/A RSS feed provided by Umeå Universityen-usFri, 20 Jun 2025 04:47:02 +0200/en/news/expedition-maps-risks-of-balthicseabed-mining_12113617/This year’s winner of the USBE Research Institute Scientific Award is Angelos Kostis! The award was established to promote research within USBE, and the idea behind the scientific award is to celebrate scientific writing as well as highlight high-quality research in the field.Thu, 19 Jun 2025 11:16:06 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/db558dddf2994118968b3d7882854e8e/angelos_kostis3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/db558dddf2994118968b3d7882854e8e/angelos_kostis3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/db558dddf2994118968b3d7882854e8e/angelos_kostis3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/db558dddf2994118968b3d7882854e8e/angelos_kostis3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/db558dddf2994118968b3d7882854e8e/angelos_kostis3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/db558dddf2994118968b3d7882854e8e/angelos_kostis3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Angelos Kostis</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Private</span></div></div><p>Marie Viberg, Chair of the USBE Research Institute:<br>&ldquo;Angelos Kostis has published high-quality research in leading international journals, while also building an extensive international network and achieving great success in securing research funding. His scientific contributions make him a truly deserving recipient of this year&rsquo;s USBE Scientific Award.&rdquo;</p><p>Angelos Kostis, recipient of the USBE Research Institute Scientific Award:<br>&ldquo;The scientific award is a recognition that reflects a collective accomplishment and the support of I've received from the University, the department, my colleagues, my co-authors, and my students. Receiving such an award is the outcome of a collective commitment to an environment where curiosity is valued, ambition is wisely nurtured, individual wins are seen as manifestations of teamwork successes and care is generously guaranteed. Thank you very much for the USBE Scientific Award, which is a big honour, but nothing else than a manifestation of teamwork, success and care.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Jury&rsquo;s Motivation</h2><p>&ldquo;The idea behind the Award is to celebrate scientific writing and to distinguish high-quality research. Since defending his award-winning doctoral thesis in 2020, Kostis has produced remarkable research output, both in terms of quantity and quality. His work has been consistently published in high-ranked and well-recognized international journals. In addition, Kostis has established a broad international network for collaboration with researchers at world-leading universities and has successfully secured research funding.</p><p>Overall, the achievements of Angelos Kostis make him a truly well-deserved recipient of the Scientific Award for 2025.&rdquo;</p>/en/news/usbe-research-institute-scientific-award-2025_12114049//en/news/exploring-future-food-through-science-and-education_12113226/This autumn, Umeå University is hosting two highly relevant conferences focusing on future eating habits, health, and the role of schools in food education. Researchers, educators, decision-makers, and other interested parties are welcome to join these events that combine science, practice, and societal perspectives.Wed, 18 Jun 2025 17:01:52 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/3260e6cdd8ab4fe1a26cd664cbf0537e/kostvetenskap_9552_180124_mpn_kopia2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/3260e6cdd8ab4fe1a26cd664cbf0537e/kostvetenskap_9552_180124_mpn_kopia2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/3260e6cdd8ab4fe1a26cd664cbf0537e/kostvetenskap_9552_180124_mpn_kopia2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/3260e6cdd8ab4fe1a26cd664cbf0537e/kostvetenskap_9552_180124_mpn_kopia2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/3260e6cdd8ab4fe1a26cd664cbf0537e/kostvetenskap_9552_180124_mpn_kopia2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/3260e6cdd8ab4fe1a26cd664cbf0537e/kostvetenskap_9552_180124_mpn_kopia2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p><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><p>In September and October, the role of food in society takes center stage at two conferences addressing current issues from both research and applied perspectives. One focuses on plant-based fermentation and sustainable food production, while the other explores meals and learning in school environments. Both conferences are organized by the Department of Food, Nutrition and Culinary science at Ume&aring; University and welcome both national and international participants.</p><h3>September 8 &ndash; International Symposium on Plant-Based Fermented Foods</h3><p>The symposium&nbsp;&ldquo;Plant-Based Fermented Foods: Present and Future&rdquo;&nbsp;brings together researchers and experts in microbiology, fermentation, nutrition, social sciences, and consumer behavior. The event is part of the EU-funded HealthFerm project and offers an interdisciplinary program featuring keynote lectures, research presentations, and networking opportunities.<br>Topics include microbial processes, health effects, consumer insights, and ethnographic perspectives on fermentation. <br><strong>Guest speakers:<br></strong>- Associate Professor D. Giacalone: <em>Diverse perceptions: How sensory quality and personal factors drive acceptance of (fermented) plant-based foods</em><br>- Professor D. Nielsen: <em>Enhancing the nutritional and eating quality of plant-based fermented foods using Bacillus and moulds</em></p><p><a href="~/link/b149efc213e34f6d8534f33c75a6251b.aspx"><em>Read more and register here.</em></a></p><h3>October 10 &ndash; Nordic Conference on Food, Meals, and Learning in Schools</h3><p>The Nordic conference&nbsp;&ldquo;Food, Meals, and Learning in Schools&rdquo;&nbsp;targets researchers, educators, and policymakers interested in the role of school meals in education, health, and sustainable development. Participation is possible either on-site in Ume&aring; or online via Zoom.<br>The conference focuses on both challenges and opportunities related to school meals, learning environments, and collaboration between research and practice.</p><p><a href="~/link/0cd3ac076eb04dc5a8fb38f3b1641137.aspx"><em>Read more and register here.</em></a></p><p>Both events offer unique opportunities for knowledge exchange, inspiration, and networking across scientific, educational, and national boundaries.</p>/en/news/exploring-future-food-through-science-and-education_12113226//en/news/sailing-for-science-umea-students-on-the-one-ocean-expedition_12113603/In early spring 2025, master’s and PhD students from Umeå University were able to apply for a month-long course onboard the ship S/S Statsraad Lehmkuhl, which will voyage across the north-west passage as a part of the One Ocean Expedition. Among the applications, two participants from Umeå University were selected.Wed, 18 Jun 2025 09:41:20 +0200<p>After the application deadline on 7 April, the hosting university UiT &ndash; the Arctic University of Norway selected two participants from Ume&aring; University: Lena Leimgruber and Nikiforos Staveris. Lena Leimgruber is a Doctoral candidate in Language Studies, and Nikiforos Staveris is a Master student in Computer Science. They will board the ship in September and voyage between Cambridge Bay, Canada and Whittier, Alaska. Onboard, they will take part on the course &ldquo;Arctic Future Pathfinders &ndash; A journey through the Northwest Passage&rdquo;.</p><p>Lena Leimgruber is a Doctoral candidate in English literature at Department of Language Studies at Ume&aring; University. Her research focuses on speculative fiction, postcolonial literature and ecocriticism, with a focus on the Arctic.</p><p>Nikiforos Staveris has a bachelor&rsquo;s degree in computer science from the Athens University of Economics and Business, and studies the master&rsquo;s program in Artificial Intelligence at Department of Computer Science at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>The course &ldquo;Arctic Future Pathfinders &ndash; A journey through the Northwest Passage&rdquo; is a 10 ECTS course for master&rsquo;s and PhD students. It is linked to Norway&rsquo;s Arctic Ocean 2050 initiative and the upcoming International Polar Year in 2032/33, aiming to train students and young academics to become essential Arctic researchers.</p><h3>Representing The Arctic Six</h3><p>The hosting university is one of the Arctic universities within the alliance The Arctic Six. They tasked all other Arctic Six universities to nominate researchers or students to the expedition, which enabled people from Ume&aring; University to apply. The Arctic Six is represented on the voyage by at least one participant from each university.</p><p><a href="https://www.oneoceanexpedition.com/">More about the One Ocean Expedition</a></p><p><a href="https://www.arcticsix.org/">More about The Arctic Six</a></p>/en/news/sailing-for-science-umea-students-on-the-one-ocean-expedition_12113603//en/news/how-small-changes-in-atoms-improve-hydrogen-production_12113583/Researchers at Umeå University have identified the inner workings of a highly efficient and stable catalyst for hydrogen production, a process central to many sustainable energy initiatives.Wed, 18 Jun 2025 09:28:51 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/d29b8807829142da85ce4f87194adda9/mouna-rafei-press-release3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/d29b8807829142da85ce4f87194adda9/mouna-rafei-press-release3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/d29b8807829142da85ce4f87194adda9/mouna-rafei-press-release3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/d29b8807829142da85ce4f87194adda9/mouna-rafei-press-release3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/d29b8807829142da85ce4f87194adda9/mouna-rafei-press-release3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/d29b8807829142da85ce4f87194adda9/mouna-rafei-press-release3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Mouna Rafei, doctoral student at the Department of Physics.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Eduardo Gracia</span></div></div><p>In a recently published study in the scientific journal Communications Materials, researchers have found a way to improve catalysts for water electrolysis, which splits water into hydrogen and oxygen to generate clean fuel.</p><p>The study tackles a long-standing mystery: how can catalysts made of nickel, iron and molybdenum maintain their exceptional activity and continue to efficiently split water, even after a significant portion of their molybdenum is lost during operation.</p><p>Hydrogen is an excellent energy source, and its production from water through electrolysis forms the basis of several sustainable energy initiatives. The problem has been that the catalysts responsible for generating oxygen often wear out under harsh operational conditions, a major limitation for widespread adoption.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Works even after losing components</h2><p>For years, the activity and stability of these nickel-iron-molybdenum catalysts has been a puzzle: How could they maintain their exceptional performance even after molybdenum, a key component, washed away?</p><p>The key lies in subtle but critical changes in how the atoms are arranged. When molybdenum is present at the start, it influences how nickel and iron are positioned in the material.</p><p>&ldquo;You can think of it like stretching a perfect diamond into a slightly enlarged shape. This makes it easier for the catalyst to react with water and form compounds that are important for splitting water,&rdquo; says Mouna Rafei, first author of the study.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Like building a stable foundation</h2><p>Interestingly, even after molybdenum has disappeared, these changes in the atomic structure remain. It is like building a stable foundation: even after removing the scaffolding, the structure still stands and works as it should.</p><p>These results will guide the development of even more robust and cost-effective catalysts for water electrolysis, and may also inspire similar strategies for designing durable catalysts in other electrochemical applications.</p><p>&ldquo;We were able to understand what the role of molybdenum is, and why we need it in our material even if it eventually washes away,&rdquo; says Eduardo Gracia, senior author of the study. &nbsp;&ldquo;This makes us wonder if there are other, more accessible chemical elements or processes that could create similar distortions. Our results suggest that other materials might experience similar effects if molybdenum, or other elements, are added. In a way, this opens new routes to design entirely new types of catalysts.&rdquo;</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="eceefd30-8fc3-41dc-8ab5-ac608bd28297" data-contentname="Explanation of terms">{}</div><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="e650138f-17c5-477f-8c94-2c27b40a6f32" data-contentname="About the scientific study">{}</div>/en/news/how-small-changes-in-atoms-improve-hydrogen-production_12113583//en/news/here-is-the-new-academic-leadership-at-umea-university_12109811/A new research project at the Department of Geography has received nearly six million SEK from Formas to investigate how social infrastructure can enhance social inclusion in small villages located in sparsely populated areas in Sweden, Austria, and Australia. The project, led by Doris Carson, is based on international collaboration and comparative case studies looking at how to develop sustainable and inclusive social meeting spaces for local communities.Thu, 12 Jun 2025 13:58:43 +0200<h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">A growing need for social meeting places</h2><p>In many small rural villages, opportunities for social interaction have declined over time largely because schools, shops, and other key meeting places have shut down or vanished. The project "<a href="~/link/7332e45ae2bd45bba6210e2ac1244444.aspx">Social futures of small villages</a>" will investigate how villages can rebuild and expand social infrastructure that strengthens inclusion, particularly for groups at risk of social exclusion.</p><p class="quote-center">With this project, we want to contribute to strengthening the capacity of the villages themselves to create inclusive social environments.</p><p>&ldquo;We can see how the loss of social meeting places affects people, especially newcomers, the elderly, and young people,&rdquo; says Doris Carson, Associate Professor and project leader at the Department of Geography.&nbsp;&ldquo;With this project, we want to contribute to strengthening the capacity of the villages themselves to create inclusive social environments. Key to this is recognising that village communities are diverse and constantly changing as a result of migration and mobility. This also means that the places and modes of social interaction are changing. New social infrastructure solutions will need to include a range of formats that meet the needs of different village populations, not just traditional physical spaces, but also mobile, temporary, and technological ways of connecting people.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">An International Research Collaboration</h2><p>The project is a collaboration between Ume&aring; University, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg in Austria, and the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia. By studying villages in different countries and sharing ideas and experiences, the researchers aim to co-create new models for social infrastructure.</p><p>&ldquo;The international collaboration is crucial,&rdquo; emphasises co-investigator Dean Carson, who has long-standing research connections in rural Australia and is currently a visiting professor at Ume&aring; University&rsquo;s Department of Epidemiology and Global Health.&nbsp;&ldquo;Small villages look different depending on culture and social systems, and we have a lot to learn from each other. By connecting villages from different countries, we hope to develop and exchange ideas that really work in practice.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">From Research to Change</h2><p>The researchers will apply an innovative method known as a &ldquo;social festival,&rdquo; where village residents engage in an ongoing dialogue about social inclusion, identify barriers, and co-design ideas for new social spaces. The project will culminate in a festival day in each country, during which the results will be shared and ideas disseminated to additional villages and municipalities.</p><p class="quote-center">Our goal is to foster tangible improvements in social infrastructure and inclusion directly within the villages themselves.</p><p>Professor Andreas Koch from Paris Lodron University of Salzburg has previously worked with social festivals in peripheral villages of the Austrian Alps and emphasises the societal value of such action-oriented research methods:</p><p>&ldquo;Our goal is to foster tangible improvements in social infrastructure and inclusion directly within the villages themselves,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s not just about scientific research but about engaging local communities and providing people the tools to shape their own social future.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3">For a More Sustainable Countryside</h2><p>The project responds to Formas&rsquo; strategic agenda for sustainable spatial planning and aims to redirect attention to the lived realities and social infrastructure needs of small villages located in what&rsquo;s often referred to as declining rural peripheries. By focusing on the villagers&rsquo; own resources and engagement, the researchers seek to demonstrate how local knowledge and creativity can serve as a catalyst for development. Ultimately, the project aims to inspire more small villages to chart their own pathways forward, strengthen community cohesion, and cultivate a vibrant countryside where residents feel empowered to shape their own futures.</p><p><br>&nbsp;</p>/en/news/social-infrastructure-for-inclusion_12110435//en/news/14-new-arctic-six-fellows-ready-to-shape-the-future-of-the-arctic_12110378/The university alliance The Arctic Six has recently appointed 14 new Fellows who will carry out their projects relevant to the Arctic during the academic years 2025–2026 and 2026–2027. From Umeå University, two research fellows were appointed.Thu, 12 Jun 2025 09:30:35 +0200<p>Every second year, The Arctic Six appoints a new team of early-career researchers tasked with initiating new research and education projects over a two-year period. Their mandate is to find innovative ways to build interdisciplinary collaboration between six Arctic universities in Norway, Sweden and Finland.</p><p>For the academic year 2025&ndash;2026, 14 researchers, including postdoctoral fellows and doctoral candidates, have received grants to conduct research. Their projects span fields such as cold climate research, climate and environmental studies, food security, education, reconciliation processes, technology, digitalisation, geography, and business development.</p><p>From Ume&aring; University, two Postdoctoral fellows were selected: Dorothee Bohn and Michel Rouleau-Dick.</p><p><a href="~/link/53e9d09e81714e4d9b8d7d273fddfc7c.aspx">Dorothee Bohn</a> is Postdoctoral fellow at Department of Geography. Her research project focuses on sustainable business strategies for Arctic regions, and aims to map how innovation and specialisation strategies, particularly in tourism, can affect employment and adaptability in Arctic regions.</p><p><a href="~/link/fd24d8340fd242b09631e7895b8d706d.aspx">Michel Rouleau-Dick</a> is Postdoctoral fellow at Department of Law. His research project asks whether digital citizenship can protect against future threats, and hopes to provide solutions for protecting minorities such as the S&aacute;mi, as well as populations in states threatened with disappearance due to climate change.</p><p><a href="https://www.arcticsix.org/arctic-six/news/news-archive/2025-06-04-14-new-arctic-six-fellows-exploring-pathways-to-the-future">Read more about all Arctic Six Fellows here</a></p>/en/news/14-new-arctic-six-fellows-ready-to-shape-the-future-of-the-arctic_12110378//en/news/umu-researchers-represented-in-uarctics-shared-voices-magazine_12109904/Earlier this year, the University of the Arctic (UArctic) published their annual magazine called “Shared Voices” where they share member research and activities related to the circumpolar North. Out the 16 articles, two of them were co-written by researchers at Umeå University.Wed, 11 Jun 2025 16:03:10 +0200<p>UArctic is an organization which gathers universities, colleges, research institutes, and other organisations concerned with education and research in and about the North, with the aim to develop knowledge to address challenges in the Arctic. Ume&aring; University is one of the member institutions. In late 2024, members were asked to share their activities to the next magazine, and among the applications, two were selected from researchers at Ume&aring; University: Ylva Sj&ouml;berg and Danielle Wilde.</p><p>Ylva Sj&ouml;berg is Associate professor at Department of Ecology and Environmental Science. Her research focuses on how a changing climate and cryosphere impact Arctic water resources at local and regional scales. She co-authored an article for the magazine about the launched PermaIntern project, where the aim is to bridge the gap between universities and real-world permafrost work.</p><p>Danielle Wilde is Professor at Ume&aring; Institute of Design, and Arctic Six Chair. Her expertise lies in embodied design, and ways of knowing, being, and doing. Her research uses participatory, sensory, and co-creative methods to explore how direct engagement with what is at stake can inspire new ways of thinking. Her co-authored article describes a workshop where workers and authorities explored differences and challenges between policies and lived experiences.</p><p>Find more about the articles below.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="77ba9010-6c36-4ce0-b226-9c56aeed7163" data-contentname="Ylvas artikel">{}</div><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="59e31985-22ac-4b5f-8eb4-50da9b3c7219" data-contentname="Danielles artikel">{}</div><p><a href="https://www.uarctic.org/about-us/shared-voices-magazine/shared-voices-2025/">Find the Shared Voices Magazine 2025 here</a></p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="84f026ee-ee79-482c-b0ad-5f72aa1f6e89" data-contentname="Kontakt">{}</div>/en/news/umu-researchers-represented-in-uarctics-shared-voices-magazine_12109904//en/news/nordea-thesis-award-in-diversity-and-inclusion-2025_12109846/Alva Lind and Markus Leautwiler, students at the Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics (USBE), are the recipients of this year’s award and a prize of SEK 15,000 for their thesis “Women’s Effect on the ESG Performance.”Wed, 11 Jun 2025 12:00:28 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/8a166ffb740a4c94b0d046baecdaddb1/nordea_bild_13.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/8a166ffb740a4c94b0d046baecdaddb1/nordea_bild_13.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/8a166ffb740a4c94b0d046baecdaddb1/nordea_bild_13.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/8a166ffb740a4c94b0d046baecdaddb1/nordea_bild_13.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/8a166ffb740a4c94b0d046baecdaddb1/nordea_bild_13.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/8a166ffb740a4c94b0d046baecdaddb1/nordea_bild_13.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Alva Lind and Markus Leautwiler.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Privat</span></div></div><p>The award aims to stimulate and sustain student interest in how topics within business administration, economics, and statistics relate to diversity and inclusion. The prize, awarded as a scholarship, is made possible through USBE&rsquo;s strong collaboration with Nordea.</p><p>Fredrik Stenling, Head of the Business Banking unit at Nordea:<br>&ldquo;The winning thesis applies a gender perspective to corporate sustainability efforts. Combined with a comprehensive and well-executed empirical analysis, this has resulted in a piece of work that is truly deserving of Nordea&rsquo;s scholarship for the best thesis in the field of diversity and inclusion.&rdquo;</p><p>Alva&rsquo;s comment:<br>&ldquo;A huge thank you to USBE, and especially to Nordea! We also want to thank our supervisor Henrik H&ouml;glund for all the support and guidance throughout the thesis process. It feels amazing to receive this award &ndash; diversity and inclusion are such important topics, and we&rsquo;re happy to contribute to highlighting them.&rdquo;</p><p>Markus&rsquo; comment:<br>&ldquo;We are incredibly grateful to receive this award from Nordea and USBE. We&rsquo;re glad to see this topic being recognized. Hopefully, this can inspire others to continue shedding light on the challenges we face regarding diversity and inclusion in the business world.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Jury&rsquo;s motivation:</h2><p>&ldquo;The thesis addresses a relevant and timely question regarding the relationship between female board members and ESG scores in publicly listed European companies, as diversity and inclusion are becoming increasingly central to corporate success and sustainability. The results and conclusions are both current and practically applicable.</p><p>The authors not only highlight the challenges of achieving board diversity but also offer potential solutions and examples of best practices. This contributes to a deeper understanding of how companies can actively work with diversity and inclusion to improve their ESG performance, which in turn can lead to increased corporate value and societal benefit.&rdquo;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/8a166ffb740a4c94b0d046baecdaddb1/usbe_graduation-ceeremony-2113-250605-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/8a166ffb740a4c94b0d046baecdaddb1/usbe_graduation-ceeremony-2113-250605-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/8a166ffb740a4c94b0d046baecdaddb1/usbe_graduation-ceeremony-2113-250605-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/8a166ffb740a4c94b0d046baecdaddb1/usbe_graduation-ceeremony-2113-250605-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/8a166ffb740a4c94b0d046baecdaddb1/usbe_graduation-ceeremony-2113-250605-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/8a166ffb740a4c94b0d046baecdaddb1/usbe_graduation-ceeremony-2113-250605-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Markus and Alva receive the award from the Dean of USBE Mats Bergman.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div>/en/news/nordea-thesis-award-in-diversity-and-inclusion-2025_12109846//en/news/highest-number-of-newly-admitted-doctoral-students--women-in-the-majority_12101014/There has been an increase in the number of new doctoral students at Umeå University. Every faculty had more women than men among newly admitted doctoral students last year.Tue, 10 Jun 2025 11:33:13 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/31a72617d24042678155a354852a8b11/campus-8298-240625-mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/31a72617d24042678155a354852a8b11/campus-8298-240625-mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/31a72617d24042678155a354852a8b11/campus-8298-240625-mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/31a72617d24042678155a354852a8b11/campus-8298-240625-mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/31a72617d24042678155a354852a8b11/campus-8298-240625-mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/31a72617d24042678155a354852a8b11/campus-8298-240625-mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>There are more newly admitted doctoral students at Ume&aring; University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>In 2024, 210 new doctoral students were admitted to the University, which is the highest number in 10 years. Compared with 2022, this represents a 7.1 per cent increase.</p><p>The number of active doctoral students last year totalled 1,042, which was an increase of 20 per cent compared with 2020. At the Faculty of Social Sciences, the number of active doctoral students increased by nearly 60 per cent between 2020 and 2024.</p><h3>Attractive place to develop</h3><p>For the first time since 2019, last year the Faculty of Science and Technology had more women than men among new doctoral students &ndash; 51 per cent were women.</p><p>At the Faculty of Medicine, women made up 66 per cent of newly admitted doctoral students during the same period.</p><p>&ldquo;It is encouraging that Ume&aring; University and the Faculty of Medicine are seen as an attractive place to develop as a researcher. We are constantly working to improve the work environment for doctoral students and increase opportunities for work-life balance,&rdquo; says Ann S&ouml;rlin, Director of Doctoral Studies at the Faculty of Medicine.</p><p>She emphasises that both the number of newly admitted doctoral students and the proportion of women among these have varied greatly in recent years at the faculty. In 2020, 68 per cent of newly admitted doctoral students were women; in 2023, the percentage decreased to 59 per cent and then increased again to 66 per cent in 2024. There is no clear trend, according to Ann S&ouml;rlin.</p><p>&ldquo;At the Faculty of Medicine, the number of newly admitted doctoral students is often a reflection of researchers having received external research grants.&rdquo;</p><h3>More women complete their doctoral degrees</h3><p>Since 2021, there have been more women than men among doctoral students in the country as a whole. More women than men have also completed a doctoral degree in the last three years in Sweden. The gender distribution among all graduating doctoral students in Sweden in 2023 was 50 per cent women and 50 per cent men.</p>/en/news/highest-number-of-newly-admitted-doctoral-students--women-in-the-majority_12101014//en/news/spectroscopy-expert-appointed-honorary-doctor-at-umea-university_12105687/Professor Kevin K. Lehmann from the University of Virginia, USA, has been appointed honorary doctor at the Faculty of Science and Technology at Umeå University for 2025. He is recognised for his strong commitment to research at the Department of Physics and for his important contributions to spectroscopy.Thu, 05 Jun 2025 08:00:09 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Kevin K. Lehmann, University of Virginia.</p></div></div><p>&ldquo;I was very surprised and grateful for the honor. I associate honorary doctorates with individuals of outstanding accomplishments which, to be honest, isn&rsquo;t how I usually think about myself. It&rsquo;s moving to know that my contributions to the field of spectroscopy are so highly valued,&rdquo; says Kevin K. Lehmann.</p><p>Kevin K. Lehmann is an internationally recognised expert in molecular spectroscopy &ndash; a technique that uses laser light to study how molecules behave and interact. His research has influenced both fundamental science and real-world applications, such as measuring greenhouse gases, analysing human breath for medical purposes, and monitoring industrial chemical processes.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Returns to Ume&aring;</h2><p>His connection to Ume&aring; University began in 2017 when he met Professor Aleksandra Foltynowicz at a conference in Europe. Their shared scientific interests quickly led to a collaboration that continues to this day. He first visited Ume&aring; in 2019 and has since returned several times, most recently for a six-month sabbatical which ended in March 2025.</p><p>His influence and close collaboration have led to a new research orientation at the department, which has gained significant international recognition and resulted in the awarding of several major research grants as well as multiple high-impact publications.</p><p>&ldquo;Professor Lehmann has played a key role in the development of a new line of research in our group,&rdquo; says Aleksandra Foltynowicz. &ldquo;His ideas helped us use our frequency comb method to tackle some unresolved problems in molecular spectroscopy, and his generous and collaborative spirit has been a real source of inspiration &ndash; not least for our doctoral students and postdocs.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">&ldquo;Followed my curiosity&rdquo;</h2><p>During his time in Ume&aring;, Professor Lehmann has not only worked closely with the lab team, but also given lectures for students and shared his expertise.</p><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve always followed my own curiosity and worked on questions that seemed important to me &ndash; sometimes in unconventional ways,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;Collaborating with researchers at other universities has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career. That&rsquo;s why this recognition from Ume&aring; University feels especially meaningful.&rdquo;</p><p>The installation of the faculty's new honorary doctorate will take place at Ume&aring; University's Annual Celebration in October.</p>/en/news/spectroscopy-expert-appointed-honorary-doctor-at-umea-university_12105687//en/news/one-single-rule-helps-explain-life-from-ocean-depths-to-open-savannas_12106068/A new study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution has found a simple rule that seems to govern how life is organised on Earth. The researchers believe this rule helps explain why species are spread the way they are across the planet. The discovery will help to understand life on Earth – including how ecosystems respond to global environmental changes.Wed, 04 Jun 2025 11:00:05 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Rub&eacute;n Bernardo-Madrid, Department of Physics, is the lead author of the study.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Gabrielle Beans</span></div></div><p>At first glance, Earth seems like a collection of wildly different worlds. Each region has its own species and environmental conditions. Yet, beneath this variety, there is a universal organising pattern, new research led from Ume&aring; University shows. This finding can help scientists explore how biodiversity has been shaped through time and how biodiversity can response against global change.</p><p>The planet is divided into large biogeographical regions, or bioregions, separated by oceans, mountain ranges or extreme climates. These barriers limit the movement of species, turning each region into a natural experiment where distinct groups of species have evolved under different conditions, timescales, and histories.</p><p class="quote-center">It seems these cores provide optimal conditions for species survival and diversification.</p><p>In this study, an international collaboration of research institutions from Sweden, Spain, and the UK examined species from very different life forms in bioregions across the world: amphibians, birds, dragonflies, mammals, marine rays, reptiles, and trees. Given the vast differences in life strategies &ndash; some species fly, others crawl, swim, or remain rooted &ndash; and the contrasting environmental and historical backgrounds of each bioregion, the researchers expected that patterns of species distribution would vary widely across bioregions. Surprisingly, they found the same pattern everywhere.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>The researchers were surprised to find that the pattern of species distribution was the same, regardless of the life form.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Wirestock/Freepik</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;In every bioregion, there is always a core area where most species live. From that core, species expand into surrounding areas, but only a subset manages to persist. It seems these cores provide optimal conditions for species survival and diversification, acting as a source from which biodiversity radiates outward,&rdquo; explains Rub&eacute;n Bernardo-Madrid, lead author and researcher at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>These findings support the disproportionate ecological role that some small areas play in sustaining the biodiversity of entire bioregions, and their conservation value.</p><p>The research also identifies the plausible mechanisms driving this pattern: the environmental filtering &ndash; the principle that only species able to tolerate local conditions, like heat or drought, can survive and colonise new areas. While this has long been a central theory in ecology, global empirical evidence has been scarce. This study provides broad confirmation across multiple branches of life and at a planetary scale.</p><p>&ldquo;The predictability of the pattern and its association with environmental filters can help to understand better how biodiversity may respond to global change,&rdquo; says Joaqu&iacute;n Calatayud, co-author from Rey Juan Carlos University.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="8971d0f2-f0a4-4a4d-9539-b338316da5ba" data-contentname="About the study">{}</div>/en/news/one-single-rule-helps-explain-life-from-ocean-depths-to-open-savannas_12106068//en/news/umea-university--2025-international-masters-graduates_12105617/On the afternoon of Tuesday, 27 May, Umeå University proudly honoured the achievements of nearly 300 students from 38 international master’s programmes at its annual Graduation Ceremony. This year’s event held special significance as it marked the inaugural ceremony led by newly appointed Vice-Chancellor Tora Holmberg, who offered inspiring words of encouragement to the graduates as they embarked on their next journey.Mon, 02 Jun 2025 18:11:49 +0200<p>Before a packed Aula Nordica auditorium at Campus Ume&aring;, master&rsquo;s degree students from around 50 countries proudly celebrated their achievements, joined by more than 600 guests, faculty, and staff. Vice-Chancellor Tora Holmberg delivered an inspiring graduation address, offering words of encouragement and advice.</p><p class="quote-center">The world needs people like you who dare to innovate, to care, who want to make a difference.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/a2f5a52f219242ab997bf8c9d46517a8/graduationceremony_ceremony-9099-250527-mpn.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/a2f5a52f219242ab997bf8c9d46517a8/graduationceremony_ceremony-9099-250527-mpn.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/a2f5a52f219242ab997bf8c9d46517a8/graduationceremony_ceremony-9099-250527-mpn.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/a2f5a52f219242ab997bf8c9d46517a8/graduationceremony_ceremony-9099-250527-mpn.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/a2f5a52f219242ab997bf8c9d46517a8/graduationceremony_ceremony-9099-250527-mpn.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/a2f5a52f219242ab997bf8c9d46517a8/graduationceremony_ceremony-9099-250527-mpn.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Vice-Chancellor Tora Holmberg delivers an address to the 2025 international master's graduates.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>"The best thing about knowledge is that it stays with you for a very long time," said Tora Holmberg. "It is through knowledge that we enrich our lives, but also how we change the world around us. The world needs people like you who dare to innovate, to care, who want to make a difference. Even if you travel further afield, I hope you will remember Ume&aring; University. Our doors will always be open to you.&rdquo;</p><p>This year's student speaker was Linde Wits from the Netherlands, who is graduating from the Master's Programme in Psychology with a specialization in Health Psychology. She spoke about her strong desire to connect to people&rsquo;s well-being, which she found again at Ume&aring; University, in addition to enjoying the small feel of a big green campus and vibrant sports culture.</p><p class="quote-center">I really feel that I&rsquo;ve found a second home here, and it has truly been a joy to study again.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/a2f5a52f219242ab997bf8c9d46517a8/graduationceremony_ceremony-9767-250527-mpn.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/a2f5a52f219242ab997bf8c9d46517a8/graduationceremony_ceremony-9767-250527-mpn.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/a2f5a52f219242ab997bf8c9d46517a8/graduationceremony_ceremony-9767-250527-mpn.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/a2f5a52f219242ab997bf8c9d46517a8/graduationceremony_ceremony-9767-250527-mpn.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/a2f5a52f219242ab997bf8c9d46517a8/graduationceremony_ceremony-9767-250527-mpn.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/a2f5a52f219242ab997bf8c9d46517a8/graduationceremony_ceremony-9767-250527-mpn.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Linde Wits delivered the student speech to her fellow graduates and hundreds of guests at the 2025 Graduation Ceremony.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p><br>"I really feel that I&rsquo;ve found a second home here, and it has truly been a joy to study again," said Linde Wits to her fellow graduates. "I hope each of you has found something meaningful in your time here &ndash; something that has made this experience uniquely yours."</p><p>The alumni speaker was Emma F&auml;llman, who has bachelor&rsquo;s degree in law from Ume&aring; University and currently works as an attorney at her own law firm. She primarily represents women who have experienced violence and sexual abuse. During her studies, she had the invaluable opportunity to study abroad in both Copenhagen and Cambridge, experiences that have greatly enriched her professional career.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/a2f5a52f219242ab997bf8c9d46517a8/graduationceremony_ceremony-0445-250527-mpn.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/a2f5a52f219242ab997bf8c9d46517a8/graduationceremony_ceremony-0445-250527-mpn.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/a2f5a52f219242ab997bf8c9d46517a8/graduationceremony_ceremony-0445-250527-mpn.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/a2f5a52f219242ab997bf8c9d46517a8/graduationceremony_ceremony-0445-250527-mpn.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/a2f5a52f219242ab997bf8c9d46517a8/graduationceremony_ceremony-0445-250527-mpn.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/a2f5a52f219242ab997bf8c9d46517a8/graduationceremony_ceremony-0445-250527-mpn.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Attorney Emma F&auml;llman delivered an inspiring alumni speech at the Graduation Ceremony 2025 in Aula Nordica.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">We live in a world where democracy and human rights cannot be taken for granted.</p><p>"Each one of you are role models - always remember that!" said Emma F&auml;llman. "We live in a world where democracy and human rights cannot be taken for granted. And it&rsquo;s we together in our global community, who have to stand up for, defend, and fight for development."<br><br>The ceremony featured three vocal performances by members of the Ume&aring; Student Choir, a respected ensemble that plays a vital role at various ceremonies at Ume&aring; University and Ume&aring;&rsquo;s cultural scene.&nbsp; Following the formal ceremony, students and guests gathered for a celebratory mingle, enjoying refreshments, and had the opportunity to capture memorable moments at the highly popular photo booth.<br><br>The annual Graduation Ceremony for International Master's Programmes is proudly organized by the International Office.<br><br><a title="Recording of the Graduation Ceremony 2025" href="https://live.mediaflow.com/34NE0ST29X" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Watch a recording of the Graduation Ceremony 2025</a></p>/en/news/umea-university--2025-international-masters-graduates_12105617//en/news/new-ai-research-secures-privacy_12105625/Empathy is often seen as a natural and essential part of the patient encounter – but reality tends to look quite different. In a new doctoral thesis from Umeå University, doctors describe how not only time pressure, but also the structure of medical education and the culture of the workplace, can make it difficult to live up to the ideal.Mon, 02 Jun 2025 09:00:04 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Johanna Von Knorring.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>In her thesis, Johanna von Knorring interviewed medical students, practicing doctors, and patients about how they experience and understand empathy in healthcare. The results show that empathy is relational and constantly changing &ndash; and that it is influenced by far more than an individual doctor&rsquo;s will or personality.</p><p>Participants in the study describe empathy as difficult to define, yet a natural part of a good healthcare encounter. It involves being present, listening actively and meeting the patient as a whole person &ndash; not just as a diagnosis. For patients, an empathetic approach can help create safety, trust and greater involvement in their own care.</p><p class="quote-center">There is a clash between what you&rsquo;ve been taught to strive for and what you&rsquo;re actually able to do in your daily work.</p><p>Although empathy is considered an ideal, the study highlights how difficult it can be to achieve in everyday practice. Medical students say that empathy is given attention in the early stages of their education, but once they enter the clinical environment, they face a reality shaped by time constraints, documentation demands and a strong focus on technical and medical efficiency &ndash; all of which make it harder to remain empathetically present.</p><p>&ldquo;There is a clash between what you&rsquo;ve been taught to strive for and what you&rsquo;re actually able to do in your daily work,&rdquo; says Johanna von Knorring, doctoral student at the Department of Clinical Sciences and the Industrial Doctoral School at Ume&aring; University.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Limited space for reflection</h2><p>Experienced doctors also describe how their empathy is negatively affected by the work environment, organisational conditions and a workplace culture that often prioritises efficiency over relational care. Many hope to serve as role models for younger colleagues &ndash; but find that there is limited space for reflection and discussion on patient interaction. At the same time, they emphasise that empathy does not disappear, but that it requires ongoing effort and support to be maintained.</p><p>Patients in the study show great understanding of the challenges faced by healthcare professionals but still call for a more person-centered approach &ndash; to be seen, heard and taken seriously. For them, empathy is not a bonus but a fundamental part of quality care.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Shared responsibility</h2><p>In summary, the thesis shows that empathy does not simply emerge in the encounter between two individuals. It is shaped by the design of medical education, workplace cultures and the values embedded in the healthcare system.