See, feel, taste the newest research

Two sunny days in April, students and researchers from University of Copenhagen are assembled at the Town Hall Square to share their work with people passing by.

The event is part of the annual Festival of Research intended to enhance public interest and understanding of current research in an unconventional, interactive way.

People in all ages are invited to take part in experiments ranging from stress tests to sunscreen fabrication based on oranges. It is also possible to taste some nutritious caterpillars or a bit of freshly squeezed cabbage juice.

Study trip went to hi-tech particle accelerator

Ever dreamt of possessing the power of a superhero, like the X-ray vision of a Superman?

Six PhD students from the Life Science and Science faculties have just been given these superhuman powers, albeit for a short period of time and under laboratory conditions, in Grenoble, France, as they checked out the power of advanced X-ray physics at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF).

Among these students was Tine Straasø, a PhD student at the Niels Bohr Institute, who sent us a photo story from her trip.

Crystals, blood cells and molecules

No phones, no net: We are in a Borneo village

You are given a sheet of paper. On it are some GPS coordinates and a short description of a rural village located close to the Malaysian-Indonesian border. You will be staying here for 10 days.

It sounds a bit like an episode from the reality-TV series Survivor. But it is not. It is actually the beginning of the SLUSE joint field-studies course in Interdisciplinary Land Use and Natural Resource Management.

Big names in Copenhagen to talk sustainability

Talk of sustainability is in the air. On 31 January 31, 2011 the Faculty of Life Science will welcome two movers and shakers in the field of sustainable development, Per Pinstrup-Anderson and Finn Tarp.

The term 'sustainable development' means the use of resources while preserving the environment for future generations.

Per Pinstrup-Anderson, of Cornell University in the US, has dedicated his life to reducing inequality and hunger in the developing world. In 2001, he was recognised for his work and received the World Food Prize.

Obesity researcher takes on new editorship

After eleven years as chief editor of the English Journal 'Obesity Reviews,' Arne Astrup has retired. But, that doesn’t mean he has retired from editorship completely.

For the first time ever the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has accepted a non-American to its editorial committee. Astrup assumes the position of Associate Editor.

To decide on manuscripts

Astrup, Head of the Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, has received both Danish and international awards for his communication skills as an obesity researcher.

Plant is too good for its own good

Drought, frost, and salt tolerant, quinoa (pronounced ‘key-noo-ah’…ed) isn’t your average crop. It has been cultivated by Andean farmers for thousands of years. And it can grow up to 4000 metres altitude. It is also known for its high plant protein content.

In 1985 Sven-Erik Jacobsen fell in love with it.

After finishing his Master’s degree he was hired by a company interested in bringing new crops to Denmark. His job was to field test quinoa under Danish conditions, and show the demonstration plots to farmers.

Spreaded the quinoa gospel

Organic food is not healthier, study finds

If you think paying a higher price for organic vegetables gives your diet a health boost, think again.

Antioxidant levels in organic onions, carrots and potatoes are no different to their conventionally-grown counterparts, a new study shows.

This is according to science news site Sciencedaily.com.

The results were released last week in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Same antioxidant levels

Copenhagen to help India with buffalo milk

Buffalo milk from India could become a new area of expertise for Copenhagen scientists. This is according to the Hindustani Times, who point to a possible collaboration between the university and Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi.

Professor Richard Ipsen, a dairy scientist from the Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, hinted at a possible collaboration with BH while in India on Wednesday, the newspaper writes.

Read an interview with Richard Ipsen here.

Banaras Hindu University is in Varanasi on the Ganges river.

Rye bread wins dieticians’ hearts

Test subject number five, Camille, brings her groceries to the checkout counter: A little bit of fish, some Heinz ketchup, a loaf of Rugbrød, a cucumber, a small bag of grains. Camille’s groceries look like your average Danish purchase at the average Danish grocery store.

However, on the screen at the cashier appears a complex listing of the exact nutritional value of every ounce of food in Camille’s basket.