On the 5th of April, at Nature Research Centre (NRC) an info-scientific seminar: “Monitoring, research and restoration of lakes as a way to improve their ecological status” was held.

At the seminar, NRC scientists and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) specialists provided information about ongoing research, current status and issues related with restoration and study perspectives of Lithuanian lakes.

Participants from: Vilnius City Municipality, Dzūkija-Suvalkija Protected Territories Directorate, Environmental Protection Agency, Vilnius University Life Sciences Centre and Nature Research Centre.

The seminar was funded by the project: „Preparation of a joint project application on lake restoration in the Baltic states (LakeRest)“ agreement with the Latvian Research Council and the Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology, EEA and Norway Grants No. EEZ/BPP/LZP/2023/1 Supervisor: dr. L. Butrimavičienė.

The coordinators of the seminar would like to thank Prof. Dr. K. Arbačiauskas, Dr. J. Koreivienė, Dr. A. Balevičius, Dr. G. Slavinskienė, Dr. N.J. Baker and Phd student D. Osadčaja for their presentations and for sharing their practical experience on the topic of the seminar.

 

Congratulations to PhD student Gabrielė Bumbulytė on receiving support from the Lithuanian Research Council for PhD students for the results of studies in 2024.

The aim of the grant is to support productive PhD students.

Within the framework of the annual Young Scientists and Doctoral Students Competitions arranged by the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences (LAS), the 2023 LAS prizes and LAS Letters of Commendation were awarded to NRC researchers. Dr. Živilė Jurgelėnė, Senior Researcher at the Laboratory of Ecotoxicology, Nature Research Centre, was awarded the prize for her research paper “Bioaccumulation, toxicity and risk assessment of next-generation nanoparticles: towards safe use of nanoparticles in biomedicine and environment”. Dr. Mélanie Yvonne Ludivine Duc, Researcher at the P. B. Šivickis Laboratory of Parasitology, Nature Research Centre, was awarded for her research work “Exoerythrocytic stages of Haemoproteus (Apicomplexa, Haemosporida) parasites in wild birds: insights into developmental patterns”.

We sincerely congratulate the winners and wish them every success in their scientific endeavours!

Sincere congratulation to our colleague Dr. Valerijus Rashomavičius, Chairperson of the Scientific Council of the Nature Research Centre, Head of the Laboratory of Flora and Geobotany, who has been awarded by the State Lithuanian Language Commission for the promotion of the Lithuanian language. The awards are given for significant work in the development of Lithuanian terminology, the promotion of the scientific language and linguistic education of the public.

“I am a botanist. Of course, I’m a botanist, but I have a flair for language”, he said and assured that the Lithuanian language is perfectly suited for creating terms. The botanist focuses on linguists Jurgis Pabrėžas and Laurynas Ivinskis.

On 23 February 2024, the 120th anniversary of the geologist, geomorphologist, and long-time researcher at the Institute of Geology and Geography, Dr. habil. Valerija Čepulytė, was celebrated at the Conference Hall of the Nature Research Centre. Although the time she lived in is slowly sinking into oblivion, it is still joyful to remember her work and her contribution to the study of the surface of Lithuania.

A pleasant surprise was our community’s collaboration in restoring the tombstone bas-relief (author G. Raudonius) that had been stolen by thieves, in preparing the exhibition (by S. Dagienė and A. Trumpienė), a virtual version of which is available at: http://eparodos.mab.lt/s/mokslui-paaukotas-gyvenimas-habil-dr-valerijai-cepulytei-120,  and a cordial meeting at which Dr. habil. V. Baltrūnas delivered a detailed presentation on the life and the most important works of the scholar. Memories were shared by Prof. A. Grigelis, Dr. E. Ž. Gelumbauskaitė, Dr. V. Narbutas, Assoc. Prof. Dr. V. Kadūnas and Dr. Z. Malinauskas.

Sincere thanks to those who donated funds for the bas-relief and contributed to the organisation of the event.

The participants of the meeting discussed the possibilities of expanding the content of classical biology and geosciences studies at VU by using the intellectual and technical potential of the NRC and the opportunities and prospects for VU students to carry out internships and final bachelor’s and master’s research projects at the NRC. A focus was put on common doctoral study programmes, evaluation of their development opportunities, including the prospects for attracting students from foreign countries. The issues tackled during the meeting regarding joint announcement of the topics of doctoral studies, opportunities for NRC doctoral students to have a better access to VU infrastructure, etc. will undoubtedly significantly contribute to the expansion of the third-cycle studies and to the quality assurance of doctoral studies in the institutions. Information exchange as an important part of inter-institutional cooperation, as well as the presentation of ongoing research and existing technical capacities to the other institution’s community were identified as an essential part of the planned activities.

The proposals and priorities for cooperation outlined during the meeting will significantly contribute to the development of joint research and study activities in the most important natural science research institutions in Lithuania.

Nature Research Centre announces a competition for Additional Admission to state-funded full-time doctoral studies in the fields of Biology, Ecology and Environmental science, Physical Geography, Geology, Zoology

▶️ Submission of applications: till 7th of December, 2023

▶️ All the information and Doctoral research topics for candidates to doctoral studies admission 2023 and documents:

https://gamtostyrimai.lt/en/admission-to-studies/

The bacterial contamination of meat is a global concern, especially for the risk of Salmonella infection that can lead to health issues. Artificial antibacterial compounds used to preserve fresh meat can have negative health effects. We investigated the potential of natural essential oils (EOs), namely Mentha arvensis (mint) and Cinnamomum cassia (cinnamon) EOs, to prevent contamination of the food pathogen, Salmonella enterica, in vitro and on chicken skin. The gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique was used to determine the compositions of mint EO (MEO) and cinnamon EO (CEO). The antibacterial activity of MEO and CEO were examined in vapor and direct contact with bacteria. The exploration of CEO and MEO employment for the inhibition of Salmonella bacteria at different temperatures and conditions expands the possibilities of developing more environment- and consumer-friendly antibacterial protection for raw meat.

https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/12/21/3938?fbclid=IwAR3MYWpokw3SuSGTB5_NnaHWfc3wGD3dJAf9TvI6HjllY9ELlLHfex3QUGY

MS Teams

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Passcode: RsSfkk