</p><p>&ldquo;We need to understand empathy as something shaped and reshaped by its context. Creating better conditions for doctors to maintain and develop their empathy is a shared responsibility &ndash; one that rests with individuals, educational institutions and healthcare organisations,&rdquo; says Johanna von Knorring.</p><p><em>Johanna von Knorring&rsquo;s doctoral project has been funded by the Industrial Doctoral School at Ume&aring; University and Region V&auml;sterbotten. She is also a specialist trainee in oncology and teaches at the medical programme.</em></p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="76ffbd5d-99cb-4b75-b578-63d94a7ce6c7" data-contentname="About the public defence">{}</div><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="74b92039-6a80-4930-ba4f-6ad48cdf6752" data-contentname="Fakta Företagsforskarskolan ENG (standard)">{}</div>/en/news/doctors-struggle-with-empathy-in-a-high-pressure-work-environment_12103472//en/news/new-computational-tool-helps-to-identify-long-non-coding-rnas_12104417/An international research team, led by Jian-Feng Mao, have developed PlantLncBoost, a new computational tool that helps to identify long non-coding RNAs in plants. These RNAs are crucial for numerous biological processes but differ a lot between different plant species. PlantLncBoost addresses this challenge with very high accuracy offering new possibilities for genomic studies in plants. These findings were recently published in the journal New Phytologist.Wed, 11 Jun 2025 14:59:57 +0200<p>Long non-coding RNAs, called lncRNAs, are transcribed from DNA as other RNAs but they do not carry instructions for proteins. Instead, they help controlling genes, guide plant development and are involved in plant responses to stress like drought or heat. Identifying these lncRNAs has been difficult because their genetic sequences vary a lot between different plant species.</p><p>The team around Jian-Feng Mao tackled the problem using machine learning, a type of artificial intelligence that is trained on large amounts of data to find patterns. They analysed over 1,600 different features of lncRNAs and identified just three key features that could effectively distinguish lncRNAs from RNAs containing the code for a protein.</p><h3>Identification of sequence patterns using mathematical parameters</h3><p>What makes PlantLncBoost particularly innovative is its use of mathematical parameters to capture intrinsic sequence properties beyond traditional biological features. The research team used so called Fourier transformation-based approaches. That allowed them to detect patterns in the RNA sequences that are consistent across diverse plant species despite of the high variability in the genetic sequences.</p><p class="quote-center">We have developed a tool that achieves both high accuracy and strong generalization capabilities.</p><p>&ldquo;Through systematic evaluation of multiple machine learning algorithms and rigorous parameter optimization, we have developed a tool that achieves both high accuracy and strong generalization capabilities,&rdquo; explains Jian-Feng Mao, Associate professor at Ume&aring; University who established his lab at the Ume&aring; Plant Science Centre in 2023.</p><p>To make sure their new tool worked, the team tested PlantLncBoost on datasets from 20 different plant species. It correctly identified lncRNAs with over 96% accuracy, significantly outperforming existing tools. The tool even recognised nearly all 358 long lncRNAs that had been experimentally validated before, including those from twelve species that were not included in the training set used to develop the tool.</p><h3>New possibilities to analyse long non-coding RNAs across species</h3><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="45573d4b-e151-4284-b6fb-a637ada105eb" data-contentname="Xue-Chan Tian">{}</div><p>&ldquo;Developing PlantLncBoost was an exciting opportunity to apply machine learning to solve a complex biological problem,&rdquo; says first author Xue-Chan Tian, who completed this work as part of her PhD thesis at Beijing Forestry University. &ldquo;My doctoral programme focused on combining advanced computational methods with plant genomics to extract meaningful biological insights from complex sequence data.&rdquo;</p><p>The project brought together experts in genomics, bioinformatics and computer science from around the world, including researchers from Sweden, China and Brazil. The tool is now freely available to the scientific community and has been integrated in a larger analysis workflow that was developed earlier by Jian-Feng Mao&rsquo;s group. It allows not only to identify but also to characterise lncRNAs in plants. By implementing PlantLncBoost in this workflow, researchers can now identify long non-coding RNAs from different plant species much more accurate, making it easier to compare and analyse them.</p>/en/news/new-computational-tool-helps-to-identify-long-non-coding-rnas_12104417//en/news/vice-chancellor-blogs-on-the-universitys-role-in-conflicts_12103628/At Umeå University there is a course where students from all over the world can learn more about timeless crafts, cultural history and food habits in Västerbotten.Wed, 28 May 2025 16:58:06 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/75cc6fdbad12477eaeb3dc2f849e63c6/palt_slojd_img_1936-12.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/75cc6fdbad12477eaeb3dc2f849e63c6/palt_slojd_img_1936-12.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/75cc6fdbad12477eaeb3dc2f849e63c6/palt_slojd_img_1936-12.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/75cc6fdbad12477eaeb3dc2f849e63c6/palt_slojd_img_1936-12.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/75cc6fdbad12477eaeb3dc2f849e63c6/palt_slojd_img_1936-12.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/75cc6fdbad12477eaeb3dc2f849e63c6/palt_slojd_img_1936-12.jpg?mode=crop&amp;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>Per Melander</span></div></div><p class="quote-left">The teaching takes place in a relaxed environment, which means that conversations are often open and personal.</p><p>Swedish Sloyd is an evening woodworking course focusing on carving and traditional woodworking culture in V&auml;sterbotten, says Magnus Wink, one of the teachers &nbsp;of the course, which is given at Ume&aring; University and is aimed at exchange students.</p><p>&ldquo;The students come from many different countries and often have no previous experience of handicrafts. They choose the course to get an insight into Swedish culture and to try their hand at crafts in a practical and creative environment,&rdquo; says Magnus Wink.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="1f45b7f0-a11e-4bbf-9f3f-cda82b1c0957" data-contentname="Sloyd and palts">{}</div><p>He says they &nbsp;want to &nbsp;pass on a piece of our Swedish cultural heritage, particularly &nbsp;linked to crafts, he continues. By working with their hands &ndash; carving and shaping wood &ndash;students get a direct experience of the expression and meaning of woodwork.</p><p>&ldquo;They will make objects such as knives, spoons and a certain &ldquo;shrink wrap&rdquo;, &nbsp;allowing them to &nbsp;try out practical techniques as well as to &nbsp;approach the cultural and historical context of wood work .</p><p>&ldquo;The course is also a place for meetings between cultures &ndash; we encourage the students to reflect on their own cultural heritage, and one evening they shared it through short presentations, &nbsp;flavours or small objects from home&rdquo;.</p><h3>What kind of response do you usually get?</h3><p>&ldquo;The response is usually very positive. For many, it is the first time they have tried woodwork &nbsp;in a practical context. They appreciate the opportunity to work with materials such as wood, to use traditional tools and to learn techniques that are new to them.</p><p>&ldquo;Several describe it as both educational and relaxing &ndash; a welcome break from more theoretical studies&rdquo;.</p><p>In conclusion, Magnus Wink says that the teaching takes place in a relaxed environment, which means that conversations are often open and personal.</p><p>&ldquo;A space is created where students from different parts of the world get the chance to compare life experiences and cultural perspectives. Through the crafts, it becomes natural to talk about differences in upbringing, landscape and traditions&rdquo;.</p><p>Before the afternoon was over, everyone also got to take part in the springtime tradition of carving willow pipes under the supervision of Niklas Wahlstr&ouml;m, one of the teachers on the course.</p>/en/news/sloyd-palt-and-pipes-made-of-willow_12099096//en/news/prestigious-award-to-umea-molecular-biologist_12102961/The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the Florman Prize to Changchun Chen at Umeå University. The prize sum is 135,000 SEK.Tue, 27 May 2025 13:50:05 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/fd2e73ededa343cea0faed59e51690b6/changchun_chen_23.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/fd2e73ededa343cea0faed59e51690b6/changchun_chen_23.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/fd2e73ededa343cea0faed59e51690b6/changchun_chen_23.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/fd2e73ededa343cea0faed59e51690b6/changchun_chen_23.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/fd2e73ededa343cea0faed59e51690b6/changchun_chen_23.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/fd2e73ededa343cea0faed59e51690b6/changchun_chen_23.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Changchun Chen is associate professor at Department of molecular biology at Ume&aring; University</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ingrid S&ouml;derbergh</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">For me it is a signal of encouragement to keep going</p><p>&ldquo;I feel great! It was totally a surprise since there are so many excellent young scientists at Ume&aring; University and in Sweden who are doing really great research", says Changchun Cheng, associate professor at the Department of molecular biology at Ume&aring; University. &ldquo;For me it is a signal of encouragement to keep going&rdquo;.</p><p>The jury&rsquo;s motivation is &ldquo;&hellip; for having elucidated neural processes that regulate physiological and behavioural adaptations for survival under extreme living conditions using the nematode <em>C. elegans</em> as a model&rdquo;.</p><p>Changchun Chen is a molecular biologist into basic research and has worked at Ume&aring; University since the beginning of 2018. Using <em>C. elegans</em> as the primary model, he and his group focus on uncovering novel and conserved mechanisms that drive behavioural and physiological responses to stress conditions. This includes hypoxia-induced eating disorders, the remarkable tolerance of certain animals to complete oxygen deprivation, and the neuronal and immune responses to bacterial pathogens.</p><p>&ldquo;The reason why I use <em>C. elegans</em> as model system in my experiments is that it is one of the simplest animals with a nervous system, yet it is genetically very powerful, with a rich set of tools available for research&rdquo;, says Changchun Chen.</p><p>Importantly, many genes and cellular processes are highly conserved between <em>C. elegans</em> and humans, which allows researchers to gain molecular insights that can often be translated to more complex systems. Some well-known examples are programmed cell death, RNAi, and microRNAs.</p><p>Before coming to Ume&aring; University, Changchun Chen studied preventive medicine at Shanghai Medical College, followed by a doctoral thesis in yeast genetics at Ume&aring; University under the supervision of Professor Anders Bystr&ouml;m, and completed by postdoctoral training at Cambridge UK, studying neural control of aggregation behaviour in <em>C. elegans</em>.</p><p>The prize ceremony will take place on 27 November in Stockholm.</p>/en/news/prestigious-award-to-umea-molecular-biologist_12102961//en/news/swedish-trade-federations-chairpersons-award-2025_12102816/Lilly Andersson, currently in her final year of the Business and Economics program with a specialization in Trade and Logistics, has been awarded the Swedish Trade Federation’s Chairperson’s Award. The prize is presented to two outstanding students enrolled in trade-focused programs at Swedish universities.Tue, 27 May 2025 15:54:22 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/dd5f981c519f4bcea4249129e076ae89/lilly_pris_sv.ha_25_dsc055863.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/dd5f981c519f4bcea4249129e076ae89/lilly_pris_sv.ha_25_dsc055863.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/dd5f981c519f4bcea4249129e076ae89/lilly_pris_sv.ha_25_dsc055863.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/dd5f981c519f4bcea4249129e076ae89/lilly_pris_sv.ha_25_dsc055863.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/dd5f981c519f4bcea4249129e076ae89/lilly_pris_sv.ha_25_dsc055863.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/dd5f981c519f4bcea4249129e076ae89/lilly_pris_sv.ha_25_dsc055863.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Lilly Andersson.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Rickard Lindberg</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m incredibly grateful to receive the Chairperson&rsquo;s Award from the Swedish Trade Federation. It&rsquo;s a meaningful recognition of my efforts during my studies and a strong motivation to continue contributing to the future of Swedish trade. I&rsquo;m especially thankful for the experiences I&rsquo;ve gained through my involvement in the student association HHUS, part-time jobs related to my studies, and of course, the education itself at the School of Business. These have all played a crucial role in my development. Trade is a highly dynamic industry that both sustains people and drives continuous innovation. I truly look forward to being part of its future.&rdquo;</p><p>Lilly recently completed her thesis, which explored how Nordic luxury fashion companies approach and make decisions regarding sourcing strategies in their supply chains and production. Her work focused on &ldquo;reshoring&rdquo;&mdash;the strategic decision to relocate production closer to home, either back to the domestic market or from another continent to Europe. Her research reflects a curiosity and commitment to understanding the future challenges of trade, particularly in relation to sustainability and efficient logistics.</p><p>At a time when value chain issues are becoming increasingly central to corporate reporting (CSRD, CSDDD), Lilly&rsquo;s hands-on experience from part-time roles in logistics and auditing has provided valuable insights and learning. Sustainable and efficient supply chains are also a clearly stated professional interest of hers, where she looks forward to contributing to the role of digitalization in transforming trade, and to helping companies balance profitability with sustainability demands in an increasingly complex global market.</p><p><a href="https://www.svenskhandel.se/nyheter/nyhet/arets-vinnare-av-ordforandepriset-2025">Read more (In Swedish)</a></p>/en/news/swedish-trade-federations-chairpersons-award-2025_12102816//en/news/fernstroms-prize-to-schroder_12102276/The 2025 Eric K Fernström Prize for Young, Particularly Promising and Successful Researchers is awarded to Associate Professor Björn Schröder at the Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, for his significant scientific contributions in the research field of host-microbiome interactions.Tue, 27 May 2025 09:08:57 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/ccad9eb7c2b84795b8c8076f6bc895a2/schroder_bjorn_5343_190405_mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/ccad9eb7c2b84795b8c8076f6bc895a2/schroder_bjorn_5343_190405_mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/ccad9eb7c2b84795b8c8076f6bc895a2/schroder_bjorn_5343_190405_mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/ccad9eb7c2b84795b8c8076f6bc895a2/schroder_bjorn_5343_190405_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/ccad9eb7c2b84795b8c8076f6bc895a2/schroder_bjorn_5343_190405_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/ccad9eb7c2b84795b8c8076f6bc895a2/schroder_bjorn_5343_190405_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Bj&ouml;rn Schr&ouml;der, Department of Molecular Biology and The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden. MIMS.&nbsp;<span class="bildPhotografer" style="white-space: nowrap;"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></p></div></div><p>In its citation, the prize committee at the Faculty of Medicine writes:</p><p>"Bj&ouml;rn Schr&ouml;der's research in the field has focused in particular on the molecular mechanisms through which diet affects the gut via the microbiome. His research group has been able to convincingly show that Western diets disrupt the mucus barrier in the colon through specific microbial and diet-related factors, an influence that increases susceptibility to inflammation. Schr&ouml;der's work has provided important insights into how diet-related changes in the microbiome impair gut health at the molecular level, and how these changes affect gut barrier functions and immune function."</p><p>The Eric K. Fernstr&ouml;m Shipowner Prize for young, particularly promising and successful researchers is given each year to young researchers at each of the six medical faculties in Sweden. In Ume&aring;, the prize winner is appointed by a special committee at the Faculty of Medicine.</p><p>The prize is awarded at Ume&aring; University's annual ceremony in October. The prize money is SEK 100,000. The prize winner will also receive a special diploma at a ceremony in Lund.</p>/en/news/fernstroms-prize-to-schroder_12102276//en/news/maternal-health-and-cardiology-in-focus-for-new-honorary-doctors-of-medicine_12102356/A professor of gynaecology and obstetrics from Indonesia and a cardiologist from Scotland will be awarded honorary doctorates by the Faculty of Medicine at Umeå University, Sweden, in 2025.Wed, 28 May 2025 10:24:03 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareleft"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/fc211c4284c34b059d4728290f99407e/mohammad_hakimi3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/fc211c4284c34b059d4728290f99407e/mohammad_hakimi3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/fc211c4284c34b059d4728290f99407e/mohammad_hakimi3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/fc211c4284c34b059d4728290f99407e/mohammad_hakimi3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/fc211c4284c34b059d4728290f99407e/mohammad_hakimi3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/fc211c4284c34b059d4728290f99407e/mohammad_hakimi3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Mohammad Hakimi, medical honorary doctor 2025.<span class="bildPhotografer" style="white-space: nowrap;"><span class="photo">Image</span>Wisaksono Adhi, InaHealth, FK-KMK UGM</span></p></div></div><p>Mohammad Hakimi is a professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia. His work spans a wide range of areas with a focus on maternal and child health, nutrition, and public health equity. He has increased the understanding of obstetric care, micronutrient deficiencies, non-communicable diseases, and the health consequences of domestic violence. His academic output includes over 300 publications, alongside educational materials and books that have informed public health policy and practice.</p><p>For over three decades, Professor Hakimi has been a central figure in the longstanding collaboration between Universitas Gadjah Mada and the research and education in epidemiology and global health at Ume&aring; University. He has served as a guest researcher and mentor in Ume&aring;, and many of his former students now hold professorships in both Indonesia and Sweden, strengthening bilateral academic ties. This collaboration has resulted in more than 150 joint publications and 15 completed PhD projects.</p><p>"Mohammad Hakimi is a highly respected person in maternal and public health. His research and collaboration with Ume&aring; University has really made a difference both in Southeast Asia and for us," says Patrik Danielson, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Ume&aring; University.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/fc211c4284c34b059d4728290f99407e/bhf_-_prof_nick_mills_20252.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/fc211c4284c34b059d4728290f99407e/bhf_-_prof_nick_mills_20252.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/fc211c4284c34b059d4728290f99407e/bhf_-_prof_nick_mills_20252.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/fc211c4284c34b059d4728290f99407e/bhf_-_prof_nick_mills_20252.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/fc211c4284c34b059d4728290f99407e/bhf_-_prof_nick_mills_20252.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/fc211c4284c34b059d4728290f99407e/bhf_-_prof_nick_mills_20252.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Nicholas Mills, honorary doctor 2025.&nbsp;<span class="bildPhotografer" style="white-space: nowrap;"><span class="photo">Image</span>Stewart Attwood</span></p></div></div><p>Nicholas Mills is an internationally renowned and well-qualified professor of cardiology at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland with approximately 450 publications of his own. During his time as a doctoral student, he spent several occasions in Ume&aring;, where he introduced venous occlusion plethysmography to study the cardiovascular effects of acute exposure to various air pollutants, primarily diesel exhaust.</p><p>Professor Mills has contributed to a well-functioning exchange of doctoral students between Ume&aring; and Edinburgh. He has acted as a mentor for researchers and doctoral students in Ume&aring;, which has resulted in five doctoral dissertations and about thirty scientific articles in prestigious journals. In addition, three doctoral students from Edinburgh have completed parts of their doctoral studies in Ume&aring;.</p><p>"Nick Mills' research methodology has been of great importance for studies of the importance of air pollution for cardiovascular disease, research that has become increasingly relevant and where Ume&aring; is now well advanced. It feels very good that we can now tie him more closely to us,&rdquo; says Patrik Danielson.</p><p>The honorary doctors will be conferred at Ume&aring; University's annual ceremony in October.</p>/en/news/maternal-health-and-cardiology-in-focus-for-new-honorary-doctors-of-medicine_12102356//en/news/how-to-navigate-research-on-sensitive-topics_12102235/We are pleased to announce the release of "Risky Research: An AoIR Guide to Researcher Protection and Safety" – the result of over two years of collaborative work by the Association of Internet Researcher’s Risky Research Working Group.Tue, 27 May 2025 14:46:56 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/d7dde48e1f86472ab855a2d71bc72ed9/fateme-alaei-q8w2r2acmaw-unsplash7.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/d7dde48e1f86472ab855a2d71bc72ed9/fateme-alaei-q8w2r2acmaw-unsplash7.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/d7dde48e1f86472ab855a2d71bc72ed9/fateme-alaei-q8w2r2acmaw-unsplash7.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/d7dde48e1f86472ab855a2d71bc72ed9/fateme-alaei-q8w2r2acmaw-unsplash7.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/d7dde48e1f86472ab855a2d71bc72ed9/fateme-alaei-q8w2r2acmaw-unsplash7.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/d7dde48e1f86472ab855a2d71bc72ed9/fateme-alaei-q8w2r2acmaw-unsplash7.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Image bank picture.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Fateme Alaei</span></div></div><p>This guide addresses the growing personal, institutional, and political risks faced by researchers globally&mdash;particularly those from marginalized communities or working on sensitive, controversial, or politically charged topics such as disinformation, extremism, LGBTQ+ rights, or climate change.</p><p class="quote-center">As someone who regularly teaches and supervises PhD candidates and young scholars, I have witnessed firsthand the increasing challenges they face when conducting research on sensitive, controversial, or politically charged topics.</p><p>&ldquo;From navigating online harassment to institutional gaps in support, the need for structured guidance and protection has never been more urgent&rdquo; says Professor Copp&eacute;lie Cocq, Humlab, one of the contributors to the guide.</p><h3>Drawing on the expertise and lived experiences of more than 30 international contributors, the guide offers:</h3><ul><li>A framework for identifying and assessing risk in scholarly research</li><li>Practical strategies for mitigating harm at individual, institutional, and community levels</li><li>Guidance for designing ethically sound, risk-aware research projects</li><li>Recommendations for universities, supervisors, and departments</li><li>A curated set of tools and best practices for responding to harassment, surveillance, and doxxing&nbsp;</li></ul><p>The guide is intended for researchers at all career stages, including students, PhD candidates, lecturers, professors and those working in politically restrictive environments. It reflects AoIR&rsquo;s enduring commitment to ethics, care, and collective responsibility in internet research.</p>/en/news/how-to-navigate-research-on-sensitive-topics_12102235//en/news/european-polar-research-in-focus_12099763/At a time when polar science is increasingly entangled with questions of security, diplomacy, sustainability, and Indigenous rights, Umeå emerged as a strategic meeting ground for shaping Europe’s future role in the Arctic and Antarctic. By convening key actors around the upcoming International Polar Year and the UN Decade for Cryospheric Sciences, the city affirms its position as a hub for collaboration, coordination, and critical knowledge production.Mon, 26 May 2025 07:00:11 +0200<p class="quote-center">Arctic research cannot be done in isolation. It requires collaboration, dialogue and mutual understanding.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Global Perspectives, Local Relevance: Ume&aring; Takes the Stage</h2><p>As Polar regions (Arctic and Antarctic) face increasing pressure from climate change, biodiversity loss, security challenges, and socio-economic changes, broad collaborations are central to the international response. On the 7th of May, scholars, policymakers, S&aacute;mi leaders, and global science experts convened in Ume&aring; to shape Europe&rsquo;s role in two defining initiatives of our time: the UN Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences (2025&ndash;2034) and the 5th International Polar Year (2032&ndash;2033).</p><p>The event, "European Polar Research in Focus: Enhancing Impact and Presence in the International Polar Year and the Decade of the Cryosphere," is co-hosted by the Arctic Centre at Ume&aring; University and the European Polar Board, in collaboration with the Centre for the Arctic and Antarctic at Lule&aring; University of Technology and the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat. It marked a strategic moment for Swedish and European polar research to enhance its global significance&mdash;scientifically, socially, and politically.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Building stronger bridges between science and society</h2><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="2fa8bf88-06ed-455a-8f3f-332f30dd2a2e" data-contentname="PIC Elle Merete Omma">{}</div><p>The opening set the tone with insights from Marie-Louise R&ouml;nnmark, Ume&aring;&rsquo;s lord mayor, and Tora Holmberg, the new Vice Chancellor of Ume&aring; University. Presentations followed by Elle Merete Omma, Head of the EU Unit of the S&aacute;mi Council, who highlighted S&aacute;mi Arctic experiences. She stressed that:</p><p>&ldquo;This is a moment for us to look ahead and [&hellip;] take full advantage of this unique setting to build partnerships, ask relevant and pressing research questions and design solutions rooted both in science and in the lived experience of the people who call this region home. Arctic research cannot be done in isolation. It requires collaboration, dialogue and mutual understanding.&rdquo;</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="890b4e41-104d-4336-a130-1c9388a3e818" data-contentname="PIC Antonio Quesada">{}</div><p>As Sweden seeks to play a more prominent role in international polar science diplomacy, Sweden&rsquo;s Arctic Ambassador Axel Wernhoff emphasised the nation's ambitions for polar science diplomacy and the nation's strong research profile.</p><p>Keynote speaker Professor Antonio Quesada of the Spanish Polar Committee offered a comprehensive perspective on how polar environmental challenges&mdash;from melting ice sheets to changing ecosystems&mdash;impact communities beyond the poles.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Strategic Dialogue: Science, Policy, and the Public</h2><p>Two dynamic panel discussions, at the core of the afternoon program, examined how European polar research can enhance its global impact through coordination, inclusion, and strategic foresight.</p><p class="quote-center">Scientific cooperation can in itself hold the seed to also political dialogue</p><p>The first panel, "Towards a Unified Yet Diverse European Polar Voice," focused on transforming Europe&rsquo;s rich yet fragmented polar expertise into a cohesive presence on the international stage. Moderated by LTU&rsquo;s Dag Avango, the panel brought together representatives from national science ministries, S&aacute;mi leadership, youth networks such as APECS, and the Arctic Centre&rsquo;s Director, Keith Larson. The discussion highlighted the importance of collaboration across regions and generations to shape a shared European vision for the future of polar research. Among the panellists were Sweden&rsquo;s Arctic Ambassador Axel Wernhoff, who earlier in the program had emphasised the diplomatic importance of scientific cooperation, stating:</p><p>&ldquo;Scientific cooperation can in itself hold the seed to also political dialogue when the circumstances allow that, and when the stars align. And sooner or later, it will. Maybe not this year, maybe not next year. Or maybe next week. We don&rsquo;t know. But we need to keep some ground elements going while we wait for that moment.&rdquo;</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="6a7da0a2-f9b8-4827-b93c-1c4bdada9a99" data-contentname="PIC Panel">{}</div><p>The second panel, &ldquo;Aligning European Polar Science with Global Initiatives,&rdquo; addressed how European actors can contribute meaningfully to the upcoming International Polar Year (IPY) 2032&ndash;33 and the UN Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences. Participants included global science leaders from the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC), UNESCO, and the European Polar Board, as well as local voices such as Dr. Lena-Maria Nilsson from the Arctic Centre&rsquo;s S&aacute;mi health research group. The conversation emphasised the urgency of integrating science with broader societal frameworks.</p><p class="quote-center">We would like 2032-33 to be a peak of activity, a kind of a real burst, a concentration of activity, of research, knowledge, and understanding, both in the Arctic and the Antarctic</p><p>As Chair of IASC and a leading member of the IPY Executive Committee, Henry Burgess offered a glimpse into the vision and planning that now drive this global scientific mobilisation:</p><p>&ldquo;We would like 2032-33 to be a peak of activity, a kind of a real burst, a concentration of activity, of research, knowledge, and understanding, both in the Arctic and the Antarctic. But we don't have to wait until that point. We're conscious that there is a lot that can start now or very soon and lead up to the IPY. And there are things that can start in the IPY years and then continue beyond that as well.&rdquo;</p><p>Burgess remarks captured the spirit of long-term commitment that now defines Europe&rsquo;s role in upcoming polar science efforts.</p><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3">Why This Matters</h2><p>With the climate crisis accelerating, polar research is no longer limited to remote ice sheets. Its insights are crucial for shaping resilient societies, equitable policies, and sustainable development. By hosting this high-level gathering, Ume&aring; University demonstrates its position as Sweden&rsquo;s Arctic University and deepens its involvement with international research and policy arenas.</p><p>The event exemplifies how academic institutions can facilitate dialogue, connecting local realities and global frameworks, scientific excellence and societal relevance.</p><h2 id="info4" data-magellan-target="info4">Next Steps</h2><p>Organisers hope this gathering will catalyse greater collaboration among European actors in the lead-up to 2032, reinforcing the importance of inclusive, interdisciplinary, and transnational approaches to polar research.</p><p>The event concluded with a reception to continue building the relationships and networks crucial to advancing the polar research and policy agenda.</p><p>All quotes were delivered during the opening plenary session in Ume&aring;, 7 May 2025.<br>&nbsp;</p>/en/news/european-polar-research-in-focus_12099763//en/news/laura-bacete-cano-becomes-a-member-of-the-young-academy-of-sweden_12100337/She wants to help shape the academic environment and highlight the importance of research in plant cell and molecular biology. Laura Bacete Cano, Assistant Professor at Umeå University and group leader at Umeå Plant Science Centre, is one of eight new members that have been elected to the Young Academy of Sweden. In her new role, she will actively engage in research policy discussions, outreach towards young people and other activities the academy is involved.Fri, 30 May 2025 11:39:14 +0200<p><em><strong>- Congratulations! You have been elected as new member to the Young Academy of Sweden. What does this mean for you?</strong></em></p><p>It means a lot, both professionally and personally. I see it as a chance to work with researchers from different fields and backgrounds, and to take part in discussions that go beyond my own research. It is also a way to help shape the academic environment in Sweden and beyond.</p><p><em><strong>- What motivated you to apply for the membership?</strong></em></p><p>I was really drawn to how the Academy brings together researchers from different fields to work on questions that matter for science and for society. The focus on research policy, public engagement, and international collaboration felt like a good match for the kind of work I want to do alongside my research. It is quite rare to find a space where you can have those kinds of conversations across disciplines in a structured but open way.</p><p>I also noticed that there was not anyone in the Academy with a background in plant cell and molecular biology. It is a field that is key both for fundamental science and for real-world issues like sustainable agriculture and climate resilience. Sweden has a lot of excellent research in this area, so it felt important to have that perspective represented too.</p><p><em><strong>- What responsibilities come with your membership?</strong></em></p><p>There is a strong expectation to be actively involved, which I really appreciate. In the next months, I will take part in a few in-person meetings held in different parts of Sweden. These gatherings are the heart of the Academy&rsquo;s work and where many ideas and decisions take shape. One thing I really like is that new members are expected to contribute from the beginning, whether that is through participating in policy discussions, taking part in outreach, or helping develop new initiatives. It feels like a very open and hands-on environment.</p><p>For me, another important part is improving my Swedish. Even though the other members are happy to speak English when needed, Swedish is the main working language of the Academy. I am really looking forward to using the language more and getting better at it through this role. It feels like a great opportunity to learn in a supportive setting.</p><p class="quote-left">I think scientists have a responsibility to communicate with the public.</p><p><em><strong>- Do you plan to engage with the public or policymakers through your new role?</strong></em></p><p>Yes, absolutely. I think scientists have a responsibility to communicate with the public, and I have been involved in that kind of work before. But what I am especially looking forward to now is the chance to engage more directly with policymakers. That is not something that is always easy to do in everyday academic life. I am particularly interested in questions around how we support researchers, how we evaluate work, and how we build a research environment that people actually want to stay in; and also about how long-term thinking and evidence can play a stronger role in shaping decisions (for example, regarding new genomic techniques in agriculture). I also appreciate that the Academy works internationally, and I look forward to contributing to those collaborations through my own networks and experience.</p><p><em><strong>- What are you most looking forward to during your time in the academy?</strong></em></p><p>I&rsquo;m looking forward to working with people who care about the same kinds of questions, even if they come from completely different fields. The Academy seems like a rare space where people have time and freedom to talk about how science works, how it could work better, and what role it plays in society. I am also looking forward to the in-person meetings and the chance to get to know colleagues from other disciplines. I think those conversations can lead to unexpected ideas and collaborations, which is something I really enjoy.</p><p><em>Laura Bacete Cano, originally from Spain, is an Assistant Professor at Ume&aring; University and leads a research group at Ume&aring; Plant Science Centre, which she established in 2023. Her research focuses on how plants perceive and maintain their cell walls, especially during growth, development and in response to environmental stress. </em><em>After completing her PhD in 2018, she moved to the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim to pursue a postdoc. Laura Bacete Cano has been awarded research funding from the Research Council of Norway and the Swedish Research Council. She is also a co-inventor on a European patent related to strategies for enhancing plant health and resilience.</em></p><p><a href="https://sverigesungaakademi.se/en/press-release/eight-new-top-researchers-join-swedens-young-academy/"><strong>Link to the official press release from the Young Academy of Sweden</strong></a></p>/en/news/laura-bacete-cano-becomes-a-member-of-the-young-academy-of-sweden_12100337//en/news/a-blend-of-science-fun-and-nature-scenery-when-postdocs-meet_12100359/In mid-May, the postdoctoral fellows in the ’Excellence by Choice’ programme at Umeå university gathered for a lunch-to-lunch retreat in Kronlund in Vindeln. The scope of the meeting was to get to know each other, get new insights, and share experiences as an interdisciplinary postdoctoral fellow.Fri, 23 May 2025 13:10:29 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/postdoc_retreat.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/postdoc_retreat.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/postdoc_retreat.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/postdoc_retreat.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/postdoc_retreat.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/postdoc_retreat.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>In the front: Gabriel Torrens Ribot, Fredrik Almqvist, Joram Kiriga Waititu, and Suvam Roy. In the back: Samuel Agyei Nyantakyi, T&uacute;lio Yoshinaga, Antonio Blasquez, Jagadish Mangu, Harshit Malhotra, Dhruv Agrawal, Baptiste Bogard, Ben Johns, and Marta Bally.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ingrid S&ouml;derbergh</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">It was inspiring to see how different areas of expertise can complement each other</p><p>&ldquo;The highlight of the retreat was realizing just how diverse and dynamic the research within our community truly is," says Joram Kiriga Waititu, postdoc in Kemal Avican, Johan Henriksson and Maria F&auml;llman labs at the Department of Molecular Biology at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>He continues:</p><p>"It was inspiring to see how different areas of expertise can complement each other, and it reinforced the idea that meaningful collaboration has the potential to drive real science breakthroughs.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/img_0381.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/img_0381.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/img_0381.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/img_0381.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/img_0381.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/img_0381.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Kronlund kursg&aring;rd is a nature lodge that specialises in offering a quiet, beautiful and relaxing atmosphere.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ingrid S&ouml;derbergh</span></div></div><p>It was an enthusiastic group of eleven postdoctoral fellows who arrived in a minibus at Kronlund kursg&aring;rd.</p><p>&ldquo;The venue was super nice! I like peaceful places in the middle of nature like Kronlund. I hope to get back here another time&rdquo;, says T&uacute;lio Yoshinaga, postdoc in Constantin Urban lab at the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Ume&aring; University, Lo Persson&rsquo;s group at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, and Henrik Jeute at the Ume&aring; County administrative board.</p><p>The uniqueness with the &lsquo;Excellence by Choice' postdoctoral programme in life science is that it aims to cross traditional discipline boundaries. Thus, each postdoc has created and lead a collaborative project under the supervision of at least two principal investigators with different areas of expertise.</p><p>The first &lsquo;EC&rsquo; postdoc started in 2022, and the number has summed up to 15 after four international calls. Some postdocs are in the initial stages and some are ready to take the next step in the career, all with different experiences and subjects.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/konferens_2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/konferens_2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/konferens_2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/konferens_2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/konferens_2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/konferens_2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Harshit Malhotra is one of the newest postdoc on board and he explained his research to come.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ingrid S&ouml;derbergh</span></div></div><p>At the retreat everyone presented their project and how they have evolved. The subjects showed a fantastic variety in the field of life science: chemo-optogenetic tools to control cellular processes in bacteria, search for potential drug against the parasite <em>Cryptospodirium</em>, new method to prevent fungi disease in salmonids, the role of protein complexes in regulation of growth and development in plants, the regulation of the host cell epitranscriptome in salmonella infection &ndash; to mention a few.</p><p>For sure, a few postdocs could discover potential areas for new collaboration.</p><p>Through games and other activities, the postdocs spend some relaxing time in the afternoon and evening with valuable conversations about life in general and of course about research.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/game_2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/game_2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/game_2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/game_2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/game_2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/game_2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>An exciting pentathlon took place in the afternoon with a lot of laughter.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ingrid S&ouml;derbergh</span></div></div><p>In a final session before going home the next day, UCMR directors Fredrik Almqvist and Marta Bally led a group discussion on future career steps. What opportunities are there after a postdoc? What are my needs in career support? Ho can I navigate to pursue my career in academia or industry?</p><p>It might be important to position yourself for a competitive academic or professional future. The postdocs found this session urgent and were engaged.</p><p>&ldquo;I learned that I should focus on becoming more independent already after my first postdoc position, says Suvam Roy, postdoc in Eric Libby lab at the Department of Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics, and Peter Lind lab at the Department of Molecular Biology at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>&ldquo;This topic is very important for us, and it could have had an even more prominent place in the schedule to ensure everyone has the time and space to share experiences, ask questions, and explore different career paths more deeply,&rdquo; says Joram Kiriga Waititu.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/grill_12.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/grill_12.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/grill_12.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/grill_12.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/grill_12.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0c8e91438d7447c184166dd34c02c6c1/grill_12.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Perhaps it is right there at the edge of the forest by the Vindel River, with a cup of coffee in hand and a new colleague by your side, that the next major scientific breakthrough begins to take shape.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ingrid S&ouml;derbergh</span></div></div>/en/news/a-blend-of-science-fun-and-nature-scenery-when-postdocs-meet_12100359//en/news/meeting-with-minister-focused-on-climate-and-commitment_12098592/The Department of Computing Science at Umeå University has grown at record speed in recent years. Now, the efforts are bearing fruit, with as many as seven doctoral theses being defended in the space of three weeks. "This is remarkable evidence of the department's thriving research environment. We are very proud of our doctoral students and their achievements," says Professor Frank Drewes, Head of the Department.Mon, 02 Jun 2025 10:33:04 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildText"><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/7d041b8326dd4ee4aa29a97e9c8848bb/frank_drewes3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/7d041b8326dd4ee4aa29a97e9c8848bb/frank_drewes3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/7d041b8326dd4ee4aa29a97e9c8848bb/frank_drewes3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/7d041b8326dd4ee4aa29a97e9c8848bb/frank_drewes3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/7d041b8326dd4ee4aa29a97e9c8848bb/frank_drewes3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/7d041b8326dd4ee4aa29a97e9c8848bb/frank_drewes3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Flera talangfulla doktorander vid institutionen f&ouml;r datavetenskap som nu f&ouml;rsvararar nu sina arbeten. &ndash; Vi &auml;r oerh&ouml;rt stolta &ouml;ver v&aring;ra forskare och den livskraftiga akademiska milj&ouml; som de bidrar till att uppr&auml;tth&aring;lla, s&auml;ger professor Frank Drewes, prefekt vid institutionen.