New professor at »aging« exhibition

Ian Hickson, professor in molecular aging, had his new job at the University of Copenhagen marked with an inauguration event Monday at the Panum Institute, complete with choral music. The ceremony also marked the opening of a new exhibition on aging by the Medical Museion in the Panum Institute buildings.

See pictures of the exhibition here

The celebrated cancer researcher, who joins the Faculty of Health Science's Centre for Healthy Aging after 20 years at Oxford University, was full of self-deprecating humour as he recounted his career so far:

Midnight snacks mean bad teeth

As well as piling on the kilos, late night snacks are also harmful to your teeth, according to the results of a University of Copenhagen study, published in the Journal of Eating Behaviours.

This is according to the British news site bbc.co.uk.

Eat late, lose teeth

Researchers examined medical records of 2,217 Danes and found that indulging in midnight snacks increase the risk of tooth loss, regardless of the type of food eaten.

Over a period of six years, a significant finding emerged.

Schizophrenia tied to late development

Study findings indicate a link between schizophrenia and developmental delays as early as in the first year of life. This is according to the medical news site, MedWire.

Erik Lykke Mortensen from the Department of Public Health at the University of Copenhagen and colleagues had 5765 mothers of the Copenhagen Perinatal Cohort record 12 developmental milestones during their child's first year.

The children were then monitored over the course of 46-48 years.

Developmental milestones

Self-awareness, norms, and emotions, all on video

We all know the feeling. Sitting there, bowl of milk and cornflakes in front of us, throwing ourselves a few fast ones before the start of the day:

»Does the self exist? Is it real or an illusion? What is the relationship between the self and consciousness? What is the relationship between the self and others? Does the self exist when we're alone, or only when we're in company? What is the relationship between the self, experience, self-awareness and self-hood? Or the self and the values we associate with ourselves?«

Dean: Courageous and visionary Novo gift

The new DKK 885 million donation from the Novo Nordisk Foundation will mean that half of the faculty’s income streams will come from external sources such as research councils and funds.

This is according to the Dean of Health Sciences Ulla Wewer, after the announcement was made that the University of Copenhagen would be the host of the new funded Center for Basic Metabolic Research.

Ulla Wewer adds that universities must learn to live with the fact that universities have to go out and get funding themselves.

Copenhagen a magnet

Vikings found in Denmark

Viking skeletons have been excavated by Danish scientists wearing full protective body suits, hairnets and face masks. They may not have looked quite as tough as their 1,000 AD counterparts, but it was necessary in order not to contaminate the aDNA of the remains with modern human DNA.

This is according to the blog, Target Health.

Vikings in a sterile environment

DKK 210 million for research

The Infrastructure Fund, part of the Globalisation Fund, will now award DKK 210 million to help establish a new research infrastructure in Denmark.

See a article 'Deal cut over university billions' here.

According to the press release from the Ministry of Science, the grant has received backing from politicians across the board, and will help secure the best possible facilities for research.

At the University of Copenhagen, three projects have been granted money:

Young-looking people live longer

George Nelson, aka ‘Baby Face’, might have lived to be a very old man had he not been shot. A new study, led by Professor Kaare Christensen of the University of Southern Denmark, indicates that people who look young for their age live to be older than people who do not.

The scientists studied 387 pairs of twins, aged 70 and up.

Geriatric nurses, older women and young male student teachers were presented with mug shots of the twins, and asked to guess their age. Each group was picked for their supposed varying level of skill in assessing the age of the subjects.

Breast cancer treatment leads to long term pain

Following treatment for breast cancer nearly 50 percent of women experience symptoms of pain for 2-3 years. This is according to a study by researchers from the University of Copenhagen (U of C), published in JAMA (the Journal Of the American Medical Association).

Nerve damage related to surgery is one of many problems following breast cancer treatment. After surgical procedures patients have also experienced sensory loss or burning.

This is according to the online news sources Science Codex and Modern Medicine.

Painful to be young

Copenhagen cancer patients now do hard work outs

Following positive research results, all cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in Copenhagen are now able to take a programme that improves muscular strength, physical function and aerobic capacity - and reduces fatigue.

This is according to clinical health professor Lis Adamsen of the Department of Public Health at University of Copenhagen who talked to the University Post.