https://www.umu.se/A RSS feed provided by Umeå Universityen-usThu, 22 Oct 2026 04:13:40 +0200https://www.umu.se/en/news/umea-university-contributes-to-strengthening-collaboration-within-arctic-six_12197707/Labour market trajectories among young adults affect the mental health of their parents. These are the results in a recently published research article written by researchers Sara Kalucza and Anna Baranowska-Rataj at Umeå University.Wed, 21 Oct 2026 15:46:32 +0200<p>Earlier this fall, researchers Sara Kalucza (Department of Sociology) and Anna Baranowska-Rataj, (Centre for Demographic and Ageing Research, CEDAR) at Ume&aring; University, published a research article showing a connection between young people&rsquo;s school-to-work transitions and parental health. This research was done by using data from the Linnaeus Database at CEDAR.</p><p class="quote-center">The implications of this study matter for public debates on the importance of offering young people a good start in life and making their future more secure.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Wanted to understand how different work experiences of young adults matter for the aging parents</h2><p>In this study, the researchers used data from V&auml;sterbotten Invention Programme (VIP) a survey that provides detailed information about health in northern Sweden, to investigate the relationship between elders&rsquo; mental health and their children&rsquo;s work opportunities.</p><p>&ldquo;We compiled the overall trajectories of working lives of adult children between ages 20 to 29, and then linked that information with data on mental health of their parents, using the VIP database,&rdquo; says Anna Baranowska-Rataj.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">The results show a link between work disadvantages and poorer parental health</h2><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="c1164f52-0f8d-42ff-b941-a9c8fa11d0b8" data-contentname="Bild ABR">{}</div><p>The results can be summarised in two findings. The first is that more persistent forms of labour market disadvantage, such as prolonged unemployment, low-wage employment or health-related difficulties are indeed associated with poorer mental health among parents, compared to trajectories characterised by stable employment or those involving only short periods of unemployment on the way to finding a job.</p><p>The second finding is that there is a poorer mental health among parents with children who were born late in the parents&rsquo; lives, and who only started to settle down on the labour market during the period observed in our analysis.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">The results were surprising</h2><p>The researchers found the results of the study very interesting and somewhat surprising. Anna Baranowska-Rataj talks about the &ldquo;common idea&rdquo; that once children become adult, parental responsibilities end.</p><p>&ldquo;One could argue that this should be particularly true in Sweden, a country recognised for its generous welfare state, which provides citizens with relatively robust social support and financial security. And yet, we find these clear correlations between adverse events in adult children&rsquo;s lives and mental health of their parents. This suggests that even under societal conditions where we could least expect it, parents may be still concerned about what happens to their children, even after children reach adulthood and start their own independent life,&rdquo; Baranowska-Rataj develops.</p><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3">Important findings for future social policies to consider</h2><p>Baranowska-Rataj thinks that these results are important to consider for long-term health benefits, both for the young adults, and the mental health of their parents.</p><p>&ldquo;The implications of this study matter for public debates on the importance of offering young people a good start in life and making their future more secure. Our findings suggest that social policies targeting primarily younger generations may bring benefits for health and well-being among older age groups,&rdquo; she concludes.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="bf94cd6e-4453-493f-b41b-3355b3444c34" data-contentname="Fakta">{}</div>https://www.umu.se/en/news/study-shows-how-peoples-work-lives-affect-their-parents-mental-health_12197448/https://www.umu.se/en/news/health-on-campus-offered-a-wide-range-of-activities-despite-weather-challenges_12197149/Dialysis is a life-sustaining treatment for patients whose kidneys have stopped functioning. A new doctoral thesis from Umeå University shows that dialysis can alter the levels of blood biomarkers used to detect heart injury and that the blood flow in the vascular access used for treatment may influence the risk of developing heart failure.Thu, 15 Oct 2026 10:59:00 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2a65cae7fc4e4b42a258961bf7e7bea2/laveborn_emelie_9020_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2a65cae7fc4e4b42a258961bf7e7bea2/laveborn_emelie_9020_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2a65cae7fc4e4b42a258961bf7e7bea2/laveborn_emelie_9020_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/2a65cae7fc4e4b42a258961bf7e7bea2/laveborn_emelie_9020_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2a65cae7fc4e4b42a258961bf7e7bea2/laveborn_emelie_9020_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2a65cae7fc4e4b42a258961bf7e7bea2/laveborn_emelie_9020_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Emelie Laveborn is a doctoral student at the Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine at Ume&aring; University. Her thesis provides important and clinically useful knowledge that may improve the interpretation of diagnostic tests and risk assessment in patients undergoing dialysis.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>Dialysis is a life-sustaining treatment for patients whose kidneys have stopped functioning. A new doctoral thesis from Ume&aring; University shows that dialysis can alter the levels of blood biomarkers used to detect heart injury and that the blood flow in the vascular access used for treatment may influence the risk of developing heart failure.</p><p>&ldquo;If clinicians are unaware that dialysis itself impacts the levels of biomarkers, they may misinterpret blood samples taken shortly after a dialysis session, for example when investigating a possible heart attack,&rdquo; says Emelie Laveborn, doctoral student at the Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>Dialysis is a life-sustaining treatment that replaces some kidney functions when the kidneys fail. In Sweden, approximately 3,000 people receive haemodialysis each year. Unfortunately, even optimal treatment is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and premature death. In her thesis, Emelie Laveborn examined how both haemodialysis itself and the vascular access required for treatment affect the heart.</p><p>One part of her work investigated how different biomarkers of cardiac injury are affected by dialysis treatment. She found that dialysis itself places stress on the heart. This is reflected in rising levels of cardiac injury biomarkers in the blood when dialysis filters that do not remove these biomarkers are used. She also found that cardiac injury biomarker levels decrease with the dialysis methods most commonly used in clinical practice.</p><p>When the kidneys fail, urine production eventually ceases, and all excess fluid taken in by the patient must be removed through dialysis. It is well known that fluid overload places strain on the heart. There are also indications that removing fluid too rapidly may be harmful. However, among patients who tolerated treatment well, Emelie Laveborn found no difference in the increase of cardiac injury biomarkers when she actively reduced the rate at which fluid was removed.</p><p>The thesis showed that it is not only the dialysis treatment itself that may affect the heart. The vascular access required for treatment may also play an important role.</p><p>The second part of the thesis focused on the vascular access required for haemodialysis. This access is often described as the patient&rsquo;s lifeline. The preferred way of creating it is to connect a vein directly to an artery, thereby creating a vessel with high blood flow, known as an arteriovenous (AV) access. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that these accesses may negatively affect the heart and that the risk could be greater when the access is created in the upper arm, where larger blood vessels may result in higher access blood flow.</p><p>&ldquo;In my studies, I found that the use of upper-arm AV accesses increased in Sweden. However, we did not observe any difference in the risk of being diagnosed with heart failure depending on whether the access was located in the upper arm or the forearm,&rdquo; says Emelie Laveborn.</p><p>The blood flow through the access itself, however, appears to influence the risk of heart failure.</p><p>&ldquo;This is one of the factors that may need to be considered when determining which type of vascular access is most suitable for an individual patient.&rdquo;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2a65cae7fc4e4b42a258961bf7e7bea2/25647627-man-kidney-failure-renal-failure-against-gray-background3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2a65cae7fc4e4b42a258961bf7e7bea2/25647627-man-kidney-failure-renal-failure-against-gray-background3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2a65cae7fc4e4b42a258961bf7e7bea2/25647627-man-kidney-failure-renal-failure-against-gray-background3.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/2a65cae7fc4e4b42a258961bf7e7bea2/25647627-man-kidney-failure-renal-failure-against-gray-background3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2a65cae7fc4e4b42a258961bf7e7bea2/25647627-man-kidney-failure-renal-failure-against-gray-background3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2a65cae7fc4e4b42a258961bf7e7bea2/25647627-man-kidney-failure-renal-failure-against-gray-background3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>In Sweden, approximately 3,000 people receive haemodialysis each year.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mostphotos</span></div></div>https://www.umu.se/en/news/haemodialysis-may-affect-both-the-heart-and-cardiac-biomarkers_12197393/https://www.umu.se/en/news/seven-days-through-sapmi-brought-new-arctic-perspectives_12197233/What can researchers learn about the Arctic by travelling through it together? Tatyana Sarayeva, associated with the Arctic Centre at Umeå University, joined 29 other participants from 18 countries for the Calotte Academy 2026. The seven-day journey through Sápmi offered a different kind of academic experience – combining research discussions with encounters with people, places and perspectives across the region.Thu, 15 Oct 2026 10:03:12 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/5ce7dfcbb2364efc89ecadbd595103e2/tatyana_sarayeva.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/5ce7dfcbb2364efc89ecadbd595103e2/tatyana_sarayeva.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/5ce7dfcbb2364efc89ecadbd595103e2/tatyana_sarayeva.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/5ce7dfcbb2364efc89ecadbd595103e2/tatyana_sarayeva.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/5ce7dfcbb2364efc89ecadbd595103e2/tatyana_sarayeva.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/5ce7dfcbb2364efc89ecadbd595103e2/tatyana_sarayeva.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; white-space: nowrap;">Image</span></p></div></div><p>Between 8 and 14 June, researchers, students and practitioners travelled through northern Finland, Sweden and Norway, visiting places including Rovaniemi, Kiruna, Troms&oslash; and Kautokeino.</p><p>Among them was Tatyana Sarayeva, project coordinator at the AI Policy Lab at Ume&aring; University and associated with the Arctic Centre.</p><p>The journey was part of the Calotte Academy, an annual travelling symposium often described as a &ldquo;school of dialogue&rdquo;. Unlike a conventional academic conference, discussions continue beyond formal sessions &ndash; on the bus, during visits and in encounters with people living and working along the route.</p><p>For Sarayeva, this combination of academic exchange and firsthand experiences was what made the Academy distinctive.</p><p>&ndash; The conversations didn't stop when the sessions ended. We continued discussing ideas on the bus, during visits and in everyday encounters. It helped me connect academic perspectives with the places and people we were learning about, says Tatyana Sarayeva.</p><h3>A travelling classroom</h3><p>Over seven days and more than 4,000 kilometres, participants encountered different perspectives on Arctic societies, cultures and development.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/5ce7dfcbb2364efc89ecadbd595103e2/vy_fotograferad_av_t_sarayeva.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/5ce7dfcbb2364efc89ecadbd595103e2/vy_fotograferad_av_t_sarayeva.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/5ce7dfcbb2364efc89ecadbd595103e2/vy_fotograferad_av_t_sarayeva.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/5ce7dfcbb2364efc89ecadbd595103e2/vy_fotograferad_av_t_sarayeva.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/5ce7dfcbb2364efc89ecadbd595103e2/vy_fotograferad_av_t_sarayeva.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/5ce7dfcbb2364efc89ecadbd595103e2/vy_fotograferad_av_t_sarayeva.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>Tatyana Sarayeva</span></div></div><p>Each stop offered new perspectives. In Kiruna, participants explored the town's relocation in connection with mining, while visits to cultural institutions in Troms&oslash; and S&aacute;mi institutions in Kautokeino brought different dimensions to the discussions. In Inari and Ivalo, meetings with local authorities, a visit to the UTAC testing facility, and time spent at the S&aacute;mi Museum Siida and in Vasatokka combined formal and informal experiences, an important part of the Academy's approach to learning.</p><p>For Sarayeva, these encounters added dimensions to the academic discussions that would have been difficult to experience in a traditional conference setting.</p><p>The long bus journeys also became an important part of the programme, allowing participants from different countries and disciplines to exchange experiences, challenge perspectives and continue conversations between destinations.</p><h3>Whose knowledge counts?</h3><p>The theme of the 2026 Academy was &ldquo;Intelligence&rdquo;, explored through topics ranging from artificial intelligence and geopolitics to environmental change and Indigenous knowledge.</p><p>For Sarayeva, whose work is connected to AI, discussions about S&aacute;mi knowledge were particularly thought-provoking.</p><p class="quote-center">Working with local and Indigenous knowledge means involving communities from the beginning, not simply adding their perspectives afterwards.</p><p>They raised questions about whose knowledge is recognised, how different forms of knowledge are valued and what happens when knowledge rooted in specific places and relationships is translated into data.</p><p>&ndash; We often focus on what technology can do, but we also need to ask why we use it and whose needs it serves. Working with local and Indigenous knowledge means involving communities from the beginning, not simply adding their perspectives afterwards, Sarayeva explains.</p><p>The discussions highlighted how understanding complex Arctic challenges requires perspectives that extend beyond individual academic disciplines or technological solutions.</p><h3>More than an academic conference</h3><p>Looking back, Sarayeva describes an experience shaped as much by informal conversations and unexpected encounters as by the academic programme.</p><p>Visits to museums and libraries, conversations with local people and fellow participants, and travelling through the landscapes being discussed all contributed to her understanding of the region.</p><p>&ndash; What stayed with me was how much you can learn through dialogue and shared experiences. The Academy showed me that understanding the Arctic is not just about research and knowledge, but also about listening, connecting different perspectives and experiencing the places yourself, says Sarayeva.</p><p>For researchers and students interested in Arctic questions, the Calotte Academy offers an opportunity to explore the region through interdisciplinary dialogue, international exchange and direct encounters with Arctic communities.</p><p>Rather than simply discussing the Arctic, participants experience it together &ndash; making the journey itself part of the academic learning.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/seven-days-through-sapmi-brought-new-arctic-perspectives_12197233/https://www.umu.se/en/news/-7.5-million-for-umea-university-in-new-nordic-cryo-em-network_12197080/Umeå Centre for Electron Microscopy (UCEM) at Umeå University has been awarded SEK 7.5 million from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation for its participation in the Nordic Cryo conneXion (NCX), a new Nordic network for cryo-electron microscopy. The funding will strengthen training, knowledge exchange and access to expertise across the Nordic facilities.Wed, 14 Oct 2026 13:31:55 +0200<p>NCX is the next phase of cryoNET, which since 2018 has connected cryo-EM facilities in Ume&aring;, Stockholm, Copenhagen and Aarhus. The collaboration has included courses and workshops, staff exchanges, the CryoNet conference and method development and shared access to instruments.</p><p>The new funds for the network will run from 2027 to 2030 and expands the collaboration to include Helsinki Cryo-EM facility as a core member, with Norway participating as an associate member. The aim is to make expertise and advanced methods more accessible across the Nordic region, rather than developing the same capabilities separately at each facility.</p><p>Sara Sandin coordinated Ume&aring;&rsquo;s work on the application together with Linda Sandblad and colleagues in the Nordic network.</p><p>&ndash; An important part is creating more opportunities for PhD students and postdoctoral researchers to learn new techniques and benefit from expertise across the network, says Sara Sandin.</p><p>Ume&aring; brings particular expertise in cryo-electron tomography and cryoFIB methods to the collaboration. The funding will help develop these capabilities further and make recently developed techniques available to more researchers through the facility.</p><p>The grant from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation amounts to SEK 7.5 million for Ume&aring; University over four years.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/-7.5-million-for-umea-university-in-new-nordic-cryo-em-network_12197080/https://www.umu.se/en/news/four-projects-at-the-forefront-of-international-research-to-receive-120-million_12196946/Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation is allocating 120 million to four different research projects whose principal investigators are based at Umeå University. Following evaluations by international experts, these research projects have been judged to be innovative and at the forefront of international research. In total, the Foundation is allocating 900 million to 30 research projects across the country.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 10:04:18 +0200<p>&nbsp;&ldquo;This is truly welcome news, demonstrating that we have excellent research with great potential and that it stands up well in a highly competitive environment. These grants are awarded to projects considered to have the potential to lead to future scientific breakthroughs, and I would like to extend my warmest congratulations,&rdquo; says Tora Holmberg, Vice-Chancellor of Ume&aring; University.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>The following projects and researchers have received funding:</h3><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/28c77b7d56904372a091a327d44e31df/messinger_johannes_8983-241119-mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/28c77b7d56904372a091a327d44e31df/messinger_johannes_8983-241119-mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/28c77b7d56904372a091a327d44e31df/messinger_johannes_8983-241119-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/28c77b7d56904372a091a327d44e31df/messinger_johannes_8983-241119-mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/28c77b7d56904372a091a327d44e31df/messinger_johannes_8983-241119-mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/28c77b7d56904372a091a327d44e31df/messinger_johannes_8983-241119-mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Johannes Messinger, Professor at the Department of Plant Physiology. Photo: Mattias Pettersson</p></div></div><p><strong>Johannes Messinger,</strong> Professor at the Department of Plant Physiology, is leading the project Elucidating the design principles of distal control in Rubisco catalysis, which has now been awarded 27 million over five years.</p><p>&ldquo;The support of the project by the Wallenberg foundation is fantastic news! Exploring this largely uncharted territory of enzyme catalysis is important as the new understanding may contribute to improving enzymes such as rubisco and, thereby, help improving crop yields, which is required for feeding a growing world population and for adjusting crop plants to climate change.&ldquo;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/28c77b7d56904372a091a327d44e31df/ann-kristin_bergstrom2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/28c77b7d56904372a091a327d44e31df/ann-kristin_bergstrom2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/28c77b7d56904372a091a327d44e31df/ann-kristin_bergstrom2.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/28c77b7d56904372a091a327d44e31df/ann-kristin_bergstrom2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/28c77b7d56904372a091a327d44e31df/ann-kristin_bergstrom2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/28c77b7d56904372a091a327d44e31df/ann-kristin_bergstrom2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Ann-Kristin Bergstr&ouml;m, Professor at Department of Ecology, Environment and Geoscience. Photo: Anders Jonsson</p></div></div><p><strong>Ann-Kristin Bergstr&ouml;m</strong>, Professor at Department of Ecology, Environment and Geoscience, is leading the project Arctic lake productivity transformed under climate change, which has now been awarded 26 million kronor over five years.</p><p>&ldquo;I was absolutely delighted when I heard the news that our project had been awarded funding! I am really looking forward to carrying out this project with my collaborators and to supervising PhD students and postdocs. We need to gain a better understanding of how Arctic freshwater ecosystems are being altered by current and future climate change so that we can manage these valuable ecosystems for future generations.&ldquo;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/28c77b7d56904372a091a327d44e31df/andersson_magnus-6797-260529-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/28c77b7d56904372a091a327d44e31df/andersson_magnus-6797-260529-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/28c77b7d56904372a091a327d44e31df/andersson_magnus-6797-260529-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/28c77b7d56904372a091a327d44e31df/andersson_magnus-6797-260529-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/28c77b7d56904372a091a327d44e31df/andersson_magnus-6797-260529-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/28c77b7d56904372a091a327d44e31df/andersson_magnus-6797-260529-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Magnus Andersson, Professor at the Department of Chemistry. Photo: Mattias Pettersson</p></div></div><p><strong>Magnus Andersson</strong>, Professor at the Department of Chemistry, is leading the project Filming the hidden workings of life at the atomic scale, which has now been awarded 32 million over five years.</p><p>&ldquo;It feels fantastic to be given this opportunity. It is a very ambitious project in which we are attempting to do something that, just a few years ago, would have been difficult to imagine: determining high-resolution structures of proteins just microseconds after a reaction has begun. If we succeed, it could give us a completely new way of investigating the function of proteins.&rdquo; Instead of merely observing static structures, we want to be able to understand proteins as the molecular machines they actually are.&rdquo;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/28c77b7d56904372a091a327d44e31df/ryan-sponseller-dsc036002.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/28c77b7d56904372a091a327d44e31df/ryan-sponseller-dsc036002.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/28c77b7d56904372a091a327d44e31df/ryan-sponseller-dsc036002.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/28c77b7d56904372a091a327d44e31df/ryan-sponseller-dsc036002.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/28c77b7d56904372a091a327d44e31df/ryan-sponseller-dsc036002.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/28c77b7d56904372a091a327d44e31df/ryan-sponseller-dsc036002.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Ryan Sponseller, Professor at the Department of Ecology, Environment and Geoscience. Photo: Simon &Ouml;hman J&ouml;nsson</p></div></div><p><strong>Ryan Sponseller</strong>, Professor at the Department of Ecology, Environment and Geoscience, is leading the project Groundwater to the atmosphere: the impact of hydrological extremes on methane production and emissions, which has now been awarded 35 million over five years.</p><p>&ldquo;We are very excited to receive this funding from the Wallenberg Foundation. In our view, this research targets an important puzzle, not just about the controls over methane emissions to the atmosphere, but also about how climate change variables, such as temperature and precipitation, might push groundwater environments in different directions in terms of microbial processes and greenhouse gas production. With this funding, we will be able to tackle these questions using a range of experimental, observational, and modeling approaches, with a research team that brings together a broad set of tools and perspectives.&rdquo;</p><p><em>Further details about the research projects will be published both on umu.se and on the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation&rsquo;s website, <a href="https://news.cision.com/se/knut-och-alice-wallenbergs-stiftelse/r/30-framstaende-forskningsprojekt-beviljas-totalt-900-miljoner-kronor,c4407418">where information is already available on all 30 research projects receiving funding.</a></em></p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/four-projects-at-the-forefront-of-international-research-to-receive-120-million_12196946/https://www.umu.se/en/news/you-can-now-nominate-candidates-for-the-2026-scientific-prize-in-memory-of-dieter-k.-muller_12196580/The prize recognises individuals who strengthen the role of science in society. Particular emphasis is placed on contributions to sustainable development, preferably with relevance to northern Sweden, and on efforts that strengthen public trust in evidence-based knowledge. Submit your nomination by 27 November 2026.Thu, 08 Oct 2026 16:11:20 +0200<p>Ume&aring; University has established a scientific prize in memory of Professor Dieter K. M&uuml;ller (1968&ndash;2025), whose work made a major contribution to research, internationalisation and collaboration between academia and society. Through the prize, the University wishes to honour his memory while recognising individuals who help strengthen the role of science in society.</p><p>The prize is worth SEK 100,000 and is awarded annually at Ume&aring; University&rsquo;s Annual Celebration. This year's prize will be awarded at Kunskapsnoden at the Grand H&ocirc;tel in Stockholm on 2 February 2027.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Nominations are open until 27 November 2026</h2><p>Individuals both within and outside Ume&aring; University are welcome to nominate candidates for the prize. You may nominate a researcher or another individual who has developed, communicated or applied scientific knowledge with a clear impact on society. Particular emphasis is placed on contributions to sustainable development, preferably with relevance to northern Sweden, and on efforts that strengthen public trust in evidence-based knowledge.</p><p><a href="~/link/c883fd18ea6643988b0e510a3994d5de.aspx">Submit your nomination</a> by 27 November 2026.</p><p><a href="~/link/d55c2892dc9a42d486e3ebfa37724720.aspx">Find out more about the Scientific Prize in Memory of Dieter K. M&uuml;ller</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/you-can-now-nominate-candidates-for-the-2026-scientific-prize-in-memory-of-dieter-k.-muller_12196580/https://www.umu.se/en/news/research-shows-how-ai-and-mixed-reality-can-enhance-police-work_12196568/How can AI provide police officers with better support in complex situations? In a unique interdisciplinary collaboration, researchers in Police Research and Computing Science at Umeå University have explored the opportunities and risks associated with using AI-based interactive systems in police work. The results show significant potential for integrating AI support into police interventions, but the researchers emphasise that human autonomy and ethical considerations must remain in focus.Thu, 08 Oct 2026 13:54:14 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2e6f6c99400f4047aea1ea293d6037e5/260925-trustworthy-ai-and-mr3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2e6f6c99400f4047aea1ea293d6037e5/260925-trustworthy-ai-and-mr3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2e6f6c99400f4047aea1ea293d6037e5/260925-trustworthy-ai-and-mr3.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/2e6f6c99400f4047aea1ea293d6037e5/260925-trustworthy-ai-and-mr3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2e6f6c99400f4047aea1ea293d6037e5/260925-trustworthy-ai-and-mr3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2e6f6c99400f4047aea1ea293d6037e5/260925-trustworthy-ai-and-mr3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Anders Schogster and Jonas Hansson, Unit of Police Work, collaborates in a research project with Juan-Carlos Nieves, the Department of Computing Science.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Jenny Karlsson</span></div></div><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Police Research meets Computing Science</h2><p>The research project is based on a close collaboration between Police Research and Computing Science. The project began when Juan-Carlos Nieves, a researcher at the Department of Computing Science, contacted Jonas Hansson and Anders Schogster at the Unit of Police Work. The study used Microsoft HoloLens to investigate how trustworthy AI and Mixed Reality can support police decision-making in real time. The headset makes it possible to project digital information directly into the police officer's field of view. The technology can be controlled through eye movements and voice commands and can, for example, be used to identify objects and potential risks.</p><p>The researchers emphasise that collaboration between the two units has been crucial for exploring responsible AI solutions for police work while also understanding the real needs of police officers. The researchers in Computing Science have contributed with expertise in AI, Mixed Reality and ethical assessment frameworks, while researchers in police work and practising police officers have contributed with operational experience and tactical knowledge.</p><p class="quote-center">The collaboration has been a very important part of the project. You need to understand police work in order to implement change</p><p>"We are not always aware of the possibilities offered by computing science, and computing scientists are not always aware of the needs within police work. The collaboration has been a very important part of the project. You need to understand police work in order to implement change," says Jonas Hansson, researcher at the Unit of Police Work.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Tests with police officers showed positive results</h2><p>A multi-staged study was conducted in collaboration with police education programmes and law enforcement agencies in Sweden and Catalonia. Before the practical tests, participants took part in two workshops. The first workshop introduced fundamental principles of trustworthy AI, while the second workshop gave the participants hands-on experience of Mixed Reality and HoloLens.</p><p>A total of 39 police officers and instructors participated in the study. During a tactical exercise, the participants carried out a high-risk vehicle stop using HoloLens as a support tool. The results showed that the police officers had a very positive attitude towards the system's usefulness, ease of use, and trustworthiness.</p><p>"The results were better than I expected. The police officers were very interested in the technology and saw many possibilities," says Anders Schogster, police officer and teacher at the Unit of Police Work.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2e6f6c99400f4047aea1ea293d6037e5/261006-hololens4.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2e6f6c99400f4047aea1ea293d6037e5/261006-hololens4.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2e6f6c99400f4047aea1ea293d6037e5/261006-hololens4.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/2e6f6c99400f4047aea1ea293d6037e5/261006-hololens4.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2e6f6c99400f4047aea1ea293d6037e5/261006-hololens4.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2e6f6c99400f4047aea1ea293d6037e5/261006-hololens4.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The AI-headset HoloLens was used to investigate how AI and Mixed Reality can support police decision-making in real time.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Jenny Karlsson</span></div></div><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">The balance between opportunities, risks and ethical considerations</h2><p>The technology offers considerable opportunities for improved decision support and increased safety during police interventions, but it also raises ethical questions. Juan-Carlos Nieves highlights the importance of ensuring that the systems are trustworthy, transparent and ethically designed to be able to be used responsibly. Potential risks include issues related to privacy, data storage and transparency, as well as the risk of algorithmic bias.</p><p>The researchers analysed the functions according to three risk levels, ranging from low to high. The study showed that as the system becomes more automated, the ethical risks related to privacy, transparency and algorithmic bias increase. A key conclusion is that the technology must never take over the police officer's own decision-making.</p><p>"It's important that this does not become fully autonomous. It should support police officers in their decision-making, but the decisions must ultimately be made by humans," says Jonas Hansson.</p><p>The researchers also conclude that simply introducing new technology is not enough. Police officers must be trained to critically assess its implications as well.</p><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3">Next step: From research to police education</h2><p>The researchers are now working on new project applications to continue exploring responsible AI, the relationship between digital and physical crime, and how future AI systems can be introduced into police operations.</p><p>In the long term, the researchers see a need to develop tools that can help decision-makers and the police assess risks when AI systems are procured and implemented. AI-based interactive systems for policing require carefully defined requirements to ensure that they can be used effectively while also adhering to the principle of ethics by design.</p><p>Jonas Hansson points out that traditional police work relies heavily on what police officers see, hear, feel and perceive in a given situation. The challenge is to find ways for digital information to complement these impressions without taking over. The researchers see considerable potential for integrating this type of technology directly into basic police training, allowing future police officers to learn at an early stage how to navigate both the opportunities and vulnerabilities associated with AI tools.</p><p>Read more about the project in the scientific article <a href="http://doi.org/10.1613/jair.1.19461"><em>Trustworthy AI and Mixed Reality in Police Interventions: Challenges and Opportunities.</em></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Reference:<br></strong>Andreas Br&auml;nnstr&ouml;m, Eduardo Garc&iacute;a Laredo, Bernat Vivolas Jord&agrave;, Lola Valles, Jonas Hansson, Emili Martinez Ca&ntilde;averas, Anders Schogster, David Martin-Moncunill, and Juan Carlos Nieves. 2026. <em>Trustworthy AI and Mixed Reality in Police Interventions: Challenges and Opportunities.</em> Journal of Artificial Intelligence Research 86, Article 12 (June 2026), 30 pages. <a href="http://doi.org/10.1613/jair.1.19461">doi:10.1613/jair.1.194611</a>&nbsp;</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/research-shows-how-ai-and-mixed-reality-can-enhance-police-work_12196568/https://www.umu.se/en/news/five-questions-about-the-nobel-peace-prize---a-researcher-answers_12196506/The Nobel Peace Prize attracts significant global attention every year. But what role does the prize play in today’s world, and how much influence can it really have? A researcher at Umeå University answers five questions about the role, impact and significance of the Peace Prize.Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:15:47 +0200<p>The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded annually by the Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo. Patrik Johansson is a lecturer and researcher in Peace and Conflict Studies at Ume&aring; University and coordinator of the International Crisis and Conflict Management Programme. Here, he answers five questions.</p><h3>The Nobel Peace Prize attracts considerable attention around the world. Why has it achieved such a prominent position?</h3><p>&ldquo;The Peace Prize&rsquo;s strong standing is primarily due to its symbolic value. It builds on the collective international prestige and long history of the Nobel Prizes, as well as the considerable attention the award receives. It is both a recognition of the recipient&rsquo;s work and a signal about which issues and forms of peacebuilding are considered particularly important.&rdquo;</p><h3>How has the understanding of what constitutes peacebuilding changed over time?</h3><p>&ldquo;The way we understand peacebuilding reflects our understanding of peace itself. Peace can mean the absence of war, in which case peacebuilding may involve strengthening conditions for peaceful conflict resolution, limiting the use of weapons of mass destruction, or resolving specific conflicts.</p><p>Peace can also mean the absence of structural violence, such as poverty, discrimination, oppression and similar conditions. In that case, peacebuilding includes promoting democracy, strengthening respect for human rights in general, or safeguarding particularly vulnerable groups. In recent years, democracy and human rights have received greater attention than before, reflecting this broader understanding of peace.&rdquo;</p><h3>What significance does the Nobel Peace Prize have this year, given the current global situation?</h3><p>&ldquo;There are more armed conflicts in the world today than at any time since the Second World War, and since the beginning of the 2000s more countries have moved in an authoritarian rather than a democratic direction. This makes it important to highlight positive examples and inspire hope and courage among those working for peace, democracy and human rights. The Nobel Peace Prize has an important role to play in that regard.&rdquo;</p><p>&ldquo;Following last year&rsquo;s laureate, Maria Corina Machado, giving her medal to Donald Trump, it is also particularly important for the Norwegian Nobel Committee to identify a laureate this year who can uphold the prize in a way that does not undermine its credibility.&rdquo;</p><h3>What can the attention surrounding the Nobel Peace Prize mean for a person, organisation or issue that is recognised?</h3><p>&ldquo;The Peace Prize can provide legitimacy and therefore protection. It can contribute to increased financial resources and new connections, and above all it can help place an issue on the political agenda. In authoritarian contexts, however, increased visibility may also lead to greater repression or political attacks.&rdquo;</p><p>&ldquo;I believe the prize has a greater impact when it is awarded to less well-known laureates, both for the recipients themselves and for the work they do. If I mention Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov, who received the prize in 2021, many people will remember that it was linked to press freedom and freedom of expression. But in the case of Barack Obama, who received the prize in 2009, I think fewer people associate the award with a clearly defined peace-related issue.&rdquo;</p><h3>How much influence does the Nobel Peace Prize actually have on the issues it highlights?</h3><p>&ldquo;The Peace Prize is one factor among many and may have some influence, but it does not by itself determine whether a peace agreement is signed, a sustainability goal is achieved, or a particular set of rights is better protected. The potential for impact also varies depending on what is being recognised.&rdquo;</p><p>&ldquo;The direct impact on a conflict or political process is usually limited. However, through increased attention, resources, legitimacy and international pressure, the indirect impact can be considerably greater.&rdquo;</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/five-questions-about-the-nobel-peace-prize---a-researcher-answers_12196506/https://www.umu.se/en/news/new-findings-on-drug-treatment-for-compulsive-sexual-behaviour-disorder_12196490/Medication used to treat addiction is no more effective than antidepressants in treating Compulsive Sexual Behaviour Disorder (CSBD). This is shown in a new study from Umeå University and Karolinska Institutet. However, the medications differ in terms of side effects and the way symptoms improve over time.Thu, 08 Oct 2026 08:00:05 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Results may support more individualised treatment decisions. Since the two medications have a similar overall effect on symptoms, physicians and patients can jointly determine which treatment may be most appropriate based on individual needs and side effects.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>John&eacute;r bildbyr&aring; AB, Huett Lundstr&ouml;m</span></div></div><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Josephine Savard, MD, PhD, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist. Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge; and ANOVA, Karolinska University Hospital.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>RTW Photography</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;We still have limited knowledge about how pharmacological treatment works for Compulsive Sexual Behaviour Disorder. This is the first study to compare these two medications,&rdquo; says Josephine Savard, researcher at the Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet in Huddinge and senior consultant psychiatrist at ANOVA, Karolinska University Hospital.</p><p>There are currently no medications specifically developed for Compulsive Sexual Behaviour Disorder. In the present study, researchers compared fluoxetine, an antidepressant medication, with naltrexone, a medication used to treat addiction-related conditions.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Jussi Jokinen, Professor of Psychiatry at the Department of Clinical Sciences, Ume&aring; University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Viktoria Johansson</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;SSRIs, a class of antidepressants, reduce impulsivity and help suppress compulsive thoughts. They are usually considered the first-line treatment for Compulsive Sexual Behaviour Disorder. However, because the underlying neurobiological mechanisms share similarities with those of other addictive disorders, the addiction medication naltrexone is also used,&rdquo; says Jussi Jokinen, senior consultant psychiatrist and Professor of Psychiatry at the Department of Clinical Science, Ume&aring; University.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">No difference in the reduction of symptoms</h2><p>The study included 80 participants who were randomly assigned to receive either fluoxetine or naltrexone. After eight weeks, the researchers found no significant difference in the degree to which symptoms had decreased. However, there were indications that the medications may act at different rates.</p><p>&ldquo;Naltrexone appears to have the potential to provide faster symptom relief, but the study was not designed to investigate such differences. Therefore, these findings should be regarded as preliminary,&rdquo; says Josephine Savard.</p><p>Instead, the results may support more individualised treatment decisions. Since the two medications have a similar overall effect on symptoms, physicians and patients can jointly determine which treatment may be most appropriate based on individual needs and side effects. Both medications can cause fatigue and reduced sexual desire, although these effects were reported to varying degrees.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Continued research on drug treatment is important</h2><p>Compulsive Sexual Behaviour Disorder was recently classified as a disorder by the World Health Organization and is estimated to affect 2&ndash;3 per cent of the population. The diagnosis is characterised by persistent difficulties in controlling sexual impulses and behaviours despite negative consequences for the individual. Patients are often offered both medication and various forms of psychotherapy.</p><p>&ldquo;Many patients want pharmacological treatment, which makes it important to continue conducting well-designed medication studies. As part of this study, we carried out extensive biological sampling. The next step will be to investigate whether we can identify clinical and neurobiological predictors of treatment response, in other words whether there is a way to predict how a patient will respond to a specific treatment,&rdquo; says Jussi Jokinen.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="8a47b392-af53-4301-98ce-dc3abbc0a42e" data-contentname="Contact">{}</div>https://www.umu.se/en/news/new-findings-on-drug-treatment-for-compulsive-sexual-behaviour-disorder_12196490/https://www.umu.se/en/news/upls-suzanne-brink-as-keynote-the-asian-cdio-arm-conference-2026_12196514/Suzanne Brink was invited recently to deliver the keynote speech "Shifting Curriculum Perspectives when co-designing [next-gen] engineering curricula that can constantly evolve“ at the hybrid CDIO Regional Meeting 2026 conference, held at D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University. The conference theme was "Next-Gen Engineering: The New Triad of Academia, Industry and AI”. Fri, 09 Oct 2026 11:58:10 +0200<div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="936fda0a-03d3-4943-94ba-5a307f50a8a1" data-contentname="Suzanne keynote">{}</div><p>Based on her research on curriculum agility, curriculum perspectives, and learning-centred curriculum design, Suzanne addressed the supercomplexity of educating students&nbsp;for an unpredictable future, in times of Generative AI. She showed the different meanings, perspectives, attitudes, and worries about genAI of educators in higher education. For this she had created relatable teacher personas, ranging from the cautious Think-Twice Leo, Follow-the-Rules​ Ron, and Jump-Right-In Cleo to Reciprocal-Learning Minded Lina.</p><p>These teachers struggled with questions of how to persuade students to slow down the learning in how they approach assignments, to reciprocally explore opportunities and limitations of GenAI and its effect on the learning, and what learning and unlearning is needed of themselves. But from their different perspectives on what good education entails, different and often contradictory answers are formed.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="0f838db1-7fc1-44f5-bbb2-8eaef65d05ea" data-contentname="Bildspel">{}</div><p>In line with Ron Barnett&rsquo;s "4th Pedagogic Option&rdquo; for educating for an unknown future, Suzanne advocated for more attention to developing students' core human dispositions, such as thoughtfulness, humility, resilience, and courage, in higher education, rather than focusing solely on disciplinary knowledge and generic 21st century skills. After touching upon the challenges of teaching this to Generation Z students, she finished with indicating which Curriculum Agility Principles were important to be ready for this kind of change in the wider higher education institution&rsquo;s organisation.&nbsp;</p><p>If you are interested in discussing such matters, feel free to get in contact with Suzanne.&nbsp;</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/upls-suzanne-brink-as-keynote-the-asian-cdio-arm-conference-2026_12196514/https://www.umu.se/en/news/international-exchange-explores-how-to-recognise-teaching_12196392/During a three-week visit to Umeå University’s Centre for Educational Development (UPL) this autumn, Robert Fleisig from McMaster University in Canada exchanged experiences with colleagues on how universities support and reward teaching. The visit built on a longstanding collaboration with Katarina Winka at UPL and opened up opportunities for further international cooperation.Wed, 07 Oct 2026 20:34:08 +0200<p>Robert and Katarina first connected in 2021 through their shared interest in teaching portfolios and the assessment of teaching excellence. They wanted to explore how these processes could strengthen conversations about teaching and learning within academia.</p><p>&ldquo;It was actually Robert who found me and got in touch,&rdquo; says Katarina. &ldquo;I then visited McMaster for three weeks in 2022 and we&rsquo;ve been working together since then.&rdquo;</p><p>This spring, Robert was awarded a teaching and learning grant from McMaster University and chose to spend three weeks of his research leave at UPL. The visit gave them time to continue their work together and allowed Robert to meet colleagues from across Ume&aring; University.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Learning from one another</h2><p>Sweden and Canada take somewhat different approaches to promotion and teaching-merit processes, particularly in how teaching achievements are documented, valued and assessed. For Katarina, exploring these differences creates opportunities for mutual learning that can inform UPL&rsquo;s work. It offers a chance to question familiar practices and consider other ways of supporting teaching and learning.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="9481cd9f-221d-4664-a073-5ae156ad15a7" data-contentname="Katarina Winka">{}</div><p>&ldquo;By sharing experiences and perspectives, we can challenge our assumptions, explore alternative approaches, and experiment with new ways of thinking about and supporting teaching and learning in higher education,&rdquo; she says. &ldquo;Eventually, I believe this will contribute to more robust ways of rewarding teaching achievements.&rdquo;</p><p>Learning more about how Ume&aring; University rewards teaching was also one of Robert&rsquo;s aims for the visit. He met members of the Teaching Excellence Framework Committee, who shared their experiences and perspectives on the university&rsquo;s approach.</p><p>Other meetings introduced him to academics whose interests intersect with his own. Reflecting on these conversations during his stay, Robert described how they were influencing his thinking.