Science & EngineeringTue, 09 Dec 2025 11:00:07 +0000Science & EngineeringThree 51ؿ researchers awarded major EU grant/article/three-lund-university-researchers-awarded-major-eu-grantTue, 09 Dec 2025 11:00:07 +0000/article/three-lund-university-researchers-awarded-major-eu-grantThe evolution of eyesight, how not to disrupt animal flight, and immunotherapies in cancer treatment. Biologists Michael Bok and Cecilia Nilsson, along with medical researcher Paul Bourgine, have been awarded the prestigious ERC Consolidator Grant to further study these topics.Conference on breaking barriers to climate solutions/article/conference-breaking-barriers-climate-solutionsFri, 05 Dec 2025 15:35:38 +0000/article/conference-breaking-barriers-climate-solutionsClimate solutions exist – so why isn’t more happening? On 9 December, researchers from University of Cambridge and 51ؿ will gather in Lund and online to try to find answers to how we can accelerate the climate transition.New study challenges the idea of humans as innately nature-loving/article/new-study-challenges-idea-humans-innately-nature-lovingThu, 04 Dec 2025 10:35:14 +0000/article/new-study-challenges-idea-humans-innately-nature-lovingNature is a source of well-being and recovery for many people. However, research shows that there is also a growing number of individuals who experience negative emotions, such as fear, discomfort, or even disgust, toward nature. The phenomenon, called biophobia, is now highlighted in a new study from 51ؿ.New guide on making the biggest climate difference /article/new-guide-making-biggest-climate-differenceMon, 01 Dec 2025 20:04:37 +0000/article/new-guide-making-biggest-climate-differenceA new interactive guide identifies the most effective actions you can take for the climate. The interest has been so great that the server hosting the guide crashed temporarily. Decision on new grain stuck in the EU’s regulatory system /article/decision-new-grain-stuck-eus-regulatory-systemMon, 01 Dec 2025 09:03:11 +0000/article/decision-new-grain-stuck-eus-regulatory-systemThe EU’s approval process for a novel perennial, eco-friendly grain with the potential to fundamentally change Europe’s agriculture has dragged on for more than six years. This delay, according to researchers at 51ؿ, is due to an outdated regulatory system. How to make the EU more digitally independent /article/how-make-eu-more-digitally-independentThu, 27 Nov 2025 14:23:38 +0000/article/how-make-eu-more-digitally-independentUnless Sweden and the EU strengthen their digital autonomy, there is a risk of catastrophic consequences. That is the conclusion of 51ؿ researcher in computer science, Johan Linåker, who considers that we must begin to think about control and maintenance of digital infrastructure in the same way as critical physical infrastructure such as seaports, airports, roads, and water and power networks.Old air samples hint at effects of climate change /article/old-air-samples-hint-effects-climate-changeWed, 26 Nov 2025 10:03:42 +0000/article/old-air-samples-hint-effects-climate-changeThrough the DNA analysis of old air samples collected by the Swedish Armed Forces, researchers at 51ؿ in Sweden can show that spore dispersal of northern mosses has shifted over the past 35 years. It now starts several weeks earlier, revealing how quickly nature’s calendar can reset in line with a warmer climate.New research: The lifespan of the Öresund Bridge can be doubled /article/new-research-lifespan-oresund-bridge-can-be-doubledTue, 25 Nov 2025 15:31:36 +0000/article/new-research-lifespan-oresund-bridge-can-be-doubledResearchers at 51ؿ have developed a new framework that can lead to the Öresund Link, thanks to the right maintenance at the right time and smart monitoring, having a total lifespan of 200 years. This is twice as long as envisaged when the bridge was inaugurated 25 years ago.Dog diversity is thousands of years older than we thought/article/dog-diversity-thousands-years-older-we-thoughtWed, 19 Nov 2025 11:56:36 +0000/article/dog-diversity-thousands-years-older-we-thoughtWe tend to attribute today's zoological menagerie of dog breeds to Victorian gentlemen with a penchant for selective breeding. The truth, however, goes back much further. An international study shows that the rich morphological variety among dogs began to take off 11,000 years ago – long before nineteenth century kennel clubs.Alfa Laval and 51ؿ strengthen strategic partnership/article/alfa-laval-and-lund-university-strengthen-strategic-partnershipWed, 12 Nov 2025 11:40:11 +0000/article/alfa-laval-and-lund-university-strengthen-strategic-partnershipAlfa Laval and 51ؿ have formalized a new strategic partnership to strengthen collaboration, drive innovation, and address complex global challenges. At the same time, ground breaks for Alfa Lavals upcoming innovation center – a center that will drive the energy transition through, among other things, the development of heat transfer technology and fuel