Alumni of the Year: species under threat and safe perinatal care

Discovery of inner ear function may improve diagnosis of hearing impairment

Results from a research study published in Nature Communications show how the inner ear processes speech, something that has until now been unknown. The authors of the report include researchers from Linköping University. 

Autonomous sea rescue tested

The major research programme WASP provides arenas in which researchers and companies can meet and test their technology and results. The WASP arena for public safety, WARA PS, is the first to demonstrate an autonomous search-and-rescue system.

Nanoscale pillars as a building block for future information technology

Researchers from LiU propose a new device concept that can efficiently transfer the information carried by electron spin to light at room temperature – a step stepping stone towards future information technology.

SEK 35 million for research on health, working life and welfare

Forte – the Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare has awarded research grants to six research projects at LiU. A research programme into using mobile phones to help change lifestyle behaviour has received the largest amount.

Popular education important for asylum seekers’ social inclusion

Committed teachers in the popular adult education sector are quietly making a huge contribution with helping asylum seekers into Swedish society. And it’s not just educational, it's also social and humanitarian. All according to two fresh LiU studies.

Large police exercise at Campus Valla

The Swedish Police has selected Campus Valla as the place for a large exercise on 4 October. It will not be possible to access parts of Campus Valla while the exercise is in progress.

New research supercomputer online

Swedish research has now gained access to the first 600 nodes of the new supercomputer Tetralith, which will be the most powerful computer in the Nordic region when it comes fully online this autumn. Researchers at LiU also have access to Sigma.

SEK 27 million for liquid fuels of the future

Professor of organic electronics Magnus Berggren have been awarded SEK 27 million for the coming five years from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation to work on future technology for liquid fuels that are based on water and oxygen. 

SEK 33 million for room temperature quantum bits

Igor Abrikosov, professor at LiU, has been awarded SEK 33 million for the coming five years from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation to show how it is possible to use the smallest components of quantum mechanics at room temperature.

SEK 10.3 for research on sustainable spatial planning

Two research projects have been granted funding from the research council Formas. The largest amount will go to a project where researchers will help preschools work with global and national sustainability targets. 

High-performance molecular motor with minimal design

Chemists at Linköping University took their inspiration from nature when designing a new molecular motor to convert light energy into motion. The motor has a minimal structure, but even so satisfies several important functional criteria.

Better is Peace

Among warplanes, a chilling manifestation against the madness of war. The Swedish Air Force Museum will be the location for the Better is Peace concert on 20 October, to be followed on 21 October in Louis De Geer Konsert & Kongress.

After the threat-Q&A

We have received many questions from students and co-workers after the threat against Linköping University on Wednesday. The answers to some of these are given below.

Increased security after threat against LiU

The university management at Linköping University has decided that the university will open as usual on Thursday, with increased surveillance from the police and the university’s own security personnel.

Threat against Linköping university

A threat against Linköping University has been expressed in a chat room. The threat warns people against being on the university campus on Thursday.

Uterus transplantation – ethically just as problematic as altruistic surrogacy

Researchers at universities including Linköping University have studied ethical aspects of uterus transplantation. The results show that uterus transplantation with living donors is ethically just as problematic as altruistic surrogacy.

From shy student to head of consultancy in Shanghai

“I think I’ve succeeded pretty well in achieving the dreams I had when I was a student. I wanted to work in China, and I’ve had several management positions in different industries", says Charlie Xu.

A passion for protecting biological diversity

Optimism or pessimism? Rebecka Le Moine, conservation biologist and Alumna of the Year 2018, prefers optimism. With limitless energy she works to spread knowledge about everything that we can do to preserve biological diversity.

Care for the newly delivered gives Alumna of the Year award

A cry of delivery resounds across Sweden. Women are telling their stories of birth injuries, and they are demanding the right to professional care. In the eye of the storm stands gynaecologist and Alumna of the Year Eva Uustal.

Alumni of the Year: species under threat and safe perinatal care

LiU Alumni of the Year for 2018 are Rebecka Le Moine, biologist and active in popular science, and Eva Uustal, consultant and expert in birth injuries.

