and the value of multiple perspectives.</p><p>One of the recurring activities is the TAIGA S4S Paper Club, where students meet to discuss contemporary research on AI and its societal implications. A recent session gathered students in Galaxen to explore how AI intersects with power structures in society.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="a584e6a1-68a4-466f-86a3-a6ee23857e01" data-contentname="2024-04-24 S4S Paper Club ENG">{}</div><p>The Paper Club is open to students from all academic backgrounds who are interested in engaging with AI from a broader, interdisciplinary standpoint.</p><p>Earlier this spring, TAIGA S4S also organised a screening of <em>The Matrix</em>, followed by open discussions on technology and society. The event was met with strong engagement, and similar film screenings may become a recurring part of the initiative.</p><p>TAIGA S4S also organises activities that connect AI research with culture and society. An upcoming example is a guided student visit to Bildmuseet in Umeå on 7 May, where participants will explore the exhibition <em>AI and the Paradox of Agency</em>. Through contemporary art, the visit invites reflection on AI, creativity, power and human agency, followed by shared discussion.</p><h3>Welcome to join!</h3><p>New activities are planned on an ongoing basis, including discussion forums, study visits and other events. Students can also apply for financial support to organise activities within TAIGA S4S.</p><p>Curious about AI (regardless of your academic background) and interested in becoming part of a growing student community? Read more about <a href="~/link/e1610ab9bff9454a9e63103ca5cf7c98.aspx">TAIGA S4S here</a>.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p style="padding-left: 240px;"><em>Editor</em>: Anngelica Kristoferqvist</p>/en/news/a-student-led-space-for-interdisciplinary-perspectives-on-ai_12171423//en/news/ai-shows-how-the-right-energy-renovation-can-reduce-both-emissions-and-costs_12171152/AI shows how the right energy renovation can reduce both emissions and costsThe right renovation choices can make a major difference – for both the climate and the economy. However, what works best varies widely between buildings, locations and usage patterns. New research from Umeå University shows how AI-based analyses can provide locally tailored recommendations that lead to lower energy use, reduced emissions and lower costs.Thu, 23 Apr 2026 12:52:50 +0200<p>Buildings account for around 30 per cent of global energy consumption and more than a quarter of global carbon dioxide emissions. Achieving climate targets therefore requires substantial improvements in the energy efficiency of existing buildings. At the same time, many current planning models rely on simplified assumptions, grouping buildings into broad categories and recommending the same measures regardless of local conditions.</p><p class="quote-center">With more detailed analyses, resources can be directed where they have the greatest impact</p><p>In his doctoral dissertation, Santhan Reddy Penaka, doctoral student at the Intelligent Human-Building Interaction (IHBI) lab, Department of Applied Physics and Electronics at Umeå University, has developed new data-driven methods that better account for the uniqueness of individual buildings.</p><p>"Existing models often assume that all buildings within a category perform in the same way, which leads to generic renovation recommendations. In reality, the most effective measure can vary significantly – even between neighbouring buildings", says Santhan Reddy Penaka.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">AI captures differences between buildings</h2><p>By combining machine learning, so-called explainable AI and data fusion – where multiple incomplete data sources are integrated – the research identifies which parts of a building have the greatest impact on energy use: walls, windows, roofs or floors.</p><p>A case study of 81 building clusters in Linköping, Lund and Umeå shows that the most effective renovation measures vary considerably depending on building type, climate zone and geographical location. In some cases, additional wall insulation is the most important intervention, while in others it has very little effect.</p><p>"Generic renovation plans risk overlooking this variation. With more detailed analyses, resources can be directed where they have the greatest impact", says Santhan Reddy Penaka.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">How occupants behave also matters</h2><p>Another key aspect of the model is that it accounts for how people actually use their homes – for example, how often windows are opened or how electrical appliances are used – rather than assuming average behavior.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="6c5eb6a4-3783-4282-96d7-89edf47646dd" data-contentname="Santhan avhandling">{}</div><p>The research shows that simplified assumptions about occupant behavior can skew energy-use calculations by up to 15 per cent. When applied to analyze Sweden’s upcoming power-based electricity tariff (planned for 2027), the model indicates that behavioral changes alone could reduce peak loads in the electricity system by 6–17 per cent, depending on building type.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">From research to practical application</h2><p>To make the results accessible beyond research, Santhan Reddy Penaka has developed an interactive 3D visualization platform. Homeowners can use it to compare their building’s energy performance with similar buildings in the local area and explore “what-if” scenarios for both renovation measures and behavioral changes.</p><p>"The goal is to move from broad policy recommendations to locally adapted, evidence-based strategies that municipalities and property owners can actually use", Santhan Reddy Penaka concludes.</p>/en/news/ai-shows-how-the-right-energy-renovation-can-reduce-both-emissions-and-costs_12171152//en/news/historian-on-the-russian-threat-in-the-nordic-region_12169607/The history of the Russian threat in the Nordic region: “We must be prepared – together.”The war in Ukraine continues and Russia remains a threatening presence in the Nordic region. Meanwhile, there is a gulf between Sweden’s slimmed down total defence and neighbour Finland’s long-standing high defence capability. According to historian Professor Martin Hårdstedt, Sweden and the rest of the Nordic region would do well to draw lessons from the Finnish model and shoulder greater responsibility for Finland’s defence spending – while there is still room for manoeuvre.Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:28:25 +0200<p>Ukraine has been in conflict with Russia since 2014 when the Russian’s annexed the Crimean Peninsula and took de facto control of parts of eastern Ukraine. The conflict escalated in February 2022, when the Russians launched a full-scale invasion of the country. The ongoing war is the largest and most devastating armed conflict in Europe since the Second World War.</p><p><strong>You are a professor of history. How does a historical perspective help us to understand the present security situation in the Nordic region in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine?</strong></p><p>“Historically speaking – and this is still true today – Russia is an empire oscillating between collapse and expansion. The current attempt to take parts of Ukraine is deeply rooted in history and there is a long-standing presumption that the occupied areas belong to Russia. So, in a historical context the current state of affairs is logical and understandable,” says Hårdstedt.</p><p>Hårdstedt’s day job is at the Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies at Umeå University, where he both teaches and conducts research. At the time of writing, he is teaching the second-cycle course Ukraine between East and West and putting the finishing touches to a book on the occupation of Norway from 1940 to 1945. Hårdstedt is also co-presenter of the military history podcast Militärhistoriepodden.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/1b458a6c471549f4805ec2493db3e5e8/hardstedt_martin_img_3993_160623_ubs_svart_forlangd2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/1b458a6c471549f4805ec2493db3e5e8/hardstedt_martin_img_3993_160623_ubs_svart_forlangd2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/1b458a6c471549f4805ec2493db3e5e8/hardstedt_martin_img_3993_160623_ubs_svart_forlangd2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/1b458a6c471549f4805ec2493db3e5e8/hardstedt_martin_img_3993_160623_ubs_svart_forlangd2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/1b458a6c471549f4805ec2493db3e5e8/hardstedt_martin_img_3993_160623_ubs_svart_forlangd2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/1b458a6c471549f4805ec2493db3e5e8/hardstedt_martin_img_3993_160623_ubs_svart_forlangd2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>“Russia is an authoritarian state that has never progressed very far along the path of democracy, regardless of whether the ruler was named Putin, Peter the Great or Stalin,” says Martin Hårdstedt, Professor of History at Umeå University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ulrika Bergfors</span></div></div><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Finland well prepared</h2><p>In many regards, military and civil preparedness have been dismantled in Sweden over recent decades. The same cannot be said of Finland which, with its long land border with Russia and historical experience of war against the Soviet Union, continues to maintain a high state of alert.</p><p>“Finland has always been psychologically prepared for the worst. We here in Sweden have not. That is the major difference. It’s not simply an attitude to national security; it’s part of a realistic mentality in the country,” says Hårdstedt who, in the sprit of full disclosure, lives in Finland himself.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Finnish preparedness – and what Sweden is lacking</h2><p>Historically, Finland has always had to contend with its powerful, potentially dangerous neighbour to the east. In fact, there is a word for it: Finlandization, the neutralisation of a small country by a larger neighbour through influence or threats. The historical struggle for independence from the Soviets is part of the collective memory of the Finnish people. Finland understands the importance of creating a threshold effect to deter Russian aggression. To this end, Finland maintains a level of military preparedness that Hårdstedt describes as impressive.</p><p>“They can immediately mobilise 280,000 combat-trained soldiers. They can also call on a further 700,000 men and women with 6 to 15 months of basic military training. In Sweden, while we still have many older people with military training, there is a big gap during which many younger people have not undergone it.” <br>Hårdstedt believes that Sweden lacks not only combat-trained soldiers but also highly trained civil and military personnel to lead in a potential armed conflict.</p><p><strong>Of course, Sweden’s civil preparedness has also been declining for some time. Can you explain how Finland differs in this regard?</strong></p><p>“To begin with, let me say that civil preparedness is at least as important as military preparedness. Finland has an entirely different level of emergency stockpiles and another level of preparedness. I think I can safely say that Finland has largely managed its infrastructure better, despite Sweden being a richer country. They have also retained knowledge in civil society that Sweden once had, with voluntary organisations that are ready to act in a crisis or conflict.”</p><p>This is fundamentally a matter of resilience, which is to say society’s basic capacity to withstand a crisis.</p><p>“As a historian, I am dumbfounded that during the 1990s and 2000s we decided to reduce our level of preparedness so radically in Sweden – not just militarily but also in society as a whole. In retrospect, this appears to be reckless. It makes the little country of Finland seem rather astute, which of course is because they have historical experience of living with a potentially aggressive neighbour,” says Hårdstedt.</p><p class="quote-center">You might call it a geopolitical asymmetry: Sweden is always protected by Finland, which is always under threat.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Finland crucial to Sweden’s security</h2><p>Many Swedes might view Finland as some kind of buffer zone against Russia, and there is a sense of security in that ‘if the Russians come’, they will probably attack Finland first. In practice, this means that Finland’s defence capability is important to the stability of the entire Nordic region.</p><p>“Finland is critical to Sweden’s national security and to the security of northern Europe as a whole. You might call it a geopolitical asymmetry: Sweden is always protected by Finland, which is always under threat. Should the Russian army break through the Cap of the North, Sweden does not have the combat capability to hold the line, so it is essential that Finland holds out.”</p><p>The Finnish economy is currently under strain, but the country is determined to, and needs to, maintain its good preparedness for eventual war or crisis. Hårdstedt believes that Sweden, and indeed Norway and Denmark, should open its wallet and contribute to Finland’s defence spending, given that the country constitutes a security zone between the rest of the Nordic region and Russia, a point he makes in a <a href="https://www.dn.se/debatt/var-skyldighet-att-pytsa-in-till-finlands-forsvarsnota/">debate article in Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter</a> that has attracted a good deal of attention.</p><p>“For me, this is a momentous issue. In Sweden, we might think that others will come to our rescue, but we have to be prepared to carry the weight together. After all, we are one of the world’s richest countries, so it’s simply a matter of reallocating resources and using them wisely.”</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/1b458a6c471549f4805ec2493db3e5e8/krig3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/1b458a6c471549f4805ec2493db3e5e8/krig3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/1b458a6c471549f4805ec2493db3e5e8/krig3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/1b458a6c471549f4805ec2493db3e5e8/krig3.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/1b458a6c471549f4805ec2493db3e5e8/krig3.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/1b458a6c471549f4805ec2493db3e5e8/krig3.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>In February 2022, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which is now Europe’s largest and most devastating armed conflict since the Second World War.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Adobe Stock</span></div></div><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3">Believes that the Baltic States are of interest to Russia</h2><p><strong>How would you describe the security situation in our immediate vicinity today?</strong></p><p>“As insensitive as it may be, as long as Russia is tied up in the conflict with Ukraine, there is no immediate threat to us. But Russia is constantly preparing for aggression against neighbouring countries. It conducts extensive intelligence operations and systematic influence campaigns all the time.”</p><p><strong>What kind of conflict should we be preparing for here in the north? What is a likely scenario?</strong></p><p>“I’m not expecting full-scale war, but maybe a heightened level of conflict in our neighbourhood. I don’t believe that Finland is of primary interest to Russia, but we may see aggression against one of the Baltic States. There are many ethnic Russians and Russian minorities there, so Russia might make claims on that area. The risk exists.”</p><p>Many analysts concur that there is much to suggest that Russia will seek new conflicts within a few years of any peace in Ukraine.</p><p>“Alarmingly, and logically, Russia appears to be in an expansionist phase and will once again attempt to lay claim to land that it considers itself to have a historical right to.”</p><p>Hårdstedt is at pains to point out that there is no reason to live in fear, but that the public should be more aware of the potential threat from the east.</p><p>“One should be aware that this is going on. Don’t be naive. But we don’t need to slink around pressed to the wall either.”</p><p><strong>If you were to summarise from a historical perspective: What lessons is Sweden in danger of missing if we fail to act?</strong></p><p>“We risk reacting too late once again when things change in the world around us. It seems to be our fate historically to always lag behind. I don’t know why that is. But faced with an aggressive, authoritarian superpower on our doorstep, we need to rethink and maintain our long-term preparedness. Still, I think that we are in a period of awakening in Sweden right now,” says Hårdstedt. </p>/en/news/historian-on-the-russian-threat-in-the-nordic-region_12169607//en/news/umea-sustainability-prize-for-theses-in-business-administration-2026_12171139/Umeå Sustainability Prize for theses in business administration 2026John Pettersson and William Di Francesco, Luleå University of Technology, receives Umeå Sustainability Prize for their thesis “Technological Innovation System Analysis and Dynamic Capabilities for Progressing Green Innovations: Development of Swedish biocarbon for metallurgy”. The prize including a scholarship worth 25,000 SEK is awarded in collaboration between the Research Institute for Organization and Business in Sustainable Transitions (ROBUST) at USBE and Umeå Energi.Thu, 23 Apr 2026 10:12:24 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/c12a016efcf347d1b2f081ea77e7aca5/umea_hallbarhetspris_20263.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/c12a016efcf347d1b2f081ea77e7aca5/umea_hallbarhetspris_20263.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/c12a016efcf347d1b2f081ea77e7aca5/umea_hallbarhetspris_20263.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/c12a016efcf347d1b2f081ea77e7aca5/umea_hallbarhetspris_20263.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/c12a016efcf347d1b2f081ea77e7aca5/umea_hallbarhetspris_20263.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/c12a016efcf347d1b2f081ea77e7aca5/umea_hallbarhetspris_20263.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>John Pettersson and William Di Francesco, Luleå University of Technology.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Private</span></div></div><p>The winning thesis makes a rigorous and empirically grounded contribution by advancing understanding of how green innovations can be developed and scaled through the interplay of system-level conditions and firm-level capabilities, offering valuable insights for businesses and policymakers navigating industrial sustainability transitions.</p><p>– It feels truly honourable to receive this award. It is a meaningful acknowledgement that our efforts have led to valuable insights for companies, policymakers and researchers working with green innovations, says John.</p><p>The thesis focuses on the innovation system surrounding biocarbon for metallurgy in Sweden. The analysis shows that the system is characterised by challenges related to market formation and resource mobilisation, two barriers commonly faced by early-stage green innovations. At the same time, the study identifies both strengths and weaknesses in the current system configuration, as well as the dynamic capabilities that companies need to develop in order to successfully contribute to, and benefit from, the transition.</p><p>– Biocarbon will be necessary for a fully fossil-free future steel and metal production, but there is currently a lack of large-scale biocarbon production, says John.</p><p>The interest in the topic was sparked by the extensive green transformation taking place in Sweden, with the steel industry at its core. They also sought to explore why green innovations often struggle to compete with established linear business models in terms of cost and scale. Through the HåBiMet project at the metallurgy research institute Swerim, they gained access to a wide range of stakeholders within a formative innovation system, providing unique conditions for the study.</p><p>– At a time when sustainability issues are not always as highly prioritised as before, it feels particularly important to demonstrate how green innovations can actually be scaled and become competitive, says John.</p><p>Working on the thesis also involved methodological challenges. Halfway through the process, the authors decided to change their main theoretical framework – a decision that required considerable effort but ultimately strengthened the analysis. According to John, this was made possible through strong teamwork and close support from their supervisor.</p><p>Since graduating, John has started working as a management consultant at Macklean, focusing on sustainability and business development within the food industry and green sectors. William is currently a researcher at Swerim and is involved in several research projects focusing on systems perspectives, sustainability and industrial resilience.</p><p>– I find it very exciting to work across sectors and to contribute to the development of sustainable material flows of the future, concludes William.</p><h3>Honourable mention</h3><p>The jury directs an honorable mention to two exceptional theses. As a runner-up, “Making Sense of Regeneration: Rethinking Business on Gotland”, by Florian Schlick, Éva Tóth-Szolnoki and Hao Wu, Uppsala University. Third place goes to “Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive – Lessons from due diligence legislations in the fashion industry”, written by Linnéa Waninger, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.</p><h3>The jury</h3><p>ROBUST expresses sincere gratitude to this year’s jury that consisted of Professor Karin Berglund (Örebro University), Maxim Vlasov (Umeå University), and Siarhei Manzhynski (Umeå University), and representatives from Umeå Energi: Sara Ekenstedt and Magnus Stenvall.</p><h3>Important collaboration</h3><p>The prize, which is handed out as a scholarship worth 25,000 SEK, has been made financially possible through collaboration with Umeå Energi AB. </p><p>– Umeå Energi wants to be a positive force in sustainable development of the Umeå region. With this scholarship, we want to encourage students in business administration to deeply engage in sustainability. The winning thesis is of high relevance for the opportunities and challenges of green energy transitions that are unfolding in our region, says Magnus Stenvall, Umeå Energi AB.</p><p>Read more about the thesis prize and the criteria underpinning the jury’s decision on our webpage:</p><p><a href="~/link/44fac5e0ebcd402b80f58b441d8e6b51.aspx">Umeå sustainability prize for theses in business administration</a></p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="870a2fd6-d817-4281-8869-cad738183bc2" data-contentname="Robust pris 2026 - faktaruta">{}</div>/en/news/umea-sustainability-prize-for-theses-in-business-administration-2026_12171139//en/news/preventive-surgery-safe-for-women-with-hereditary-risk-of-breast-cancer_12170863/Preventive Surgery Safe for Women with Hereditary Risk of Breast CancerWomen with a substantially increased hereditary risk of breast cancer may be offered preventive removal of the breasts. A new study from Umeå University shows that this is a very safe procedure, both in terms of reducing the risk of breast cancer and the risk of complications requiring further surgery.Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:33:57 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/e550d1e47c944298b79f31f25bebd2e9/wiberg_rebecca-6311-250422-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/e550d1e47c944298b79f31f25bebd2e9/wiberg_rebecca-6311-250422-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/e550d1e47c944298b79f31f25bebd2e9/wiberg_rebecca-6311-250422-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/e550d1e47c944298b79f31f25bebd2e9/wiberg_rebecca-6311-250422-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/e550d1e47c944298b79f31f25bebd2e9/wiberg_rebecca-6311-250422-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/e550d1e47c944298b79f31f25bebd2e9/wiberg_rebecca-6311-250422-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Rebecca Wiberg, Associate professor at the Department of Diagnostics and Intervention.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>“Our results show that the risk of developing breast cancer in the future is very low. This is important evidence that can support clinical decision-making and counselling for women with an increased hereditary risk of breast cancer,” says Rebecca Wiberg, Associate professor at the Department of Diagnostics and Intervention at Umeå University.</p><p>The study includes 1,208 Swedish women with a confirmed pathogenic variant in BRCA1 or BRCA2, but no previous breast cancer diagnosis, identified between 1994 and 2019. Only 1 out of the 507 women who underwent surgery developed breast cancer, compared with 112 out of 701 women who did not have preventive surgery.</p><p>“We also observed a low incidence of complications requiring surgical treatment following the procedure. Taken together, this indicates that it is a safe intervention,” says Rebecca Wiberg.</p><p>Breast cancer affects approximately one in ten women in Sweden. In about 2.5 percent of cases, the disease is caused by hereditary mutations in the breast cancer genes BRCA1 or BRCA2. Women who carry these genetic variants have a very high lifetime risk of developing breast cancer—up to 70 percent—and are therefore offered special surveillance programmes or preventive surgery in the form of risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM).</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="e9ebd5d1-ca7d-41b5-ae84-bace1a15394a" data-contentname="About the study">{}</div>/en/news/preventive-surgery-safe-for-women-with-hereditary-risk-of-breast-cancer_12170863//en/news/researchers-turn-soil-bacterial-protein-into-potent-cancer-cell-killer_12170920/Researchers turn soil bacterial protein into potent cancer cell killerResearchers at Umeå University have turned a protein from soil bacteria into a potential new weapon against colorectal cancer. A study published in Cell Death Discovery shows how an engineered bacterial protein can trigger a unique form of cancer cell death.Wed, 22 Apr 2026 09:54:17 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/12f0f57da0114567b954ac60a062bcfd/img_1378_final3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/12f0f57da0114567b954ac60a062bcfd/img_1378_final3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/12f0f57da0114567b954ac60a062bcfd/img_1378_final3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/12f0f57da0114567b954ac60a062bcfd/img_1378_final3.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/12f0f57da0114567b954ac60a062bcfd/img_1378_final3.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/12f0f57da0114567b954ac60a062bcfd/img_1378_final3.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>By combining a bacterial protein with a fatty acid, the researcher Aftab Nadeem and his team have created a tumor‑killing complex that targets cancer cells and shuts down their energy production.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ingrid Söderbergh</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">It is like finding a new key to unlock a tumour’s defences</p><p>“This discovery shows that we can take proteins from naturally occurring bacteria and engineer them to attack one of the deadliest and most treatment‑resistant cancers,” says Aftab Nadeem, researcher at the Department of Molecular Biology at Umeå University and lead author of the study. “It is like finding a new key to unlock a tumour’s defences.”</p><p>Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer‑related deaths worldwide. Although treatments such as chemotherapy are available, they often cause severe side effects and many tumours eventually become resistant.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/12f0f57da0114567b954ac60a062bcfd/nhea-o_complex3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/12f0f57da0114567b954ac60a062bcfd/nhea-o_complex3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/12f0f57da0114567b954ac60a062bcfd/nhea-o_complex3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/12f0f57da0114567b954ac60a062bcfd/nhea-o_complex3.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/12f0f57da0114567b954ac60a062bcfd/nhea-o_complex3.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/12f0f57da0114567b954ac60a062bcfd/nhea-o_complex3.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>NheA‑O (highlighted in magenta) binds to the cell membrane of colorectal cancer cells.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Aftab Nadeem</span></div></div><p>The research focuses on ferroptosis, a form of cell death caused by damaging fat‑based chemical reactions inside cancer cells. By combining a bacterial protein with a fatty acid, the researchers created a tumour‑killing complex called NheA‑O. The complex acts like a guided missile, attaching to the cancer cell membrane and disrupting the cell’s energy production in the mitochondria.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Breaking cancer’s defences</h2><p>What makes the discovery unique is that the complex can bypass the cancer cell’s normal survival mechanisms. In colorectal cancer, tumour cells often rely on a built‑in protective system that prevents them from dying. The study shows that NheA‑O can break through this protection and trigger the collapse of the cancer cells.</p><p>“Without energy, the cancer cell cannot survive. We were surprised to see how efficiently NheA‑O attaches to the cancer cell and shuts down its energy supply,” says Naeem Ullah, who recently finished his position as postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Molecular Biology at Umeå University. He is first author of the study.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/12f0f57da0114567b954ac60a062bcfd/img_1397_final2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/12f0f57da0114567b954ac60a062bcfd/img_1397_final2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/12f0f57da0114567b954ac60a062bcfd/img_1397_final2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/12f0f57da0114567b954ac60a062bcfd/img_1397_final2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/12f0f57da0114567b954ac60a062bcfd/img_1397_final2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/12f0f57da0114567b954ac60a062bcfd/img_1397_final2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Aftab Nadeem uses a high-resolution Leica SP8 confocal microscope to observe how NheA-O (shown in green) attacks and destroys colon cancer cells.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ingrid Söderbergh</span></div></div><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Test in more complex models</h2><p>The research was carried out using advanced biochemical methods and cell culture models of colorectal cancer. The next step will be to test the safety and effectiveness of the protein‑lipid complexes in more complex biological systems, such as intestinal organoids and mouse cancer models.</p><p>Although clinical use is still several years away, the findings point to a new strategy for developing cancer therapies inspired by molecules found in nature.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/12f0f57da0114567b954ac60a062bcfd/img_1425_final2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/12f0f57da0114567b954ac60a062bcfd/img_1425_final2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/12f0f57da0114567b954ac60a062bcfd/img_1425_final2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/12f0f57da0114567b954ac60a062bcfd/img_1425_final2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/12f0f57da0114567b954ac60a062bcfd/img_1425_final2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/12f0f57da0114567b954ac60a062bcfd/img_1425_final2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Aftab Nadeem is a researcher at the Department of Molecular Biology at Umeå University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ingrid Söderbergh</span></div></div>/en/news/researchers-turn-soil-bacterial-protein-into-potent-cancer-cell-killer_12170920//en/news/climate-change-is-already-claiming-lives-in-europe--and-the-risks-are-increasing_12170974/Climate change is already claiming lives in Europe – and the risks are increasingEurope is facing a sharp rise in heat-related deaths, deteriorating working conditions, growing food insecurity, and increased risks of climate-sensitive infectious diseases. This is the conclusion of a new report on climate change and health from Lancet Countdown Europe. Umeå University is the only Swedish university to have contributed original research to the report.Wed, 22 Apr 2026 11:12:09 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/d904509f938745f39211148ec29cc6cc/maria_nilsson_umu_sweden2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/d904509f938745f39211148ec29cc6cc/maria_nilsson_umu_sweden2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/d904509f938745f39211148ec29cc6cc/maria_nilsson_umu_sweden2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/d904509f938745f39211148ec29cc6cc/maria_nilsson_umu_sweden2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/d904509f938745f39211148ec29cc6cc/maria_nilsson_umu_sweden2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/d904509f938745f39211148ec29cc6cc/maria_nilsson_umu_sweden2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Maria Nilsson, professor at the Department of Epidemiology and Global Health.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Samuel Pettersson</span></div></div><p>“Millions of people are already being exposed to serious health risks as a result of climate change. The choices we make today will determine whether these trends intensify – or whether we build a safer and more resilient Europe,” says Maria Nilsson, Professor of Public Health at the Department of Epidemiology and Global Health at Umeå University and Chair of Lancet Countdown Europe.</p><p>The report concludes that human-induced climate change is already claiming lives and leading to increasingly severe health consequences across Europe. The number of extreme heat warnings has increased by 318% compared with the 1990s, and almost the entire continent is experiencing rising heat-related mortality. Heat-related deaths are estimated to have reached approximately 62,000 in 2024. Extreme heat disproportionately affects the most vulnerable populations, particularly infants, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, and outdoor workers.</p><p>At the same time, climate change is contributing to the spread of infectious diseases in Europe. The risk of dengue outbreaks has almost quadrupled since the 1980–2010 period, while coastlines suitable for infections caused by Vibrio bacteria have expanded significantly – even in countries such as Italy and France. In addition, the pollen season is now one to two weeks longer than in the 1990s, prolonging exposure for people with allergies.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Fossil fuels increase societal vulnerability</h2><p>The report also highlights that Europe’s continued dependence on fossil fuels has serious consequences for public health. In an effort to mitigate sharply rising energy costs – exacerbated in large part by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – government subsidies for fossil fuels in Europe amounted to €444 billion in 2023 alone. This represents more than a threefold increase compared with 2016, the year the Paris Agreement was adopted and countries committed to limiting global warming.</p><p>“Today, as conflict in Iran increases instability and human suffering in the region, it is becoming increasingly clear that Europe’s continued reliance on fossil fuels makes our economies, public finances, and ultimately our health more vulnerable,” says Jan Semenza, Professor at the Department of Epidemiology and Global Health at Umeå University.</p><p>“The single most important thing to do is to rapidly phase out fossil fuels and reduce emissions, while simultaneously adapting societies to rising heat. This delivers the greatest overall health benefits, both in the short and long term,” says Maria Nilsson.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="a9879ab1-e7c6-4867-b9f0-f15b164fa69f" data-contentname="About the report">{}</div>/en/news/climate-change-is-already-claiming-lives-in-europe--and-the-risks-are-increasing_12170974//en/news/new-research-reveals-cell-proteins-that-drive-severe-viral-infections_12170846/New research reveals cell proteins that drive severe viral infectionsResearchers at Umeå University have identified two human cell proteins, NUP98 and NUP153, that play a crucial role in how viruses such as tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), West Nile virus, and dengue virus replicate in the body. The findings challenge existing views of how these viruses exploit human cells and point to new, promising targets for future antiviral drugs.Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:14:57 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/7b6904ea8b11464eb815a73e00034b2b/anna_overby_lab2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/7b6904ea8b11464eb815a73e00034b2b/anna_overby_lab2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/7b6904ea8b11464eb815a73e00034b2b/anna_overby_lab2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/7b6904ea8b11464eb815a73e00034b2b/anna_overby_lab2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/7b6904ea8b11464eb815a73e00034b2b/anna_overby_lab2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/7b6904ea8b11464eb815a73e00034b2b/anna_overby_lab2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Professor Anna Överby Wernstedt has worked with TBE research for several years, with the aim of finding ways to stop the virus before it is too late—before it has had time to spread.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">By understanding which human proteins viruses hijack, we can identify new ways to stop infection</p><p>“Viruses have very small genomes and are completely dependent on the host cell’s machinery. By understanding which human proteins viruses hijack, we can identify new ways to stop infection,” says Anna Överby Wernstedt, Professor at the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Umeå University, who led the research project.</p><p>TBE virus, West Nile virus, and dengue virus belong to a closely related group of flaviviruses and cause illness in millions of people worldwide every year. Despite the substantial disease burden, there are still no approved antiviral drugs. One alternative strategy is therefore to target the host cell’s own proteins that viruses depend on for replication.</p><p>In two recently published studies by Professor Anna Överby’s research group at Umeå University, together with their collaborators, the nucleoporins NUP98 and NUP153 have been identified as key host factors in orthoflavivirus infection.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">An unexpected role for nuclear pore proteins</h2><p>NUP98 and NUP153 are normally part of the nuclear pore complex, which regulates the transport of proteins and RNA between the cell nucleus and the cytosol, the fluid in which the cell’s internal components are suspended. Since orthoflaviviruses copy their RNA in the cytosol, these proteins had not previously been linked to the viral life cycle.</p><p>The researchers now show that during infection, both nucleoporins are recruited to viral replication sites in the cytosol, where they bind directly to viral RNA. In addition, NUP153 also interacts with viral proteins.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/7b6904ea8b11464eb815a73e00034b2b/akpiroro_peters_marie_berit_5979_221018_hkn3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/7b6904ea8b11464eb815a73e00034b2b/akpiroro_peters_marie_berit_5979_221018_hkn3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/7b6904ea8b11464eb815a73e00034b2b/akpiroro_peters_marie_berit_5979_221018_hkn3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/7b6904ea8b11464eb815a73e00034b2b/akpiroro_peters_marie_berit_5979_221018_hkn3.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/7b6904ea8b11464eb815a73e00034b2b/akpiroro_peters_marie_berit_5979_221018_hkn3.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/7b6904ea8b11464eb815a73e00034b2b/akpiroro_peters_marie_berit_5979_221018_hkn3.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>DMarie Peters, previously doctoral student at the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Umeå University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>“It was surprising to see how proteins that normally act as ‘gatekeepers’ to the nucleus instead become active participants in the virus’s replication machinery,” says Marie Peters, a researcher who previously was a doctoral student at the Department of Clinical Microbiology and defended her PhD thesis in 2025, which included these publications.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Fine‑tuning viral protein production</h2><p>The studies show that NUP98 and NUP153 have distinct roles during infection. NUP98 is required for efficient replication of viral RNA, while NUP153 influences how much of the different viral proteins are produced.</p><p>NUP153 binds to a specific region of the viral RNA located between the sequences encoding structural and non-structural proteins. Through this interaction, the balance between different viral proteins is regulated, which is critical at an early stage of infection.</p><p>“Our results challenge the established view that all viral proteins are produced in equal amounts. Instead, we see that the virus fine-tunes its protein expression with the help of the host cell’s own proteins,” says Marie Peters.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">A peptide that stops the virus</h2><p>In their work on NUP98, the researchers went on to identify – together with colleagues at Uppsala University – a small peptide that blocks NUP98’s binding to viral RNA. When this interaction is prevented, viral replication is dramatically reduced.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/7b6904ea8b11464eb815a73e00034b2b/wernstedt_anna_9609_211117_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/7b6904ea8b11464eb815a73e00034b2b/wernstedt_anna_9609_211117_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/7b6904ea8b11464eb815a73e00034b2b/wernstedt_anna_9609_211117_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/7b6904ea8b11464eb815a73e00034b2b/wernstedt_anna_9609_211117_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/7b6904ea8b11464eb815a73e00034b2b/wernstedt_anna_9609_211117_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/7b6904ea8b11464eb815a73e00034b2b/wernstedt_anna_9609_211117_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Anna Överby Wernstedt, Professor at the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Umeå University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>“This shows that our findings are not only biologically interesting, but can also be translated into concrete antiviral strategies,” says Anna Överby Wernstedt.</p><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3">Paving the way for new antiviral drugs</h2><p>Taken together, the studies provide new and deeper insights into how orthoflaviviruses exploit human cells. RNA-binding host proteins, such as nucleoporins, are highlighted as a central but previously underestimated part of the viral life cycle.</p><p>“By targeting stable host proteins rather than the virus’s rapidly mutating components, we may ultimately be able to develop broader and more resilient antiviral treatments,” says Anna Överby Wernstedt.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/7b6904ea8b11464eb815a73e00034b2b/nup_98_webben2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/7b6904ea8b11464eb815a73e00034b2b/nup_98_webben2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/7b6904ea8b11464eb815a73e00034b2b/nup_98_webben2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/7b6904ea8b11464eb815a73e00034b2b/nup_98_webben2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/7b6904ea8b11464eb815a73e00034b2b/nup_98_webben2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/7b6904ea8b11464eb815a73e00034b2b/nup_98_webben2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Schematic image over NUP 98.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Anna Överby Wernstedt</span></div></div><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/7b6904ea8b11464eb815a73e00034b2b/nup153_webben2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/7b6904ea8b11464eb815a73e00034b2b/nup153_webben2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/7b6904ea8b11464eb815a73e00034b2b/nup153_webben2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/7b6904ea8b11464eb815a73e00034b2b/nup153_webben2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/7b6904ea8b11464eb815a73e00034b2b/nup153_webben2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/7b6904ea8b11464eb815a73e00034b2b/nup153_webben2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Schematic image over NUP153.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Anna Överby Wernstedt</span></div></div>/en/news/new-research-reveals-cell-proteins-that-drive-severe-viral-infections_12170846//en/news/new-project-tackles-arctic-talent-shortage_12170376/New project tackles Arctic talent shortage – cross-border collaboration in the Nordic NorthNorthern Nordic regions are at the forefront of Europe’s green transition, with expanding industries and increasing demand for skilled labour. At the same time, many Arctic communities face stagnant or declining populations. The new cross-border project, TalentNorth, aims to address this growing mismatch by strengthening cooperation between universities, municipalities, and regional authorities across the Nordic Arctic.Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:09:40 +0200<p>“The green transition in northern Europe depends not only on technology and investment, but also on people choosing to live and work in the region. Projects like TalentNorth are important because they bring together universities, municipalities and regional actors to strengthen the long-term attractiveness of the Arctic as a place to build careers and communities,” says Keith Larson, Director of the Arctic Centre at Umeå University.</p><p>TalentNorth is a collaboration between the Arctic Six, municipalities and regional public agencies in the Nordic Arctic. The project aims to strengthen talent attraction and retention by connecting education, labour-market needs, and regional development across borders.</p><p class="quote-center">The green transition in northern Europe depends not only on technology and investment, but also on people choosing to live and work in the region.</p><p>Across the Nordic Arctic, expanding industries and public services are creating growing demand for skilled workers, while many communities face stagnant or declining populations. This growing mismatch between labour demand and population trends risks slowing the region’s long-term development. While initiatives exist to address parts of this issue, a fragmented approach often limits their impact.</p><p>TalentNorth addresses this challenge by developing a shared cross-border approach to talent attraction and retention. The project will bring together universities, municipalities and regional agencies to develop joint educational initiatives, training activities and communication efforts.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">From competition to cooperation in the Arctic</h2><p>Current solutions are often fragmented. Cities, universities and countries compete instead of collaborating, which weakens the Arctic’s overall attractiveness. TalentNorth aims to address this by creating shared knowledge, by strengthening cooperation across borders and by promoting a common message about life and work in the Arctic. The goal is to build a long-term system where municipalities and employers work together across national borders.</p><p>The project is the result of collaboration between The Arctic Six, an organisation comprised of six universities in Arctic Norway, Sweden and Finland, some municipalities within the Arctic Urban Regional Cooperation (AURC), and the Arctic Mayors’ Forum, under the umbrella of Arctic Six Extended.</p><p>“The Arctic Six is in itself a product of the insight that we are stronger together, and the network we have built over the years with stakeholders in the Arctic region within Arctic Six Extended has furthered the identification of joint challenges and need for long-term cross-border collaboration on Arctic issues. My position as Arctic Six Chair provided me the opportunity to take on the task to coordinate the consortium”, says Charlotta Söderberg, Arctic Six Chair, Project Lead Partner (EU) of TalentNorth, and Associate Professor in Political Science at Luleå University of Technology.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Testing new ways to attract and retain talent</h2><p>“Through our Arctic Six Chair and collaboration with municipalities and employers, the project allows us to connect education, mobility, and labour market needs across borders, in line with Norway’s High North priorities. TalentNorth gives us a concrete platform to turn research and education into practical solutions for sustainable development in the Arctic”, says Roberto Rivas Hermann, Arctic Six Chair, Project Lead Partner (Norway) of TalentNorth and Professor of Innovation and Sustainable Organisation at Nord University.</p><p>By strengthening cooperation across borders, the partners aim to develop and test new approaches to talent attraction in the Nordic Arctic. The ambition is that these experiences will help regional actors work together more effectively to meet the region’s growing demand for skilled labour.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="ae1b9e29-b08b-413e-8212-c4275b402c74" data-contentname="TalentNorth - Fact box">{}</div>/en/news/new-project-tackles-arctic-talent-shortage_12170376//en/news/metabolomics-in-life-science-2.0_12170026/Global Metabolomics Community Returns to Umeå for Second International ConferenceThe second edition of the Metabolomics in Life Science conference, held on 27–28 January 2026 in Umeå, once again brought together researchers, industry partners, and experts from across the world. Building on the success of the inaugural meeting, the conference further strengthened Umeå’s position as a growing hub for metabolomics research and collaboration. Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:04:22 +0200<p>The event gathered an international audience and provided a dynamic platform for exchanging ideas, presenting new discoveries, and fostering collaborations across disciplines. Participants emphasized the value of the meeting’s focused and interactive format, which encouraged discussions and close engagement between scientists at different career stages.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/bbe6167bc04843a3b467662709c509d2/metabolomics_2026_1.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/bbe6167bc04843a3b467662709c509d2/metabolomics_2026_1.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/bbe6167bc04843a3b467662709c509d2/metabolomics_2026_1.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/bbe6167bc04843a3b467662709c509d2/metabolomics_2026_1.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/bbe6167bc04843a3b467662709c509d2/metabolomics_2026_1.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/bbe6167bc04843a3b467662709c509d2/metabolomics_2026_1.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The conference took place at the Väven Conference Centre in Umeå, beautifully located by the Umeå River.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ainhoa Querejeta</span></div></div><p><strong>Advancing metabolomics research</strong></p><p>Metabolomics—the large-scale study of small molecules reflecting biological processes—continues to play an increasingly important role in life science research. Analysis of metabolites can uncover early markers of disease, enabling faster diagnosis and improved treatments, as well as providing valuable insights into disease pathogenesis, plant defence mechanisms against stress or pests, and the hidden impacts of environmental exposures on human health.</p><p>The 2026 conference highlighted recent developments in both Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS)-based approaches, with applications ranging from clinical and precision medicine to plant biology, exposomics, and computational analysis.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/bbe6167bc04843a3b467662709c509d2/metabolomics_2026_2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/bbe6167bc04843a3b467662709c509d2/metabolomics_2026_2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/bbe6167bc04843a3b467662709c509d2/metabolomics_2026_2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/bbe6167bc04843a3b467662709c509d2/metabolomics_2026_2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/bbe6167bc04843a3b467662709c509d2/metabolomics_2026_2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/bbe6167bc04843a3b467662709c509d2/metabolomics_2026_2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Participants appreciated the dedicated time and supportive environment for discussions.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ainhoa Querejeta</span></div></div><p>The scientific programme featured six internationally recognised keynote speakers, including Professor Marc-Emmanuel Dumas (Imperial College London), Professor Roel Vermeulen (Utrecht University), Professor Ingela Lanekoff (Uppsala University), Dr. Lorenzo Caputi (Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology), Professor Peter Vermathen (University Hospital Bern), and Dr. Johannes Rainer (Eurac Research). Their presentations showcased cutting-edge research, from microbial metabolism in human disease to single-cell metabolomics and open software development for large-scale data analysis.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="e24375ac-cc6d-43f0-ba50-9236c9811640" data-contentname="Metabolomics 2026_3">{}</div><p>Reflecting on the event, keynote speaker Professor Marc-Emmanuel Dumas noted: “Congratulations on organising a fantastic conference with a first-class programme.”</p><p>Participants highlighted the breadth of topics and the balance between different analytical techniques as key strengths of the meeting. Sessions on computational metabolomics, multi-omics integration, and clinical applications were particularly well received, alongside emerging areas such as spatial and single-cell metabolomics.</p><p><strong>A collaborative effort in Umeå</strong></p><p>The conference was jointly organised by SciLifeLab platforms in Umeå: the Swedish NMR Centre (SNC), the Swedish Metabolomics Centre (SMC), and the Computational Analytics Support Platform (CASP). Together, these infrastructures provide comprehensive support for metabolomics research, from data acquisition to advanced computational analysis.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/bbe6167bc04843a3b467662709c509d2/metabolomics_2026_42.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/bbe6167bc04843a3b467662709c509d2/metabolomics_2026_42.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/bbe6167bc04843a3b467662709c509d2/metabolomics_2026_42.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/bbe6167bc04843a3b467662709c509d2/metabolomics_2026_42.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/bbe6167bc04843a3b467662709c509d2/metabolomics_2026_42.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/bbe6167bc04843a3b467662709c509d2/metabolomics_2026_42.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The poster session was engaging and sparked many interesting discussions</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ainhoa Querejeta</span></div></div><p>The continued international participation and positive feedback confirm the importance of creating platforms where researchers and industry can meet, exchange knowledge, and build collaborations. The conference also featured poster sessions and industry exhibitions, offering additional opportunities for interaction and showcasing new technologies.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="ef321d61-d45d-47de-a77a-0d02db3ee9ab" data-contentname="Metabolomics 2026_5">{}</div><p>Sharing a participant perspective, Dr. Qing Zhao from the National University of Singapore said:</p><p class="quote-center">It was a fantastic experience, and I truly enjoyed meeting everyone and learning more about the metabolomics work being done in Sweden</p><p><strong>Strengthening networks and future directions</strong></p><p>Participants praised the high scientific quality, excellent organisation, and welcoming atmosphere of the meeting. The relatively small scale of the conference was seen as a major advantage, allowing meaningful networking and in-depth discussions.</p><p>The organisers also highlighted the importance of the meeting for the community. Dr. Ilona Dudka and Dr. Kate Bennett noted:</p><p class="quote-center">This conference is an important platform for bringing together the metabolomics community across disciplines and countries. It is very rewarding to organise an event that fosters collaboration, exchange of ideas, and supports the continued development of the field.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/bbe6167bc04843a3b467662709c509d2/metabolomics_2026_62.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/bbe6167bc04843a3b467662709c509d2/metabolomics_2026_62.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/bbe6167bc04843a3b467662709c509d2/metabolomics_2026_62.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/bbe6167bc04843a3b467662709c509d2/metabolomics_2026_62.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/bbe6167bc04843a3b467662709c509d2/metabolomics_2026_62.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/bbe6167bc04843a3b467662709c509d2/metabolomics_2026_62.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Organisers Dr. Ilona Dudka (SNC, Umeå) and Dr. Kate Bennett (CASP) enjoyed organising the conference and highlighted Umeå’s growing role on the metabolomics map</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ainhoa Querejeta</span></div></div><p>The strong engagement from both returning and new participants demonstrates the growing interest in the conference and its role within the international metabolomics community. The second edition further established Metabolomics in Life Science as a recurring event in Umeå, continuing to support collaboration and innovation in the field.</p><p><em>Read more about an earlier event,</em> <strong>Metabolomics in Life Science 1.0, 30-31 January 2024 in Umeå: <a href="~/link/27ae05c837fd46e18f0e7cc113e5c3e9.aspx">The world metabolomics community gathers in the North</a></strong></p>/en/news/metabolomics-in-life-science-2.0_12170026//en/news/on-antibiotics-and-the-inevitable-rise-of-resistance--new-popular-science-book_12170053/On antibiotics and the inevitable rise of resistance – new popular science bookAntibiotics are one of medicine’s greatest success stories, but they are now facing what may be their greatest threat yet. In a new book, Professor Jörgen Johansson describes how antibiotics have revolutionized health care, why resistance is spreading, and which paths may help us avoid a post-antibiotic future.Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:58:52 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b5a5b1d2b5c14fdd9d1b1021379f953a/jorgen_johansson4.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/b5a5b1d2b5c14fdd9d1b1021379f953a/jorgen_johansson4.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/b5a5b1d2b5c14fdd9d1b1021379f953a/jorgen_johansson4.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/b5a5b1d2b5c14fdd9d1b1021379f953a/jorgen_johansson4.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/b5a5b1d2b5c14fdd9d1b1021379f953a/jorgen_johansson4.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/b5a5b1d2b5c14fdd9d1b1021379f953a/jorgen_johansson4.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Jörgen Johansson, professor at the Department of Molecular Biology at Umeå University, began working on his book five years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ingrid Söderbergh</span></div></div><p>Jörgen Johansson is Professor of Molecular Microbiology at the Department of Molecular Biology at Umeå University. His research focuses on how bacteria coordinate their ability to cause disease, using <em>Listeria</em> as a model system. Together with other researchers at Umeå University, he is also working to identify new types of antibiotics.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Why did you write this book, and why now?</h2><p>“After years of teaching at the university and giving popular science lectures, I realized that there is no comprehensive popular science book that explains antibiotics, how they work, and how bacteria develop resistance. I found that surprising, given that a new cookbook seems to be published every day in Sweden. Nothing against cookbooks, but I believe a book about antibiotics may be of real importance. Antibiotic resistance is often described as the ‘silent pandemic’ that will affect more and more people. That’s why it is crucial that the public understands what is happening and how it can be prevented.”</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">What motivated you to write the book, and what do you hope to achieve?</h2><p>“My hope is that readers will gain a deeper understanding of how vital effective antibiotics are—not only for treating infectious diseases, but also for preventing infections in, for example, cancer patients undergoing treatment. Much of modern health care, including advanced surgery, organ transplantation, and cancer therapies, is critically dependent on functioning antibiotics. We therefore need antibiotics that continue to work, even here in Sweden, where people relatively rarely die from infections.”</p><p>“Since all antibiotic use ultimately contributes to increased resistance, I hope the public will become more cautious about ‘demanding’ antibiotics for minor colds. That said, Sweden – and Västerbotten in particular – is already fairly restrictive in its use of antibiotics compared with many other countries.”</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">What does the public need to understand about this issue?</h2><p>“That antibiotic resistance is a real problem that must be addressed at every level. Unfortunately, many people still believe that all infections, including viral ones, can be treated with antibiotics. It is also important to emphasize that we should not be afraid of bacteria. In many ways, bacteria are our best friends: the bacteria in our gut help us absorb nutrients and protect us from harmful microbes. In short, we should only eliminate bacteria that are in the wrong place in the body. When we lose the ability to do that, problems arise very quickly.”</p><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3">Is there anything that worries you more today than ten years ago?</h2><p>“The increasing development of resistance is alarming. For example, Klebsiella bacteria isolated from war-injured patients in Ukraine have been found to be resistant to all antibiotics normally used to treat infections caused by that bacterium. Unfortunately, there is a significant risk that such multi-resistant bacteria will cause increased suffering in Ukraine and neighbouring countries, and that they may eventually reach Sweden as well.”</p><h2 id="info4" data-magellan-target="info4">Is antibiotic resistance taken seriously enough, and who bears the main responsibility?</h2><p>“I think that politicians in Sweden are generally quite aware of the problem. Unfortunately, this is similar to the climate crisis: bacteria do not respect national borders, and real change requires greater international coordination. A major challenge is that far too few new antibiotics or alternative treatments are being developed, largely because the financial incentives are too weak. This is beginning to change through various initiatives, but progress is still too slow.”</p><p>“At the same time, developing new antibiotics is something of an ‘artificial respiration’ measure – we know that bacteria will eventually develop resistance even to new drugs. This means that we need continuous innovation in antibiotics and treatment strategies, while also working to limit the spread of resistance. A combination of both approaches is likely the most effective. There will probably never be a single ‘silver bullet’ that solves all the problems.”</p><h2 id="info5" data-magellan-target="info5">What needs to be strengthened in health care and policy to address resistance?</h2><p>“That’s a good question. Nothing is being done entirely wrong, but things are moving too slowly. It would be beneficial to launch more initiatives, for example at the EU level, to strengthen incentives for pharmaceutical companies to develop new antibiotics or treatment approaches. However, this will require substantial funding.”</p><p>“When it comes to new treatment alternatives, various forms of bacteriophage therapy are particularly interesting and could potentially revolutionize future health care. A bacteriophage is a virus that attacks specific bacteria, meaning that only certain disease-causing bacteria are eliminated, while beneficial bacteria are left intact. There are likely other, yet undiscovered strategies that could help remove harmful bacteria. This is why curiosity-driven basic research is so important, allowing researchers the freedom to formulate new questions.”</p><h2 id="info6" data-magellan-target="info6">Who is your book written for?</h2><p>“My (perhaps naive) hope is that each copy of the book will be read by several people – especially those who do not normally read popular science. A request from me as an author: once you have finished reading, feel free to pass the book on to a friend, a family member, or donate it to a second-hand shop so that more people have the chance to read it. Wear it out.”</p>/en/news/on-antibiotics-and-the-inevitable-rise-of-resistance--new-popular-science-book_12170053//en/news/scientists-reveal-water-pathways-in-photosynthesis_12169773/Scientists reveal water pathways in photosynthesisPlants use sunlight to turn water and carbon dioxide into energy-rich biomolecules such as sugars, a process that also produces the oxygen in the air. But exactly how water reaches the part of the system where the initial steps of this reaction happen – the active site for water splitting - has remained unclear. Now, researchers have revealed a detailed structure of this system in plants, uncovering what they describe as a “water valve” that helps control the flow of water during photosynthesis.Fri, 17 Apr 2026 08:44:02 +0200<p class="quote-center">Comparing the structures of Photosystem II from Arabidopsis and cyanobacteria showed us which areas are the same, and therefore functionally important</p><p>Two years ago, researchers from Umeå University revealed the detailed structure of Photosystem II, the molecular machinery that drives photosynthesis, in cyanobacteria. For the first time, they were able to see this structure at very high resolution using cryo-electron microscopy, even identifying individual water molecules and hydrogen atoms inside the system.</p><p>Now, the research team led by Johannes Messinger has taken the next step by resolving the same structure in plants, specifically in Arabidopsis or thale cress. The study, published in New Phytologist, compares Photosystem II in plants and photosynthetic bacteria, revealing how it has evolved independently over almost one billion years.</p><h3>Key parts of photosystem II are conserved across species</h3><p>“Comparing the structures of Photosystem II from Arabidopsis and cyanobacteria showed us which areas are the same, and therefore functionally important,” explains Johannes Messinger, professor at Umeå University and group leader at Umeå Plant Science Centre. “We assume that those areas that are different are less critical, as they can change without affecting photosynthesis.”</p><p>An early step in photosynthesis is the splitting of water, a reaction that releases oxygen and provides the electrons and part of the energy needed to convert carbon dioxide into sugars. This is the process the researchers focused on.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="21a8a589-4481-4ce1-9475-bbc094788d14" data-contentname="Johannes Messinger">{}</div><p>The team was particularly interested in how water molecules move through Photosystem II and how they interact with the manganese-containing catalytic centre, the part of the system where water is split.</p><p>“We were looking at water molecules and water channels in both structures. Around the catalytic centre, they were almost identical, suggesting that the arrangement of the water molecules is very important for the function of photosystem II,” says Jack Forsman, one of the two shared first authors of the study. “However, further away, the picture was very different and the channels deviated significantly.”</p><p>The researchers identified a narrow bottleneck in one of these channels, which they call ‘the water valve’. This point sits just before the catalytic centre and likely plays a key role in controlling how water is delivered to it.</p><h3>A “water valve” controls how water reaches the reaction centre</h3><p>“Before ‘the water valve’, the only requirement is that water can easily reach this point, which is why the channels can vary between plants and cyanobacteria without affecting function,” explains Wolfgang Schröder, one of the authors and leader of the previous study. “After the bottleneck, however, water molecules need to be in very specific positions to interact correctly with the catalytic centre.”</p><p class="quote-center">Our data clearly show that it is important not only to design the metal catalyst itself, but also the surrounding water network</p><p>Understanding how water is transported and positioned in this system could help scientists design materials for artificial photosynthesis, technologies that aim to produce fuels from water, carbon dioxide and sunlight. Today, such reactions often rely on rare and expensive metals, but insights from plants could help enable the use of more abundant elements such as manganese, opening up new possibilities for developing more sustainable energy technologies in the future.  </p><p>“Our data clearly show that it is important not only to design the metal catalyst itself, but also the surrounding water network,” says Johannes Messinger. “In future, we will focus on how these bottlenecks affect water flow and water-splitting, as well as study Photosystem II in additional species.”</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="df934a2c-1a4e-4f58-9a48-03a5526237f8" data-contentname="Article authors">{}</div>/en/news/scientists-reveal-water-pathways-in-photosynthesis_12169773//en/news/images-and-risk-communication-boost-motivation-for-better-heart-health_12169649/Images and risk communication boost motivation for better heart healthWhen health risks become visible in black and white, perspectives often shift. A study from Umeå University shows that when ultrasound images of atherosclerosis in subjects’ carotid arteries, combined with a motivational dialogue, they are more likely to be motivated to improve their lifestyle habits and take preventive medication.Tue, 14 Apr 2026 08:39:33 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/f909e359a85743a9a8bae0a40deaa2b6/vipviza_5207_240130_mpn3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/f909e359a85743a9a8bae0a40deaa2b6/vipviza_5207_240130_mpn3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/f909e359a85743a9a8bae0a40deaa2b6/vipviza_5207_240130_mpn3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/f909e359a85743a9a8bae0a40deaa2b6/vipviza_5207_240130_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/f909e359a85743a9a8bae0a40deaa2b6/vipviza_5207_240130_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/f909e359a85743a9a8bae0a40deaa2b6/vipviza_5207_240130_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Ultrasound examination of the carotid arteries within the VIPVIZA study. By visualising early signs of atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries, participants gain a clearer understanding of their future cardiovascular risk, which may strengthen motivation for preventive lifestyle changes and treatment.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">When people see their own arteries, not as numbers, but as images, something happens</p><p>“When people see their own arteries, not as numbers, but as images, something happens. It suddenly becomes concrete, and many describe a stronger perception that they can influence their future health. That is often where the motivation for change begins,” says Margareta Norberg, Senior Research Fellow at Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine at Umeå University.</p><p>Heart attack and stroke remain the leading causes of death among both women and men. These cardiovascular diseases are usually caused by atherosclerosis, which is associated with risk factors such as unhealthy lifestyle habits, high blood pressure, elevated blood lipids, diabetes and hereditary predisposition.</p><p>At the same time, cardiovascular diseases are to a large extent preventable through healthy lifestyle changes and, when needed, medication. Despite this, many people struggle to understand and act on their personal risk.