News from SDU
Follow and stay updated on everything from research results and business collaboration to student life and exciting initiatives at the university.
Latest news
One session of advice just as effective as rehab for many older patients
A new Danish study shows that extended rehabilitation programmes don't necessarily lead to better outcomes than a single advisory session.
Health Innovation Day highlighted research with real-world impact
At Health Innovation Day 2026, researchers, foundations and health sector stakeholders gathered at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) to explore how health research can create societal value. A newly announced national agreement on innovation provided a timely backdrop for the day's discussions.
Cells Have a Built-in Capacity Limit for Copying DNA, and it Could Impact Cancer Treatment
A research team has identified a new mechanism that controls DNA’s ability to replicate – and thereby a cell’s ability to divide. Since cancer cells are characterized by aggressive division, this discovery is significant for cancer research.
Young researcher from SDU to help ensure sufficient critical resources for the green transition
The green transition depends heavily on access to critical raw materials, which are currently subject to vulnerable supply chains in an uncertain world. Associate professor Wu Chen from the Department of Green Technology at SDU now aims to map out how Denmark and Europe can secure the supply of the critical materials. The project is supported by the Villum Foundation’s Young Investigator grant.
Bird retinas work without oxygen – solving an old biological puzzle
Neural tissue normally dies quickly without oxygen. Yet bird retinas − among the most energy-demanding tissues in the animal kingdom – function permanently without it. This allowed birds their razor sharp vision and ability to migrate at high altitudes.
Women’s health must be prioritised in sport
A new set of 56 international injury prevention recommendations highlights the specific risks and needs of female athletes. Merete Møller, a researcher at the Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, was part of the steering committee behind the recommendations.The University of Southern Denmark moves up to second place in the ShanghaiRanking 2025.
SDU builds virtual IT labs on its own supercomputer
The University of Southern Denmark (SDU) is now leveraging its existing supercomputer infrastructure to create virtual teaching laboratories for IT education. The initiative gives students access to high-end server environments and distributed systems while enabling SDU to keep full ownership of the teaching platform and ensure predictable, transparent use of resources.
Insight: Why research into women’s health matters
What does a lack of knowledge about women’s health actually mean? Here are five clear answers to why both research and the healthcare system must focus more on women’s health – with insights from Professor Lone Kjeld Petersen, Professor of Gynaecology and Obstetrics at the University of Southern Denmark.
Innovation in health: From idea to impact
Health Innovation Day 2026 brings together funders, researchers and frontrunners for a day focused on turning research into real-world solutions – and on finding inspiration for how research can make a tangible difference in practice.
Research project at SDU aims to make green hydrogen production PFAS-free and competitive
In collaboration with European partners, researchers from SDU’s Department of Green Technology will develop a new type of electrolyser that can produce green hydrogen more cheaply, sustainably, more efficiently, and without the use of PFAS, which is currently used.
New study: How weight loss benefits the health of your fat tissue
Shedding pounds almost invariably brings health benefits. But until now, it has been unclear to what extent weight loss also restores the health of the fat tissue itself. A new study offers insights into the profound changes in fat tissue in response to weight loss.
SDU creates advanced and energy-efficient data center for Danish AI and supercomputing research in collaboration with Danfoss and HPE
The University of Southern Denmark (SDU) establishes a new supercomputer in Sønderborg that combines more sustainable energy management and advanced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. The data center, to be developed with Danfoss and HPE, will serve as the framework for a joint research and development project that demonstrates the potential of energy-efficient data centers internationally.
Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics ranked second-best in the world
The University of Southern Denmark moves up to second place in the ShanghaiRanking 2025.
SDU aims to strengthen the healthcare system of the future with new master's degree programme in health economics
From the summer of 2026, the University of Southern Denmark will offer a new master's degree programme in health economics. The programme aims to meet a growing demand for specialised knowledge of economics within the healthcare and welfare sectors.
SDU strengthens its international position in the world's leading rankings
The University of Southern Denmark strengthens its position in the international university rankings and makes significant progress on several of the world's most recognised evaluations of teaching in 2025. At a time when competition between universities globally is intensifying, the results confirm SDU's strong research profile and strategic focus.
These SDU researchers have been awarded this year’s grants from the Carlsberg Foundation
Twenty-six researchers from SDU have been awarded grants from the Carlsberg Foundation to investigate questions that could pave the way for new breakthroughs in their fields. This year, the Carlsberg Foundation has awarded a total of DKK 93 million to SDU researchers.