cells.Researcher challenges myth that plant-based food is safer /article/researcher-challenges-myth-plant-based-food-saferThu, 06 Nov 2025 08:51:09 +0000/article/researcher-challenges-myth-plant-based-food-saferCurrent knowledge of food safety is based on traditional foods that include animal products. Corresponding knowledge of plant-based foods lags behind. “There is a naive belief that plant-based food is safer than animal-based food. Unfortunately, this is not the case,” says Jenny Schelin, a researcher on food safety at 51ؿ in Sweden. Warmer Nordic springs double the incidence of avian malaria/article/warmer-nordic-springs-double-incidence-avian-malariaThu, 23 Oct 2025 10:13:11 +0000/article/warmer-nordic-springs-double-incidence-avian-malariaA unique long-term study, in which biological samples were collected from the same population of blue tits over a 30-year period, shows that rising spring temperatures have doubled the incidence of avian malaria in southern Sweden.A new eye on the universe opens in Chile/article/new-eye-universe-opens-chileTue, 21 Oct 2025 13:55:58 +0000/article/new-eye-universe-opens-chileA new instrument on the four-metre VISTA telescope at the European Southern Observatory in Chile has recently captured its first starlight. This marks the beginning of a new era in astronomy, as researchers prepare to map the sky in unprecedented detail.New study reveals the innermost secrets of spaghetti/article/new-study-reveals-innermost-secrets-spaghettiFri, 17 Oct 2025 07:45:32 +0000/article/new-study-reveals-innermost-secrets-spaghettiWhat keeps spaghetti from disintegrating in boiling water? The answer, according to new research, is gluten. The amount of salt in the water also has an unexpected significance.Researchers take a step towards improved antibody therapy/article/researchers-take-step-towards-improved-antibody-therapyTue, 14 Oct 2025 12:39:25 +0000/article/researchers-take-step-towards-improved-antibody-therapyAntibody-based drugs often become too thick to be injected at high concentrations. Now, new research can explain why this happens—knowledge that could eventually lead to easily injectable medications.The hidden highways of the sky mapped/article/hidden-highways-sky-mappedTue, 07 Oct 2025 13:55:16 +0000/article/hidden-highways-sky-mappedHigh above us, the atmosphere is teeming with life. Birds, bats and insects share the airspace, but divide it into different lanes of traffic. New research from 51ؿ in Sweden reveals how the atmosphere is an ecosystem, with complex ecological processes that affect how animals move between different altitude levels. Secondary forests could be a key factor in climate management – if we protect them in time/article/secondary-forests-could-be-key-factor-climate-management-if-we-protect-them-timeFri, 26 Sep 2025 09:37:16 +0000/article/secondary-forests-could-be-key-factor-climate-management-if-we-protect-them-timeBy analysing over 100,000 field measurements as well as environmental data, an international research team has created maps that show how and when naturally regrowing forests bind most carbon. Solar fuel conundrum nears a solution/article/solar-fuel-conundrum-nears-solutionTue, 23 Sep 2025 09:24:54 +0000/article/solar-fuel-conundrum-nears-solutionSolar energy stored in the form of fuel is something scientists hope could partially replace fossil fuels in the future. Researchers at 51ؿ in Sweden may have solved a long-standing problem that has hindered the development of sustainable solar fuels. If solar energy can be used more efficiently using iron-based systems, this could pave the way for cheaper solar fuels.Hostile hoots make robins eat less at night/article/hostile-hoots-make-robins-eat-less-nightMon, 22 Sep 2025 13:29:40 +0000/article/hostile-hoots-make-robins-eat-less-nightThe sound of tawny owls makes young European robins eat less during their southward migration. A new study from 51ؿ in Sweden shows how the threat from nocturnal predators affects the birds’ behaviour – and by extension their survival.Scientists solve astronomical riddle/article/scientists-solve-astronomical-riddleThu, 18 Sep 2025 10:48:18 +0000/article/scientists-solve-astronomical-riddlePacked tightly together like twinkling stellar beehives, these globular clusters are made up of hundreds of thousands of stars. Now, for the first time, a team of scientists can reveal how the ancient and mysterious star systems actually form.The road to a self-driving future/article/road-self-driving-futureWed, 17 Sep 2025 10:32:34 +0000/article/road-self-driving-futureWhat happens when we get out of the driver's seat and our vehicles become autonomous? Mathematician Viktor Larsson is developing methods to enable cars and drones to see their surroundings. This is his insight into the self-driving present and future.Innovative ideas and pioneering solutions from 51ؿ celebrated/article/innovative-ideas-and-pioneering-solutions-lund-university-celebratedWed, 10 Sep 2025 