</p><p>&ldquo;It has been a true pleasure meeting with my Ume&aring; colleagues. Their work and the ideas expressed in our conversations have been both inspiring and revealing,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;The unique perspectives I am gaining are helping me reflect on my own teaching and professional development.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Exploring meaningful learning</h2><p>Robert is a teaching-stream Professor at the Walter G. Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology at McMaster University. He is Program Lead for the Master of Engineering Design programme and chairs the Faculty of Engineering&rsquo;s Instructor Development and Evaluation Committee. He teaches engineering design, product design, design thinking and human-centred design.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="49e1e7bb-c89e-4b8a-a628-7cdf878534b6" data-contentname="Robert Fleisig">{}</div><p>At McMaster, his teaching brings students together with community and industry partners to work on complex challenges. Understanding people&rsquo;s needs and learning from different perspectives are central to this work.</p><p>Questions about how people learn together were also central to the seminar Robert held at UPL on 1 October, Beyond Individual Achievement: Conditions for Meaningful Learning. Focusing on relationships, empathy, shared goals and adaptability, the seminar invited participants to reflect on their own educational settings and how they can support both students and teachers.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Continuing the conversation</h2><p>Alongside his collaboration with Katarina, Robert used his time at UPL to build relationships connected to his interests in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) and to explore international collaborations in teaching engineering design.</p><p>Robert describes the visit as having reinforced his human-centred perspective on higher education and on teaching engineering design. It also strengthened his belief in the critical role of peer review in teaching and assessment, and his conviction that scholarly dialogue is enriched by bringing together different practices, such as those at McMaster and Ume&aring; University.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="3589c99c-10ff-415f-b69a-bea645554923" data-contentname="Katarina och Robert pratar">{}</div><p>&ldquo;I look forward to continuing these new connections with my Swedish colleagues, which I hope will lead to scholarly work and unique learning experiences for my students,&rdquo; he says.</p><p>And beyond the academic exchange, everyday life at UPL has left an impression too.</p><p>&ldquo;On a lighter note, I will truly miss the generosity and collegiality of my Ume&aring; colleagues &mdash; and, of course, the joy of the Swedish custom of fika.&rdquo;</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/international-exchange-explores-how-to-recognise-teaching_12196392/https://www.umu.se/en/news/first-country-to-turn-around-type-2-diabetes-trend_12196026/The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel for the development of optogenetics. The technique has revolutionized neuroscience and is now used by researchers around the world, including Olof Lagerlöf at Umeå University, whose research group has identified nerve cells that regulate the feeling of fullness.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:26:55 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/635c2488f6d148469658d4aa8a955f86/olof-lagerlof-251114_jnm2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/635c2488f6d148469658d4aa8a955f86/olof-lagerlof-251114_jnm2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/635c2488f6d148469658d4aa8a955f86/olof-lagerlof-251114_jnm2.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/635c2488f6d148469658d4aa8a955f86/olof-lagerlof-251114_jnm2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/635c2488f6d148469658d4aa8a955f86/olof-lagerlof-251114_jnm2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/635c2488f6d148469658d4aa8a955f86/olof-lagerlof-251114_jnm2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Olof Lagerl&ouml;f and his research group use optogenetics to study how the brain regulates eating behaviour, including when, what, and how much we eat. Using this technique, they have identified neurons that play a key role in generating feelings of satiety.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Johanna Nordstr&ouml;m</span></div></div><p>We asked Olof Lagerl&ouml;f, physician and assistant professor of psychiatry, five questions about the Nobel Prize and the impact of optogenetics on research.</p><p class="quote-center">"Finally!"</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">What was your first reaction when you heard that the Nobel Prize had been awarded for the research behind optogenetics?</h2><p>"Finally! It has been expected for several years that optogenetics would receive the Nobel Prize and it was once again among the frontrunners this year. However, that it would happen this year was, of course, impossible to know."</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">What is optogenetics?</h2><p>"Optogenetics is a method that allows researchers to use light to control and study selected nerve cells in the brain. By introducing light-sensitive proteins into the cells, they can be activated or switched off with great precision. This makes it possible to investigate how individual neurons and neural circuits influence behaviour, emotions, and bodily functions."</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Why has the method become so important? What can researchers do now that was not possible before optogenetics?</h2><p>"Optogenetics is a molecular switch that has revolutionized neuroscience. It enables researchers to map the function of nerve cells with extremely high precision and to control specific neurons at exactly the right time and place in the brain. By turning this switch on and off, scientists can directly link the activity of individual neurons to specific behaviours without significantly disrupting the brain's structure."</p><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3">What finding or breakthrough in your own research field has been made possible thanks to optogenetics?</h2><p>"We have used optogenetics to identify nerve cells in the brain that regulate satiety. Using optogenetics together with other techniques, it is now possible to activate or suppress these cells to increase or decrease food intake. Other research groups have also used optogenetics to identify, for example, the brain cells responsible for generating feelings of hunger."</p><h2 id="info4" data-magellan-target="info4">What new opportunities do you see for the field over the next ten years?</h2><p>"Optogenetics has already been successfully applied in humans. Researchers have helped people with severe vision impairment regain significantly better sight by using the technique in the eye. Hopefully, within the next ten years, optogenetics will also be used to treat more complex conditions involving larger neural networks in the brain, such as eating disorders, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other psychiatric conditions."</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/635c2488f6d148469658d4aa8a955f86/optogenetik3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/635c2488f6d148469658d4aa8a955f86/optogenetik3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/635c2488f6d148469658d4aa8a955f86/optogenetik3.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/635c2488f6d148469658d4aa8a955f86/optogenetik3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/635c2488f6d148469658d4aa8a955f86/optogenetik3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/635c2488f6d148469658d4aa8a955f86/optogenetik3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Optogenetics is a molecular switch that has revolutionized neuroscience.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>&copy; Nobelkommitt&eacute;n f&ouml;r fysiologi eller medicin. Ill. Mattias Karl&eacute;n</span></div></div>https://www.umu.se/en/news/a-nobel-prize-that-switched-on-brain-research_12196149/https://www.umu.se/en/news/virginia-dignum-joins-nobel-laureates-for-a-discussion-on-ai_12196138/On 9 December, Nobel laureates and experts will gather in Stockholm for the Nobel Week Dialogue. This year’s theme is artificial intelligence, and Virginia Dignum, Professor at Umeå University, is one of the invited speakers.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:25:33 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/4435f2ca3d244f0994d4449abe598194/_dsc20734.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/4435f2ca3d244f0994d4449abe598194/_dsc20734.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/4435f2ca3d244f0994d4449abe598194/_dsc20734.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/4435f2ca3d244f0994d4449abe598194/_dsc20734.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/4435f2ca3d244f0994d4449abe598194/_dsc20734.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/4435f2ca3d244f0994d4449abe598194/_dsc20734.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Nobel Week Dialogue 2023. That year's theme was "The Future of Migration".</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>&copy; Nobel Prize Outreach. Photo: Anna Svanberg </span></div></div><p>The Nobel Week Dialogue is part of the official Nobel Week programme and is always held on the day before the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony. It brings together a select group of the world's leading researchers, policymakers and experts to discuss a topical science-related theme, which this year is &ldquo;Life With AI&rdquo;.</p><p>Virginia Dignum will participate in a panel alongside several Nobel Prize laureates, including Philippe Aghion, Steven Chu, John Jumper and David MacMillan. She is Professor of Responsible Artificial Intelligence at Ume&aring; University, and leads the AI Policy Lab. She is also senior advisor on AI policy to the Wallenberg Foundations.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">AI is more than technology</h2><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/4435f2ca3d244f0994d4449abe598194/dignum_virginia_3541_220615_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/4435f2ca3d244f0994d4449abe598194/dignum_virginia_3541_220615_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/4435f2ca3d244f0994d4449abe598194/dignum_virginia_3541_220615_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/4435f2ca3d244f0994d4449abe598194/dignum_virginia_3541_220615_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/4435f2ca3d244f0994d4449abe598194/dignum_virginia_3541_220615_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/4435f2ca3d244f0994d4449abe598194/dignum_virginia_3541_220615_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Virginia Dignum, Professor at the Department of Computing Science.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>For Virginia Dignum, taking part in the Nobel Week Dialogue is both an honour and a responsibility. She sees the discussion as an opportunity to highlight the connection between scientific progress and societal consequences.</p><p>&ldquo;AI is often presented as inevitable, as if its direction is set by technological momentum alone. It is not. It is the outcome of human decisions on research priorities, investments, design, deployment and regulation. Recognising this means recognising human agency and responsibility,&rdquo; she says.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Measuring progress</h2><p>She believes that AI governance is not a brake on innovation, and that progress should not be measured solely in terms of efficiency and technical capability.</p><p>&ldquo;The more relevant question is whether AI contributes to human and societal wellbeing, and for whom. I look forward to reflecting together on where this technology is taking us.&rdquo;</p><p>The Nobel Week Dialogue will take place at House of People in Stockholm on 9 December from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and is open to the public. The event will also be livestreamed on nobelprize.org.</p><p><a href="https://www.nobelprize.org/events/nobel-week-dialogue/stockholm-2026/">Read more on the Nobel Prize website</a></p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/virginia-dignum-joins-nobel-laureates-for-a-discussion-on-ai_12196138/https://www.umu.se/en/news/sanningskommissionen-avslutad-arbetet-fortsatter_12195847/-It feels good to be finished, says Krister Stoor, researcher at Várdduo - Centre for Sámi Research and, since 2023, a member of the Truth Commission for the Sámi People. On 30 September, the Commission submitted its final report during a ceremony in Staare (Östersund). Following several years of work documenting Sámi experiences of Swedish state policies, the submission marked an important milestone in Sweden’s efforts towards truth, redress, and reconciliation. Mon, 05 Oct 2026 13:47:16 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage">&nbsp;</div><div class="bildText"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/ce2addaeb4fa42d488f71cda85cb0989/sanningskommissionen_petter_stoor_och_krister_stoor2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/ce2addaeb4fa42d488f71cda85cb0989/sanningskommissionen_petter_stoor_och_krister_stoor2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/ce2addaeb4fa42d488f71cda85cb0989/sanningskommissionen_petter_stoor_och_krister_stoor2.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/ce2addaeb4fa42d488f71cda85cb0989/sanningskommissionen_petter_stoor_och_krister_stoor2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/ce2addaeb4fa42d488f71cda85cb0989/sanningskommissionen_petter_stoor_och_krister_stoor2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/ce2addaeb4fa42d488f71cda85cb0989/sanningskommissionen_petter_stoor_och_krister_stoor2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div></div></div><div class="bildText"><p>Following the ceremony in Staare, Krister Stoor (right), of V&aacute;rdduo/S&aacute;mi Studies and a member of the Truth Commission for the S&aacute;mi People since 2023, relaxes with Jon Petter Stoor (left), a S&aacute;mi health researcher at Ume&aring; University.&nbsp;</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Lena Maria Nilsson</span></div></div><p>Ume&aring; University has been strongly represented throughout the Commission&rsquo;s work. Krister Stoor, a researcher affiliated with V&aacute;rdduo and S&aacute;mi Studies at the Department of Language Studies, and a Commission member since 2023, attended the ceremony in Staare. Anna-Lill Drugge, Associate Professor of S&aacute;mi Studies at the Department of Language Studies and a Commission member since 2022, highlighted the central role of education in the reconciliation process in her address. She emphasised that knowledge of S&aacute;mi history, culture, and rights is a fundamental prerequisite for long-term understanding and reconciliation.&nbsp;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/ce2addaeb4fa42d488f71cda85cb0989/sanningskommissionen_anna-lill_drugge.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/ce2addaeb4fa42d488f71cda85cb0989/sanningskommissionen_anna-lill_drugge.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/ce2addaeb4fa42d488f71cda85cb0989/sanningskommissionen_anna-lill_drugge.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/ce2addaeb4fa42d488f71cda85cb0989/sanningskommissionen_anna-lill_drugge.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/ce2addaeb4fa42d488f71cda85cb0989/sanningskommissionen_anna-lill_drugge.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/ce2addaeb4fa42d488f71cda85cb0989/sanningskommissionen_anna-lill_drugge.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Anna-Lill Drugge, Associate Professor of S&aacute;mi Studies at Ume&aring; University, delivers her address at the ceremony in Staare, emphasizing the vital role of education in the reconciliation process.&nbsp;</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Lena Maria Nilsson</span></div></div><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0"><br>Giving Voice to the Stories&nbsp;</h2><p>The ceremony also featured a number of contributions that gave voice to the testimonies collected during the Commission&rsquo;s work. Marja Skum, Patricia Fjellgren, and Lena Kroik presented narratives based on documented testimonies. They were three of the eleven individuals involved in collecting, analysing, and documenting S&aacute;mi experiences as part of the Commission&rsquo;s work.&nbsp;</p><p><br>One of the most powerful moments of the ceremony came when Commission Chair Lena Nyberg formally handed over the final reports to representatives of S&aacute;minuorra, the S&aacute;mi Youth Organisation. In their response, Mirja Fjellgren Utsi, Tyra Fjellgren, and Ella Kristoffersson turned their attention to the future. With clear and concrete calls for change, they stressed that the report&rsquo;s recommendations must now be translated into action. Their speech was met with a standing ovation from the audience.&nbsp;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/ce2addaeb4fa42d488f71cda85cb0989/sanningskommissionen_saminuorra3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/ce2addaeb4fa42d488f71cda85cb0989/sanningskommissionen_saminuorra3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/ce2addaeb4fa42d488f71cda85cb0989/sanningskommissionen_saminuorra3.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/ce2addaeb4fa42d488f71cda85cb0989/sanningskommissionen_saminuorra3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/ce2addaeb4fa42d488f71cda85cb0989/sanningskommissionen_saminuorra3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/ce2addaeb4fa42d488f71cda85cb0989/sanningskommissionen_saminuorra3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>At the ceremony, Lena Nyberg, Chair of the Truth Commission for the S&aacute;mi People, handed over the Commission&rsquo;s final reports to three representatives of the S&aacute;mi youth organisation S&aacute;minuorra: Mirja Fjellgren Utsi, Tyra Fjellgren, and Ella Kristoffersson.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Lena Maria Nilsson</span></div></div><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1"><br>Research Still Needed&nbsp;</h2><p>The submission of the final report marks the completion of the Commission&rsquo;s mandate. At the same time, it signals the beginning of a new phase: transforming the knowledge contained in the testimonies and recommendations into concrete measures that promote justice, understanding, and reconciliation.&nbsp;<br>For Ume&aring; University and its staff, particularly through V&aacute;rdduo - Centre for S&aacute;mi Research, this means a continued responsibility to contribute through research, education, and knowledge development in close dialogue with S&aacute;mi communities.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/sanningskommissionen-avslutad-arbetet-fortsatter_12195847/https://www.umu.se/en/news/3d-printers-can-make-advanced-research-more-accessible_12194578/Developing new research equipment is often expensive and time-consuming. In his doctoral thesis, Daniel Nilsson at Umeå University demonstrates how standard 3D printers can be used to rapidly manufacture advanced scientific instruments directly in the laboratory.Mon, 05 Oct 2026 08:55:00 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/23d56c067e86425481423297a2e3bc9f/dsc040293.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/23d56c067e86425481423297a2e3bc9f/dsc040293.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/23d56c067e86425481423297a2e3bc9f/dsc040293.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/23d56c067e86425481423297a2e3bc9f/dsc040293.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/23d56c067e86425481423297a2e3bc9f/dsc040293.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/23d56c067e86425481423297a2e3bc9f/dsc040293.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Daniel Nilsson wants to make it easier for researchers to develop their own tools.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Daniel Nilsson</span></div></div><p>Studying microorganisms requires instruments with extremely high precision. Such instruments are expensive and take a long time to manufacture using traditional methods, which has slowed progress in the field. It has also been difficult for the biologists who use these instruments to participate directly in their development.</p><p>Using standard consumer-grade 3D printers, Daniel Nilsson at the Department of Physics has shown that it is possible to independently develop advanced, customised research instruments.</p><p>&ldquo;We have developed a set of instruments that can be manufactured directly in the laboratory by anyone. We hope this will make biological research less expensive and more accessible to a larger number of researchers,&rdquo; he says.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Instruments for detecting bacteria</h2><p>Examples of the tools developed by the researchers include instruments for detecting and manipulating harmful bacteria using laser light, as well as tools for cultivating and measuring the properties of biofilms. Biofilms are slimy structures that bacteria can form on surfaces and that cause major problems in areas such as food production and healthcare.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/23d56c067e86425481423297a2e3bc9f/instrument_12.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/23d56c067e86425481423297a2e3bc9f/instrument_12.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/23d56c067e86425481423297a2e3bc9f/instrument_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/23d56c067e86425481423297a2e3bc9f/instrument_12.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/23d56c067e86425481423297a2e3bc9f/instrument_12.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/23d56c067e86425481423297a2e3bc9f/instrument_12.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>3D-printed research instruments can be tailored to specific laboratory requirements.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Daniel Nilsson</span></div></div><p>A key idea behind the work is that researchers should be able to build, adapt and further develop equipment based on their own needs, rather than rely on expensive commercial solutions.</p><p>&ldquo;These methods enable a more collaborative and needs-driven approach to development within the research community,&rdquo; says Daniel Nilsson.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">A practical guide</h2><p>The thesis also includes a practical guide showing how researchers and other interested users can design 3D-printed tools and integrate open-source electronics.</p><p>&ldquo;The same methods can be used both for advanced research instruments and for everyday technological solutions in the laboratory,&rdquo; says Daniel Nilsson.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="0144d27b-3d33-4597-b9bb-3a4ebcdb494a" data-contentname="About the public defence and researcher">{}</div>https://www.umu.se/en/news/3d-printers-can-make-advanced-research-more-accessible_12194578/https://www.umu.se/en/news/why-a-food-poisoning-bacterium-can-cause-severe-wound-infections_12195665/The toxin NheABC, produced by Bacillus cereus, is particularly active in the pH conditions found in open wounds. Researchers at Umeå University found that the toxin damages both cell membranes and mitochondria and helps the bacterium establish infection in wounded tissue.Fri, 02 Oct 2026 14:33:38 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/e6c2a1989efd4ef69299c54e070af835/gruppfoto3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e6c2a1989efd4ef69299c54e070af835/gruppfoto3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e6c2a1989efd4ef69299c54e070af835/gruppfoto3.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/e6c2a1989efd4ef69299c54e070af835/gruppfoto3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e6c2a1989efd4ef69299c54e070af835/gruppfoto3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e6c2a1989efd4ef69299c54e070af835/gruppfoto3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>New research reveals why a food poisoning bacterium can cause severe wound infections. The research team behind the study. From left to right: Aftab Nadeem, Abdelbasset Yabrag, Naeem Ullah, Anne Yska, and Michael Philips.&nbsp;</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Veronica Moscone</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;Our findings strengthen the view that disease-causing bacteria within the <em>B. cereus</em> group detected in deep or infected wounds should not always be dismissed as harmless contamination,&rdquo; says Abdelbasset Yabrag, PhD student at the Department of Molecular Biology, Ume&aring; University, and one of the study's two first authors.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/e6c2a1989efd4ef69299c54e070af835/abdelbasset2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e6c2a1989efd4ef69299c54e070af835/abdelbasset2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e6c2a1989efd4ef69299c54e070af835/abdelbasset2.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/e6c2a1989efd4ef69299c54e070af835/abdelbasset2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e6c2a1989efd4ef69299c54e070af835/abdelbasset2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e6c2a1989efd4ef69299c54e070af835/abdelbasset2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Abdelbasset Yabrag is a PhD student at the Department of Molecular Biology at Ume&aring; University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Veronica Moscone</span></div></div><p>Bacteria belonging to the<em> B. cereus</em> group are found almost everywhere, including in soil, dust and food, and are best known for causing food poisoning. The same group of bacteria can also cause serious infections outside the gastrointestinal tract, including in open wounds. However, it has so far remained unclear which factors enable the bacterium to cause such damage.</p><p>The researchers showed that the NheABC toxin makes small holes in cell membranes and causes significant damage to mitochondria. Experiments using artificial membranes revealed that certain lipids in mitochondria such as cardiolipin enhance the damaging effects of the toxin.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">The wound environment determines the toxin's effect</h2><p>The most surprising finding concerned acidity. The toxin's harmful activity was significantly lower under acidic conditions than at neutral or alkaline pH levels. Chronic wounds can develop a more alkaline environment due to the presence of blood, tissue fluids and metabolic byproducts such as ammonia. This may create conditions that favor bacterial growth and colonization. In a mouse model of wound infection, NheABC contributed to increased bacterial colonization and a stronger local inflammatory response.</p><p>This differs from the MakA toxin produced by the cholera-causing bacterium Vibrio cholerae, which the same research group has previously shown to be activated under acidic conditions.</p><p>&ldquo;If toxin activity depends on the surrounding environment, this could open up new ways of reducing tissue damage during infections. In the future, it may be possible to target the wound environment itself, rather than focusing solely on the bacterium,&rdquo; says Aftab Nadeem, researcher at the Department of Molecular Biology, Ume&aring; University, and senior author of the study.</p><p>The study was carried out in collaboration between researchers at Ume&aring; University, the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, and Lund University, and was published in the scientific journal Cell Communication and Signaling.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">About the study:</h2><p>The researchers combined several experimental models, including human cells grown in two- and three-dimensional systems, laboratory-grown mini-guts (intestinal organoids), artificial cell membranes, advanced microscopy, and a mouse model of wound infection.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/why-a-food-poisoning-bacterium-can-cause-severe-wound-infections_12195665/https://www.umu.se/en/news/new-publication-on-learning-environments-and-teaching_12195403/How can teachers develop their teaching in relation to the spaces they use? This is a central question in a new chapter in the International Handbook of Research on Learning Environments, co-authored by Åse Tieva, Director of the Centre for Educational Development (UPL).Fri, 02 Oct 2026 09:19:34 +0200<div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="b34fa7ec-59bf-486b-8668-0aeb64175933" data-contentname="Åse, Learning Lab">{}</div><p>The chapter was written together with Marie Leijon at Malm&ouml; University, Magnus Hansson and Anna-Eva Olsson at &Ouml;rebro University, and Elisabet Malvebo at the Swedish Naval Warfare Center and Malm&ouml; University.</p><p>The chapter builds on the Didactic Spatial Competence (DiSCo) model, developed by Leijon, Malvebo and Tieva. The model describes teachers&rsquo; didactic spatial competence, meaning their ability to plan, implement and develop teaching in different learning environments. It also introduces a visual tool, Room and Activity Diagrams, which helps teachers explore the relationship between spatial design and teaching activities.</p><p>&ldquo;When developing teaching, we often focus on content and pedagogy, but the space also influences what we can do together. In this chapter, we show how teachers can make the interplay between learning environments and pedagogical practice visible and reflect on it,&rdquo; says &Aring;se Tieva.</p><p><a href="https://link.springer.com/rwe/10.1007/978-981-95-2591-1_23-1#author-information">Read more about the chapter &ldquo;DiSCo in Space: Supporting Teachers&rsquo; Didactic Spatial Competence&rdquo;</a></p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/new-publication-on-learning-environments-and-teaching_12195403/https://www.umu.se/en/news/researchers-discover-major-ecological-shift-in-the-gulf-of-bothnia_12195523/For decades, scientists have regarded phosphorus as the main nutrient limiting biological production in the Gulf of Bothnia. Now, a new study led by researchers at Umeå University shows that a fundamental change is underway. The Bothnian Sea has shifted to nitrogen limitation, while the Bothnian Bay is rapidly moving in the same direction. Fri, 02 Oct 2026 09:10:29 +0200<p>Why does this matter? The balance between nitrogen and phosphorus affects which organisms thrive in the sea and how the ecosystem functions. When waters become increasingly nitrogen-limited, the conditions can favour nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria, some of which form large blooms during summer.</p><p>The findings are based on 30 years of Swedish and Finnish monitoring data and have been published in Scientific Reports. The study provides the first comprehensive assessment of how nutrient balances have changed across the Gulf of Bothnia over time.</p><p>Historically, the northern Baltic Sea has been considered largely phosphorus-limited. However, the researchers found that phosphorus concentrations have increased substantially during the past three decades, while nitrogen levels have remained stable or declined. This has altered the balance between the two nutrients and changed which nutrient limits biological production in the sea.</p><p>&ndash; We can see a clear shift in the Bothnian Sea. The nutrient balance that characterised the area a few decades ago no longer exists. This is important because the limiting nutrient influences how the entire ecosystem functions, says Siv Huseby, researcher at Ume&aring; Marine Sciences Centre and lead author of the study.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/e5cb00389daa4c078b847d0fd8894e5b/cyanoblomning_mikroskop_250909_3_rektangular2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e5cb00389daa4c078b847d0fd8894e5b/cyanoblomning_mikroskop_250909_3_rektangular2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e5cb00389daa4c078b847d0fd8894e5b/cyanoblomning_mikroskop_250909_3_rektangular2.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/e5cb00389daa4c078b847d0fd8894e5b/cyanoblomning_mikroskop_250909_3_rektangular2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e5cb00389daa4c078b847d0fd8894e5b/cyanoblomning_mikroskop_250909_3_rektangular2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e5cb00389daa4c078b847d0fd8894e5b/cyanoblomning_mikroskop_250909_3_rektangular2.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>Siv Huseby</span></div></div><p>The researchers found that the Bothnian Sea transitioned from phosphorus limitation to nitrogen limitation shortly after the turn of the millennium. The Bothnian Bay remains phosphorus-limited, but the same trend is visible there, suggesting that similar changes could occur in the future.</p><p>Increasing phosphorus concentrations may also contribute to greater primary production and create conditions that favour nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria. Such blooms are already increasing in parts of the northern Baltic Sea and are often associated with eutrophication problems, including murkier water, oxygen-poor seabeds and disruptions to marine ecosystems that can affect everything from small organisms to fish populations.</p><p>&ndash; I was surprised by the clear decline in the DIN:DIP ratio, especially in the Bothnian Bay. If this trend continues, the area could become nitrogen-limited within a few decades. Nitrogen limitation favors filamentous cyanobacteria over other phytoplankton, which can disrupt ecosystems and increase the risk of harmful algal blooms. We are already seeing more of these cyanobacteria in the Bothnian Sea, and they may become common in the Bothnian Bay as well, says Siv Huseby.</p><p>One possible explanation for the rising phosphorus levels is that phosphorus-rich water from the Baltic Proper (the central Baltic Sea) is moving northwards into the Gulf of Bothnia. The researchers argue that this highlights how environmental conditions in different parts of the Baltic Sea are closely connected.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/e5cb00389daa4c078b847d0fd8894e5b/nyrenoverad_kbv1812.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e5cb00389daa4c078b847d0fd8894e5b/nyrenoverad_kbv1812.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e5cb00389daa4c078b847d0fd8894e5b/nyrenoverad_kbv1812.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/e5cb00389daa4c078b847d0fd8894e5b/nyrenoverad_kbv1812.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e5cb00389daa4c078b847d0fd8894e5b/nyrenoverad_kbv1812.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e5cb00389daa4c078b847d0fd8894e5b/nyrenoverad_kbv1812.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The vessel KBV 181 is used for research and environmental monitoring within the operations of the Ume&aring; Marine Sciences Centre.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>&Aring;sa Hallberg/UMF</span></div></div><p>The findings have implications for environmental management. Current strategies have been based on long-standing assumptions about nutrient limitation in northern Baltic waters. According to the researchers, these assumptions may need to be reconsidered as conditions continue to evolve.</p><p>&ndash; To reduce eutrophication in the Gulf of Bothnia, efforts across the entire Baltic Sea must continue. Much of the phosphorus increase originates from the Baltic Proper, making regional cooperation through HELCOM, the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, essential. Reducing dead zones, cutting nutrient inputs, and addressing climate change are all key to limiting harmful cyanobacterial blooms, says Siv.</p><p>The study was conducted by researchers from Ume&aring; Marine Sciences Centre and the Department of Ecology, Environment and Geosciences at Ume&aring; University using monitoring data from Sweden and Finland collected between 1994 and 2023.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/researchers-discover-major-ecological-shift-in-the-gulf-of-bothnia_12195523/https://www.umu.se/en/news/umea-university-climbs-in-the-world-university-rankings_12195432/Umeå University has improved its position in this year’s Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE). The University is ranked in the 351–375 band, compared with the 401–500 band last year. This year’s position is its best since 2019.Thu, 01 Oct 2026 16:06:15 +0200<p>The results of the 2027 THE World University Rankings were published on 30 September. This year&rsquo;s ranking includes 2,297 higher education institutions, compared with 2,191 the previous year.</p><p>Ume&aring; University is ranked in the 351&ndash;375 band. Its calculated exact position is 363. Last year, the University was ranked 403rd.</p><p>The improvement also gives Ume&aring; University its best position in the THE World University Rankings since 2019, when it was ranked 341st.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Results have improved across all areas</h2><p>THE World University Rankings is an international ranking that compares universities based on 17 indicators across five areas:</p><ul><li>Teaching</li><li>Research Environment</li><li>Research Quality</li><li>Industry</li><li>International Outlook</li></ul><p>Ume&aring; University&rsquo;s scores have increased over time across all five areas.&nbsp;</p><p>In this year&rsquo;s ranking, the University scores particularly highly for Research Quality. Its results for Industry and International Outlook are also considerably higher than they were just over a decade ago.</p><p>Among Swedish higher education institutions, Ume&aring; University is one of three to improve its position this year. The other two are J&ouml;nk&ouml;ping University and the Stockholm School of Economics.&nbsp;</p><p>Nationally, Ume&aring; University ranks ninth among the 13 Swedish higher education institutions included in this year&rsquo;s ranking.</p><p><a title="THE webb" href="https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/umea-university">Visit THE:s website if you want to take a deeper look at the results.&nbsp;</a></p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/umea-university-climbs-in-the-world-university-rankings_12195432/https://www.umu.se/en/news/new-ai-research-strengthens-privacy-protection-in-healthcare_12193614/AI makes it possible to connect and analyse information across databases. However, this raises questions about user safety and privacy. How can sensitive data be used without risking the disclosure of more information than necessary? “My research shows how a data management system can be developed to comply with GDPR, support different access levels, and still provide rapid access to critical information in emergencies,” says Divya Baura, who recently earned her PhD at Umeå University.Fri, 02 Oct 2026 13:30:08 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/d5396bece09b4798a3faaa03b6a2e4dd/divya_bahra_foto_copy2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/d5396bece09b4798a3faaa03b6a2e4dd/divya_bahra_foto_copy2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/d5396bece09b4798a3faaa03b6a2e4dd/divya_bahra_foto_copy2.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/d5396bece09b4798a3faaa03b6a2e4dd/divya_bahra_foto_copy2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/d5396bece09b4798a3faaa03b6a2e4dd/divya_bahra_foto_copy2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/d5396bece09b4798a3faaa03b6a2e4dd/divya_bahra_foto_copy2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>"Privacy is not only about who can access a piece of information. It is also about what can be inferred when different pieces of information are combined,&rdquo; says Divya Baura, newly awarded PhD at the Department of Computing Science.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Privat</span></div></div><p>Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used across Swedish healthcare. Advances in AI technology can help improve diagnoses and treatments, streamline healthcare systems, and support research. However, they also introduce new risks.&nbsp;</p><p>"As it becomes easier to use and combine information, new privacy challenges emerge, particularly in healthcare, where the information is often highly sensitive,&rdquo; says <a href="~/link/49521517bcc749169f104771a45f4b38.aspx">Divya Baura</a> at the <a href="~/link/f1ccf1d251be4f538a13df854f18fb07.aspx">Department of computing science.</a></p><p>In her research, she has focused on how valuable health data can be made useful, without exposing sensitive information. &ldquo;Doctors need access to information to treat patients. Researchers need it to understand diseases and develop better treatments, and hospitals need it to improve their operations,&rdquo; says Divya Baura.</p><p>The solution, therefore, is not to lock away all information and restrict its use. Instead, the challenge is to make data useful for the right user, while protecting other users' privacy. Her research uses healthcare as a starting point, but the methods can also be used within other areas.</p><h3>From theory to practice</h3><p>An important motivation behind her research has been to bridge the gap between research and reality. Divya Baura has investigated how established privacy-preserving methods work in a data management system called virtual knowledge graphs. These graphs act as an advanced &ldquo;layer&rdquo; between users and the databases where information is stored. &ldquo;In a hospital setting, this technology can help people and AI systems to find, understand, and connect information from multiple data sources without requiring the information to be copied into a new database.&rdquo;</p><p>Strong theoretical models already exist in this area. Divya Baura wanted to understand how well these models perform in real-world systems.</p><p>"I wanted to investigate whether these methods work alongside real software systems, whether they meet the requirements of legislation such as the GDPR, and whether they can handle different access levels and emergency situations that frequently arise in healthcare,&rdquo; says Divya Baura.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Four Components of the Research</h2><p>Divya Baura&rsquo;s research consists of four main components. First, she implemented the method in an open-source virtual knowledge graph platform to examine how it performs in practice.</p><p>Second, she studied how privacy rules can be used to meet data protection requirements, such as those set out in the GDPR, using real healthcare data and established health information standards. Third, Divya Baura extended the method to account for different user roles.</p><p>"A doctor, a researcher, and an administrator may all need to use the same underlying data, but they do not necessarily need to have access to the same information or be able to draw the same conclusions from it", she explains.</p><h3>Also able to handle critical situations</h3><p>Finally, Divya Baura investigated how the system can handle emergency situations. In healthcare, there are occasions when overly strict privacy protection can itself become a problem.</p><p>"For example, if a patient is admitted unconscious, a doctor may need immediate access to information about allergies or medications", Baura explains. To address this, Divya developed a dedicated mechanism that allows temporary access in emergencies while ensuring that all use is monitored and documented.</p><h3>Can be built into existing systems</h3><p>One important insight from her research is that privacy is not only about protecting individual pieces of information. The real problem can arise when multiple pieces of information are combined.</p><p>&ldquo;We are moving towards systems where people can ask questions in natural language, where AI automatically retrieves and combines information from many different sources," says Divya Baura. "In such an environment, it is not enough simply to control who is allowed to open a particular database or file. We must also consider what conclusions can be drawn from the information that the system has access to&rdquo;.&nbsp;</p><p>She sees her research as a step towards answering these questions.&nbsp;The most important conclusion is that privacy is not only about who can see your data. It is also about what can be inferred when different pieces of information are combined.</p><p>&ldquo;Privacy is about more than a single data point. It depends on the context, what information is combined, and what conclusions can be drawn from it,&rdquo; concludes Dr Baura.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/new-ai-research-strengthens-privacy-protection-in-healthcare_12193614/https://www.umu.se/en/news/new-reading-sessions-as-part-of-ai-for-learning_12194440/What does AI mean for the way we think, create and learn? This autumn, the AI for Learning initiative invites participants to read and reflect together through a new reading circle and a literature seminar.Fri, 25 Sep 2026 09:42:34 +0200<p>The focus is on broader questions about how AI may affect knowledge, learning and academic work, rather than on using individual tools. Participants will have the opportunity to explore their ideas with others and engage with different perspectives.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">A reading circle with room for curiosity and doubt</h2><p>How can we understand AI as a technology, collaborator and competitor? Starting on 6 October, the reading circle How to think on AI will use podcasts, lectures, academic texts and fiction to spark conversations about AI&rsquo;s role in academia. Topics range from knowledge and creativity to ethics and the relationship between technology and natural resources.</p><p>No prior knowledge or established position is needed. Curiosity and an interest in the questions are enough, and both students and staff are welcome. The group will meet for a series of four sessions, allowing time to explore ideas in depth and for new questions to emerge. One session will bring the group together online with participants from reading circles at other universities.</p><p>The sessions are designed to provide space for shared reflection and in-depth conversations about what AI means for higher education.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">A literature seminar on AI and human thinking</h2><p>For those who would like to attend a single session, the literature seminar Thinking &ndash; Fast, Slow and Artificial will take place on 27 October. The focus is on human reasoning: how is our own thinking affected when we turn to AI for help, and what might this mean for teaching and student learning?</p><p>Shaw and Nate&rsquo;s (2026) preprint Thinking &ndash; Fast, Slow and Artificial: How AI is Reshaping Human Reasoning and the Rise of Cognitive Surrender will provide the starting point for a critical discussion with colleagues. Participants can read the full text or choose sections that particularly interest them and bring their own questions to the discussion. The seminar will be held in English via Zoom.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">AI for Learning</h2><p>Both activities are part of AI for Learning, Ume&aring; university&rsquo;s initiative to develop knowledge, share experiences and support collegial learning about AI. The sessions offer time to pause and reflect on questions that arise in studying, teaching and research. Register using the links below.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/new-reading-sessions-as-part-of-ai-for-learning_12194440/https://www.umu.se/en/news/as-sweden-debates-abortion-reform-researchers-highlight-global-struggles-and-activist-mobilization-for-access_12194506/On 28 September, the right to safe, legal and free abortion is recognised around the world. A new abortion law is also among the first decisions to be taken by Sweden’s newly elected parliament. At Umeå University, researchers are investigating how activist organisations across the globe work to improve access to abortion care.Mon, 28 Sep 2026 10:58:31 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/11bb4174cd8d488aa63a180c0ebe7daa/goicolea_isabel_0532_200821_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/11bb4174cd8d488aa63a180c0ebe7daa/goicolea_isabel_0532_200821_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/11bb4174cd8d488aa63a180c0ebe7daa/goicolea_isabel_0532_200821_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/11bb4174cd8d488aa63a180c0ebe7daa/goicolea_isabel_0532_200821_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/11bb4174cd8d488aa63a180c0ebe7daa/goicolea_isabel_0532_200821_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/11bb4174cd8d488aa63a180c0ebe7daa/goicolea_isabel_0532_200821_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Isabel Goicolea, Professor in public health at the Department of Epidemiology and Global Health.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;Our research explores not only advocacy for legal reforms, but also the practical support networks that help people access abortion services when legal, social, or geographical barriers stand in the way,&rdquo; says Isabel Goicolea, professor in public health at the Department of Epidemiology and Global Health.</p><p>The September 28 campaign originated in Latin America and the Caribbean as part of demands by feminist groups to decriminalize abortion, provide access to safe and affordable abortion services, and to end stigma and discrimination towards people who choose to have an abortion. Today, it is a global initiative across 85 countries.</p><p>&ldquo;The Latin American feminist movements are a great example of solidarity and activism for making abortion safe, legal and free, through direct accompaniment and advocacy. The mobilization resulted in progressive reforms to abortion policies in countries like Argentina, Colombia and Mexico,&rdquo; says Isabel Goicolea.</p><p>She points out that there are still many countries in the region with highly restrictive legislation, and that changes in the political landscape can have a big impact on the issue of abortion rights.</p><p>&ldquo;The sustainability of the legal progress made in many countries is unclear due to the expansion of far-right governments and fundamentalist groups. Such groups also pose threats to activist organizations that provide practical support to those who need an abortion,&rdquo; says Isabel Goicolea.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">European efforts face different challenges</h2><p>Feminist collectives and activist groups across Europe face different challenges when working to strengthen the right to quality abortion care. Countries like Malta and Poland maintains strict legal prohibitions, but other countries limit access due to barriers such as conscious objections and mandatory waiting periods. Limited access to abortion services for certain groups, for example undocumented migrants, is also an issue in many European countries.</p><p>&ldquo;As in the American context, in Europe the rise of far-right and fundamentalist groups pose threats to reproductive justice, including access to safe abortion,&rdquo; says Isabel Goicolea.</p><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3">Sweden expected to advance reforms and constitutional protection</h2><p>Sweden has recently proposed constitutional protection for abortion rights and reforms to the 1974 abortion law. These reforms would better align abortion care with current medical evidence, including the widespread use of pharmacological abortion, much of which will now be possible to manage at home. This could be especially important for people living in rural and remote areas of the country, where access to specialist clinics is more limited. The parliament is expected to vote around the proposition this autumn and changes are expected to enter into force in 2027.