Umeå University

The NorthMom study: population-based follow-up of women in a birth cohort to assess pregnancy exposures and effects on breast cancer risk factors

Abstract Background The NorthMom Study (NorthMom) is an observational, population-based cohort designed to determine how the environment during pregnancy affects later health risks among women. The specific focus of NorthMom is breast cancer risk, evaluated through intermediate m...

Probiotics and Risk of Death, Necrotizing Enterocolitis, and Sepsis in Very Preterm Infants

Importance Probiotics are reported to benefit preterm infants, but population-based clinical evidence is limited. In 2020, the Swedish Neonatal Society issued a national recommendation to supplement very preterm infants (28 weeks 0 days’ to 31 weeks 6 days’ gestation) with probio...

Molecular mechanism of complement interference by Streptococcus pyogenes nuclease A

Abstract Bacteria deploy virulence factors to subvert host immunity; yet the molecular details of these interactions often remain limited. Here, we reveal the structure and host interactome of the Streptococcus pyogenes nuclease A (SpnA). We characterize the structure and dynamic...

Study of the impact of etching mixtures on the surface chemistry and electrocatalytic activity of multilayer Ti3C2Tx MXenes

Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXenes are commonly obtained through the chemical etching of the Ti₃AlC₂ MAX phase; however, the influence of the composition of the etching medium on their physicochemical properties and electrocatalytic performance requires further detailed understanding. This study com...

Populism and impatience

Abstract We develop a model where highly impatient voters are more likely than others to be subject to institutional frictions in the form of binding borrowing constraints. As impatient, borrowing-constrained voters cannot move long-term policy gains to the present, they turn to...

Sedentary behavior and activity patterns in Swedish log truck drivers - a descriptive cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Professional drivers spend a significant amount of their worktime sedentary and generally have a high prevalence overweight or obesity, musculoskeletal pain and poor health. Sedentary time has been linked to several health outcomes, and there are international...

Computational Methods in Physical Virology: A Critical Perspective across lengths and timescales

Physical virology investigates viral particles by focusing on their assembly, stability, mechanics, and interactions with host cells, neutralizing antibodies, and surfaces. Within this field, computational virology is becoming an indispensable pillar, serving as a "computational...

Upfront surgery vs. neoadjuvant therapy in pancreatic cancer with venous involvement: a multicenter retrospective analysis

Abstract Introduction The benefits of neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) for pancreatic cancer (PC) with portal venous involvement remain debated. This study aimed to compare the short- and long-term outcomes of surgery with or without NAT in patients with PC with suspected venous involve...

Fast Mueller matrix digital holography with anisotropy-informed machine learning for automated non-destructive microplastic characterization

Non-invasive detection and classification of microplastics (MPs) remain a significant challenge in environmental monitoring. In this work, we introduce a polarization-sensitive digital holography (PSDH) technique, termed Mueller matrix Imaging with Machine learning for Identifica...

Combined effects of long‑term air pollution exposures on adult active asthma: a quantile g-computation analysis

Abstract Background Air pollution is a well‑established risk factor for the development of asthma, yet most studies examine pollutants individually, failing to capture the health effects of real‑world pollutant mixtures. Assessing long-term multipollutant exposure is essential fo...

Accelerated lowland thermokarst development revealed by UAS photogrammetric surveys in the Stordalen mire, Abisko, Sweden

Organic matter decomposition in permafrost soils depends on factors such as soil pH, temperature, and redox conditions. Over lowland permafrost soils, these conditions are shaped by microtopography, which evolves with physical degradation, i.e., lowland thermokarst development. A...

Satisfaction with treatment decision-making and long-term experiences of life-prolonging treatments for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

BACKGROUND: Treatments in the phase of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) aim to prolong survival and reduce the symptom burden. The fast development of life-prolonging therapies makes treatment decision-making (TDM) complex, weighting survival against possib...

Demystifying consumers' climate change engagement: a knowledge–attitude–practice perspective

Purpose Despite growing interest in climate change engagement, its nature and dynamics remain poorly understood. Addressing this gap, we conceptualise consumers' climate change engagement (CCCE) and explore its role in enhancing sustainable consumption. Design/methodology/approac...

Benchmarking foundation models for tumor segmentation across multiple cancer types

Abstract Tumor segmentation is a core task in medical image analysis, with direct implications for diagnosis, treatment planning, and disease monitoring. Whether promptable foundation models are mature enough for heterogeneous oncological scenarios remains an open question. We pr...

NheABC is a pH-dependent cytotoxin that targets mitochondria and contributes to the virulence of Bacillus cereus in wound infections

Members of the Bacillus cereus group are Gram-positive, spore-forming, facultative anaerobic bacteria widely distributed in the environment. Pathogenic B. cereus group strains have been linked to a range of illnesses and infections, including severe non-gastrointestinal infection...

Professional legitimacy in Swedish wildlife management: frontline bureaucrats in a gendered governance landscape

Swedish wildlife management is characterized by multi-level governance, stakeholder conflict, and strong cultural ties to hunting. In this contested arena, frontline wildlife officers play a central role in mediating between state authority and local interests, making professiona...

Promotion of long-term health in early life

Noncommunicable chronic diseases (NCDs) are on the rise in high-income countries, leading to substantial morbidity and mortality and contributing to increased resource demands and healthcare costs. Early-life exposures can initiate trajectories that culminate in NCDs later in lif...

Developing a formative assessment framework for supporting students’ reasoning during problem solving

Abstract When students solve problems by means of their own reasoning, they develop mathematical competencies and retain knowledge better than if they imitate given solutions. However, when the challenges are too great students require support. Supporting students’ own mathematic...

Whole genome sequencing reveals a specific microbiota in subglottic stenosis C. acnes may contribute to inflammation

PURPOSE: Subglottic stenosis (SGS) progressively reduces the airway below the vocal folds. The cause is not known and there is a recurrent need of surgical treatment. Including all phenotypes, SGS affects 1/400 000/yr, with a female dominance. Previous studies have revealed a pos...

Brain defence by the extracellular matrix protein Cochlin

Abstract The vertebrate brain is protected from infection by tight barriers. However, several barrier structures, including circumventricular organs, can be breached by pathogens. Here, we show that Cochlin, an extracellular matrix-binding protein with anti-bacterial properties,...