Academic bulletin 04/2008
RESUMÉ
EVENT
The Czech Academy of the Sciences arranged on February 20 a Round Table that took place at the Academy's Conference Center Liblice on the topic Framework association for state assistance in research, development and innovations. The European committee set the rules that define the schedule of public support, program notification and announcing public events in research and development, in evaluation of research intension and in setting cooperation with research organizations and companies.
"8" ANNIVERSARIES's IN CZECHOSLOVAK HISTORY
Prague Spring 1968
Prague Spring was a period of political liberalization in Czechoslovakia during the era of its Soviet domination after World War II. It began on January 5, when reformist Alexander Dubček came to power, and continued until August 21, when the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies invaded this country to halt the reforms. The Prague Spring reforms were an attempt by Dubček to grant additional rights to the citizens as a part of his partial decentralization of the economy and democratization.
PERSONAlITY
Jiří Velemínský: Gentleman and spirit aristocrat
Prof. Jiří Velemínský was in particular an extraordinary and enthusiastic scientist. He was one of the first who investigated botanical genetics on the molecular level, thus he is regarded as founder of this research field in the Czech Republic. Prof. Jiří Velemínský was an excellent organizer of Czech research activities and also he was an outstanding personality. He died 23 February 2008.
TOPIC OF THE MONTH
What does 1,5 kg matter hide?
Brain Awareness Week is a series of events held around the world to increase public awareness of the brain. Top Czech scientists attracted more then 1,300 students with lectures as part of the annual Brain Awareness Week that took place in the administration building of the Czech Academy of Sciences extending from 10–13 March 2008.
ANNIVERSARY
Josef Hlávka and Antonín Dvořák
There was a close relationship between the patron of Czech science and the arts and the founder and first president of Czech Academy of Science and the Arts, Josef Hlavka, and one of the most famous Czech composers, Antonín Dvořák.
SCIENCE AND RESEARCH
Science, or Else?
The annual Villa Lanna Meetings of Science, or Else? are organized by the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic and the Collegium Helveticum, an Institute supported by both the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH) and the University of Zurich. They bring together scientists from different fields of research to discuss general aspects of science, the position of science in society and its consequences to humanity. This year, now the 10th meeting was held in Prague from 11–13 January. Its topic was Reproducibility – Arts, Science and Living Nature. More information can be found in an interview with Professor Pliška and in an article about Professor Havel.
Elections in the United States
By Jerry Harris
The presidential elections in the United States represent a fundamental choice for the American people. Republican John McCain seeks to continue aggressive imperialist policies relying on military power to insure US domination of world affairs. On the otherhand, Barak Obama would be the first center-left president since the right-wing swept to office over a quarter of century ago.
FROM BRUSSELS
First year of the 7th Framework programme
The European Committee officially started The 7th Framework Program at the beginning of 2007 and its newsflash is a program Ideas which is basically focused on "border research". The European Research Board announced and will evaluate Starting Independent Researcher Grant that was forwarded to independent research with an excellent research idea seeking to create or consolidate their research team. The call-up was very successful and the EC obtained totally 5,167 projects from which were chosen the best 250 (including two Czech candidates). Doc. František Štepánek (Institute of Chemical Technology in Prague) was able to get financial support for the project. At present Dr. Štěpánek works in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Imperial College, London, UK.
News
1 Sep 2014 Hydrogen powers important nitrogen-transforming bacteria
Nitrite-oxidizing bacteria are key players in the natural nitrogen cycle on Earth and in biological wastewater treatment plants. For decades, these specialist bacteria were thought to depend on nitrite as their source of energy. An international team of scientists led by Holger Daims, a microbiologist at the University of Vienna, has now shown that nitrite-oxidizing bacteria can use hydrogen as an alternative source of energy. The oxidation of hydrogen with oxygen enables their growth independent of nitrite and a lifestyle outside the nitrogen cycle. The study is published in the current issue of the journal "Science".
International symposium (16th – 19th July, Villa Lanna) brought together 35 participants from 13 countries to hear and discuss presentations on the life and work of one of the foremost European philosophers of the nineteenth century, Bernard Bolzano. Most of the 30 talks given were on philosophy but mathematics and theology were also well represented. More than a quarter of the participants were research students. Several news items drew attention to recent developments in Bolzano studies – in May we saw the complete English translation of Bolzano’s major work Wissenschaftslehre (Theory of Science). This year has seen almost three-quarters of the129 volumes of the Bernard Bolzano Gesamtausgabe appearing in print. The programme and other details of the meeting can be found at bolzano2014.wordpress.com. The meeting enjoyed generous sponsorship, participants were enthusiastic in their appreciation of it, and details of how presentations and papers will be disseminated will appear in due course.
