Fluorescence: shedding light on transparent wings of insects
In a new study published in February 2023 in the Journal of Luminescence, an international group of scientists led by Sébastien Mouchet from UNamur, reported the previously unknown fluorescence properties of transparent insect wings. This research highlights the valuable information that can be obtained from advanced optical characterisation techniques.
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Synthetic choirs | A choir of robots created at the UNamur
A choir of robots sounds like science fiction! Yet it is a reality at the University of Namur. In the robotics laboratory of the Faculty of Computer Science, researchers from the naXys institute, led by professors Elio Tuci and Timoteo Carletti, some members of TRAKK, some artists and external partners collaborated on the "Synthetic Choirs" project.
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New impetus for the humanities and social sciences at UNamur
A new platform dedicated to research in the humanities and social sciences (SHS) is being launched at UNamur. The aim? To offer SHS researchers methodological support tailored to their needs and strengthen SHS excellence at UNamur. This platform, SHS Impulse, will provide various services such as financial support for training, consultancy, access to resources, or co-financed software purchases.
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From the Namur snail to the Galapagos snail, there is only one step!
An international team of researchers, including Prof Frederik De Laender, from the University of Namur, publish in Nature Communications. The editor highlights that the authors use theoretical models and field data to show how eco-evolutionary processes can force species to develop more similar characteristic traits in more species-rich communities to avoid competition. Which goes against what we intuitively perceive.
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Cybersecurity: why we are all concerned
In the course of 2021, 42% of Belgian companies suffered a cyber attack. Those targeting citizens are no less numerous: more than 4.5 million suspicious messages have been sent to Safeonweb, the government body responsible for informing Belgian citizens about computer security. More than ever, at a time when the geopolitical context reinforces the threat of a cyberwar, how can we cope? Jean-Noël Colin, cybersecurity expert, professor at the Faculty of Computer Science of UNamur and member of the NaDI Institute, gives us an explanation.
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Two new projects in framework of the BEWARE Fellowships programme
Thanks to the BEWARE Fellowships programme, the University of Namur will welcome two new post-doctoral students. Within the research institutes naXys and NaDI and in collaboration with the companies CISEO and SAVICS, they will contribute to the development of two projects. The first aims to design an intelligent robot for the pharmaceutical industry, and the second, a secure system for sharing decentralized data.
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Do you speak AI?
Katrien Beuls is undoubtedly a fine example of the growing number of women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers. After a rather literary career, guided by her curiosity, she began studying computer science and became interested in computational methods for processing human language with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
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World first: a French-Sign language dictionary
A bilingual French-sign language dictionary (LSFB), which can be queried in both languages, thanks to cutting-edge technology (facial recognition) and access to a vast database compiling more than 4,500 signs, words and expressions.
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A quality research environment through the Namur Research College
At the beginning of each academic year, the Board of Trustees grants Namur Research College (NARC) Fellowship status to researchers who demonstrate a high level of research achievement and who have recently received a prestigious award or funding. A look back at the fellowship of Professor Frederik De Laender.
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Geologists discover that pterosaurs had feathers
A pterosaur from Brazil that preserved melanosomes in its feathers provides insight into the function of primitive feathers. An international team of palaeontologists and geologists, including UNamur (Dr Aude Cincotta and Prof. Johan Yans), has demonstrated that pterosaurs, the flying cousins of dinosaurs, had feathers and were able to control their colour.
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