Category: Наука

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

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The 2025-2026 flu season is very similar to the season of two years ago and differs significantly from last year's in its timing. The peak incidence this season was recorded approximately two months earlier than last year's. The dominant subtype of influenza A was the H3N2 subtype, while last season's flu was the H1N1 subtype. Sergei Netesov, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Head of the Laboratory of Bionanotechnology, Microbiology, and Virology at the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Novosibirsk State University, commented on the situation.

— Almost all the forecasts for the current epidemic season have already come to pass. A slight increase in flu cases is expected in Siberian regions in the near future, but the peak is behind us. According to the A.A. Smorodintsev Influenza Research Institute, this peak was recorded in weeks 51-52 of last year. This was followed by a sharp decline. This trend continued until weeks 1-2 of this year, after which a resurgence was observed, but certainly not as significant as at the end of last year. The decline in cases during the New Year holidays is natural—healthcare facilities are not operating at full capacity, many patients do not have to go to work, and they do not need to provide sick leave, so only a fraction of cases are officially registered. This decline has given way to a slight resurgence, which is still ongoing in some regions, and is expected to be followed by a further decline. A resurgence in flu cases is not expected in the spring of this epidemic season. At the same time, the proportion of diseases caused by viruses other than the influenza virus is growing: adenoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, and common coronaviruses, so it’s too early to rest on our laurels.

Looking at the incidence curve for the current epidemic season and the graph for the same period last year, we can see that they are identical, but they occur in different periods. Last year, the peak incidence occurred in weeks 10-12 of 2025. It's worth noting that the previous epidemic season was unique due to this shift in incidence. The current epidemic season has returned to the traditional timing typical of previous years.

The hospitalization curves for patients with a clinical diagnosis of influenza in the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons are similar. However, the peak reached in the current epidemic season is significantly higher than last year's.

The main causative agent of the disease remains the influenza A virus subtype H3N2. Vaccination, as always, is an effective preventative measure, but it's too late now. The best time to get vaccinated is September and October, when people will be protected from this virus before the peak in cases, which typically occurs in mid-November and December. I believe vaccination is absolutely essential every two to three years, and for the elderly and patients in high-risk groups—those with diabetes, organ transplant recipients, those with serious chronic diseases, and those with immunodeficiency—it should be done annually.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

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The All-Russian Sparrow Census, "Sparrows in the Bushes," will take place from February 7th to 15th. During the census, scientists and ordinary people count the number of sparrows in our yards, parks, and fields. The event has been held since 2023. This year, Novosibirsk State University is the project's regional partner for the first time. Last year, Novosibirsk ranked fifth in sparrow counts, and this year, organizers hope to bring the region into the top three.

Sparrows have long lived alongside humans. House sparrows, in particular, are synanthropic, meaning their lives are directly linked to the human world. They are an integral part of our ecosystem. If sparrows suffer, so does our common home. In recent decades, ornithologists have noticed a decline in sparrow numbers. To confirm this and determine the causes, a sparrow census was conducted. The results of the count will help determine the population status and develop measures to address the situation.

However, scientists alone can't do it, because Russia is a large country, and it's important to count birds at a specific time and compare them with previous years' results. Therefore, citizen science—that's us—comes to the aid of scientists.

Senior Lecturer Humanities Institute of NSULyudmila Budneva, philologist and regional project coordinator, commented:

Why would I count sparrows? Because I can. I grew up in Akademgorodok, where the Young Naturalists' Station taught us first-graders to pay attention to the world around us, distinguish between animal species, and help them. My profession has nothing to do with biology, but my love of ornithology and the ability to see and hear birds remained, so I became a birdwatcher. Fortunately, Akademgorodok, Novosibirsk, and our region as a whole offer ample opportunities for birdwatching. For example, while I'm walking to work at Novosibirsk State University, I can spot 30 species of birds in 10 minutes during the winter alone! And sparrows are among my favorites. I associate them with friendship and spring.

Anyone can participate in the census. Simply find the sparrows, memorize their location, take a photo or video of them (a smartphone camera is usually sufficient), and submit this data by filling out a form on the project website. Detailed instructions are available on the website. sparrow.nbud.ru.

Participants must be 5 years old or older. Individuals and groups can participate. For example, neighbors could organize a mini-competition in the building's chat room, or the class could go sparrow-watching around the school.

"Tree sparrows predominate in Akademgorodok; they're less dependent on humans than house sparrows. House sparrows can be found in Shch and Shlyuz. You should look for them in the bushes where they hide, at bird feeders, and along the roads," added Lyudmila Budneva.

Participating in the campaign is an opportunity to spend time outdoors, listen to birdsong, and recharge your batteries. The campaign also teaches the basics of monitoring local biodiversity, engages the public in scientific volunteering, creates a reason to spend more time outdoors and observe animals, and teaches responsibility and caring.

More than 80 Russian regions are participating in the campaign, and regions are ranked based on the number of birds counted, the number of sparrow encounters recorded, and the number of participants. In the winter of 2025, Novosibirsk Oblast ranked fifth out of 81 regions for sparrow counts: 224 observations were made, with a total of 9,166 sparrows counted. Organizers believe the region has every chance of making it into the top three, but only if it does so fairly.

