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The project's main objective is to understand how soil biodiversity influences soil health across a range of climatic and land-use settings. The project combines field research, experimental studies, and advanced modelling approaches, which enables a multidimensional assessment of soil functionality. "Healthy soils support food production, biodiversity, and climate regulation. However, mechanisms that drive soil functioning are still not fully understood.

The distribution of income and growing inequality are central themes in public debate. Far less attention has been paid to how resources are distributed in ecological communities, in the so-called state of nature, without any social contract. Species abundance distributions have been studied extensively in ecology, but descriptively. They largely follow a distribution similar to human wealth. Yet the fairness of that distribution has rarely been examined.

Artificial intelligence is advancing at an unprecedented pace. In recent years, the emergence of large language models, foundation models, generative AI, and advanced computer vision systems has fundamentally changed what machines can do. Food companies face mounting pressure to improve quality, reduce waste, ensure safety, and meet sustainability targets.

Neutrinos are extremely tiny elementary particles that are all around us. There are vast numbers of them — trillions pass through your body at this very moment — but they interact so weakly with other particles that they can only be detected with specialised instruments. Despite their harmlessness, neutrinos pose a problem for our understanding of the universe, says , the new professor of particle physics at the University of Helsinki.

There were 90 entries in the Digital Skills for Education category and 220 entries in the competition overall. Generation AI is a multidisciplinary, multi-university research programme funded by the Strategic Research Council (SRC) within the Research Council of Finland. It develops research-based educational technologies, learning materials and learning packages to strengthen AI literacy.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible visual impairment worldwide. Because the disease often progresses without symptoms for years, many patients are diagnosed only after permanent damage to the optic nerve has already occurred. Earlier detection through targeted screening could help prevent vision loss.

For nearly fifty years, scientists have suspected that microscopic marine plankton play a role in cloud formation over the oceans. Now, an experiment led by the University of Helsinki has suggested that it may be more important than previously thought. Marine plankton release dimethylsulfide (DMS) during photosynthesis — the gas responsible for the characteristic smell of the sea. When oxidised in the atmosphere, DMS forms acidic vapors. One of these is methanesulfonic acid (MSA).

The University of Helsinki is increasing the number of student places offered through the open university route in its bachelor’s programmes. The goal is that, in the coming years, 10% of places in these programmes will be allocated to applicants who have previously completed open university studies. In many disciplines, this is already the case. “Experience has shown that students admitted through the open university route are motivated and committed to their studies.

Children are among the most vulnerable victims of war. Beyond the immediate risk of physical injury, many experience psychological trauma that can have lasting effects long after an armed conflict has ended. According to UNICEF, around five million children have been displaced by the war in Ukraine. Many have spent extended periods in underground shelters near the front lines, some children up to 5,000 hours.

Five researchers working at the University of Helsinki have been awarded esteemed Advanced Grants by the European Research Council. This €2.5-million grant scheme is targeted at leading principal investigators who wish to pursue groundbreaking projects with the potential for extremely high-level impact.