</p><p>Ultrasound imaging of arteries can reveal early signs of atherosclerosis before any symptom has occurred. When this information is presented visually and linked to an individual’s personal risk profile, the connection becomes clearer and more actionable.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Two groups, different information</h2><p>The study included approximately 3,500 participants in Västerbotten Intervention Program aged 40–60, all of whom within VIPVIZA underwent ultrasound imaging of their carotid arteries.</p><p>Half of the participants received their results visualised as colour‑coded images, accompanied by information about their “vessel age”, written information about the dynamic nature of atherosclerosis, and a structured motivational dialogue with a trained nurse. Their primary care physicians received the same information about the ultrasound result.</p><p>The other half (the control group) and their physicians initially did not receive any information about the ultrasound findings. Preventive measures in both groups were carried out in collaboration with the individual within regular healthcare according to clinical guidelines, without influence from the research team.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/f909e359a85743a9a8bae0a40deaa2b6/plaque.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/f909e359a85743a9a8bae0a40deaa2b6/plaque.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/f909e359a85743a9a8bae0a40deaa2b6/plaque.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/f909e359a85743a9a8bae0a40deaa2b6/plaque.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/f909e359a85743a9a8bae0a40deaa2b6/plaque.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/f909e359a85743a9a8bae0a40deaa2b6/plaque.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Arterial wall thickness and the presence of plaques in the carotid arteries form the basis for assessing the extent of atherosclerosis. In the project, participants’ wall thickness was compared with that of individuals of the same age and sex and reported graphically as “vascular age”, shown in green if lower and red if higher than chronological age. Plaque presence was visualised using a “traffic light” system, with green indicating no detectable plaques and red indicating the presence of plaques.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>VIPVIZA</span></div></div><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Results in the short and long term</h2><p>After one and three years, the group that had viewed their images showed a lower estimated risk of cardiovascular disease, more favourable development of several risk factors and greater motivation to follow advice and treatment.</p><p>At the three‑year follow‑up, the control group was also given access to the same visualisation and motivational dialogue. By the six‑year mark, the control group had caught up: both groups at that time point had similar risk profiles, blood pressure and weight.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareleft"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/f909e359a85743a9a8bae0a40deaa2b6/margareta_norberg2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/f909e359a85743a9a8bae0a40deaa2b6/margareta_norberg2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/f909e359a85743a9a8bae0a40deaa2b6/margareta_norberg2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/f909e359a85743a9a8bae0a40deaa2b6/margareta_norberg2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/f909e359a85743a9a8bae0a40deaa2b6/margareta_norberg2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/f909e359a85743a9a8bae0a40deaa2b6/margareta_norberg2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Margareta Norberg, Senior Research Fellow at Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine at Umeå University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ingrid Söderbergh</span></div></div><p>“Six years is a long follow‑up period in this type of study – and everything has taken place within standard primary care. This strengthens the evidence that relatively simple tools can make a meaningful difference over time,” says Margareta Norberg.</p><p>The researchers also observed a clear reduction in harmful LDL cholesterol in both groups over time, linked to increased prescription of and better adherence to statins. This effect appeared first in the group that received visualisation and later in the control group once they, too, were given access to their ultrasound results and a motivational dialogue.</p><p>Pedagogic images support both patients and physicians. When primary care physicians have access to the same visual information, the likelihood increases that preventive treatment will be initiated and followed up.</p><p>The study is published in European Heart Journal Open and is part of the long‑term research project VIPVIZA, ongoing since 2013.</p><p> </p>/en/news/images-and-risk-communication-boost-motivation-for-better-heart-health_12169649//en/news/one-in-ten-experience-facial-pain--new-method-can-reveal-the-cost_12169168/One in Ten Experience Facial Pain – New Method Can Reveal the CostFacial pain is one of the most common forms of chronic pain. Despite this, there has previously been no standardized burden measurements, such as impact on the individual and healthcare costs across countries and in relation to other diseases. A new international research collaboration, led by researchers at Umeå University, has now developed lay descriptions that make it possible to visualize the global burden of disease caused by facial pain.Thu, 09 Apr 2026 08:42:24 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/baec99e5f4e2488180ab3a1c6bc12086/anna_lovgren2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/baec99e5f4e2488180ab3a1c6bc12086/anna_lovgren2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/baec99e5f4e2488180ab3a1c6bc12086/anna_lovgren2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/baec99e5f4e2488180ab3a1c6bc12086/anna_lovgren2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/baec99e5f4e2488180ab3a1c6bc12086/anna_lovgren2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/baec99e5f4e2488180ab3a1c6bc12086/anna_lovgren2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Anna Lövgren, associate professor at the Department of Odontology.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hamdija Comic</span></div></div><p>“We can now, for the first time, compare the burden of living with facial pain to conditions such as diabetes—that is, how much a person is affected over the course of their life by having this condition,” says Anna Lövgren, Associate Professor at the Department of Odontology at Umeå University and one of the researchers leading the study.</p><p>Facial pain is often caused by overloading of the muscles or joints in the jaw, which then become painful. The condition affects everyday activities such as eating and speaking and is often long-lasting. Many individuals also experience concurrent problems, including headaches and disturbed sleep. Data from Sweden further show that people with facial pain are more likely to have long periods of sick leave. However, the total costs of this condition have so far been difficult to quantify.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/baec99e5f4e2488180ab3a1c6bc12086/36827862-young-sad-woman-suffering-from-tooth-pain3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/baec99e5f4e2488180ab3a1c6bc12086/36827862-young-sad-woman-suffering-from-tooth-pain3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/baec99e5f4e2488180ab3a1c6bc12086/36827862-young-sad-woman-suffering-from-tooth-pain3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/baec99e5f4e2488180ab3a1c6bc12086/36827862-young-sad-woman-suffering-from-tooth-pain3.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/baec99e5f4e2488180ab3a1c6bc12086/36827862-young-sad-woman-suffering-from-tooth-pain3.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/baec99e5f4e2488180ab3a1c6bc12086/36827862-young-sad-woman-suffering-from-tooth-pain3.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mostphotos, Yevgen Rychko</span></div></div><p>“Now that we can estimate the disease burden of facial pain, we can also link it to health data and evaluate, for example, how many people are affected and what consequences this has for society. We can also estimate the cost of management in terms of healthcare visits, examinations, and treatment,” says Anna Lövgren.</p><p>Anna Lövgren is currently working to develop an initial estimate of the global disease burden of facial pain. Her hope is that care for patients with facial pain will become better and more accessible when it can be more easily compared to other diseases.</p><p>“We argue that this facial pain and related symptoms should be included in healthcare fee systems so that patients can afford the treatment they would benefit from. This is an undertreated condition,” says Anna Lövgren.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="6bf57933-7135-4d2a-a462-a3a2db7471d9" data-contentname="About the study">{}</div>/en/news/one-in-ten-experience-facial-pain--new-method-can-reveal-the-cost_12169168//en/news/12-million-in-government-funding-for-precision-medicine-in-cancer_12168827/12 million in government funding for precision medicine in cancerThe SPRINTR study, led by Region Västerbotten and Umeå University, is to receive 12 million kronor in government funding to further develop its national research platform in precision medicine. The initiative aims to facilitate clinical cancer research, enable the approach to be scaled up to cover more types of cancer, and provide patients across the country with faster access to molecular diagnostics.Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:13:01 +0200<p>Under the same government decision, which concerns initiatives in precision health and clinical trials, Genomic Medicine Sweden (GMS) and Biobank Sweden will also receive funding.</p><p>SPRINTR (Swedish Precision Medicine Initiative for Novel Treatment and Research) is a research project, one of the aims of which is to facilitate clinical cancer research. A key part of the work involves asking all patients being investigated for suspected prostate cancer whether they would like to take part in an observational study. The procedure is simple and designed to be used nationwide. During the year, at least 23 clinics, including all university hospitals, are expected to start enrolling patients.</p><p>The Government has now decided to allocate 12 million kronor to the project through the National Board of Health and Welfare. The funds will be used to develop scalable working methods and IT solutions so that the concept can be rolled out across Sweden and adapted to more types of cancer.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/9c7a0754a7d1417f886b3bc2e52c2233/_dsc41643.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/9c7a0754a7d1417f886b3bc2e52c2233/_dsc41643.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/9c7a0754a7d1417f886b3bc2e52c2233/_dsc41643.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/9c7a0754a7d1417f886b3bc2e52c2233/_dsc41643.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/9c7a0754a7d1417f886b3bc2e52c2233/_dsc41643.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/9c7a0754a7d1417f886b3bc2e52c2233/_dsc41643.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Andreas Josefsson</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>“We are very grateful for this support, which is specifically targeted at the elements and structures we are developing. Thanks to this, we can work both faster and on a broader scale with colleagues across the country to make this accessible to as many people as possible,” says Andreas Josefsson, a medical specialist at Norrland University Hospital, who is the principal investigator for the study.</p><h3>A unique research platform</h3><p>The SPRINTR research project is largely funded by the Sjöberg Foundation. The aim of the study is to identify better biomarkers that can predict prognosis and treatment response, as well as to assess health economics and quality of life. The biomarkers can range from MRI scans and digital pathology to molecular analyses of tissue samples taken as part of routine clinical practice.</p><p>“I am convinced that this research will provide answers to important clinical questions and lead to better and more personalised treatment for men with prostate cancer,” says Andreas Josefsson.</p><p>The involvement of several diagnostic clinics across the country creates a long-term, national research platform. The study is planned to run for at least thirty years and aims to foster an open research environment where researchers can use the data without the requirement of co-authorship by the principal investigator. The goal is to work together to conduct better research in order to improve care for men with prostate cancer.</p><h3>Designed to accommodate a wider range of cancer diagnoses</h3><p>The study is also establishing a so-called ‘study-ready population’, which can simplify and increase inclusion in clinical trials. This is made possible by the consent form including permission for the collected information to be used for targeted invitations. One of the study’s aims is for the structures to be applicable to other forms of cancer as well. Therefore, working methods and IT systems are being developed that are as simple and generic as possible.</p><p>“We are proud that this initiative is led by researchers at Norrland University Hospital. The concept being developed within the study can help ensure that several of the goals within the new national cancer strategy are achieved more quickly,” says Pia Näsvall, Director of Health and Medical Care in Region Västerbotten.</p><h3>Equality across the country</h3><p>Funding from the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs will also be used to trial a new approach in pathology, designed to facilitate molecular profiling. The project is collaborating with organisations including Genomic Medicine Sweden, the INCA platform and SciLifeLab, and is also linked to national and international projects.</p><p>“The funding makes it possible to expand capacity more quickly and evaluate molecular diagnostic methods, so that we achieve equal access to methods that can be used in future treatment decisions,” explains Karin Welén, docent at the University of Gothenburg, who leads the project together with Andreas Josefsson.</p><p>Umeå University and Region Västerbotten have for a long time built strong research environments in the field of cancer. SPRINTR is one of several initiatives brought together under the Umeå Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Umeå CCC), which is currently in the process of being accredited by the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI).</p><p>“We support this project and look forward with great anticipation to seeing how the SPRINTR study and the FOCU.SE study, from complementary angles, can develop and become scalable models that benefit shared structures in Sweden. One of the CCC’s objectives is to support various initiatives that can complement one another so that, together, we can become an ecosystem for cancer research and development in Sweden,” says Patrik Rossi, Chair of the Comprehensive Cancer Centre Network Sweden.</p><p> </p>/en/news/12-million-in-government-funding-for-precision-medicine-in-cancer_12168827//en/news/sprintr-launches-a-consent-solution_12167332/SPRINTR launches a consent solutionSPRINTR study is now taking an important step forward to simplify the process for both study participants and clinicians through a new electronic consent solution developed by the research data management project at Umeå University.Tue, 07 Apr 2026 13:11:47 +0200<p>The digital solution enables a reliable, simple, and secure way for study participants to provide informed consent—regardless of when or where they are. <a href="~/link/95531e4b9e3e4479806529a95bd06ef7.aspx">The SPRINTR project</a> has also received ALF infrastructure funding so that the e-consent solution can be adapted for and used by more research projects.</p><p>The implementation of e-consent is a key part of the SPRINTR study’s efforts to reduce administrative burden, strengthen data quality, and create more accessible pathways into research for men being evaluated for, or diagnosed with, prostate cancer. It is the first step toward building functional digital tools into a full infrastructure for future precision medicine studies.</p><p>– With the Swedish Prostate Cancer Association represented on both SPRINTR’s steering committee and advisory board, it is particularly pleasing that the association’s chair, Magnus Klang, was the first to sign using the new e‑consent solution, says Andreas Josefsson, SPRINTR’s principal investigator.</p><p class="quote-center">It is, of course, a milestone that symbolises both trust and commitment on the part of the patient organisation to this project.</p><p>With the e-consent solution now in place, SPRINTR is even better positioned to continue its mission: to create a nationally coordinated, innovative, and patient-centred research platform to improve survival and quality of life for men with prostate cancer.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/0dd5927bc3294afebe9ac358a0954695/img_740013.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/0dd5927bc3294afebe9ac358a0954695/img_740013.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/0dd5927bc3294afebe9ac358a0954695/img_740013.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/0dd5927bc3294afebe9ac358a0954695/img_740013.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/0dd5927bc3294afebe9ac358a0954695/img_740013.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/0dd5927bc3294afebe9ac358a0954695/img_740013.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Magnus Klang and Andreas Josefsson</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Pernilla Andersson</span></div></div>/en/news/sprintr-launches-a-consent-solution_12167332//en/news/three-dimensional-microscopy-reveals-how-tick-borne-virus-replicates_12168960/Three-dimensional microscopy reveals how tick-borne virus replicatesResearchers at Umeå University show how tick‑borne viruses remodel human cells into virus factories, using an advanced microscopy method. The findings provide new insight into how the virus replicates and matures, knowledge that may become important for future treatments against TBE. The study is published in Nature Communications. Tue, 07 Apr 2026 08:52:56 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2f285f813cd6452893c10367f0c3d20b/lgtv_1280_7203.png?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/2f285f813cd6452893c10367f0c3d20b/lgtv_1280_7203.png?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/2f285f813cd6452893c10367f0c3d20b/lgtv_1280_7203.png?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/2f285f813cd6452893c10367f0c3d20b/lgtv_1280_7203.png?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/2f285f813cd6452893c10367f0c3d20b/lgtv_1280_7203.png?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/2f285f813cd6452893c10367f0c3d20b/lgtv_1280_7203.png?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Newly produced virus particles inside a virus-infected human cell, imaged using cryo-electron tomography. The virus particles are approximately 60 nanometres (millionths of a millimetre) large. </p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Selma Dahmane</span></div></div><p>“When we saw the three‑dimensional images for the first time, we immediately realized how much new information we could gain about the virus’s replication,” says Lars‑Anders Carlson, professor at the Department of Medical Chemistry and Biophysics at Umeå University, who led the study.</p><p>One of the most dangerous viral diseases spread in Europe is tick‑borne encephalitis. A bite from an infected tick can transmit the TBE virus to humans and cause severe inflammation of the brain. Using electron microscopy, researchers at Umeå University have now discovered how tick‑borne viruses reshape infected human cells and turn them into virus factories. </p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareleft"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2f285f813cd6452893c10367f0c3d20b/carlsson_lars-anders_8369-241022-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/2f285f813cd6452893c10367f0c3d20b/carlsson_lars-anders_8369-241022-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/2f285f813cd6452893c10367f0c3d20b/carlsson_lars-anders_8369-241022-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/2f285f813cd6452893c10367f0c3d20b/carlsson_lars-anders_8369-241022-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/2f285f813cd6452893c10367f0c3d20b/carlsson_lars-anders_8369-241022-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/2f285f813cd6452893c10367f0c3d20b/carlsson_lars-anders_8369-241022-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Professor Lars-Anders Carlson. </p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>“It has been difficult to conduct this type of study on the TBE virus because it is so dangerous that we are not allowed to work with it at the electron microscope. But we managed to use a closely related virus, Langat virus, which behaves almost identically in cells but is far less dangerous to humans. Both belong to the flavivirus genus,” explains Lars‑Anders Carlson.</p><p>With cryo‑electron tomography, a specialized form of electron microscopy, the researchers were able to create detailed three‑dimensional images of the interior of infected cells that were rapidly frozen and preserved in a life‑like state. This revealed how the virus r the interior of the cell to create the perfect environment for hiding the mass production of viral genes.</p><p>The researchers could also show how new virus particles are produced right next to the viral “gene factories,” and how these new particles change shape from an “immature” form to the mature form that is then released from the cells. By comparing two different variants of the virus, they further observed how a very small genetic difference between them led to different maturation speeds. </p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareleft"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2f285f813cd6452893c10367f0c3d20b/bina_kumari_singh2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/2f285f813cd6452893c10367f0c3d20b/bina_kumari_singh2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/2f285f813cd6452893c10367f0c3d20b/bina_kumari_singh2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/2f285f813cd6452893c10367f0c3d20b/bina_kumari_singh2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/2f285f813cd6452893c10367f0c3d20b/bina_kumari_singh2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/2f285f813cd6452893c10367f0c3d20b/bina_kumari_singh2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Post doctor Bina Singh.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Selma Dahmane</span></div></div><p>“Here we were able to directly observe how a small change in a single gene caused the virus to mature at different rates,” says Bina Singh, postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Medical Chemistry and Biophysics at Umeå University.</p><p>Achieving this level of detailed understanding requires more than advanced technology. Research of this kind depends on long‑term resources, the right expertise, and close collaboration among many skilled scientists. These factors were crucial for the project’s development from an initiative based in Umeå to a broad international collaboration.</p><p>The project began with funding from the Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), which brings together infection biology researchers at Umeå University. </p><p>“Their postdoctoral programme ‘Excellence by Choice’ made it possible to recruit two talented international researchers to Umeå: Jianguo Zhang and Erin Schexnaydre,” says Lars-Anders Carlson.</p><p>In the groups of Lars‑Anders Carlson and Anna Överby, and in close collaboration with the Umeå Centre for Electron Microscopy (UCEM), Jianguo Zhang and Erin Schexnaydre developed ambitious new methods for cryo‑electron tomography of tick‑borne viruses in infected cells and mouse brains.</p><p>The completion of the study was made possible through expanded collaboration with research colleagues in Norway and the United States, funded by major, collaboration‑focused grants from the Swedish Research Council and the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.</p>/en/news/three-dimensional-microscopy-reveals-how-tick-borne-virus-replicates_12168960//en/news/the-protein-that-helps-cancer-cells-survive-treatment2_12168639/ The protein that helps cancer cells survive treatment Researchers at Umeå University have contributed new insights into how cancer cells protect themselves from cell death. The study provides a deeper understanding of how key proteins interact within the cell and could, in the long term, support the development of new cancer therapies.Tue, 07 Apr 2026 08:00:06 +0200<p>The findings, published in the journal ACS Chemical Biology, show how a central protein can block apoptosis – the process that normally causes cancer cells to die.</p><p>Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death that plays a crucial role during embryonic development, in removing old or damaged cells, and in enabling the immune system to function properly. When apoptosis does not work as it should, as in many cancers, cells can divide uncontrollably and form tumours.</p><p>Many cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, work by causing damage or stress in cells that triggers apoptosis. However, many tumours manage to evade this form of cell death as well, making them resistant to treatment.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Blocking death-inducing proteins</h2><p>One of the most important proteins controlling apoptosis is the cell‑killing protein Bax. Once activated, Bax can initiate apoptosis by forming pores in the membranes of mitochondria. Another key protein from the same family, the cell‑protective protein Bcl‑2, instead prevents Bax from killing harmful cells. In nearly half of all human cancers, one of the underlying problems is an increased production of Bcl‑2, which promotes tumour growth and often leads to poor response to therapy.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Gerhard Gröbner, Professor at the Department of Chemistry, researches biological membranes, focusing on proteins involved in cell death.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>“In our research, we have used advanced neutron experiments to show how Bcl‑2 protects cancer cells by blocking the death‑inducing proteins that are most often activated by therapy,” says Gerhard Gröbner, professor at Umeå University and lead author of the study.</p><p>The experiments show that Bcl‑2, which is located on the outer surface of the mitochondria, can capture and bind several Bax proteins at the same time. This makes the inhibition of cell death more efficient than previously thought. Cancer cells do not need to produce extremely large amounts of Bcl‑2 to protect themselves – even a moderate increase can be sufficient.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Opens up for new cancer treatments</h2><p>The researchers also investigated how the composition of the mitochondrial membrane affects the interaction between the proteins. One particular lipid, cardiolipin, can promote apoptosis and help Bax form pores in the membrane. However, even in membranes containing cardiolipin, a sufficiently high level of Bcl‑2 can still prevent cell death.</p><p>“In the longer term, this type of knowledge could open up new opportunities for cancer treatment, for example by targeting Bcl‑2 and its protective function,” says Gerhard Gröbner.</p><p>The study was carried out in collaboration between researchers from Umeå University, Lund University, the European Spallation Source (ESS) in Lund, the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source and Diamond Light Source in the United Kingdom, and the Institut Laue‑Langevin (ILL) in France.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="3d9f9a48-969c-4927-b46d-f68c3821231e" data-contentname="">{}</div>/en/news/the-protein-that-helps-cancer-cells-survive-treatment2_12168639//en/news/oliver-billker-awarded-the-torgny-och-lena-stigbrand-prize_12168901/Oliver Billker awarded the Torgny och Lena Stigbrand PrizeProfessor Oliver Billker at the Department of Molecular Biology has been awarded the Torgny and Lena Stigbrand Prize at Umeå University in 2026 for his contributions to malaria research.Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:51:06 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b41d9df5fed74c22b207d5110f0585c1/billiker_oliver_9193_180905_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/b41d9df5fed74c22b207d5110f0585c1/billiker_oliver_9193_180905_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/b41d9df5fed74c22b207d5110f0585c1/billiker_oliver_9193_180905_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/b41d9df5fed74c22b207d5110f0585c1/billiker_oliver_9193_180905_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/b41d9df5fed74c22b207d5110f0585c1/billiker_oliver_9193_180905_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/b41d9df5fed74c22b207d5110f0585c1/billiker_oliver_9193_180905_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Oliver Billker, Professor at the Department of Molecular Biology.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>Oliver Billker’s research focuses on gaining a deeper understanding of the biology of malaria parasites and how they interact with the mosquitoes that transmit them. In its citation, the prize committee states:</p><p><em>"Professor Oliver Billker is awarded the prize for his leading contributions to malaria research and for strategic leadership that has clearly strengthened the profile of Umeå University. Through the development of large-scale genetic methods and open resources, he has fundamentally transformed the field and enabled global breakthroughs. With an extensive publication record, strong research funding, and leadership of major collaborations, he exemplifies scientific excellence."</em></p><p>As Director of MIMS (Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden), and as a key contributor within SciLifeLab and the national DDLS programme (Data-Driven Life Science), Oliver Billker has played a decisive role in strengthening research infrastructure, research environments, and international networks.</p><p>The Torgny and Lena Stigbrand Prize is awarded to an active researcher or teacher at Umeå University who has made outstanding contributions to the promotion of scientific research and development in the fields of immunology, cell and molecular biology, or microbiology.</p><p>The prize was established in 2024 following a donation by Torgny Stigbrand, Professor of Medical Genetics, and his wife Lena Stigbrand. The prize amount is SEK 100,000, and this year the prize is awarded for the final time, at the university’s annual celebration.</p>/en/news/oliver-billker-awarded-the-torgny-och-lena-stigbrand-prize_12168901//en/news/sun-nyunt-wai-awarded-for-outstanding-bacterial-research_12168888/Sun Nyunt Wai awarded for outstanding bacterial researchProfessor Sun Nyunt Wai at the Department of Molecular Biology has been awarded the Bo and Barbro Hammarström Prize at Umeå University for 2026. She receives the award for her groundbreaking and long-term impactful contributions to medical microbiology and immunology.Thu, 02 Apr 2026 11:02:02 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/10611f4ca75541f580c247641cbafbb6/nyunt_wai_sun_9760_211117_mpn3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/10611f4ca75541f580c247641cbafbb6/nyunt_wai_sun_9760_211117_mpn3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/10611f4ca75541f580c247641cbafbb6/nyunt_wai_sun_9760_211117_mpn3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/10611f4ca75541f580c247641cbafbb6/nyunt_wai_sun_9760_211117_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/10611f4ca75541f580c247641cbafbb6/nyunt_wai_sun_9760_211117_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/10611f4ca75541f580c247641cbafbb6/nyunt_wai_sun_9760_211117_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Sun Nyunt Wai, Professor of Medical Microbial Pathogenesis.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>Sun Nyunt Wai’s research focuses on the properties of pathogenic bacteria. In its citation, the prize committee states:</p><p><em>"Her pioneering work on the role of bacterial membrane vesicles in pathogenesis, immune activation and microbial interactions has shaped an entire field of research. Through publications in leading journals, strong research funding and highly valued teaching, she has clearly strengthened the profile of Umeå University. Her scientific breakthroughs and academic leadership exemplify the excellence this prize seeks to recognise."</em></p><p>The Bo and Barbro Hammarström Prize was established at Umeå University in 2022 following a donation from Bo Hammarström. The prize is awarded to an active researcher or teacher at Umeå University who has made outstanding contributions to the promotion of scientific research and development in one of the fields of chemistry, cell and molecular biology, microbiology or immunology.</p><p>The prize of SEK 100,000 will be awarded at the university’s annual celebration over a five-year period – first awarded in 2023 and last in 2027.</p>/en/news/sun-nyunt-wai-awarded-for-outstanding-bacterial-research_12168888//en/news/gut-microbiota-differs-in-children-with-rare-food-allergy_12168574/Gut microbiota differs in children with rare food allergyChildren with the rare but serious allergic disease FPIES have an atypical gut microbiota compared to healthy children. This is shown in a new study from Umeå University, published in the scientific journal the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.Thu, 02 Apr 2026 08:00:25 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/bb378c23c2264479a3fbf12176461bbc/kotryna-simonyte_251215-jnm3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/bb378c23c2264479a3fbf12176461bbc/kotryna-simonyte_251215-jnm3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/bb378c23c2264479a3fbf12176461bbc/kotryna-simonyte_251215-jnm3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/bb378c23c2264479a3fbf12176461bbc/kotryna-simonyte_251215-jnm3.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/bb378c23c2264479a3fbf12176461bbc/kotryna-simonyte_251215-jnm3.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/bb378c23c2264479a3fbf12176461bbc/kotryna-simonyte_251215-jnm3.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Children with the rare allergic condition FPIES have a clearly altered gut microbiota, according to a new study from Umeå University in which molecular biologist and associate professor Kotryna Simonyte Sjödin participated.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Johanna Nordström</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">Our results reveal clear differences in the gut bacterial composition of children with FPIES</p><p>“Our results reveal clear differences in the gut bacterial composition of children with FPIES, an area where knowledge has so far been limited,” says Kotryna Simonyte Sjödin, molecular biologist and associate professor at the Department of Clinical Sciences at Umeå University.</p><p>FPIES (food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome) is a form of food allergy in which the body reacts without the usual allergy antibodies, meaning that symptoms appear more slowly and affect the gastrointestinal tract rather than causing rashes or breathing difficulties. It typically begins during infancy and can lead to severe vomiting, diarrhoea, and circulatory symptoms. The underlying mechanism remains unclear.</p><p>In the new study, the researchers analysed stool samples from 56 children with newly diagnosed FPIES and compared them with samples from 43 age‑matched children without allergies. The children were divided into three age groups covering the first year of life. The results show that age was the strongest factor influencing bacterial composition, but that FPIES itself was also clearly associated with differences in the gut microbiota.</p><p>The study found, among other things, that children with FPIES had lower levels of <em>Bifidobacterium</em> and Verrucomicrobiota, while bacteria such as <em>Bacteroides</em>, <em>Haemophilus</em>, and <em>Veillonella</em> were more abundant. Certain trigger foods for FPIES were also associated with additional changes in the gut microbiota.