Tag: natural sciences

Two myths about bacteria you should put away

Bacterial cells are not necessarily as small as you might expect. We are now slightly closer to understanding how big bacterial cells can exist.

Cone snails: the complex killers

A very curios hunting techniques that plays on the prey's sex drive makes this little tropical snail a sneaky killer

The great retreat: Climate change is pushing the muskox back north -can they keep up?

40 years of data show that climate change in the Arctic is forcing muskoxen to find new habitats. And it is not alone - other species must do the same

When poison takes flight: these birds might kill you – if you eat them

Snakes, mushrooms, frogs and some plants – but not birds, right? Well actually yes: here is what we know about the poisonous chirpers.

Gps-signal, fridge and gardening: The many weird features of animal venom

What does the shrew, the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, and the Tawny Crazy Ant all have in common? They use venom in weird and unique ways.

How are galaxies formed?

Astrophysicist Peter Laursen takes you on a step-by-step journey through galaxy formation – from primordial collapse to the formation of spiral arms.

What is a galaxy?

What are they made of and how many different types are there? Astrophysicist Peter Laursen explains.

Who came first, sponges or comb jellies?

A Danish biologist has gone through more than 1,000 articles in an attempt to find morphological characters, which could help to settle the debate about which of the two groups forms the most basal branch on the evolutionary tree of the animal kingdom.

Is the Danish west coast disappearing?

COMMENT: Is climate change causing people’s houses to fall into the water? The answer, as it turns out, is not that straight-forward.

After four billion years, the code of life has begun to shrink

The genetic code is billions of years old and contains the recipe for all life. Now scientists have managed to change it.

Mathematical models can predict animals’ risk of extinction

It’s not easy to predict whether a species will die out. However, scientists from Syddansk Universitet are on the case using statistics to save endangered animals.

Wolves, but no dogs, in Scandinavian wolf population’s heritage

There is no evidence that Scandinavia’s wolf population has been influenced by dog-wolf hybrids, new research shows.

Why we need a modern origin story today

Big history is the story about how the world came to be as it is. Now, as we need to manage the entire planet, we need to know an origin story more than ever.

We desperately need to store more carbon – seagrass could be the answer

Seagrass plants have an excellent capacity for taking up and storing carbon in the oxygen-depleted seabed, where it decomposes much slower than on land. This oxygen-free sediment traps the carbon in the dead plant material which may then remain buried for hundreds of years.

Should we say farewell to the Arctic's unique nature?

A warmer Arctic could lead to major changes in Arctic plant communities that will influence local and perhaps even global climate.

Explore 200 years of climate change in Denmark, Greenland, and the Faeroes

DATA: Each year DMI updates their historical collection of climate data, which is available to download free. Here are some of the highlights.

Erectile dysfunction? Physical activity could be the solution

Aerobic exercise can reactivate the penile tissue and, in many cases, improve the erectile function in men with lifestyle diseases, according to a new Danish study.

The Arctic: we don’t know as much about environmental change in the far north as we'd like to think

The region is warming faster than anywhere else on Earth and its polar bears and melting glaciers have become a key symbols of climate change. But the Arctic, it seems, is not as well researched as you might think.

Slow motion bats are the secret to next generation drones

Swedish researchers are studying how bats manoeuvre to create next-generation drones.

Scientists reveal a new permafrost gas mystery

You might have heard that the Arctic permafrost may burp up large amounts of the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide and methane upon thawing. But did you know that hundreds of other climate-relevant gases might also be released?

Will we ever see a black hole?

In the shadowy regions of black holes two fundamental theories describing our world collide. Can these problems be resolved and do black holes really exist? First, we may have to see one and scientists are trying to do just this.

An open letter to Danish universities: Let us show the way towards a more ambitious climate agenda

The letter is signed by more than 650 academics from a number of research fields in Denmark. They are calling for universities to lead by example, and implement climate friendly policies in the workplace in the hope of inspiring change in other sectors.

Ireland becomes western most site of world's largest radio telescope

Birr Castle in Ireland was a centre for astronomical research 170 years ago, and the story continues with the construction of the I LOFAR telescope.

Why the world should remember this forgotten Danish physicist

The little-known physicist Ludvig Lorenz ought to be better known, for he truly stands alongside the great figures in international science.

