Category: Novosibirsk State University

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Novosibirsk, October 28, 2025: Researchers at the National Technology Initiative (NTI) Competence Center for Modeling and Development of New Functional Materials with Predetermined Properties (CNFM) at NSU have developed a concentrate based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) that can improve the properties of silicone rubbers. This new solution opens up potential applications in a wide range of industries, from medicine to oil and gas production. The development was funded by the National Technology Initiative Foundation.

"We've filed a Russian patent application for the invention 'concentrate composition and method for producing it.' This material is used to modify silicones, both low- and high-viscosity. It increases strength and imparts electrically conductive properties to the material, which were previously difficult to achieve," explained Andrey Skuratov, a research fellow at the NSU Center for Scientific Physics and Mathematics. Silicone rubbers are widely used in industry and medicine: they are used to make O-rings, gaskets, metal coatings, conveyor belts, and medical equipment components.

Standard methods for introducing nanotubes into silicone do not produce the desired results. According to researchers, simply adding nanotube powder to the material causes it to lose its properties, degrade more quickly, and the claimed antistatic properties are not realized. The NSU Center for Scientific Physics and Microphysics team proposed a fundamentally different approach: the nanotubes are pre-treated and distributed throughout the concentrate. This prevents the formation of agglomerates and evenly integrates them into the silicone structure.

"We use a special method in which the nanotubes are 'untangled' and dispersed. The result is a working product—a concentrate. Using this nanotube concentrate can be easily integrated into the silicone rubber manufacturing process without changing it, making our development convenient for industrial applications," explained Andrey Skuratov.

One of the key advantages of the new materials is the ability to finely tune their electrical conductivity by adjusting the concentration of MWCNTs in the silicone matrix. The effective range of nanotube content is from 0.2 to 0.8% by weight, enabling the production of materials with tailored electrical characteristics without compromising their elasticity or strength. This approach allows for tailoring the material to specific application requirements, from antistatic to conductive properties. This is particularly important in medicine, as static electricity can attract dust and contaminate the surface of products. In the oil, gas, and mining industries, controlled electrical conductivity provides an antistatic effect, preventing sparking and improving equipment safety. Furthermore, the introduction of MWCNTs significantly increases the mechanical strength of silicone: the developers were able to increase the elastic modulus and tear resistance by 25–35%. As a result, the products become more durable and more resistant to mechanical stress, including friction and contact with metal surfaces.

The developed nanotube-based concentrate paves the way for the creation of so-called "smart" silicone materials with tailored properties. These materials can be used to manufacture components for the automotive, space, and mining industries, as well as medical equipment and conveyor systems.

"We were able to not only confirm the improvement in physical properties but also demonstrate that the material becomes functionally flexible. It can be used to adjust its electrical properties to meet customer needs. This opens up a wide range of applications," the scientist noted.

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Russian scientists have developed a new combined approach aimed at identifying the binding sites of drugs used in photodynamic oncotherapy with the protein responsible for drug transport in the human body. This approach will accelerate the search for the most effective cancer drugs and minimize side effects on patients. This study was conducted by a team of scientists from Novosibirsk State University, the International Tomography Center of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and staff from the Russian Technological University MIREA.

The results of the study were published in Journal of the American Chemical SocietyThe mere fact of publication in such a prestigious and highly cited journal is already considered a success for young researchers, and this article was accepted for publication in the "Editor's Choice" section, demonstrating the recognition of the research by the international professional community. The publication's lead author, Mikhail Kolokolov, a second-year graduate student in the Department of Chemical and Biological Physics at the NSU Physics Faculty and a junior researcher at the Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Laboratory of the International Tomography Center, received the prestigious youth award from the International Society for EPR Spectroscopy for best scientific paper. The young scientist conducted his research with fourth-year graduate student Natalia Sannikova from the same department, under the supervision of Olesya Krumkacheva, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.

When medications enter the human body, they primarily bind to proteins in the blood. The effectiveness of a particular drug depends on its binding to serum albumin, a protein found in blood plasma responsible for transporting substances within the body. The degree of binding to this protein significantly influences the drug's action. If binding is too strong, the drug's concentration in the blood will be reduced, while if binding is weak, the drug may be unevenly distributed throughout the body or even destroyed without achieving its intended effect.

“To create an effective drug and control its binding to the transport protein, it is important to know where on the protein its molecules will attach. Identifying such sites will lead to understanding the mechanism of action of drugs, predicting side effects and identifying the causes of drug resistance in some patients. However, traditional methods of structural biology are not effective enough if there are several binding sites or the interaction of the drug with the protein surface is unstable. Then researchers use the molecular modeling method, but its results are not enough, since drugs often bind to the protein in several places. Thus, several small drug molecules can be attached to one protein simultaneously and at different sites. Thus, many variants of the structure of such complexes are obtained, which becomes difficult to take into account by molecular modeling. We proposed our own combined approach that allows us to measure the distance between various elements of the complex and use them to obtain its structure. Previously used methods produce average values, but in our case it is possible to achieve atomic precision in measuring the distribution of distances between binding sites, “see” all possible conformations (that is, the spatial arrangements of atoms in a molecule of a certain configuration) and find places where small molecules of a substance bind to a protein. This is the most important element of our work. In our approach, we measure distances within the complex using spin labels. A special small molecule containing an unpaired spin is selectively introduced into a region of the protein that we know. After binding the protein to the drug, we can measure the spin-spin distances between the spin label and the drug molecules on the protein,” explained Mikhail Kolokolov.