Importantly, participation awards verified volunteer hours on dobro.rf, which at some universities add points to applicants' Unified State Exams (USE) scores and generally demonstrate the level of public responsibility. Participants who successfully pass at least one observation can receive a personalized electronic certificate with their personal statistics.

The census coincides with Darwin Week, organized by NSU. Both events, on the one hand, are about curiosity and broadening horizons, and on the other, about getting acquainted with real science.

For advice on participation, please contact Anna Stanislavovna Mostovaya, head of the "Snail Marta" project: mostovaa@list.ru or via social networks VKontakteCoordinator in the Novosibirsk region is Lyudmila Viktorovna Budneva: @Budneva_Ludmila (Telegram), VKontakte.

The event is organized by the All-Russian public organization "Union for the Conservation of Birds of Russia," the popular biology project "Snail Marta," the autonomous non-profit organization "Center for Support of Initiatives in Science, Technology, and Culture 'Our Future,'" and the Presidential Nature Fund. In the Novosibirsk region, the event is supported by Novosibirsk State University.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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Source: Novosibirsk State University –

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In February 2025, Kim Seung-chan, Rector of Kim Il-sung University in the DPRK, asked Mikhail Fedoruk, Rector of Novosibirsk State University, to date human bones discovered in North Korea during archaeological excavations near Mount Baekdu and two other provinces. North Korean media reported this information last week. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the archaeological sites excavated in and around this area represent burial sites dating back to the feudal Joseon Dynasty. Five burial sites were excavated on the shores of Cheongju Lake, four in Daehongdang County in Ryanggang Province and Musan County in North Hamgyong Province. Korean archaeologists noted that the shape of all the discovered burial sites was similar to a Korean burial site previously discovered on an island in Samjiyon Pond No. 1.

Last January, a delegation from Kim Il Sung University, the leading university in the DPRK, visited Novosibirsk State University. During the visit, representatives from the two universities agreed to intensify interuniversity cooperation. To more effectively organize joint work, a roadmap for the coming year was signed. The universities agreed to focus their efforts on the following areas: organizing research internships for young scientists lasting one to three months in agreed-upon areas; conducting joint research, seminars and conferences at NSU and research institutes of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences; and exchanging faculty. During this official visit, samples were donated for radiocarbon dating, marking the first joint effort between the two universities under the signed roadmap.

As part of the roadmap's implementation, a series of online lectures on Juche philosophy was organized for Russian students in the fall of 2025, with students from 19 Russian universities participating. Furthermore, a decision was made to explore the possibility of opening an office of Kim Il Sung University in the Novosibirsk Akademgorodok; a potential location is currently being sought, said Yevgeny Sagaydak, Head of the NSU Education Export Department.

According to radiocarbon dating conducted at the NSU-NSC Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Center, the burials were dated to the mid-18th to mid-19th centuries, confirming the North Korean scientists' hypothesis: since the mid-18th century, people living in the Mount Paektu region, including Ryanggang and North Hamgyong provinces, have buried the remains of their loved ones around Lake Cheongji. The North Korean Society of Archaeologists has determined that the burials discovered in the Ryanggang and North Hamgyong provinces, including the shore of Lake Cheongji on Mount Paektu, were buried according to the burial custom of the Palhae kingdom. This was reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) last week.

"Last March, we received bone and tooth samples from five individuals for dating using accelerator mass spectrometry. Chemical processing of the samples was performed at the Cenozoic Geochronology Center of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, while graphitization and AMS analysis were performed at the NSU-NSC Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Center. The results were received in the summer and sent to our international colleagues. For the NSU-NSC Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Center, this is the first time the Center has worked with foreign samples, and the results have been published in the main state news agency of a friendly country," said Ekaterina Parkhomchuk, Director of the NSU-NSC Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Center.

As Ekaterina Parkhomchuk explained, radiocarbon dating is based on the quantitative determination of changes in the C-14/C-12 carbon isotope ratio, using organic matter for dating. Although the C-14 nucleus decays over time, turning into a nitrogen atom (N-14), all living biological objects, including humans, maintain approximately the same level of C-14 over thousands of years as a result of their vital activity. The Earth's atmosphere, and subsequently the entire biosphere, is constantly replenished with this isotope by cosmic rays, compensating for decaying C-14. However, as soon as exchange with the environment ceases, the C-14 concentration in the object decreases. By measuring the loss of C-14, according to the law of radioactive decay, it is possible to determine the time during which exchange with the environment did not occur—that is, the time of the object's death. In fact, radiocarbon age is the relative content of C-14 in a substance, and the calendar period, or the calendar age of an object, is determined from the radiocarbon age using the international calibration curve, which is the result of extensive interdisciplinary cross-dating of natural archives by numerous laboratories worldwide. Since C-14 is extremely rare in the biosphere—about one trillionth of C-12—the dating result is highly dependent on the preservation of the material and the quality of purification of the material being dated.

