https://www.umu.se/A RSS feed provided by Umeå Universityen-usThu, 23 Jul 2026 22:57:31 +0200https://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.Tue, 07 Jul 2026 08:57:43 +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/https://www.umu.se/en/news/new-arctic-strategy-opens-doors-for-more-researchers_12177691/Wossenseged Birhane Jemberie receives the Swedish Alcohol Retailing Monopoly’s Junior Research Award 2026. His research highlights older adults with alcohol-related problems, a growing but still relatively under-researched group. His studies show that needs differ, and that care and support must be adapted to the individual.Thu, 11 Jun 2026 15:44:07 +0200<p>At the Swedish Alcohol Retailing Monopoly&rsquo;s annual alcohol research conference on 21 May 2026, this year&rsquo;s award recipient was announced. The award goes to Wossenseged Birhane Jemberie, Assistant professor at Department of Social Work at Ume&aring; University. His research focuses on a growing group, older people with alcohol-related problems.</p><p>He defended his doctoral thesis in 2023 on alcohol and ageing. In his work, he studied older individuals in addiction care, their experiences, and the risks of repeated hospital admissions and mortality. The results show that older adults with alcohol problems are not a homogeneous group. They differ in terms of life situation, disease progression, and needs. This indicates that care and support need to be adapted to the individual.</p><p>&ndash; Receiving the Swedish Alcohol Retailing Monopoly&rsquo;s Junior Research Award 2026 is both an honor and a great source of encouragement. I am happy and humbled by this recognition, which strengthens my motivation to continue studying alcohol use, health and living conditions among older adults, says Wossenseged Birhane Jemberie.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">How alcohol use varies among older adults</h2><p>After completing his PhD, he has continued his research at the Department of Social Work at Ume&aring; University. There, he studies alcohol use among older adults, including through a population study of drinking patterns among people aged 65&ndash;90 in Sweden and Finland.</p><p>&ndash; My research is based on the understanding that alcohol is not risk-free and can have negative consequences for health, care needs and well-being. At the same time, alcohol use is often embedded in everyday life, social relationships, routines and personal life stories.</p><p>His research highlights a clear complexity. For some older adults, drinking is linked to social participation and continuity. For others, it may be associated with vulnerability, illness, isolation, or changing life circumstances.</p><p>&ndash; This complexity makes it important to study alcohol and ageing with both scientific rigor and sensitivity to people&rsquo;s lived experiences.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Collaboration an important part of the research</h2><p>The work is also based on collaboration across disciplines. This has been an important part of the research.</p><p>&ndash; The award also reflects the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. My work has greatly benefited from support and contributions from supervisors, colleagues, collaborators, and research environments across disciplinary boundaries.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/eb4f04d05988460c82e80e16720017fa/juniora_priset_2_20264.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/eb4f04d05988460c82e80e16720017fa/juniora_priset_2_20264.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/eb4f04d05988460c82e80e16720017fa/juniora_priset_2_20264.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/eb4f04d05988460c82e80e16720017fa/juniora_priset_2_20264.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/eb4f04d05988460c82e80e16720017fa/juniora_priset_2_20264.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/eb4f04d05988460c82e80e16720017fa/juniora_priset_2_20264.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The Swedish Alcohol Retailing Monopoly&rsquo;s Junior Research Award is presented annually at the Swedish Alcohol Retailing Monopoly&rsquo;s alcohol research conference.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Systembolaget</span></div></div><p>The Swedish Alcohol Retailing Monopoly&rsquo;s Junior Research Award is presented annually at the Swedish Alcohol Retailing Monopoly&rsquo;s alcohol research conference. Photo: Systembolaget.</p><p>He also highlights the importance of the study participants.</p><p>&ndash; I am particularly grateful to the older adults who have participated in our studies and shared their time, experiences, and perspectives.</p><p>The research is also linked to work within the Gerontological Regional Database (GERDA), where issues of ageing, health, and living conditions are central.</p><p>&ndash; I hope that the award can help to further highlight the importance of research on older adults&rsquo; alcohol use, care needs, and well-being, and inspire continued collaboration within this growing and socially important field.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Award recognizing alcohol research</h2><p>The Swedish Alcohol Retailing Monopoly&rsquo;s Junior Research Award is awarded to early-career researchers who contribute new knowledge about the consequences of alcohol use. The winner is selected by an independent external committee.</p><p>&ndash; For the tenth year in a row, through the Junior Research Award, we want to highlight research that increases knowledge about the consequences of alcohol. Wossenseged Birhane Jemberie receives the award for his important contributions to the field of alcohol and health among older adults, says Ann Carlsson Meyer, CEO of the Swedish Alcohol Retailing Monopoly.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/awarded-for-research-on-ageing-and-alcohol_12177746/https://www.umu.se/en/news/melissa-bondy-appointed-honorary-doctor-at-umea-university_12177766/The Faculty of Medicine at Umeå University has appointed Professor Melissa Bondy, epidemiologist at Stanford University, as an honorary doctor. She receives the distinction for her long-standing commitment to underrepresented voices in epidemiology and for her distinguished collaboration with Umeå University.Thu, 11 Jun 2026 15:17:25 +0200<p>&ldquo;This is a person who generously shares her vast knowledge and actively brings researchers together to foster new collaborations,&rdquo; says Beatrice Melin, Professor of Oncology at the Department of Diagnostics and Intervention, who nominated Melissa Bondy for the honorary doctorate.</p><p>Melissa Bondy is Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health at Stanford University and has previously served as a visiting professor at Ume&aring; University. In addition to her successful research career, she has made significant contributions as a mentor to early-career researchers and students, for example by identifying relevant projects and collaborative opportunities.</p><p>&ldquo;I am deeply honored by this appointment and look forward to visiting Ume&aring; University again,&rdquo; Melissa Bondy writes in an email.</p><p>Melissa Bondy&rsquo;s research focuses primarily on cancer and the role of genetics in the development and progression of different types of the disease. She has collaborated with Beatrice Melin for more than 20 years, including work aimed at understanding why brain tumors arise. Their joint research has demonstrated, among other findings, that genetics plays an important role in the development of gliomas, a type of brain tumor that originates in the cells that surround and support nerve cells in the brain.</p><p>&ldquo;If we understand how a brain tumor develops, there is also an opportunity to find new ways to detect it early or develop new treatments. These discoveries have provided us with a genetic map of glioma development, an aggressive form of brain tumor. This increases our understanding of the biological processes involved in brain tumor development,&rdquo; says Beatrice Melin.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="90411689-e217-4384-9f58-8079195390bf" data-contentname="Annual Celebration Ceremony">{}</div>https://www.umu.se/en/news/melissa-bondy-appointed-honorary-doctor-at-umea-university_12177766/https://www.umu.se/en/news/international-collaboration-with-the-university-of-tartu-strengthens-educational-development_12177660/In collaboration with the University of Tartu, Oskar Gedda and Eva Svedmark from the Centre for Educational Development (UPL) have delivered a professional development programme for educational developers, educational leaders, and vice rectors in Estonia.Thu, 11 Jun 2026 10:54:45 +0200<p>The programme is part of a three year EU funded project aimed at strengthening pedagogical expertise in higher education and contributing to the long term enhancement of educational quality within Estonian higher education.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="52f533bb-89fb-4f18-8bad-eded37b063e4" data-contentname="Bild Eva och OskarTartu">{}</div><p>&ldquo;For UPL, this assignment is a concrete expression of Ume&aring; University's internationalisation ambitions. Not only participating in international contexts, but actively contributing to knowledge and capacity development among colleagues in other countries, is an important part of our mission,&rdquo; says Eva.</p><p>During the spring, participants met for three residential workshops, where they deepened their understanding of current knowledge in higher education pedagogy, recent research on educational leadership, and strategic quality enhancement. A central component of the programme was participants' work on their own development projects, focusing on how educational development can be organised, led, and implemented in practice at their respective institutions.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="adc765b2-a2a1-423a-8645-a1ce7fca7ec2" data-contentname="Bildspel">{}</div><p>The programme brought together around twenty participants from thirteen universities and higher education institutions across Estonia. It provided opportunities for participants to exchange experiences across institutional boundaries, develop shared perspectives on educational leadership, and identify concrete ways forward for strengthening educational quality throughout the country.</p><h3>Deepened Collaboration with the University of Tartu</h3><p>The collaboration with the University of Tartu has provided UPL with opportunities to gain new perspectives on educational development and to contribute to the advancement of higher education pedagogy in an international context.</p><p>&ldquo;What happens in courses like this is truly remarkable. From a cautious beginning, with participants bringing very different experiences, a strong community gradually emerges, one that courageously and playfully discusses and shapes important questions concerning quality in higher education,&rdquo; says Oskar.</p><p>The collaboration has helped strengthen relationships between UPL, the University of Tartu, and colleagues at other Estonian higher education institutions. UPL aims to further develop this type of initiative and undertake similar collaborations in the future.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/international-collaboration-with-the-university-of-tartu-strengthens-educational-development_12177660/https://www.umu.se/en/news/alejandro-haiek-coll-at-the-umea-school-of-architecture-receives-collaboration-award_12177677/Alejandro Haiek Coll, Associate Professor at the Umeå School of Architecture, has been awarded the Faculty of Science and Technology’s collaboration award 2026. He receives the award for his work in creating new forms of collaboration between academia, the public sector, cultural institutions and local communities.Thu, 11 Jun 2026 10:05:40 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/4f03e4e238284dbeb3bc418b3b2a09e3/alejandro_haiek_at_civitella_resindecy_umbria_itally3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/4f03e4e238284dbeb3bc418b3b2a09e3/alejandro_haiek_at_civitella_resindecy_umbria_itally3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/4f03e4e238284dbeb3bc418b3b2a09e3/alejandro_haiek_at_civitella_resindecy_umbria_itally3.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/4f03e4e238284dbeb3bc418b3b2a09e3/alejandro_haiek_at_civitella_resindecy_umbria_itally3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/4f03e4e238284dbeb3bc418b3b2a09e3/alejandro_haiek_at_civitella_resindecy_umbria_itally3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/4f03e4e238284dbeb3bc418b3b2a09e3/alejandro_haiek_at_civitella_resindecy_umbria_itally3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Alejandro Haiek Coll.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Marco Giugliarelli</span></div></div><p>In Alejandro Haiek Coll&rsquo;s projects, architecture, research and civic engagement come together in everything from public installations to international exhibitions. Through his work, he has developed new forms of knowledge dissemination and sustainable meeting places.</p><p>&ldquo;I am very grateful for this award. It recognises an ethos that has been at the core of the research, pedagogical and artistic practices I have been developing, particularly over the past decade at Ume&aring; University. It also acknowledges the students, colleagues, municipalities, institutions, and other partners who have participated in these shared experiments across disciplinary boundaries and in close dialogue with society,&rdquo; says Alejandro Haiek Coll.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Shown at international exhibitions</h2><p>Among the projects highlighted are <em>Winter Garden Structures</em>, where architecture, informatics and UX Lab researchers collaborated to create interactive climate-related installations at the Arts Campus. Other examples include the VR installation <em>Liminal Phantoms</em>,&nbsp;presented at the Triennale di Milano, and <em>Future Garden</em>, which was presented at the Chicago Architecture Biennial 2025&ndash;2026 and brought together artistic research, molecular biology and questions of environmental justice in the Amazon.</p><p>He leads the research environment Laboratory of Intersectional Ecologies and the MA Design Studio 12, focusing this year&nbsp;on&nbsp;developing ideas of self-sufficiency and autonomy in the insular territories of Norrbysk&auml;r and Holm&ouml;n in the Ume&aring;&nbsp;Archipelago.</p><p>&ldquo;I understand design as a form of mediation, capable of connecting people, places, evidence, materials, technologies and collective imagination. Collaboration is about creating the conditions where different forms of knowledge can become public conversations and spaces for creative exchange,&rdquo; says Alejandro Haiek Coll.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Projects with the municipality</h2><p>He has led several long-term collaborative projects in Ume&aring;, including <em>Pallet Parliament</em> and <em>Meadow Parklet</em>, in collaboration with the municipality and local actors. The projects have resulted in&nbsp;a&nbsp;pollinator garden, public environments and civic forums that function as spaces for learning, culture and hospitality.</p><p>&ldquo;The aim is to test how research can become public, how pedagogy can engage real territorial questions, and how design can support social, ecological and cultural systemic transformation,&rdquo; says Alejandro Haiek Coll.</p><p>The award citation particularly highlights his ability to create long-term collaborations and to make research and education relevant and accessible to a broader public &ndash; both nationally and internationally.</p><p>The collaboration award is presented every two years in connection with the University&rsquo;s Annual Celebration in October.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="235c2219-c261-4f55-8246-baff9eb47251" data-contentname="Previous recipients">{}</div>https://www.umu.se/en/news/alejandro-haiek-coll-at-the-umea-school-of-architecture-receives-collaboration-award_12177677/https://www.umu.se/en/news/recognised-and-distinguished-teachers-spring-2026_12177575/Since 2014, more than 425 teachers have been appointed within Umeå University's model for the recognition of teaching qualifications. In spring 2026, 25 teachers were recognised for their pedagogical competence: 18 as Recognised Teachers and 7 as Distinguished Teachers.Tue, 16 Jun 2026 11:57:01 +0200<div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="8856c0cf-d8ec-453e-a8b5-a5c44db8985f" data-contentname="Bild pedmer pins">{}</div><p>Applications to the model are handled by the respective faculties. There is also a Committee for the Recognition of Teaching Qualifications, comprising faculty representatives, students, representatives from the Centre for Educational Development (UPL), and two Distinguished Teachers. The committee&rsquo;s task is to ensure the quality of the model by promoting equivalent assessment of pedagogical competence across the faculties and by recommending decisions to the faculties based on evaluations conducted by pedagogical experts.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Distinguished Teachers on the Committee</h2><p>Pontus Bergh (Unit of Police Work) and Sofia Mattsson (Department of Medical and Translational Biology) currently serve on the committee as Distinguished Teachers. In this role, they contribute perspectives drawn both from their own qualification journey and from experience of pedagogical assessment. Here, they share more about their role on the committee, the significance of the model, and their advice to colleagues considering applying.</p><p><strong>Pontus and Sofia, what is your role on the committee?</strong></p><p>We are co-opted members, which means that we do not participate in decisions, but we can contribute perspectives on how the model works from an applicant&rsquo;s point of view, says Sofia. And we can also contribute experience from serving as pedagogical experts at other universities, adds Pontus.</p><p><strong>What function does the model serve at Ume&aring; University, in your view?</strong></p><p>I believe it helps make teaching at our university even better by encouraging teachers to develop their pedagogical competence in higher education, says Pontus. The model is also a career opportunity for teachers and highlights the teaching and pedagogical development work taking place across the university, says Sofia.</p><p><strong>What advice would you give to someone considering applying?</strong></p><p>Apply! Writing a pedagogical portfolio provides insight into how your teaching influences student learning and helps you recognise your own pedagogical development, says Sofia.<br>Take time to understand what recognition of teaching qualifications involves and what is required to become a Recognised Teacher. Seek support from colleagues and consider participating in UPL&rsquo;s workshops, advises Pontus.</p><p>All teachers appointed within the model receive a diploma, a pin, and a salary increase. Distinguished Teachers are also recognised during the university&rsquo;s Annual Celebration, where they are invited to participate in pedagogical discussions and are presented in the official programme.</p><p><strong>The next application period for the model for the recognition of teaching qualifications will be 14 August to 15 September 2026.</strong></p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Appointments to Distinguished Teacher, Spring Semester 2026</h2><p><strong>Faculty of Social Sciences</strong><br>Karina Lundborg, Associate professor, Department of Social Work</p><p><strong>Faculty of Arts and Humanities</strong><br>Anna-Lill Drugge, Associate professor, Department of Language Studies<br>Erika Sturk, Associate professor, Department of Language Studies</p><p><strong>Faculty of Science and Technology</strong><br>Anders Rebbling, Associate professor, Department of Applied Physics and Electronics<br>Jonas Westin, Associate professor, Department of Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics</p><p><strong>Faculty of Medicine</strong><br>Maria Gustafsson, Professor, Department of Medical and Translational Biology<br>Maria Lindstr&ouml;m, Associate professor, Department of Epidemiology and Global Health</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Appointments to Recognised Teacher, Spring Semester 2026</h2><p><strong>Faculty of Social Sciences</strong><br>Christin Johansson, Lecturer, Department of Social Work<br>Johanna Lauri, Associate professor, Ume&aring; Centre for Gender Studies (UCGS)<br>Hanna L&ouml;vgren, Lecturer, Department of Food, Nutrition and Culinary Science<br>Sofia Molander, Associate professor, Ume&aring; School of Business, Economics and Statistics, Business Administration<br>Daniel Nystr&ouml;m, Associate professor, Department of Education<br>Daniel Skog, Associate professor, Department of Informatics</p><p><strong>Faculty of Arts and Humanities</strong><br>Karin S Lindel&ouml;f, Associate professor, Department of Culture and Media Studies</p><p><strong>Faculty of Science and Technology</strong><br>Daniel Bergner, Lecturer, Department of Science and Mathematics Education<br>Jerker Fick, Associate professor, Department of Chemistry<br>Mehdi Moradi, Associate professor, Department of Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics<br>Carina Widebo, Lecturer, Department of Science and Mathematics Education</p><p><strong>Faculty of Medicine</strong><br>Alexander Shayesteh Afshar, Associate professor, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine<br>Elisabeth Johansson, Associate professor, Department of Odontology<br>Susanne Lindqvist, Associate professor, Department of Odontology<br>Olivia Wesula Lwande, Researcher, Department of Clinical Microbiology<br>Anna Myleus, Assistant professor, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine<br>Johan Sommar, Associate professor, Department of Epidemiology and Global Health<br>Nikolai Stenfors, Associate professor, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine</p><h3>Asked Distinguished Teachers on the Committee</h3><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="dca52c8a-228b-41d3-ae39-e098d5056731" data-contentname="tillfrågade excellenta lärare i nämnden">{}</div>https://www.umu.se/en/news/recognised-and-distinguished-teachers-spring-2026_12177575/https://www.umu.se/en/news/umea-researchers-take-the-lead-in-developing-more-understandable-ai-systems_12177536/A new field of research, known as Social Explainable AI, is taking shape internationally within AI. It focuses on making the decisions taken by AI models more understandable to the general public. “Current explanations are primarily aimed at experts and do not meet the EU’s transparency requirements under the new AI Act. We want to change that,” says Kary Främling, whose new book has attracted international attention.Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:34:52 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/e5ce64265e984b0bbe2e5fd46e35ed2e/framling_kary_0379_180817_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e5ce64265e984b0bbe2e5fd46e35ed2e/framling_kary_0379_180817_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e5ce64265e984b0bbe2e5fd46e35ed2e/framling_kary_0379_180817_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/e5ce64265e984b0bbe2e5fd46e35ed2e/framling_kary_0379_180817_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e5ce64265e984b0bbe2e5fd46e35ed2e/framling_kary_0379_180817_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e5ce64265e984b0bbe2e5fd46e35ed2e/framling_kary_0379_180817_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The new book Social Explainable AI brings together ideas from many different fields, including AI research, linguistics, philosophy, psychology and the social sciences. "It places users, context and communication at the centre,&rdquo; Prof. Kary Fr&auml;mling, explains.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>Kary Fr&auml;mling, professor at the Department of Computing Science at Ume&aring; University, is one of the most cited researchers in his field. His work in <a href="~/link/5939b99a4f7a491e987b6511db90f667.aspx">Explainable AI</a>, the <a href="~/link/6c7b7ea204d94174a99e5c4d465506a2.aspx">Internet of Things</a>, and digital twins has laid the foundations for the systems we use across the globe today. Together with international researchers, he has highlighted the gap that has emerged between the tools and systems available to explain how AI models used by business and public authorities reason &ndash; and how they make decisions.&nbsp;</p><p>"We are seeing that the explanatory models are primarily aimed at professionals, who use their knowledge to gain insight into AI&rsquo;s black box. But those affected by government decisions or whose loan applications are rejected do not have the means to absorb and understand the information,&rdquo; says <a href="~/link/ee5a582399ad4cdfab214bbcadfb3f13.aspx">Kary Fr&auml;mling.</a></p><h3>International collaborative research</h3><p>Together with Prof. Dr. <a href="https://www.uni-paderborn.de/en/person/50352">Katharina Rohlfing</a> at the University of Paderborn, and <a href="https://www.comp.nus.edu.sg/cs/people/brianlim/">Brian Lim</a>, Associate Professor at the National University of Singapore, he has brought together a large number of researchers from various fields to develop a shared vision. The result is the new book <a href="https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-96-5290-7">Social Explainable AI</a>, a 30-chapter handbook that has attracted attention, particularly in Germany.<br>The book brings together insights from AI research, linguistics, philosophy, psychology, and the social sciences to re-examine the concept of explainability as a social, interactive process.</p><p>&ldquo;Instead of focusing solely on AI models, it places users, context and communication at the centre,&rdquo; Kary Fr&auml;mling explains.</p><h3>AI understandable to users</h3><p><a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20230601STO93804/eu-ai-act-first-regulation-on-artificial-intelligence">The EU AI Act</a> requires transparency &ndash; ensuring that everyday users have insight into decisions that affect their lives, such as why they are denied a loan, fail to secure a job, or how they can increase the value of their home.<br>Within this new field of research, experts aim to ensure that AI models genuinely tailor their explanations to the recipient&rsquo;s level of knowledge and needs.</p><p>"We want the models to use language and a level of detail that is understandable and manageable. That the information is provided in appropriate steps, and that users should be able to interact and ask questions about more specific details." Kary Fr&auml;mling gives an example:<br>"If an AI model values a detached house at five million, it should first explain the decision using understandable facts such as condition, size and location, rather than, as is currently the case, providing the enquirer with a list of numerous of technical parameters."</p><h3>A void in the market</h3><p>"End-users should have greater insight into decisions that affect them, which is something that is currently in high demand and attracts considerable interest. We hope that those working in the field of Explainable AI will take note of the book and develop their methods in a direction that takes better account of end-users, says Prof. Fr&auml;mling. "But also that end-users, companies and other organisations realise that they can, and should demand more from AI systems in terms of explanations in order to comply with the AI Act."</p><h3>Shaping tomorrow&rsquo;s AI</h3><p>The Department of Computing Science has expanded at a record pace in recent years. Several international researchers specialising in areas such as <a href="~/link/26489d362abc48258d78f9b82e00327e.aspx">AI, privacy, data security and autonomous distributed systems</a> are now based here in Ume&aring;. Kary Fr&auml;mling is one of those affiliated with WASP &ndash; the <a href="https://wasp-sweden.org/">Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Programme</a>, Sweden&rsquo;s single largest research programme.</p><h3>The latest in Data Science</h3><p>The courses offered by the department are closely linked to research, and Kary Fr&auml;mling teaches the course "<a href="/en/education/courses/data-preprocessing-and-visualisation-5dv217/">Data Preprocessing and Visualisation</a>". Here, students learn to analyse and present data and statistics in an accurate and humanly understandable way, so that decisions and actions can be taken based on rational information.</p><p>In 2025, he also launched a new course on <a href="/en/education/courses/explainable-artificial-intelligence-5dv249/">Explainable AI</a>, which covers fundamental principles, methods, challenges and even sXAI.</p><p>&ldquo;Data science is one of the most important fields when it comes to shaping our current and future society. Regardless of sector or scale, organisations that want to remain competitive must keep up with developments or risk falling behind,&rdquo; says Kary Fr&auml;mling.</p><h3>Further information&nbsp;</h3><p>Read more about Professor <a href="~/link/ee5a582399ad4cdfab214bbcadfb3f13.aspx">Kary Fr&auml;mling</a> and visit the research group web page, <a href="~/link/e16c1a166e7647968ad885c76a2c4f19.aspx">XAI, Explainable AI.</a> Read the book, Social Explainable AI <a href="https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-96-5290-7">here</a>, (open access).</p><h3>Contact information</h3><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="3e8282d7-d00c-47f2-a17c-9963ccacd63c" data-contentname="Kary Främling">{}</div>https://www.umu.se/en/news/umea-researchers-take-the-lead-in-developing-more-understandable-ai-systems_12177536/https://www.umu.se/en/news/global-delegation-visits-the-project-solh_12177524/On 22 May, the project Support Office for Life Science and Health and Luleå University of Technology welcomed an international delegation from George Washington University and the Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity leadership program. During the visit, researchers and health experts from around the world and northern Sweden came together to share knowledge, experiences and solutions relating to one of the major challenges of our time – health equity.Wed, 10 Jun 2026 09:23:46 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/8eaa9bbb3bab408f89b6a2347295b539/wahsington_university23.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/8eaa9bbb3bab408f89b6a2347295b539/wahsington_university23.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/8eaa9bbb3bab408f89b6a2347295b539/wahsington_university23.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/8eaa9bbb3bab408f89b6a2347295b539/wahsington_university23.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/8eaa9bbb3bab408f89b6a2347295b539/wahsington_university23.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/8eaa9bbb3bab408f89b6a2347295b539/wahsington_university23.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Maria Jansson, Lule&aring; University of Technology and Danielle Woodhouse Johnson, Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity&nbsp;</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Staffan Westerlund</span></div></div><p>On 22 May, Lule&aring; University of Technology and the Support Office for Life Science and Health project welcomed an international delegation from George Washington University and the Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity leadership program. During the visit, researchers and health experts from around the world and northern Sweden came together to share knowledge, experiences and solutions relating to one of the major challenges of our time &ndash; health equity.</p><p>Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity is a global leadership program that equips health professionals with the knowledge and skills to understand and address health inequalities. Participants come from a range of sectors &ndash; healthcare, the public sector, academia and civil society &ndash; and are united by a shared commitment to creating fairer societies. The program includes a one-year fellowship and continues thereafter as a lifelong network of so-called Senior Fellows from more than 30 countries.</p><p>The visit to Lule&aring; formed part of a thematic study tour in Sweden focusing on sustainability, innovation and collaboration. Sweden is highlighted as an interesting example due to its ongoing work in areas such as equitable healthcare, gender equality and climate transition.</p><p>During the day at Lule&aring; University of Technology, participants were introduced to current research from both the university and Region Norrbotten. The program covered a wide range of topics &ndash; from nature-based health and accessible outdoor environments to mental health, cardiovascular prevention and digital innovations in primary care. Presentations included studies on COVID-19-related mortality among people with mental ill health, children&rsquo;s physical activity habits and the health of young S&aacute;mi people, as well as the development of AI-supported tools to improve diagnostics in rural and remote areas.</p><p>&ndash; The visit is an important opportunity to showcase the research and collaboration taking place in northern Sweden, while also allowing us to learn from international experiences, says Maria Jansson, Collaboration Strategist at Lule&aring; University of Technology, who opened the day.</p><p>The delegation consisted of professionals from across the globe with broad expertise in global health and health equity issues. It included doctors, researchers, policy experts and social entrepreneurs working to improve health outcomes in different parts of the world.</p><p>&ndash; The visit to Lule&aring; University of Technology provided valuable insight into how research and collaboration in northern Sweden contribute to the development of more equitable and sustainable health systems, says Anna Helm, PhD, Faculty Director, GW-CIBER, and Associate Teaching Professor of International Business at George Washington University.</p><p>The meeting created a platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange on how research, innovation and collaboration can contribute to more equitable health systems &ndash; both locally and globally. At the same time, the visit strengthened Lule&aring; University of Technology&rsquo;s international collaborations and position within the fields of health and sustainable societal development.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/global-delegation-visits-the-project-solh_12177524/https://www.umu.se/en/news/umea-school-of-business-economics-and-statistics-graduation-ceremony-2026_12177277/On 4 June, Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics (USBE) held its 20th annual graduation ceremony in Aula Nordica. Around 300 students and their guests took part in the celebration, and once again the auditorium was filled to capacity.Tue, 09 Jun 2026 12:25:30 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/1e2e995fa64a46c6b342b4754dd041b0/usbe_graduation_2026_-_smp_74.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/1e2e995fa64a46c6b342b4754dd041b0/usbe_graduation_2026_-_smp_74.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/1e2e995fa64a46c6b342b4754dd041b0/usbe_graduation_2026_-_smp_74.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/1e2e995fa64a46c6b342b4754dd041b0/usbe_graduation_2026_-_smp_74.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/1e2e995fa64a46c6b342b4754dd041b0/usbe_graduation_2026_-_smp_74.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/1e2e995fa64a46c6b342b4754dd041b0/usbe_graduation_2026_-_smp_74.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>USBE Graduation Ceremony 2026.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Rickard Lindberg</span></div></div><p>Students received their diplomas from the USBE Dean Agneta Marell. Prestigious awards were presented, alumni sent congratulatory messages to the newly graduated students, and beautiful music filled the auditorium throughout the evening. Musical performances were given by Johan W&aring;llberg, Viktor Edlund Hansson, and Malin Jonsson.</p><p>&ndash; The graduation ceremony is a wonderful tradition, and it is with joy and pride that we gather to celebrate the students&rsquo; achievements together with their loved ones. This day marks both the end of a chapter and the beginning of a new! says Dean Agneta Marell.</p><h3>Siemens Financial Services Thesis Scholarship in Finance