In their approach, the scientists combined molecular modeling methods with experimental data obtained using electron paramagnetic resonance, which allows the structure of compounds to be determined based on their microwave absorption. They first identified potential drug-protein binding sites using calculations, then conducted EPR spectroscopy studies, and then applied the experimental results and computer calculations to refine the configuration of these sites. This work was carried out by Mikhail Kolokolov and Natalia Sannikova, graduate students from the NSU Physics Department and junior research fellows at the EPR Laboratory of the International Tomography Center. It was discovered that binding for various types of photosensitizers can occur at non-standard sites on albumin and at several sites simultaneously.

"In theory, you can even determine where a molecule binds to a protein without any experiments, simply using computational methods. However, in practice, it turns out that these methods lead to significant inaccuracies and even errors because the calculation algorithms are relatively simplified. For this reason, scientists are often unsure of their results. Furthermore, computational methods can yield several possible binding sites and their locations. And often, from a calculation standpoint, these options are equally likely. The question is which one is correct. For this reason, the computational method is not precise enough and should not be relied upon entirely. However, it is still useful because it provides direction for experimental research, allowing us to narrow the range of possible binding sites. Thanks to this, we can use our experimental distances, which we are confident in, along with the computational methods, to determine the presence of a molecule on a protein with sufficient accuracy," explained Mikhail Kolokolov.

The scientists tested their combined approach by studying the binding of albumin to photosensitizers.

Photosensitizers are natural or synthetic substances that are used in medicine, for example in photodynamic therapy (PDT), where they accumulate in pathological cells and are activated when irradiated with light, causing their death.

Photodynamic oncotherapy is considered a very promising method because, unlike traditional chemotherapy, it targets only the tumors that are exposed to light. However, this cancer treatment method is currently not widely used due to the imperfections of photosensitizers. Scientists are faced with the challenge of improving their light absorption, diffusion throughout the body, and accumulation in tumors. This study of the albumin-binding sites of photosensitizers is important for further improving their diffusion throughout the body and increasing their concentration in tumors, which will contribute to increased therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, work in this area has significant clinical significance.

Scientists have identified the locations of binding sites for seven compounds whose structural interactions with albumin were previously unclear. The new approach demonstrated that binding can occur at non-standard sites on albumin and at multiple sites simultaneously for different types of photosensitizers.

The scientists tested the effectiveness of their combined approach using several photosensitizers. To demonstrate different binding mechanisms, they used compounds whose molecules had different electrical charges—negative, positive, and neutral. It turned out that, depending on this charge, they bind differently to the protein, which in this case was negatively charged. Molecules with a positive or neutral charge "sit" on the negatively charged surface of the protein and form an unstable bond—they can temporarily detach and reattach.

Negatively charged molecules behave differently—they penetrate pockets on the protein surface and remain there stably. However, in this case, their size plays a key role. Relatively small molecules fit completely into these pockets and formed very effective binding, while larger molecules behave differently.

Experiments have shown that the smaller the molecule and the more completely it fits into these pockets, the higher the site population. Experiments with larger molecules that fit less freely into these pockets yield lower populations and less effective binding. The researchers observed these processes directly in experiments. This molecular behavior is logical, but computational methods don't account for it. While they can determine how a molecule binds to a protein, they don't determine how this affects the protein itself. If small molecules fit freely into the pocket, no significant changes occur. However, large molecules can alter the protein structure. Computational methods often don't capture this, but the researchers corrected these errors and inaccuracies through experiments.

"Throughout all our experiments in this study, we demonstrated with atomic precision where the molecules of these compounds bind to albumin, which is undoubtedly a novelty in terms of photostabilizer development. The combined approach we developed will make the analysis of anticancer compounds significantly more accurate, and the development of new oncotherapy drugs simpler and faster. By combining computer analysis and electron paramagnetic resonance data, we were able to significantly reduce the number of labor-intensive calculations and experiments, simplifying the determination of interactions between albumin and photosensitizers. We believe our work will enable us to predict the most promising compounds for photodynamic anticancer therapy. We now plan to apply our approach to study how photosensitizers bind to DNA molecules," explained Mikhail Kolokolov.

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On November 13–14, Novosibirsk State University will host the 3rd Scientific and Industrial Forum "Golden Valley 2025"—a key event in Siberia, bringing together representatives of science, industry, high-tech companies, and government agencies.

The organizer is Novosibirsk State University. Forum partners include the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Council of Rectors of the Novosibirsk Region, the Business Club of Enterprise Managers "Commonwealth. Efficiency. Development" (SER), the NSU Alumni Association, and the Technopark of the Novosibirsk Academgorodok. The forum is supported by the Government of the Novosibirsk Region. Mikhail Fedoruk, Rector of NSU and Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, commented on the significance of the event:

NSU's development strategy is a transition to a scientific and technological university model, where education, research, and technology work together. It's important for us to collaborate with leading companies to develop products and solutions that are effectively implemented in industry. The Golden Valley Forum is an excellent platform for lively dialogue, new ideas, and projects that bring together science and business. The goal of the forum is to facilitate interaction between scientific organizations and industrial partners to achieve national technological leadership.

Key objectives include forecasting the development of leading economic sectors, the urban environment, and medicine; proposing multi-level technological solutions; and discussing specific challenges facing the industry and ways to address them.

The 2025 program covers the following areas: aviation and unmanned systems, microelectronics, energy, artificial intelligence, medicine and pharmaceuticals, and smart city technologies.

