News from 2020

Forests

2020.12.22

Droughts, viruses and road networks: Trends that will impact our forests

A new UCPH study assembled an array of experts to highlight major trends that will impact the world's forests, and the people living around them, in the decade ahead. These trends include drought, viral outbreaks and…

Coronavirus

2020.12.18

COVID-19 exposes and amplifies inequalities for refugees and migrants

The COVID-19 crisis has affected the entire world. A new report from the World Health Organization co-developed by researchers from University of Copenhagen suggests that the pandemic has had exceptionally bleak…

CLIMATE

2020.12.10

Can an abundant green mineral solve our climate crisis? Exploring the power of Olivine

Olivine has an astonishing ability to sequester atmospheric CO2 whenever it is expelled from Earth's depths via tectonic processes. Now, a University of Copenhagen researcher is working to recreate the mineral’s magic i…

Quantum physics

2020.12.09

Major breakthrough: Copenhagen researchers can now achieve 'quantum advantage'

University of Copenhagen researchers have advanced their quantum technology to such a degree that classical computing technology can no longer keep up. They have developed a chip that, with financial backing, could be…

Education

2020.12.08

Researchers: Drop the notion that more hours spent studying guarantees higher educational quality

Several Danish universities have a financial incentive to ensure that their students spend a great amount of time on study-related assignments. But the number of hours spent by students on their studies does not…

Food habits

2020.12.07

New research questions myth of the elderly widower: of course grandpa cooks

The assumption that an elderly widower can hardly boil an egg simply doesn't stand according to a recent University of Copenhagen study. The study reports that male seniors do cook and only blossom in the kitchen once…

algorithms

2020.12.07

The ever-elusive riddle: What's the best way to cut Christmas cookies?

At some point in life, most people have stood over a rolled-out slab of cookie dough and pondered just how to best cut out cookies with as little waste as possible. Now, even math experts have given up on finding a…

Diabetes

2020.12.03

Better diabetes treatment: New insulin molecule can self-regulate blood sugar

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen and biotech firm Gubra have developed a new insulin molecule that will make blood sugar regulation both easier and safer for those with type 1 diabetes.

Diagnosing

2020.12.01

New diagnostic model to help speed up treatment of children with cancer

Researchers at Rigshospitalet and the Department of Anthropology have developed a new diagnostic model that explains the often complex process of diagnosing children with cancer.

Mesopotamian medicine

2020.11.30

New book provides rare insights into a Mesopotamian medical practitioner’s education

2,700 years ago, a man called Kisir-Ashur practiced medicine and magic in the Assyrian city of Assur in present-day Northern Iraq. In a new book, Assyriologist Troels Pank Arbøll traces the healer’s career from early…

Climate

2020.11.26

Satellite images confirm uneven impact of climate change

University of Copenhagen researchers have been following vegetation trends across the planet's driest areas using satellite imagery from recent decades. They have identified a troubling trend: Too little vegetation is…

SAPERE AUDE

2020.11.20

Sapere Aude Grant for research into the connection between religiosity and wealth

Associate Professor Jeanet Sinding Bentzen from the Department of Economics has received the Independent Research Fund Denmark’s Sapere Aude grant for talented research leaders.

MOBILITY

2020.11.19

Researchers put human mobility into new formula

Researchers at DTU and the University of Copenhagen have developed a model that provides new knowledge about how we move around in our everyday life and bridges a gap in the scientific understanding of mobility.

Microbiology

2020.11.19

Bed dust microorganisms may boost children's health

In the most extensive study of its kind, researchers from the University of Copenhagen, in collaboration with the Danish Pediatric Asthma Center at Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, have found a link between microorganisms…

IMPACT

2020.11.18

Behavioural research impacted corona-stricken Rome

Two researchers from the Department of Economics have received a letter of thanks from the Mayor of Rome for their effort saving human lives.