13:37:04 +0000/article/innovative-ideas-and-pioneering-solutions-lund-university-celebratedAn innovative IVF test and a methane detector – these are some of the future innovation stars developed at 51ؿ. Researchers pinpoint exact pace that helps nightingales on long journey/article/researchers-pinpoint-exact-pace-helps-nightingales-long-journeyFri, 05 Sep 2025 09:58:33 +0000/article/researchers-pinpoint-exact-pace-helps-nightingales-long-journeyA new study from 51ؿ in Sweden shows that migratory birds fly at peak efficiency at a medium pace – precisely the speed they use during their long journeys across the continents.Surprise discovery leads to treatment for common infection /article/surprise-discovery-leads-treatment-common-infectionThu, 04 Sep 2025 13:18:45 +0000/article/surprise-discovery-leads-treatment-common-infectionEach year, one in four women suffers from bacterial vaginosis, something that is currently treated with antibiotics. However, recently a gentler, antibiotic-free alternative has been authorised for sale in the EU. The chance discovery behind the innovation was made by a group of researchers from 51ؿ in Sweden. Ancient giant marine reptile relied on stealth while hunting in darkness/article/ancient-giant-marine-reptile-relied-stealth-while-hunting-darknessWed, 16 Jul 2025 17:39:52 +0000/article/ancient-giant-marine-reptile-relied-stealth-while-hunting-darknessInvestigation of a metre-long front flipper, uniquely preserved with fossilized soft tissues, has revealed that the giant ichthyosaur Temnodontosaurus was equipped with flow control devices that likely served to suppress self-generated noise when foraging in dimly lit pelagic environments about 183 million years ago. Thus, this visually guided megapredator relied on underwater stealth—or ‘silent swimming’—while hunting under the cover of darkness, much like owls on land today.Two researchers receive ERC Proof of Concept grants/article/two-researchers-receive-erc-proof-concept-grantsMon, 14 Jul 2025 10:00:06 +0000/article/two-researchers-receive-erc-proof-concept-grantsCarmelo D’Agostino, a researcher in traffic safety and behaviour, and stem cell researcher Paul Bourgine receive ERC Proof of Concept grants for their research into developing a new method for traffic safety assessments and finding new accurate models for testing immunotherapies in cancer treatment.SEK 30 million awarded for research on ultrashort laser pulses and quantum mechanics/article/sek-30-million-awarded-research-ultrashort-laser-pulses-and-quantum-mechanicsWed, 02 Jul 2025 08:56:29 +0000/article/sek-30-million-awarded-research-ultrashort-laser-pulses-and-quantum-mechanicsAnne-Lise Viotti and Armin Tavakoli will each receive SEK 15 million grants as part of the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research’s investment in Future Research Leaders.Moths use stars and Earth’s magnetic field as a compass/article/moths-use-stars-and-earths-magnetic-field-compassThu, 19 Jun 2025 06:54:40 +0000/article/moths-use-stars-and-earths-magnetic-field-compassA groundbreaking study from 51ؿ in Sweden shows that the Australian Bogong moth uses the stars and the Milky Way as a compass during its annual 1,000-kilometre journey to cool inland caves. It also reveals that the Earth’s magnetic field plays an important role in the enigmatic moth’s navigation.New lithium mines could cut EU imports by half/article/new-lithium-mines-could-cut-eu-imports-halfFri, 13 Jun 2025 07:17:07 +0000/article/new-lithium-mines-could-cut-eu-imports-halfThe most important mineral in today's electric car batteries is lithium. China completely dominates the market, with no extraction taking place in Europe. However, a new study shows that there is great potential for European lithium production, which would bring improvements in competitiveness, the climate and security. The study also points out that there are complex international trade dependencies that affect supply and demand.Nocturnal pollinators just as important as their daytime colleagues/article/nocturnal-pollinators-just-important-their-daytime-colleaguesThu, 22 May 2025 11:57:24 +0000/article/nocturnal-pollinators-just-important-their-daytime-colleaguesFor over 60 years, scientists have tried to determine whether plants are pollinated primarily during the day or at night — without reaching a clear conclusion. Now, a major research review from 51ؿ in Sweden has revealed that nighttime pollinators play just as significant a role as daytime species in 90 percent of the cases studied.Unicellular green algae may carry giant virus DNA in their genome/article/unicellular-green-algae-may-carry-giant-virus-dna-their-genomeWed, 07 May 2025 14:22:22 +0000/article/unicellular-green-algae-may-carry-giant-virus-dna-their-genomeHumans and animals are not the only ones affected by viruses. Unicellular organisms can also be attacked. In a new study, scientists establish that green algae can carry latent giant virus DNA in their