The forum will showcase AI tools with practical applications in industry and urban environments. Experts from academia and industry will share forecasts for key industries. An exhibition of achievements will showcase developments tailored to the needs of industrial partners. Participants will enjoy forecast sessions with leading experts, a strategic discussion on generative AI in the public sector, thematic sections, and a university-business networking platform. Additionally, NSU laboratories will open, a display of new developments will be on display, pitch sessions will be held, and there will be meetings to find partners. The forum will conclude with the signing of cooperation agreements.

Alexander Lyulko, Director of the Center for Interaction with Government Authorities and Industrial Partners at NSU, noted:

Today, Zolotaya Dolina is one of the largest forums in the region and the largest in Akademgorodok. Its mission is to establish direct dialogue between science and industry. It is here that joint solutions are born that set economic priorities. This year, we are focusing on breakthrough technologies—from artificial intelligence to microelectronics. Russia is on the threshold of a technological revolution, and our goal is to be among the leaders in it.

In three years, Zolotaya Dolina has become a key point of attraction for those working at the intersection of science and industry.

● In 2023, NSU signed agreements with the Botlikh Radio Plant, the Siberian Generating Company, and Renewal.● In 2024, new agreements were signed with the Federal Autonomous Institution SibNIA named after S.A. Chaplygin, Aviaspetstest JSC, and the Sibsteklo enterprise, and the Association of Developers and Manufacturers of Unmanned Systems was created.

These steps have led to the launch of joint laboratories and new research projects. Even larger agreements in the fields of artificial intelligence and high-tech manufacturing are expected in 2025.

More information and registration for the forum:http://zd.nsu.ru/ 

Venue: New Building of NSU Streaming Audiences (Novosibirsk, Akademgorodok, Pirogov Street, 3).

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This year, the Olympiad was held for the twelfth time and once again achieved its largest-ever attendance. Over 1,300 registrations were recorded for both rounds from 35 countries, including Russia, India, Vietnam, China, Belarus, Belgium, Italy, Kazakhstan, Morocco, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Turkmenistan, the USA, the UK, Pakistan, Turkey, Australia, Bangladesh, Spain, Sweden, Uzbekistan, Ethiopia, Moldova, Indonesia, Palestine, France, Hungary, Germany, South Korea, Finland, and Luxembourg.

"Our participants come from every inhabited continent: Eurasia, America, Africa, and Australia! Their numbers are growing every year, as is interest in the event. Participants were presented with 15 diverse problems, covering a wide range of topics: from historical ciphers to cryptographic protocols, cryptanalysis and reverse engineering, quantum security, lattice cryptosystems, and cryptocurrencies. Interestingly, the first solution to the Olympiad problem was submitted just eight minutes after the start of the first round. In total, we received over two thousand solutions, which we will now thoroughly examine," comments Natalia Tokareva, Chair of the Olympiad Program Committee and Associate Professor at NSU.

Non-Stop University CRYPTO is the only international cryptography olympiad. It brings together schoolchildren, students, and professionals from all over the world. Anyone can participate, regardless of geographic location. The official language of the olympiad is English. The goal of the event is to engage young researchers in solving problems in modern cryptography.

The organizers and partners of the Olympiad are Cryptographic Center (Novosibirsk), National Technological Center for Digital Cryptography, Novosibirsk State University, Kryptonit and Aktiv companies, Leuven University (Belgium), Southern Federal University, Infotex company, Sofia Kovalevskaya North-West Center for Mathematical Research, Belarusian State University, Tomsk State University and Enseucrypto-lab company.

The official results of the Olympiad will be announced in November 2025.

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The NSU Bench Press Championship, a key powerlifting event, has just concluded. This free-weight exercise, performed on a bench, involves lowering a barbell to the chest and then lifting it until the arms are fully extended. More than 70 students competed in three weight classes for boys and two for girls. Matvey Thomas (FEN) achieved the absolute best result, lifting 190 kg.

Winners and prize winners of the competition:

Boys up to 67 kg 1st place – Mark Gulev (MMF) 2nd place – Nikolay Yashchenko (MMF) 3rd place – Sergey Polyakov (MMF)

Boys up to 82 kg1st place – Dmitry Yakovenko (GGF)2nd place – Amirhossein Darvishi (IMMT)3rd place – Platon Lyalyakin (EF)

Boys over 82 kg 1st place – Matvey Thomas (FEN) – 190 kg 2nd place – Kirill Melnikov (GGF) 3rd place – Ivan Dmitriev (FF)

Among the girls in two weight categories, the leaders were: 1st place – Daria Gribanova (IMMT) and Anna Yakovleva (FEN) 2nd place – Alina Titenko (IMMT) and Ekaterina Kucher (FF) 3rd place – Veronika Alpatova (IIR) and Anna Buraeva (SUNC)

Congratulations to the winners and runners-up! We thank all the students for participating and KaffaFV instructor Alexander Avgustinovich for organizing the tournament.

All results on VK page.