— The soil in which human remains lie for a long time can not only contaminate, but also completely destroy organic matter, therefore, of the two materials – bones and teeth – for dating, we always ask for teeth that show the most reliable age. Unlike bones, teeth consist of denser, non-porous tissue and the preservation of organic matter is better. Archaeological material from the DPRK was collected from the shore of Lake Chongji (Heavenly Lake). This is the highest crater lake in the world. It is located at the top, in the caldera of the dormant but not extinct Paektusan volcano, where active fumaroles – outlets of hot volcanic gases and steam – are still observed. Such conditions could lead to poor preservation of bone remains, so we dated collagen separately from both bone fragments and teeth, but the results of the two materials for each individual were the same, showing the same age. On average, the radiocarbon age of objects is in the range of 100-200 years, which gives a fairly wide calendar period for the origin of the remains – between 1650 and 1950 AD. However, statistical processing of all the results, carried out by Petr Menshanov, an employee of the Institute of Intelligent Robotics of NSU, made it possible to narrow the probabilistic interval and limit the age of origin of the remains to the interval 1650-1900 AD, with the median ages suggesting the most likely dates of burial in the interval between 1760 and 1820 AD, explained Ekaterina Parkhomchuk.

Sergei Alkin, PhD in history, associate professor at the Department of Archaeology and Ethnography at the Novosibirsk State University Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, and senior researcher at the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, commented on the report by the Central Asian News Agency (CTAC) on the results of radiocarbon dating of burials at Lake Chongji.

"I think I'm right in saying that this is a unique case of dating archaeological materials from the northern part of the Korean Peninsula in our country. The first discussion of this possibility took place in Pyongyang during a discussion of possible areas of collaboration with fellow archaeologists from Kim Il Sung University in the spring of 2015. The leadership of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences offered assistance with absolute dating of archaeological samples, and in the fall of that year, a cooperation agreement was signed between NSU and Kim Il Sung University. As part of this agreement, we helped our Korean colleagues prepare several articles by archaeologists and linguists from Pyongyang for publication in our university's journals."

In the fall of 2016, a representative NSU delegation took part in events celebrating the 70th anniversary of Kim Il Sung University. It was led by Igor Marchuk. The delegation included archaeologists and philologists from the NSU Humanities Institute. They participated in the scientific program, presenting papers in the mathematics, linguistics, and archaeology sections.

"The regions from which the NSU-NSC Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Center's shared resources were provided for study are of great interest to Russian archaeologists, as they are the northernmost provinces of the DPRK, bordering not only China but also Russia's Primorsky Krai. Therefore, any new archaeological materials from this territory are of great interest to us. They are important, first and foremost, for studying ethnocultural contacts in the ancient and medieval Far East," explained Sergei Alkin. "Since the mid-1970s, NSU archaeologists have maintained varying degrees of contact with their North Korean colleagues, but these contacts subsequently faded. It was only in 2011 that I was able to participate in a scientific conference held at Kim Il Sung University, communicate with my Pyongyang colleagues, and share with them archaeological literature published by the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography SB RAS."

Some of the samples submitted for radiocarbon dating come from burials on the shores of Lake Cheongji on Mount Paektu. In Korean mythology, Mount Paektu is a sacred mountain where, according to the myth of Tangun, the founder of the first Korean state, the ancestors of the Korean people lived. Today, Mount Paektu is a symbol of independent Korea. It is also an important place in the history of Russian-Korean relations, and is associated with Novosibirsk.

The first scientific exploration in the Paektusan region was conducted in 1898 by railway engineer and writer Nikolai Georgievich Garin-Mikhailovsky (1852-1906). He led one of the teams on Alexander Zvegintsev's expedition, whose main objective was to study the forests in the Amnokkan River basin and determine the feasibility of building a railway between Vladivostok and the Chinese port of Lüshun.

In addition to official reports, an important result was the publication of N. G. Garin-Mikhailovsky's travel notes, "Across Korea, Manchuria, and the Liaodong Peninsula" (1899), as well as his collection of Korean folktales, which became the first examples of Korean folklore published in European languages (in Europe, they were quickly translated from Russian). This book by the Russian writer is an invaluable resource for the study of 19th-century Korea. It is unlikely that another foreign author living in the modern era would have left behind works so imbued with a warm feeling for Korea and its people. N. G. Garin-Mikhailovsky's notes, in spirit and content, stand apart from the dominant trend in regional studies literature of the time. The explorer sincerely sought to understand the national character of the Koreans. During the expedition, he established personal relationships with representatives of various strata of Korean society.

"The news report we learned about from North Korean media raises many questions. The very choice of materials for analysis is interesting. All the anthropological materials come from relatively late burials, dating back to the Joseon Dynasty. Therefore, my colleagues and I eagerly await a scientific publication in the archaeological journal Chosun Koyeongu or the Kim Il Sung University Bulletin," concluded Sergei Alkin.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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Source: Novosibirsk State University –

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On January 23, 2026, an extended meeting of the final board of the regional Ministry of Science and Innovation Policy was held in the small hall of the Novosibirsk Region Government building. The event was attended by heads of regional executive authorities, representatives of scientific and educational organizations, and innovative companies from the region.