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/11bb4174cd8d488aa63a180c0ebe7daa/ida-linander3.png?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/11bb4174cd8d488aa63a180c0ebe7daa/ida-linander3.png?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/11bb4174cd8d488aa63a180c0ebe7daa/ida-linander3.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/11bb4174cd8d488aa63a180c0ebe7daa/ida-linander3.png?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/11bb4174cd8d488aa63a180c0ebe7daa/ida-linander3.png?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/11bb4174cd8d488aa63a180c0ebe7daa/ida-linander3.png?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Ida Linander &auml;r docent i folkh&auml;lsa och lektor vid Institutionen f&ouml;r epidemiologi och global h&auml;lsa.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ida Linander</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;This new law means a better alignment with both medical evidence and people's real lives. Expanding home-based care matters for geographic equity, but how much it will help will depend on how the law is implemented,&rdquo; says Ida Linander, Associate Professor at the Department of Epidemiology and Global Health.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Legal terminology sparks debate</h2><p>The government inquiry on which the proposal was based recommended that the term &lsquo;woman&rsquo; be replaced with &lsquo;the one who is pregnant&rsquo;, to make it clear that everyone who is capable of becoming pregnant, regardless of legal gender or gender identity, is covered by the Act. However, the Government chose not to proceed with that part of the proposal in the bill, which retains the word &lsquo;woman&rsquo;. This is now one of the issues on which there is disagreement in the Swedish Parliament.</p><p>&ldquo;From my own research on trans people's access to care, I'd add that inclusive legal language might be important. If the legislation names only 'women,' trans men and non-binary people who can become pregnant are invisible, which might have consequences for how they can access to abortion,&rdquo; says Ida Linander.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="e084b71d-8f26-4f84-b79d-d94bd6ec9f24" data-contentname="Contact">{}</div>https://www.umu.se/en/news/as-sweden-debates-abortion-reform-researchers-highlight-global-struggles-and-activist-mobilization-for-access_12194506/https://www.umu.se/en/news/award-winning-research-sheds-light-on-oral-bacterial-interactions_12194453/Jan Oscarsson, a researcher in odontology at Umeå University, and colleagues at Karolinska Institutet have been awarded the prestigious IADR/AADOCR William J. Gies Award in the category of Biological Research. The award recognizes the best papers published in the Journal of Dental Research during the previous year.Thu, 24 Sep 2026 15:23:58 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/08792d6a53ac4f92b5480733e0ece0ad/jan_oscarsson3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/08792d6a53ac4f92b5480733e0ece0ad/jan_oscarsson3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/08792d6a53ac4f92b5480733e0ece0ad/jan_oscarsson3.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/08792d6a53ac4f92b5480733e0ece0ad/jan_oscarsson3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/08792d6a53ac4f92b5480733e0ece0ad/jan_oscarsson3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/08792d6a53ac4f92b5480733e0ece0ad/jan_oscarsson3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Jan Oscarsson, Research fellow at the Department of Odontology at Ume&aring; University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ingrid S&ouml;derbergh</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">It is both an honour and a source of inspiration</p><p>&ldquo;It is both an honour and a source of inspiration to see our research recognized in this way,&rdquo; says Jan Oscarsson, researcher at the Department of Odontology, Ume&aring; University.</p><p>The award-winning paper, <em>Aggregatibacter aphrophilus T6SS Effectors in Host-Bacterial Interactions</em>, reveals how bacteria in the oral cavity compete with one another and interact with the body's own cells. The findings provide new insights into the bacterial processes underlying diseases of the tissues that support the teeth and may, in the long term, contribute to new ways of preventing or treating periodontitis.</p><p>The study was carried out in collaboration between researchers at Ume&aring; University and Karolinska Institutet.</p><p>The award includes a prize of USD 1,000 and a commemorative plaque.</p><p>The award is named after William J. Gies, founder of the Journal of Dental Research, and is presented annually to the authors of the best scientific papers published in the journal.</p><p><a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00220345251337745" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Link to the Jan Oscarsson&rsquo;s scientific publication</a></p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/award-winning-research-sheds-light-on-oral-bacterial-interactions_12194453/https://www.umu.se/en/news/new-statistical-methods-could-lead-to-more-reliable-research-findings_12193902/Researchers may struggle to detect important differences if they do not collect the right amount of data for what they aim to investigate. Research at Umeå University has now led to new statistical methods to calculate how much data is needed to detect the specific effect a researcher wants to examine, when measurements are curve or functional data.Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:00:03 +0200<p>How much can we really trust a measurement? And how much data do researchers need to collect in order to draw reliable conclusions? Mohammad Reza Seydi at Ume&aring; University has developed and tested new statistical methods to provide better answers to those questions.</p><p>When researchers compare how people move, it is not always enough to know whether there is a difference between two groups. It may also be important to identify when during the movement that difference occurs.</p><p>Seydi proposes a new way of calculating how many measurements are required to detect the specific differences a researcher is interested in. The calculation can, for example, be targeted at the part of a movement that is most important to investigate. This means that researchers can tailor the amount of data needed to what they actually want to detect already when planning a study.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">When a measurement becomes an entire curve</h2><p>To understand why this is needed, consider what happens when a researcher measures a movement. When a knee bends during a jump, the angle changes from one moment to the next. The result is therefore not a single measurement value, but an entire curve.</p><p>&ldquo;Imagine measuring how your knee bends during a jump, or how the angle of a sprinter&rsquo;s hip moves back and forth with each step. The measurement is not a single number, but an entire curve, or a continuous function, that changes from moment to moment throughout the movement,&rdquo; says Mohammad Reza Seydi.</p><p>This type of measurement is known as functional data and is used in fields such as biomechanics and medicine. While well-established statistical methods have long existed for traditional data, methods for functional data are not yet as extensively developed and tested.</p><p>Seydi&rsquo;s research also shows that the ability to detect differences in such data is influenced by how researchers define what should count as a statistically detectable difference. This forms the basis for the new way of calculating how much data a study requires.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">How reliable is the measurement?</h2><p>Another part of the research concerns how researchers can determine whether repeated measurements are reliable. Seydi has developed and tested methods for assessing measurement reliability and quantifying the uncertainty associated with those assessments.</p><p>Using simulations, he has also developed recommendations for how researchers can calculate the amount of data required when the object being measured is a curve or a function.</p><p>The methods can be applied in biomechanics and medicine, but also in other research fields where what is being measured changes over time. They are designed to be useful throughout the research process, from study planning to analysis and reporting of results.</p><p>&ldquo;Taken together, these findings provide researchers, not only in biomechanics but in fact in any field working with curve data or functional data, with validated tools for statistical analysis, from the planning of a study to the reporting of its results,&rdquo; says Mohammad Reza Seydi.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/new-statistical-methods-could-lead-to-more-reliable-research-findings_12193902/https://www.umu.se/en/news/under-stress-bacterial-rna-and-proteins-tell-different-stories_12194077/Researchers at Umeå University have identified stress conditions in which RNA and protein levels diverge in disease-causing bacteria. Under osmotic stress, they traced this mismatch to reduced protein production, showing why RNA alone may not always reveal what is happening in the bacterial cell. Wed, 23 Sep 2026 15:15:33 +0200<p>During infection, bacteria encounter rapidly changing and stressful environments inside the body. To understand how they adapt, researchers often measure messenger RNA (mRNA), which carries information from genes that can be translated into proteins. While mRNA levels are widely used to monitor bacterial responses, proteins carry out much of the work inside the cell and are influenced by processes that occur after RNA has been produced.</p><p>Scientists have long known that mRNA levels do not perfectly predict protein abundance. What has remained unclear is how that relationship changes under different stresses and across different bacterial pathogens.</p><p>In a new study published in the scientific journal PNAS, researchers compared three human pathogens: <em>Salmonella enterica</em> Typhimurium, Y<em>ersinia pseudotuberculosis</em> and <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em>. By exposing them to ten infection-relevant conditions, they investigated whether the relationship between mRNA and protein levels was species-specific or broadly shared.</p><p class="quote-center">The cells can change their plans faster than they can build the things needed to carry them out.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/dd623f67d18b41b795dc3663f095de16/sena_gizem_suer_202609143.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/dd623f67d18b41b795dc3663f095de16/sena_gizem_suer_202609143.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/dd623f67d18b41b795dc3663f095de16/sena_gizem_suer_202609143.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/dd623f67d18b41b795dc3663f095de16/sena_gizem_suer_202609143.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/dd623f67d18b41b795dc3663f095de16/sena_gizem_suer_202609143.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/dd623f67d18b41b795dc3663f095de16/sena_gizem_suer_202609143.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Sena Gizem S&uuml;er, Stress Response Modeling PhD student at the Department of Molecular Biology and IceLab, working with bacteria at her lab bench.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Gabrielle Beans</span></div></div><p>Across all three species, mRNA and protein levels generally followed the same trends. However, stresses that triggered the largest changes in gene and protein expression also showed the weakest agreement between RNA and protein levels. In other words, under some of the most challenging conditions, RNA provided a less complete picture of what was happening inside the cell.</p><p>&ldquo;When bacteria receive a sudden warning from their environment, they immediately start changing the messages inside the cell about what needs to happen next,&rdquo; says Sena Gizem S&uuml;er, PhD student at the Department of Molecular Biology and part of the Stress Response Modeling at IceLab research school at Ume&aring; University and shared first author of the study. &ldquo;The cells can change their plans faster than they can build the things needed to carry them out.&rdquo;</p><p>One stress condition stood out: osmotic stress, which occurs when changes in the concentration of dissolved substances around a cell disturb its water balance. Pathogens can encounter such environments in the body, for example in the gut lumen. Genes responding specifically to osmotic stress showed a particularly weak match between mRNA and protein levels in all three bacterial species.</p><p>To investigate why, the researchers combined computational analyses with laboratory experiments. Their analyses pointed to altered translation, the process in which ribosomes read mRNA and build proteins, under osmotic stress.</p><p>The experiments confirmed that bacteria continued to translate mRNA into proteins during osmotic stress, but at significantly reduced levels in both <em>Yersinia</em> and <em>Salmonella</em>.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareleft"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/dd623f67d18b41b795dc3663f095de16/avican_suer_arnoux_20260914-42.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/dd623f67d18b41b795dc3663f095de16/avican_suer_arnoux_20260914-42.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/dd623f67d18b41b795dc3663f095de16/avican_suer_arnoux_20260914-42.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/dd623f67d18b41b795dc3663f095de16/avican_suer_arnoux_20260914-42.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/dd623f67d18b41b795dc3663f095de16/avican_suer_arnoux_20260914-42.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/dd623f67d18b41b795dc3663f095de16/avican_suer_arnoux_20260914-42.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Study authors Kemal Avican, Sena Gizem S&uuml;er and J&eacute;r&ocirc;me Arnoux outside of the IceLab interdisciplinary research environment</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Gabrielle Beans</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;This agreement between computational and experimental approaches strengthened our confidence in the findings&rdquo;, says J&eacute;r&ocirc;me Arnoux, interdisciplinary postdoctoral fellow at Integrated Science Lab (IceLab) and the Department of Molecular Biology and shared first author.</p><p>Exactly why translation slows remains unclear. The researchers discuss several possible explanations, including changes affecting the cell envelope and the transport of molecules into the cell, but further studies will be needed to identify the underlying mechanism.</p><p class="quote-center">The ultimate goal is to be able to predict bacterial protein levels during infection</p><p>&ldquo;Researchers often use mRNA as a proxy for what is happening at the protein level,&rdquo; says Kemal Avican, Research Fellow at the Department of Molecular Biology and senior author of the study. &ldquo;Our results show that we need to better understand the uncertainty in that relationship, particularly when studying bacterial pathogens under stress and during infection.&rdquo;</p><p>The researchers are now extending the work to&nbsp;additional&nbsp;stress conditions that resemble environments bacteria encounter during infection.</p><p>&ldquo;The ultimate goal is to be able to predict bacterial protein levels during infection. That is something we cannot currently do using proteomics alone,&rdquo; says&nbsp;Kemal Avican.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="289bda38-fcd6-4dea-80e6-e5a37e5195db" data-contentname="Proteomics Fact Box">{}</div>https://www.umu.se/en/news/under-stress-bacterial-rna-and-proteins-tell-different-stories_12194077/https://www.umu.se/en/news/time-to-celebrate-knowledge-and-achievement_12194052/In mid-October, the spotlight will be on Umeå University’s new professors, honorary doctors, scientific award recipients, teaching award recipients and distinguished university teachers. For several days, the focus will be on knowledge, dialogue and recognising important research contributions that benefit both our society and the wider world. It is time for the Annual Celebration.Mon, 21 Sep 2026 15:30:29 +0200<p>Improved investigative work for the police, greater understanding of dementia and stroke, more sustainable design, reduced antibiotic resistance, more reliable AI systems, cleaner air and increased knowledge about democracy among young people.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/d155482cddce472eb099e09d4ee97ed1/skold_peter_2840_210914_mpn.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/d155482cddce472eb099e09d4ee97ed1/skold_peter_2840_210914_mpn.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/d155482cddce472eb099e09d4ee97ed1/skold_peter_2840_210914_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/d155482cddce472eb099e09d4ee97ed1/skold_peter_2840_210914_mpn.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/d155482cddce472eb099e09d4ee97ed1/skold_peter_2840_210914_mpn.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/d155482cddce472eb099e09d4ee97ed1/skold_peter_2840_210914_mpn.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Peter Sk&ouml;ld, master of ceremonies.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>These are some of the goals pursued through the research of Ume&aring; University&rsquo;s new professors. During the Annual Celebration, all new professors will be recognised and celebrated together with the University&rsquo;s new honorary doctors, scientific award recipients, distinguished university teachers and teaching award recipients.&nbsp;</p><p>&ldquo;We are incredibly proud of the important knowledge and achievements that our researchers, teachers, award recipients and honorary doctors contribute to society and the world. They truly deserve to be in the spotlight, and during the Annual Celebration they will be,&rdquo; says Peter Sk&ouml;ld, master of ceremonies at Ume&aring; University.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Begins with the Teaching awardee panels</h2><p>A range of Annual Celebration events will take place between Thursday 15 October and Saturday 17 October.</p><p>On Thursday, 9.00&ndash;12.00, the Teaching awardee panels will be held. During the event, teaching award recipients and newly appointed distinguished university teachers from Ume&aring; University will discuss important and topical issues relating to learning and student support.</p><p>The panels will be held in Swedich, take place in the Teacher Education Building and are open to anyone interested. During the event, the award recipients will receive their diplomas from Cathrine Norberg, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for first- and second-cycle education.</p><p><a href="~/link/6c059265eb174a81919e3f39e642c91a.aspx">Read more about the participants, as well as the time and venue (in Swedish).&nbsp;</a></p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Opening in Humanisthuset</h2><p>The Annual Celebration opens on Friday morning, 16 October. On this occasion, Ume&aring; University Library will present an exhibition featuring the new professors, honorary doctors and scientific award recipients. The exhibition consists of photographs and publications.</p><p>The opening will include live music, light refreshments and a short lecture by Karin Neutel, Professor of Theology and one of the professors who will be inaugurated during the Ceremony. Her lecture is entitled Fleshing Out Humanity: Death, Intelligence, and Space Travel. The lecture will be held in English.</p><p>As Ume&aring; University Library is currently being renovated, the opening, as last year, will take place in Vardagsrummet in Humanisthuset. The exhibition will remain on display throughout the weekend.</p><p><a href="~/link/ea0130a981314f4eaef4654a4c5153b7.aspx">See the calendar event for the exact time.&nbsp;</a></p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/d155482cddce472eb099e09d4ee97ed1/stortavla_arshogtiden_20262.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/d155482cddce472eb099e09d4ee97ed1/stortavla_arshogtiden_20262.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/d155482cddce472eb099e09d4ee97ed1/stortavla_arshogtiden_20262.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/d155482cddce472eb099e09d4ee97ed1/stortavla_arshogtiden_20262.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/d155482cddce472eb099e09d4ee97ed1/stortavla_arshogtiden_20262.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/d155482cddce472eb099e09d4ee97ed1/stortavla_arshogtiden_20262.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>This autumn, Ume&aring; University is taking centre stage along R&aring;dhusesplanaden in central Ume&aring;. The display features portraits of eight of the University&rsquo;s new professors who will be giving lectures during the Annual Celebration, accompanied by quotations reflecting the goals of their research. One of the featured professors is Johanna Bj&ouml;rklund, Professor at the Department of Computing Science.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Johanna Fredriksson</span></div></div><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Research lectures open to all</h2><p>On Saturday morning, all new professors, honorary doctors and scientific award recipients will give short popular science lectures that are open to the public.</p><p>A wide range of research will be presented. Examples of lecture titles include "The Internet as a crime scene: Police efforts to combat online child sexual abuse", "Design in a world of fakes: When robots pretend, prototypes promise and the unreal takes shape", "When everyone wants everything at once: Multilevel governance and goal conflicts" and "The ruthless carpenter: How viruses remodel an infected cell".</p><p>In total, there will be 36 lectures, each lasting 20 minutes.</p><p>&ldquo;This is a perfect opportunity for anyone with even a small curiosity about research, or who would like to learn more about what our leading researchers are working on. I hope many people will take the opportunity to explore the knowledge being presented in an accessible format,&rdquo; says Peter Sk&ouml;ld.</p><p>The lectures will be held in lecture halls on Campus Ume&aring; between 09:00 and 12:00.&nbsp;</p><p><a href="~/link/50656af0ec4e4e328d4bf998ff34895f.aspx">See the programme for the day.&nbsp;</a></p><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3">The Celebration&rsquo;s Highlight</h2><p>The highlight of the Annual Celebration takes place on the afternoon of 17 October: the Ceremony. In a festive setting, new honorary doctors will be conferred, new professors will be inaugurated and scientific award recipients will receive their diplomas.&nbsp;<br>Live music will be performed during the Ceremony by the Ume&aring; Student Choir and a guest artist.</p><p>The Ceremony, which is open to the public, begins at 15:00 and takes place in Aula Nordica on Campus Ume&aring;. It lasts approximately two hours and can also be followed online via umu.se.</p><p><a href="/live/">Link to the broadcast.&nbsp;</a></p><p>The Ceremony is followed by the banquet for invited guests. This year, the banquet will be held at &Auml;pplet, located in Folkets Hus in central Ume&aring;, as Universum on campus is currently undergoing renovation.&nbsp;</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/time-to-celebrate-knowledge-and-achievement_12194052/https://www.umu.se/en/news/international-conference-brings-together-researchers-from-19-countries-in-umea_12193774/More than 120 participants from 19 countries gathered at Umeå University for the international BuildSim Nordic Conference, held in late August. The conference focused on the future of sustainable buildings and cities, with a particular emphasis on energy resilience in cold climates.Thu, 17 Sep 2026 22:57:40 +0200<p>The conference was hosted by the Department of Applied Physics and Electronics (TFE) at Ume&aring; University and organized in collaboration with IBPSA-Nordic, the Nordic regional affiliate of IBPSA World. The conference was chaired by Professor Thomas Olofsson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Ume&aring; University.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Buildings in cold climate</h2><p>During the conference, researchers from around the world presented and discussed their latest findings on smart and sustainable buildings and cities. Particular attention was given to how buildings in cold climates can become more energy-efficient and resilient, as well as to the development of climate-neutral buildings, districts, and cities.&nbsp;</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Stronger international collaboration</h2><p>BuildSim Nordic served as an important meeting place for researchers, practitioners, and industry representatives. The conference provided opportunities to exchange knowledge, showcase innovative solutions, and strengthen international collaboration in the fields of building performance simulation, sustainable construction, and sustainable urban development.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/international-conference-brings-together-researchers-from-19-countries-in-umea_12193774/https://www.umu.se/en/news/bacteria-can-help-each-other-survive-in-persistent-infections_12193388/Bacteria that cause infections can exchange nutrients and change their behaviour when they live together. In his doctoral thesis, Dmytro Sokol shows why infections may need to be understood as entire bacterial communities, rather than as individual species.Tue, 15 Sep 2026 10:01:31 +0200<p>Bacteria can attach themselves to surfaces in the body or to medical equipment, such as urinary catheters and breathing tubes. There, they can form what is known as a biofilm.</p><p>A biofilm is a community of bacteria that sticks to a surface and surrounds itself with a protective layer. It can be thought of as a thin coating in which the bacteria live close together. This environment can help protect them from antibiotics and the body&rsquo;s immune system, making infections more difficult to eliminate.</p><p>In his thesis, Dmytro Sokol studied how bacteria behave in these communities. Rather than examining one bacterial species at a time, he investigated what happens when two species grow together.</p><p>The results show that neighbouring bacteria can affect each other in several ways. They may compete for nutrients, but they can also make use of substances released by the other species. Their behaviour is also influenced by the nutrients available in their surroundings.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/df7d75c6d62044ef94a9ca7963060de4/dmytro-sokol-260910-dscf6519.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/df7d75c6d62044ef94a9ca7963060de4/dmytro-sokol-260910-dscf6519.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/df7d75c6d62044ef94a9ca7963060de4/dmytro-sokol-260910-dscf6519.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/df7d75c6d62044ef94a9ca7963060de4/dmytro-sokol-260910-dscf6519.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/df7d75c6d62044ef94a9ca7963060de4/dmytro-sokol-260910-dscf6519.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/df7d75c6d62044ef94a9ca7963060de4/dmytro-sokol-260910-dscf6519.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>Simon J&ouml;nsson</span></div></div><h3>One bacterium&rsquo;s waste can become another&rsquo;s food</h3><p>One part of the research focused on two bacterial species found together in patients with urinary catheter-associated infections: Escherichia coli, commonly known as E. coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.</p><p>To find out whether the bacteria exchanged nutrients, the species were grown one after another in the same liquid. This allowed Dmytro to follow the substances that each bacterium released or consumed.</p><p>The clearest result concerned a substance called succinate. E. coli accumulated succinate outside of the cell as it grew in the medium containing glucose. When P. aeruginosa was introduced afterwards into the medium containing chemicals released by previous bacteria , it possibly consumed the substance, since its level in the medium was greatly decreased.</p><p>In other words, what was left behind by one bacterium became food for the other.</p><p>&ndash; The results show that bacteria living together are not simply competing for the same resources. A substance released by one species can become a nutrient for another and help it survive in the community, says Dmytro Sokol,&nbsp; doctoral student at the Department of Chemistry at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>The researchers found signs that several other substances could also be involved in the interactions. However, these relationships were more complicated, and further research is needed to understand exactly how they work.</p><h3>The surroundings affect which bacterium succeeds</h3><p>The behaviour of the bacteria depended strongly on their surroundings.</p><p>In experiments designed to resemble conditions in a urinary catheter, P. aeruginosa generally became the dominant species when grown together with E. coli. When more nutrients were available, however, E. coli competed more successfully and could become the dominant species.</p><p>The thesis also examined bacteria found in respiratory samples from mechanically ventilated patients. When Staphylococcus aureus and P. aeruginosa grew together, the available nutrients affected their growth, their metabolism and which species became more abundant.</p><p>These results suggest that knowing which bacteria are present may not be enough to understand an infection. The conditions surrounding them, and the other bacteria with which they share the space, can also change how they behave.</p><p>&ndash; The same bacterial species may behave differently depending on which other bacteria are present and which nutrients are available. To understand a biofilm, we therefore need to study the community and its surroundings, says Dmytro.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/df7d75c6d62044ef94a9ca7963060de4/dmytro-sokol-phd-260824-dscf6051_sjn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/df7d75c6d62044ef94a9ca7963060de4/dmytro-sokol-phd-260824-dscf6051_sjn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/df7d75c6d62044ef94a9ca7963060de4/dmytro-sokol-phd-260824-dscf6051_sjn2.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/df7d75c6d62044ef94a9ca7963060de4/dmytro-sokol-phd-260824-dscf6051_sjn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/df7d75c6d62044ef94a9ca7963060de4/dmytro-sokol-phd-260824-dscf6051_sjn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/df7d75c6d62044ef94a9ca7963060de4/dmytro-sokol-phd-260824-dscf6051_sjn2.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>Simon J&ouml;nsson</span></div></div><h3>A larger biofilm does not benefit every bacterium</h3><p>The research also shows that the overall size of a biofilm does not reveal everything about the bacteria living inside it.</p><p>When two species were grown together, they sometimes created more biofilm than either species did alone. But this did not necessarily mean that both species were thriving. When the researchers counted the living cells, they found that one species could increase while the other declined.</p><p>This means that measuring only the total amount of biofilm may hide important changes within the community. Researchers also need methods that show which species are present and how numerous they are.</p><h3>Better models of difficult infections</h3><p>The thesis provides new knowledge about how bacterial species may coexist and persist in infection-related biofilms. In the longer term, understanding the dependencies between bacteria could help researchers identify new ways of weakening or disrupting these communities.</p><p>Future studies could use models that more closely resemble the flow of urine through a catheter or the conditions in a mechanically ventilated airway. Researchers could then observe how biofilms develop over time and investigate whether disrupting the exchange of nutrients makes them easier to prevent or treat.</p><p>The findings nevertheless underline a central message: bacteria in an infection do not necessarily act alone, and the behaviour of the polymicrobial biofilm is usually different from the behaviour of the biofilm members grown alone. To understand why some biofilms persist, researchers may need to examine not only which species are present, but also how they live together.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>About the thesis</h3><p>Title: More Than Neighbours: Metabolic Interactions in Dual-Species Bacterial Communities<br>Author: Dmytro Sokol, Department of Chemistry, Ume&aring; University<br>Main supervisor: Madeleine Ramstedt</p><p><a href="https://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-258540" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Thesis in DiVA</a></p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/bacteria-can-help-each-other-survive-in-persistent-infections_12193388/https://www.umu.se/en/news/join-umea-university-in-the-pride-parade_12193336/This year's Pride Parade in Umeå will take place on Saturday 26 September as part of Umepride. Last year's parade was the largest ever, and this year Umeå University will participate for the third time as an official part of the parade.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 13:05:05 +0200<p>All staff and students are welcome to join!</p><p><strong>Schedule for the day:</strong></p><ul><li>11:30 Gather at D&ouml;belns Park</li><li>12:00 Parade departure</li><li>13:00 (approx.) Speeches and entertainment at D&ouml;belns Park</li></ul><p>Come as you are! A number of rainbow flags will be available to borrow, and the university will march behind the banner "Ume&aring; University for equal value for all".</p><p>Take this opportunity to stand up for equal human worth and take part in a fun and welcoming event at the same time!</p><p><strong>Registration</strong>: Last year, Ume&aring; University had a full parade block, which was fantastic! Secure your place by registering here:</p><p><a href="https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=-aZLWjH1Mk-UZzmPGead5ADwY2pQgA9Giwzd4seGBIhUN0U3Mzk0WTFUMjVIRUhZT0ZRRVpXWkhJQS4u">Registration for the Pride Parade with Ume&aring; University &ndash; Complete the form</a></p><p>The registration deadline is Friday 18 September.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/1b5849886cdb47a4bc450c099bc2d922/dronare-umea-host-pride-1150-pano-23.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/1b5849886cdb47a4bc450c099bc2d922/dronare-umea-host-pride-1150-pano-23.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/1b5849886cdb47a4bc450c099bc2d922/dronare-umea-host-pride-1150-pano-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/1b5849886cdb47a4bc450c099bc2d922/dronare-umea-host-pride-1150-pano-23.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/1b5849886cdb47a4bc450c099bc2d922/dronare-umea-host-pride-1150-pano-23.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/1b5849886cdb47a4bc450c099bc2d922/dronare-umea-host-pride-1150-pano-23.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The Pride Parade in Ume&aring; 2024.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Fredrik Larsson</span></div></div>https://www.umu.se/en/news/join-umea-university-in-the-pride-parade_12193336/https://www.umu.se/en/news/new-visions-for-european-excellence-in-molecular-medicine_12193234/This week marks the start of the 14th annual meeting of the leading Nordic institutes in molecular medicine, hosted by MIMS at Umeå University. The conference showcases the latest research advances and facilitates multidisciplinary interactions among researchers.Fri, 11 Sep 2026 13:59:04 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/eee6123b6e3d42cf9592190bb5d1ee67/dsc003132.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/eee6123b6e3d42cf9592190bb5d1ee67/dsc003132.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/eee6123b6e3d42cf9592190bb5d1ee67/dsc003132.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/eee6123b6e3d42cf9592190bb5d1ee67/dsc003132.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/eee6123b6e3d42cf9592190bb5d1ee67/dsc003132.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/eee6123b6e3d42cf9592190bb5d1ee67/dsc003132.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Participants of the strategy meeting between Ume&aring; University, MIMS, EMBL and Nordic EMBL Partnership.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Sofia Nordin / Chillimedia</span></div></div><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, MIMS, was established at Ume&aring; University in 2007. It is part of the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, a union of life science institutes in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden under the umbrella of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL). Every year, the partnership holds a conference to meet and discuss the latest developments in molecular medicine and explore possible new collaborations.&nbsp;</p><p>&ldquo;Since its establishment in 2007, MIMS has helped transform Ume&aring;&rsquo;s research landscape, attracting outstanding international scientists and creating an environment where researchers can collaborate and thrive. Through MIMS and the Nordic EMBL Partnership, researchers gain access to international networks, training, and perspectives that extend beyond any single institution. This kind of collaboration is essential to keeping European life science research innovative, open and globally leading,&rdquo; says Tora Holmberg, Vice-Chancellor of Ume&aring; University.&nbsp;</p><p>For Janna Saarela, Director of the Norwegian Centre for Molecular Biosciences and Medicine (NCMBM) and Speaker of the Nordic EMBL Partnership, the meeting demonstrated what the partnership can achieve when its members work together.&nbsp;</p><p>&ldquo;This is what the Nordic EMBL Partnership is about: bringing together our capabilities, resources and expertise to create a stronger force for European life science. By working together rather than as individual entities, we can help keep Europe at the forefront of global research,&rdquo; says Janna Saarela.&nbsp;</p><h3>&nbsp;</h3><h3>Spotlight on the Nordic region in life science</h3><p>A particular highlight of this year's meeting is the visit of the new Director General of EMBL, Professor Anthony Hyman. The European Molecular Biology Laboratory, EMBL, was founded in 1974 to balance the strongly US-dominated field of molecular biology. Professor Hyman took up his mandate at the end of March 2026, and this meeting provided an opportunity for bringing the EMBL Director General together with Nordic university leaders, funders, and decisionmakers. This year, the meeting also welcomed representatives from Lithuania and the EMBL node; Vilnius University Life Sciences Centre, who joined the strategic discussions, reflecting the growing engagement of the wider Baltic region in shaping the future of molecular medicine and life science research. This underscores the growing importance of the Nordic region in the European life science landscape, and hosting these high-level discussions positions Ume&aring; University as a convening force for strategic dialogue and collaboration between EMBL and the Nordic molecular medicine community. This platform of discussions creates opportunities for future scientific collaboration, strategic investments, and increased international visibility for Nordic research.&nbsp;</p><p>In his keynote lecture,&nbsp;officially&nbsp;opening the&nbsp;annual scientific&nbsp;meeting&nbsp;of the Nordic EMBL Partnership,&nbsp;Professor Hyman addressed&nbsp;the importance of AI as a driver of the next era of scientific discovery, describing it as a methodological shift that is transforming how key questions in molecular biology are addressed and enabling the generation and testing of increasingly complex hypotheses.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Framework for scientific excellence&nbsp;</h3><p>At Ume&aring; University, MIMS group leaders use a broad range of genetic, biochemical, computational and cell biological methods to understand pathogenicity, immunity and antibiotic resistance. Their research spans from Nobel-prize winning research into bacterial defence mechanisms (CRISPR/Cas9) to recent breakthroughs in understanding the biology underpinning antibiotic efficacy, new treatment strategy for Chlamydia infection or understanding how TBE virus infects the brain.&nbsp;</p><p>For MIMS, the collaboration with the Nordic EMBL Partnership and EMBL is instrumental for providing a framework for scientific excellence, enabling researchers to engage in cutting-edge collaborations, access international expertise, and contribute to advance molecular medicine that addresses major societal challenges. It also strengthens the international visibility of both MIMS and Ume&aring; University, positioning northern Sweden as an important contributor to molecular medicine and life science research in Europe.&nbsp;</p><p>&ldquo;Bringing everyone together here in Ume&aring; is an opportunity to take a step back, look at where European life science is heading, and think about what we can achieve together. The Nordic EMBL Partnership provides a strong platform for those conversations, but also for the science itself &mdash; connecting researchers, group leaders and institutions and turning shared ambitions into new ideas and collaborations,&rdquo; says Oliver Billker, Director of MIMS.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/new-visions-for-european-excellence-in-molecular-medicine_12193234/https://www.umu.se/en/news/with-passion-and-expertise-for-over-30-years--katarina-pierre-retires_12192943/Even highly antibiotic-resistant bacteria become more vulnerable when their cell wall transport system is disrupted, according to a new study from Umeå University. The discovery reveals a previously overlooked weakness that could help researchers develop new strategies to combat antibiotic resistance.Thu, 10 Sep 2026 10:54:53 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/a5c9a30d9d1146a59bf7f2d78d42ebd8/torrens_gabriel_8983_220926_mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/a5c9a30d9d1146a59bf7f2d78d42ebd8/torrens_gabriel_8983_220926_mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/a5c9a30d9d1146a59bf7f2d78d42ebd8/torrens_gabriel_8983_220926_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/a5c9a30d9d1146a59bf7f2d78d42ebd8/torrens_gabriel_8983_220926_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/a5c9a30d9d1146a59bf7f2d78d42ebd8/torrens_gabriel_8983_220926_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/a5c9a30d9d1146a59bf7f2d78d42ebd8/torrens_gabriel_8983_220926_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>SSMF-funded postdoctoral researcher Gabriel Torrens and Professor Felipe Cava have shown that resistant bacteria depend on the lipid molecule undecaprenyl phosphate to transport building blocks needed to construct the cell wall. Disrupting this transport significantly weakened the bacteria's resistance.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">The search for new antibiotics remains crucial, but we also need smarter ways to extend the lifespan of the antibiotics we already have.</p><p>&ldquo;The search for new antibiotics remains crucial, but we also need smarter ways to extend the lifespan of the antibiotics we already have. We wanted to find out whether resistant bacteria could be pushed into an evolutionary dead end, where the very mechanisms that help them survive instead make them vulnerable to existing antibiotics,&rdquo; says Felipe Cava, Professor at the Department of Molecular Biology at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health challenge. As bacteria evolve resistance to medicines, infections become increasingly difficult to treat, raising the risk of severe illness and death. Now, researchers at Ume&aring; University have identified an unexpected vulnerability in certain resistant bacteria that could potentially be exploited to make them susceptible to antibiotics once again.</p><p>The study, published in Nature Communications, was led by Felipe Cava's research group at Ume&aring; University in collaboration with researchers from the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and Ume&aring; University Hospital.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/a5c9a30d9d1146a59bf7f2d78d42ebd8/cava_felipe_4155_220422_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/a5c9a30d9d1146a59bf7f2d78d42ebd8/cava_felipe_4155_220422_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/a5c9a30d9d1146a59bf7f2d78d42ebd8/cava_felipe_4155_220422_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/a5c9a30d9d1146a59bf7f2d78d42ebd8/cava_felipe_4155_220422_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/a5c9a30d9d1146a59bf7f2d78d42ebd8/cava_felipe_4155_220422_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/a5c9a30d9d1146a59bf7f2d78d42ebd8/cava_felipe_4155_220422_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Felipe Cava is Professor of Molecular Biology at Ume&aring; University. His research focuses on uncovering new insights into one of the most remarkable bacterial structures: the cell wall.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson, simon ohman jonsson inhousebyran</span></div></div><p>Bacteria are protected by a robust cell wall that helps them survive in harsh environments. The cell wall is also the target of &beta;-lactam antibiotics, a class of drugs that includes penicillins and remains among the most widely used treatments for bacterial infections. Some bacteria, however, have evolved the ability to continue building their cell wall despite antibiotic treatment, making them resistant.</p><p>A well-known example is methicillin-resistant<em> Staphylococcus aureus</em> (MRSA), which causes difficult-to-treat infections worldwide. Over time, these bacteria can acquire additional mutations that further strengthen their resistance.</p><p>The researchers found that resistant bacteria depend on a small lipid molecule called undecaprenyl phosphate, which acts as a conveyor belt for the building blocks needed to construct the cell wall. When this transport system was disrupted, it became considerably more difficult for the bacteria to maintain their resistance.</p><p>In the study, the researchers tracked how MRSA evolved during antibiotic treatment. They identified genetic changes that enabled the bacteria to regain resistance. However, when the transport of cell wall building blocks was disrupted, this evolutionary route was effectively blocked.</p><p>The researchers also found that bacteria carrying new resistance mutations often grew more slowly and were less capable of causing infection.</p><p>&ldquo;What surprised us was that some mutations that help bacteria survive antibiotic treatment simultaneously create new vulnerabilities. Rather than becoming stronger in every respect, the bacteria appear to be forced into a trade-off,&rdquo; says Gabriel Torrens, first author of the study and postoctoral fellow at the Department of Molecular Biology at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>The phenomenon was observed not only in MRSA but also in <em>Streptococcus pneumoniae,</em> a bacterium that commonly causes diseases such as pneumonia. This suggests that the same vulnerability may exist across many antibiotic-resistant Gram-positive bacteria, a group that includes <em>staphylococci</em> and <em>pneumococci</em>.</p><p>The researchers believe the discovery opens a new avenue for future therapies aimed at restoring the effectiveness of existing antibiotics. Its potential to lead to new treatments has already resulted in the filing of a patent application.</p><p>The study was funded by the Swedish Research Council (research environment grant within infection and antibiotics), the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, and the Kempe Foundations. Gabriel Torrens was recruited to Ume&aring; University through the &lsquo;Excellence by Choice&rsquo; postdoctoral programme and is currently funded by the Swedish Society for Medical Research (SSMF).</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/researchers-discover-achilles-heel-of-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria_12192775/https://www.umu.se/en/news/first-doctoral-student-from-the-arctic-graduate-school-to-defend-her-thesis_12192632/Four years after its launch, it is time for the first doctoral thesis defence at the Arctic Graduate School at Umeå University. Rebecca Tapper will be the first to defend her thesis. The defence marks an important milestone for a cross-faculty initiative that has brought together doctoral students from different disciplines with a focus on the Arctic and sustainable development.Thu, 10 Sep 2026 10:38:16 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Rebecca Tapper is a doctoral student at the Department of Epidemiology and Global Health at Ume&aring; University. Her thesis, ArctiHealth &ndash; Expanding the knowledge of risk management, health effects and experiences of occupational cold exposure, focuses on outdoor work in Arctic climates.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>Rebecca Tapper's thesis focuses on outdoor work in Arctic climates. Her research has included a review of previous research regarding cold risk management. She has also investigated how preschool-, park and maintenance-, and power grid workers in northern Sweden are exposed to cold climates by using wearable sensors for temperature and workers movement patterns while working outdoors.</p><p>Using wearable sensors, collecting health data and interviews, she has investigated cold-related symptoms, comfort, performance, and how workplaces manage the risks associated with cold exposure. The results show, among other things, that responsibility for managing cold-related risks is largely placed on individual workers rather than on the organisation. Rebecca therefore points to the need for a change in perspective, where working in cold environments should not be taken for granted as a natural circumstance, but recognised as an occupational health risk that needs to be addressed through organisational and preventive measures.</p><p>In the study, participants spent an average of 29% of their working day, equivalent to 2.2 hours, in temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius. Around one third reported that they often or always felt cold at work. Cold-related discomfort was also associated with musculoskeletal problems, abnormal cold sensitivity in the hands, and impaired concentration and mobility.</p><p>The results also reveal shortcomings in structured guidance and procedures for procuring work clothing. Women reported negative effects of cold and inadequate protection to a greater extent than men, raising questions about gender equality in occupational protection.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/e6fd6884c4534134a1417dfcf3051c87/park2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e6fd6884c4534134a1417dfcf3051c87/park2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e6fd6884c4534134a1417dfcf3051c87/park2.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/e6fd6884c4534134a1417dfcf3051c87/park2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e6fd6884c4534134a1417dfcf3051c87/park2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e6fd6884c4534134a1417dfcf3051c87/park2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p><span style="color: #666666; font-size: 0.66667rem; white-space: nowrap;">Many people who work outdoors are exposed to cold temperatures for several hours each day, the study shows.