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Scientists from the Laboratory of Nuclear and Innovative Medicine (LNIM) have begun a tomographic study of three mammoth tusks provided for study by the Department of Mammoth Fauna Studies of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). Faculty of Physics of Novosibirsk State UniversityThe next step will be radiocarbon dating of these artifacts, which will be carried out in NSU-NSC Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Center as part of the project Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies The Priority 2030 program is currently underway. The objects of study—three mammoth tusks with various defects—were discovered several years ago in the Abyisky District, on the Tirekhtyakh and Badyarikha rivers in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia). Now, using high-tech research methods, scientists will determine the cause of the pathologies, determine the age of these paleontological finds, and identify the diet, geographic location, and migration patterns of these megafauna. The scientists claim that NSU has created optimal conditions for such research, housing the only low-voltage accelerator mass spectrometer in Russia and the only CT scanner in Siberia certified for animal studies and scientific research.

The scanned samples are mammoth tusks containing structural changes—significant deviations in shape and size, as well as abnormalities in tusk formation, clearly visible externally. The first sample clearly shows transverse "ring-shaped" constrictions of varying severity, indicating slowed or stagnant tusk growth. The second sample contains areas of nodular or irregular dentin growth. The third sample is very different from the previous ones, both in size—it is significantly smaller than normal-sized tusks—and in structure: the central portion of its cross-section differs from that normal for woolly mammoths; the dentin appears excessively dense and does not form the characteristic concentric layers. Furthermore, these samples also exhibit other types of pathologies not yet described in the scientific literature.

"Until now, there has been virtually no study of mammoth tusk pathologies worldwide. In Russia, only a few papers have been published comparing isotopic ratios in diseased and healthy tusks, and elemental analysis has been performed. At NSU, the work begins with studying the internal structure of diseased (aberrant) tusks, followed by an examination of the isotopic composition and the hereditary causes of such tusks. We chose NSU as a partner due to its highly qualified specialists in various fields and the availability of equipment. Such research is pioneering, and its importance is difficult to overestimate," commented Albert Vasilyevich Protopopov, Doctor of Biological Sciences and Head of the Mammoth Fauna Research Department at the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).

In modern archaeology and paleontology, computed tomography (CT) has become an indispensable non-destructive method. For unique finds like the tusks from Yakutia, CT is a "digital scalpel," allowing one to peer inside the object and study its hidden structure without disturbing the original. The method provides a three-dimensional image of the external and internal structures, as well as information about the age, diet, and seasonal migrations of the animal. Its main value, however, lies in the detection of hidden pathologies that occurred during life, such as fractures, diseases, and injuries.

"The particular significance of our research lies in the combination of archaeology and preclinical veterinary diagnostic experience. A database of modern animal pathologies serves as a benchmark for interpreting injuries in fossil remains. By comparing the nature of the injuries, we can not only determine the probable cause of death of an individual but also reconstruct the environmental stresses experienced by the population—from competition for resources to climate change. This allows us to transform mammoth ivory into a detailed chronicle of its life and habitat," explains Vladimir Vladimirovich Kanygin, Head of the NSU Laboratory of Mammoth Illegibility and Evolution.

In the future, they plan to compare CT images of mammoth and elephant tusks to determine their similarity. Moreover, the laboratory's conditions allow for the study of more than just the tusks and skeletal remains of these large animals. LYAIM scientists hope to receive a well-preserved permafrost carcass of a baby mammoth from their colleagues in Yakutia for study. To do this, they could first conduct individual CT scans of its parts and then assemble all the images into a 3D computer reconstruction, allowing the object to be studied from any perspective.

The analysis of CT images of mammoth tusks will be carried out by a team of scientists led by Andrey Yuryevich Letyagin, Deputy Director for Research at the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Deputy Head of the Institute of Clinical Experimental Lymphology for Research and Clinical Work, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, and physician of the highest category in radiology. He is a leading expert at the Laboratory of Lymphatic Mechanics and Physics of the Faculty of Physics and Mammology of Novosibirsk State University. Together with other laboratory researchers, Andrey Yuryevich previously participated in the development of algorithms for the "Veterinarian Assistant" software module, designed to diagnose oncological diseases in domestic animals using CT images, and also participated in CT studies of archaeological finds conducted in the laboratory.

"We will be processing the CT images of the tusks' internal structure, paying attention to areas of destruction. We will certainly see some pathological changes of various origins, caused either by trauma or inflammatory degenerative processes. Much depends on the integrity of the bone structure, which we still need to determine, but one thing is clear: the work will be challenging due to the unusual nature of the objects being studied. Accessing the literature is practically impossible, as only a few articles on the topic exist to date. So, what we're seeing are CT images of objects that have never been studied before. We will have to develop our own protocol for conducting such studies within the technical capabilities we currently have," explained Andrey Yuryevich.

Computed tomography is only the initial stage of studying these unusual tusks. Scientists plan to conduct a comprehensive radiocarbon dating study, layer-by-layer analysis of isotopic and chemical composition, and histological analysis to determine the cause of the defects.

We want to know whether these abnormalities were the result of disease or environmental influences. It would be interesting to find any links between these pathologies and similar disorders in elephants, and even the possibility of their occurrence in humans. We suspect such a connection: mammoths became extinct at least several thousand years ago, yet the congenital defects and acquired diseases of modern elephants bear some similarities to those seen in these megafauna, which share a common ancestor with elephants. We would like to examine the situation from the perspective of disease evolution and assess how dental diseases change under the influence of various factors. Therefore, we have sent a request to zoologists and veterinarians involved in the study and treatment of elephants in India (the Center for Environmental Studies, Bangalore) and Thailand (the Center for Elephant and Wildlife Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University) for the possibility of consultation. "Our Indian colleague has already responded and expressed great interest in working together," said Ekaterina Vasilyevna Parkhomchuk, Director of the NSU-NSC Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Center.