2000 Researchers petition for AI investment

A broad investment in artificial intelligence is now required in Europe, an investment that places people in the centre. This demand has been made by more than 2,000 researchers. “The public sector is particularly important" says Fredrik Heintz.

Lower demands at work to reduce burnout

There is no support for the idea that high demands at work can be compensated by increased freedom of action and social support. This is a myth: the demands in themselves can lead to burnout. 

Horizon 2020 grants to LiU

Screening for substances that affect hormones, digital solutions for active aging and infrastructure for climate simulation are three projects with LiU participation awarded funds from the EU Horizon 2020 programme.

New agreement brings hope for rhinos

A new agreement has been signed this summer to continue the collaboration to save Africa’s rhinos from poachers. “The number of rhinos is increasing in Kenya, the only country in Africa where this is happening", says Professor Fredrik Gustafsson.

Emotional scars increase the risk of sports injury

Active top-flight athletes who have experienced sexual or physical abuse at some time in their life run a greater risk of sports-related injury. This according to a new study from the Athletics Research Center at LiU.

Broad collaboration to give fossil-free transport

A broad research and innovation programme from universities, industry and government agencies is designed to lead to fossil-free freight transport by 2045. Magnus Blinge, adjunct professor in environmental logistics, is coordinating work at LiU.

How experts look at accident scenes

Calling for help in the event of an accident – it is something that anyone may have to do. At an accident scene, what would you look for? Researchers at Linköping University have examined how novices and experts observe accident scenes.

Materials science – seeking new ways to reach people

“We’re not worried about getting the science right, but we must increase interest among students and find new ways to spread our results and ensure that they are used in practice”, said Igor Abrikosov, in the concluding discussion at AFM 2018.

3D models from cheap video cameras

Hannes Ovrén shows in his doctoral thesis in computer vision how 3D models can be created from video films recorded with simple cameras. The research opens new possibilities for both robots and humans, not least for the police and rescue services.

Colm Nestor gets the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences' Fernström Prize

Colm Nestor, Research fellow at the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, is this year's recipient of the Eric K. Fernström Prize for young, highly promising and successful researcher at the Linköping University.

Overalls – a very special garment

It’s colourful, covered in badges, and sometimes dirty and frayed. But for many students it’s their most-loved item of clothing. As the autumn term kicks off, the bib overalls come on.

Wives who accompany husbands working abroad

Prof. Lundström has investigated the situation of women who return home after living abroad. These migrants are disadvantaged by two factors: the global economy and the Swedish welfare system. This is particularly clear in the matter of pensions.

Heritability explains fast-learning chicks

Both genetic and environmental factors explain cognitive traits, shows a new study. Researchers have shown that the ability of fowl to cope with a difficult learning task can be explained by genetic factors to a larger degree than simpler tests.

Cultural analysis with a local connection

Tema Q arranged for the first time a course entitled The Use (and Abuse) of Culture as part of the International Summer Academy. The course was fully subscribed, and the course coordinators are hoping to repeat the course next summer.

A summer job with a salary to boast about

Beatrice Partain, studying industrial engineering and management at LiU, has had a very special summer job this year. With a salary of SEK 100,000 per month, she has worked as managing director and president of the Adecco Group.

Leah Mayo gets prestigious brain research grant

Leah Mayo, postdoc at CSAN, has been awarded the NARSAD Young Investigator Grant for the period 2019-2021. The grant is awarded by the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation.

Movement across borders – not an option for everyone

By migration we normally mean people crossing borders, but for more and more people it has become the opposite. This immobility was in focus when 300 researchers got together for a three-day conference.

LiU’s first master’s graduate in software engineering

Simon Lindblad is celebrating his master’s degree in engineering with a roadtrip across the US. He recently qualified as master of science in computer science and software engineering, the first to do so, specialising in AI and machine learning.

Top 100 placing for LiU in more subjects

Linköping University is among the 100 foremost institutions of higher education in the world in five subjects, according to the Shanghai ranking, one more than last year. In the overall ranking, however, LiU has dropped to place 352.