The meeting included an awards ceremony from the Ministry of Science and Innovation Policy of the Novosibirsk Region. At the invitation of the Ministry, Novosibirsk State University students Andrei Khromov, Alexander Okunev, and Semyon Savelyev participated in the meeting and were awarded letters of gratitude for their outstanding achievements in project-based educational activities and their contribution to the development of modern technologies.

The students, as part of a team, represented NSU at the project-based educational intensive "Archipelago 2025," where they took second place in the "Processing UAS Datasets Using Neural Networks" category. The team's task was to develop software for real-time human detection in natural environments, which is particularly relevant for search and rescue operations.

"For me, this is, first and foremost, a great honor and recognition of our team's work. Participating in the Ministry of Science and Higher Education Board meeting was a unique experience that allowed me to see how strategic decisions are made in science and innovation at the Novosibirsk Region level," says Alexander Okunev, a bachelor's student. Institute of Intelligent Robotics NSU.

According to Alexander, the developed solution is based on neural network methods of computer vision and has demonstrated high accuracy with relatively low computational costs.

"Among the key features of our solution is the use of segmentation to automatically refine the labeling. This improved the quality of the training data and became a decisive advantage in the competition," he notes.

Alexander also emphasizes that participating in the intensive course was a test of his university preparation:

I'm studying "Mechatronics and Robotics. Artificial Intelligence," and "Archipelago 2025" was a real test of my core skills. NSU's emphasis on deep learning, practical robotics, and access to graphics clusters allowed me to quickly prototype and bring the solution to a working level.

Semyon Savelyev, master's student Faculty of Information Technology NSU also notes the importance of recognition at the regional level:

"This is a great honor for me and confirmation that teamwork truly does produce results. Participating in the board allowed me to see how interactions between science, education, and the government are built."

He emphasizes that success in the competition was made possible thanks to a strong environment within the university:

At NSU, I found a team to participate in hackathons and competitions. Without them, achieving high results would have been impossible. It was a good test of my core skills in artificial intelligence and data analysis.

In the future, Semyon plans to continue working in this direction:

— I want to develop the topic of object detection and robust tracking as part of my master's thesis, publish my research results, and try to commercialize the development through participation in an accelerator.

Andrey Khromov also shared his impressions of participating in the board meeting:

"For me, this is important confirmation that the work I'm doing is important not only in the academic and scientific community, but also at the state level. Participating in the Ministry of Science and Higher Education's board gives me a sense of involvement in larger processes and motivates me to take on more complex tasks."

Andrey notes the role of the university in shaping professional thinking:

"NSU has become an environment for me where I develop not only a professional foundation but also an approach to solving complex problems. The university teaches me to think critically about results, to independently understand problems, and to not be afraid to go beyond the formal curriculum."

According to him, the key factor in success was project work:

— The university provides the opportunity to constantly participate in team projects, and competitions have become an excellent opportunity to apply acquired skills outside of the university.

NSU students' participation in the final board meeting of the Ministry of Science and Innovation Policy of the Novosibirsk Region confirmed that university training, teamwork, and a project-based approach enable students to successfully solve applied problems and contribute to the development of science and innovation in the region.

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Source: Novosibirsk State University –

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The Crystallization laboratory of the Educational and Methodological Center (EMC) has opened within the Scientific and Educational Center "Institute of Chemical Technologies of the Novosibirsk State University — Institute of Catalysis, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences." Its creation is part of the project "Application of Synchrotron Radiation for Virology Research," implemented under the Federal Scientific and Technological Program (FSTP) for the Development of Synchrotron and Neutron Research. This state program, designed for the period up to 2030 and beyond, aims to comprehensively address the challenges of accelerating the development of synchrotron and neutron research and the corresponding research infrastructure in the Russian Federation. The Crystallization laboratory is headed by a senior lecturer in the Department of Solid State Chemistry. Faculty of Natural Sciences NSU, Head of the Department of Synchrotron Research for Biology and Biomedicine of the SKIF Center for Collective Use Sergey Arkhipov.

— The laboratory operates within the framework of the research program "Application of synchrotron radiation for virological research to develop new immunological drugs." We also conduct scientific research under the program "Priority 2030» on the project that is supervised Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies NSU. The laboratory staff is primarily undergraduate and graduate students, but there are also more experienced scientists. Among them is Sofia Borisevich, a doctor of chemical sciences. One of the tasks she completed was preparing a methodological manual, "All Facets of Molecular Docking," said Sergey Arkhipov.