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Privat</span></div></div></div></div><p>While many organisations faced uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Computing Science at Ume&aring; University made a strategic round of recruitments &ndash; a decision that is now paying off.</p><p>"We congratulate Mariam Taha, Ayush Kumar Varshney, Maarten Laurits Jensen, Lidia Kidane, Sonakshi Garg, Emil H&auml;glund and Charles Meyers for reaching this important step in their academic journeys. Their work spans a wide range of cutting-edge topics, reflecting the department's broad expertise and commitment to innovation," says <a href="~/link/8d61155f1de64f248dd69815ea48bf84.aspx">Frank Drewes</a>, Head of the Department.</p><p>"These defences are not only a celebration of individual accomplishments but also a reflection of the department&rsquo;s long-term vision and resilience. We are immensely proud of our researchers and the vibrant academic community they help sustain.&rdquo;</p><h3>Defences of doctoral theses</h3><p>The department is looking forward to the presentations of these scholars&rsquo; research work. You are welcome to participate!</p><ul><li><a href="~/link/2198a3e20ee04c6282337f35c6998714.aspx">M</a><a href="~/link/2198a3e20ee04c6282337f35c6998714.aspx">ariam</a><a href="~/link/2198a3e20ee04c6282337f35c6998714.aspx"> Taha</a>, "Probabilistic metric space for machine learning: data and model spaces". Friday 23 May, 09:00 - 12:00. More information can be found <a href="~/link/281bd70c5c9f465ab2e02f463285fee1.aspx">here</a>. Doctoral thesis can be found <a href="https://umu.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2:1954823">here.</a><br><br></li><li><a href="~/link/9bd2ca460c4f40c6ae26f4b7e838d5f0.aspx">Ayush Kumar Varshney</a>, "Navigating model anonymity and adaptability.&nbsp; Monday 26 May at 10:00 - 14:00. More <a href="~/link/2d09b31908a041f1a97254fda2e522b5.aspx">information</a>. Doctoral thesis can be found <a href="https://umu.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2:1954774">here</a>.<br><br></li><li><a href="~/link/0c25de726b474215aea464b926b7a3cf.aspx">M</a><a href="~/link/0c25de726b474215aea464b926b7a3cf.aspx">aarten</a><a href="~/link/0c25de726b474215aea464b926b7a3cf.aspx"> Laurits</a><a href="~/link/0c25de726b474215aea464b926b7a3cf.aspx"> Jensen</a>, "Dynamic context-sensitive deliberation for social simulations: balancing scalability and realism". Tuesday 27 May, 13:00 - 17:00. More information can be found <a href="~/link/1d741365ea7b49a99a6bd86a4db5f798.aspx">here</a>. Doctoral thesis can be found <a href="https://umu.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2:1955085">here</a>.<br><br></li><li><a href="~/link/2e3cd44e029544828a8ef0e691d2b4bd.aspx">Lidia Kidane,</a> "Accurate and low-overhead workload prediction for cloud management". Friday 30 May, 13:15 - 17:00. <a href="~/link/5d2b505c723542fd8a61980ae380b75d.aspx">More information</a>. Doctoral thesis can be found <a href="https://umu.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2:1956902">here</a>.<br><br></li><li><a href="~/link/4b979954eed6429fb43a9ab433a4c51a.aspx">Sonakshi Garg</a>, "Bridging AI and privacy: solutions for high-dimensional data and foundation models". More information about the event can he found <a href="~/link/5d2b505c723542fd8a61980ae380b75d.aspx">here</a>. Doctoral thesis can be found <a href="https://umu.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2:1955416">here</a>.<br><br></li><li><a href="~/link/dd97344c356649848ed2bf226ce3ca3f.aspx">Emil H&auml;glund</a>, "Contextual intelligence: leveraging AI for targeted marketing. Thursday 5 June at 10:00 - 13:00. More information about the event can be found <a href="~/link/06b9848f928f4568bacac542c0a08f50.aspx">here</a>. Read the doctoral thesis <a href="https://umu.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2:1955463">here</a>.<br><br></li><li><a href="~/link/f0cd46ffe89c42f3beb191917774ed6c.aspx">Charles Meyers</a>, "Trustworthy Machine Learning". Wednesday 11 June at 13:15 - 17:00. More information can be found <a href="~/link/9f3529ee162d45a28a71232faa4151ea.aspx">here</a>. (link to the doctoral theis will be available later)</li></ul>/en/news/record-number-of-doctoral-theses-at-the-department-of-computing-science_12100284//en/news/dna-patterns-provide-key-insights-in-the-diagnosis-of-childhood-leukemia_12080856/The Vice-Chancellor Tora Holmberg has appointed Professor Thomas Olofsson as Deputy Vice-Chancellor of research from 1 July 2025. Thomas Olofsson is currently Professor of Energy Technology at the Department of Applied Physics and Electronics.Thu, 22 May 2025 08:00:05 +0200<p>Thomas Olofsson has a broad and long experience from several management and leadership positions, including head of department of Ume&aring; School of Architecture, Ume&aring; Institute of Design and the Department of Applied Physics and Electronics. He has also worked as head of research, managing research infrastructures and with undergraduate and Master&rsquo;s level education as well as doctoral education.</p><p>&ldquo;Thomas has a very solid and broad experience and knowledge of education and research at universities. He also has valuable experience from his various roles as head of department, which is a perspective that is important for our academic activities&rdquo;, says Tora Holmberg.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Thomas Olofsson, new Deputy Vice-Chancellor.&nbsp;</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>Thomas Olofsson has experience of developing and leading research and research infrastructures also at other universities in Sweden and the USA, as well as in industry. He has worked with research infrastructures as part of his experimental research. One area he considers important is establishing activities and collaborations with partners that complement and reinforce each other, and which in turn can provide access to various networks with companies, authorities and other infrastructures.</p><p>Within academia, Thomas Olofsson has worked for 25 years with strategic funding of both doctoral projects and time for senior researchers by simultaneously applying for and receiving grants from both research councils and regional funds with EU funding.</p><p>&rdquo;Thomas's experiences in all aspects of external research funding are also extensive. By both seeking, obtaining and conducting research together with international networks and participating in evaluations of research applications both nationally and internationally, such as for the European Commission, he possesses considerable knowledge in this area as well&rdquo;, says Tora.</p><p>The assignment as Deputy Vice-Chancellor is valid for the period from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2031.</p>/en/news/thomas-olofsson-appointed-new-deputy-vice-chancellor_12099786//en/news/patrik-danielson-appointed-new-pro-vice-chancellor-at-umea-university_12099772/The University Board has, on the recommendation of Vice-Chancellor Tora Holmberg, appointed Patrik Danielson as the new Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor's deputy for the period 1 July 2025 – 30 June 2031. "Patrik has a solid and long experience as a manager and leader at the university. He has also worked successfully on collaboration, which is crucial for conducting research and education of good quality," says Tora Holmberg.Sat, 24 May 2025 12:06:03 +0200<p>The work of producing proposals for the Pro-Vice-Chancellor has been a thorough process. Tora Holmberg took the opportunity to enlist the help of the same recruitment committee that the University Board put together for the recruitment of a new Vice-Chancellor. In this way, the process and the dialogue already established between the Consultative Assembly and the Recruitment Committee could ensure good management.</p><p>The Consultative Assembly, led by Chair Richard Bindler, met Patrik Danielson on 12 March to ask questions and unanimously decided to support the proposal for a new Pro-Vice-Chancellor.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/303e206266c9425c8485934eade164e8/danielson_patrik_05062024_hkn-3_32.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/303e206266c9425c8485934eade164e8/danielson_patrik_05062024_hkn-3_32.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/303e206266c9425c8485934eade164e8/danielson_patrik_05062024_hkn-3_32.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/303e206266c9425c8485934eade164e8/danielson_patrik_05062024_hkn-3_32.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/303e206266c9425c8485934eade164e8/danielson_patrik_05062024_hkn-3_32.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/303e206266c9425c8485934eade164e8/danielson_patrik_05062024_hkn-3_32.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Patrik Danielsson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Ume&aring; University</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>Patrik Danielson is Professor of Anatomy, Senior Consultant in Ophthalmology and since 2017 Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>"Patrik's disciplinary background also complements my role in a good way. I am very pleased with this recruitment and look forward to a good collaboration that will provide the best conditions for Ume&aring; University," says Tora Holmberg.</p>/en/news/patrik-danielson-appointed-new-pro-vice-chancellor-at-umea-university_12099772//en/news/swedish-trade-federations-career-forum_12099292/Four students from the Business and Economics program with a specialization in Trade and Logistics, together with Rickard Lindberg from the Career Center, had the opportunity to attend the Swedish Trade Federation’s annual meeting and the subsequent Career Forum. The day offered valuable opportunities for networking and lunch conversations with both senior representatives from retail companies and entrepreneurs within the trade sector.Tue, 20 May 2025 16:16:33 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/047969b10641416ebff619df91921f18/dsc_18173.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/047969b10641416ebff619df91921f18/dsc_18173.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/047969b10641416ebff619df91921f18/dsc_18173.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/047969b10641416ebff619df91921f18/dsc_18173.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/047969b10641416ebff619df91921f18/dsc_18173.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/047969b10641416ebff619df91921f18/dsc_18173.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Swedish Trade Federation&rsquo;s annual meeting.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Rickard Lindberg</span></div></div><p>The morning session provided an overview of the past year&rsquo;s developments in Swedish trade, along with some interesting outlooks on the future. The afternoon Career Forum featured an inspiring talk by Erika Lyko, co-founder and product developer at Lyko. She shared the company&rsquo;s journey&mdash;from its beginnings in Vansbro to becoming a publicly listed company&mdash;while maintaining a strong local presence as the largest employer in the area. A great example of how entrepreneurship can positively impact smaller communities.</p><p>The attending students also had the chance to hear from Marcus Hartmann, Head of Public Affairs &amp; Sustainability at H&amp;M for the Northern Europe region. Marcus offered insights into H&amp;M&rsquo;s sustainability efforts and emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum in the European sustainability reporting process (CSRD), so that companies that have already laid the groundwork can fully benefit from it. He also highlighted that transparency, while it may sometimes lead to media criticism, ultimately provides valuable input for improvement.</p><p>What are your thoughts as students on participating in this type of event&mdash;and what are your key takeaways from the day?</p><p><em>"It was truly inspiring to have the opportunity to attend the Swedish Trade Federation&rsquo;s annual meeting and Career Forum, where the future of trade and its development were discussed. It provided new perspectives and a sense that what we study really matters and can lead to exciting opportunities ahead."</em></p><p><em>"It has been a pleasure to take part in such an interesting and educational event. I gained deeper insights into today&rsquo;s trade landscape and the challenges companies are facing. It was also inspiring to hear from two passionate speakers and to have the chance to network with influential people in the retail industry!"</em></p><p><em>"It was incredibly rewarding to listen to a variety of representatives from the retail sector and hear their thoughts. It was also a great experience to have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with some of them&mdash;something that wouldn&rsquo;t have been possible otherwise."</em></p>/en/news/swedish-trade-federations-career-forum_12099292//en/news/new-project-aims-to-turn-residues-into-high-quality-animal-feed_12098536/What if leftovers of organic materials could become valuable feed for animals? A new research project, led by Olivier Keech, is addressing this question and aims at developing circular solutions for more sustainable and efficient food systems. With generous support from the Kamprad Family Foundation for Entrepreneurship, Research & Charity, the team wants to transform residues from the forest and food industries into high-quality animal feed by combining fermentation and pelleting techniques.Fri, 30 May 2025 11:41:10 +0200<p class="quote-center">Our goal is to support local industries, improve circularity and reduce the carbon footprint of food production in Nordic countries.</p><p>Biological residues such as sawdust from the forest industry, cereal bran from breweries, and municipal food wastes, accumulate during wood and food processing. Even though they are rich in carbohydrates, these wastes often have a low residual value because the presence of cellulose and lignins makes them difficult for animals to digest. A scientific team, led by Olivier Keech, plan to use the carbohydrates stored in these residues to create higher-value feed while supporting the development of a local, circular, and environmentally friendly economy.</p><p>&ldquo;Many of these organic residues contain a lot of fibres, a poorly accessible source of sugar. We plan to use a combination of modern chemical and biochemical techniques to break down the material and release the carbohydrates, which bacteria and yeast will then ferment and turn into valuable proteins&rdquo;, explains Olivier Keech, Associate Professor at Ume&aring; University and research group leader at Ume&aring; Plant Science Centre. &ldquo;The fermentation product will then be pelleted and used as animal feed.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Fermented feed as a natural immune booster for farm animals</h2><p>The fermented feed has an additional value: it acts as a probiotic for animals. This means that it will naturally boost the immune system of the farmed animals. The researchers will analyse how feed fermented by different bacteria and yeast strains affects the animal&rsquo;s gut health and immune system. These bacteria and yeast strains each have unique traits and produce different substances during fermentation. By testing various combinations, they aim to tailor the feed recipe to the needs of different animals, primarily focusing on chicken, pigs and shrimps.</p><p>For this ambitious project, Olivier Keech is joined by three experts coming from different fields. Leif J&ouml;nsson, Professor at the Department of Chemistry, Ume&aring; University, will bring his expertise in hydrothermal catalysis, a process that uses hot, pressurised water to help break down cellulose-containing plant residues.</p><p>Volkmar Passoth, Professor at the Department of Molecular Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, is a food biotechnologist. He studies how microbial fermentation, especially from yeast, can enhance the quality of animal feed in circular production systems that aim to reuse resources rather than throwing them away.</p><p>The team is completed by Anders Kiessling, also Professor at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. He works at the Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare with sustainable animal nutrition sources and how nutrients can be recycled in closed farming systems. He collaborates with Olivier Keech already on another project focusing on integrated multi-trophic farming, a sustainable farming approach that combines different species from various levels of the food chain in one system.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Combining lab experiments with tests in modern aquaculture systems</h2><p>&ldquo;We will first do several experiments in our respective labs. However, thanks to the pilot platform for research and development on sustainable food farming that we are setting up at &Ouml;stersj&ouml;fabriken in V&auml;stervik, we will quickly be able to test the quality of the newly produced feed in modern aquaculture systems focusing on shrimp and fish production,&rdquo; says Olivier Keech.</p><p>And he concludes: &ldquo;Our goal is to support local industries, improve circularity and reduce the carbon footprint of food production in Nordic countries. Ultimately, this should deliver a great product to the consumers. Thanks to the Kamprad Family Foundation for Entrepreneurship, Research &amp; Charity, we can hopefully soon come closer to reaching this goal".</p>/en/news/new-project-aims-to-turn-residues-into-high-quality-animal-feed_12098536//en/news/diabetesmedicin-ger-hopp-om-ny-behandling-mot-prostatacancer_12097228/A drug used to treat type 2 diabetes may also be effective in slowing the progression of prostate cancer. This is shown by an international study in which researchers at Umeå University, Sweden, have participated. The researchers have found that drugs that regulate a particular protein have a key role in reducing prostate cancer recurrence among diabetic patients.Thu, 22 May 2025 11:00:20 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/c07ae8d4ff37449fb4b39748de18c3bf/lukas_kenner2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/c07ae8d4ff37449fb4b39748de18c3bf/lukas_kenner2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/c07ae8d4ff37449fb4b39748de18c3bf/lukas_kenner2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/c07ae8d4ff37449fb4b39748de18c3bf/lukas_kenner2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/c07ae8d4ff37449fb4b39748de18c3bf/lukas_kenner2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/c07ae8d4ff37449fb4b39748de18c3bf/lukas_kenner2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Lukas Kenner, visiting professor at Department of Molecular Biology, Ume&aring; University.<span class="bildPhotografer" style="white-space: nowrap;"><span class="photo">Image</span>Medizinische Universit&auml;t Wien</span></p></div></div><p>"This is a significant discovery. For the first time, we have clinical observations showing that prostate cancer patients with diabetes who received drugs targeting the protein remained relapse-free during the period we followed them," says Lukas Kenner, visiting professor at Ume&aring; University and one of the study's lead authors.</p><p class="quote-left">a significant discovery</p><p>The protein that the researchers have studied is called PPARy, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma. In diabetes research, PPARy has been extensively studied in view of the protein's role in metabolic processes and insulin sensitivity.</p><p>What the research team, led by Professor Kenner, has now shown is that patients who were treated for prostate cancer and who also had diabetes, who were treated with drugs that regulate the PPARy protein, managed without recurrence of prostate cancer. In studies of cell cultures, researchers also observed that the drug in question, pioglitazone, not only inhibits the growth of prostate cancer cells but also drives a metabolic reprogramming of the cancer cells, weakening their ability to grow.</p><p>"The findings are very promising, but further clinical studies are needed to both confirm the results and to investigate whether the treatment can also be used in patients with prostate cancer who do not have diabetes," says Lukas Kenner.</p><p>The research has been conducted as a combination of studies on cells and mice as well as a retrospective study of 69 prostate cancer patients with type 2 diabetes that was followed by the Medical University of Innsbruck in 2014&ndash;2023.</p><p>In certain types of cancer, PPAR&gamma; can contribute to tumour growth or metabolic changes. The drug, pioglitazone, is a so-called agonist that binds to a PPARy receptor and activates it. Thereby it modulates the signalling pathway and aims to counteract tumour-promoting effects by changing the cellular metabolism but may also reduce inflammation.</p><p>The research group behind the study includes researchers in Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Sweden. The study is published in the scientific journal Molecular Cancer.</p><p>Prostate cancer is the most common cancer-related cause of death among men in Sweden, with over 2,000 deaths per year, almost 400&nbsp;000 deaths worldwide. Prostate cancer is usually treated with hormone therapy, radiation, or surgery. However, the risk of relapse is relatively high.</p>/en/news/diabetesmedicin-ger-hopp-om-ny-behandling-mot-prostatacancer_12097228//en/news/how-swedens-new-innovation-program-aims-to-drive-sustainable-societal-transformation_12097248/With bold visions and half a billion SEK in funding calls, Sweden’s new innovation initiative, Impact Innovation, seeks to accelerate societal transformation and create systemic changes with long-term impact. For researchers, the initiative means a new way of working and a shift in the way of thinking about research, which often is an integrated part of the entire project implementation.Mon, 19 May 2025 11:04:52 +0200<p class="quote-center">Getting involved early, staying informed, and following the programs&rsquo; own channels are my best tips</p><p>In front of a full audience, Johanna Gardestr&ouml;m, project coordinator at the Research Support and Collaboration Office, presented Sweden&rsquo;s major innovation initiative for the 2030s: Impact Innovation.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="3d2cc68b-aa6e-42fd-891e-9574dd67e77d" data-contentname="Johanna G">{}</div><p>Both senior and early-career researchers attended the lunch seminar, organised by Ume&aring; Transformation Research Initiative (UTRI), Arctic Centre, and Research Support and Collaboration Office.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">An investment for societal transformation</h2><p>Launched in 2024, Impact Innovation is a joint initiative by the Swedish Energy Agency, Formas, and Vinnova, commissioned by the government. The initiative spans five thematic areas with a total budget of approximately SEK 500 million over ten years.</p><p>The goal is to accelerate transformation through actor-driven innovation and interdisciplinary, cross-sector collaborations in strategically important areas.</p><p>Each program is led by a program office with a responsible organisation and several partners. Within each program, specific missions and funding calls are defined to address major societal challenges.</p><p>&ldquo;What all programs have in common is a strong focus on governance, policy, technology, and behavior&mdash;these aspects are central to every program,&rdquo; says Johanna Gardestr&ouml;m.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="2375e8cc-b7a2-474d-b23c-f6a750422f03" data-contentname="Faktaruta program Impact Innovation">{}</div><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">A new logic for researchers</h2><p>For researchers, Impact Innovation represents a new way of working. Unlike traditional research funding calls, the focus is not on individual research projects but on research integrated into collaborative projects. The main applicants are often actors with the mandate and practical capacity to drive systemic change, for example&nbsp; those who control a specific area, infrastructure, or operation. The application content is shaped jointly through dialogue among the parties involved.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="4353dcf2-e495-4129-b38e-1eeb4b7c9939" data-contentname="Bild publik">{}</div><p>&ldquo;I believe we will see calls based on various forms of transformation labs where collaboration is central. That&rsquo;s why having established networks and partnerships early in the process is an advantage. Many calls will also build on each other, so participating in smaller calls early on can increase the chances of securing funding in larger initiatives later,&rdquo; says Johanna.</p><p>Although it may be time-consuming to understand the program logic and engage in networking, Johanna believes it is time well invested.</p><p>&ldquo;There are many resources available for researchers interested in contributing to systemic transformation.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Stay updated!</h2><p>&ldquo;Getting involved early, staying informed, and following the programs&rsquo; own channels are my best tips,&rdquo; Johanna concludes.</p><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3">Download the presentation material</h2><p><a class="documentIcon" href="~/link/494a9f03d54b44b88d1c81f0f5d52276.aspx">Impact Innovation 15 May</a></p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="dba4e7b1-c693-4c62-8213-043fc902c401" data-contentname="Faktaruta Omställningslabb">{}</div><p>&nbsp;</p><p><em>Text translated to English by Monica B&ouml;rlin.</em></p>/en/news/how-swedens-new-innovation-program-aims-to-drive-sustainable-societal-transformation_12097248//en/news/advanced-coatings-boost-the-competitiveness-of-solar-thermal-energy_12094833/Researchers at Umeå University have developed new sustainable coatings that improve the performance of solar thermal collectors – strengthening solar heat's position as a climate-smart energy source. Using nanomaterials and simple manufacturing methods, the technology can become both more efficient and more accessible.Thu, 15 May 2025 08:00:07 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>The research results could lead to more efficient solar thermal collectors that have the potential to compete with fossil energy sources.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Absolicon</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;Solar thermal has great potential to contribute to the green transition, especially as a source of industrial process heat. But the technology needs to become even more competitive to gain broader traction,&rdquo; says Erik Z&auml;ll, doctoral student in experimental physics at the Industrial Doctoral School at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>In his doctoral thesis, he demonstrates how optical coatings &ndash; thin films that control how light interacts with surfaces &ndash; can be tailored to improve both efficiency and durability. His work focuses on two key components of solar thermal collectors: the cover glass that allows sunlight to enter, and the receiver that absorbs the light and converts it into heat.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Erik Z&auml;ll, doctoral student at the Industrial Doctoral School and the Department of Physics.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>For the glass, Erik Z&auml;ll has developed an anti-reflective coating made of silica with small, hexagonally ordered pores. By adjusting the size and shape of the pores, as well as the thickness of the coating, he has succeeded in increasing the light transmitted through the glass. At the same time, the coating&rsquo;s resistance to scratches, dirt and moisture is improved &ndash; factors that would otherwise reduce performance over time.</p><p>For the receiver, the thesis presents two solutions. One is an electroplated cobalt-chromium coating that absorbs light thanks to its surface structure. It is produced using a type of chromium that is far more environmentally friendly than those previously used. The second solution is a composite film made of carbon nanotubes and silica, spray coated on annealed stainless steel using ultrasonic technology. The thermal treatment of the steel creates a thin oxide layer that improves both optical properties and heat resistance.</p><p>Both coatings absorb most of the sunlight while emitting very little thermal radiation. They can be manufactured using low-cost, environmentally friendly methods suitable for large-scale production.</p><p>The research has been carried out in close collaboration with Swedish solar energy company Absolicon Solar Collector and is directly adapted to their collector technology. The results have led to two patent applications and may eventually lead to more efficient solar thermal collectors, boosting Absolicon&rsquo;s competitiveness in the global solar thermal market.</p><p>&ldquo;Our work shows that it&rsquo;s possible to combine sustainability, cost-effectiveness and high performance in optical coatings &ndash; a key to making solar heat a viable alternative to fossil fuels on a larger scale,&rdquo; says Erik Z&auml;ll.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="113c4a4f-a3c3-4d85-81ca-a3b518471b10" data-contentname="About the thesis">{}</div><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="74b92039-6a80-4930-ba4f-6ad48cdf6752" data-contentname="Fakta Företagsforskarskolan ENG (standard)">{}</div>/en/news/advanced-coatings-boost-the-competitiveness-of-solar-thermal-energy_12094833//en/news/can-we-engineer-nature-to-save-it-bold-ideas-in-a-public-lecture_12096168/What if synthetic biology could help restore collapsing ecosystems? On May 22nd, renowned complex systems scientist Ricard Solé will visit Umeå University to explore this provocative question in a public lecture held in Aula Nordica, part of the Integrated Science Lab (IceLab) 15-year anniversary celebrations.Wed, 14 May 2025 14:55:06 +0200<p class="quote-center">Ricard&rsquo;s work pushes us to think bigger about what&rsquo;s possible in the face of climate collapse.</p><p>When ecosystems reach a tipping point&mdash;when deserts spread or coral reefs bleach and collapse&mdash;can science intervene? Could nature be engineered not just to survive but to recover? As global average temperatures surpassed the 1.5&deg;C threshold in 2024, and January 2025 became the warmest on record, these questions are more pertinent than ever.</p><p>These urgent questions are at the heart of a special free public lecture by Ricard Sol&eacute;, research professor at the Catalan Institute for Research and Advanced Studies, Universitat Pompeu Fabra. His talk, to be held in Aula Nordica on May 22nd at 16:30, will explore the concept of &ldquo;terraforming ecosystems&rdquo;&mdash;using synthetic biology to design targeted, nature-based interventions that could help restore degraded environments.</p><p>How could this be done? IceLab researcher Adriano Bonforti, who will moderate the event,explains: "You could, for example, take microbes from arid ecosystems and engineer them to improve water retention which could promote plant growth. By carefully selecting existing microbes, you could reduce the risk of desertification, while avoiding the risk of invasive species tipping the whole system out of balance."</p><p>Sol&eacute;&rsquo;s research combines ecology, synthetic biology, complex systems science, and mathematical modeling to investigate the possible outcomes of such approaches. This interdisciplinary perspective opens up new ways of thinking about restoration, emphasizing careful design and long-term ecological balance.</p><p>"This isn&rsquo;t science fiction," adds Adriano Bonforti. "It&rsquo;s speculative, but rooted in real science. Ricard&rsquo;s work pushes us to think bigger about what&rsquo;s possible in the face of climate collapse."</p><p>"Ricard has a unique ability to connect fields that don&rsquo;t usually talk to each other, using theory and mathematical modelling" adds Gerard Rocher-Ros, also moderating the event. "That&rsquo;s what IceLab is all about. We&rsquo;re excited to bring this kind of visionary thinking to Ume&aring;."</p><p>The lecture is part of the IceLab&rsquo;s 15-year anniversary&mdash;a celebration of interdisciplinary science at Ume&aring; University. Members of the public are invited to join this special event.</p><p>Researchers and staff at Ume&aring; University and SLU Ume&aring; are also encouraged to register for the full-day IceLab 15th anniversary conference, featuring talks from IceLab alumni, affiliates, and current members.</p>/en/news/can-we-engineer-nature-to-save-it-bold-ideas-in-a-public-lecture_12096168//en/news/the-arctic-six-switches-leaderships_12095447/At the Arctic Six Extended meeting in Tromsø on 28 April, The Arctic Six formally switched leaderships from Luleå University of Technology to UiT – the Arctic University of Norway. For the next two years, UiT will have leadership responsibility for fostering closer collaboration between six Arctic universities in Norway, Sweden, and Finland.Tue, 13 May 2025 14:21:32 +0200<p>The connections between the northern regions of the three Nordic countries are becoming increasingly close due to societal challenges such as climate change and geopolitical tensions.&nbsp;In the years to come, this could provide an important framework for close university collaboration between the universities in the neighbouring regions.</p><p>On 28 April, UiT assumed responsibility for strengthening this type of integration by taking over the leadership of the university alliance The Arctic Six from Lule&aring; University of Technology.&nbsp;The leadership involves coordinating joint programmes in research, education and innovation among six Arctic universities in Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Together, these universities comprise 10,000 academic staff and 100,000 students.</p><p>The overarching strategic decisions for the alliance's collaboration are made by a steering committee and a council consisting of the rectors of the six member universities (the Rector&rsquo;s Council), with a Chair, a rotating position lasting two years. The university holding the leadership also appoints a director for the secretariat of The Arctic Six, who is responsible for the organisation's operations.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">New forum on Arctic security</h2><p>UiT assumed the leadership of The Arctic Six during the conference Arctic Six Extended: Forum on Arctic Security. The event was held at UiT in Troms&oslash;, bringing together leading researchers and stakeholders from politics, governance, defense, technology, and industry sectors.&nbsp;During the debates, different solutions were highlighted for building better and more secure infrastructure in the Arctic regions of Norway, Sweden, and Finland.</p><p>"This forum is a testament to the tremendous development we have seen in the alliance over recent years. I am proud and impressed by how it has evolved," says former Director of The Arctic Six, Dag Avango. He passed the baton to Johanne Raade, Director of the University Library at UiT.</p><p>UiT's Rector, Dag Rune Olsen, believes that the university collaboration can bring many positive ripple effects to the northern regions and that UiT can help strengthen the integration process between the three countries.</p><p>"The Arctic Six as an alliance is much more than the sum of its parts. We share ideas and insights and face the same challenges. Research-based knowledge is crucial for societal development. We will ensure that we thrive in the next period," states Olsen.</p>/en/news/the-arctic-six-switches-leaderships_12095447//en/news/new-discovery-explains-why-men-more-are-more-affected-from-severe-covid-19_12094879/Researchers at Umeå University have found another piece of the puzzle that explains why there are differences in immune responses in women and men when they get sick with COVID-19. This discovery has implications for treatment strategies for severe COVID-19. The study is published in the scientific journal European Journal of Immunology.Tue, 20 May 2025 14:18:38 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/667ad23d8cc2487dbb15c8f190f96dc2/johan-o-constantine-ucmr-7173-250509-mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/667ad23d8cc2487dbb15c8f190f96dc2/johan-o-constantine-ucmr-7173-250509-mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/667ad23d8cc2487dbb15c8f190f96dc2/johan-o-constantine-ucmr-7173-250509-mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/667ad23d8cc2487dbb15c8f190f96dc2/johan-o-constantine-ucmr-7173-250509-mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/667ad23d8cc2487dbb15c8f190f96dc2/johan-o-constantine-ucmr-7173-250509-mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/667ad23d8cc2487dbb15c8f190f96dc2/johan-o-constantine-ucmr-7173-250509-mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Johan Normark och Constantin Urban, Institutionen f&ouml;r klinisk mikrobiologi vid Ume&aring; universitet.&nbsp;</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">men are three times more likely to need intensive care</p><p>&ldquo;Although the total number of cases of diagnosed COVID-19 is similar for men and women, men are three times more likely to need intensive care. Our study contributes to understanding how this sex-related difference in severe COVID-19 arises&rdquo;, says Johan Normark, infectious disease physician and senior lecturer at the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Ume&aring; University and one of the researchers behind the studies.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Non-existent to severe symptoms</h2><p>COVID-19 is a respiratory infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The disease was first detected during the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The rapid, global spread led to the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p>At least a third of those infected do not experience any symptoms. Of those who do, 80 percent experience mild symptoms and 20 percent experience severe symptoms that may require hospitalization and oxygen support. A small proportion of these becomes critically ill and requires intensive care.</p><p>Severe COVID-19 infections are characterized by an exaggerated and hyperinflammatory reaction of the immune system, especially in the lungs. The severe response can lead to tissue damage and, in the worst case, death. Part of the immune response to COVID-19 is the recruitment and activation of special white blood cells, called neutrophils. Their recruitment and activation occur primarily through the secretion of immune system signaling molecules, called cytokines.</p><p>The underlying mechanisms of why men are at risk of becoming more seriously ill with COVID-19 are not fully known.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Physicians and researchers collaborate</h2><p>To explore this, a translational project led by Professor Constantin Urban was started, where several research groups from Ume&aring; University collaborated with partners at the university hospitals in Ume&aring; and &Ouml;rebro. Translational research aims to take what is learned in basic research and apply it to the development of solutions to medical problems.</p><p>In the study, blood samples from over 200 Swedish patients with COVID-19 were analyzed. Using the samples, doctoral student Remigius Gr&ouml;ning mapped a comprehensive cytokine profile and doctoral student Emelie Backman quantified molecules that indicate neutrophil activation.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Excessive activation of the immune system in men</h2><p>The results showed that in the samples from patients with severe COVID-19 and needing medical care, there were higher values ​​of cytokines that recruit and activate neutrophils. In addition, there were higher values ​​of neutrophil activation markers.</p><p>&ldquo;We saw that the increase in the inflammatory cytokine IL-18 was sex-dependent and that the activation of neutrophils was sex-dependent. This was our most interesting finding! On average, both the amount of this cytokine and neutrophil activation markers were higher in blood plasma from men with severe COVID-19 compared to blood plasma from women of the same category&rdquo;, says Constantin Urban. Excessive recruitment and activation of neutrophils can have fatal consequences and can lead to serious and life-threatening disease.</p><p>According to the researchers, the result is important because other studies are underway that aim to treat symptoms of severe COVID-19 by suppressing neutrophil activation and thus reducing tissue damage in the patients' lungs.</p><p>&ldquo;In order to further develop this treatment strategy, it is therefore tremendously important to precisely map the difference that occurs in neutrophil responses in men and women with severe COVID-19&rdquo;, says Constantin Urban.</p><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3">The immune system against viruses is complex</h2><p>The study also highlights the complexity of the interactions that characterize the immune system's response to viral infections and how these interactions can affect the severity of the disease. Neutrophils have previously been studied most in bacterial infections, but this study shows that they also play an important role in more severe viral infections.</p><p>In future studies, the research team intends to further delineate the molecular mechanisms behind the discovered sex-related differences in the COVID-19 response and to verify the results of the current study with larger patient groups.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/667ad23d8cc2487dbb15c8f190f96dc2/johan-o-constantine-ucmr-7231-250509-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/667ad23d8cc2487dbb15c8f190f96dc2/johan-o-constantine-ucmr-7231-250509-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/667ad23d8cc2487dbb15c8f190f96dc2/johan-o-constantine-ucmr-7231-250509-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/667ad23d8cc2487dbb15c8f190f96dc2/johan-o-constantine-ucmr-7231-250509-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/667ad23d8cc2487dbb15c8f190f96dc2/johan-o-constantine-ucmr-7231-250509-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/667ad23d8cc2487dbb15c8f190f96dc2/johan-o-constantine-ucmr-7231-250509-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The researchers Johan Normark and Constantin Urban plan to verify the results of the current study with larger patient groups.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div>/en/news/new-discovery-explains-why-men-more-are-more-affected-from-severe-covid-19_12094879//en/news/art-meets-nanotechnology--the-worlds-smallest-dala-horse-created-at-umea-university_12084976/The artist behind one of Sweden's largest gingerbread houses, Erik Olof Wiklund, has together with Nils Hauff at Umeå Centre for Electron Microscopy, UCEM, created the world’s smallest Dala horse. As small as a red blood cell, the microscopic horse is invisible to the naked eye. The project is a unique collaboration of artistic creativity and advanced nanotechnology, part of the Umeå Academy of Fine Arts’ master’s exhibition at Bildmuseet this summer. Tue, 13 May 2025 08:00:06 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Erik Olof WikLund, artist and master student at the Academy of Fine Arts, Ume&aring; University and Nils Hauff, staff scientist, has together carved our the worlds smallest Dala horse at Ume&aring; Centre for Electron Microscopy, Ume&aring; University and SciLifeLab.&nbsp;</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Cultural symbol enters the cellular world&nbsp;</h2><p>The inspiration for the microscopic Dala horse &ndash; Dalah&auml;st in Swedish &ndash; came several years ago when Erik Olof Wiklund saw the previous &ldquo;world&rsquo;s smallest Dala horse&rdquo;, a few millimetres tall, at a museum in Dalarna. "I remember thinking it was unnecessarily large to be the world&rsquo;s smallest," Wiklund recalls with a laugh.<br><br>When he began working on his master&rsquo;s project this past winter at the Ume&aring; Academy of Fine Arts, he found the idea of the world&rsquo;s smallest Dalah&auml;st in one of his notebooks. "I thought, well, I&rsquo;m at a university now &ndash; surely there must be someone here who knows someone who can help," he says.&nbsp;<br><br>After many emails and phone calls, his idea eventually landed with Nils Hauff, staff scientist at UCEM, the electron microscopy unit at Ume&aring; University and part of SciLifeLab. "I never imagined the help I needed would be right here in Ume&aring; &ndash; it felt too good to be true," says Wiklund.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Can you see the microscopic sculpture? The worlds smallest Dala horse, 7 micro metres, is as small as a red blood cell, or the tenth of the width of a human hair.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image rights</span>Erik Olof Wiklund, Nils Hauff</span></div></div><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image rights</span>Erik Olof Wiklund, Nils Hauff</span></div></div><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">To carve with an ion beam&nbsp;</h2><p>"It&rsquo;s not every day I get requests like this," says Nils Hauff, who normally uses electron microscopes for world-leading research on biological processes in cells and studies of materials at the nanoscale.<br><br>To create the microscopic horse, they used a focused ion beam &ndash; a tool typically used to cut away material to reveal internal structures. It works somewhat like an extremely precise laser beam, capable of removing material with remarkable accuracy.</p><p>"Instead of removing material, we were now creating something. It was an exciting challenge," says Hauff, who carved the horse from a tiny piece of platinum. &ldquo;I was thinking that I need to remove everything that is not a horse,&rdquo; he explains laughing. &nbsp;</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="667a9f0a-ffb3-4c27-bffd-e647be859980" data-contentname="Image Erik and Nils">{}</div><p>One of the biggest challenges was controlling the ion beam so the horse wouldn&rsquo;t be blown away during the process. "Imagine an incredibly powerful and thin beam that can burn away material at an incredible speed. We had to work with extreme precision," says Hauff.<br><br>From idea to finished micro-sculpture, the process took several weeks. Wiklund and Hauff had to develop a shared language to communicate their vision. Together they unpacked concepts like micrometers, ion beams, and what an electron microscope actually is, forming a bridge between two vastly different fields.&nbsp;<br><br>&nbsp;"I think we both learned a lot from each other," says Wiklund.