Latest news with #LinköpingUniversity
IOL News
25-06-2025
- Science
- IOL News
Is your pet's evolution a 'paw-sitive' surprise? Find out what you've been missing
It's a dog's life for those that live with humans in cities, where gracing a doggie raincoat is part of the bargain of being man's best friend. Image: Yaroslav Shuraev/pexels Ever notice how your pet dog has got you taped, knows how to get its way with those uber-cute approaches and dreamy expressions? Perhaps you've even pondered whether your faithful furbaby is taking you for a ride with its manipulative prompts, side-eyes and pitiful glances at the door, telling you it wants to go for a W.A.L.K? Well, according to scientists, this is because canines are continuing to evolve to take on the ever-changing demands placed on them as man's best friend. They suggest that our canine companions are evolving in real-time right in front of our very eyes. We all know that today's domesticated dogs are quite different from the wild wolves that first ventured into human settlements, where they were ultimately used to hunt, guard our homes and livestock, and even retrieve geese that their owners have shot down from the sky. But today's modern household dogs have pivoted over time, acquiring new skills, intelligence and behaviours that make their existence - and that of their human - way more fun, rewarding and nurturing for all concerned. Gone are the days when dogs slept outside, come rain or shine, where their role was primarily to guard the family. Today, many live pampered lives in close proximity to the entire family, where it has become increasingly important for everyone to be tuned into each other - humans and canines. According to "The Brain Maze", a study by Sweden's Linköping University has confirmed what dog lovers have long suspected about their pampered pooches - the bond between dogs and humans is insanely biological, and it is intensifying over time. Their research shows many dogs in urban settings now recognise our human emotions, follow social cues they encounter, such as crossing robots safely by watching people walk when the light turns green. They also sense when they're needed to give comfort to a human when they're distressed. They believe we may be seeing the rise of a new evolutionary path, one where intelligence is defining their future, and not just basic animal instincts. The study says it all comes down to Oxytocin - the hormone responsible for love and trust, one which canines seem to be taking advantage of to seek help, show affection or make the most of whatever modern life throws at them. According to the study, modern service dogs are leading the pack, because unlike their ancestors, which were bred for guarding, herding or retrieving game, these dogs are biologically and behaviourally wired to be social and calm, and display amazing empathy to humans. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Daniel Stewart with his 'best dog in the world', Heera. Image: Supplied Dogs being all cute by fetching your slippers or flopping on your lap, exposing their bellies - something their wolf-like ancestors would never have done back in the day - knowing full well they'll get fussed over, kissed and possibly given treats. This advanced social intelligence includes their ability to understand human gestures, facial expressions and emotional cues - all made possible by the changed relationships between humans and their pets where they're often regarded as family, live inside and know how to live their best lives through their endearing mannerisms, quirks and tricks to get treats or attention. This cognitive aspect appears to be driving the changing behaviours of dogs that we encounter each day. Empathy and adaptability are the key traits that they've honed over time, and now the dog experts say our furry friends are entering a third wave of domestication. One reader of "The Brain Maze" article supported the theory, saying: "And Chihuas are at the forefront of this transformation! Our Chi's adore us!! and spend their days assessing and managing our emotions with empathy and affection." Another said her service dog "intuitively did the things I needed help with, like dragging me home when I get overstimulated in public (from autism)." But is it the dogs evolving, or is it the other way around? Globally recognised dog behaviourist, Daniel Stewart, who heads up KZN Animal Training, believes that a lot of these changes have come about by breeders selecting certain traits that are desirable to us. "I do not believe that dogs are evolving to be agreeable, I believe that we create them through selective breeding to make them more appealing for us. It is not always the fluffy, cute-eyed dog that we find appealing. Some people enjoy having dogs with an aggressive nature for protection or to project their macho image. "So, really speaking, is it the dog or is it human behaviour that is changing?" Stewart believes that our human behaviours play a large role where what we do, primarily providing the social cues to our pets, which they respond to, thereby creating a symbiotic relationship. "We are so far down the line from the domestication process, we have evolved and dogs have evolved so that they can be suitable to our environment because we consider ourselves as the apex predator, so it is more about adapt or die."