Engineering students in space project

Every year, students from LiU’s Media Technology engineering programme get to do their degree project as part of the OpenSpace project. This year, eight of them were at OpenSpace in New York, Washington DC, Utah and Norrköping.

Elite athletes miss cardiovascular screening

Elite athletes run a greater risk than others of suffering from cardiac arrest. Still, a study in Östergötland county shows that many sport clubs do not follow the Swedish Sports Confederation´s recommendations regarding cardiovascular screening.

Smart materials in focus

Researchers at Linköping University in Advanced functional materials, AFM, which is a strategic research initiative from the Swedish government, are arranging an international conference presenting the most recent results in materials science.

Promoting democratic e-government

The summer course “SeGRID” will soon be under way. Its focus is digitalisation of public administration, for sustainable and democratic e-government.

Tough for new students to find housing

This autumn there are lots of new students starting at LiU – but not a lot of places for them to stay. KOMBO, the students’ tenant organisation, helps newly admitted students find their first accommodation.

Hydrogen from water in iron nanotruss structures 

Swedish researchers have discovered a new and efficient way to use electrocatalysis to produce hydrogen gas from water. Instead of using expensive platinum electrodes, the new method uses electrodes with nanotruss structures of iron oxide.

How to build efficient organic solar cells

Twenty-five researchers from seven research institutes have put their heads together to draw up rules for designing high-efficiency organic solar cells. The research, led by associate professor Feng Gao, have been published in Nature Materials.

Cultures converge at Summer Academy

This year, 185 students from 22 countries are taking part in the Summer Academy at Linköping University. In lectures and workshops they will gain insights into fields including nanotechnology, entrepreneurship and culture.

From computers to cats

Robert Eklund has gone from trying to make computers mimic human speech to investigating how cats communicate. He wants to know how to interpret their miaowing. A common thread that unites all his research is an interest in sound of various types.

Blood flow in the heart revealed in a flash

Researchers at LiU have for the first time been able to use information from computer tomography images to simulate the heart function of an individual patient. Some of the modelling methods they use have been developed in the motor industry.

NTU in Singapore gives extra power to WASP

The Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation is donating SEK 50 million to Nanyang Technological University. The donation will provide financing for 25 young researchers from all over the world to spend one year in Singapore and one year in Sweden.

Acclaim for post-graduate education in computer and information science 

The post-graduate education at LiU in computer and information science is of the highest quality, shows the most recent assessment carried out by UKÄ. “This proves that long-term work pays off”, says Henrik Eriksson, head of IDA.

Reward and unease are closely linked in the brain

Mice that lack a certain receptor in the brain are attracted to situations associated with discomfort, such as inflammation and nausea. The finding by researchers from Linköping University has been published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Industrial collaboration worth copying

Aline Kraemer and Marcelo Costa are Brazilian guest researchers at the Division of Automatic Control. Their six-month visit will soon come to an end. As they travel home, they take with them memories, insights and ideas about new ways of working.

LiU to host centre for Swedish aeronautic research

Swedish aeronautic research is now gathered in a common centre, SARC – the Swedish Aeronautic Research Center. The centre will be hosted by the Department of Management and Engineering. Top of of priorities is to establish a joint graduate school.

WASP doctoral student with a focus on safety

The many sensors with which cars are now fitted can be used to create active safety systems. In his licentiate thesis, Victor Fors examines how a car behaves when it is at the very limit of what it can achieve when avoiding a collision.

An app to cross language barriers in medical care

Two LiU master’s students from India have developed a tool to cross language barriers between personnel and patients in the medical care system. Their language apps are now being tested in several clinics.

Major flaw discovered in widely used method

An error in one of the most widely used methods in epigenetics research can cause misleading results. This may have major significance in the research field. The findings by researchers at LiU are published in Nature Methods.

How we nag at our kids – and how they try to escape it

Parents can sometimes feel they don’t do anything but nag at their children. But when referring to the commands that Swedish parents give their children, LiU researcher Asta Cekaite uses the word “negotiate”.

If we didn’t have anyone to talk to, would we need language?