</span></p><p><span style="color: #666666; font-size: 0.66667rem; white-space: nowrap;">Image: Rebecca Tapper</span></p></div></div><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">An interdisciplinary initiative focused on the Arctic</h2><p>The Arctic Graduate School was initiated by the Vice-Chancellor in 2022 with the task of bringing together and coordinating Arctic research at the University and creating a platform with a focus on sustainable development in the Arctic. The Graduate School is part of the Arctic Centre and brings together doctoral students from different departments and disciplines across all faculties.</p><p>&ldquo;One part was to try to bring the research together. But another was to try to find a platform where sustainable development could become an important component,&rdquo; says Linda Lundmark, who has been responsible for the Graduate School.</p><p>Fourteen doctoral students are currently active in the Graduate School. Linda Lundmark highlights the fact that they come from a range of different disciplines as one of the strengths of the initiative.</p><p>&ldquo;We have recruited broadly from different disciplines. I think that has worked extremely well. And I think it shows that research about, in and around the Arctic is taking place across the entire University,&rdquo; she says.</p><p>Linda Lundmark also emphasises the importance of the Graduate School being interdisciplinary. Sustainable development in the Arctic encompasses social, ecological, economic and cultural dimensions, and the Graduate School includes research in a wide range of fields.</p><p>&ldquo;All disciplines have something to contribute. And that is why it is also important that this is an interdisciplinary initiative,&rdquo; she says.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/e6fd6884c4534134a1417dfcf3051c87/lindalundmark2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e6fd6884c4534134a1417dfcf3051c87/lindalundmark2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e6fd6884c4534134a1417dfcf3051c87/lindalundmark2.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/e6fd6884c4534134a1417dfcf3051c87/lindalundmark2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e6fd6884c4534134a1417dfcf3051c87/lindalundmark2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e6fd6884c4534134a1417dfcf3051c87/lindalundmark2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Linda Lundmark is a Associate Professor at the Department of Geography and is responsible for doctoral education within the Arctic Graduate School for Sustainable Development.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Linda Lundmark</span></div></div><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Preparing doctoral students for new ways of conducting research</h2><p>Linda Lundmark also sees the Graduate School as a way of preparing doctoral students for a research landscape in which working across disciplinary boundaries and together with actors outside the University is becoming increasingly important.</p><p>She describes how research funding calls increasingly require researchers to work together to address broad societal issues. For those who continue in academia, experience of collaborating with other disciplines and societal actors can be valuable when applying for research funding. These skills can also be useful outside academia, where, according to Linda Lundmark, doctoral graduates can serve as links between research and the organisations in which they work.</p><p>As part of the Graduate School's courses, doctoral students practise engaging with wider society. Among other things, they identify societal actors who are relevant to their own research, consider how to establish contact with them, and explore ways of working together.</p><p class="quote-center">We have recruited broadly from different disciplines. I think that has worked extremely well. And I think it shows that research about, in and around the Arctic is taking place across the entire University</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Meeting across disciplinary boundaries</h2><p>For Rebecca, meeting doctoral students from other academic disciplines has been an important part of her time in the Graduate School. She describes how different disciplines have their own languages, methods and ways of writing, and how contact with other fields of research has given her the opportunity to view her own discipline from different perspectives.</p><p>&ldquo;I find gaining insight into this incredibly valuable, because it helps you understand that the science you learn within your own discipline is not the only truth. I think it creates distance and encourages reflection on your own field, helping you to evaluate and navigate the academic world,&rdquo; says Rebecca.</p><p>Meeting across disciplines has also provided new ways of approaching research questions and helped create contacts and networks. The doctoral students have travelled together, attended conferences and supported one another throughout their doctoral studies.</p><p>The Graduate School also includes joint courses, seminars and international activities. One seminar series is organised together with the universities in Rovaniemi and Troms&oslash; within The Arctic Six. Field trips have also given the doctoral students opportunities to meet researchers and doctoral students at other universities.</p><p>Rebecca also highlights initiatives that the doctoral students themselves have developed during their time in the Graduate School. Together, they have, among other things, re-established APECS Sweden and organised their own interdisciplinary conference for early-career researchers.</p><p>&ldquo;This would not have been possible if we had not had this interdisciplinary platform to build on,&rdquo; says Rebecca.</p><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3">First to defend her thesis</h2><p>Rebecca will now become the first of the Graduate School's doctoral students to reach the thesis defence. She says that the four years have passed quickly and particularly highlights the sense of community among the doctoral students, despite working in different research disciplines and on different projects.</p><p>&ldquo;It has been great to go through this journey together, even though we all have such different projects and research disciplines. I really appreciate the friends I have made, the trips and conferences we have attended, and the fact that we have been able to support one another during our doctoral studies,&rdquo; she says.</p><p>Being the first also means that she will be the first to leave the group.</p><p>&ldquo;Being the first means that I am now leaving them, rather than them leaving me. Who knows what happens after you have defended your thesis?&rdquo; says Rebecca.</p><p>For Linda Lundmark, the first thesis defence is an important milestone for the Graduate School.</p><p>&ldquo;It means everything,&rdquo; she says.</p><p>She describes a strong sense of pride, while emphasising that Rebecca is the one who has done the work.</p><p>&ldquo;My part in all of this has been very small. She has done all the work, but I still feel proud. She has done such a fantastic job. And she has been important to the Graduate School by being present and taking part in what we have done,&rdquo; says Linda Lundmark.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/first-doctoral-student-from-the-arctic-graduate-school-to-defend-her-thesis_12192632/https://www.umu.se/en/news/tiny-proteins-in-the-spotlight-at-a-nobel-symposium-in-umea_12192611/What roles do some of the smallest proteins play in living organisms? Once overlooked as biological “noise”, microproteins are attracting growing attention as researchers uncover their involvement in processes ranging from development and evolution to health and disease. From 14 to 16 September, leading researchers in the field will gather at Umeå University for a Nobel Symposium dedicated to this rapidly developing area of research.Wed, 09 Sep 2026 08:30:03 +0200<p>Microproteins are tiny proteins that have long escaped researchers' attention. Some are produced from parts of our genetic material that were previously thought not to encode proteins, while others can arise in unexpected ways from the same genetic instructions that produce larger proteins.</p><p>New methods for analysing genetic information and proteins are now allowing researchers to discover microproteins across different forms of life. Research suggests that these small proteins can influence how cells function, how organisms develop and how they respond to their environment.</p><p class="quote-center">What is becoming increasingly clear is that the questions we ask are remarkably similar across plants, animals and microbes.</p><p>The Nobel Symposium Decoding Microproteins &ndash; From Basic Biology to Biotechnological Innovations will bring together researchers from around the world to discuss how microproteins can be identified and studied, how they have evolved and what roles they play in different organisms.</p><p>The three-day programme spans research on bacteria, fungi, plants and humans, with topics ranging from fundamental mechanisms and evolution to host&ndash;microbe interactions, stress responses and cancer. It will also explore new approaches for discovering proteins hidden in what researchers sometimes refer to as the &ldquo;dark proteome&rdquo;.</p><p>&ldquo;Microproteins have been at the heart of my research for the past two decades, and what is becoming increasingly clear is that the questions we ask are remarkably similar across plants, animals and microbes. By bringing these perspectives together, we can learn how microproteins work and where different organisms offer unique opportunities to understand them,&rdquo; says Stephan Wenkel, professor at the Department of Plant Physiology and group leader at Ume&aring; Plant Science Centre.</p><p class="quote-center">It's a real privilege to bring together such a global and interdisciplinary group to explore one of biology's newest frontiers, right here in Ume&aring;.</p><p>The symposium is organised by Stephan Wenkel together with Iker Valle Aramburu, MIMS Group leader at the Department of Molecular Biology at Ume&aring; University. Both will present their research during the meeting: Stephan Wenkel on microproteins in plants and Iker Valle Aramburu on the dark proteome in fungi and host&ndash;pathogen interactions.</p><p>&ldquo;It's a real privilege to bring together such a global and interdisciplinary group to explore one of biology's newest frontiers, right here in Ume&aring;,&rdquo; says Iker Valle Aramburu.</p><p>The symposium takes place on campus at Ume&aring; University from 14 to 16 September. It is the second Nobel Symposium hosted by the university this year, following one in physics on metamaterials in June.</p><p>Participation in the symposium is by invitation only. Journalists interested in covering the symposium are welcome to contact Iker Valle Aramburu and Stephan Wenkel for more information and interview opportunities.</p><p><a href="https://www.upsc.se/about-upsc/events/6654-decoding-microproteins-from-basic-biology-to-biotechnological-innovations.html">More information about the symposium and programme is available on the Ume&aring; Plant Science Centre website.</a></p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/tiny-proteins-in-the-spotlight-at-a-nobel-symposium-in-umea_12192611/https://www.umu.se/en/news/arctic-centre-to-map-global-arctic-research-under-new-agreement_12192307/Under an agreement with the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Arctic Centre at Umeå University will produce and deliver an updated analysis of global Arctic research ahead of Sweden's Chairship of the Arctic Council.Wed, 09 Sep 2026 17:30:24 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/28ee46a2c1254b43999826d44626225e/ive_van_krunkelsven3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/28ee46a2c1254b43999826d44626225e/ive_van_krunkelsven3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/28ee46a2c1254b43999826d44626225e/ive_van_krunkelsven3.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/28ee46a2c1254b43999826d44626225e/ive_van_krunkelsven3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/28ee46a2c1254b43999826d44626225e/ive_van_krunkelsven3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/28ee46a2c1254b43999826d44626225e/ive_van_krunkelsven3.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>Ive van Krunkelsven</span></div></div><p>Covering 2022-2026, the new Arctic Research Trends report will show how research activity, topics and international collaboration have developed. The work will support Sweden's preparations for the 2027-2029 chairship and strengthen Ume&aring; University's capacity for long-term analysis of Arctic research.</p><h3>An updated basis for Sweden's Arctic work&nbsp;</h3><p>The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is funding Arctic Centre at Ume&aring; University to produce an updated Arctic Research Trends report covering 2022-2026. When Sweden assumes the Chairship of the Arctic Council in 2027, the findings will provide evidence covering developments through 2026. The report is co-funded by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.&nbsp;</p><p>Using publication data, the project will map which countries and institutions conduct Arctic research, the topics they study and how research activity and international collaboration have developed. It will identify established and emerging fields, changes in research activity and central actors in collaboration networks, while comparing Arctic Council Member States, Observer States and other countries.&nbsp;</p><p>The findings will give the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and other Arctic Council actors a current basis for identifying relevant expertise and patterns of cooperation. They can support preparations for meetings, dialogue and cooperation during Sweden's chairship.&nbsp;</p><h3>Expertise developed at Arctic Centre&nbsp;</h3><p>The work builds on Arctic Research Trends: Bibliometrics 2016-2022, published in 2023. This joint effort is led by Arctic Centre, which will update and quality-assure its structured database of Arctic publications, researchers, institutions and countries, and document the methodology. The Nordic Institute for Studies in Innovation, Research and Education, NIFU, will provide analysis and data visualisation services.&nbsp;</p><p>The work brings Arctic Centre's expertise in bibliometric analysis and research data into a national context. It also strengthens the Centre's data and methods, giving Ume&aring; University a better basis for future analysis of research strengths, thematic developments and international partnerships.&nbsp;</p><h3>Developing the evidence base&nbsp;</h3><p>The project will also examine how contributions from Indigenous communities, Indigenous scholarship and other knowledge contributors can be identified and acknowledged more effectively in bibliometric analysis. This will make the evidence base more transparent and support further development of Arctic Centre's database and methods.&nbsp;</p><h3>Delivery in March 2027&nbsp;</h3><p>A first draft will be presented to Sweden's Senior Arctic Official, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency in November 2026. The final report will be presented by 31 March 2027.&nbsp;</p><p>Together, the findings will place Swedish research capacity and collaboration in a wider Arctic context. The updated data and documented methodology will also provide the Arctic Centre with a basis for future analysis and collaboration at Ume&aring; University.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/arctic-centre-to-map-global-arctic-research-under-new-agreement_12192307/https://www.umu.se/en/news/new-report-how-research-can-address-a-changing-arctic_12192423/Three researchers at the Faculty of Science and Technology, Nicolò Maccaferri, Aleksandra Foltynowicz and Katarina Wulff, received funding for doctoral students projects through the EU programme Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network. In all cases, the doctoral projects are part of larger programmes in which researchers from several European countries collaborate in consortia.Wed, 09 Sep 2026 11:30:50 +0200<p>Light is at the heart of modern life. It carries data through the internet, enables high-speed communication, powers advanced sensors, and plays a growing role in computing and artificial intelligence. Yet today&rsquo;s photonic technologies are reaching their limits: they are often static, slow to adapt, and increasingly energy-hungry.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareleft"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/e6b66a34bd884d1fa0efd469957bfd6a/maccaferri_nicolo_3766_220621_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e6b66a34bd884d1fa0efd469957bfd6a/maccaferri_nicolo_3766_220621_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e6b66a34bd884d1fa0efd469957bfd6a/maccaferri_nicolo_3766_220621_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/e6b66a34bd884d1fa0efd469957bfd6a/maccaferri_nicolo_3766_220621_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e6b66a34bd884d1fa0efd469957bfd6a/maccaferri_nicolo_3766_220621_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e6b66a34bd884d1fa0efd469957bfd6a/maccaferri_nicolo_3766_220621_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Nicol&ograve; Maccaferri.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>To overcome these barriers, a new European doctoral network in photonics, SPARK &mdash; Spatiotemporal photonic technologies &mdash; has been awarded 4.5 million euros under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks programme to transform how light is generated, shaped, and manipulated.</p><p>Running for 48 months, the project will train 15 doctoral candidates through a coordinated research and doctoral education program focused on controlling light in both space and time.&nbsp;</p><p>Two of these will be educated at Ume&aring; University, in associate professor Nicol&ograve; Maccaferri&rsquo;s research group at the Department of Physics. The network brings together researchers at universities in The Netherlands, Sweden, Portugal, Belgium, Spain and the United Kingdom.</p><p><a title="Read more about the doctoral programme in photonics" href="https://www.tue.nl/en/news-and-events/news-overview/20-04-2026-eu-awards-eur45-million-msca-doctoral-network-grant-in-spatiotemporal-photonic-technologies">Read more about the doctoral programme in photonics</a></p><p>Professor Aleksandra Foltynowicz, also at the Department of Physics, is a part of NICEST &ndash; Network for Integration of Comb Experimental Spectroscopic Techniques. This network consists of researchers in France, Sweden, United Kingdom, Poland, Austria, Germany and Italy.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareleft"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/e6b66a34bd884d1fa0efd469957bfd6a/foltynowicz_matyba_aleksandra_220120255334_hkn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e6b66a34bd884d1fa0efd469957bfd6a/foltynowicz_matyba_aleksandra_220120255334_hkn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e6b66a34bd884d1fa0efd469957bfd6a/foltynowicz_matyba_aleksandra_220120255334_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/e6b66a34bd884d1fa0efd469957bfd6a/foltynowicz_matyba_aleksandra_220120255334_hkn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e6b66a34bd884d1fa0efd469957bfd6a/foltynowicz_matyba_aleksandra_220120255334_hkn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e6b66a34bd884d1fa0efd469957bfd6a/foltynowicz_matyba_aleksandra_220120255334_hkn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Aleksandra Foltynowicz.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>Eleven doctoral projects have received funding, four of them with a direct connection to Ume&aring; university. Aleksandra Foltynowicz will also lead one of the work packages and coordinate one of the consortium conferences and training schools.</p><p>NICEST&nbsp;aims at developing and implementing&nbsp;broadband, high-resolution, fast, and highly sensitive absorption spectrometers&nbsp;based on optical frequency combs, which will enable transformative advances in&nbsp;astrochemistry and astrophysics,&nbsp;industrial decarbonization,&nbsp;climate science, and&nbsp;pollution mitigation. The&nbsp;consortium&nbsp;unites complementary expertise from laser physics, precision spectroscopy, combustion and plasma science, and gas-phase kinetics.&nbsp;</p><p>Data Science and Genomics Training for Chronobiology in Mental Health (DataGenChrono) is a four million Euro project to advance the understanding of the genetic foundations of sleep and circadian biology in mental health using large population databases and experimental model systems for which it connects world-class experts in human genomics, data science, sleep, chronobiology, artificial intelligence, strategic science communication and career development.</p><p>Katharina Wulff, associate professor at the Department of Molecular Biology, is one among twelve international partners from eight countries, Austria, Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom.</p><p>The DataGenChrono network will train eleven doctoral students, one assigned to Ume&aring; University. The doctoral project in Ume&aring; focuses on children&rsquo;s sleep, genetics and behaviour. The project will explore how light exposure during pregnancy and the first 1 000 days of life influence neurodevelopment. The doctoral candidates will spend time in partner labs and form a collaborative cohort of researchers who will contribute to discovering biological foundations of mental health thereby addressing major public health challenges in Europe and worldwide.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareleft"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/e6b66a34bd884d1fa0efd469957bfd6a/wulff_katharina_2837_190305_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e6b66a34bd884d1fa0efd469957bfd6a/wulff_katharina_2837_190305_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e6b66a34bd884d1fa0efd469957bfd6a/wulff_katharina_2837_190305_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/e6b66a34bd884d1fa0efd469957bfd6a/wulff_katharina_2837_190305_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e6b66a34bd884d1fa0efd469957bfd6a/wulff_katharina_2837_190305_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e6b66a34bd884d1fa0efd469957bfd6a/wulff_katharina_2837_190305_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Katharina Wulff.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p><a title="Read more about the doctoral programme in DataGenChrono" href="https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101311411">Read more about the doctoral programme in DataGenChrono</a><br><br><strong>About MSCA Doctoral Networks</strong><br><em>MSCA Doctoral Networks is part of the EU framework programme for research and innovation. The 2025 call will support a total of 141 doctoral programmes with 617.18 million euros and contribute to the training and skills development of around 2,115 doctoral candidates.</em></p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/researchers-receive-doctoral-students-via-msca-doctoral-network_12192203/https://www.umu.se/en/news/umea-university-recognised-internationally-for-its-work-on-health-and-well-being_12191985/New research from Umeå University shows that AI tools can convert chemical structures in patent images into searchable digital data with up to 78 per cent accuracy, a promising step towards early warning systems that flag potentially hazardous chemicals before they reach the market. But the technology still has clear limitations on complex structures and poor-quality images.Fri, 04 Sep 2026 08:36:55 +0200<p>Patents are far more than legal documents protecting intellectual property, they are a vast source of scientific information about chemicals that are under development, often years before they appear in products or in the environment. That makes patents a valuable data source for Early Warning Systems (EWS), which authorities use to identify potentially hazardous chemicals before they become a threat to human health and the environment.</p><p>There is just one problem: much of the chemical information in patents is locked inside drawings. Molecular structures and reaction schemes are embedded as images that no text search can read. Less than 7 per cent of the patents examined in the study contained chemical structure images at all, but when they do, the structures are essentially invisible to computers unless they are converted into machine-readable formats.</p><p>&ndash; A patent might depict a new molecule years before it is produced at scale," says Farina Tariq, doctoral researcher at the Department of Chemistry, Ume&aring; University. &ndash; If we can teach computers to read those drawings, we can give scientists and authorities an earlier opportunity to investigate potentially concerning chemicals. But first we need to know how reliable the AI tools actually are when applied to real patent documents, not just clean images from databases.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/70820bcfd85f45cfbda3bdcb5a47a44a/farina-tariq-260831-dscf6386.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/70820bcfd85f45cfbda3bdcb5a47a44a/farina-tariq-260831-dscf6386.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/70820bcfd85f45cfbda3bdcb5a47a44a/farina-tariq-260831-dscf6386.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/70820bcfd85f45cfbda3bdcb5a47a44a/farina-tariq-260831-dscf6386.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/70820bcfd85f45cfbda3bdcb5a47a44a/farina-tariq-260831-dscf6386.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/70820bcfd85f45cfbda3bdcb5a47a44a/farina-tariq-260831-dscf6386.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The study received additional recognition when artwork based on Farina Tariq&rsquo;s scientific poster was selected for the cover of the journal issue. The cover highlights both the research and the visual communication of its central idea: using AI to extract chemical information from patent images.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>[Simon J&ouml;nsson]</span></div></div><h3>From picture to searchable data</h3><p>The potential workflow is straightforward: a patent is published &rarr; an AI system detects a chemical structure in an image &rarr; the structure is converted into a machine-readable format &rarr; the system compares it with known chemicals and chemical classes &rarr; potentially concerning or entirely novel structures are flagged for expert investigation.</p><p>Once a structure is machine-readable, it can be checked against known hazards: Is this chemical already known? Is it structurally related to a known hazardous substance? Does it contain structural features associated with particular hazards? Or is it an entirely new structure for which little hazard information exists? If so, can we compute its potential hazards?</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Putting three AI tools to the test</h3><p>In the study, published in the journal&nbsp;Chemical Research in Toxicology, the research team tested three widely used chemical structure recognition tools, on two specially curated data sets from the European Patent Office's Espacenet database: one of general organic chemistry and one of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS. The AI-generated structures were then validated by five chemistry experts.</p><p>The results were two-sided. On standard, well-drawn organic structures, all three tools performed well, with accuracy around 74&ndash;78 per cent, correctly decoding aromatic rings, common functional groups and standard abbreviations. On the PFAS data set, however, performance dropped sharply: for 26 of the 43 unique PFAS structures, not a single tool produced a correct result.</p><p>While the AI tools could accurately interpret many chemical structures, they had difficulties with some of the complex ways chemicals are described in patents. Older patent documents, where images may be blurred or distorted, also led to mistakes.</p><p>&ndash; If an AI system misreads a molecular structure, everything that follows is built on faulty information, says Farina Tariq. &ndash; An incorrect structure could trigger unnecessary risk mitigation measures &mdash; or worse, let a truly concerning chemical slip through unnoticed. That's why quality control and confidence scoring must be built into any future automated workflow.</p><p>The researchers stress that the goal is not for AI to declare a chemical dangerous. Rather, AI acts as a translator: converting chemical drawings into digital structures that can be compared with known chemicals, screened for worrying structural features, and prioritised for expert evaluation.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/70820bcfd85f45cfbda3bdcb5a47a44a/farina-tariq-260831-dscf6353.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/70820bcfd85f45cfbda3bdcb5a47a44a/farina-tariq-260831-dscf6353.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/70820bcfd85f45cfbda3bdcb5a47a44a/farina-tariq-260831-dscf6353.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/70820bcfd85f45cfbda3bdcb5a47a44a/farina-tariq-260831-dscf6353.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/70820bcfd85f45cfbda3bdcb5a47a44a/farina-tariq-260831-dscf6353.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/70820bcfd85f45cfbda3bdcb5a47a44a/farina-tariq-260831-dscf6353.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>[Simon J&ouml;nsson]</span></div></div><p>&ndash; Our conclusion is not that the technology is ready to be switched on tomorrow, says Patrik Andersson, professor at the Department of Chemistry and co-author of the study. &ndash; But we now have a realistic picture of where these tools succeed and where they fail. That is exactly what is needed before automated screening of patents can strengthen early warning of hazardous chemicals in the future.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Read the full article:</strong> <a title="A Benchmark Evaluation of Chemical Structure Extraction from Patents: Insights and Challenges in Chemical Structure Recognition" href="https://pubs.acs.org/crtoec/article-pdf/39/7/1349/66048669/acs.chemrestox.6c00057.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A Benchmark Evaluation of Chemical Structure Extraction from Patents: Insights and Challenges in Chemical Structure Recognition</a></p><p><strong>For more information, contact:</strong> Farina Tariq, farina.tariq@umu.se</p><p>&nbsp;</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/can-ai-help-authorities-identify-hazardous-chemicals-earlier_12191655/https://www.umu.se/en/news/new-ai-methods-make-medical-images-easier-to-interpret_12184980/Disi Lin has developed new machine learning methods in her doctoral research that incorporate structural information from medical images while also quantifying the certainty of their predictions. "These methods can deliver more reliable analyses and have been tested to identify brain changes linked to Alzheimer’s disease," says Disi Lin, who is now presenting her doctoral thesis for public defence.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 10:15:28 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/0dab1104d41340558ba941858a3390ef/lin_disi_1835_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0dab1104d41340558ba941858a3390ef/lin_disi_1835_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0dab1104d41340558ba941858a3390ef/lin_disi_1835_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/0dab1104d41340558ba941858a3390ef/lin_disi_1835_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0dab1104d41340558ba941858a3390ef/lin_disi_1835_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0dab1104d41340558ba941858a3390ef/lin_disi_1835_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>&nbsp;Using advanced mathematical and statistical methods, doctoral student Disi Lin has developed machine learning models that incorporate existing knowledge about human anatomy and can indicate how certain, or uncertain, their predictions are.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>Machine learning enables computers to learn from data and then use that knowledge to make predictions or decisions. Within healthcare, machine learning is used to support tasks such as disease diagnosis, predicting disease progression, treatment planning, and patient monitoring.</p><p>"Applying machine learning to medical images is particularly challenging because datasets are often limited, while the models must be both reliable and interpretable," says Disi Lin, doctoral student at the Department of computing Science, Ume&aring; University.</p><p>In her doctoral research, Lin has addressed these challenges by integrating prior knowledge into machine learning models. This includes using mathematical morphology, a technique that can be used to encourage the learned patterns to form meaningful structures.</p><h3>Classification of Alzheimer&rsquo;s Disease</h3><p>One of the application areas explored is the classification of Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease.</p><p>"Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease is associated with gradual structural changes in the brain, including reduced volume in brain regions that are important for memory and cognition," says Disi Lin.</p><p>Her research combines classical image mathematics with modern machine learning, resulting in models that can identify connected and anatomically meaningful regions more effectively than previous approaches.</p><p>"This makes it easier to relate the resulting patterns to disease-related changes and increases confidence in the assessment," says Disi Lin.</p><p>As part of her thesis, she has developed methods that take into account the fact that neighboring areas in an MRI scan often consist of the same type of tissue. This reduces the impact of random variations and makes the results more stable and reliable.</p><p>"I have also developed methods that not only provide a prediction but also indicate how confident the model is in its prediction. This allows clinicians to see which parts of the analysis are based on robust calculations and which are more uncertain," says Disi Lin.</p><h3>AI with common sense</h3><p>Disi Lin has incorporated prior knowledge about image structure into machine learning models to help computers identify connected and spatially coherent regions. Rather than treating pixels independently, her AI models can focus on the most relevant areas of the brain, making the results more coherent, interpretable, and medically meaningful.</p><p>&ldquo;These methods can also show how certain the predictions are. This is important in healthcare because obtaining a result is not enough; clinicians also need to know how confident that result is,&rdquo; says Disi Lin.</p><h3>Further information</h3><p>Please read the full thesis here: <a href="http://umu.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2:2090423">Structure-Aware Machine Learning for Medical Image Analysis.</a></p><p>Disi Lin will defend her doctoral thesis on <a href="~/link/65b4a72e2c244638b2a64cad7d4223e9.aspx">Friday the 4th of September.&nbsp;</a> Supervisor: <a href="~/link/6e5ad7e2ae3749eea32f7e8f3e796413.aspx">Tommy L&ouml;fstedt</a>, Docent and Associate professor at the Department of Computing Science.&nbsp;</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Contact Information</h2><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="21cf0049-de79-4a20-89e0-7bd7652b3ad6" data-contentname="contact Disi Lin">{}</div>https://www.umu.se/en/news/new-ai-methods-make-medical-images-easier-to-interpret_12184980/https://www.umu.se/en/news/apply-now-for-lifelong-learning-courses-within-the-ec2u-alliance_12185005/Registration is now open for EC2U Lifelong Learning courses for the 2026/2027 academic year! Open to students, associated partners and the wider EC2U community, these courses offer an opportunity to learn across disciplines, connect with participants from different European universities and discover new perspectives. Explore the course offer and register by 18 September to take part in this year’s Lifelong Learning opportunities!Wed, 02 Sep 2026 13:56:53 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/22042214f7a04b03ba041e293c4dd581/article_cover_community.png?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/22042214f7a04b03ba041e293c4dd581/article_cover_community.png?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/22042214f7a04b03ba041e293c4dd581/article_cover_community.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/22042214f7a04b03ba041e293c4dd581/article_cover_community.png?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/22042214f7a04b03ba041e293c4dd581/article_cover_community.png?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/22042214f7a04b03ba041e293c4dd581/article_cover_community.png?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>EC2U</span></div></div><p>The European Campus of City-Universities Alliance offers several Lifelong Learning courses for the 2026/2027 academic year. These courses - online and in person - are characterised by their cross-disciplinary approach and international dimension, engaging students from EC2U partner universities.</p><p>From September 2026, this opportunity is not just for EC2U students but is&nbsp;<strong>open to&nbsp;Associated Partners and to the wider EC2U community.</strong> Registration for the academic year 2026/2027 is now open: <br><strong>Apply by 18 September!</strong></p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">About the courses</h2><p>The Lifelong Learning offer is focused on helping to develop the soft and transversal skills required by the labor market and essential for navigating changes in today&rsquo;s society. This collection is the result of the work carried out by the EC2U WP8 Lifelong Learning Subgroup, which mapped the courses available at each EC2U university.&nbsp;</p><p>Among the offerings are courses on digital literacy, Artificial Intelligence, and the&nbsp;Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are at the core of the UN global strategy, fostering &ldquo;a better and more sustainable future&rdquo;. Specifically, the Lifelong Learning selection focuses on topics that inspired the Alliance, such as&nbsp;<em>Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Quality Education (SDG 4), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), and Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16).</em></p><p>This represents a valuable opportunity to broaden knowledge, raise awareness, and foster a deeper understanding of global issues and challenges, while developing the skills needed to contribute to sustainable progress.</p><p class="foldable">Courses for EC2U students</p><p>You can find the courses available for the 2026-2027 academic year via link below:<br><a href="https://data.ec2u.eu/courses/?audience=%2Ftaxonomies%2Fstakeholders%2Fteaching%2Fstudents%2Fcontinuing-education">Courses for students 2026-2027</a></p><p>Courses will be held&nbsp;in English (unless otherwise specified), available&nbsp;both online&nbsp;(live and on-demand) and&nbsp;in person.&nbsp;</p><p>EC2U students can attend&nbsp;courses offered by the other EC2U partner universities as extra-curricular activities or, when delivered in person, these courses can be included in the&nbsp;Erasmus+ Learning Agreement or attended during a&nbsp;mobility&nbsp;period at the partner university offering them.</p><p>Courses offered by the student&rsquo;s own university, on the other hand, can be attended by following the procedures established internally by their home institution</p><p>Students may use this registration process to enroll in courses offered by other universities within the Alliance. To enroll in&nbsp;courses offered by their home university, however, they shouldn&rsquo;t use this application, but they should follow the&nbsp;home university&rsquo;s internal procedures.</p><p>Course workloads and credits (up to a maximum of 10 ECTS) can vary. Depending on the internal regulations of each university, courses are offered either for free or with a small fee.</p><p class="foldable">Courses for externals (non-students or staff at Ume&aring; University)</p><p>You can find the courses available for the 2026-2027 academic year via the link below:<br><a href="https://data.ec2u.eu/courses/?audience=%2Ftaxonomies%2Fstakeholders%2Fteaching%2Fstudents%2Fcontinuing-education">Courses for externals 2026-27</a></p><p>Courses will be held&nbsp;in English&nbsp;(unless otherwise specified) available&nbsp;online.&nbsp;</p><p>Course workloads and credits (up to a maximum of 10 ECTS) can vary. Depending on the internal regulations of each university, courses are offered either for free or with a small fee:</p><p>F.Schiller University (Jena): 1 course, for free<br>University of Pavia: 6 courses, 116&euro; enrollment fee +45&euro; for each CFU&nbsp;<a href="https://en.unipv.it/en/education/bachelors-and-masters-degree-programs/how-apply/enroll-single-courses">check here the fee regulation</a><br>University of Coimbra: 12 courses,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uc.pt/ucd/cursos/#outros-cursos-realizados">check the available courses at this link</a></p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">How to apply</h2><p>Applications are open until 18 September 2026. Visit the link below for the application form and further details on the process, tailored to your specific situation.<br><a href="https://apply.ec2u.eu">Lifelong Learning Courses</a></p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Contact</h2><p>If you have any questions, please contact:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:llc.ec2u@unipv.it">llc.ec2u@unipv.it</a>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/apply-now-for-lifelong-learning-courses-within-the-ec2u-alliance_12185005/https://www.umu.se/en/news/brutal-field-trip-provided-new-insights-into-arctic-winter_12176404/A gruelling expedition to a remote lake in Svalbard turned out to hold unusually valuable traces of Arctic winter climate. In an article first published by the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, Tori Pedersen tells the story of the team’s journey to Stuptjørna and of the sediments that reveal signs of ice cover, low oxygen and extreme cold periods.Tue, 01 Sep 2026 21:45:33 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/0da4e877320c4fbf9119880135ad3df2/stuptjorna-14.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0da4e877320c4fbf9119880135ad3df2/stuptjorna-14.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0da4e877320c4fbf9119880135ad3df2/stuptjorna-14.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/0da4e877320c4fbf9119880135ad3df2/stuptjorna-14.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0da4e877320c4fbf9119880135ad3df2/stuptjorna-14.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0da4e877320c4fbf9119880135ad3df2/stuptjorna-14.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Lake Stuptj&oslash;rna, is located on the eastern side of Wijdefjorden on northern Spitsbergen, Svalbard.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Alexandra Rouillard</span></div></div><p>After hiking nine kilometres with a 400‑metre elevation gain and carrying heavy backpacks through very rocky terrain, the researchers spent more than 24 hours in the field and returned with sediment samples from the lake Stuptj&oslash;rna.&nbsp;</p><p>Stuptj&oslash;rna lived up to its name: the terrain was steep and at times almost impassable.</p><p>&ldquo;We completely underestimated the trip, especially with the amount of equipment we had to carry. Sleep was also in short supply and people were exhausted,&rdquo; says research professor Willem van der Bilt of the University of Bergen and the Bjerknes Centre, reflecting on the demanding field trip in the summer of 2022.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/0da4e877320c4fbf9119880135ad3df2/stuptjorna-22.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0da4e877320c4fbf9119880135ad3df2/stuptjorna-22.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0da4e877320c4fbf9119880135ad3df2/stuptjorna-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/0da4e877320c4fbf9119880135ad3df2/stuptjorna-22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0da4e877320c4fbf9119880135ad3df2/stuptjorna-22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0da4e877320c4fbf9119880135ad3df2/stuptjorna-22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Here you can see that Stuptj&oslash;rna is a bit tricky to get to.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Alexandra Rouillard</span></div></div><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">What is that white spot?</h2><p>Alexandra Rouillard from Ume&aring; University was also part of the crew. She was a postdoc at the time, and it was her first trip to Svalbard.&nbsp; What began as a scenic hike turned into a demanding expedition across steep terrain, unstable boulder fields, and long ascents carrying heavy equipment, all under the constant awareness that polar bears roam the area.&nbsp;</p><p>&ldquo;I seriously began questioning my priorities in life. Indeed, living itself emerges as a strong contender versus science at that point&rdquo;, she says.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>After more than 24 hours, they returned to the shore of Wijdefjorden with their sediment cores and wet gear.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>&ldquo;We all took a (much needed) cleansing swim and finally made it back to the sailboat, ferrying our equipment and people back and forth until the last of the team were on board. Pure joy. Minutes later, we noticed a white spot on the beach we just left behind,&rdquo; Rouillard says. In the picture below you can see what that was.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/0da4e877320c4fbf9119880135ad3df2/stuptjorna-32.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0da4e877320c4fbf9119880135ad3df2/stuptjorna-32.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0da4e877320c4fbf9119880135ad3df2/stuptjorna-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/0da4e877320c4fbf9119880135ad3df2/stuptjorna-32.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0da4e877320c4fbf9119880135ad3df2/stuptjorna-32.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0da4e877320c4fbf9119880135ad3df2/stuptjorna-32.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Once everyone was on board the boat, they spotted this one sneaking along the beach.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Alexandra Rouillard</span></div><div class="bildText">&nbsp;</div></div><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="03365daa-b6bb-40da-a282-d2f1e4552aed" data-contentname="Alexandra’s full account of the hike up to Stuptjørna">{}</div><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Surprising layers</h2><p>The lake was chosen because of its high elevation. The goal was to gain a better understanding of past Arctic winter climate and the natural mechanisms that control it, by using this lake as an archive of winter conditions.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>&ldquo;The higher the lake, the longer winter lasts,&rdquo; van der Bilt explains.&nbsp;</p><p>They collected a sediment core from the lake containing 7,000 years of climate history, and during laboratory analyses they discovered something surprising. <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2026GL122061">The paper is published in Geophysical Research Letters</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>&ldquo;We found out that these little layers we saw already during fieldwork, were minerals that form in the lake under very specific conditions, when there is no oxygen in the water. The longer the lake is covered by ice, the less oxygen is found in the water, which is directly linked to winter climate&rdquo;, van der Bilt explains.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/0da4e877320c4fbf9119880135ad3df2/stuptjorna-43.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0da4e877320c4fbf9119880135ad3df2/stuptjorna-43.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0da4e877320c4fbf9119880135ad3df2/stuptjorna-43.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/0da4e877320c4fbf9119880135ad3df2/stuptjorna-43.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0da4e877320c4fbf9119880135ad3df2/stuptjorna-43.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0da4e877320c4fbf9119880135ad3df2/stuptjorna-43.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>A side view of very finely layered sediment that has been taken near the lakeshore.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Alexandra Rouillard</span></div></div><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Combining methods</h2><p>Methodologically, the study married established laboratory methods with new scanning techniques. For example, medical CT scans were used to identify the (often invisible) anoxic mineral concretions, while their chemical composition was confirmed using microscopic analysis. In addition, they relied on hyperspectral imaging, a method that identifies the characteristic visible and invisible light spectra of specific materials. In this case, they used the light spectra of pigments produced by bacteria that lived in the lake when there was little oxygen.&nbsp;</p><p>They found that variations in winter climate track a well-known 1500-year climate cycle. &nbsp;</p><p>&ldquo;You can think of it as the heartbeat of natural climate in this area. But we are the first to report that it also has an impact on winter climate on land,&rdquo; van der Bilt says.&nbsp;</p><p>&ldquo;So, depending on where you are in that cycle in a future also shaped by human climate warming, that cycle could either make the impacts of human climate change worse or dampen it a little bit.&rdquo; &nbsp;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/0da4e877320c4fbf9119880135ad3df2/stuptjorna-72.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0da4e877320c4fbf9119880135ad3df2/stuptjorna-72.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0da4e877320c4fbf9119880135ad3df2/stuptjorna-72.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/0da4e877320c4fbf9119880135ad3df2/stuptjorna-72.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0da4e877320c4fbf9119880135ad3df2/stuptjorna-72.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0da4e877320c4fbf9119880135ad3df2/stuptjorna-72.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Up close to Stuptj&oslash;rna.&nbsp;</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mateusz Strzelecki</span></div></div><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3">Volcanic eruptions</h2><p>The second big thing is that almost every extreme winter they found in this lake appeared to happen after multiple volcanic eruptions that had occurred closely spaced in time. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Volcanic eruptions inject large clouds of particles and gases into the atmosphere, which can block incoming sunlight for years to decades. &nbsp;</p><p>&ldquo;By combining all kinds of fancy scanning and microscope techniques, we find that these extreme volcanic winters happened throughout the past 8,000 years, regardless of the background state of climate, meaning they happened under warm and cold conditions. That means that extremely cold volcanic winters also can happen in the warmer future that the region faces&rdquo;. &nbsp;</p><p><strong>References</strong><br><a title="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2026GL122061" href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2026GL122061">Siderite Concretions in Svalbard Lake Sediments Capture 7,000 Years of Extreme Arctic Cold Season Climate Change</a></p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/brutal-field-trip-provided-new-insights-into-arctic-winter_12176404/https://www.umu.se/en/news/pride-on-campus-returns-with-an-even-bigger-programme_12184331/From 21 to 26 September, Pride on Campus will be held for the second consecutive year. Throughout the week, campus will be filled with lectures, discussions, social activities and rainbow flags to highlight issues of inclusion, human rights and equal worth. This year, Umeå University will once again take part in the Pride parade under its own banner. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 15:22:32 +0200<p>Pride on Campus is organised in conjunction with UmePride and forms an important part of Ume&aring; University&rsquo;s work to promote equal rights and opportunities and to combat all forms of discrimination. During the week, campus will host activities that foster knowledge, community and engagement in LGBTQI-related issues.</p><p>The University will also fly rainbow flags across campus during the week of 21&ndash;27 September as a symbol of its commitment to equality and the equal worth of all people.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/876913a56b874a3a82bbe887f8dcee34/persson_jenny_saba_366_03092024_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/876913a56b874a3a82bbe887f8dcee34/persson_jenny_saba_366_03092024_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/876913a56b874a3a82bbe887f8dcee34/persson_jenny_saba_366_03092024_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/876913a56b874a3a82bbe887f8dcee34/persson_jenny_saba_366_03092024_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/876913a56b874a3a82bbe887f8dcee34/persson_jenny_saba_366_03092024_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/876913a56b874a3a82bbe887f8dcee34/persson_jenny_saba_366_03092024_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Jenny Saba Persson, Coordinator of Pride on Campus.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>Following last year&rsquo;s successful launch, the event has expanded, and this year&rsquo;s programme offers a wide range of activities. Highlights include a rainbow-themed photo walk across campus, seminars on LGBTQI perspectives in education and working life, and a Pride social gathering featuring crafts and placard-making ahead of the parade, among many other events.</p><p>&ldquo;Pride on Campus is a way of showing that Ume&aring; University should be a place where everyone feels welcome, safe and respected. The rights of LGBTQI people are under considerable pressure in many parts of the world, and we are also seeing human rights and inclusion being questioned closer to home. That is why it is important for universities to take a clear stand for everyone&rsquo;s right to be who they are,&rdquo; says Jenny Saba Persson, Coordinator of Pride on Campus.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Ume&aring; University joins the Pride parade for the third year</h2><p>On Saturday 26 September, the week concludes with the official Pride parade through central Ume&aring;. Ume&aring; University will participate for the third consecutive year with its own banner and designated section in the parade. Last year, the University&rsquo;s group attracted around 100 participants, including students, staff and others who wished to march together in support of equal rights and equal worth for all. The ambition is to achieve equally strong participation this year.</p><p>Since 2026, the University&rsquo;s participation as an official part of the parade has been approved by the Vice-Chancellor.</p><p>&ldquo;The University should be an open and inclusive place for students and staff. Through Pride on Campus and our participation in the Pride parade, we want to demonstrate our support for the democratic values on which academia is built and our belief that all people have the right to be treated with respect and provided with equal opportunities,&rdquo; says Tora Holmberg, Vice-Chancellor of Ume&aring; University.</p><p>Pride on Campus takes place from 21 to 26 September at several locations across campus as well as in digital formats. Alongside activities organised by Ume&aring; University, coordinated by the Student Services Office and the Human Resources Office, the programme also includes contributions from the University Chaplaincy, the student unions and trade unions. All events are free of charge and open to everyone, although some require advance registration.</p><p><a href="~/link/710266c95d5748f8aca57c8c4e585a79.aspx">See the full Pride on Campus programme</a></p><p><a href="~/link/ea8b090518f645fc85626b02a2d29003.aspx">Register to join Ume&aring; University in the Pride parade</a></p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/pride-on-campus-returns-with-an-even-bigger-programme_12184331/https://www.umu.se/en/news/research-collaboration-aims-to-improve-preparedness-for-future-pandemics_12184305/Researchers from Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics (USBE) at Umeå University and Imperial College London have received continued support for their collaboration on the economics of infectious diseases. A new grant from Handelsbanken will enable a fourth international workshop and support the continued development of an interdisciplinary research network focused on the economic, behavioural, and policy dimensions of infectious disease prevention and control.Mon, 31 Aug 2026 13:34:49 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/1ab70c7e156c4ab99ab424ee92f91e06/workshop_on_the_economics_of_pandemic_preparedness_3.png?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/1ab70c7e156c4ab99ab424ee92f91e06/workshop_on_the_economics_of_pandemic_preparedness_3.png?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/1ab70c7e156c4ab99ab424ee92f91e06/workshop_on_the_economics_of_pandemic_preparedness_3.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/1ab70c7e156c4ab99ab424ee92f91e06/workshop_on_the_economics_of_pandemic_preparedness_3.png?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/1ab70c7e156c4ab99ab424ee92f91e06/workshop_on_the_economics_of_pandemic_preparedness_3.png?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/1ab70c7e156c4ab99ab424ee92f91e06/workshop_on_the_economics_of_pandemic_preparedness_3.png?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The participants at the workshop on the <em>Economics of Pandemic Preparedness 2026</em>.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Private</span></div></div><p>The collaboration, led by Professor Giovanni Forchini at USBE and Professor Katharina Hauck at Imperial College London's Jameel Institute, provides an important bridge between econometrics, economics, epidemiology and public health. Through the annual workshop on the <em>Economics of Pandemic Preparedness</em>, the partnership supports the development of a wider interdisciplinary network focused on understanding how societies can better prepare for infectious disease threats.</p><p>The third workshop on the topic, held in Stockholm in June 2026, brought together researchers from economics, epidemiology and policy to examine preparedness as a whole-of-system challenge. Discussions highlighted the importance of accounting for differences in vulnerability and transmission, integrating behaviour and public trust into epidemic models, and strengthening the links between data, modelling and real-time policy decisions.</p><p>A central conclusion was that preparedness should be viewed not simply as a cost, but as a long-term economic investment in surveillance, diagnostics, vaccines, health-system capacity and institutional resilience.</p><h3>Results beyond the workshops</h3><p>&ndash; One outcome has been funding for postdoctoral researchers at both Ume&aring; University and Imperial College London. Our postdoctoral researcher at Ume&aring; University has since moved on to a permanent position, which we see as a positive outcome. The collaboration has also continued to strengthen the connection between Ume&aring; University and Imperial College London, demonstrating the value of bringing together researchers across institutions and disciplines while building a shared programme for future research and policy engagement, says Forchini.</p><h3>Complex societal challenges require multiple perspectives</h3><p>&ndash; Infectious disease prevention and control are inherently multidisciplinary challenges. Economists can contribute by analysing behaviour, incentives, resource allocation, and the wider effects of disease and public-health interventions. By combining these perspectives with expertise from epidemiology and public health, we can develop a more comprehensive understanding of how societies can prevent, manage, and respond to infectious disease threats&rdquo;, says Forchini.</p><p>Building on the success of the first three workshops, the newly awarded funding from Handelsbanken will support a fourth workshop and allow the Ume&aring;-Imperial collaboration to continue to grow. The funding will help deepen its international and interdisciplinary links and advance practical research on how societies can prepare more effectively for future pandemics and other major outbreaks.</p><p>Next workshop is planned to June 2027.</p><p><a href="~/link/1d51b7f34a9b4112b029d0df6e811741.aspx">Learn more about the background and the previous workshops</a></p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/research-collaboration-aims-to-improve-preparedness-for-future-pandemics_12184305/https://www.umu.se/en/news/metamaterials-make-the-unexpected-possible_12183908/They can bend light, control sound and give materials entirely new properties. Metamaterials are currently one of the most discussed research fields in physics. Their future potential is engaging researchers around the world and was recently highlighted at a Nobel Symposium in Umeå.Mon, 31 Aug 2026 11:00:04 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Research on metamaterials is advancing quickly. While scientists continue to develop new types of metamaterials, growing interest is emerging in how the underlying ideas can be applied across entirely different disciplines.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>Who has not dreamed of an invisibility cloak like the one used by Harry Potter? It sounds like magic, but it could become reality with the help of so-called metamaterials.</p><p>In the summer of 2026, some of the world's leading researchers in the field gathered in Ume&aring; for a Nobel Symposium on metamaterials. The symposium was organised by Nicol&ograve; Maccaferri, Associate Professor at Ume&aring; University. He studies these special materials, which over the past few decades have proven useful in fields ranging from telecommunications to medical technology.</p><p>&ldquo;Unlike most other materials, the properties of metamaterials are determined not primarily by the atoms and molecules they are made of, but by their design,&rdquo; says Nicol&ograve; Maccaferri.</p><p>He compares them to a musical instrument: the sound it produces depends not only on whether it is made of wood or metal, for example, but also on its shape.</p><p>Recently, he published a Comment in the journal <em>Nature Materials</em> together with international colleagues, describing how the field has inspired an entirely new way of thinking about scientific problems.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">What are metamaterials?</h2><p>The concept of metamaterials was introduced in the late 1990s. It is based on the idea that very small structures, smaller than a wavelength, can be used as building blocks to give materials the ability to control waves, whether electromagnetic, acoustic or seismic, in ways that do not occur in nature.</p><p>&ldquo;Instead of asking only what a material naturally does, we ask what we want it to do &ndash; and then design its structure to achieve that function,&rdquo; says Nicol&ograve; Maccaferri.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>The figure illustrates how metamaterials replace nature&rsquo;s own building blocks with engineered structures. This makes it possible to design materials with entirely new functions.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Alexander Dmitriev, G&ouml;teborgs universitet</span></div></div><p>Interest in metamaterials took off when researchers showed that such structures could, in principle, be designed to guide light around an object, potentially rendering it invisible.</p><p>Today, there are already many promising applications of metamaterials. They can be used to make very thin camera lenses, improved solar cells, better displays and sensitive detectors. They can also control sound and ultrasound, which could be useful in noise reduction and medical imaging.</p><p>&ldquo;I find the sensing and healthcare applications especially exciting. Imagine small, fast and affordable devices that can detect early signs of disease, monitor the environment or analyse food quality,&rdquo; says Nicol&ograve; Maccaferri.</p><p>He also sees great potential in communication technology, where smart surfaces could help guide wireless signals more efficiently in buildings, cities and future communication networks.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">A new way of thinking</h2><p>The field has also given rise to a new way of looking at materials and technology more broadly. In <em>Nature Materials</em>, the researchers describe it as &lsquo;the meta way of thinking&rsquo;. It started with the study of light and sound waves but is now spreading to many other areas, including mechanics, chemistry, biology and computing.</p><p>&ldquo;It encourages researchers to ask bold questions such as &lsquo;what if?&rsquo; and &lsquo;why not?&rsquo;. It is no longer only about describing nature, but also about exploring what else might be possible beyond the limits we once thought were impossible,&rdquo; says Nicol&ograve; Maccaferri.</p><p><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41563-026-02710-7">Read the researchers' comment article in Nature Materials</a></p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/metamaterials-make-the-unexpected-possible_12183908/https://www.umu.se/en/news/new-strategy-targets-one-of-cancer-researchs-toughest-challenges_12183677/Researchers at Umeå University have developed a new strategy to slow the growth of tumour cells. By targeting the genetic instructions that control the production of a key cancer-related protein, they were able to inhibit tumour cell growth. The findings have been published in the prestigious journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).Thu, 27 Aug 2026 13:34:34 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/55f08adf53fe49a49864044fee76dbfc/fahreaus-robin-03775-250523-sjn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/55f08adf53fe49a49864044fee76dbfc/fahreaus-robin-03775-250523-sjn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/55f08adf53fe49a49864044fee76dbfc/fahreaus-robin-03775-250523-sjn2.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/55f08adf53fe49a49864044fee76dbfc/fahreaus-robin-03775-250523-sjn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/55f08adf53fe49a49864044fee76dbfc/fahreaus-robin-03775-250523-sjn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/55f08adf53fe49a49864044fee76dbfc/fahreaus-robin-03775-250523-sjn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Despite decades of research, the cancer protein c-Myc has remained a challenging drug target. Robin F&aring;hraeus and colleagues now show that cancer cell growth can be slowed by targeting the genetic instructions responsible for producing the protein.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>simon ohman jonsson inhousebyran</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">Approximately 70 percent of cancers overexpress the c-Myc protein</p><p>"Approximately 70 percent of cancers overexpress the c-Myc protein, and therapies that inhibit c-Myc have long been a priority in the search for new cancer treatments," says Robin F&aring;hraeus, Professor at the Department of Medical Biosciences at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>The c-Myc protein is an oncogene that plays a central role in driving tumour growth. Despite decades of intensive research, it has proven extremely difficult to develop drugs that directly inhibit c-Myc. One major reason is that the protein lacks well-defined binding sites where small molecules can attach and block its function, making it a classic example of an "undruggable" target in cancer research.</p><p>In the new study, the researchers took a different approach. They show that c-Myc mRNA, the genetic blueprint that cells use to produce the protein, can itself be targeted for treatment.</p><p>Using a drug that had previously been tested in clinical trials for a different purpose, the researchers were able to induce the protein MDM2 to bind to c-Myc mRNA. This blocks the production of c-Myc and causes tumour cells to stop growing.</p><p>"Finding new applications for existing drugs is an attractive way to accelerate the development of new treatments," says Robin F&aring;hraeus.</p><p>The strategy represents a new way of targeting one of cancer research's most challenging drug targets. Rather than attempting to eliminate the protein itself, the method blocks its production at the RNA level. The findings therefore open up new possibilities for drug development, particularly for cancers in which c-Myc plays a crucial role.</p><p>"We hope these findings will pave the way for new treatments for cancers driven by c-Myc. At the same time, we hope to inspire other research groups by showing that mRNA can be used to selectively regulate the production of proteins associated with a wide range of diseases," says Robin F&aring;hraeus.</p><p>The next steps will include testing the strategy in additional models, evaluating its clinical potential, and further optimising the drug. If successful in future studies, the approach could lead to new treatments for multiple types of cancer in which c-Myc plays a central role.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/new-strategy-targets-one-of-cancer-researchs-toughest-challenges_12183677/https://www.umu.se/en/news/discover-this-autumns-health-on-campus_12183534/Umeå University is one of nine European universities participating in EC2U ELEVATE, a new project funded through the European Institute of Innovation and Technology's (EIT) Higher Education Initiative. The project has been awarded nearly €2 million (approx. SEK 22 milion) and will run from September 2026 to August 2028.Thu, 27 Aug 2026 15:18:59 +0200<p>EC2U ELEVATE (Entrepreneurship Learning, Education &amp; Value-Creation Across Technologies and Ecosystems) brings together universities, cities, businesses and regional stakeholders across Europe to strengthen innovation, entrepreneurship and knowledge transfer. Coordinated by the University of Coimbra, the project is part of the EC2U alliance and includes partners from Portugal, Germany, Spain, Finland, France, Italy, Austria, Romania, and Sweden.</p><p>The project's long-term ambition is to strengthen the EC2U Alliance as a European innovation ecosystem where education, research and collaboration with society contribute to entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable development. It will also deepen collaboration with the EIT ecosystem in the fields of health, urban mobility, and culture and creativity.&nbsp;</p><h3>Key contributions from Ume&aring; University</h3><p>Researchers from all faculties at Ume&aring; University will contribute to the project. The university will lead the development of a new online course in innovation and entrepreneurship, designed to strengthen entrepreneurial mindsets and innovation competences among students across the EC2U Alliance.</p><p>Ume&aring; University will also lead the creation of a European database of regional and societal innovation challenges, connecting students, researchers, businesses and public organisations with real-world challenges. The initiative builds on Ume&aring; University's long tradition of collaboration between academia, industry and the public sector, which has contributed to innovations in areas such as sustainable technologies, regional development and the green transition.</p><p>"It is very gratifying that we have secured funding for our first research project within the EC2U consortium. Since our partner universities are all comprehensive institutions similar to Ume&aring; University, the prospects are very good for identifying and submitting additional successful applications under the same programme," says Thomas Olofsson, Deputy Vice-Rector for Research at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>Another key contribution is expertise in social and inclusive innovation. Through new methods and forms of collaboration, the project will support work on societal challenges related to health, well-being, climate change, digitalisation and demographic development. The aim is to strengthen co-creation, innovation and impact-oriented research across the alliance.&nbsp;</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/umea-university-joins-major-ec2u-innovation-initiative_12182881/https://www.umu.se/en/news/a-few-minutes-of-freezing-can-change-the-fate-of-iron-in-nature_12183566/Just a few minutes of freezing and thawing can have a decisive impact on how ferrihydrite, the most reactive iron mineral in cold soils, permafrost and glaciers, transforms, according to researchers at Umeå University in a paper published in the journal Science. As climate warming intensifies freeze-thaw cycles and extends them into new regions, ice is becoming an increasingly important driver of Earth's ecosystems.Thu, 27 Aug 2026 09:00:04 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>What happens to iron minerals while they are trapped in ice determines how iron behaves once the ice melts. A few minutes of freezing decides how the iron mineral transforms, the study in Science reveals.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>John&eacute;r Bildbyr&aring; AB</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;Ice is not a passive freezer but an active geochemical reactor that can alter how an iron mineral transforms in just a few minutes,&rdquo; says Professor Jean-Fran&ccedil;ois Boily of the Department of Chemistry at Ume&aring; University, who led the study.</p><p>Ice is not simply a frozen block of water. In nature, ice can lock in a wide range of compounds, including minerals and organic carbon. Among the most consequential of these are the iron minerals, because what happens to them while they are trapped in ice determines how iron behaves once the ice melts.</p><p>Iron is one of the most abundant elements in Earth's crust and an essential metal for most living organisms. As rocks weather, iron is released and reacts with oxygen and water to form secondary iron minerals.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Jean-Fran&ccedil;ois Boily.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Simon J&ouml;nsson</span></div></div><p class="quote-left">Ice is not a passive freezer but an active geochemical reactor that can alter how an iron mineral transforms</p><h3>Cascading effects throughout ecosystems</h3><p>These iron oxides are found across vast areas of the Earth's surface. They can be seen as rust-coloured coatings on rocks and as fine particles in soil, but they are also present in aquatic environments and in the atmosphere. Changes in how iron is released can have cascading effects throughout ecosystems, from mountain streams to Arctic coastal regions.</p><p>In the current study, the researchers investigated ferrihydrite, a poorly ordered iron oxide only a few nanometres in size. Ferrihydrite is the dominant reactive iron phase in glacial sediments, icebergs and cold soils. Its large surface area allows it to bind substantial amounts of nutrients, pollutants and organic carbon. Whether ferrihydrite retains its reactive surface or transforms into a less reactive mineral determines how much bioavailable iron reaches polar oceans and how much carbon remains stored in frozen ground.</p><p>When water freezes, microscopic pockets of liquid form between the growing ice crystals. Substances that cannot be incorporated into the ice become concentrated within these pockets. The researchers found that this confinement, together with the force that draws unfrozen water towards the advancing ice front, presses the ferrihydrite particles together, strips away the layer of water and hydroxyl groups that normally surrounds them, and joins them into much larger aggregates.</p><p>&ldquo;The particles emerge from the ice bonded together, not simply clumped,&rdquo; says Jean-Fran&ccedil;ois Boily. &ldquo;We could expose them to ultrasound and keep them in acid for a month without them falling apart.&rdquo;</p><p>Analyses using electron microscopy and other techniques showed that a single freeze cycle at &minus;20 &deg;C increased ferrihydrite particle size by around thirty times. Micrometre-sized flakes formed, inheriting their flattened shape from the grain boundaries of the ice that created them. Freezing the material again made little difference, as most of the transformation occurred during the very first freezing event.</p><p>The researchers then allowed both fresh and freeze-treated samples to age in water for a full year. Ferrihydrite that had never been frozen transformed into goethite, the yellow-brown rust commonly found in cool, moist soils. Ferrihydrite that had been frozen only once produced no goethite at all and, under accelerated ageing conditions, transformed instead into hematite, the red rust associated with warm, dry soils.</p><h3>Light-driven iron cycling can be accelerated</h3><p>This reversal in mineral formation has implications far beyond the laboratory. The ratio of goethite to hematite in ancient soils is often used to reconstruct past climates, while the oxygen isotopes preserved in these minerals are used to estimate historical temperatures. Both of these climate proxies, however, assume that mineral transformations occurred in liquid water.</p><p>Hematite also absorbs a broader range of solar wavelengths than goethite. As a result, a freeze-driven shift towards greater hematite formation could accelerate light-driven iron cycling wherever polar soils thaw under sunlight.</p><p>In an accompanying commentary published in the same issue of Science, geochemist Kevin M. Rosso of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in the United States writes that understanding ice as an active geochemical reactor is no longer a niche concern for ice and snow researchers, but a central challenge in understanding the geochemical cycling of iron at the Earth's surface.</p><p><a title="Read Kevin M. Rosso's commentary" href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aej2248" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Read Kevin M. Rosso's commentary&nbsp;</a></p><p>As freeze-thaw cycles become more frequent and spread geographically in a warming climate, understanding how ice affects the transformation of iron minerals, and how this in turn influences ecosystems, is becoming increasingly important.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/a-few-minutes-of-freezing-can-change-the-fate-of-iron-in-nature_12183566/https://www.umu.se/en/news/in-the-fall-term-of-2026-vardduo-launches-a-new-type-of-seminars_12183325/They are called theme seminars and the aim is to reach a broader target group with important issues within indigenous research.Wed, 26 Aug 2026 14:13:03 +0200<p class="quote-center">Research should take responsibility in relation to the societies it affects and contribute to their well-being</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/f962c2c5ea3f467688851023569e0e99/shawn_wilson_-_landscape_mode6.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/f962c2c5ea3f467688851023569e0e99/shawn_wilson_-_landscape_mode6.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/f962c2c5ea3f467688851023569e0e99/shawn_wilson_-_landscape_mode6.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/f962c2c5ea3f467688851023569e0e99/shawn_wilson_-_landscape_mode6.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/f962c2c5ea3f467688851023569e0e99/shawn_wilson_-_landscape_mode6.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/f962c2c5ea3f467688851023569e0e99/shawn_wilson_-_landscape_mode6.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Speaker Shawn Wilson, a member of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation in northern Canada and residing on Syilx territory in Kelowna, British Columbia, is a professor of Indigenous Studies and holds a research professorship at the University of British Columbia focusing on Indigenous knowledge systems.</p></div></div><h3>Tuesday, September 22, 6:00 PM-8:00 PM, online</h3><p>The seminars are conducted entirely digitally to enable the participation of internationally prominent researchers and to make the seminars as accessible as possible.They are part of V&aacute;rdduo's Higher Seminar, an academic meeting place for in-depth discussion and critical reflection on current research.</p><p>Each semester, one to two seminars are offered within an overarching theme that runs over a semester or, in some cases, an entire academic year. This format creates a gathering and dynamic arena for engaging and in-depth conversations about pressing research issues.</p><h3>THEME 2026: Indigenous Methodologies</h3><p>Indigenous Methodologies are research methods that are rooted in indigenous peoples' worldviews, values, and relationships. Rather than treating knowledge as something to be extracted, they emphasize respect, reciprocity, and responsibility, and assume that knowledge is relational between people, land, and more-than-human contexts.</p><p>Scholars such as <strong>Linda Tuhiwai Smith</strong>, <strong>Shawn Wilson</strong> (who will be giving a talk at the seminar), and <strong>Jelena Porsanger</strong> emphasize that research should take responsibility in relation to the communities it touches and contribute to their well-being. This means that indigenous methodologies prioritize collaboration, ethical anchoring, and the protection of cultural knowledge. In practice, they challenge conventional research by centering indigenous ways of knowing and ensuring that research is both respectful and relevant.</p><p><a href="~/link/237065f7763140ef90e35fc5fcced90c.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Read more</a></p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/in-the-fall-term-of-2026-vardduo-launches-a-new-type-of-seminars_12183325/https://www.umu.se/en/news/two-representatives-from-informatics-join-the-iris-executive-board_12183312/The Department of Informatics is strengthening its presence within the Nordic Information Systems research community. Associate Professor Daniel Nylén has been elected to the Executive Board of the IRIS Association, where doctoral candidate Julia Andersson already serves as the representative of Swedish Information Systems PhD students.Tue, 25 Aug 2026 13:12:12 +0200<p>The IRIS Association promotes research and doctoral education in Information Systems across Scandinavia and serves as the Scandinavian chapter of the Association for Information Systems (AIS). The organization is responsible for the annual IRIS/SCIS conference and publishes the Scandinavian Journal of Information Systems (SJIS).</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">For Both Researchers and Doctoral Students</h2><p>The Executive Board consists of representatives from the Nordic member countries and is responsible for the organization's activities, strategic development, and key decisions. As a board member, Daniel Nyl&eacute;n will represent Swedish Information Systems researchers, while Julia Andersson represents Swedish doctoral students in the field.</p><p>"The Nordic Information Systems research community holds a unique position internationally, and having the opportunity to contribute to its future development through service on the IRIS Executive Board feels both honouring and inspiring. I look forward to continuing the development of IRIS as an open and inclusive meeting place for both established and early-career researchers," says Daniel Nyl&eacute;n.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">The World's Oldest Conference in the Field</h2><p>IRIS is a well-established organization within the Information Systems field. The Information Systems Research Seminar in Scandinavia was first held in 1978 and is considered the world's oldest continuously recurring conference in Information Systems. Since 2010, the conference has been organized jointly with the Scandinavian Conference on Information Systems (SCIS).</p><p>In recent years, the conference has attracted an increasing number of participants from outside the Nordic region while continuing to serve as an important meeting place for the Scandinavian tradition of Information Systems research.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Strong Representation on the Executive Board</h2><p>Julia Andersson sees the Department of Informatics' two representatives on the Executive Board as a positive development for the department.</p><p>"Being part of the IRIS community means working together with researchers from the other member countries to build on the strong tradition of Scandinavian Information Systems research and help shape the future of the field. Participating in this collaborative environment is highly valuable, and it is especially rewarding that our department can give something back through increased engagement in the conferences and by having two representatives on the Executive Board," says Julia Andersson.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/two-representatives-from-informatics-join-the-iris-executive-board_12183312/https://www.umu.se/en/news/tiny-microbes-give-big-insights-into-the-baltic-sea_12183386/Marine microorganisms play a vital role in regulating ecosystems and the climate. Despite their importance, many of them have never been imaged in detail in their natural environment. Through a new project, postdoctoral researcher George Westmeijer is building a high-resolution image library of microbial life in the Baltic Sea.Thu, 10 Sep 2026 12:55:57 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/ff82b3967d4a4519a190ff5cc7573f5b/george_tar_vattenprov_umf2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/ff82b3967d4a4519a190ff5cc7573f5b/george_tar_vattenprov_umf2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/ff82b3967d4a4519a190ff5cc7573f5b/george_tar_vattenprov_umf2.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/ff82b3967d4a4519a190ff5cc7573f5b/george_tar_vattenprov_umf2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/ff82b3967d4a4519a190ff5cc7573f5b/george_tar_vattenprov_umf2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/ff82b3967d4a4519a190ff5cc7573f5b/george_tar_vattenprov_umf2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>George Westmeijer collecting a water sample at the Ume&aring; Marine Sciences Centre in Norrbyn during the summer. After sampling, the microorganisms are concentrated and examined using light microscopy at the field station before being analysed in greater detail with electron microscopy at Ume&aring; University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Linda Sandblad</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">We know a lot about the genes of these microbes, but much less about what they actually look like and how they live</p><p>"We know a lot about the genes of these microbes, but much less about what they actually look like and how they live. I want to literally see the organisms behind the data and graphs," says George Westmeijer, postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Chemistry at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>George Westmeijer is a biologist from the Netherlands who moved to Sweden to pursue his PhD at Linnaeus University in Kalmar. During his PhD studies, he developed a strong interest in microscopy. After moving to Ume&aring;, he came across an advertisement for a postdoctoral position at Ume&aring; University. The project, funded by the Kempe Foundations, felt like a perfect match for his background in ecology and his growing interest in advanced imaging techniques.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Sampling Baltic Sea water year-round</h2><p>The goal of his current project in Ume&aring; is to visualize aquatic microbes &ndash; bacteria, archaea, viruses, and their interactions. At Ume&aring; University&rsquo;s Marine Sciences Centre in Norrbyn, George Westmeijer and his supervisors Linda Sandblad and Johan Wikner have developed a workflow for sampling Baltic Sea water enabling study of microbes at high resolution across seasons and under different environmental conditions.</p><p>George Westmeijer chose to focus on the Baltic Sea for both scientific and practical reasons. Its brackish waters host a highly diverse microbial community that changes dramatically with the seasons. The sea&rsquo;s proximity to the Ume&aring; Marine Sciences Centre, located directly on the coast, also makes year-round sampling possible. During summer, some microbial populations become highly abundant, only to decline to low levels or enter dormancy during the winter as light levels and temperatures are reduced.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Capturing microbes with nobel technique</h2><p>One major challenge is that microbes are both small and sparse. Natural seawater contains too few microbes for high-resolution imaging. By concentrating the samples, George Westmeijer increases the number of cells without damaging them.</p><p>From sampling to microscopy, the entire process takes about one day.</p><p>&ldquo;I rapidly freeze the samples at very low temperatures, -180 Degrees Celsius. This prevents ice crystals from forming and allows me to study the microbes in a state that is very close to how they exist in nature.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/ff82b3967d4a4519a190ff5cc7573f5b/george_westmeijer_med_handledare3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/ff82b3967d4a4519a190ff5cc7573f5b/george_westmeijer_med_handledare3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/ff82b3967d4a4519a190ff5cc7573f5b/george_westmeijer_med_handledare3.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/ff82b3967d4a4519a190ff5cc7573f5b/george_westmeijer_med_handledare3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/ff82b3967d4a4519a190ff5cc7573f5b/george_westmeijer_med_handledare3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/ff82b3967d4a4519a190ff5cc7573f5b/george_westmeijer_med_handledare3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Microscopy is carried out at the Ume&aring; Centre for Electron Microscopy (UCEM). Postdoctoral researcher George Westmeijer prepares samples at minus 180 degrees Celsius. In the photograph, he is pictured with his supervisors Johan Wikner, Professor at the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, and Linda Sandblad, Associate Professor at the Department of Chemistry.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ingrid S&ouml;derbergh</span></div></div><p>George Westmeijer then uses advanced cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) to create three-dimensional images of microbial cells in the samples. The technique is based on cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), which was awarded the 2017 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.</p><p>Cryo-ET combines many images taken from different angles, revealing structures that are impossible to see with conventional microscopy. The image analysis is carried out using software partly developed at the Ume&aring; Centre for Electron Microscopy (UCEM) at Ume&aring; University. For the microscopy part of the project, George is supervised by Linda Sandblad, who is both his principal supervisor and the Director of UCEM.</p><p>The resulting image library will have a level of detail that makes it possible to study biological structures such as membrane vesicles, and also interactions between cells.</p><p>&ldquo;Microbes do not live in isolation. We often find different species right next to each other, and we are interested in understanding what kinds of relationships they have and how they influence one another."</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Linking images and genomes</h2><p>With an ever-growing library of microbial images now in place, George Westmeijer is taking the next step. By combining cryo-EM with metagenomics, cell sorting, single-cell sequencing and proteomics, he hopes to identify species, estimate biomass and track developmental stages. The approach could also reveal microbial partnerships between species that are regularly found together.</p><p>&ldquo;Identification is the big challenge ahead,&rdquo; says George Westmeijer. &ldquo;But if we succeed, we can start building three‑dimensional references of common marine microbes and explore how their morphology changes in response to factors like rising water temperatures.&rdquo;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/ff82b3967d4a4519a190ff5cc7573f5b/bacteria_c_in_two_versions2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/ff82b3967d4a4519a190ff5cc7573f5b/bacteria_c_in_two_versions2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/ff82b3967d4a4519a190ff5cc7573f5b/bacteria_c_in_two_versions2.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/ff82b3967d4a4519a190ff5cc7573f5b/bacteria_c_in_two_versions2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/ff82b3967d4a4519a190ff5cc7573f5b/bacteria_c_in_two_versions2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/ff82b3967d4a4519a190ff5cc7573f5b/bacteria_c_in_two_versions2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Left: A black-and-white slice from an electron tomogram of an aquatic bacteria. Right: A segmented reconstruction highlighting key cellular structures, including the double membrane, stalks, and ribosomes. The coloured 3D model of the cell was created in Dragonfly.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>George Westmeijer</span></div></div><p>In the long term, the image library could help reconstruct microbial food webs and improve our understanding of how marine ecosystems respond to climate change and human impact. For George Westmeijer, the motivation is also personal:</p><p>&ldquo;For the first time, I truly get to see the organisms I have studied throughout my scientific career. It is fascinating, and possibly the beginning of a new way to understand the most fundamental life in the sea.&rdquo;</p><p>George Westmeijer has a KBC postdoctoral fellowship funded by the Kempe Foundation. The project is interdisciplinary, spanning chemistry and ecology.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/tiny-microbes-give-big-insights-into-the-baltic-sea_12183386/https://www.umu.se/en/news/space-physicist-asta-pellinen-wannberg-receives-international-award_12183347/Professor Emerita Asta Pellinen-Wannberg at Umeå University has been awarded the President’s Award from the International Union of Radio Science (URSI) for her work promoting and supporting women in radio science.Mon, 24 Aug 2026 12:22:38 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/81b3eb8ad0b8495489104961f36c2c9f/asta_picture24.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/81b3eb8ad0b8495489104961f36c2c9f/asta_picture24.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/81b3eb8ad0b8495489104961f36c2c9f/asta_picture24.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/81b3eb8ad0b8495489104961f36c2c9f/asta_picture24.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/81b3eb8ad0b8495489104961f36c2c9f/asta_picture24.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/81b3eb8ad0b8495489104961f36c2c9f/asta_picture24.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Asta Pellinen-Wannberg is being honoured for her commitment to women in radio science. Here she is delivering her acceptance speech.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>URSI</span></div></div><p>The award was presented at the opening ceremony of the URSI General Assembly and Scientific Symposium in Krak&oacute;w on 16 August.</p><p>In its citation, URSI highlights Asta Pellinen-Wannberg&rsquo;s long-standing commitment to encouraging and supporting women researchers, as well as her contributions to Women in Radio Science (WIRS), an international initiative that promotes the inclusion and visibility of women in the field.</p><p>&ldquo;It is remarkable that a question I raised publicly in 2015 about where all the talented women in this heavily male-dominated field could be found has grown into a global initiative. I am deeply honoured to receive this award,&rdquo; says Asta Pellinen-Wannberg of the Department of Physics.</p><p>What began as a column in the Radio Science Bulletin later developed into dedicated WIRS sessions at URSI&rsquo;s international conferences. Today, there are 16 local WIRS chapters around the world.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">A global organisation for radio science</h2><p>Radio science encompasses the study of electromagnetic fields and waves and their many applications, ranging from communications and radar to space research.</p><p>The International Union of Radio Science (URSI) is an international, independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing research, international collaboration and the exchange of knowledge within the field. URSI is a member of the International Science Council.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="556e0048-1157-47de-a435-b72b7c90e871" data-contentname="About the Presidents Award">{}</div>https://www.umu.se/en/news/space-physicist-asta-pellinen-wannberg-receives-international-award_12183347/https://www.umu.se/en/news/from-summer-meetings-to-arctic-collaboration_12183205/Three significant Arctic events took place before the summer break. The Arctic Arts Summit brought focus to Umeå University's geographical location as a higher education institution in Sápmi and the Arctic. The Arctic Security Forum showed that Arctic security concerns many more research fields than security studies. And the UArctic Congress highlighted routes to international collaboration, with the next Congress coming to Umeå in 2028.Mon, 24 Aug 2026 14:35:04 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/db8eb377563c452985dc4c9990488b9c/20260617_0913262.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/db8eb377563c452985dc4c9990488b9c/20260617_0913262.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/db8eb377563c452985dc4c9990488b9c/20260617_0913262.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/db8eb377563c452985dc4c9990488b9c/20260617_0913262.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/db8eb377563c452985dc4c9990488b9c/20260617_0913262.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/db8eb377563c452985dc4c9990488b9c/20260617_0913262.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>On the second day of the Arctic Art Summit, the key findings of the Swedish Truth Commission for the Sami People were presented. The report was presented by researcher Krister Stoor of V&aacute;rdduo &ndash; Centre for S&aacute;mi Research, and Kaisa Syrj&auml;nen Schaal, Chair of the Truth Commission, to a packed Idun.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Lena Maria Nilsson</span></div></div><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Build on Ume&aring; University&rsquo;s Arctic position&nbsp;</h2><p>What does it mean for a university to be located in S&aacute;pmi and the Arctic? Arctic Arts Summit offered several answers through research, art and public discussion.<br><br>Held in Ubmeje/Ume&aring; on 16-18 June, the summit gathered around 700 artists, researchers, cultural practitioners and policymakers. It was the first Arctic Arts Summit held in Sweden, under the theme Land, Power and Art and with Indigenous perspectives at the centre. Vice-Chancellor Tora Holmberg opened the summit by emphasising Ume&aring; University&rsquo;s place in S&aacute;pmi and the Arctic from geographical, academic and cultural perspectives.&nbsp;<br><br>That position was also visible across the programme. V&aacute;rdduo &ndash; Centre for S&aacute;mi Research, the Arctic Centre, UmArts and the Arts Campus connected S&aacute;mi perspectives, research and artistic practice through panels, workshops and artistic research. A well-attended session with Krister Stoor from V&aacute;rdduo and S&aacute;mi Truth Commission Chair Kaisa Syrj&auml;nen Schaal brought questions of truth and knowledge-building into the wider Arctic discussion.&nbsp;<br>For researchers, the opportunity is to build on Ume&aring; University&rsquo;s position in S&aacute;pmi and the Arctic &ndash; and explore whether an Arctic perspective could add relevance, new questions or new partners to work already underway.&nbsp;</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Use Arctic Six to widen the security conversation&nbsp;</h2><p>Arctic security is relevant to researchers who may not think of themselves as working on security at all. The Arctic Security Forum in Oulu made that clear. Organised by the six universities in Arctic Six, it brought academia together with policymakers, defence, cities, communities and businesses around total defence, transportation and preparedness in the North. The second day focused on developing new cooperation, projects and plans.&nbsp;</p><p class="quote-center">Arctic security is no longer something we can understand through defence policy alone. Infrastructure, food systems, digitalisation, trust and resilience are all part of the picture.&nbsp;</p><p>The discussions went well beyond military defence. Gunhild Hoogensen Gj&oslash;rv of UiT The Arctic University of Norway highlighted competition in cyberspace and outer space, where private actors may control critical digital infrastructure and satellites. She also stressed that cohesion and trust make societies harder to destabilise.&nbsp;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/db8eb377563c452985dc4c9990488b9c/2500px_-_20260616_-_unioulu_-_arctic_security_forum_-_jpm-0543.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/db8eb377563c452985dc4c9990488b9c/2500px_-_20260616_-_unioulu_-_arctic_security_forum_-_jpm-0543.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/db8eb377563c452985dc4c9990488b9c/2500px_-_20260616_-_unioulu_-_arctic_security_forum_-_jpm-0543.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/db8eb377563c452985dc4c9990488b9c/2500px_-_20260616_-_unioulu_-_arctic_security_forum_-_jpm-0543.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/db8eb377563c452985dc4c9990488b9c/2500px_-_20260616_-_unioulu_-_arctic_security_forum_-_jpm-0543.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/db8eb377563c452985dc4c9990488b9c/2500px_-_20260616_-_unioulu_-_arctic_security_forum_-_jpm-0543.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>University of Oulu, Arctic Security Forum.&nbsp;</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Janne-Pekka Manninen / University of Oulu.</span><span style="font-size: 20px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 900; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span></div></div><p>Ume&aring; University Professor and Arctic Six chair 2024-2026 Niklas Eklund moderated a panel on total defence and comprehensive security:&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;&ndash; Arctic security is no longer something we can understand through defence policy alone. Infrastructure, food systems, digitalisation, trust and resilience are all part of the picture.&nbsp;</p><p>For researchers, this opens several possible routes into the security discussion. Expertise in digitalisation, infrastructure, food, resilience, trust or society may be useful in addressing Arctic security challenges even when security was never the starting point of the research. Arctic Six also offers an existing Nordic setting for exploring those questions with researchers and other partners.&nbsp;</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Use UArctic now &ndash; and build towards 2028&nbsp;</h2><p>The UArctic Congress in T&oacute;rshavn brought close to 1,400 participants from nearly 40 countries together around research and Arctic cooperation &ndash; and showed the breadth of the international community available to Ume&aring; researchers. For Lena Leimgruber Haraldsson, doctoral student at the Department of Language Studies, one message stood out:&nbsp;<br><br>&nbsp;&ndash; One of the strongest impressions from the Congress was the growing emphasis on collaboration across disciplines, sectors and knowledge systems.