Food science

2020.11.18

The timeless, complimentary taste of oysters and champagne—explained

Matching prices aren’t the only reason oysters and champagne pair so well. According to a study published by the University of Copenhagen today, an uncanny umami synergy makes the combination of yeast-brewed bubbly and…

microbiology

2020.11.13

Skewed gut flora is one cause of asthma among children delivered by C-section

For the first time, it has been shown that asthma in children delivered by caesarean section is linked to an early perturbation in intestinal bacteria. The research, conducted by the Danish Pediatric Asthma Center, the…

EVOLUTION

2020.11.12

Giant study reveals the evolution of birds from dinosaurs to present day

Researchers from University of Copenhagen and partner institutions are in the midst of mapping the genetic material of all birds. Amongst many other things, their data provides an opportunity to investigate which birds…

PLANT BIOLOGY

2020.11.10

From rooftop dweller to vigorous globetrotter: Researchers discover the secret of how moss spreads

University of Copenhagen researchers have discovered how mosses became one of our planet’s most widely distributed plants — global wind systems transport them along Earth’s latitudes, to rooftops, sidewalks and lawns…

Student well-being

2020.11.09

Five recommendations to strengthen student well-being at UCPH

New recommendations, a general definition of student well-being and future projects to promote well-being. These are the results of the think tank that Prorector Bente Merete Stallknecht set up last year.

PLANETS

2020.11.06

Researchers present wild theory: Water may be naturally occurring on all rocky planets

Based on new research, researchers from the University of Copenhagen believe it may emerge in connection with the formation of planets.

artificial intelligence

2020.11.03

New Danish AI tool provides much-needed help to protein scientists across the world

Sorting huge amounts of data is a bottleneck in protein research, a field that is crucial to make use of the gene-editing technology CRISPR and fully understand diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Now,…

artificial intelligence

2020.11.03

Students develop tool to predict the carbon footprint of algorithms

Within the scientific community, it is estimated that artificial intelligence — otherwise meant to serve as a means to effectively combat climate change — will become one of the most egregious CO2 culprits should curren…

Animals

2020.11.02

Ants are skilled farmers: They have solved a problem that we humans have yet to

Ants have been farmers for tens of millions of years and successfully solved a riddle that we humans have yet to. A new study by researchers at the University of Copenhagen reports that ants are pros at cultivating…

Coronavirus

2020.10.30

New COVID-19 Research to Identify the Most Vulnerable Groups and Consequences for Pregnant Women

Research at the University of Copenhagen will investigate which groups are most vulnerable to COVID-19 and which risks pregnant women contracting COVID-19 face.

Statins

2020.10.28

Muscle Pain and Energy-Rich Blood: Cholesterol Medicine Affects the Organs Differently

Contrary to expectation, treatment with statins has a different effect on blood cells than on muscle cells, a new study from the University of Copenhagen reveals. Today, statins are mainly used in the treatment of…

Technology

2020.10.28

Researchers take a stand on algorithm design for job centers: Landing a job isn't always the right goal

Algorithms that assess the risk of citizens becoming unemployed are currently being tested in a number of Danish municipalities. But according to a new study from the University of Copenhagen, gaining employment is not…

3D images

2020.10.26

New method developed by computer scientists provides sharper 3D images of cells

Researchers have found a method to correct a certain type of biological images and make the biologists' work easier.

Food science

2020.10.26

60,000 tons of pig blood could be a new source of sustainable food

University of Copenhagen researchers have pioneered a method to transform pig blood into a neutral tasting protein powder for the food industry. Every year, 60,000 tons of blood are left over from Danish pork production…

Animals

2020.10.26

Surprised researchers: Number of leopards in northern China on the rise

Most of the world’s leopards are endangered and generally, the number of these shy and stunning cats is decreasing. However, according to a recent study by a researcher from University of Copenhagen and colleagues from…

egyptology

2020.10.26

Inks containing lead were likely used as drier on ancient Egyptian papyri

Analysing 12 ancient Egyptian papyri fragments with X-ray microscopy, University of Copenhagen researchers were surprised to find previously unknown lead compounds in both red and black inks and suggest they were used…

Cancer

2020.10.22

Researchers solve long-standing ‘protein paradox’ and suggest way to exploit cancer weakness

Researchers from UCPH have discovered how MCM proteins protect the human cells against DNA instability, which can cause devastating diseases including cancer.

TREES

2020.10.20

Artificial intelligence reveals hundreds of millions of trees in the Sahara

There are far more trees in the West African Sahara and Sahel than most would expect. A combination of artificial intelligence and detailed satellite imagery allowed a team from the University of Copenhagen and…

Fossils

2020.10.15

A deadly long-distance hunter: DNA study reveals new insights about the scimitar-toothed cat

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have mapped the entire nuclear genome of a sabre-toothed cat.