&nbsp;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>They have used a FIB-SEM (focused ion beam-scanning electron microscope) to carve out the microscopic Dala horse from a piece of platinum.&nbsp;</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Microscale craftsmanship with artistic detail&nbsp;</h2><p>Despite its minimal size of just 7 micrometres &ndash; about 10 times thinner than a human hair &ndash; the Dala horse features intricate details and classic patterns inspired by traditional painted wooden horses.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="9a6d847b-3982-4b9e-a78e-151bf2e1fdb1" data-contentname="Dalahäst red">{}</div><p>"I was born and raised in Alfta, H&auml;lsingland, near the border of Dalarna, and I&rsquo;ve used the Dala horse as a recurring motif in my art. For this project, the pattern was inspired by a horse my grandfather received from his father as a child. I&rsquo;m incredibly happy with the level of detail we achieved &ndash; the result exceeded my expectations," says Wiklund.<br><br>For him, the project is about more than advanced technology &ndash; it is also a dialogue between art and science, where collaboration with a scientist has offered new perspectives. In many ways, the tiny horse became a metaphor for Wiklund&rsquo;s own artistic journey during his studies.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="010ac997-2ca2-45d2-9632-11154fd435c7" data-contentname="Image Erik">{}</div><p>"I&rsquo;ve carried my cultural heritage with me, but I&rsquo;ve also had to scale it down, question it, and see it in a new light through the eyes and contexts of others. By minimizing its size, I paradoxically amplified its significance and realised that the small can be just as powerful as the large. Is it the horse&rsquo;s physical form that defines it &ndash; or the story and value we assign to it?"&nbsp;</p><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3">A bridge between art and science</h2><p>"When we captured the images of the horse with the microscope, I got to see how an artist thinks about aesthetics. As scientists, we often don&rsquo;t think about beauty in the same way as an artist," says Hauff.&nbsp;<br><br>This type of collaboration is an example of how art and science can enrich one another. Ume&aring; University has a strong tradition of interdisciplinary collaboration, and now art and science have come together to create something new. The project is part of Erik Olof Wiklund&rsquo;s thesis work at the Academy of Fine Arts.&nbsp;<br><br>"This project shows how research infrastructure can be used in unexpected ways," says Hauff.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;"And above all, how much fun it can be to let different worlds meet," adds Wiklund.&nbsp;</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="70b1ace9-6475-4d2d-82ce-a30b8852d599" data-contentname="Dalahäst carusell">{}</div><p><em>The project is part of Erik Olof Wiklund&rsquo;s degree project at the Ume&aring; Academy of Fine Arts.&nbsp;</em></p>/en/news/art-meets-nanotechnology--the-worlds-smallest-dala-horse-created-at-umea-university_12084976//en/news/everyone-is-coughing-right-now_12092195/There is a lot of coughing at the moment and many people think that more people than usual are at home with cold symptoms, but is that really the case and if so, why? Niklas Arnberg is a Professor at Department of Clinical Microbiology at Umeå University and he is trying to answer the questions that are circulating in many workplaces and schools around Sweden right now.Mon, 19 May 2025 08:12:16 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/94a7089ab30f47f1b5e04f8d43fb4950/arnberg_niklas_6157_190815_mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/94a7089ab30f47f1b5e04f8d43fb4950/arnberg_niklas_6157_190815_mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/94a7089ab30f47f1b5e04f8d43fb4950/arnberg_niklas_6157_190815_mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/94a7089ab30f47f1b5e04f8d43fb4950/arnberg_niklas_6157_190815_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/94a7089ab30f47f1b5e04f8d43fb4950/arnberg_niklas_6157_190815_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/94a7089ab30f47f1b5e04f8d43fb4950/arnberg_niklas_6157_190815_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Niklas Arnberg is a Professor at Department of Clinical Microbiology at Ume&aring; University. Photo: Mattias Pettersson.</p></div></div><h3>Right now, many people seem to have a cold and cough, is that the case and if so, what is actually circulating?</h3><p>"It's a combination of several different viruses. We're seeing a lot of the classic cold viruses, like rhinoviruses and enteroviruses, which usually cause runny noses, but also coughs and even pneumonia. But we also see influenza, parainfluenza viruses, common coronaviruses, although not so much COVID-19, as well as some RSV and metapneumoviruses. In other words, there are a lot of viruses contributing to more people coughing and sniffling than we usually see at this time of year."</p><h3>Is it unusual to have so many different viruses circulating at the same time?</h3><p>"Yes, it's actually a bit surprising that there are so many different viruses so late in the year. Usually, by this time, several of them have decreased significantly. One possible explanation is that we are still feeling some pandemic effect. The restrictions during the pandemic affected our exposure to viruses, which in turn has affected the immunity of the population. This has affected the epidemiological patterns and we don't seem to be back in balance yet. Every year is different, but since the pandemic we have seen an unusual amount of disruption in these patterns."</p><h3>Can we do anything to avoid all viruses?</h3><p>"Vulnerable groups in the population should be vaccinated according to the recommendations, but others can also be vaccinated against certain pathogens. Otherwise, the classic advice is to avoid large crowds, wash your hands often and those who are susceptible to infection can also use a face mask."</p><h3>Are we seeing an end to the viruses now?</h3><p>"It should calm down soon, we normally have less virus activity in summer, on the other hand we haven't had a clear peak of COVID-19 this winter, so there could be more during the summer. But most likely the worst should be over soon as it gets warmer and we spend more time outside."</p><p>&nbsp;</p>/en/news/everyone-is-coughing-right-now_12092195//en/news/umeas-creative-heart-beats-extra-fast_12091604/A sure sign of spring is that the Umeå University Arts Campus is coming alive with degree exhibitions and events at Umeå School of Architecture, Umeå Insitute of Design, Umeå Academy of Fine Arts, UmArts and Bildmuseet. Starting on 10 May, a mix of architecture, art and design is on offer with events and exhibitions. Most of them are open to the public, while some are aimed more at the industry, but what they all have in common is that they are of a high standard and well worth a visit.Mon, 12 May 2025 07:52:23 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/1eaf91d5fa97456181ee1a58982d5d66/holmberg-tora-5543-250403-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/1eaf91d5fa97456181ee1a58982d5d66/holmberg-tora-5543-250403-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/1eaf91d5fa97456181ee1a58982d5d66/holmberg-tora-5543-250403-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/1eaf91d5fa97456181ee1a58982d5d66/holmberg-tora-5543-250403-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/1eaf91d5fa97456181ee1a58982d5d66/holmberg-tora-5543-250403-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/1eaf91d5fa97456181ee1a58982d5d66/holmberg-tora-5543-250403-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Tora Holmberg, Vice-Chancellor of Ume&aring; University. Photo: Mattias Pettersson.</p></div></div><p>"I look forward to attending as many exhibitions and events as I can and really encourage everyone to take part in as many as possible. I have always been fascinated by how the entire Arts Campus breathes creativity and artistry and since I took over as Vice-Chancellor, I have also realised that the programmes are of the highest quality, which is not least demonstrated by the School of Design, which year after year ends up at the top of the world rankings. Don't miss out on this," says Tora Holmberg, Vice-Chancellor of Ume&aring; University.</p><p>First up this year is the Bachelor of Fine Arts exhibition at Ume&aring; Academy of Fine Arts, which opens on 10 May at 13.00 with Studentk&ouml;ren followed by performances by some of the students and works around the Arts Campus and inside UmArts. The Bachelor's exhibition is titled Reflektor and is open until 26 May. You can read more about it <a href="/en/umea-academy-of-fine-arts/exhibitions/bfa3-2025---reflektor/">here on the School's website</a>. Two of the students' works can be found at UmArts, which also has several events of its own in May and June, please <a href="https://www.umarts.se/programme/">check the UmArts website</a> for all the information.</p><h3>Infinite Proposals at Bildmuseet</h3><p>A definite artistic highlight is, of course, the exhibition of students from the two-year Master's programme - the highest level of education in fine art - at the Bildmuseet. The title of the exhibition, <em>Infinite Proposals</em>, refers to the artistic process, from idea to creation and placement in the world. <em>Infinite Proposals</em> presents works by more than a dozen students and is curated by artist Annika Eriksson, a professor at Ume&aring; Academy of Fine Arts and the students&rsquo; principal supervisor. <a href="~/link/7c1cc8254b9742adb0b20e11e1e77906.aspx">Read more about the exhibition on Bildmuseet's website.</a></p><p><em>Infinite Proposals</em> and the evocative exhibition on one of Cuba's most prominent and exciting artists Belkis Ay&oacute;n (1967-1999) opens with a customary Art Friday on 23 May, <a href="https://www.bildmuseet.ͯ����Ƶ/en/events/art-friday-with-opening_12032572/">read more on Bildmuseet's website</a>.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/1eaf91d5fa97456181ee1a58982d5d66/brita_taljedal2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/1eaf91d5fa97456181ee1a58982d5d66/brita_taljedal2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/1eaf91d5fa97456181ee1a58982d5d66/brita_taljedal2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/1eaf91d5fa97456181ee1a58982d5d66/brita_taljedal2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/1eaf91d5fa97456181ee1a58982d5d66/brita_taljedal2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/1eaf91d5fa97456181ee1a58982d5d66/brita_taljedal2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Brita T&auml;ljedal, museum curator at Bildmuseet. Photo: Polly Yassin, Bildmuseet.</p></div></div><p>"We are so proud to show Belkis Ay&oacute;n's monumental works inspired by the Abaku&aacute;, a secret Afro-Cuban brotherhood that she explored throughout her artistic career. In her interpretations of their myths, she speaks of belonging, silence, power and resistance, and introduces ideas about the fusion of religions and belief systems. &lsquo;Ay&oacute;n's iconic works form their own universe of traditions, hierarchies and worldviews and we will offer several lectures around the exhibition later this year," says museum curator Brita T&auml;ljedal, one of three curators.</p><p>Ume&aring; School of Architecture and the Ume&aring; Insitute of Design will open their final exhibitions to the public in early June. Ume&aring; School of Architecture's final exhibition on 4-7 June will showcase the graduates' theses from the five-year architecture programme, as well as projects from other years in the School of Architecture's eight different design studios. The opening of the exhibition will take place on 4 June at 15:00, with presentations of a selection of the students' work. <a href="~/link/99f03d5db3994a458abd3156c3de0acd.aspx">Read more on the School of Architecture website.</a></p><h3>Degree Show live for everyone to watch</h3><p>Ume&aring; Insitute of Design's <em>Design Talks &amp; Degree Show - UID25</em> is now an important institution in the global design industry and is broadcast live for those who are not specially invited. However, on 4 June between 13:00-17:00, the entire exhibition inside the Ume&aring; Institute of Design will be open to the public. <a href="/en/umea-institute-of-design/uid25/">Visit Ume&aring; Insitute of Design's collection page</a> and marvel at all the exciting student projects by students from all over the world and, as mentioned, feel free to take part in the open live broadcast of UID25.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/1eaf91d5fa97456181ee1a58982d5d66/horst_demian_1687_220518_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/1eaf91d5fa97456181ee1a58982d5d66/horst_demian_1687_220518_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/1eaf91d5fa97456181ee1a58982d5d66/horst_demian_1687_220518_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/1eaf91d5fa97456181ee1a58982d5d66/horst_demian_1687_220518_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/1eaf91d5fa97456181ee1a58982d5d66/horst_demian_1687_220518_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/1eaf91d5fa97456181ee1a58982d5d66/horst_demian_1687_220518_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Demian Horst, Head of Ume&aring; Institute of Design. Photo: Hans Karlsson.</p></div></div><p>"UID25 emphasises the strong values we have around collaboration, people and our planet. Visitors will have the chance to see our students' innovative work that pushes the boundaries of creativity and imagination. The event reflects our globally diverse student body and the school's commitment to creativity grounded in social responsibility," explains Demian Horst, Head of Ume&aring; Institute of Design.</p>/en/news/umeas-creative-heart-beats-extra-fast_12091604//en/news/discovery-opens-up-for-new-ways-to-treat-chlamydia_12091019/Researchers at Umeå University, Sweden, and Michigan State University, USA, have discovered a type of molecule that can kill chlamydia bacteria but spare bacteria that are important for health. The discovery opens the door for further research towards developing new antibiotics against chlamydia, the world's most common bacterial sexually transmitted disease with 130 million cases a year.Thu, 08 May 2025 07:30:56 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/769b6dde828f44409c7ec2b909c26361/barbara-magnus-aakriti-6164-250416-mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/769b6dde828f44409c7ec2b909c26361/barbara-magnus-aakriti-6164-250416-mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/769b6dde828f44409c7ec2b909c26361/barbara-magnus-aakriti-6164-250416-mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/769b6dde828f44409c7ec2b909c26361/barbara-magnus-aakriti-6164-250416-mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/769b6dde828f44409c7ec2b909c26361/barbara-magnus-aakriti-6164-250416-mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/769b6dde828f44409c7ec2b909c26361/barbara-magnus-aakriti-6164-250416-mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Magnus &Ouml;lander, postdoc in the Sixtlab, sharing exciting findings from an antibiotic discovery project with labhead Barbara Sixt and colleague Aakriti Singh. <br><span class="bildPhotografer" style="white-space: nowrap;"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></p></div></div><p>"No one should have to live with chlamydia. But the problem is that the treatments we have today do not distinguish between dangerous and friendly bacteria. A growing problem is also that more and more bacteria are becoming resistant to today's broad-acting antibiotics," says the study's lead author Barbara Sixt, associate professor at the Department of Molecular Biology at Ume&aring; University, Sweden.</p><p>The bacterium that causes chlamydia, <em>Chlamydia trachomatis</em>, has very special properties. Just like viruses, it invades cells in the human body, which it then reshapes so that they give the bacterium a home where it can grow and multiply.</p><p>"We thought it could be possible to find a way to outsmart the bacterium's lifestyle by interfering with its special properties and its interactions with human cells," says the study's first author Magnus &Ouml;lander, former postdoc at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>The researchers searched through large collections of chemical molecules to find molecules that can eradicate the growth of the chlamydia bacterium in human cells in laboratory cultures. More than 60 possible anti-chlamydia molecules were identified. It was a matter of finding molecules that could selectively kill the chlamydia bacterium but at the same time be harmless to human cells and to beneficial bacteria that the body needs to stay healthy. After further refined studies, the researchers were able to identify a particularly potent molecule.</p><p>The molecule in question was found to be able to inhibit the bacterium's ability to produce fatty acids, which are necessary for its growth.</p><p>"There is still a long way to go before we have a new treatment, but this finding may prove very important in developing new antibiotics that are both effective but at the same time gentle on the body&rdquo;, says Barbara Sixt.</p><p>The research was carried out in collaboration with Andr&eacute; Mateus and Bj&ouml;rn Schr&ouml;der at Ume&aring; University, Sweden, and Jeremy Lohman at Michigan State University, United States of America.</p><p>Chlamydia often causes mild symptoms but if left untreated can cause long-term damage to the reproductive organs, especially in women. This can cause chronic pain and infertility and can have consequences for pregnancy and childbirth. Chlamydia may also contribute to the onset of cancer of the cervix and ovaries. Every year, about 25,000 people in Sweden are diagnosed with chlamydia, 130 million worldwide.</p><p>The study is published in the scientific journal PLoS Biology.</p>/en/news/discovery-opens-up-for-new-ways-to-treat-chlamydia_12091019//en/news/polish-your-icelab-postdoc-project-proposal-at-a-hackathon-may-14_12090402/Researchers at Umeå University planning to apply for the IceLab–Kempestiftelserna Multidisciplinary Postdoctoral Project Call can take part in a proposal writing hackathon on May 14 in Galaxen. The call supports new interdisciplinary collaborations and is open to all disciplines. The final deadline for proposals is May 19.Tue, 06 May 2025 10:58:07 +0200<p>Researchers at Ume&aring; University looking to kickstart a new interdisciplinary collaboration with postdoctoral funding are invited to apply to the IceLab&ndash;Kempestiftelserna Multidisciplinary Postdoctoral Project Call. The call is open to all disciplines, with a submission deadline of May 19.</p><p>To support proposal development, IceLab will host a Proposal Writing Hackathon on May 14 in Galaxen. The day begins with an introduction by Martin Rosvall, including tips and examples from successful past proposals. Participants will then have time to develop their proposals in groups, with access to separate rooms and support from IceLab's Director and Coordinator, Martin Rosvall and Gabrielle Beans. Over lunch, representatives from the currently funded IceLab multidisciplinary postdoctoral program will join the proposal teams for informal discussions.</p><p>A selection of successful past proposals is available upon request from IceLab Coordinator <a href="~/link/7e966bc84b3147e98c92fe6a682befd6.aspx">Gabrielle Beans</a>.</p><p>For full details and to register, visit the event page: <a href="~/link/2798b4aa549843348e12b61b8683d151.aspx">LINK</a>.</p><p>A light lunch is included for registered participants.</p>/en/news/polish-your-icelab-postdoc-project-proposal-at-a-hackathon-may-14_12090402//en/news/umea-university-ready-for-european-collaboration_12090356/Ceremony for excellent and merited teachers, ceremony for new doctors and jubilee doctors, banquet and installation of the new Vice-Chancellor Tora Holmberg. It’s time for Spring Graduation at Umeå University. Wed, 30 Apr 2025 11:24:40 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/77f6e502362f4c5bac60b6b73b9bcdc3/varpromotionen-gruppbild_2024_mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/77f6e502362f4c5bac60b6b73b9bcdc3/varpromotionen-gruppbild_2024_mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/77f6e502362f4c5bac60b6b73b9bcdc3/varpromotionen-gruppbild_2024_mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/77f6e502362f4c5bac60b6b73b9bcdc3/varpromotionen-gruppbild_2024_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/77f6e502362f4c5bac60b6b73b9bcdc3/varpromotionen-gruppbild_2024_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/77f6e502362f4c5bac60b6b73b9bcdc3/varpromotionen-gruppbild_2024_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Picture from last years Spring Graduation ceremony.&nbsp;</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>On Thursday 15 May, the ceremony for the University's excellent and merited teachers will take place. It is an occasion to celebrate and recognise those who have been appointed from autumn 2023 to autumn 2024, a total of 34 teachers will participate. During the ceremony, each teacher will be presented with a pin and thanked by representatives of the university management, students and the teaching staff.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p>&ldquo;Teachers are one of the cornerstones of the university's activities. Therefore, it feels good to recognise them on one of the university's most festive occasions. We hope for a good turnout,&rdquo; says Cathrine Norberg, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for education on the first- and second-cycle level at Ume&aring; University, and the person representing Ume&aring; University at the ceremony. &nbsp;</p><p>The ceremony for excellent and merited teachers will be held in Ljusg&aring;rden on Campus Ume&aring; 12.30&ndash;13.15. All interested parties are welcome.&nbsp;</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Recognising researchers</h2><p>On Saturday 17 May, it is time for the Spring Graduation ceremony in Aula Nordica in Universum on Campus Ume&aring;. Researchers at Ume&aring; University will be honoured. During this year's ceremony, 86 new doctors and 18 jubilee doctors will be conferred, 7 of the jubilee doctors will be present, the rest will be conferred absent. Jubilee doctors are people who received their doctorate 50 years ago.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p>During the ceremony, the doctoral insignia are handed out &ndash; the doctoral hat or laurel wreath, doctoral ring and diploma.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p>&ldquo;We are so proud of the breadth of socially important and innovative research conducted at Ume&aring; University. This is really something to recognise and celebrate,&rdquo; says Peter Sk&ouml;ld, Master of Ceremonies at Ume&aring; University.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">New Vice-chancellor is installed</h2><p>The academic ceremonies are very traditional. However, one tradition that doesn't happen every year is the installation of a Vice-chancellor &ndash; but this year it's time. On 1 April, Tora Holmberg started her position as Vice-chancellor at Ume&aring; University. During the Spring Graduation, the former Vice-chancellor, Hans Adolfsson, will place the gold Vice-chancellor chain around her neck. The chain is a sign of the dignity of the office. &nbsp;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/77f6e502362f4c5bac60b6b73b9bcdc3/holmberg-tora-5543-250403-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/77f6e502362f4c5bac60b6b73b9bcdc3/holmberg-tora-5543-250403-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/77f6e502362f4c5bac60b6b73b9bcdc3/holmberg-tora-5543-250403-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/77f6e502362f4c5bac60b6b73b9bcdc3/holmberg-tora-5543-250403-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/77f6e502362f4c5bac60b6b73b9bcdc3/holmberg-tora-5543-250403-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/77f6e502362f4c5bac60b6b73b9bcdc3/holmberg-tora-5543-250403-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Tora Holmberg is new Vice-chancellor since 1 April.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">It feels great to be able to wear the mighty Vice-chancellor chain and be part of one of the university's most important ceremonies.</p><p>Tora Holmberg becomes the ninth Vice-chancellor to be installed in the university's 60-year history.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p>&ldquo;It feels great to be able to wear the mighty Vice-chancellor chain and be part of one of the university's most important ceremonies. I have only had a short time to get to know Ume&aring; University. This ceremonial act will be an important step in my role as Vice-chancellor,&rsquo; says Tora Holmberg.&nbsp;</p><p>The ceremony will take place in Aula Nordica in Universum at Ume&aring; University on Saturday 17 May at 16.00. The entire ceremony is open to the public, and will last 1.5-2 hours. It is possible to watch a live webcast of the ceremony. A banquet for invited guests will follow.&nbsp;</p><p><a title="live.ͯ����Ƶ" href="/live">Watch the live broadcast at ͯ����Ƶ/live.&nbsp;</a></p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="f7aeaf74-affc-4407-8cf3-a5613c2a1464" data-contentname="Facts abour vice-chancellor chain">{}</div>/en/news/vice-chancellor-tora-holmberg-is-installed-at-the-spring-graduation_12087725//en/news/usbe-pedagogical-prize-2025_12087214/Associate professor Christopher Nicol is awarded the USBE Pedagogical Prize for his dedicated and long-term work in integrating external collaboration into teaching.Tue, 29 Apr 2025 15:14:09 +0200<p>For many years, Christopher has been a driving force in building meaningful connections between academia and the wider society. He bridges theory and practice through case work, guest lectures, field studies, and face-to-face meetings between students and external partners.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/4d0c8e26c9ad4283bc2ef9e043d231ad/christopher_nicol4.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/4d0c8e26c9ad4283bc2ef9e043d231ad/christopher_nicol4.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/4d0c8e26c9ad4283bc2ef9e043d231ad/christopher_nicol4.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/4d0c8e26c9ad4283bc2ef9e043d231ad/christopher_nicol4.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/4d0c8e26c9ad4283bc2ef9e043d231ad/christopher_nicol4.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/4d0c8e26c9ad4283bc2ef9e043d231ad/christopher_nicol4.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Christopher Nicol</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Privat</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;I am delighted to have my work recognised by my peers and students, and I&rsquo;m especially pleased to have the opportunity to work with many wonderful young people and aid them, in some way, towards the achievement of their goals&rdquo;, Christopher Nicols says.</p><p>Through collaborations with companies, public institutions, and non-profit organizations, students in his courses are given the opportunity to analyze real-world challenges and propose solutions that make a difference&mdash;not only for their own learning, but also for the organizations involved.</p><p>&ldquo;Chris Nicols' fine and long-term work in integrating collaboration into teaching is appreciated by both students and colleagues. As the recipient of this year's pedagogical award, he receives well-deserved recognition for his great pedagogical commitment&rdquo;, says Mats Bergman, Dean of the Ume&aring; School of Business, Economics and Statistics.</p><p>Christopher's teaching strengthens students&rsquo; problem-solving abilities, analytical thinking, and understanding of the demands of professional life. He is also a generous colleague who actively shares his network with other teachers, thereby enhancing USBE&rsquo;s overall learning environment. Thanks to his efforts, several teachers have been able to invite companies, carry out collaborative projects, and provide students with valuable opportunities to engage with working life during their studies.</p>/en/news/usbe-pedagogical-prize-2025_12087214//en/news/chemist-lisa-lundin-receives-faculty-pedagogical-award_12087189/The Swedish Defence Research Agency (Totalförsvarets forskningsinstitut, FOI) conducts research to support national security and defence, including developing tools to detect and protect against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats. Ionising radiation damages cells and tissue, which can lead to chronic diseases such as cancer and fibrosis. In order to obtain a better understanding of this process, FOI turned to the Swedish Metabolomics Centre for help.Fri, 25 Apr 2025 17:24:25 +0200<p><em>This text was originally posted on <a href="https://www.scilifelab.se/news/user-case-scilifelab-essential-for-fois-research-on-investigating-radiation-induced-damage/">scilifelab.se</a>.</em></p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/995670c4ffde43d9a4f714140a6e1b53/umu3000x15004.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/995670c4ffde43d9a4f714140a6e1b53/umu3000x15004.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/995670c4ffde43d9a4f714140a6e1b53/umu3000x15004.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/995670c4ffde43d9a4f714140a6e1b53/umu3000x15004.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/995670c4ffde43d9a4f714140a6e1b53/umu3000x15004.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/995670c4ffde43d9a4f714140a6e1b53/umu3000x15004.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Annika Johansson, research coordinator and Head of Unit of Swedish Metabolomics Centre at Ume&aring; University, SLU and SciLifeLab.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mikael Wallerstedt</span></div></div><p class="quote-center"><em>At SMC, they&rsquo;re experts at finding what you don&rsquo;t even know you&rsquo;re looking for</em></p><p>&ldquo;We observed that when cells are exposed to radiation, although they may not die, they are altered and begin to release different substances into the cell culture media around them, which we call &lsquo;conditioned media&rsquo;,&rdquo; says Pernilla Lind&eacute;n, researcher at FOI&rsquo;s Department for Chemical Agents. &nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>When unirradiated cells were exposed to this &lsquo;conditioned media&rsquo;, they began showing symptoms of radiation damage, despite never being directly exposed to radiation. &nbsp;<br><br>&ldquo;This suggests that something is being secreted from the irradiated cells, something that can cause serious systemic effects in the body, but can also be used as a potential marker of radiation exposure&rdquo; Lind&eacute;n explains.<br><br>At FOI they have the ability to measure targeted metabolites &ndash; known molecules they can detect and quantify &ndash; but lacks the advanced tools to detect and identify large sets of metabolites. Lind&eacute;n reached out to Annika Johansson, Head of Unit at the <a href="~/link/b3535c2f6803442f8cf20120b93e6074.aspx">Swedish Metabolomics Centre, SMC</a>, in Ume&aring;.<br><br>At SMC, metabolomics is performed using advanced mass spectrometry &ndash; a technology that allows researchers to detect metabolites in biological samples. Unlike targeted methods, untargeted metabolomics can identify and quantify a vast range of metabolites, including those not initially anticipated. &ldquo;At SMC, they&rsquo;re experts at finding what you don&rsquo;t even know you&rsquo;re looking for,&rdquo; says Lind&eacute;n.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/995670c4ffde43d9a4f714140a6e1b53/swedish_metabolomics_centre_5129_121204_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/995670c4ffde43d9a4f714140a6e1b53/swedish_metabolomics_centre_5129_121204_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/995670c4ffde43d9a4f714140a6e1b53/swedish_metabolomics_centre_5129_121204_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/995670c4ffde43d9a4f714140a6e1b53/swedish_metabolomics_centre_5129_121204_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/995670c4ffde43d9a4f714140a6e1b53/swedish_metabolomics_centre_5129_121204_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/995670c4ffde43d9a4f714140a6e1b53/swedish_metabolomics_centre_5129_121204_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The advanced instrument that was used for the experiment.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Finding the invisible&nbsp;</h2><p>Together, their teams designed the experimental setup to find what the irradiated cells secreted into their environment.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>&ldquo;The challenge with metabolomics is that it&rsquo;s not a method that measures everything. It&rsquo;s not like CSI &mdash; you don&rsquo;t just put a sample in and get a clear answer about unknown compounds,&rdquo; says Annika Johansson. With metabolomics, there is lot of manual work involved, and the researchers need to make sure that they are not overwhelming the user with data. &nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>&ldquo;The key is to understand what really matters. Our goal is always to deliver insights that move the research forward. In this case, we wanted to help FOI understand what was happening in the cells and the surrounding media,&rdquo; says Johansson.</p><p>To get the most value out of the data, the teams went back and forth with preparing the test and reference samples whilst planning the experiments in detail.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>The experiment was successful, and whilst the exact compounds responsible for the effects are still being investigated, the results revealed biological pathways consistent with radiation response &mdash; promising clues for future studies.&nbsp;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/995670c4ffde43d9a4f714140a6e1b53/annika_johansson_mikael_wallerstedt2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/995670c4ffde43d9a4f714140a6e1b53/annika_johansson_mikael_wallerstedt2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/995670c4ffde43d9a4f714140a6e1b53/annika_johansson_mikael_wallerstedt2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/995670c4ffde43d9a4f714140a6e1b53/annika_johansson_mikael_wallerstedt2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/995670c4ffde43d9a4f714140a6e1b53/annika_johansson_mikael_wallerstedt2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/995670c4ffde43d9a4f714140a6e1b53/annika_johansson_mikael_wallerstedt2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Annika Johansson, research coordinator and Head of Unit of Swedish Metabolomics Centre at Ume&aring; University, SLU and SciLifeLab.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mikael Wallerstedt</span></div></div><p id="info1" class="quote-center" data-magellan-target="info1">The long-term goal would be a non-invasive method to quickly determine whether a person has been harmed by radiation or chemical agents</p><p>The collaboration has now expanded to develop ways to identify airborne tracers of exposure to radiation and chemical agents such as toxic industrial chemicals and nerve gases. This time, SMC helped analyze metabolites that can be detected in both plasma and breath samples &mdash; again aiming to detect early biochemical signals of exposure.<br><br>&ldquo;The long-term goal would be a non-invasive method to quickly determine whether a person has been harmed by radiation or chemical agents, and what kind of medical care they might need,&rdquo; says Lind&eacute;n.<br><br>Critical to the project&rsquo;s success was SMC&rsquo;s vast in-house library of known metabolites and lipids, its specialized software for interpreting complex data, and the hands-on training FOI&rsquo;s team received on how to analyze the raw data themselves. &ldquo;We also needed Annika&rsquo;s help to select what samples to include in the analysis in order to be able to answer the questions we had,&rdquo; says Lind&eacute;n.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>From first contact to completed analysis, the project took only a few months, which Johansson attributes to the strong communication and clear experimental design. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s exciting to see how access to the right infrastructure and expertise can help with such an important purpose,&rdquo; Johansson concludes.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>/en/news/research-infrastructure-at-umea-university-essential-for-fois-on-investigating-radiation-induced-damage_12085531//en/news/more-students-apply-to-the-umea-school-of-business-economics-and-statistics_12085442/The application statistics for admission in the autumn semester of 2025 show a positive outcome for the Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics, with the number of first-choice applicants increasing by nearly 9 percent compared to last year.Fri, 25 Apr 2025 13:08:25 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b0bb4aa2d8734b0e89e9ba5037de338c/studenter_utanfor_lindellhallen3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b0bb4aa2d8734b0e89e9ba5037de338c/studenter_utanfor_lindellhallen3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b0bb4aa2d8734b0e89e9ba5037de338c/studenter_utanfor_lindellhallen3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/b0bb4aa2d8734b0e89e9ba5037de338c/studenter_utanfor_lindellhallen3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b0bb4aa2d8734b0e89e9ba5037de338c/studenter_utanfor_lindellhallen3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b0bb4aa2d8734b0e89e9ba5037de338c/studenter_utanfor_lindellhallen3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;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>Rickard Lindberg</span></div></div><p>In the Swedish application round, the total number of first-choice applicants to our programs increased by nearly 9 percent. In contrast, Ume&aring; University as a whole saw an increase of around 3 percent, while the national figure was about 3.5 percent. Particularly significant increases were noted for Civilekonomprogrammet, Civilekonomprogrammet med inriktning mot handel och logistik, and Civilekonomprogrammet med inriktning mot Service Management.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b0bb4aa2d8734b0e89e9ba5037de338c/bergman_mats_5673_160124_hkn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b0bb4aa2d8734b0e89e9ba5037de338c/bergman_mats_5673_160124_hkn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b0bb4aa2d8734b0e89e9ba5037de338c/bergman_mats_5673_160124_hkn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/b0bb4aa2d8734b0e89e9ba5037de338c/bergman_mats_5673_160124_hkn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b0bb4aa2d8734b0e89e9ba5037de338c/bergman_mats_5673_160124_hkn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b0bb4aa2d8734b0e89e9ba5037de338c/bergman_mats_5673_160124_hkn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Mats Bergman, Dean of Ume&aring; School of Business, Economics and Statistics.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>The new&nbsp;Master&rsquo;s Programme in Sustainability Reporting and Financial Analysis&nbsp;became the third most applied-for programme at the advanced level that we offer. In the international application round, this new programme was also the third most chosen first-choice option.</p><p>&ldquo;These excellent application numbers are a gratifying confirmation that our programmes are attractive and relevant,&rdquo; says Mats Bergman, Dean of the Ume&aring; School of Business, Economics and Statistics.</p>/en/news/more-students-apply-to-the-umea-school-of-business-economics-and-statistics_12085442//en/news/nature-is-not-untouched_12084964/How should we comprehend and manage nature in an era characterised by climate change, global policies, and increasing exploitation? A new book edited by Carina Keskitalo, a professor at the Department of Geography, suggests that part of the answer lies in people’s daily relationships with the landscape—through local practices, customs, and historical experiences.Fri, 25 Apr 2025 12:47:54 +0200<p>Understanding Human&ndash;Nature Practices for Environmental Management, recently published by Routledge and accessible through open access, brings together researchers from across the Nordic region. It illustrates how our perceptions of nature and environmental governance have evolved over time&mdash;historically, politically, and practically. By challenging the notion of nature as untouched, the book emphasises the human being as an active and essential part of the landscape. It centres not on a dichotomy between humans and nature, but on their interplay&mdash;and how understanding this interplay is crucial to facilitating sustainable management.</p><p>&ldquo;We want to show that environmental management is not just about technology and regulations, but about how people live their lives in relation to nature. Understanding these practices is crucial for developing sustainable solutions,&rdquo; says Carina Keskitalo.</p><h3>When everyday life shapes governance</h3><p>Perhaps the book&rsquo;s most significant contribution lies in dismantling the simplistic division between nature and culture&mdash;an enduring dichotomy that continues to shape both research and policy. Instead, the authors contend that human activities&mdash;from traditional livelihoods such as reindeer herding and hunting to modern practices like tourism and land use&mdash;are deeply embedded in ecosystems and should be examined accordingly.</p><p class="quote-center">We want to show that environmental management is not just about technology and regulations, but about how people live their lives in relation to nature.</p><p>The chapters cover a wide range of themes, showcasing how the relationship between humans and nature is affected by legislation, culture, and environmental policy. Examples include analyses of the legal evolution of Norway&rsquo;s right to public access and its implications for citizens&rsquo; access to nature, as well as studies examining Finnish perceptions of forests and how these reflect historical and economic interests. Several chapters also investigate how legal systems and political frameworks not only regulate the utilisation of nature but also influence our fundamental understanding of what nature is&mdash;and what it should be.</p><p>Some of the texts also address contemporary climate strategies such as rewilding, revealing how these efforts alter not only the ecological composition of landscapes but also people&rsquo;s emotional relationships with&mdash;and practical use of&mdash;the environments in which they live and interact.</p><h3>When wilderness becomes a product</h3><p>One chapter, authored by Dorothee Bohn, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Geography, explores how the notion of &ldquo;untouched nature&rdquo; is portrayed in tourism within Arctic environments. Through an analysis of resort marketing, she demonstrates how images of wilderness are crafted to align with tourists&rsquo; expectations&mdash;images that often stand in stark contrast to the way local communities live and utilise the same landscapes.</p><p>The chapter illustrates how tourism not only affects physical environments but also shapes our perception of what the Arctic is&mdash;and who gets to belong in the Arctic.</p><p class="quote-center">Our ambition has been to broaden the understanding of what sustainable management can entail, by allowing different perspectives to come together.</p><h3>Research with societal relevance</h3><p>Although the book draws its concrete examples from the Nordic region, the themes it raises are highly relevant in a global context: Who gets to define the value of nature? How does history shape today&rsquo;s policies? And what happens when external governance models collide with local experience?</p><p>&ldquo;Our ambition has been to broaden the understanding of what sustainable management can entail, by allowing different perspectives to come together,&rdquo; says Keskitalo.</p><p>The book provides a timely and insightful framework for policymakers, authorities, and environmental practitioners who seek to better understand the social dimensions of environmental governance&mdash;especially at a time when climate action, green transition, and place-based knowledge are increasingly in tension.<br>&nbsp;</p>/en/news/nature-is-not-untouched_12084964//en/news/new-cells-in-connective-tissue-open-up-strategy-against-pancreatic-cancer_12081322/Researchers at Umeå University, Sweden, have discovered a previously unknown type of connective tissue cells that surround cancer cells in pancreatic tumors. The newly discovered cells counteract tumor development and may therefore be a target for research into new treatments for pancreatic cancer, which is one of the deadliest forms of cancer.Wed, 23 Apr 2025 09:21:12 +0200<p>We are still a long way from treatment, but this may show a viable path for further research," says Daniel &Ouml;hlund, associate professor at Ume&aring; University and who has ledleader of the current study.</p><p>Pancreatic cancer is one of the cancers with the worst prognosis for survival. This is partly because it is often detected late, and partly because it responds poorly to traditional treatments with chemotherapy.</p><p>Researchers at Ume&aring; University have investigated the connective tissue cells that surround the cancer cells in pancreatic cancer. These cells, called cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF,), play an important role in how the cancer develops. Several types of CAF stimulate the growth of cancer cells and contribute to the cancer cells being resistant to current chemotherapy treatments. They thus make, making the cancer more aggressive and more difficult to treat.</p><p>What the Ume&aring; researchers have found is a previously unknown subgroup of CAF that has opposite properties. This group can instead hold back the cancer and open the way for the body's own immune cells to attack the cancer cells. However, this newly discovered group, called ifCAF &ndash; interferon response cancer-associated fibroblasts, (ifCAF), is in the minority among different CAF around the cancer cells.</p><p>"The opening we see is whether it would be possible to stimulate the formation of this newly discovered and kinder cell type around the cancer cells at the expense of the connective tissue cells that make the cancer aggressive," says Daniel &Ouml;hlund.</p><p>The researchers at Ume&aring; University are now proceeding to study potential drug substances that can promote the formation of ifCAF cells so that they increase in number and thus slow down the development of the disease. If successful, it could become a target for the development of future drugs. <br>About half a million people worldwide are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer every year<br>The study is published in the scientific journal Cancer Research.</p><p>About half a million people worldwide are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer every year.</p><p>The study is published in the scientific journal Cancer Research.