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareleft"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/bb378c23c2264479a3fbf12176461bbc/anna_1-red2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/bb378c23c2264479a3fbf12176461bbc/anna_1-red2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/bb378c23c2264479a3fbf12176461bbc/anna_1-red2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/bb378c23c2264479a3fbf12176461bbc/anna_1-red2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/bb378c23c2264479a3fbf12176461bbc/anna_1-red2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/bb378c23c2264479a3fbf12176461bbc/anna_1-red2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Associate professor Anna Winberg.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mikael Winberg</span></div></div><p>“FPIES is a clinically challenging diagnosis, and today we lack reliable biomarkers. By linking clinical observations with detailed analyses of the gut microbiota, we can gradually build a more coherent picture of the disease,” says Anna Winberg, senior consultant and associate professor at the Department of Clinical Sciences at Umeå University.</p><p>The study contributes new knowledge about the connection between early gut microbiota and the development of allergic disease, strengthening the view that early biological factors can have long‑term consequences for children's health.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareleft"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/bb378c23c2264479a3fbf12176461bbc/west_christina_6742_180416_soj2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/bb378c23c2264479a3fbf12176461bbc/west_christina_6742_180416_soj2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/bb378c23c2264479a3fbf12176461bbc/west_christina_6742_180416_soj2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/bb378c23c2264479a3fbf12176461bbc/west_christina_6742_180416_soj2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/bb378c23c2264479a3fbf12176461bbc/west_christina_6742_180416_soj2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/bb378c23c2264479a3fbf12176461bbc/west_christina_6742_180416_soj2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Professor Christina West</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>“This study is based on systematically collected samples at diagnosis and on high‑resolution analyses, providing a robust and comparable dataset. Over time, these findings may contribute to the development of more individualized strategies for diagnosis, prevention, or treatment, although such applications will require further research,” says Christina West, senior consultant and professor of pediatrics at the Department of Clinical Sciences at Umeå University.</p>/en/news/gut-microbiota-differs-in-children-with-rare-food-allergy_12168574//en/news/major-investment-in-research-at-umea-university_12168661/Recommends a major investment in research at Umeå UniversityFrom total defense to polar research and AI. The Swedish Research Council recommends that the government invest millions in three strategic research areas in which Umeå University is involved. “This is proof that Umeå University delivers excellent, world-class research,” says Thomas Olofsson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research at Umeå University.Wed, 01 Apr 2026 16:58:25 +0200<p> The initiative on new Strategic Research Areas (SFOs) is a government programme designed to strengthen and distinguish Swedish research in an increasingly competitive international landscape. The initiative supports research environments that are expected to achieve the highest international standards and contribute to long-term scientific excellence.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/785dd2ed8de7450f95d8824a23a099b4/olofsson_thomas_6873_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/785dd2ed8de7450f95d8824a23a099b4/olofsson_thomas_6873_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/785dd2ed8de7450f95d8824a23a099b4/olofsson_thomas_6873_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/785dd2ed8de7450f95d8824a23a099b4/olofsson_thomas_6873_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/785dd2ed8de7450f95d8824a23a099b4/olofsson_thomas_6873_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/785dd2ed8de7450f95d8824a23a099b4/olofsson_thomas_6873_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Thomas Olofsson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>At the end of last year, funding was announced for eight new Strategic Research Areas (SFOs). A total of 49 applications from higher education institutions across the country were submitted. International review panels have carried out an extensive evaluation process, and the Swedish Research Council has now recommended that the government provide additional support to 16 research environments. The final decision rests with the government.</p><p>Among the recommended environments is Umeå University as the main applicant for one – within the area ‘Crisis Preparedness and Total Defence’ – and as a partner institution for two others, in the areas of ‘Polar Research’ and ‘Health, Life Science and Artificial Intelligence’.</p><p>"This announcement is, of course, extremely important for our university. Most importantly, it provides Umeå University with the opportunity to develop and take part in these strong research areas," says Thomas Olofsson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor.”<br><br></p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="2540bd2d-6a1d-42a5-8821-e1875f647617" data-contentname="SFO eng">{}</div>/en/news/major-investment-in-research-at-umea-university_12168661//en/news/arbetslosa-vuxna-barn-okar-foraldrars-depressionsrisk_12168586/Adult Children’s Unemployment is associated with the Depression risk of Older Parents in IndiaOlder adults in India have almost 12% higher risk of depression when their adult children are unemployed. A new study from Umeå University shows that unemployment among younger generations increases the risk of poor mental health among parents, particularly in a society where many older adults are both economically and socially dependent on their children.Wed, 01 Apr 2026 15:06:53 +0200<p>The research is based on extensive data from the Longitudinal Ageing Survey of India, which includes more than 73,000 people aged over 45. The material provides a unique picture of how families are affected when adult children fall out of the labour market.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2cf25554425c4c769b6857b13e3a377a/adi-lica-ya_xlsiaygq-unsplash13.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/2cf25554425c4c769b6857b13e3a377a/adi-lica-ya_xlsiaygq-unsplash13.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/2cf25554425c4c769b6857b13e3a377a/adi-lica-ya_xlsiaygq-unsplash13.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/2cf25554425c4c769b6857b13e3a377a/adi-lica-ya_xlsiaygq-unsplash13.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/2cf25554425c4c769b6857b13e3a377a/adi-lica-ya_xlsiaygq-unsplash13.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/2cf25554425c4c769b6857b13e3a377a/adi-lica-ya_xlsiaygq-unsplash13.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Two generations in India.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span> Adi Lica, Unsplash</span></div></div><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Strong link between children’s unemployment and parents’ health</h2><p>The researchers show a clear link between adult children’s unemployment and deteriorating mental health among parents. When the income of adult children disappears, insecurity also rises for parents, who rely heavily on support from their children in everyday life.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">First-born sons play a particularly important role</h2><p>The study finds that the risk of depression among parents increases markedly when the first-born son loses his job, while the association is considerably weaker when the first-born daughter becomes unemployed. According to the researchers, this reflects cultural norms in India, where sons – particularly the eldest – are traditionally expected to carry on the family name and support their parents in later life. These expectations mean that a son’s unemployment has greater consequences for parents’ psychological well-being.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Social participation protect older adults’ mental health</h2><p>Despite the central role of the family, the study shows that social networks and active social engagement have a clearly protective effect. Older adults who take part in social activities have a lower risk of developing depression, even when their adult children are unemployed. For those with limited social engagement, however, the association is significantly stronger, and the risk of depression rises sharply when adult children lose their jobs.</p><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3">Greatest strength of association in states with large socioeconomic inequalities</h2><p>In states with wide income disparities, older parents are particularly vulnerable. These areas are often characterised by limited access to essential public services such as education, welfare, and health care. The study shows that older adults living under such conditions have higher depression risk when their adult children becomes unemployed, compared to older adults living in low income inequality states when their adult children becomes unemployed.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2cf25554425c4c769b6857b13e3a377a/tyago_rishabh2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/2cf25554425c4c769b6857b13e3a377a/tyago_rishabh2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/2cf25554425c4c769b6857b13e3a377a/tyago_rishabh2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/2cf25554425c4c769b6857b13e3a377a/tyago_rishabh2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/2cf25554425c4c769b6857b13e3a377a/tyago_rishabh2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/2cf25554425c4c769b6857b13e3a377a/tyago_rishabh2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Rishabh Tyago, postdoc vid Enheten för demografi och åldrandeforskning</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Silke Schulz</span></div></div><p>“Our results show how closely interconnected generations in India are, and how vulnerable many older adults become when younger generations lose their foothold in the labour market. Without social participation, the impact is felt directly by older people,” says Rishabh Tyagi, postdoc at Centre for Demographic and Aging Research, Umeå University, one of the researchers behind the study.</p><h2 id="info4" data-magellan-target="info4">Key findings</h2><p>• Older parents in India are clearly affected when their adult children are unemployed.<br>• The association is stronger in families where children’s economic and social support is crucial to parents’ security.<br>• Unemployment among first-born sons has a greater association with parents depression risk than unemployment among first-born daughters, partly due to cultural expectations of responsibility.<br>• Older adults who are socially active fare significantly better than those who live more isolated lives.<br>• Large economic disparities between states increase the vulnerability of older parents.</p><h2 id="info5" data-magellan-target="info5">Recommendations</h2><p>The researchers recommend strengthening support for young people in the labour market, reducing the substantial income disparities between states, and improving the state’s capacity to deliver essential public services such as education, welfare, and health care. These measures are considered central to better protecting the psychological and social well-being of older adults.</p><h2 id="info6" data-magellan-target="info6">More about the article</h2><p>Tyagi, R., Baranowska-Rataj, A., & Gugushvili, A. (2026). Adult Children’s Unemployment and Parental Mental Health in India: Social and Economic Heterogeneity. SSM-Population Health 33 (2026) 101905, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352827326000078?via%3Dihub">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2026.101905. </a></p><p>The project is part of a larger research project titled “The effects of unemployment on health of family members” funded by the European Research Council (ERC) under grant agreement No 802631.</p>/en/news/arbetslosa-vuxna-barn-okar-foraldrars-depressionsrisk_12168586//en/news/over-15-per-cent-increase-in-admitted-international-masters-students_12168493/Over 15 per cent increase in admitted international master’s studentsStudents around the world have recently received their admissions offers to Swedish universities. Umeå University continues to strengthen its international profile, with more than 15 per cent more students admitted compared with the previous year in the international master’s admission round for studies starting in the autumn.Wed, 01 Apr 2026 08:59:22 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/d089b68f5fc544f092ecc80dc96d4f78/internationella-studenter-_6479-250902-mpn3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/d089b68f5fc544f092ecc80dc96d4f78/internationella-studenter-_6479-250902-mpn3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/d089b68f5fc544f092ecc80dc96d4f78/internationella-studenter-_6479-250902-mpn3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/d089b68f5fc544f092ecc80dc96d4f78/internationella-studenter-_6479-250902-mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/d089b68f5fc544f092ecc80dc96d4f78/internationella-studenter-_6479-250902-mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/d089b68f5fc544f092ecc80dc96d4f78/internationella-studenter-_6479-250902-mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>1,504 students have been admitted to over 45 international master’s programmes at Umeå University for the autumn 2026 semester.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>“We are looking forward to welcoming all new students in the autumn and we are pleased that so many have chosen a study programme at Umeå University”, says Cathrine Norberg, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Education at Umeå University.</p><p>Programmes in public health and economics continue to attract strong interest. This autumn, Umeå University is launching two new master’s programmes: Bioinformatics and Mathematical Statistics with a specialisation in Financial Engineering. <br> <br>Nathaniel Street, programme coordinator of the Master’s Programme in Bioinformatics, comments on the new programme:<br>“We see strong employment prospects for students in academia, clinical settings, and the biotechnology industry. The programme is designed to equip students with the practical skills these sectors require. It is also encouraging to see such substantial international interest in the very first year the programme is offered.”</p><p>At bachelor’s level, Umeå University offers three programmes taught in English in the international admissions round: Life Science, International Business and Economics, and Industrial Design. The International Business and Economics programme continues to attract many applicants. The bachelor’s programme in Industrial Design is being offered in English for the first time, which has already attracted strong international interest and demonstrates that the initiative meets a growing global demand for creative and sustainable design education.</p><p class="quote-center">Now the work begins to prepare the students for their studies in Umeå.</p><p>Cathrine Norberg continues:<br>“It is reassuring that interest has increased for so many of the university's programmes. Overall, we have had 40 per cent more applicants compared with last year. Now the work begins to prepare the students for their studies in Umeå. Among other things, the international students will be invited to a Pre-departure webinar in the spring and will gain access to an app where they can chat with other admitted students who are also starting their studies in the autumn here at the university”, says Cathrine Norberg.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="16e5888e-3e08-4604-b48b-f708cb3382fe" data-contentname="Master’s programmes with most number of students admitted autumn 2026">{}</div>/en/news/over-15-per-cent-increase-in-admitted-international-masters-students_12168493//en/news/when-academia-teams-up-with-industry-to-advance-microbiome-science_12168541/When academia teams up with industry to advance microbiome scienceCollaborations between academia and industry play an important role in turning research into practical applications. Researcher Chinmay Dwibedi shared insights from his work with BioGaia AB during the recent Open up for Innovation event at Umeå University.Wed, 01 Apr 2026 07:51:54 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/6147537fb6974b109e7818dce850f6a1/chinmay_open_up_13.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/6147537fb6974b109e7818dce850f6a1/chinmay_open_up_13.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/6147537fb6974b109e7818dce850f6a1/chinmay_open_up_13.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/6147537fb6974b109e7818dce850f6a1/chinmay_open_up_13.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/6147537fb6974b109e7818dce850f6a1/chinmay_open_up_13.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/6147537fb6974b109e7818dce850f6a1/chinmay_open_up_13.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Chinmay Dwibedi is truly committed to ensuring that his research benefits society. He was one of the invited speakers at Open up for Innovation. </p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Tomas Ruuth</span></div></div><p>The third edition of the conference Open up for Innovation gathered researchers, industry representatives and doctoral students to explore how collaborations across sectors can accelerate scientific progress and generate value for society. The event, organised by Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI), brought together around 70 researchers and 30 participants from industry, creating a dynamic arena for matchmaking, inspiration and exchange of experiences.</p><p>One of the invited speakers was Chinmay Dwibedi, whose research focuses on understanding human gut microbes at high resolution. His group investigates how bacterial strains evolve, differ functionally and influence human health. The long-term aim is to pave the way for microbiome‑based therapies by identifying how specific microbes contribute to disease, health, and drug responses.</p><p>Chinmay Dwibedi highlighted his collaboration with the probiotic company BioGaia AB, describing the partnership as both constructive and eye-opening.</p><p class="quote-center">This real‑world perspective helps us put our academic findings into a more practical and translational context</p><p>“They are a science‑driven company with strong respect for evidence, and very open in sharing their knowledge on strains, manufacturing and efficacy. This real‑world perspective helps us put our academic findings into a more practical and translational context, he says.</p><p>Chinmay Dwibedi was recently awarded funding from the Industrial Doctoral School at Umeå University for a doctoral project in collaboration with BioGaia. He emphasised that academic–industry collaboration is essential for developing new probiotic concepts, including emerging ideas such as precision probiotics.</p><p>“It bridges discovery and application. What we see as exciting science may not always be feasible to translate into products because of cost, production or regulation. Industry brings valuable real‑world insight from clinicians and microbiologists, ensuring new concepts are both scientifically sound and practically relevant.”</p><p>Looking ahead, Chinmay Dwibedi sees major potential in personalised microbiome‑based therapies.</p><p>“These therapies are not one‑size‑fits‑all. A key opportunity is identifying which one benefits the most. With better clinical trials and integration of microbial, clinical and lifestyle data, we can move toward more targeted and effective interventions.”</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/6147537fb6974b109e7818dce850f6a1/chinmay_mfl_open_up_22.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/6147537fb6974b109e7818dce850f6a1/chinmay_mfl_open_up_22.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/6147537fb6974b109e7818dce850f6a1/chinmay_mfl_open_up_22.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/6147537fb6974b109e7818dce850f6a1/chinmay_mfl_open_up_22.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/6147537fb6974b109e7818dce850f6a1/chinmay_mfl_open_up_22.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/6147537fb6974b109e7818dce850f6a1/chinmay_mfl_open_up_22.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The Open up for Innovation conference offered Chinmay Dwibedi and all other participants excellent opportunities to network.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Tomas Ruuth</span></div></div><p>He also noted the Open up for Innovation event for its inspiring atmosphere and ambitions.</p><p>“It was great to hear about the region’s strategic focus on investment and translational science. And it was clearly valuable for doctoral students exploring opportunities beyond academia.”</p>/en/news/when-academia-teams-up-with-industry-to-advance-microbiome-science_12168541//en/news/from-network-science-to-a-swedish-championship-bronze-_12168395/PhD student takes bronze in ski mountaineering at Swedish ChampionshipMaja Lindström, a PhD student in network science at Umeå University, won a bronze medal in ski mountaineering during the Swedish Championship – despite never having competed in the discipline before. She credits extraordinary support from colleagues and her competitive spirit for her successful foray into a new sport.Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:05:21 +0200<p>At Umeå University, Maja Lindström can be found at IceLab, the interdisciplinary research environment Integrated Science Lab.  She is an industrial PhD student at the Department of Computing Science in collaboration with Sift Lab. Her research focuses on networks—be they biological, social, or information-based—and how they are structured and clustered.</p><p>She is not only a researcher, however – she is also an active sports-loving person. Recently, upon hearing that the Swedish Championship was going to held in Umeå, she decided to try a new sport: ski mountaineering, or ‘skimo’ as it is also known.</p><h3>An adventurous climb into the unknown</h3><p>Maja enjoys skiing and had previously walked up and skied down mountains for fun, but had never competed in skimo, a relatively new sport which premiered at the Winter Olympics for the first time in 2026. In fact, she only trained once before the competition. “I’ve heard about the sport, but I didn’t know exactly how it worked – there are a lot of rules I had to learn on the same day of the competition.”</p><p>Despite the high stakes of a national championship, Maja entered the race with an adventurous, curious spirit. “I knew there were professional skiers there and I'm not professional at all when it comes to this. It was just a fun thing to do,” she shared.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/13c6ca0ec00c463e94a95c7426d52752/majalindstrom_smvecka_icelab-82.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/13c6ca0ec00c463e94a95c7426d52752/majalindstrom_smvecka_icelab-82.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/13c6ca0ec00c463e94a95c7426d52752/majalindstrom_smvecka_icelab-82.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/13c6ca0ec00c463e94a95c7426d52752/majalindstrom_smvecka_icelab-82.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/13c6ca0ec00c463e94a95c7426d52752/majalindstrom_smvecka_icelab-82.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/13c6ca0ec00c463e94a95c7426d52752/majalindstrom_smvecka_icelab-82.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Maja Lindström, PhD student in the Department of Computing Science and IceLab, works at her desk surrounded by the signs her friends made to support her during the skimo Swedish Championship race.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Gabrielle Beans</span></div></div><p>The race was quite dramatic, with the top skier, Johanna Gelfgren, losing her ski at the start and winning the race regardless. “She was amazing!” exclaimed Maja.</p><p>Meanwhile, Maja stayed focused through the exhaustion of the climb and the stress of the technical transitions – clipping in and out of the skis, removing skins, and racing downhill. After passing the fourth-place skier at the top of the mountain, she realized she was on her way to securing a bronze medal she never expected to get.</p><p>She brought that bronze medal into her workplace in IceLab on Monday and shared her excitement about the medal with her friends and colleagues – and not just because she had earned a spot on the podium. “I was excited to see the medal was engraved by the same person who engraved the Nobel Prize medals. As a scientist, that felt extra special.”</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/13c6ca0ec00c463e94a95c7426d52752/majalindstrom_smvecka_icelab_11.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/13c6ca0ec00c463e94a95c7426d52752/majalindstrom_smvecka_icelab_11.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/13c6ca0ec00c463e94a95c7426d52752/majalindstrom_smvecka_icelab_11.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/13c6ca0ec00c463e94a95c7426d52752/majalindstrom_smvecka_icelab_11.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/13c6ca0ec00c463e94a95c7426d52752/majalindstrom_smvecka_icelab_11.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/13c6ca0ec00c463e94a95c7426d52752/majalindstrom_smvecka_icelab_11.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Maja Lindström shows her bronze medal to friends and colleagues in IceLab</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Gabrielle Beans</span></div></div><h3>Crucial support from the "loudest contingent" on the mountain</h3><p>Maja’s success was fueled by a massive wave of support from her colleagues and friends, many of whom also work in IceLab. Abigail Rec, a postdoc at IceLab, described the group as “the loudest and most enthusiastic contingent on the mountain”. The team spent three hours crafting signs, including a "Giant Maja" cutout.  For Maja, this support was an inspiration that gave her energy before and during the race.</p><p>“I saw when they came to the arena with all the signs and that was kind of amazing. It meant so much during the race because I could hear them all the way around - they were screaming so loudly! You can even hear them in the SVT recording.”</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/13c6ca0ec00c463e94a95c7426d52752/majalindstrom_smvecka_icelab-32.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/13c6ca0ec00c463e94a95c7426d52752/majalindstrom_smvecka_icelab-32.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/13c6ca0ec00c463e94a95c7426d52752/majalindstrom_smvecka_icelab-32.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/13c6ca0ec00c463e94a95c7426d52752/majalindstrom_smvecka_icelab-32.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/13c6ca0ec00c463e94a95c7426d52752/majalindstrom_smvecka_icelab-32.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/13c6ca0ec00c463e94a95c7426d52752/majalindstrom_smvecka_icelab-32.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Maja Lindström and Abigail Rec pose in front of IceLab's fish tank with some of the signs her friends created to support her during her race.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Gabrielle Beans</span></div></div><p>Maja indicates that this kind of all-in support is typical of IceLab and its members. She describes IceLab as a collaborative environment where colleagues support each other—both in research and beyond. Whether it is a national sporting event or helping a colleague move house, Maja emphasizes that the IceLab community is always there for one another.</p><p>She credits this environment with giving her the final push to compete. “I think my friends in IceLab definitely helped because they pushed me a little bit... they said, ‘Of course you should do this!'”. Her supervisor, Martin Rosvall, who is also a competitive skier, was very supportive of her participation as well.</p><h3>Moving forward in skimo and research</h3><p>The week after the race, she was back at her desk working on network models. When asked if she would enter future skimo competitions, she mentioned that the national team coach contacted her regarding a training camp next winter. “It's always fun to try something new,” she commented.</p><p>Not one to wait until next winter, she added that she actually skied the day after in another competition– the Bräntberget 1H, a one-hour race where participants complete as many rounds up and down Bräntberget as they can. She did ten laps and came in second – and her friends came out to support her once more.</p>/en/news/from-network-science-to-a-swedish-championship-bronze-_12168395//en/news/cooperation-key-to-resilient-societies-in-the-north_12167145/Cooperation key to resilient societies in the NorthPax Nordica 2026 gathered researchers, policymakers and practitioners in Umeå to discuss total defence and host nation support in northern regions. With perspectives from Ukraine and across the Nordic countries, the forum highlighted how cooperation, preparedness and societal resilience are central to managing crises and strengthening security in an evolving geopolitical landscape.Tue, 31 Mar 2026 11:20:34 +0200<p class="quote-center">Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has made the concept of total defence tangible in a new way. It shows how closely intertwined civil and military resilience really are, and why cooperation across sectors and borders is essential.</p><p>The event opened with remarks by Tora Holmberg, Vice-Chancellor of Umeå University, setting the stage for a programme that connected local, regional and international perspectives. A central theme throughout the day was how experiences from Ukraine can inform preparedness and resilience in the Nordic region.</p><p>Pax Nordica 2026 brought together a broad range of voices to examine how total defence can be developed in northern contexts, with a particular focus on host-nation support within the NATO framework. The annual forum, organised by the Department of Political Science at Umeå University together with regional and national partners, has since 1994 provided a platform for dialogue on security and sustainability in Europe’s far north.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">The Arctic as a strategic logistics hub</h2><p>Early in the programme, Hans Lindberg, City Councillor in Umeå, set the tone by pointing to the growing strategic importance of the Arctic region. He highlighted how northern Sweden is becoming increasingly central for logistics, infrastructure and mobility in a changing security landscape—placing new demands on preparedness and coordination across sectors and borders.</p><p>This framing underscored a key question for the day: how host nation support can function in practice in a northern context, where distances are vast, infrastructure is critical, and civil and military needs are closely intertwined.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Experiences from Ukraine set the tone</h2><p>Vitalii Bielobrov, Deputy Mayor of Kherson, offered a first-hand account of life under occupation and the challenges of recovery following de-occupation. His testimony illustrated both the human cost of war and the importance of maintaining societal functions under extreme conditions.</p><p>“Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has made the concept of total defence tangible in a new way. It shows how closely intertwined civil and military resilience really are, and why cooperation across sectors and borders is essential,” says Niklas Eklund, Professor of Political Science at Umeå University, Arctic Six Chair and organiser of Pax Nordica.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Resilience begins in local communities</h2><p>This perspective was echoed by several speakers who emphasised the role of civil society and local communities in building resilience. Veronica Strandh, Associate Professor in Political Science, highlighted how social cohesion and everyday relationships form the foundation of a society’s capacity to respond to crisis. Caroline Helmersson from Region Västerbotten provided a concrete example through the region’s work on ensuring healthcare systems can operate in both peace and wartime.</p><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3">Total defence as a shared responsibility</h2><p>From a military standpoint, Magnus Ståhl, Commander of Sweden’s Northern Military Region, underlined that total defence begins long before a crisis occurs. He pointed to the importance of functioning, attractive societies in the north and stressed that international cooperation, particularly in light of Sweden and Finland’s NATO membership, is essential for effective defence planning.</p><p>Municipal perspectives further reinforced the importance of coordination across levels of governance. Hans Lindberg, City Councillor in Umeå, highlighted the need for stronger cross-border collaboration in the Arctic region. Toralf Heimdal, from Bardu municipality in Norway, illustrated how even smaller municipalities play a significant role, including through cooperation with international military actors.</p><p>Together, the contributions pointed to a shared conclusion: that total defence relies on well-prepared societies in which civil and military actors work seamlessly together. This includes a clear division of responsibilities, access to critical resources, and established cooperation at the local, regional, and national levels in peacetime.</p><h2 id="info4" data-magellan-target="info4">A strategic discussion for the Arctic</h2><p>As geopolitical tensions continue to shape the Arctic and northern Europe, Pax Nordica 2026 underscored the strategic importance of building resilient societies grounded in cooperation, preparedness and trust. The discussions also highlighted the need for continued dialogue across sectors and borders to ensure that total defence systems are both robust and adaptable in the face of future challenges.</p>/en/news/cooperation-key-to-resilient-societies-in-the-north_12167145//en/news/multi-million-grant-to-mims-and-wcmm_12168064/Multi-million grant to MIMS and WCMM The Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation is awarding SEK 255 million to life sciences, with a focus on clinical research, to be shared between the Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine (WCMM) and The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS) at Umeå University. Tue, 31 Mar 2026 10:18:39 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/0c431c47883c4c18a8e6eb6d973ddfa7/holmberg-tora-5543-250403-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/0c431c47883c4c18a8e6eb6d973ddfa7/holmberg-tora-5543-250403-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/0c431c47883c4c18a8e6eb6d973ddfa7/holmberg-tora-5543-250403-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/0c431c47883c4c18a8e6eb6d973ddfa7/holmberg-tora-5543-250403-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/0c431c47883c4c18a8e6eb6d973ddfa7/holmberg-tora-5543-250403-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/0c431c47883c4c18a8e6eb6d973ddfa7/holmberg-tora-5543-250403-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Tora Holmberg, Vice-Chancellor of Umeå University. Photo: Mattias Pettersson</p></div></div><p>“The two research centres, WCMM and MIMS, are key drivers of Umeå University’s strong research in the life sciences. This is demonstrated not least by Emmanuelle Charpentier’s Nobel Prize in 2020 for the research she conducted during her time at MIMS in Umeå. It is therefore hugely gratifying to see how the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation is continuing and stepping up its support for world-leading research in this field,” says Tora Holmberg, Vice-Chancellor of Umeå University, adding:  </p><p>"Expanded opportunities for combined roles for research-active doctors in partnership with the regions will strengthen both the regions and the university, as well as individual doctors, and will enable us to create excellent conditions for innovation and cutting-edge research.”