The laboratory’s activities are carried out in three directions. The first is to carry out research work related to molecular modeling of the spatial structures of proteins and their complexes, modeling the behavior of such objects in solution, crystallization and further X-ray diffraction analysis of the samples under study. The modeling stage helps to form structural hypotheses, select objects whose probability of crystallization is minimal, and select an appropriate research method to solve the problem. The second direction is the formation and development of the material base for the crystallization of biopolymers and low molecular weight organic compounds, sampling of crystals and their study by X-ray diffraction analysis. Third, carrying out activities aimed at training qualified personnel to carry out research activities using synchrotron radiation. One of these events is the School of Young Scientists “Application of Synchrotron Radiation to Solve Biological Problems,” which has been held at NSU annually for four years. Particular attention during training is paid to macromolecular crystallography. The School’s teachers are researchers involved in synchrotron research from all over the country. The total number of event participants is usually about one hundred people from more than 20 organizations. In 2026, the School will be held for the fifth time. Also this year it is planned to conduct a program of additional professional education “Megascience-class installations for biology: from problem statement to interpretation of the data obtained”, and next year – “Possibilities of the SKIF Center for Common Use and other sources of synchrotron radiation for research in the field of biology.”

"We conduct diffraction studies of biopolymers in collaboration with the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and participate in experiments at the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility. We process the experimental data at NSU. We successfully use molecular modeling to create initial models and design potential mobile molecular regions. Another priority area of the laboratory's work is identifying crystallization conditions for low-molecular organic compounds that may be potential medicinal substances, as well as determining their structures using X-ray diffraction analysis. This work is primarily conducted using equipment from the Department of Solid State Chemistry of the Faculty of Natural Sciences at NSU," explained Sergey Arkhipov.

The laboratory is equipped with a unit with the necessary climate for crystallization, a robot that allows for dosing and mixing liquids in very small quantities, as well as a minimal set of reagents and equipment for extracting, freezing, and transporting frozen crystals to synchrotron radiation sources.

"The safest way to transport macromolecular crystals is at liquid nitrogen temperature—around -196°C. Our laboratory has a specialized Dewar flask for this purpose, which is even certified for air transport. It can be used not only for transporting crystals but also for storing them. While it's not a cryostor, it does provide sufficiently long-term storage for biopolymer crystals, allowing for convenient transport from NSU to the SKIF Center for Collective Use and then awaiting their turn at the research station," said Sergey Arkhipov.

Laboratory staff have already obtained crystals of macromolecular compounds for research at the SKIF Center for Collective Use, the launch of which is scheduled for this year.

"During the launch of the first phase of the SKIF Center for Collective Use, expert user groups from across Russia will be invited to evaluate the experimental capabilities of the research facility and document them appropriately. We hope that the samples obtained in our laboratory will be among the very first to be analyzed at the SKIF Center for Collective Use. For us, the launch of the SKIF Center for Collective Use and access to the research infrastructure are extremely important, as the lack of nearby synchrotron radiation sources significantly slows down the speed of our research. The launch of the synchrotron will resolve a number of issues related to sample transportation and will allow us to conduct experiments much more frequently, which is critical for the implementation of complex projects in structural biology," added Sergey Arkhipov.

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Source: Novosibirsk State University –

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Researchers Advanced Engineering School of Novosibirsk State University (AES NSU) Developed mathematical models and monitoring tools that allow assessing the safety of carbon dioxide (CO₂) disposal in geological formations. The work was conducted under a three-year grant from the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education, in collaboration with colleagues from Tongji University (Shanghai, China).

We're talking about CO₂ capture and storage technology, which is considered a promising way to reduce the negative effects of greenhouse gas emissions. The approach involves injecting carbon dioxide into well-sealed geological structures, including depleted hydrocarbon deposits, and reliably sequestering it there for decades or even hundreds of years. The key objective is to eliminate the risk of gas leaks to the surface.

As Alexander Valov, a research fellow at the NSU School of Physical Analysis, explained, the project focused on the most vulnerable elements of such systems.

"We studied the wellbore and near-wellbore zone stability—that is, scenarios in which its integrity could be compromised and the injected CO₂ would begin to leak out, damaging the space behind the well casing. Our task is to model such risks in advance and propose ways to prevent them," he explained.

Scientists have developed several mathematical models describing possible mechanisms of well failure due to man-made causes. Particular attention was paid to the cement casing, which seals the well and is considered the weakest link in the structure. The models take into account the mechanical and thermal effects that occur during gas injection, as well as scenarios of cement delamination leading to leakage.

At the same time, the team developed monitoring systems to detect leaks at an early stage. Acoustic methods and distributed temperature sensing (DTS)—sensors that detect characteristic noises and temperature changes in the well—were used. The developed approaches were tested on a special experimental rig, which simulated the CO₂ injection process on a scale.

"Experiments have shown that some sensors perform well, while others require higher sensitivity. Based on the results of these experiments and comparisons with the mathematical models we developed, we have developed specific technological recommendations," noted Alexander Valov.

The work was conducted in collaboration with China's Tongji University. The partners focused on the conditions characteristic of basaltic shelves near Shanghai, while the Novosibirsk scientists focused on the geological features of sedimentary rocks common in Russia. This allowed them to cover a wide range of possible CO₂ storage conditions.

A Russian oil and gas company, which views mature wells as potential carbon dioxide storage facilities, has expressed practical interest in the project's results. Tools have been developed for this company to model injection scenarios for specific field parameters and select the safest modes.

"The model is needed precisely to 'play out' various scenarios in advance and understand which ones minimize risks. Specific parameters always depend on the geology and well design," emphasized Alexander Valov.