<br><br>Together with colleagues from UiT, she co-organised Creating &amp; Communicating Arctic ArtScience and presented her own research, receiving feedback from an international and interdisciplinary audience while strengthening existing collaborations and establishing new ones.&nbsp;</p><p class="quote-center">One of the strongest impressions from the Congress was the growing emphasis on collaboration across disciplines, sectors and knowledge systems.</p><p>Many Ume&aring; researchers are already active across UArctic. This year, two new provisional Thematic Networks hosted by Ume&aring; University were added: Arctic AI and Arctic Food Transitions. Arctic AI, led by Frank Dignum (department od Computing Science, Ume&aring; University), plans an AI literacy programme focused on what AI can do, but also what it cannot or should not be used for. Arctic Food Transitions, led by Armando Perez-Cueto (department of Food, Nutrition and Culinary Science, Ume&aring; University), brings together researchers around food systems and change in northern communities. The new networks offer additional ways to find colleagues and develop ideas with international partners.&nbsp;<br><br>With the UArctic Congress and Assembly coming to Ume&aring; on 12&ndash;16 June 2028, the next two years offer researchers a clear opportunity to build collaborations across the wider Arctic community.&nbsp;<br><br></p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="be3ba701-ac55-4254-8e15-986866b15e1e" data-contentname="test">{}</div>https://www.umu.se/en/news/from-summer-meetings-to-arctic-collaboration_12183205/https://www.umu.se/en/news/minister-for-research-visits-the-university-following-launch-of-new-quantum-technology-strategy_12183185/Following the Swedish Government’s launch of its new quantum technology strategy, Lotta Edholm, Minister for upper secondary school, higher education and research visited Umeå University. Vice-Chancellor Tora Holmberg and four of the University's quantum technology researchers met with the political delegation to discuss topics including internationalisation, funding, infrastructure, and the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration. Fri, 21 Aug 2026 12:48:54 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/856b72afcde541808179a87b6b21b1b9/kvantstrategi-0106-260818-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/856b72afcde541808179a87b6b21b1b9/kvantstrategi-0106-260818-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/856b72afcde541808179a87b6b21b1b9/kvantstrategi-0106-260818-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/856b72afcde541808179a87b6b21b1b9/kvantstrategi-0106-260818-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/856b72afcde541808179a87b6b21b1b9/kvantstrategi-0106-260818-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/856b72afcde541808179a87b6b21b1b9/kvantstrategi-0106-260818-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Lotta Edholm, Minister for upper secondary school, higher education and research, together with her Liberal Party colleagues Lars Leijonborg and Elin Nilsson, listens as Vice-Chancellor Tora Holmberg introduces Ume&aring; University and comments on the new quantum technology strategy recently launched by the Swedish Government.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>On 18 August, the Swedish Government launched its new quantum technology strategy. Quantum technology is an advanced field of research with significant implications for a range of important areas in society, including healthcare, energy, cybersecurity, navigation, and defence. Sweden is already a leader in quantum research. The Government&rsquo;s new strategy aims to provide a framework to further strengthen the field.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>&ldquo;We want Sweden to prioritise this area within the Swedish Research Council&rsquo;s funding opportunities and strategic priorities, and we want it to attract increased investment and interest from industry,&rdquo; said Minister Lotta Edholm during a meeting at Laserlab Ume&aring; shortly after the strategy was launched.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>&ldquo;I am firmly convinced that we need to invest more in research in Sweden overall. Public investment should reach one per cent, not least because this would help attract additional funding from industry. Sweden currently performs well, but from a European perspective we are being overtaken, primarily by the United States and China,&rdquo; she said.&nbsp;</p><p><a title="pressmeddelande" href="https://news.cision.com/se/utbildningsdepartementet/r/regeringen-presenterar-en-strategi-for-kvantteknik,c4384642">Read the full strategy (In Swedish).&nbsp;</a></p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Ume&aring; University is home to world-leading researchers in the field</h2><p>Lotta Edholm was accompanied in Ume&aring; by Liberal party member of parliament Elin Nilsson and Lars Leijonborg, parliamentary candidate for the Liberal Party and former Minister for education and research and party leader. During their visit, they toured the advanced Laserlab Ume&aring; facility and met researchers Aleksandra Foltynowicz, L&aacute;szl&oacute; Veisz, Nicol&ograve; Maccaferri, and Mustafa Khairallah from the Department of Physics and the Department of Computing Science. Also present were Vice-Chancellor Tora Holmberg, Thomas W&aring;gberg, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, and Thomas Olofsson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/856b72afcde541808179a87b6b21b1b9/kvantstrategi-0317-260818-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/856b72afcde541808179a87b6b21b1b9/kvantstrategi-0317-260818-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/856b72afcde541808179a87b6b21b1b9/kvantstrategi-0317-260818-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/856b72afcde541808179a87b6b21b1b9/kvantstrategi-0317-260818-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/856b72afcde541808179a87b6b21b1b9/kvantstrategi-0317-260818-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/856b72afcde541808179a87b6b21b1b9/kvantstrategi-0317-260818-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>L&aacute;szl&oacute; Veisz, Aleksandra Foltynowicz, Thomas W&aring;gberg, Tora Holmberg, Lars Leijonborg, Lotta Edholm, Elin Nilsson, Nicol&ograve; Maccaferri and Mustafa Khairallah during the meeting at Laserlab Ume&aring;, Ume&aring; University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>Ume&aring; University welcomes investments in research in general and in quantum technology in particular, as this is an area in which the University has significant strengths.</p><p>&ldquo;What this strategy provides is confirmation that our investment in quantum technology is the right one. It is a costly field, particularly when it comes to infrastructure. Sweden is a small country, and if we are to realise the ambitions of this strategy, collaboration is essential. Ume&aring; University contributes through its areas of expertise and works closely with other universities in Sweden and internationally,&rdquo; said Vice-Chancellor Tora Holmberg.</p><p>&ldquo;As Vice-Chancellor, I am especially pleased that Ume&aring; University is home to world-leading researchers in this field who actively contribute to outstanding research collaborations,&rdquo; she added.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Researchers presented their research</h2><p>During the meeting, each researcher had the opportunity to present their ongoing projects in quantum technology. The projects span a wide range of areas, including future technologies in electronics, photonics, quantum technology and biotechnology, environmental monitoring, astrophysics, cybersecurity, and studies of the fundamental building blocks of matter.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="03cf45cc-b7bf-4025-a11e-56c223fd6502" data-contentname="kvantforskare eng">{}</div><p>Two physical quantum computers are currently being developed in Sweden. Both are located at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg and are being built within the framework of the Wallenberg Centre for Quantum Technology (WACQT). Research conducted at Ume&aring; University represents important fundamental research that contributes to the development of these quantum computers.</p><p>&ldquo;To develop quantum computers, it is essential to understand how atoms and electrons behave at the quantum level. That is the knowledge we generate here. We are not developing a quantum computer as such, but we are developing techniques that are necessary for their future development,&rdquo; said Thomas W&aring;gberg, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology and Professor at the Department of Physics.</p><p>The discussions between University representatives and the political delegation also covered funding, infrastructure, education, research communication, internationalisation, and the importance of inspiring interest in the natural sciences among both university students and children of primary school age.&nbsp;</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/minister-for-research-visits-the-university-following-launch-of-new-quantum-technology-strategy_12183185/https://www.umu.se/en/news/screening-can-reduce-colorectal-cancer-mortality-by-more-than-40-percent_12183201/People who participate in colorectal cancer screening may have as much as a 43 percent lower risk of dying from the disease. This is shown by new estimates from researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Umeå University. The findings are based on up to 14 years of follow-up data from the colorectal cancer screening programme in the Stockholm-Gotland region.Fri, 21 Aug 2026 09:43:44 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/d2df4ac0c35c4db7a1de93e9dbef3cfb/kolorektalcancer3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/d2df4ac0c35c4db7a1de93e9dbef3cfb/kolorektalcancer3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/d2df4ac0c35c4db7a1de93e9dbef3cfb/kolorektalcancer3.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/d2df4ac0c35c4db7a1de93e9dbef3cfb/kolorektalcancer3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/d2df4ac0c35c4db7a1de93e9dbef3cfb/kolorektalcancer3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/d2df4ac0c35c4db7a1de93e9dbef3cfb/kolorektalcancer3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Colorectal cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer, with a favourable prognosis if detected early. Universal screening has been introduced throughout Sweden, meaning testing is offered to people aged 60&ndash;74 every two years.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Panuwat Dangsungnoen</span></div></div><p>Colorectal cancer is among the most common forms of cancer and has a good prognosis when detected at an early stage. Population-based screening has been implemented throughout Sweden and offers testing every two years to people aged 60 to 74. Stockholm and Gotland were among the first regions to introduce routine screening, launching their programme in 2008. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Ume&aring; University have now followed participants for up to 14 years to investigate how screening affects the risk of death from the disease. The study included more than 376,000 individuals.</p><p>&ldquo;Population-based screening is a public health initiative that affects a large number of people. It is therefore important to evaluate its effectiveness,&rdquo; says H&aring;kan Jonsson, researcher at the Department of Epidemiology and Global Health at Ume&aring; University and one of the scientists behind the study.</p><p>&ldquo;A previous evaluation of the programme showed that people who received an invitation to screening had a 14 percent lower risk of dying from the disease. We can now show that the reduction in mortality is considerably greater among those who actually participate in the screening programme,&rdquo; says Johannes Blom, senior consultant and associate professor at the Department of Clinical Research and Education, S&ouml;dersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">One in three do not participate in screening</h2><p>The researchers compared individuals who were invited to screening between 2008 and 2012 with a control group that was either invited later or not invited at all. They used a statistical method to account for factors that can make the effect of screening difficult to estimate, including the fact that some people in the control group were later given the opportunity to participate and that some people who received invitations chose not to take part.</p><p>&ldquo;Evaluating the effectiveness of screening can be challenging because of various sources of bias and the lack of individual-level data. In this study, the evaluation was planned from the outset by ensuring the availability of a control group and by collecting all the necessary individual-level data,&rdquo; says H&aring;kan Jonsson.</p><p>After accounting for these factors, receiving an invitation to screening was associated with a 26 percent lower risk of death from colorectal cancer, while active participation in screening was associated with a 43 percent lower risk of death.</p><p>&ldquo;Although screening is offered free of charge and the test is simple to complete, around one-third of eligible individuals do not submit a sample. Our study highlights the importance of participating in colorectal cancer screening and shows that it can save lives,&rdquo; says Johannes Blom.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="85aab3db-6ed5-449b-b030-e4719800efad" data-contentname="About the study">{}</div><p><em>This text was translated from Swedish using Microsoft Copilot. The text has been manually reviewed by the author prior to publication.</em></p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/screening-can-reduce-colorectal-cancer-mortality-by-more-than-40-percent_12183201/https://www.umu.se/en/news/new-study-maps-how-gut-bacteria-help-and-hinder-each-others-growth_12183144/Cancer care in northern Sweden has taken another important step towards an internationally recognised quality accreditation as a Comprehensive Cancer Centre (CCC). A few weeks ago, the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI) gave the green light for the next phase of the process: an on-site review visit.Thu, 20 Aug 2026 08:07:48 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2b6230d9932844d689ccb714d19d09ac/norrlands_universitetssjukhus_-_original_3652783.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2b6230d9932844d689ccb714d19d09ac/norrlands_universitetssjukhus_-_original_3652783.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2b6230d9932844d689ccb714d19d09ac/norrlands_universitetssjukhus_-_original_3652783.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/2b6230d9932844d689ccb714d19d09ac/norrlands_universitetssjukhus_-_original_3652783.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2b6230d9932844d689ccb714d19d09ac/norrlands_universitetssjukhus_-_original_3652783.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2b6230d9932844d689ccb714d19d09ac/norrlands_universitetssjukhus_-_original_3652783.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Since 2025, Region V&auml;sterbotten, Ume&aring; University and the Northern Sweden Regional Cancer Centre have worked together within a joint organisational structure to advance cancer care, cancer research and cancer education.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Klas Sj&ouml;berg</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">The site visit is an important milestone on the road to accreditation</p><p>&ldquo;The site visit is an important milestone on the road to accreditation. Throughout the autumn, we will continue our preparations, and staff and managers in the relevant units will receive more information about what to expect,&rdquo; says Lotta Edvinsson, Director of Ume&aring; Comprehensive Cancer Centre.</p><p>Since autumn 2025, Region V&auml;sterbotten, Ume&aring; University and the Northern Sweden Regional Cancer Centre have worked together within a joint organisational structure to advance cancer care, cancer research and cancer education.</p><p>At the end of July, the organisation received confirmation that it had been approved to move on to the next stage of the process towards accreditation as Ume&aring; Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Ume&aring; CCC). This means that OECI&rsquo;s review team will conduct an on-site visit at Norrland University Hospital in December. During the visit, the reviewers will meet representatives of the organisation and gain a deeper understanding of how care, research and education are integrated within the field of cancer.</p><p>&ldquo;I am immensely proud of all the staff who contribute to this extensive and important process. Achieving Comprehensive Cancer Centre status is recognition of the high quality that characterises our organisation and of the strong collaboration between care, research and education. At the same time, it opens up new opportunities for development and collaboration at the regional, national and international levels,&rdquo; says Pia N&auml;svall, Director of Health and Medical Services at Region V&auml;sterbotten.</p><p>CCC accreditation is an internationally recognised mark of quality, demonstrating that care, research and education are well integrated and meet high standards according to European criteria. The goal is to create the best possible conditions for cancer care and cancer research, with patients at the centre.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/northern-swedens-cancer-care-closer-to-international-quality-accreditation_12183076/https://www.umu.se/en/news/knowledge-alone-is-not-enough-many-outdoor-workers-remain-unprotected-against-tbe_12182925/Although most outdoor workers in Sweden have a positive attitude towards vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), many remain unvaccinated. A new study from Umeå University and the Swedish Veterinary Agency (SVA) highlights the barriers preventing people from getting vaccinated.Fri, 21 Aug 2026 07:42:30 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/bdde29ba879046ad8eea9f0028e78047/istock-5867181123.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/bdde29ba879046ad8eea9f0028e78047/istock-5867181123.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/bdde29ba879046ad8eea9f0028e78047/istock-5867181123.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/bdde29ba879046ad8eea9f0028e78047/istock-5867181123.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/bdde29ba879046ad8eea9f0028e78047/istock-5867181123.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/bdde29ba879046ad8eea9f0028e78047/istock-5867181123.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Awareness of TBE is high and most outdoor workers see the value of vaccination, yet many remain unvaccinated. The findings suggest that practical barriers, such as cost and accessibility, may be just as important as knowledge in shaping vaccination decisions.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Teka77</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">Many outdoor workers recognize the value of TBE vaccination but still choose not to get vaccinated</p><p>&ldquo;Many outdoor workers recognize the value of TBE vaccination but still choose not to get vaccinated. Our findings suggest that accessibility, cost and support from employers may be just as important as knowledge about the disease,&rdquo; says Dr. Junwen Guo, Staff Scientist at the Department of Epidemiology and Global Health at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>TBE is a potentially serious disease transmitted by ticks. People working in forestry, agriculture, research, hunting and other outdoor occupations may be repeatedly exposed to tick bites.</p><p>A nationwide survey of 1,006 outdoor workers, conducted by Ume&aring; University and the Swedish Veterinary Agency (SVA), found that 77 percent had received at least one dose of a TBE vaccine, while almost 86 percent considered vaccination to be valuable.</p><p>Overall, knowledge about TBE vaccination was high. As many as 98.7 percent of participants were aware that TBE can be prevented through vaccination. Despite this, vaccination uptake lagged behind both knowledge and attitudes, with clear differences between occupational groups, socioeconomic groups and geographical regions.</p><p>The participants&rsquo; own comments help explain why. Some appeared to assess their personal risk based on whether they had encountered ticks or TBE in their everyday lives. One participant wrote:</p><p>&ldquo;<em>Despite a lifetime of outdoor activities and outdoor work, I have never seen a tick on myself.</em>&rdquo;</p><p>Others questioned the relevance of TBE in their area or seemed to have difficulty distinguishing between different tick-borne diseases that are transmitted by the same tick species. One respondent wrote:</p><p>&ldquo;<em>TBE is not common in this area, whereas Lyme disease is</em>.&rdquo;</p><p>These comments do not suggest that outdoor workers lack knowledge about TBE. Rather, they point to a more complex issue: people may not perceive their own risk as high enough to justify vaccination.</p><p>For some participants, practical barriers were the main concern. Comments highlighted difficulties in reaching vaccination clinics, scheduling appointments and keeping track of booster doses. One participant wrote:</p><p>&ldquo;<em>My biggest barrier is having to travel into town to get vaccinated. It takes time and even parking is difficul</em>t.&rdquo;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareleft"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/bdde29ba879046ad8eea9f0028e78047/jg_hihgh2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/bdde29ba879046ad8eea9f0028e78047/jg_hihgh2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/bdde29ba879046ad8eea9f0028e78047/jg_hihgh2.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/bdde29ba879046ad8eea9f0028e78047/jg_hihgh2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/bdde29ba879046ad8eea9f0028e78047/jg_hihgh2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/bdde29ba879046ad8eea9f0028e78047/jg_hihgh2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Junwen Guo, Staff Scientist at the Department of Epidemiology and Global Health at Ume&aring; University</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Natthaphon Sakulvanaporn (BangkokVDO). </span></div></div><p>Cost was another important factor. Nearly half of the respondents said they would be more likely to get vaccinated against TBE if the vaccine were less expensive or subsidized by their employer or public authorities.</p><p>Sweden already has systems in place to manage TBE risks in the workplace. Employers are expected to assess the risk of infection and offer vaccination when needed, and TBE vaccination is particularly recommended for people who work outdoors. However, not everyone who is frequently exposed to ticks is covered by these systems, including self-employed farmers, people who work outdoors part-time and hunters. This raises the question of whether current prevention efforts are reaching all high-risk groups.</p><p>The study also points to another challenge: the geographical expansion of TBE risk. Because vaccination must be given before infection occurs, delays can arise if new risk areas are only identified after an increase in human cases. As ticks and TBE continue to spread into new areas, it becomes increasingly important to identify high-risk individuals early enough for vaccination to provide protection. For outdoor workers, risk depends not only on where they live, but also on where and how often they spend time outdoors.</p><p>The findings raise an important question for TBE prevention:</p><p>&ldquo;To stay ahead of the disease, we need to identify high-risk groups earlier and make vaccination more accessible. This requires both better tick and TBE surveillance,&rdquo; says Junwen Guo.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/bdde29ba879046ad8eea9f0028e78047/fasting_jens_rydell_johner2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/bdde29ba879046ad8eea9f0028e78047/fasting_jens_rydell_johner2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/bdde29ba879046ad8eea9f0028e78047/fasting_jens_rydell_johner2.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/bdde29ba879046ad8eea9f0028e78047/fasting_jens_rydell_johner2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/bdde29ba879046ad8eea9f0028e78047/fasting_jens_rydell_johner2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/bdde29ba879046ad8eea9f0028e78047/fasting_jens_rydell_johner2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral infection spread to humans through tick bites. The virus is transmitted almost instantly via the tick&rsquo;s saliva when it bites. There is currently no cure for TBE, making vaccination the most effective way to protect yourself against the disease.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Jens Rydell, John&eacute;r bildbyr&aring; AB</span></div></div>https://www.umu.se/en/news/knowledge-alone-is-not-enough-many-outdoor-workers-remain-unprotected-against-tbe_12182925/https://www.umu.se/en/news/from-words-to-action-in-climate-education_12182868/Students learn a great deal about the climate, but that knowledge does not always lead to action. In a new project, Johanna Lönngren will investigate how climate education can be designed to drive greater change.Tue, 18 Aug 2026 12:36:42 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/abdaeefdec704484bf6bac313ca3608b/lonngren_johanna_1577_230516_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/abdaeefdec704484bf6bac313ca3608b/lonngren_johanna_1577_230516_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/abdaeefdec704484bf6bac313ca3608b/lonngren_johanna_1577_230516_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/abdaeefdec704484bf6bac313ca3608b/lonngren_johanna_1577_230516_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/abdaeefdec704484bf6bac313ca3608b/lonngren_johanna_1577_230516_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/abdaeefdec704484bf6bac313ca3608b/lonngren_johanna_1577_230516_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Johanna L&ouml;nngren, Associate Professor at the Department of Science and Mathematics Education.&nbsp;</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;The problem is that teaching focuses on developing knowledge, rather than on how it can be used to bring about actual change,&rdquo; says Johanna L&ouml;nngren, Associate Professor at the Department of Science and Mathematics Education, NMD.</p><p>For the climate transition to accelerate, society needs not only new technologies, but also people with knowledge, commitment and confidence that they can make a difference. The way education is designed plays an important role in this.</p><p>Johanna L&ouml;nngren has been awarded SEK 4 million from Formas, a government research council for sustainable development, to compile and analyse research on climate education. She will investigate what makes some educational initiatives lead to action while others do not.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">"We are not seeing the change we need"</h2><p>Unlike a traditional literature review, which often focuses on the question of what works, the project will also examine why something works and in what contexts. The project takes a broad view of climate education, from primary and secondary education to higher education. It may, for example, explore what motivates pupils and students to change their behaviour, engage in organisations, or choose a career path that allow them to influence societal development.</p><p>&ldquo;We are not seeing the change we need. There is a great deal of knowledge and technology available, but progress towards climate neutrality is far too slow,&rdquo; says Johanna L&ouml;nngren.</p><p>The project also involves Eva Knekta at NMD and Lo&iuml;s Vanh&eacute;e at the Department of Computing Science. They are collaborating with Sara Dada at University College Dublin.</p><p>At the end of the project, the researchers will develop models that make it easier to understand how different mechanisms influence learning. The models will be used together with teachers to help them develop climate education in ways that are effective within their own teaching contexts.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/from-words-to-action-in-climate-education_12182868/https://www.umu.se/en/news/the-swedish-brain-foundation-invests-in-brainpower-in-umea_12182461/Seven research projects at Umeå University will receive a total of SEK 9 million in funding from the Swedish Brain Foundation, as part of its allocation of SEK 190 million to 122 research projects across Sweden.Fri, 14 Aug 2026 10:08:55 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/39f10a3863dd49c888157e4c903bb7c4/10174693-brain-disease-therapy_beskuren3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/39f10a3863dd49c888157e4c903bb7c4/10174693-brain-disease-therapy_beskuren3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/39f10a3863dd49c888157e4c903bb7c4/10174693-brain-disease-therapy_beskuren3.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/39f10a3863dd49c888157e4c903bb7c4/10174693-brain-disease-therapy_beskuren3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/39f10a3863dd49c888157e4c903bb7c4/10174693-brain-disease-therapy_beskuren3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/39f10a3863dd49c888157e4c903bb7c4/10174693-brain-disease-therapy_beskuren3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The seven projects receiving funding from the Swedish Brain Foundation cover a broad range of key areas within brain research.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mostphotos</span></div></div><p>Both the amount awarded to Ume&aring; University and the university&rsquo;s share of the national funding, 4.7 percent, are higher than in previous years.</p><p>&ldquo;The Swedish Brain Foundation&rsquo;s investment of SEK 9 million in research at Ume&aring; University is a clear recognition of the high quality of our brain research. The increase in our share of national funding also shows that our researchers are highly competitive. These grants provide greater opportunities to develop knowledge that can contribute to future diagnostics and treatments for brain disorders,&rdquo; says Katrine Riklund, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>The funded projects cover several important areas of brain research. Among other topics, researchers are investigating the mechanisms behind neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease, the brain&rsquo;s own maintenance processes, and how tick-borne viruses enter the brain.</p><p>This year&rsquo;s funding allocation from the Swedish Brain Foundation is the largest to date. A total of SEK 190 million is being awarded, nearly SEK 40 million more than last year. The funding is made possible through donations from the public.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Research projects at Ume&aring; University receiving funding</h2><p><strong>Anna &Ouml;verby Wernstedt, Department of Clinical Microbiology</strong><br>Project: <em>Mapping the Tick-Borne Virus&rsquo;s Route into the Brain: Can We Stop It?</em><br>Research area: Brain function</p><p><strong>Changchun Chen, Department of Molecular Biology</strong><br>Project: <em>Regulation of Neuronal Proteostasis by Glial Nuclear Hormone Receptors</em><br>Research area: ALS, Parkinson&rsquo;s disease, Huntington&rsquo;s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders</p><p><strong>Karin Forsberg, Department of Clinical Science</strong><br>Project: <em>Understanding and Stopping ALS: From Misfolded Proteins to Future Treatments</em><br>Research area: ALS, Parkinson&rsquo;s disease, Huntington&rsquo;s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders</p><p><strong>Michael Dimitriou, Department of Medical and Translational Biology</strong><br>Project: <em>Sensorimotor Aging: Changes in Proprioceptive Signalling, Reflex Connectivity and Motor Function</em><br>Research area: Brain function</p><p><strong>Nina Karalija, Department of Medical and Translational Biology</strong><br>Project: <em>Age-Related Dopamine Loss: A Risk Factor for Future Dementia Pathology?</em><br>Research area: Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease, frontotemporal dementia and other dementias</p><p><strong>Hugo L&ouml;vheim, Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation</strong><br>Project: <em>Shingles, Cold Sores, Genes and Dementia: The Role of Neurotropic Herpesviruses in the Development of Alzheimer&rsquo;s Disease</em><br>Research area: Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease, frontotemporal dementia and other dementias</p><p><strong>Anders W&aring;hlin, Department of Applied Physics and Electronics</strong><br>Project: <em>Imaging the Brain&rsquo;s Maintenance Mechanisms: CSF&ndash;ISF Exchange and Vascular Drivers</em><br>Research area: Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease, frontotemporal dementia and other dementias</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/the-swedish-brain-foundation-invests-in-brainpower-in-umea_12182461/https://www.umu.se/en/news/high-risk-groups-forgo-vaccination-despite-it-being-free_12181961/Although influenza and COVID-19 vaccination are offered free of charge to people at increased risk of severe illness, many still choose not to get vaccinated. A new study from Umeå University shows that the main barriers are not financial or related to distance from vaccination services. Instead, those most likely to forgo vaccination were younger individuals, men, smokers, and people with reduced independence.Wed, 12 Aug 2026 09:41:10 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b5ed6ed31a7a4612b0f1d274a902e9a7/sca27202_kopiera_johner3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b5ed6ed31a7a4612b0f1d274a902e9a7/sca27202_kopiera_johner3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b5ed6ed31a7a4612b0f1d274a902e9a7/sca27202_kopiera_johner3.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/b5ed6ed31a7a4612b0f1d274a902e9a7/sca27202_kopiera_johner3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b5ed6ed31a7a4612b0f1d274a902e9a7/sca27202_kopiera_johner3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b5ed6ed31a7a4612b0f1d274a902e9a7/sca27202_kopiera_johner3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Although influenza and COVID-19 vaccination are offered free of charge to people at increased risk of severe illness, many still choose not to get vaccinated.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>John&eacute;r bildbyr&aring;</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">We were surprised to find that where people live played such a small role</p><p>&ldquo;We were surprised to find that where people live played such a small role. This means we need to target our efforts more towards the groups that continue to opt out of vaccination,&rdquo; says Urban Johansson Kostenniemi, infectious disease physician and researcher at the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>Influenza and COVID-19 continue to cause substantial illness and mortality among older adults and people with chronic diseases. Vaccination is therefore recommended for individuals in medical risk groups and is provided free of charge in Sweden.</p><p>In the study, researchers investigated factors influencing vaccination uptake among high-risk groups in northern Sweden. A total of 600 adult patients from University Hospital of Ume&aring; were included, of whom 450 were recommended vaccination against both influenza and COVID-19.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b5ed6ed31a7a4612b0f1d274a902e9a7/johansson_kostenniemi_urban_5678_221012_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b5ed6ed31a7a4612b0f1d274a902e9a7/johansson_kostenniemi_urban_5678_221012_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b5ed6ed31a7a4612b0f1d274a902e9a7/johansson_kostenniemi_urban_5678_221012_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/b5ed6ed31a7a4612b0f1d274a902e9a7/johansson_kostenniemi_urban_5678_221012_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b5ed6ed31a7a4612b0f1d274a902e9a7/johansson_kostenniemi_urban_5678_221012_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b5ed6ed31a7a4612b0f1d274a902e9a7/johansson_kostenniemi_urban_5678_221012_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Urban Johansson Kostenniemi, infectious disease physician and researcher at the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Ume&aring; University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>Among those who were recommended vaccination, uptake was 52 percent for influenza and 54 percent for COVID-19, somewhat lower than the average in V&auml;sterbotten County. Those most likely to forgo vaccination were younger individuals within the risk groups, men, smokers, and people who required assistance with everyday activities from home care services. Surprisingly, characteristics of the local environment played only a minor role. Differences in educational attainment, economic conditions, and geographic location were not associated with vaccination uptake to any substantial extent.</p><p>&ldquo;We were also surprised that people with multiple health conditions were not vaccinated more frequently than those with only one risk factor. This suggests that many people are unaware of how the overall risk increases when several medical conditions occur at the same time,&rdquo; says Urban Johansson Kostenniemi.</p><p>The study is based on patient interviews, medical record data, and information from national registers. Researchers examined both individual and societal factors to gain a more comprehensive understanding of what influences vaccination decisions.</p><p>The findings may help improve the targeting of future vaccination efforts. Suggested measures include clearer information for high-risk groups, particularly for people living with multiple health conditions who face an especially high risk of severe disease, as well as opportunities to receive multiple vaccinations during the same healthcare visit.</p><p>&ldquo;If we can increase awareness of risk among the most vulnerable groups while also making vaccination as convenient as possible, there is great potential to improve protection against serious illness,&rdquo; says Urban Johansson Kostenniemi.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/high-risk-groups-forgo-vaccination-despite-it-being-free_12181961/https://www.umu.se/en/news/metamaterials-and-nanophotonics-in-umea_12181851/METAmeet 2026 gathered leading researchers in light–matter interactions at the nanoscale for three days of presentations, discussions and networking. Hosted by Umeå University, the conference directly followed the Nobel Symposium in physics, held in Umeå’s city centre.Wed, 12 Aug 2026 08:51:55 +0200<p>From 1 to 3 July 2026, Ume&aring; University hosted METAmeet, an international conference on metamaterials and nanophotonics. The meeting continued the momentum created by the <a href="https://jirango.com/cview/web/9e3cc207?&amp;lang=swe">Nobel Symposium on metamaterials,</a> which brought some of the world&rsquo;s leading physicists to Ume&aring; to discuss metamaterials science and technology.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/211495ab111d43ceb02e454dd39c38b0/proff_engheta2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/211495ab111d43ceb02e454dd39c38b0/proff_engheta2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/211495ab111d43ceb02e454dd39c38b0/proff_engheta2.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/211495ab111d43ceb02e454dd39c38b0/proff_engheta2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/211495ab111d43ceb02e454dd39c38b0/proff_engheta2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/211495ab111d43ceb02e454dd39c38b0/proff_engheta2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Professor N. Engheta, University of Pennsylvania, giving a keynote talk at METAmeet conference on the theme "4D Metamaterials"</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ann C&eacute;line Zimmermann</span></div></div><p>The close timing of the two events turned Ume&aring; into an international hub for discussions on how light, sound and other waves can be structured in space and time. While the Nobel Symposium was organised as a closed event, METAmeet opened the conversation to a broader community of researchers, students and early-career scientists working in related areas.</p><p><br>The conference took place in Carl Kempe Salen in the KBC building at Ume&aring; University. Over three days, invited lectures, contributed talks, poster sessions and informal discussions highlighted recent developments in how structured materials can control light, heat and sound in new ways. Metamaterials and nanophotonics are rapidly developing research fields with potential impact in areas such as optical communication, sensing, imaging, medicine, energy technologies and quantum science. By bringing together international experts and early-career researchers, METAmeet strengthened scientific links across disciplines and opened new opportunities for collaboration.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/211495ab111d43ceb02e454dd39c38b0/mingling2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/211495ab111d43ceb02e454dd39c38b0/mingling2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/211495ab111d43ceb02e454dd39c38b0/mingling2.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/211495ab111d43ceb02e454dd39c38b0/mingling2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/211495ab111d43ceb02e454dd39c38b0/mingling2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/211495ab111d43ceb02e454dd39c38b0/mingling2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>METAmeet poster session</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Carla Brunner</span></div></div></div><p class="quote-left">Events like METAmeet are important because they create the conditions for new collaborations to start naturally. The scientific programme was strong, but the informal conversations were equally valuable</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Says Nicol&ograve; Maccaferri, Chair of METAmeet 2026 and member of the Local Organising Committee from the Department of Physics, Ume&aring; University.</p><h3><br>From space-time photonics to active metasurfaces</h3><p><br>The programme reflected the breadth of today&rsquo;s metamaterials and nanophotonics research. Sessions addressed topics including negative-index and space-time photonics, meta-optical processors, resonant metasurfaces for biosensing, near-zero-index materials, hot carriers in plasmonics, time-varying materials, active polymer metasurfaces, van der Waals materials for nanophotonics, optical nanoantennas and polaritonic phenomena.</p><p class="quote-left"><br>What stood out was the strong connection between theory, experiments and technology. The talks showed how ideas in metamaterials and nanophotonics are moving from conceptual designs towards real life applications</p><p>Says Ben Johns, Ume&aring; University, Co-chair of METAmeet and member of the Local Organising Committee from the Department of Physics, Ume&aring; University.</p><h3>&nbsp;<br>A meeting place for international collaboration</h3><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><p class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/211495ab111d43ceb02e454dd39c38b0/group_photo.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/211495ab111d43ceb02e454dd39c38b0/group_photo.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/211495ab111d43ceb02e454dd39c38b0/group_photo.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/211495ab111d43ceb02e454dd39c38b0/group_photo.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/211495ab111d43ceb02e454dd39c38b0/group_photo.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/211495ab111d43ceb02e454dd39c38b0/group_photo.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></p><div class="bildText"><p>METAmeet group photo</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Anna Shevtsova</span></div></div><p><br>Invited speakers and contributors came from leading international institutions, with presentations combining fundamental physics, materials science, optical engineering and emerging applications. The format encouraged discussion across subfields, with time dedicated to a poster session, coffee breaks, a social event and a conference dinner. The keynote programme featured Vladimir Shalaev from Purdue University, Magnus P. Jonsson from Link&ouml;ping University, Andrea Al&ugrave; from the City University of New York, and Nader Engheta from the University of Pennsylvania, and the wider participant group represented a strongly international mix, including researchers based in Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, the United Kingdom and the United States.</p><p><br>The event was supported by the Marcus Wallenbergs Stiftelse f&ouml;r Internationellt Vetenskapligt Samarbete, the Wenner-Gren Foundations, Carl Tryggers Stiftelse and Ume&aring; University, with additional sponsorship from organisations and companies active in photonics, scientific publishing, simulations and ultrafast technology.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/metamaterials-and-nanophotonics-in-umea_12181851/https://www.umu.se/en/news/maria-eriksson-on-the-research-taking-her-to-cambridge_12181699/Maria Eriksson has been awarded a SSF Sabbatical grant from the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research. The grant will enable her to spend a sabbatical at the Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, where she will study how the plant's internal biological clock helps coordinate cell division and growth. We asked her five questions about the project and her upcoming stay starting in autumn this year.Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:21:28 +0200<h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0"><strong>Congratulations! How does it feel to receive the SSF Sabbatical grant?</strong></h2><p>"Thank you, it feels amazing, and I am very grateful to SSF for choosing to fund my sabbatical project!"</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1"><strong>What takes you to the Sainsbury Laboratory in Cambridge?</strong></h2><p>"Together with Ho-Wei Wu and the group of James Locke, I will explore how the daily 24-hour clock helps coordinate when cells divide and grow in plants. Understanding how these timing systems work together is key to better understand how plants control their growth. It is a very new and exciting field that I am much looking forward to exploring."</p><p class="quote-center">I am excited by the opportunity to work within an interdisciplinary team of colleagues who share an interest in these fascinating questions.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2"><strong>What's the most exciting part of the research you'll be working on there?</strong></h2><p>"The Sainsbury Laboratory and the Locke Group provide an outstanding environment for my research, offering access to state-of-the-art imaging technologies that make it possible to study the plant&rsquo;s of internal clock, cell-cycle dynamics, and growth at the same time."</p><p>"I am excited by the opportunity to work within an interdisciplinary team of colleagues who share an interest in these fascinating questions. More broadly, the scientific environment in Cambridge and the surrounding region is exceptional, having become a global hub for plant science research."</p><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3"><strong>Is there something in particular you're hoping to learn from your new colleagues?</strong></h2><p>"Indeed, I am particularly interested in learning from my colleagues how to combine advanced imaging, quantitative analysis, and mathematical modelling to understand how the plant&rsquo;s internal clock controls plant growth and cell division under different environmental conditions. Although I will mainly work with the small model plant Arabidopsis, the knowledge gained could ultimately help us to better understand how trees grow."</p><p class="quote-center">The UK circadian clock research community, as well as the plant science community more broadly, is remarkably strong, and it will be fantastic to engage with and learn from these networks.</p><h2 id="info4" data-magellan-target="info4"><strong>Apart from the science, is there anything you're especially looking forward to?</strong></h2><p>"I look forward to immersing myself in academic life in Cambridge, meeting like-minded people, and building networks across disciplines. The UK circadian clock research community, as well as the plant science community more broadly, is remarkably strong, and it will be fantastic to engage with and learn from these networks."</p><p>"The laboratory is housed in a beautiful building within the Cambridge University Botanic Garden, creating an inspiring place to work and reflect. I am also excited to explore the region&rsquo;s rich culture and natural environment, and to experience new perspectives both within and beyond academia."</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/maria-eriksson-on-the-research-taking-her-to-cambridge_12181699/https://www.umu.se/en/news/they-buzz-bite-and-spread-disease--but-mosquitoes-are-essential-to-nature_12181232/Hundreds of billions of mosquitoes may exist in Sweden. Right now, one of them may even be circling your head as you try to fall asleep on a summer night. Mosquitoes are notorious for their itchy bites and for the diseases some species can transmit. Yet they also play an important role in nature: they pollinate plants, provide food for countless animals, and help keep ecosystems functioning.Sat, 18 Jul 2026 09:42:45 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/ima1857103.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/ima1857103.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/ima1857103.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/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/ima1857103.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/ima1857103.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/ima1857103.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>For many people, mosquitoes and biting midges are the greatest nuisance of summer. Yet they are also an important part of ecosystems and can provide researchers with valuable clues about how infectious diseases spread.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mikael Svensson</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">More than 2,500 mosquito species are found in Sweden</p><p>More than 2,500 mosquito species are found in Sweden. Most belong to groups such as non-biting midges and fungus gnats, which do not bite humans at all. Around 50 species are biting mosquitoes, and it is the females that seek blood meals because they need protein for egg development.</p><p>The most common group of biting mosquitoes in Sweden is the woodland mosquitoes (<em>Aedes</em> and <em>Ochlerotatus</em>). They are most active at dusk and dawn, particularly around Midsummer. Other mosquito groups include malaria mosquitoes (<em>Anopheles</em>), house mosquitoes (<em>Culex</em>), which thrive close to humans, and floodwater mosquitoes (such as <em>Aedes</em> <em>vexans</em> and <em>Aedes</em> <em>sticticus</em>).</p><p>Floodwater mosquitoes are nature&rsquo;s opportunists. They wait patiently as eggs in the soil until flooding occurs. When it does, they hatch in huge numbers, and within a short time an area can become swarming with millions of hungry mosquitoes.</p><p>Mosquitoes are important vectors of viruses, bacteria, and parasites that can cause disease in both humans and animals. In Sweden, however, we are largely spared from serious diseases transmitted by biting mosquitoes.