Uudised

Ageing cannot be prevented, but with regular exercise we can do much for our health later in life. A doctoral student at the University of Tartu, Anni Rava, studied the associations between body composition, mobility and blood inflammatory biomarkers with physical activity in 113 older women. The study confirmed the fundamental truth that physical activity helps maintain physical capability, which is important for maintaining independence in older age.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common movement disorder in the world, and difficult to diagnose and treat. A doctoral student at the University of Tartu’s Faculty of Medicine, Toomas Toomsoo, conducted the first extensive brain sonography study in Estonia, which enables to see changes occurring in the midbrain. The results of the doctoral thesis confirmed the value of sonography in diagnosing PD.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

The senate of the university has elected three new professors: Professor of Clinical Neurology - Janika Kõrv Janika Kõrv has been working at the University of Tartu as an Associate Professor of Neurology since 2010.

You are invited to join the seminar by Associate Professor of experimental paediatrics Erik A. Eklund (MD, PhD), Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Sweden. Title of the seminar: CDG - rare disorders with sweet solutions Time: Monday, 25 March at 10:00 Location: Lunini 6, room 129C, Tartu

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.

Before the anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, President Kersti Kaljulaid will award decorations to 112 people, whose commitment to their profession, work or community has made life in Estonia better. From the Faculty of Medicine three people were awarded: Helle Karro is awarded the Order of the Estonian Red Cross, 2nd class

On 6 February, the council of the Institute of Clinical Medicine of the University of Tartu re-elected Professor of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Joel Starkopf as head of the institute. Starkopf has been in charge of the institute since it was formed in 2016.

Last December, Alireza Fazeli held his inaugural lecture as the new Professor of Clinical Genomics and Personalized Medicine at the University of Tartu. He presented his view on the burning issue of how cells communicate with each other and why we need to know about it. Read more and watch Alireza Fazeli’s inaugural lecture from the UT blog.

The opening assembly of the University of Tartu of the Republic of Estonia on 1 December 1919 marked the establishment of an Estonian-language university that was above all designed for Estonian students and to serve Estonian society. The centenary of the national university is celebrated throughout the year with a nation-wide cultural programme, an opinion festival and the largest gathering of alumni to date. The anniversary year draws to a close in December.

On 15 January, the new academic and research building of the Institute of Sport Sciences and Physiotherapy of the University of Tartu and the sports complex extension were officially opened. The total cost of the works exceeded 10 million euros. According to Priit Kaasik, Head of the Institute of Sport Sciences and Physiotherapy, the new building offers improved conditions for teaching physiotherapy and training coaches and physical education teachers. There are also rooms for research.

On 30 November, the University of Tartu became a full member in the EIT Health network of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), and also participates in two new Knowledge and Innovation Communities that were announced on 5 December: EIT Manufacturing and EIT Urban Mobility. EIT funding to the new innovation communities will increase over the next three years from four to 80 million euros per year.

Public lecture of prof. Ilpo Tapani Huhtaniemi, the honorary doctor of Tartu University 2018, is taking place on Thursday, Nov 29th, 2018 at 2 p.m. in Biomedicum hall 1006 (Ravila St.19). Lecture title: "Young mice and old men unraveling secrets of testicular function”.

On Saturday, 1 December, the University of Tartu celebrates the 99th anniversary of the Estonian national university. At the anniversary ceremony, doctorates and honorary doctorates are conferred and the award for contribution to national identity is presented. During the week, many fascinating anniversary events take place at the university – for students, alumni and all those interested.

A preclinical trial conducted in Estonia shows that herbal supplements must be consumed carefully during active cancer treatment, as they may cause harm instead of good. Scientists in Tartu and Tallinn analysed whether the chemotherapeutics used for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer could have interactions with bioactive compounds contained in plants. The studied bioactive compounds were plant pigments or flavonoids.