DKK 13.3M for SDU Researcher: AI to Green Quantum Physics
Line Jelver, a newly appointed assistant professor at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), has received DKK 13.3 million from the Novo Nordisk Foundation. By integrating advanced language models with supercomputers, she aims not only to accelerate the development of materials with tailor-made quantum mechanical properties but also to address the research world’s enormous energy consumption.
Triple targeted therapy inhibits growth in preclinical models of treatment-resistant breast cancer
Danish–Australian study shows that the effect of triple combination therapy depends on genetic changes in the tumour’s signalling pathways.
Climate-friendly diets in your pocket: New app uses behavioural science principles to change eating habits
Backed by a DKK 6.9 million grant from Independent Research Fund Denmark, researchers at the University of Southern Denmark are developing a digital solution that combines behavioural science and game design to support more sustainable food choices.
SDU to the Moon: Danish-led space mission to map the Moon’s surface
A consortium of Danish partners, led by the University of Copenhagen (KU), is set to carry out Denmark’s first-ever lunar mission. The mission will map the Moon’s surface in unprecedented detail, paving the way for safer landings and the future establishment of lunar bases.
Identical micro-animals live in two isolated deep-sea environments. How is that possible?
It sounds almost impossible. And yet, the same nematodes live in two extremely isolated deep-sea trenches located 17,000 km apart.
How can the environmental health of the Baltic Sea be improved?
Interreg project RECOVER develops a digital management system for the Baltic Sea
New invention makes it possible to study gut bacteria
How do you study gut bacteria when they keep dying every time you try? You build a model that makes it possible. Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) and Odense University Hospital (OUH) have developed an artificial gut that enables them to study oxygen-sensitive bacteria on living intestinal cells — outside the human body.
Jellyfish can be used to make mayonnaise and butter
Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) have discovered that jellyfish can be used as a food stabiliser. In the future, the slimy creatures may become an important ingredient in a more sustainable food production system.
SDU’s researchers showered with awards in 2025
As many as six different prestigious research awards have been presented to SDU researchers in 2025 for their ground-breaking, outstanding and societally beneficial research in a wide range of disciplines.
New research project to bring humanoid robots to Denmark
Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), together with Novo Nordisk, Harting and several other partners, aim to develop a humanoid robot capable of taking over, for instance, repetitive and hazardous tasks in industry.
New project aims to help digital natives adopt healthier mobile habits
A team of researchers will develop an app that can measure and help prevent mobile addiction among Gen Z. SDU is heading the project, which is supported by TrygFonden.
New European quantum research centre will be anchored at SDU
Center for Quantum Mathematics at The University of Southern Denmark has been appointed to lead the scientific work of the newly established European research initiative, the Quantum Excellence Center (QEX), a new European research collaboration to develop future quantum algorithms and software.
New study: Denmark and the Nordics have the largest stock of plastic per capita in the world
Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) and the University of Cambridge have, for the first time, mapped the total flow of plastic in the Nordic countries. The study shows that the Nordic region holds the world’s largest stock of accumulated plastic per capita and that only around 5% is recycled domestically.
Claes de Vreese receives the 2025 Carlsberg Foundation Research Prize
Professor Claes de Vreese receives the prize for his extensive and internationally recognised research into the role that artificial intelligence plays in democratic processes.
Claes de Vreese receives the 2025 Carlsberg Foundation Research Prize
Professor Claes de Vreese receives the prize for his extensive and internationally recognised research into the role that artificial intelligence plays in democratic processes.
kunstigt-edderkoppespind-kan-afloese-elastan
Researchers at SDU will soon print a small piece of high-tech, plastic-free future. They are aiming to replace elastane with artificial spider silk. This could mean saying goodbye to microplastics from our sportswear and underwear.
World-class business school at SDU: Now globally accredited
Only six percent of the world’s business schools achieve AACSB accreditation – now the University of Southern Denmark Business School is among them with an internationally recognised seal of approval.
World-class business school at SDU: Now globally accredited
Only six percent of the world’s business schools achieve AACSB accreditation – now the University of Southern Denmark Business School is among them with an internationally recognised seal of approval.
Award-winning Atwood demonstrates the ethical and political potential of literature
Author Margaret Atwood receives the Hans Christian Andersen Literature Award for her narratively superior and socially critical writing. We asked Associate Professor of Literature Emily Hogg why Atwood is such a recognised voice in literature.
How do you get more young people to choose vocational education?
Politicians have dreamed of solving this challenge for years, but the proportion of Danish young people in vocational education is decreasing – and is now well below the EU average. In a new research project on 7,500 European young people, SDU researchers and European partners will investigate why the young people choose or refuse vocational education. The project receives DKK 21 million from EU.
