Latest news with #UniversityofHelsinki
NDTV
3 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
Top Universities In Finland For Indian Students, As Per QS Rankings
Top Universitites In Finland 2025: Finland continues to be a popular destination for students due to its world-class education system, which emphasizes highly trained teachers and gives them the freedom to decide their teaching methods and pace. Several Finnish universities have secured top positions in the QS Global University Rankings 2026. Teachers in Finland are mandatorily required to hold a bachelor's and master's degree in teaching and must go through competitive training programs. Education in Finland is seen as a National priority in Finland. Here are some of the top Finnish universities that Indian students can consider, based on the QS World Rankings 2026. 1. Aalto University, Finland Aalto University is ranked 114th among the top universities of the world and currently has 2,750 international students studying. While Alto University provides courses in both bachelor's and master's, it puts more emphasis on its Masters by providing 94 courses in several disciplines, including Arts and Humanities (18), Business and Management (12), Engineering and Technology (47), Life Sciences and Medicine (1), Natural Sciences (4), Social Sciences and Management (12 programs). Tuition-Fees For Bachelor's Programs - Rs.12,02,544 to Rs.15,03,180 For Master's - Rs.15,03,180 to Rs.20,04,240 2. University of Helsinki, Finland The University of Helsinki is the second best Finnish university with a global rank of 116. It has a total of 1,437 students studying as of now and is the largest and oldest academic institution, developed in 1640. The University provides bachelor courses in only Faculty of Science and a total of 35 master's programs in various faculties including Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry (6), Faculty of Arts (4), Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences (5), Faculty of Educational Sciences (1), Faculty of Law (2), Faculty of Medicine (1), Faculty of Pharmacy (1), Faculty of Science (11), Faculty of Social Sciences (4). The tuition-fees starts from Rs.13,02,756 for both the degrees. 3. University of Oulu, Finland The University of Oulu, Finland is ranked 342 among the top universities of the world with currently 909 international students enrolled. It provides one bachelor's program in International Business Management and 21 Master's programs in several fields, including: Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine (1) Faculty of Education and Psychology (2) Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (6) Faculty of Medicine (1) Faculty of Technology (3) Oulu Business School (6) Oulu Mining School (1) Oulu School of Architecture (1) The tuition-fee for admission to the University of Oulu starts from Rs.12,02,544 and can vary up to Rs.60,12,720. 4. University of Turku, Finland The University of Turku, Finland is an international research university ,ranked 366th among the top universities of the world as per the QS World University Rankings 2026. Currently, 705 international students are enrolled in the University. The tuition-fee starts from 11,000 euros (Rs.11,02,332). 5. Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology (LUT) LUT is the fifth best Finnish university with a global ranking of 397 as per the QS World University Rankings 2026. The university currently has 1,002 students studying in both Undergraduate and Postgraduate programs.
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Science
- Miami Herald
The weird way that penguin poop might be cooling Antarctica
In December 2022, Matthew Boyer hopped on an Argentine military plane to one of the more remote habitations on Earth: Marambio Station at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, where the icy continent stretches toward South America. Months before that, Boyer had to ship expensive, delicate instruments that might get busted by the time he landed. "When you arrive, you have boxes that have been sometimes sitting outside in Antarctica for a month or two in a cold warehouse," said Boyer, a doctoral student in atmospheric science at the University of Helsinki. "And we're talking about sensitive instrumentation." But the effort paid off, because Boyer and his colleagues found something peculiar about penguin guano, Grist reports. In a paper published on May 22 in the journal Communications Earth and Environment, they describe how ammonia wafting off the droppings of 60,000 birds contributed to the formation of clouds that might be insulating Antarctica, helping cool down an otherwise rapidly warming continent. Some penguin populations, however, are under serious threat because of climate change. Losing them and their guano could mean fewer clouds and more heating in an already fragile ecosystem, one so full of ice that it will significantly raise sea levels worldwide as it melts. A better understanding of this dynamic could help scientists hone their models of how Antarctica will transform as the world warms. They can now investigate, for instance, if some penguin species produce more ammonia and, therefore, more of a cooling effect. "That's the impact of this paper," said Tamara Russell, a marine ornithologist at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, who studies penguins but wasn't involved in the research. "That will inform the models better, because we know that some species are decreasing, some are increasing, and that's going to change a lot down there in many different ways." With their expensive instruments, Boyer and his research team measured atmospheric ammonia between January and March 2023, summertime in the southern hemisphere. They found that when the wind was blowing from an Adelie penguin colony 5 miles away from the detectors, concentrations of the gas