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�� Researchers Develop Neural Network that Predicts Traffic Jams at Intersections

Качко Сергей — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000

A researcher at �� has developed and patented a system for forecasting traffic congestion. The software analyses live video streams from cameras installed at road intersections, identifies five classes of vehicles, and accurately predicts when and where traffic congestion is likely to occur. To achieve this, the researcher has also patented two supporting software programs: one for video processing and another for expanding the dataset used to train the machine learning models. Traffic cameras at intersections are typically used to detect traffic violations. However, Rukhshona Dzhuraeva, a researcher at ��, proposed a broader application: automatically counting vehicles, classifying them by type, and assessing the traffic flow intensity. The new software package processes video data using a pipeline of neural network algorithms capable of detecting, tracking, and classifying vehicles at busy intersections. As a result, operators instantly receive automatically generated statistics showing how many passenger cars, taxis, minibuses, buses, and trucks have passed through the intersection. "The primary goal of my research is to predict traffic congestion, and to do that, it is first necessary to evaluate the traffic flow dynamics in real time," says Rukhshona Dzhuraeva. "For the analysis, I used video streams from existing traffic cameras installed at intersections in Dushanbe, Republic of Tajikistan. There is no need to replace or upgrade the cameras—our software simply needs to be installed on the operator's computer. The first model processes the video, counts vehicles, and classifies them into five categories. The second program enriches the data by adding temporal information, such as the exact minute, hour, day of the week, and whether it is a weekday or weekend. Finally, the third model combines the outputs of the best machine learning algorithms to predict whether congestion will occur at the next intersection after a certain period of time." The innovation by the �� researcher differs from existing solutions primarily in the way traffic data is collected and analysed. The system uses cameras positioned parallel to the roadway, allowing traffic in an entire direction to be monitored simultaneously from multiple angles. In addition, Rukhshona Dzhuraeva focuses on counting vehicles by category rather than simply measuring the total traffic volume. According to the researcher, if the data show that heavy traffic is primarily caused by private vehicles, city authorities can use this information to make more informed decisions—for example, by expanding public transportation services. Another advantage of the proposed solution is that no changes to the existing camera infrastructure are required. The software is integrated directly into the operator's workstation, enabling traffic specialists to receive real-time statistics and congestion forecasts. Based on this information, operators can decide whether to adjust traffic signal timing or redistribute traffic flows. Importantly, the system accounts for the cascading nature of traffic congestion. If a traffic jam occurs at one intersection, it is likely to spread to the next one within a few minutes. The software predicts this in advance, giving traffic operators valuable time to take preventive measures. The neural network software package can be adapted for use in any Russian city and customized for local traffic conditions. Read more in the �� channel on MAX

Author:

Ekaterina Bolnykh, Anna Galkina

Summer Eating Habits: Interview with Associate Professor of the �� School of Medical Biology