Geology

2020.10.14

Volcanic eruptions may explain Denmark’s giant mystery crystals

Researchers have long been stumped for an explanation of how tens of millions of years-old giant crystals known as glendonites came to be on the Danish islands of Fur and Mors. A recent study from the University of…

Dementia

2020.10.08

Healthy lifestyle cuts the risk of dementia in half

New research shows that a healthy cardiovascular lifestyle almost cuts the risk of age-related dementia in half.

Epilepsy

2020.10.07

Study identifies brain cells most affected by epilepsy and new targets for their treatment

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have identified new potential drug targets for treatment of epilepsy. In the largest single cell dataset for a brain disease published so far, researchers pinpoint the…

Sustainable diet

2020.10.05

Sprat, mollusks and algae: What a diet of the future might look like

Rethinking what we eat is essential if we hope to nourish ourselves sustainably and mind the climate. One option is to seek out alternative food sources from the sea. All the way at the bottom, where algae, cephalopods…

New Prorector

2020.09.30

Professor of social data is appointed Prorector

Professor David Dreyer Lassen will take up a new position as Prorector at the University of Copenhagen on 1 January 2021. He will be in charge of research, innovation and overall relations with foundations and…

CLIMATE

2020.09.25

Study delivers new knowledge about what causes thunderstorms and cloud bursts

Thunderstorms often provoke violent cloud bursts that can result in devastating flooding. But what actually spawns thunderstorms and cloud bursts? This question has spurred a new study by researchers at the University o…

Quantum physics

2020.09.23

Tomorrow’s pharmaceuticals could be discovered by quantum simulators

Trial and error define today’s approach to developing new pharmaceutical drugs. But with their enormous computing power, quantum computers are expected to solve important and complex problems in medicine, biology and…

Chemistry

2020.09.23

Chemist uses CO2 to convert seawater into drinking water

A University of Copenhagen chemist has invented a cutting-edge green technology that uses CO2 to convert seawater into drinking water — within minutes. The plan is to use the desalination technology to replace…

Coronavirus

2020.09.22

Coronavirus Uses Heparan Sulfate to Get Inside Cells

New research from the University of California and the University of Copenhagen into COVID-19 redefines the known mechanism of infection of human cells.

Human ancestors

2020.09.17

Did our early ancestors boil their food in hot springs?

Scientists have found evidence of hot springs near sites where ancient hominids settled, long before the control of fire. The proximity of the hot springs indicates to the researchers that early humans could have used…

Diabetes

2020.09.17

The Hormone Glucagon May be a Warning Light for Diabetes

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen are introducing a new biological concept in the fight against diabetes: glucagon resistance. Glucagon resistance or decreased sensitivity to the hormone glucagon increases…

Vikings

2020.09.16

Blonde Scandinavians or well-travelled Southern Europeans? New research busts myths about Vikings

New research from the University of Copenhagen show that Viking genomes contain lots of genes from Southern and Eastern Europe, which also implies that they had dark rather than blond hair.

Bacteria

2020.09.15

Tiny protein motor fuels bacterial movement

The ability to move is key for bacteria like some strains of salmonella and E. coli to efficiently spread infections. They can propel themselves forward using threads, known as flagella, powered by the flagellar rotary…

Precision medicine

2020.09.15

Biomarker reveals how aggressive biliary tract cancer is in patients

PRECISION MEDICINE Researchers from University of Copenhagen and Herlev and Gentofte Hospital have discovered a biomarker that might predict the course of the disease in patients with biliary tract cancer (BTC).

Norms & Behavior

2020.09.14

Uncertain expectations beget stinginess and selfishness

The less we know about what is expected of us in a given situation, the more likely we are to act upon self-interest alone. According to the UCPH researcher behind the new study, this applies both to our degree of…

Wildlife

2020.09.10

The surprising rhythms of Leopards: Females are early birds, males are nocturnal

After 10 months of camera surveillance in the Tanzanian rainforest, researchers from the University of Copenhagen have become the first to conclude that female and male leopards are active at very different times of the…