shot up to 1,000 times higher than the baseline. Even when the penguins had moved out of the colony after breeding, ammonia concentrations remained elevated for at least a month, as the guano continued emitting the gas. That atmospheric ammonia could have been helping cool the area. The researchers further demonstrated that the ammonia kicks off an atmospheric chain reaction. Out at sea, tiny plantlike organisms known as phytoplankton release the gas dimethyl sulfide, which transforms into sulphuric acid in the atmosphere. Because ammonia is a base, it reacts readily with this acid. This coupling results in the rapid formation of aerosol particles. Clouds form when water vapor gloms onto any number of different aerosols, like soot and pollen, floating around in the atmosphere. In populated places, these particles are more abundant, because industries and vehicles emit so many of them as pollutants. Trees and other vegetation spew aerosols, too. But because Antarctica lacks trees and doesn't have much vegetation at all, the aerosols from penguin guano and phytoplankton can make quite an impact. In February 2023, Boyer and the other researchers measured a particularly strong burst of particles associated with guano, sampled a resulting fog a few hours later, and found particles created by the interaction of ammonia from the guano and sulphuric acid from the plankton. "There is a deep connection between these ecosystem processes, between penguins and phytoplankton at the ocean surface," Boyer said. "Their gas is all interacting to form these particles and clouds." But here's where the climate impacts get a bit trickier. Scientists know that in general, clouds cool Earth's climate by reflecting some of the sun's energy back into space. Although Boyer and his team hypothesize that clouds enhanced with penguin ammonia are probably helping cool this part of Antarctica, they note that they didn't quantify that climate effect, which would require further research. That's a critical bit of information because of the potential for the warming climate to create a feedback loop. As oceans heat up, penguins are losing access to some of their prey, and colonies are shrinking or disappearing as a result. Fewer penguins producing guano means less ammonia and fewer clouds, which means more warming and more disruptions to the animals, and on and on in a self-reinforcing cycle. "If this paper is correct-and it really seems to be a nice piece of work to me-[there's going to be] a feedback effect, where it's going to accelerate the changes that are already pushing change in the penguins," said Peter Roopnarine, curator of geology at the California Academy of Sciences. Scientists might now look elsewhere, Roopnarine adds, to find other bird colonies that could also be providing cloud cover. Protecting those species from pollution and hunting would be a natural way to engineer Earth systems to offset some planetary warming. "We think it's for the sake of the birds," Roopnarine said. "Well, obviously it goes well beyond that." This story was produced by Grist and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. © Stacker Media, LLC.
Free Malaysia Today
08-07-2025
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
Why midlife is a great time to lose weight
Adults who lose weight in their 40s reduce their risk of chronic disease by 48%. (Envato Elements pic) PARIS : Is losing weight still worthwhile after the age of 40? A large Finnish study published in the medical journal JAMA Network Open dispels any doubts. It claims that losing weight in your forties drastically reduces the risk of chronic diseases and prolongs life, even without extreme dieting. To reach these conclusions, researchers at the University of Helsinki compiled data from three major studies conducted among British and Finnish populations. In total, more than 23,000 people were followed for 22 to 35 years, an exceptionally long period that allows for the observation of real health impacts. It appears that adults who lost weight in their 40s reduced their risk of chronic disease by 48% and their risk of death by 19%. These benefits go far beyond the prevention of diabetes, which has already been established by other research. Losing weight at this age also reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke, cancer, asthma, and lung disease. These protective effects persist even when researchers exclude diabetes from their calculations. Importantly, this study was conducted at a time when bariatric surgery and weight-loss drugs were relatively rare. Participants therefore achieved these results solely through diet and exercise, methods that are accessible to everyone. 'The benefits of lifestyle-based weight management are widely discussed even though studies have found it surprisingly difficult to demonstrate health benefits beyond the prevention of diabetes,' said study co-author, professor Timo Strandberg, quoted in a news release. However, maintaining weight loss over the long term remains a major challenge, as the figures from this study illustrate. Indeed, only 96 British participants and 188 Finnish participants managed to lose weight and keep it off, compared to more than 1,200 who remained overweight throughout the study period. This study also highlights a little-known aspect of weight loss. Contrary to popular belief, the most significant benefits are neither immediate nor spectacular. The most significant effects can take decades to become apparent, which explains why such a long follow-up period was needed to identify them. The message is therefore clear for anyone who's overweight in their forties: while maintaining a healthy weight throughout life remains the ideal, it's never too late to start taking action. In fact, even modest but sustainable weight loss can pay big dividends in the long run and add precious years to your life.