According to the scientists, the competencies gained during the project can also be used to assess the risk of cement casing failure in cased boreholes and other technological operations that involve intensive wellbore impacts. The developed approaches not only allow for assessing the safety of CO₂ disposal but also for mitigating environmental risks during the development of oil and gas production technologies.

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Source: Novosibirsk State University –

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Scientists from Novosibirsk State University, in collaboration with specialists from STM-Cosmetics, are studying the delivery systems and mechanisms of penetration of medicinal and cosmetic products into the body through the skin. To evaluate their effectiveness and study their pharmacokinetics, the method of accelerator mass spectrometry will be used for the first time in Russia. This method involves introducing the isotope carbon-14 into the composition of the substance whose transdermal permeability efficiency needs to be determined, instead of carbon-12. To verify the reliability of the data obtained using AMS, the scientists decided to use radiocarbon-labeled nicotine, known for its high transdermal permeability. For this purpose, tobacco was grown in laboratory conditions, watered with urea with an increased proportion of radiocarbon. The first harvest of "radioactive" tobacco has already been obtained, and an in vitro study of the penetration of nicotine obtained from it through the skin of a snake and a laboratory mouse has been conducted. A similar procedure will follow with the skin of pigs. The next stage will be studies with harmless nicotine derivatives in vivo on laboratory animals. This work is being carried out at the Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies NSU in the NSU-NSC Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Shared Use Center with the support of the programPriority 2030".

— There are many methods of delivering drugs into the body, both invasive and non-invasive. Transdermal belongs to the latter, and is of great research interest to us. It is very convenient to use, but there are a number of difficulties. The skin is the largest human organ; it perfectly performs a barrier function, reliably protecting the body from all kinds of xenobiotics – substances foreign to living organisms and not included in the natural cycle, which come from the environment and can cause negative consequences, disrupt metabolism, undermine the immune system and accumulate in tissues. The skin effectively rejects substances with high molecular weight, as well as hydrophilic and charged substances. In general, science has already come up with a lot of different transdermal systems for delivering drugs to the body, including liposomal and niosomal. Some of them are already used in clinical practice, while others still exist only at the development level. However, there is a problem: you need to understand how effective this process is and what its pharmacokinetics are, how deeply the substance penetrates into organs and tissues and how exactly it acts inside them. Often, not the entire dose of medicine enters the body; most of it remains outside, cut off by the stratum corneum of the epidermis. Until now, it has not been possible to determine how much of a substance has passed this barrier and reached its target, unlike oral or injection methods of administering drugs into the body. A study using the accelerator mass spectrometry method will answer this question, said Anton Astanin, executive director of STM-Cosmetics.

The transdermal method of administering drugs or cosmetics involves their penetration into the body to certain depths of the skin, into the circulatory system or into internal organs. It has some advantages – some drugs lose their properties when administered orally into the body. For this reason, they are administered by injection. For example, insulin, which often has to be administered regularly. However, this method carries some risks and discomfort for the patient. An alternative could be a transdermal method of drug administration, but first it is necessary to quantitatively assess the effectiveness of drug penetration into the body. However, methods for such assessment do not currently exist. NSU scientists proposed using the method of accelerator mass spectrometry using radiocarbon-labeled compounds to solve this problem. Currently, scientists have identified reference substances that are 100% permeable through the layers of the skin – nicotine, caffeine and others. These substances should become an internal standard for quantitative measurements of the permeability of drugs into the body through the skin. Expert chemist Anton Astanin, candidate of chemical sciences Ksenia Babina and student of the Faculty of Natural Sciences of NSU Olga Kondakova are working on the development of niosomes – means of delivering substances to the body. Reference substances labeled with C-14 will be encapsulated in niosomes for studies using accelerator mass spectrometry and confirmation of the effectiveness of delivery vehicles. This work is being carried out at the Center for Shared Use “Accelerator Mass Spectrometry NSU-NSC” for the first time.

“Our first priority was to obtain a radiocarbon-labeled substance that would be 100% permeable through the skin. This work was carried out as part of a project supported by the Priority 2030 program, which was scheduled for June-December last year, and such a substance needed to be obtained in a short time, so nicotine, known for its good permeability, was chosen. Tobacco plants reach adulthood at the age of three months from planting. We grew them with the assistance of employees of the Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry of the SB RAS, where there are special grow boxes and all the necessary conditions for growing this crop have been created. A month after sowing and until harvest, we watered the plants with a radiocarbon-tagged preparation; this is a commercial reagent for use in medical practice for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori in the stomach of patients. At the same time, at the peak of plant growth, the overall background radiation in the premises, according to our measurements, was below the permissible level. After harvesting, we made about 60 measurements aimed at determining the kinetics of C-14 accumulation in various plant organs – roots, stems, lower and upper leaves. An interesting point was the question of the plant’s absorption of carbon from urea, which cannot be solved without the use of a radiocarbon tag. We worked with two varieties of tobacco – “Havana” and “Samsun”. It turned out that in “Samsun” more radiocarbon accumulated in the roots, and in “Havana” – in the leaves. We then determined which plant organs contained the most nicotine. It turned out to be in the leaves. Depending on the variety and method of cultivation, they accumulate from 0.2-0.3% to 1-1.5% nicotine per dry biomass. As a result, we isolated half a gram of nicotine labeled C-14. It will become one of the standard substances with 100% permeability through the skin for the development of drug delivery vehicles. In parallel, for the same purposes, we synthetically obtained caffeine with a high content of C-14. Caffeine is also known for its 100% permeability through the skin,” said Ekaterina Parkhomchuk, director of the Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Center at NSU-NNSC.