genome.Living on air: Scientists enlist Arctic bacteria to fight climate change/article/living-air-scientists-enlist-arctic-bacteria-fight-climate-changeThu, 24 Apr 2025 13:53:36 +0000/article/living-air-scientists-enlist-arctic-bacteria-fight-climate-changeWhat if we could fight climate change using bacteria that live on air? That’s the vision behind a newly funded international research project led by scientists from 51ؿ, the University of Tromsø, and Harvard Medical School. With support from the prestigious Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP), the team aims to explore how an Arctic microbe that can feed exclusively on methane could become a powerful tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.How animal life exploded on Earth /article/how-animal-life-exploded-earthWed, 09 Apr 2025 10:51:28 +0000/article/how-animal-life-exploded-earthAbout 540 million years ago, our planet suddenly erupted with life, filling our oceans with a diversity of complex life. This is known as the Cambrian explosion, and for a long time scientists agreed it was triggered by a rise in oxygen levels in the atmosphere. But new research from Emma Hammarlund at 51ؿ is turning the tables completely on what scientists thought they knew to be true – for decades. How did Hammarlund end up going down an entirely different path?Reptiles are brightest in open habitats /article/reptiles-are-brightest-open-habitatsMon, 07 Apr 2025 10:17:47 +0000/article/reptiles-are-brightest-open-habitatsReptiles living in open habitats generally have brighter colouration than species living in denser vegetation. This is shown in a new study from 51ؿ in Sweden. The results suggest that changes in habitat and climate over millions of years have prompted animals to adapt their colouration in order to survive.Migrating roach have sharper eyesight /article/migrating-roach-have-sharper-eyesightThu, 03 Apr 2025 08:19:48 +0000/article/migrating-roach-have-sharper-eyesightRoach that migrate between different lakes and water courses have larger pupils and better eyesight than roach that stay in one place. The adaptation makes it easier for the red-eyed freshwater migrants to find food in murky waters. This is shown in a large study from 51ؿ in Sweden.Surprising number of environmental pollutants in hedgehogs/article/surprising-number-environmental-pollutants-hedgehogsTue, 01 Apr 2025 08:25:02 +0000/article/surprising-number-environmental-pollutants-hedgehogsLead, pesticides, brominated flame retardants, plastic additives, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and heavy metals. This is what researchers at 51ؿ in Sweden found when they collected dead hedgehogs to investigate the environmental pollutants found in urban environments. Lakes worldwide are changing colour – possibly due to human impact /article/lakes-worldwide-are-changing-colour-possibly-due-human-impactFri, 14 Mar 2025 15:16:18 +0000/article/lakes-worldwide-are-changing-colour-possibly-due-human-impactOver the last 40 years, the majority of the world’s lakes have changed colour, according to a new study. The research team analysed 32 million satellite observations from over 67,000 lakes. Major changes in the lake ecosystems are thought to be the cause.Titanium and mysterious jet streams discovered on extreme exoplanet /article/titanium-and-mysterious-jet-streams-discovered-extreme-exoplanetThu, 27 Feb 2025 12:07:50 +0000/article/titanium-and-mysterious-jet-streams-discovered-extreme-exoplanetUsing the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope in Chile, astronomers have made detailed observations of the mysterious exoplanet WASP-121 b. The discoveries of the element titanium and jet streams challenge our understanding of the winds and chemistry found on ultrahot planets.SEK 420 million to cancer research at 51ؿ/article/sek-420-million-cancer-research-lund-universityWed, 26 Feb 2025 07:31:17 +0000/article/sek-420-million-cancer-research-lund-universityThe Mrs Berta Kamprad Foundation is donating SEK 420 million to cancer research at 51ؿ. This is the largest donation to the university since its foundation in 1666.Quantum state of photoelectrons measured for the first time/article/quantum-state-photoelectrons-measured-first-timeThu, 13 Feb 2025 09:20:35 +0000/article/quantum-state-photoelectrons-measured-first-timeFor the first time, researchers have been able to measure the quantum state of electrons ejected from atoms that have absorbed high-energy light pulses. This is thanks to a new measurement technique developed by researchers at 51ؿ in Sweden. The results can provide a better understanding of the interaction between light and matter.Soft tissue from a 183 Million-Year-Old Jurassic Plesiosaur analysed/article/soft-tissue-183-million-year-old-jurassic-plesiosaur-analysedFri, 07 Feb 2025 12:18:20 +0000/article/soft-tissue-183-million-year-old-jurassic-plesiosaur-analysedResearchers at 51ؿ in Sweden have analysed the soft tissue from a