Chemical Analyses Find Hidden Elements from Renaissance Astronomer Tycho Brahe’s Alchemy Laboratory
Tycho Brahe was most famous for his contributions to astronomy. However, he also had a well-equipped alchemical laboratory where he produced secret medicines for Europe’s elite.
Why do we have fewer children – and what to do about it?
Far too few children are born – even in the otherwise family-friendly Nordic welfare states – to sustain our labour market and social model. New research from SDU Professor Pieter Vanhuysse has a surprising idea of why we lack babies in Europe.
Why do we have fewer children – and what to do about it?
Far too few children are born – even in the otherwise family-friendly Nordic welfare states – to sustain our labour market and social model. New research from SDU Professor Pieter Vanhuysse has a surprising idea of why we lack babies in Europe.
Collaboration on Odense Fjord and Funen to inspire other EU countries
Several researchers from SDU are involved in a new EU project seeking effective solutions for improving water quality and climate adaptation across Europe.
Ambitious research project addresses significant climate issue within the shipping industry
The formation of ships queuing outside ports is a widespread problem, leading to unnecessary fuel consumption and, consequently, CO2 emissions. With a total budget of 7,5 million euros, a new European research project, spearheaded by the University of Southern Denmark, is set to find a solution.
From Denmark to Ghana: Mathias creates sustainable water supply
Mathias Thuborg Madsen works at the Danish Embassy in Ghana, where he is leading a Danish-Ghanaian collaboration to improve the country’s water sector. He studied Market and Management Anthropology at SDU and has always been curious about people and the world.
ocean alkalinity enhancement
The CO2 levels in the atmosphere continue to rise as we strive to reduce our emissions. Now, an international team of researchers proposes a radical solution: pour crushed stone into the sea and it will empower the water to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere.
Grants of DKK 43 million to make the Danish/German border region more climate resilient
The EU's Interreg program has granted support for two projects led by SDU Climate Cluster, aiming to strengthen collaborative climate efforts in the region.
Danish technology will revolutionise thermal camouflage
The startup DECPT, led by former SDU-ph.d. Jeanette Hvam, has developed a new form of thermal camouflage that could change the game in warfare. The invention could not only save lives, but also shape the future of military technology.
Danish technology will revolutionise thermal camouflage
The startup DECPT, led by former SDU-ph.d. Jeanette Hvam, has developed a new form of thermal camouflage that could change the game in warfare. The invention could not only save lives, but also shape the future of military technology.
How to keep your New Year’s resolutions
Goals and motivation are among the most important factors for achieving what you set out to do.
New life emerges as the ice melts in the Arctic Ocean
The Arctic Ocean is one of the most rapidly warming regions on Earth and is headed towards being ice free in the summer. However, this provides opportunities for new ecosystems to develop, biologist Karl Attard argues.
Less mold, more food
Foods like fruit, vegetables and dairy products often get attacked by mold or fungus and therefore must be discarded. If we can extend the shelf life just a few days, we can save a lot of food from being thrown out. SDU researchers are trying to contribute to that.
Floors in Greek luxury villa were laid with recycled glass
Several decorative mosaic floors have been excavated in a luxury villa located in present-day Turkey, once overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. New chemical analyzes reveal that recycled glass was used in laying the mosaic floors.
Bacteria to wear protection
Bacteria can contribute to a more sustainable production of chemicals, so providing a good working environment for them is a good investment. Now SDU- researchers present a nano protection suit, developed for bacteria, in Nature Communications.
Sebastian H. Mernild set to head SDU’s climate efforts
The internationally renowned Professor of Climate Change is set to head SDU’s largest-ever strategic initiative in climate change, sustainability and green transition.
Finally, the eelgrass is coming back
Scientists’ effort to bring the eelgrass back to Danish waters has proven very successful: After 2 years, there are now 70 times more eelgrass shoots in Horsens Fjord in Denmark.
Can theatre help climate change?
Students have been involved in improvised theatre to become aware of how to live more sustainably. Behind the project are researchers from SDU and they are impressed with the young people's dedication.
Can theatre help climate change?
Students have been involved in improvised theatre to become aware of how to live more sustainably. Behind the project are researchers from SDU and they are impressed with the young people's dedication.
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Welcome to the Press and News Room at University of Southern Denmark, which is managed by Communication. The office delivers news and views in relation to the research and events at the University and offers service to journalists who are looking for information and knowledge. Our business is to get you the information you need when you need it. You are one click away from the latest press releases. This information is only available in Danish.
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Last Updated 27.07.2024