Качко Сергей — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Why do our eating habits change during the summer? How can we choose and store food safely in hot weather? What is the best way to quench your thirst? Anastasiia Rushchits, Candidate of Sciences (Engineering), Associate Professor of the Department of Food Technology and Biotechnology at the �� School of Medical Biology answers these and other questions. – People often say that appetite naturally decreases in summer. Is this really true? Why does the body change its eating habits? – Yes, this is often the case, and it is a completely normal physiological response. In hot weather, the body does not need to spend as much energy maintaining its temperature as it does in winter. In addition, digestion itself generates heat, so during periods of high temperatures, the brain may suppress the feeling of hunger to avoid additional overheating. Blood flow also changes: more blood is directed toward the skin to help dissipate heat, while blood supply to the digestive organs temporarily decreases, slowing digestion. Another factor is increased fluid intake. Drinking large amounts of water creates a feeling of fullness, which also reduces appetite. However, it is important not to overdo it. If a reduced appetite leads to regularly skipping meals and insufficient intake of protein, vitamins, and minerals, it is time to reconsider the diet. – Which foods should people include in their summer diet to cope with the heat better? Are there any foods that should be limited? – A summer diet should focus on foods with high water content, such as cucumbers, watermelon, melon, zucchini, citrus fruits, and berries. These help maintain proper hydration. Leafy greens—including lettuce, spinach, parsley, and dill—are also beneficial because they provide minerals that are lost through perspiration. It is also advisable to include easily digestible sources of protein, such as fish, seafood, chicken, and tofu. Fermented dairy products like kefir, plain yogurt, ayran, and tan are excellent choices as well, since they help quench thirst while supporting healthy intestinal microbiota. On the other hand, it is best to limit heavy, fatty foods, fast food, salty, and smoked products during hot weather, as they place additional strain on the digestive system. Spicy foods should also be consumed in moderation because they increase perspiration and may contribute to dehydration. Sugary soft drinks and packaged juices are poor choices as well. Sugar does not satisfy thirst for long—it actually intensifies it—and these beverages may also cause spikes in blood glucose levels. – Thirst is one of the biggest challenges during hot weather. People often choose water, kvass, or sweet drinks. Which beverages are actually the most effective? – The most reliable option is plain still water, as it replenishes lost fluids most effectively. For variety, you can add mint, a slice of lemon, or other fruits to your water for a refreshing drink. Unsweetened herbal teas, such as mint, lemon balm, or chamomile, are also good choices. Kvass can also be an excellent beverage, provided it is a naturally fermented product without artificial additives. Sugary carbonated drinks, energy drinks, and packaged juices with a high sugar content do not effectively quench thirst. Because of their high sugar concentration, they are absorbed more slowly by the body. Sugar also increases osmotic pressure, drawing water out of cells and intensifying the sensation of thirst. Elevated blood glucose levels also stimulate the kidneys to excrete more water, further increasing thirst. – How can consumers choose good-quality kvass in a store? What should they look for on the label? – The most important indicator is the phrase "naturally fermented" or "fermentation product". If the label says "carbonated soft drink" or "kvass-flavoured beverage," it is most likely simply a soft drink rather than authentic kvass. The ingredient list should include water, rye or wheat flour (or kvass wort), malt, sugar, and yeast. Artificial colourings, flavourings, sweeteners, preservatives, and acidity regulators (such as added citric acid rather than acid produced naturally during fermentation) should raise concerns. It is also a good sign if the product complies with GOST 31494-2012, which indicates adherence to the traditional production standard. Products manufactured according to a technical specification (TU) may use a modified recipe. Finally, check the shelf life and storage conditions. Unpasteurized kvass has a relatively short shelf life and should always be refrigerated. – Since summer is the perfect season for picnics, how long can prepared food safely remain unrefrigerated? – According to the Russian Federal State Agency for Health and Consumer Rights (Rospotrebnadzor), prepared food should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours. In hot weather, especially in direct sunlight or inside a parked car, this safe period may be significantly shorter. Foods containing meat, fish, dairy products, eggs, cream, or sauces are particularly vulnerable. For example, cooked shashlyk (barbecue) should be consumed within one hour if the temperature exceeds 30°C. Salads without mayonnaise may last slightly longer but should still not be left unrefrigerated for more than two to three hours. Using an insulated cooler bag is the best way to keep food safe during outdoor activities. – The �� School of Medical Biology is well known for developing innovative food products. What trends in food science are currently the most promising? – One of the most significant trends is the development of functional foods with added health benefits. Researchers enrich everyday foods with bioactive compounds such as antioxidants and prebiotics to help strengthen immunity, reduce stress, and improve digestive health. Another important direction is the creation of smart diets, designed to support the body under various physical demands or health conditions. Scientists are also developing technologies that improve the bioavailability of beneficial compounds. One example is encapsulating antioxidants in specialized delivery systems to protect them during processing and digestion, allowing them to be absorbed more efficiently. Another major research area involves environmentally friendly biodegradable packaging and technologies that extend food shelf life. – What research conducted at the School of Medical Biology could have a practical impact on everyday life? – Our research is highly application-oriented. For example, we are developing encapsulation technologies that protect biologically active compounds (including curcumin, fucoidan, dihydroquercetin, and rutin) by enclosing them within protective delivery systems such as yeast cells or double emulsions. This prevents these compounds from degrading during food production and digestion, allowing them to reach their target more effectively. These technologies can be used to produce bread, yogurt, and cheese with scientifically proven functional benefits. Another important research direction focuses on the relationship between nutrition and stress, developing foods that help the body cope with emotional and physical strain. We are also conducting research into personalized nutrition, studying how different food components interact with individual human physiology. In the future, these developments may make it easier for people to adopt healthier eating habits in everyday life. Develop healthy eating habits, store food properly, and adjust your diet to suit the changing seasons! Are you interested in developing the next generation of food products? Apply to the �� School of Medical Biology! �� ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE Address: Central entrance to the �� main building, 76 Lenin Prospekt Office Hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 till 17:00, Saturday: 10:00 till 14:00, Sunday: closed Contact Information: +7 (351) 267-94-52, prkom@susu.ru All about Admissions Join the �� Applicants' VK Group Join the �� Applicants' Channel on MAX

