News archive 2016
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05.12.2016
A new dead zone in the Indian Ocean could impact future marine nutrient balance
Population density and global warming may drain the last oxygen out of Bay of Bengal
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01.12.2016
Renaissance astronomer Tycho Brahe was full of gold
Chemical analyses of Tycho Brahe’s exhumed remains have revealed that the world-renowned astronomer was regularly exposed to large quantities of gold until shortly before his death.
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10.11.2016
Finally, the 10 billion-year mathematical brain teaser has been solved
If there were no computers, this task would have required 10 billion years of a mathematician’s waking time. Luckily, however, there is a supercomputer at SDU and the task is therefore solved. The results have significance for our confidence in all the large and small electronic devices which control our everyday lives.
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03.11.2016
Mice sing like a jet engine
Even though mice have been so intensely studied, they still have some cool tricks up their sleeves
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27.10.2016
Concern that radiation may contribute to development of Alzheimer’s
More humans than ever are exposed to higher levels of ionizing radiation from medical equipment, airplanes, etc. A new study suggests that this kind of radiation may be a cofounding factor in the neurodegenerative disease Alzheimer´s.
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13.10.2016
Beacon project: Open Data Exploration
Before the summer, SDU established the beacon project Open Data Exploration (ODEx). Together with two other beacon projects, Drones and Welfare Innovation, ODEx represents a strategic effort from SDU in engaging with society.
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19.09.2016
Ageing: Computer simulation finds dangerous molecule activity
All human organisms are attacked by free radicals – they destroy our cells, and over time they contribute to us ageing. Now, researchers have found out how a particularly dangerous type of free radicals is formed, and it may lead to a better understanding of ageing.
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16.09.2016
Small bug, large impact: A new key player in the marine nitrogen cycle
A study published in Nature Microbiology shows for the first time that a small nitrogen-fixing symbiosis contributes extensively to the total nitrogen fixation in the tropical North Atlantic. Nitrogen fixation is the largest source of nitrogen to the open ocean, and this symbiosis is thus a key player in the marine nitrogen cycle.
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30.08.2016
Towards better treatment of cystitis
Every year, millions of people are treated for cystitis, but despite its prevalence, the disease is still a scientific mystery. Now a research team has succeeded in identifying how the bacteria responsible for the disease cause the disease to develop. This is a cause for optimism that more effective treatment methods can be developed.
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12.08.2016
Researchers have developed a new class of artificial proteins
In the highly respected journal, Nature Communications, a team of Danish researchers reports that they have developed a new class of artificial proteins. In the long term, the results could lead to better treatment of cancer and diabetes.
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06.07.2016
After decades of clean up attempts, world’s lakes still suffer from phosphorus pollution
Leading scientists warn: Phosphorus pollution is a major concern. We need to speed up recovery treatments of lakes – or accept poor freshwater quality. In a series of studies published in a special issue of the journal Water Research, leading scientists assess how to control phosphorus pollution in lakes.
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30.06.2016
What does the sperm whale say?
When a team of researchers began listening in on seven sperm whales in the waters off the Azores, they discovered that the whales’ characteristic tapping sounds serve as a form of individual communication. But what are they actually saying?
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06.06.2016
Abacus in new clothes at National Supercomputing Day at SDU
Abacus 2.0 got its glad rags on for the HPC event at SDU. The first National Supercomputing Day held on May also featured entertaining speeches and professional workshops.
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03.06.2016
Microbiology books for kids: Meet Geo and the other microbes
Mon Oo Yee is not only a PhD student at NordCEE, she is also an illustrator of children’s books about microbiology
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18.05.2016
Research seals Oscar and Nino have moved into SDU's new marine research facility
Studying marine mammals in captivity is only possible in a few places in the world. With a new research facility, SDU now positions itself as one of the world's leading institutions conducting marine mammal research.
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09.05.2016
The tireless potato hunter
On one of her numerous field trips in Peru, Maria Baden found a shy and stunningly beautiful wild potato plant. Now it has been named after her and bears the name Solanum mariae.
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14.03.2016
SDU researchers present a new model for what dark matter might be
There are indications that we might never see the universe's mysterious dark matter. Now SDU researchers turn this somehow depressing scenario into an advantage and propose a new model for what dark matter might be - and how to test it.
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11.03.2016
Now researchers can follow the hectic life inside a cell
Living cells are constantly on the move. They move around and divide, and they are responsible for transporting molecules around inside themselves. Now SDU researchers have developed a method that makes it possible to become a spectator at this hectic traffic. The method is of particular importance for disease research.
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04.03.2016
Liposomes cannot penetrate the skin
SDU researchers show once and for all that liposomes cannot function as carriers transporting active agents into the skin
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22.02.2016
Researchers predict high death rates from unnatural causes for male lions in Cecil the Lion’s park
When Cecil the Lion was killed last year by a trophy hunter in Zimbabwe, it caused an international outcry. Now researchers from the Universities of Southern Denmark and Oxford have calculated that many more males from the same park are likely to die in conflicts with humans.
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09.02.2016
New material lights up when detecting explosives
Scientists have created a material which turns fluorescent if there are molecules from explosives in the vicinity. The discovery could improve e.g. airport security - and also it gives us an insight into a rather chaotic micro-world where molecules and atoms constantly are responding to their surroundings.
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25.01.2016
Harnessing the oxidising power of air
Researchers report the catalysis of a highly specific chemical reaction where oxygen from the air is one ingredient and the other, an organic molecule, is selectively "oxidised". A simple manganese compound catalyses this reaction. This type of methodology is an important step for the discovery of new catalysts for e.g. conversion of methane into methanol or greener chemical processes for pharmaceutical production.
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21.01.2016
New project aims to give us more reliable DNA analysis
Associate Professor Kira Astakhova, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, receives 7 million DKK from Villum Foundation's Young Investigator Programme.
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21.01.2016
New research project to learn about life from big data
Associate Professor Jan Baumbach, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, has received 6,400,000 DKK for Villum Foundation's Young Investigator Programme.
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20.01.2016
Newly discovered photosynthetic bacteria is surprisingly abundant
A bacterium found in the remote Gobi Desert has shown talents for using the sun's light as energy, and now researchers reveal that it can be found in surprisingly many different places, including water treatment plants. The bacterium may become a valuable partner for researchers working with environmentally friendly biofuels.
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11.01.2016
Researchers film beautiful flower formations inside artificial cell membranes
Every day all over the world, researchers work with artificial cell membranes. Despite the fact that they are so widely used, they still hold secrets. Now SDU researchers reveal how beautiful flower formations bloom and wither inside artificial cell membranes.
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04.01.2016
Enough oxygen long before animals rose
Oxygen is crucial for the existence of animals on Earth. But, an increase in oxygen did not apparently lead to the rise of the first animals. New research shows that 1.4 billion years ago there was enough oxygen for animals - and yet over 800 million years went by before the first animals appeared on Earth.
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01.01.0001
Tens of thousands of new tricks for existing drugs – Which drugs can we use for different diseases than initially intended for?
Thousands of drugs have the potential to be effective against other diseases than they were developed for. New scientific work points to ca. 30.000 such cases. One is currently used to treat schizophrenia but holds great potential for treating tuberculosis as well.