Gulf Insider
01-07-2025
- Health
- Gulf Insider
Ultra-Processed Foods Linked To Brain Changes
Ultra-processed foods (UPF) may be literally rewiring your brain to make you overeat, according to research that examined brain scans from nearly 30,000 middle-aged adults and found structural changes in regions that control hunger and food cravings. 'We present evidence that eating UPFs increases several nutrient and metabolic markers of disease and is associated with structural brain changes in areas that regulate eating behavior,' the study authors wrote. Key Brain Changes Identified The research, recently published in Nature, found that people who consumed more UPFs showed measurable differences in brain areas involved in feeding behavior, emotion, and motivation. Higher UPF intake was linked to increased thickness in the bilateral lateral occipital cortex—a brain region crucial for visual object recognition and processing shapes. This finding suggests changes in how the brain processes visual food cues. 'Our findings indicate that a high consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with structural changes in brain regions regulating eating behaviour, such as the hypothalamus, amygdala and right nucleus accumbens. This may lead to a cycle of overeating,' Arsène Kanyamibwa, the study's first author and doctoral researcher at the University of Helsinki, said in a press statement. The study also uncovered a potential biological mechanism behind these brain changes. Researchers found that increased UPF intake was associated with higher levels of systemic inflammation and risky metabolic markers in the blood, including C-reactive protein (CRP), an indicator of inflammation; triglycerides; and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). High levels of CRP, triglycerides, and HbA1c are often considered concerning indicators of potential health issues. Unsurprising Findings, Expert Says The findings 'don't surprise me one bit,' said Dr. Joseph Mercola, a board-certified family physician and author of 'Your Guide to Cellular Health,' who was not involved in the study. He pointed to previous research showing that just five days of eating ultra-processed foods can 'short-circuit' insulin signaling in the brain. This matters because insulin isn't only a blood sugar hormone, he noted. 'It's literally the delivery service that shuttles glucose, your cells' preferred fuel, to where it's needed most—your brain.' The brain needs insulin for energy—it uses 20 percent of the body's energy despite making up just 2 percent of its weight—so when insulin can't do its job, the brain's appetite control centers run on fumes, Mercola said. UPFs are designed to be 'hyper-palatable' with combinations of sugar, fat, and salt that rapidly stimulate dopamine-driven reward pathways, encouraging repeated consumption. Mercola added that this breakdown wrecks our ability to feel full, curb cravings, and make solid dietary decisions. 'On top of that, ultra-processed foods light up dopamine pathways much like addictive drugs, creating powerful 'eat more' signals.' Direct Brain Effects The researchers noted that UPFs, which contain chemically modified ingredients and additives like emulsifiers, might change the brain through pathways independent of obesity. Emulsifiers may affect the brain by disrupting neurotransmitters, causing neuroinflammation, and altering gut microbiota. The study controlled for factors including nutrient content, socioeconomic status, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol use. The finding challenges the idea that obesity is just about eating too many calories, Avery Zenker, a registered dietitian at MyHealthTeam and EverFlex Fitness who holds a master's degree in nutrition and was not involved in the study, told The Epoch Times. The study highlights how additives and food processing affect the brain in a way that promotes overeating. 'A calorie is a calorie, but the type of food it's sourced from plays a significant role in how we eat and how much we eat,' Zenker said. 'I think it's also validating for people to hear that, if they feel out of control around ultra-processed foods, there's nothing wrong with them.' Ultra-processed foods are defined by the NOVA classification system as industrial formulations containing ingredients not typically used in home cooking, such as high-fructose corn syrup, oils, salt, stabilizers, antioxidants, and various chemical additives. Growing Body of Evidence The researchers note that their findings, in addition to previous studies, suggest it's time for regulatory action. One of these studies, involving more than 114,000 American adults and published last year in The BMJ, found UPF consumption—specifically processed meats, sugary breakfast foods, and sugar or artificially sweetened beverages—was linked to a 4 percent higher risk of all-cause mortality and an 8 percent higher risk of death from neurodegenerative diseases. 