In the near future, the Isotope Research Laboratory of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences will conduct a layer-by-layer isotope analysis of all three tusks, while simultaneously preparing samples for dating. At the NSU-NSC Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Shared Use Center, the mammoths' lifespan will be determined using radiocarbon dating. Researchers will then study their elemental composition, which will reveal what the mammoths ate and how complete their diet was, the geographic locations they inhabited, and the directions they migrated. Using histological studies, the scientists hope to determine what diseases these megafauna suffered from, whether these diseases have disappeared in modern times or persist today, and whether they affect another, but surviving, lineage of elephants, a common ancestor of mammoths.

"We would be delighted to collaborate with researchers who possess other modern methods that allow us to approach the study of mammoth diseases. Until now, no one has seriously addressed this issue. Meanwhile, this is crucial in terms of contributing to the mammoth revival, which is no longer a fantasy but is becoming a reality. Our colleagues from Yakutia have established the World Mammoth Museum, where conditions are being created for the preservation and maximum prolongation of the life of all the unique specimens that are now being discovered as the permafrost melts," said Ekaterina Parkhomchuk.

Next, a histological examination of the tissues is planned. The NSU Laboratory of Nuclear and Innovative Medicine has modern, high-tech equipment that allows for ultrathin tissue sections to be prepared for microscopic examination using a digital scanner, which will yield a paleohistological data package in the form of electronic images.

"We plan to conduct microstructural paleontological research in collaboration with the Federal Research Center for Fundamental and Translational Medicine (FRC FTM) and my supervisor, Elena Koldysheva, Doctor of Biological Sciences and Head of the Laboratory of Molecular Mechanisms of Pathological Processes at the Federal Research Center for Fundamental and Translational Medicine (FRC FTM). This is the first time histological studies of paleontological specimens have been performed, and if the megafauna tissue staining is successful, we will digitize the resulting microscopic images. This will make them accessible to specialists from a number of scientific organizations involved in the project. Preserving the structure during analysis will allow us to identify damage caused during life: thermal and mechanical injuries, congenital pathologies, or diseases acquired during life and their consequences. It may also be possible to reconstruct the morphological composition of the mammoth organs whose tissues were analyzed," explained Nikolai Kanygin, Junior Researcher at the FRC FTM (Institute of Molecular Pathology and Pathomorphology).

Scientists involved in the study of defective mammoth tusks are confident that it is now crucial to develop and apply the maximum number of methods for studying megafauna specimens in order to obtain the maximum amount of information about the finds from Yakutia.

"Such samples, removed from permafrost layers, thaw and quickly deteriorate. Soft tissues decompose, and bones quickly dry out and turn to dust. As a result, we lose a great deal of important information that could shed light on the cause of the mammoths' extinction. There are two competing points of view: some scientists believe that these megafauna, and subsequently many other species, were exterminated by an expanding population of ancient humans, while others believe that a catastrophic event, triggering climate change 10,000-15,000 years ago, was to blame. On the other hand, the modern climate is still suitable for many extinct animal species, including mammoths. Our research on mammoth tusks will help solve these mysteries of the past," concluded Ekaterina Parkhomchuk.

Reference:

The Department of Mammoth Fauna Studies is a research unit of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The department's objectives include studying the anatomical and morphological characteristics of mammoth fauna, their taxonomic status, and ecological adaptations. A second important area of research is paleoecological studies of the late Pleistocene in Yakutia, including vegetation, natural environments, and prevailing landscapes. A third area of research is studying the burial conditions of mammoth fauna specimens, including mammoth tusks, a valuable commercial resource for residents of Yakutia's Arctic regions.

In addition to these studies, which the department conducts independently, joint research projects are conducted with leading Russian and international scientific institutions. Genetic research plays an important role, involving, for example, staff from the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (A.S. Grafodatsky).

The department's projects involve numerous highly qualified specialists from various Russian institutes—Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, and Yekaterinburg. Many types of analyses are conducted abroad, at the most reputable genetic and isotope centers.

Material prepared by: Elena Panfilo, NSU press service

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A practical method for achieving the shortest pulse duration in all-fiber lasers was developed by Sergei Kobtsev, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences and Head of the Department of Laser Physics and Innovative Technologies at Novosibirsk State University. The results of his work in this area were published in the article "Production of ultrashort pulses in fiber lasers" ("Obtaining ultrashort pulses in fiber lasers"). The article became one of the most downloaded publications of the journal "Journal of the Optical Society of America B" in July-September 2025. The research was conducted within the framework of the project "New fiber short-pulse laser systems incorporating advanced composite materials, intelligent technologies and metrological extensions," supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.

Fiber lasers are a promising type of laser, distinguished by improved key user parameters—the elimination of the need for precise laser cavity tuning, effective natural heat dissipation, efficient generation, and compactness. However, producing ultrashort pulses in these lasers is a challenging task due to increased dispersion and nonlinearity, often requiring the use of bulk optical elements. Such elements significantly reduce the advantages of fiber (or solid fiber) lasers.

"Sometimes, fiber lasers are used to describe combined configurations containing only a minority of fiber components, while the majority of the optical elements are bulk. Such combined fiber-bulk lasers lose important advantages associated with solid-fiber lasers. Although such combined fiber-bulk lasers can produce pulses lasting a few femtoseconds, these configurations differ little from traditional solid-state bulk lasers with their inherent drawbacks. We were interested in the minimum pulse duration possible in solid-fiber lasers, especially with fixed polarization. It turned out that such lasers can generate pulses of picosecond duration and longer," explained Sergey Kobtsev.