Correct grammar is important, but not as important as making oneself understood. And we make ourselves understood much better than we think, by using our bodies, according to linguistics professor Leelo Keevallik.

Mechanism behind alcohol addiction found 

Changes in a brain signalling system contribute to the development of alcohol addiction-like behaviour in rats, according to a new study led by researchers at LiU. The findings are published in Science and indicate a similar mechanism in humans.

bokslapp-almedalen

Applied logistics can give faster healthcare

Queues in the healthcare system can be shortened, but there are no quick and easy fixes. It requires hard work from managers and leaders, and expertise in logistics. These are the words of Malin Wiger, newly graduated doctor in healthcare logistics.

Seeking cures for inflamed intestines

Diseases caused by intestinal inflammation are characterised by inflammation in the cell and mucous membranes of the intestine. Senior Lecturer Stefan Koch is investigating natural recovery mechanisms in the intestines.

Environmentally minded students start company in Kenya

A group of LiU students with a strong interest in green issues has started a company focussed on electric safari vehicles. Now they’re pausing their studies and moving to Kenya.

Higher citation rates for LiU research

Research at Linköping University is being increasingly noticed by researchers all over the world. This is shown by a recent global ranking list, in which LiU has risen significantly when measured by the number of citations per employee. 

Better care during ambulance transport

How do the speed and turns of the ambulance affect the care that is given? What other factors play in on the quality of care performed in an ambulance?

New mechanism by which Alzheimer's disease spreads

Harmful protein aggregates in Alzheimer's disease can spread between neurons in the brain via a cellular waste-disposal system. The new findings by researchers at Linköping University are published in Acta Neuropathologica.

Following the tracks of Alzheimer’s disease

Martin Hallbeck has a foot in two camps: he works not only in research but also as a doctor and head of clinical pathology. His research aims to find out how neurodegenerative diseases spread in the brain and how they can be stopped.

To fight human trafficking in sports 

Human trafficking in sports is widespread in many African countries. Together with a group of teacher’s training students and three African sports stars, LiU researcher P-O Hansson is building awareness of the risks involved – using an app. 

Course took her to China

One of the electives in the master’s programme Science for Sustainable Development is a course entitled Research Skills. This course lets students become acquainted with research. It took Marianne Kropf to Guangzhou in China.

Seeking new collaborations

Scientific research is international. Mobility is a plus and is an integral part of being a researcher in most fields. What does moving through the international world of research involve?

Adolescents’ everyday problems not always mental ill-health

Mental health problems or normal reactions to a life that sometimes gets tricky? Is the picture of young people’s increasing mental ill-health exaggerated? Two LiU researchers are looking for answers.

Hockey star enjoys student life

She stood in goal for the Swiss ice hockey team at the Winter Olympics in South Korea – but Florence Schellings real place is goaltender for Linköping Hockey Club and student at Linköping University.

Finding space for augmented reality

Augmented reality can be used not only to help people with a problematic printer and find their skis: it can also be used to challenge social norms. This is shown by the first group of master’s design students working with visual media.

LiU a leader within AI

When Vinnova recently surveyed research within artificial intelligence in Sweden, Linköping University was ranked a strong second. One of the leading AI environments in Sweden can be found at the Computer Vision Laboratory at Linköping University.

Police failures in dealing with internet-based hate crime

Police reports that disappear. Huge differences between police regions in success rates for investigating hate crime. A recently published study reveals serious deficiencies in the work of the Swedish Police with internet-based hate crime.

Your diagnosis may depend on where you’re from

Ethnicity researcher Anna Bredström has spent hours poring over the 1000 pages of DSM-5, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, investigating how the manual treats culture and ethnicity. 

Highly cited LiU articles on computer vision

When Martin Danelljan defends his doctoral thesis in a few weeks’ time, he will already have published more than ten scientific articles, and been cited more than 2,000 times. The group is a pioneer in object tracking, a hot topic in AI research.

The Phantom promotes co-operatives in the jungle, and strikes a blow for Pride

Spokesman for Swedish prime minister Olof Palme. Combating colonialism, apartheid and exploitive capitalists. Supporting freedom fighters. The Phantom in the 1970s reflected Swedish values and politics. This year, he struck a blow for Pride.