Have a Fun and Interesting Summer with the StudTourism Federal Program

Качко Сергей — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Did you know that students could travel across Russia free of charge or at highly affordable prices? StudTourism is a federal youth and student travel program designed to help students, postgraduate researchers, young scientists, and early-career professionals aged 18 to 35 travel across Russia and selected CIS countries conveniently and at a reasonable cost. What does this program offer? Affordable accommodation; Educational activities; Science and educational tourism; Participation in events; Blog tours; Student club activities. How to participate? To join the program: Register on the StudTourism platform. Search for your preferred destination, accommodation type, and other travel options. Select a partner university and submit your application. Wait for confirmation from the host university (the review process may take up to five days). You may travel either independently or as part of an organized group. How to apply for a voucher to the Olimp Student Recreation Camp through the StudTourism program? Register on the StudTourism platform. Obtain a certificate of enrolment from your university's academic office and prepare a high-quality scanned copy. Select the session you would like to attend and follow the corresponding registration link: Session Three, "V Focuse", at the Olimp Student Recreation Camp Dates: July 23 – August 1, 2026 (Registration link). Session Three, "TekhPred", at the Olimp Student Recreation Camp Dates: July 23 – August 1, 2026 (Registration link). Session Four ,"TekhConnekt", at the Olimp Student Recreation Camp Dates: August 3 – August 12, 2026 (Registration Link). Session Five, "To Syo", at the Olimp Student Recreation Camp Dates: August 14 – August 23, 2026 (Registration Link). Select your preferred accommodation type: Summer cottages (Olimp Camp); Summer cottages (Nauka Camp); Rooms in residential buildings (Nauka Camp). Accommodation rates for StudTourism participants (per day): Twin room in a residential building: 2,300 roubles Triple room in a residential building: 2,000 roubles Quadruple room in a residential building: 1,800 roubles Modular cottages (Nauka Camp): 1,900 roubles Modular cottages (Olimp Camp): 1,300 roubles The price includes: Accommodation; Meals; Participation in the program. More information about purchasing camp vouchers through the StudTourism program is available via this link.

Governor Alexey Texler Congratulates �� Military Training Centre Cadets on the 80th Anniversary Graduation

Качко Сергей — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000

A ceremonial event marking the 80th graduation of the Military Training Centre named after twice Hero of the Soviet Union Guards Major Semyon Khokhriakov was held at ��. Today, the �� Military Training Centre is recognized as one of our country's leading military training institutions. It provides training in 19 military occupational specialties for reserve officers, sergeants, and enlisted personnel. Many of its graduates have dedicated their careers to defending the nation and are currently carrying out military duties, including in the Special Military Operation zone. Congratulating the graduates and faculty, Governor of the �� Region Alexey Texler highlighted the Military Training Centre's distinguished history and its contribution to strengthening our country's defence capabilities. "Established in September 1944 during the difficult years of the Great Patriotic War, the Faculty of Military Training has faithfully served the cause of strengthening our country's defence for decades. Today, the �� Military Training Centre is rightly regarded as one of the best not only in the Central Military District but throughout Russia. It is no coincidence that in 2021 the centre was named after the legendary World War II tank commander, twice Hero of the Soviet Union Guards Major Semyon Khokhriakov, our fellow countryman. You have completed a demanding journey that included academic training, field exercises, and drills conducted under conditions as close to real-life operations as possible. Now you have not only a civilian profession but also a military specialty. Your commissioned rank is a symbol of trust and responsibility, as well as a source of well-deserved pride. Each of you is prepared to defend your homeland whenever necessary. This is the essence of true patriotism," the governor said. The Military Training Centre employs 52 instructor officers, including 29 combat veterans and 9 veterans of the Special Military Operation. Their operational experience and professional expertise enable them to train highly qualified specialists capable of performing effectively under the most challenging conditions. During the ceremony, the governor presented the Zhukov Medal to Colonel Sergey Lisenko, an instructor at the Military Training Centre and a participant in the Special Military Operation. The state decoration is awarded for courage and bravery demonstrated in combat while defending the homeland and the state interests of the Russian Federation. The governor also awarded diplomas to graduates who completed their university studies with honours. �� Rector Alexander Wagner emphasized that the Military Training Centre continues to expand its educational opportunities: "On behalf of the entire faculty of ��, I congratulate you on this important milestone—the successful completion of your training at the Military Training Centre. Today, the centre continues to develop actively. A new Department of the Aerospace Forces has been established, making it possible to introduce new programmes focused on the operation and maintenance of unmanned aerial vehicles." Addressing the anniversary graduating class, Colonel Nikolay Karpov, Head of the �� Military Training Centre, wished the young specialists success in their professional careers and encouraged them to remain faithful to the military oath they had taken: "Above all, I wish our graduates to find their true calling and achieve success in life. After graduating from the university, they will begin working at enterprises in the �� Region and across other parts of Russia, applying the knowledge and skills they acquired at ��. Most importantly, however, they should always remember the words of the military oath. Each of them has pledged to defend the homeland if called upon to do so. I feel confident that our graduates will not hesitate to fulfil that duty." The 80th graduation marks another important milestone in the history of the �� Military Training Centre, which continues to train reserve officers, sergeants, and enlisted personnel by combining the best traditions of military education with modern approaches to personnel training. More photos are available in the photo album. Read more in the �� channel on MAX

