Keyword: Press release

Researchers from the University of Turku (UTU) in Finland, and veterinarians from the Myanma Timber Enterprise (MTE) in Myanmar have investigated the trends behind Asian elephant calf mortality during the taming period. They found that calves that were younger at the onset of taming and those with less experienced mothers were more likely to die during taming. Calf mortality in taming age was notably higher than that of wild elephants of the same age. The results of the study were published in the esteemed Scientific Reports journal.

According to a study conducted in Finland, the risk of ADHD was 34 percent higher in children whose mother had a vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy than in those children whose mother’s vitamin D level was sufficient during the first and second trimesters. The result was adjusted for maternal age, socioeconomic status and psychiatric history. The study was done in collaboration between researchers from the University of Turku, Finland, and Columbia University, New York.

Researchers at the University of Turku, Turku University Central Hospital, and Western Cancer Center (FICAN West) have discovered a new RNA molecule, PRECSIT, which regulates the growth and invasion of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. In the future, PRECSIT could potentially serve as a new marker for the detection of rapidly advancing or spreading squamous cell carcinoma and as a target for new therapies.

AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) has recognized 25 notable alumni from AACSB-accredited business schools who have created lasting impact in the world. Turku School of Economics at the University of Turku is an accredited member of AACSB.

Infectious disease scientists identified strains of group A streptococcus that are less susceptible to commonly used antibiotics, a sign that the germ causing strep throat and flesh-eating disease may be moving closer to resistance to penicillin and other related antibiotics known as beta-lactams.

The University of Turku has completed an estimate of the University’s carbon footprint. The largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions are properties and travel, especially flights. In addition, the carbon footprint of laboratories and other experimental research was significant.

Finnish research team maps neural activity in response to watching horror movies. A study conducted by the University of Turku shows the top horror movies of the past 100 years, and how they manipulate brain activity. The findings were published in the journal Neuroimage.

The application round to the international degree programmes of the University of Turku ended on 22 January. The University received a record number of applications: 2,008 in total from over a hundred countries, whereas last year the number was 1,376. The number of applicants increased by 52 percent.

The next Ceremonial Conferment of Doctoral Degrees of the University of Turku is organised on 28–29 May 2020. 15 honorary doctors will be conferred in the ceremony. They will receive title of the honorary doctor for their scientific merits, collaboration with the University of Turku, or because their actions have had an impact on society.

Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) has chosen a Finnish appendicitis study as one of the top ten articles that are most important to clinical medicine and public health published in the 2010s. The research shows that for most patients, antibiotics could replace surgical treatment when it comes to uncomplicated acute appendicitis. The research article is the only surgical research on the top ten list. JAMA, published by the American Medical Association, has the world’s widest circulation when it comes to weekly published peer-reviewed high-quality medical publications.