</p><h3>Operating grants for Clinical Fellows at WCMM</h3><p>WCMM is to receive SEK 50 million for up to ten operating grants for Clinical Fellows, designed to make it easier for practising doctors to conduct research. In addition, SEK 30 million has been allocated for extension grants for Clinical Fellows and SEK 60 million to Umeå University for the running of WCMM. </p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/0c431c47883c4c18a8e6eb6d973ddfa7/andrei_chabes_lab_2684_230222_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/0c431c47883c4c18a8e6eb6d973ddfa7/andrei_chabes_lab_2684_230222_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/0c431c47883c4c18a8e6eb6d973ddfa7/andrei_chabes_lab_2684_230222_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/0c431c47883c4c18a8e6eb6d973ddfa7/andrei_chabes_lab_2684_230222_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/0c431c47883c4c18a8e6eb6d973ddfa7/andrei_chabes_lab_2684_230222_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/0c431c47883c4c18a8e6eb6d973ddfa7/andrei_chabes_lab_2684_230222_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Andrei Chabes, Director of WCMM and Professor at the Department of Medical Chemistry and Biophysics. Photo: Mattias Pettersson</p></div></div><p>"WCMM has meant a great deal to Umeå University. Since its launch in 2016, the initiative has enabled us to recruit truly outstanding young researchers in the face of fierce international competition. “We are delighted with this continued support from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, which gives us the opportunity to recruit outstanding young clinicians to positions offering excellent terms and good opportunities to develop their own research at Umeå University,” says Andrei Chabes, Director of WCMM and Professor at the Department of Medical Chemistry and Biophysics.</p><h3>And for MIMS </h3><p>As regards MIMS, SEK 55 million has been allocated to clinical activities, including Clinical Fellows, and SEK 60 million to other activities. </p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/0c431c47883c4c18a8e6eb6d973ddfa7/billiker_oliver_9193_180905_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/0c431c47883c4c18a8e6eb6d973ddfa7/billiker_oliver_9193_180905_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/0c431c47883c4c18a8e6eb6d973ddfa7/billiker_oliver_9193_180905_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/0c431c47883c4c18a8e6eb6d973ddfa7/billiker_oliver_9193_180905_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/0c431c47883c4c18a8e6eb6d973ddfa7/billiker_oliver_9193_180905_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/0c431c47883c4c18a8e6eb6d973ddfa7/billiker_oliver_9193_180905_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Oliver Billker, Director at MIMS and Professor at Department of Molecular Biology. Photo: Mattias Pettersson</p></div></div><p>"Physician scientists - doctors who also do research - play a uniquely important role in connecting scientific discovery to improvements in patient care. In my experience, many clinical researchers in Sweden  find it hard to maintain a dual career as physician scientists, and I hear that many doctors drop out of research due to a high clinical workload and lack of protected research time. Our clinical research fellowships aim to address this challenge by supporting early-career physician scientists at university hospitals across the country," says Oliver Billker, Director at MIMS and Professor at Department of Molecular Biology.</p><p>"We have seen great success with connecting these clinicians to the strong basic research environment of our Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine. It is encouraging to see the long-term commitment of the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation in supporting these efforts."</p><p>Find out more about MIMS and WCMM on their respective websites:<br><a href="/en/mims/">Visit MIMS website</a><br><a href="~/link/870f428a4f40425eb9bad91f89505343.aspx">Visit WCMM website</a></p>/en/news/multi-million-grant-to-mims-and-wcmm_12168064//en/news/new-research-explores-the-path-toward-negative-emissions_12167975/Can residual biomass become a climate benefit? New research explores pathways towards negative emissionsCan waste-products from forestry and agriculture become a key to reversing climate emissions? A new research project at Umeå University aims to find out. Professor Florian Schmidt at the Department of Applied Physics and Electronics has been awarded SEK 12 million from the Swedish Energy Agency to investigate how low‑quality biomass can be combusted in a way that enables efficient carbon dioxide capture – and ideally leads to negative emissions.Tue, 31 Mar 2026 18:42:39 +0200<p>The project is carried out in close collaboration with researchers from Lund University, Luleå University of Technology, the Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE), and several industrial partners.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Over 25 million tonnes of negative emissions</h2><p>Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage or utilization (BECCUS) is identified as one of Sweden’s most promising climate solutions. The potential is significant: the technology could deliver more than 25 million tonnes of negative CO₂ emissions per year – meaning it removes more CO₂ from the atmosphere than it emits (across the biomass lifecycle).</p><p>One of the most interesting methods for BECCUS is so‑called oxy‑fuel combustion, where fuel is burned in pure oxygen instead of air. This produces a flue gas with much higher concentrations of carbon dioxide, making capture, storage or reuse (for example, to produce electrofuels) considerably simpler and more cost‑effective.</p><p class="quote-center">What's unique is that we will explore how the technology could be implemented in Sweden</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Focusing on challenging fuel mixtures</h2><p>The project focuses on fluidized-bed combustion, a technology already widely used in industry and better suited than traditional methods for handling heterogeneous and difficult, ash-rich biomass. By combining fluidized-bed with oxy-fuel combustion, the researchers aim to find ways to utilize rest products from forestry and agriculture—materials that are currently often too low in quality to be used efficiently.</p><p>Over five years, the researchers will develop advanced models and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations of the complex process to better understand, among other things, how biomass behaves in a carbon dioxide–rich environment.</p><p>Advanced measurement techniques, such as laser spectroscopy, and detailed material analyses will be employed in laboratory and pilot-scale experiments to validate the simulations and study everything from chemical reactions to ash properties and the purity of the generated carbon dioxide.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">How the technology could fit into Sweden’s energy system</h2><p>– What makes this project unique is that we, in addition to the technical studies, also include systems analyses, where researchers will explore how the technology could be implemented in Sweden under different policy scenarios, what it would cost, and what climate benefits it would provide, says Florian Schmidt, Professor at the Department of Applied Physics and Electronics.</p><p>The goal is to generate knowledge that enables today’s heat and power plants to, in the future, not only produce energy – but also actively reduce the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere or utilized in other processes.</p><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3">Advancing a more circular bioeconomy</h2><p>If successful, the project could help Sweden take important steps toward a more sustainable and circular bioeconomy, where waste is transformed into energy, while carbon dioxide is captured and kept out of the atmosphere.</p><h2 id="info4" data-magellan-target="info4">External partners</h2><p>Lund university<br>Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE)<br>Luleå University of Technology<br>Kraftringen Energi AB<br>Umeå Energi AB<br>Valmet AB<br>Smurfit Westrock<br>Billerud AB<br>Bothnia Bioindustries Cluster (BOBIC)<br>Liquid Wind AB</p>/en/news/new-research-explores-the-path-toward-negative-emissions_12167975//en/news/old-crops--new-answers-for-swedens-food-preparedness_12167894/<description>Fermented grains may play an important role in the future Swedish food system. A new scientific book from the EU project HealthFerm compiles advanced methods for analyzing fermented grain-based foods. The research can contribute both to the development of healthy plant-based foods and to strengthened food preparedness in Sweden.</description><pubDate>Fri, 27 Mar 2026 10:27:02 +0100</pubDate><atom:content type="html"><p class="quote-center">Will contribute to preparedness and food security in a changing world</p><p>The book Characterisation of Fermented Grain-based Raw Materials and Foods: Analytical Methods from the HealthFerm Project was published in February this year and brings together expertise in food science and fermentation technology from several organizations within the HealthFerm project.</p><p>The new book offers a comprehensive collection of analytical methods for characterizing fermented grain-based raw materials and foods. It includes, among other things, a detailed overview of biochemical analysis methods used to study changes in plant-based raw materials during fermentation.</p><p>We interviewed Professor and researcher Armando Perez-Cueto, who participates in the HealthFerm project, about the significance the book may have from a Swedish perspective.</p><p>– In general, a shift toward a more plant-based diet is beneficial both for the environment and for human health. This methods book addresses foods such as oats, yellow peas, fava beans, and wheat, including local varieties such as Dalawheat, which may be important in a preparedness context. They are nutritious and can be produced in Sweden and the rest of the Nordic region, says Armando Perez-Cueto.</p><p>Fermentation is a central process in many foods. When microorganisms break down the components of raw materials, both taste, texture, and nutritional content change.</p><p>This type of compilation of methods has not previously been gathered in a single volume and aims to fill an important knowledge gap in research.</p><p>– It is a methods book that shows how fermentation of grains can contribute to a plant-based future and that provides the knowledge as open access—so that anyone within the EU and globally can use the methods to produce flavorful and sustainable foods, says Perez-Cueto.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Relevant for Sweden</h2><p>Issues of food security and preparedness have become increasingly relevant in Sweden in recent years. In this context, locally produced crops can play an important role.</p><p>– It is worth noting that Sweden aims to store grains in Arctic and subarctic areas, which makes it relevant to actually produce such local varieties for storage, says Armando Perez-Cueto.</p><p>Several of the raw materials discussed in the book are already part of the Swedish everyday diet, not least wheat and oats.</p><p>– The consumption of wheat and oats is already widespread in Sweden, where oatmeal porridge and bread are staple foods, says Perez-Cueto.</p><p>Legumes such as yellow peas and fava beans can at the same time contribute important nutrients.</p><p>– Yellow peas and fava beans—both as raw materials and in fermented form—provide fiber, high protein content, and a well-balanced amino acid profile. Fermentation also improves flavor and makes the products easier to digest, says Perez-Cueto.</p><p>A greater use of these crops could also have broader societal effects.</p><p>– If Sweden were to follow the Nordic nutrition recommendations, it would lead to positive health effects and become an important part of future food security, says Perez-Cueto.</p><p>Armando Perez-Cueto believes that the development may also benefit agriculture.</p><p>– It could also become a win–win for agriculture, since these crops have good potential to succeed even in a warmer climate, says Perez-Cueto.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Knowledge contributes to food security and preparedness</h2><p>The knowledge in the book is intended to be used by both researchers and food developers, but also by smaller actors.</p><p>– This book will enable both individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises to engage in fermentation using locally produced raw materials. It will contribute to preparedness and food security in a changing world, concludes Armando Perez-Cueto.</p></atom:content><link>/en/news/old-crops--new-answers-for-swedens-food-preparedness_12167894/</link></item><item xml:base="en/news/bright-spring-weather-framed-arctic-forum-food-gathering-in-umea_12167195/"><guid isPermaLink="false">/en/news/bright-spring-weather-framed-arctic-forum-food-gathering-in-umea_12167195/</guid><title>Bright Spring Weather Framed Arctic Forum Food Gathering in UmeåAround thirty participants gathered on 2 March at Tráhppie, the Sámi Cultural House in Umeå, for Arctic Forum Food 2026 - an event that combined research, Indigenous knowledge and hands‑on food traditions. Tráhppie, the low white building beside historic Sävargården, offered a welcoming setting, with participants often stepping outside during breaks to warm themselves by the fire under brilliant early spring sun.Mon, 23 Mar 2026 14:32:43 +0100<p>The day opened with keynote presentations. Associate Professor Christina Storm Mienna, Director of Várdduo – Centre for Sámi Research, shared insights from the cross‑border project Máhtut, weaving research findings with personal reflections from her life in a reindeer‑herding Sámi community. Joining online from Australia, Patricia Ann Ellis, a Brinja Yuin elder and cultural knowledge holder, contributed perspectives on cultural stewardship and Indigenous education in navigating crisis situations within a changing climate.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Local Food Perspectives</h2><p>After morning workshops and a shared lunch, the afternoon programme continued with guest speakers who brought the local and global together. Angelika Schindler‑Egl from the Vindelälven‑Juhttátahkka Biosphere Reserve highlighted how pollination and biodiversity form the ecological foundations of local food systems. The final keynote, Dr. Adrianne Lickers Xavier of the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory in Canada, spoke about Indigenous food security and land connections- drawing parallels to the experiences described earlier by Storm Mienna.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Potluck dinner</h2><p>The event concluded with a lively potluck dinner featuring flavours from across the world and the circumpolar north: reindeer soup, vegan soup, blood dumplings, musk ox sausage from Greenland, honey from the Stavanger Airport runways and more. As darkness fell, participants gathered once more around the fire in the Lávvu, rounding off a day devoted to knowledge, community and the future of Arctic food </p><p>It was a truly inspiring day, says organiser Danielle Wilde, professor at Umeå Institute of Design and Arctic Six chair. The energy, the generosity in sharing experiences, and the strong commitment to sustainable and culturally grounded futures – where food, reflection and dialogue intertwine – made the gathering very special.</p>/en/news/bright-spring-weather-framed-arctic-forum-food-gathering-in-umea_12167195//en/news/umea-will-host-a-major-digital-humanities-conference_12166894/Umeå will host a major digital humanities conferenceIn 2027, Umeå University will host the international DHNB conference, which brings together researchers from across the Nordic and Baltic regions. The theme will be “Human(ities) in the Loop,” highlighting the role of the humanities and humanity at the center of technological development.Fri, 20 Mar 2026 14:54:35 +0100<div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="463f3e20-1a41-47b5-917a-a91dd9ea2678" data-contentname="DHNB bildspel">{}</div><p>Last week, a delegation from Humlab, together with two affiliated researchers, participated in the 10th edition of the Digital Humanities in the Nordic and Baltic Countries (DHNB) conference in Aarhus. During the conference, the team presented both papers and posters, and contributed to several discussions on current research in digital humanities (DH).</p><p>At the closing ceremony, Professor Coppélie Cocq and Dr. Evelina Liliequist, Deputy Director of Humlab, announced that Humlab has been appointed to host DHNB 2027. The conference will take place on 1–5 March 2027 at Umeå University.</p><p class="quote-center">We are honored to have the opportunity to welcome the Nordic and Baltic DH community to Umeå.</p><p>The theme for the 2027 conference is <em>Human(ities) in the Loop</em>. It draws on the concept of “human in the loop,” which highlights the role of humans in AI development, but broadens the perspective to include the importance of the humanities in technological and societal systems.</p><p>“Through this theme, we want to emphasize how humans and the humanities play a central role in technological development,” said Evelina Liliequist and Coppélie Cocq</p><p>The focus is on the loops and structures in which the humanities are inherently embedded, whether before, during, or beyond the age of AI.</p>/en/news/umea-will-host-a-major-digital-humanities-conference_12166894//en/news/canadas-ambassador-visited-umea-university_12166868/Canada’s Ambassador visited Umeå University – Stronger research ties and increased collaboration are becoming increasingly importantCanada’s Ambassador to Sweden, H.E. Robert Sinclair, visited Umeå University on 11–12 March. Over two intensive days, he met with researchers and university leadership to discuss the Arctic in a time marked by rapid geopolitical change, growing climate challenges, and increasing international interest in the region.Thu, 26 Mar 2026 09:03:22 +0100<p>The discussions focused on sustainable development, Indigenous perspectives, and the role of research in an Arctic where both Canada and Sweden are advancing their strategies, and where the balance between climate, security, and international cooperation is becoming increasingly important. Against this backdrop, the visit to Umeå provided a valuable opportunity to explore how research, policy, and international collaboration can contribute to sustainable and resilient societies in the Arctic.</p><p class="quote-center">The Arctic is at the centre of major global transformations. Addressing these challenges requires research, international cooperation, and close dialogue between academia and society.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Arctic Centre – a hub for interdisciplinary Arctic research</h2><p>At the Arctic Centre, examples of the broad interdisciplinary Arctic research conducted at Umeå University were presented. The presentations ranged from health and register-based medical research to sustainable food systems, education, and reconciliation processes in the Arctic. The discussions also addressed how emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and digital systems are shaping issues of governance, law, and sovereignty in the region, as well as how artistic research, international collaboration, and cultural exchange contribute to understanding the Arctic from a broader societal perspective and global context, at a time when multiple interests are converging on the region.</p><p>– The Arctic is at the centre of major global transformations. Addressing these challenges requires research, international cooperation, and close dialogue between academia and society. In this, Umeå University plays an important role as a meeting place for knowledge and perspectives from across the Arctic, says Keith Larson, Director of the Arctic Centre.</p><p>During the visit, the work of the European Polar Board (EPB) was also presented. The organisation brings together European actors in polar research. Its Secretariat is hosted at Umeå University, alongside the European Polar Coordination Office, which works to strengthen coordination of European polar research.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Indigenous perspectives and research collaboration in focus at Várdduo</h2><p>The second day of the visit began at Várdduo – Centre for Sámi Research. Deputy Director Kristina Sehlin MacNeil presented the centre’s activities and its role within Umeå University, as well as nationally and internationally. Várdduo is the only unit of its kind at a Swedish university and serves as an important hub for Sámi and other Indigenous research in Sápmi.</p><p class="quote-center">Várdduo has long had successful collaborations with the Canadian Embassy, and we look forward to developing these further.</p><p>Kristina then provided an overview of the research conducted at the centre, followed by in-depth presentations of ongoing projects. Krister Stoor spoke about the work of the Truth Commission for the Sámi people. Patrik Lantto presented his research on Sámi political mobilisation, and Peter Sköld described his long-standing experience of scientific collaboration across the Arctic region.</p><p>– Várdduo has long had successful collaborations with the Canadian Embassy, and we look forward to developing these further. Canada has also played an important role, for example in NordForsk’s major calls for research projects on Indigenous themes, and we had a valuable discussion on this today, says Kristina Sehlin MacNeil, Deputy Director of Várdduo.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Strategic discussions with university leadership</h2><p>During the visit, the Ambassador also met with Umeå University Vice-Chancellor Tora Holmberg and Pro-Vice-Chancellor Patrik Danielson. A joint lunch brought together Canadian researchers based at the university, providing a concrete illustration of the close academic ties between Canada and Umeå University.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/3f308ab65cd94bdab82aff6e2472f06f/kanadas-ambassador-5108_260312_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/3f308ab65cd94bdab82aff6e2472f06f/kanadas-ambassador-5108_260312_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/3f308ab65cd94bdab82aff6e2472f06f/kanadas-ambassador-5108_260312_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/3f308ab65cd94bdab82aff6e2472f06f/kanadas-ambassador-5108_260312_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/3f308ab65cd94bdab82aff6e2472f06f/kanadas-ambassador-5108_260312_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/3f308ab65cd94bdab82aff6e2472f06f/kanadas-ambassador-5108_260312_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Back row: Paul Davis, Professor at Department of Psychology, Luke Laframboise, Doctoral student in Sami studies, Department of Language Studies, Peter Sköld, advisor on Arctic issues to the Vice-Chancellor, Dale Corkery, Staff scientist, Department of Chemistry, Claude Dion, Associate Professor, Department of Physics, Jean-Francois Boily, Professor at Department of Chemistry, Insa Wemheuer, analyst, Planning Office, Front row: Maria Stenberg, Trade Commissioner, Canadian Embassy, Maria Grigoratou, Executive Secretary, European Polar Board, Maria Arizaleta, Kempe/WISE postdoctoral fellow, Department of Chemistry, Patrik Danielson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, H.E. Robert Sinclair, Ambassador, Tora Holmberg, Vice-Chancellor, Meghan Lau, Counsellor Political and Public Affairs, Canadian Embassy, Bethany van Guelpen, Professor, consultant (attending) physician at Department of Diagnostics and Intervention, Section: Oncology.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>Discussions at the lunch centred on experiences of living and working in Sweden, where several participants highlighted how similarities between the countries foster a strong sense of belonging. At the same time, challenges related to migration regulations and mobility were identified, issues with direct implications for international research collaboration and the ability to attract and retain talent.</p><p>In meetings with university leadership, discussions also returned to the role of Arctic research in a changing geopolitical landscape, where science diplomacy, international programmes such as the EU’s Horizon Europe, and the interplay between climate and security issues are becoming increasingly important. Overall, the visit underscored both the strength of existing collaborations and the need to further deepen relations between Umeå University and Canada at a time of growing global engagement in the Arctic.</p>/en/news/canadas-ambassador-visited-umea-university_12166868//en/news/experiences-of-sami-and-migrants-to-provide-new-perspectives-on-democracy_12166515/Experiences of Sámi and Migrants to Provide New Perspectives on DemocracyThe new research project “Reassembling Democracy in Sweden” aims to offer new perspectives on the challenges facing democracy by studying the experiences and practices of migrants and Sámi people in Sweden.Fri, 20 Mar 2026 08:28:44 +0100<p>New perspectives on democracy will be explored in the project “<em>Reassembling Democracy in Sweden: Trans-Disciplinary Research on Minority Narratives,</em><br><em>Civic Imagination, and Participatory Futures in Sweden and Beyond</em>.” The newly launched project examines the challenges of democratic societies and how democracy can be strengthened by drawing on the experiences of groups that are not fully included in political processes.<br><br>The researchers will work together with migrants and Sámi communities in Sweden to understand how their experiences and practices relate to prevailing democratic values and norms. The project will use several different methods to study how democracy is created through language and participation. Funding from the Swedish Research Council makes it possible to carry out this extensive and in‑depth study of democratic processes.<br><br><strong>The Project Will Provide Important New Knowledge</strong><br>Kristina Sehlin MacNeil, Associate Professor and Deputy Director at Várdduo – Centre for Sámi Research, is part of the project:</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareleft halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/e98fd48f0bdc414cbf072fdc4e91a72b/sehlin_macneill_kristina_3643_220615_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/e98fd48f0bdc414cbf072fdc4e91a72b/sehlin_macneill_kristina_3643_220615_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/e98fd48f0bdc414cbf072fdc4e91a72b/sehlin_macneill_kristina_3643_220615_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/e98fd48f0bdc414cbf072fdc4e91a72b/sehlin_macneill_kristina_3643_220615_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/e98fd48f0bdc414cbf072fdc4e91a72b/sehlin_macneill_kristina_3643_220615_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/e98fd48f0bdc414cbf072fdc4e91a72b/sehlin_macneill_kristina_3643_220615_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Kristina Sehlin MacNeil, Associate Professor and Deputy Director at Várdduo – Centre for Sámi Research.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>“For my own research, the funding means I can continue developing transdisciplinary methods in collaboration with Indigenous peoples, and that I have the opportunity to work closely with the communities involved. For the research field as a whole, the project provides an important contribution, it highlights how democratic practices are shaped within groups that are often underrepresented, and how their experiences can contribute to more inclusive democratic processes, both in Sweden and internationally.”<br><br>In her previous work, Kristina has focused on matters that affect Indigenous communities including power relations, conflicts and participation. She has extensive experience studying how Sámi and other Indigenous groups navigate power structures despite limited political influence.<br><br>“This project connects to themes I have researched before. I’m really excited to further develop my work at the intersection of Indigenous studies, migration research, and democracy studies, together with other dedicated researchers from different fields,” Kristina says.<br><br><strong>Highlighting Voices and Perspectives Rarely Heard</strong><br>The project builds on a growing body of international research showing that democracy is not static but shaped through people’s actions and relationships. The researchers hope to contribute new knowledge by foregrounding the perspectives of Sámi people and migrants — two groups whose experiences are often missing from discussions about democracy.<br><br>“By working transdisciplinarily and incorporating Indigenous methodologies, the project introduces new ways of understanding democratic processes. It complements and deepens existing research by highlighting voices and forms of knowledge that have traditionally existed outside established democratic institutions and research fields,” Kristina explains.<br><br>One of the project’s goals is to gather knowledge about how migrants and Sámi people participate, or are prevented from participating in democratic processes, and to shed light on what changes are needed to create a more inclusive and sustainable democratic society.<br><br>“Our hope is that the project will contribute new insights into how democracy is actually practiced in people’s everyday lives, and how it can be strengthened by including more voices and perspectives. We also want to contribute to a discussion about democracy as something dynamic and evolving, rather than a fixed set of institutions and rules,” Kristina concludes.</p>/en/news/experiences-of-sami-and-migrants-to-provide-new-perspectives-on-democracy_12166515//en/news/how-stroke-outcomes-can-be-predicted_12166757/<description>Researchers use both machine learning and traditional statistical methods to predict outcomes after stroke. A new study from Umeå University shows that no single method is always best. Instead, the choice of method should depend on the available data, what needs to be predicted, and clinical needs.</description><pubDate>Thu, 19 Mar 2026 13:20:34 +0100</pubDate><atom:content type="html"><p class="quote-center">Healthcare providers must quickly determine who needs which treatment</p><p>Josline Otieno, a PhD student at Umeå University, has studied how different methods can be used to predict stroke outcomes. She compared machine learning with logistic regression, a common statistical method used to estimate risk. The study is based on large datasets from national stroke registers in Sweden and the United Kingdom.</p><p>When predicting the risk of death within 30 days after stroke, the difference between machine learning and logistic regression was small. Both methods produced stable results, even when comparing data from different countries.</p><p>However, when it came to patients’ functional ability three months after stroke, clearer differences emerged. Here, advanced machine learning models were better at identifying patients who would become dependent on assistance group that is important for planning rehabilitation, according to Otieno.</p><p>– Stroke is a complex condition, and healthcare providers must quickly determine who needs different treatments, who is likely to recover well, and who may require long-term support, says Josline Otieno.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">The choice of method determines what works best</h2><p>The study also includes analyses of survival over time and situations where multiple possible outcomes compete with each other, such as recurrent stroke or death.</p><p>The results show that the choice of method should be adapted to the structure of the data and the clinically relevant time horizon. Cox regression, a common statistical method for analysing survival over time, works well when its assumptions are met. However, when relationships are more complex or when the data contain a high degree of uncertainty, machine learning often performs better.</p><p>– In situations with competing risks, performance changes over time. No model was consistently best at all evaluation time points, says Josline Otieno.</p><p>According to Otieno, machine learning often performed better in the short term, when many events occur. Over longer follow-up periods, traditional statistical models were more reliable.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Supporting decision-making in healthcare</h2><p>The study combines a simulation study—where researchers test methods on computer-generated data—with analyses of real-world data. The simulation study examines how factors such as sample size, censoring, model assumptions, and uncertainty affect the results. The conclusion is that the choice of method should depend on the context and that models should be evaluated using multiple measures.</p><p>– More reliable assessments can improve communication between healthcare professionals and patients and provide better support for treatment decisions, especially when models are used at clinically meaningful time points, concludes Josline Otieno.</p></atom:content><link>/en/news/how-stroke-outcomes-can-be-predicted_12166757/</link></item><item xml:base="en/news/what-is-actually-happening-in-kent-an-infectious-disease-specialist-explains-the-meningitis-outbreak_12166685/"><guid isPermaLink="false">/en/news/what-is-actually-happening-in-kent-an-infectious-disease-specialist-explains-the-meningitis-outbreak_12166685/</guid><title>What is actually happening in Kent? An infectious disease specialist explains the meningitis outbreakAn unusually rapid and severe outbreak of meningitis is currently spreading in Kent, England, where around twenty people have fallen ill in just one week. Urban Johansson Kostenniemi, infectious disease physician and researcher at Umeå University, studies this type of illness in his daily work and is keeping a close eye on the situation.Thu, 19 Mar 2026 12:51:09 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/16def7f7d6ae47818f7e847489f3d7f7/urban_johansson_kostenniemi_-_region_vasterbotten_22.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/16def7f7d6ae47818f7e847489f3d7f7/urban_johansson_kostenniemi_-_region_vasterbotten_22.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/16def7f7d6ae47818f7e847489f3d7f7/urban_johansson_kostenniemi_-_region_vasterbotten_22.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/16def7f7d6ae47818f7e847489f3d7f7/urban_johansson_kostenniemi_-_region_vasterbotten_22.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/16def7f7d6ae47818f7e847489f3d7f7/urban_johansson_kostenniemi_-_region_vasterbotten_22.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/16def7f7d6ae47818f7e847489f3d7f7/urban_johansson_kostenniemi_-_region_vasterbotten_22.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Urban Johansson Kostenniemi, infectious‑disease physician and researcher at Umeå University, describes an outbreak where both the speed of transmission and the severity of disease raise serious concerns, and where early symptoms are easily mistaken for something far more benign.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Region Västerbotten</span></div></div><p>One of Johansson Kostenniemi’s key questions is whether the outbreak has reached its peak or is only just beginning. We asked him a series of follow‑up questions to better understand his view of the situation.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">How serious is the current outbreak in Kent from a medical perspective?</h2><p>“The outbreak in Kent is very serious for two reasons: the infection is spreading quickly, and those who fall ill develop severe, life‑threatening disease.”</p><p>“The bacterium <em>Neisseria meningitidis</em> (meningococci) causes two major forms of serious infection: meningitis, where the bacteria attack the brain, and sepsis, where a massive immune response leads to a cytokine storm and life‑threatening organ failure. The risks are significant, one in ten patients dies, and among survivors, long‑term disabilities such as brain injury, epilepsy, memory problems, and reduced concentration are common.”</p><p>“What is most alarming is how fast it has moved. In just one week, 20 people have developed severe meningococcal disease, two of whom have died, and we may not have seen the end of the outbreak yet. Most of those affected have connections to the local university, which is roughly half the size of Umeå University.”</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Why do university and upper‑secondary environments get hit so quickly?</h2><p>“The bacteria spread through respiratory droplets and through saliva. This means transmission occurs among people who spend time close together in confined spaces, for example, living in cramped student corridors or socializing in crowded nightclubs. Student parties add an additional risk: because saliva is involved, the bacteria can spread when young people kiss or share drinks, e‑cigarettes, or similar items.”</p><p>“This dual transmission route explains why outbreaks often occur in preschool‑aged children and in young adults aged 15–25, and why settings ranging from international scout camps and religious gatherings to military conscript groups can be affected. Another factor that accelerates spread is that most people who carry the bacteria never become ill themselves. These "asymptomatic carriers" can unknowingly pass the bacteria on to many others.”