</h3><p>This award is presented in collaboration with Siemens Financial Services and aims to encourage student interest in finance and financial economics, with potential positive impact on regional skills development. The 2025 recipients are Felix Forsgren and Albin Renlund from Ume&aring; School of Business, Economics and Statistics.</p><p><a href="~/link/54213463066b4329a02274ecf105012d.aspx">Read more</a></p><h3>Ume&aring; Sustainability Award for Theses in Business Administration
</h3><p>The Research Institute for Organization and Business in Sustainable Transition (ROBUST), together with Ume&aring; Energi, has established an annual thesis award to encourage business students to engage with and deepen their understanding of sustainability and business ethics. This year&rsquo;s award goes to John Pettersson and William Di Francesco from Lule&aring; University of Technology.</p><p><a href="~/link/e10553503d024f948c4dd2716597696b.aspx">Read more</a></p><h3>USBE Pedagogical Prize</h3><p>Two recipients have been selected for the 2026 USBE Pedagogical Prize: one teaching team in Business Administration and one programme coordinator in Statistics. Both recipients stand out for their deliberate, systematic, and pedagogically grounded work in integrating and developing USBE&rsquo;s competencies within education, with a clear focus on students&rsquo; learning and professional development.</p><p><a href="~/link/7e1016b4f13a43679dce881628dc22c9.aspx">Read more</a></p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/1e2e995fa64a46c6b342b4754dd041b0/usbe_graduation_2026_-_ute3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/1e2e995fa64a46c6b342b4754dd041b0/usbe_graduation_2026_-_ute3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/1e2e995fa64a46c6b342b4754dd041b0/usbe_graduation_2026_-_ute3.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/1e2e995fa64a46c6b342b4754dd041b0/usbe_graduation_2026_-_ute3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/1e2e995fa64a46c6b342b4754dd041b0/usbe_graduation_2026_-_ute3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/1e2e995fa64a46c6b342b4754dd041b0/usbe_graduation_2026_-_ute3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>USBE Graduation Ceremony 2026.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Rickard Lindberg</span></div></div>https://www.umu.se/en/news/umea-school-of-business-economics-and-statistics-graduation-ceremony-2026_12177277/https://www.umu.se/en/news/long-standing-data-challenge-solved-paving-the-way-for-faster-and-safer-data-management_12177206/Organisations today struggle to handle vast amounts of information stored across multiple databases, registers, and systems. In his doctoral thesis, Romuald Esdras Wandji at Umeå University presents a new solution that may transform how both humans and AI systems work with data – in a safer and more accessible way. Tue, 09 Jun 2026 10:52:00 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/a792babac16946e6898c405e233043d7/esdras_wandji_romuald_3745_220621_hkn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/a792babac16946e6898c405e233043d7/esdras_wandji_romuald_3745_220621_hkn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/a792babac16946e6898c405e233043d7/esdras_wandji_romuald_3745_220621_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/a792babac16946e6898c405e233043d7/esdras_wandji_romuald_3745_220621_hkn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/a792babac16946e6898c405e233043d7/esdras_wandji_romuald_3745_220621_hkn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/a792babac16946e6898c405e233043d7/esdras_wandji_romuald_3745_220621_hkn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Research by Dr. Romuald Esdras Wandji at the Department of Computing Science, Ume&aring; University, opens the door to faster and more secure data handling across complex systems.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>Romuald Esdras Wandji at the <a href="~/link/f1ccf1d251be4f538a13df854f18fb07.aspx">Department of Computing Science</a> has developed a new framework that enables not only the retrieval but also the updating of data through Virtual Knowledge Graphs. The technology has existed for decades, but until now, it has only worked in one direction &ndash; users could query information through a conceptual layer, while any changes still required technical expertise and direct manipulation of the underlying databases.</p><h3>Removes a bottleneck</h3><p>This new research makes knowledge graphs <em>bidirectional</em>, allowing both humans and AI agents to correct, add, and update information through the same conceptual layer they use to search for it.</p><p>&ldquo;My research helps remove a major bottleneck by enabling both people and AI assistants to manage data using familiar concepts rather than technical languages,&rdquo; says <a href="~/link/6afcd477b81c4f14a4fbbc969720fefc.aspx">Romuald Esdras Wandji</a>. &ldquo;What previously required specialist developers can now be carried out by anyone. It fundamentally changes who can work with data.&rdquo;</p><h3>Solving a long‑standing challenge</h3><p>Most organisations store their information in many different systems, each with its own technical structure. Virtual Knowledge Graphs have made it possible to retrieve data from these systems through a shared conceptual model &ndash; but only for reading. Wandji&rsquo;s research addresses this long‑standing limitation by giving the conceptual layer update capabilities. This allows users to work with a single, unified view of information &mdash; both when retrieving data and when modifying it.</p><h3>Handles large and complex datasets</h3><p>Data is one of society&rsquo;s most valuable resources, yet managing it still requires specialised technical skills. This creates bottlenecks, slows down decision‑making, and increases the risk of errors.</p><p>&ldquo;By allowing both humans and AI agents to work through a clear and semantically structured layer, these barriers are reduced. It becomes easier to correct mistakes, add new information, and keep systems up to date &ndash; without writing database code,&rdquo; says Wandji.</p><p>The technology is particularly relevant for organisations that handle large and complex datasets, such as public authorities with extensive records, healthcare providers integrating patient information across systems, research‑intensive fields like biomedicine, and large enterprises with fragmented data environments.</p><p>&ldquo;Complex information systems can become more flexible, more accessible to domain experts, and far more adaptable as organisational needs change,&rdquo; Wandji adds.</p><h3>Safer use of AI</h3><p>As AI systems take on greater responsibility for interacting with data in both the public and private sectors, secure data management becomes increasingly important. Giving AI direct access to databases carries significant risks. <br>With Wandji&rsquo;s framework, the knowledge graph acts as a safety layer: AI systems interact with data through a controlled conceptual vocabulary, reducing the likelihood of incorrect or harmful updates.</p><p>&ldquo;As AI systems assume more responsibility, it becomes crucial that they operate through structured and understandable interfaces. My research contributes to that foundation,&rdquo; says Wandji.</p><h3>Further information&nbsp;</h3><p>Romuald Esdras Wandji defended his thesis at the <a href="~/link/f1ccf1d251be4f538a13df854f18fb07.aspx">Department of Computing Science</a> in May 2026. Principal supervisor: Professor and world-leading expert in artificial intelligence for data management, <a href="~/link/63284e4dfa5147229fa94740c4dc6090.aspx">Diego Calvanese</a>, <a href="https://wasp-sweden.org/">WASP</a>, (The Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program). Download the thesis <em>"Ontology-based Update in Virtual Knowledge Graphs"</em> <a href="http://umu.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2:2056610">here.</a></p><h3>Contact information&nbsp;</h3><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/romuald-esdras-wandji-588a5215b/">Contact Dr. Romuald Esdras Wandji</a></p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="bf230bae-1bc4-473d-8fc1-8edb9a87c129" data-contentname="Romuald Esdras Wandji">{}</div>https://www.umu.se/en/news/long-standing-data-challenge-solved-paving-the-way-for-faster-and-safer-data-management_12177206/https://www.umu.se/en/news/umea-university-professor-awarded-prestigious-nih-grant_12177279/Despite decades of research, we still do not fully understand how some of our most widely used antibiotics kill bacteria. Now, Professor Felipe Cava at Umeå University has received a prestigious NIH grant to solve this puzzle using new technology in close collaboration with a leading US researcher.Tue, 09 Jun 2026 10:43:13 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/c4a42b22d8964342a557b3f53e5be3b8/cava_felipe_4155_220422_mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/c4a42b22d8964342a557b3f53e5be3b8/cava_felipe_4155_220422_mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/c4a42b22d8964342a557b3f53e5be3b8/cava_felipe_4155_220422_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/c4a42b22d8964342a557b3f53e5be3b8/cava_felipe_4155_220422_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/c4a42b22d8964342a557b3f53e5be3b8/cava_felipe_4155_220422_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/c4a42b22d8964342a557b3f53e5be3b8/cava_felipe_4155_220422_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Professor Felipe Cava receiving the NIH fgrant highlights the strength of Ume&aring; University&rsquo;s international research environment in infection biology and the value of long-term collaboration.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson, simon ohman jonsson inhousebyran</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;It feels very rewarding. This grant builds on several years of work in my lab, particularly the development of technologies that allow us to study the bacterial cell wall in unprecedented detail,&rdquo; says Felipe Cava, professor at the Department of Molecular Biology at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>He adds:</p><p>&ldquo;It also reflects a long and highly productive collaboration with Associate Professor Tobias D&ouml;rr at Cornell University, which has been central to shaping the project. We came close in a previous round, so we refined our ideas and strengthened the science. Seeing that persistence pay off is very satisfying.&rdquo;</p><p>Beta-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillin, are among the most widely used treatments for bacterial infections. They target the bacterial cell wall, which is essential for survival. While we know these drugs block the enzymes that build the wall, how this ultimately leads to cell rupture remains unclear. In this project, Felipe Cava and Tobias D&ouml;rr aim to understand what happens inside the cell once wall construction is disrupted and how this process leads to cell death.</p><p>&ldquo;By combining genetics, cell biology and biochemistry, we will track how the cell wall is remodelled and destabilised during treatment. We aim to build a more complete picture of how these antibiotics work,&rdquo; says Felipe Cava.</p><p>The grant enables the team to tackle this challenge in ways not previously possible. A key limitation in the field has been the lack of tools to observe how the cell wall breaks down during treatment.</p><p>&ldquo;In my lab, we recently developed a high‑throughput approach that changes this. For the first time, we can analyse not only intact cell wall material but also the fragments released as it is dismantled. These fragments are highly informative, as they reflect the processes that ultimately lead to bacterial lysis and death.&rdquo;</p><p>This approach will now be applied at scale, in combination with genetic and systems-level analyses to map bacterial responses to antibiotics under different conditions. Beyond advancing fundamental knowledge, the work could reveal new vulnerabilities in bacterial pathogens and guide the development of improved antibiotics or compounds that enhance existing treatments, an urgent need as antimicrobial resistance continues to rise.</p><p>Felipe Cava&rsquo;s collaboration with Tobias D&ouml;rr dates back to their postdoctoral days.</p><p>&ldquo;We were both at Harvard around the same time. Early on, we realised we were interested in similar questions but approached them from different angles, which made collaboration a natural next step.&rdquo;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Since then, their labs have co-authored numerous papers. Felipe Cava&rsquo;s group focuses on the biochemical and genetic basis of cell wall structure, while Tobias D&ouml;rr&rsquo;s group specialises in antibiotic mechanisms and tolerance &ndash; together linking molecular detail with broader physiological responses.</p><p>&ldquo;This project is the culmination of that collaboration, with shared experiments, regular discussions and lab visits, including Tobias&rsquo;s visit to Ume&aring; in 2023 and my visit to Cornell in 2024. Interestingly, this is our first joint grant, which makes it especially meaningful.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Highly competitive funding in biomedical science</h2><p>NIH R01 grants are among the most competitive in biomedical research, with success rates typically around 10&ndash;15%. For researchers outside the US, the bar is often even higher, as proposals must demonstrate clear added value beyond the US research landscape.</p><p>The project directly addresses antimicrobial resistance, one of the most pressing global health threats. By understanding in detail how beta-lactam antibiotics ultimately cause bacterial death &ndash; and why they sometimes fail &ndash; new strategies can be developed, including &ldquo;antibiotic adjuvants&rdquo; that enhance the effectiveness of existing drugs.</p><p>The grant is ca. 3M USD to share between the two researchers and it runs for five years. The project highlights the strength of Ume&aring; University&rsquo;s international research environment in infection biology and the value of long-term collaboration.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/umea-university-professor-awarded-prestigious-nih-grant_12177279/https://www.umu.se/en/news/building-bridges-within-language-research-renders-honorary-doctorate_12177061/Enlli Thomas, Professor at Bangor University in Wales, has been appointed honorary doctor 2026 by the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Umeå University. She is an internationally prominent linguist and has had a significant impact on both research and society.Mon, 08 Jun 2026 16:36:26 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/c2b72cf3e7104e49bf49a85a4d30abf4/enlli_thomss_p1035938_33.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/c2b72cf3e7104e49bf49a85a4d30abf4/enlli_thomss_p1035938_33.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/c2b72cf3e7104e49bf49a85a4d30abf4/enlli_thomss_p1035938_33.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/c2b72cf3e7104e49bf49a85a4d30abf4/enlli_thomss_p1035938_33.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/c2b72cf3e7104e49bf49a85a4d30abf4/enlli_thomss_p1035938_33.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/c2b72cf3e7104e49bf49a85a4d30abf4/enlli_thomss_p1035938_33.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Enlli Thomas</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Dafydd Pattinson</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">I am guided by a belief that academic work should not only generate knowledge, but also contribute to policy, practice, and wider society</p><p>She is awarded the honorary doctorate for her long-standing and significant commitment to research and postgraduate education at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and Ume&aring; School of Education at Ume&aring; University.<br>&nbsp;<br>The motivation describes how Enlli Thomas' main research interests and expertise include psycholinguistic approaches to the study of bilingual language acquisition, including children's acquisition of complex linguistic structures under conditions of minimal language input, bilingual assessment (psychometrics), and educational methods for language transfer, learning, and use.<br>&nbsp;<br>Enlli Thomas says that being appointed honorary doctor by Ume&aring; University is a deeply meaningful and humbling recognition.<br>&nbsp;<br>&ldquo;I see it as not only an acknowledgement of my own work, but also of the many collaborations and shared efforts that have developed over time between Bangor and Ume&aring;&rdquo;, says Enlli Thomas and continues:<br>&nbsp;<br>&ldquo;Our relationship has grown organically through collegial collaborations with individuals such as Kirk Sullivan, Yvonne Knospe, Virginia Langum, and others across the Faculty. This honour therefore reflects a partnership that I value greatly and that has enriched my own work as much as it has contributed to others.&rdquo;</p><h3>Support for linguistic diversity</h3><p>Enlli Thomas says that her main driving forces are a strong sense of social purpose and a commitment to ensuring that research has meaningful impact&mdash;particularly in relation to language, education, and communities.<br>&nbsp;<br>&ldquo;I am especially motivated by questions around how bilingualism develops, how minority languages are sustained, and how education systems can support linguistic diversity.&rdquo;<br>&nbsp;<br>&ldquo;In teaching, I am driven by the opportunity to support students and early-career researchers&mdash;including doctoral students I have worked with at Ume&aring;&mdash;in developing their ideas and confidence.&rdquo;<br>&nbsp;<br>&ldquo;Across both research and teaching, I am guided by a belief that academic work should not only generate knowledge, but also contribute to policy, practice, and wider society.&rdquo;<br>&nbsp;<br>Her interests in bilingualism, language development, and education stems from a longstanding fascination with the relationship between language, identity, and opportunity.<br>&nbsp;<br>&ldquo;Working within the Welsh language context brought into sharp focus the challenges and possibilities surrounding minority language use and transmission. This inspired a deeper interest in understanding how children acquire language in bilingual settings, particularly under conditions where input may be limited, and how educational approaches can support this process.&rdquo;<br>&nbsp;<br>&ldquo;Over time, this has evolved into a broader commitment to both theoretical and applied research, particularly where it can inform language policy and practice.&rdquo;</p><h3>Building bridges within the academy and the society</h3><p>She describes her collaboration with colleagues at Ume&aring; University as something that has been extensive and highly rewarding.<br>&nbsp;<br>&ldquo;Since my first visit in 2017&mdash;&nbsp;as a member of Yvonne Knospe&rsquo;s&nbsp;PhD examination committee&mdash;this has grown into a wide-ranging partnership. I have contributed regularly through lectures, workshops, and seminars, and have worked closely with doctoral students and early-career researchers through mentoring and feedback.&rdquo; <br>&nbsp;<br>&ldquo;I have also had the pleasure of engaging with colleagues including Yvonne Knospe, Virginia Langum, and Niclas Lindstr&ouml;m through research visits, joint teaching activities, and ongoing academic exchange.&rdquo;<br>&nbsp;<br>&ldquo;Our collaborations have included joint research projects, such as an ESRC IAA seed-funded project and involvement of Kirk Sullivan and Hanna Outakoski on the Advisory Board of our&nbsp;Ein Llais Ni&nbsp;(Our Voice) oracy project, as well as publications and doctoral-level cooperation.&rdquo; <br>&nbsp;<br>&ldquo;I am also delighted to see collaborations extending further&mdash;for example, the joint work between Niclas Lindstr&ouml;m and Gareth Evans-Jones and Eirini Sanoudaki and Sue Niebrzydowski&rsquo;s participation in Ume&aring; University&rsquo;s doctoral education programmes.&rdquo;<br>&nbsp;<br>&ldquo;I have particularly valued the opportunity to connect Ume&aring; colleagues to wider European networks in minority language research, while also learning from their important work on S&aacute;mi languages and Me&auml;nkieli.&rdquo;</p><h3>Shared interests sustain through relationships</h3><p>An important aspect of her work has been building bridges&mdash;between institutions, disciplines, and communities.<br>&nbsp;<br>&ldquo;The collaboration between Bangor and Ume&aring; is a strong example of this, grounded in shared interests but sustained through relationships with colleagues at all career stages.&rdquo;<br>&nbsp;<br>&ldquo;I would also emphasise the importance of international collaboration in minority language research. The challenges we face are shared across contexts, and partnerships like those with colleagues at Ume&aring; University demonstrate how much can be gained through sustained exchange and mutual learning.&rdquo;<br>&nbsp;<br>&ldquo;Looking ahead, I am particularly excited about deepening these connections further&mdash;through the continuation of initiatives such as joint doctoral programmes, enhanced research networks, and expanded opportunities for colleagues and students to work together.&rdquo;</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/building-bridges-within-language-research-renders-honorary-doctorate_12177061/https://www.umu.se/en/news/using-agricultural-waste-to-clean-wastewater_12176534/Researchers from the Global Change Research Institute at Rey Juan Carlos University (IICG-URJC) and other institutions, including IceLab at Umeå University, have discovered that trees can act as mediators that balance competition between plants, preventing the strongest species from eliminating the weaker ones.Thu, 04 Jun 2026 14:09:22 +0200<p>How can plants that compete for the same resources grow in the same area without one driving the other to extinction? Ecologists have been trying to answer this question for decades, and a surprising new explanation has now emerged: the soil surrounding oak trees acts as a silent mediator that restrains the dominant species and gives an advantage to weaker ones, allowing both to coexist.</p><p>A team of researchers led by Ezequiel Antor&aacute;n and Joaqu&iacute;n Calatayud from the Global Change Research Institute at Rey Juan Carlos University (IICG- URJC) has published a study in the journal <em>Ecology Letters</em> &mdash; one of the most prestigious journals in the field &mdash; revealing how Pyrenean oaks (<em>Quercus pyrenaica</em>) alter the chemical and microbial composition of the surrounding soil.&nbsp;&nbsp;This creates conditions different from those found elsewhere in the landscape. These conditions reduce the germination of gum rockrose (<em>Cistus ladanifer)</em>, the dominant and more aggressive species, while promoting the growth of laurel-leaf rockrose (<em>Cistus laurifolius</em>), the weaker species. The result: both species coexist.</p><p><strong>A mediator in the shadows</strong></p><p>The team designed experiments in which seeds from both rockrose species were grown in soils collected near oak trees and compared with soils unaffected by oaks. The results were clear: seeds of the dominant rockrose germinated less successfully in oak soil, while seedlings of the weaker rockrose grew better in it. These effects are driven both by chemical compounds that oaks accumulate in the soil &mdash; through their roots and decomposing leaves &mdash; and by the specific microorganisms living in that soil.</p><p>&ldquo;It is as if the oak redistributes resources from below,&rdquo; explains Ezequiel Antor&aacute;n. &ldquo;Without its presence, gum rockrose ends up dominating and laurel-leaf rockrose disappears. But with the oak acting in between, there is room for both,&rdquo; adds the IICG-URJC researcher.</p><p><strong>Theory and nature agree</strong></p><p>To test whether these effects were sufficient to sustain coexistence over the long term, the team developed computer simulations based on the experimental data. Ezequiel Antor&aacute;n worked on these simulations while visiting IceLab at Ume&aring; University.&nbsp;</p><p>Linking ecological theory with mathematical models is one of the core strengths of IceLab. The computer simulations developed during Antor&aacute;n&rsquo;s research stay reproduced with remarkable accuracy the distribution patterns observed in nature.</p><p>The models reproduced the distribution patterns observed in nature with remarkable accuracy: the weaker rockrose species clustered near the oaks, while the dominant species thrived farther away. The simulations also showed that both populations remained stable over a period of 100 years.</p><p>"What makes this study special is that we not only explain the 'why' through experiments and field observations, but, thanks to the simulations I carried out while I was a visitor at IceLab in Ume&aring;, we can also see the true importance of the mechanisms isolated in those experiments. Their effects hold up mathematically over time and are reflected in the field. That is quite difficult to achieve in ecology," says Ezequiel Antor&aacute;n.</p><p><strong>Why this matters beyond the forest</strong></p><p>The findings have implications that extend far beyond the Central Mountain Range in Spain, where the study was carried out. Understanding how indirect interactions between species maintain biodiversity is crucial for ecosystem management, habitat restoration, and predicting how plant communities will respond to climate change or species loss. If we remove ecosystem mediators &mdash; trees such as oaks &mdash; we may unknowingly disrupt the balances that allow many other species to coexist.</p><p>The study involved researchers from the University of Valladolid, Ume&aring; University (Sweden), the Do&ntilde;ana Biological Station (CSIC), and the Autonomous University of Madrid. Funding was provided by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and the Community of Madrid.</p><p><strong>Connection to IceLab at Ume&aring; University&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p><p>The discovery was made possible through close international collaboration. A key part of the research took shape at Ume&aring; University, where researcher Ezequiel Antor&aacute;n was a guest researcher in 2025 and 2026.&nbsp;</p><p>"I took advantage of the strongly interdisciplinary environment at IceLab in Ume&aring; to carry out the computer simulations and data analysis together with Rub&eacute;n Bernardo," explains Ezequiel Antor&aacute;n. "The scientific ecosystem at IceLab, which is highly focused on connecting mathematics with theoretical ecology, provided the perfect environment for digitally testing what we observed in the field," he adds.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/why-do-rival-plants-coexist-_12176396/https://www.umu.se/en/news/umea-research-project-selected-for-ivas-list-for-research-impact-2026_12176505/The project "Sustainable farming of shrimp and fish in Umeå", led by Olivier Keech, has been selected for the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences’ (IVA) 2026 list for research impact.Thu, 04 Jun 2026 10:56:26 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2ad9bc9e0d6b4c2b86cf2a8151e3088e/olivierkeech-2499-fredriklarsson2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2ad9bc9e0d6b4c2b86cf2a8151e3088e/olivierkeech-2499-fredriklarsson2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2ad9bc9e0d6b4c2b86cf2a8151e3088e/olivierkeech-2499-fredriklarsson2.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/2ad9bc9e0d6b4c2b86cf2a8151e3088e/olivierkeech-2499-fredriklarsson2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2ad9bc9e0d6b4c2b86cf2a8151e3088e/olivierkeech-2499-fredriklarsson2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2ad9bc9e0d6b4c2b86cf2a8151e3088e/olivierkeech-2499-fredriklarsson2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Olivier Keech.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Fredrik Larsson</span></div></div><p>The list highlights Swedish research projects with strong potential to create tangible societal benefits through innovation, commercialisation and collaboration. This year&rsquo;s list includes 30 projects from 13 higher education institutions across Sweden.</p><p>&ldquo;I am very happy to hear that our project was selected for this prestigious opportunity; it may open up constructive paths forward, both for scientific and business-related aspects,&rdquo; says Olivier Keech, Associate professor at the Department of Plant Physiology.</p><p>The project focuses on developing a circular system for locally farming tropical shrimp and fish in Ume&aring; using surplus heat from the D&aring;va combined heat and power plant. The first trials will take place in 2026, with the ambition that food producers, energy companies and municipalities will be able to benefit from the solution for climate-smart and resilient food production.</p><p>&ldquo;There is still a lot of work ahead, but there is a growing interest in securing food production in Sweden, especially when the goal is to deliver high quality products with low carbon footprint and proper animal welfare.&rdquo;</p><p>A key component of the project is the interaction between different systems, where waste from one process becomes a resource for another.</p><p>&ldquo;Industrial symbiosis is clearly the key to a sustainable future. We need to draw inspiration from all biological organisms that thrive from their symbiotic environment,&rdquo; says Olivier Keech.</p><p><a href="~/link/88b6043753374a50a362823be873e366.aspx">Read more about Olivier Keech&rsquo;s project</a></p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="1f1ecdce-304a-4d51-82ee-e7793240c241" data-contentname="About IVA's list">{}</div>https://www.umu.se/en/news/umea-research-project-selected-for-ivas-list-for-research-impact-2026_12176505/https://www.umu.se/en/news/ase-tieva-appointed-director-of-upl_12176182/During the 2025–2026 academic year, UPL offered a workshop series on course and programme design, bringing together participants from all four faculties and Student Services.Wed, 03 Jun 2026 12:02:39 +0200<div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="ddee0ba9-dd02-43e4-b538-c19cec74a577" data-contentname="Bild programdesignverkstad">{}</div><p>Through six workshops, participants explored questions that many higher education programmes face today: how education can evolve in response to societal change, how student learning can be strengthened, and how courses and programmes can be designed to create coherent and sustainable educational experiences.</p><p>One of the perspectives explored was Curriculum Agility, which focuses on how educational programmes can remain flexible and responsive to changing conditions. Against a backdrop of technological developments, generative AI, changing student populations and economic challenges, participants reflected on how education can evolve while remaining aligned with university quality systems.</p><p>The workshops encouraged participants to identify and prioritise the changes most relevant to their own educational contexts and to consider how programmes can adapt without losing coherence or quality.</p><h3>Putting the Student Perspective at the Centre</h3><p>Several workshops focused on Learning Experience Design and how educational design influences students&rsquo; opportunities to learn and thrive. Participants worked with concepts such as intrinsic motivation, agency, recovery and well-being, exploring how course and programme design can support meaningful learning experiences.