Karelian scientists are back from an integrated expedition to the Tersky Coast of the White Sea. Specialists in a number of disciplines spent a fortnight surveying difficult-to-access areas in the northern part of the Kola Peninsula.

Scientists spot a connection between glaucoma and elevated cholesterol. Research data show that the death of eye retinal cells affects light sensitivity, thereby disrupting circadian rhythms and, in effect, causing lipid metabolism problems. The probability of a rise in cholesterol was found to be elevated by a certain variant of the CLOCK gene. This information is important for elaboration of personified treatment of the disease.

Karelian scientists are studying the effect of 24h light exposure on plants. The results can be applied to enhance crop productivity in agriculture. In June, staff of the Institute of Biology KarRC RAS went on an expedition to Russia’s northernmost botanical garden in Kirovsk to compare the response to midnight sun in native plants and in plants introduced from regions that have no periods with 24h light.

The international mathematical conference MOTOR 2022, which took place in Karelia on July 2–6, gathered specialists from nine countries. Mathematicians from cities of Russia and China participated in person and their colleagues from other countries joined online. Experts discussed the questions and problems of mathematical optimization, which has practical applications in various spheres of our life.

Russia and Belarus continue developing their cooperation in research and technology. In this process, there is demand for the expertise of Karelian scientists, in particular in the sphere of environmental research. Karelian Research Centre RAS Director General Olga Bakhmet introduced potential projects for joint work to a meeting of the RAS and Belarus NAS Inter-academy Council in Minsk and to the 9th Forum of Russian and Belarus Regions in Grodno.

Karelian ornithologists have studied and compared age-specific breeding patterns in the Great Tit in Petrozavodsk suburban boreal forests. The scientific interest in this species is partly due to its noticeable northwards expansion in Fennoscandia. The study has demonstrated that human settlements are preferred by older individuals whereas younger birds choose boreal forest as their breeding habitats.

Karelian scientists setting off on an integrated expedition to the Tersky Coast of the White Sea on board of the Ekolog research vessel. They will spend a fortnight in the Kola Peninsula studying palsa bogs resting on permafrost, rare and invasive plant species, rock species and collecting material for vegetation mapping.

Petrozavodsk hosts the international mathematical conference MOTOR 2022. Over a hundred reputable scholars from around Russia have gathered in Karelia to discuss modern challenges and problems of optimization and operations research. Foreign colleagues join them online.

Salbalskoye wetland, situated in the Prionezhsky District, is one of the most ancient in Karelia, some 10 thousand years old. Scientists have been closely studying its paleobotanical and paleogeographic characteristics. A chance to see the mire interior at over seven meter depth will be given to visitors of the Museum of Applied Environmental Research scheduled to open at KarRC RAS this fall.

Scientists from the Karelian Research Centre RAS are among winners of the 2022 youth competitions under the Russian Science Foundation’s Presidential Program. Grants will be allocated to three research projects. Congratulations to our colleagues!