</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Which symptoms are easily misinterpreted and why?</h2><p>"Early symptoms include headache, fatigue, and fever. These resemble everything from influenza or COVID‑19 to a hangover, and are therefore often mistaken for something harmless. It is only when more specific symptoms appear; severe fatigue, neck stiffness, reduced consciousness, or seizures, that it becomes clear something far more serious is happening.”</p><p>“The next challenge is speed: deterioration can happen terrifyingly fast, from the first symptoms to a state beyond rescue in just hours, or at most a day. If you know you've been exposed and develop a fever, you must seek medical care immediately. Otherwise, stay alert for fever combined with headache, and seek care promptly if more severe symptoms occur.”</p><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3">How quickly must one act with suspected meningitis, and what treatments work best?</h2><p>"The disease can be prevented with vaccines. We have several different vaccines, and they provide up to 90 percent protection against illness. Their high effectiveness makes them a powerful tool during outbreaks and is the reason why people in affected areas are being offered vaccination.”</p><p>“For individuals who have already been exposed, the vaccine does not take effect quickly enough. Instead, prophylactic antibiotics are given to eliminate the bacteria before disease develops. As a preventive measure, antibiotics are highly effective.”</p><p>“For those who have already developed meningitis or sepsis, the situation is far more critical. Antibiotics are given intravenously, and patients are often treated in intensive care. Despite maximal efforts, mortality remains high.”</p><h2 id="info4" data-magellan-target="info4">How prepared are Sweden and Swedish universities for similar outbreaks?</h2><p>“In Sweden, this disease is very rare, and there is currently no indication that the outbreak in Kent has spread beyond the immediate area. The Public Health Agency of Sweden assesses the risk of spread to Sweden as low, and robust infectious‑disease surveillance systems exist at both national and regional levels.”</p><p>“We also have experience from previous outbreaks that reached Sweden, during which many individuals were called in for testing, vaccination, and prophylactic antibiotics. In that sense, our preparedness is good. However, awareness of the disease is lower precisely because it is so rare, something that increases the risk of delayed recognition.”</p><h2 id="info5" data-magellan-target="info5">What makes meningitis scientifically fascinating?</h2><p>“Bacteria that cause meningitis, meningococci and others, might appear rare, but the opposite is true. About one in ten people carries these bacteria in the nose. Even so, the risk of becoming severely ill is almost zero. However, occasionally, particularly aggressive clones emerge.”</p><p>“It seems that these bacteria can coexist peacefully with humans for long periods until suddenly something changes. The question is: what triggers that shift?"</p>/en/news/what-is-actually-happening-in-kent-an-infectious-disease-specialist-explains-the-meningitis-outbreak_12166685//en/news/arctic-security-forum-opens-pathways-to-northern-collaboration_12166686/Arctic Security Forum opens pathways to northern collaborationThe Arctic region is now of interest to everyone, as what happens there affects the entire world. The region’s potential is intertwined with the challenges posed by climate change and geopolitical tensions, and cooperation among different countries and stakeholders regarding the Arctic is now needed more urgently than ever. The Arctic Security Forum, to be held in Oulu on June 16–17, will help address this need for enhanced cooperation.Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:08:19 +0100<p>Arctic security has had and continues to have profound impact on Nordic and European Arctic. The six Nordic universities (Arctic six) located in the European Arctic, call for an open dialogue and increased cooperation between academia and stakeholders; policy makers, defense forces, cities, communities, and businesses to address the security challenges our region is facing.</p><p>Arctic Security Forum will cover the most pressing Arctic security issues of today, followed by co-creation workshops to establish new cooperation, projects and plans under the main three topics of the forum: total defense, transportation and preparedness in the North.</p><p>Confirmed keynote speakers include Mikko Hautala, Chief Geopolitical & Government Relations Officer, and Chairman, Nokia Defense and Kalle Kankaanpää, Ambassador for Arctic Affairs, Finland.</p><p>Matti Latva-aho, Vice Rector for Research at the University of Oulu sees comprehensive security as an important area for research and collaboration. “It is an emerging research area in which the role of universities is growing rapidly. We need new collaborations to ensure that the most innovative solutions find their way into society as effectively as possible,” Latva-aho says.</p><p>Arctic Security Forum is hosted by University of Oulu as part of the <a href="https://www.arcticsix.org/">Arctic Six Alliance</a> and organised jointly by all Arctic Six universities: Luleå University of Technology, Umeå University, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Nord University, the University of Lapland, and the University of Oulu.</p><p>More information and registration on the <a href="https://www.oulu.fi/en/events/arctic-security-forum">Arctic Security Forum event page</a></p><p> </p>/en/news/arctic-security-forum-opens-pathways-to-northern-collaboration_12166686//en/news/researchers-met-highschool-students-during-next-nobel-prize-2026_12166359/<description>During the “Next Nobel Prize 2026” inspiration day, 25 natural science students took part in lectures and lab visits on the university campus. The aim was to give a concrete picture of research and to recognise Emmanuelle Charpentier, Umeå’s honorary citizen and Nobel laureate. </description><pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 15:32:30 +0100</pubDate><atom:content type="html"><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/4880432104a24a0491b730f99e695946/sofia_morney_och_verena_kohler3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/4880432104a24a0491b730f99e695946/sofia_morney_och_verena_kohler3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/4880432104a24a0491b730f99e695946/sofia_morney_och_verena_kohler3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/4880432104a24a0491b730f99e695946/sofia_morney_och_verena_kohler3.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/4880432104a24a0491b730f99e695946/sofia_morney_och_verena_kohler3.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/4880432104a24a0491b730f99e695946/sofia_morney_och_verena_kohler3.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Sofia Morney and Verena Kohler had prepared the laboratory to welcome a small group of high‑school students.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Andreas Kohler</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">Hopefully it sparked an interest in a research career for some of the students</p><p>“The day offered several takeaways. The students’ curiosity led to good conversations and many questions, and the meeting between researchers and high‑school students was both open and constructive. Hopefully it sparked an interest in a research career in some of the students,” says Verena Kohler, Assistant professor at the Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University.</p><p>During the “Next Nobel Prize 2026” inspiration day, 25 third year natural science students from Umeå’s upper‑secondary schools gathered in Galaxen on the university campus. The event was coordinated by Karolina Broman, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, and was carried out in collaboration between Umeå University’s Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Science and Technology, and Umeå Municipality. The purpose was to give the students a concrete understanding of research and doctoral education.</p><p>The morning consisted of lectures by researchers from both faculties, including Richard Lundmark, Erik Chorell, Daniel Öhlund, and Verena Kohler. Together, they provided examples of different research areas and what the work can look like in practice.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/4880432104a24a0491b730f99e695946/ronnie_berntsson_o_gymnasieelever2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/4880432104a24a0491b730f99e695946/ronnie_berntsson_o_gymnasieelever2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/4880432104a24a0491b730f99e695946/ronnie_berntsson_o_gymnasieelever2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/4880432104a24a0491b730f99e695946/ronnie_berntsson_o_gymnasieelever2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/4880432104a24a0491b730f99e695946/ronnie_berntsson_o_gymnasieelever2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/4880432104a24a0491b730f99e695946/ronnie_berntsson_o_gymnasieelever2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Ronnie Berntsson, spoke to the high‑school students about Umeå University’s research infrastructure and its significance.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ola Nilsson</span></div></div><p>In her lecture, Verena Kohler combined an overview of her research with reflections on pathways into academia. The students were introduced to how yeast is used as a model organism to study ageing processes, and how protein structure and function change over time. To make the mechanisms more tangible, she used a wardrobe analogy.</p><p>“When everything is folded and in the right place, the cell functions as it should. But as the wardrobe ‘ages’, clothes end up in the wrong drawer, some get damaged, and others form messy piles, just like proteins in an ageing cell.”</p><p>The personal part of the lecture addressed the choices and detours that led to a research path.</p><p>“You don’t find your path by thinking. You find it by trying things,” Verena Kohler summarised.</p><p>The students followed the lectures with interest, even during the final session before lunch.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareleft"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/4880432104a24a0491b730f99e695946/sofia_och_verena2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/4880432104a24a0491b730f99e695946/sofia_och_verena2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/4880432104a24a0491b730f99e695946/sofia_och_verena2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/4880432104a24a0491b730f99e695946/sofia_och_verena2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/4880432104a24a0491b730f99e695946/sofia_och_verena2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/4880432104a24a0491b730f99e695946/sofia_och_verena2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Verena Kohler and Sofia Morney welcomed the students into the lab and created a curious encounter with science through Sofia’s playful and cleverly designed experiment.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Andreas Kohler</span></div></div><p>Afterwards, a smaller group of six students visited Verena Kohler’s lab. The visit was led by Sofia Morney, who started as a research trainee and has since continued in Verena’s group. She presented her ongoing experiments and invited the students to solve a simple, research‑related puzzle. She also talked about her studies and what everyday work in a laboratory can look like. The visit had a practical focus and allowed time for questions in a small‑group setting.</p><p>For Verena Kohler, outreach is an important part of the researcher’s role, both to meet young people considering a future in the natural sciences and to practise explaining research in an accessible way.</p><p>As a first‑generation scientist, she remembers how valuable every bit of guidance was. She did not grow up knowing how academia worked, so the people who took the time to explain things, or simply showed what was possible, made a significant difference.</p><p> Outreach is Verena’s way of offering something similar to others.</p><p>“I want to share experiences, not give instructions. Most paths into research are not completely straight.”</p></atom:content><link>/en/news/researchers-met-highschool-students-during-next-nobel-prize-2026_12166359/</link></item><item xml:base="en/news/new-national-network-strengthens-cancer-research-in-umea_12166222/"><guid isPermaLink="false">/en/news/new-national-network-strengthens-cancer-research-in-umea_12166222/</guid><title /><description>By formalizing the collaboration between Sweden’s Comprehensive Cancer Centres, Umeå University gains stronger opportunities to contribute to research and the development of future cancer care.</description><pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2026 13:40:38 +0100</pubDate><atom:content type="html"><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/02a079a7b7434048a0ddfeaf62da420f/maria_liljeholm_ccc3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/02a079a7b7434048a0ddfeaf62da420f/maria_liljeholm_ccc3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/02a079a7b7434048a0ddfeaf62da420f/maria_liljeholm_ccc3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/02a079a7b7434048a0ddfeaf62da420f/maria_liljeholm_ccc3.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/02a079a7b7434048a0ddfeaf62da420f/maria_liljeholm_ccc3.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/02a079a7b7434048a0ddfeaf62da420f/maria_liljeholm_ccc3.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Maria Liljeholm, Acting Medical Director at Umeå Comprehensive Cancer Centre and adjunct member of the network’s steering group. </p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Lotta Edvinsson</span></div></div><p>Collaboration around cancer research and advanced cancer care among Sweden’s Comprehensive Cancer Centres has been ongoing for several years and is now ready to be formalized. The first constitutive annual meeting was held on 16 March in Gothenburg, when the Swedish CCC Network gathered, an important step toward a more coherent structure that can serve as a joint voice and active partner in the development of cancer care.</p><p>“We see many advantages in joining forces nationally to develop high‑quality cancer care, ensure the patient perspective, and increase access to clinical research. This benefits patients as well as staff working in cancer care and cancer research across the country,” says Maria Liljeholm, physician and head of Cancer Centre Västerbotten at Umeå University Hospital. She is an adjunct member of the network’s steering group and will become an ordinary member once Umeå CCC is accredited.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Prioritise areas in the new strategy</h2><p>In addition to ongoing work related to research and precision medicine, the network will prioritise areas from the new national cancer strategy “I<a href="https://www.regionvasterbotten.se/comprehensive-cancer-centre-natverket-valkomnar-ny-nationell-cancerstrategi-for-framtidens-vard" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ncreased survival and better quality of life – National Cancer Strategy 2.0</a>” and contribute to implementing its goals.</p><p>In Comprehensive Cancer Centres, academia and clinical practice are closely integrated. Through national collaboration, breakthroughs, such as those within precision medicine, can be implemented more rapidly across all regions. The hope is that this collaborative model will have similar impact in other areas, such as prevention and quality of life.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Umeå University’s role and opportunities</h2><p>Cancer research in Umeå is strong in both breadth and depth. For researchers at Umeå University, the national network provides new opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across the country. It also simplifies access to national resources and expertise, which can facilitate cutting‑edge projects, including clinical studies.</p><p>Through the network, researchers increase their ability to ensure that research results achieve national impact and contribute to more equitable cancer care. The network also allows researchers to help shape future cancer strategies and influence the prioritisation of research areas relevant to both patients and healthcare professionals.</p><p>“Umeå CCC’s participation in the collaboration means that researchers at Umeå University can both contribute to and benefit from national coordination that strengthens cancer research in Sweden,” says Tufve Nyholm, Professor of Medical Radiation Physics with a joint position as hospital physicist at the Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Intervention at Umeå University.</p></atom:content><link>/en/news/new-national-network-strengthens-cancer-research-in-umea_12166222/</link></item><item xml:base="en/news/light-controlled-metabolic-engineering-for-a-sustainable-future_12165896/"><guid isPermaLink="false">/en/news/light-controlled-metabolic-engineering-for-a-sustainable-future_12165896/</guid><title>Light controlled metabolic engineering for a sustainable futureHarshit Malhotra has been awarded the prestigious Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowship for his project CHIME-Z, which integrates chemo optogenetics with metabolic engineering to enable precise, light controlled production of value added biochemicals such as next generation biofuels. The fellowship will support Harshit’s research under the supervision of Professor Yaowen Wu, in close collaboration with Professor Anita Sellstedt at the Umeå Plant Science Centre.Thu, 26 Mar 2026 15:26:15 +0100<p>When we talk about the future of sustainable biotechnology, few ideas are as transformative as the ability to reprogram living cells with precision. This is the core ambition driving Harshit Malhotra’s MSCA‑funded project, CHIME‑Z, which explores how bacteria can be rewired to produce valuable compounds, such as next‑generation biofuels, using cutting‑edge chemo‑optogenetic tools.</p><p>Metabolic engineering has already reshaped our understanding of what microbes can do. Yet, controlling microbial systems with the spatiotemporal precision needed for efficient, industrial‑scale bioproduction remains one of the field’s holy grails. By merging advanced chemical biology with optogenetics, Harshit aims to create programmable bacterial platforms capable of generating value‑added products (VAPs) with high efficiency. Such innovation is not only technologically exciting, it arrives at a moment when global sustainability, rising energy demands, and decarbonization strategies are more urgent than ever.</p><p> </p><p class="quote-center">With CHIME‑Z, our goal is to bring unprecedented precision to microbial metabolic engineering, using light and chemistry to switch pathways on and off when and where we need them. This opens the door to cleaner biofuels and smarter bioproduction, and it’s a powerful step toward sustainable synthetic biology.</p><h3>Scientific origins: Where the idea began</h3><p>CHIME‑Z is the outcome of a convergence of expertise, experience, and long‑standing scientific curiosity. The foundation was laid at Umeå University, where Professor Yaowen Wu’s research group has been pioneering chemo‑optogenetic tools for precise control of cellular processes in living systems. Harshit saw an opportunity:<br>to merge these sophisticated tools with his own background in metabolic engineering.</p><p>Before arriving in Sweden, Harshit completed his PhD under Professor Prashant Phale at IIT‑Bombay, where he engineered Pseudomonas bharatica CSV86<sup>T</sup> to degrade the toxic pesticide Carbaryl, a project that gave him experience in reprogramming bacterial metabolism. The conceptual leap was natural: if microbes can be redesigned to degrade pollutants, why not also re‑engineer them to produce sustainable fuels?</p><p>CHIME‑Z was born at this intersection:<br>Wu’s precision‑control technologies × Harshit’s metabolic‑engineering expertise.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/af50d1cc4bdc4b60931268d998ffd587/harshit-yaowen-260311-dsc04507_sjn.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/af50d1cc4bdc4b60931268d998ffd587/harshit-yaowen-260311-dsc04507_sjn.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/af50d1cc4bdc4b60931268d998ffd587/harshit-yaowen-260311-dsc04507_sjn.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/af50d1cc4bdc4b60931268d998ffd587/harshit-yaowen-260311-dsc04507_sjn.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/af50d1cc4bdc4b60931268d998ffd587/harshit-yaowen-260311-dsc04507_sjn.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/af50d1cc4bdc4b60931268d998ffd587/harshit-yaowen-260311-dsc04507_sjn.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><span class="bildPhotografer"> Harshit Malhotra and Yaowen Wu. <strong>Image</strong>[Simon Jönsson]</span></div></div><h3><br>Scientific & societal impact: Why this project matters</h3><p>Harshit envisions CHIME‑Z as both a scientific and societal catalyst. In the near term, the project aims to demonstrate how chemo‑optogenetic systems can be integrated into microbial factories to precisely control metabolic pathways. In the long term, the same technology could shape the future of:</p><ul><li><strong>biofuel production,</strong> helping reduce reliance on fossil fuels</li><li><strong>sustainable chemical manufacturing,</strong> offering greener routes to industrial compounds</li><li><strong>synthetic biology,</strong> by establishing new frameworks for dynamic, light‑controlled metabolic regulation<br>At a moment when climate, energy, and sustainability crises intersect, the ability to generate clean, renewable bio‑based products is not just innovative, it is deeply necessary.</li></ul><h3>A place to grow: Why Umeå University</h3><p>MSCA fellowships are rooted in mobility and researcher development, and Harshit says Umeå University was an ideal destination for both. The university offers a highly supportive environment, state‑of‑the‑art scientific facilities, and a culture that encourages interdisciplinary collaboration. Working closely with Professor Yaowen Wu has been central to his project’s conceptual evolution, but the institutional ecosystem as a whole —research infrastructure, collaborative atmosphere, and access to advanced technologies —will shape every step of his growth as a scientist.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/af50d1cc4bdc4b60931268d998ffd587/harshit-malhatra-1179-251103-mpn.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/af50d1cc4bdc4b60931268d998ffd587/harshit-malhatra-1179-251103-mpn.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/af50d1cc4bdc4b60931268d998ffd587/harshit-malhatra-1179-251103-mpn.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/af50d1cc4bdc4b60931268d998ffd587/harshit-malhatra-1179-251103-mpn.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/af50d1cc4bdc4b60931268d998ffd587/harshit-malhatra-1179-251103-mpn.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/af50d1cc4bdc4b60931268d998ffd587/harshit-malhatra-1179-251103-mpn.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><span class="bildPhotografer">Harshit Malhotra working in Yaowen Wu Lab <strong> Image: </strong>Mattias Pettersson </span></div></div><h3><br>What’s next: Collaboration, new skills, and broader horizons</h3><p>One of the most exciting aspects of CHIME‑Z for Harshit is its collaborative nature. These collaborations will not only broaden his scientific expertise but also equip him with specialized skills essential for his long‑term career in synthetic biology and metabolic engineering. For Harshit, CHIME‑Z is more than a project, it’s a platform for becoming a more versatile, collaborative, and innovative researcher.</p>/en/news/light-controlled-metabolic-engineering-for-a-sustainable-future_12165896//en/news/geneticists-challenge-theory-of-how-cells-retain-their-identity_12165749/Geneticists challenge theory of how cells retain their identityOne of the most widely accepted models for how cells remember their identity may be incorrect. This is shown in a new study from two research groups at Umeå University. In Science Advances, they present results that overturn a fundamental idea about how the Polycomb system maintains cellular memory.Fri, 13 Mar 2026 11:11:19 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/167c49d0704041688082ae68313d232a/yuri_schwartz_bananflugelabb3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/167c49d0704041688082ae68313d232a/yuri_schwartz_bananflugelabb3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/167c49d0704041688082ae68313d232a/yuri_schwartz_bananflugelabb3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/167c49d0704041688082ae68313d232a/yuri_schwartz_bananflugelabb3.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/167c49d0704041688082ae68313d232a/yuri_schwartz_bananflugelabb3.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/167c49d0704041688082ae68313d232a/yuri_schwartz_bananflugelabb3.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>All cells in the body contain the same genes. But in each specific cell type, only certain genes are used. Associate Professor Yuri Schwartz studies the epigenetic processes that determine which genes are silent or active in the body’s cells.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ingrid Söderbergh</span></div></div><p>Polycomb proteins help cells keep certain genes permanently switched off as they divide. In this way, cells are supported in remembering their identity – for example, ensuring that a skin cell continues to be a skin cell. For more than 20 years, researchers have believed that a specific chemical modification on one of the cell’s structural proteins, the histone H2A, plays a key role in this process.</p><p>But the new study from Umeå University shows that this explanation does not hold.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Fruit fly clarifies the effects</h2><p>The fruit fly is a commonly used model organism because its genome is easier to analyze than that of humans. The research team studied a protein in the fruit fly <em>Drosophila melanogaster</em> that corresponds to the human PCGF3 protein. They named the gene encoding this protein Siesta. The protein is part of a group of Polycomb‑related complexes that have long been thought to contribute to gene repression.</p><p>“We were surprised to see that Siesta is not needed at all to repress developmental genes, even though it accounts for the majority of all H2A modification in the genome,” says Yuri Schwartz, Associate Professor at the Department of Molecular Biology at Umeå University, who led the project.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/167c49d0704041688082ae68313d232a/i_bananflugornas_rum_sjn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/167c49d0704041688082ae68313d232a/i_bananflugornas_rum_sjn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/167c49d0704041688082ae68313d232a/i_bananflugornas_rum_sjn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/167c49d0704041688082ae68313d232a/i_bananflugornas_rum_sjn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/167c49d0704041688082ae68313d232a/i_bananflugornas_rum_sjn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/167c49d0704041688082ae68313d232a/i_bananflugornas_rum_sjn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Staff scientist Tatyana Kahn joined Yuri Schwartz’s lab 15 years ago. Research in epigenetics using the fruit fly as a model gives her the constant excitement of making new discoveries.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Simon Jönsson</span></div></div><p>In mammals, there are six different PCGF proteins with partially overlapping functions, making them difficult to study individually. The fruit fly has only three, providing the researchers with a unique opportunity to distinguish their effects.</p><p>“It is precisely the fly’s genetic simplicity that made it possible to see what Siesta actually does and does not do,” explains first author Tatyana Kahn, Staff Scientist at the Department of Molecular Biology at Umeå University.</p><p>Her conclusion is clear:</p><p>“Our data show that the modification of H2A is not the general memory mechanism it was long believed to be.”</p><p>It is therefore only now, through the fly model, that researchers have been able to show that Siesta complexes do not function as part of the Polycomb system’s repressive machinery.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">A completely unexpected function</h2><p>The researchers also made a surprising discovery. When Siesta was absent, the movement of mutant larvae was affected, they became slow and moved in a irregularly manner.</p><p>This has nothing to do with gene repression, suggesting that Siesta has a completely different biological role than the one previously associated with the Polycomb system, the cell’s “genetic memory.”</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/167c49d0704041688082ae68313d232a/i_dragskapet_sjn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/167c49d0704041688082ae68313d232a/i_dragskapet_sjn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/167c49d0704041688082ae68313d232a/i_dragskapet_sjn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/167c49d0704041688082ae68313d232a/i_dragskapet_sjn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/167c49d0704041688082ae68313d232a/i_dragskapet_sjn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/167c49d0704041688082ae68313d232a/i_dragskapet_sjn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>PhD student Andres Garrido Aparicio works in the fume hood. He is fascinated by the mechanisms that govern epigenetic regulation and how they shape gene expression during cell development.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Simon Jönsson</span></div></div><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Time to redefine</h2><p>The new knowledge has broader implications. Today, all so‑called RING1‑based complexes are grouped together as variants of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 (PRC1). The researchers argue that this view is misleading.</p><p>“Our results show that Siesta complexes do not function as part of the Polycomb system. It is time to update how we define PRC1,” says Yuri Schwartz.</p><p>If H2A modification is not central to cellular memory, an important question remains: do Polycomb proteins instead place their chemical marks on entirely different, yet unknown, targets? The study provides new tools for exploring this question and opens the door to rewriting a chapter of cell biology.</p><p>The study was conducted within the research network<a href="https://epicon.nu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Epigenetic Cooperation North, EpiCoN</a>, at Umeå University. This network promotes collaboration and the development of internationally competitive research in epigenetics, chromatin structure, and gene regulation, with applications in both fundamental and clinically relevant problems.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/167c49d0704041688082ae68313d232a/img_08622.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/167c49d0704041688082ae68313d232a/img_08622.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/167c49d0704041688082ae68313d232a/img_08622.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/167c49d0704041688082ae68313d232a/img_08622.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/167c49d0704041688082ae68313d232a/img_08622.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/167c49d0704041688082ae68313d232a/img_08622.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Research is often a team effort. Here is the group behind the new study in Science Advances: Professor Jan Larsson, staff scientist Tatyana Kahn, associate professor Yuri Schwartz, staff scientist Maria Kim, and PhD student Andres Garrido Aparicio. Not on the photo are Anastasiya Yushkova, Alexander Glotov and Sweda Sreekumar.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ingrid Söderbergh</span></div></div>/en/news/geneticists-challenge-theory-of-how-cells-retain-their-identity_12165749//en/news/capsule-technology-opens-new-window-into-individual-cells_12164688/Capsule technology opens new window into individual cellsResearchers have developed a capsule-based method that makes it possible to analyse the same cell through multiple experimental steps. The technology overcomes a long-standing limitation in cell research and could open new ways to study disease mechanisms at the single-cell level.Thu, 12 Mar 2026 09:00:06 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>The capsule-based technology opens up new possibilities for studying individual cells and their genetic material.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Johner Bildbyrå AB</span></div></div><p>In a study published in the scientific journal Science, Visiting Professor Linas Mazutis at Umeå University and his research team present a new technology for analysing individual cells. The method addresses a long-standing technical challenge in cell research: until now, scientists have usually only been able to analyse each cell once, which has made it difficult to study how individual cells change or respond to different experimental conditions.</p><p>“All cells are different, and understanding those differences is key to understanding disease,” says Linas Mazutis.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Small capsules keep the cells' DNA intact</h2><p>The new technology is based on an innovation that the researchers call semi-permeable capsule technology, using microscopic capsules each containing a single cell. The capsules have a liquid core surrounded by a thin, porous membrane. Small molecules, such as enzymes and chemical reagents, can pass through the membrane, while larger molecules like DNA and RNA are retained inside.</p><p>This makes it possible to analyse hundreds of thousands of individual cells simultaniously using standard laboratory equipment. The single cells can be treated and analysed multiple times without being lost or contaminated, something that has not been possible with earlier droplet-based techniques.</p><p>“The capsules combine the speed of microfluidics – a technology that works with extremely small liquid volumes – with the flexibility of traditional laboratory workflows,” says Linas Mazutis. “This makes it possible to carry out advanced molecular biology workflows step by step, while keeping each cell’s genetic material isolated.”</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Easier to identify rare cell types</h2><p>The researchers also show that cells can be kept alive inside the capsules for extended periods, or broken down for genetic analysis. In addition, they introduce a new RNA sequencing approach that makes it easier to identify fragile or rare cell types – cells that often disappear when using existing methods.</p><p>According to the researchers, the technology is both simple and scalable, making it suitable for widespread use in biological and medical research. In the longer term, it could contribute to deeper insights into how diseases arise at the cellular level and help pave the way for more precise and personalised treatments. For example, researchers could use the method to study how individual cancer cells in the same tumour respond differently to a drug, or to identify rare immune cells that drive disease but are often missed by existing techniques.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="9727e99d-5e04-4781-b930-94e540b95454" data-contentname="">{}</div>/en/news/capsule-technology-opens-new-window-into-individual-cells_12164688//en/news/minister-of-culture-presented-with-anthology-analysing-policies-towards-the-sami_12164621/Minister of Culture presented with anthology – analysing policies towards the Sámi The Swedish Government has appointed a truth commission to survey and examine the policies pursued towards the Sámi. Part of this work includes a research anthology. On 4 March, the Swedish Government, the Sámi Parliament and Sáminuorra were presented with the anthology at an event at Umeå University. “I consider it my responsibility to contribute science-based knowledge to the Commission’s work,” says Charlotta Svonni, doctor of history at Umeå University and one of the researchers.Tue, 10 Mar 2026 14:24:41 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4742_260304_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4742_260304_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4742_260304_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4742_260304_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4742_260304_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4742_260304_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Sweden’s Minister of Culture, Parisa Liljestrand (M), represented the government when she received the first part of the Truth Commission for the Sami People on Thursday, March 4, during a event in the Rotunda at Umeå University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>The Truth Commission for the Sámi People is a governmental inquiry. It was established in 2021 by the Swedish Government in response to calls by the Sámi Parliament and Sáminuorra, the Sámi national youth organisation in the Swedish part of Sápmi.