</p><p>A recurring feature of the workshop series was the combination of new perspectives and practical development work connected to participants&rsquo; own courses and programmes.</p><p>Eva Tengman, Director of Studies and Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy, participated in the workshop series and highlights the value of viewing education through the students&rsquo; eyes.</p><p>&ldquo;The Empathic Course Design workshop provided valuable perspectives by placing the student at the centre and reflecting on course design from the standpoint of different student circumstances.&rdquo; She also emphasises the broader programme perspective:</p><p>&ldquo;In the Learning Experience Design workshop, the programme is analysed from a student and learning perspective. Many different learning and pedagogical perspectives are discussed.&rdquo;</p><h3>Integrated Programme Design</h3><p>Another recurring theme was integrated programme design and how courses and programmes can be connected more intentionally. Participants explored questions related to progression, alignment between courses, and the planning of assessment and examination to support student learning and study progression throughout an entire programme.</p><p>The series also included workshops on the Flexpert Teacher perspective. Participants discussed the importance of clear communication, the relationship between parallel courses, and the many roles teachers take on in higher education, including subject expert, coach and facilitator.</p><p>A central idea was that teachers need to move flexibly between different roles depending on the needs of their students and learning context. Participants also reflected on how their own values, beliefs and assumptions about good education influence the choices they make in their teaching through the exploration of different Curriculum Perspectives.</p><h3>Continuing the Conversation</h3><p>Although the workshop series has now concluded, the questions at its core remain highly relevant. How can courses and programmes be designed to remain coherent and sustainable over time? How can the student perspective be used as a resource in educational development? And how can education continue to evolve in a changing world?</p><p>Departments and programmes interested in exploring these questions further are welcome to contact UPL. The workshops can be offered as tailored professional development activities adapted to local needs, providing opportunities for continued dialogue, collaborative exploration and exchange of experiences.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/new-perspectives-on-course-and-programme-design_12176363/https://www.umu.se/en/news/study-shows-how-the-fetal-environment-may-reduce-the-risk-of-type-1-diabetes_12176110/Researchers at Umeå University have shown in a new study that the environment in the womb can leave lasting imprints on the immune system and influence the risk of developing type 1 diabetes, even when genetic background is the same. The findings refine our understanding of how genetic and early environmental factors interact in autoimmune diseases.Wed, 03 Jun 2026 08:27:24 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b188eae927f248dc8089eaca50116b5d/lejon_renman_labb_260601-jnm5.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b188eae927f248dc8089eaca50116b5d/lejon_renman_labb_260601-jnm5.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b188eae927f248dc8089eaca50116b5d/lejon_renman_labb_260601-jnm5.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/b188eae927f248dc8089eaca50116b5d/lejon_renman_labb_260601-jnm5.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b188eae927f248dc8089eaca50116b5d/lejon_renman_labb_260601-jnm5.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b188eae927f248dc8089eaca50116b5d/lejon_renman_labb_260601-jnm5.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Professor Kristina Lejon and research engineer Emma Renman show that the environment in the womb can shape immune system development and help reduce the risk of type 1 diabetes, independent of genetic factors.&nbsp;</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Johanna Nordstr&ouml;m</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;Our results from a mouse study suggest that the maternal immune system influences how the offspring&rsquo;s immune cells mature and function, beyond what genetics alone can explain,&rdquo; says Kristina Lejon, Professor at the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Ume&aring; University, who led the study.</p><p>The study is based on a well-established experimental model using mice that spontaneously develop type 1 diabetes, known as NOD mice. The researchers transferred NOD embryos into females of another mouse strain (B6). This approach allowed them to investigate how the fetal environment &ndash; independent of genetics &ndash; affects immune system development and the subsequent risk of disease.</p><p>NOD mice that developed in B6 females showed around a 50 percent lower incidence of type 1 diabetes compared with NOD mice carried by NOD females. At the same time, the degree of inflammatory infiltration in the pancreas was comparable between the groups, suggesting that the difference lies in how the immune response is regulated rather than whether inflammation occurs.</p><p>When the researchers examined the immune systems of these mice, they observed long-lasting changes. The immune system appeared more balanced, with an increased number of cells that dampen excessive immune responses and altered patterns of self-reactive antibodies. This in turn may reduce the likelihood of disease development.</p><p>The researchers were able to rule out genetic differences and postnatal influences from the maternal gut microbiota as explanations for the effect.</p><p>&ldquo;One possible explanation is instead that antibodies transferred via the placenta influence how the immune system is programmed early in life,&rdquo; says Emma Renman, research engineer at the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>&ldquo;This shows that maternal factors can shape the offspring&rsquo;s immune system in a deeper way than previously understood,&rdquo; says Kristina Lejon.</p><p>The study raises new questions about whether similar mechanisms may influence disease risk in humans, and how early factors during pregnancy could potentially contribute to preventing autoimmune disease.</p><p>The study was conducted at Ume&aring; University and funded by the Odd Fellow Order and Ume&aring; University.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/study-shows-how-the-fetal-environment-may-reduce-the-risk-of-type-1-diabetes_12176110/https://www.umu.se/en/news/on-language-and-identities-in-the-seychelles-_12176083/The history of the Seychelles is marked by having been a French slave-based settlement and British colony. In a new dissertation, Ronia Anacoura at Umeå University examines how historical and contemporary language policy influences society's perceptions and practices regarding language in the Seychelles. Tue, 02 Jun 2026 15:00:55 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/a2f38df5467a48e49dfbd437f7007e53/ronia_anacoura_img_6269-1.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/a2f38df5467a48e49dfbd437f7007e53/ronia_anacoura_img_6269-1.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/a2f38df5467a48e49dfbd437f7007e53/ronia_anacoura_img_6269-1.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/a2f38df5467a48e49dfbd437f7007e53/ronia_anacoura_img_6269-1.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/a2f38df5467a48e49dfbd437f7007e53/ronia_anacoura_img_6269-1.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/a2f38df5467a48e49dfbd437f7007e53/ronia_anacoura_img_6269-1.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Ronia Anacoura</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Per Melander</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">The thesis highlights the importance of language in the construction of Seychellois identity</p><p><strong>The dissertation is</strong> a sociolinguistic study of language ideologies in the Seychelles, which has English and French as national languages ​​alongside Seselwa, which is the country's first language. The focus is on the roles that Seselwa, English and French have played in language policy over time and within different sociopolitical domains throughout the country's history to date. <br>&nbsp;<br><strong>Ronia Anacoura says</strong> she has used various methods to investigate the continuing interaction between declared and actual language policy in the Seychelles. Her thesis highlights the importance of language in the construction of Seychellois identity, as well as the ongoing negotiation between dominant and subordinate languages ​​in public sector domains , including the judiciary, the parliament and politics, the public space, the public media and public education.<br>&nbsp;<br><strong>Ronia Anacoura uses</strong> <strong>Shohamy&rsquo;s</strong> <em>De Facto Language Policy Framework</em>, formulated around the postcolonial concepts of language hegemony and the formation of Creole identities, my study aims to uncover the ideologies that underpin language policy, the historical and social factors that shape it, and their practical impact on national identity, social inclusion and language governance in Seychelles.&rdquo; <br>&nbsp;<br><strong>She concludes by</strong> <strong>highlighting</strong> that the thesis aims to contribute to academic debates on language hegemony, Creole identity and policy development, while offering insights for future language governance in multilingual postcolonial societies.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/on-language-and-identities-in-the-seychelles-_12176083/https://www.umu.se/en/news/siemens-financial-services-best-student-thesis-award_12175979/The Siemens Financial Services Thesis Award in Finance is awarded to Felix Forsgren and Albin Renlund, Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics, for their thesis entitled “Capital Structure Adjustment in Nordic M&A: The Speed of Post-Acquisition Leverage Convergence.” The award includes a scholarship of SEK 20 000 and will be presented at the USBE graduation ceremony, 4 June, 2026.Tue, 02 Jun 2026 13:31:15 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/f63173a214344e39b994e01a8d94c7cf/albin_renlund2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/f63173a214344e39b994e01a8d94c7cf/albin_renlund2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/f63173a214344e39b994e01a8d94c7cf/albin_renlund2.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/f63173a214344e39b994e01a8d94c7cf/albin_renlund2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/f63173a214344e39b994e01a8d94c7cf/albin_renlund2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/f63173a214344e39b994e01a8d94c7cf/albin_renlund2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Albin Renlund</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Private</span></div></div><h3>Albin Renlund:</h3><p>First, I would like to thank Siemens Financial Services for awarding us the Best Student Thesis Award in finance 2026. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to my thesis partner, Felix, for his outstanding work throughout the entire writing process.</p><p>It is incredibly rewarding and an honor that our thesis has been recognized as being of high quality and relevant to the field of finance. Finally, I would like to thank our supervisor, Ebrahim Bazrafshan, for his support, guidance, and valuable criticism throughout the thesis process, which helped ensure that our study maintained a high standard and contributed to the field of research.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/f63173a214344e39b994e01a8d94c7cf/felix_forsgren2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/f63173a214344e39b994e01a8d94c7cf/felix_forsgren2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/f63173a214344e39b994e01a8d94c7cf/felix_forsgren2.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/f63173a214344e39b994e01a8d94c7cf/felix_forsgren2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/f63173a214344e39b994e01a8d94c7cf/felix_forsgren2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/f63173a214344e39b994e01a8d94c7cf/felix_forsgren2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Felix Forsgren</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Hamr&eacute;n</span></div></div><h3>Felix Forsgren:</h3><p>I'm very grateful to Siemens Financial Services and Ume&aring; School of Business, Economics and Statistics for this award. Receiving this recognition is both an honor and a meaningful confirmation of the time and effort we put into this thesis, and it's especially rewarding that our work has been recognized for its relevance to the field of finance. I would like to thank my thesis partner Albin for his work ethic and dedication throughout the entire process. I would also like to express my appreciation to our supervisor Ebrahim Bazrafshan whose guidance, feedback, and mentorship were valuable in helping us improve and deliver a high-quality thesis.</p><h3>Word from the jury</h3><p>The jury mention in their decision that the winning thesis has a well motivated research question, that is commendable analyzed with relevant methods and data. The thesis, that is well written, contribute with both theoretical and practical knowledge regarding capital structure adjustments among Nordic firms following a firm acquisition.&nbsp;</p><p>The price, which is handed out as a scholarship, has been made financially possible through USBE&rsquo;s collaboration with <a href="https://new.siemens.com/se/sv/produkter/finansiering.html">Siemens Financial Services</a>.</p><h3>About the thesis</h3><p>The thesis supervisor was <a href="~/link/ca2077e227644d94806491ff4bdac108.aspx">Ebrahim Bazrafshan</a>.</p><p>The thesis can be found&nbsp;<a href="#mce_temp_url#">here</a>.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/siemens-financial-services-best-student-thesis-award_12175979/https://www.umu.se/en/news/new-material-can-purify-water-store-energy-and-emit-light_12174292/What should be preserved, rebuilt or forgotten after a war? New research from Umeå University shows how conflicts over history, identity and the future continue to shape the Bosnian city of Mostar, three decades after the Bosnian War.Tue, 02 Jun 2026 08:00:07 +0200<p class="quote-center">Places are never experienced solely as physical locations</p><p>The war in Bosnia and Herzegovina between 1992 and 1995 left large parts of the city of Mostar in ruins. But rebuilding the city has involved far more than repairing houses and streets. That is the conclusion of new research from Ume&aring; University.</p><p>According to Matheus Souza, a doctoral student in political science, the city&rsquo;s spaces still carry different narratives about the past and competing visions of the future.</p><p>"My research shows that places are never experienced solely as physical locations. They are also shaped by different memories of the past, experiences of the present and expectations for the future," he says.</p><p>For some politicians and other influential actors, the remaining war ruins symbolised stagnation and a need for modernisation. Other residents and organisations instead saw value in preserving places connected to memory and continuity from before the war.</p><p>"Other people described certain places through feelings of waiting, stagnation and uncertainty, arguing that everyday life in the city had become &ldquo;stuck&rdquo; after the war," says Souza.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Competing visions of the city</h2><p>The different perspectives became visible in several places across Mostar. The conflicts concerned not only war ruins and memorial sites, but also new commercial developments and artistic initiatives.</p><p>"Cities after war are shaped not only through physical reconstruction, but also through conflicts over which histories should remain visible, what kinds of changes should take place and what kind of future the city should move towards," says Souza.</p><p>Among the sites highlighted in the research are memorial spaces such as Partisan Memorial Cemetery, Liska Cemetery and Ljiljan Memorial. Souza also examines development projects including Rondo Commercial Complex, as well as local initiatives connected to Street Arts Festival Mostar and Bulevar of Friendship.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Interviews conducted while walking through the city</h2><p>The material is based on qualitative fieldwork carried out in Mostar between 2023 and 2025. Through interviews and walking conversations with residents, artists, politicians and representatives of local organisations, Matheus Souza explored how people experience the city&rsquo;s transformation after the war.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>The city of Mostar. Photo: Matheus Souza.</p></div></div><p>Instead of conducting traditional interviews, the conversations took place while participants moved through environments marked by both destruction and reconstruction. Discussions were held at ruins, memorial sites, caf&eacute;s and new urban development projects. The method made it possible to capture how emotions, memories and expectations for the future become connected to specific places in the city.</p><p>"These walks showed how people connected emotions, memories and expectations for the future directly to specific places throughout the city," says Souza.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Peace is also shaped through everyday life</h2><p>The research also points to a broader perspective on peacebuilding after war. According to Matheus Souza, peace cannot be understood solely through political agreements or the absence of violence.</p><p>"Peace is also shaped through the organisation of urban space and time: through whether people are able to maintain continuity in everyday life, whether they can recognise themselves in the city around them and whether they can imagine sustainable futures after the war," he says.</p><p>In Mostar, new urban development projects could be perceived both as progress and as loss. When familiar buildings and shared meeting places disappeared, people&rsquo;s sense of belonging to the city was also affected.</p><p>The research therefore shows that post-war urban development is not only a technical or economic issue.</p><p>"They also affect whether life after the war feels socially meaningful, familiar and liveable for the people who live in the city," says Matheus Souza.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/after-the-war-mostar-is-shaped-by-struggles-over-memory-and-the-future_12175595/https://www.umu.se/en/news/graduate-course-collaboration-sparks-new-plant-growth-insights_12175699/A chance encounter between a plant physiologist and a computational biologist at Umeå University’s interdisciplinary "IceLab Camp" has developed into an ongoing collaboration exploring how plants regulate root growth in response to nutrients. Mathematical models were a crucial component to bypass a major experimental bottleneck.Tue, 02 Jun 2026 11:59:30 +0200<h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">From IceLab Camp project to research collaboration</h2><p>The collaboration began in September 2024 during&nbsp;IceLab Camp, an interdisciplinary graduate course organized by the Integrated Science Lab (IceLab) at Ume&aring; University. The course is designed to spark new interdisciplinary research ideas. Barbora Pař&iacute;zkov&aacute;, a plant physiologist at the Ume&aring; Plant Science Centre, and Suvam Roy, a computational biologist at the Department of Molecular Biology, were brought together through the course&rsquo;s interdisciplinary team-building approach.</p><p class="quote-center">This collaboration showed how mathematical models can help us test scenarios that are simply not possible in real life. It turned a biological wall into a roadmap for discovery.</p><p>As participants presented their research projects to one another, the pair discovered that Suvam Roy&rsquo;s expertise in computational modelling could help Barbora Pař&iacute;zkov&aacute; in her research on how different forms of nitrogen affect plant architecture. Specifically, it could help overcome a major limitation in her experimental work.</p><p>"When we started talking about our projects, I realised Suvam might provide computational tools that could help to overcome an experimental bottleneck in mine. I study the role of plant hormones in root development, but these hormones are so essential that we cannot remove them genetically. We needed modelling to simulate situations we cannot create experimentally," Barbora Pař&iacute;zkov&aacute; explains.</p><p>This formed the basis for their joint project for the course. While the course came to an end, the collaboration did not &ndash; Barbora and Suvam continued working together and now, in the spring of 2026, their research is ready to be submitted to an academic journal.&nbsp;</p><h3>Mathematical modelling reveals hidden root growth mechanisms</h3><p>Barbora&nbsp;Pař&iacute;zkov&aacute; was interested&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;effect&nbsp;organic nitrogen&nbsp;has&nbsp;on root development.&nbsp;She&nbsp;looked closely at&nbsp;the amino acid L-Glutamine (L-GLN)&nbsp;and its growth-promoting effects.&nbsp;Barbora&nbsp;discovered that L-GLN triggers auxin,&nbsp;a plant hormone critical for root development.&nbsp;To further study this&nbsp;auxin link, she would need to isolate different pathways&nbsp;to produce auxin &ndash; unfortunately, this was not something she could do experimentally.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Because auxin is essential for survival, plants have evolved multiple overlapping pathways for producing it.  If one pathway is blocked, other pathways can&nbsp;compensate,&nbsp;and production continues. This makes it&nbsp;nearly impossible&nbsp;for traditional lab experiments to study individual auxin biosynthetic pathways.&nbsp;</p><p>When some biological questions cannot easily be tested experimentally, mathematical models can help researchers explore&nbsp;possible scenarios&nbsp;and generate predictions.&nbsp;This was exactly what Barbora&nbsp;and Suvam&nbsp;began to do.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>Using&nbsp;metabolic simulations&nbsp;based on&nbsp;transcriptomics data,&nbsp;Suvam&nbsp;explored how plants respond to L-GLN&nbsp;via auxin.&nbsp;&ldquo;The model suggested that plants supplied with&nbsp;glutamine activated an alternative auxin biosynthesis pathway compared with plants supplied with nitrate, promoting root growth", explains&nbsp;Suvam&nbsp;Roy.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>The computational&nbsp;modeling&nbsp;also helped&nbsp;identify&nbsp;candidate regulatory genes involved in&nbsp;activation of&nbsp;specialized&nbsp;root&nbsp;primordia&nbsp;in response to L-GLN.&nbsp;Two of these genes appeared to limit activation of lateral root growth.&nbsp;To&nbsp;validate&nbsp;the model&rsquo;s predictions, the team generated plants lacking these genes and&nbsp;observed&nbsp;increased lateral root activation.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>Barbora&nbsp;Pař&iacute;zkov&aacute;&nbsp;and&nbsp;Suvam Roy&nbsp;are excited to share more details on their&nbsp;discoveries&nbsp;once&nbsp;the&nbsp;scientific&nbsp;peer review process is completed.&nbsp;</p><h3>The value of interdisciplinary collaboration</h3><p>Barbora Pař&iacute;zkov&aacute; had sought help with how to study individual biosynthesis pathways of the critical plant growth hormone auxin before. She presented her research problem at an IceLab Lunch Pitch event in the spring of 2024 but did not find the right connection to other researchers then. She persisted, however, and at IceLab Camp the right ingredients came together to make the research possible.&nbsp;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/dad8526f5ad84b90b1f36caac56be579/20240313_icelablunchpitch-07.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/dad8526f5ad84b90b1f36caac56be579/20240313_icelablunchpitch-07.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/dad8526f5ad84b90b1f36caac56be579/20240313_icelablunchpitch-07.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/dad8526f5ad84b90b1f36caac56be579/20240313_icelablunchpitch-07.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/dad8526f5ad84b90b1f36caac56be579/20240313_icelablunchpitch-07.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/dad8526f5ad84b90b1f36caac56be579/20240313_icelablunchpitch-07.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Barbora Parizkova discusses lateral root growth at an IceLab Lunch Pitch on March 13, 2024.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>GABRIELLE BEANS</span></div></div><p>"This collaboration showed how mathematical models can help us test scenarios that are simply not possible in real life," says Barbora Pař&iacute;zkov&aacute;. "It turned a biological wall into a roadmap for discovery."</p><p>For Suvam Roy, the project highlights the value of interdisciplinary environments and activities where researchers with very different expertise can exchange ideas early on.</p><p>&ldquo;The project emerged directly from conversations during IceLab Camp,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;It showed how computational and experimental approaches can complement one another in unexpected ways.&rdquo;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/graduate-course-collaboration-sparks-new-plant-growth-insights_12175699/https://www.umu.se/en/news/more-than-300-international-masters-graduates-celebrated_12175538/On 27 May, Umeå University celebrated more than 300 graduates from over 40 international master’s programmes at its annual Graduation Ceremony. Aula Nordica was filled with pride as students, staff, family, and friends gathered to honour this year’s graduating class and the journeys behind their success.Mon, 01 Jun 2026 11:12:08 +0200<p>During the festive ceremony, students from around the world marked the near completion of their studies and the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. Deputy Vice-Chancellor Cathrine Norberg delivered the graduation address, offering both encouragement and practical advice as the graduates prepare for their next steps.</p><p class="quote-center">Thank you for enriching our university with your presence and for contributing with your knowledge and valuable new perspectives that make Ume&aring; University even stronger.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/d0ae7ca4d5514069b35ee65e4dbaee5c/graduationceremony_ceremony-9885_260527_mgg.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/d0ae7ca4d5514069b35ee65e4dbaee5c/graduationceremony_ceremony-9885_260527_mgg.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/d0ae7ca4d5514069b35ee65e4dbaee5c/graduationceremony_ceremony-9885_260527_mgg.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/d0ae7ca4d5514069b35ee65e4dbaee5c/graduationceremony_ceremony-9885_260527_mgg.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/d0ae7ca4d5514069b35ee65e4dbaee5c/graduationceremony_ceremony-9885_260527_mgg.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/d0ae7ca4d5514069b35ee65e4dbaee5c/graduationceremony_ceremony-9885_260527_mgg.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Deputy Vice-Chancellor Cathrine Norberg delivers an address to the 2026 international master's graduates.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Malin Gr&ouml;nborg</span></div></div><p>&rdquo;You have reached an important milestone in your lives, and should be really proud of yourselves,&rdquo; said Cathrine Norberg. &ldquo;I want to thank you for enriching our university with your presence and for contributing with your knowledge and valuable new perspectives that make Ume&aring; University even stronger. My hope is that your thirst for knowledge will continue. Your future workplaces need people like you who are innovative, who think critically, who are equipped with knowledge, who care for others, and who want to make a difference.&rdquo;</p><h3>A student perspective on the journey</h3><p>Each year, a student is nominated to represent the graduating class by delivering a speech at the ceremony. This year&rsquo;s student speaker was Marcos Cardoso de Souza from Brazil, graduating from the Master&rsquo;s programme in Public Health.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/d0ae7ca4d5514069b35ee65e4dbaee5c/graduationceremony_ceremony-9908_260527_mgg.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/d0ae7ca4d5514069b35ee65e4dbaee5c/graduationceremony_ceremony-9908_260527_mgg.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/d0ae7ca4d5514069b35ee65e4dbaee5c/graduationceremony_ceremony-9908_260527_mgg.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/d0ae7ca4d5514069b35ee65e4dbaee5c/graduationceremony_ceremony-9908_260527_mgg.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/d0ae7ca4d5514069b35ee65e4dbaee5c/graduationceremony_ceremony-9908_260527_mgg.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/d0ae7ca4d5514069b35ee65e4dbaee5c/graduationceremony_ceremony-9908_260527_mgg.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Marcos Cardoso de Souza, the 2026 Graduation Ceremony student speaker, pointed out in his public health classroom, there were people from seventeen different countries provided a cultural mix that opens your mind to different points of view.&nbsp;</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Malin Gr&ouml;nborg</span></div></div><p>In his speech, he reflected on the challenges he faced before coming to Ume&aring; and the diversity of the student group within his programme.</p><p class="quote-center">Always trust yourself and your capability. You will make it through!</p><p>&rdquo;Over these years of studying here, I have had the opportunity to meet so many people of diverse backgrounds and cultures,&rdquo; said Marcos Cardoso de Souza. &rdquo;In my public health classroom, there were people from seventeen different countries. It provided a culture mix that opens your mind to different points of view. I wish you all the next step to be smooth and linear, gently towards your desirable future. But if it takes more time than expected, always trust yourself and your capability. You will make it through!&rdquo;</p><h3>An alumni perspective on education and intellectual freedom</h3><p>This year&rsquo;s alumni speaker was Jessica K. Ljungberg, who earned her PhD in Public Health and Clinical Medicine at Ume&aring; University in 2006. She is now Professor of Engineering Psychology at Lule&aring; University of Technology. Her research focuses on attention and memory, as well as how distractions such as noise affect performance, alongside areas such as ageing, brain plasticity, and lifelong learning.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/d0ae7ca4d5514069b35ee65e4dbaee5c/graduationceremony_ceremony-9934_260527_mgg.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/d0ae7ca4d5514069b35ee65e4dbaee5c/graduationceremony_ceremony-9934_260527_mgg.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/d0ae7ca4d5514069b35ee65e4dbaee5c/graduationceremony_ceremony-9934_260527_mgg.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/d0ae7ca4d5514069b35ee65e4dbaee5c/graduationceremony_ceremony-9934_260527_mgg.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/d0ae7ca4d5514069b35ee65e4dbaee5c/graduationceremony_ceremony-9934_260527_mgg.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/d0ae7ca4d5514069b35ee65e4dbaee5c/graduationceremony_ceremony-9934_260527_mgg.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>2026 Graduation Ceremony alumni speaker Jessica K. Ljungberg delivered a heartfelt and motivational speech.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Malin Gr&ouml;nborg</span></div></div><p>In her speech, she highlighted the role of universities as spaces for free thinking, curiosity, and critical reflection.<br><br>&ldquo;Universities gave me something larger than a career, it gave me freedom. The freedom to think, to ask questions, to collaborate with people from other cultures and disciplines. Your background does not define your limits. Your uniqueness matters. Your voice matters. The world needs people who dare to think freely. Education is not about building a career, it is about becoming a freer human being,&rdquo; said Jessica K. Ljungberg.</p><h3>A dynamic celebration shaped by international diversity</h3><p>The ceremony also included three performances by the Ume&aring; Student Choir, an ensemble closely connected to both university ceremonies and Ume&aring;&rsquo;s cultural life. The formal programme was followed by a reception, where students and guests gathered to celebrate and capture memories at a popular photo booth.<br><br>The new graduates from a wide range of degree programmes and backgrounds came together, reflecting the strong international dimension of Ume&aring; University. As they now take the next step, they carry with them knowledge, experiences and networks that will connect them to Ume&aring; for years to come.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/more-than-300-international-masters-graduates-celebrated_12175538/https://www.umu.se/en/news/continuous-cover-forestry-favour-hair-lichens_12175113/Industrial forestry has through clearcutting caused a large-scale decline of hair lichens in Sweden’s forests. Researchers in Umeå University, University of Northern British Columbia, Canada, and Norwegian University of Life Sciences have in a large-scaled field-experiment shown that partial cutting can increase abundance of hair lichens. The study is published in Forest Ecology and Management which publishes original research in forest ecology.Mon, 01 Jun 2026 08:00:10 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>The study was carried out in Vindeln Experimental Forests. The photo shows strongly thinned forest (67 percent removal) with datalogger that measures temperature, relative humidity and light.