Faculteit Bètawetenschappen (Utrecht University)

3 Body Problem: The phenomenon from the Netflix series dissected The popular Netflix series 3 Body Problem, which launched in March 2024, delves into many topics that the researchers at the Faculty of Science deal with on a daily basis. Virtual realities, extra dimensions, and advanced nano fibers weave throughout the storyline. However, the three-body problem is leading. What exactly entails this complex issue, and does it have real-world significance? PhD candidates in theoretical physics, Mick van Vliet and Arno Hoefnagels, shed light on these questions. #uuscience #research #physics #3bodyproblem  

It’s great to see that NOS op 3 invited researcher René van Westen from Universiteit Utrecht to tell this story about the significance of the large-scale ocean circulation in the Atlantic Ocean (AMOC). Recently, Van Westen and colleagues have successfully simulated the collapse of the AMOC using a complex climate model, revealing severe global climate repercussions with Europe bearing the brunt. The research team, consisting of Henk Dijkstra, Michael Kliphuis, and René van Westen, designed a simulation in which they were able to measure a sudden weakening of the ocean circulation. In the simulation, they introduced a freshwater force into the Atlantic Ocean. As a result, the circulation strength gradually decreased until it reached a critical tipping point and collapsed. Strategic theme Pathways to Sustainability (Utrecht University) #UUscience #research #IMAU

Do you disagree with a fine, for example for speeding or wrong parking? It is becoming increasingly easy to file an objection. Several companies offer the opportunity to draft and submit objection notices. As a result, courts are overwhelmed. Assessing and dealing with these appeals takes a lot of time, leading to increased workload and stress. Computer scientists Daan Kolkman calls the proliferation of appeals cases worrying. He also thinks it is essential that decision-support AI has a place in the judiciary. Governments increasingly use algorithms to inform or supplant decision-making. Artificial Intelligence systems in particular are considered objective, consistent and efficient decision-makers, but have also been shown to be fallible. Furthermore, the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in government is fraught with challenges which are only partly understood and rarely studied in practice.  Kolkman, Floris Bex, Nitin Narayan and Manuella van der Put studied how artificial intelligence can make decision-making more efficient in practice. To this end, they developed a system that can take over routine tasks in appeals. This leaves lawyers with time for more important matters. Want to learn more? Read their recent publication in Big Data & Society: https://lnkd.in/eATGiPiQ.

"Utrecht University’s Faculty of Science provided the perfect opportunity for me. I can still feel the excitement of being selected, especially given I had no prior connections in Utrecht. The selection committee probably really made an effort to be non-biased. I feel valued by colleagues, which is essential to stay happy in a place. And I find stability here. I am assured that I can stay in Utrecht and work on my research project for several years." Get inspired by Abigail Nieves' story about working at the Faculty of Science: https://lnkd.in/ex2tv_rh #UUscience #fundamentalconnection Freudenthal Institute

Glycoscientist Robert de Vries and his research associates have received a €150,000 Proof of Concept grant from the European Research Council (ERC). With this funding, De Vries and his colleagues will explore the feasibility of developing an early warning system for viruses at live animal markets in low-income countries. This system aims to detect animal viruses that have a high risk of switching to humans at an early stage. In theory, the technique could help prevent virus outbreaks or even pandemics. How can #viruses jump to other hosts? Viruses use receptors—molecules on the surface of cells—to bind to and invade their host cells. Birds have different receptors than humans. Therefore, a flu virus circulating in birds would need to adapt to bind to human receptors to be able to infect humans. De Vries and his partners use this knowledge to identify viruses that might be on the verge of jumping to humans. They aim to develop glass slides coated with receptors that are bound by avian viruses, receptors bound by human viruses, as well as receptors that fall somewhere in between. By acting quickly, it is possible to prevent outbreaks or even a pandemic. De Vries: “Before the #COVID-19 pandemic, there was little interest in coronaviruses and not enough research was done on them. We know that there is a good chance that the next pandemic is going to be caused by a flu virus. So, we simply have to take these precautions.” Read more on this De Vries' idea: https://lnkd.in/gx7UjY3E #uuscience #flu #warningsystem #proofofconcept #grant

Epidemiologist Sophie Bots has been awarded a Dekker grant of 252 thousand euros by the Dutch Heart Foundation (Hartstichting). Over the next three years, she will investigate whether heart failure medicines are equally effective and safe for both women and men. This will ultimately allow doctors to better determine which medications are best suited for each patient. Congratulations Sophie Bots and good luck with the next steps! Read more on Bots' research and grant: https://lnkd.in/eXD7QS4W #uuscience #pharmacoepidemiology #cardiovasculardiseases #medicines

Assistant professor Mark Bos from Utrecht University Freudenthal Institute received funding within the Dutch Research Agenda (NWA) of NWO (Dutch Research Council) for his science communication project Brain Shadows, congratulations! In this project, Bos and colleagues will explore how #AI can visualize the invisible consequences of brain conditions, such as overstimulation, by generating images. These images will allow others to experience what it is like to live with them.  Co-applicants are Federica Russo (Utrecht University), and Suzanne Van der Wateren & Reina De Raat (Universiteitsmuseum Utrecht).   Collaborative partners are Hersenstichting, Vereniging van wetenschapsmusea en science centers, and MedIT Solutions B.V. #uuscience #sciencecommunication #brainshadows

Utrecht University and its spin-off, DialogueTrainer, have secured funding from Click.nl to elevate their virtual conversation trainer to the next level. By leveraging artificial intelligence, the platform aims to more closely mimic reality with avatars that respond to speech, intonation, emotion, facial expressions, and even body language. The research, conducted under the banner of the AI & Education Lab, will span four years. “In the AI & Education Lab, scientists collaborate with tech companies that develop tools and solutions to improve education,” says Sergey Sosnovsky, coordinator of the AI & Education Lab. “In this time of AI breakthroughs, it is particularly important for these companies to future-proof their products and services. Our collaboration and knowledge exchange will contribute to the design, development, evaluation, and deployment of next-generation AI-enabled dialogue technologies for the domain of education.” AI Labs (Utrecht University) Read more on this research: https://lnkd.in/eUPys3nK #uuscience #generativeAI #AI #conversationmodels

Congrats to Marjan van den Akker and Han Hoogeveen (Information and Computing Sciences) and Daniel Dadush (Mathematics) of Utrecht University for being part of the organizing team of #ISMP 2027. It is a joint initiative of the Dutch #optimization community, led by TUE. Good luck setting up a great event in the Netherlands in 2027. #uuscience #mathematics #programming

Congratulations to these four promising, young Nikhef (Nationaal instituut voor subatomaire fysica) researchers for receiving a Veni grant from NWO (Dutch Research Council)! Among them are scientists Peter Pang and Mike Sas who also have appointments at the Institute for Gravitational and Subatomic Physics (GRASP) at Utrecht University. Both will use the grant to further develop their unique research ideas. Raimond Snellings Chris van den Broeck Read more here: https://lnkd.in/g46TVuPN #uuscience #veni