Sólveig Sanchez recently defended her PhD thesis in Natural and Environmental Sciences at the Agricultural University of Iceland, focusing on soils in Icelandic birch woodlands, particularly their carbon and water balance. Her results show that soils in old birch forests are carbon-rich, well-developed, and retain water effectively—signaling their very healthy state.

Shipwrecks around Iceland is the theme of Museum Night at the National Archives of Iceland this year. Interesting lectures will be held, and objects and documents related to their topics will be on display.

The Laboratory Department at the Akureyri Hospital (SAk) has introduced a new and advanced analytical instrument, a MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer, the VITEK® MS Prime from bioMérieux.

A new report launched within Nordic co-operation on the first 1000 days of life highlights the importance of identifying risk factors early and ensuring families receive appropriate support and services. Special emphasis is placed on families facing multiple challenges.

The Chief Epidemiologist´s dashboard on respiratory infections has been updated with data through Week 2 of 2025 (January 6–12, 2025).

The Board of The Icelandic Research Fund has completed the allocation of grants for new research projects for 2026. A total of 414 valid applications were received, 70 of which were funded, or 17%.

Interview // The Pioneers of HSU’s Remote Monitoring: Margrét Björk Ólafsdóttir, Head Nurse, and Anna Margrét Magnúsdóttir, Assistant Unit Manager

“Listen, listen, listen! Let the patient tell their story.” With these words, the 19th World Congress on Palliative Care opened in Helsinki, Finland, in May 2025. These are the words of Dr. Robert Twycross, one of the world’s most respected experts in pain and palliative care, who passed away in October 2024.

On Tuesday, November 18th, the Chief Epidemiologist, in cooperation with the Hrafnista nursing homes, held a seminar in connection with the annual Antibiotic Resistance Awareness Week.

Land and Forest Iceland took part in the European ForestWell project through collaboration with the Upper Secondary School of East Skaftafell County (FAS). The project focused on developing educational material that explores how forests and woodlands can contribute to human wellbeing, while at the same time supporting sustainable land use and the health of forest ecosystems.