'Given the growing body of evidence, reducing ultra-processed food intake and strengthening regulatory standards in food manufacturing may be crucial steps toward ensuring better public health outcomes,' Kanyamibwa said. Zenker said the new study is consistent with much of the existing research on ultra-processed foods. 'While past research has consistently linked UPFs to health conditions like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease,' she said, 'This study goes further by exploring direct structural changes in the brain, particularly in regions related to reward, hunger, and self-regulation.' Zenker noted that UPFs are often high in sugar, sodium, fat, and carbohydrates, and low in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. 'We know that this combination tends to be associated with unfavorable health outcomes.' The researchers acknowledged limitations in their study, noting that while they found associations between UPF consumption and brain changes, they cannot definitively prove causation. The effect sizes were also relatively small. 'Given the observational nature of the study, we cannot exclude the fact that food processing is only part of the equation,' the study authors wrote. Kanyamibwa said that proving causation will require 'further longitudinal or experimental evidence.' Also read: Why Processed Foods May Be Secretly Raising Your Blood Pressure Source Zero Hedge
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Losing weight in your 40s and 50s may seem unbearably hard — but it could keep you alive longer
Working to lose weight in your 40s and 50s may help to reduce your risk of developing a chronic disease, a new study reveals. Researchers based in the U.K. and Finland say they found health benefits in people who lost an average of 6.5 percent of their body weight in early middle age and maintained that weight loss throughout a period of 12 to 35 years. Those benefits especially include a lessened risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes as well as an overall lower risk of death from chronic disease. 'The benefits of lifestyle-based weight management are widely discussed even though studies have found it surprisingly difficult to demonstrate health benefits beyond the prevention of diabetes,' University of Helsinki professor Dr. Timo Strandberg said in a statement. Strandberg was the lead author of the study which was published recently in the journal JAMA Network Open, the open-access journal of the American Medical Association. To reach these conclusions, the study tracked and analyzed the health of 23,000 white Europeans who were between the ages of 30 and 50 years old using data from three studies, conducted from 1985 to 1988, from 1964 to 1973, and between 2000 and 2013. They sorted the participants into four groups: people with persistent healthy weight, people who were overweight but became a healthy weight, people who were healthy and became overweight, and people who were overweight the entire time. 'Measurement of weight and height was conducted at a time when surgical and pharmacological weight-loss interventions were nearly nonexistent,' the authors noted. The cause of weight loss was not assessed, but given the age of the participants and lack of diagnosed disease, it was more likely intentional than caused by severe chronic conditions or frailty.' In one study, a reduction in body mass from overweight to normal weight over six years in mid-life was tied to a lower risk of developing chronic diseases. There was also a 48 percent lower risk for chronic illness compared to those who remained overweight, which largely held even after excluding participants who developed diabetes during follow-up. Another study showed a 57 percent risk for chronic illness. A third study, with the longest follow-up period, showed that weight loss in mid-life was associated with a 19 percent reduction in overall mortality. 'I'm certain that overall prevention of overweight and obesity starting in early life is absolutely the best thing to do,' Stranberg told The Independent. 'Our study indirectly proves this by showing that persistent healthy weight over the life-course is best.' He said that he hopes the findings will inspire people to see that lifestyle changes can lead to a longer life. 'This is particularly important today as more people are overweight than when the collection of our research data began 35 years ago,' he said in the statement.