Extra.ie
31-05-2025
- Science
- Extra.ie
Dogs 'entering new phase of domestication'
New studies have shown that our furry friends may be entering a new phase of domestication, primarily as cuddly companions, and it's all down to genetics, evolution and our human need for love and companionship. Ever since man first domesticated wolves, dogs have been used for guarding and herding, search and rescue, and also as companions. Canine domestication dates back around 40,000 years. The first wave of domestication began when humans lived as hunters and foragers, and often left food waste on the outskirts of their settlements. Pic:But scientists have recently discovered that dogs are entering a third wave of domestication and it's all driven by our desire to have pets who are calm, and gentle and enjoy our increasingly sedentary lifestyle. Just a few decades ago dogs were primarily used to guard livestock and homes and mostly lived outside, but now all of that has changed and people are now referring to their pets as 'fur babies'. The need for a dog to have a 'herding' or 'guarding' instinct has been slowly changing, as this instinct would make life difficult for a pet to handle domestic situations or even just simply interacting with other dogs in their neighbourhood. Pic: Getty Images Companionship has now become the most important thing for us humans to have with our pets and scientists have found that this shift has increased the levels of Oxytocin in our pets, a hormone responsible for social bonding in dogs, especially service dogs. The study, conducted by researchers at Sweden's Linköping University in 2017, investigated how dogs developed their unique ability to work together with humans, including their willingness to 'ask for help' when faced with difficult situations. Researchers observed 60 Golden Retrievers as they attempted to open a jar of treats by lifting the lid, which was intentionally made impossible to open. They then took DNA swabs from inside the dogs' noses to determine their levels of Oxytocin. The dogs performed this task twice, once after receiving an oxytocin nasal spray and once after a spray of saline. The study found that the dogs who reacted strongly to the oxytocin were much more likely to turn to their owners and 'ask for help' in opening the jar of treats. In other words, a dog's social skills are partially ingrained in their genetics, specifically in the genes that control their sensitivity to oxytocin. The team also timed the dogs to see how long it would take before they would give up the task and turn to their owners to 'ask for help'. These findings offer new insight into how domestication has altered the genes that influence dogs' social skills. The research has concluded that dogs' behavioural traits are undergoing a third wave of domestication and that the role our pets play in our lives has moved from worker to almost totally companion animal, and that this in turn has altered their actual biology. Dog behavioural scientists have concluded that for the happiness of dogs and their owners, humans need to train more dogs like service animals, embarking on a new wave of dog domestication to 'help them fit into the new world we have created,'
Medscape
15-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Safe Driving Possible Despite Loss of Visual Field
People with a reduced visual field due to glaucoma or stroke who regained their licenses after passing a simulator-based assessment showed similar driving performance on the road as that of their peers with normal vision. METHODOLOGY: Researchers in Sweden investigated the driving performance of people with a reduced visual field who regained their licenses after passing a simulator-based assessment and compared it with that of younger and similarly aged individuals with normal vision. They matched people with a reduced visual field (n = 72; mean age, 66 years) on the basis of sex and familiarity with the environment to control individuals with normal vision of similar (n = 70; mean age, 67 years) and younger (n = 70; mean age, 26 years) ages; the group with reduced visual field failed to meet the standard of an approved visual field defined by Swedish law. All participants underwent standardized driving tests conducted by certified examiners at 39 traffic offices nationwide who were blinded to their allocation; examiners evaluated participants' knowledge about vehicles, adherence to traffic rules, and traffic safety using the Swedish national driving test protocol. TAKEAWAY: The pass rates achieved by the reduced visual field, similarly aged, and younger aged groups were 68%, 66%, and 81%, respectively, with no significant difference between the groups; driving habits, the number of tested checkpoints, and interventions were also comparable across groups. Among people with a reduced visual field, no difference in pass rate was observed with regard to the type of diagnosis. Older age was linked to a significantly lower likelihood of passing the test ( P < .05), with younger drivers showing better attentiveness than older drivers, regardless of having a reduced visual field. IN PRACTICE: 'The results clearly indicate that individuals with VFL [visual field loss] can be safe drivers, performing at least as well as matched, normally sighted controls,' the researchers wrote. 