Researchers at the Earth Science Institute of the University of Iceland and the Icelandic Meteorological Office, in collaboration with international partners, have employed advanced technology to analyse volcanic gases at the Fagradalsfjall eruption site, providing a clearer picture of the tunnel systems and lava fountains at eruption site. Their findings were published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications last month.

The three eruptions at Reykjanes Peninsula have captured significant public attention, showcasing majestic lava fountains. The eruptions have also provided scientists with a unique opportunity to study the nature and behaviour of volcanic activity. 

One focus of the investigation has been the volcanic gas released during these eruptions. The gas is a key factor in influencing volcanic behaviour and determining whether an eruption will be effusive or explosive.

"In medicine, cooling therapy is used as a neuroprotective treatment for serious conditions, e.g. following birth asphyxia or cardiac arrest. Cooling seems to protect neurons from damage that would otherwise have occurred after restricted blood flow, but the process behind this effect is poorly understood," explains Salvör Rafnsdóttir, medical doctor and PhD student. She is currently working on a study investigating which of the body's mechanisms and genes are activated when cells are cooled to 32°C. Salvör and her team have also identified a promising drug that seems to activate the body's cooling response without actually cooling. This discovery recently earned the team first prize in the 2023 University of Iceland Science and Innovation Competition.

Many people who have been involved in caring for young children will know the challenge of getting them to try and enjoy new foods. Grimaces, squirming and loud objections are a fact of life for a lot of parents trying to introduce their children to new foods. Often they lose heart and give up. At the University of Iceland, a current study is aiming to prevent or reduce food sensitivity in preschool children, as well as providing parents with tools to improve their home food environment. The women behind the research are Berglind Lilja Guðlaugsdóttir, PhD student in health promotion at the School of Education, her supervisor Professor Anna Sigríður Ólafsdóttir, and Sigrún Þorsteinsdóttir, recent doctoral graduate from UI.

Ants in Iceland, a home-made black hole, measuring hand strength and jumping, vocabulary solutions for cell phones, zebra fish in research and Icelandic and Faroese pop music are among the many subjects presented by scientists and students at the University of Iceland at the Researchers’ Night on Saturday 1 October between 1 and 6 pm. The European Researchers’ Night is open to all, and entry is free of charge.

The Researchers' Night was last held in 2019 due to the corona pandemic. RANNÍS, the Icelandic Centre for Research, organises the Researcher's Night events in Iceland, but similar events by the same name are held each year in many major European cities, always on the last Friday in September. The main objective of Researchers' Night is to show science and the scientists behind the research in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere to the general public, and to raise awareness of the work of researchers and their contribution to contemporary society.