How many strings on your violin?

How many strings do you need for a university gala concert? We don’t know, but the Linköping University Male Voice Choir, the Linköping University Symphony Orchestra and the soloists will surely have enough at the University Gala Concert on 25 May.

Courses in supercomputer programming oversubscribed

The most powerful supercomputer in the Nordic region, Tetralith, will provide additional computing power for students taking LiU’s popular courses in parallel programming. Vital knowledge for those who want to lead the field, according to students.

Research into electronic plants receives EUR 3.3 million

Electronic plants have aroused intense interest all over the world. Eleni Stavrinidou, principal investigator in this field at the Laboratory of Organic Electronics, has been awarded EUR 3.3 million for the Horizon 2020 project HyPhOE.

Master’s students graduate in ethnicity and migration 

Linköping University started an international master’s programme in ethnicity and migration two years ago. The first intake of students has now completed the programme, and will graduate in June.

Lignin – a supergreen fuel for fuel cells

Researchers from the Laboratory of Organic Electronics at LiU have developed a fuel cell that uses lignin, a cheap by-product from paper manufacture and one of the most common biopolymers.

The results of the Big Bell Test are in

3,283 people in Sweden, among them pupils at Katedralskolan in Linköping, participated in a huge experiment that challenged Einstein’s ideas about how the world works on the scale of quantum mechanics. The results have now been published in Nature.

LiU participating in Bonn climate talks

The UN Climate Change Conference is being held in Bonn, Germany, 30 April-10 May. Several LiU researchers are attending, among them Mathias Fridahl of the Department of Thematic Studies – Environmental Change.

An armchair making an impression

Could this be a design icon of the future? Malmsten students Joel Fjällström and Rebecca Petrini decided they wanted to be noticed. They succeeded – their Mammut armchair is causing quite a sensation.

Genes behind sociality in chickens identified

Five genes that affect sociality-related behaviour in chickens have been identified in a new study in Genetics. Several of the genes have previously been linked to nervous system function or behaviour, and now also assigned a role in sociality.

Organic printing inks may restore sight to blind people

A simple retinal prosthesis is being developed in collaboration between Tel Aviv University and LiU. Fabricated using cheap and widely-available organic pigments it consists of tiny pixels like a digital camera sensor on a nanometric scale. 

Connected vehicles give efficient traffic flows

In the not-too-distant future, connected vehicles will be able to adapt to variable speed limits, increasing not only traffic efficiency but also road safety. Ellen Grumert has designed such a system during her doctoral project.

Absolute spring!

Dust off your student caps and celebrate Valborg on Walpurgis night the traditional Swedish way!

LiU religious studies scholar in New York Times

Religious studies scholar Fredrik Gregorius is a busy man, with interviews in national and international press, including the New York Times. The subject: heathen societies and contemporary Heathenism. How did this happen?

Malmstens makes global design contacts in Milan

For the first time since 2013, Malmstens Linköping University is exhibiting at Milan Design Week. In an old monastery in the city centre, ten new pieces highlight the students’ design and craft skills.

NSC at LiU to install Scandinavia’s most powerful supercomputer

Swedish researchers will gain access to significantly higher computing power when the most powerful computer in the Nordic region, Tetralith, is installed at National Supercomputer centre. The maximum speed is estimated to be just over 4 petaflops.

Alzheimer plaque affects different brain cells differently

Amyloid beta, a protein linked with Alzheimer's disease, has different properties in different cell types in the brains of fruit flies, according to a new study. It seems that certain cell types are hardly damaged at all by amyloid aggregates.

Malmstens preparing to travel to Salone de Mobile in Milan

The international design and furnishing event Salone de Mobile is considered to be the most important of its type in the world. This year’s Malmstens Linköping University will be there. The students will exhibit innovative furniture for modern times.

Baltic Sea Region researchers give the sea a chance

The nutrient load on the Baltic Sea has dropped, but is expected to increase again as a result of global warming. Four EU research projects gathered for a final conference to present and discuss their results on what more we can do.