'Simulator and on-road tests are critical tools for individualized assessment, challenging the sole reliance on perimetry for licensing decisions. These findings support the inclusion of practical on-road driving tests as a regulatory option for individuals with VFL, promoting mobility while maintaining road safety.' SOURCE: This study was conducted by Tomas Bro of the Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences at Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. It was published online on May 9, 2025, in Acta Ophthalmologica . LIMITATIONS: Data on loss of visual field were collected at the time of application for the simulator test, leading to inconsistencies in the availability and recency of these perimetric results, with some findings being at least 4 years old. DISCLOSURES: The study was supported by grants from Stiftelsen Promobilia. No other disclosures were reported by the authors.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists develop extraordinary battery tech that's like nothing seen before: 'The texture is a bit like toothpaste'
Battery scientists from Sweden could borrow some packaging tips from Colgate as they develop an amazing unit with fluid electrodes. The malleable breakthrough could transform energy storage for gadgets, according to the Linköping University research team. "The texture is a bit like toothpaste," Assistant Professor Aiman Rahmanudin said in a news release. A photo shared by the team shows a dark, pasty substance being squeezed from a tube. If it were white, it would fit the visual billing for your typical tooth cleaner. The fluid electrode opens the door for fascinating production potential. "The material can, for instance, be used in a 3D printer to shape the battery as you please," Rahmanudin added. When common lithium-ion batteries charge and discharge, ions move between solid electrodes made of often costly materials, through the electrolyte. The ones that power most devices and electric vehicles use a liquid electrolyte, though solid ones are in development. Battery innovators around the world are at work to develop better-performing packs with less expensive parts that don't require problematic foreign supply chains. The Linköping team said it's estimated that a trillion internet-connected devices will be online within the next 10 years, including phones, watches, and crucial medical tech. Bulky, solid batteries that currently power them are limited in design. "But with a soft and conformable battery, there are no design limitations. It can be integrated into electronics in a completely different way and adapted to the user," Rahmanudin said. The Sweden experts intend to succeed where others have failed by using conductive polymers and lignin, a paper production byproduct, making manufacturing somewhat circular. The plan also avoids rare materials and ones that hardened during operation in past attempts. Early test results are promising. The pack can be stretched to double its length while maintaining performance for 500 cycles, all per the summary. Should the U.S. be investing more in battery production to catch up with China? Absolutely We're investing a good amount We should be investing less I have no idea Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Next up, the team plans to experiment with common Earth metals — zinc and manganese — to see if the additives can help increase voltage, which is just 0.9 volts now. "The battery isn't perfect. We have shown that the concept works, but the performance needs to be improved," Rahmanudin said in the release. Other bendable energy storage tech is in the works elsewhere. Scientists at the University of Maryland are proving that twisted carbon nanotubes can store loads of power. Researchers at North Carolina State are developing yarn-like supercapacitors that could be stitched into clothing to power wearable devices. It's all part of an energy revolution that is shifting how we use and store electricity, including at home. Internet-based smart homes can make managing electricity use for most of your devices and appliances a breeze, saving you money on your utility bills. Simply switching out your old lightbulbs for new LEDs can cut five times the harmful heat-trapping air pollution, saving you $600 a year if you replace at least 40. The pollution reduction is important, as most of the world suffers from poor air quality, according to the World Health Organization. The agency lists asthma, wheezing, and other respiratory problems as risks associated with the dirty air. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
The Guardian
25-04-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
‘It shapes the whole experience': what happens when you build a city from wood?
