A new study from Lund University in Sweden indicates that inherited viruses that are millions of years old play an important role in building up the complex networks that characterise the human brain. Researchers have long been aware that endogenous retroviruses constitute around five per cent of our DNA. For many years, they were considered junk DNA of no real use, a side-effect of our evolutiona

https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/do-viruses-make-us-smarter - 2025-09-03

A team of archaeologists in Egypt has made a number of exceptional discoveries, including a stela – a relief design carved into a stone wall – with what are believed to be 2500-year-old inscriptions. The project is led by Maria Nilsson from Lund University in Sweden. “What is unique about the stela is that it shows the gods Amun-Ra and Toth together. These two deities are rarely represented togeth

https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/archaeologists-make-unique-discoveries-egypt - 2025-09-03

If in the future electrodes are inserted into the human brain – either for research purposes or to treat diseases – it may be appropriate to give them a ‘coat’ of nanowires that could make them less irritating for the brain tissue. However, the nanowires must not exceed a certain length, according to new research from Neuronano Research Center at Lund University in Sweden. This is the conclusion f

https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/extra-short-nanowires-best-brain - 2025-09-03

When it comes to economic and financial decision-making, do you know what is best for you? Or is it wise to delegate decisions to someone else? Researchers at Lund University in Sweden and other institutions have demonstrated that letting someone else be in charge of your personal finances can help you avoid costly mistakes. In a large-scale experiment they show that people who make decisions on b

https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/why-someone-else-should-make-your-financial-decisions - 2025-09-03

The global university network Universitas 21 (U21) has appointed Lund University's Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eva Wiberg, as the network's first executive director. Professor Wiberg, currently Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Lund University, will take up the position from 1 February 2015 on a part-time basis, combining this role with her current duties at Lund. The creation of the new position ar

https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/deputy-vice-chancellor-eva-wiberg-appointed-executive-director-u21-network - 2025-09-03

Lund University remains the most popular choice for international students wanting to study their Master’s degree in Sweden, with 1/3 of all applicants from the latest application round, choosing Lund University programmes. Of the total 43,817 students who applied to autumn 2015 Master’s programmes at Swedish universities, 14,821 applied to Lund University programmes. This is an increase of 13% co

https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/lund-university-attracts-13-all-international-students-applying-swedish-universities - 2025-09-03

Recent research shows that mild infections without symptoms of illness can still lead to serious consequences by reducing the lifespan of the infected individuals. The study at Lund University in Sweden has been carried out on malaria-infected migratory birds. The infection is thought to speed up the ageing process by shortening the telomeres (i.e., the chromosomes ends) at a faster rate and there

https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/hidden-infection-shortens-life - 2025-09-03

David Gisselsson Nord A research group at Lund University in Sweden has found a new way to identify the most malignant tumours in children. The method involves studying genetic ‘micro-variation’, rather than the presence of individual mutations. In adult cancers, the tumour cells are more genetically variable than healthy cells. When a cancerous cell divides, the chromosomes often end up in the wr

https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/new-method-identifying-most-aggressive-childhood-cancers - 2025-09-03

During the traditional ceremony, former Vice-Chancellor, Professor Per Eriksson, handed over the Vice-Chancellor’s chains to Torbjörn von Schantz. Vice-Chancellor Torbjörn von Schantz was inaugurated with pomp and ceremony in the university assembly hall on Wednesday 28 January 2015. Torbjörn von Schantz is Vice-Chancellor of Lund University for the period 1 January 2015–28 February 2019.In his sp

https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/vice-chancellor-torbjorn-von-schantz-inaugurated - 2025-09-03

We have an innate mechanism that ensures that our blood vessels do not become blocked. The protein A1M, alpha-1-microglobulin, is naturally present in the body and prevents oxidation of blood fats – a major cause of atherosclerosis. The discovery is the work of a research group led by Professor Bo Åkerström from Lund University. VIDEO: How 'cleaner' protein protects us“Atherosclerosis is largely c

https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/watch-cleaner-protein-protects-against-atherosclerosis - 2025-09-03