It is with deep sadness we inform you of the sudden passing of Professor Olga Hudlická. Born in Prelouc, Czechoslovakia, Olga received her MD from Prague’s Charles University in 1950, then her PhD (1954) and DSc (1968) in the Institute of Physiology, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences working on muscle blood flow and its regulation under different conditions. She was inspired by the pioneering work of Ernest Gutmann working in his laboratory alongside another important figure in UK Physiology, her lifelong friend Gerta Vrbova. In 1969 the political situation forced her to leave her beloved country and emigrate to England, where she remained in the Department of Physiology at the University of Birmingham until retirement in 1993.
In the summer of 2014, Vienna will host the largest event in the history of logic. The Vienna Summer of Logic (VSL) will consist of twelve large conferences and numerous workshops, attracting an expected number of 2500 researchers from all over the world.
more 3 Mar 2014 Advanced Physical Methods in Cell Biology and NanomedicineInstitute of Physics ASCR invites you to a seminar Advanced Physical Methods in Cell Biology and Nanomedicine by Oleg Lunov on March 19th, 2014 at 15:00 in the Lecture Hall of the Institute of Physics ASCR, Cukrovarnická 10/112, Prague 6.
more 24 Jan 2014 New ERC vice-president appointedAs of January 2014, Professor Núria Sebastián Gallés is the new Vice-President of the European Research Council (ERC). Elected by the ERC Scientific Council, Prof. Sebastián Gallés will join the two existing Vice-Presidents, Professors Pavel Exner (Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic) and Carl-Henrik Heldin, in assisting the newly-appointed ERC President, Prof. Jean-Pierre Bourguignon (more information see here).
more 24 Jan 2014 Call for applications to Newton International FellowshipsA new round of Newton International Fellowships – an initiative to fund research collaborations and improve links between UK and overseas researchers - has now opened. The Newton International Fellowships are funded by the British Academy and the Royal Society and aim to attract the most promising early-career post-doctoral researchers from overseas in the fields of the humanities, the natural, physical and social sciences.
more 22 Jan 2014 Nikon Centre of Excellence at the Institute of Molecular Genetics
Nikon Company in the cooperation with the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the ASCR started on January 21, 2004 operation of a new Nikon Centre of Excellence (NCE) in Super Resolution Microscopy. The Super Resolution Microscopy is a revolutionary microscopic method enabling the observation of the smaller details especially in the cell biology, than it was possible until now with the conventional methods. The Nikon Centre of Excellence was opened by the director of the IMG Professor Václav Hořejší who stated: “The purpose of the centre is to combine the technical expertise of the world leading imaging manufacturer and the scientific expertise of the researchers at the Institute of Molecular Genetics. I believe that we will together contribute to the new developments in biomedical sciences”.
The Institute of Atmospheric Physics celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, having pondered and analyzed the atmosphere since 1964. The institute was established in as a continuation of the former Laboratory for Meteorology of the Geophysical Institute. Its main research focus is on processes taking place in the troposphere. In 1994, the former Ionospheric Department of the Geophysical Institute joined the IAP, thereby expanding its research domain. Now its work covers the whole atmosphere from the boundary layer up to interplanetary space.
The latest LIFE Focus publication takes stock of the achievements to date of the LIFE Nature strand of the LIFE programme. Titled Long-term impact and sustainability of LIFE Nature, the 60-page brochure provides a user-friendly snapshot of the detailed assessments contained in the ex-post (after project's end) evaluations of LIFE projects. This evaluation process involves visits by experts from the LIFE Monitoring Team to a random sampling of completed LIFE Nature projects a number of years after they have finished. Some 9% of all LIFE Nature projects have been evaluated thus far. As well as outlining the history and methodology of the ex-post evaluation process, this new publication draws on the results of that qualitative research, backed up by new interviews with key stakeholders across several EU Member States, to highlight the lessons that can be learned in terms of LIFE Nature's long-term impact and sustainability at both project and programme level. Download: Long-term impact and sustainability of LIFE Nature.
The European Young Researchers’ Award (EYRA) is granted to researchers demonstrating outstanding research performance and leadership. At the same time, the award aims to inspire early stage and experienced researchers to incorporate a European dimension and perspective into their research. The Award is granted each year but the prize-giving-ceremony is held every two years at the Euroscience Open Forum (ESOF) where the two recipients will present their work. The Award consists of a Certificate and a grant to cover travel and accommodation for the stay in the ESOF city. The EYRA 2014 Call for Post-doctoral candidates is NOW OPEN. The deadline for applications is 17 March 2014.
more 14 Jan 2014 ERC Consolidator Grants: Nearly €575 million to 312 mid-career top researchersThe European Research Council (ERC) has selected 312 top scientists in its first Consolidator Grant competition. These mid-career scientists are awarded a total of nearly €575 million. Grants are worth up to €2.75 million each, with an average of €1.84 million per grant. This new funding will enable already independent excellent researchers to consolidate their own research teams and to develop their most innovative ideas across the European Research Area.