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Per-Anders Esseen</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;Hair lichens have important functions in coniferous forest ecosystems and provide forage, habitat and nest material for mammals, birds, insects, and spiders. These lichens are particularly important for reindeer husbandry and can be decisive for the survival of reindeer in winter when ground lichens are unavailable. Knowledge of how environmental factors regulate abundance of hair lichens is important to develop forest management methods that can maintain hair lichens, and to understand how lichens are affected by climate change&rdquo; says Per-Anders Esseen, professor emeritus at the Department of Ecology, Environment and Geoscience at Ume&aring; University.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="0ee3249e-91a1-4d46-a39a-9ce677ab7044" data-contentname="About the study">{}</div><h3>Strong thinning decreased hair lichens</h3><p>&ldquo;The lichen mass in a forest depends on the balance between colonization, growth and losses, and is regulated by the amount of available substrate, microclimate, the lichen&rsquo;s colour and dispersal capacity&rdquo; says Per-Anders Esseen.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Per-Anders Esseen measures the mass of hair lichens in a sample tree of spruce.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Per-Anders Esseen</span></div></div><p>The lichen mass per tree decreased shortly after logging but thereafter decreased up to four times in partial cuts, with largest increase in the lower part of the trees. The stand-level lichen mass increased after moderate thinning, but decreased after strong thinning, due to fewer host trees and loss of lichens by strong wind.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Horsehair lichen (Bryoria) with dark cortical pigments.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Per-Anders Esseen</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;Increased light is the most important factor promoting hair lichen accumulation after partial cutting&rdquo; says Per-Anders Esseen.</p><h3>Dark hair lichens increased faster</h3><p>Lichens are complex partnerships between fungi and photobionts (an alga, or a cyanobacterium), which passively take up water. The researchers found that dark hair lichens with melanin pigments increased faster with increased thinning level than pale lichens. The algae in dark lichens receive less light than algae in pale lichens. Dark lichens have lower photosynthesis in dense forests than pale lichens but have higher photosynthesis and growth in thinned forest with high availability of light.</p><p>&ldquo;Our results show that continuous cover forestry can significantly increase the amount of hair lichens in managed forests, which is particularly important in important winter grazing areas for reindeer&rdquo; says Per-Anders Esseen.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="d2be013f-beaa-416d-8399-36f3482afebe" data-contentname="Original article">{}</div>https://www.umu.se/en/news/continuous-cover-forestry-favour-hair-lichens_12175113/https://www.umu.se/en/news/four-umea-researchers-appointed-arctic-six-chairs_12175411/It is now clear which data were accessed by the attackers in connection with the cyberattack on Canvas. At Umeå University, neither personal identity numbers nor UmU IDs were affected. The impact varies between universities.Tue, 26 May 2026 15:50:48 +0200<p>In early May, the learning platform Canvas was subjected to a cyberattack, which led, among other things, to the system being taken offline for several days. At the time, there were concerns that data relating to students and staff had been leaked outside the system. On 12 May, it was reported that an agreement had been reached between the attackers and Instructure, the provider of Canvas. As a result, the data accessed by the attackers were returned, and Canvas once again became safe to use as normal.</p><p>Canvas contains, among other things, contact details, personal identity numbers, study-related information and communication between teachers and students.</p><p>Until now, it has been unclear which data the attackers accessed. However, based on new information from the provider, it can now be established that, for Ume&aring; University, the data included:</p><ul><li>Names.</li><li>Short names/aliases chosen by users.</li><li>Messages within Canvas, including both subject lines and content.</li><li>Email addresses belonging to individuals who have sent messages to someone within Canvas.</li><li>Metadata such as time zone and selected language for the user, as well as internal system metadata, for example when a particular record was updated in the system.</li></ul><p>The attackers did not access personal identity numbers, UmU IDs, or large volumes of other personal data relating to students and staff at Ume&aring; University.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Always remain vigilant</h2><p>The extent of data affected varies between higher education institutions. Ume&aring; University is considered to have been relatively lightly impacted. At some other universities, the attackers accessed significantly larger amounts of data.</p><p>&ldquo;Although this cyberattack is assessed to have had limited impact on Ume&aring; University, it is of course very serious that this type of attack occurs. Unfortunately, such incidents are becoming increasingly common, and we all need to work together to remain vigilant and cautious in order to create safe and secure digital environments,&rdquo; says Per Ragnarsson, Assistant University Director at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>If you suspect any intrusion or malware in your IT environment, it is important to act without delay.</p><p><a href="/en/student/help-and-support/if-something-happens/it-security-breach/">IT security breach.</a></p><p>Anyone experiencing any kind of anxiety related to the incident can contact Occupational health service through Student Health Service.</p><p><a href="/en/student/help-and-support/student-health-service/">More information about Student Health Service.</a> </p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/it-is-now-clear-what-data-was-affected-by-the-cyberattack--less-than-feared_12175213/https://www.umu.se/en/news/ice-may-release-more-iron-than-climate-models-predict_12174679/Most people think of ice as frozen and lifeless, but research at Umeå University shows the opposite. A new study published in PNAS demonstrates that ice actively speeds up the breakdown of iron minerals and may release more iron than current environmental models account for. This is crucial for predicting how nutrient cycles, carbon storage, and water quality will change in polar and mountain regions as the planet warms.Tue, 26 May 2026 10:00:06 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>When water freezes, salts become concentrated in small pockets between ice crystals, where they can accelerate the breakdown of iron minerals.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>John&eacute;r Bildbyr&aring; AB</span></div></div><p>Roughly 17 percent of Earth's land surface sits on permafrost, and vast additional areas experience seasonal freezing. As climate change increases the frequency of freeze-thaw cycles and causes permafrost to degrade, ice-driven mechanisms could be releasing iron and other trace elements at rates that current environmental models do not account for.</p><p>&ldquo;To understand how climate change affects natural systems, we also need to understand the chemistry inside ice,&rdquo; says Jean-Fran&ccedil;ois Boily, Professor at the Department of Chemistry, who led the study.</p><p>Iron is a key nutrient that controls algae growth in lakes and oceans, binds carbon in soils, and affects water color and quality. Changes in iron release could therefore have cascading effects on ecosystems from mountain streams to Arctic coastlines.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">The stronger the binding, the greater the boost</h2><p>The research group looked at how different dissolved salts, found everywhere in nature, affect iron minerals. They specifically examined the dissolution of goethite, a rust-colored iron mineral abundant in soils, sediments, and dust.</p><p>&ldquo;The result was remarkably clear. Ice boosted the dissolution rate for every salt that binds to iron, and the stronger the binding, the greater the boost,&rdquo; says Jean-Fran&ccedil;ois Boily. &ldquo;This reveals a simple rule: If you know how strongly a substance binds to iron, you can likely estimate how much ice will amplify its.&rdquo;</p><p>Fluoride, the strongest binder tested, released more than four times as much iron in ice as in liquid water. Sulfate, a weaker binder, showed a smaller but still measurable boost. Perchlorate, which barely interacts with iron at all, produced no dissolution in either phase.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Valuable tool for modeling</h2><p>The mechanism lies in what happens when water freezes. Substances that cannot be incorporated into the ice are concentrated into tiny pockets of remaining liquid trapped between ice crystals. In these environments, where salt concentrations can increase up to 500-fold, chemical reactions can proceed much faster, which helps explain the increased breakdown of minerals observed in the study.</p><p>"What surprised us most was how consistent this effect appeared across the compounds we tested. If the pattern holds more broadly, we could potentially predict ice-enhanced mineral breakdown based on a single chemical property. That would be a valuable tool for environmental modeling," says Jean-Fran&ccedil;ois Boily.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="3d8d9d20-4b5c-4198-9983-3800748ed38b" data-contentname="About the study">{}</div>https://www.umu.se/en/news/ice-may-release-more-iron-than-climate-models-predict_12174679/https://www.umu.se/en/news/ec2u-forum-2026-highlights-collaboration-and-quality-education_12174955/The European Campus of City-Universities (EC2U) Alliance annual forum took place at the University of Turku, Finland, from 18 to 21 May 2026. The event brought together more than 500 staff, students, partners and stakeholders from across Europe to exchange ideas, strengthen collaboration and discuss the role of high-quality education in building a stronger Europe. The next EC2U Forum will be held in Umeå in April 2027.Tue, 26 May 2026 09:10:15 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/day_2_-_group_photos._drone-22.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/day_2_-_group_photos._drone-22.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/day_2_-_group_photos._drone-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/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/day_2_-_group_photos._drone-22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/day_2_-_group_photos._drone-22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/day_2_-_group_photos._drone-22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Over 460 delegates from all EC2U member universities gathered on site at the EC2U Forum in Turku, Finland (18&ndash;21 May 2026), alongside 60 participants joining online.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>EC2U</span></div></div><p>Organised under the theme &ldquo;<strong>Shaping European Futures through Quality Education,</strong>&rdquo; the <a title="10th EC2U Forum" href="https://www.ec2u.eu/ec2u-forum-university-turku">10th EC2U Forum</a> provided a platform for discussions on current challenges, the development of future collaborations and the strengthening of networks across the Alliance&rsquo;s universities and partner cities. Ume&aring; University was represented by a delegation of 40 researchers, staff and students, including three representatives from Ume&aring; Municipality.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/lexelius_peter_5113_231129_mpn.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/lexelius_peter_5113_231129_mpn.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/lexelius_peter_5113_231129_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/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/lexelius_peter_5113_231129_mpn.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/lexelius_peter_5113_231129_mpn.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/lexelius_peter_5113_231129_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 Lexelius, EC2U Project Coordinator.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>"The forum gave us a valuable opportunity to exchange perspectives with colleagues from across Europe and explore new avenues for collaboration in education and research, with a view of creating a fairer, more equal and sustainable world,&rdquo; says Peter Lexelius, EC2U project coordinator at Ume&aring; University.</p><h3>Advancing quality education via collaboration and student engagement</h3><p>The themes of the EC2U Forums are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This year&rsquo;s programme focused on the importance of high-quality education and addressed topics such as sustainability, wellbeing, multilingualism, inclusion, accessible education, talent retention and active European citizenship.<br><br>As part of the Forum programme, the EC2U Student Challenge brought together ten groups of students who worked collaboratively on themes including equitable and accessible learning, digital transformation and the future of education, and sustainability and employability. Each group developed a poster presenting their ideas and proposed solutions, which were shared during the Voice of Students poster walk session.&nbsp;</p><p class="quote-center">The most valuable part for me was the exchange of knowledge, with students and staff from different backgrounds sharing experiences to build a better European future.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/img_0257.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/img_0257.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/img_0257.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/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/img_0257.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/img_0257.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/img_0257.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Karina Eremin participated in the EC2U Student Challege which resulted in the <em>Voice of Students</em> poster session on 21 May 2026.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>David Meyers</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;The most valuable part for me was the exchange of knowledge, with students and staff from different backgrounds sharing experiences to build a better European future,&rdquo; says Karina Eremin, student in the International Business and Economics programme at Ume&aring; University and one of ten students from the Ume&aring; delagtation.<br><br>&ldquo;The discussion on employability and supporting local communities stood out,&rdquo; she continues. &ldquo;Universities face similar challenges but take different approaches, which pushed us to think beyond our own context and find solutions together.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p><p>At the Forum, the outcomes of local EC2U Think Tank sessions were presented and discussed, highlighting the role of education systems in developing digital skills and promoting digital citizenship. The discussions also emphasised the importance of addressing existing power structures in language use and strengthening cultural competences to support inclusion and mutual understanding. These insights will form the basis for future policy recommendations within the Alliance.</p><h3>Team Ume&aring; wins EC2U Science Contest semi-final</h3><p>The Forum also hosted the semi-final of the EC2U Science Contest, where teams of researchers and doctoral students from Friedrich Schiller University Jena (Germany), the University of Turku and Ume&aring; University developed solutions to challenges submitted in advance by the public. One question the teams had to answer in less than 60 seconds was, &ldquo;If AI suddenly became human, what would it do first and why?&rdquo;</p><p>Following a very close vote, Team Ume&aring; was selected as the winner and will advance to the final in 2027, where they will compete against teams from the University of Pavia and Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași.<br><br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/l7NNk-3CJrE?si=Y317ivAmFRNsxvX4&amp;t=140">Watch the Science Contest recording on the EC2U Youtube channel</a></p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/ec2u_-_day_3_competition-54.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/ec2u_-_day_3_competition-54.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/ec2u_-_day_3_competition-54.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/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/ec2u_-_day_3_competition-54.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/ec2u_-_day_3_competition-54.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/ec2u_-_day_3_competition-54.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Team Ume&aring; from left to right: Hanna S&ouml;derlund, Associate Professor, Language Studies; Jesper Enbom, Associate Professor, Media and Communications; Manju Maharjan, Doctoral Student, Plant Physiology; Kristina Lejon, Professor, Immunology; and Jerker Fick, Associate Professsor Chemistry (not seen in photo).</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>EC2U</span></div></div><h3>Ume&aring; to host the 2027 Forum</h3><p>The Forum in Turku also marked the starting point for the next EC2U Forum, which will be held in Ume&aring; on<strong> 12&ndash;15 April 2027</strong>. As the eleventh Forum and the first to be hosted in Ume&aring;, preparations are already well underway in close cooperation with local and regional stakeholders. Approximately 500 delegates are expected to attend.</p><p class="quote-center">We are proud to host the next Forum and warmly invite the EC2U community to join us in creating an open, inclusive and meaningful event.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/norberg_cath_rine9157_230112_mpn.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/norberg_cath_rine9157_230112_mpn.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/norberg_cath_rine9157_230112_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/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/norberg_cath_rine9157_230112_mpn.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/norberg_cath_rine9157_230112_mpn.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/norberg_cath_rine9157_230112_mpn.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Cathrine Norberg, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Education.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;The EC2U Forum is an important platform for strengthening collaboration and advancing high-quality education and research," says Cathrine Norberg, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Education at Ume&aring; University. <br><br>"It reflects Ume&aring; University&rsquo;s commitment to working together with partners, students and society to shape knowledge that contributes to a sustainable and democratic future," she continues. "We are proud to host the next Forum and warmly invite the EC2U community to join us in creating an open, inclusive and meaningful event. We also encourage participants to experience the culture, environment and natural surroundings of Ume&aring; and northern Sweden."</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/day_2_-_group_photos-24.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/day_2_-_group_photos-24.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/day_2_-_group_photos-24.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/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/day_2_-_group_photos-24.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/day_2_-_group_photos-24.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b29ac6a32709416c8f9b621117230a8e/day_2_-_group_photos-24.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Ume&aring; delegation at the EC2U Forum 2026 in Turku, Finland.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>EC2U</span></div></div>https://www.umu.se/en/news/ec2u-forum-2026-highlights-collaboration-and-quality-education_12174955/https://www.umu.se/en/news/crisis-communication-healthcare-at-home-and-future-mobility_12174845/On 2–3 June 2026, Umeå Institute of Design (UID), part of Umeå University, presents UID26 | Design Talks & Degree Show. Graduating students from MFA Advanced Product Design, MFA Interaction Design, MFA Transportation Design, and the BFA Programme in Industrial Design share their final projects through talks and a public exhibition.Tue, 26 May 2026 08:00:07 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>UID26 explores what design leaves behind: in materials, systems, and people&rsquo;s lives.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>David Dahlberg</span></div></div><p>This year&rsquo;s student-chosen theme, <strong>TRACES</strong>, explores what design leaves behind: in materials, systems, and people&rsquo;s lives. It reflects the journey behind each project, from early research and fieldwork to tangible proposals, and invites discussion about the long-term impact of design on society and the planet.</p><h3>Design proposals grounded in real-world challenges</h3><p>UID26 presents design proposals that respond to current challenges across healthcare, mobility, sustainability, and everyday life. The projects move beyond concepts to address how systems work in practice, from hospital workflows and infrastructure to domestic routines and public spaces.</p><p>The exhibition brings together work that explores:</p><p>&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; how care is moving from hospitals into the home</p><p>&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; how cities adapt to changing mobility needs and climate conditions</p><p>&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; how everyday products can support independence, dignity, and inclusion</p><p>&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; how design can strengthen resilience in uncertain or fragile systems</p><p><strong>Highlights from the Class of 2026</strong></p><p>In <strong>MFA Advanced Product Design, Cosima Pauli</strong> explores how people can stay connected when digital infrastructure fails, proposing a discreet communication device designed for censorship, shutdowns, and crisis situations.</p><p>Also in Advanced Product Design, <strong>Pierre Brand</strong> develops a multisensory learning system that supports children with dyslexia through haptic feedback, translating reading into tactile cues that reduce cognitive overload and build confidence.</p><p>In the same programme, projects also address healthcare systems directly, from a next-generation anaesthesia platform that reduces complexity and material waste in operating rooms, to concepts that make long-term treatment in the home more manageable and less intrusive in everyday life. At the same time, other projects shift focus to everyday rituals, including a tactile music system designed to counter digital fatigue and restore a sense of presence at home.</p><p>In <strong>MFA Interaction Design, Ece G&uuml;nesen</strong> questions how women&rsquo;s health technologies represent the body, proposing more open and interpretative ways of engaging with health data that prioritise lived experience over constant optimisation.</p><p>&ldquo;I would love to explore women&rsquo;s health data as something that is to be lived with, and not something to be fixed,&rdquo; says G&uuml;nesen.</p><p>Across the <strong>Interaction Design programme</strong>, projects also explore how design can support attention, inclusion, and participation in everyday life, from gaze-aware interfaces in cars to tools that help people feel more confident navigating unfamiliar public spaces.</p><p>In <strong>MFA Transportation Design, David Dahlberg</strong> explores how long-distance rail travel could become more attractive by improving the social and emotional experience of night trains, balancing privacy with safe and optional interaction.</p><p>Other mobility projects in the programme address urgent challenges such as emergency response in remote terrain, climate adaptation in extreme heat, and how shared mobility can support more inclusive and service-oriented travel experiences.</p><p>In the <strong>BFA Programme in Industrial Design</strong>, students focus on everyday systems and lived experience, developing tangible solutions for areas such as home-based healthcare, food storage and preparedness, workplace safety, and access to nature. These projects show how design can make systemic challenges more manageable in daily life, without requiring large-scale change to existing infrastructure.</p><h3>A platform for critical conversation</h3><p>UID26 is both a public showcase and a moment to reflect on the responsibilities behind design decisions.</p><p>For Demian Horst, Head of Institute at Ume&aring; Institute of Design, the theme highlights process as well as impact.</p><p>&ldquo;TRACES reminds us that design is never only what we make, but also what we change through the act of making. At UID26, our students show how careful research, collaboration, and craft can lead to work that is inclusive, sustainability-minded, and honest about the imprint design leaves on the world,&rdquo; says Horst.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="486d2a83-995d-4d2f-9d01-33a23e7262ac" data-contentname="Global access: digital exhibition and live programme">{}</div><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="363de611-b0b7-4a5b-b8bd-5f318a713306" data-contentname="Public exhibition: welcome to visit">{}</div><p>&nbsp;</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/crisis-communication-healthcare-at-home-and-future-mobility_12174845/https://www.umu.se/en/news/human-geographer-receives-umea-municipalitys-scientific-prize_12174990/Dorothee Bohn, postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Geography, receives the prize for her research that highlights how the development of tourism, climate change and political decisions are reshaping the relationship between society and nature in the Arctic. The prize will be awarded during the Annual Ceremony on October 17, 2026.Mon, 25 May 2026 15:17:49 +0200<p>Dorothee Bohn defended her doctoral thesis in Human Geography at Ume&aring; University in April 2024 with the thesis Arctic geographies in the making, in which she analyzed the political economy and institutional governance of tourism in Arctic regions. Since her dissertation, she has been active as a postdoc at the Department of Geography with the project Understanding society&ndash;nature relationships in regional development.</p><p>Her research is clearly focused on environmental issues in northern and Arctic areas, with a particular focus on how societal processes affect natural resources, landscapes and ecological conditions. Through qualitative and theoretical in-depth analysis, she examines how climate change, tourism development and regional forms of governance reshape the relationship between society and nature.</p><p>Several of her publications deal with environmentally sensitive environments in the Arctic and subarctic regions. She analyses, for example, how the expansion of tourism affects natural environments and how notions of "untouched nature" are produced and commercialised in Arctic landscapes. In other work, she studies how public funding and multi-level governance shape development pathways in sparsely populated regions, with consequences for land use, natural resource utilisation and long-term sustainability.</p><p>A central part of her research concerns the importance of climate change for tourism and regional development, including snow- and glacier-based tourism in a warming world. Here, she contributes to the understanding of how climate-related risks and uncertainties affect local communities, planning and policy-making.</p><p>In addition to empirical studies, Dorothee Bohn contributes to theoretical development by critically examining how nature and the environment are treated in social science theory. She problematizes the use of scientifically inspired metaphors in, for example, economic geography and argues for more integrated and environmentally conscious theoretical frameworks for understanding the contemporary so-called polycrisis, where climate change is a central component.</p><p>Since her dissertation, she has received the Arctic Six Fellowship (2025&ndash;2027), been a co-applicant in international projects and established international collaborations within Critical Arctic Studies and the International Polar Tourism Network. All in all, she has quickly established herself as an independent and internationally visible researcher in environmental social science research with particular relevance to northern Sweden.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/human-geographer-receives-umea-municipalitys-scientific-prize_12174990/https://www.umu.se/en/news/the-growth-of-sami-political-institutions_12174996/A new doctoral thesis by Luke Laframboise, Umeå University, demonstrate that Sámi political institutions have historically grown through adaptive, relational strategies that enabled significant political gains. Mon, 25 May 2026 15:03:17 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/0e049a31a4534287804049c99d1028f3/luke_laframboise_img_6228-1.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0e049a31a4534287804049c99d1028f3/luke_laframboise_img_6228-1.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0e049a31a4534287804049c99d1028f3/luke_laframboise_img_6228-1.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/0e049a31a4534287804049c99d1028f3/luke_laframboise_img_6228-1.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/0e049a31a4534287804049c99d1028f3/luke_laframboise_img_6228-1.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/0e049a31a4534287804049c99d1028f3/luke_laframboise_img_6228-1.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Luke Laframboise</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Per Melander</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">Shows a growing gap between expected outcomes and political realities</p><p>Luke Laframboise says that the S&aacute;mi of S&aacute;pmi are an Indigenous people of one nation, split across four borders.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>&ldquo;Perhaps unsurprisingly, working within and across four separate state systems has made them&nbsp;excellent diplomats. Yet, until recently, their role in international politics has been underexplored&rdquo;, Luke Laframboise says and continues: &nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>&ldquo;Moreover, the question of how and why they engage with state institutions has become ever more relevant, as S&aacute;mi&ndash;state relations across the Nordics have become increasingly strained. This has only been made worse by&nbsp;climate change,&nbsp;neglect&nbsp;and the changing nature of international&nbsp;politics&rdquo;.</p><h3>Adaptive and pragmatic strategies</h3><p>He further says that using three case studies spanning three political levels, and how his dissertation explores how the structures that govern S&aacute;mi-state relations have been shaped over time, and what the current state of relations says about placing faith in state institutions.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>&ldquo;Through this process, this project finds that historically S&aacute;mi political institutions grew through adaptive, pragmatic strategies of engagement. However, as these institutions have matured and become embedded within state frameworks, their strategic flexibility has diminished&rdquo;. <br>&nbsp;<br>As a result,&nbsp;S&aacute;mi&nbsp;actors&nbsp;now face barriers towards expanding their political influence through the very same institutions they have come to rely on. <br>&nbsp;<br>&ldquo;What this&nbsp;demonstrates&nbsp;is a growing rift between expected outcomes and political realities, highlighting risks inherent in pursuing Indigenous sovereignty through formal political institutions.&rdquo;&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>This dissertation contributes to S&aacute;mi research, Indigenous studies, and International Relations by theorising the effects of institutional maturation on Indigenous political agency, empirically tracing S&aacute;mi engagement across borders and governance levels, and critically problematising state-based pathways to Indigenous self-determination. In doing so, it highlights the structural limits and risks inherent in pursuing Indigenous sovereignty through formal political institutions.&nbsp;</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/the-growth-of-sami-political-institutions_12174996/https://www.umu.se/en/news/same-data-different-answer-a-new-nature-study-counts-the-gap_12174815/Same data, a different result? A new study published in Nature measures how much published findings depend on who analyses them — and a recently arrived researcher at Umeå University was part of the work.Mon, 25 May 2026 08:00:05 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>The study has looked into how much a finding depends on the particular person who happens to analyse the data.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>John&eacute;r Bildbyr&aring; AB</span></div></div><p>A new study in Nature has put a number on something the published literature usually leaves unmeasured: how much a finding depends on the particular person who happens to analyse the data. Across 100 social and behavioural science studies reanalysed by 457 independent researchers, only a third of the new effect-size estimates fell close to the original. Marcus Kubsch, recently appointed Associate Professor at the Department of Science and Mathematics Education (NMD) at Ume&aring; University, contributed three of those reanalyses.