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Researcher Kaius Sinnemäki investigates 150 different languages to find out how the structure of language adapts to the social structures of the speech community: for example, the size of the community, and how much a language is learnt as a second language. Sinnemäki received a competitive ERC Starting Grant for his research.

University of Helsinki posted on Facebook

Curly fur is fairly common among the animal kingdom, but also a results of a complex genetic structure, a study reveals. In future, research can help to solve issues connected to hair growth disturbances and baldness.

University of Helsinki posted on Facebook

Researchers have discovered a new gene variant underlying curly fur, also revealing an increasingly complex genetic structure behind dogs’ curly coats. Certain variants of the gene are also connected to hair growth disturbances and baldness.

University of Helsinki posted on Facebook

“The Master’s Programme in Materials Research is a genuinely multidisciplinary programme, where you can choose your study track based on your own interests. There is an encouraging team spirit – everyone is equal, and the teachers encourage us to ask for help whenever needed.” Julia Viljanmaa is a recent graduate of the International Master’s Programme in Materials Research at the University of Helsinki. In this programme, you study the chemical and physical bases of existing and new materials; their synthesis and processing, composition and structure, properties and performance. As an expert in materials research, you play an important part in solving challenges related to energy, food, water, environment and the sustainable use of resources. Your skills are needed in research institutions and industries like pharmaceuticals, technology, chemicals, forestry, energy and healthcare. You can apply to our International Master’s Programmes as of 3 December 2018 until 11 January 2019.

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“The human brain is often said to be the most complex system in the world. It’s exciting to get an idea of how much is currently understood about its structure, function and development — just as it is exciting to realise how much more there still is we don’t know about it.” Juha Voipio is the Programme Director for the Master’s Programme in Neuroscience. It is an interdisciplinary field of science that studies the brain and the entire nervous system at different levels of organisation, from genes and molecules to nerve cells and networks. In the end, we are conscious, we sense, we feel and we act just because of our brains. As a neuroscientist, you can work in many fields such as the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology, education, public policy, science writing and publishing. You can apply to our International Master’s Programmes as of 3 December 2018 until 11 January 2019.

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Ram Oren’s four-year Erkko Visiting Professorship is based in the forest science research group at the Centre of Excellence in Atmospheric Science. One of his main goals in Finland will be to study the structure and function of tree roots using precise analyses. This study will increase our understanding of how forest output, carbon and energy cycles, and the water supply are linked. A €3 million donation from the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation has enabled the University to launch a visiting programme for international top professors. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/leading-ecophysiologist-ram-oren-to-visit-helsinki

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Saila Poutiainen, Director of the Master’s Programme in Intercultural Encounters, recently asked new students what made them choose the programme. She was told that they appreciate not having to commit to a single discipline as the courses are structured around a handful of themes instead of individual disciplines. You can apply to our International Master’s Programmes before Jan 11, 2019.

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Environmentally friendly and non-toxic nanocellulose is compatible with the human body, giving it potential to be used for a range of medical applications. In the future, nanocellulose might be used in surgical sutures – or as bio-ink in 3D printers to produce structures of the body, maybe even an entire liver.

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When nuclear power usage increases, people need need better safety measures and ways in which to manage nuclear waste. Professor Gareth Law works on techniques to clean up sites and materials contaminated by radioactive isotopes. According to him, cleaning contaminated structures, such as piping, with high-pressure water is one promising solution.

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Various ocular structures are affected by aging. A recent study may open new therapeutic avenues for treating idiopathic epiretinal membrane and macular hole – the major vision-threatening vitreoretinal interface diseases that affect millions of aging people globally.

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What is the relationship between the president and the government in Finland? What are the duties and responsibilities of the prime minister and other ministers? Finnish Political Culture and System is an English-language Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) that introduces students to the basic structures of Finnish society. The course is open for everyone to participate.

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The foundation for Russia’s patriotic education was laid in the Soviet school system. Today, the patriotic education is not only bolstering the Russian government’s thirst for power, says Anna Sanina from the National Research University Higher School of Economics in St Petersburg. “Russian society has diverse social needs and a demand for political structures to fill the void created by the absence of an official ideology. The new rise of patriotic education is one example of this phenomenon.”