How the Greenland ice sheet fared in 2018

It's time for the Greenland ice sheet's annual health report, brought to you by scientists from the Danish Meteorological Institute and Polar Portal.

The Big Bang – an eyewitness account

What did the Big Bang actually look like? Join astrophysicist Peter Laursen and his travel companion ‘Alice’ as they explore the beginnings of the Universe.

Seagrass meadows: an underwater time capsule for archaeology

…by providing a protective matt above exceptional archaeological treasures.

Stephen Hawking: Master of the Multiverse

The multiverse challenges science as we know it, and Hawking wasn’t pleased with it. But our journey to the edges of time has since reshaped our vision of the cosmos, and ourselves.

How kite skiing and weighing snow helps improve projections of sea level rise

For the past two years, scientists from the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland have skied across the Greenland ice sheet to see how much snow is accumulating. Their data will ultimately improve projections of sea level rise.

Does it really matter if one animal goes extinct?

New study reveals the true extent of famous extinctions like the Mauritian Dodo and the knock-on effects they have on other island life.

Hummingbirds are ecological super-specialists

...and thus vulnerable to climate change and habitat destruction.

How Nordic marine forests can help fight climate change

Despite the wealth of marine forests throughout the Nordics, we are yet to exploit their potential role in combating climate change. Here’s what we need to do.

Marine forests - Nature's own carbon capture and storage

Kelp forests and seagrass meadows soak up carbon dioxide and help protect our coasts against rising seas. Just two reasons why we should learn to love our marine forests.

Thousands of objects discovered in Scandinavia’s first Viking city

Danish archaeologists have excavated the streets beneath Ribe to discover how the first city of the Viking age was established.

Could rising land slow down Antarctic ice melt?

The West Antarctic ice sheet is sitting under water. This is key to understanding the evolution of the ice sheet and how the rising sea floor might even help to slow down ice melt in this part of Antarctica.

How fast can Antarctica rise when the ice melts?

New study shows that the land underneath a part of West Antarctica is rising five times faster than expected as the ice melts, revealing a surprisingly soft Earth structure beneath the ice sheet.

Male cockroaches that have frequent sex eat more protein

This is most likely because they need protein to produce new sperm and a nuptial gift packed with nutrients that the female can pass on to her unborn young.

Mass extinction 66 million years ago paved the way for modern shark communities

The famous mass extinction of dinosaurs also impacted oceanic animals and in particular, sharks. A new study reveals how the balance of modern shark biodiversity can be traced back to this very event.

Unpublished Egyptian texts reveal new insights into ancient medicine

The large collection of documents from Ancient Egypt are held in Copenhagen and are revealing new details about medical sciences in antiquity.

How Ouija boards really work

“Impressive” study reveals what is actually happening when a supposed spirit communicates via a Ouija board.

Why are some animals venomous?

Some animals, such as venomous snakes and insects, can use venom for predation or defense, which is an ability that has been developed through millions of years. And the evolution continues – partly due to an increasing pressure from humans.

Scientists conduct most precise measurements of antihydrogen to date

New results show that matter and antimatter interact with light in precisely the same way.

See where Greenland harbour porpoises travel

These tough small whales use large parts of the North Atlantic, swimming much further offshore and diving far deeper than previously expected.

Scandinavian bumblebees survive by incubating their eggs

Bumblebee queens look for an abandoned, well-insulated mouse nest to start a family, where temperatures can be 15 degrees warmer than outside.

Concern for global warming is not a new craze

It is 80 years since the first calculations showed that the Earth was warming due to rising greenhouse gas emissions.

Why do trees sleep badly?

Scientists from Denmark and Hungary have studied the circadian rhythms of trees and discovered that many of them are poor sleepers. But why is this so?

A bumper crop of ancient DNA solves key mysteries of ancient human societies

The largest combined study of DNA extracted from ancient skeletons reveals dynamic shifts in genetics, language, and culture in the past 11,000 years.

The great escape: Birds fly away from disease

New study reveals how birds avoid disease by migrating and colonizing new habitats.

What’s the best place to hang a birdhouse?

If you go to all the trouble to hang a birdhouse, you definitely want to put it in the right place. But which is better: Sun or shade?

What's the (dark) matter?

We don’t know what it looks like, and can’t even be certain it exists. Welcome to the frustrating and fascinating world of dark matter.