Author:

Anastasiia Kosocheva, Sergey Kachko

23 �� Students Became Millionaires

Качко Сергей — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000

The results of the seventh nationwide Student Startup grants competition for student and postgraduate startup projects have been announced in Moscow. The expert panel have selected more than 2200 winners, each of whom will receive a one-million-rouble grant to develop their project. Among them are students of ��, who have once again demonstrated a high level of expertise and competence in technological entrepreneurship. "Over the past four years, the University Technological Entrepreneurship Platform has created an ecosystem within Russian universities that enables students to progress from an initial idea to launching a technology-based business. The Student Startup competition is one of the Platform's key initiatives. This year, its winners represent more than 300 universities from 79 regions of Russia," said Valery Falkov, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation. The �� Region has every reason to be proud of its talented young innovators. This year, 23 winners of the competition are students of ��. They represent the Institute of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (7 students), the Institute of Engineering and Technology (4), the School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science (3), the School of Economics and Management (3), the School of Medical Biology (3), the Institute of Law (2), and the Institute of Architecture and Construction (1). "I sincerely congratulate all the winners of this grant program and am proud of every one of our students," said �� Rector Alexander Wagner. "Our university has invested significant effort in building an ecosystem that fosters technological entrepreneurship, and for the second year in a row this work has delivered tangible results. I wish our students every success in implementing their projects and achieving further growth. I would also like to address the university applicants and first-year students: our region offers truly unique opportunities for talented and ambitious young people, and today's achievement is further proof of that. Join us!" Many of this year's winners completed training through the �� Accelerator 2025, a business-intensive program designed to help transform innovative ideas into viable business ventures. Others defended their final qualification projects under the Startup as a Diploma format, which enabled them to refine their business concepts and strengthen their grant applications. The consultation support provided by specialists from the �� Boiling Point innovation space and the Entrepreneurial Initiatives Development Centre also played an important role in preparing successful applications. Registration for the next season of the �� Accelerator is already open. The program offers an excellent opportunity for students, postgraduate researchers, university staff, and graduates of �� universities to further develop their business ideas and significantly improve their chances of succeeding in the next Student Startup competition. Participants gain access to experienced experts, mentors, business coaches, and university resources essential for turning innovative ideas into successful startup projects. Consultations on applying for grants to support technology entrepreneurship projects, as well as information about participation in the �� Accelerator Program, are available at the �� Entrepreneurial Initiatives Development Centre. For more information, please contact the Centre’s Director, Marina Litke, at litkemg@susu.ru

Associate Professor at the �� Department of Russian Language and Literature Explains Whether Emojis Pose a Threat