</p><p>The project, known as Multi100 and led by Balazs Aczel and Barnabas Szaszi at E&ouml;tv&ouml;s Lor&aacute;nd University in Budapest, Hungary, gave each of 100 published claims to at least five independent analysts. Each analyst received the data and the claim, but no instructions about how to test it. The question was simple: if competent researchers are left to make their own justifiable choices about how to analyse the same data, do they reach the same answer?</p><h3>One third of the numbers, three quarters of the conclusions</h3><p>Results often differed &mdash; at least when it came to the exact numbers. In just over a third of cases, the new estimates were close to the original, and with a wider margin this rose to just over half. However, the overall conclusions were more consistent: in nearly three out of four cases, researchers reached the same general conclusion as in the original study. The differences could not be explained by the analysts&rsquo; statistical expertise, and larger datasets did not make the results more consistent.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareleft"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Marcus Kubsch, associate professor at the Department of Science and Mathematics Education.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>The implication is not that the published literature is broadly wrong but that a single analytical path through a dataset is not, by itself, enough to settle a question. The authors behind the study recommend that high-stakes findings be accompanied by structured robustness reports or multi-analyst checks.</p><h3>A question that predated the project</h3><p>Marcus Kubsch took three of the 100 datasets, built his own analysis from the claim and the raw data, and submitted code and results to the lead team. His interest in the subject actually predates the paper. As a master's student he read John Ioannidis's Why most published research findings are false, and the argument stayed with him. As a PhD student, while analysing data for the project he was working on, he found a quiet bug in an R script that had been inflating effect sizes.</p><p>"Once you have seen one of those errors, you start asking how often the same kind of thing happens and never gets caught&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;Multi100 is the systematic version of that question."</p><p>The work travelled with him geographically. He began the reanalyses as a postdoctoral research group leader, continued them through his time as assistant professor, and saw the paper appear shortly after taking up his Ume&aring; University position in May 2026.</p><h3>A global effort</h3><p>Multi100 is part of the Systematizing Confidence in Open Research and Evidence (SCORE) programme, funded by DARPA and coordinated by the Center for Open Science. The wider SCORE collaboration drew on 865 researchers across the social and behavioural sciences.</p><p>"Several hundred people on every continent were willing to spend real hours on a problem whose only payoff is a clearer picture of how science actually works" Kubsch says. "That tells you something about the field as well as about the finding."</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="2de77d63-d201-48a5-9061-b5288c70ba82" data-contentname="About the author">{}</div><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="b58ab23e-5907-4be1-98da-dc62e8a39df8" data-contentname="About the study">{}</div><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/same-data-different-answer-a-new-nature-study-counts-the-gap_12174815/https://www.umu.se/en/news/whole-organ-3d-imaging-reveals-remaining-insulin-producing-cells-in-type-1-diabetes_12174867/Researchers at Umeå University have conducted a unique three-dimensional mapping of an entire human pancreas. The study shows that insulin-producing cells can remain long after the onset of type 1 diabetes – a finding that suggests the disease progression is more complex than previously assumed.Mon, 25 May 2026 07:48:35 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/e3862f35da31471dbbcf09ba8ecd6a6e/image_1_3d2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e3862f35da31471dbbcf09ba8ecd6a6e/image_1_3d2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e3862f35da31471dbbcf09ba8ecd6a6e/image_1_3d2.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/e3862f35da31471dbbcf09ba8ecd6a6e/image_1_3d2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e3862f35da31471dbbcf09ba8ecd6a6e/image_1_3d2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e3862f35da31471dbbcf09ba8ecd6a6e/image_1_3d2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Three‑dimensional images of entire human pancreases in which the islets of Langerhans are stained for insulin (red). Despite the marked difference between the pancreas from the non‑diabetic and the type 1 diabetic donor, the latter still contained hundreds of thousands of insulin‑producing cells.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ulf Ahlgren</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;Our results suggest the pancreas can retain &beta; cells &ndash; those insulin‑producing cells that are typically destroyed in type 1 diabetes &ndash; in a way that has not previously been recognized,&rdquo; says Ulf Ahlgren, Professor at the Department of Medical and Translational Biology at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>Using advanced imaging technologies, researchers at Ume&aring; University have created the first complete 3D map of an entire pancreas from a donor with late‑onset type 1 diabetes, at a microscopic resolution. The analysis revealed that while traditional islets of Langerhans were largely depleted of &beta;-cells, a substantial number of insulin‑producing cells still remained outside the islet structures. These were primarily found as individual cells or as small clusters of b-cells, in which the cells were distanced from all other endocrine cell types. In total, the researchers identified hundreds of thousands of insulin‑positive objects.</p><p>&ldquo;The fact that these cells are located outside the islets and are more numerous than the islet‑associated &beta;-cells, i.e. in inversed proportions compared to non-diabetic subjects, suggests that they may either be more resistant to destruction or that new &beta;-cells can be formed,&rdquo; says Ulf Ahlgren.</p><p>The researchers argue that analyses traditional islet-focused analyses risk underestimating how many &beta;-cells actually survive in type 1 diabetes. The new findings point to a previously overlooked cellular reservoir that could, in the long term, become a target for novel therapeutic strategies.</p><p>&ldquo;The ability to study individual cells throughout an entire organ and from all angles has the potential to change how we think about &beta;‑cell loss,&rdquo; explains Ulf Ahlgren. &ldquo;If certain regions of the pancreas promote &beta;‑cell survival, understanding these microenvironments could help guide the development of therapies that stabilize, or even expand the remaining b-cells in type 1 diabetes.&rdquo;</p><p>Doctoral student Joakim Lehrstrand also emphasizes the importance of broadening the perspective.</p><p>&ldquo;This work shows that we must look beyond the islets when studying &beta;‑cell biology in type 1 diabetes,&rdquo; he says.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/e3862f35da31471dbbcf09ba8ecd6a6e/joakim_och_ulf3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e3862f35da31471dbbcf09ba8ecd6a6e/joakim_och_ulf3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e3862f35da31471dbbcf09ba8ecd6a6e/joakim_och_ulf3.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/e3862f35da31471dbbcf09ba8ecd6a6e/joakim_och_ulf3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/e3862f35da31471dbbcf09ba8ecd6a6e/joakim_och_ulf3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/e3862f35da31471dbbcf09ba8ecd6a6e/joakim_och_ulf3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>PhD student Joakim Lehrstrand (foreground) and Professor Ulf Ahlgren at a so‑called light sheet fluorescence microscopy, one of the techniques they use to create three-dimensional images of the pancreas in diabetes.&nbsp;</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Bj&ouml;rn Mor&eacute;n</span></div></div><p>The research group believes that whole‑organ 3D imaging will become a key tool in future studies of type 1 diabetes and other pancreas related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and pancreas cancer. The method makes it possible to identify specific regions or even individual cells throughout the entire organ, something that has previously been extremely difficult using conventional techniques. These regions can then be isolated for further molecular analyses.</p><p>&ldquo;Hopefully, this will help us understand whether and how &beta;-cells and their microenvironment differ within the pancreas in diabetes,&rdquo; says Ulf Ahlgren.</p><p>The results have been published in Science Advances.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/whole-organ-3d-imaging-reveals-remaining-insulin-producing-cells-in-type-1-diabetes_12174867/https://www.umu.se/en/news/new-project-investigates-how-plants-stay-strong-while-growing_12174532/The cell wall gives plants strength and structure, but contrary to what one might assume, it is not a rigid structure. Instead, it is highly dynamic and constantly interacts with the rest of the cell and the neighbouring cells as the plant grows. There are still many open questions about the nature of these interactions and this is what Laura Bacete Cano investigates in her project DYNAMO, recently funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation.Thu, 21 May 2026 17:34:02 +0200<p>Fast growth and structural stability often pull in opposite directions. In agriculture, plants that grow quickly can become weak and prone to bending or collapsing. In forestry, rapid growth can reduce wood quality. Finding ways to combine speed and strength is therefore a long-standing goal in plant science with important implications for agriculture and forestry.</p><p class="quote-right">When we think of a wall, we imagine something rigid and inert: a city wall, the side of a house. But the plant cell wall is constantly changing</p><p>At the heart of this challenge lies the plant cell wall - a tough, flexible outer layer that surrounds every plant cell. The wall gives plants their shape, supports their growth, and forms materials from dietary fibers to wood used for construction. But it is not just a passive structure.</p><p>&ldquo;When we think of a wall, we imagine something rigid and inert: a city wall, the side of a house. But the plant cell wall is constantly changing: it senses its own state, loosens and stiffens as the plant grows, and actively interacts with neighbouring cells,&rdquo; says Laura Bacete Cano, who recently received an Emerging Investigator Grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation for her project DYNAMO.</p><p>As plant cells grow, their walls must loosen to allow expansion. At the same time, the walls also need to maintain enough strength to support the growing tissue. Plants therefore continuously adjust the properties of their cell walls as they develop.</p><p class="quote-left quote-center">We know that genes and hormones play a central role in controlling how plants grow. What DYNAMO asks is whether the wall itself is also part of that conversation.</p><p>The DYNAMO project explores how this process is regulated. The researchers propose that chemical and mechanical changes in the cell wall - meaning how stiff or flexible it is - act as signals. They describe the wall as a communication system, where structural changes are encoded, transmitted, and decoded into decisions about how the plant grows. In other words, the wall itself may tell the cell how to coordinate continued growth with mechanical support.</p><p>&ldquo;We know that genes and hormones play a central role in controlling how plants grow,&rdquo; says Laura Bacete Cano. &ldquo;What DYNAMO asks is whether the wall itself is also part of that conversation: whether the chemical and mechanical changes in the wall are not just consequences of growth, but signals that actively help guide plant development.&rdquo;</p><p>To test this idea, the team aims to identify early signals in the cell wall by modifying certain wall components. Preliminary results in the laboratory model Arabidopsis thaliana are already promising. Now, they want to continue and track how these signals spread between neighbouring cells, which is crucial for the plants to coordinate growth across tissues and maintain overall stability.</p><p>The researchers will also build computational models linking early wall properties to later developmental outcomes. These models will then be tested in hybrid aspen, a fast-growing tree species widely used in forestry research.</p><p>Beyond the fundamental science, the project could open new possibilities for plant breeding. By identifying structural and chemical changes in the cell wall linked to plant growth, the findings may eventually help breeders identify crop varieties and tree lines that combine speed and strength earlier and more reliably. This could save both time and resources in plant breeding. In the longer term, this could contribute to more productive and resilient crops and forests.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The project: <strong>DYNAMO - Dynamics of Mechanochemical Signals in Plant Cell Walls</strong></p><p><a href="https://researchleaderprogramme.com/">More information about the Research Leader Programme of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, including the Emerging Investigator Grant</a></p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/new-project-investigates-how-plants-stay-strong-while-growing_12174532/https://www.umu.se/en/news/swedes-seek-a-life-between-the-countryside-and-the-city_12174410/When you arrive in a big city, do you feel energised by the diversity of opportunities around you – or overwhelmed by crowds, stress, noise and the sense that everything moves too fast? New research from Umeå University suggests that many Swedes are looking for something in between. Neither the pace of city life nor the limitations of remote rural areas appear to be the most attractive option.Thu, 21 May 2026 07:45:04 +0200<p>For a long time, major cities have been seen as natural centres of opportunity, innovation and economic growth. At the same time, many people in Sweden continue to move from metropolitan regions to non-metropolitan areas in search of different ways to organise work, family life and everyday wellbeing.</p><p>Sarper Neyse, a doctoral student at Ume&aring; University, has examined the interaction between people and regions in Sweden&rsquo;s non-metropolitan areas. These places are often overshadowed by Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malm&ouml;, despite the fact that a large share of Sweden&rsquo;s population actually lives there.</p><p>Using survey and register data, he has studied why people leave large cities, how they experience life after moving and which factors influence whether they stay long term.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Findings that challenge common assumptions</h2><p>The findings suggest that many people who leave large cities do not experience the trade-off between career opportunities and quality of life that is often assumed. Several respondents reported improvements in their living environment, reduced stress and more time with family. At the same time, many also experienced positive changes in their working lives.</p><p>&ldquo;The findings challenge the common assumption that people must choose between career opportunities and quality of life,&rdquo; says Sarper Neyse.</p><p>His research also shows that many people do not move to isolated rural areas. Instead, they tend to choose accessible areas outside major cities that still maintain strong connections to larger labour markets.</p><p>&ldquo;This suggests that counterurban migration is less about completely leaving urban systems behind and more about repositioning oneself within them,&rdquo; says Sarper Neyse.</p><p>He describes this development as an attempt to create a more sustainable everyday life where work, family life and leisure are easier to combine.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Cities continue to attract people</h2><p>Large cities continue to attract young people, investments and specialised labour markets. At the same time, a growing body of research points to increasing stress, housing pressure and mental health issues linked to the fast pace of urban life. More remote rural areas, on the other hand, often struggle to attract and retain younger populations due to more limited job opportunities.</p><p>&ldquo;These in-between areas could perhaps be described as a geographical form of the Swedish concept of &lsquo;lagom&rsquo; &ndash; a balance between accessibility and opportunities on the one hand, and wellbeing and continuity in everyday life on the other,&rdquo; says Sarper Neyse.</p><p>Another finding is that long-term settlement matters more than temporary relocation. People tend to remain longer when job opportunities, accessibility, family circumstances and social integration reinforce each other over time.</p><p>&ldquo;Families with children, individuals with stronger labour market attachment and people who become socially integrated in their destination regions are more likely to stay long term,&rdquo; he says.</p><p>Sarper Neyse also raises a broader question about the human need for social context and manageability in everyday life.</p><p>&ldquo;Perhaps this tension reflects something deeply human: our constant search for environments where social relationships, work, family life and daily routines feel manageable and meaningful,&rdquo; he says.</p><p>He believes that the human need for overview and social belonging may also influence where we choose to live. Humans evolved in relatively small and socially cohesive groups, and even in modern societies our ability to maintain relationships, routines and a sense of belonging remains limited by time, attention and the organisation of everyday life.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/swedes-seek-a-life-between-the-countryside-and-the-city_12174410/https://www.umu.se/en/news/investigative-journalist-and-internationally-recognised-professor-appointed-honorary-doctors_12174287/SciLifeLab Infrastructure Day gave participants a clearer picture of the infrastructures and support systems available for life science research in Umeå. At the same time, the event highlighted both the complexity of today’s research data landscape and the ongoing efforts to make it easier to navigate, particularly during the panel discussion on data management where the audience played an active role in shaping the conversation.Tue, 19 May 2026 14:09:42 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_114338.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_114338.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_114338.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/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_114338.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_114338.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_114338.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 SciLifeLab Infrastructure Day 2026 at Ume&aring; University</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Anna Shevtsova</span></div></div><p>For one day, a little over 130 researchers, technical staff and support functions gathered at Ume&aring; University to discuss the infrastructures behind modern life science research. Participants from SciLifeLab, SLU, Ume&aring; University and Region V&auml;sterbotten came together around a shared question: how can research infrastructures and data management better support science?<br>Throughout the day, participants moved between infrastructure pitches, presentations and poster sessions showcasing a broad range of technologies, infrastructures and support functions linked to life science research. Some were connected to the national SciLifeLab network, while others represented local initiatives and research environments from Ume&aring; University, SLU and Region V&auml;sterbotten.<br>Overall, SciLifeLab Infrastructure Day offered participants both a clearer understanding of the infrastructure available within the national SciLifeLab network and a space for new conversations around future collaboration. The event reflected both the complexity of today&rsquo;s research landscape and the ongoing efforts to build systems that allow researchers to spend more time on science and less time navigating fragmented infrastructures.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_102017.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_102017.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_102017.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/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_102017.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_102017.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_102017.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 SciLifeLab Infrastructure Day 2026 at Ume&aring; University are mingling during the poster session</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Anna Shevtsova</span></div></div><p><br>While the day covered a wide range of infrastructures and technologies, one part of the programme focused specifically on the growing challenges connected to research data management. Vivien Horv&aacute;th Wallemberg fellow, who joined Ume&aring; University in 2025 commented on the day:</p><p class="quote-center">&ldquo;I think the day was great and it was a very good opportunity to hear about the available infrastructure at Ume&aring; University, especially for someone like me who recently joined as a group leader. I thought the topic of the panel discussion was very important and timely and it seemed that the facilities and responsible&nbsp;staff&nbsp;are aware of the&nbsp;challenges&nbsp;that we face when it comes to data storage and analysis, especially sensitive data, and I hope that in the future they will actively work on trying to find solutions.&rdquo;</p><h3><br>When research data becomes difficult to manage</h3><p><br>One of the most engaged discussions of the day centred on the practical realities of working with research data. The panel discussion highlighted challenges many researchers recognise: fragmented systems for storing and accessing data, increasing legal and security requirements, and the amount of time needed to organise data correctly throughout a project.<br>The panel brought together perspectives from several parts of the infrastructure landscape. Dr. Bj&ouml;rn Nystedt represented NBIS, the national bioinformatics infrastructure, while Dr. Bj&ouml;rn Torkelsson discussed the role of the high-performance computing infrastructure HPC2N and member of NAISS. Dr. Nicolas Delhomme, Coordinator for Data and Computational Support within the Wallenberg Initiative for Forest Research (WIFORCE), spoke about the challenges he is currently facing in research data management in connection with the establishment of the new data and computational support centre for WIFORCE.<br>Dr. Kelly Swarts reflected on the challenges researchers face when generating and organising large amounts of data in practice and said that she spent a lot of time at the beginning of her project thinking through and drafting a clear plan for how the data her research would be managed and used. Elisabeth Mach, legal officer at Ume&aring; University, also highlighted how legal and ethical requirements surrounding research data are an important part of research workflows and that should not be overviewed.<br>Throughout the session, the audience contributed through Mentimeter questions that helped shape the discussion in real time. The format illustrated how many different competences are involved in supporting modern research data management, from bioinformatics and computing infrastructure to legal expertise and practical research experience.</p><h3>A need for simpler systems</h3><p>Several participants including members of the panel, described current data management systems as difficult, fragmented and time-consuming. A recurring theme throughout the discussion was the need for more coordinated solutions that allow researchers to spend less time navigating systems and more time focusing on science.</p><p class="quote-center">&ldquo;There is a need to simplify how researchers work with data&rdquo;</p><p>was a message that was expressed by Teresa Frisan and agreed by both panel and participants.The discussions also pointed toward ongoing national efforts to improve coordination between infrastructures, support functions and data systems. Shared platforms, national registries and improved support services were highlighted as important steps toward making research data easier to handle securely and efficiently, particularly when sensitive data are involved. Several speakers also pointed to ongoing efforts to improve coordination between infrastructures, support functions and data systems. Shared platforms, national registries and improved support services were highlighted as important steps toward making research data easier to handle securely and efficiently, particularly when sensitive data are involved. At the same time, it was noted that researchers also need to understand the importance of following institutional guidelines and regulations, and of attending relevant training and courses in data management to ensure good research practice.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_133414.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_133414.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_133414.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/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_133414.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_133414.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/2421721080e54550ac1851d9b568d8f0/img_20260511_133414.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Members of the panel discussion on Data Management at the SciLifeLab Infrastructure Day, 11 May 2026, at Ume&aring; University. From left to right: Nicolas Delhomme (Coordinator for data and computational support for WIFORCE), Bj&ouml;rn Nystedt (NBiS, UU), Kelly Swarts (DDLS Fellow, SLU &amp; UMU), Elisabeth Mach (Legal Officer at Legal and Infromation Management Office UMU), Bj&ouml;rn Torkelsson (Assistant Director of HPC2N, UMU)</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Anna Shevtsova</span></div></div><h3>Connecting local research to national infrastructure</h3><p>Beyond the discussions on data management, the event also highlighted SciLifeLab Site Ume&aring; role within the national SciLifeLab network. Through the network, local expertise is connected to shared large-scale infrastructures and services across Sweden, allowing researchers access to technologies, support and collaborations beyond their own institutions.<br>Throughout the day, the conversations reflected both the opportunities and the growing complexity of modern life science research. More importantly, they showed how collaboration between researchers, infrastructures and support functions is becoming increasingly essential in a research landscape shaped by growing amounts of data.<br>Throughout the day, the conversations reflected both the opportunities and the growing complexity of modern life science research. More importantly, they showed how collaboration between researchers, infrastructures and support functions is becoming increasingly essential in a research landscape shaped by growing amounts of data.<br>The event was originally aimed at users, postdocs and young PIs. Still, several infrastructure representatives joked that the intended audience seemed somewhat difficult to spot in the room.<br>One thing became clear during SciLifeLab Infrastructure Day, it is that modern life science research no longer depends only on producing data &mdash; but also on understanding how to work with it together. The challenge for future events may simply be convincing even more PhD students, postdocs and young group leaders to step away from the lab bench for a day and join the conversation.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/key-takeaways-from-scilifelab-infrastructure-day-in-umea_12174277/https://www.umu.se/en/news/new-molecules-breakthrough-in-fight-against-antibiotic-resistance_12173353/Researchers at Umeå University together with international partners have developed a new class of compounds that can both eliminate harmful bacteria and reduce their ability to cause infection. The findings could, in the longer term, contribute to addressing one of the most pressing global health challenges – antibiotic resistance. The study is published in the journal Science Advances.Tue, 19 May 2026 08:00:09 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>The researchers have developed an entirely new class of compounds with antibacterial properties. From left: Hasan T&uuml;kenmez, Mari Bonde, Souvik Sarkar, Fredrik Almqvist, Shaochun Zhu and Pardeep Singh.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Simon J&ouml;nsson</span></div></div><p>In a new study, researchers show how so‑called TriPcides can target the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, including antibiotic‑resistant strains such as MRSA. The compounds disrupt the bacteria&rsquo;s ability to cause infection and can also kill dormant bacterial cells, which are often difficult to treat with existing antibiotics.</p><p>&ldquo;We have developed an entirely new class of compounds with very promising antibacterial properties. What stands out is that the bacteria we have studied do not easily develop resistance to these synthetic antibiotics. We have also not observed any existing resistance in a wide range of clinical isolates, which is encouraging&rdquo; says Fredrik Almqvist, Professor at the Department of Chemistry at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>Antibiotic resistance is widely recognised as a growing global threat to public health. As bacteria become resistant to existing drugs, the risk increases of infections that are difficult to treat, longer hospital stays and higher mortality rates. There is therefore an urgent need for new strategies that can complement or replace current antibiotics.</p><p>The new compounds act by affecting bacterial cell membranes and interfering with processes that are essential for establishing infection. In laboratory studies, they have shown activity against several Gram‑positive bacteria, including resistant strains.</p><p>An important finding is that the compounds are also effective against so‑called persister cell &ndash; bacteria in a dormant state that often survive antibiotic treatment. These cells can later cause a relapse of the infection.</p><p>&ldquo;Persister cells are bacteria that enter a state similar to dormancy, in which they do not divide and are metabolically inactive. A small fraction of the bacteria causing an infection are in this state and can therefore survive antibiotic treatment. Once treatment ends, they can resume growth and cause the infection to return. Our TriPcides also showed activity against persister cells, which is very exciting&rdquo; says Fredrik Almqvist.</p><p>The discovery could, in the longer term, contribute to new treatment approaches for severe infections, although further research is required before the findings can be applied clinically.</p><p class="quote-left">There is a significant global need for new types of antibiotics to which bacteria have not already developed resistance, and this discovery is a positive step forward</p><p>In addition to antibiotic resistance, the findings are also relevant to another societal challenge: the strain on healthcare systems. More effective treatments could reduce the need for care and free up resources, particularly in cases where infections currently require prolonged treatment and repeated interventions.</p><p>&ldquo;This study is the first to investigate this new type of antibiotic and offers hope that we can continue developing effective new treatments. There is a significant global need for new types of antibiotics to which bacteria have not already developed resistance, and this discovery is a positive step forward. We may be moving towards a new and effective option for combating infectious diseases&rdquo; says Fredrik Almqvist.</p><p>The study is based on an international collaboration. Three research groups at Ume&aring; University contributed, and the Ume&aring; Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR) played an important role in bringing together complementary expertise.</p><p>The study has been published in the scientific journal Science Advances.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="f6b4d118-799d-468f-b902-450d91bc2879" data-contentname="About the scientific article">{}</div>https://www.umu.se/en/news/new-molecules-breakthrough-in-fight-against-antibiotic-resistance_12173353/https://www.umu.se/en/news/swedens-image-abroad-may-influence-democracy-ahead-of-the-election_12173660/Sweden has long had a strong international reputation as an open, modern and democratic country. But that image is changing. Research from Umeå University shows how foreign political actors use the image of Sweden to advance their own ideological agendas, particularly on social media and in digital environments ahead of elections.Tue, 19 May 2026 07:45:04 +0200<p>Samuel Merrill, Associate Professor at the Centre for Digital Social Research and the Department of Sociology at Ume&aring; University, has together with a team of international researchers examined how Sweden is portrayed in digital and political environments abroad. Their studies have focused, among other things, on how far-right groups in the United States, Germany, China and India describe Swedish politics and social developments online.