</p>/en/news/new-cells-in-connective-tissue-open-up-strategy-against-pancreatic-cancer_12081322//en/news/new-user-friendly-data-format-in-the-swedpop-portal_12080935/It is now easier to use data from the SwedPop infrastructure, which gathers historical population data from six major population databases.Thu, 17 Apr 2025 09:32:01 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/9a39c5ed4bfe4c41a6a3c0b0f14a1418/john-schnobrich-2fpjlaymqta-unsplash3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/9a39c5ed4bfe4c41a6a3c0b0f14a1418/john-schnobrich-2fpjlaymqta-unsplash3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/9a39c5ed4bfe4c41a6a3c0b0f14a1418/john-schnobrich-2fpjlaymqta-unsplash3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/9a39c5ed4bfe4c41a6a3c0b0f14a1418/john-schnobrich-2fpjlaymqta-unsplash3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/9a39c5ed4bfe4c41a6a3c0b0f14a1418/john-schnobrich-2fpjlaymqta-unsplash3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/9a39c5ed4bfe4c41a6a3c0b0f14a1418/john-schnobrich-2fpjlaymqta-unsplash3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>M&auml;nniskor framf&ouml;r dator</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>John Schnobrich</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">with the new format, we hope researchers will be able to start their analyses more quickly</p><p>SwedPop collects data from six different national databases to make historical population data accessible to researchers. A new output format has now been introduced for data downloaded from SwedPop. The previous IDS format (Intermediate Data Structure) is complemented by a new format that resembles a table, which is more familiar to many users. This change makes it easier to import data into various analysis programs such as R, Stata, SAS, and SPSS.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/9a39c5ed4bfe4c41a6a3c0b0f14a1418/westberg_annika_2286_070524_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/9a39c5ed4bfe4c41a6a3c0b0f14a1418/westberg_annika_2286_070524_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/9a39c5ed4bfe4c41a6a3c0b0f14a1418/westberg_annika_2286_070524_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/9a39c5ed4bfe4c41a6a3c0b0f14a1418/westberg_annika_2286_070524_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/9a39c5ed4bfe4c41a6a3c0b0f14a1418/westberg_annika_2286_070524_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/9a39c5ed4bfe4c41a6a3c0b0f14a1418/westberg_annika_2286_070524_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Portr&auml;tt: Annika Westberg. Utredare vid Enheten f&ouml;r demografi och &aring;ldrandeforskning vid Ume&aring; universitet (ED&Aring;) Enhet: DDB Ume&aring;</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>"Previously, some processing was required before the data could be used, but with the new format, we hope researchers will be able to start their analyses more quickly,"&nbsp;says Annika Westberg, analyst at CEDAR &ndash; Centre for Demographic and Ageing Research.<br><br>The new format is intended to improve accessibility to the data available in the portal. The previous format was designed to facilitate the coordination of data from different databases, which is essential for SwedPop&rsquo;s functionality. The new format aims to reduce the complexity and increase accessibility, encouraging more researchers to utilize the extensive data available in the infrastructure.<br><br>"Access to the new format will make it easier for researchers to use SwedPop data and, hopefully, also increase the utilization of the infrastructure,"&nbsp;Annika adds.<br><br><strong>Interested in testing it out?&nbsp;</strong><br>Visit the SwedPop website.</p>/en/news/new-user-friendly-data-format-in-the-swedpop-portal_12080935//en/news/adjusting-trees-internal-clocks-can-help-them-cope-with-climate-change_12076832/A new study from Umeå University has revealed that trees’ circadian clocks guide their growth and the timing of seasonal events like the appearance of leaves in spring. The researchers investigated the growth of genetically modified poplars in greenhouse and field conditions, combining statistical learning and plant biology methods. Their findings suggest that adjusting clock-associated genes could help trees better synchronize with changing climates, offering new opportunities for forestry. Tue, 15 Apr 2025 16:01:12 +0200<p class="quote-center">This study is a proof-of-concept that trees conditioned to a particular length of day at a certain latitude can be adapted to a new latitude, effectively extending their growing season.</p><h3>A Large-Scale Approach to Understanding a Trees&rsquo; Clock</h3><p>Trees, like humans, have a circadian clock that regulates their daily and seasonal rhythms. Research has suggested that this clock is important to regulate growth and the timing of &nbsp;important seasonal events, like for example bud formation in autumn and bud opening in spring. However, most of this research has been done in controlled greenhouse conditions and not outside in the field where plants are exposed to natural environmental conditions. In the field, as in the real world, temperature fluctuations, insect predation and other factors affect plant growth.</p><p>To address this, the researchers conducted an extensive study based on 68 poplar or aspen lines with different, modified properties. Among the genes that were modified were many associated with the circadian clock. These trees&rsquo; growth was studied in multiple greenhouse and field experiments over several years. The results clearly showed that the circadian clock has a strong role in regulating tree growth and the timing of seasonal events in the life of a tree, like the budding of leaves.</p><p>&ldquo;Our study is the first to combine datasets from greenhouse and field studies to show that multiple aspects of the circadian clock system influence tree growth and the timing of life-cycle events,&rdquo; says Bertold Mari&euml;n, lead author of the study. &ldquo;By applying statistical modelling to these datasets, we were able to pinpoint which circadian clock-associated genes impact tree growth or, for example, the time when leaves appear or change colour.&rdquo;</p><h3>Insights for Forestry and Climate Adaptation</h3><p>The study provides a new perspective on how trees use their circadian clock to coordinate their growth with the environment. For example, certain genetic modifications in key clock regulators changed the trees&rsquo; sensing of the day length and allowed trees to continue growing later into the season.</p><p>"This study is a proof-of-concept that trees conditioned to a particular length of day at a certain latitude can be adapted to a new latitude, effectively extending their growing season. This is especially useful at higher latitudes like in Northern Sweden where short growing seasons limit timber production," explains Maria E. Eriksson, last author of the study.</p><p class="quote-center">By properly incorporating our findings on the circadian clock into global vegetation models, we can improve predictions of how forests will respond to climate change.</p><p>Additionally, some gene modifications improved the trees&rsquo; resilience under environmental fluctuations. By focusing on these specific genes, it would be possible to breed tree varieties that are better adapted to rapid changes in the local climate, and to new growing locations, for example in other latitudes. &nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p>"In the future, forestry management could be improved by integrating trees&rsquo; circadian clocks and their natural growth cycles with traditional practices&rdquo;, says Eriksson. &ldquo;In this way, tree growth and resilience could be optimized in a changing world.&rdquo;</p><p>Beyond the implications for forestry, the study also has relevance for global vegetation models that predict forest growth and carbon storage. The importance of the clock in shaping trees&rsquo; sensitivity to environmental conditions is often underestimated in these models, according to Mari&euml;n. He concludes, &ldquo;By properly incorporating our findings on the circadian clock into global vegetation models, we can improve predictions of how forests will respond to climate change.&rdquo;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>/en/news/adjusting-trees-internal-clocks-can-help-them-cope-with-climate-change_12076832//en/news/largest-study-to-date-shows-pharmaceutical-pollution-alters-migration-in-atlantic-salmon_12076632/Umeå researcher Jerker Fick, together with researchers at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU, has conducted the largest study to date investigating how pharmaceutical pollution affects the behaviour and migration of Atlantic salmon. They found that typical environmental levels of a pharmaceutical used for sleep disorders influenced the migration success of juvenile salmon in the wild. Thu, 10 Apr 2025 20:13:57 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/image6_credit_michael_bertram3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/image6_credit_michael_bertram3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/image6_credit_michael_bertram3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/image6_credit_michael_bertram3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/image6_credit_michael_bertram3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/image6_credit_michael_bertram3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The researchers Daniel Cerveny and Marcus Michelangeli from SLU in Ume&aring; are collecting juvenile salmon in the Dal River. The juvenile salmon formed the foundation of the study published in Science.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Michael Bertram</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">Pharmaceuticals are present in most surface waters globally</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Pharmaceuticals in aquatic ecosystems &ndash;&nbsp;a growing issue&nbsp;</h2><p>&ldquo;The presence of pharmaceuticals in our surface waters has been studied for two decades now,&rdquo; says Jerker Fick, Associate professor at the Department of Chemistry who contributed to the study published in <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adp7174">Science</a>.&nbsp;&ldquo;Pharmaceuticals are present in most surface waters globally, often in low concentrations. However, there are hotspots, for instance&nbsp;near production facilities and in densely populated, water-scarce areas. On top of that, we also know that the usages of pharmaceuticals are increasing globally,&rdquo; he says.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>Psychoactive pollutants, such as antidepressants and pain medications, are of particular concern, due to their ability to influence brain function and alter the behaviour of wildlife species.<br><br>&ldquo;Almost all of the existing research into the effects of pharmaceutical pollution on wildlife has investigated the effect under simplified conditions in the laboratory that do not capture real-world complexity,&rdquo; says Michael Bertram, Assistant Professor SLU, senior author of the study. Animal behaviour is very sensitive to environmental conditions, and behavioural effects of drug exposure seen in the laboratory may not be reflective of behavioural responses in the wild.&nbsp;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/p4042087-22.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/p4042087-22.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/p4042087-22.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/p4042087-22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/p4042087-22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/p4042087-22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Jerker Fick, researcher at the Deparmtent of Chemistry, contributed to the study with his expertise of measuring pharmaceutical pollutants using mass spectrometry.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Rebecca Forsberg</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span></div></div><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Moving out of the laboratory&nbsp;</h2><p>The research team conducted the largest field-based study to date that investigates the effects of exposure to pharmaceutical pollutants. They used newly developed slow-release pharmaceutical implants and animal-tracking transmitters to investigate how exposure to clobazam &ndash; a drug often prescribed for sleep disorders &ndash; and the opioid painkiller tramadol affected the behaviour and migration of juvenile Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar. The study took place in the Dal River, Sweden, and looked at the salmon's migration to the Baltic Sea.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>&ldquo;We found that the salmon exposed to clobazam passed hydropower dams faster than the unexposed fish. It also meant that more of the medicated salmon eventually reached the Baltic Sea," says Jack Brand, researcher at SLU and first author of the publication, in a press release from SLU.<br>&nbsp;<br>&ldquo;Our results demonstrate the capacity for pharmaceutical pollution to influence key behaviours of animals in the wild, with potentially wide-ranging consequences&rdquo;, he says in a <a href="https://www.slu.se/en/ew-news/2025/4/pharmaceutical-pollution-affects-migration-in-atlantic-salmon/">press release from SLU</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/img_14022.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/img_14022.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/img_14022.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/img_14022.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/img_14022.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/img_14022.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The dam in &Auml;lvkarleby, Uppland. The dam is one of the obstacles that juvenile salmon must navigate in the Dal River on their migration toward the Baltic Sea, and one of the two dams included in the study published in Science</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Rebecca Forsberg</span></div></div><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">A way towards less-polluted wildlife&nbsp;</h2><p>Atlantic salmon are an ecologically, economically, and culturally important species that recently was classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in parts of Europe. While overexploitation (e.g., from fishing), habitat loss, and fragmentation are the primary drivers of this worrying trend, the results of this experiment suggest that pharmaceutical pollution may&nbsp;alter behaviours during events that are key for the survival&nbsp;in migratory fish. &nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>Nonetheless, pharmaceuticals play a key role in modern human and animal health and will remain important for disease management and prevention into the future. &nbsp;<br><br>&ldquo;However, most pharmaceuticals exhibit poor biodegradability, and wastewater treatment processes often fail to completely remove these substances,&rdquo; says Professor Tomas Brodin, previously researcher at Ume&aring; University, now at SLU and co-author of the study.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/tomas_och_jerker_9502_180508_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/tomas_och_jerker_9502_180508_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/tomas_och_jerker_9502_180508_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/tomas_och_jerker_9502_180508_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/tomas_och_jerker_9502_180508_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/dcbb39c6097d414aa4b9b8ce81cf86c3/tomas_och_jerker_9502_180508_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Jerker Fick, researcher at the Department of Chemistry, here with Tomas Brodin, researcher at SLU, co-author of the study, and previously a research at the Department of Ecology and Enviornmental Science, EMG.&nbsp;</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">A multi-pronged approach will be required to mitigate the threat of pharmaceutical contaminants</p><p>Whilst several advanced wastewater treatment methods have been successful in reducing pharmaceutical contamination, they remain unavailable in many parts of the world due to economic and infrastructure reasons.&nbsp;<br><br>&ldquo;While addressing pharmaceutical pollution is not simple, it is clear that a multi-pronged approach will be required to mitigate the threat of pharmaceutical contaminants to wildlife health into the future,&rdquo; says Michael Bertram.&nbsp;<br><br>Jerker Fick concludes&nbsp;that these findings&nbsp;would have been much harder to obtain without the collaborative efforts of the large study:&nbsp;&ldquo;It is very fulfilling to be able to collaborate with experts in different research fields and together investigate the effects of these pollutants.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>/en/news/largest-study-to-date-shows-pharmaceutical-pollution-alters-migration-in-atlantic-salmon_12076632//en/news/eu-minister-visits-umea-university_12077802/Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the EU is now both a major funder of research and a facilitator of student and staff exchanges. Umeå University will soon join the European Campus of City-Universities (EC2U), so there were many interested listeners when Minister for EU Affairs Jessica Rosencrantz visited the university.Wed, 09 Apr 2025 14:02:33 +0200<p>"Every day, as researchers, we connect across the globe to jointly solve research problems and contribute to societal challenges. Every day, students travel to other countries to gain new experiences and better understand how others think. Although today's trends seem to be moving in the opposite direction, academia must uphold this important ideal. &lsquo;When the world shrinks, universities must grow," said Ume&aring; University Vice-Chancellor Tora Holmberg in her speech, which was also her first official appearance as Vice-Chancellor.</p><p>In this shrinking world, it seems right now that the US is weakening in its position as the world's foremost research nation due to the domestic political situation and the uncertainty surrounding the future of certain authorities in the country.</p><p>"I think everyone is reasoning that it would be good if Europe could step forward here and attract more researchers from other parts of the world. And of course we're looking at what's happening in the US, but I think we'll have to come back to exactly how. But I know that there are discussions going on, not least among the education and research ministers in the EU," said Minister for EU Affairs Jessica Rosencrantz.</p><p>"But everything is linked to the fact that we are at the forefront of research and innovation. The EU has a target, in terms of money, that each country should invest 3 per cent of GDP in research and innovation. Far too few countries are doing this. We are at 3.5 per cent, so Sweden is actually a role model here, along with a few other countries. So it's also about walking the talk. And I think that's important in contexts like this."</p><h3>Question and answer session</h3><p>Part of the Minister for EU Affairs's purpose in visiting Ume&aring; University, which also included a question and answer session moderated by Magnus Blomgren, Associate professor at Department of Political Science, is to get more students to realise that the EU is both a workplace and an internship.</p><p>"I would be delighted if more students would take the opportunity to do an internship either at the Government Offices or in Brussels at our Swedish representation there or in some part of the Commission. Or perhaps even better, apply for a job in the Commission after completing their studies. Sweden is the second least represented country, after Luxembourg, in the EU institutions, and especially in the Commission, where much of the work is done. So there is much to do here! I hope that Ume&aring; University students will be curious about this so that more people apply for jobs in the EU administration in the future."</p><p>Read more about the <a href="https://ec2u.eu/">European Campus of City-Universities (EC2U)</a>.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>/en/news/eu-minister-visits-umea-university_12077802//en/news/when-the-labour-market-changes_12076825/How can shrinking regions address labour shortages, inequality, and demographic challenges? Over four days, researchers and societal actors gathered at Umeå University to discuss this topic – focusing on the role of geography and migration processes in understanding and shaping the labour markets of the future.Tue, 08 Apr 2025 13:26:06 +0200<h3>Research with relevance for northern societal development</h3><p>From 25 to 28 March, Ume&aring; University hosted the international conference Regional labour markets in times of shrinking populations: challenges, social inequalities, and ways ahead. The event was organised by the Department of Geography in collaboration with the IGU Commission on Population Geography and the Centre for Regional Science (Cerum), with support from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.</p><p class="quote-center">This type of research dialogue is crucial to understanding how structural changes affect different parts of the country in different ways.</p><p>The conference brought together around one hundred researchers from twenty countries to present new research on labour markets, migration, and demographic change &ndash; all issues that are particularly relevant for Norrland and other sparsely populated regions.</p><p>&ldquo;This type of research dialogue is crucial to understanding how structural changes affect different parts of the country in different ways. It is also an opportunity to highlight the strong research conducted at Ume&aring; University in the areas of regional development, labour markets, and migration,&rdquo; said Charlotta Hedberg, Professor of Human Geography and Chair of the conference&rsquo;s Scientific Committee.</p><p>This perspective was echoed in the opening session, where Dieter M&uuml;ller, Professor of Geography and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Ume&aring; University, underscored the current transition in northern Sweden:</p><p>&ldquo;The shift has moved from a fear of unemployment to a fear of labour shortages &ndash; a new reality that requires strategic collaboration on multiple levels,&rdquo; he noted.</p><h3>Three keynotes &ndash; three perspectives on the future of the periphery</h3><p>The conference featured three keynote speakers, each highlighting labour market challenges from both global and northern perspectives. Madeleine Eriksson from Ume&aring; University explored how green industrial investments in the North both enable and complicate local development &ndash; particularly regarding social and environmental resources. She emphasised how high-speed projects within the green transition can create tensions between the state, companies, and local populations &ndash; especially for migrant workers whose working and living conditions are marked by uncertainty. The question, she noted, is not just what is being built &ndash; but for whom.</p><p>Maria Abreu from the University of Cambridge addressed migration&rsquo;s role in demographic shifts in peripheral regions. She advocated for a capabilities-oriented approach to regional development, one that centres on individuals&rsquo; real opportunities to lead meaningful lives rather than focusing solely on employment rates or GDP. Abreu also highlighted how various regional migration strategies &ndash; such as those in Canada &ndash; can revitalise depopulated areas. However, another conference participant raised concerns about the ethical implications of &ldquo;retaining&rdquo; migrants. What are we really expecting migration to achieve? A relevant question for northern Sweden as well.</p><p>Johan Fredrik Rye, who recently moved from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) to the University of Oslo, described how migrant workers in rural regions are often perceived as both a solution and a threat &ndash; complicating integration and mutual understanding. He argued for a shift in mindset: from viewing migrant workers as &lsquo;the other&rsquo; to normalising their presence &ndash; a key to building sustainable communities where work and living conditions are interconnected.</p><h3>Policy panel on concrete ways forward</h3><p>A particularly appreciated part of the programme was the open policy panel held in the Ljusg&aring;rden atrium. Moderated by Professor Rikard Eriksson, the panel featured Karin Ahnqvist, HR Director, Ume&aring; Municipality, Marta Teclemariam Bahta, Strategist, Region V&auml;sterbotten, and Elin Sl&auml;tmo, Senior Researcher, Nordregio, discussing how municipalities and regions can practically address skills supply in a rapidly evolving labour market.</p><p class="quote-center">We in northern Sweden are already in the perfect storm that other parts of the world are only beginning to see</p><p>The panel made clear: there is no quick fix. Instead, evidence-based decisions and context-specific interventions are needed. Several successful examples were highlighted &ndash; such as Lappland L&auml;rcentrum and digital reskilling programmes &ndash; but so were the difficulties that arise when national policies fail to accommodate regional needs. The panel agreed: we need to think outside the box &ndash; while also strengthening the links between employers, the education sector, and public services.</p><p>&ldquo;We in northern Sweden are already in the perfect storm that other parts of the world are only beginning to see,&rdquo; one panelist said &ndash; underlining the need for rapid knowledge transfer, proactive leadership, and locally tailored strategies.</p><h3>Geography in focus</h3><p>The conference underscored the central role of geography in understanding how place, space, and mobility influence societal development. It is about connecting the local with the global, and providing decision-makers with the knowledge needed to navigate an ever-changing reality. A recurring theme was geography&rsquo;s role in building bridges &ndash; between practice and policy, between people and places. Understanding patterns of mobility and the appeal of place proved crucial to identifying long-term solutions.</p><p>As conference co-organiser Marco Eimermann summarised:</p><p>&ldquo;Our goal was to bring together researchers in regional studies and economic geography with those in population geography, migration studies, and related fields &ndash; and thanks to our keynotes, policy panel, and everyone who contributed to the conference, we&rsquo;ve succeeded.&rdquo;<br>&nbsp;</p>/en/news/when-the-labour-market-changes_12076825//en/news/collaboration-with-industry-research-collaboration-with-astrazeneca-provides-insights-into-virus-infections_12076762/Umeå professor Mikael Elofsson has since 2018 been engaged in a research collaboration with the global pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. The focus is on understanding how viruses infect human cells – knowledge that could pave the way for new antiviral treatments. Fri, 11 Apr 2025 11:17:13 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/cd482f2fccb94e8196a001f0700ace86/mikael_elofsson_2012-23.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/cd482f2fccb94e8196a001f0700ace86/mikael_elofsson_2012-23.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/cd482f2fccb94e8196a001f0700ace86/mikael_elofsson_2012-23.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/cd482f2fccb94e8196a001f0700ace86/mikael_elofsson_2012-23.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/cd482f2fccb94e8196a001f0700ace86/mikael_elofsson_2012-23.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/cd482f2fccb94e8196a001f0700ace86/mikael_elofsson_2012-23.jpg?mode=crop&amp;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 and Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, is collaborating with AstraZeneca to pave the way for antiviral treatments.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">It has been incredibly exciting and rewarding to combine our expertise in academic research with that of a large pharmaceutical company</p><p>The collaboration began following a conference on academic drug development in Cambridge, UK, in 2016. There, a partnership was established between <a href="https://openinnovation.astrazeneca.com/">AstraZeneca's Open Innovation</a> initiative and the national infrastructure network <a href="~/link/20bec7eca47a4fb8be32d19d683d1161.aspx">Chemical Biology Consortium Sweden, CBCS</a>, which became the gateway to the research collaboration.<br><br>&ndash; In the first part of 2018, project plans took shape. The experimental work could begin later that same year, says Mikael Elofsson, Professor at the <a href="~/link/f1741951a05e464ea0b74d28b589f4a5.aspx">Department of Chemistry</a> and Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology at Ume&aring; University.<br><br>The project is a collaboration between Mikael Elofsson and Magnus Evander, Professor at the <a href="~/link/c83cd08f50de4355a42d25d4846d9830.aspx">Department of Clinical Microbiology</a>. Together, they combine expertise in chemistry and virology to map how a virus interacts with the host cell during the various stages of the infection cycle.<br><br>&ndash; The goal is to understand which human proteins and signaling pathways are critical for infection. Today, we can only treat a fraction of all virus-caused diseases, so the need for new antiviral drugs is enormous, not least to be prepared for future pandemics, says Mikael Elofsson, who also is a research leader at <a href="~/link/7411b104249c4027951f7bfc334415ab.aspx">Ume&aring; Centre for Microbial Research, UCMR</a>.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/cd482f2fccb94e8196a001f0700ace86/mikael_elofsson_210830_all_img_11042.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/cd482f2fccb94e8196a001f0700ace86/mikael_elofsson_210830_all_img_11042.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/cd482f2fccb94e8196a001f0700ace86/mikael_elofsson_210830_all_img_11042.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/cd482f2fccb94e8196a001f0700ace86/mikael_elofsson_210830_all_img_11042.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/cd482f2fccb94e8196a001f0700ace86/mikael_elofsson_210830_all_img_11042.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/cd482f2fccb94e8196a001f0700ace86/mikael_elofsson_210830_all_img_11042.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Mikael Elofsson and Stina Berglund Fick, Head of Unit at the Chemical Biological Consortium Sweden, CBCS, an infrastructure unit at SciLifeLab. The collaboration between AstraZeneca's Open Innovation initiative and CBCS pawed the way for Mikael Elofssons collaboration with AstraZeneca.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Anna-Lena Lindskog</span></div></div><p>The collaboration has led to several scientific breakthroughs. Among other things, the researchers have identified a protein family important for how adenovirus &ndash; which can caus fever, cough, and diarrhea &ndash; infects cells.<br><br>&ndash; We have had a close and very productive collaboration throughout the project period, which is still ongoing! It has been incredibly exciting and rewarding to combine our expertise in academic research with that of a large pharmaceutical company.<br><br>The results of the collaboration were presented at the 8th European Congress of Virology in 2023, and a scientific article summarising the research has now been submitted for publication.<br><br>&ndash; We are also investigating whether more relevant protein families can be identified for further research together with AstraZeneca, says Mikael Elofsson.</p><p class="quote-center">There are great possibilities to accomplish things together that you cannot do alone</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Synergies between industry and academia&nbsp;</h2><p>Combining academic and industrial research has proven successful. Mikael Elofsson highlights the synergies that arise when different areas of expertise meet:&nbsp;<br>&ndash; Our academic research questions and the results we have built up over 20 years form the core of the project. The collaboration with AstraZeneca enables us to take bold steps toward new goals.<br><br>Although the collaboration has required some adjustment to industrial workflows and timelines, he does not see this as a hindrance as it is a natural part of an ambitious, interdisciplinary project.&nbsp;<br>&ndash; We have faced challenges, but they mainly relate to things like developing robust testing methods, which is part of the everyday work in experimental research, he explains.<br><br>Elofsson has long been in favour of collaboration between academia and industry, something that shaped his research career from the outset.<br><br>&ndash; My postdoctoral research led to an approved cancer drug, so I know that collaboration can lead to tangible results. I truly encourage other researchers to seize the opportunity &ndash; there are great possibilities to accomplish things together that you cannot do alone.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="00b08673-035c-4fd9-b291-8fd0686dc419" data-contentname="Movie AstraZeneca seminar">{}</div>/en/news/collaboration-with-industry-research-collaboration-with-astrazeneca-provides-insights-into-virus-infections_12076762//en/news/ny-sidadiscovery-of-bacterias-defence-against-viruses-becomes-a-piece-of-the-puzzle-against-resistance_12074262/Antibiotic resistance is a global health challenge that could overtake cancer mortality within a few decades. In a new study, researchers at Umeå University show that the emergence of resistance can be understood in the mechanism of how bacteria build up defences against being infected by viruses. It is about genes in the bacterium that interfere with the attacking virus's ability to multiply. Thu, 10 Apr 2025 13:59:23 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/8a6ef1107f724148a32ea01eefcdcbf5/mir-sanchis_ignacio_3778_190320_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/8a6ef1107f724148a32ea01eefcdcbf5/mir-sanchis_ignacio_3778_190320_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/8a6ef1107f724148a32ea01eefcdcbf5/mir-sanchis_ignacio_3778_190320_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/8a6ef1107f724148a32ea01eefcdcbf5/mir-sanchis_ignacio_3778_190320_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/8a6ef1107f724148a32ea01eefcdcbf5/mir-sanchis_ignacio_3778_190320_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/8a6ef1107f724148a32ea01eefcdcbf5/mir-sanchis_ignacio_3778_190320_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Ignacio Mir-Sanchis, Assistant Professor and lead author of the study. <br><span class="bildPhotografer" style="white-space: nowrap;"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></p></div></div><p>"A key to antibiotic resistance might be the use of viruses to kill bacteria, however, the systems that bacteria employ to defence themselves against viruses are unknown. Understanding these systems opens up for research into how we can break down the defence so that serious infection disease can be treated in the future," says Ignacio Mir-Sanchis, Assistant Professor at Ume&aring; University and the study's lead author.</p><p>The Ume&aring; researchers have studied the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, which is a common but potentially fatal bacterium in cases such as septic shock and pneumonia. A subgroup of S. aureus has become multi-resistant to antibiotic treatment and thus poses a major danger to public health. In some countries, a quarter of S. aureus is now multi-resistant, in Sweden only one percent.</p><p>However, the bacteria themselves are vulnerable to infection by a type of virus called bacteriophages, or just phages. Throughout evolution, bacteria and phages have undergone an arms race in which phages infect bacteria, which in turn develop mechanisms to resist the attacks. Much of this defence is encoded in the part of the bacteria's genome that can easily be transferred between bacteria, the so-called mobilome. Such a transfer can mean that otherwise harmless bacteria can turn into lethal. This is because the mobilome often carries genes that are responsible for the production of toxins, i.e. toxic substances, and for resistance to antibiotics.</p><p>The research group has been able to identify a specific set of genes in S. aureus mobilome that confer immunity against infection with phages. This finding was possible thanks to Ume&aring; University's cryoelectron microscope. These genes interfere with the ability of phages to spread and multiply. This happens because a key protein expressed by one of the genes forms a structure around an important protein encoded by the phage's genome, thereby blocking the phage's ability to copy its DNA and thus unable to infect more bacteria.</p><p>"The discovery of this mechanism could be a door opener to understand several aspects of bacterial pathogenesis. On the one hand, we now understand better how resistant bacteria defend themselves against viruses. On the other hand, because these set of genes also encode for toxins and antibiotic resistance genes, it may therefore turn out that this is an important piece of the puzzle in the fight against antibiotic resistance," says Ignacio Mir-Sanchis.</p><p>The study is published in the scientific journal Nature Communications.</p>/en/news/ny-sidadiscovery-of-bacterias-defence-against-viruses-becomes-a-piece-of-the-puzzle-against-resistance_12074262//en/news/physicist-awarded-eu-fellowship-to-explore-the-role-of-light-in-future-computing_12074773/Ben Johns, 'Excellence by Choise' postdoctoral researcher at Umeå University, has been awarded a Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship from the EU to investigate how light-based technologies could make future computing both faster and more energy efficient.Mon, 07 Apr 2025 13:47:51 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/9007fcb982b543b9a6960212bb7c0cfc/johns-ben-7079_240605-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/9007fcb982b543b9a6960212bb7c0cfc/johns-ben-7079_240605-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/9007fcb982b543b9a6960212bb7c0cfc/johns-ben-7079_240605-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/9007fcb982b543b9a6960212bb7c0cfc/johns-ben-7079_240605-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/9007fcb982b543b9a6960212bb7c0cfc/johns-ben-7079_240605-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/9007fcb982b543b9a6960212bb7c0cfc/johns-ben-7079_240605-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Ben Johns, postdoctoral fellow in the research group Ultrafast Nanoscience at the Department of Physics.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>Can we use only light to perform data processing and computations in the future? That is the question Ben Johns hopes to answer, now with support from a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) postdoctoral fellowship. His research focuses on so-called polaritons &ndash; a hybrid of light and matter particles that exhibits unique properties.</p><p>&ldquo;In my project, I will investigate polaritons to study their suitability for all-optical technologies which can be much faster than current electronics-based systems while also being potentially more energy efficient&rdquo;, says Ben Johns.</p><p>His goal is to understand how polaritons behave after interacting with extremely short pulses of light. These &lsquo;ultrafast&rsquo; dynamics can shed new light the properties of polaritons that may make them useful in designing all-optical technologies in the future.</p><p>&ldquo;My research is primarily focused on fundamental science. But since interest in polaritons is growing rapidly, this could lead to practical applications in the not-too-distant future,&rdquo; he says.</p><p>The MSCA fellowship allows Ben Johns to pursue his ambitious research idea with a high degree of independence and to lay the foundation for a long-term research programme in the field.</p><p><a href="~/link/7984db287ff94883ba81f31cb27d0998.aspx">Read a longer interview with Ben Johns</a></p>/en/news/physicist-awarded-eu-fellowship-to-explore-the-role-of-light-in-future-computing_12074773//en/news/how-quicklime-production-can-be-electrified-without-losing-quality_12073643/A transition to electrified quicklime production could significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions. However, process modifications may impact product quality. New research from Umeå University and the Industrial Doctoral School explores how different process conditions affect quicklime quality and offers insights for a more sustainable industry.Thu, 03 Apr 2025 08:00:07 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Jutj&auml;rn limestone quarry located in Dalarna, Sweden.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Katarzyna Olovsson</span></div></div><p>Quicklime is an essential material used in various industries, including steel production, where its quality is crucial. Currently, the process of quicklime production takes place in fuel-fired high-temperature kilns, emitting large quantities of carbon dioxide. Most of these emissions come from the decomposition of limestone, while the rest originate from the burning of the fossil fuels.</p><p>A possible route for carbon dioxide mitigation is electrification of the production process, which, in combination with carbon capture, could enable net-zero emissions in the long run. However, this would lead to altering the process conditions, which in turn could affect the quicklime quality.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Tested different temperatures</h2><p>Katarzyna Olovsson, doctoral student at the Department of Applied Physics and Electronics at Ume&aring; University, has investigated several quality measures of quicklime. One important quality measure is slaking reactivity. Especially in steel production, high reactivity quicklime is required.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Katarzyna Olovsson, doctoral student at the Department of Applied Physics and Electronics.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Jonas Olovsson</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;In the experiments simulating an electrified heating process, we tested how different burning temperatures and durations affect the slaking reactivity. Our results showed that all quicklime samples had medium to high reactivity, demonstrating the possibility of achieving this quality in an electrically heated process,&rdquo; says Katarzyna Olovsson.</p><p>Another important quality aspect is carbonation, which can occur in the cooling zone of a kiln and lowers the quality of the quicklime product.</p><p>In her research, Katarzyna Olovsson found substantial variations in carbonation depending on the type of limestone and the atmosphere in which it is processed. She studied the microstructure of two different types of limestone, sedimentary and metamorphic, and how it changed during heating and carbonation in three different atmospheres, representing conventional combustion and electrically headed kilns.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Quality is crucial</h2><p>&ldquo;The quality of limestone and of quicklime is important for the suppliers, producers and their customers. Depending on the industrial application, requirements can vary, and increased knowledge of the factors that affect the quality is very important. Our results should be taken into consideration while designing a cooling zone of an electrified quicklime production kiln,&rdquo; says Katarzyna Olovsson.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Currently, the process of quicklime production takes place in fuel-fired high-temperature kilns, emitting large quantities of carbon dioxide.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Katarzyna Olovsson</span></div></div><p>The study provides useful insights for industries looking to make quicklime production more sustainable. As the focus on cutting carbon dioxide emissions increases, electrifying high-temperature processes is emerging as a promising solution.</p><p><em>Katarzyna Olovsson&rsquo;s doctoral project has been funded by the Industrial Doctoral School at Ume&aring; University, SMA Mineral, Heidelberg Materials, Nordkalk och Swedish Mineral Processing Research Association &ndash; MinFo.</em></p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="9e859f01-7c01-4d35-8163-fcc6a5a67fe1" data-contentname="About the thesis">{}</div><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="74b92039-6a80-4930-ba4f-6ad48cdf6752" data-contentname="Fakta Företagsforskarskolan ENG (standard)">{}</div>/en/news/how-quicklime-production-can-be-electrified-without-losing-quality_12073643//en/news/over-33-per-cent-increase-in-admitted-international-masters-students_12074137/Prospective students around the world received their admission notices for international master’s programmes at Swedish universities last week. At Umeå University, over 33 % more students have been admitted to international master's programmes starting in autumn 2025 in comparison with the prior year. Wed, 02 Apr 2025 16:09:56 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/d1062947e9624aa98f16a7b71483390a/internationella_studenter_7156_230403_mgg8.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/d1062947e9624aa98f16a7b71483390a/internationella_studenter_7156_230403_mgg8.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/d1062947e9624aa98f16a7b71483390a/internationella_studenter_7156_230403_mgg8.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/d1062947e9624aa98f16a7b71483390a/internationella_studenter_7156_230403_mgg8.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/d1062947e9624aa98f16a7b71483390a/internationella_studenter_7156_230403_mgg8.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/d1062947e9624aa98f16a7b71483390a/internationella_studenter_7156_230403_mgg8.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>1,301 students were admitted to over 40 international master&rsquo;s programmes at Ume&aring; University for the autumn 2025 semester.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Malin Gr&ouml;nborg</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;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 Ume&aring; University&rdquo;, says Cathrine Norberg, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Education at Ume&aring; University.<br><br>Master's degree programmes in public health and business remain strong. Ume&aring; University's Master's Programme in Psychology with Specialisation in Health Psychology and the Master's Programme in Spatial Planning and Sustainability also have many admitted students, and a high number of applicants. <br>&nbsp;<br>&ldquo;It is gratifying that interest has increased for so many of the university's programmes. We have both more applicants and more admitted students this year compared to last year. This year we have 1301 admitted students, last year the number was 972. Now the work begins to prepare the students for their studies in Ume&aring;. Among other things, the international students will be invited to a Pre-departure webinar in the spring and will have 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&rdquo;, says Cathrine Norberg.