The results of this work are of interest to a wide range of specialists using fiber components in research and development. The ability to generate picosecond light pulses in all-fiber lasers expands their applications while maintaining the advantages of this type of laser. Given the increasing prevalence of all-fiber lasers, their generation characteristics are of great interest.

"Fiber lasers are undergoing rapid development. A few years ago, it seemed that fiber lasers could replace all other laser types due to their significant advantages. However, numerous studies have shown that these advantages are inherent not to all fiber lasers (combined, etc.), but specifically to all-fiber lasers. It became interesting to determine at what pulse durations the all-fiber configuration could be combined with short pulses. A detailed study of the problem revealed a solution: starting with pulse durations in the picosecond range, they can be generated in all-fiber lasers with fixed polarization. The mechanism for generating ultrashort pulses is also important, but a fundamental solution has already been demonstrated," explained Sergey Kobtsev.

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A meeting between students and management representatives of the B1 Group of Companies was held at the Faculty of Economics at Novosibirsk State University. Participants discussed a wide range of topics, from the prospects for the development of the Russian and global economies to the intricacies of building a career at a major financial company and the secrets of personal development.

The B1 Group of Companies offers multidisciplinary services in audit, strategic, technological, and business consulting, transactions, valuation, taxation, law, and business support, and is one of the leaders in the domestic market in its field.

B1 has been a long-standing and reliable partner of NSU: the collaboration has been ongoing for over twenty years in a variety of formats, from specialized educational programs to internships for students at B1's Novosibirsk branch.

"I studied economics at NSU, and soon after joining the company, I convinced management that university graduates offer exceptional training. Since then, the number of our university graduates within the B1 team has only grown. It's fair to say that the Novosibirsk office was opened precisely because of the large number of talented NSU graduates," said Mikhail Khachaturyan, B1 partner and head of the audit and related services department.

For over ten years, B1 employees—graduates of the NSU Faculty of Economics—have been teaching the course "Financial Statement Analysis" at their home department. For a long time, Timofey Komarov, a partner in the Audit and Related Services Department and an NSU graduate, has been responsible for this project at B1 Group. This course is very popular among students of the Faculty of Economics, with an enrollment of approximately 100 students. Not many academic programs can boast such a large number of students.

However, the meeting focused more on how the financial, consulting, and auditing sectors of the economy will develop in the coming years and how university graduates can find a worthy place in this market.

"I'd like to give the students some advice on how to start their careers. And, most importantly, don't worry about what you know now; be ready to learn everything new. I'm often asked what they test for during interviews. First and foremost, we look at a person's intelligence: we want smart people to come, and we'll teach them the specifics of the job along the way. In this regard, NSU's strategy is very appropriate: its motto is "We teach you to think." That's why we've developed such a good partnership. Employees who think, are willing to learn, and develop find it easier to advance their careers, not just with us but with most companies," Mikhail Khachaturyan emphasized.

"B1 is a striking example of the Faculty of Economics' collaboration with representatives of the real economy, but it's not the only one. Currently, approximately 20 elective courses are taught by bank employees, including those of the Central Bank, consulting and auditing firms, and NSO ministries. Each course is supervised by a full-time faculty member. Importantly, these courses are integrated into the curriculum of each program, and their programs are tailored to the needs of the modern economy. But B1, as a participant in the educational process at NSU's Faculty of Economics, has one undeniable advantage: they have clearly established the "training-internship-job" chain. This is invaluable for both students and the faculty," noted Alla Komarova, PhD, Deputy Dean of the NSU Faculty of Economics for Economics.

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 –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Four students from the NSU Faculty of Natural Sciences won and placed first in the 4th International Chemistry Olympiad among students, which took place from October 15 to 17 in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, at Magtymguly Turkmen State University. Alexander Tomilov and Nazim Mustafin won gold medals, while Nikita Chernovsky and Alexander Sapov won silver.

Over 250 students from 47 universities in Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, the United Kingdom, Iran, Italy, Kazakhstan, China, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan participated in the competition. The Olympiad was held in two categories: Category A for students majoring in chemistry, and Category B for students in other fields. Russian participants won 13 gold medals, 11 of which were in Category A, demonstrating a high level of preparation.

Nazim Mustafin has won numerous prizes at major competitions: in 2025, he was among the winners of the "I Am a Professional" Olympiad, winning two bronze medals in the Chemistry and Biotechnology tracks. In 2024, as part of the NSU team, he received a third-place diploma in the Molecular and Cellular Biology section of the International Biological Universiade. Last year, he was also part of the NSU team that won a gold medal in the International Chemistry Olympiad at Magtymguly University in Ashgabat. Nazim works as a laboratory assistant at the International Tomography Center of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences in the Magnetic Resonance Microtomography Lab.

"Last year, we participated in this Olympiad with almost the same team, and it was a very rewarding experience. When the organizers sent an invitation again, I immediately began coordinating the trip with the dean's office. On behalf of the entire team, we express our deep gratitude to the leadership of the Faculty of Natural Sciences at NSU for their support and the opportunity to participate. This year, there was only one round, four hours long, with six problems. For many participants, this proved challenging: the problems were easy, but very complex, and sometimes there wasn't enough time to solve them," Nazim Mustafin shared.