</p><p>For a long time, Sweden has enjoyed a strong international reputation. The country has been described as a social laboratory, a neutral state and a model for welfare and modernity. During the 1930s, Sweden was seen as a possible &ldquo;middle way&rdquo; between capitalism and communism, and from the 1960s onwards the image of the Swedish model spread internationally.</p><p>&ndash; For example, during the Cold War, when the Swedish model was sometimes considered a little too close to communism for the taste of the US government, says Samuel Merrill.</p><p>Sweden&rsquo;s international reputation has also been built through public institutions such as the Swedish Institute. For a long time, Swedish governments have worked to strengthen Sweden&rsquo;s image abroad to exert so-called soft power, meaning influence created through culture, values and international trust rather than military or economic power.</p><p>&ndash; Over roughly the past century, Sweden has often been internationally identified as a utopian and ultramodern state, says Samuel Merrill.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">A changing image of Sweden</h2><p>At the same time, Samuel Merrill and his team&rsquo;s research shows that the image of Sweden today is far more contested than before.</p><p>&ndash; In recent years, Sweden&rsquo;s international image has been affected by the handling of the 2015 refugee crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic. At the same time, the image of Sweden as an exceptional country and a &ldquo;humanitarian superpower&rdquo; has begun to weaken, says Samuel Merrill.</p><p>Several developments in recent years have affected Sweden&rsquo;s image internationally. These include migration policy after 2015, the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, the growing influence of the Sweden Democrats and Sweden&rsquo;s entry into NATO in 2024. Research suggests these developments have altered the image of Sweden as a neutral state and as a country long seen as resistant to radical right-wing populism.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="c2e65f06-b37d-4c04-aeaf-283a0dd9d3e7" data-contentname="Faktaruta årtal">{}</div><p>&ndash; These examples and others suggest that Sweden is beginning to fall in line with its Nordic and European neighbours, and that what was once considered unique about the country is gradually disappearing from the international view, says Samuel Merrill.</p><p>At the same time, social media and digital platforms have changed who shapes the image of Sweden internationally. Previously, the narrative about Sweden was mainly dominated by governments and established media outlets. Today, the image is also influenced by online activists, political movements, and alternative media.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Digital environments intensify conflicts</h2><p>In the project The Radicalisation of Sweden&rsquo;s Image, funded by the Swedish Research Council, Samuel Merrill and collaborating researchers examined how foreign far-right actors use Sweden symbolically in their own political narratives.</p><p>One study within the project shows that American far-right actors repeatedly used Sweden between 2015 and 2022 to reinforce anti-immigration messages in the United States. News events from Sweden were not primarily used because they were important in Sweden itself. Instead, they were used when they suited the American political debate at a particular moment.</p><p>Another project study shows differences between how traditional media and far-right digital environments portrayed the Swedish election in 2022. International news media described Sweden&rsquo;s political shift to the right in a more restrained way, although reporting was influenced by the political leanings of different media outlets. In far-right digital environments, the tone was considerably more exaggerated. There, developments in Sweden were portrayed as part of a broader inescapable international right-wing wave.</p><p class="quote-center">During the 2018 election, international far-right actors and Russian state-backed media attempted to influence Swedish domestic politics through disinformation campaigns</p><p>The close connection between international and Swedish far-right portrayals of Sweden demonstrates how anti-democratic ideas can spread between countries. The research also indicates that ideas connected to different forms of discrimination risk influencing Swedish domestic politics and may have negative consequences for democracy.</p><p>The researchers also see signs that disinformation has become more subtle and normalised within the political landscape. As a result, it may also become more difficult to detect.</p><p>&ndash; During the 2018 election, international far-right actors and Russian state-backed media attempted to influence Swedish domestic politics through disinformation campaigns. These campaigns painted a picture of Sweden in severe decline and aimed to benefit anti-immigration nationalist parties, Similar campaigns are likely to reappear ahead of the election in September, even if they are now often more subtle and harder to detect, says Samuel Merrill.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">Democracy is affected by sweden&rsquo;s image abroad</h2><p>Samuel Merrill believes that many people in Sweden still take the country&rsquo;s international reputation for granted. At the same time, research shows that Sweden&rsquo;s image can change rapidly in a time characterised by social media, digital disinformation and increasing political polarisation.</p><p>&ndash; Naturally, the world around Sweden is also changing, and how these changes, as well as those we may witness in September 2026, affect the image of the country also depends on the politics taking shape elsewhere, says Samuel Merrill.</p><p>He means that ultimately the progressive image of Sweden risks disappearing. It needs more support. Real actions to create a more, not less, democratic Swedish society, a more open, not closed, society, are needed.</p><p>&ndash; Such actions will hopefully not only benefit those living in Sweden, but also help revive the international perception of our country, says Samuel Merrill.</p><p>He also explains that ahead of the 2026 election, the question of who shapes the image of Sweden will become increasingly important.</p><p>&ndash; The image of Sweden, which will be in focus during the upcoming election both nationally and internationally, matters. Who gets to contribute to and shape that image, and how closely that image reflects people&rsquo;s lived reality in this country, is an indicator of Sweden&rsquo;s democratic health, says Samuel Merrill.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="390e6203-4815-46f0-b69b-64c8a27d3d6b" data-contentname="Faktaruta demokrati">{}</div>https://www.umu.se/en/news/swedens-image-abroad-may-influence-democracy-ahead-of-the-election_12173660/https://www.umu.se/en/news/digital-strategies-by-indigenous-people-in-brazil_12174082/A new doctoral dissertation by Camila Emboava Lopes, at Umeå University, highlights the importance of media production by Indigenous Peoples to the field of media and communication studies. Mon, 18 May 2026 15:12:07 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/032d0666f96e4d24a5c2d314d0d0bb40/camila_emboava_lopes_16_9_img_20210927_141420.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/032d0666f96e4d24a5c2d314d0d0bb40/camila_emboava_lopes_16_9_img_20210927_141420.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/032d0666f96e4d24a5c2d314d0d0bb40/camila_emboava_lopes_16_9_img_20210927_141420.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/032d0666f96e4d24a5c2d314d0d0bb40/camila_emboava_lopes_16_9_img_20210927_141420.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/032d0666f96e4d24a5c2d314d0d0bb40/camila_emboava_lopes_16_9_img_20210927_141420.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/032d0666f96e4d24a5c2d314d0d0bb40/camila_emboava_lopes_16_9_img_20210927_141420.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Camila Emboava Lopes</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Lieuwe Jan Hettema</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">Indigenous media producers seem to value on-site communication activities as much as digital communications</p><p>Camila Emboava Lopes says that media produced collectively by minorities such as Indigenous Peoples can be considered alternative because it is often produced outside the centres of power.</p><p>&ldquo;Such groups often operate with fewer resources, and find creative ways to make their voices heard, combining on-site and digital communication strategies&rdquo;, Camila Emboava Lopes says and continues:</p><p>&ldquo;This doctoral dissertation provides an analysis of how different media initiatives developed by Indigenous producers in Brazil use digital media in their communication work.&rdquo;</p><p>&ldquo;One of the surprising findings is that Indigenous media producers seem to value on-site communication activities as much as digital communications. For example, even the initiatives that operate mainly on social media also promote on-site events like workshops, meetings and festivals.&rdquo;</p><h3>Contemporary rather than the past</h3><p>Camila Emboava Lopes emphasizes that digital forms of communications seem to be particularly useful to communicate with outsiders. Communicators use digital media to reinforce that Indigenous Peoples are contemporary, rather than belonging to the past.</p><p>&ldquo;Furthermore, digital media is widely used to gather local and international support for mobilizations in favour of Indigenous rights. A crucial theme related to such mobilizations is how Indigenous rights relate to ideas of nature protection and sustainable development.&rdquo;</p><h3>Social media brings possibilities and challenges</h3><p>She further describes how indigenous peoples are according to previous research underrepresented in majority media. However, Indigenous media producers have been developing communication alternatives to try to echo their voices for many decades.</p><p>&ldquo;In a time when communications are dominated by digital media and corporate social media platforms, this doctoral dissertation underlines the importance of studying how Indigenous Peoples relate to the possibilities and challenges in such communication contexts.&rdquo;</p><p>The doctoral dissertation examines five different media initiatives developed by Indigenous producers in Brazil: R&aacute;dio Yand&ecirc;, M&iacute;dia Ind&iacute;gena, APIB, ASCURI and Tybyra. The research activities included online and on-site observations, interviews with media producers and analysis of media content posted by the initiatives on their social media pages.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/digital-strategies-by-indigenous-people-in-brazil_12174082/https://www.umu.se/en/news/hereditary-amyloidosis-not-linked-to-increased-risk-of-aortic-valve-disease_12173602/The association between amyloidosis and aortic valve stenosis has attracted considerable international attention. However, when researchers at Umeå University investigated the hereditary form of amyloidosis known as Skellefteå disease, they found no evidence of an increased prevalence of aortic valve disease.Mon, 18 May 2026 10:37:48 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/hjartbild_13.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/hjartbild_13.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/hjartbild_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/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/hjartbild_13.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/hjartbild_13.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/hjartbild_13.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>&nbsp;Research at Ume&aring; University has shown that the hereditary form of amyloidosis known as Skellefte&aring; disease does not increase the risk of aortic stenosis, in contrast to previous findings on non-hereditary wild-type amyloidosis.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>John&eacute;r bildbyr&aring;</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;Our findings were expected based on clinical experience, but needed to be investigated to provide greater clarity, including with regard to potential differences between various types of amyloidosis,&rdquo; says Kurt Boman, lead author, consultant cardiologist and internal medicine specialist, and Professor Emeritus at the Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine at Ume&aring; University.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/kurt_boman2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/kurt_boman2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/kurt_boman2.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/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/kurt_boman2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/kurt_boman2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/kurt_boman2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Kurt Boman, consultant cardiologist and internal medicine specialist, and Professor Emeritus at the Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine at Ume&aring; University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ola Westerberg</span></div></div><p>Amyloidosis is a rare condition in which proteins produced by the body misfold and accumulate in organs such as the heart, nerves, and kidneys. These deposits disrupt normal organ function and can, over time, lead to serious damage.</p><p>In recent years, several international studies have highlighted a link between aortic valve stenosis and amyloidosis. Some studies have found that 11&ndash;20% of patients who underwent surgery for aortic stenosis also had amyloidosis. However, these cases involved a specific form of the disease known as wild-type amyloidosis, a non-hereditary variant.</p><p>In northern Sweden, a hereditary form of amyloidosis known as Skellefte&aring; disease is present. This has raised the question of whether a similar association exists between this condition and aortic stenosis.</p><p>A research group at Ume&aring; University led by Kurt Boman has conducted a cross-analysis of the surgical registry and the amyloidosis registry at Ume&aring; University Hospital to investigate the co-occurrence of aortic stenosis and amyloidosis.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/jonas_wixner_0y7a2463_light2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/jonas_wixner_0y7a2463_light2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/jonas_wixner_0y7a2463_light2.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/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/jonas_wixner_0y7a2463_light2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/jonas_wixner_0y7a2463_light2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/94d34118864641299e8c3aceeafb2846/jonas_wixner_0y7a2463_light2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Jonas Wixner, physician at the Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine at Ume&aring; University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span> Elin Berge</span></div></div><p>The results indicate that the prevalence of aortic stenosis in patients with hereditary amyloidosis does not appear to exceed the expected baseline prevalence in the general population of northern Sweden.</p><p>&ldquo;The hereditary form differs in several key aspects from non-hereditary amyloidosis, particularly in terms of age and sex distribution, and likely also in other underlying mechanisms,&rdquo; says Jonas Wixner, physician at the Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>The findings have been published in the journal European Journal of Internal Medicine.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/hereditary-amyloidosis-not-linked-to-increased-risk-of-aortic-valve-disease_12173602/https://www.umu.se/en/news/he-wrote-swedens-best-physics-thesis_12172477/Medical imaging routinely used in cancer care may hold far more biological information than previously thought. An international study involving Umeå University guest professor Lukas Kenner shows that PET/CT scans can capture the molecular activity of particularly aggressive head and neck tumours, opening new possibilities for more precise diagnosis and treatment planning.Wed, 13 May 2026 08:57:47 +0200<p>Most head and neck cancers are so-called squamous cell carcinoma, that affect tissues of the mouth, throat and larynx. Tumours that are HPV-negative &ndash; that is, not caused by the human papillomavirus, HPV &ndash; tend to be aggressive and difficult to treat. Reliable markers that predict how these cancers will progress, and how they might respond to therapy, have been lacking. However, a new study suggests that medical imaging already in use may also be useful for identifying and monitoring high‑risk tumours.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/004859d157de4f0a8cddba61c8b2c8db/lukas_kenner2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/004859d157de4f0a8cddba61c8b2c8db/lukas_kenner2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/004859d157de4f0a8cddba61c8b2c8db/lukas_kenner2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/004859d157de4f0a8cddba61c8b2c8db/lukas_kenner2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/004859d157de4f0a8cddba61c8b2c8db/lukas_kenner2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/004859d157de4f0a8cddba61c8b2c8db/lukas_kenner2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Lukas Kenner, guest professor at the Department of Molecular Biology.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Medizinische Universit&auml;t Wien</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;Imaging has traditionally been used to determine where and how large a tumour is,&rdquo; says Lukas Kenner, guest professor at Ume&aring; University and corresponding author. &ldquo;Our results show that the images also contain information about the tumour&rsquo;s molecular behaviour, meaning how aggressive it is.&rdquo;</p><p>Normally, the aggressiveness of a tumour would be determined through biopsies, which are small tissue samples from the tumour that are examined with a microscope. However, biopsies are invasive, time-consuming, and only sample small parts of the tumour, so the most aggressive regions can sometimes be missed. In this study, the research team analysed tumour samples together with clinical PET/CT imaging from patients with HPV-negative head and neck cancer. They found that tumours driven by activation of the Hedgehog signalling pathway, a key regulator of cancer growth, exhibit distinct patterns on PET/CT scans. These tumours accumulate more of the tracer used in imaging, reflecting higher biological activity and poorer prognosis. To test whether imaging also reflects treatment effects, the researchers blocked the Hedgehog pathway in laboratory experiments. Tumour growth slowed, and the PET/CT signal changed in parallel, mirroring the patterns seen in patients in the clinic.</p><p>&ldquo;This is particularly encouraging because it suggests we may be able to monitor biological treatment response non-invasively,&rdquo; Kenner says.</p><p>By combining molecular multi-omics with quantitative imaging analysis, the study establishes a framework linking tumour biology to radiological features. Such approaches are expected to contribute to AI-supported cancer diagnostics and more individualised therapy decisions.</p><p>&ldquo;Before this can be used clinically, prospective studies are needed,&rdquo; Kenner notes. &ldquo;But the work shows how integrating imaging and molecular data can move precision oncology forward.&rdquo;</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="912a2683-b4e8-48a5-ba97-70f511969a2c" data-contentname="About the study">{}</div>https://www.umu.se/en/news/routine-scans-may-reveal-tumour-aggressiveness-in-head-and-neck-cancer--without-additional-tests_12173341/https://www.umu.se/en/news/umea-professor-on-unusual-hantavirus-outbreak-with-human-to-human-transmission_12173235/Hantaviruses are typically transmitted from animals to humans, but in the outbreak aboard the cruise ship *MV Hondius* in the Atlantic, an unusual virus variant capable of spreading between people is involved. Three people have died and several others have fallen ill on board, where passengers are now being kept in isolation. Additional cases have now been detected in the United States and Switzerland among former passengers.Wed, 13 May 2026 08:35:38 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/6ee1a7f63b1e484fac178237448b3945/ahlm_clas_9436_230131_hkn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/6ee1a7f63b1e484fac178237448b3945/ahlm_clas_9436_230131_hkn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/6ee1a7f63b1e484fac178237448b3945/ahlm_clas_9436_230131_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/6ee1a7f63b1e484fac178237448b3945/ahlm_clas_9436_230131_hkn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/6ee1a7f63b1e484fac178237448b3945/ahlm_clas_9436_230131_hkn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/6ee1a7f63b1e484fac178237448b3945/ahlm_clas_9436_230131_hkn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The hantavirus found in Sweden is the Puumala virus, which causes nephropathia epidemica (bank vole fever). Professor Clas Ahlm&rsquo;s research focuses on studying the disease mechanisms of nephropathia epidemica, as well as immune responses during acute infection and long-term immunity.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>Is this an outbreak that people in Sweden need to worry about? We put our questions to Professor Clas Ahlm, senior consultant and professor of infectious diseases at the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Ume&aring; University, who studies the hantavirus variant found in Sweden.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">What is currently known about the hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship *MV Hondius*?</h2><p>&ldquo;The outbreak on board the *MV Hondius* cruise ship has been caused by Andes virus, a rarer and more aggressive type of hantavirus found in South America. The virus is spread via rodents and can cause severe illness with serious lung involvement and a high mortality rate, even with advanced hospital care.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">How does this virus differ from the hantaviruses found in Sweden?</h2><p>&ldquo;Unlike the hantaviruses found in Sweden &ndash; primarily Puumala virus, which causes nephropathia epidemica (bank vole fever) &ndash; Andes virus can, in rare cases, be transmitted between humans, usually through close contact. This feature makes the outbreak more serious, although its transmissibility is still significantly lower than that of well-known airborne viruses such as influenza and coronaviruses.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">How is hantavirus transmitted, and how common is human-to-human transmission?</h2><p>&ldquo;To our knowledge, only the type of hantavirus found in South America, Andes virus, can be transmitted between humans. Close or prolonged contact is required for such transmission.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3">Is there a risk that this variant could reach Sweden, for example through travel?</h2><p>&ldquo;Yes, the virus has a relatively long incubation period, around two weeks and in some cases up to six to eight weeks. This means that infected individuals may travel to other regions or countries, potentially leading to secondary cases, where the infected person transmits the virus to others. However, the risk of further spread is considered low if exposed individuals take appropriate precautions.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info4" data-magellan-target="info4">What symptoms does hantavirus cause, and is there reason for concern?</h2><p>&ldquo;The symptoms of hantavirus infection are flu-like, including fever, general malaise, and often body aches and headaches. Depending on the type of hantavirus, either the lungs or the kidneys are primarily affected. Currently, there is no vaccine and no specific treatment for hantavirus infection.</p><p>&ldquo;There is no reason for concern among the general public. However, this event highlights the importance of strong preparedness within both society and the healthcare system to rapidly detect and manage unusual infectious disease outbreaks.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info5" data-magellan-target="info5">Tell us about the hantavirus research underway at Ume&aring; University!</h2><p>&ldquo;At Ume&aring; University, several research projects are ongoing, focusing on hantaviruses, including studies of disease mechanisms, immune responses during acute infection and immunity, as well as ecological aspects. Researchers at Ume&aring; University are also involved in international collaborations aimed at developing vaccines and future treatments.</p><p>&ldquo;My research focuses on the disease mechanisms of nephropathia epidemica, immune responses during acute illness, and long-term immunity. We aim to answer questions such as: What happens in the body during infection? How can we treat the disease, alleviate its course, and prevent severe illness and death? Does infection confer lifelong immunity, and can we develop vaccines that protect against hantavirus infection?&rdquo;</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/umea-professor-on-unusual-hantavirus-outbreak-with-human-to-human-transmission_12173235/https://www.umu.se/en/news/land-power-and-culture-in-focus-at-arctic-arts-summit-in-umea_12173445/How can universities create learning environments where students do not only learn about research, but actively contribute to it? At the Department of Computing Science, one recent example demonstrates how research-education alignment can create opportunities for both students and researchers. A few weeks ago, a paper co-authored by former AI master’s student Anaïs de Graaf was accepted to ICAPS, one of the world’s leading conferences in artificial intelligence research. Tue, 12 May 2026 11:30:42 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/51f04c6878804a248ac5fdb0cd5f33ad/mit-huset2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/51f04c6878804a248ac5fdb0cd5f33ad/mit-huset2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/51f04c6878804a248ac5fdb0cd5f33ad/mit-huset2.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/51f04c6878804a248ac5fdb0cd5f33ad/mit-huset2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/51f04c6878804a248ac5fdb0cd5f33ad/mit-huset2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/51f04c6878804a248ac5fdb0cd5f33ad/mit-huset2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>The Department of Computing Science works with research-education alignment to create opportunities for both students and researchers.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Magnus Mikaelsson</span></div></div><p>Research-education alignment provides a strong pathway for promoting high quality student learning as well as providing them with the best opportunities for the next steps of their career. For researcher and supervisor Lo&iuml;s Vanh&eacute;e, the journey of Ana&iuml;s, leading to the publication is a great example of the importance of carefully designed educational structures. An appropriately calibrated emphasis on research productions provides students with concrete and authentic academic goals to pursue: the achievement of these goals is highly appreciated expand for later job prospects, as an accepted publication in a good venue is solid evidence of competence and thoroughness from the student.</p><p>&ndash; Going through the motions of writing an academic paper is a very rich learning experience: learners must expand beyond the learning environment to engage with a broader world and provide a meaningful contribution to it, says Lo&iuml;s.</p><p class="quote-center">Enabling and facilitating research-education alignments hardly happen by accident but instead require the conscientious development of proper learning environments.</p><p>&ndash; Many variables are to be managed altogether for such an environment to be successful: prior competences and skills, learning outcomes, educational resources and processes, scientific resources and processes, financial resources and processes, long temporalities, follow-up career opportunities, etc. Miss one link and the whole chain breaks.</p><p>The education provided at the Master&rsquo;s Programme in Artificial Intelligence creates a good foundation for addressing these challenges: students have the right pre-requisites and educational processes can facilitate the research-education alignment.</p><p>At the Department of Computing Science, one focus is to create opportunities for students to grow through interdisciplinary research and collaborations, partly through TAIGA, Ume&aring; University&rsquo;s centre for transdisciplinary AI. This approach gives each student opportunities to learn a new domain and transversal skills and to be empowered in thinking out of the box, to apply what they know in a real-world setting and can demonstrate that they can create direct value to others.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">From thesis project to international publication</h2><p>Through their thesis projects, the students are given opportunities to contribute to authentic research questions that can later develop into a publication. Lo&iuml;s role as supervisor involves guiding students in defining research questions, selecting methods and analysing results, while also connecting them with collaborators from other disciplines. Over the years, several of these collaborations have resulted in master&rsquo;s theses developing into full research papers.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/51f04c6878804a248ac5fdb0cd5f33ad/anais_de_graaf3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/51f04c6878804a248ac5fdb0cd5f33ad/anais_de_graaf3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/51f04c6878804a248ac5fdb0cd5f33ad/anais_de_graaf3.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/51f04c6878804a248ac5fdb0cd5f33ad/anais_de_graaf3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/51f04c6878804a248ac5fdb0cd5f33ad/anais_de_graaf3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/51f04c6878804a248ac5fdb0cd5f33ad/anais_de_graaf3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Ana&iuml;s de Graaf, is an alumni at the Master&rsquo;s Programme in Artificial Intelligence and co-author of an article that recently was accepted to ICAPS.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Anais de Graaf</span></div></div><p>Ana&iuml;s' is an example of a student who followed this process. The first contact emerged during a meeting where AI researchers presented possible research directions for students.</p><p>&ndash; When I started my master thesis, the teachers and some other people that had thesis projects did short presentations. I thought the one from Lo&iuml;s was really interesting, so I continued that topic, says Ana&iuml;s.</p><p>According to Ana&iuml;s, the close contact with teachers and researchers is one of the programme&rsquo;s greatest strengths. Students can easily approach faculty members, discuss ideas and engage with ongoing research.</p><p class="quote-center">It&rsquo;s always possible to reach the research groups, and they often have presentations for us to see what they are working on. If you&rsquo;re interested, you&rsquo;re always free to contact them and maybe collaborate on papers and stuff like that.</p><p>&ndash; I remember when I did my master thesis, Lo&iuml;s would tell me that there were a few other students that he supervised that also published a paper together with him. I think it&rsquo;s a very good initiative, says Ana&iuml;s.</p><p>She chose to be co-author of the paper due to a lot of other things going on at the time. Lo&iuml;s and Ana&iuml;s continued the dialogue and collaborated to write the paper after Ana&iuml;s finished her studies, eventually resulting in it being accepted to ICAPS in 2026.</p><p>&ndash; I was glad that Ana&iuml;s found the thesis proposal interesting. She did a very original and thorough thesis work. As I saw the potential in her results, I offered to continue and push her research further to the academic scene. We got the results a few weeks ago, she ended up co-authoring a paper in an A* conference (ICAPS), giving her for a first-class ticket to an academic future if she is interested. It makes me very happy for her and proud that our education programme manages to elevate our students to reach the research frontier, says Lo&iuml;s.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Read more</h2><p><a href="https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2%3A1878936&amp;dswid=-1008">Off the Beaten Path: Modelling Path Uncertainty using Markov Decision Processes&nbsp;</a></p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/research-education-alignment-opens-pathways-for-students_12172986/https://www.umu.se/en/news/data-back-in-safe-hands-after-cyberattack_12173292/The provider of Canvas has reached an agreement with the hacker group that breached the learning platform. The data they obtained has been returned to the provider and will not be disseminated further.Tue, 12 May 2026 11:07:21 +0200<p>The American company Instructure provides the Canvas learning platform to thousands of colleges and universities worldwide; in Sweden, the system is used by over 30 universities and colleges. The attackers who breached the system threatened to leak data, such as personal information, outside the system.</p><p>Instructure now reports that an agreement has been reached with the attackers, who have consequently returned the data they obtained. Instructure assures that no personal data has been or will be disseminated further.</p><p>Vigilance and caution are always important in digital environments. If you suspect a breach or virus in your IT environment, it is important to act quickly.