</p><h3>&nbsp;<br>Programmes with most number of students admitted autumn 2025</h3><ul><li>Master's Programme in Public Health</li><li>Master's Programme in Public Health with a Specialization in Health Economics</li><li>Master's Programme in Management</li><li>Master's Programme in Finance</li><li>Master's Programme in Business Development and Internationalisation</li></ul><p>Source: <a title="NyA Anv&auml;ndarst&ouml;d" href="https://uhrporten.se/nyaanvandarstod/stod-i-arbetet/statistik/masterht-statistik/">NyA Anv&auml;ndarst&ouml;d</a><br><br><br></p>/en/news/over-33-per-cent-increase-in-admitted-international-masters-students_12074137//en/news/more-second-homes-in-inland-northern-sweden-than-previously-thought_12074089/The number of second homes in inland northern Sweden is significantly higher than the statistics show, a study by Umeå University reveals. Caravans and apartments are often used for second-home purposes – which affects municipal tax revenues and planning.Wed, 02 Apr 2025 12:44:38 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/ca84339059ec4d55aabb1f6906109c6f/ima2097152.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/ca84339059ec4d55aabb1f6906109c6f/ima2097152.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/ca84339059ec4d55aabb1f6906109c6f/ima2097152.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/ca84339059ec4d55aabb1f6906109c6f/ima2097152.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/ca84339059ec4d55aabb1f6906109c6f/ima2097152.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/ca84339059ec4d55aabb1f6906109c6f/ima2097152.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Hemavan has a large number of second homes. For the first time, researchers have now mapped how many there actually are.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>John&eacute;r Bildbyr&aring; AB</span></div></div><p>Officially, Sweden has approximately 612,000 second homes. But according to a new study, many more are used as second homes &ndash; without being counted in the statistics.</p><p>&ldquo;While second homes historically have been associated with detached houses, such as cottages and cabins, this research highlights the growing role of alternative dwellings, including mobile homes, apartments, caravans, and recreational vehicles,&rdquo; says Amrei Aubrunner, doctoral student at the Industrial Doctoral School at Ume&aring; University and first author of the study.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Ten municipalities studied</h2><p>The study is based on both government data and survey results. The researchers counted detached houses and apartments with no permanently registered inhabitants &ndash; a sign that they are used as second homes. They also contacted all 58 campgrounds in the area to count mobile dwellings that are seasonally or permanently stationed.</p><p class="quote-center">Mobile dwellings often do not contribute to tax revenues due to them being registered as private vehicles.</p><p>By analysing these data, the study reveals how these accommodations are shaping second-home tourism, particularly in urban centres, ski resorts, and nature-based tourism destinations. Ten municipalities are included in the study: Arjeplog, Arvidsjaur, Dorotea, Lycksele, Mal&aring;, Norsj&ouml;, Sorsele, Storuman, Vilhelmina and &Aring;sele.</p><p>The findings reveal that within the study area, mobile dwellings and apartments increase the total number of second homes by approximately 11 per cent compared to official statistics. In some places, such as Vuoggatj&aring;lme in the municipality of Arjeplog, these alternative forms of housing are up to 2.5 times more common than traditional houses.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/ca84339059ec4d55aabb1f6906109c6f/sca153952.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/ca84339059ec4d55aabb1f6906109c6f/sca153952.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/ca84339059ec4d55aabb1f6906109c6f/sca153952.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/ca84339059ec4d55aabb1f6906109c6f/sca153952.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/ca84339059ec4d55aabb1f6906109c6f/sca153952.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/ca84339059ec4d55aabb1f6906109c6f/sca153952.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Second homes in the form of mobile homes and apartments are significantly more common than traditional houses in some areas.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>John&eacute;r Bildbyr&aring; AB</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;This emphasises the importance of analysing second homes based on their use rather than their dwelling type. This issue is especially relevant for countries with property taxes, like Sweden, as mobile dwellings often do not contribute to tax revenues due to them being registered as private vehicles,&rdquo; says Amrei Aubrunner.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">High impact on local development</h2><p>The studied municipalities in northern Sweden have fewer than 50,000 inhabitants combined. With a population density of just 0.8 inhabitants per square kilometre, it&rsquo;s challenging to maintain infrastructure such as roads, schools, and healthcare facilities, as well as to develop the economy by attracting businesses and creating jobs.</p><p>&ldquo;Second-home tourism significantly impacts the local economy and communities. Our findings show the need for data-driven policies that consider all types of second homes and ensure inclusive planning and development,&rdquo; says Amrei Aubrunner.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Number of second homes (of which mobile homes and apartments)&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2><p>Storuman: 4592 (311)<br>Vilhelmina: 3431 (205)<br>Arvidsjaur: 1872 (175)<br>Arjeplog: 1867 (424)<br>Lycksele: 1827 (123)<br>Sorsele: 1414 (200)<br>Dorotea: 1383 (143)<br>Norsj&ouml;: 1027 (19)<br>&Aring;sele: 1016 (28)<br>Mal&aring;: 651 (186)</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="24005e58-fae0-449f-8a2a-fcd1fc672b1c" data-contentname="About the study">{}</div><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="74b92039-6a80-4930-ba4f-6ad48cdf6752" data-contentname="Fakta Företagsforskarskolan ENG (standard)">{}</div>/en/news/more-second-homes-in-inland-northern-sweden-than-previously-thought_12074089//en/news/catalytic-system-turns-biomass-waste-to-renewable-chemical-stock_12065887/Researchers at Umeå University in Sweden, in collaboration with scientists from Finland, Vietnam, India, and Italy, have developed a catalytic system to convert lignin structures into highly valuable chemicals. This innovative technology offers promising solutions to pressing environmental and energy challenges.Wed, 02 Apr 2025 08:00:06 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Van Minh Dinh in the lab at the Department of Chemistry, Ume&aring; University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Huton Nguyen</span></div></div><p>As fossil fuel reserves deplete and the challenges of climate change intensify, renewable and sustainable resources are emerging as a key solution. Among these, biofuels and commodity chemicals derived from biomass, particularly lignin, have gained increasing attention.</p><p>Lignin constitutes about 30 percent of plant dry mass, with 50-70 million tons released annually, mainly as a byproduct in the paper and pulp industry. Despite its abundance, lignin&rsquo;s complex structure makes it difficult to convert into valuable products, limiting its potential as a sustainable resource.</p><p>To tackle this challenge, researchers at Ume&aring; University, Sweden, alongside scientists from Finland, Vietnam, India, and Italy, have designed a catalytic system that efficiently breaks down structures in lignin. Their results are presented in Van Minh Dinh&rsquo;s doctoral thesis at the Department of Chemistry, Ume&aring; University, Sweden.</p><p>&ldquo;We first evaluate the performance of the catalytic system using lignin-model compounds&rdquo; says Van Minh Dinh. &ldquo;They are small molecules that closely resemble lignin&rsquo;s structure, making them an ideal model for our research&rdquo; he explains.</p><p class="quote-left">An exciting aspect of our research is the catalyst&rsquo;s excellent reusability</p><p>Under optimal conditions, the catalytic system selectively cleaves chemical bonds in lignin models, producing a variety of value-added products, such as hydrocarbons for jet fuel additives or oxygenates for industrial chemicals.</p><p>&ldquo;An exciting aspect of our research is the catalyst&rsquo;s excellent reusability&rdquo; Van Minh Dinh adds. &ldquo;It remains structurally stable across a broad range of test conditions, while maintaining high activity over multiple cycles.&rdquo;</p><p>The research team is now focused on scaling up the catalytic system using lignin samples from around Sweden. The research has the potential to drive further innovation in biomass conversion strategies and contribute to replacing fossil fuels with renewable resources.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="7af3f8a3-84fa-49dd-aa90-9b2665d03686" data-contentname="About the dissertation">{}</div><p><strong>For more information, please contact:</strong></p><p>Van Minh Dinh, doctoral student, Department of Chemistry, Ume&aring; University<br>E-mail:&nbsp;van.dinh@ͯ����Ƶ&nbsp;<br>Phone:&nbsp;(+46) 76 390 16 68</p>/en/news/catalytic-system-turns-biomass-waste-to-renewable-chemical-stock_12065887//en/news/binding-to-surface-sugars-enhances-omicrons-cell-attachment_12073016/Researchers at Umeå University have discovered that the SARS-CoV-2 variant Omicron has developed a stronger binding to human lung cells through optimized interaction with heparan sulfate, a sugar molecule on the cell surface. This discovery is significant for understanding the spread of the virus and the course of the disease.Thu, 17 Apr 2025 06:48:13 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/252fd96503ff410ea62197e97dfbfd99/marta-bally-5552-250325-mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/252fd96503ff410ea62197e97dfbfd99/marta-bally-5552-250325-mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/252fd96503ff410ea62197e97dfbfd99/marta-bally-5552-250325-mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/252fd96503ff410ea62197e97dfbfd99/marta-bally-5552-250325-mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/252fd96503ff410ea62197e97dfbfd99/marta-bally-5552-250325-mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/252fd96503ff410ea62197e97dfbfd99/marta-bally-5552-250325-mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Dario Conca is postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Ume&aring; University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">Omicron utilizes heparan sulfate as an extra important attachment point</p><p>&ldquo;This interaction gives the virus a new attachment point to the cell and may affect the virus's infection, spread and disease symptoms&rdquo;, says Dario Conca, lead author of the study and postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Ume&aring; University.&nbsp;</p><h3>High spread and mild symptoms</h3><p>Viruses mutate when they replicate in the host, which leads to the emergence of variants that are better adapted to the human host. Like other viruses, SARS-CoV-2 changed during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Omicron variant emerged at the end of 2021. Omicron infected and replicated better in cells high up in the respiratory tract, but less often in tissue further down in the lungs. This may explain why it had very high transmission rate but caused a relatively mild disease.</p><p>In addition, viruses need to firmly bind to the host cell before infection, in a similar way as a ship needs to be anchored before the passengers can disembark. This new study shows that SARS-CoV-2 evolved to optimise its binding to the host cell before starting infection. In particular, the increase in binding is dependent on the presence of the sugar molecule heparan sulfate &ndash; which is found in abundant amounts on most cell surfaces.</p><h3>New and more attachment points</h3><p>Omicron shows a strong and stable interaction with heparan sulfate, which was not present in early variants.</p><p>&nbsp;&ldquo;This indicates that Omicron utilizes heparan sulfate as an extra important attachment point, which in turn provides access to new and numerous anchoring sites in the upper respiratory tract&rdquo;, says Marta Bally, associate professor at the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>For the early variants of the virus, heparan sulfate acted more like a shield, reducing interactions at the cell surface. In this case, virus-sugar molecule bonds promoted virus mobility rather than attachment, with a possible easier spread in the lungs.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/252fd96503ff410ea62197e97dfbfd99/marta-bally-5560-250325-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/252fd96503ff410ea62197e97dfbfd99/marta-bally-5560-250325-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/252fd96503ff410ea62197e97dfbfd99/marta-bally-5560-250325-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/252fd96503ff410ea62197e97dfbfd99/marta-bally-5560-250325-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/252fd96503ff410ea62197e97dfbfd99/marta-bally-5560-250325-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/252fd96503ff410ea62197e97dfbfd99/marta-bally-5560-250325-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The researchers' findings are well aligned with Omicron&rsquo;s tendency to cause milder disease symptoms, compared to previous variants of the virus that more often targeted deeper parts of the respiratory system.&nbsp;</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><h3>Advanced biophysical methods</h3><p>In the study, the researchers studied binding of single virus particles to cell membrane isolates, which closely resemble the cellular surface a virus faces in the body.</p><p>They used advanced biophysical methods, including high-resolution microscopy and atomic force microscopy, to address the virus behaviour at the cell surface and determine the importance of single surface molecules, like heparan sulfate, in viral infection.</p><h3>Viral infections are complex</h3><p>The study highlights the complexity of the molecular interactions that characterize viral infections and how these interactions can affect the spread and severity of the virus.</p><p>&ldquo;In this case, the ability of the virus to exploit multiple, more common targets appears to have been one of the driving forces for SARS-CoV-2 evolution during the pandemic&rdquo;, says Dario Conca.</p><p>&ldquo;Although this study is only a first step in this direction, we believe that unveiling the link between molecular interactions and the resulting disease is fundamental to understand and ultimately fight viral infections,&rdquo; says Marta Bally.</p><p>The results have been published in the journal Analytical Chemistry.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/252fd96503ff410ea62197e97dfbfd99/marta-bally-5555-250325-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/252fd96503ff410ea62197e97dfbfd99/marta-bally-5555-250325-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/252fd96503ff410ea62197e97dfbfd99/marta-bally-5555-250325-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/252fd96503ff410ea62197e97dfbfd99/marta-bally-5555-250325-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/252fd96503ff410ea62197e97dfbfd99/marta-bally-5555-250325-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/252fd96503ff410ea62197e97dfbfd99/marta-bally-5555-250325-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Staff scientist Fouzia Bano, postdoc Dario Conca and associate professor Marta Bally. The focus in Marta Bally&rsquo;s research group is molecular interactions during viral entry.&nbsp;</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div>/en/news/binding-to-surface-sugars-enhances-omicrons-cell-attachment_12073016//en/news/resilience-on-the-margins_12066379/When economies face sudden disruptions, recovery is often measured in financial terms. But what happens beyond the numbers? A new doctoral thesis from Umeå University, Echoes of Resilience by Sania Dzalbe, explores how people in peripheral regions navigate economic crises when entire industries collapse—a pattern that continues today, as both old and new sectors withdraw from regional communities.Tue, 01 Apr 2025 07:00:05 +0200<p>By examining the case of former mink farmers in Denmark, the study sheds light on the often-overlooked social and emotional dimensions of resilience, emphasising how everyday practices, community networks, and regional structures shape adaptation in times of uncertainty.</p><h3>Resilience beyond macro-economic indicators</h3><p>Traditional research on regional economic resilience tends to focus on GDP growth, employment rates, or industrial restructuring. However, Dzalbe&rsquo;s study argues that these indicators fail to capture how individuals and communities actually navigate and cope with economic crises in their daily lives.<br>&nbsp;<br>"If you only look at numbers like GDP growth or job statistics, you treat crises just as observable and not experienced," Dzalbe explains. "These farmers weren&rsquo;t just rebuilding their finances&mdash;they were trying to restore a sense of purpose, routine, and connection to their communities."</p><p>Her work shows the often invisible everyday practices that help people not only cope with economic crises but also overcome geographical marginalisation.</p><p class="quote-center">These farmers weren&rsquo;t just rebuilding their finances&mdash;they were trying to restore a sense of purpose, routine, and connection to their communities.</p><p>By studying how a rural industry&rsquo;s collapse rippled through the lives of those who depended on it, the thesis highlights the importance of informal strategies&mdash;such as community support networks and ingrained daily routines&mdash;in shaping livelihoods in peripheral regions.</p><h3>The role of social networks in crisis adaptation</h3><p>One of the thesis's key findings is the importance of cross-scalar networks&mdash;connections that go beyond local communities and extend into regional and national spheres. These networks are essential for offering support, providing access to information, and ensuring stability during times of crisis. They also serve as a platform for individuals to voice their needs in political and economic centres where decisions are made.</p><p>In the case of the Danish mink industry, farmers initially leaned on these networks to navigate the volatile nature of the industry and geographical peripheralization. However, when the industry collapsed, many found themselves disconnected, highlighting a broader challenge for workers in vulnerable sectors: when professional identities disappear, so do the social infrastructures that sustain them.</p><p>This pattern extends far beyond mink farming. Across Europe and beyond, industries that no longer align with sustainability goals or shifting economic priorities&mdash;such as coal mining in Poland, oil and gas production in the North Sea, and intensive fishing&mdash;face similar struggles. The study underscores that financial compensation alone is rarely enough for communities undergoing such transitions; the loss of identity, structure, and place-based knowledge creates long-term challenges that require broader policy responses.</p><h3>Lessons for future crisis management</h3><p>Dzalbe&rsquo;s research highlights the need for resilience strategies that extend beyond financial aid and consider the social dimensions of economic adaptation. Her findings suggest that policymakers must take into account how crises affect everyday life at a micro-level, from the erosion of professional identities to the fragmentation of rural communities.</p><p>"When considering regional economic resilience, it is crucial to focus not only on economic production but also on maintaining and improving access to public services. These aspects of social reproduction are equally vital for strengthening the resilience of regional economies."</p><p>Therefore, resilience is not just about macro-economic output but also about the everyday, often invisible labour that sustains households, communities, and local economies. This includes what researchers call social reproduction&mdash;the unpaid or undervalued activities that keep societies functioning, such as caregiving, education, and access to local services. Beyond policy measures and economic structures, resilience in geographically peripheral regions is deeply embedded in social reproduction, cross-scalar networks, everyday familiarity, and the rhythms of socio-natural life.</p><h3>Resilience in a changing world</h3><p>As industries worldwide undergo transformations driven by sustainability policies, economic and political instability and technological shifts, Echoes of Resilience raises critical questions about how societies manage economic transitions. Is economic recovery solely about financial regeneration, or must we also invest in the social infrastructures that enable long-term adaptation?</p><p class="quote-center">Resilience isn&rsquo;t just about economic output&mdash;it&rsquo;s about the people who must rebuild their lives after the crisis has passed.</p><p>Dzalbe&rsquo;s research challenges traditional notions of resilience and calls for a more human-centred approach to economic policy. While financial aid is a crucial part of crisis recovery, it is not enough on its own. Effective resilience strategies must integrate investments in public services, support for community networks, and policies that maintain social cohesion in peripheral regions.</p><p>"Resilience isn&rsquo;t just about economic output&mdash;it&rsquo;s about the people who must rebuild their lives after the crisis has passed. If we fail to recognise resilience as a deeply social issue, we risk leaving entire communities behind," she concludes.</p>/en/news/resilience-on-the-margins_12066379//en/news/hello-magnus-what-is-up_12073051/On March 19–20, researchers and companies gathered at Umeå University for the workshop and conference “Current Trends in Applied Mass Spectrometry”. One of the highlights was the Open Science session, which introduced the FAIR data principles and provided hands-on guidance on how to share metabolomics data in an accessible way. Fri, 28 Mar 2025 15:26:47 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/acc0d2f3997e4e479219bc4b2ac8b9c0/p1011987-2_rebeccaforsberg2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/acc0d2f3997e4e479219bc4b2ac8b9c0/p1011987-2_rebeccaforsberg2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/acc0d2f3997e4e479219bc4b2ac8b9c0/p1011987-2_rebeccaforsberg2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/acc0d2f3997e4e479219bc4b2ac8b9c0/p1011987-2_rebeccaforsberg2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/acc0d2f3997e4e479219bc4b2ac8b9c0/p1011987-2_rebeccaforsberg2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/acc0d2f3997e4e479219bc4b2ac8b9c0/p1011987-2_rebeccaforsberg2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Open Science workshop during the conference &ldquo;Current Trends in Applied Mass Spectrometry&rdquo;, where researchers got hand-on experience using the public database MetaboLights.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Rebecca Forsberg</span></div></div><p>Mass spectrometry is a key analytical technique in metabolomics research, allowing scientists to identify and quantify small molecules &ndash; metabolites &ndash; found in biological samples. Metabolomics plays a crucial role in understanding biochemical processes in organisms and ecosystems. It has broad applications, from diagnosing diseases and studying human health to improving crop resilience.&nbsp;<br><br>As metabolomics datasets grow in size and complexity, Open Science practices are becoming essential.&nbsp;Research data, and other research outputs, are no longer only the underlying material that supports the results of scientific manuscripts but valuable outputs on their own that can be made accessible in trusted repositories and cited. As such, Open Science has changed scholarly publishing for good, promoting transparency, collaboration, and accessibility in research, ensuring that valuable datasets become available to more than one lab.&nbsp;<br><br>To maximize the impact of metabolomics research, data needs to be well-organised, shareable, and reusable across studies. This is where the FAIR data principles &ndash; Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable &ndash; come in. A FAIR-compliant dataset might include metadata such as organism, tissue type, and analytical method used, allowing others to re-analyse or compare it with their own work.&nbsp;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/acc0d2f3997e4e479219bc4b2ac8b9c0/p1011983-2_rebeccaforsberg3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/acc0d2f3997e4e479219bc4b2ac8b9c0/p1011983-2_rebeccaforsberg3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/acc0d2f3997e4e479219bc4b2ac8b9c0/p1011983-2_rebeccaforsberg3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/acc0d2f3997e4e479219bc4b2ac8b9c0/p1011983-2_rebeccaforsberg3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/acc0d2f3997e4e479219bc4b2ac8b9c0/p1011983-2_rebeccaforsberg3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/acc0d2f3997e4e479219bc4b2ac8b9c0/p1011983-2_rebeccaforsberg3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Open Science workshop on MetaboLights</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Rebecca Forsberg</span></div></div><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Shining a light on metabolites with MetaboLight&nbsp;</h2><p>The Open Science session was organised by <a href="~/link/721b6734d99f48cfa7cb22db4b7c97d3.aspx">Ume&aring; University Library</a>, <a href="~/link/b3535c2f6803442f8cf20120b93e6074.aspx">Swedish Metabolomics Centre, SMC</a> and <a href="https://kemisamfundet.se/sektioner/svenska-masspektrometrisallskapet-smss/">Swedish Mass Spectrometry Society, SMSS</a>, in collaboration with <a href="https://www.ebi.ac.uk/">EMBL-EBI</a>, the European Molecular Biology Laboratory &ndash; European Bioinformatics Institute. The instructors introduced Open Science and guided the participants through how to apply the FAIR principles to create high quality metadata for MetaboLights, a public repository for metabolomics data. &nbsp;<br><br>The session featured both online and on-site instructors, including Noemi Tejera and Ozgur Yurekten from EMBL-EBI, as well as Annika Johansson, Head of unit, SMC, and Theresa Kieselbach, Ume&aring; University Library. Through hands-on exercises, participants worked in pairs to&nbsp;get experience with the MetaboLights submission process, including&nbsp;standardised formats and controlled vocabularies.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>Theresa Kieselbach is very grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the MetaboLights team and was delighted that experts from EMBL-EBI could join and and share their expertise with the participants of this workshop.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>Katie Bennett, scientific coordinator for the Computational Metabolomics Group in Ume&aring;, highlighted the workshop&rsquo;s importance: &ldquo;I found it very useful, as tools such as MetaboLights are becoming increasingly important for advancing metabolomics research and ensuring open, FAIR data sharing. Understanding these resources helps us better support researchers in computational metabolomics.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/acc0d2f3997e4e479219bc4b2ac8b9c0/photo_1_adjusted2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/acc0d2f3997e4e479219bc4b2ac8b9c0/photo_1_adjusted2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/acc0d2f3997e4e479219bc4b2ac8b9c0/photo_1_adjusted2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/acc0d2f3997e4e479219bc4b2ac8b9c0/photo_1_adjusted2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/acc0d2f3997e4e479219bc4b2ac8b9c0/photo_1_adjusted2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/acc0d2f3997e4e479219bc4b2ac8b9c0/photo_1_adjusted2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Dr. Kate Bennett (CASP) and Dr. Ilona Dudka (Swedish NMR Centre), combining expertise and working together as part of the Computational Metabolomics Group, SciLifeLab.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Anna Shevtsova</span></div></div><p>By equipping researchers with the tools to navigate Open Science requirements, the workshop strengthened the foundation for more transparent and impactful metabolomics research &ndash; helping scientists turn complex biochemical data into lasting, citable contributions to science.&nbsp;</p>/en/news/unlocking-metabolomics-data-through-open-science_12071653//en/news/scholarship-awarded-to-umea-researcher-for-work-on-salmon-populations_12069261/Alexandra Rouillard’s analysis of e-DNA in sediments aims to contribute knowledge about changes in salmon populations in the Gulf of Bothnia from the mid-19th century to the present.Tue, 06 May 2025 08:33:24 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/642668482b75495e89efeb0d3e3d56bb/thumbnail_p8040346_fix5.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/642668482b75495e89efeb0d3e3d56bb/thumbnail_p8040346_fix5.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/642668482b75495e89efeb0d3e3d56bb/thumbnail_p8040346_fix5.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/642668482b75495e89efeb0d3e3d56bb/thumbnail_p8040346_fix5.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/642668482b75495e89efeb0d3e3d56bb/thumbnail_p8040346_fix5.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/642668482b75495e89efeb0d3e3d56bb/thumbnail_p8040346_fix5.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Alexandra Rouillard, postdoc at Department of Ecology and Environmental Science and Ume&aring; Marine Sciences Centre.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mateusz Strzelecki</span></div></div><p>For the fourth consecutive year, BalticWaters is awarding grants to early-career researchers - Baltic Sea Fellows. This year, two researchers have been selected, one of whom is Alexandra Rouillard, a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, as well as Ume&aring; Marine Sciences Centre at Ume&aring; University. Her research project, Historical Genomics of Salmon in the Gulf of Bothnia, aims to map changes in salmon populations from the mid-1800s to the present.</p><p>The project is based on analyses of environmental DNA (e-DNA) in sediment samples, providing a unique opportunity to trace how salmon populations have been affected by changes in water quality. By linking these analyses to historical data on water flow and water quality, researchers can better understand how factors such as land use and climate change have influenced salmon habitats.</p><p>Read more about <a href="https://balticwaters.org/en/congratulations-to-the-2025-grant-holders/">Baltic Sea Fellows</a>.&nbsp;</p>/en/news/scholarship-awarded-to-umea-researcher-for-work-on-salmon-populations_12069261//en/news/the-devastating-impact-of-humans-on-biodiversity_12069113/Humans are having a highly detrimental impact on biodiversity worldwide. Not only are the numbers of species declining, but the composition of species communities is also changing. This is shown by a study by Eawag and the University of Zurich, in collaboration with Umeå University, published in the scientific journal Nature.Wed, 26 Mar 2025 17:00:05 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Studies from around the world, including from the Ume River, have been compared to map human impacts on plant and animal life.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>Biological diversity is under threat. More and more plant and animal species are disappearing worldwide. Humans are responsible for this. Until now, however, there has been no synthesis of the severity of human interventions in nature and whether the effects can be found everywhere in the world and in all groups of organisms.</p><p>In order to close these research gaps, a team lead from the aquatic research institute Eawag and the University of Zurich has now conducted one of the largest syntheses studies ever of the effects of humans on biodiversity. One of the co-authors of the study, which has just been published in the journal &ldquo;Nature&rdquo;, is Eric Capo, Assistant Professor in the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science at Ume&aring; University.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Covers all groups of organisms</h2><p>The researchers collaborated to compile data from around 2,100 studies that compared biodiversity at almost 50,000 sites affected by humans with almost 50,000 reference sites that were unaffected. Several of the studies were conducted in Sweden.</p><p>The studies cover terrestrial, freshwater and marine habitats around the world, and all groups of organisms, from microbes and fungi to plants and invertebrates, fish, birds and mammals. Among the included studies are, for example, comparisons of habitat changes in the Ume River and the effect of pollution on aquatic life in Swedish lakes.</p><p>&ldquo;This kind of meta-analysis project may soon be replaced by AI tools, but digging into papers &ndash; published across different decades and by different research groups &ndash; still requires scientific expertise and a human eye. For example, to identify which images show samples taken before and after a perturbation, or which represent control versus experimental groups,&rdquo; says Eric Capo.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Striking results</h2><p>The findings of the study are unequivocal and leave no doubt as to the devastating impact humans are having on biodiversity worldwide.</p><p>&ldquo;We have analysed the effect of the five main human impacts on biodiversity: habitat changes, direct exploitation such as hunting or fishing, climate change, pollution and invasive species. Our findings show that all five factors have a strong impact on biodiversity worldwide, in all groups of organisms and all ecosystems,&rdquo; says Fran&ccedil;ois Keck, the lead author of the study.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>According to the study, environmental pollution, such as from the spraying of pesticides, and habitat changes have a particularly negative impact on the number of species and the composition of species communities.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Pixabay</span></div></div><p>On average, the number of species at impacted sites was almost twenty percent lower than at unaffected sites. Particularly severe species losses across all biogeographic regions are found in vertebrates such as reptiles, amphibians and mammals. Their populations are usually much smaller than those of the invertebrates; this increases the probability of extinction.</p><p>&ldquo;This study illustrates why the biological monitoring of ecosystems is important, both in non-impacted and human polluted areas. Without data from before human impact, it is more difficult to fully understand how &ndash; and to what extent &ndash; ecosystems and their services are altered by human societies,&rdquo; says Eric Capo.</p><p><em>Text:Sara-Lena Br&auml;nnstr&ouml;m (Ume&aring; University) / Simon Koechlin (Eawag)</em></p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="f225729f-6414-41df-9352-9beb237ceaf7" data-contentname="About the scientific article">{}</div>/en/news/the-devastating-impact-of-humans-on-biodiversity_12069113//en/news/summer-courses-popular-at-umea-university_12070300/Making decisions that affect large groups of people can be challenging as we all relate to norms in different ways. In his doctoral work, Christian Kammler at Umeå University has studied how social simulations can help decision-makers understand how their decisions affect people, specifically based on individuals' perspective on norms.Thu, 27 Mar 2025 15:28:24 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/8b409b93e3ff4d98b7c50f1cbad05b4a/christian_kammler_1692.png?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/8b409b93e3ff4d98b7c50f1cbad05b4a/christian_kammler_1692.png?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/8b409b93e3ff4d98b7c50f1cbad05b4a/christian_kammler_1692.png?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/8b409b93e3ff4d98b7c50f1cbad05b4a/christian_kammler_1692.png?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/8b409b93e3ff4d98b7c50f1cbad05b4a/christian_kammler_1692.png?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/8b409b93e3ff4d98b7c50f1cbad05b4a/christian_kammler_1692.png?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Christian Kammler, Doctoral student at the Department of Computing Science, Ume&aring; University</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Private</span></div></div><p>"It is challenging for decision-makers to make well-founded decisions because some people follow the norm while others try to circumvent it. There are, of course, also those who completely break the norm," says Christian Kammler, doctoral student at the Department of Computer Science, Ume&aring; University.</p><p>Christian&rsquo;s doctoral work has led to an agent-based decision system, where virtual agents&mdash;simulated individuals or groups&mdash;interact within social simulations to model real-world behaviors. This system helps explore how people respond to policies from different perspectives, providing insights into societal dynamics.</p><p>"Decision-makers need intuitive tools that help them change and create new norms, understand how people behave, and analyze the potential impacts of their intended policies", says Christian.</p><p>Christan&rsquo;s system relies on three key elements to determine how individuals react to a norm: needs, which drive what we do right away; values, which guide our behavior on a larger scale; and social affordances, which help individuals understand what actions are possible based on how they see the world.</p><p>Models using Christian&rsquo;s agent-based decision system allow decision-makers to see the consequences of their decisions before they are implemented and can be adjusted accordingly. In this way, potentially negative consequences can be detected in good time.</p><p>"A central aspect of this system is the ability for decision-makers to modify norms in real-time within the simulation. This feature makes it possible to test and adjust policies dynamically and observe potential effects before they are put into practice," says Christian.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Part of Sweden's largest research initiative on the impact of AI</h2><p>Christian Kammler is a researcher within the national research program Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program &ndash; Humanity and Society (WASP-HS). WASP-HS enables cutting-edge research, expertise, and capacity building in the humanities and social sciences on how artificial intelligence affects humanity and society and vice versa. The program is coordinated from Ume&aring; University. <a href="https://wasp-hs.org/">Read more about WASP-HS.</a></p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">About the thesis</h2><p>Christian Kammler, Department of Computer Science, Ume&aring; University, will defend his doctoral thesis "Modeling Norms for Social Simulations: Increasing Realism in Social Simulations to Support Decision-Makers in Their Decision-Making" on Friday, April 4, 2025. The faculty opponent is Javier V&aacute;zquez-Salceda from Universitat Polit&egrave;cnica de Catalunya, Spain. <br><a href="https://umu.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?aq2=%5B%5B%5D%5D&amp;c=75&amp;af=%5B%5D&amp;searchType=LIST_LATEST&amp;sortOrder2=title_sort_asc&amp;query=&amp;language=sv&amp;pid=diva2%3A1942906&amp;aq=%5B%5B%5D%5D&amp;sf=all&amp;aqe=%5B%5D&amp;sortOrder=author_sort_asc&amp;onlyFullText=false&amp;noOfRows=50&amp;dswid=7078">Read the full thesis.</a></p>/en/news/social-simulations-will-assist-in-the-policymaking-process_12069245//en/news/joint-statement-from-nordic-business-school-members-of-aacsb_12068699/Education and research should always remain independent of political pressures and uphold the principle of academic freedom for all.Tue, 25 Mar 2025 15:29:57 +0100<p>Across cultural contexts, promoting diversity and inclusion is essential for fostering equitable learning environments and preparing future leaders to navigate an increasingly complex and globalized world.</p><p>On behalf of Nordic business schools that are members of AACSB, we express our concern over the organization&rsquo;s decision to replace &ldquo;Diversity and Inclusion&rdquo; as one of its ten Guiding Principles and Expectations for Accredited Schools with &ldquo;Community and Connectedness.&rdquo;</p><p>As Nordic business schools, we will stand by our core values and continue to prioritise diversity and inclusion in our education, research, and institutional culture.</p><p>We recommend that AACSB uphold its core guiding principles and clearly signal that diversity and inclusion may remain valuable - also for accreditation purposes - outside the US.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Signed by:</h2><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>DENMARK</h3><p>Aalborg University, Aalborg University Business School</p><p>Copenhagen Business School</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>FINLAND</h3><p>Aalto University, School of Business</p><p>Abo Akademi University, Abo Akademi School of Business and Economics</p><p>Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences</p><p>Hanken School of Economics</p><p>JAMK University of Applied Sciences, School of Business</p><p>Jyv&auml;skyl&auml; University School of Business and Economics, University of Jyv&auml;skyl&auml;</p><p>LAB University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Business and Hospitality Management</p><p>LUT University, LUT Business School</p><p>University of Eastern Finland, Business School</p><p>University of Oulu, Oulu Business School</p><p>University of Turku, Turku School of Economics</p><p>University of Vaasa, Faculty of Business Studies</p><p>Faculty of Management and Business, Tampere University</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>NORWAY</h3><p>BI Norwegian Business School</p><p>NHH Norwegian School of Economics</p><p>Nord University, Nord University Business School</p><p>Norwegian University of Life Sciences, School of Economics and Business</p><p>Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Economics and Management</p><p>Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo Business School</p><p>University of Agder, School of Business and Law</p><p>University of Stavanger, UiS School of Business and Law</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>SWEDEN</h3><p>J&ouml;nk&ouml;ping International Business School, J&ouml;nk&ouml;ping University</p><p>Karlstad University, Karlstad Business School</p><p>Linnaeus University, School of Business and Economics,</p><p>Lund University, School of Economics and Management</p><p>M&auml;lardalen University, School of Business, Society and Engineering</p><p>School of Business, Economics, and Law, University of Gothenburg</p><p>Stockholm University, Stockholm Business School</p><p>Ume&aring; University, Ume&aring; School of Business, Economics and Statistics</p><p>&Ouml;rebro University, &Ouml;rebro University School of Business</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>ICELAND</h3><p>University of Reykjavik</p>/en/news/joint-statement-from-nordic-business-school-members-of-aacsb_12068699//en/news/ciphepeoples-interpretations-central-in-new-framework-for-evaluating-ai_12068551/United Nations has declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, and 21 March is the first-ever World Day for Glaciers. This day, we acknowledge the rapid melting glaciers, and the research conducted to preserve them.Mon, 24 Mar 2025 11:03:18 +0100<p>In December 2022, the United Nations (UN) declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation, and made 21 March the World Day for Glaciers, starting 2025. The aim is to raise global awareness about the critical role of glaciers in the climate system, as well as share knowledge and address issues related to accelerated melting of glaciers and its consequences.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">The glaciers are under threat, which is a threat to us</h2><p>According to the UN, Glaciers are highly essential to the ecosystem. They are sources of freshwater, providing water for millions of people, and they support biodiversity. However, due to global warming, these important resources are under threat. As the temperatures are rising, the glaciers melt at an alarming rate, which will have serious impacts on our environment, economy, as well as animals and people. Melting glaciers cause water scarcity, rising sea levels and increased risks of natural disasters, which in turn affect the world&rsquo;s ecosystems, human livelihoods, and economies.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Ume&aring; University and the Arctic</h2><p>As the Swedish Arctic University, Arctic issues are of great importance for Ume&aring; University. The university has a vast research community dedicated to research within the fields of global warming, climate change, permafrost and melting glaciers. Some worth mentioning are the three centres <a href="~/link/d00e699181f84765bc083ac4784453b2.aspx">Arctic Centre</a>, <a href="https://www.arcticcirc.net/">Climate Impact Research Centre (CIRC)</a> and <a href="~/link/64697c65ca0845158a8fdc8240498e1c.aspx">V&aacute;rdduo &ndash; Centre for S&aacute;mi Research</a>, who are prominent in providing platforms for researchers within these fields. Since the beginning of the year, the <a href="https://www.europeanpolarboard.org/">European Polar Board (EPB)</a> is also situated at the University.</p><p>Ume&aring; University also has partnerships and memberships with international Arctic organisations, such as the <a href="https://www.uarctic.org/">University of the Arctic (UArctic)</a> and <a href="https://www.arcticsix.org/">The Arctic Six</a>.</p><h3>Sources</h3><ul><li><a href="https://www.un-glaciers.org/en/background">un.org: 2025 International Day of Glaciers&rsquo; preservation. Background</a></li><li><a href="https://www.un.org/en/observances/world-glaciers-day">un.org: Glaciers, guardians of Earths future</a></li><li><a href="~/link/a80811dcc7b7415f89cef4fc7532cb09.aspx">ͯ����Ƶ: Ume&aring; University and the Arctic</a></li></ul>/en/news/21-march-is-the-day-when-we-acknowledge-the-glaciers_12067312//en/news/tora-holmberg-has-been-appointed-vice-chancellor-of-umea-university_12066752/After a proposal from the University Board, the Swedish Government has today appointed Professor Tora Holmberg as new Vice-Chancellor of Umeå University for the six-year period 2025–2031. “I’m incredibly proud to have been entrusted this assignment, and I’m looking forward to settling in Umeå and getting to know my new university,” says Tora Holmberg.Thu, 20 Mar 2025 15:19:50 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2a6e69355a4e48a2b97764217a765e27/rektor_tora_holmberg_1825_241205_mgg_33.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2a6e69355a4e48a2b97764217a765e27/rektor_tora_holmberg_1825_241205_mgg_33.