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Malaria disappeared from Sweden</h2><p>Malaria was once a major public health problem in Sweden, but the disease disappeared as recently as the 1930s. Exactly why is not fully understood, but several societal changes are believed to have played a crucial role.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/bushell-labb2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/bushell-labb2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/bushell-labb2.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/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/bushell-labb2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/bushell-labb2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/bushell-labb2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Ellen Bushell's fascination with the malaria parasite began early. While studying for her master's degree at Imperial College London, she saw the parasite under a microscope for the first time.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Johan Gunseus</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;Malaria did not disappear for a single reason. Better housing, reduced overcrowding, changes in the landscape, including the loss of wetlands, and increasing urbanization all reduced contact between people and mosquitoes, gradually breaking the chain of transmission,&rdquo; says Ellen Bushell, researcher at the Department of Molecular Biology at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>Seven mosquito species in Sweden are still capable of transmitting malaria, but researchers consider the risk of the disease becoming established again to be very low. In addition to requiring sustained transmission among humans, the most dangerous malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, needs a much warmer climate than Sweden currently has.</p><p>&ldquo;Today, we have both the knowledge and the tools needed to detect and control malaria. That makes it unlikely that the disease could become established in Sweden again,&rdquo; says Ellen Bushell.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/anopheles_gambiae_mosquito_feeding_1354.p_lores2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/anopheles_gambiae_mosquito_feeding_1354.p_lores2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/anopheles_gambiae_mosquito_feeding_1354.p_lores2.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/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/anopheles_gambiae_mosquito_feeding_1354.p_lores2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/anopheles_gambiae_mosquito_feeding_1354.p_lores2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/anopheles_gambiae_mosquito_feeding_1354.p_lores2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Despite malaria no longer being transmitted in Sweden, seven species of malaria mosquitoes are still found in the country. However, African species such as <em>Anopheles gambiae</em> are absent. This mosquito is the most important malaria vector in regions south of the Sahara.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Wikimedia/James Gathany</span></div></div><p>At Ume&aring; University, researchers conduct internationally recognised malaria research. By studying <em>Plasmodium</em> parasites at the molecular and genetic levels, they aim to understand how the disease develops and spreads. Researchers also investigate the interaction between the parasite and the mosquitoes that transmit it. By mapping the mosquito immune system, they have gained new insights into why some mosquitoes can carry and spread malaria while others are able to fight off the parasite.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Diseases transmitted by mosquitoes</h2><p>Although malaria no longer occurs in Sweden, mosquitoes can still spread diseases such as Ockelbo disease, also known as Sindbis fever.</p><p>Researchers have mapped how Ockelbo disease circulates among its hosts &ndash; birds, mosquitoes, and humans. Professor Magnus Evander and colleagues at the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Ume&aring; University have shown that the northern house mosquito (<em>Culex torrentium</em>) is particularly efficient at transmitting Sindbis virus, the pathogen that causes the disease.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/culex_torrentium_stor4.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/culex_torrentium_stor4.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/culex_torrentium_stor4.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/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/culex_torrentium_stor4.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/culex_torrentium_stor4.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/culex_torrentium_stor4.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The northern house mosquito (<em>Culex torrentium</em>) thrives close to humans and can transmit Ockelbo disease (Sindbis fever) and potentially West Nile virus.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Anders Lindstr&ouml;m/SVA</span></div></div><p>Professor and senior consultant Anders Sj&ouml;stedt at the Department of Clinical Microbiology, Ume&aring; University, has studied tularemia for many years. During the popular science event <em>Fika efter en forskare</em>, he explained how mosquitoes, especially woodland mosquitoes, can play an important role in disease transmission.</p><p>&ldquo;Mosquitoes begin life as larvae in water, and tularemia bacteria can infect the larvae. When the mosquitoes develop into adults, they can pass the infection on to humans through their bites. The disease often causes flu-like symptoms, fever, and swollen lymph nodes,&rdquo; says Anders Sj&ouml;stedt.</p><p>Despite being relatively unknown internationally, tularemia is most common in Sweden and Finland, although the number of cases varies considerably from year to year.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">A warmer climate may bring new mosquito species</h2><p>Although tropical mosquito-borne diseases remain rare in Sweden, climate change and growing international mobility have made the issue increasingly relevant.</p><p>In 2023, the Asian tiger mosquito (<em>Aedes albopictus</em>) was detected in southern Sweden. This mosquito is of particular concern because it can transmit diseases including dengue fever and Zika virus infection. According to the National Veterinary Institute (SVA), all detected individuals were believed to have been collected before they could establish or spread further.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/wesula_lwande_olivia_4610_221103_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/wesula_lwande_olivia_4610_221103_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/wesula_lwande_olivia_4610_221103_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/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/wesula_lwande_olivia_4610_221103_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/wesula_lwande_olivia_4610_221103_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/wesula_lwande_olivia_4610_221103_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Originally from Kenya, Olivia Wesula Lwande came to Ume&aring; as a postdoctoral researcher. Today, she studies mosquito-borne viruses that can emerge in new parts of the world.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>West Nile virus has caused outbreaks in several European countries in recent years. Researchers are therefore monitoring closely how both mosquitoes and the pathogens they carry are expanding into new areas.</p><p>&ldquo;Research on viruses that can spread between animals and humans is important because it helps us detect and prevent future disease outbreaks,&rdquo; says Olivia Wesula Lwande, researcher at the Department of Clinical Microbiology, Ume&aring; University.</p><p>Her research focuses on whether Swedish mosquitoes could transmit pathogens that are not yet established in the country, including West Nile virus. The virus naturally circulates among birds but can, under certain circumstances, also infect humans. She is currently studying virus infections in both mosquitoes and birds in Sweden and is experimentally investigating whether wild-caught Swedish <em>Culex</em> mosquitoes could act as vectors.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/mosquito_course_2022_-482.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/mosquito_course_2022_-482.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/mosquito_course_2022_-482.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/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/mosquito_course_2022_-482.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/mosquito_course_2022_-482.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/eb3dfb2bb78e44f4ae312b3da1f53897/mosquito_course_2022_-482.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>West Nile virus is spread primarily by house mosquitoes. In Sweden, the northern house mosquito (<em>Culex torrentium</em>) is of particular interest to study because it is considered a potentially efficient vector of the virus.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Kristoffer Ahlm</span></div></div><p>At the same time as researchers work to understand and prevent mosquito-borne diseases, it is worth remembering one important fact: nature also depends on the species we would most like to be without.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/they-buzz-bite-and-spread-disease--but-mosquitoes-are-essential-to-nature_12181232/https://www.umu.se/en/news/new-funding-for-targeted-treatment-of-epsteinbarr-virus-cancers_12181188/A Umeå University life science innovation project receives proof-of-concept funding from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation and SciLifeLab. The aim is to develop and validate a molecule that can selectively switch off Epstein–Barr virus genes in cancer cells, potentially paving the way for new treatments for EBV-driven brain lymphoma.Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:09:10 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/4f1e74f9aa2c49679f45a9f59c72c3a3/sjoerd_wanrooij_labb_2020_230217_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/4f1e74f9aa2c49679f45a9f59c72c3a3/sjoerd_wanrooij_labb_2020_230217_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/4f1e74f9aa2c49679f45a9f59c72c3a3/sjoerd_wanrooij_labb_2020_230217_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/4f1e74f9aa2c49679f45a9f59c72c3a3/sjoerd_wanrooij_labb_2020_230217_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/4f1e74f9aa2c49679f45a9f59c72c3a3/sjoerd_wanrooij_labb_2020_230217_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/4f1e74f9aa2c49679f45a9f59c72c3a3/sjoerd_wanrooij_labb_2020_230217_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Shoerd Wanrooij and his collegues receive funding for the project "A Precision DNA-Based Tool to Switch Off Epstein&ndash;Barr Virus Genes in Brain Lymphoma".</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">It is fantastic to see this work recognized!</p><p>It is fantastic to see this work recognized!,&rdquo; says Sjoerd Wanrooij, Associate Professor at the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>The Epstein&ndash;Barr virus (EBV) infects most people at some point in their lives and usually remains harmless. However, the virus contributes to around 300,000 new cancer cases worldwide each year and approximately 170,000 deaths, including several types of lymphoma as well as stomach and nasopharyngeal cancers. Despite its major impact on global health, there are currently no treatments that specifically target EBV-associated cancers.</p><p>The funding call was highly competitive, with a success rate of just 6 percent. The two-year project brings together the expertise of Professor Sjoerd Wanrooij's research group and Associate Professor Erik Chorell's group at Ume&aring; University, in collaboration with Ka-Wei Tang, Senior Lecturer in Infectious Diseases at the University of Gothenburg.</p><p class="quote-center">Most current cancer drugs act on proteins. This new strategy works one step earlier, directly on viral DNA.</p><p>Most current cancer drugs act on proteins. This new strategy works one step earlier, directly on viral DNA. The research aims to develop a molecule that can selectively switch off cancer-promoting Epstein&ndash;Barr virus genes in a form of brain lymphoma while leaving human host cell DNA untouched. By targeting the virus at the genetic level, the researchers hope to establish the basis for a new treatment strategy.</p><p>&ldquo;The molecule combines a DNA guide with a chemical fragment to selectively switch off genes in the Epstein&ndash;Barr virus without affecting healthy human DNA. This level of selectivity has been missing in previous approaches and is what makes the strategy unique,&rdquo; explains Sjoerd Wanrooij.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/4f1e74f9aa2c49679f45a9f59c72c3a3/alva_abrahamsson_1499_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/4f1e74f9aa2c49679f45a9f59c72c3a3/alva_abrahamsson_1499_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/4f1e74f9aa2c49679f45a9f59c72c3a3/alva_abrahamsson_1499_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/4f1e74f9aa2c49679f45a9f59c72c3a3/alva_abrahamsson_1499_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/4f1e74f9aa2c49679f45a9f59c72c3a3/alva_abrahamsson_1499_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/4f1e74f9aa2c49679f45a9f59c72c3a3/alva_abrahamsson_1499_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>&nbsp;Alva Abrahamsson, a PhD student in the Department of Chemistry, is one of the early-career researchers whose work contributed to the preliminary findings that laid the foundation for the newly awarded research grant.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>Much of the preliminary data that made this grant possible came from three early-career researchers who collaborated across three research groups, largely on their own initiative.</p><p>&ldquo;Their positive energy and dedication were instrumental in building the collaboration and bringing the project to this stage,&rdquo; says Sjoerd Wanrooij.</p><p>PhD student Alva Abrahamsson refined the chemistry that transformed the original concept into a functional molecule. PhD student Isak Holmqvist demonstrated that Epstein&ndash;Barr virus DNA structures can be targeted by this type of molecule in cells. Postdoctoral fellow Namrata Chaudhari developed the two-part design that confers the molecule's selectivity.</p><p>Proof-of-concept funding is designed to help researchers take the crucial step from a promising scientific discovery to a potential product, method, or treatment that can be used in society. In simple terms, it seeks to answer the question: "Can this research idea actually work in practice?"</p><p>If successful, the project could lay the foundation for an entirely new class of antiviral cancer therapies that target cancer-causing viruses at their genetic source.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/new-funding-for-targeted-treatment-of-epsteinbarr-virus-cancers_12181188/https://www.umu.se/en/news/disturbed-antioxidant-balance-linked-to-the-development-of-hereditary-attr-amyloidosis_12181170/Researchers at Umeå University have identified changes in the body’s major antioxidant systems in patients with hereditary transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis. The findings support the hypothesis that oxidative stress contributes to disease development and also identify new biomarkers that may help detect individuals at increased risk of developing the disease. The results have been published in the journal Biomarker Research.Thu, 16 Jul 2026 10:50:33 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/3d901a6d7e40436a91c35d1e4e70c345/anders_olofssons_grupp3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/3d901a6d7e40436a91c35d1e4e70c345/anders_olofssons_grupp3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/3d901a6d7e40436a91c35d1e4e70c345/anders_olofssons_grupp3.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/3d901a6d7e40436a91c35d1e4e70c345/anders_olofssons_grupp3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/3d901a6d7e40436a91c35d1e4e70c345/anders_olofssons_grupp3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/3d901a6d7e40436a91c35d1e4e70c345/anders_olofssons_grupp3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Researchers at Ume&aring; University have identified changes in the body&rsquo;s major antioxidant systems in patients with hereditary transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis. From left Anushree Bachhar, Melisnur Sahin, Intissar Anan och Anders Olofsson.&nbsp;</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ume&aring; university</span></div></div><p>ATTR amyloidosis is a serious and progressive disease in which the protein transthyretin, TTR, misfolds and forms amyloid deposits in the body&rsquo;s tissues. These deposits can damage the nerves, heart, gastrointestinal tract and other organs. In northern Sweden, the disease is relatively common because of the hereditary TTR-Val30Met mutation, which has given rise to the name &ldquo;Skellefte&aring; disease&rdquo;.</p><p>Although the genetic cause has been known for many years, it remains unclear why some mutation carriers develop the disease early, others later in life, and some not at all.</p><p>In the current study, the researchers investigated whether the body&rsquo;s redox balance - the balance between oxidising and reducing processes - may play an important role in disease development. Attention was given to glutathione, GSH, which is one of the body&rsquo;s most important defenses against oxidative stress.</p><p>The results showed that patients with clinically manifest ATTR amyloidosis had markedly elevated levels of pyroglutamate, PGA, a marker that reflects glutathione metabolism. The researchers also found signs of increased activity of the enzyme IDO1, which is associated with inflammation. Taken together, the findings indicate that disrupted antioxidant balance and inflammatory activation are closely linked to disease development.</p><p>&ldquo;Our results support a model in which the genetic TTR variant is not the only factor that determines whether and when the disease develops. The body&rsquo;s ability to maintain a functional redox balance may also be important,&rdquo; says Anders Olofsson, Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer at the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Ume&aring; University, who led the study.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">New biomarkers may identify individuals at risk</h2><p>The findings have also enabled the development of a biomarker model based on PGA and the inflammatory marker IDO1. The model can identify individuals at increased risk of developing the disease with an accuracy of approximately 80 percent in women and close to 90 percent in men.</p><p>The results raise the possibility of identifying mutation carriers who are approaching the onset of symptoms and introducing appropriate preventive measures before tissue damage becomes permanent.</p><p>&ldquo;These biomarkers could become a valuable complement to the clinical monitoring of individuals with hereditary ATTR amyloidosis,&rdquo; says the study&rsquo;s first author, Anushree Bachhar, a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Ume&aring; University.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">May pave the way for new treatment strategies</h2><p>The findings also strengthen the hypothesis that oxidative stress and inflammation contribute to the disease process. This raises the question of whether treatments that affect the body&rsquo;s antioxidant defences could slow or delay disease development.</p><p>However, the researchers emphasise that the current study does not demonstrate that antioxidant treatment is effective in ATTR amyloidosis. Clinical studies in which the effects of different interventions are monitored over time will be required to investigate this possibility. Work to initiate such studies is ongoing and is considered a high priority.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/disturbed-antioxidant-balance-linked-to-the-development-of-hereditary-attr-amyloidosis_12181170/https://www.umu.se/en/news/five-questions-about-the-virus-that-still-frightens-the-world_12181029/How dangerous is the Ebola virus, and how great is the risk of it spreading beyond Africa? We asked Professor Niklas Arnberg at Umeå University to answer five questions about one of the world’s most feared viruses.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 15:48:20 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/578e9733e7b44a57adc538704149b070/doctor_ebola_flickr3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/578e9733e7b44a57adc538704149b070/doctor_ebola_flickr3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/578e9733e7b44a57adc538704149b070/doctor_ebola_flickr3.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/578e9733e7b44a57adc538704149b070/doctor_ebola_flickr3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/578e9733e7b44a57adc538704149b070/doctor_ebola_flickr3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/578e9733e7b44a57adc538704149b070/doctor_ebola_flickr3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>&nbsp;The image shows staff from Doctors Without Borders (M&eacute;decins Sans Fronti&egrave;res, MSF) transporting the body of a deceased person at an Ebola treatment centre.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>AFP/Getty Images</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">Ebola is once again causing concern in Africa</p><p>Ebola is once again causing concern in Africa. A major outbreak &ndash; caused by the Bundibugyo virus &ndash; is currently ongoing in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and has also spread to Uganda. At the same time, researchers and healthcare professionals are working intensively to contain the outbreak and develop better methods for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">What makes the Ebola virus so dangerous compared with many other viruses?</h2><p>&ldquo;Ebola causes a &lsquo;typical&rsquo; flu-like illness and diarrhoea, often accompanied by high fever and severe aches and pains. What makes the virus particularly dangerous, however, is that it also attacks blood vessels in various organs, leading to the characteristic bleeding from body openings that is often seen in images of Ebola patients, as well as tissue and organ damage.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">What are the biggest challenges for healthcare systems when trying to stop an Ebola outbreak?</h2><p>&ldquo;The first challenge is providing the intensive care needed by those who become seriously ill. The second is preventing further transmission, including protecting healthcare workers themselves from infection.&rdquo;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/578e9733e7b44a57adc538704149b070/arnberg_niklas_3979_210922_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/578e9733e7b44a57adc538704149b070/arnberg_niklas_3979_210922_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/578e9733e7b44a57adc538704149b070/arnberg_niklas_3979_210922_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/578e9733e7b44a57adc538704149b070/arnberg_niklas_3979_210922_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/578e9733e7b44a57adc538704149b070/arnberg_niklas_3979_210922_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/578e9733e7b44a57adc538704149b070/arnberg_niklas_3979_210922_mpn2.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 professor of virology at the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Ume&aring; Univeristy.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">How great is the risk that an outbreak in Central Africa could spread to Europe or Sweden?</h2><p>&ldquo;The risk is very low. There may be occasional imported cases, but I consider the risk of sustained person-to-person transmission in Sweden to be extremely small.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3">What progress has research made in recent years regarding Ebola vaccines and treatments?</h2><p>&ldquo;Vaccines have been developed against all Ebola virus species except the one currently spreading in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. Efforts are now underway to develop a vaccine against the current Bundibugyo variant as well.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info4" data-magellan-target="info4">What questions does research still need to answer to better prevent future Ebola outbreaks?</h2><p>&ldquo;Following the experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is better prepared to deal with new Ebola outbreaks. However, we still lack effective antiviral drugs, which highlights the importance of continued basic research. Greater knowledge about Ebola viruses can lead to improved diagnostics, new treatments, and even more effective vaccines.&rdquo;</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/five-questions-about-the-virus-that-still-frightens-the-world_12181029/https://www.umu.se/en/news/pain-rehabilitation-in-primary-care-can-reduce-healthcare-needs_12181012/A new cancer drug may be able to inhibit both tumour growth and the spread of aggressive prostate cancer. This is shown in a study conducted by researchers at Umeå University together with international collaborators, published in the scientific journal Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy.Wed, 26 Aug 2026 14:25:06 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/c1c88302e6dd49d997e49fdd92fbf71c/pipettering_i_testror3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/c1c88302e6dd49d997e49fdd92fbf71c/pipettering_i_testror3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/c1c88302e6dd49d997e49fdd92fbf71c/pipettering_i_testror3.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/c1c88302e6dd49d997e49fdd92fbf71c/pipettering_i_testror3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/c1c88302e6dd49d997e49fdd92fbf71c/pipettering_i_testror3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/c1c88302e6dd49d997e49fdd92fbf71c/pipettering_i_testror3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>A new cancer drug may be able to inhibit both tumour growth and the spread of aggressive prostate cancer. The drug is carefully pipetted into test tubes to investigate its effects across a range of concentrations.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ume&aring; University</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">The new drug has been developed to prevent metastasis</p><p>&ldquo;The new drug has been developed to prevent metastasis, and we are very pleased and proud that we have been able to identify the mechanisms that drive cancer cell growth, invasiveness, and metastatic spread,&rdquo; says Mar&eacute;ne Landstr&ouml;m, Professor of Pathology at the Department of Medical Biosciences, Ume&aring; University, who led the study.</p><p>Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men. In most cases, the tumour grows slowly and is not life-threatening. However, in some patients the disease develops into an aggressive form that spreads to other parts of the body, primarily the lymph nodes and bones.</p><p>The researchers, led by Mar&eacute;ne Landstr&ouml;m, have developed a fully human antibody. This means that it is composed entirely of human proteins, making it suitable for use as a therapeutic drug. In preclinical studies, the antibody successfully halted both tumour growth and metastasis in an aggressive form of prostate cancer. The new treatment works through a novel mechanism of action, leading researchers to believe that the risk of side effects may also be reduced.</p><p>The results demonstrate that the treatment performs as intended, marking an important milestone in the development of a new drug for future patients.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/c1c88302e6dd49d997e49fdd92fbf71c/landstrom_marene_7882_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/c1c88302e6dd49d997e49fdd92fbf71c/landstrom_marene_7882_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/c1c88302e6dd49d997e49fdd92fbf71c/landstrom_marene_7882_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/c1c88302e6dd49d997e49fdd92fbf71c/landstrom_marene_7882_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/c1c88302e6dd49d997e49fdd92fbf71c/landstrom_marene_7882_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/c1c88302e6dd49d997e49fdd92fbf71c/landstrom_marene_7882_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Mar&eacute;ne Landstr&ouml;m is senior consultant (attending) physician and Professor of Pathology at the Department of Medical Biosciences, Ume&aring; University</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;This is a promising step forward, but several important stages remain before the treatment can benefit patients. We still need to conduct additional safety studies, and the treatment must be approved by regulatory authorities in Europe or the United States,&rdquo; says Mar&eacute;ne Landstr&ouml;m.</p><p>The driving force behind this research is the ambition to improve the prognosis and quality of life for men with advanced prostate cancer. The current study has been ongoing for several years and, according to Mar&eacute;ne Landstr&ouml;m, its success is the result of contributions from many individuals and organizations.</p><p>An important part of the project has been the collaboration with drug development experts at the SciLifeLab Drug Discovery and Development Platform, who contributed to the development of the antibody on which the study is based.</p><p>The project has also received support from the Ume&aring; Biotech Incubator at Ume&aring; University. In addition, funding from MetaCurUm Biotech AB, a biotechnology company based in Ume&aring;, has been crucial for the development and testing of the new treatment.</p><p>&ldquo;The next step is to investigate whether this treatment can also be used against other types of solid tumours. We hope that our work will ultimately contribute to the development of a new cancer drug that can benefit patients,&rdquo; says Mar&eacute;ne Landstr&ouml;m.</p><p>The study was funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation (KAW), the Erling Persson Foundation, the Kempe Foundations, the Swedish Research Council, the Swedish Cancer Society, ALF funding, the Swedish Prostate Cancer Federation, the Cancer Research Foundation in Northern Sweden, and the Faculty of Medicine at Ume&aring; University.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/study-from-umea-paves-the-way-for-a-new-drug-against-metastatic-prostate-cancer_12180958/https://www.umu.se/en/news/ai-in-focus-as-ads-lab-at-umea-university-brought-together-100-experts-in-cloud-research_12180829/ADS Lab is a world‑leading research group specialising in the infrastructure that underpins all modern digital systems – the clouds. This year’s workshop brought together more than 100 invited international experts who discussed future solutions. “We are seeing exceptionally rapid development with AI, and this will lead to major changes in the software used to manage the clouds,” says Erik Elmroth, Professor at the Department of computing science and research leader at ADS Lab.Thu, 02 Jul 2026 14:59:51 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/6b0c806c8113490597f480ecfe8e1295/cloud_control3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/6b0c806c8113490597f480ecfe8e1295/cloud_control3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/6b0c806c8113490597f480ecfe8e1295/cloud_control3.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/6b0c806c8113490597f480ecfe8e1295/cloud_control3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/6b0c806c8113490597f480ecfe8e1295/cloud_control3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/6b0c806c8113490597f480ecfe8e1295/cloud_control3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Top experts in cloud tech, infrastructure and automated resource management gathered to share insights and spark new collaborations &ndash; with AI, security, and energy taking centre stage.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>privat</span></div></div><p>The <a href="~/link/3cb68daa1317460cab60e9e76435b68c.aspx">Autonomous Distributed Systems Lab</a> research group at Ume&aring; University focuses on the automated management of clouds and their building blocks, striving to make this technology efficient and secure.</p><p>&ldquo;We develop systems for managing applications and resources, everything from individual servers to large-scale cloud data centres, ensuring that processes run optimally and so that the services running in the cloud are as accessible and reliable as possible, whilst minimising energy consumption,&rdquo; says Professor <a href="~/link/5515db5e59f143309844aea3c8fc430b.aspx">Erik Elmroth</a>, who established the successful research group.</p><h3>Gathering Tech</h3><p>Every year, experts from academia and industry are invited to share experiences and develop partnerships. This year&rsquo;s event, The 19th Cloud Control Workshop, was attended by 30 industry representatives. These included Google, Microsoft, Red Hat, Ericsson, IBM, Databricks, OpenChip, Siemens, and Saab, as well as the Ume&aring;-based company <a href="https://elastisys.com/">Elastisys</a>.<br>During those intensive days, the latest developments in autonomous cloud control, distributed systems, and machine learning were discussed.</p><h3>Changing design and application</h3><p>"The discussions centred on the rapid developments currently taking place, driven by large language models and AI agents,&rdquo; says Prof. Erik Elmroth.<br>This is a process that poses challenges to areas central to research into Cloud Control. <br>"On the one hand, we will see changes in how we build systems, design infrastructure, and develop software. On the other hand, AI applications are placing new demands on what the cloud must deliver."</p><h3>Leading researchers from top universities</h3><p>Nearly forty professors from some of the world&rsquo;s most prestigious universities &ndash; including Harvard, Cambridge, and Carnegie Mellon &ndash; were in attendance, alongside representatives from Ume&aring; University, the Royal Institute of Technology, (KTH), and Lund University.<br><br>Several participants are also affiliated with <a href="https://wasp-sweden.org/">WASP</a>, the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Distributed Systems and Software Program &ndash; Sweden&rsquo;s largest research programme, in which Ume&aring; University plays a key role.</p><p>"Meeting in this way, alongside the business community and industry, adds a further dimension of knowledge and experience for us,&rdquo; says Erik Elmroth.</p><h3>Energy, security and digital sovereignty</h3><p>The event also highlighted key issues relating to electricity consumption and security, topics that have only grown in relevance in recent years. &ldquo;We need to find ways forward and define which types of research problems academia is best placed to solve, and which issues industry should focus on", says Prof. Elmroth.</p><p>"For Sweden and the EU, it is also becoming increasingly clear that it is important to continue building our own expertise in this area and not simply rely on a handful of large American companies. Although this was the 19th time the workshop had been organised, several participants remarked that it is now, in fact, more important than ever," says Professor Elmroth.<br>Planning for the 20th edition is already underway!</p><h3>Computing Science at Ume&aring; University</h3><p><a href="~/link/f1ccf1d251be4f538a13df854f18fb07.aspx">The Department of Computing Science</a> at Ume&aring; University has grown at record pace in recent years, with an influx of international top researchers from around the world. This has strengthened not only the research being carried out, but also the content and <a href="~/link/2ff47968ffe44e76a197f378d0500842.aspx">quality</a> of the education on offer.</p><p><a href="~/link/8f39a3d9064a4cabba32cfdd76c2fe9f.aspx">In Ume&aring;</a>, students can specialise in <a href="/en/education/studies/search-courses/?q=cloud">distributed systems and cloud services</a>, as well as <a href="/en/education/programmes/masters-programme-in-artificial-intelligence/">AI</a>, <a href="~/link/ec9d148e49b34a0b88e2faffdf08d030.aspx">cyber security,</a> interactive and intelligent environments, and robotics.</p><p>The Department is also linked to <a href="https://wasp-sweden.org/">WASP</a>, Sweden&rsquo;s largest research programme, and <a href="https://wasp-sweden.org/research/wasp-hs/">WASP-HS</a>, which focuses on the consequences and effects of AI, as well as <a href="https://www.essenceofescience.se/w/es/en">eSSENCE</a> and <a href="https://www.hpc2n.umu.se/">HPC2N</a>, a national center for Scientific and Parallel Computing.</p><h3>Further Information</h3><p>Please contact Erik Elmroth, Professor at the Department of computing science for further information about ADS Lab.&nbsp;</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="a37f40f8-0990-4208-a44c-14426dd96986" data-contentname="Erik Elmroth conotact">{}</div><p><em>Follow the links below and read more about our research and study opportunities</em>.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/ai-in-focus-as-ads-lab-at-umea-university-brought-together-100-experts-in-cloud-research_12180829/https://www.umu.se/en/news/hybrid-work-improves-the-work-experience--particularly-for-women_12180560/The transition to hybrid work has improved the psychosocial work environment among white-collar employees, according to new research from Umeå University. Positive effects include more accessible leadership, greater autonomy over work tasks, and an increased ability to complete work within regular working hours.Thu, 02 Jul 2026 08:00:05 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Caroline Corneliusson, doctoral student at the Department of Epidemiology and Global Health at Ume&aring; University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;Many organisations offer employees the opportunity to work remotely, but the debate remains active and there is still a lack of research-based guidance on how hybrid work should best be designed. We hope that our findings will support organisations in continuing to develop effective hybrid work arrangements,&rdquo; says Caroline Corneliusson, doctoral student at the Department of Epidemiology and Global Health at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>Hybrid work &ndash; combining office-based and remote work &ndash; has become increasingly common following the COVID-19 pandemic, but there has been a lack of studies tracking its effects over a longer period of time. The present study is based on survey responses collected in 2017 and 2023 from white-collar employees in a medium-sized Swedish municipality.</p><p>The results show that the overall work experience improved after hybrid work was introduced. The most notable improvements concerned workplace satisfaction, employees&rsquo; ability to influence and organise their work, and their sense of being able to complete work tasks during regular working hours. Employees also reported that their immediate manager was more accessible than before.</p><p>&ldquo;The study was conducted in an organisation with a relatively high level of digital maturity, where all employees were provided with the equipment they needed for their home offices. Interviews carried out within the same organisation indicate that employees find it easier to reach their managers through the various digital communication channels now available,&rdquo; says Caroline Corneliusson.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Differences between men and women</h2><p>At the same time, the study found that the improvement was not evenly distributed between women and men. Women reported an improved work experience, while no corresponding change was observed among men.</p><p>&ldquo;This is interesting, but our sample included relatively few men, and there are several other factors that may influence the work experience,&rdquo; says Caroline Corneliusson.</p><p>The study contributes much-needed knowledge about how hybrid work affects the work environment over time. The results are consistent with previous research suggesting that hybrid work can benefit both employees and employers. This appears to be particularly true in organisations with favourable conditions, such as high digital maturity and well-established flexible working practices.</p><p>&ldquo;Hybrid work may be a sustainable solution for the future of working life, but more research is needed to understand why the effects differ between groups,&rdquo; says Caroline Corneliusson.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="024274e5-01f2-4729-9d69-09befc99c24c" data-contentname="About">{}</div><p><em>This article was translated from Swedish with Microsoft Copilot. It has been manually reviewed by the author.</em></p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/hybrid-work-improves-the-work-experience--particularly-for-women_12180560/https://www.umu.se/en/news/fewer-behavioral-problems-among-three-year-olds-who-received-iron-supplementation-as-infants_12180551/Umeå University is investing in the development of world-leading research within its strategically prioritised research areas. The initiative, the Umeå University Northern Star Programme, consists of several complementary components. The first, launching in 2026, is an international recruitment initiative for assistant professors who wish to establish themselves at Umeå University and are ready to develop into future research leaders.Wed, 01 Jul 2026 10:30:19 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/e4785739a595433c80be4d84f3eafaf3/northernstar_aktum_hoger2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e4785739a595433c80be4d84f3eafaf3/northernstar_aktum_hoger2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e4785739a595433c80be4d84f3eafaf3/northernstar_aktum_hoger2.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/e4785739a595433c80be4d84f3eafaf3/northernstar_aktum_hoger2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e4785739a595433c80be4d84f3eafaf3/northernstar_aktum_hoger2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e4785739a595433c80be4d84f3eafaf3/northernstar_aktum_hoger2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The Ume&aring; University Northern Star Programme is a global recruitment initiative committed to world-leading research in strategically prioritised research areas. The initiative consists of a Fellows Programme and a Visiting Professor&rsquo;s Programme.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ida &Aring;berg</span></div></div><p>Applications for the recruitment programme to become a Ume&aring; University Northern Star Fellow are open from 1 July to 1 October 2026. A visiting professor programme is also planned for next year. Visiting professors should hold a permanent professorship at a university outside Sweden and will collaborate with Ume&aring; University on a part-time basis over a period of two years.</p><p>&ldquo;The Northern Star Programme is a powerful initiative, both in the short and long term. Through international recruitment and strategically coordinated collaborations with universities around the world, we will not only complement and strengthen existing research at Ume&aring; University. We will also create the conditions needed to advance the priority areas in which the University aims to build internationally leading research. In the longer term, this initiative will further enhance Ume&aring; University&rsquo;s attractiveness for both researchers and students,&rdquo; says Vice-Chancellor Tora Holmberg.</p><p><a href="~/link/67e19c170c8143c1a0637e17c1a59783.aspx">Learn more about the Ume&aring; University Northern Star Programme</a></p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/new-international-initiative-to-reach-research-excellence_12180574/https://www.umu.se/en/news/scientists-identify-the-point-of-no-return-in-dying-leaves_12179617/Researchers at Umeå University show that the protein METTL3 helps breast cancer cells spread. By regulating the release of molecules, METTL3 makes it easier for tumors to invade surrounding tissue and form metastases. The discovery reveals a previously unknown function of METTL3 and could influence future cancer treatments. The study has been published in Science Advances.Tue, 30 Jun 2026 06:30:59 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/42899b680bbc435e9167610663f0f0e7/francesca-aguiolo-lab-9647-251215-mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/42899b680bbc435e9167610663f0f0e7/francesca-aguiolo-lab-9647-251215-mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/42899b680bbc435e9167610663f0f0e7/francesca-aguiolo-lab-9647-251215-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/42899b680bbc435e9167610663f0f0e7/francesca-aguiolo-lab-9647-251215-mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/42899b680bbc435e9167610663f0f0e7/francesca-aguiolo-lab-9647-251215-mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/42899b680bbc435e9167610663f0f0e7/francesca-aguiolo-lab-9647-251215-mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Research is teamwork. From left: postdoctoral researcher Kanchan Kumari, research associate Margalida Esteva, associate professor Francesca Aguilo, staff scientist Devi Bhattarai, and &nbsp;postdoctoral researcher Poonam Baidya.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">We discovered that METTL3 has a different function</p><p>&ldquo;We discovered that METTL3 has a different function, which may be just as important for cancer progression as the one previously known,&rdquo; says Margalida Esteva Socias, research assistant at the Department of Molecular Biology at Ume&aring; University and co&ndash;first author of the study.</p><p>METTL3 is a well-studied protein that regulates chemical modifications of RNA in the cell. By adding molecular marks to RNA, it helps control which genes are active. Abnormal METTL3 activity has been linked to several types of cancer, and drugs targeting its function are already being tested in clinical trials.</p><p>In the new study, the researchers show that METTL3 in breast cancer cells relocates from its usual location in the nucleus to the cytoplasm. There, it becomes part of a transport system that cancer cells use to release molecules into their surroundings.</p><p>The researchers found that METTL3 supports this transport system and increases the secretion of proteins that enable cancer cells to invade tissue and spread. When METTL3 was removed, the cells released fewer such proteins, became less invasive, and partly lost their ability to degrade surrounding tissue.</p><p>Importantly, these effects could not be reproduced by blocking the protein&rsquo;s enzymatic activity alone, suggesting that METTL3 also drives cancer through mechanisms other than RNA modification.</p><p>The research team also demonstrated that reduced METTL3 levels inhibited tumour growth and delayed the formation of lung metastases.</p><p>&ldquo;Our results indicate that in some cancers, it may not be sufficient to block the enzymatic activity of METTL3. Fully inhibiting its tumor-promoting effects may require strategies that eliminate the entire protein or disrupt its interactions within the cell,&rdquo; says Francesca Aguilo, associate professor at the Department of Molecular Biology at Ume&aring; University and principal investigator of the study.</p><p>The study provides new insights into how cancer cells reshape their environment to invade tissue and spread. The next step is to understand how METTL3 is relocated from the nucleus and whether the same mechanism is involved in other types of cancer.</p><p>The study was led by researchers at Ume&aring; University in collaboration with several international partners, including Universitat de Barcelona, Hannover Medical School, and Lund University.</p><p>The research was funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, the Swedish Research Council, Ume&aring; University, the Kempe Foundations, the Cancer Research Foundation in Northern Sweden, and the European Union&rsquo;s Horizon 2020 programme.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/new-mechanism-behind-breast-cancer-metastasis-uncovered_12180347/https://www.umu.se/en/news/a-journey-through-possible-climate-pathways_12176485/The Vice-Chancellor has decided to establish a scientific prize and scholarships in memory of Professor Dieter K. Müller, who passed away unexpectedly in November 2025. Through this initiative, Umeå University wishes to recognise his outstanding contributions as a researcher and academic leader, and his significant impact on the University’s activities and development.Mon, 29 Jun 2026 12:55:59 +0200<p>University Director Hans Wiklund is the initiator of the scientific prize and the scholarships. He worked together with Dieter M&uuml;ller during the period when M&uuml;ller was Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/43098ed845a3493e9100128c0284c3a0/wiklund_hans_6609_200305_mpn.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/43098ed845a3493e9100128c0284c3a0/wiklund_hans_6609_200305_mpn.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/43098ed845a3493e9100128c0284c3a0/wiklund_hans_6609_200305_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/43098ed845a3493e9100128c0284c3a0/wiklund_hans_6609_200305_mpn.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/43098ed845a3493e9100128c0284c3a0/wiklund_hans_6609_200305_mpn.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/43098ed845a3493e9100128c0284c3a0/wiklund_hans_6609_200305_mpn.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Hans Wiklund, University director at Ume&aring; University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;I cannot think of a better colleague or representative of Ume&aring; University. It truly feels right to honour his memory with a scientific prize and scholarships for international student exchange. I would also like to extend my warm thanks to the funders who have made this possible,&rdquo; says University Director Hans Wiklund.</p><p>The scientific prize aims to recognise individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the development, communication or application of scientific knowledge with a clear societal impact. Particular importance is attached to efforts that contribute to sustainable development and strengthen trust in science-based knowledge.</p><p>The prize amount is SEK 100,000 and is intended to be awarded annually in connection with the University&rsquo;s academic ceremony. A lecture by the prize winner will also be organised in conjunction with the award ceremony.</p><p>The scholarships are aimed at students participating in international exchanges, both outgoing students from Ume&aring; University and international students coming to the University. The purpose is to recognise motivated and talented students and to strengthen international mobility.</p><p>The funding of the prize and the scholarships is provided through an agreement between Ume&aring; University, Skellefte&aring; Municipality, &Ouml;rnsk&ouml;ldsvik Municipality and Ume&aring; Kommunf&ouml;retag AB.</p><p>A prize committee with representatives from the funders and the University will appoint the prize winner, while scholarship recipients are appointed by the University in accordance with established criteria. Ume&aring; University&rsquo;s representatives on the prize committee are University Director Hans Wiklund and Deputy Dean Xavier de Luna, Faculty of Social Sciences.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/umea-university-establishes-a-scientific-prize-and-scholarships-in-memory-of-dieter-k.