</p><p><a href="/en/student/help-and-support/if-something-happens/it-security-breach/">Read more about Incidents in IT Environments</a></p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/data-back-in-safe-hands-after-cyberattack_12173292/https://www.umu.se/en/news/hur-sakrar-vi-norra-sveriges-konkurrens--och-innovationskraft_12173252/How can Sweden strengthen its position as a hub for technology and innovation at a time characterised by geopolitical uncertainty, fierce global competition and rapid technological development? What do regions such as northern Sweden need to do to keep pace with global competition for jobs, investment and talent? On 26 May a forward-looking meeting as part of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences’ (IVA) vision project ‘Svenska framtider’.Tue, 12 May 2026 08:52:00 +0200<p>&ldquo;Sweden needs an overarching vision for how we can become a leading nation in technology and innovation by 2035. This is what IVA will be working on over the next few years, and meetings like this are incredibly valuable in that work. I hope as many people as possible will take the opportunity to attend the event in Ume&aring;,&rdquo; says Professor Sylvia Schwaag Serger, CEO of IVA.</p><p>On 26 May, Ume&aring; University, in collaboration with IVA, is hosting the conference &lsquo;Swedish Futures &ndash; Perspectives from Northern Sweden&rsquo; in the Aula Nordica at Ume&aring; University. During the afternoon, representatives from business, academia, the public sector, students and organisations will gather for an important discussion on how Sweden can build long-term competitiveness and how northern Sweden can continue to be an attractive region.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/cced3602c3f34190aad87197b8055076/holmberg-tora-5521-250403-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/cced3602c3f34190aad87197b8055076/holmberg-tora-5521-250403-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/cced3602c3f34190aad87197b8055076/holmberg-tora-5521-250403-mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"><source srcset="/contentassets/cced3602c3f34190aad87197b8055076/holmberg-tora-5521-250403-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/cced3602c3f34190aad87197b8055076/holmberg-tora-5521-250403-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/cced3602c3f34190aad87197b8055076/holmberg-tora-5521-250403-mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>This is a golden opportunity to come together for truly strategic discussions,&rdquo; says Tora Holmberg, Vice-Chancellor of Ume&aring; University. Photo: Mattias Pettersson</p></div></div><p>&ldquo;As the world around us changes rapidly, it becomes increasingly important to bring together different societal actors to address common issues for the future. Ume&aring; University plays a vital role as a driver of knowledge &ndash; this is something we work on every day. This is a golden opportunity to come together for truly strategic discussions for the whole of northern Sweden and, by extension, for the whole country,&rdquo; says Tora Holmberg, Vice-Chancellor of Ume&aring; University.</p><h3>IVA&rsquo;s vision for 2035</h3><p>&lsquo;Svenska framtider&rsquo; aims to develop a comprehensive and widely supported vision for Sweden as a country of technology and innovation by 2035. The perspective is clearly international, but with strong links to Swedish &ndash; and northern Swedish &ndash; conditions.</p><p>&ldquo;In a world where the US and China are investing heavily in innovation, individual initiatives are not enough; we need a shared understanding of where we are heading, what our strengths are and how we get there. That is what Svenska framtider aims to contribute to,&rdquo; says Sylvia Schwaag Serger, Professor and CEO of IVA.</p><p>Northern Sweden&rsquo;s rapid transition, with major industrial investments and a growing need for skilled labour, makes the region particularly relevant to the debate on Sweden&rsquo;s future.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/cced3602c3f34190aad87197b8055076/240822_helene152.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/cced3602c3f34190aad87197b8055076/240822_helene152.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/cced3602c3f34190aad87197b8055076/240822_helene152.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/cced3602c3f34190aad87197b8055076/240822_helene152.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/cced3602c3f34190aad87197b8055076/240822_helene152.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/cced3602c3f34190aad87197b8055076/240822_helene152.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>I am convinced that this afternoon will be a key meeting point,&rdquo; says Helene Hellmark Knutsson, County Governor of V&auml;sterbotten. Photo: Patrik Tr&auml;dg&aring;rdh</p></div></div><p>"In Northern Sweden, many of the issues affecting the whole country are concentrated in one place &ndash; the supply of skilled labour, sustainable growth and collaboration between different societal actors. This makes Ume&aring; an important and natural venue for vital discussions such as these, so I am convinced that this afternoon will be a key meeting point,&rdquo; says Helene Hellmark Knutsson, County Governor of V&auml;sterbotten.</p><h3>Discussions on skills, innovation and collaboration</h3><p>The programme includes both presentations and panel discussions. There is a particular focus on how the skills supply in northern Sweden can be secured, and how collaboration between education, research, industry and the public sector can be strengthened in practice. Researchers and representatives from industry, local authorities and regions will take part in the discussions.</p><p>The conference will be held in Swedish and conclude with two panel discussions under the headings &lsquo;Hur s&auml;krar vi kompetensf&ouml;rs&ouml;rjning i norra Sverige?' och 'Hur formar vi v&aring;r svenska framtid?&rsquo;. <a href="~/link/673fb0b694bf4bd7a375b536c25f95b1.aspx">Please read more about the event and the panellists</a>.</p><p><strong>Svenska framtider &ndash; med utblickar fr&aring;n norra Sverige</strong></p><ul><li>Date: 26 May 2026</li><li>Time: 2.00&ndash;5.00 pm</li><li>Venue: Aula Nordica, Ume&aring; University</li><li><strong>Registration deadline: 18 May</strong></li></ul><p>The event is open to anyone interested and free to attend; <a href="https://www.trippus.se/web/registration/registration.aspx?view=registration&amp;idcategory=AB0ILBCIvGBo0v6zOLFP_NVU5Rz2MPIXmNQZrLqA59_23jnUIquIVDafj6-1oTfBDQceGc7eO9we&amp;ln=swe">please register here</a>.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/hur-sakrar-vi-norra-sveriges-konkurrens--och-innovationskraft_12173252/https://www.umu.se/en/news/early-career-researchers-trained-in-interdisciplinarity-in-abisko_12172955/How are strong collaborations built between researchers from different disciplines? At Abisko Scientific Research Station, 29 early career researchers gathered to practice working across disciplinary boundaries and understanding each other’s research.Mon, 11 May 2026 15:26:30 +0200<div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="5be2f60a-d293-4121-8457-5dcc1ebf0eab" data-contentname="Ice drill">{}</div><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Arctic challenges require multiple perspectives</h2><p>Climate change, shifting ecosystems, and societal change in the Arctic affect the environment, communities, and economies at the same time. Understanding these challenges often requires knowledge from several research fields working together. At the same time, many researchers mainly work within their own disciplines, using their own methods and scientific language.</p><p>That was the starting point for the CIRC Early Career Interdisciplinary Workshop in Abisko. The workshop brought together researchers from Ume&aring; University, SLU Ume&aring;, Uppsala University, and the University of Gothenburg, among others. The event was organised by researchers from the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science at Ume&aring; University with support from the Climate Impacts Research Centre, CIRC.</p><p>&ndash; Many of today&rsquo;s research questions and funding calls require collaboration across disciplines. That is why it is important that researchers early in their careers have opportunities to meet and develop an understanding of each other&rsquo;s perspectives and ways of working, says Keith Larson, Director of the Arctic Centre at Ume&aring; University.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Describe your research with a limited vocabulary</h2><p>An important part of the workshop focused on making research easier to understand for people from other disciplines. In the application process, participants were asked to describe their research using only the &ldquo;one thousand most common words&rdquo;. The goal was not to simplify the research itself, but to make it understandable to researchers from other fields.</p><p>During the week, participants took part in exercises where they explained key concepts to each other, discussed shared challenges, and developed new research ideas together. The workshop concluded with a &ldquo;collaboration challenge&rdquo;, where groups rapidly developed interdisciplinary research proposals.</p><p>The exercises highlighted how researchers often work on similar questions, while using very different methods and language depending on their discipline. A central part of the workshop was therefore finding shared ways to understand each other and work together.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="689a7994-d05c-45a4-8861-d24da1a5de99" data-contentname="Workshop Abisko_EN">{}</div><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">New networks and ideas in Abisko</h2><p>The week also showed that interdisciplinary collaborations need both time and spaces for people to meet. In addition to seminars and group exercises, participants were introduced to the research environment in Abisko through presentations at Naturum Abisko Visitor Centre.</p><p>These presentations became a way to test research ideas outside participants&rsquo; own disciplines and practice making their research relevant and understandable to a broader audience.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/5c95c524c72341f89c9ed7000ec427e5/ima1791933.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/5c95c524c72341f89c9ed7000ec427e5/ima1791933.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/5c95c524c72341f89c9ed7000ec427e5/ima1791933.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/5c95c524c72341f89c9ed7000ec427e5/ima1791933.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/5c95c524c72341f89c9ed7000ec427e5/ima1791933.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/5c95c524c72341f89c9ed7000ec427e5/ima1791933.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Aurora borealis.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>John&eacute;r Bildbyr&aring; AB, Matilda Holmqvist</span></div></div><p>The workshop also created space for conversations and shared experiences outside the formal programme. These informal moments often help accelerate new ideas and collaborations.</p><p>For many participants, the week in Abisko became a first step towards new research networks and future collaborations across disciplinary boundaries. At the same time, the workshop highlighted something becoming increasingly important in research: complex societal challenges often require both specialised expertise and the ability to work together across disciplines.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/early-career-researchers-trained-in-interdisciplinarity-in-abisko_12172955/https://www.umu.se/en/news/canvas-will-reopen_12173146/The Canvas learning platform, which has been closed since Friday due to an IT attack, will reopen on Monday at 13:00. The supplier assures that the system is safe to use.Mon, 11 May 2026 11:24:58 +0200<p>Ume&aring; University decided to close Canvas to all users from Friday onwards for security reasons. The Canvas supplier, Instructure, has issued a statement assuring that the system is safe to use.</p><p>The University has closely monitored developments and can confirm on Monday that there are no indications of any new attacks from the perpetrators over the weekend.</p><p><a title="Canvas closed" href="~/link/4017abab01d043f2bf51f775c833585a.aspx">Read the previous news article about the IT attack.</a></p><p>As Canvas is a highly business‑critical system used by teachers and students to deliver teaching, Ume&aring; University will reopen access to the system on Monday at 13:00.</p><p>&ldquo;Our assessment is that users can use the system as normal. However, we continue to monitor the situation closely. We know that the attackers are still exerting some pressure on the supplier, so we all need to remain very vigilant for some time to come,&rdquo; says Therese Strandberg, Head of the Unit for IT Support and Systems Development (ITS) at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>The supplier can confirm that the attackers have gained access to some personal data stored in Canvas. It is still unclear exactly which data is involved, but it is likely that the attackers have obtained names, email addresses, messages sent within the system and student ID numbers, which in the case of Ume&aring; University also include personal identity numbers, as well as employees&rsquo; personal identity numbers.</p><p>&ldquo;This provides further reason to remind all Canvas users to be alert to so‑called phishing. Any unusual messages or requests to disclose personal data should be avoided and reported,&rdquo; says Therese Strandberg.</p><p>At present, there are no indications that the attackers have leaked this data to third parties.</p><p><a href="/en/student/help-and-support/if-something-happens/it-security-breach/">Read more: IT security incident.</a></p><p><a title="Student health" href="/en/student/help-and-support/student-health-service/contact-the-student-health-service2/">Anyone feeling concerned about the incident can contact the Student Health Services.</a></p><p><a href="/en/student/help-and-support/it-services/software-and-services/canvas/canvas-exposed-to-cyber-attack/">Stay up to date on the situation via the temporary page about the incident on the Student Web.</a></p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/canvas-will-reopen_12173146/https://www.umu.se/en/news/support-for-teachers-following-the-temporary-shutdown-of-canvas_12173040/Due to the security incident in Canvas, the system was temporarily shut down. As of Monday, 11 May at 13:00, Canvas is open for use again.Tue, 19 May 2026 10:42:37 +0200<p>Reporting of results to Ladok via Canvas was affected during the intrusion. The university can now confirm that result reporting to Ladok is up and running again, and all functions in Canvas are therefore operating normally.</p><p>The university has created a shared contact point via Infocenter to handle general questions regarding the security incident. Questions from teachers concerning teaching, examination and evaluation will be referred to UPL, and we are prepared to assist you.</p><p>Please contact us at <a href="mailto:upl@umu.se">upl@umu.se</a></p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="a5377ba2-7c25-4b11-a443-78df48421297" data-contentname="Fakta om säkerhetsläget intrång Canvas">{}</div><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/support-for-teachers-following-the-temporary-shutdown-of-canvas_12173040/https://www.umu.se/en/news/canvas-has-experienced-an-it-incident--currently-offline_12173016/The Canvas learning platform has been the target of a cyberattack and has therefore been temporarily shut down. The system will be out of service until at least 13:00 on Monday. There is a risk that data may have been leaked from the system. “We are now doing everything we can to minimise the security risks. We understand that this is having a significant impact on students and teachers, and it is, of course, deeply regrettable,” says Therese Strandberg, Head of ITS at Umeå University.Fri, 08 May 2026 17:13:07 +0200<p>Canvas is the university&rsquo;s shared learning platform, which is widely used in teaching. Sunet, the Swedish organisation for national IT services in higher education, has received information from the platform&rsquo;s provider &ndash; Instructure &ndash; that a group of hackers has gained access to Canvas. <br><br>Canvas contains, among other things, contact details such as names, email addresses and personal identification numbers for the university&rsquo;s students and staff. It also contains study-related data, such as quizzes, assignments and communication between teachers and students.</p><p>At present, it is unclear what data the attacker has accessed and whether this has been leaked further. <br><br>Due to the cyber attack, Ume&aring; University has shut down Canvas, meaning that no one has access to the system. Canvas will remain closed until Monday, 11 May at 13:00, initially. This period may be extended.</p><p>"We understand, of course, that this is having a significant impact on both students and teachers, as teaching cannot be carried out as planned. But in this situation, our priority must be to do everything we can to protect the IT security of students, staff and the university,&rdquo; says Therese Strandberg.</p><p>Ume&aring; University is working intensively on the matter and is monitoring developments closely.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Questions and concerns?</h2><p>Students who have questions regarding teaching, examinations and assessment should contact the course coordinator.</p><p><a href="/en/student/help-and-support/it-services/software-and-services/canvas/canvas-exposed-to-cyber-attack/">Here you can keep up to date with the latest information we have on the incident. </a>That page also includes a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ).</p><p>Anyone feeling concerned about the incident can contact the Student Health Services.</p><p><a href="/en/student/help-and-support/student-health-service/contact-the-student-health-service2/">Contact the Student Health Services.</a><br><br>Other enquiries can be sent to Infocenter.</p><p><a href="/en/student/new-students/infocenter/">Contact Infocenter.</a></p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">What can I do?</h2><p>The University urges all staff and students to be extra vigilant regarding suspicious emails, text messages or phone calls.</p><p>If you suspect that you have been the victim of an incident related to your IT security, you should report it.</p><p><a href="/en/student/help-and-support/it-services/software-and-services/canvas/canvas-exposed-to-cyber-attack/">Read more on the Student website.</a></p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/canvas-has-experienced-an-it-incident--currently-offline_12173016/https://www.umu.se/en/news/new-ai-solution-for-smarter-urban-and-climate-planning_12171718/Satellite images, weather maps and other data are collected in enormous quantities – but much of this remains unused. The reason is simple: the data is fragmented, difficult to interpret, and stored in different formats. Dr. Arka Ghosh has developed a system capable of transforming this data into comprehensible knowledge. “It is an advanced AI solution that could be highly significant for urban planners as well as crisis and emergency response coordinators.” Thu, 07 May 2026 14:00:07 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>With Dr Arka Ghosh&rsquo;s new AI solution, urban planners can be supported in designing more sustainable and climate‑smart cities, companies can choose better locations, and public authorities can respond more quickly during, for example, heatwaves or floods.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>Satellite images and other environmental data are stored and available as images. Through his solution <em>Ontoraster</em>, Dr Arka Ghosh has created an intelligent network in which every data point &ndash; every pixel in the images &ndash; is given a clear meaning and linked to other relevant elements.</p><p>&ldquo;Think of it as a super‑organised spider&rsquo;s web where every thread leads to the right information. Or in Minecraft terms: every block finally knows why it exists,&rdquo; says Arka Ghosh.</p><h3>Faster decisions in crises and planning</h3><p>By combining knowledge graphs with advanced AI, the system can understand how different data sources are connected. This allows users to ask complex questions and receive direct, comprehensible answers &ndash; without needing any programming or data analysis skills themselves.<br>The technology can be used in a range of socially important contexts.</p><p>&ldquo;Urban planners can be supported in designing more sustainable and climate‑smart cities. Companies can choose better locations. And authorities can act more quickly during, for example, heatwaves or floods,&rdquo; Arka Ghosh explains.</p><p>One example of a question the system can answer directly is: &ldquo;Where are the hottest areas near densely populated districts in Ume&aring; or Stockholm?&rdquo;</p><p>&ldquo;What previously required extensive manual analysis can now be done in a matter of seconds &ndash; without large amounts of data needing to be moved or processed,&rdquo; says Arka Ghosh.</p><h3>AI that unlocks complex data</h3><p>A central part of the solution is a refined AI technique that translates everyday questions into something the computer can understand. &ldquo;This means that even people without a technical background can use the system and receive advanced analyses in return,&rdquo; says Arka Ghosh.</p><h3>Funded by WASP</h3><p><a href="~/link/f1ccf1d251be4f538a13df854f18fb07.aspx">The Department of Computing Science</a> at Ume&aring; University has a strong connection to <a href="https://wasp-sweden.org/">WASP</a> &ndash; The Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program &ndash;Sweden&rsquo;s largest individual research initiative aimed at positioning the country as a leading nation in the field. Several of the department&rsquo;s doctoral students, including Arka Ghosh, are funded through the programme, giving the research environment access to both national collaborations and cutting‑edge expertise in AI.</p><h3>AI‑driven question‑answering system</h3><p>For several years, Arka Ghosh has immersed himself in international research on geodata, raster data, knowledge graphs and semantic technologies. The result is an AI‑driven question‑answering system that can interpret complex data in an entirely new way and provide meaningful answers to advanced questions. In practice, this means that authorities, engineers and other decision‑makers can quickly obtain insights that previously required extensive manual analysis.</p><p>&ldquo;I have tried to transform a chaotic pile of pixels into something that can actually be built with. A bit like in Minecraft: when the right blocks are put together, you can create something fantastic &ndash; but here it&rsquo;s about shaping the cities of the future and our environmental planning,&rdquo; he says.</p><h3>Further information&nbsp;</h3><p>Read the doctoral thesis here: "<a href="https://umu.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?language=en&amp;pid=diva2%3A2045634&amp;dswid=2174"><em>Semantic integration and query answering of multidimensional data with knowledge graphs</em></a>"<br>Supervisor: Professor <a href="~/link/63284e4dfa5147229fa94740c4dc6090.aspx">Diego Calvanese</a><br><br></p><h3>Contact information</h3><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="a8bfe3d5-d269-4154-8d6e-d4aa0d31f335" data-contentname="Arka Ghosh kontakt">{}</div>https://www.umu.se/en/news/new-ai-solution-for-smarter-urban-and-climate-planning_12171718/https://www.umu.se/en/news/umea-university-on-stage-at-the-ec2u-science-contest_12172666/On 20 May 2026, the EC2U Science Contest will take place during the EC2U forum in Turku, Finland. Three teams will compete in a live science contest that combines research, creativity and audience engagement. The Umeå team comprises five researchers: Kristina Lejon, Jerker Fick, Hanna Söderlund, Jesper Enbom and Manju Maharjan. Thu, 07 May 2026 09:56:00 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/3ed8a34343984c97b995d202897ea35a/sciencecontestteamet.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/3ed8a34343984c97b995d202897ea35a/sciencecontestteamet.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/3ed8a34343984c97b995d202897ea35a/sciencecontestteamet.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/3ed8a34343984c97b995d202897ea35a/sciencecontestteamet.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/3ed8a34343984c97b995d202897ea35a/sciencecontestteamet.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/3ed8a34343984c97b995d202897ea35a/sciencecontestteamet.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 team competing in the EC2U Science Contest 2026, streamed live from Turku on 20 May.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hanna S&ouml;derlund</span></div></div><p>In the competition, they will be up against teams of researchers from the University of Turku and Friedrich Schiller University in Jena (Germany). The competition will be streamed live on YouTube. Students and staff at Ume&aring; University, as well as the general public, are welcome to watch online and vote.</p><div data-classid="36f4349b-8093-492b-b616-05d8964e4c89" data-contentguid="8c4c82bd-ce1a-4333-9bbf-b43c6880ca43" data-contentname="Fact box SC 2026">{}</div><p>Manju Manharjan, a doctoral student in plant physiology at Ume&aring; Plant Science Centre, shares her thoughts on being part of the Ume&aring; team in the EC2U Science Contest:<br><br>"I feel very proud and honored to be part of the Ume&aring; team for the EC2U Science Contest. Even though it&rsquo;s my first year in Ume&aring;, I&rsquo;ve already had the opportunity to join such an exciting event. I&rsquo;m looking forward to collaborating closely with my team, tackling challenges together, and learning from other teams at the center. At the same time, I&rsquo;m excited to visit the vibrant city of Turku and experience its culture."</p><h3>What is the EC2U Science Contest?</h3><p>The EC2U Science Contest is a fast‑paced, interdisciplinary competition where teams of five researchers are given the same question and a limited amount of time to agree on an answer before presenting it to the audience.<br><br>The questions are submitted in advance by the public and can explore scientific, societal or ethical topics, as well as curious &ldquo;what if?&rdquo; scenarios. There is no set format for the answers. The focus is on clear reasoning, collaboration and the ability to explain complex ideas in an engaging way.<br><br>Both the audience and an international jury award points based on clarity, logic, creativity and entertainment value. The contest is held in English and broadcast online, allowing audiences to take part from anywhere in the world.</p><h3>Meet the Ume&aring; University team</h3><p>Ume&aring; University will be represented by a multidisciplinary team of five researchers in the EC2U Science Contest 2026. Together, they bring different academic perspectives to the stage and collaborate under time pressure to tackle questions submitted by the audience.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/umea-university-on-stage-at-the-ec2u-science-contest_12172666/https://www.umu.se/en/news/tree-communities-shape-hidden-energy-flows-under-european-forests_12172414/Mixing tree species can lead to better growth in the forest – at least above ground. A new international study published in Nature shows that mixed forests had lower activity in the complex belowground ecosystems than previously thought. Researchers suspect this could affect the long-term growth of forests.Thu, 07 May 2026 09:00:04 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>Tree traits shape life in the soil in several ways, a new study in Nature shows. But the combination of different tree species also turned out to have effects that were unexpected to the researchers. Image from a field survey in Italy.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Paul Kardol</span></div></div><p>The study, led by researchers from the Ume&aring; University &nbsp;and Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU, was an international collaboration between nine universities through the SoilForEurope-project. By sampling and identifying the different organisms in forest soils from 64 areas in four European countries, they aimed to better understand how different tree species and their combinations affect how energy moves through the web of life beneath the forest floor.</p><p>The study shows that tree species play a key role in the function of the soils. Forests containing fast-growing, resource-hungry trees which produce a lot of organic material also show higher activity in the soil, with faster nutrient cycling compared to forests with slower-growing species. Different tree species channel energy into the soil in different ways, either through living roots or fallen leaves, with important consequences for soil life.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>&nbsp;In the project, the researchers mapped species communities in forest soils to see how energy flows are altered by different dominant tree species. Shown here: springtails and mites.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Paul Kardol</span></div></div><p>However, the researchers made an unexpected finding. A mix of tree species that usually leads to faster growth above ground, such as, pine, spruce, and birch, did not show the same improved activity in the soil. Rather, the opposite was observed.</p><p>&ldquo;We were surprised to see that mixed forests didn&rsquo;t lead to more functional soils. Instead, they showed slightly poorer results than some of the forests with a single tree species&rdquo; says Paul Kardol, Professor in Forest Microbiology at SLU.</p><h3>Trees fuel miniature ecosystems with energy</h3><p>Zooming in on the life at and below the surface, we find an entire microscopic ecosystem. Here, many organisms are fueled with organic material from trees, understory plants, and mosses, energy that then flows though the food web among microbes, springtails, mites, spiders, and worms, to name a few.</p><p class="quote-left">It is highly dynamic, with continuous energy flow and rapid biological activity, but it is also sensitive to environmental changes</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"></div><div class="bildText"><p>David Wardle, professor at the Department of of Ecology, Environment and Geosciences, Ume&aring; University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>A, Alexandra Granath</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;It is highly dynamic, with continuous energy flow and rapid biological activity, but it is also sensitive to environmental changes&rdquo; says David Wardle, Professor at the Department of Ecology, Environment and Geosciences at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>Mixed forests create more biomass aboveground which shades the ground more, lowering the temperature and affecting the activity in the soil. This is one likely cause to the phenomenon, says Wardle. But the results point at other, more tree species-specific factors that dictate how soils function in the long term.</p><p>&ldquo;Ultimately, long-term forest health depends on the soil food web&rsquo;s ability to process organic inputs and release nutrients in forms that plants can use&rdquo; says David Wardle.</p><p><a title="Read the article" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-10455-1">Read the article Tree community resource economics control soil food web multifunctionality</a></p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/tree-communities-shape-hidden-energy-flows-under-european-forests_12172414/https://www.umu.se/en/news/felipe-cava-elected-to-european-academy-of-microbiology_12172694/Felipe Cava, professor in infection biology at the Department of Molecular Biology at Umeå University, has been elected Fellow of the European Academy of Microbiology. This is in recognition of his research on bacterial cell walls.Wed, 06 May 2026 14:06:10 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/12570010302b40e6bec87a60a422dec8/cava_felipe_4160_220422_mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/12570010302b40e6bec87a60a422dec8/cava_felipe_4160_220422_mpn3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/12570010302b40e6bec87a60a422dec8/cava_felipe_4160_220422_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/12570010302b40e6bec87a60a422dec8/cava_felipe_4160_220422_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/12570010302b40e6bec87a60a422dec8/cava_felipe_4160_220422_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/12570010302b40e6bec87a60a422dec8/cava_felipe_4160_220422_mpn3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Professor Felipe Cava becomes a member of the European Academy of Microbiology, enhancing Ume&aring; University&rsquo;s international visibility and reflecting the strong microbiology research environment in Ume&aring;.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson, simon ohman jonsson inhousebyran</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">Being elected as a Fellow of the European Academy of Microbiology feels very special and is a real honor</p><p>&ldquo;Being elected as a Fellow of the European Academy of Microbiology feels very special and is a real honor, especially because it comes from peers whose work I deeply respect. I also see it very much as a recognition of the collective efforts of my research group and collaborators over the years&rdquo;, says Felipe Cava, Professor&nbsp;at&nbsp;Department of Molecular Biology at Ume&aring; University.</p><p>The European Academy of Microbiology brings together elected researchers who are actively engaged in advancing microbiology in Europe. At a European level, the academy plays an important role in promoting excellence in microbiology, supporting evidence-based decision-making, and strengthening the visibility and societal relevance of the field.