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2a6e69355a4e48a2b97764217a765e27/rektor_tora_holmberg_1825_241205_mgg_33.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/2a6e69355a4e48a2b97764217a765e27/rektor_tora_holmberg_1825_241205_mgg_33.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2a6e69355a4e48a2b97764217a765e27/rektor_tora_holmberg_1825_241205_mgg_33.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2a6e69355a4e48a2b97764217a765e27/rektor_tora_holmberg_1825_241205_mgg_33.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Tora Holmberg will become Vice-Chancellor of Ume&aring; University on 1 April, taking over from Hans Adolfsson, who is now Vice-Chancellor of Stockholm University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Malin Gr&ouml;nborg</span></div></div><p>Tora Holmberg takes office as new Vice-Chancellor of Ume&aring; University on 1 April. She has been active at Uppsala University, not least as professor of sociology, but also as deputy vice-chancellor of humanities and social sciences in 2020&ndash;2025.</p><p>&ldquo;What I bring with me, of course, is a conviction of the value of a comprehensive university and the knowledge of how it works and can be governed. In addition, I have experience of dealing with several strategic research and education issues at Uppsala University during my almost five years as deputy vice-chancellor.&rdquo;</p><p>&ldquo;I also aim to be a voice for academic freedom, collegiality and the important role of universities in a democratic community. I&rsquo;m pleased that my commitment in these areas was valued in the recruitment process and emphasised in the University Board's comments to the decision on new vice-chancellor.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">&ldquo;Harnessing the power&rdquo;</h2><p>&ldquo;In my leadership, I strive to ensure that everyone is involved and takes responsibility, and that together we harness the power of staff and students&rsquo; knowledge and commitment. I felt early on that it was very rewarding and fun to see others develop and take steps forward, both colleagues, students and doctoral students. Over time, I&rsquo;ve also realised that I have an ability to bring people together to achieve common goals.&rdquo;</p><p class="quote-center">Ume&aring; University is highly regarded and plays an important role in the development of the city, the region and Sweden as a whole. This is something I want us to nurture and develop together.</p><p>Since its inauguration in 1965, Ume&aring; University has played a crucial role in the talent acquisition and social development throughout northern Sweden. The University's rapid and constant expansion has also gone hand in hand with Ume&aring;&rsquo;s growth and development, and this is of course something Tora Holmberg also wants to develop on.</p><p>&ldquo;Ume&aring; University is highly regarded and plays an important role in the development of the city, the region and Sweden as a whole. This is something I want us to nurture and develop together. At the same time, we are and have the ambition to continue to be a university with international competitiveness. Important issues going forward are to strengthen educational collaboration and increase the University&rsquo;s competitiveness for research grants from the EU. That&rsquo;s why I&rsquo;m also looking forward to getting involved in the European Campus of City-Universities (EC2U) alliance, which consists of nine universities, and which Ume&aring; University is now joining.&rdquo;</p><p class="quote-center">The place also harbours a strong symbolism. All disciplines can meet there and form a greater whole &ndash; a university!</p><p>Ume&aring; University's unified campus creates creative environments for education and research, invites collaboration across disciplines and creates opportunities for an active student life, which is something Tora Holmberg has already experienced during her visits to the University.</p><p>&ldquo;It really feels like everything revolves around the Campus Pond. Although we have important activities at the Ume&aring; Arts Campus on the riverside, Campus NUS in the hospital area, and other locations in northern Sweden, I think the feeling around the pond captures the heart and soul of this comprehensive university. The place also harbours a strong symbolism. All disciplines can meet there and form a greater whole &ndash; a university!&rdquo;</p>/en/news/tora-holmberg-has-been-appointed-vice-chancellor-of-umea-university_12066752//en/news/bottniska-viken-pa-vag-mot-overgodning_12066347/The Gulf of Bothnia seems to be heading towards eutrophication. It is not only the increasing blooms of cyanobacteria that indicate this. An analysis of many years of monitoring data shows that phosphorus concentrations are increasing and the ratio of nitrogen to phosphorus is decreasing. A research group from the Umeå Marine Sciences Centre at Umeå University has analysed nutrient dynamics and how human activity has affected the situation.Tue, 06 May 2025 08:31:38 +0200<p>The Gulf of Bothnia, with its two sea basins the Bothnian Sea and the Bothnian Bay, has long been considered to be spared from eutrophication. At present, for example, the requirements for nitrogen removal only apply to the treatment plants located south of the Gulf of Bothnia. In 2022, a revised wastewater directive was issued in which the rules were tightened and will apply to all of Sweden's coastal areas. This has raised the question of where the situation in the Gulf of Bothnia is heading, and what we really know about it. There has been criticism against that nitrogen removal should also be required in the Gulf of Bothnia, but the results from the recently published study show that it is relevant to re-evaluate the issue of nitrogen removal in the Gulf of Bothnia as well.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/e91a7555fe26402f8ec008d4e781f539/vattenprovtagning_4075__210917_mjn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e91a7555fe26402f8ec008d4e781f539/vattenprovtagning_4075__210917_mjn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e91a7555fe26402f8ec008d4e781f539/vattenprovtagning_4075__210917_mjn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/e91a7555fe26402f8ec008d4e781f539/vattenprovtagning_4075__210917_mjn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e91a7555fe26402f8ec008d4e781f539/vattenprovtagning_4075__210917_mjn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e91a7555fe26402f8ec008d4e781f539/vattenprovtagning_4075__210917_mjn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Water sampling from the research vessel KBV 181. Sampling is carried out all year round in the Gulf of Bothnia, as part of the national environmental monitoring.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Marlene Johansson</span></div></div><h3>Increasing nitrogen sensitivity</h3><p>The issue of eutrophication is very much about the balance between the amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus. If the amounts of phosphorus increase, the system will become nitrogen-sensitive, which means that the production of, for example, phytoplankton will increase if more nitrogen is added. In a nitrogen-sensitive system, the risks for problems with eutrophication increase significantly. One effect may be that potentially toxic algal blooms increase, as the imbalance between nitrogen and phosphorus favours nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria. The study clearly shows that nitrogen sensitivity is increasing in both the Bothnian Sea and the Bothnian Bay, although the situation has not yet reached as far in the Bothnian Bay. In the Bothnian Sea, cyanobacteria blooms have already increased.</p><h3>Phosphorus-rich water from the south</h3><p>Why are we seeing this development in the Gulf of Bothnia? The explanation that may seem obvious is that the wastewater treatment plants' emissions have caused the problems. Therefore, a review of measurement data from water both upstream and downstream treatment plants was made at a large number of premises along the coast. It was not possible to trace the cause of the change in nutrient balance to the treatment plants. Does this show that the emissions from the treatment plants have no significance?</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/e91a7555fe26402f8ec008d4e781f539/ulvon_algblomning2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e91a7555fe26402f8ec008d4e781f539/ulvon_algblomning2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e91a7555fe26402f8ec008d4e781f539/ulvon_algblomning2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/e91a7555fe26402f8ec008d4e781f539/ulvon_algblomning2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e91a7555fe26402f8ec008d4e781f539/ulvon_algblomning2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e91a7555fe26402f8ec008d4e781f539/ulvon_algblomning2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Cyanobacteria blooms increase when marine areas become nitrogen-sensitive. The photo is taken in Ulv&ouml;hamn in the Bothnian Sea in summer 2024.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Kristina Viklund</span></div></div><p>"Probably not," says Joakim Ahlgren, environmental analyst at Ume&aring; Marine Research Centre and one of the researchers behind the study. "The measurement programs at the treatment plants are not designed to answer that question. In addition, there is a dilution effect from the large rivers, which further complicates the analysis."</p><p>What can be shown, however, is that some of the problems stem from the Baltic Proper. Through the passage around &Aring;land, phosphorus-rich water flows in from the Baltic Proper, causing the balance between nitrogen and phosphorus to change in the Bothnian Sea. Water also flows northwards in the area between the Bothnian Sea and the Bothnian Bay, the northern Quark. The already known problems in the Baltic Proper are thus spreading to the entire Gulf of Bothnia.</p><p>"The question is no longer IF the Gulf of Bothnia will have problems with eutrophication, but rather WHEN. Knowledge about nutrient conditions and ecosystem responses in the Gulf of Bothnia has so far been very limited. By compiling data from both Sweden and Finland, we have gained a clearer picture of how the situation has been, is and how it can be expected to develop," says Joakim.</p><h3>Advice for marine management</h3><p>The report contains a lot of concrete advice for marine management and arouses great interest among the authorities responsible for the marine environment in the Gulf of Bothnia.</p><p>"The report will provide input throughout the chain from mapping the conditions to planning measures linked to eutrophication. The fact that there is now nitrogen limitation in the Bothnian Sea is an important finding they have been able to make, together with the conclusion that the supply of nutrients from the Baltic Proper plays a major role in the nutrient situation in the entire Gulf of Bothnia. We will take this with us when we start the work of planning measures in the autumn. " says Anneli Sedin, environmental officer at the County Administrative Board of V&auml;sterbotten.</p><p>The researchers will now deepen their knowledge further through detailed studies of what is happening in the southern and northern Quark.</p><p>"This is where it all happens. By examining the water flows over these passages, we can get an even clearer picture of the development in these sea areas," says Agneta Andersson, project manager and professor at the Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Ume&aring; University.</p><p><a href="https://www.naturvardsverket.se/publikationer/7100/978-91-620-7178-3/">Report Naturv&aring;rdsverket 2025 (in Swedish, summary in English)</a></p><p><a href="https://www.naturvardsverket.se/om-oss/aktuellt/nyheter-och-pressmeddelanden/2025/mars/ny-forskning-visar-att-fosforhalterna-okar-i-bottniska-viken/">Press release Naturv&aring;rdsverket (In Swedish)</a></p>/en/news/bottniska-viken-pa-vag-mot-overgodning_12066347//en/news/hello-there-marie--success-and-challenges-on-the-path-to-becoming-a-virus-doctor_12064247/Marie Peter's doctoral studies focus on identifying and characterizing various cellular proteins that play an important role in flavivirus infections. Now the goal is close as she will defend her thesis at Umeå University on 28 March.Thu, 20 Mar 2025 14:27:32 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/c951a21c64fe4f9289f9af61d5009122/marie_peters3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/c951a21c64fe4f9289f9af61d5009122/marie_peters3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/c951a21c64fe4f9289f9af61d5009122/marie_peters3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/c951a21c64fe4f9289f9af61d5009122/marie_peters3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/c951a21c64fe4f9289f9af61d5009122/marie_peters3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/c951a21c64fe4f9289f9af61d5009122/marie_peters3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Marie Peters is is a PhD student at the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Ume&aring; university.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Emma Honkala</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">my excitement may have been heard in most of the department</p><h3>How does it feel?</h3><p>&ldquo;It was an incredible feeling to have the printed version of my thesis, as so many years have gone into this work. I excitedly waited by the door to receive the delivery and my excitement may have been heard in most of the department!&rdquo;</p><h3>What has been rewarding in being a PhD?</h3><p>&ldquo;The nicest thing about being a PhD student was to be able to follow a project the whole way from beginning to end and being able to perform new experiments depending on the different findings. I also think this was a great experience thanks to the support of my main supervisor Anna &Ouml;verby and co-supervisors Richard Lundmark and Emma Nilsson. They guided me through the process and invested a lot on time on helping me get to where I am. As a PhD I also had the opportunity to go to different international conferences, including American Society for Virology in Columbus, Ohio, and also European congress in virology in Gdansk, Poland, that were very fun and allowed me to connect with different people in my field.</p><h3>What have you been struggling with?</h3><p>&ldquo;A challenge has been the struggle of doing experiments, as only approximately 50 percent of the experiments were actually successful, which can sometimes be very frustrating . As a fun example I have managed to completely evaporate an agarose gel on accident trying to optimize an assay.&rdquo;</p><h3>What do you plan to do after your dissertation?</h3><p>&ldquo;When I have defended my Doctoral thesis, I have the great plan of taking a vacation in which I will watch reality TV shows to give my brain a break from all the thinking and hard work!&rdquo;</p><p>&ldquo;Thereafter, I will continue in Anna &Ouml;verby&rsquo;s Lab for a couple of months to finish some of the projects I am part of. More long term, I am planning on staying in academia and pursuing a postdoc, where I will hopefully be able to apply the knowledge I have gained during my PhD.</p><h3>What is the research about and your main result?</h3><p>&ldquo;Like all viruses, orthoflaviviruses have their own proteins, but they also hijack proteins from host cells to survive and multiply. While some of these proteins have been identified, many remain unknown. For this reason, the focus of my PhD thesis was to identify and characterize some of these proteins to in the future be able to use this knowledge for the development of antivirals (as little or no antivirals are available against most orthoflaviviruses).&rdquo;</p><p>&ldquo;I worked a lot with understanding the role of Nucleoporins (NUPs) in orthoflavivirus infection. They are a really cool group of proteins that in cells build up the nuclear pore complex that is involved in the transport of RNA and proteins across the nuclear envelope. While their cellular functions are well characterized, their role in orthoflavivirus infection is understudied. With the work I present in my thesis I show that these proteins are indeed important in infection in particular for the replication and translation stages of the viral life cycle.&rdquo;</p><p><a href="~/link/ec90d35857b945838ff4d0c8d67edb7f.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Read about Marie Peter's dissertation event</a></p>/en/news/hello-there-marie--success-and-challenges-on-the-path-to-becoming-a-virus-doctor_12064247//en/news/groundbreaking-steel-project-develops-robust-steel-with-lower-co2-emissions_12061920/Research project AUSNANITE aims to revolutionize steel technology. Between July 2025 and December 2028, researchers in Germany, Spain, and Sweden—including four experts from the Department of Applied Physics and Electronics at Umeå University—will work to optimize steel manufacturing processes. The goal: stronger, more cost-effective steel with a reduced environmental footprint.Fri, 14 Mar 2025 13:07:31 +0100<p>By utilizing a new type of ausferritic nanostructure, the steel becomes stronger and more robust while also being cheaper to produce. Additionally, the manufacturing process requires significantly less energy, leading to lower CO₂ emissions.</p><p class="quote-center">This method minimizes both energy consumption and CO₂ emissions while also being significantly cheaper</p><p>Compared to conventional mild steels, today&rsquo;s ultra-high-strength steels rely on a higher carbon content combined with a heat treatment (QT) that rapidly cools the material in an oil bath, resulting in a large carbon footprint&mdash;especially in countries that use fossil fuels in production.</p><p>"This new paradigm involves adding a high silicon content and hardening through austempering&mdash;cooling and heat-holding in a molten salt bath. For certain material dimensions, the ausferrite can begin forming during air cooling after hot rolling of bars or after hot forging and then be &lsquo;baked&rsquo; in air at a low temperature. This method minimizes both energy consumption and CO₂ emissions while also being significantly cheaper than all other through-hardening methods for steel," says Richard Larker, Associate Professor at the Department of Applied Physics and Electronics at Ume&aring; University, and the initiator of the project.&nbsp;</p><h3>Collaborations with Industry</h3><p>To ensure that ausferritic steels offer competitive advantages, AUSNANITE collaborates with several leading companies, including the Spanish steel bar manufacturer Sidenor, Epiroc, and Rototilt, where Richard Larker previously served as Head of Research. These partners will manufacture and test the steel under extreme loads, also subject to impact and wear.&nbsp;</p><h3>Part of the EU&rsquo;s Sustainable Materials Initiative</h3><p>The project aligns with the EU&rsquo;s Green Deal, as the high silicon content reduces the need for more critical alloying elements, while the process itself requires less energy and lowers environmental impact during hardening. If 10% of traditionally produced steel were replaced with ausferritic steel, greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by approximately 100,000 tons of CO₂ per year.</p><h3>A Bright Future for Steel</h3><p>In summary, AUSNANITE has the potential to take steel technology to the next level. By combining research and industrial practices with a strong focus on sustainability, the project could pave the way for more robust and long-lasting industrial materials while also strengthening Europe&rsquo;s competitiveness.</p><p><em><strong>More information can be found in this article published in the <a href="~/link/7e1e105d0e0f428cbf0e359f951a315e.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">magazine "Gjuteriet" in 2021</a>.&nbsp;</strong></em></p>/en/news/groundbreaking-steel-project-develops-robust-steel-with-lower-co2-emissions_12061920//en/news/high-school-students-get-a-glimpse-into-the-world-of-research_12062491/This spring, nearly 140 high school students from natural science programs at schools in Umeå, Skellefteå, Piteå, Luleå, and Finland will visit Umeå University. The students will have the opportunity to meet researchers, explore advanced laboratories and equipment, and receive information about studying here in Umeå.Fri, 14 Mar 2025 08:40:55 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p10119163.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p10119163.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p10119163.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p10119163.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p10119163.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p10119163.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Staff scientist at UCEM, Nils Hauff, shows high school student Simon Blind how he can zoom in on the details of a fly using one of the university's sophisticated electron microscopes at UCEM.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Rebecca Forsberg</span></div></div><p>The first visit took place today, when 15 students studying natural science and biotechnology at Balderskolan in Skellefte&aring; came to Ume&aring;. Among other things, they met researchers developing complex molecules that can be used in cancer treatment.&nbsp;<br><br>"I find everything related to the human body and medicine very interesting," says Tilda Br&auml;nnstr&ouml;m Skilling, who has long set her sights on becoming a dentist. "But I&rsquo;m trying to keep my options open in case something else seems exciting," she adds.&nbsp;<br><br>Rocky Jonsson, who is studying natural science to build a broad foundation for the future, particularly enjoys the hands-on aspect of biotechnology. &nbsp;<br>"I like working practically and could see myself doing something in architecture," he says.&nbsp;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p1011897.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p1011897.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p1011897.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p1011897.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p1011897.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p1011897.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Nils Hauff shows students Tilda Br&auml;nnstr&ouml;m Skilling, Rocky Andersson, Lovisa Wikman and Leona St&aring;l the large electronmicroscope at UCEM.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Rebecca Forsberg</span></div></div><p>Among the students, there are dreams of pursuing careers ranging from medicine to police, while some are keeping their future more open.&nbsp;<br>"I&rsquo;m not entirely sure what I want to study yet, but visiting like this is not only fun but also important to see what opportunities exist," says Simon Blind.&nbsp;<br><br>The students also had the chance to visit advanced laboratories and try using high-resolution electron microscopes to study microscopic structures at Ume&aring; Centre for Electron Microscopy (UCEM).&nbsp;</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="4f46ece6-a272-4e2b-8763-b66c0bc76ff7" data-contentname="Image display visit">{}</div><p>"These visits are always incredibly appreciated, which is why we keep coming back every year," says Fredrik Mor&eacute;n, chemistry teacher at Balderskolan.&nbsp;<br><br>As the final highlight of the day, the students received information about the Bachelor's program in Life Science and the Engineering program in technical chemistry.&nbsp;<br><br>"We hope to inspire these young people to study here, whether in science, technology, or another field. We need well-educated people to help us face the future," concludes Tobias Sparrman, staff scientist and head of the NMR Core facility, who has been organising the visits from Skellefte&aring; since 2010.&nbsp;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p1011967.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p1011967.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p1011967.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p1011967.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p1011967.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/c9078cf6592c471a81f23691b88df049/p1011967.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Liquid nitrogen is always fun, isn&rsquo;t it? Tobias Sparrman, staff scientist and head of the NMR Core facility, demonstrates small experiments with liquid nitrogen for the high school students.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Rebecca Forsberg</span></div></div>/en/news/high-school-students-get-a-glimpse-into-the-world-of-research_12062491//en/news/technological-advancement-can-make-cement-production-both-more-energy-efficient-and-sustainable_12061451/Concrete is the world's most widely used building material – but the production of cement, its key component, generates significant carbon dioxide emissions. New research at Umeå University shows how electrification and carbon capture can make production both more energy-efficient and climate-smart.Thu, 13 Mar 2025 08:00:05 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Through advanced experiments and analysis of cement clinker composition, Jos&eacute; Aguirre Castillo, a doctoral student at Ume&aring; University, has demonstrated how new methods can enable more sustainable cement production.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Heidelberg Materials</span></div></div><p>The cement industry accounts for approximately eight percent of global carbon dioxide emissions. These emissions mainly originate from chemical reactions when limestone is heated and from the fossil fuels used in production. By electrifying the production process and implementing carbon capture, emissions can be reduced. This has been investigated in a doctoral thesis at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>Jos&eacute; Aguirre Castillo, an industrial doctoral student at Ume&aring; University and process engineer at Heidelberg Materials Cement Sweden, has examined how different carbon capture technologies &ndash; such as electrified plasma heating, oxy-fuel combustion, and calcium looping &ndash; affect cement production. In these technologies, cement is produced in environments with extremely high carbon dioxide concentrations. Jos&eacute; Aguirre Castillo has discovered that this can actually enhance production efficiency, as it facilitates the formation of key minerals in the cement.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Promote chemical reactions</h2><p>&ldquo;Our results show that high carbon dioxide levels can promote high-temperature reactions. By leveraging this, we have optimised the material with promising results, improving both the product's properties and reducing its climate impact,&rdquo; says Jos&eacute; Aguirre Castillo.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>The rotary kiln in the &ldquo;rock lab&rdquo; at Tec-lab, Ume&aring; University, is designed for experiments under high carbon dioxide levels. The kiln's silica tubes can be heated up to 1600 degrees Celcius and was set to 1450 degrees for these experiments. The image shows fully sintered cement clinker produced according to an optimised recipe.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Jos&eacute; Aguirre Castillo</span></div></div><p>The research shows that a key component of cement, the mineral tricalcium silicate, can be formed more efficiently with carbon capture. Since tricalcium silicate normally requires a lot of energy to produce, production adjustments made to reduce emissions could also lead to a more energy-efficient production process and improved cement quality.</p><p>Jos&eacute; Aguirre Castillo has also explored how the composition and particle size of raw material can be adjusted to lower energy consumption while making the clinker more reactive. Increased reactivity creates the conditions for diluting the cement with alternative binders, such as volcanic material, further reducing the climate impact.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Extensive research on cement</h2><p>Ume&aring; University is conducting extensive research on sustainable cement and quicklime production in collaboration with Sweden&rsquo;s leading industrial players in the field. Several studies have contributed valuable knowledge to support the transition that the cement industry is facing.</p><p>Jos&eacute; Aguirre Castillo's doctoral thesis shows that carbon capture can be integrated into existing cement plants without compromising cement quality. This enables the industry to reduce emissions while maintaining the strength and durability of the cement.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="bbc1906b-2fb3-440a-804b-ac9f0e579199" data-contentname="About the thesis defence">{}</div>/en/news/technological-advancement-can-make-cement-production-both-more-energy-efficient-and-sustainable_12061451//en/news/network-for-clinical-researchers-in-the-northern-healthcare-region_12057316/In the summer of 2024, a unique case of TBE infection was discovered in Västerbotten. A smaller study confirmed that there was virus in ticks on a limited part of Holmön island. Now the study is being expanded to investigate the occurrence of infection and virus in the county. Tue, 11 Mar 2025 10:30:54 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/880c36be88de4d1793768ea779d0cb46/fasting_jens_rydell_johner4.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/880c36be88de4d1793768ea779d0cb46/fasting_jens_rydell_johner4.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/880c36be88de4d1793768ea779d0cb46/fasting_jens_rydell_johner4.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/880c36be88de4d1793768ea779d0cb46/fasting_jens_rydell_johner4.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/880c36be88de4d1793768ea779d0cb46/fasting_jens_rydell_johner4.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/880c36be88de4d1793768ea779d0cb46/fasting_jens_rydell_johner4.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Ticks can carry the TBE virus.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Jens Rydell, John&eacute;r bildbyr&aring; AB</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">It is difficult to draw any major conclusions from the first study, as it is such a small data set</p><p>&ldquo;It is very exciting and also important to find out the situation in V&auml;sterbotten&rdquo;, says Anna &Ouml;verby Wernstedt, professor at the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>In 2024, just under 400 cases of tick-borne encephalitis, TBE, were diagnosed in Sweden. In V&auml;sterbotten County, the disease is uncommon, 0&ndash;2 cases have been detected annually in the last ten years, and all are considered to have been infected in another county. The summer of 2024 was the first time that Region V&auml;sterbotten treated a person who was considered to have been infected in the county.</p><p>Anna &Ouml;verby Wernstedt has TBE as her main area of ​​research. Within a couple of weeks of the case in V&auml;sterbotten becoming known, she and her research team travelled to the island of Holm&ouml;n just outside Ume&aring;, where the person is suspected of having been bitten by a tick.</p><p>&ldquo;We learned about the case in August and in September we were on the island to collect ticks to examine. We thought it was important to look more closely at this and we needed to do it as quickly as possible to be able to get hold of some ticks, as the ticks lie down and sleep&rdquo;, she says.</p><p>The research team has conducted similar studies in southern Sweden, but not in V&auml;sterbotten County as there have been no cases before.</p><p>The current study was conducted in a small, limited area on Holm&ouml;n. Analyses show that there was virus in the ticks, but at very low levels. The study will be expanded during the summer of 2025.</p><p>&ldquo;It is difficult to draw any major conclusions from the first study, as it is such a small data set. In the new study, the collection of ticks will be expanded to more locations on Holm&ouml;n, but also to other islands in V&auml;sterbotten County, such as Norrbysk&auml;r. We will also seek ethical permission to study whether people have been exposed&rdquo;, says Anna &Ouml;verby Wernstedt.</p><h3>Different symptoms of the infection</h3><p>Most people who become infected with TBE do not have any symptoms at all, about a third get milder flu-like symptoms that go away within a week. However, some get more serious symptoms such as encephalitis with high fever, severe headache, confusion and possibly convulsions and paralysis.</p><p>&ldquo;There are very mild strains in Germany that only cause diarrhea and no neurological problems, while there are strains in Russia that cause a mortality rate of 20 percent. The European variant has a mortality rate of 0.5 percent of those who are diagnosed. But only a fraction become ill and hospitalized&rdquo;, says Anna &Ouml;verby Wernstedt.</p><p>Through the study that is being conducted, the researchers can characterize the virus that the ticks in V&auml;sterbotten County carry. Results are expected in a year.</p><p>&ldquo;By then we have collected ticks and analysed the samples that we have received, and hopefully blood samples from the people who move around on these islands. Then we can have a better picture of the situation&rdquo;.</p><p><strong>How should people act based on what we know today?</strong></p><p>&ldquo;At the moment we know very little. I cannot go out and say that everyone should get vaccinated when there has only been one case and we do not know if this strain is pathogenic and dangerous. We know too little, which is why we are doing this study&rdquo;.</p><p><strong>How did the virus come to V&auml;sterbotten County?</strong></p><p>&ldquo;We can only speculate. There is TBE in the Vasa region in Finland and it could have come with birds, that is the logical thing to assume, but we have no evidence right now. Humans are not affected by the spread of TBE, we usually say that humans are a dead-end host &ldquo;,says Anna &Ouml;verby Wernstedt.</p>/en/news/tbe-detected-in-vasterbotten-county--new-study-examines-virus-spread_12036628//en/news/join-the-one-ocean-expedition_12058479/Master’s or PhD students from Umeå University can apply to participate on a course about Arctic Future Pathfinders. The course take place over a month long voyage upon the ship S/S Statsraad Lehmkuhl across the north-west passage. Take this opportunity for an experience of a lifetime!Wed, 12 Mar 2025 10:53:45 +0100<div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="ac449520-8d6f-4814-a8aa-db568cca6b7f" data-contentname="One Ocean summary">{}</div><p>&nbsp;</p><p>As a Master&rsquo;s or PhD student from Ume&aring; University, you can apply to participate in the course &ldquo;<strong>Arctic Future Pathfinders &ndash; A journey through the Northwest Passage</strong>&rdquo;, which is part of the One Ocean Expedition. The expedition is based on the ship S/S Statsraad Lehmkuhl, which will take the participants through the north-west passage. Choose Group 1 or 2, depending on when and where you want to go. Take this opportunity for an experience of a lifetime!</p><p><strong>Group 1:</strong><br>Embark in Nuuk, Greenland and depart in Cambridge Bay, Canada. <br>The voyage is between 5 and 29 August 2025.</p><p><strong>Group 2:</strong><br>Embark in Cambridge Bay, Canada and depart in Whittier, Alaska.<br>The voyage is between 2 September and 4 October 2025.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Sailing route</h2><p>Group 1:<br>05.08.2025 Departure from Nuuk, Greenland<br>13.08.2025 Arrival in Pond, Greenland<br>22.08.2025 Arrival in Gjoa Haven, Canada<br>29.08.2025 Arrival in Cambridge Bay, Canada<br>Flight from Cambridge Bay to Yellowknife<br>Flight from Yellowknife to Sweden</p><p>Group 2:<br>Flight from Yellowknife to Cambridge Bay, Canada<br>02.09.25 Departure Cambridge Bay, Canada<br>20.09.2025 Arrival in Nome, Alaska USA<br>04.10.2025 Arrival in Whittier, Alaska USA<br>Flight from Whittier to Sweden</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Application deadline</h2><p><strong>7 April, 2025</strong></p><p>Deadline to nominate to UiT is 15 April, and The Arctic Six will send in the suggestions from all four universities together on 11 April.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Application</h2><p><a href="https://forms.office.com/e/Ti0wL8VDzB">Fill in the applcation form here</a></p><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3">About the course</h2><p>The course &ldquo;Arctic Future Pathfinders &ndash; A journey through the Northwest Passage&rdquo; is a 10 ECTS course for master&rsquo;s and PhD students. It is linked to Norway&rsquo;s Arctic Ocean 2050 initiative and the upcoming International Polar Year in 2032/33, aiming to train students and young academics to become essential Arctic researchers. It focuses on inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration competences and anticipatory skills.<br><a href="https://en.uit.no/one-ocean/masters-course">Read more here</a></p><h2 id="info4" data-magellan-target="info4">Background</h2><p>The One Ocean Expedition is a voyage organised by UiT &ndash; the Arctic University of Norway, which is one of universities within the Arctic Six collaboration. The Arctic Six has been tasked to nominate four participants from the other Arctic Six universities, one from Ume&aring; University, Lule&aring; University of Technology, University of Oulu, and University of Lapland (Nord university has a separate call).</p><p>Expedition costs and the charter flights to and from Yellowknife will be covered by UiT external funds. Travels to and from Sweden must be covered by the home department or the student.</p><h2 id="info5" data-magellan-target="info5">More information</h2><p>For further information about the course and expedition, see <a href="https://en.uit.no/one-ocean">the UiT website</a>.</p><p>You can also follow the ship and see the sailing route on <a href="https://www.oneoceanexpedition.com/">the One Ocean website</a>.</p>/en/news/join-the-one-ocean-expedition_12058479//en/news/how-plants-adapt-to-the-cold_12059463/As climate conditions become increasingly unpredictable, understanding how plants respond to cold is crucial for securing future crop resilience. In her doctoral thesis, Varvara Dikaya at Umeå University has studied the protein PORCUPINE, which plays a central role in how plants adapt to low temperatures. Her research reveals that this protein is part of multiple intertwined signalling pathways that help plants survive.Fri, 07 Mar 2025 13:57:03 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/3e9af4db14414cebac054ee1a9268bb6/17403398642833.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/3e9af4db14414cebac054ee1a9268bb6/17403398642833.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/3e9af4db14414cebac054ee1a9268bb6/17403398642833.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/3e9af4db14414cebac054ee1a9268bb6/17403398642833.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/3e9af4db14414cebac054ee1a9268bb6/17403398642833.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/3e9af4db14414cebac054ee1a9268bb6/17403398642833.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Doctoral student Varvara Dikaya has studied how plants adjust to cold by focussing on the protein PORCUPINE.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Nabila El Arbi</span></div></div><p>Plants cannot seek shelter from the cold &ndash; they must adapt at the cellular level. Much of the research on plant cold responses has focused on molecules such as amino acids and sugars that prevent freezing and on the core mechanisms of the temperature response. However, there are many new players that are still disconnected from the big picture.</p><p>Varvara Dikaya&rsquo;s research sheds light on an essential part of this puzzle: RNA splicing, a process that determines which proteins are produced in a plant&rsquo;s cells.</p><p>&ldquo;Splicing acts as a central hub controlling the information flow from DNA to RNA defining which proteins are synthesised from a certain gene,&rdquo; explains Varvara Dikaya, doctoral student in the Department of Plant Physiology at Ume&aring; University and Ume&aring; Plant Science Centre.</p><p>The protein she studied, PORCUPINE, was discovered because plants with a mutation in this gene became particularly cold-sensitive. The name comes from the spiky shape of the shoot tip in these mutants.</p><p>&ldquo;The PORCUPINE mutant appears normal under ambient temperature conditions but cannot develop properly in case of even a mild temperature drop. Already at 16 degrees, the mutant grows shorter roots with increased root hair density and much smaller rosettes than normal. This is very special.&rdquo;</p><p>Varvara Dikaya&rsquo;s research reveals that PORCUPINE is involved in multiple cellular processes. On one hand, colder temperatures increase the amount of PORCUPINE RNA in cells, suggesting that more of the protein is produced. On the other hand, this protein is part of the spliceosome, a molecular complex that modifies RNA before it is translated into proteins.</p><p>Varvara Dikaya and her colleagues also identified several genes regulated by PORCUPINE that play key roles in how plants respond to temperature changes.</p><p>&ldquo;Our findings show the complexity of the cold response in plants. It is important to understand all aspects and identify fundamental mechanisms that could be applied later on in a practical manner. Such knowledge will be essential to create more resilient plants capable of withstanding environmental challenges in the future, even though it is still a long way to go.&rdquo;</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="78f30fab-ca4d-4a63-8d07-e6a26a0f3e52" data-contentname="About the doctoral thesis">{}</div><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="1d25738e-0a9f-4d78-8213-405de509bdc4" data-contentname="Contact">{}</div>/en/news/how-plants-adapt-to-the-cold_12059463//en/news/dynamic-battle-between-mars-atmosphere-and-the-solar-wind_12058948/Qi Zhang, a doctoral student at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics and Umeå University, explores in her doctoral thesis the interaction between Mars and the stream of charged particles from the sun, the solar wind. Her research provides new insights for understanding how the atmosphere of Mars have evolved over time.Thu, 06 Mar 2025 13:53:04 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/44f82b62137d45e6968771be65b647a9/pressbild_qi-zhang3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/44f82b62137d45e6968771be65b647a9/pressbild_qi-zhang3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/44f82b62137d45e6968771be65b647a9/pressbild_qi-zhang3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/44f82b62137d45e6968771be65b647a9/pressbild_qi-zhang3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/44f82b62137d45e6968771be65b647a9/pressbild_qi-zhang3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/44f82b62137d45e6968771be65b647a9/pressbild_qi-zhang3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Qi Zhang's research at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics and Ume&aring; University, provides insights into how the atmosphere on Mars has evolved over time and may look like in the future. Photo: IRF.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Swedish Institute of Space Physics</span></div></div><p>Unlike Earth, Mars lacks a global magnetic field and interacts with the solar wind directly. Over billions of years, this interaction has stripped much of the Martian atmosphere, transforming the planet from a warm, wet world into the cold, arid landscape we see today.</p><p>Qi Zhang&rsquo;s research introduces a groundbreaking approach to study this process, focusing on the escape of heavy ions from Mars.</p><p>By combining data from Mars satellites with advanced computer models, the study unveils how solar activity &ndash; such as solar radiation, solar dynamic pressure and interplanetary magnetic field &ndash; affects the atmospheric escape rate.</p><p>&ldquo;My method allows us to estimate how much of Mars&rsquo; atmosphere is being lost to space under different conditions and understand the forces driving this process. This is crucial for piecing together the planet&rsquo;s history and predicting its future,&rdquo; says Qi Zhang.&nbsp;</p><p>One of Qi Zhang&rsquo;s key discoveries is the concept of a degenerate induced magnetosphere &ndash; a state in which extreme solar wind conditions trigger a unique interaction feature and a surge in atmospheric escape. These findings have broader implications for planetary science, including the study of exoplanets and their interactions with stellar winds.</p><p>Qi Zhang&rsquo;s studies not only deepen our understanding of Mars but also have practical implications for future exploration.</p><p>Her research is based on computer models and observations from scientific instruments, as IRF&rsquo;s Analyzer of Space Plasmas and Energetic Atoms (ASPERA-3), onboard the ESA spacecraft Mars Express and NASA&rsquo;s spacecraft MAVEN, both of which orbit around Mars.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="b904a91e-e18f-408b-aee7-e255a3d2d36c" data-contentname="About the dissertation">{}</div>/en/news/dynamic-battle-between-mars-atmosphere-and-the-solar-wind_12058948//en/news/the-aurora-examination-building-is-a-new-hub-on-campus_12055507/Aurora, the newest building on Umeå University’s main campus, has now been completed. The building meets the University’s needs for teaching premises, offices and examination halls, and serves as a new hub in the middle of campus – with sustainability as its guiding principle.Wed, 05 Mar 2025 10:59:01 +0100<p>The 9,500 square metre building consists of seven floors and houses classrooms, offices, study areas, a caf&eacute; and examination halls with space for up to 540 students and staff. Aurora connects Universum, Aula Nordica and the Natural Sciences Building and can be accessed through external and internal entrances, including the Campus Corridor.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b0a5545725204e6f8594cb7020fdd1c1/pressvisning_aurora_5605-250226-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b0a5545725204e6f8594cb7020fdd1c1/pressvisning_aurora_5605-250226-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b0a5545725204e6f8594cb7020fdd1c1/pressvisning_aurora_5605-250226-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/b0a5545725204e6f8594cb7020fdd1c1/pressvisning_aurora_5605-250226-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b0a5545725204e6f8594cb7020fdd1c1/pressvisning_aurora_5605-250226-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b0a5545725204e6f8594cb7020fdd1c1/pressvisning_aurora_5605-250226-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Presstr&auml;ff Aurora Ali Ranji, projektdirekt&ouml;r p&aring; Akademiska Hus</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;As a building, it symbolises the future of research and education. It is designed to meet the needs of the University, and for the first time, examinations are centralised on the main campus,&rdquo; says Ali Ranji, project director at the property company Akademiska Hus.