Living human brain in petri dishes provides unique insight into old mysteries For the first time in Denmark, researchers are examining living pieces of human brain in a laboratory.
Want to improve your concentration? There is no magic pill, but science does offer some tips and tricks Brain training apps are not the answer to your concentration troubles. Plenty of sleep, exercise and lifelong learning are better allies.
Green transition: The whole world can learn from a small town in Iceland A small town in northern Iceland has gone almost CO2-neutral. Researchers went there to find out how they did it and what we can learn from them.
New research challenges the origin of 'The Egtved girl' The question of her origin is widely debated. My research shows that she probably was from Scandinavia – but not from Jutland.
Hospitals fear a new, deadly fungus – How big is the threat and what can we do? Drug-resistant infections are increasing globally. One new member of the superbug family has already caused severe illness in hospitalized patients. Here is what you need to know.
Human blood can help rescue world’s climate Today CO2 is removed from industry by using molecules called amines, which react with CO2. DTU has developed a new method using molecules from the human blood to remove CO2. The new technology could help prevent climate change.
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.
God's own weapons: Danish foreign fighters tell why they are fighting for jihad A Danish scientist has followed six Danish foreign fighters to try to understand, what makes people leave security and safety in Denmark to go to war in the Middle East.
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.
Linguists need preservation of languages to study human language Indigenous languages can tell us a lot about humanity. But as we are advancing our knowledge, languages are dying out rapidly.
Are all cancer cells the same? Not necessarily. And being able to identify the differences at a genetic level could lead to more effective, personalised treatments.
2019 is the UN’s International Year of Indigenous Languages. And we need it to be Linguists warn against the death of half of the world’s languages by the end of this century.
A single protein could be the key to treating hydrocephalus A new study in mice identified a mechanism responsible for brain fluid production
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.
Using personal data to understand aging A new six-year research project shows how patient data can help progress scientific research while maintaining personal data privacy.
Where should we draw the line between a healthy and an unhealthy sports body? Norway is working on the answer with health certificates for athletes.
Are joint custody and shared parenting a child’s right? OPINION: Traditional family roles of mothers and fathers are changing, and policies to public protect children's interests should reflect this.
Why the new Arctic 'Cold War' is a dangerous myth OPINION: Discussing “a new Cold War” detracts from the broader roles that militaries play throughout the Arctic and stokes the very tensions it warns of.
Everything you ever wanted to know about the history of haemorrhoids Warning: Includes spanking and leeches around the anus.
Elite female athletes at greater risk of eating disorders Especially in disciplines like running and gymnastics, where body weight is especially associated with aesthetics and fast running times.
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.
Is China’s social credit system really the dystopian si-fi scenario that many fear? OPINION: Many of the concerns around the social credit system are either inaccurate or one-sided.
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?
The hidden price of Iceland’s green energy In times of runaway climate change, phasing out fossil fuels and increasing the share of renewables is imperative. But this transition is not without pitfalls as shown by a recent study of two large renewable projects in Iceland.
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.
Are organisms basically living machines? Is your body just a very complicated mechanical system? New project examines the biological differences between living organisms and machines.
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 to build your own personal robot Researchers in Denmark are helping people who have suffered brain damage to develop their own personal robots that fit in with their existing routines and aid recovery.
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.
What in the world is consciousness? Our perception of the world around us, and ourselves within it, are ‘controlled hallucinations’ that the brain uses to help keep itself alive
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.
Computer game addiction is now a diagnosis OPINION: Who’s decision to classify game addiction as a mental disorder could negatively impact the most vulnerable in society.
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.
When feeling sick feels great: New study reveals a close link between reward and unease A recent study shows how mice can be made to prefer sickness, nausea, and stress over feeling well, just be removing one specific receptor from the brain. This could open the door to new treatments against various types of malaise associated with disease.
Hummingbirds are ecological super-specialists ...and thus vulnerable to climate change and habitat destruction.
Making academics compete for funding does not lead to better science New study challenges accepted science policy that more competitive funding and powerful top-down university management is the best way to boost the quality of science produced.
Historic building activity in Europe mirrors plague outbreaks and food prices A new study shows that the dramatic upheaval and population decline known as the Late Medieval Crisis began much earlier than previously thought. Thanks to the use of felling dates from old construction timber a new picture emerges of past demographic changes in Europe.