</p><p>&ldquo;Being part of the European Academy of Microbiology adds to the international visibility of Ume&aring; University and reflects the strong microbiology research environment here. Ume&aring; already has several colleagues who are EAM fellows, which really says something about the quality and breadth of research at the university&rdquo;, says Professor Cava.</p><p>The Cava lab researches bacterial cell walls to understand its biology and its role in environmental adaptation and signalling. The cell wall is one of the primary targets for antibiotics, and a better understanding of it is crucial in developing new ways of treating infectious diseases. As EAM Fellow, Professor Cava hopes to make new connections within the microbiology community in Europe.</p><p>&ldquo;On a personal level, it is an encouraging milestone and a nice moment to reflect on the path so far. From a research perspective, it opens doors to closer interactions across Europe. These connections are valuable for exchanging ideas, starting new collaborations, and gaining wider perspectives that can positively shape our future work&rdquo;, says Professor Cava.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/felipe-cava-elected-to-european-academy-of-microbiology_12172694/https://www.umu.se/en/news/approved-aacsb-cir-application_12172709/The Continuous Improvement Review (CIR) Business Accreditation Application for the AACSB accreditation of Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics (USBE) has been approved.Wed, 06 May 2026 14:03:35 +0200<p>USBE has held AACSB accreditation since 2018, placing the school within a group of business schools worldwide that meet the organization&rsquo;s global standards for excellence in education, research, and engagement activities related to societal impact. Maintaining this accreditation enables an ongoing commitment to quality and continuous development.</p><p>The CIR application, submitted in November 2025, provides a comprehensive account of USBE&rsquo;s continuous improvement processes, including developments in education, research, faculty qualifications, and societal engagement. Its approval confirms that USBE continues to meet AACSB&rsquo;s standards and remains on track for its next full reaccreditation review, scheduled for 2028.</p><p>&ndash; This milestone reflects the collective efforts of faculty, staff, students, and external partners who contribute to the school&rsquo;s quality management and strategic development. Their work ensures that USBE continues to strengthen its position as a nationally influential and internationally respected and recognized business school dedicated to sustainable societal development through education and research of a high international standard, says the dean of USBE, Agneta Marell.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/approved-aacsb-cir-application_12172709/https://www.umu.se/en/news/skytteansk-prize-awarded-to-distinguished-heart-and-lung-researchers_12172382/The Royal Skytteanska Society (Kungl. Skytteanska Samfundet) has decided to award the Margareta and Eric Modig Prize for 2026 to Professor Stefan Söderberg and Professor André Nyberg at the Faculty of Medicine, Umeå University. The prize recognizes outstanding medical research, with a particular focus on cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.Mon, 04 May 2026 16:10:27 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/020c447d13ba4c5d8b3182cc6c8e88b6/soderberg_stefan_9579_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/020c447d13ba4c5d8b3182cc6c8e88b6/soderberg_stefan_9579_hkn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/020c447d13ba4c5d8b3182cc6c8e88b6/soderberg_stefan_9579_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/020c447d13ba4c5d8b3182cc6c8e88b6/soderberg_stefan_9579_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/020c447d13ba4c5d8b3182cc6c8e88b6/soderberg_stefan_9579_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/020c447d13ba4c5d8b3182cc6c8e88b6/soderberg_stefan_9579_hkn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Stefan Söderberg.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;I am overwhelmed and deeply grateful. This award recognizes the long‑term research trajectory at Ume&aring; University which, based on the MONICA and V&auml;sterbotten projects, has followed the development of cardiovascular disease over time. My research group and I are sincerely thankful for the opportunity to build upon the work laid by visionary researchers during the 1980s and 1990s,&rdquo; says professor Stefan S&ouml;derberg, a physician and professor of cardiology at the Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine at Ume&aring; University.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Focus on cardiovascular risk factors</h2><p>He is awarded the prize for his long-standing and influential contributions to research in cardiovascular and respiratory medicine. His clinically oriented and registry-based research has played a significant role in the development of new clinical practices and guidelines, including in the areas of pulmonary hypertension and cardiovascular risk assessment.</p><p>Through extensive scientific publishing, strong research funding, and leadership roles in major research collaborations, he has had a substantial impact both nationally and internationally.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Research on COPD and physiotherapy</h2><p>Professor Andr&eacute; Nyberg, a physiotherapist and professor of physiotherapy, receives the prize for his innovative and clinically relevant research in physiotherapy and respiratory disease, with a particular focus on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink halfwidthsquareright"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/020c447d13ba4c5d8b3182cc6c8e88b6/nyberg_andre_2503_230620_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/020c447d13ba4c5d8b3182cc6c8e88b6/nyberg_andre_2503_230620_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/020c447d13ba4c5d8b3182cc6c8e88b6/nyberg_andre_2503_230620_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/020c447d13ba4c5d8b3182cc6c8e88b6/nyberg_andre_2503_230620_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/020c447d13ba4c5d8b3182cc6c8e88b6/nyberg_andre_2503_230620_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/020c447d13ba4c5d8b3182cc6c8e88b6/nyberg_andre_2503_230620_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Andr&eacute; Nyberg</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Mattias Pettersson</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;It is a great honour to receive the award. The distinction is not only a personal recognition, but also an important acknowledgement of the research we conduct and something that provides stronger conditions for our continued work. I share this award with my research group and our collaborators, whose commitment and efforts have been crucial to the results we have achieved,&rdquo; he says.</p><p>Andr&eacute; Nyberg's research has contributed to the development of new assessment methods and exercise interventions with clear benefits for patients, and is characterized by high scientific quality and strong international impact. He is also actively involved in international research networks and within the European Respiratory Society.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">About the prize</h2><p>The prize amounts to SEK 200,000 per recipient. The awards will be presented at the Royal Skyttean Society&rsquo;s annual ceremonial meeting on 22 May 2026, and the recipients will deliver ceremonial lectures in connection with Ume&aring; University&rsquo;s annual celebration in October.</p><p><a href="https://skytteanskasamfundet.se/en/about-the-association/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Royal Skyttean Society</a>, based in Ume&aring;, is one of Sweden&rsquo;s 18 royal academies and works to promote science and culture, with a particular focus on the development of northern Sweden.</p><p>Further information: <a href="mailto:camilla.sandstrom@umu.se">Camilla Sandstr&ouml;m</a>, Vice President, Royal Skyttean Society</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/skytteansk-prize-awarded-to-distinguished-heart-and-lung-researchers_12172382/https://www.umu.se/en/news/call-for-application-global-solutions-olympiad-2026_12172360/MIRAI invites Master’s and PhD students from MIRAI member universities in Japan and Sweden to form international, interdisciplinary teams and develop innovative, feasible solutions to pressing global challenges. Application deadline: 16 August 2026.Mon, 11 May 2026 11:25:08 +0200<h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Empowering the next generation to co-create solutions for global challenges</h2><p>This team-based Olympiad is designed to foster cross-border collaboration, creative problem-solving, and real-world impact, and is directly connected to the <strong>MIRAI Research &amp; Innovation Week 2026</strong>, to be held in <strong>Fukuoka, Japan, 8&ndash;11 December 2026.<br></strong></p><h3>Why Participate?</h3><ul><li>Collaborate in international, interdisciplinary student teams</li><li>Tackle real societal challenges linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals</li><li>Gain experience in innovation-driven research and solution design</li><li>Present your work to an international audience at MIRAI R&amp;I Week 2026</li><li>Winning teams are invited to Fukuoka with travel and accommodation covered</li></ul><h3>Challenge Tracks</h3><p>Teams will choose one of the following four challenge areas:</p><ul><li><strong>Health and an Ageing Population (SDG 3)</strong></li><li><strong>Climate Adaptation, Disaster and Risk Management (SDG 13)</strong></li><li><strong>Resilient Cities and Communities: Governance and Urban Planning (SDG 11)</strong></li><li><strong>Energy Conversion and Storage Materials for a Sustainable Future (SDG 7)</strong></li></ul><p>Each challenge calls for bold, evidence-based ideas that integrate perspectives from multiple disciplines and are relevant to both Japan and Sweden.</p><h3>Programme Overview</h3><ul><li>Online kick-off workshop: Late August / early September 2026</li><li>Team working phase: Two weeks in mid-September 2026</li><li>Final deliverable: Solution brief or pitch video</li><li>Winner announcement: Early October 2026</li><li>Final presentation: MIRAI Research &amp; Innovation Week, Fukuoka (December 2026)</li></ul><h3>Eligibility at a Glance</h3><ul><li>Master&rsquo;s or PhD students at MIRAI member universities in Japan or Sweden</li><li>Teams of up to four students (self-organised)</li><li>English as the working language</li><li>Strong commitment during the programme period</li></ul><h3>Application Deadline</h3><p>16 August 2026, 23:45 CEST&nbsp;<br>Apply as a team via the<a title="Online application form: Global Solutions Miriad" href="https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=i0BTVM2mHkyLEBi1APtUTjDj6iFIqkxLq0MpvBhgsqlUNFBTSU9GWFlXTzQ2OTNZVEcxSlNUWjVEQi4u&amp;route=shorturl"> online application form</a></p><p><a class="documentIcon" title="Call-for-Applications-MIRAI-Global-Solutions-Olympiad_FINAL.pdf (171 kB)" href="~/link/14caa2998d8141e5b02e1475f16b509a.aspx">Call-for-Applications-MIRAI-Global-Solutions-Olympiad_FINAL.pdf (171 kB)</a></p><p>Students are encouraged to review the full call carefully and contact their MIRAI contact persons before submitting their application.</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/call-for-application-global-solutions-olympiad-2026_12172360/https://www.umu.se/en/news/mistletoe-extract-shows-no-effect-in-patients-with-advanced-pancreatic-cancer_12172211/New research shows that palliative patients with pancreatic cancer neither live longer nor experience improved quality of life when taking mistletoe extract in addition to standard cancer treatment, compared to placebo.Mon, 04 May 2026 10:09:23 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/3f7b4968486b48c599e3ec3497f92fa3/pallilativ_vard3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/3f7b4968486b48c599e3ec3497f92fa3/pallilativ_vard3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/3f7b4968486b48c599e3ec3497f92fa3/pallilativ_vard3.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/3f7b4968486b48c599e3ec3497f92fa3/pallilativ_vard3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/3f7b4968486b48c599e3ec3497f92fa3/pallilativ_vard3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/3f7b4968486b48c599e3ec3497f92fa3/pallilativ_vard3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>&nbsp;A new study led by Kathrin Wode, a researcher and consultant physician in oncology and palliative medicine at Ume&aring; University, shows that mistletoe extract has no effect on either survival or the well-being of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>plainpicture. John&eacute;rs bildbyr&aring;</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;Previous research has shown promising results for mistletoe extract as a complementary treatment for this patient group, but our findings indicate that it has no effect on either survival or patients&rsquo; quality of life,&rdquo; says Kathrin Wode, researcher and specialist physician in oncology and palliative medicine, PhD at the Department of Diagnostics and Intervention, Ume&aring; University.</p><p>Mistletoe extract is one of the most widely used plant-based medicinal products in Europe, but scientific evidence for its effectiveness against cancer remains limited. The MISTRAL study was conducted between 2016 and 2022 at Ume&aring; University and nine Swedish oncology clinics and investigated the effectiveness of mistletoe extract as an adjunct treatment for patients receiving palliative care for pancreatic cancer. The researchers examined, among other outcomes, patient survival, quality of life, weight loss, and the use of corticosteroids.</p><p>&ldquo;This is a patient group with a poor prognosis and a heavy symptom burden. There is a great need for gentle treatment options, which is why we wanted to investigate whether mistletoe extract could be helpful as an adjunct therapy,&rdquo; says Per Fransson, Professor at the Department of Nursing, Ume&aring; University.</p><p>&ldquo;The study is quite unique because it focuses on complementary medicine rather than standard cancer treatment. It is also the first placebo-controlled study of mistletoe extract to examine both survival and quality of life,&rdquo; says Roger Henriksson, Senior Professor at the Department of Diagnostics and Intervention, Ume&aring; University.</p><p>The study included 290 patients with pancreatic cancer, who were randomised to receive either injections of a mistletoe preparation or placebo. The study was double-blind, meaning that neither the patients nor the researchers knew who received mistletoe extract and who received placebo. Previous results in 2024 showed no improvements in survival in the group receiving mistletoe extract compared to the placebo group. The new results showed that there were also no improvements in survival or quality of life.</p><p>&ldquo;Based on our study results, there is no clinical reason to recommend adding mistletoe extract in the treatment of pancreatic cancer,&rdquo; says Kathrin Wode.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/3f7b4968486b48c599e3ec3497f92fa3/wode_kathrin_2137_220524_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/3f7b4968486b48c599e3ec3497f92fa3/wode_kathrin_2137_220524_mpn2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/3f7b4968486b48c599e3ec3497f92fa3/wode_kathrin_2137_220524_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/3f7b4968486b48c599e3ec3497f92fa3/wode_kathrin_2137_220524_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/3f7b4968486b48c599e3ec3497f92fa3/wode_kathrin_2137_220524_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/3f7b4968486b48c599e3ec3497f92fa3/wode_kathrin_2137_220524_mpn2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Kathrin Wode, researcher and specialist physician in oncology and palliative medicine, PhD at the Department of Diagnostics and Intervention, Ume&aring; University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Hans Karlsson</span></div></div>https://www.umu.se/en/news/mistletoe-extract-shows-no-effect-in-patients-with-advanced-pancreatic-cancer_12172211/https://www.umu.se/en/news/industrial-designer-alex-liebert-appointed-honorary-doctor_12171865/Alex Liebert, CEO of Changeworks and guest lecturer at Umeå Institute of Design, has been appointed honorary doctor for 2026 at the Faculty of Science and Technology at Umeå University. He is recognised for his long-standing commitment to design education and for building bridges between academia and professional practice.Thu, 30 Apr 2026 09:42:41 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/c5afffbb39b9456eb6af554dab7a9f52/alex_liebert_14.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/c5afffbb39b9456eb6af554dab7a9f52/alex_liebert_14.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/c5afffbb39b9456eb6af554dab7a9f52/alex_liebert_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/c5afffbb39b9456eb6af554dab7a9f52/alex_liebert_14.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/c5afffbb39b9456eb6af554dab7a9f52/alex_liebert_14.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/c5afffbb39b9456eb6af554dab7a9f52/alex_liebert_14.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Alex Liebert is appointed honorary doctor at Ume&aring; University.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Sara-Lena Br&auml;nnstr&ouml;m</span></div></div><p>&ldquo;I'm incredibly happy and pleasantly surprised. Being awarded an honorary doctorate is a great honour,&rdquo; he says.</p><p>Alex Liebert is trained as an industrial designer and has held leading positions in industry, consultancy and the public sector. Today, he is CEO, change leader and design strategist at his own company, Changeworks.</p><p>He is awarded the title of honorary doctor for his significant contributions to design education, strategic design practice and academic development at Ume&aring; Institute of Design.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Design as leadership</h2><p>In 2012, through his then role at Atlas Copco, Alex Liebert initiated his first collaborations with Ume&aring; Institute of Design. Since then, he has served as a guest lecturer in the strategic design course, which he has also helped to develop and shape in terms of content.</p><p>Strategic design is about using design in a long-term perspective, not only to shape products but to influence how companies and organisations develop their business models and operations.</p><p>&ldquo;As a designer, you can create almost anything &ndash; so why not a business strategy? I see strategic design as a leadership discipline and want to help students develop into leaders who can improve our world through design,&rdquo; says Alex Liebert, who is keen to highlight the designer's role in organisational development.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Strengthening the programme internationally</h2><p>Each year, Thomas Degn, programme director for the master's programme, invites a company with exciting products to take part in the course. Students explore future design opportunities, develop concepts aligned with the company's brand and create a well-considered design language. At the same time, they are trained in addressing complex future-oriented and technological challenges.</p><p>&ldquo;I am very grateful for the appreciation shown by Ume&aring; Institute of Design and especially for the close and long-term collaboration with Thomas Degn. Without his commitment, this would not have been possible,&rdquo; says Alex Liebert.</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/c5afffbb39b9456eb6af554dab7a9f52/alex_liebert_22.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/c5afffbb39b9456eb6af554dab7a9f52/alex_liebert_22.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/c5afffbb39b9456eb6af554dab7a9f52/alex_liebert_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/c5afffbb39b9456eb6af554dab7a9f52/alex_liebert_22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/c5afffbb39b9456eb6af554dab7a9f52/alex_liebert_22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/c5afffbb39b9456eb6af554dab7a9f52/alex_liebert_22.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>As a guest lecturer at Ume&aring; Institute of Design, Alex Liebert has made a significant contribution to the programme.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Sara-Lena Br&auml;nnstr&ouml;m</span></div></div><p>Through his work, Alex Liebert has contributed to strengthening both the academic quality and the international relevance of the programme.</p><p>Now in his fourteenth year as a guest lecturer, he has no plans to stop. He praises the collaborative culture and positive spirit at Ume&aring; Institute of Design.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">&ldquo;A unique school&rdquo;</h2><p>&ldquo;I love teaching and I feel genuinely happy every time I come here. It's a unique school with a spirit and level of engagement that I haven't seen anywhere else,&rdquo; says Alex, who is based in &Ouml;rebro and also teaches industrial design to mechanical engineering students at &Ouml;rebro University.</p><p>He finds it particularly rewarding when former students describe the concrete benefits they have gained from the course tools in their collaborations with companies, especially their ability to measure the value of design and to develop a clear design language.</p><p>&ldquo;I see how they gain confidence and dare to take greater initiative. That feels really wonderful,&rdquo; he says.</p><p>Alex Liebert will be formally conferred as honorary doctor at Ume&aring; University's annual celebration in October.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>For more information, please contact:</strong></p><p>Alex Liebert, CEO of Changeworks and guest lecturer at Ume&aring; Institute of Design</p><p>Phone: +46 70 607 46 55</p><p>E-mail: <a href="mailto:alex@changeworks.se">alex@changeworks.se</a></p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/industrial-designer-alex-liebert-appointed-honorary-doctor_12171865/https://www.umu.se/en/news/lars-nyberg-is-a-top-ranked-neuroscientist--ranked-eighth-in-sweden_12171771/Researchers at Umeå University are playing an active role in shaping Arctic research and collaboration through UArctic’s thematic networks, a key international platform that connects expertise across disciplines and regions.Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:41:25 +0200<p class="quote-center">We see great potential for even more researchers at Ume&aring; University to engage in and benefit from these networks.</p><p>These networks often function as small international research platforms, where collaborations, projects and ideas begin to take shape. This often happens long before they develop into larger funded initiatives.</p><p>With more than 60 thematic networks covering areas from climate and biodiversity to culture, health and governance, UArctic provides a structure for collaboration that is presented annually through the Year in Review publications.</p><p>The reports highlight how research communities contribute to Arctic knowledge. They also show that Ume&aring; University is not only participating but, in several cases, helping to lead and develop these efforts.</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">Strong contributions across research fields</h2><p>Ume&aring; University researchers are engaged in a wide range of thematic networks spanning the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.</p><p>In the Thematic Network on Northern Tourism, Ume&aring; University is a key contributor, building on a strong research tradition while continuing to shape the field of Arctic tourism. Today, researchers from Ume&aring; play an active role in advancing both knowledge development and international collaboration within the network.</p><p>Ume&aring; is also strongly represented in the Arctic Sustainable Arts and Design (ASAD) network. Professor Cindy Kohtala, based at Ume&aring; Institute of Design, serves as Vice-Lead of the network. The Institute will host an international workshop in 2026, further strengthening Ume&aring;&rsquo;s role as a hub for design and sustainability in Arctic contexts.</p><p>Beyond these examples, researchers from Ume&aring; University contribute to networks such as Critical Arctic Studies, Herbivory, Health and Well-being in the Arctic, and several others, reflecting the breadth of Arctic-related research at the university.</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">Shaping Arctic research at a system level</h2><p>Ume&aring; University also plays a unique role in supporting and shaping Arctic research more broadly through the Thematic Network on Polar Research Analytics, which is led by researchers at the university.</p><p class="quote-center">Through bibliometric analysis, we can better understand how Arctic research is evolving, where collaborations are emerging, and how knowledge flows across regions and disciplines.</p><p>The network is led by Professor Rickard Danell and Associate Professor Lena Maria Nilsson, with Arctic Centre Director Keith Larson serving as UArctic&rsquo;s Associate Vice-President for Polar Research Analytics. Together, they contribute to mapping and analysing global Arctic research trends. This work provides a broader perspective on how Arctic research develops globally.</p><p>&ldquo;Through bibliometric analysis, we can better understand how Arctic research is evolving, where collaborations are emerging, and how knowledge flows across regions and disciplines,&rdquo; says Keith Larson. &ldquo;This helps strengthen both individual research efforts and the collective impact of Arctic research.&rdquo;</p><p>It also provides valuable insights for researchers, institutions and policymakers, and supports the continued development of UArctic&rsquo;s thematic networks.</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">A platform for collaboration and impact</h2><p>UArctic&rsquo;s thematic networks offer Ume&aring; University researchers opportunities to engage in international collaboration, develop new research initiatives, and increase the visibility of their work.</p><p>The networks connect researchers globally, with activities and collaborations spanning Arctic regions as well as institutions around the world.</p><p class="quote-center">Participating in a thematic network creates opportunities not only for collaboration, but also for making research more visible and relevant.</p><p>Within the networks, researchers organise workshops and conferences, develop joint publications, run field courses and initiate collaborative research projects across institutions.</p><p>The recent Year in Review initiative also illustrates the growing importance of communicating research activities and outcomes within these networks.</p><p>&ldquo;Participating in a thematic network creates opportunities not only for collaboration, but also for making research more visible and relevant,&rdquo; says Professor Cindy Kohtala. &ldquo;Working together across different contexts, including through bioregional perspectives, helps us better understand and develop the sustainability potential of art and design research and practice.&rdquo;</p><p>Researchers at Ume&aring; University interested in joining a thematic network or learning more about ongoing activities are encouraged to explore UArctic&rsquo;s network structure or contact the Arctic Centre.</p><p>&ldquo;From the perspective of the Arctic Centre, we see great potential for even more researchers at Ume&aring; University to engage in and benefit from these networks,&rdquo; says Simon Oja, Deputy Director, Arctic Centre. &ldquo;Strengthening participation will not only support individual research, but also enhance Ume&aring; University&rsquo;s overall contribution to Arctic knowledge and collaboration.&rdquo;</p>https://www.umu.se/en/news/umea-university-researchers-shaping-arctic-knowledge_12171727/https://www.umu.se/en/news/major-formas-grant-awarded-for-research-on-milk-spoilage_12171754/Assistant Professor Laura Carroll has been awarded 6 million SEK from Formas to further develop bioinformatic tools aimed at improving the understanding and prevention of bacterial contamination in food such as milk. Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:46:58 +0200<div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b60c91c5e056476eb93caac20785a138/laura_carroll3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b60c91c5e056476eb93caac20785a138/laura_carroll3.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b60c91c5e056476eb93caac20785a138/laura_carroll3.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/b60c91c5e056476eb93caac20785a138/laura_carroll3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b60c91c5e056476eb93caac20785a138/laura_carroll3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b60c91c5e056476eb93caac20785a138/laura_carroll3.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Laura Carroll, Assistant Professor at the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Ume&aring; University, receives 6 MSEK for research within diary microbiology.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Ingrid S&ouml;derbergh</span></div></div><p class="quote-center">It feels amazing!</p><h2 id="info0" data-magellan-target="info0">How does it feel to receive the Formas grant?</h2><p>&ldquo;It feels amazing! We applied to Formas last year but were not selected, so receiving the grant this year is especially exciting.&rdquo;</p><p>&ldquo;A large part of my PhD research focused on dairy microbiology, particularly the genomics of spore‑forming microorganisms involved in milk spoilage. That is why I am especially enthusiastic about this project. It gives me the opportunity to return to this research area, but now using novel single‑cell methods developed by our team here at Ume&aring; University.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info1" data-magellan-target="info1">What problem does the project address, and why is milk spoilage such an important area of research?</h2><p>&ldquo;Food waste represents a massive environmental and economic burden. Nearly one third of all food produced globally is affected by food loss or waste, corresponding to estimated global annual economic losses exceeding one trillion US dollars. A significant portion of this is due to microbial spoilage, where microorganisms cause food to deteriorate in terms of taste, smell, or appearance. Dairy products, and milk in particular, are especially susceptible.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info2" data-magellan-target="info2">How will you approach the research in this new project?</h2><p>&ldquo;In this project, we are addressing milk spoilage using a data‑driven precision approach, based on a novel single‑cell metagenomic sequencing method developed by our team. Using this method, we will generate large volumes of genomic data from the microbiome of fluid bovine milk.&rdquo;</p><p>&ldquo;These data will be used to identify biomarkers, such as specific microbial species, strains, or genes, that can predict whether a batch of milk is likely to spoil during or prior to consumer storage. In the longer term, we aim to use these single‑cell‑based biomarkers to develop rapid and cost‑effective tests for the dairy industry.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info3" data-magellan-target="info3">What does &ldquo;maximum resolution&rdquo; mean in practice, and why is single‑cell metagenomics a breakthrough for this field?</h2><p>&ldquo;Previous approaches to studying the microbial flora of bovine milk have primarily relied on so‑called bulk methods, where DNA from all cells &ndash; both microbial and bovine &ndash; is analysed together. This makes it difficult to determine which DNA originates from which organism.&rdquo;</p><p>&ldquo;With single‑cell metagenomics, we can instead link DNA to individual cells, allowing us to study individual bacteria at a level of detail that was previously not possible. By tailoring the method specifically to fluid bovine milk, we can also track how microbial spoilage develops over time at the cellular level and identify early indicators of milk spoilage &ndash; before the product reaches retailers or consumers, when producers still have the opportunity to intervene.&rdquo;</p><h2 id="info4" data-magellan-target="info4">How might the results be used in practice?</h2><p>&ldquo;Our hope is that these methods will eventually serve as decision‑support tools for food producers, for example in determining whether a batch of milk should be released, discarded, or repurposed. They may also contribute to more accurate best‑before dates and to the development of targeted interventions that reduce food waste.&rdquo;</p><div class="mediaflowwrapper bildlink"><div class="bildImage"><picture><source srcset="/contentassets/b60c91c5e056476eb93caac20785a138/kossor2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b60c91c5e056476eb93caac20785a138/kossor2.jpg?format=webp&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b60c91c5e056476eb93caac20785a138/kossor2.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/b60c91c5e056476eb93caac20785a138/kossor2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=640 640w, /contentassets/b60c91c5e056476eb93caac20785a138/kossor2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=854 854w, /contentassets/b60c91c5e056476eb93caac20785a138/kossor2.jpg?mode=crop&amp;width=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 640px, (max-width: 854px) 854px, 1280px"></picture></div><div class="bildText"><p>Approximately 2.8 million tonnes of milk are produced annually in Sweden.</p><span class="bildPhotografer"><span class="photo">Image</span>Robert Harding</span></div></div>https://www.umu.se/en/news/major-formas-grant-awarded-for-research-on-milk-spoilage_12171754/