News

On Friday, September 27 at 10.30 everybody is welcome to join a guest seminar by Francisco Otero-Ferrer "Seahorses: Unusual and strange parents". It takes plce at Ravila 14b (Tartu), seminar room at 2nd floor.

The Times Higher Education (THE), which is considered the world’s most reputable compiler of university rankings, has published the most recent ranking of the best universities. In the 2019 ranking the University of Tartu continues in the 301st–350th band, while the results of European universities in general show a downward trend.

In recent decades, mortality from cardiovascular diseases, especially from ischaemic heart disease and myocardial infarction has decreased in Estonia, but it is still higher than the European average.

Cleft lip and palate (CLP) is one of the most prevalent congenital anomalies in the world. This diagnosis is given to one in every 677 live births in Vietnam. As this is a major issue, it requires a comprehensive approach. A Vietnamese doctoral student at the University of Tartu conducted the first study of the treatment outcomes of patients with CLP in his home country to improve deformity-related health behaviour and the organisation and monitoring of treatment.

In the centenary year of Estonia’s national university the opening ceremony of the new academic year of the Faculty of Medicine takes place on Monday, 2 September at 13.15 at the assembly hall of the University of Tartu. Later on, at 16, all members of the university and new students are invited to attend the opening ceremony of UT's new academic year. Ceremony takes place at Kassitoome valley.

Written by: Alireza Fazeli, Professor of Clinical Genomics and Personalized Medicine at the University of Tartu Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine.

Obesity and overweight during childhood and adolescence are significant risk factors fostering the development of insulin resistance already in adolescence, and type 2 diabetes mellitus, coronary artery diseases as well as increased mortality in later adulthood. Scientists from the University of Tartu studied whether sufficient calcium intake in adolescent boys prevents obesity in adulthood.

The results of a recent Nordic collaboration study showed that there is no difference in functional results between operative and non-operative treatment in persons aged 60 or more with displaced proximal humerus fractures.

2–3% of the population and about 4% of adults suffer from psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Another widespread disease is atherosclerosis, which affects the life quality of many older people. For the first time, machine-learning models developed at the University of Tartu Faculty of Medicine found markers that have never been associated with these diseases before. New knowledge helps diseases to be diagnosed better and to monitor the course of treatment.

In recent years, the HIV infection rate in Estonia has continued to be around 200 new cases each year, which is still one of the highest incidence rates per 100,000 inhabitants in Europe. As parenteral transmission of HIV is the most effective, people who inject drugs (PWID) are considered to be one of the most vulnerable groups to HIV infection. Doctoral student, Ene-Ly Jõgeda, from the University of Tartu, included 345 PWID in her doctoral thesis to study the factors influencing the acquisition of HIV infection.

About 15% of couples in fertile age have experienced fertility problems. Men contribute to 50% of the cases when a couple cannot achieve the desired pregnancy. The proportion of overweight men has tripled in parallel with the increase in fertility problems worldwide. The doctoral thesis conducted at the University of Tartu Institute of Clinical Medicine confirmed that central obesity affects fertility parameters negatively. To alleviate their fertility problems, men should pay attention to their lifestyle.

We are happy to invite you to a Science Café by James Ord, PhD (researcher, Department of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine at Sheffield University, UK). Dr James Ord is a molecular biologist, specialising in non-genetic inheritance. He completed his PhD at the University of Sheffield, UK, where he studied environmental influences on reproduction and offspring in small fish. Seminar title: "Fins of our fathers: how daddy fish influence their offspring in unexpected ways".

The growing discipline of nanomedicine is about to make new leaps in Estonia, as the University of Tartu recently established professorship for the branch of study. The leader of the research team, Tambet Teesalu, says that it’s easier to turn one’s research ambition and thoughts into reality in Estonia.

In the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Tartu, the first animal testings were conducted using antioxidant peptides designed and synthesised by scientists in Tartu, which may reduce oxidative stress. Oxidative stress also develops with a rare incurable genetic disease called Wolfram syndrome and it is studied profoundly by scientists all over the world.

Endometriosis is a women's disease that affects 10–15% of all reproductive-aged women. Although no cure has been found for the disease, researchers seek to find out why some women develop endometriosis and which may be its effective treatment. Researchers from Tartu have completed a study that helps to get closer to explaining the causes of endometriosis.

At its meeting on 10 May the Supervisory Board of the Institute of Sports Sciences and Physiotherapy of the University of Tartu voted unanimously for Professor of Functional Morphology Priit Kaasik to continue as the head of the institute. Kaasik aims to make the institute more visible in international research and to make greater use of its potential in conducting practical sports research.

The Academies of Sciences of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have recognised Maris Laan, a professor of human genetics at the University of Tartu, for her research into reproductive medicine and genetics with a Baltic Academies of Sciences medal. Laan is the first female scientist to receive the medal, which has been awarded since 1999.

Research carried out at the University of Tartu Faculty of Medicine used nanoparticles for the development of new imaging and treatment methods for peritoneal cancers. Tests showed that precision-guided anticancer nanoparticles have improved efficacy and reduced side effects.

Tarmo Mölder and Kuldar Kõiv started their careers as molecular biologists at the University of Tartu. They are men who do not have to worry about their looks. They are both well-toned and athletic. Tarmo has dark hair and a respectable hairstyle, Kuldar has reddish curly hair with a receding hairline.

On Friday, 22 February at 12 o'clock, a concert ceremony is held at the university assembly hall to celebrate the 101st anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, award the stipendees of the Ernst Jaakson and Peeter Tulviste memorial scholarships and present the UT's badges of distinction. Ernst Jaakson's memorial scholarship that supports UT PhD students, research fellows and teaching staff abroad is awarded at the concert. Ernst Jaakson's scholarship is the largest known privately funded scholarship to be awarded to students and research fellows.