-muller_12180366/https://www.umu.se/en/news/funding-awarded-to-umea-university-for-the-recruitment-of-an-international-visiting-researcher_12180310/Umeå University has been awarded funding within the Swedish Research Council’s call for proposals to recruit an international visiting researcher: Laila Andersson, a space physics researcher at the University of Colorado, USA. Mon, 29 Jun 2026 12:41:47 +0200<p>The grant from the Swedish Research Council, <a href="https://www.vr.se/english/applying-for-funding/calls/2025-11-24-grant-for-recruiting-international-visiting-researchers-to-sweden-2026.html">"Grant for recruiting international visiting researchers to Sweden 2026"</a>, aims to enable higher education institutions and other research organisations to develop and strengthen a research field by recruiting a prominent researcher who is currently employed and conducting research outside Europe.</p><p>Ume&aring; University has been granted funding for the recruitment of Laila Andersson, currently a research associate in space physics at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado, USA. She has previously contributed to NASA missions related to space physics and planetary environments.</p><p>At Ume&aring; University, Laila Andersson will conduct research on space weather and how disturbances in the Earth&rsquo;s upper atmosphere, in the so-called thermosphere&ndash;ionosphere system, vary geographically. The project aims in particular to increase understanding of how these variations affect conditions on Earth, including in Sweden.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/934fed698b924a828e9be15bdfa5213b/hamrin_maria_7511_hkn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/934fed698b924a828e9be15bdfa5213b/hamrin_maria_7511_hkn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/934fed698b924a828e9be15bdfa5213b/hamrin_maria_7511_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/934fed698b924a828e9be15bdfa5213b/hamrin_maria_7511_hkn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/934fed698b924a828e9be15bdfa5213b/hamrin_maria_7511_hkn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/934fed698b924a828e9be15bdfa5213b/hamrin_maria_7511_hkn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Maria Hamrin, associate professor at the Department of Physics.&nbsp;</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>"We are very pleased to have received this support and to have the opportunity to welcome Laila Andersson to the Department of Physics. With her experience, we strengthen both our research field and our international position. This also provides us with good opportunities to further develop our research and contribute new knowledge in a field undergoing strong development", says Maria Hamrin, research leader in Solar-terrestrial physics and space weather at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>The grant of SEK 2 million will be used to cover recruitment-related costs as well as salary funding for a temporary position in Sweden.</p><p>Laila Andersson will take up her position at Ume&aring; University in spring 2027.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/funding-awarded-to-umea-university-for-the-recruitment-of-an-international-visiting-researcher_12180310/https://www.umu.se/en/news/top-physicists-gather-for-nobel-symposium-at-umea-university_12180282/From 29 June to 1 July, some of the world’s leading physicists will gather in Umeå as a Nobel Symposium in physics is hosted at Umeå University. A Nobel Symposium is not just a conference, but an exclusive meeting place where scientific breakthroughs are discussed, new collaborations take shape, and future research agendas begin to emerge.Mon, 29 Jun 2026 19:43:11 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/7d0678afc91047059f9290678c97d51f/nicolo_maccaferris_lab_9888_240410_mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/7d0678afc91047059f9290678c97d51f/nicolo_maccaferris_lab_9888_240410_mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/7d0678afc91047059f9290678c97d51f/nicolo_maccaferris_lab_9888_240410_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/7d0678afc91047059f9290678c97d51f/nicolo_maccaferris_lab_9888_240410_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/7d0678afc91047059f9290678c97d51f/nicolo_maccaferris_lab_9888_240410_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/7d0678afc91047059f9290678c97d51f/nicolo_maccaferris_lab_9888_240410_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>From 29 June to 1 July, some of the world&rsquo;s leading physicists will gather in Ume&aring; for a Nobel Symposium hosted by Ume&aring; University. The symposium is organised by Associate Professor Nicol&ograve; Maccaferri and colleagues at the Department of Physics at Ume&aring; University. From left: Aitor De Andr&eacute;s, Tlek Tapani, Nicol&ograve; Maccaferri.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">This is truly a conference at the very highest level</p><p>"This is truly a conference at the very highest level, bringing together some of the world&rsquo;s foremost researchers in physics. The focus is on areas where major breakthroughs are happening right now, or where entirely new questions are starting to take form, both scientifically and in society," says Nicol&ograve; Maccaferri, associate professor at the Department of Physics at Ume&aring; University and organiser of the symposium.</p><p>A central aim is to promote interdisciplinary exchange and new collaborations. By bringing together international researchers from different disciplines and institutions, the symposium creates opportunities for unexpected connections and new ideas. In practice, it acts as a catalyst for collaborations that often continue long after the event itself.</p><p>The symposium brings together an outstanding group of pioneers and rising leaders in electromagnetics, photonics, acoustics, materials science and wave physics. Together, they will explore the evolution of metamaterials &ndash; from visionary concepts to powerful scientific and technological applications.</p><p>Hosting a Nobel Symposium means that Ume&aring; University serves as both the academic and practical organiser of the event. Nicol&ograve; Maccaferri and his colleagues have defined the theme and invited participants, within a framework set by the Nobel organisations.</p><p>"When I first reached out to colleagues in the field, the response was very positive. As many see us as a leading environment in this area, it felt natural to host the symposium here in Ume&aring;," says Nicol&ograve; Maccaferri.</p><p>The entire Nobel Committee for Physics will be present, and many members of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (Physics Class) will also attend as observers.</p><p>Hosting a Nobel Symposium is therefore not only an organisational responsibility, but also a strong mark of quality. It signals that Ume&aring; University hosts research environments capable of bringing together the world&rsquo;s leading experts and contributing to the development of the field.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Invited speakers:</h2><p>Adekunle Adeyeye, Durham University, UK<br>Hatice Altug, &Eacute;cole Polytechnique F&eacute;d&eacute;rale de Lausanne, Switzerland<br>Andrea Al&ugrave;, City University of New York, USA<br>Alexandra Boltasseva, Purdue University, USA<br>Mark Brongersma, Stanford University, USA<br>Federico Capasso, Harvard University, USA<br>Maria V. Chekhova, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Germany<br>Chiara Daraio, California Institute of Technology, USA<br>Jennifer Dionne, Stanford University, USA<br>George Eleftheriades, University of Toronto, Canada<br>Nader Engheta, University of Pennsylvania, USA<br>Mathias Fink, ESPCI Paris, France<br>Maria Kafesaki, University of Crete, Greece<br>Philippe Lalanne, Laboratoire de photonique, num&eacute;rique et nanoscience, France<br>Laura Na Liu, University of Stuttgart, Germany<br>John Pendry, Imperial College London, UK<br>Albert Polman, AMOLF, Netherlands<br>Cheng-Wei Qiu, National University of Singapore, Singapore<br>Junsuk Rho, Pohang University of Science and Technology, South Korea<br>David Smith, Duke University, USA<br>Isabelle Staude, University of Jena, Germany<br>Martin Wegener, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany<br>Frank Wilczek, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA<br>Anatoly Zayats, King&rsquo;s College London, UK<br>Shuang Zhang, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Nobel Symposium for invited only</h2><p>The symposium is a closed event and open only to invited participants. Journalists are welcome upon registration.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/top-physicists-gather-for-nobel-symposium-at-umea-university_12180282/https://www.umu.se/en/news/call-open-for-proposals-to-mirai-ri-week-2026_12179611/Researchers at Umeå University are invited to submit proposals for the MIRAI Research & Innovation Week, which will take place in Fukuoka, Japan, on 8–11 December 2026.Tue, 23 Jun 2026 10:52:46 +0200<div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="b9a07b78-1278-4c67-9d59-61a16ccb603c" data-contentname="Call for proposal R&I Week 26">{}</div><p>All academics from a MIRAI university can submit a proposal. There are several formats available (ex/host a workshop, give a presentation, run a round table discussion).</p><p>The topic of your proposal can be narrow in scope, or wider, you decide, but should keep within the <strong>four academic focus areas</strong> of MIRAI. The sessions selected will be available in parallel on day 2 and 3 (Wed and Thurs) of the conference.</p><h3>How to Apply</h3><p>Please submit a brief proposal including:</p><ul><li>Session title</li><li>Proposed format and duration (30 or 60 minutes)</li><li>Short description (max. 150&ndash;200 words)</li><li>Names and affiliations of organizers (at least one from Sweden and one from Japan)</li><li>Any additional relevant merits (if applicable)</li></ul><p><strong>Application deadline:</strong> 15 July 2026<br>The notification of results is expected in early August 2026 (week of 3 August), depending on the number of proposals received by the initial deadline.</p><p>The submission URL: <a href="https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/kMq7uy3nVc">Proposal Submission MIRAI R&amp;I Week 2026</a><br><a class="documentIcon" href="https://cdn.mirai.nu/wp-content/2026/06/RI-Week-Call-for-Proposals_Thematic-Deep-Dive-Sessions_ver0616.pdf">Download the call for proposal</a></p><p>Full Call for <strong>Proposals MIRAI Research &amp; Innovation Week 2026</strong> and a draft programme for the conference is found here:<br><a href="https://www.mirai.nu/pages/randi-week-2026">www.mirai.nu/pages/randi-week-2026</a></p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/call-open-for-proposals-to-mirai-ri-week-2026_12179611/https://www.umu.se/en/news/mims-clinical-research-fellowships-2026-awarded_12179418/Professor Alexandre Bartel at Umeå University has been awarded Nordea's Scientific Prize for his research and teaching in cybersecurity. His work uncovers vulnerabilities in software systems and is particularly relevant at a time when AI-generated code and cyberattacks are becoming increasingly common.Thu, 18 Jun 2026 09:42:50 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/334c624f9816461dacb026758493bf19/alexandre_bartel_professor_computing_science_photo_victoria_skeidsvoll3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/334c624f9816461dacb026758493bf19/alexandre_bartel_professor_computing_science_photo_victoria_skeidsvoll3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/334c624f9816461dacb026758493bf19/alexandre_bartel_professor_computing_science_photo_victoria_skeidsvoll3.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/334c624f9816461dacb026758493bf19/alexandre_bartel_professor_computing_science_photo_victoria_skeidsvoll3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/334c624f9816461dacb026758493bf19/alexandre_bartel_professor_computing_science_photo_victoria_skeidsvoll3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/334c624f9816461dacb026758493bf19/alexandre_bartel_professor_computing_science_photo_victoria_skeidsvoll3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Alexandre Bartel, Professor at the Department of Computing Science.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Victoria Skeidsvoll</span></div></div><p>Alexandre Bartel is Professor at the Department of Computing Science and leads a research group in software engineering and security at Ume&aring; University. His research has led to new tools that make it possible to detect vulnerabilities at an early stage in the software development process and to prevent attacks on digital systems.</p><p>&ldquo;Society relies on software. Without built-in security, the consequences can be serious. We have seen it happen multiple times in Sweden,&rdquo; says Alexandre Bartel.</p><p>Notable examples include the 2021 cyberattack on Coop, which prevented customers from paying in stores, and the attack on Kalix municipality, which knocked out several critical systems. In 2025, a ransomware attack targeted the company Milj&ouml;data in which the attackers leaked personal information of employees of Swedish institutions including Ume&aring; University.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">High security requirements in banking</h2><p>The banking sector, with its high demands on security, is one area where Alexandre Bartel's research is particularly significant. Software used for banking transactions and digital services must be protected against intrusions to counter the growing number of financial and identity theft crimes.</p><p>Today, an increasing amount of software code is generated with the help of AI. While AI-generated code can be efficient to produce, it may also contain hidden security vulnerabilities.</p><p>&ldquo;We have seen cases where people blindly trust the output of AI systems. This is a big problem because we know that AI sometimes hallucinates. Attackers can also publish large amounts of insecure code on the internet that the models learn from, creating a risk that they will generate code with built-in vulnerabilities.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Training in cyber security</h2><p>In recent years, Alexandre Bartel has received several international awards. His research is used by both software developers and researchers around the world. He has also been recognised for his commitment to teaching and has established a popular course in cybersecurity that attracts students from all over Sweden.</p><p>&ldquo;I am very happy to receive this award. It is a great recognition of my work in software engineering and cybersecurity, and an encouragement to continue contributing to more secure digital systems,&rdquo; says Alexandre Bartel.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="57dff970-48d4-4727-a2ec-2cb1e7b7065e" data-contentname="About the prize">{}</div>https://www.umu.se/en/news/alexandre-bartel-receives-nordeas-scientific-prize-2026_12179042/https://www.umu.se/en/news/erik-elmroth-receives-nordeas-innovation-prize-2026_12179083/Professor Erik Elmroth has been named the recipient of Nordea's and Umeå University's Innovation Prize for Research Utilisation. He receives the award for his ability to translate world-leading research in cloud computing into solutions that are put to concrete use in society.Thu, 18 Jun 2026 09:43:47 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/ccb394402bdd4991ae394e41eec43258/elmroth_erik_8349_200319_mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/ccb394402bdd4991ae394e41eec43258/elmroth_erik_8349_200319_mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/ccb394402bdd4991ae394e41eec43258/elmroth_erik_8349_200319_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/ccb394402bdd4991ae394e41eec43258/elmroth_erik_8349_200319_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/ccb394402bdd4991ae394e41eec43258/elmroth_erik_8349_200319_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/ccb394402bdd4991ae394e41eec43258/elmroth_erik_8349_200319_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Erik Elmroth, Professor at the Department of Computing Science.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>Many of today&rsquo;s digital services rely on cloud technologies and large-scale distributed systems. These are the fields in which Erik Elmroth, Professor at the Department of Computing Science at Ume&aring; University, has built his research. His work includes developing ways to design digital systems that remain stable and efficient even under heavy use.</p><p>&ldquo;It is, of course, a great honour to be recognised in this way &ndash; and it is especially rewarding to receive appreciation for work that I personally consider important,&rdquo; he says.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Research that strenghtens Swedish industry</h2><p>The award particularly highlights his ability to combine high-level research with entrepreneurship and strategic leadership. As co-founder of the software company Elastisys, Erik Elmroth has successfully commercialised research results, contributing to reliable digital solutions for critical societal functions and strengthening Swedish industry.</p><p>&ldquo;Since cloud services and large-scale distributed systems permeate society today, it is important that we can create a better understanding of how to make these systems as functional, efficient, and robust as possible,&rdquo; says Erik Elmroth.</p><p>His work is not limited to technology development but also focuses on strengthening competence in society. Through education and research environments, he helps ensure that more people gain the specialist expertise needed in this field.</p><p>&ldquo;In addition to the importance of the research results themselves, this kind of research also has great value in supplying industry with skilled researchers and specialists," says Erik Elmroth.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Alternatives to American cloud services</h2><p>His work has also contributed to building collaborations between academia and industry, as well as strengthening Sweden's position in digital infrastructure and AI.</p><p>At a time when Europe's dependence on American cloud services is being widely discussed, he sees a need to develop alternatives.</p><p>&ldquo;I hope that my research group and I have contributed knowledge and trained individuals who make it possible to create competitive Swedish and European alternatives, especially for critical societal needs,&rdquo; says Erik Elmroth.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="763b38a2-6bdb-4b24-88af-68373eac6235" data-contentname="About the prize">{}</div>https://www.umu.se/en/news/erik-elmroth-receives-nordeas-innovation-prize-2026_12179083/https://www.umu.se/en/news/thawing-permafrost-may-trigger-overlooked-carbon-sink-in-rivers_12177096/DNA-based analyses detect more species than traditional microscopy in marine environments. At the same time, they are not yet sufficient to replace the methods currently used in environmental monitoring. This is shown by a new study from the Baltic Sea, the Kattegat and the Skagerrak.Mon, 22 Jun 2026 08:47:34 +0200<p>The study compares DNA metabarcoding with classical light microscopy, which is currently the standard method in phytoplankton monitoring. The material comprises 232 water samples from 17 stations within the Swedish national marine monitoring programme.</p><p>The results point in two directions. The DNA method identifies more groups and more species, while also capturing organisms that are difficult to detect under the microscope. However, when it comes to estimating how much plankton is present in the water, the methods provide different pictures, and the relationship between them is often weak.</p><p>This means that the two approaches in practice answer different questions. Microscopy continues to provide a basis for assessments of quantity and biomass, while DNA analysis broadens the picture of which organisms are present.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/6b9da350a4f84b449e85801aa06eb320/icelablunchpitch-260422-dscf4418_sjn.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/6b9da350a4f84b449e85801aa06eb320/icelablunchpitch-260422-dscf4418_sjn.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/6b9da350a4f84b449e85801aa06eb320/icelablunchpitch-260422-dscf4418_sjn.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/6b9da350a4f84b449e85801aa06eb320/icelablunchpitch-260422-dscf4418_sjn.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/6b9da350a4f84b449e85801aa06eb320/icelablunchpitch-260422-dscf4418_sjn.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/6b9da350a4f84b449e85801aa06eb320/icelablunchpitch-260422-dscf4418_sjn.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Agneta Andersson, Professor at Department of Ecology, Environment and Geoscience, talking at IceLab Lunch Pitch.&nbsp;</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>[Simon J&ouml;nsson]</span></div></div><p>&ndash;It is important to combine these two methods because phytoplankton constitute a key group for assessing the state of the marine environment, both in terms of biomass and biodiversity, says Agneta Andersson, Professor at Ume&aring; University and scientific coordinator for EcoChange.</p><h3>Variation between sea areas and organism groups</h3><p>The study also shows that the differences between the methods vary. For some organism groups, the results are more consistent, for others less so. The patterns also shift between different marine areas.</p><p>One clear result is that the DNA method more frequently detects small and hard-to-identify species. This contributes to a more detailed description of biodiversity, particularly in complex environments where many species resemble each other morphologically. At the same time, there are limitations linked to reference databases and to how DNA signals are interpreted.</p><h3>Difficult to translate DNA into biomass</h3><p>The challenge of linking DNA data to actual quantities of organisms in the water remains. Despite various attempts to adjust the analyses, it is currently not possible to reliably convert DNA signals into biomass or cell numbers.</p><p>This means that DNA metabarcoding currently functions best as a complement, rather than a replacement.</p><p>&ndash;Development must take place on several fronts and follow a well-considered strategy and process, where a cross-section of species in different size classes is captured across different marine areas. This will contribute to increased knowledge of biodiversity and to improving reference databases.</p><p>There is also a need to develop quantitative DNA methods, possibly by gaining a better understanding of gene copy numbers in different phytoplankton and by further developing spiking methods using synthetic DNA, Agneta says.</p><p>With that said, the results clearly point forward. The method can help detect changes in species composition and provide information that is currently missed in routine monitoring. At the same time, further development is required, both in reference databases and in the interpretation of results, for the technique to play a larger practical role.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="~/link/279429d605864aa3a4f47936cb216949.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Read more about the project</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://umu.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?language=en&amp;pid=diva2%3A2072393&amp;dswid=-1915" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Fulltext article in DIVA</strong></a></p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/dna-boosts-marine-monitoring-but-cannot-stand-alone_12178881/https://www.umu.se/en/news/potatoes-benefit-when-two-soil-bacteria-team-up_12177916/Researchers at Umeå University have shown that two soil bacteria can work together to influence potato development. The bacterial partnership triggered distinct responses in potato plants and was associated with earlier tuber initiation and improved yield under greenhouse conditions. The findings suggest that combinations of beneficial soil bacteria could become a valuable tool for potato growers in the future.Tue, 16 Jun 2026 09:00:06 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>When introduced to potato plants, the bacteria quickly established in the roots and influenced signals involved in tuber formation.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mostphotos</span></div></div><p>Potato is one of the world's most important food crops and feeds millions of people. Yet maintaining high yields often requires substantial chemical inputs such as fertilisers. Benedicte Albrectsen and her group at the Department of Plant Physiology and Ume&aring; Plant Science Centre therefore investigated whether naturally occurring soil microbes could help support potato production in a more sustainable way.</p><p>"We wanted to know if two types of helpful bacteria work even better together than alone," says Benedicte Albrectsen.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Potato plants during the greenhouse experiments in which beneficial soil bacteria were applied to the roots.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>[Fotograf saknas]</span></div></div><p>The researchers focused on Pseudomonas protegens and Pseudomonas simiae, two well studied naturally occurring beneficial soil bacteria known to promote plant growth and health. They tested the bacteria individually and in combination to see how they affected potato plants and included different potato cultivars in the study.</p><h3>Bacteria influence each other</h3><p>When introduced to potato plants, the bacteria quickly established in the roots and influenced signals involved in tuber formation. The treated plants showed earlier signs of tuber formation than untreated plants, and gene expression analyses revealed increased activity of genes associated with tuber formation. In several cases, the combined treatment produced distinct responses that differed from those observed for the individual bacterial strains.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareleft"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Benedicte Albrectsen.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>"We were pleasantly surprised. We anticipated positive effects but the synergistic interactions between the two bacterial strains were more pronounced than we expected," says Benedicte Albrectsen.</p><p>To better understand how the two bacterial strains interacted, the researchers analysed both the compounds produced by the bacteria and the responses triggered in the potato plants. With help from the Swedish Metabolomics Centre, they found that the bacteria released a unique mix of compounds when grown together, suggesting that the bacteria influence each other's behaviour.</p><h3>Affected plant defence</h3><p>The bacterial treatments affected not only plant growth but also genes involved in tuber formation and plant defence against stress and disease. This suggests that the bacteria influence both potato development and the plant&rsquo;s ability to respond to challenges in its environment.</p><p>The researchers also found changes in tuber quality, including starch and vitamin C content. However, the responses varied between the potato cultivars &lsquo;Mandel&rsquo; and &lsquo;D&eacute;sir&eacute;e&rsquo;, both of which are commonly grown in Sweden.</p><p>&ldquo;We now want to test natural combinations of beneficial bacteria under field conditions to see if the greenhouse results translate to agricultural systems. What I find particularly fascinating is how the diversity of soil bacteria can shape potato growth and development. Understanding these interactions could also provide insights relevant to other crop systems,&rdquo; says Benedicte Albrectsen.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="b70b6736-0460-4b3f-880a-8de3987795de" data-contentname="About the study">{}</div>https://www.umu.se/en/news/potatoes-benefit-when-two-soil-bacteria-team-up_12177916/https://www.umu.se/en/news/professor-at-umea-university-appointed-swedens-new-state-epidemiologist_12172696/Anders Johansson, Professor of Infectious Diseases and Senior Consultant in Infectious Diseases and Infection Control at Umeå University, has been appointed Head of Department with the role of State Epidemiologist at the Public Health Agency of Sweden.Mon, 15 Jun 2026 14:36:32 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/d00338dca9d648ee927575932bc49015/f_johansson_anders_0936_230602_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/d00338dca9d648ee927575932bc49015/f_johansson_anders_0936_230602_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/d00338dca9d648ee927575932bc49015/f_johansson_anders_0936_230602_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/d00338dca9d648ee927575932bc49015/f_johansson_anders_0936_230602_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/d00338dca9d648ee927575932bc49015/f_johansson_anders_0936_230602_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/d00338dca9d648ee927575932bc49015/f_johansson_anders_0936_230602_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Anders Johansson is a Professor of Infectious Diseases and Senior Consultant in Infectious Diseases and Infection Control at Ume&aring; University. He has now been appointed Head of Department with the role of State Epidemiologist at the Public Health Agency of Sweden.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>simon ohman jonsson inhousebyran</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;I would like to warmly congratulate Anders Johansson on his appointment. It is an important role for Sweden and an honour for Ume&aring; University,&rdquo; says Tora Holmberg, Vice-Chancellor of Ume&aring; University.</p><p>Anders Johansson is a highly regarded researcher who became professor in 2023 at the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Ume&aring; University. He has participated in popular science events on topics such as antibiotic resistance and COVID-19 and was a frequently consulted spokesperson on pandemic-related issues, both within the university and in the media.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Takes office on 1 October</h2><p>In its press release, the Public Health Agency of Sweden states that several highly qualified candidates applied for the position and that Anders Johansson was selected following an overall assessment:</p><p>&ldquo;Among other areas, Anders Johansson has worked on antibiotic resistance, vaccine protection and biological preparedness. He has also served as an expert for several key authorities and held leadership roles in crisis management at both regional and national levels,&rdquo; the press release states. It also includes a statement from Director-General Olivia Wigzell:</p><p>&ldquo;We are pleased to announce that Anders Johansson will take up the position. He has excellent leadership skills and many years of experience as an associate professor and subsequently professor of infectious diseases, as well as a specialist in both infectious diseases and infection control. In his role as Head of Department and State Epidemiologist, Anders Johansson will lead and develop the agency&rsquo;s communicable disease control work and promote continued collaboration with universities and regional authorities,&rdquo; says Director-General Olivia Wigzell.</p><p>Anders Johansson will take up his position as Head of the Department for Communicable Disease Control and Preparedness, with the role of State Epidemiologist, on 1 October.</p><p><a href="https://www.folkhalsomyndigheten.se/the-public-health-agency-of-sweden/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Read more on the website of the Public Health Agency of Sweden</a></p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/professor-at-umea-university-appointed-swedens-new-state-epidemiologist_12172696/https://www.umu.se/en/news/international-experts-gather-in-umea-for-course-on-mosquito-borne-diseases-in-a-warming-climate_12177042/How is climate change affecting the spread of mosquito-borne viruses? Could diseases such as dengue fever and West Nile virus become more common in Europe? These questions are at the heart of a course at Umeå University, 8–12 June, where international researchers and doctoral students will explore how mosquito-borne diseases spread and how they can be prevented.Mon, 15 Jun 2026 12:37:05 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/8f446e923d7149b98ee1d20187ed8f51/mosquito_course_2022_-30_besk3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/8f446e923d7149b98ee1d20187ed8f51/mosquito_course_2022_-30_besk3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/8f446e923d7149b98ee1d20187ed8f51/mosquito_course_2022_-30_besk3.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/8f446e923d7149b98ee1d20187ed8f51/mosquito_course_2022_-30_besk3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/8f446e923d7149b98ee1d20187ed8f51/mosquito_course_2022_-30_besk3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/8f446e923d7149b98ee1d20187ed8f51/mosquito_course_2022_-30_besk3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Anders Lindstr&ouml;m, researcher at the National Veterinary Institute (SVA), in the field. Journalists are welcome to participate during the course&rsquo;s field component on 9 June, with opportunities to interview both participating researchers and doctoral students from around the world.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Kristoffer Ahlm</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;Several of the viruses covered in the course, including dengue, Zika and chikungunya, are on the WHO list of pathogens with the potential to cause future epidemics or pandemics. This makes the field particularly urgent,&rdquo; says Olivia Wesula Lwande, researcher at the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Ume&aring; University and course coordinator.</p><p>Mosquitoes are major vectors of viruses, bacteria and parasites that can cause disease in both humans and animals. While tropical mosquito-borne diseases remain rare in Sweden, climate change and increased global mobility have made the issue more pressing. In recent years, viruses such as West Nile virus have caused outbreaks in several European countries, and researchers are closely monitoring how both viruses and mosquito species are shifting their geographical ranges.</p><p>&ldquo;Research on zoonotic viruses in mosquitoes is crucial, as it helps detect and prevent future disease outbreaks,&rdquo; says Olivia Wesula Lwande.</p><p>The course combines lectures with hands-on training in both field and laboratory settings. Participants will learn how to identify mosquito species, collect mosquitoes in the field, and apply modern methods for pathogen surveillance and analysis. The course also highlights the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration, spanning biology, medicine, public health and environmental science.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/8f446e923d7149b98ee1d20187ed8f51/mosquito_course_2022_-6_besk2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/8f446e923d7149b98ee1d20187ed8f51/mosquito_course_2022_-6_besk2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/8f446e923d7149b98ee1d20187ed8f51/mosquito_course_2022_-6_besk2.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/8f446e923d7149b98ee1d20187ed8f51/mosquito_course_2022_-6_besk2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/8f446e923d7149b98ee1d20187ed8f51/mosquito_course_2022_-6_besk2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/8f446e923d7149b98ee1d20187ed8f51/mosquito_course_2022_-6_besk2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>PhD students working in the field.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Kristoffer Ahlm</span></div></div><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/8f446e923d7149b98ee1d20187ed8f51/mosquito_course_2022_-482.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/8f446e923d7149b98ee1d20187ed8f51/mosquito_course_2022_-482.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/8f446e923d7149b98ee1d20187ed8f51/mosquito_course_2022_-482.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/8f446e923d7149b98ee1d20187ed8f51/mosquito_course_2022_-482.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/8f446e923d7149b98ee1d20187ed8f51/mosquito_course_2022_-482.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/8f446e923d7149b98ee1d20187ed8f51/mosquito_course_2022_-482.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Back in the laboratory, the captured mosquitoes are examined under the microscope.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Kristoffer Ahlm</span></div></div><p>The course is organised by the National Doctoral Programme in Virus Infections and Pandemics (NDP-VIP), funded by the Swedish Research Council (VR). NDP-VIP aims to strengthen education and recruitment of doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers in virology and pandemic preparedness. The programme is a collaboration between nine Swedish universities and is coordinated from Ume&aring; University, where it is affiliated with the Ume&aring; Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Learn more about NDP VIP: <a href="https://ndp-vip.se/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Visit ndp-vip.se</a></p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/international-experts-gather-in-umea-for-course-on-mosquito-borne-diseases-in-a-warming-climate_12177042/https://www.umu.se/en/news/fernstrom-research-prize-awarded-to-brain-tumour-researcher_12178028/The 2026 Eric K. Fernström Prize for young, particularly promising and successful researchers is awarded to Associate Professor Silvia Remeseiro at the Department of Medical and Translational Biology for her groundbreaking research combining 3D genomics, epigenetics, and cancer neuroscience to understand how neurons drive glioblastoma growth.Mon, 15 Jun 2026 12:01:27 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/582629d6a1ce44b6b6e81b4913732b5f/remeseiro-13.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/582629d6a1ce44b6b6e81b4913732b5f/remeseiro-13.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/582629d6a1ce44b6b6e81b4913732b5f/remeseiro-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/582629d6a1ce44b6b6e81b4913732b5f/remeseiro-13.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/582629d6a1ce44b6b6e81b4913732b5f/remeseiro-13.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/582629d6a1ce44b6b6e81b4913732b5f/remeseiro-13.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The Fernstr&ouml;m Prize is awarded to Associate Professor Silvia Remeseiro for her groundbreaking research combining 3D genomics, epigenetics, and cancer neuroscience to understand how neurons drive glioblastoma growth.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Privat</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;My first reaction was a mix of gratitude and excitement! It is incredibly rewarding to see our work recognized,&rdquo; says Silvia Remeseiro, Associate Professor at the Department of Medical and Translational Biology at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>&ldquo;This award is especially meaningful because it highlights the importance of our line of research, which bridges various disciplines and opens new directions for understanding the complex interactions between neurons and glioblastoma cells from a unique perspective. Looking ahead, it gives visibility and momentum to our research and motivates us to keep pushing the boundaries, with the goal of translating our discoveries into new therapeutic strategies for patients with this devastating brain cancer.&rdquo;</p><p>In its citation, the prize committee at the Faculty of Medicine states:</p><p>&ldquo;Silvia Remeseiro has established an internationally competitive research environment at Ume&aring; University within molecular medicine, bioinformatics, and cancer biology. Through innovative multi-omics approaches and advanced glioblastoma models, her research has provided new insights into how communication between neurons and tumour cells drives tumour growth and aggressiveness. Furthermore, her work has identified gene regulatory networks and transcription factors that govern the crosstalk between neurons and tumour cells, opening new avenues for future treatments targeting epigenetic mechanisms.&rdquo;</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/fernstrom-research-prize-awarded-to-brain-tumour-researcher_12178028/https://www.umu.se/en/news/how-vibrations-induced-by-snoring-may-contribute-to-sleep-apnea_12177978/Snoring is not just a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea – it may also contribute to the disease. Researchers at Umeå University show that the vibrations affect how muscle cells produce and manage energy. This, in turn, may weaken the muscles of the upper airway, making them more likely to collapse during sleep.Mon, 15 Jun 2026 08:29:27 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/73093036772a46fbae91e4f7e937f682/img_14802.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/73093036772a46fbae91e4f7e937f682/img_14802.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/73093036772a46fbae91e4f7e937f682/img_14802.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/73093036772a46fbae91e4f7e937f682/img_14802.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/73093036772a46fbae91e4f7e937f682/img_14802.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/73093036772a46fbae91e4f7e937f682/img_14802.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The Laboratory for Vibration Biology, a unique research environment established with support from the Kempestiftelserna.&nbsp; From left to right: Farhan Shah (group leader), Abdullah Azmi (visiting researcher from King&rsquo;s College London), Roger Widmark (technical specialist), and Yu-Cheng Qian (postdoctoral researcher).</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ingrid S&ouml;derbergh</span></div></div><p>Snoring has long been regarded as a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, but our findings suggest that the vibrations themselves may contribute to the disease process by damaging muscle tissue and impairing cellular energy metabolism,&rdquo; says Farhan Shah, Associate Professor at the Department of Medical and Translational Biology at Ume&aring; University.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Linking patient samples to a laboratory model</h2><p>A key strength of the study is that the researchers link findings from patient samples to a newly developed laboratory model that mimics snoring vibrations in muscle cells. Using this model, they were able to demonstrate how repeated vibrations affect the cells&rsquo; ability to sense mechanical load, regulate energy production, and maintain normal cellular function.</p><p>The research was conducted at Ume&aring; University's Laboratory for Vibration Biology, a unique research environment established with support from the Kempe Foundations. The laboratory combines expertise in muscle biology, mechanobiology, mitochondrial function, and vibration research to investigate how physical forces influence cellular function, tissue adaptation, and disease. The experimental vibration model was developed and validated by postdoctoral researcher Yucheng Qian together with the technical team consisting of Roger Widmark, Anders B&auml;ckstr&ouml;m, and Per Utsi.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/73093036772a46fbae91e4f7e937f682/img_14833.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/73093036772a46fbae91e4f7e937f682/img_14833.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/73093036772a46fbae91e4f7e937f682/img_14833.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/73093036772a46fbae91e4f7e937f682/img_14833.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/73093036772a46fbae91e4f7e937f682/img_14833.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/73093036772a46fbae91e4f7e937f682/img_14833.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Yu-Cheng Qian (postdoctoral researcher) operating a customized vibration platform that enables precise control and monitoring of vibration frequency and amplitude in cell-based experiments.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ingrid S&ouml;derbergh</span></div></div><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Investigates other vibration-related injuries</h2><p>Beyond sleep apnea, the findings may also have implications for other vibration-related conditions. Understanding how cells respond to mechanical vibration is a central focus of the Laboratory for Vibration Biology. One example of a vibration-related disorder is hand&ndash;arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), an occupational condition caused by long-term exposure to vibrating tools such as drills and chainsaws., says Farhan Shah.</p><p>While the present study focused on snoring vibrations and sleep apnea, the research group investigates how mechanical stimuli and disease states influence muscle health across a range of conditions, including cancer cachexia, ageing, prolonged immobilization, occupational vibration exposure, and spaceflight. A common theme of the research is understanding how cellular energy metabolism and mitochondrial function determine muscle adaptation, resilience, and disease progression.</p><p>The results have been published in the journal Mitochondrion.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/how-vibrations-induced-by-snoring-may-contribute-to-sleep-apnea_12177978/https://www.umu.se/en/news/research-to-help-create-fairer-electricity-network-tariffs_12177819/A new research project at Umeå University will investigate how Swedish households are affected by and adapt to effect-based electricity network tariffs. It focuses in particular on low-income households and older adults – groups that may have less flexibility to adjust their electricity use and therefore risk higher costs.Mon, 15 Jun 2026 08:00:09 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Laundry timing could become a cost issue.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>John&eacute;r BIldbyr&aring; AB</span></div></div><p>The project has received SEK 8.7 million in funding from the Swedish Energy Agency and comes at a highly relevant moment. In March 2026, the Swedish government paused the nationwide requirement for all grid companies to introduce effect-based tariffs and asked the Swedish Energy Markets Inspectorate to develop a new model. At the same time, such tariffs are already in use in parts of the country, and the broader need to shift electricity consumption to different times remains central as Sweden&rsquo;s electricity system faces rising demand and continued electrification.</p><p>&ldquo;We will investigate how different households perceive, understand and respond to effect-based tariffs in everyday life. A central ambition is to identify where the model may create barriers or unequal outcomes, and how policy and practice can be improved so that more households can adapt without increased stress, discomfort, or economic burden&rdquo;, says Weizhuo Lu, project leader and professor at the Department of Applied Physics and Electronics.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Some households may be more affected</h2><p>Previous studies show that households&rsquo; ability to respond to new price signals varies. Financial resources, housing conditions, health and digital literacy all influence how easily people can manage and shift their electricity use.</p><p>&ldquo;One example is an elderly household that needs to keep the home warm or cool for health reasons and therefore cannot shift its electricity use to other times. Another is a low-income family in an older home without smart technology, where cooking, laundry and heating often take place at the same time in the evening. In such cases, the tariff may lead to higher costs, even though the household is already trying to keep its total electricity use low&rdquo;, says Weizhuo Lu.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Experiments in laboratory settings</h2><p>The project is carried out through the Intelligent Human-Buildings Interaction (IHBI) Lab at Ume&aring; University, where researchers study the interaction between people, buildings and energy systems. The study is based on controlled experiments in which participants from different types of households act in simulated everyday situations &ndash; such as cooking, heating or charging &ndash; while encountering different tariff signals. The aim is to understand people&rsquo;s behaviour, experiences and constraints, rather than solely analysing electricity consumption retrospectively.</p><p>The results will be translated into practical recommendations and decision-support tools for policymakers, grid companies, municipal energy and climate advisors, and housing stakeholders. This may include guidance on how electricity network tariffs can be designed more fairly, as well as advice and support materials to help households adapt their electricity use.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="edd7074e-8aa8-43a7-a268-4f8a999ef612" data-contentname="About the project">{}</div>https://www.umu.se/en/news/research-to-help-create-fairer-electricity-network-tariffs_12177819/https://www.umu.se/en/news/when-food-becomes-a-security-issue_12177749/The Swedish Research Council has awarded funding under its initiative for the strategic recruitment of assistant professors. Umeå University has received funding for two researchers. Mon, 20 Jul 2026 10:44:05 +0200<p>Sweden aims to be a world-leading nation in research and innovation. To achieve this, the best researchers must be recruited &ndash; regardless of where in the world they come from. As part of this effort, the Swedish Government has tasked the Swedish Research Council with establishing a programme for strategic recruitment, with a particular focus on the national career-development position of assistant professor.</p><p>The aim is to strengthen higher education institutions&rsquo; ability to recruit outstanding early-career researchers and to create long-term conditions for research of the highest scientific quality. Scientific excellence, researcher mobility and international experience have been central in the assessment.</p><p>Through this initiative, the awarded researchers will receive funding at assistant professor level for five years, with the possibility of additional funding at associate professor level following evaluation. In total, the Swedish Research Council is allocating SEK 330 million for the period 2026&ndash;2031.</p><p>A total of 109 applications were submitted, of which 22 were granted funding, 2 of these awards went to Ume&aring; University: two researchers who have each been granted SEK 15 million over five years (one of the researchers accepted the funding).&nbsp;</p><p>The awarded researchers are:&nbsp;</p><h3>Gabriel Wallin</h3><p>Most recently assistant professor in statistics at the School of Mathematical Sciences at Lancaster University. He was previously a researcher at the Department of Statistics at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Before that, he was a postdoctoral researcher at the French national research institute Inria and received his PhD from the Department of Statistics at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>His&nbsp;research&nbsp;focuses&nbsp;on&nbsp;developing&nbsp;flexible&nbsp;statistical&nbsp;machine&nbsp;learning&nbsp;methods&nbsp;to&nbsp;accurately&nbsp;identify&nbsp;latent (unobserved)&nbsp;structures&nbsp;in social,&nbsp;behavioural&nbsp;and&nbsp;health&nbsp;data.&nbsp;<br><strong>Research&nbsp;subject:&nbsp;</strong>Statistics&nbsp;in the social sciences&nbsp;<br><strong>Project&nbsp;title:</strong> Next-generation latent variable models for data-driven social science.<br><a href="https://gabrieltwallin.github.io/">Read&nbsp;more&nbsp;about&nbsp;Gabriel Wallin on&nbsp;his&nbsp;webpage.&nbsp;</a></p><p><em>The article has been updated July 20 2026 with information that only one researcher accepted the award.&nbsp;</em></p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/two-strategic-recruitment-initiatives-awarded-to-umea-university_12177909/