Thus, scientists are currently developing a number of substances that will later be used as internal standards. A graphite target will be created from the resulting drop of labeled nicotine, which will be used to determine the isotope ratio, C-14/C-12, relative to current levels in objects of the biosphere on Earth's land. Currently, the dry biomass of grown C-14-labeled plants has been measured to exceed current levels by 3,000-4,000 times. The scientists were surprised by such an impressive result—the plants absorbed up to 30% of the radioisotope contained in the urea solution they were watered with. They note that this excess, coupled with the high sensitivity of the UMS, will allow them to produce derivatives from labeled nicotine, dilute the substance, and administer it in vivo to quantify its concentration in specific organs and tissues, as well as determine the kinetics of its distribution in the body over time.

In addition to NSU scientists, the study involved researchers from several scientific organizations: the Vorozhtsov Institute of Organic Chemistry of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the Boreskov Institute of Catalysis of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

At the engineering center of the Vorozhtsov Institute of Organic Chemistry of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, tests are being conducted on mouse and snake skin, as well as on pig skin and ears, which are physiologically similar in structure to human skin. Researchers from the Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences were involved in cultivating "radioactive" tobacco plants. This institute has created all the necessary conditions for growing these plants, including grow boxes. The Boreskov Institute of Catalysis has created conditions for working with synthetically produced radioactive substances, such as radiocarbon-labeled caffeine. A setup for graphitizing labeled samples was developed several years ago by specialists from the NSU-NSC Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Shared Use Center to obtain graphite targets from biological tissues, which are analyzed using an accelerator mass spectrometer. The graphitizer used to obtain targets for UMS analysis from archaeological samples cannot be used due to the high risk of cross-contamination of the samples with radiocarbon. Therefore, the NSU-NSC Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Shared Use Center has developed and is operating several graphitizers for various applications.

Currently, scientists are developing a methodology for quantitatively studying the transdermal permeability of drugs and cosmetics. They are confident that their development will be of interest to manufacturers of these products.

"Our company specializes in cosmetics production and raw material supply, so we are interested in developing this area of research. It is crucial for us that biologically active substances penetrate the skin. Together with scientists from the NSU-NSC Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Center, we have begun research to establish a scientific basis for testing the transdermal penetration of substances, studying their pharmacokinetics, and developing more effective means of delivering substances through the skin, which are necessary for the creation of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics," said Anton Astanin.

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Source: Novosibirsk State University –

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Novosibirsk State University has signed a cooperation agreement with the Shenzhen New Energy Industry Association (China). Under the agreement, the parties intend to collaborate (both in exchanging experience and implementing joint projects) on the implementation of artificial intelligence technologies in various areas of construction and urban infrastructure. The university will be responsible for this work. Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (RCAI) of NSU.

"Shenzhen is one of the world's leading 'smart cities' and the 'Silicon Valley of China.'" The city is renowned for its electronics manufacturing, its status as a 'startup city,' and a unique ecosystem that integrates development, manufacturing, and logistics. It is actively implementing information technology for efficient management and improving quality of life, with advanced smart transportation and smart building systems. Hundreds of high-tech companies are concentrated here, and collaboration with them will be very beneficial for the university," said Alexander Lyulko, Director of the NSU Center for Information Technologies.

At the end of last year, a group of Center employees visited Shenzhen and held a series of meetings with representatives of companies operating in the city, which resulted in the conclusion of a cooperation agreement.

"The association we work with unites approximately three hundred software development companies. Their main goal is to promote and develop innovations and the use of new energy sources. They make extensive use of artificial intelligence technologies in their solutions, which has created the basis for potential collaboration," explained Alexander Lyulko.

As examples of technologies that could be interesting for implementation in our region, he named intelligent transportation systems, building automation systems (energy management, access control, video surveillance), solutions for people with disabilities (smart glasses with augmented reality elements, an all-terrain wheelchair, a robotic guide dog), and a number of other developments.

As part of the signed agreement, the Chinese side proposes opening a dedicated "Shenzhen Smart City Technology Demonstration Center" on the campus of NSU.

Chinese specialists have also expressed interest in the expertise and developments of Novosibirsk scientists. Therefore, in addition to implementing their products in our country, the possibility of implementing joint projects in the field of artificial intelligence technologies is being discussed.

"Signing the agreement is just the first step. A working group is currently being formed that will travel to China again, this time to negotiate specific projects that will be formalized as separate agreements. We are also negotiating expanded exchanges of experience and a dedicated Russian-Chinese forum on artificial intelligence technologies, which could possibly be held at NSU this year. We are also discussing sharing experiences with Shenzhen universities on creating a 'smart campus,'" concluded Alexander Lyulko.