</p><p>The purpose of the Commission is to survey the State’s policies towards the Sámi with a historical perspective, analyse the consequences for the Sámi people and propose measures for redressing wrongs and for supporting a stronger Sámi society. The inquiry consists of three parts: a research anthology, a volume of testimonials and a final report. The final report will be submitted to the Government on 1 October 2026.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="803f3a77-6e9b-4a69-a8d1-87dd2b30b3df" data-contentname="FACTS: THE ASSIGNMENT">{}</div><p>The Commission’s initial work – the research anthology “Marken, vattnet, tankarna – konsekvenser för samer av svensk politik” [Land, Water, Thoughts – consequences of Swedish policies for the Sámi] – was presented on 4 March at a capacity event in the Rotundan at Umeå University.</p><p><a title="To the broadcast" href="https://sanningskommissionen.coeo.events/">The event was also broadcast live and a recording can be watched on the Truth Commission’s website.</a></p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">The anthology was handed over</h2><p>During the event, Lena Nyberg, chair of the Truth Commission for the Sámi People, presented the anthology to Parisa Liljestrand (M), Sweden’s Minister of Culture, Marianne Gråik, President of the Sámi Parliament, and Sara-Elvira Kuhmunen, President of the Sáminuorra youth organisation.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4690_260304_mpn3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4690_260304_mpn3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4690_260304_mpn3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4690_260304_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4690_260304_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4690_260304_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Minister of Culture, Parisa Liljestrand, expressed her gratitude for the contribution and emphasized that she was delighted to receive the research anthology together with the Sámi Parliament and Sáminuorra. “I firmly believe that it is through dialogue and cooperation that we will be able to address and work together on these issues going forward, and that we will also be able to find solutions to difficult questions,” she said.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>The Minister of Culture thanked the researchers for their work and said that she now looks forward to reading and reflecting on the anthology in its entirety.</p><p>“I believe that the knowledge of the past together with the knowledge of the here and now are important for our continued work to create the future that we all want to see. This research anthology lays a solid foundation for the next step in this work,” says Parisa Liljestrand.</p><p>The Sámi Parliament and Sáminuorra also see great value in the anthology.</p><p>“Together, these different parts form an important and difficult document. It is important because knowledge empowers us; it is difficult because the knowledge that has been produced about us has all too often been created without us and sometimes against us,” says Marianne Gråik.</p><p>“The Sami community has extremely high expectations for what is being begun here with the work of the Truth Commission.”</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4785_260304_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4785_260304_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4785_260304_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4785_260304_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4785_260304_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4785_260304_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Marianne Gråik, President of the Sámi Parliament, said that the Sami people have sky-high expectations of the truth commission. “From the submission of the final report, it is the state’s responsibility to show how its relationship with its indigenous people will change. We in the Sami community have waited a long time and we expect changes that affect all Sami people. We in the Sami community are ready to contribute, not as objects but as equal partners in the work ahead," she said.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>Sáminuorra has worked with the question of a truth commission for nearly 20 years. President Sara-Elvira Kuhmunen sees the initial step of presenting the research anthology as a historic milestone.</p><p>“At Sáminuorra, we have very high expectations. We hope that this work can lay the foundation for a new policy – a policy based on recognition, justice and respect.”</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4825_260304_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4825_260304_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4825_260304_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4825_260304_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4825_260304_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4825_260304_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Sara-Elvira Kuhmunen, President of the Sáminuorra, called the day historic. She agrees with the Minister of Culture, but wanted to emphasize the government's responsibility. “I agree with the minister that dialogue and cooperation are important and something that should permeate the work. But it is also the responsibility of the state that needs to be prioritized,” she says.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">The research anthology also identifies the need to earmark more resources for research related to the situation of the Sámi and their history and knowledge.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">More research is needed</h2><p>The research anthology has 36 chapters covering around 20 different subject areas, including land and water rights, state control and the exercise of authority, language policy, the impacts of racial biology, and historical and contemporary forms of discrimination. This is broad and interdisciplinary research that both explains the background to the current situation for the Sámi and highlights the long-term consequences of state policies.</p><p>Lena Nyberg emphasises that it is clear for the Truth Commission that much more knowledge is needed in many areas relating to Sámi history and Sámi experiences and their relationship with nature and the land, but also with such areas as language and culture.</p><p>“The research anthology also identifies the need to earmark more resources for research related to the situation of the Sámi and their history and knowledge. Lack of knowledge about the Sámi as Sweden’s indigenous people is a serious problem. This ignorance has a history of hundreds of years and leads to racism, exclusion and, even worse, increasing threats of violence and hatred. Gaining better insights and understanding of the situation is important when trying to address exclusion and alienation.”</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4663_260304_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4663_260304_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4663_260304_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4663_260304_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4663_260304_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4663_260304_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Lena Nyberg, chair of the Truth Commission for the Sámi People, hands over the first part of the Truth Commission's report to Sara-Elvira Kuhmunen, President of the Sáminuorra, and Marianne Gråik, President of the Sámi Parliament. Several media covered the event. <span class="photo" style="color: #666666; font-size: 0.66667rem; text-wrap-mode: nowrap;">Image</span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: 0.66667rem; text-wrap-mode: nowrap;">Mattias Pettersson</span></p></div></div><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="4775c15e-4cca-4057-b63c-0d7a12cc7364" data-contentname="FACTS: RESEARCH ANTHOLOGY">{}</div><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Researchers on their chapters</h2><p>During the event, 6 of the approximately 50 researchers who contributed to the anthology presented their chapters. One was Gudrun Norstedt, a historian at Várdduo – Centre for Sámi Research at Umeå University. Her research looks at Sámi use of land and resources in earlier times.</p><p>Her contribution to the anthology focuses on how Sámi land rights were treated in Swedish courts before the 19th century. These insights are useful for understanding the current situation.</p><p>“I chose to participate in the anthology because my area of expertise, historical Sámi land use, is important in understanding current conflicts over land and water use,” says Norstedt.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4890_260304_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4890_260304_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4890_260304_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4890_260304_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4890_260304_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4890_260304_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Gudrun Norstedt, historian at Umeå University, spoke about her chapter “Rights before the law: the Swedish judicial system's treatment of Sami rights to land and water before 1800.”</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>Also present was Charlotta Svonni, doctor of history specialised in educational sciences with a focus on Sámi education. Svonni is also part of Várdduo.</p><p>“I consider it my responsibility to contribute science-based knowledge to the Commission’s work. By compiling science-based analyses, the anthology can clarify structures and patterns that are not always visible in individual narratives but that are crucial for understanding the long-term consequences of policies.”</p><p class="quote-center">I hope that the research anthology will contribute to a deeper and more nuanced understanding of how governmental decisions and education policy reforms have impacted the Sámi people over time.</p><p>Her contribution deals with education, which has played a central role for the Sámi people. In addition to the basic mission of the school system, that is, providing knowledge on various subjects, the nomad and Sámi schools have also taught ideas about what Sámi identity is and what role the Sámi have in society. There has, however, been a drastic decrease in the number of curriculums specifically focused on Sámi education; today only one curriculum is used and it concerns Sámi languages.</p><p>“I hope that the research anthology will contribute to a deeper and more nuanced understanding of how governmental decisions and education policy reforms have impacted the Sámi people over time,” says Svonni. “In a broader perspective, I hope that the entire work of the Truth Commission will contribute to a knowledge-based recognition of the State’s responsibility and create a basis for long-term changes and increased Sámi self-determination in Sámi issues.”</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4951_260304_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4951_260304_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4951_260304_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4951_260304_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4951_260304_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/9b048b2409a34c139292952359ac71c7/sanningskommissionen-4951_260304_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Charlotta Svonni, Doctor of History at Umeå University, spoke about her chapter “What the state wanted to teach the Sami people 1956–2011.”</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>As noted, the research anthology is the initial part of the Commission’s work. This autumn, a volume of testimonials will be published in which 300 Sámi from different parts of the country have shared their own and their ancestors’ experiences of being Sámi in Sweden. The final report will be submitted in September and the Truth Commission for the Sámi People will conclude by 1 October.</p><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3">Panel discussion at Bildmuseet</h2><p>The modern art museum Bildmuseet is part of Umeå University and currently has an exhibition produced to draw attention to the Truth Commission. On the afternoon of 4 March, a panel discussion was held on the role of art in formulating personal and collective truths connected to the work of truth commissions.</p><p>The panel included Anneli Bäckman, curator, Gunlög Fur, member of the Truth Commission for the Sámi People, Sara-Elvira Kuhmunen from Sáminuorra, and Monica L Edmondson, artist. The moderator was Moa Sandström.</p><p><a title="Truth commissions website" href="https://sanningskommissionensamer.se/panelsamtal-pa-bildmuseet/">A recording of the event can be watched on the Truth Commission’s website.</a></p><p><a title="Bildmuseet website" href="~/link/a0d615623f6947db906f844a4c9c9ab7.aspx">Read more about the exhibition Art and Truth-Telling on Bildmuseet’s website.</a></p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="eed9ce9b-a6b8-418e-8326-2c320205638a" data-contentname="alla forskare">{}</div>/en/news/minister-of-culture-presented-with-anthology-analysing-policies-towards-the-sami_12164621//en/news/swedpop-launches-new-version_12164470/SwedPop launches new version – expanding the database with more regions, time periods, and variablesSwedPop, the national research infrastructure for historical population data, is now launching version 4 of its database. Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:09:37 +0100<p>SwedPop, the national research infrastructure for historical population data, is now launching version 4 of its database. At the same time, a completely new version of the website swedpop.se is being released to give users a more modern, clearer, and more accessible entry point to the infrastructure.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/fc29160eb9464535ac20ba317b08bd2c/swedpop5.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/fc29160eb9464535ac20ba317b08bd2c/swedpop5.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/fc29160eb9464535ac20ba317b08bd2c/swedpop5.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/fc29160eb9464535ac20ba317b08bd2c/swedpop5.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/fc29160eb9464535ac20ba317b08bd2c/swedpop5.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/fc29160eb9464535ac20ba317b08bd2c/swedpop5.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div></div><p>SwedPop provides harmonized individual-level population data from several of Sweden’s largest and most important historical databases. Users can download desired datasets free of charge through the open extraction tool and select both variables and formats.<br><br>SwedPop now offers open data from six of Sweden’s largest databases for historical population data, covering the period from the 17th century to the early 20th century. The national infrastructure is managed and made available by CEDAR at Umeå University.<br><br><strong>Larger database – more parishes, longer time periods, and new variables</strong><br>In the new version, SwedPop’s database has been expanded. Among the updates are more parishes and longer time periods in several of the included databases, as well as new variables, including information on income and taxation in the Rotemannen database for the City of Stockholm (1880 and 1890) and for Skellefteå city parish. The Swdish Death Index has also been extended by an additional 35 years and now includes all deceased individuals from 1831–2024.<br> <br>Another important update is that the ICD10h codes for historical causes of death have been revised and supplemented with standardized cause-of-death categories, making comparisons over time and between databases easier.<br><br><strong>Greater opportunities for research</strong><br>The expanded database gives researchers and other users new possibilities for more detailed research questions, deeper analyses over longer time periods, and easier comparisons between different regions and population groups.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Upcoming updates in 2026</h2><p>Several new features will be launched during the year to further improve accessibility:</p><p><strong>New application form for personal data</strong><br>A new digital form will open in the spring, allowing researchers to apply for data containing personal information that is not available through the open extraction tool. After an approval process in accordance with current legislation, the data can be released for research purposes. This replaces previous manual routines and represents a significant improvement in accessibility.</p><p><strong>The 1950 Census becomes available</strong><br>SwedPop has acquired the 1950 Census, which has now been harmonized according to SwedPop standards. Later in the year, it will be possible to request this data through the new application form.</p><p><strong>Individual links – a major future improvement</strong><br>Until now, individuals have not been linked across different databases, which has made longitudinal studies more difficult. In 2026, SwedPop will make available individual links between the censuses and between the longitudinal databases and the censuses. This will significantly increase the research value of the database.<br><br><br><strong>Looking ahead – SwedPop version 5 coming in 2027</strong><br>In spring 2027, version 5 of SwedPop data will be launched. It will include EMIWEB, a database containing information about migrants during the period 1850–1920.<br> </p>/en/news/swedpop-launches-new-version_12164470//en/news/kbc-stafetten-2026--snow-in-the-face-teamwork-and-high-spirit_12164639/KBC Stafetten 2026 – snow in the face, teamwork, and high spirit!The annual KBC cross-country skiing relay took place last week, bringing together 20 four-member teams—including three impressive “battleship” quartets racing on a single pair of long skis equipped with four bindings. The event has grown into a winter celebration that blends sport, creativity, and community spirit, drawing colleagues from across campus to ski, cheer, and enjoy the snowy season together.Tue, 10 Mar 2026 11:04:36 +0100<p><em>See video from the event at the end of the article.</em></p><p>KBC Stafetten has become one of the most joyful late‑winter traditions on campus, traditionally held during the last week of February in the hope of catching the snow before it begins to melt. This year, around 80 skiers took to the tracks, ranging from keen ski enthusiasts to international colleagues rediscovering skis for the first time since childhood—or even trying cross-country skiing for the very first time. And, of course, the top racers who flew across the course with impressive speed.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2383af05aefb48718bb3a77c78425aa5/img_20260226_0947152.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/2383af05aefb48718bb3a77c78425aa5/img_20260226_0947152.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/2383af05aefb48718bb3a77c78425aa5/img_20260226_0947152.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/2383af05aefb48718bb3a77c78425aa5/img_20260226_0947152.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/2383af05aefb48718bb3a77c78425aa5/img_20260226_0947152.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/2383af05aefb48718bb3a77c78425aa5/img_20260226_0947152.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>“Battleship” teams getting ready for the race.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Anna Shevtsova</span></div></div><p>As the saying goes, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing”—and our teams certainly proved it. With reliable ski gear, creative costumes, and plenty of good humour, participants embraced everything from sticky snow on the tracks to fresh snow hitting them head‑on. While the conditions slowed the pace, they did nothing to dampen the spirits along the trail.</p><p>The team from SLU, “<strong>Motionärerna</strong>”, delivered the fastest time of 15:52 and claimed first place. “<strong>BrutAhlgrens</strong>” followed just ten seconds behind to secure second place, while long-standing favourites “<strong>Snökanonerna</strong>” finished in third.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="6c5b2752-5cce-4283-9eb6-fea1e89be015" data-contentname="KBC Stafetten 2026_image2">{}</div><p>The “Slagskepp”, or “battleship” race (four skiers on one pair of skis) delivered its own memorable moments. The quartet “<strong>Incoherent skiers</strong>” from the Department of Physics captured a decisive victory, while IceLab’s teams, <strong>Ski Terror</strong> and <strong>Mighty Ducks</strong>, took second and third place, respectively. All three teams showed that in this race, teamwork is the only way forward—literally.</p><p>The UPSC team, “<strong>Out for season, in for gold</strong>”, may not have taken home the gold medal, but they certainly won the hearts of spectators with their sports-themed costumes and fearless approach to the Swedish winter. They were awarded the main prize, “Best Team in Show”, supported by the Umeå University Innovation Office.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2383af05aefb48718bb3a77c78425aa5/img_20260226_104028.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/2383af05aefb48718bb3a77c78425aa5/img_20260226_104028.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/2383af05aefb48718bb3a77c78425aa5/img_20260226_104028.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/2383af05aefb48718bb3a77c78425aa5/img_20260226_104028.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/2383af05aefb48718bb3a77c78425aa5/img_20260226_104028.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/2383af05aefb48718bb3a77c78425aa5/img_20260226_104028.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The spirited “Out for season, in for gold” team - Sam Cook, Markéta Buderová, Sarah Mermet, Sonja Viljamaa - collecting their “Best Team in Show” award.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Anna Shevtsova</span></div></div><p>We look forward to the continued tradition at KBC Stafetten 2027 and hope to see many familiar and new faces there!</p><p> </p><p>Learn more about <a href="~/link/7a8e920df7dd4ecaab7453507aaffd0d.aspx">KBC Stafetten 2026</a>.</p><p>Check results: <a href="https://www.webscorer.com/racedetails?raceid=422632" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.webscorer.com/racedetails?raceid=422632</a></p><p><em>Watch the video below to relive some highlights from KBC Stafetten 2026!</em></p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="1586a2f6-51ad-4895-bc0b-45ba2e6c88fa" data-contentname="KBC Stafetten 2026">{}</div>/en/news/kbc-stafetten-2026--snow-in-the-face-teamwork-and-high-spirit_12164639//en/news/virginia-dignum-we-need-a-more-mature-conversation-about-ai_12164480/Virginia Dignum releases new book: “We need a more mature conversation about AI”In her new book The AI Paradox, Virginia Dignum, Professor of Responsible AI at Umeå University, calls for a more nuanced public conversation about artificial intelligence. The book was published in February and has already received international attention.Wed, 04 Mar 2026 14:55:43 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/fc14043ee6b04b81a2d9f39a69f3c1e0/dignum-virginia-7942-240620-mpn3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/fc14043ee6b04b81a2d9f39a69f3c1e0/dignum-virginia-7942-240620-mpn3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/fc14043ee6b04b81a2d9f39a69f3c1e0/dignum-virginia-7942-240620-mpn3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/fc14043ee6b04b81a2d9f39a69f3c1e0/dignum-virginia-7942-240620-mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/fc14043ee6b04b81a2d9f39a69f3c1e0/dignum-virginia-7942-240620-mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/fc14043ee6b04b81a2d9f39a69f3c1e0/dignum-virginia-7942-240620-mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Virginia Dignum is Professor of Responsible AI at Umeå University and the author of the book <em>The AI Paradox</em>.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>Virginia Dignum is one of the world’s leading researchers in responsible AI and a prominent voice in international discussions on how artificial intelligence affects society, including interviews in <em>The Guardian</em>.</p><p>She has worked in AI since the 1980s, when the field was still relatively small. Today, she notes, AI shapes everything from education and healthcare to government, warfare and everyday life.</p><p>In the public debate, AI is often framed either as a solution to almost any problem or as an uncontrollable threat. According to Virginia Dignum both narratives are misleading.</p><p class="quote-center">The real question is not what AI will do to us, but what we choose to do with it</p><p>“I wrote <em>The AI Paradox</em> because we urgently need a more mature conversation. AI is not inevitable. It is a choice, a human-made system embedded in society. The real question is not what AI will do to us, but what we choose to do with it,” she says.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">AI is never neutral</h2><p>The biggest misunderstanding about AI, Dignum argues, is that AI is either autonomous magic or pure objectivity.</p><p>“Many people assume AI systems are neutral because they are computational. But AI reflects human choices: what data is collected, whose interests are prioritised, which objectives are optimised and which trade‑offs are accepted. There is nothing neutral about those decisions.”</p><p>While AI systems are already outperforming humans in specific tasks, Dignum stresses that this should not be confused with human intelligence as a whole.</p><p>“AI can replace tasks. It cannot replace being human. Machines can analyse images faster than radiologists in certain contexts. They can draft texts and optimise logistics. But humans integrate social understanding, ethical judgement, creativity, responsibility and lived experience in ways that are deeply interconnected.”</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Depth become scarce</h2><p>Writing a book about AI at a time when AI can generate text quickly is a paradox that Virginia Dignum has deliberately made part of the point.</p><p>“In many ways, the rise of generative AI makes human authorship more important, not less. When text becomes abundant, depth becomes scarce – and therefore valuable.”</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="a5482354-483d-48d0-a9ce-3fbd54aa5c40" data-contentname="Facts">{}</div><p>According to Virginia Dignum, universities have a particular responsibility in the development of AI. It goes beyond producing better algorithms or training AI engineers.</p><p>“Universities should go back to what we are supposed to be: spaces for critical thinking, places where we learn not just what to think, but how to think. If universities become mere transmission belts for skills and innovation pipelines, they will fail in their democratic function. Their true role is to cultivate judgment, responsibility, and intellectual courage – qualities that are indispensable in an AI-driven society.”</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">The future of AI – a collective responsibility</h2><p><em>The AI Paradox</em> was published on 17 February and has been discussed internationally, including coverage in the prestigious magazine <em>The Atlantic</em>. In Umeå, the book is available at Bildmuseet, where Virginia Dignum will give a public talk on 26 April followed by a book signing.</p><p>Her wish is that people, after reading the book, will feel agency rather than unquestioned optimism or paralysing fear.</p><p>“I want them to see that AI is not an unstoppable external force. It is shaped by incentives, regulation, power structures and public choices. That means it can be shaped differently. The future of AI is not written in code alone. It is written in governance, participation and collective responsibility. We decide it. Together,” says Virginia Dignum.</p><p><a href="https://www.bildmuseet.ͯ��Ƶ/en/events/guest-tour-the-paradow-of-ai-with-virginia-dignum_12154992/">Guest Tour at Bildmuseet 26 April: The Paradox of AI with Virginia Dignum</a></p>/en/news/virginia-dignum-we-need-a-more-mature-conversation-about-ai_12164480//en/news/umea-universitys-new-vision-knowledge-and-innovation-in-focus_12164134/Umeå University’s new vision: knowledge and innovation in focus  A university in a modern society that takes responsibility for the future and is internationally recognised for quality, impact and attractiveness. This is how Umeå University wants to meet the major global challenges of our time.  Thu, 12 Mar 2026 14:13:02 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/1f3b2be9d2f4421d911bf4bff90b74b3/visionsbild_1_v4_liggande_ppt_fargglad4.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/1f3b2be9d2f4421d911bf4bff90b74b3/visionsbild_1_v4_liggande_ppt_fargglad4.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/1f3b2be9d2f4421d911bf4bff90b74b3/visionsbild_1_v4_liggande_ppt_fargglad4.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/1f3b2be9d2f4421d911bf4bff90b74b3/visionsbild_1_v4_liggande_ppt_fargglad4.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/1f3b2be9d2f4421d911bf4bff90b74b3/visionsbild_1_v4_liggande_ppt_fargglad4.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/1f3b2be9d2f4421d911bf4bff90b74b3/visionsbild_1_v4_liggande_ppt_fargglad4.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The vision: By 2035, Umeå University will be internationally recognised for its quality, impact and attractiveness.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span> Ida Åberg</span></div></div><p>The climate crisis, a difficult international security situation, shifting politics and new demands from employers and students affect how the University needs to develop to meet the future. At the same time, there are opportunities for improving the quality of education, increasing collaboration with third-parties and making the University even more relevant and attractive for students, staff and partners. <br><br>“In a time of major societal challenges, it is more important than ever for the University to take more responsibility and contribute knowledge, perspective and determination – locally, nationally and globally. The new vision highlights our role as a hub of development where northern Sweden is seen as an attractive place for developing new ideas that lead to more research breakthroughs and innovations,” says Tora Holmberg, Vice-Chancellor. </p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/1f3b2be9d2f4421d911bf4bff90b74b3/holmberg-tora-5543-250403-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/1f3b2be9d2f4421d911bf4bff90b74b3/holmberg-tora-5543-250403-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/1f3b2be9d2f4421d911bf4bff90b74b3/holmberg-tora-5543-250403-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/1f3b2be9d2f4421d911bf4bff90b74b3/holmberg-tora-5543-250403-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/1f3b2be9d2f4421d911bf4bff90b74b3/holmberg-tora-5543-250403-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/1f3b2be9d2f4421d911bf4bff90b74b3/holmberg-tora-5543-250403-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Tora Holmberg, Vice-Chancellor at Umeå University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>The vision stakes out the path for the University’s development through 2035 and is intended to make Umeå University one of Sweden’s leading institutions of higher education and internationally recognised for quality, impact and attractiveness. </p><p>The University will also provide important perspectives and solutions to the societal challenges of our time from our position in Northern Europe.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Enthusiasm and pride  </h2><p>The work with developing the vision has been ongoing since autumn 2025 with the support of a working committee led by project manager Mikael Elofsson, Professor at the Department of Chemistry. <br><br>“The enthusiasm out in the organisation has been great, which says something about the power of the finalised vision. It increases the potential that students, employees and partners experience the vision as meaningful and feel pride in being a part of it,” says Mikael Elofsson. </p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/1f3b2be9d2f4421d911bf4bff90b74b3/elofsson_mikael_0442_210615_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/1f3b2be9d2f4421d911bf4bff90b74b3/elofsson_mikael_0442_210615_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/1f3b2be9d2f4421d911bf4bff90b74b3/elofsson_mikael_0442_210615_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/1f3b2be9d2f4421d911bf4bff90b74b3/elofsson_mikael_0442_210615_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/1f3b2be9d2f4421d911bf4bff90b74b3/elofsson_mikael_0442_210615_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/1f3b2be9d2f4421d911bf4bff90b74b3/elofsson_mikael_0442_210615_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Mikael Elofsson, Professor at the Department of Chemistry. </p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div></div><p>Through dialogue with employees and students, workshops, and discussions in various forums, the working committee has collected perspectives and ideas from throughout the organisation. These dialogues form the basis for and have shaped the vision as adopted by the University Board in February 2026. </p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Strategies for realising the vision  </h2><p>The vision also includes a number of strategies that describe how the University will act concretely as it works toward 2035. These strategies describe how Umeå University will use its breadth to achieve excellence, such as through strong national and international research collaborations, prioritised research areas and cutting-edge education for students from around the world.</p><p>Through attractive research and educational environments, clear career paths, modern infrastructure and a unique culture of collaboration, Umeå University will create the conditions for achieving excellence, innovation and lifelong learning. At the same time, the University must take clear societal responsibility by being a regional development engine, strengthening the innovative power of research and safeguarding democracy, academic freedom and critical thinking. </p><p>Discover the<a href="~/link/83c4db31e92d4c85b97a304cf6777ad9.aspx"> Vision for Umeå University.</a></p>/en/news/umea-universitys-new-vision-knowledge-and-innovation-in-focus_12164134//en/news/can-public-procurement-make-food-more-local_12164114/Can Public Procurement Make Food More Local?On 24 February, researchers and societal stakeholders convened in Umeå to explore how public procurement can be strategically leveraged to create more sustainable, resilient, and locally rooted meal systems. Drawing on perspectives from Canada and Sweden, the seminar examined the influence of public sector purchasing decisions on health, regional development, and environmental outcomes throughout the entire food supply chain.Fri, 27 Feb 2026 15:04:17 +0100<h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Public Procurement as a Lever for System Change</h2><p>The seminar <em>Can we make it local? The Challenges of Public Meal Procurement in Canada and Sweden</em> was organised by the Arctic Six Chair in Sustainable Food Transitions at the Arctic Centre, in collaboration with NorthFood, and hosted by the Department of Food, Nutrition and Culinary Science.</p><p>Opening the seminar, Professor Armando Perez-Cueto emphasised that public procurement should not be seen as an administrative function, but as a strategic policy instrument:</p><p>“Public procurement is a powerful lever in the food system. The choices made here influence not only what ends up on the plate, but also public health, local economies and the sustainability of entire regions.”</p><p>His introduction framed procurement as a key governance tool with the potential to accelerate sustainable food transitions—particularly in regions where public meals represent a significant share of total food consumption.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">From Policy to Plate: Lessons from Quebec</h2><p>The keynote speaker, Professor Laure Saulais, presented <em>From procurement to meals: Local sourcing, food quality, and sustainability in Quebec’s healthcare sector</em>. Drawing on empirical experiences from Quebec, she illustrated how ambitions to increase local sourcing must navigate regulatory frameworks, market structures and competing policy goals.