International cooperation and studies on ecological wellbeing in the North discussed at a workshop in KarRC RAS

Regional cooperation of the BRICS countries in the sphere of ecology and nature management, as well as the results of a study of the environmental wellbeing of Arctic territories of European Russia were discussed at the Karelian Research Center RAS at the workshop “Integrated Development of Arctic Territories: Expert Opinion”. The event was organized on November 25 by the Department for Multidisciplinary Research KarRC RAS.

Methods of performing Karelian epic runo songs and winter hibernation of bats was discussed at KarRC RAS

A general analysis of the methods of epic runo singing was carried out for the first time at the Institute of Linguistics, Literature and History (ILLH) of the Karelian Research Center RAS; scientists of the Institute of Biology (IB) KarRC RAS revealed patterns in overwintering of bats in Karelia. These studies were discussed at the regular meeting of the Learned Council on November 26.

Scientists from KarRC RAS discuss topics for joint research with colleagues in China

A delegation representing several institutes of the Karelian Research Center RAS headed by Director General Olga Bakhmet is on a visit to China. Scientists together with their Chinese colleagues discussed possible cooperation with representatives of the Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology and the Institute of Soil Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Ornithologists urge to raise the conservation status of Olonets Grasslands to safeguard rare bird species

Specialists of the Institute of Biology KarRC RAS analyzed the population of Eurasian Curlews who use Olonets grasslands for breeding or staging on migration. It turned out that the total number of Curlews in this area in spring has dropped by more than a third over the last quarter of a century and may go down to its minimum in Karelia within the next 30-40 years. In order to conserve the birds, a set of actions is needed, including strengthening the conservation regime in Olonets grasslands by creating a high-status protected area.

The most ancient ferric quartzites of Kostomuksha explored

Scientists from the Institute of Geology KarRC RAS made a detailed study of the structure, chemical and mineral composition of ferric quartzites of the Kostomuksha deposit and drew conclusions about the conditions in which these unique rocks were formed. It was established that the oldest iron ores in the area formed about 2.83 billion years ago in rift valleys within an underwater oceanic volcanic plateau. The data are crucial for reconstructing early Earth's appearance.

New technique to promote efficient communication between authorities and citizens on social media

Scientists at the Institute of Economics KarRC RAS have developed a methodology for assessing the digital divide in the outreach of authorities via social media. This was done by analyzing the performance indicators of almost all official VKontakte groups of districts, cities and rural settlements in Northwest Russia. Ideally, social networks are supposed to help identify and tackle local problems. However, this work is not yet organized efficiently enough, partly due to the different conditions and capabilities of local administrations. The new methodology is intended to help to adequately assess and find the most appropriate practices of governmental public pages.

Scientists find a mosquito species new for Karelia

Entomologists have for the first time noted a new species of bloodsucking mosquitoes in Karelia - Anopheles claviger. It occurs in Europe and in some regions of Russia, but has not been encountered in our region before. The main implication of this finding for humans is that Anopheles claviger is a vector of malaria. However, there is no reason to be alarmed: there are no local foci of the disease in Karelia as the pathogen itself, the malaria plasmodium, is absent.