Nathalie Knopp Food waste is completely bananas, according to a group of Master’s students in Food Technology at Lund University in Sweden. In fact, a significant amount of the 100 million tonnes of bananas produced annually worldwide is discarded before it even reach consumers. WATCH: Students make gluten-free banana flourThe Lund University students were asked to find ways of using these rejecte

https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/watch-students-create-gluten-free-banana-flour - 2025-09-03

We should not be afraid to joke about one another’s ethnic background. Used with sensitivity, such jokes can instead help to challenge the stereotypical image of immigrants, according to Lund University sociologist Henriette Frees Esholdt, who has studied humour at a multi-ethnic workplace in Denmark. Henriette Frees Esholdt’s study was carried out in a large organisation in the hospitality sector

https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/role-humour-multicultural-workplaces - 2025-09-03

Johanna Månsson Extremely premature babies that reach the age of two and a half demonstrate significantly poorer cognition, language and motor skills than children born at full term. The new study from Lund University in Sweden is one of few to study children born prematurely at such a young age. The results could be used to provide help at the right time. Extremely premature babies are those born

https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/new-study-assesses-premature-babies-25-years-old - 2025-09-03

The new Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine at Lund University, which will focus on regenerative medicine, is part of a national plan to re-establish Sweden’s leading position in medical research. The centre is being funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, in collaboration with Lund University and Region Skåne. “It is very gratifying that the foundation can develop this important

https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/new-molecular-medicine-centre-lund-university - 2025-09-03

A production facility for start-ups in the field of nanotechnology may be built in the Science Village in Lund, a world-class research and innovation village that is also home to ESS, the European Spallation Source. “With this new facility, we want to create the conditions to enable new companies to develop from the R&D phase to full production, without needing to leave Sweden,” says Lars Samuelso

https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/nanotechnology-facility-planned-lund - 2025-09-03

Shai Mulinari A new report from Lund University in Sweden shows how the pharmaceutical industry time and again violates regulations on the marketing of drugs. The study has been published in the journal PLOS Medicine. In order to avoid unethical marketing, the pharmaceutical industry has a well-established system of self-regulation. There are individual national systems, but they are very similar

https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/pharmaceutical-companies-violate-own-regulations - 2025-09-03

Researchers have long sought treatments that can slow the progression of Parkinson's disease. Current treatments have for decades been only symptomatic in nature, supplying the neurotransmitter dopamine, which the dying nerve cells can no longer produce. Results from a recent clinical study offer hope that future therapies could take advantage of the brain's own protective mechanisms to limit neur

https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/new-growth-factor-indicates-possible-regenerative-effects-parkinsons-disease - 2025-09-03

The illuminated areas (red, yellow and green) indicate an accumulation of the protein beta-amyloid. The top row shows the brain of a patient diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Bottom row shows brain of a healthy person*. Photo: Swedish Biofinder Study Accumulation of the substance amyloid beta in the brain impairs the memory and cognitive ability in people with Alzheimer’s. New findings from Lund

https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/alzheimers-more-versatile-previously-known - 2025-09-03

New findings provide possible explanation why smokers have an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. MostPhotos Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have made two new discoveries with regard to the beta cells’ ability to release insulin. The findings can also provide a possible explanation as to why smokers have an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. The study was conducted on mice and donated beta

https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/new-discoveries-connection-between-nicotine-and-type-2-diabetes - 2025-09-03

Honorary Doctor Sir George Martin In 2010 Sir George Martin was the First Ever Honorary Doctor appointed to the Malmö Academy of Music, the Faculty of Fine and Performing Arts, Lund University. Article first published on Malmö Faculty of Fine and Performing ArtsGeorge Martin's importance as a producer, composer, arranger, conductor and musician cannot be overstated. He has been active as a music p

https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/honorary-doctor-sir-george-martin-dies-age-90 - 2025-09-03