Although activity is high, it is surprisingly quiet inside the construction site of a high school extension in Sickla, a former industrial area in south Stockholm that is set to become part of the 'largest mass timber project in the world' according to the Swedish urban property developer Atrium Ljungberg. Just a few months remain until students enter the premises, but there is no sound of drilling or pounding against concrete walls. The scent of wood is unmistakable, and signs of the material can be spotted everywhere – from glulam (glued laminated timber) columns and beams in the building's frame to cross-laminated timber (CLT) slabs in the floors, ceilings and staircases. CLT, made by gluing together layers of planed wood into panels, offers strength and rigidity comparable to concrete but is significantly lighter and quicker to build with. 'It's a fantastic working environment – no concrete dust, no silica dust issues. It's clean and quiet,' said Niklas Häggström, the project area manager at Atrium Ljungberg, and responsible for the realisation of the entire Wood City project, when we walk around the site. In total, 25 neighbourhoods will cover 25 hectares. The first buildings are scheduled for completion in 2025, with the next phase – including 2,000 homes – planned for 2027. It is an enormous project, but with timber Atrium Ljungberg can build 1,000 sq metres a week. With concrete, it manages half that. In 2022 Atrium Ljungberg set an ambitious goal to become climate neutral by 2030. Just by choosing timber as the structural material, the company has said it reduces its climate impact by about 40%, a claim backed up by researchers at Linköping University. And that is before factoring in energy systems and reuse strategies. One goal, for example, is to reuse 20% of materials in tenant adaptations, refurbishments and new-builds. According to Angela Berg, its business area director, shifting from concrete to timber is not just a technical change – it is a mindset shift. 'It shapes the whole city experience: from the facade materials to the greenery, to how people interact with their environment. It's not about entering a building and seeing wood, it's about feeling the difference everywhere,' she said. If other companies were to follow suit, one study found that building with wood instead of concrete and steel in 80% of new buildings would help offset half of Europe's construction industry emissions. Another study found that wooden buildings continue to be climate friendly – a four-storey wooden building results in a net uptake of 150 tonnes of carbon dioxide. This is possible because the wood stores the CO2 absorbed by the growing trees. (The analysis takes into account the energy used in wood production, transport and the construction of the building.) While each building will have a different character, wood will permeate the city inside and out, said Oskar Norelius, an architect at White Arkitektur who has worked with Atrium Ljungberg on the project. 'It shouldn't be something you discover only when you walk in. The timber should be part of the experience from the street.' The hope is that the city will also improve the wellbeing of the people inside the buildings. 'Wood regulates indoor humidity, creating a naturally comfortable climate throughout the year. Beyond that, studies show that visible timber has psychological benefits – it reduces stress, helps children concentrate better, and even supports faster recovery in patients. These effects carry over into offices and homes too.' Norelius recently worked on Sara cultural centre in Skellefteå, which is the Nordic region's tallest timber building to date with 20 storeys, putting the city on the map as a global pioneer. 'While other countries often have the knowledge, they haven't implemented it at scale like Sweden has,' he said. The fact that 70% of the country is covered in woodland has supported a long tradition of building in wood. Before 1994 Swedish building codes restricted the use of wood in buildings over two storeys, mainly due to fire safety concerns. But when the country revised its building regulations, materials were no longer explicitly banned; instead buildings had to meet functional demands for fire safety, structural stability and sound insulation. Wood could now be used in multi-storey buildings if they met safety standards. It also led to the increased use and further development of engineered wood products such as CLT and glulam. In recent years, other Scandinavian countries have followed suit, including Wood City in the Jätkäsaari district of Helsinki, which consist of a series of multi-storey buildings completed in 2021, and the 18-storey Mjøstårnet in Brumunddal, Norway, which is the country's third-tallest building, finished in 2019. Other examples around the world include Gaia, a wooden campus in Singapore that opened in 2023, and an eight-storey housing block in Seattle, which opened the same year. In Sydney, Atlassian Headquarters, a wooden retail and office space, claims it will be the 'tallest commercial hybrid timber tower in the world' when completed. But despite the race to build sustainably, there have been conflicting interests between forestry, biodiversity, recreation and climate concerns in Sweden in recent years. While some argue the country should not harvest forests at all, others believe that managed forestry is beneficial for carbon capture. 'Over time, it leads to more growth and more carbon stored,' said Erik Serrano, a professor in structural mechanics at Lund University. 'If you can meet the same technical requirements of load-bearing, fire safety, moisture, acoustics, then wood has a clear advantage because it comes from a natural cycle. It's a zero-sum game in terms of carbon dioxide over its lifecycle. What's important is that we use wood for long-lived products as much as possible. If we store carbon in buildings for 100 or 200 years, we delay emissions significantly – that's a major effect.' In Sickla, Häggström stops by a window facing the Marcusplatsen square, and describes how Wood City will be self-sufficient on electricity thanks to a geothermal energy system. There are two birch trees right outside the window that have been left untouched – a seemingly mundane detail – but Häggström explains that it is part of a larger strategy. 'We had the option to remove the trees and plant new ones, but we chose to keep them – even though it cost us an extra £20,000,' he said. 'We felt the existing trees were part of the place's identity. It's not just about building sustainably – it's about creating a place people want to be in.' By building in timber and showing the reduced carbon impact, he believes pressure is put on the concrete industry to innovate. 'They see the carbon numbers, they see what's possible, and they have to respond. And that's a good thing. This project isn't just a school – it's part of pushing the whole sector forward.'