Alexander Tomilov has participated in school olympiads in various subjects since the 7th grade. He developed an interest in chemistry in the 8th grade, and in the 10th and 11th grades, he won prizes in the final round of the All-Russian School Olympiad in Chemistry. In 2022, he entered Novosibirsk State University (NSU), majoring in Chemistry. During this time, he successfully competed in the All-Russian Student Olympiad "I Am a Professional" in Chemistry (winner in 2024, gold medalist in 2025), as well as the International Chemistry Olympiad at Makhtumkuli Tomsk State University (gold medalist in 2024 and 2025). He works at the International Tomography Center of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, conducting research in the fields of EPR spectroscopy and metal-organic coordination polymers.

"I already participated in this Olympiad last year and wanted to prove my abilities. This year, I was able to properly balance my efforts and focus on tasks I was confident in. This is what helped me secure a gold medal. I was nervous while writing the Olympiad problems, but when I received the results, I was thrilled not only for myself but for the entire NSU team. We won two gold and two silver medals—one of the best results among Russian universities," notes Alexander Tomilov.

The Olympiad was not only an academic challenge but also a unique experience of networking and knowledge sharing. Students found the forum interesting as a platform where science and practice intersect with business and innovation.

"The experience of working with diversely trained participants is invaluable. For example, one of our colleagues, Nikita Chernovsky, just last week won the Mendeleev Competition for Young Scientists. This demonstrates the students' high level of fundamental preparation," says Alexander.

The Olympiad is held annually and aims to develop academic collaboration, stimulate student interest in scientific research, and enhance the participants' professional skills. The results of the NSU team confirm the high standard of student training in the Faculty of Natural Sciences and demonstrate the university's competitiveness on the international stage.

"There was a funny moment. Before the medal presentation, everyone was seated according to their scores. Since I was attending a conference on educational methods, I was seated separately, and I wasn't sure until the end what color medal I'd receive. I admit, I was a little nervous at the threshold between the gold and silver medals," Nazim recounts.

We congratulate the medalists and wish them new victories in the future!

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 –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The exhibition "Everyday Life and Romance of Archaeographic Expeditions (for the Anniversary of Archaeography in Siberia)" opened at NSU during the All-Russian scientific conference "Source Studies of Old Russian Literature and Language (Archaeography, Textual Criticism, Poetics)," which took place from October 16-18. It features photographs from various years and personal belongings of the participants of the early expeditions—from canvas jackets and sneakers, camping utensils and notebooks to ship tickets and early printed books.

Many participants at the exhibition's opening ceremony recognized themselves in old photographs and reminisced about trekking through the taiga, traveling to the expedition site by steamship, and being welcomed by the Old Believers in their settlements. And, of course, they spoke of their mentors and teachers. Many warm words were spoken about the founder of archaeographic expeditions, Elena Dergacheva-Skop. Grateful students remembered her as an energetic, thorough, and very cheerful woman, dedicated to science and passionate about her work. It was she who drew many of those present into the amazing world of ancient manuscripts, early printed and handwritten books, awakening in them the passion for scientific inquiry and the desire for new discoveries. Not all of them subsequently dedicated their careers to archaeography, but they did not abandon their scientific work and continued their research in other fields.

NSU Rector and RAS Academician Mikhail Fedoruk attended the exhibition opening. He noted the significant contribution of NSU Humanities Institute researchers to science and the significance of their expeditionary work. Then, Ekaterina Turuk, a research fellow at the NSU Humanities Institute's Laboratory of Archaeography and Source Studies, spoke about the exhibition and the most interesting exhibits on display.

This exhibition is dedicated to the 60th anniversary of archaeological expeditions to Siberia, the very date when Elena Ivanovna Dergacheva-Skop, Vladimir Nikolaevich Alekseev, and Elena Konstantinovna Romodanovskaya, a staff member of the Institute of History, Philology, and Philosophy of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, led our philology students on their first trip to the Siberian Old Believers. Since then, these expeditions have become regular events. We envisioned a slightly lyrical, romantic, and even homely feel to this exhibition, hence its title. It turned out that the personal belongings of the archaeological expedition participants represent the everyday life, while the photographs they provided provide the romantic touch. We are grateful to everyone who responded to our request and participated in the search for artifacts for our exhibition. Thanks to them, the exhibition features unique exhibits. "That's how we acquired Elena Ivanovna Dergacheva-Skop's handbag, which she used to carry the expedition participants' tickets, a whole box of Oleg Albertovich Donskikh's diaries, and photographs from his personal archive. And at our insistence, Andrei Yuryevich Borodikhin found the very jackets and backpack he used on the expeditions. He even managed to miraculously find his hiking shoes, mug, and kettle! He even shared a bear tooth, given to him by the Old Believers as a talisman. All these items can be seen at our exhibition," said Ekaterina Turuk.

A significant portion of the exhibition is made up of photographs. Archaeography Laboratory staff members Ekaterina Turuk, Inna Shilova, Grigory Belousov, and GI Master's student Anna Cherkasova have accomplished a significant amount of work, working with the photo archive. They classified and sorted the photographs, digitized the slides, and identified the people depicted in them. The result is an extensive photo gallery of expedition images, from the first to this year's. Looking at these images, the participants of the first expeditions reminisced about their student years and eagerly shared their memories with current humanities students.