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Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

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"Darwin Week" will combine International Darwin Day and Russian Science Day. From February 9 to 14, lectures will be held on human evolution, cosmonautics, artificial intelligence, modern terrestrial ecosystems, writing, and even feminine ideals in literature. Experts will include scientists from NSU and Akademgorodok—paleontologist Igor Kosenko, geneticist Alexander Pilipenko, philosopher Oleg Donskikh, mathematician Sergei Ospichev, and philologist Sergei Vasiliev.

This year, the lecture will feature an invited guest: Vladimir Surdin, PhD in Physics and Mathematics, Associate Professor of the Physics Department of Moscow State University, and Senior Researcher at the P.K. Sternberg State Astronomical Institute (GAISh).

On Monday, February 9, Igor Kosenko will give his first lecture: "The Lost World of the Jehol Biota and the Origin of Modern Terrestrial Ecosystems." You'll learn about the Jehol Biota, what makes it famous, and how it helps paleontologists study ancient ecosystems.

On Tuesday, February 10, together with Alexander Pilipenko, we will walk through the pages of human evolutionary history and discover why humans evolved into the people they are today, with all their evolutionary strengths and weaknesses.

On Wednesday, February 11, philosopher Oleg Donskikh will give a lecture entitled "The Origin and Evolution of Writing." He will discuss why accountants were the creators of written culture, the role writing played in the development of the state, and much more.

Astronomer Vladimir Surdin will speak about the development of cosmonautics today. Together with his guest, we'll learn when ultra-fast space transport will appear and when interstellar expeditions will begin. The lecture will take place on Thursday, February 12.

On Friday, February 13, join mathematician Sergei Ospichev to explore how the concept of artificial intelligence has evolved, what ideas and technologies have driven the field forward, and why AI development isn't linear progress, but truly evolution.

We'll conclude Darwin Week on February 14 with a lecture by philologist Sergei Vasiliev, in which we'll learn how the ideal woman (as described in literature) has changed over the centuries.

You will find more detailed information about the lectures and experts on the websitePlease note that the event registration required.

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Source: Novosibirsk State University –

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Today, a meeting was held at the Novosibirsk State University between the delegation of the Novosibirsk Region administration, headed by Deputy Governor Konstantin Khalzov, and representatives Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (AI Center) of NSU. The meeting was also attended by NSU Rector Dmitry Pyshny and the AI Center's scientific director, Mikhail Fedoruk. The main goal was to learn about the NSU AI Center's developments in the field of smart medicine and identify potential areas of collaboration. Following the meeting, an agreement was reached to begin implementing one of the solutions—the digital physician assistant "Doctor Pirogov"—in the regional healthcare system. A pilot launch of this project could take place as early as the next two years.

"As part of achieving the national goals set by the President of the Russian Federation to increase life expectancy and reduce mortality, it is important for us to implement our own solutions that will help improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of key socially significant diseases. Collaboration with Novosibirsk State University, which has a solid research base and a powerful technological foundation in the form of ready-made prototypes and developments in the field of smart healthcare, will help us address these challenges. We are ready to begin working together in the near future," commented Konstantin Khalzov, Deputy Governor of the Novosibirsk Region.

The NSU AI Center specializes in smart cities, with one key focus being the development of healthcare solutions and the creation of a healthy environment for the population. As noted by Alexander Lyulko, Director of the NSU AI Center, medical institutions are highly interested in developing and implementing new solutions and are actively proposing promising areas for collaboration.

The "Digital Physician Assistant 'Doctor Pirogov'" medical decision support system was developed by scientists at the NSU AI Center. It currently contains information on 250 major diseases, and the database of pathological conditions is constantly expanding and expanding. During development, the scientists used a hybrid approach combining neural network methods and a specialized ANDSystem knowledge graph to ensure the interpretability of decisions. The prototype was created using research and development conducted jointly by NSU and the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

At a meeting with representatives of the Novosibirsk Region administration, which was also attended by senior freelance specialists from the Novosibirsk Region Ministry of Health, a prototype system was demonstrated, and the solution generated considerable interest from the professional community.

"The key value for medical institutions, in our view, is that it reduces the time it takes to receive and register patients without compromising quality. The system will also reduce diagnostic and treatment errors and standardize patient management across doctors and shifts. Furthermore, it will enable automated auditing of existing diagnoses and prescriptions and generate reports, including for department heads and the chief physician," said Vladimir Ivanisenko, a leading researcher at the NSU AI Center and the project's director.

Other solutions from the NSU AI Center, also presented at the meeting and being considered for implementation in the Novosibirsk Region healthcare system, include an AI service for automatic MRI diagnostics and the hardware and software complex "Intelligent Assistant for the Blind, AI-Guide." The latter is being developed at the request of the S.N. Fedorov National Medical Research Center "Eye Microsurgery" Scientific and Technical Complex, an industrial partner of the NSU AI Center.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.