Can nature clean up oil spills in the Arctic?

Oil-eating microbes often perform the bulk of the clean-up after an oil spill. But we might not be able to rely on these bacteria to clean up oil in the cold Arctic.

Are laboratory animals representative of their wild counterparts?

Despite being born and grown in the laboratory, our research suggests that their traits aren’t so different, making them perfect for studying how wild animals might respond to their environment.

Stunning starfish illuminates the dark Arctic

In the dark deep ocean around Greenland, scientists have discovered starfish with surprisingly good eyes and the ability to light up the dark

Climate Change draws invasive species to the Arctic

Warmer temperatures and declining sea ice pulls foreign animals and plants to the Arctic, with drastic consequences for these sensitive ecosystems.

Can Greenlandic mud help feed the world?

Can nutrient-rich mud from Greenland transform poor tropical soils to produce more and higher quality food? This is what a new research project will study.

Climate change boosts algae growth in the Arctic

Microscopic algae living underneath sea ice are an essential source of food in the Arctic ocean. But do we really know how little light they need to survive?

PhD students find 95 new planets

The discovery was made with the help of the once damaged Kepler telescope.

Rare discovery: New moth species discovered in Denmark

Meet the Anarsia innoxiella, which was previously mistaken as pest but is now known to be an entirely new species of moth.

Nature + nurture = genetic nurture

Sequences of our parents’ genes that are not handed down to us can still shape our lives, according to new Icelandic research.

Eighteen new 'pelican' spiders discovered in Madagascan rainforest

A strange group of spiders, which were once considered extinct, have been found in the rainforest.

Gravity: it is all in your head

We take it for granted that gravity pulls things towards the Earth. But in reality this is just one of many explanations. And they are all equally made up.

Danish "lakes" provide unique insights to climate change

Lakes release a greenhouse gas, methane, but exactly how much has been somewhat of a mystery. New research has some answers.

Greenland’s recent temperature drop does not disprove global warming

Unfortunately, the planet is still getting warmer.

Cancer tumours could help unravel the mystery of the Cambrian explosion

Around 543 million years ago, the fossil record goes from showing no animal fossils to suddenly showing tracks and body fossils all over the globe. But what caused this explosion of complex life?

“Yeti” samples are actually from bears

DNA analyses of nine “Yeti” samples of bone, hair, and faeces, originate from bears. But is it conclusive proof that the Yeti does not exist?

How do scientists find new planets?

Technological advances have allowed scientists to find thousands of exoplanets during the past few decades. But even better methods are on the way, and perhaps we will find life on other planets within the next 20 years.

How does a newt make a new tail?

Scientists have found the genes that are linked to the regrowth of body parts.

The mind-bending physics of Scandinavian sea-level change

The Greenland ice sheet is a poster child of climate change. But in the Nordics, what happens in West Antarctica and Alaska has a more profound impact on local sea level rise. Sounds strange? Here’s how it works.

The best scientific images of 2017 from University of Copenhagen

Get up close and personal to a flea’s feelers, merging galaxies, and nanoparticles.

Can large objects exist in a quantum state?

Quantum physics is the study of objects at the tiniest atomic level, but new research will investigate whether quantum technology can be used on a large scale.

When is genetic diversity lost?

How many individuals of a given species are needed to maintain genetic diversity in the long run?

Scientists prepare for loss of mountain glaciers

This is how we adapt to a future with less snow and ice.

Traumatic childhood experiences pass down to next generation

Thousands of Finnish refugee children were evacuated to foster homes in Sweden during WWII. Many of their descendants continue to struggle psychologically with the trauma that caused.

Claim to the Arctic rests on a shelf

Rocks from the Arctic seabed support the Kingdom of Denmark's claim to area north of Greenland.

Scientist: Australia’s feral cats should be eradicated

Cats take food from native animals and cause havoc for the natural ecosystem in Australia.

Is your cat unhappy? It might have arthritis

Osteoarthritis is a common problem among cats but the symptoms can be hard to diagnose. A new pressure mat could make it easier to determine when a cantankerous cat is suffering from painful joints.

“Treasure trove” of Arctic research data now publicly available

Twenty years of Arctic research can help scientists around the world better understand climate and environmental change.

Phosphorescence aims to frighten

A new Swedish study determines a reason behind sparkling ocean bioluminescence.