In the 1960s, our lives were completely steeped in romanticism. Romance was the key word of our youth. We even dedicated our entrance essays to it, on a free topic, in which we wrote about our understanding of romance. So, for us, romance wasn't about waiting on the pier for a beautiful frigate with scarlet sails. We were enchanted by the romance of difficult journeys. For us, it was hiking, the taiga, scientific research, and overcoming difficulties. And there were plenty of them on expeditions! On our first expedition, Elena Ivanovna and I set off on a large motor ship called the "Maria Ulyanova" to the north of the Tomsk region. We disembarked in the village of Molchanovo, where we were put up in a large room. I think it was a hotel. And then we hit the taiga trails. I remember a funny incident: I was paralyzed with fear when I came across three snakes. So much so that I couldn't go any further. Elena Ivanovna asked a local we met to give me a ride in a cart to the pier. On the way, he asked me who we were. I proudly replied, "Philologists." He said, "Looking for oil? What, without a compass?" Indeed, many geologists worked in those areas, searching for minerals, and the locals were accustomed to encountering them in the taiga, shared Irina Alexandrovna Guzner.

A participant in the first archaeographic expedition recounted that Elena Ivanovna Dergacheva-Skop provided all the necessary living arrangements. She handled issues with accommodation, travel, and food. The latter presented some challenges. Canned goods and cereals were available in local stores, but eggs and milk had to be ordered from the state farm. Elena Ivanovna handled this task successfully.

"Our group was assigned two people for this purpose, and Elena Ivanovna was given a sarafan—a blue one with white polka dots. She would dress up, one girl would do her makeup, the other would do her hair, and then, dressed like that, she would go to the management, who couldn't resist the charm of a young, beautiful woman. So, we were given plenty of food, and we ate well," recalled Irina Alexandrovna Guzner.

The expedition's romance also lay in the unpredictability of events and overcoming difficulties in unfamiliar conditions. Irina Alexandrovna recalled how, in the village of Lysaya Gora, which no longer exists, they had to live in a greenhouse, from which they removed the seedlings and, as best they could, adapted them for temporary housing.

"Thanks to these expeditions, I suddenly discovered that another life is possible. It turned out that there are people who live for completely different values. And that was, of course, simply amazing," said Oleg Albertovich Donskikh.

At the photo exhibition, a photograph of a young girl with a long braid caught everyone's attention. Elena Edmundovna Voytishek recognized herself in the photo and shared a funny story from her expedition past.

It was 1980, in a remote village. I'd just finished my first year. In one of the houses, an Old Believer named Paramon Kalinovich approached me and tugged my braid: "Isn't that a towed braid, girl?" I was hurt and offended. But after my partner, fifth-year student Mikhail Chirkin, and I helped around the house, fetched water, weeded the garden beds, and talked about the harvest, they began to consider us one of their own and took our work on the expedition seriously. And then, frankly, it was a test worse than any we'd ever taken in university classrooms! They immediately laid out the Chetyi-Minei, the Hexameron, and the Psalter for us to read, no matter which page the book opened to. And we read. That's how our hosts tested us. Then they opened the books of Znamenny Chant for us, either by salts or by hooks. Here, my musical education really helped me—I had attended music school and played two instruments. Somehow, I managed, because I had to read the lyrics, sing them without the familiar staff, and discern those hooks. It was a wonderful experience, a kind of parallel reality. There are events in life that you experience and realize: you'll never see anything like this again, and you'll never relive that moment anywhere else. Our expeditions consisted of such moments," said Elena Edmundovna Voytishek.

Over the years, expedition participants brought back approximately 2,000 handwritten and early printed books from the 15th to early 20th centuries. Finding these precious artifacts wasn't always easy. Only persistence and dedication helped the expedition members achieve their goal.

— One of the participants in our expedition, Gennady Pavlovich Enin, worked for the family that kept this handwritten book of the 16th century in order to obtain the valuable Four Gospels with marvelous miniatures on a gold lining. For three years, every vacation she went to her owners and did various housework for them, so that she could later receive this book of extraordinary beauty for her labors. In the third year, the owners agreed to give it away, but also asked for a portable tape recorder – the family was very musical. Gennady Pavlovich was quite happy with this option. What about my story? I had the opportunity to visit a real Old Believer monastery once. Then I was still a student and went on a trip with a girl from Leningrad University. We were sent to the Asinovsky district of the Tomsk region. But how to find that very monastery? Having arrived at our destination, we went to the village administration. There we were advised to contact the foresters – they know exactly where this monastery is, and even go there from time to time, patrolling the forest. We went to the forestry enterprise. It turned out that the foresters were just getting ready to go in that direction the next morning. We stocked up on food and were already at the appointed place at 6 am. We walked for a long time through the taiga along an old overgrown clearing along which timber was transported 15 years ago. Well, we walk along this clearing for an hour, two, three… A short halt and again we hit the road. The foresters were surprised when they looked at us: they were city dwellers, and they didn’t complain or whine… At rest stops, they treated us to tea, and we shared our supplies with them. We reached the monastery in 10 hours. It wasn’t far there—“only” 40 kilometers. At the monastery we met an amazing person – Mother Melania. She lived in a tiny house. Several other people lived in the large house next door, and real treasures were kept here – old books. She told me about her difficult fate, about the persecution of Old Believers, about life in the taiga, about a recent meeting with a bear at the fence separating the estate from the taiga. Such moments are not forgotten, and they can only be experienced on an expedition,” said Tatyana Nikolaevna Apsit.

The romance of expeditions hasn't gone away, and today more and more students from the NSU Humanities Institute are embarking on office-based practical training, which is part of the Philology curriculum and mandatory for all students.

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.