</p><p class="quote-center">Public procurement is a powerful lever in the food system.</p><p>Saulais also emphasised that increasing local sourcing often requires the development of alternative supply channels that operate alongside conventional large-scale distribution systems. Such channels do not emerge automatically through policy alone—they depend on long-term relationships, trust, and active coordination between producers, public buyers and intermediaries. In this sense, making food “local” is as much a relational and organisational challenge as it is a regulatory one.</p><p>A central theme of her talk was the complexity of the concept “local.” While often associated with geographical proximity, it can also reflect political priorities, identity-building or economic strategy. These different interpretations shape procurement criteria and ultimately influence food quality, supplier diversity and sustainability performance.</p><p>The seminar brought together Indigenous elders, academics, farmer representatives, civil society actors, and municipal and regional representatives. The broad participation enriched the discussion and underscored that aligning procurement with sustainability goals requires dialogue across sectors, governance levels and knowledge systems.</p><p>By connecting research insights with practical experience, the seminar highlighted both the challenges and the transformative potential of public meal procurement in advancing sustainable food systems.</p>/en/news/can-public-procurement-make-food-more-local_12164114//en/news/help-shape-the-ec2u-science-contest-2026--submit-your-questions_12164064/Help shape the EC2U Science Contest 2026 – submit your questionsOn 20 May 2026, Umeå University will be represented on stage when researchers from Umeå, Jena (Germany) and Turku compete in the EC2U Science Contest during the EC2U Forum in Turku, Finland. Now staff, students and the wider public are invited to help shape the competition by submitting questions for the researchers to solve live. Thu, 05 Mar 2026 09:03:04 +0100<p>The EC2U Science Contest is a fast‑paced, entertaining event where multidisciplinary teams of researchers are given the same question and just a few minutes to agree on an answer before presenting it to the audience. The questions are submitted in advance by the public and can address scientific, societal or ethical issues, as well as curious “what if?” scenarios.</p><p>Both the audience and an international jury award points based on clarity, logic, creativity and entertainment value. The event is held in English and will be broadcast online, allowing participation beyond Turku.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/298e57a45f144292bf8591b2e44d19a8/ec2u-2026-keltainen-1920x1080-v33.png?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/298e57a45f144292bf8591b2e44d19a8/ec2u-2026-keltainen-1920x1080-v33.png?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/298e57a45f144292bf8591b2e44d19a8/ec2u-2026-keltainen-1920x1080-v33.png?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/298e57a45f144292bf8591b2e44d19a8/ec2u-2026-keltainen-1920x1080-v33.png?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/298e57a45f144292bf8591b2e44d19a8/ec2u-2026-keltainen-1920x1080-v33.png?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/298e57a45f144292bf8591b2e44d19a8/ec2u-2026-keltainen-1920x1080-v33.png?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Now is your chance to <a href="https://padlet.com/lassiyli/suggested-questions-for-the-ec2u-science-contest-lpgyowz0t77r5xwh">suggest a question</a> for the scientific teams to tackle in the EC2U Science Contest on 20 May 2026.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>EC2U</span></div></div><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">From big challenges to everyday curiosity</h2><p>In previous Science Contests, audience questions have included:</p><ul><li>Why are planets round, but the solar system flat?</li><li>Is it ethically better to eat insects than meat?</li><li>How many balloons would it take to lift an 80‑kg person into the air?</li><li>Could we change our genes to prevent disease – and should we?</li></ul><p>There is no “correct” format for a question. What matters is that it sparks discussion and invites researchers to think across disciplines. </p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Anyone can contribute and submit questions</h2><p>Questions can be submitted by students, staff and members of the public, and selected questions will be challenged live by the teams—including the Umeå University team—on stage in Turku.<br><br><strong>Deadline for questions:</strong> 31 March 2026<br><strong>Submit your question here: </strong><a title="Suggested questions for the EC2U Science Contest" href="https://padlet.com/lassiyli/suggested-questions-for-the-ec2u-science-contest-lpgyowz0t77r5xwh">Suggested questions for the EC2U Science Contest</a><br><br><a title="Livestream EC2U Science Contest 2026" href="https://www.youtube.com/@ec2ualliance/streams">To be livestreamed on Youtube (20 May at 17:00-19:00)</a></p>/en/news/help-shape-the-ec2u-science-contest-2026--submit-your-questions_12164064//en/news/umea-first-in-sweden-to-use-responsible-ai-in-combined-heat-and-power_12156569/Umeå first city in Sweden to use responsible AI in combined heat and powerUmeå University and the energy company Umeå Energi are now developing a new AI‑based decision support system at the Dåva combined heat and power plant in Umeå. “AI is about increasing efficiency, profitability, and operational reliability. Here, we place a strong emphasis on complying with the EU’s AI Regulation for high‑risk AI in energy supply. It demands transparency and risk minimisation to safeguard people’s safety and rights,” says Juan Carlos Nieves Sanchez, AI expert at Umeå University.Thu, 26 Feb 2026 09:37:44 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/1b8aa6c271914a22a0c94b7089d0bb75/datavetenskap_och_umea_energi_i_samarbete_foto_david_fahlberg_henson4.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/1b8aa6c271914a22a0c94b7089d0bb75/datavetenskap_och_umea_energi_i_samarbete_foto_david_fahlberg_henson4.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/1b8aa6c271914a22a0c94b7089d0bb75/datavetenskap_och_umea_energi_i_samarbete_foto_david_fahlberg_henson4.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/1b8aa6c271914a22a0c94b7089d0bb75/datavetenskap_och_umea_energi_i_samarbete_foto_david_fahlberg_henson4.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/1b8aa6c271914a22a0c94b7089d0bb75/datavetenskap_och_umea_energi_i_samarbete_foto_david_fahlberg_henson4.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/1b8aa6c271914a22a0c94b7089d0bb75/datavetenskap_och_umea_energi_i_samarbete_foto_david_fahlberg_henson4.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Umeå Energi and Umeå University in a new collaboration. From left: Juan Carlos Nieves Sanchez, AI specialist; Rachele Carli, postdoctoral researcher; and Esteban Guerrero Rosero, associate professor in computing science, together with Måns Kjellander, project manager at Umeå Energi and researcher Andreas Brännström from the Department of Computing Science.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>David Fahlberg </span></div></div><p>Combined heat and power plants form part of society’s critical infrastructure, where the requirements for reliability and robust operation are exceptionally high. Through this new collaboration, <a href="https://www.umeaenergi.se/">Umeå Energi</a> aims to strengthen its preventive capabilities in day‑to‑day operations.</p><p>“At its core, this is about gaining time. By detecting deviations early, we improve our ability to act, reduce unplanned shutdowns, and secure the availability and delivery of heat to residents in Umeå,” says Måns Kjellander, Project Manager at <a href="https://www.umeaenergi.se/">Umeå Energi</a>.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">AI for secure energy supply</h2><p>With new AI‑based methods developed at the <a href="~/link/f1ccf1d251be4f538a13df854f18fb07.aspx">Department of Computing Science</a>, deviations in complex systems can be detected far earlier than today. This strengthens reliability and contributes to a more resilient energy supply. At the same time, the EU’s AI Regulation places strict requirements on the energy sector. <a href="~/link/f2fe3838be2b49448b4d73e8ed5a6d1b.aspx">Rachele Carli</a>, postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Computing Science and legal expert at the <a href="https://aipolicylab.se/">AI Policy Lab</a> at Umeå University, is therefore conducting a thorough analysis of the legal implications. </p><p>"Dåva is a safety‑critical facility, which means that all AI systems are automatically classified as high‑risk under the AI Regulation. We must therefore ensure full compliance with both national and European legislation," says Rachele Carli.</p><h3>Pre-study and requirements gathering</h3><p>“In total, we must ensure that the systems meet high security requirements, including impact assessments, documentation, human oversight, traceability, and explainability,” says <a href="~/link/bbb6e461606941afbf4675d9189bc994.aspx">Juan Carlos Nieves Sanchez</a>, who leads the project together with associate professor <a href="~/link/c300b128293549f5a3b4ddd5c325d740.aspx">Esteban Guerrero Rosero</a> and researcher <a href="~/link/8f3c7bc8861540f8b6d161617faef260.aspx">Andreas Brännström</a>, in collaboration with Umeå Energi.</p><p>The researchers are currently conducting focus groups, workshops and interviews with experts at the Dåva plant to gather knowledge about operations, processes and decision‑making. These insights are being transformed into structured knowledge models.</p><p>“The models are designed so that the system’s reasoning can be followed and explained step by step, making it possible to verify that the decision logic adheres to principles of transparency and risk minimisation,” says researcher Andreas Brännström, who works with knowledge modelling.</p><h3>AI Classified as High‑Risk</h3><p><a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20230601STO93804/eu-ai-act-first-regulation-on-artificial-intelligence">The EU’s new regulation</a> entered into force in August 2024. AI systems used in energy supply, including combined heat and power plants, are classified as high‑risk under this framework.</p><p>Within the project, researchers are studying how an AI‑based decision-support system can be used to predict and prevent boiler leaks, with a particular focus on the <a href="https://www.umeaenergi.se/om-oss/anlaggningar-och-platser/dava-kraftvarmeverk">Dåva plant</a> – one of the world’s most energy-efficient and environmentally adapted facilities supplying heat equivalent to around 18 000 standard homes per year.</p><p>“An AI‑based decision support system is, in our view, a potential way forward to strengthen the most critical energy and heating infrastructure in the Umeå region. But it is crucial that this happens under responsible and safe conditions,” says Måns Kjellander, Project Manager at Umeå Energi.<br>"Being able to anticipate even minor issues is vital, he adds, as every shutdown incurs significant costs and affects availability."</p><h3>Umeå University – a strong force in AI</h3><p>The Department of Computing Science, which has grown at a record pace in recent years, <a href="~/link/88ceb606a6174d189189e7afdd6506b5.aspx">conducts internationally recognised research</a> in areas such as AI, autonomous systems, machine learning, privacy and robotics. This has clear knock‑on effects in education as well, where the focus on responsible AI is firmly grounded in solid expertise.</p><p>“We develop systems that do not pose a threat to people’s health, privacy, safety, or fundamental rights,” says Juan Carlos Nieves Sanchez, who is also one of the research leaders in <a href="/EPiServer/CMS/Content/forskning,,5054554/grupper/responsible-artificial-intelligence/responsible-artificial-intelligence/?epieditmode=False">the Responsible AI group</a> and programme director for <a href="~/link/e5489ef19ff9451ebd18c2fb5a816df3.aspx">the Master’s Programme in Artificial Intelligence</a>, which this year reached a record number of applicants.</p><h3>Step forward</h3><p>The EU’s AI Act is the world’s first comprehensive legislation on artificial intelligence. It categorises AI systems into four levels of risk, with AI used in energy supply, including combined heat and power plants, classified as high‑risk.</p><p>“Working with prediction in the energy sector is not new. What is new here is combining it with artificial intelligence while embedding reliability and responsibility into the application. This may well represent a significant step forward in Sweden,” says Måns Kjellander, Umeå Energi. </p><h3>Further information </h3><p>Read more about the project "A trustworthy decision support system för energy management at Umeå Energi <a href="~/link/20815855c42e42cc86634c67547f96ef.aspx">here</a>." Please contact our project managers using the details below.</p>/en/news/umea-first-in-sweden-to-use-responsible-ai-in-combined-heat-and-power_12156569//en/news/new-report-shows-power-shift-in-antarctic-research_12163841/Antarctic research enters a new phase as global effort evolves, new report showsA new international report reveals significant evolution in global Antarctic research activity, highlighting evolving scientific effort, evolving collaboration patterns, with implications for the availability of scientific output to the Antarctic Treaty System.Wed, 25 Feb 2026 07:00:08 +0100<p>The Antarctic Research Trends Report 2025 analysed nearly 30,000 peer-reviewed publications from 2016 to 2024. It was produced by the Arctic Centre at Umeå University in collaboration with the University of Tasmania and Nordic Institute for Studies in Innovation, Research and Education (NIFU), with support from the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and UArctic. The report provides a comprehensive bibliometric assessment of publication volume, research quality, international collaboration, and citation impact in Antarctic and Southern Ocean science. The findings point to a changing landscape.</p><p>China’s contribution to research output has grown substantially <br>The annual number of Antarctic publications peaked in 2021 and has since declined slightly. This comes at a time when dramatic changes have increasingly been observed in the Antarctic, requiring more scientific investigation, not fewer.</p><p>However, the most striking development is the shift in effort. Between 2022 and 2024, China’s research contributions grew substantially and surpassed other nations in Antarctic publication output. In 2024, those publications appeared more frequently in top-quartile journals, an important indicator of research quality.</p><p>While the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia have traditionally strong Antarctic science output, several of these countries show declining publication trends during the study period. China, by contrast, has nearly tripled its fractionalised publication output since 2017.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Scientific output remains important for the Antarctic Treaty System</h2><p>The report underscores that scientific publishing is not only an academic matter. Within the Antarctic Treaty System, scientific activity forms the basis for consultative status and influence. Research output remains a critical measure of credibility and presence on the continent.</p><p class="quote-center">Antarctic research is one of the most internationally collaborative scientific fields in the world. But we are now seeing an evolution in effort and collaboration patterns of Antarctic research,</p><p>As planning for the Fifth International Polar Year (2032–33) accelerates, understanding who produces Antarctic knowledge and how collaboration patterns evolve becomes increasingly relevant for policymakers and research institutions alike.</p><p>“Antarctic research is one of the most internationally collaborative scientific fields in the world. But we are now seeing an evolution in effort and collaboration patterns of Antarctic research,” says Gary Wilson, President of Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) “Scientific output continues to shape both knowledge and policy direction in Antarctica. These trends signal an evolution in how Antarctic research is undertaken and presented.”</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">High-quality science, but declining citation impact</h2><p>More than half of Antarctic publications between 2022 and 2024 appeared in first-quartile journals, more than double the global average across research fields. Antarctic research continues to be published in highly influential journals.</p><p>At the same time, the report identified a notable decline in field-weighted citation impact after 2021. Antarctic research was cited above the global average before 2021, but has since fallen below it.</p><p>The reasons for this decline are not yet fully understood and warrant further investigation. The report suggests that the rapid expansion of publication volume in some countries, combined with shifting collaboration patterns, may contribute to the trend.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">International collaboration remains strong, but uneven</h2><p>Antarctic science remains deeply collaborative. Approximately 45 percent of publications involve international co-authorship, significantly higher than the global average across scientific fields.</p><p>However, collaboration patterns vary substantially between countries. While many European nations show very high rates of multilateral cooperation, some major publishing countries exhibit lower levels of international co-authorship.</p><p>The report maps global collaboration networks in detail, illustrating how Antarctic science functions as a tightly connected yet evolving global research system. Taken together, the findings point to changing scientific effort in Antarctica, with effort shifting even as collaboration remains strong and research quality high.</p><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3">A baseline for the next decade of polar science</h2><p>The Antarctic Research Trends Report 2025 provides an evidence-based overview of contemporary Antarctic research and follows a previous report analysing Arctic research trends. Together, these analyses contribute to a broader understanding of global polar science ahead of IPY-5, at a moment when the geography of knowledge production in Antarctica is visibly evolving.</p><p>The report will be officially launched in connection with a pre-event to the third Monaco Polar Symposium.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="38600261-9318-49aa-bf76-b96074d2ce64" data-contentname="">{}</div>/en/news/new-report-shows-power-shift-in-antarctic-research_12163841//en/news/high-intensity-training-beneficial-also-for-adults-over-65_12163728/High intensity training beneficial also for golden agersIt is well known that physical activity is essential for good health – especially for older adults – but how we exercise can make a significant difference. A new doctoral thesis from Umeå University shows that short, high‑intensity training sessions not only save time but may also be more effective than traditional endurance training for older individuals.Thu, 26 Feb 2026 17:06:55 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/aa4586ee5c6a4a4990cb0da0d1ee5328/sofi_sandstrom_13.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/aa4586ee5c6a4a4990cb0da0d1ee5328/sofi_sandstrom_13.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/aa4586ee5c6a4a4990cb0da0d1ee5328/sofi_sandstrom_13.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/aa4586ee5c6a4a4990cb0da0d1ee5328/sofi_sandstrom_13.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/aa4586ee5c6a4a4990cb0da0d1ee5328/sofi_sandstrom_13.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/aa4586ee5c6a4a4990cb0da0d1ee5328/sofi_sandstrom_13.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Sofi Sandström, Department of Diagnostics and Intervention at Umeå University, has investigated high-intensity training for people 65 years of age and older in her thesis.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ingrid Söderbergh</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">One of the most exciting findings in my research is the link between muscle strength and brain function</p><p>“One of the most exciting findings in my research is the link between muscle strength and brain function. When sessions become shorter and the intensity increases, older adults seem to gain additional benefits for both leg strength and working memory,” says Sofi Sandström, who conducted her doctoral work at the Department of Diagnostics and Intervention at Umeå University.</p><p>Physical activity is known to provide a wide range of health benefits, and for older adults it is particularly crucial, many age‑related declines can actually be improved through exercise. Yet many older individuals remain physically inactive, posing a major public health challenge.</p><p>High‑intensity training (HIT), which consists of very short but intense, pulse‑raising intervals, is a relatively new exercise method that has shown promising health effects in younger adults. Sara Sandström’s thesis, based on the Umeå HIT Study, examines how different levels of training intensity affect fitness, brain function, and muscle strength in people over the age of 65.</p><p>The study involved 68 participants aged 66 to 79 who did not typically exercise regularly. They were randomly assigned to two groups, both training twice weekly for three months on stationary bikes. One group performed moderate‑intensity endurance training (40‑minute sessions), while the other completed high‑intensity interval training (10 x 6‑second intervals in 20‑minute sessions).</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Half the time, better esults</h2><p>The findings show that both groups improved their fitness and blood pressure to a similar degree, regardless of training intensity. However, the shorter and more intense sessions produced greater gains in leg strength and working memory, which is two functions that often decline with age. Sofi Sandström argues that the results make high‑intensity training a surprisingly promising method.</p><p>“Researchers have previously been uncertain whether older adults should engage in high‑intensity training at all, but my results suggest it works at least as well as moderate‑intensity exercise. High‑intensity, controlled sessions could therefore become an important alternative for older individuals looking to vary their training,” she says.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Stronger legs, sharper minds</h2><p>Cognitive function was assessed using a broad test battery focusing on working memory. Brain activation during working‑memory tasks was also measured using MRI. The results showed that increased leg strength was associated with greater frontal‑lobe activation during the memory task as well as better test performance. This suggests that muscular adaptation may be an important target for training aimed at protecting brain health.</p><p>Earlier research has suggested that age‑related changes in the brain’s white matter limit the effects of traditional endurance training on working memory. Individuals with more pronounced white‑matter changes often show smaller improvements. However, Sara Sandström’s thesis found that high‑intensity training improved working memory even among participants with substantial white‑matter changes.</p><p>“This indicates that high‑intensity exercise may be particularly valuable for people showing early changes in white matter,” says Sofi Sandström.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Home‑based training with a chair</h2><p>To explore how high‑intensity training could be made accessible to a wider audience, Sofi Sandström also investigated home‑based alternatives requiring no advanced equipment. This was done in a co‑creation study where researchers and participants worked together on a solution.</p><p>The high‑intensity session was adapted into fast‑paced “sit‑to‑stand” movements using a standard chair, an approach that produced similar immediate physiological responses to the high‑intensity cycling sessions.</p><p>“The next step is to develop a mobile app that can guide the training sessions and to test the programme with a new group of older adults to see if the results hold for those without prior HIT experience. The goal is for the training to be performed at home in the future,” Sofi Sandström says.</p>/en/news/high-intensity-training-beneficial-also-for-adults-over-65_12163728//en/news/a-pitch-can-be-the-beginning-of-a-new-collaboration_12163703/A pitch can be the beginning of a new collaborationWhen the season’s first IceLab Lunch Pitch kicked off, it was molecular biologist Johan Henriksson who took the stage. He needs collaborators who can develop algorithms capable of handling and completing millions of microbial gene sequences. In his research, a single sampling event generates such a massive amount of data that today’s analytical methods are no longer sufficient.Tue, 24 Feb 2026 08:33:11 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/0be7c5a4d0104b199e76588ea58b3a71/20260211_lunchpitch-133.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/0be7c5a4d0104b199e76588ea58b3a71/20260211_lunchpitch-133.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/0be7c5a4d0104b199e76588ea58b3a71/20260211_lunchpitch-133.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/0be7c5a4d0104b199e76588ea58b3a71/20260211_lunchpitch-133.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/0be7c5a4d0104b199e76588ea58b3a71/20260211_lunchpitch-133.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/0be7c5a4d0104b199e76588ea58b3a71/20260211_lunchpitch-133.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Johan Henriksson believes that the Lunch Pitch format is one of the better ways we have to create new collaborations between researchers from different disciplines.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Gabrielle Beans</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">we will become increasingly dependent on expertise from other disciplines</p><p>“Our research group is always looking for collaborations, and our problems range from quite tough mathematics to equally challenging programming. For the next generation of biology, we will become increasingly dependent on expertise from other disciplines, since we simply cannot fit all the necessary knowledge into a single lab,” says Johan Henriksson, research fellow at the Department of Molecular Biology at Umeå University.</p><p>The Lunch Pitch series, organized by IceLab at Umeå University, is designed to gather researchers from different fields during a lunch break for short, focused presentations that spark conversations and drive new collaborations.</p><p>Johan Henriksson sees the format as fully aligned with the future of biological research. He refers to sociologist Max Weber, who already in the late 19th century argued that society would become increasingly specialized – so specialized that individuals would no longer be able to grasp the bigger picture. According to Johan Henriksson, this development has only accelerated.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Seeking collaboration in machine learning</h2><p>At the centre of Johan’s presentation was a new method developed by his team that can capture many, yet only a small subset of, up to one million bacterial genome sequences at the same time. By being able to study so many bacteria, one at a time, it becomes possible to understand, for example how antibiotic resistance develops.</p><p>“This is an absolutely insane amount of data, and we need new tools to analyse it. Right now we are studying one cell at a time, and that does not work very well when the data is so sparse.”</p><p>The goal is to develop a machine learning model, algorithm, or data structure that can represent the underlying shared genetic variation and fill in the missing information between sampled cells.</p><p>“From there, we might also be able to annotate the genetic sequence in a single step, for example identify which genes are present and what they do.”</p><p>Johan Henriksson is eager to collaborate with researchers in machine learning, sparse linear algebra, vector databases, or advanced data structures. He also sees potential within federated data processing.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/0be7c5a4d0104b199e76588ea58b3a71/20260211_lunchpitch-022.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/0be7c5a4d0104b199e76588ea58b3a71/20260211_lunchpitch-022.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/0be7c5a4d0104b199e76588ea58b3a71/20260211_lunchpitch-022.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/0be7c5a4d0104b199e76588ea58b3a71/20260211_lunchpitch-022.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/0be7c5a4d0104b199e76588ea58b3a71/20260211_lunchpitch-022.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/0be7c5a4d0104b199e76588ea58b3a71/20260211_lunchpitch-022.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The Icelab lunch pitch is followed by lively discussions.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Gabrielle Beans</span></div></div><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Boiling problems down to their essence</h2><p>Speaking to a broad interdisciplinary audience is always a challenge, he notes.</p><p>“You have to distill the essence of your problem. What you find most interesting is not necessarily what captures the audience’s attention. But that is also precisely why you pitch. You present problems that others may find exciting and that require different kinds of expertise.”</p><p>He continues:</p><p>“There may even be users (biologists) who now realize the possibilities we have. This is a promising area where we have a chance to take the lead, so anyone with business sense should get on board.”</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">A pitch is a beginning</h2><p>Despite the fact that creating new collaborations is never easy, Johan Henriksson believes that the Lunch Pitch format is one of the best ways to ignite the spark.</p><p>“Honestly, it is not easy, but it is probably the best we can do. A pitch is only the beginning of a conversation. Then the real work begins, when both sides must learn enough about the problem to contribute to a solution. The devil is always in the details.”</p><p>For him, the true strength of the event lies in its ability to gather open‑minded researchers in the same room.</p><p>“Now we just need to turn words into action!”</p>/en/news/a-pitch-can-be-the-beginning-of-a-new-collaboration_12163703//en/news/mixed-reality-increases-realism-in-training-for-mass-casualty-incidents_12163265/Mixed reality increases realism in training for mass casualty incidentsA new thesis from Umeå University shows how emerging virtual technologies can complement traditional disaster training and offer emergency medical personnel the opportunity to practice complex situations in realistic ways – before they occur in real life.Mon, 23 Feb 2026 17:00:18 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/efc109b8dba34fad89ac84826d0225be/green_manikin_med1stmr3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/efc109b8dba34fad89ac84826d0225be/green_manikin_med1stmr3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/efc109b8dba34fad89ac84826d0225be/green_manikin_med1stmr3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/efc109b8dba34fad89ac84826d0225be/green_manikin_med1stmr3.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/efc109b8dba34fad89ac84826d0225be/green_manikin_med1stmr3.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/efc109b8dba34fad89ac84826d0225be/green_manikin_med1stmr3.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Fredrik Schulz's thesis shows how new virtual technology can complement traditional disaster training.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>MED1stMR</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">combines real and digital environments</p><p>“My results show that mixed reality simulation training, which combines real and digital environments, is an effective and pedagogically robust method that allows emergency medical personnel to immerse themselves and prepare to handle major incidents with multiple casualties,” says Fredrik Schulz that recently received his PhD degree. He conducted his doctoral studies at the Department of Nursing and the Knowledge Centre for Disaster Medicine at Umeå University.</p><p>Major incidents often mean that available resources are insufficient relative to the number of injured. This places immense pressure on emergency responders, who must prioritize and make decisions under time constraints – situations where mistakes can have life‑or‑death consequences. Effective and realistic training is therefore essential, both for managing stress and performing critical tasks.</p><p>Previous research has shown that despite various forms of training, many professionals in emergency care feel insufficiently prepared for mass‑casualty incidents. As preparedness challenges in healthcare continue to grow, mixed reality is becoming an increasingly important tool for realistic and flexible training.</p><p>Mixed reality is a technology that combines the physical world with digital elements. Unlike virtual reality – where the user fully enters a computer‑generated environment and typically uses handheld controllers – mixed reality takes place within the real environment. Participants see and interact simultaneously with real people and virtual objects projected into the room, such as patients or accident scenarios. This allows them to move freely and collaborate as they would in real life, while encountering digital events that would otherwise be difficult or dangerous to recreate during training.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareleft"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/efc109b8dba34fad89ac84826d0225be/fredrik_schulz3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/efc109b8dba34fad89ac84826d0225be/fredrik_schulz3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/efc109b8dba34fad89ac84826d0225be/fredrik_schulz3.jpg?format=webp&mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/efc109b8dba34fad89ac84826d0225be/fredrik_schulz3.jpg?mode=crop&width=640 640w, /contentassets/efc109b8dba34fad89ac84826d0225be/fredrik_schulz3.jpg?mode=crop&width=854 854w, /contentassets/efc109b8dba34fad89ac84826d0225be/fredrik_schulz3.jpg?mode=crop&width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Fredrik Schulz is a registered nurse and earned a PhD at the Department of Nursing and Knowledge Centre for Disaster Medicine at Umeå University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Fredrik Sundvall / FotoINorr</span></div></div><p>In his thesis, Fredrik Schulz explored how mixed reality technology can complement traditional disaster training and identified the factors that facilitate or hinder the learning process of skills required for major incidents. With this dissertation, he is among the first to study both technical (medical management) and non‑technical skills (such as communication, stress management, and situational awareness) in a larger group of participants.</p><p>Data were collected from emergency care services in several European countries using various methods, including observations during field exercises, interviews, self‑assessment instruments, surveys, and group discussions.</p><p>The results confirm that there remains a strong need for new methods that can strengthen both the practical and mental preparedness of emergency medical personnel.</p><p>One clear factor that supported learning through mixed reality was the strong sense of presence and immersion in the scenario.</p><p>“By presenting the accident scene virtually, emergency responders can practice forming an overall picture of the situation, collaborating with other actors on site, and understanding the different roles and areas of responsibility that exist during a major incident.”</p><p>At the same time, Fredrik Schulz found that increased realism does not automatically lead to better learning of technical skills.</p><p>“For mixed reality technology to reach its full potential, simulation training needs to reflect clinical practice to an even greater extent,” he says.</p><p>The hope is that the research findings will support the future development of mixed‑reality‑based training programmes in disaster medicine education and thereby strengthen emergency responders’ preparedness for future crises.</p>/en/news/mixed-reality-increases-realism-in-training-for-mass-casualty-incidents_12163265/