News at Linköping University

Swedish students best at hand washing, worse at keeping their distance

Initial results from an international research project in which LiU is participating show that Swedish students follow official recommendations about hygiene, but not about social distancing.

Agriculture – a climate villain? Maybe not!

The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change claims that agriculture is one of the main sources of greenhouse gases, and is considered as a climate villain. This conclusion is based on a paradigm that can be questioned, writes Per Frankelius.

Black Lives Matter - a global human rights movement

The Black Lives Matter movement is an international human rights movement that has existed since 2013. In late spring 2020 the movement spread to countries across the world. LiU PhD candidate Mavis Hooi answers four questions about the movement.

A career in the company of organics and perovskites

Feng Gao, appointed professor at LiU 2020, has climbed rapidly up the research career ladder, from China, via the UK to Linköping. Driven by curiosity, a desire to work in a field that is of real benefit, and a wish to support young researchers.

Chemistry paves the way for improved electronic materials

Indium nitride is a promising material, but difficult to manufacture. Scientists at LiU have developed a new molecule that can be used to create high-quality indium nitride, making it possible to use it in high-frequency electronics.

Research about skin sensation gave insights into pain

Håkan Olausson’s breakthrough research has partially upset the textbook description of the nervous system. His research group recently discovered a previously unknown component of the human pain-signalling system.

Using tiny electrodes to measure electrical activity in bacteria

Scientists at LiU’s Laboratory of Organic Electronics have developed an organic transistor that they can use to measure and study in fine detail a phenomenon known as extracellular electron transfer in which bacteria release electrons.

Why do we love the Viking Age?

From a historical perspective, the Viking Age was a short period. But it has left deep impressions. Over and over, interest in Vikings reemerges. Religious historian Fredrik Gregorius is to investigate what this fixation is all about.

Students presented design solutions to international audience

Under normal circumstances, the course would culminate in a networking event in Silicon Valley, USA. Instead, an innovative digital solution had to be quickly put together. "The best event we have had" says Marie Bengtsson, teacher and organizer.

International master’s students who stayed

Sarah Mitchell from South Africa and Ahmed Azeez from Iraq came to Linköping University to take a master’s programme. They liked it so much that they stayed, and are today both doctoral students at LiU.

Biogas is always good – but not always best

Biogas has many positive sides – but it’s not best at everything. A source of energy should be analysed from several perspectives and compared with the alternatives. It is also important to determine which factors are most important.

Services designed for a new age

Security in the gig economy, a solution for long-term unemployment and the creativity of young people are areas in which students of design at LiU have developed new smart services. A 12-credit course in service design has just ended.

With a focus on women´s health

No ovaries, no oestrogen - but higher risk of brain problems. Neuroscientist Gillian Einstein is investigating what happens to women’s brains and health when their production of oestrogen stops.

A spanner in the works for four exchange students

Their year as exchange students didn’t quite work out as planned – a corona pandemic threw a spanner in the works. But the four LiU students we talked to are satisfied – living and studying abroad gives experiences for life.

School may be the key to improvement for children in social care

Children in social care have poorer mental health and perform worse in school than other children. But they have trust in the school staff and perform better after individual assessment at school. These are findings in a docoral thesis from LiU.

Accounting: It’s not just numbers

Company accounts are more than just numbers. Images – photos, graphs and diagrams – are becoming increasingly important when companies provide information about themselves. Readers must understand illustrations as easily as they understand text.

Amazing master's experiences in the Amazon

For two weeks, a group of master’s students from Linköping University travelled to the rainforest of the Amazon to conduct field studies. It turned out to be an overwhelming and inspirational experience.

Renewable fuel from carbon dioxide with the aid of solar energy

Researchers at LiU are attempting to convert carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, to fuel using energy from sunlight. Recent results have shown that it is possible to use their technique to selectively produce methane, carbon monoxide or formic acid.

Academic Ceremony cancelled

No Academic Ceremony will be held in 2020. Given the current situation and the recommendations relating to large gatherings in the light of the corona pandemic, Linköping University has decided to cancel the event this year.

New research into the acceptance of physical distancing

Physical distancing is important to slow the spread of the coronavirus. A new research project will study the provisions relating to physical distancing and how they have been complied with by the public in Denmark and Sweden.

Poor fitness and obesity linked to later chronic disease

Obesity and poor fitness in adolescence are associated with receiving disability pension due to cardiovascular disease later in life, according to a study. The good news are that even a small improvement in fitness is associated with lower risk.

“Super-happy families” the aim of assisted reproduction

Researcher Judith Lind has studied how staff at fertility clinics view the assessments that childless couples and women undergo in order to access assisted reproduction.

Stronger couple relationships in dementia through change of focus

A richer life for couples in which one partner has dementia – this is the goal of Therése Bielsten’s research and her doctoral thesis, which she presented in early April. “I’m trying to shine new light on dementia, which may give both the healthcare

UN role play engages political science students

A different form of learning. Engaging and lots of fun. Those are some of the comments from political science students who recently took part in a UN role play organised at LiU.