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Major grant for further research on multiple myeloma

17/03/2022 - 10:55

Sigurður Yngvi Kristinsson, professor of hematology at the University of Iceland Faculty of Medicine and specialist at Landspítali University Hospital, has been awarded a grant of EUR 2 million, the equivalent of around ISK 290 million, from the European Research Council (ERC) in order to focus on smoldering myeloma in the project iStopMM – a national initiative to combat multiple myeloma. Over 3,600 people have been diagnosed with a multiple myeloma precursor condition. A drug trial for patients diagnosed with more a advanced condition has yielded extremely promising results. Multiple myeloma is an incurable cancer of the bone marrow. The cancer has certain precursor conditions: monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM), which can be easily detected with a simple blood test. The chances of MGUS developing into SMM are low, but the chances of SMM developing into multiple myeloma are very high.

Universities must tackle urgent challenges

25/03/2022 - 11:01

Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector of the University of Iceland, sent the following message to University staff and students today (25 March 2022):

"Dear students and colleagues, 

One of the primary roles of a university is to tackle urgent challenges. In order to do so, we need unwavering commitment to freedom of thought and expression. In our new strategy, we pledge to seek new solutions to problems, using forward-thinking based on collaboration and interdisciplinary vision. The University has also resolved to combat misinformation. We understand now better than ever how entire nations can be controlled through a bombardment of propaganda that bears no relation to reality.

Looking for lifestyle factors that influence healthy ageing

31/03/2022 - 09:37

Life expectancy in Iceland has been gradually rising in recent decades as society progresses in other areas. Data from Statistics Iceland show that on average, both men and women in Iceland can expect to live to over 80 years old, which is among the highest life expectancies in Europe. Furthermore, a child born today is more likely to see their 100th birthday than not. The ageing population has prompted scientists to start looking at various issues to do with rising numbers of elderly people in our society, including the impact on the social system and the healthcare system and ways to ensure that as many people as possible are able to grow old with dignity. 

Shedding new light on how organisms respond to each other in Icelandic ecosystems

20/04/2022 - 11:03

A team of scientists from a large number of different institutions that study Icelandic ecology are now involved in an extensive collaboration with the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), aiming to shed new light on how organisms, from the smallest to the largest, respond to each other and to environmental changes. A pilot project planned for this summer will focus on coastal ecosystems in Iceland.The project is called TREC and is part of the EMBL's programme for the next five-year cycle, "Molecules to Ecosystems".  The research theme is planetary biology and the aim is to harness the latest technology and methods in molecular biology to learn more about the status of individual ecosystems and the health of our planet. 

Academy for Woman Entrepreneurs – prizes awarded for best business plans

10/05/2022 - 13:46

Projects related to sustainable use of materials, transportation, sustainable farming, support for artists, green consumerism, and an online initiative to prevent violence were selected as the best ideas in the AWE programme, which is organised by the University of Iceland in partnership with the American Embassy in Iceland. The programme formally ended on 6 May and the winners were awarded prize money totalling ISK 2.2 million. 

We must defend the values we hold most dear

11/03/2022 - 11:20

Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector of the University of Iceland, sent the following message to University staff and students today (11 March 2022):

"Every country needs a university that delves into the spirit of that nation: its history and culture, human connections with the society, ecosystems and environment. We often look to convince people, not least ourselves, that research needs some practical application, but we must not forget that university research has intrinsic value. Scholarship in and of itself changes us, changes the world. Knowledge is the foundation of wellbeing and fosters democracy. 

"Science furthers all great deeds, strengthens the spirit, sharpens the mind, kindles hope." 

Doctoral lecture in Geology -  Catherine Rachael Gallagher

9. November 2021 - 14:00 to 16:00

Aðalbygging

The Aula

Live stream: https://livestream.com/hi/catherinegallagher

Ph.D. student: Catherine Rachael Gallagher

Dissertation title: The timing and mechanisms of sulfur release by Icelandic flood lava eruptions: Holuhraun 2014–15 CE and Laki 1783–84 CE a case study

Opponents: Dr. Valentin Rudolf Troll, Professor at the Faculty of Earth Sciences at Uppsala University, Sweden.
Dr. Colin Macpherson, Professor at Durham University, UK

Advisor: Dr. Kevin W. Burton. Professor at Durham University, UK
Dr. Þorvaldur Þórðarson, Professor at the Faculty of Earth Sciences at the University of Iceland
Dr. Bruce Houghton, Gordon A. Macdonald Chair and Professor at SOEST, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, USA

The University of Iceland belongs to all of us

12/11/2021 - 12:38

Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector of the University of Iceland, sent the following message to University staff and students today (12 November 2021):

"Dear students and colleagues, 

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