</p><p>Construction began in November 2022, with Akademiska Hus investing SEK 340 million in the project. The building will start to be used on a small scale this spring and will be fully operational in the autumn. By then, it is estimated that approximately 2,800 exams per year will be held in Aurora.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Flexible premises that meet real needs</h2><p>The premises are flexible, where examination halls can be converted into classrooms, and vice versa, as needed. Flexibility is one of the many climate-smart aspects of Aurora, which is built with sustainability as its guiding principle.</p><p>This includes everything from choosing environmentally friendly materials and carefully evaluated systems to energy-efficient features, such as demand-based ventilation and lighting. The building has been built according to Milj&ouml;byggnad Guld, the highest certification given by the Sweden Green Building Council.</p><p>&ldquo;The building meets a significant need from Ume&aring; University, particularly considering the rapid advancement of digital classroom examinations,&rdquo; says University Director Hans Wiklund. &ldquo;The building can also be used as much more than just traditional examination rooms. It should be an obvious place for our students and staff to be, and it ties the campus together nicely. I really believe that this will make Ume&aring; University&rsquo;s campus even more attractive and dynamic.&rdquo;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b0a5545725204e6f8594cb7020fdd1c1/pressvisning_aurora_5555-250226-mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b0a5545725204e6f8594cb7020fdd1c1/pressvisning_aurora_5555-250226-mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b0a5545725204e6f8594cb7020fdd1c1/pressvisning_aurora_5555-250226-mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/b0a5545725204e6f8594cb7020fdd1c1/pressvisning_aurora_5555-250226-mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b0a5545725204e6f8594cb7020fdd1c1/pressvisning_aurora_5555-250226-mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b0a5545725204e6f8594cb7020fdd1c1/pressvisning_aurora_5555-250226-mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>It is estimated that approximately 2,800 exams per year will be held in Aurora.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>Cathrine Norberg, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for education on the first- and second-cycle level[d1]&nbsp; at Ume&aring; University, agrees. She emphasises the importance of the building providing a sense of calm in the sometimes stressful situations that come with an examination. The interiors of the building have calm, natural colours and materials, plenty of natural light, and a grove of trees clearly visible through the large windows.</p><p>&ldquo;In addition, students have the Student Services Office, the Infocenter and other important services nearby. This building provides many important opportunities for students. We are now looking forward to filling it with life and activity, and we hope that both students and staff will enjoy it,&rdquo; says Norberg.</p><p><a href="~/link/86fc2701ac154d7696e10efa470162d6.aspx">See more images from inside the building in the Swedish version of this article.&nbsp;</a></p>/en/news/the-aurora-examination-building-is-a-new-hub-on-campus_12055507//en/news/cfo-network-visit-on-campus_12056149/Fri, 28 Feb 2025 15:57:41 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/6b5bc0e8f4e0400c92729fe5a26e9634/cfo3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/6b5bc0e8f4e0400c92729fe5a26e9634/cfo3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/6b5bc0e8f4e0400c92729fe5a26e9634/cfo3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/6b5bc0e8f4e0400c92729fe5a26e9634/cfo3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/6b5bc0e8f4e0400c92729fe5a26e9634/cfo3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/6b5bc0e8f4e0400c92729fe5a26e9634/cfo3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;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>Rickard Lindberg</span></div></div><p>Last week, we hosted a meeting session for PwC's CFO network. Professor Sofia Lundberg participated in the program by presenting the SNS report on &ldquo;grading of suppliers in public procurement&rdquo; of which she is one of the authors. Our dean Mats Bergman opened the meeting with an update from the business school for the participants, of which a majority were also our alumni.</p><p>H&aring;kan Jonsson, office manager at PwC Ume&aring; (and also an alumnus) presented the latest report from their global CEO survey, where the need for change and adaptation to new conditions had a clear impact in this year's survey. Something that emphasizes the importance of monitoring the world around us, continuously updating your market offering as a company, and the need for a focus on change management.</p><p>On top of that the meeting also provided an opportunity for conversations with mutual updates on what is happening in the companies as well as at our institution.</p>/en/news/cfo-network-visit-on-campus_12056149//en/news/kbc-relay-2025---a-new-team-in-town-and-amazing-costumes_12055573/The annual KBC Relay, the race where the sweat drips and the laughter is loud, took place yesterday on the Campus Fields in Umeå. Despite the week's unpredictable weather, a total of 23 teams competed in the relay, along with four quartets who impressively made their way around the 1-kilometer track on their "battleships." Fri, 28 Feb 2025 13:40:06 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/8df563bc3f2745b797005d5b084c9fd4/250227_stafetten_danieledlerfoto-1102.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/8df563bc3f2745b797005d5b084c9fd4/250227_stafetten_danieledlerfoto-1102.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/8df563bc3f2745b797005d5b084c9fd4/250227_stafetten_danieledlerfoto-1102.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/8df563bc3f2745b797005d5b084c9fd4/250227_stafetten_danieledlerfoto-1102.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/8df563bc3f2745b797005d5b084c9fd4/250227_stafetten_danieledlerfoto-1102.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/8df563bc3f2745b797005d5b084c9fd4/250227_stafetten_danieledlerfoto-1102.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The team Skirassic Park, with Laura Herzog, Shuang Li, Patricia Morejon-Garcia and Anton Schindel won the best costume of KBC Relay 2025.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Daniel Edler</span></div></div><p><em>See video from the day at the end.</em><br><br>The weather over the past weekend and earlier this week left much to be desired, and the organisers of the KBC Relay nervously watched as the snow quickly melted away in the rain. But where there's a will, there's a way &mdash; there would be a relay!<br><br>On race day, the weather held up, and it was cold enough for the tracks around the Campus Fields to freeze, providing impressively smooth gliding conditions. A total of 23 teams participated &mdash; ranging from enthusiastic recreational skiers to international colleagues who had not had skis since childhood, and of course, the KBC's elite who flew across the tracks.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/8df563bc3f2745b797005d5b084c9fd4/20250227_1002063.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/8df563bc3f2745b797005d5b084c9fd4/20250227_1002063.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/8df563bc3f2745b797005d5b084c9fd4/20250227_1002063.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/8df563bc3f2745b797005d5b084c9fd4/20250227_1002063.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/8df563bc3f2745b797005d5b084c9fd4/20250227_1002063.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/8df563bc3f2745b797005d5b084c9fd4/20250227_1002063.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The "battleships" are a staple of the KBC Relay, where quartets compete on skis with four bindings. Costumes are encouraged!</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Clas Wikstr&ouml;m</span></div></div><p>In the end, a team from SLU took home the victory at impressivly 11 minutes, while the highly favored "Sn&ouml;kanonerna&rdquo; (eng: Snow cannons) from previous years had to settle for third place. A shot at revenge next year, perhaps? <a href="https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=381821">Find all teams' results here</a>.<br><br>Four teams completed the race on "battleships" &mdash; skis with four bindings that test teamwork as they strive to reach the finish line. <a href="~/link/342643bfd44746eeb6472d031c3fbdd5.aspx">Learn more about KBC Relay 2025 here</a>. <br><br>This year's costumes were also something truly special. Check out the video below, and make sure to bring your skis next year!</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="096e3257-c9bc-4252-bb5b-a44eae22ddd2" data-contentname="KBC Relay 2025">{}</div>/en/news/kbc-relay-2025---a-new-team-in-town-and-amazing-costumes_12055573//en/news/call-for-proposals-apply-for-support-to-develop-your-idea-in-life-science-health-care-and-welfare_12037221/Do you have an idea you want to test and develop? Now you have the opportunity to apply for funding to explore whether your idea creates value for patients, users, residents, or your own organization – and whether there is a need for your solution.Tue, 18 Mar 2025 15:01:37 +0100<h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">About the Project</h2><p>The Support Office for Life Science and Health (SOLH) is a collaborative project between stakeholders in Norrbotten and V&auml;sterbotten. SOLH serves as a unified gateway in Norrbotten and V&auml;sterbotten to ensure that more projects and ideas within Life Science, health, care, and welfare are utilized and implemented.</p><p><a href="~/link/274d3c87105f4a7a82c425560b684571.aspx">Read more about SOLH.</a></p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Who Can Apply?</h2><p>We are looking for ideas for collaborative projects, products, and services that can benefit research and development within Life Science, health, care, and welfare from those of you working at one of the following organizations:</p><ul><li>Ume&aring; University</li><li>Lule&aring; University of Technology</li><li>Region V&auml;sterbotten</li><li>Region Norrbotten</li><li>Ume&aring; Municipality</li><li>Skellefte&aring; Municipality</li></ul><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">About the Call for Proposal</h2><p>The project can support costs related to verifying your idea, including partner searches as well as assessments of needs and market potential. It can also cover costs associated with verifying your idea for organizational development. Please note that salary costs or equipment purchases are not eligible for funding through this support.</p><p>We estimate that approximately 10 projects will be awarded support, with an amount of approximately 10 000-30 000 SEK per application.</p><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3">Application</h2><p>This call for proposals is open from March 1 &ndash; April 30, 2025. The selection is ongoing, so the application may close before the final date.</p><p>Applications will be followed up with an interview for any additional information about the idea and the continued process.</p><p>If you have any questions, contact Mats Falck at <a href="mailto:mats.falck@ͯ����Ƶ">mats.falck@ͯ����Ƶ</a>.</p><p class="foldable">Application Form</p><p>&nbsp;</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="e27beffe-f3a4-4ba3-85e0-afdec043afc7" data-contentname="Call for proposal: Idea Development">{}</div><p class="foldable">Selection Criterias</p><p><strong>Potential of the Idea or Project</strong></p><ul><li>Ability to create value for patients/users/residents and the organization</li><li>Inclusion of perspectives on sustainability, gender equality and/or diversity</li></ul><p><strong>Rights and Ownership</strong></p><ul><li>Are multiple individuals or organizations involved?</li><li>Are necessary decisions from managers in place?</li><li>Are there legal requirements or governing documents that affect the project?</li></ul><p><strong>Implementation</strong></p><ul><li>Are the project plan and budget realistic?</li><li>Is the estimated need for funding relevant?</li><li>Are there obstacles or risks that could affect implementation?</li><li>Is the right competence, network, and ambition in place?</li></ul><p class="foldable">Selection Process</p><ul><li>Information and announcement</li><li>Initial evaluation and interviews with candidates</li><li>Ongoing allocation</li></ul>/en/news/call-for-proposals-apply-for-support-to-develop-your-idea-in-life-science-health-care-and-welfare_12037221//en/news/language-programme-to-promote-internationalisation-and-participation_12054961/Umeå University's language programme for staff started in November 2024 with courses in Swedish. In 2025, the selection of courses and workshops in Swedish and English will expand to include a variety of activities: courses, workshops, language cafés, and operational support for heads of departments and units. Thu, 27 Feb 2025 15:57:29 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/80dde13fe1fc4311a2e378e12916b355/norberg_cathrine_9424_230426_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/80dde13fe1fc4311a2e378e12916b355/norberg_cathrine_9424_230426_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/80dde13fe1fc4311a2e378e12916b355/norberg_cathrine_9424_230426_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/80dde13fe1fc4311a2e378e12916b355/norberg_cathrine_9424_230426_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/80dde13fe1fc4311a2e378e12916b355/norberg_cathrine_9424_230426_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/80dde13fe1fc4311a2e378e12916b355/norberg_cathrine_9424_230426_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;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 on the first- and second-cycle level.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson, simon ohman jonsson inhousebyran</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;The content of the Language Programme contributes to Ume&aring; University's vision of providing support that promote cutting-edge education, research and innovation, as well as offering first-class infrastructure. It is also stipulated in the Language Act that Swedish is the official language of Sweden and the language of public administration,&rdquo; says Cathrine Norberg, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for education on first- and second-cycle levels.&nbsp;</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">An internationalisation project</h2><p>Ume&aring; University is one of Sweden's largest universities with approximately 40,000 students and 4,600 employees. The university successfully recruits staff from other countries, however, staff and employees alike face challenges when insufficient language skills prevent individual staff from fully participating in the workplace.&nbsp;</p><p class="quote-center">It is stipulated in the Language Act that Swedish is the official language of Sweden and the language of public administration.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/80dde13fe1fc4311a2e378e12916b355/norlander_lars_7718_190425_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/80dde13fe1fc4311a2e378e12916b355/norlander_lars_7718_190425_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/80dde13fe1fc4311a2e378e12916b355/norlander_lars_7718_190425_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/80dde13fe1fc4311a2e378e12916b355/norlander_lars_7718_190425_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/80dde13fe1fc4311a2e378e12916b355/norlander_lars_7718_190425_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/80dde13fe1fc4311a2e378e12916b355/norlander_lars_7718_190425_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Lars Nordlander, Human Resources Director</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;The language programme aims to provide tools for a sustainable working life and strengthen strategic talent acquisition. A varied range of courses in Swedish for internationally recruited staff provide them with better opportunities to influence their workplace and perform tasks that require sufficient skills in Swedish,&rdquo; says Lars Nordlander, Human Resources Director.&nbsp;</p><p>Swedish language skills have been on the political agenda for the last few years. In February this year, the government tasked the Swedish Council for Higher Education with conducting a preliminary study on citizenship tests. The preliminary study on the test on written and oral proficiency in Swedish will be presented to the government in June 2026. Simultaneously, the government tasked Statistics Sweden with investigating Swedish language skills of foreign-born individuals.&nbsp;</p><p class="quote-center">Courses in Swedish for internationally recruited staff provide them with better opportunities to influence their workplace and perform tasks that require sufficient skills in Swedish.</p><p>The project is financed with transition funds, which at Ume&aring; University are organised within the so-called local development fund. Decision-makers in the local development fund include employer representatives and the three trade unions at the university. The initiative to apply for funding from the development fund came from Linda Berg&eacute;li, Human Resources Strategist at the Human Resources Office.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareleft"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/80dde13fe1fc4311a2e378e12916b355/bergeli_linda_1922_190523_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/80dde13fe1fc4311a2e378e12916b355/bergeli_linda_1922_190523_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/80dde13fe1fc4311a2e378e12916b355/bergeli_linda_1922_190523_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/80dde13fe1fc4311a2e378e12916b355/bergeli_linda_1922_190523_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/80dde13fe1fc4311a2e378e12916b355/bergeli_linda_1922_190523_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/80dde13fe1fc4311a2e378e12916b355/bergeli_linda_1922_190523_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Linda Berg&eacute;li, Human Resources Strategist</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>"We have offered internal courses in Swedish before, but when the first course started in 2015, the need was not as extensive as the university sees a need for today. The issue of language requirements makes it even more important that we as an employer create conditions for our international staff to learn Swedish. Conversely, the increased internationalisation has created a need among our staff to be able to perform their tasks in English," says Linda Berg&eacute;li.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">&nbsp;</h2><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Broad content to meet different needs&nbsp;</h2><p>The language programme was preceded by a preliminary study that resulted in a proposal focusing on content breadth and flexibility.&nbsp;</p><p>In Swedish, there are beginner courses for those with no prior knowledge and continuation courses with special focuses, such as improving pronunciation, grammar, and writing formal Swedish. The courses have different structures and progression rates based on the target group's needs and prerequisites.&nbsp;</p><p class="quote-center">From my perspective as a teacher, I must say that it is difficult to imagine a more gratifying target group to work with; the participants are so motivated and engaged.</p><p>In English, there are workshops and short courses with special focuses, such as English for employees working in HR, communication, and educational administration. For teaching and research staff, there are courses in for example popular science writing in English.&nbsp;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareleft"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/80dde13fe1fc4311a2e378e12916b355/ekerholm_frankie_220120255355_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/80dde13fe1fc4311a2e378e12916b355/ekerholm_frankie_220120255355_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/80dde13fe1fc4311a2e378e12916b355/ekerholm_frankie_220120255355_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/80dde13fe1fc4311a2e378e12916b355/ekerholm_frankie_220120255355_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/80dde13fe1fc4311a2e378e12916b355/ekerholm_frankie_220120255355_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/80dde13fe1fc4311a2e378e12916b355/ekerholm_frankie_220120255355_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Frankie Ekerholm, Project Manager</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;For courses and workshops, we consider both the broad and the narrow, the expected and the unexpected. During the project, we will evaluate what works and what doesn&rsquo;t,&rdquo; says Frankie Ekerholm, project manager for the Language Programme.&nbsp;</p><p>A challenge identified in the preliminary study is how to combine learning Swedish with full-time employment. Therefore, the Language Programme will also explore what is required beyond courses and other educational efforts.&nbsp;</p><p>&ldquo;During this pilot phase, we want to investigate how we as an organisation can approach language learning strategically and support the individual who wants to strengthen their skills in Swedish or English. One possible way is through methods for language learning support in the workplace. We also want to offer knowledgeable support to managers of multilingual workplaces,&rdquo; notes Frankie Ekerholm.&nbsp;</p><p>The Language Programme&rsquo;s first steps were two short courses in Swedish: <em>Improve your pronunciation</em> and <em>Vocabulary and phrases in academia</em>. Participants held various positions and represented all faculties and the University Administration.&nbsp;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/80dde13fe1fc4311a2e378e12916b355/pelletier_amelie_2025_mg_58542.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/80dde13fe1fc4311a2e378e12916b355/pelletier_amelie_2025_mg_58542.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/80dde13fe1fc4311a2e378e12916b355/pelletier_amelie_2025_mg_58542.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/80dde13fe1fc4311a2e378e12916b355/pelletier_amelie_2025_mg_58542.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/80dde13fe1fc4311a2e378e12916b355/pelletier_amelie_2025_mg_58542.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/80dde13fe1fc4311a2e378e12916b355/pelletier_amelie_2025_mg_58542.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Amelie Pelletier, lecturer</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;It is great that the interest in the courses that initiated the programme was so high &ndash; some have even suggested new themes for short courses. From my perspective as a teacher, I must say that it is difficult to imagine a more gratifying target group to work with; the participants are so motivated and engaged,&rdquo; says Amelie Pelletier, lecturer at the Department of Language Studies.&nbsp;</p><p>The Language Programme will be organised as a pilot project for four years. The results will provide insight and conclusions on how Ume&aring; University will organise permanent competence development in Swedish and English for staff.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</p>/en/news/language-programme-to-promote-internationalisation-and-participation_12054961//en/news/the-way-forward-for-the-european-cbrne-center_12054436/It was during the summer of 2024 that Niklas Eklund, Professor of Political Science at the Department of Political Science, received an exciting question from the University Management: Would he be interested in taking over as Director of the European CBRNE Center? After a period of reflection and internal processes, it became clear that he would take on the responsibility in the beginning of 2025. Fri, 28 Feb 2025 08:47:49 +0100<p>The fact that the choice fell on a political scientist and not a biologist or chemist may, given the subject area CBRNE, seem unexpected but Niklas belives his background in security policy change, geopolitics and Arctic security, led to him being entrusted with the position. The European CBRNE Center has a tradition of initiating, participating in and coordinating EU projects, and within these there is an increasing demand for interdisciplinary perspectives, including Social sciences and Humanities.</p><p>Niklas is also not new to the task of leading a center. He was previously the Director of <a href="~/link/d00e699181f84765bc083ac4784453b2.aspx">the Arctic Center</a> at Ume&aring; University, which gave him valuable experience.</p><p>&rdquo;As a political scientist, I am of course a great believer in good governance, but I also realise that all organisations have their inherent logic. I really hope to combine a sense of order with flexibility at the European CBRNE Center. It is always an exciting journey to try to take on genuinely interdisciplinary environments. At the moment, I'm still learning the ropes here at the center, but the opportunity to work across departments and disciplines is very exciting.&rdquo;</p><h3>Challenges and future perspectives</h3><p>As for the challenges and perspectives&nbsp;on CBRNE issues in Sweden and Europe, Niklas&nbsp;believes&nbsp;the&nbsp;growing&nbsp;availability of information and connections online, along with the rapid development of&nbsp;new&nbsp;technology, is changing current and future threat scenarios.</p><p>&rdquo;We live in complex times, especially with the technological possibilities that exist today to acquire materials and methods for using CBRNE substances in an antagonistic way. Look at the explosions that take place around Sweden almost daily, it makes you wonder what could happen if malicious people or groups gain access and the skills to use other methods or dangerous substances, such as chemical or biological. Another challenge, not only related to CBRNE, is the question of trust in sources of information, will 'people' continue to listen to scientists and authorities, or will they in the future obtain their information mainly through other channels or from other actors? And if so, which ones?&rdquo;</p><p>He also believes that the European CBRNE Centers' contribution and CBRNE issues in general will be of much bigger importance in the years to come.</p><p class="quote-center">I believe that CBRNE issues will become increasingly important in the renewal of our various defense models in the Nordic region. I also see extensive security policy change underway both within and across national borders here in the north, and it would be a shame if Ume&aring; University with its broad range of competence would not take part in that change.</p><h3>Ume&aring;'s role as a CBRNE hotspot</h3><p>What Niklas is looking forward to is building on the centre's strong contacts with authorities, organisations and actors. The steering committee and the collaboration with the centre's partner organisations represent a great potential in further developing collaborations that strengthen Swedish, Nordic and European security.</p><p>&rdquo;Although I have only met the steering committee twice so far, I look forward to continuing the work and together exploring the way forward for the European CBRNE Center.&rdquo;</p><p><strong>How do you see Ume&aring;'s role, position and importance within the CBRNE topics contributing to the work of the European CBRNE Center?</strong></p><p>&rdquo;In the Ume&aring; region, we sometimes talk about the 'CBRNE cluster'. Although it sounds like a strange expression, it stands for something important. In the region, CBRNE expertise is close, between the Swedish Armed Forces, FOI and Ume&aring; University. There are also good contacts with other central actors such as the Swedish Police, the Swedish Fortifications Agency, Ume&aring; Municipality, Region V&auml;sterbotten and the County Administrative Board of V&auml;sterbotten, among others. There is a critical mass here in both research and practice that makes the Ume&aring; region unique.&rdquo;</p><p>And outside work? Then there is another passion that perhaps not everyone knows about.</p><p>&rdquo;Not many people know that I have a soft spot for old cars. And not only that, I own one myself. Niklas says with a smile and excuses himself to continue his workday and his mission as Director of the European CBRNE Center.&rdquo;</p>/en/news/the-way-forward-for-the-european-cbrne-center_12054436//en/news/canadas-new-arctic-foreign-policy-presented-at-umea-university_12054032/Umeå University recently hosted the Canadian Ambassador to Sweden, Jason LaTorre, for a presentation on Canada’s newly launched Arctic Foreign Policy (AFP). The event held on 6 February 2025 gathered Arctic researchers, university leadership, and representatives from multiple research centres to discuss shared challenges and explore collaboration opportunities between Canada and Sweden.Mon, 24 Feb 2025 17:00:59 +0100<div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="170b7808-b7bc-4661-ac80-a5188f2182fc" data-contentname="BILD CA/SW">{}</div><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">A shared vision for the Arctic</h2><p>Canada&rsquo;s new AFP prioritises sustainable development, partnerships with Indigenous communities, and strengthened international cooperation to address the impacts of climate change. Given Ume&aring; University&rsquo;s strong profile in Arctic research and its active role in global Arctic networks such as the European Polar Board (EPB), The Arctic Six, and the University of the Arctic (UArctic), the institution was a natural choice for the Ambassador&rsquo;s visit.</p><p>&ldquo;Canada&rsquo;s new Arctic Foreign Policy aligns closely with challenges across the Arctic, including Sweden. International collaboration is essential to tackling shared priorities, from climate resilience and security to sustainable community development,&rdquo; says Keith Larson, Director of the Arctic Centre at Ume&aring; University.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Strengthening Swedish-Canadian collaboration</h2><p>The event brought together a diverse group of researchers and policymakers, including Peter Sk&ouml;ld, Advisor on Arctic issues at Ume&aring; University, and Maria Grigoratou, Executive Secretary for the EPB, who has been based at the university since January.</p><p class="quote-center">The Ambassador&rsquo;s visit highlights the importance of international partnerships.</p><p>Ambassador LaTorre&rsquo;s presentation emphasised the potential for deepened cooperation between Canada and Sweden in Arctic research, education, and policy development. Discussions also addressed the shared responsibilities of Arctic nations in tackling urgent issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and the sustainable development of Arctic communities.</p><p>&ldquo;The Ambassador&rsquo;s visit highlights the importance of international partnerships. His presentation opens up new opportunities for collaboration between Ume&aring; University and Canadian institutions, allowing us to advance research and develop solutions to the challenges facing the Arctic,&rdquo; says Peter Sk&ouml;ld.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Ume&aring; University&rsquo;s role in global Arctic policy</h2><p>The visit reaffirmed Ume&aring; University&rsquo;s position as a key player in Arctic research and policy discussions. As Sweden&rsquo;s Arctic University, Ume&aring; remains committed to fostering international dialogue and strengthening partnerships that contribute to sustainable development in the Arctic region.</p><p>With the challenges in the Arctic requiring urgent attention, events like these serve as catalysts for meaningful cooperation. As Canada and Sweden continue to champion sustainability and Indigenous engagement in the Arctic, their collaboration is set to play a vital role in shaping the region&rsquo;s future.</p>/en/news/canadas-new-arctic-foreign-policy-presented-at-umea-university_12054032//en/news/exploring-arctic-narratives-phd-research-presented-at-symposium_12053902/Medical doctors in infectious disease clinics were significantly more likely to be infected with the SARS-CoV2 virus than doctors with less patient contact. This is shown in a new study at Umeå University. One in five doctors working in infectious disease clinics were infected during the first and second waves of the pandemic in 2020.Mon, 24 Feb 2025 10:32:50 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/163bb02b3a234f43af0ef19cdc0f4246/fors_conolly_anne-marie_9878_220405_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/163bb02b3a234f43af0ef19cdc0f4246/fors_conolly_anne-marie_9878_220405_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/163bb02b3a234f43af0ef19cdc0f4246/fors_conolly_anne-marie_9878_220405_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/163bb02b3a234f43af0ef19cdc0f4246/fors_conolly_anne-marie_9878_220405_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/163bb02b3a234f43af0ef19cdc0f4246/fors_conolly_anne-marie_9878_220405_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/163bb02b3a234f43af0ef19cdc0f4246/fors_conolly_anne-marie_9878_220405_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Anne-Marie Fors Connolly, medical doctor and associate professor at Ume&aring; University</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">an important contribution to improving future pandemic management</p><p>&ldquo;The results highlight the importance of effective protective procedures and vaccination programmes for healthcare personnel during future pandemics. Our findings indicate that occupational exposure is an important risk factor for infection, says Anne-Marie Fors Connolly, medical doctor and associate professor at Ume&aring; University and the study's senior author.</p><p>In a national study led by Ume&aring; University, researchers have examined the risk of different clinical specialties among doctors testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, which caused COVID-19, during the pandemic. The study shows that infectious disease doctors, that is, those who worked in infectious disease clinics, were at the highest risk in 2020. This was especially the case during the first and second waves of the pandemic.</p><p>After infectious disease doctors, geriatric medicine and emergency medicine doctors were at the highest risk of infection compared to doctors with no to little patient contact. Among doctors who worked in infectious disease clinics, one in five, 20.2 percent, were infected in 2020. Among doctors with little patient contact, fewer than one in ten, 8.7 percent, were infected.</p><p>Vaccination clearly reduced the risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2. The study shows that vaccination programmes for high-risk groups in healthcare are crucial for protecting personnel.</p><p>&ldquo;Our result is an important contribution to improving future pandemic management and protective measures for healthcare personnel,&rdquo; says Anne-Marie Fors Connolly.</p><p>The study included data from over 35,000 publicly employed doctors in Sweden between February 2020 and March 2022. Researchers analysed the association between clinical specialty and the risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2.</p><p>The study was published in the scientific journal Scandinavian Journal of Public Health.</p><p><em>The study was conducted using data from Swedish national registries and the Swedish Municipalities and data from Swedish healthcare (Regionen). It was funded by Region V&auml;sterbotten ALF-fonden, MIMS, Kempefonden, Hj&auml;rt-Lungfonden and Petrus and Augusta Hedlunds Stiftelse.</em></p>/en/news/infectious-disease-specialists-most-exposed-during-the-pandemic_12051521//en/news/100-life-science-experts-gather-to-connect-science-and-industry-in-umea_12052047/On Tuesday 25 February, researchers and industry representatives from Umeå’s Life Science sector will come together at Umeå University for Open Up For Innovation. It is an event designed to foster collaboration and drive innovation.Fri, 21 Feb 2025 07:59:59 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/7b0538006a374cee942352ce36dc7c70/open_up_for_innovation_20253.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/7b0538006a374cee942352ce36dc7c70/open_up_for_innovation_20253.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/7b0538006a374cee942352ce36dc7c70/open_up_for_innovation_20253.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/7b0538006a374cee942352ce36dc7c70/open_up_for_innovation_20253.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/7b0538006a374cee942352ce36dc7c70/open_up_for_innovation_20253.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/7b0538006a374cee942352ce36dc7c70/open_up_for_innovation_20253.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Open Up For Innovation is co-organized by UBI, CU4LS and Ume&aring; university. From the left: Professor Teresa Frisan, CU4LS, Andreas Lindberg, Ume&aring; Biotech Incubator, professor Mikael Elofsson, and Lisandro Bernardo, UBI.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Tomas Ruuth</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">if you are always inside the same box, you don&rsquo;t learn anything outside the box</p><p>&rdquo;A close dialogue between researchers and industry bridges scientific expertise with market needs, driving innovation&mdash;ultimately benefiting society through new treatments and solutions,&rdquo; says Andreas Lindberg and Lisandro Bernardo from Ume&aring; Biotech Incubator, who initiated the event.</p><p>This year&rsquo;s event highlights collaborative projects connected to research at Ume&aring; University in various fields, including microbiota and dairy products, geochemical processes and fertilizers, and improvements in Latex Immunoassays.</p><p>Additionally, the program features an international outlook from Oslo University Hospital and its collaboration with Thermo Fisher on ATMP advancements, as well as insights into how the University of Oxford and Chiesi foster Industry-Academia partnerships.</p><h3>27 university departments and 22 companies represented</h3><p>&ldquo;We have participants from 22 companies/organizations and 27 different departments from academia represented. Besides an exciting program, there is also plenty of time for mingling to make new connections since we know that many collaborations start in the small conversations&rdquo;, says Andreas Lindberg.</p><p>Open Up For Innovation is part of UBI&rsquo;s regional development project &ldquo;Life Science City&ldquo;, funded by Tillv&auml;xtverket and EU, and is arranged for the second year.</p><p>&ldquo;Highlighting the innovation opportunities possible through the excellence of Ume&aring; University&rsquo;s research is a core in the development of Ume&aring; as a &ldquo;Life Science City&rdquo;. Setting the regional industry first in line to assess it is natural to increase the competitiveness of these companies&rdquo;, says Lisandro Bernardo, business coach at UBI.</p><h3>Building a concept based on networking</h3><p>Building on last year&rsquo;s event, &lsquo;Open Up for Innovation&rsquo; is now evolving into a broader concept, encompassing additional events.</p><p>In December, a hackathon was organized under the same umbrella, where Nordic Biomarker worked with researchers from Ume&aring; University to find solutions to a challenge in their industry. Reflections from the Hackathon will be presented at Tuesday&rsquo;s event.</p><p>Later this spring UBI have invited AFM Telethon, a French patients&rsquo; organization and fundraiser fighting neuromuscular diseases. AFM-Telethon is a pioneer in the research and support to improve patients&rsquo; lives. In Ume&aring; they will connect with the top-class researchers Ume&aring; University has within this space.</p><p>&ldquo;Networking is central both in the regional space and at an international level to connect Ume&aring; University to innovation ecosystems and stakeholders in the EU and elsewhere. UBI has a network from our sector that can complement the vast research networks that Ume&aring; University has. To be able to use that under the &ldquo;Open up for Innovation&rdquo; concept is a perfect match,&rdquo; says Andreas Lindberg, business coach at UBI.</p><h3>Co-arrangement with CU4LS and Ume&aring; University</h3><p>Open Up for Innovation is arranged by UBI together with Ume&aring; University and Coalition Ume&aring; 4 Life Science (CU4LS), an association of academic centers and research infrastructure within Life Science in Ume&aring;. CU4LS&rsquo;s role is to contribute to making research visible and promote interdisciplinary collaborations.</p><p>Teresa Frisan, a member of the steering committee for CU4LS, thinks that Tuesday&rsquo;s event is an important contribution to the research community.</p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s important for academia to open up and learn about the needs of companies, maybe we find common interests or come up with new ideas. Innovation is created when you open up and interact with others, if you are always inside the same box, you don&rsquo;t learn anything outside the box,&rdquo; she says.</p><p>Mikael Elofsson is dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology at Ume&aring; University and will be the opening speaker this coming Thursday.</p><p>&ldquo;I look forward to a rewarding day where we discuss innovation and utilization, something that is incredibly important for Ume&aring; University,&rdquo; he says.</p>/en/news/100-life-science-experts-gather-to-connect-science-and-industry-in-umea_12052047//en/news/mother-toung-education--marginalised-but-viable_12050986/Although research on multilingualism shows that mother tongue education is positive for both individuals and society, since its introduction in Sweden in the late 1960s, mother tongue education has been a neglected subject. The research project Mother tongue and linguistic heterogeneity aims to develop teaching methods that support children's and pupils' language development in mother tongue activities. Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:18:12 +0100<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2f49e09092964be3be213e3ed440c3b6/jonsson_carla_9739_200811_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2f49e09092964be3be213e3ed440c3b6/jonsson_carla_9739_200811_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2f49e09092964be3be213e3ed440c3b6/jonsson_carla_9739_200811_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/2f49e09092964be3be213e3ed440c3b6/jonsson_carla_9739_200811_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2f49e09092964be3be213e3ed440c3b6/jonsson_carla_9739_200811_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2f49e09092964be3be213e3ed440c3b6/jonsson_carla_9739_200811_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Carla Jonsson, professor of pedagogical work at the Department of Language Studies.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;Giving children and pupils the opportunity to preserve and develop their languages is central to their success at school and to the school's democratic mission,&rdquo; says Carla Jonsson, professor of pedagogical work at the Department of Language Studies.</p><p>One of several challenges that is common to mother tongue teaching, and which the research project has studied, is what it means that mother tongue activities are characterised by great heterogeneity.</p><p>&ldquo;For pupils to receive mother tongue teaching, it is required, among other things, that the mother tongue is part of the pupil's daily social language at home. Pupils belonging to one of the national minorities have a stronger right and for them there are no requirements of prior knowledge. For all groups of pupils, this means that there is a wide variation in prior knowledge and that teachers need to adapt exercises for different levels.&rdquo;</p><p class="quote-center">Translanguaging is a way of looking at language use that allows pupils to utilise all their language resources.</p><p>The research project studied how teaching can be designed to use the diverse experiences of children and pupils as a resource for learning.</p><p>&ldquo;Translanguaging is a way of looking at language use that allows pupils to utilise all their language resources. Teachers can design tasks that encourage students to move between and beyond different languages. This could include exercises where pupils are asked to translate words or proverbs, or to compare similarities and differences between languages. Teachers and students can also compare grammatical constructions in different languages. In addition, language and translanguaging can be visualised by displaying multilingual poems or other texts on classroom walls.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Half of those entitled to mother tongue teaching receive it</h2><p>Mother tongue teaching was introduced in Sweden in the late 1960s but was initially a voluntary commitment by the municipalities. The Home Language Reform (swe. <em>Hemspr&aring;ksreformen</em>) introduced in 1977 meant that the municipalities were obliged to offer mother tongue teaching provided that certain conditions were met. For national minorities, there is a more extensive right, which means that the school is obliged to organise mother tongue teaching if a pupil wants it. In the year 2023/2024, nearly 319,000 primary school pupils received mother tongue teaching.</p><p class="quote-center">The work of mother tongue teachers is incredibly important. Even though mother tongue teaching has been marginalised and questioned, it is viable.</p><p>&ldquo;About half of those entitled to mother tongue teaching receive it. This is partly because parents are not informed that their child has this right, and partly because there are in-built barriers, for example, there are municipalities where pupils need to apply every year for mother tongue teaching, which no one is expected to do in any other school subject.&rdquo;</p><p>For pupils who receive mother tongue teaching, it takes place outside regular school hours and may mean travels to take part in the teaching.</p><p>&ldquo;Teaching may also clash with leisure activities or socialising with friends. This can lead to some pupils opting out of mother tongue teaching.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Teaching without classrooms and textbooks</h2><p>In the year 2023/2024, just over 5 760 people were employed as mother tongue teachers, corresponding to just over 3 000 full-time positions. Most of the full-time positions were found in Arabic, Persian and Somali. Carla says that one thing many teachers have in common is that they often lack things that are taken for granted in teaching other subjects.</p><p>&ldquo;It is unusual for mother tongue teachers to be part of a teaching team and to have an office. Nor is it a given to have a classroom to teach in &ndash; I have met teachers who have had to teach in craft rooms and libraries. Having textbooks is not a given, so the mother tongue teachers often must create their own material, which the teachers we met do in a fantastic way. The work of mother tongue teachers is incredibly important. Even though mother tongue teaching has been marginalised and questioned, it is viable," concludes Carla Jonsson.</p>/en/news/mother-toung-education--marginalised-but-viable_12050986/