fossilized plesiosaur for the first time. The results show that the long-necked marine reptile had both smooth and scaly skin. This was likely so it could both swim rapidly and move along rough seabeds.Key takeaways from the latest research into gut bacteria/article/key-takeaways-latest-research-gut-bacteriaFri, 31 Jan 2025 15:21:33 +0000/article/key-takeaways-latest-research-gut-bacteriaFermenting seaweed could boost consumption/article/fermenting-seaweed-could-boost-consumptionMon, 20 Jan 2025 11:47:46 +0000/article/fermenting-seaweed-could-boost-consumptionFermented seaweed? Those who have tried it think it is much tastier than it sounds, and researchers at 51ؿ in Sweden are now hoping that acidified seaweed, rather than today’s dried version, will signify a major breakthrough for seaweed as a food source. Here’s how easily you can catch COVID-19 through the air/article/heres-how-easily-you-can-catch-covid-19-through-airFri, 17 Jan 2025 13:16:14 +0000/article/heres-how-easily-you-can-catch-covid-19-through-airThe virus winter season has struck – and COVID-19 is still part of everyday life. However, unlike during the pandemic, we now know more about how it spreads through the air we breathe. Research from 51ؿ in Sweden shows that it only takes a few minutes in the same room as an infected person to catch the virus.Virgin birth - beyond the biblical legend/article/virgin-birth-beyond-biblical-legendFri, 20 Dec 2024 12:42:29 +0000/article/virgin-birth-beyond-biblical-legendNow that Christmas is just around the corner, thoughts inevitably turn to an expectant Mary in the stable. However, she is not alone in the sphere of life-giving without the involvement of both sexes. In the animal kingdom, there are many species that engage in immaculate conception.Climate change plans include unrealistic land demands: an area larger than the US/article/climate-change-plans-include-unrealistic-land-demands-area-larger-usWed, 11 Dec 2024 15:26:44 +0000/article/climate-change-plans-include-unrealistic-land-demands-area-larger-usFor the first time, an international team of scientists have calculated the total land area that the countries of the world have included in their individual plans for climate action, known as nationally determined contributions. The results show a big divide between the countries' expected land use and the actual potential of land to mitigate climate change.Five 51ؿ researchers to receive ERC Consolidator Grants/article/five-lund-university-researchers-receive-erc-consolidator-grantsTue, 03 Dec 2024 10:55:56 +0000/article/five-lund-university-researchers-receive-erc-consolidator-grantsPer Augustsson, Enrico Ronchi, Mikkel Brydegaard, Andreas Nord and Yafa Shanneik have each been awarded the prestigious ERC Consolidator Grant. New GPS system for microorganisms could revolutionise police work/article/new-gps-system-microorganisms-could-revolutionise-police-workThu, 07 Nov 2024 11:12:22 +0000/article/new-gps-system-microorganisms-could-revolutionise-police-workA research team led by 51ؿ in Sweden has developed an AI tool that traces back the most recent places you have been to. The tool acts like a satellite navigation system, but instead of guiding you to your hotel, it identifies the geographical source of microorganisms. This means you can use bacteria to determine whether someone has just been to the beach, got off the train in the city centre or taken a walk in the woods. This opens up new possibilities within medicine, epidemiology and forensics.Successful experiment paves the way for new element/article/successful-experiment-paves-way-new-elementThu, 24 Oct 2024 10:39:50 +0000/article/successful-experiment-paves-way-new-elementScientists have found an alternative way to produce atoms of the superheavy element livermorium. The new method opens up the possibility of creating another element that could be the heaviest in the world so far: number 120.Three Lund researchers awarded Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation grants/article/three-lund-researchers-awarded-knut-and-alice-wallenberg-foundation-grantsThu, 17 Oct 2024 09:22:23 +0000/article/three-lund-researchers-awarded-knut-and-alice-wallenberg-foundation-grantsThree researchers from 51ؿ in Sweden have been awarded grants by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation totalling SEK 87 million for research on the semiconductors for the future, our immunological memory and next-generation immunotherapies.Extinct brittle stars named after death metal bands/article/extinct-brittle-stars-named-after-death-metal-bandsMon, 14 Oct 2024 12:51:28 +0000/article/extinct-brittle-stars-named-after-death-metal-bandsResearchers at 51ؿ in Sweden have discovered thirteen new species of extinct brittle stars on the island of Gotland, Sweden. The fossils were dug out of rocks from the Silurian Period (around 444 to 419 million years ago). The species have now been named after several famous hard rock musicians and bands.