Spotlight on...

The transition to a fossil-free energy system, in Sweden and globally, is one of the great challenges of our time. For a successful transition to a sustainable energy system, there must be comprehensive research on, first, technology and, second, the behaviour and circumstances of society’s electricity users. At Uppsala University, a lot of research is going on in this area.

Why did the corona virus begin to spread among humans? What can we do to prevent the spread of infection so that healthcare has sufficient resources for the seriously ill? And why do we feel such an incredible need for information in connection with major threats? We have interviewed some researchers at Uppsala University about the new corona virus and the disease COVID-19.

Cardiovascular diseases now account for every other death in the western world. Heart attacks are the most common cause of death worldwide and the global incidence is increasing. Research on cardiovascular diseases has great breadth in Uppsala. Here are a few examples from recent news reports.

Diabetes is one of our major health scourges. The disease is increasing in prevalence worldwide and an estimated 640 million people will be affected by 2040. In Sweden, more than half a million people have diabetes. Most of them suffer from type 2 diabetes. However, among Swedish children type 1 diabetes is the most common chronic disease – a disease for which there is currently no cure.

How do you build computer systems without compromising your work environment? Are robots a threat to wage development? What obstacles do newly arrived Swedes meet in the labour market? There are many challenges in today’s working life and a lot of research is ongoing in the area. Here are some examples.