University of Helsinki

Expanding the cardiac phenotype of homozygous PPA2 variants: insights from a large Finnish family

Abstract Background Cardiomyopathies in children associate with significant morbidity and mortality. PPA2 deficiency is a rare mitochondrial disorder linked to sudden cardiac death in children and adolescents. Most reported cases are post-mortem, with limited data on surviving in...

Toward Agent-Based Educational Science: Rethinking Educational Research in the Age of AI

Educational science faces a structural mismatch between the pace of educational innovation and the methods used to evaluate its developmental impact. While new pedagogical approaches and AI-driven learning technologies are rapidly deployed, the empirical paradigm of classroom-bas...

Association of salivary matrix metalloproteinase-8 with metabolic syndrome in women at high GDM risk

Abstract Background To assess associations between metabolic syndrome (MetS), insulin resistance, and periodontal diseases with salivary active matrix metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8) in metabolically high-risk women. Methods A total of 112 women with a history of high gestational di...

Pest Management for Transgenic Cotton in Developing Countries: A Troubled Strategy

Abstract Cotton is an economically important crop in many developing regions but arthropod pests cause enormous losses. Frequent application of synthetic insecticides resulted in pest resistance rendering cotton production unprofitable in many countries. The introduction of trans...

Engineering structured solid amine sorbents from industrial slag-derived nanocomposites for CO2 capture

The demand for shaped/structured sorbents that utilize inorganic support is steadily increasing, as many startups heavily use primary amine-functionalized ion exchange resins. Meanwhile, the cost of sorbents for direct CO2 capture from air is high, and the use of virgin raw mater...

Total Ozone Reactivity Measurements Reveal Knowledge Gap in Volatile Organic Compound Emissions and Their Reactions

Abstract Total ozone (O 3 ) reactivity monitors (TORMs) were used to investigate biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) emissions from several ecosystems. Measurements were conducted in temperate deciduous North American forests, during the CABINEX and SOAS campaigns, on tundr...

Percentiles for crying, regurgitation, stool consistency, and CoMiSSTM in presumed healthy infants

Parents frequently consult health care professionals because of infant regurgitation, crying and stool consistency. The Cow’s Milk-related Symptom Score (CoMiSS TM ) is an awareness tool for cow’s milk allergy. We aimed to characterize the distribution of CoMiSS items in presumed...

Hybrid vigor and outbreeding depression after 100 years of replicate introduction of Caucasian beech to European forests

Abstract Hybridization between closely related forest tree species is a major concern for assisted migration decisions. Historical introductions, such as the repeated introduction of Caucasian beech ( Fagus hohenackeriana ) into European beech ( Fagus sylvatica ) forests over 100...

Theory Choice in Epistemic Networks: Five ways to avoid premature convergence

Abstract In this article, we study difficult theory-choice situations, where division of cognitive labor is needed. Network epistemology models suggest that reducing connectivity is needed to prevent premature convergence on bad theories. We compare how network density, community...

Shotgun Metagenomic Analysis Reveals Taxonomic and Functional Transitions in the Salivary Microbiome During Periodontal Disease Progression

ABSTRACT Aim To characterise multi‐kingdom salivary microbiome profiles across clinically defined periodontal states and identify stage‐specific taxonomic and functional alterations using shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Materials and Methods In this cross‐sectional study, 204 adu...

Simplified modeling of the impact of lithospheric-scale geological processes on thermal histories and low-temperature thermochronometers

Abstract. Many geological processes influence or perturb the thermal state of the lithosphere. This presents a challenge for relating thermal history data modeled from thermochronometers such as apatite and zircon fission-track and (U-Th)/He dating to geological evolution, a prim...

Prediction of platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy response in muscle-invasive bladder cancer using a multifaceted approach

Abstract Radical cystectomy (RC), preceded by platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), is recommended for eligible patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Although NAC improves survival, many patients do not respond; in non-responders, it may delay surgery and...

Uncovering food purchase behaviors and their shifts using Hidden Markov Modeling

Abstract Background Investigating food purchase data is a novel and effective approach to large-scale dietary assessment, but many traditional analysis methods often overlook the temporal structure of food purchases. This study demonstrates a data-driven approach for identifying...

Long-term type 2 diabetes risk prediction using machine learning with childhood, adolescent, and genetic factors

Abstract Late diagnosis of type 2 diabetes increases patient morbidity and healthcare burden, yet current prediction models use adult risk factors to estimate 5–10-year risk. In this manuscript, we evaluate long-term prediction of type 2 diabetes over 38 years using childhood fac...

Associations between maths ability mindset, maths task preference and physiological responses to feedback during an arithmetic task across two primary school years

BACKGROUND: Students' mindsets, reactions to feedback and learning-related behaviour are important for academic success, yet little is known about how these factors and their interconnections develop during primary school. AIMS: To explore longitudinal associations between studen...

Caught between worlds: West African immigrant mothers` experiences with the Finnish healthcare system: a qualitative study using the socioecological model

The rising number of African immigrants in Finland correlates with increasing healthcare needs, yet little attention has been given to West African immigrant mothers. The study aimed to explore how West African immigrant mothers experience and navigate the Finnish healthcare syst...

In-depth characterisation of the tumour microenvironment reveals HHV-8-dependent immune regulation in HIV-associated and classic Kaposi sarcoma

BACKGROUND: Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is the most common malignancy occurring in people living with HIV (PLWH). The clinical course of KS in PLWH established on combined anti-retroviral therapy (cART) resembles that of classic KS. OBJECTIVES: To compare the clinical and biological ch...

Climatic niche divergence and high‐elevation adaptation promoted rapid diversification of Pimoa spiders in Pan‐Himalaya

The Pan‐Himalayan region harbors exceptional biodiversity, yet the origins and underlying mechanisms driving this remarkable diversity remain poorly understood, especially among species‐rich invertebrates. Pimoa spiders exhibit an intercontinental disjunct distribution across thr...

Vancomycin optimised dosing regimens for critically ill patients receiving renal replacement therapy

Optimal dosing of vancomycin in critically ill patients receiving renal replacement therapy (RRT) is uncertain due to high pharmacokinetic variability. We aimed to develop individualised vancomycin dosing recommendations that optimise efficacy while minimising toxicity. Prospecti...

The Brain of a Guitarist as a Model of Long-Term Learning: Evidence from Structural and Functional Neuroimaging

This essay synthesizes neuroscientific evidence from both general musician studies and guitarist-specific research in order to better understand how long-term learning is reflected in the brain. By examining the methods and results of selected studies and discussing their relevan...