Companies win when they understand the future OPINION: Industry benefits from taking a long-term macroperspective, but research in this field is under-prioritised and often forgotten.
Archaeologists celebrate spectacular discovery of Iron Age treasure Evidence suggests that a recently uncovered treasure trove of Iron Age gold in Denmark, was a rich man’s gift to the Gods. And there turned out to be much more where that came from.
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.
What the world can learn about equality from the Nordic model OPINION: Given that the five Nordic countries – Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden – are some of the world’s most equal on a number of measures, it makes sense to look to them for lessons in how to build a more equal society.
Here's a mental health workout that's as simple as ABC The Act-Belong-Commit approach promotes keeping active, building stronger relationships with friends, family and community groups, and committing to hobbies, challenges, and meaningful causes.
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.
Is there a solution in sight for Catalonia? OPNION: You may remember the fight for Catalan secession last autumn. But what happened next? And is there a solution on the cards between Catalonia and the Spanish government?
There are 8,475 languages that we know of What do we know about the new languages that are appearing and how does a new language form? Researchers from Aarhus University, Denmark, are investigating just this.
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.
Danish Viking fortresses were designed to fend off other Vikings After four years, the excavation of the famous Viking fortress, Borgring, is coming to a close and archaeologists can now describe the fortress in a broader perspective: An anti-Viking defence that allowed the Danish King to forge a new, mobile army.
Researcher: Monopolies are good OPINION: Without monopolies consumers miss out on the best technology at a good price. The task is to prevent that monopoly from abusing its power.
Time to re-think the climate change challenge OPINION: We now know enough about the nature of the earth system that the risk of crossing a planetary threshold that propels us into a Hothouse Earth needs to be taken very seriously.
Greenlandic children are getting taller and healthier The general health of Greenlandic children now appears to be as good as that of their European peers. And perhaps even better. New studies show that compared with Danish children, they are no longer characterised as short and have similar patterns of disease.
Ancient Palmyra: A story of urban resilience The warrior queen of Palmyra, Zenobia, made a stand against the encroaching Roman Empire, but was ultimately defeated. But what happened next, after the Romans left is less documented. A new book reveals how Palmyra survived in Late Antiquity.
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.
You will probably hang out in 25 places this year: Here is why Decisions and plans drive our day-to-day movements. But new research shows that fundamental limits constrain how, as humans, we spend our time.
How can you avoid regaining those lost kilos? New scientific results from a small clinical study shows that people maintain weight loss when they adhere to their own systematic set of rules for eating, rather than following any particular diet, or eating for pleasure or hunger.
Following a new trail of crumbs to agriculture's origins Archaeologists have found tiny pieces of ancient bread from hunter-gatherers that predate agriculture by about 4,000 years.
Biology makes women and girls survivors Women outlive men even in the face of discrimination and crisis situations, such as famine.
Weight loss can protect overweight boys from developing type 2 diabetes A new Danish study shows that boys who are overweight at seven are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes as adults, but not if they lose weight before hitting puberty.
New test procedures will save dairy cows from Mycoplasma bovis disease Disease caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma bovis in dairy herds can now be diagnosed more easily and quickly, resulting in better welfare for cows and reducing financial losses for farmers.
Power to the people - How to make the low-carbon energy transition work A recent study of two successful energy transitions in Denmark and Germany shows that transparency and community participation are essential to drive the clean energy agenda forward at the local level.
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.
Grasping the nettle: Swedish tax to tackle aviation’s impact on climate OPINION: The new aviation tax aims to change consumer behavior by taxing one of the fastest growing sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the world.
What type of project leader are you? Everyone has their own way of organising a project. Read about the four types of leadership, and why a diversity of types is good for any organisation.
Football is a winning treatment for elderly people with prediabetes Playing football is great for your health and could even stave off type 2 diabetes. New study in the Faroe Islands reveals improvements in overall health among middle-aged and elderly prediabetic men and women who enjoy a regular kickabout.
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.
Once lost archaeology revealed by satellite images and aerial photography Using a high tech approach, archaeologists have turned back time and reconstructed a hidden urban landscape in Jerash, Jordan.
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?
Selfies: Why We Love (and Hate) Them NEW BOOK: Don’t be a selfie-hater. For some people they open up a new world of representation.
Coma patients might feel pleasure and pain like the rest of us Emerging evidence suggests the unconscious can experience many of the things that conscious people do. What does this mean for medical ethics and even how we perceive ourselves as humans?