more 7 Jan 2014 Open competition for the position of the Head of the Department of Seismotectonics
The director of the Institute of Rock Structure and Mechanics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, in accordance with the Act No.283/1992 On the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, as amended by the Act No. 420/2005, and in accordance with the Statute of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, announces an open competition for the position of the Head of the Department of Seismotectonics. The successful candidate will be responsible for the conception, planning and successful development of the scientific activities of the Department of Seismotectonics using the human and equipment potential of the department. He will be responsible for the results and outputs of the department. The applications must be delivered to abovesaid contacts by 23:59 on 2nd of March 2014 at the latest.
Technology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic in cooperation with Slovak Organization for Research and Development Activities organized an international conference The EU HORIZON 2020 Programme and Teaming for Excellence in the European Research Area (H2020-TEERA 2013), which took place in Prague from 17th to 18th October, 2013. The conference launched the H2020 programme in the Czech Republic with special focus on forming high quality consortia needed to successfully solve the demanding projects of the programme.
more 23 Oct 2013 Ti:sapphire Lasers: Past, Present and Future
Institute of Physics ASCR invites you to a seminar Ti:sapphire Lasers: Past, Present and Future by Peter Moulton on November 6th, 2013 at 15:00 in the Lecture Hall of the Institute of Physics ASCR, Na Slovance 1999/2, Prague 6. The presentation will review a history of a tunable laser based on Ti:Sapphire (Ti3+ doped Al2O3) and it will show the crucial milestones of the development of this unique system for generation of ultrashort laser pulses. Recent practical and potential future applications of these laser systems, as well as possible directions of future research will be also covered.
One of the architectural jewels of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic in Prague is its Villa Lanna. The Editorial Staff of Academic bulletin decided it deserved recognition with a supplement the Academy’s official magazine, enclosed with the last issue. The Staff is indebted to Prof. Jan Bažant who kindly wrote the historical and artistic aspects of this magnificent edifice. On 8 October 2013, the Editorial Staff arranged a small celebration during which Professor Bažant guided a group on a tour through this outstanding Neo-Renaissance villa.
Dr. James Rice, who is an American expert, was invited to the Czech Republic by the Academy of Science. Mars: The Next Step follows the popular program ‘To Space with a Little Mole,’ which came to the Czech Republic in 2011. Astronaut Andrew Feustel took the well-known cartoon character, Krtek, a little mole on a journey to space in the Endeavour spaces shuttle. Space exploration is a very popular subject in the Czech Republic and Dr. Rice shared his knowledge to inspire a future generation of Czech scientists. A press conference took place on Tuesday, 17 September 2013 at the headquarters of the Academy of Sciences of the CR in Prague. Other than the American scientist, also the Ambassador of the USA in Prague Norman L. Eisen and Vice-President of the ASCR RNDr. Jan Šafanda, CSc. appeared. “ Through this event, the ASCR is trying to show the public that space research in which a number of academic institutes are involved and which costs a great deal of money returns bounteously to society – both through expanding our knowledge of the solar system and also a number of practical applications and technological innovations,” said J. Šafanda.
In the frame of mutual scientific exchange between the Czech and Indian Academy of Sciences an important Indian palynologist Dr. Samir Sarkar visited between August 11 – September 8, 2013 the Laboratory of Paleobiology & Paleoecology. Main purpose of his visit was the study of Cretaceous palynomorphs, especially dinocysts from the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin. On September 3, 2013 he gave the lecture Palynofloral assemblages from Tertiary sediments of India: stratigraphic and palaeoenvironmental implications.
more 29 Aug 2013 Three million Euro’s for a vaccine against ticksThe Institute of Parasitology, which is part of the Biology Centre (ASCR) in Ceske Budejovice, in collaboration with six european partners, will investigate a vaccine against ticks. This vaccine has to prevent multiple tick-borne diseases. The entire project will be coordinated by The Academic Medical Center (AMC) located in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The three million Euro’s, funded by the European Commission as part of the FP7 Work Program, will be divided within the consortium.
more 2 Aug 2013 EUCYS 2013 in Prague
Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic will be hosting the 25th edition of the European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) which will take place in Prague from 20 until 25 September. The event is an annual exhibition of the finest work developed by young scientists in many different scientific fields; it enables the best young minds of different countries to compare ideas and admire each other’s work, as well as to compete with one another at European level. European Union Contest for Young Scientists is an initiative of the European Commission that was set up in 1989 with the goal of promoting cooperation and interchange between young scientists and guiding them towards a future career in science and technology. More information on http://www.eucys2013.cz.
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