Качко Сергей — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Nataliia Shlemova, Associate Professor at the �� Department of Russian Language and Literature, shares her perspective on the role, interpretation, and potential risks of emojis in modern communication. – Why are people increasingly replacing words with emojis? – The development of digital communication has created a new form of language and speech. Online communication, which has become natural and everyday today, represents a unique form of spoken and written communication. Speaking is being replaced by correspondence, which is characterized by the economy of speech effort inherent in the oral form. The ability to send instant messages, typically of limited length, and the need to express emotions in the absence of face-to-face dialogue are facilitating the development of communication tools suited to the specificities of the online environment, leading to the emergence and development of an entire system of symbols—emojis. Derived from the Japanese words meaning "picture" and "character," emojis function as complex nonverbal signals. They enable users to convey emotions and attitudes that would otherwise be expressed through gestures, facial expressions, intonation, and looks. There are situations when a single nonverbal sign can be more telling than any words. Let us recall Vladimir Nabokov, who, in response to a provocative question from journalist Alden Whitman in a 1969 interview, responded: "I often think there should exist a special typographical sign for a smile – some sort of concave mark, a supine round bracket, which I would now like to trace in reply to your question" (The New York Times interview). Some believe that in this answer the writer anticipated the emergence of the emoticon associated with the name of Scott Fahlman, who in 1982 created a graphic symbol in the form of a smile :), consisting of a colon and a bracket. Nabokov had gracefully avoided a direct answer to the question: "Where do you rank yourself among writers—both living and recent?" Yet, he was able to make his position clear: comparing oneself as a writer to others for the purposes of such a ranking is pointless; a writer's value is determined by other criteria. This example may also point to the function of emojis, which is related to the phenomenon of understatement, which creates semantic complexity and can have different causes and consequences. – Do emojis make language primitive or less expressive? – I think emojis do not make language primitive. Instead, they provide additional functions. Rather than impoverishing online communication, emojis enrich it by providing an additional resource for expressing ideas and emotions that cannot always be conveyed through words alone. They complement the meaning of an utterance and add expressive and intonational nuance. Most often, they replace the nonverbal cues that naturally accompany face-to-face interaction—facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, and tone of voice. Through emojis we can smile, frown, wink, shrug our shoulders, or applaud as a sign of admiration or approval. They make communication more lively, transform neutral messages into emotionally coloured ones, and soften an otherwise formal tone. In group chats (for example, chats for parents) emojis also help build constructive communication and reduce unnecessary message traffic. When a quick response from many participants is needed, it is often more efficient to ask everyone to react with a particular emoji, such as "OK" or a thumbs-up, instead of generating long chains of messages saying "I agree" or "I support this". This keeps the conversation focused on the important information. Emojis can also be used systematically to structure messages, separating different semantic blocks with icons so that information is easier to navigate. In this case, emojis function as visual navigation markers and semantic highlights that improve readability. Some people predict that humanity will eventually communicate almost exclusively through emojis. I find such forecasts unrealistic. It is difficult to imagine words being completely replaced by pictograms. Certainly, emojis simplify online communication. A single image can express a mood, an attitude, or describe an action. Since modern people increasingly perceive information visually, images are often easier to understand than text. However, emojis are limited when it comes to expressing complex abstract concepts or philosophical ideas. Moreover, their meanings are not always universally understood; interpretation depends on cultural background and generational differences. Therefore, emojis cannot be regarded as an independent language. Some scholars compare emojis with pictography, the ancient writing system in which drawings represented objects or events. The historical transition from pictographic writing to alphabetic writing reflects centuries of intellectual and social development. That process is unlikely to reverse. Humanity will never communicate exclusively through emojis, but neither will it abandon them altogether. And perhaps there is no reason to do so. – Do emojis pose a threat to literate, rich, and expressive communication on the Internet? Of course, emojis facilitate the ease and speed of online communication, which differs significantly from face-to-face dialogue. As such, they pose no threat to literate communication, as long as communicators generally adhere to the norms of speech communication, the rules of constructive communication, and can express their thoughts clearly and expressively offline. Emojis can help convey the right intonation to ensure the recipient understands the message correctly, and they support emotional connection in virtual communication. According to Norwegian sociolinguist Patrick Georg Gross, emojis are part of digital literacy. At the same time, the text-compression function that emojis perform may eventually make it more difficult for some people to formulate thoughts without relying on pictures. In my view, this primarily affects those whose language skills are insufficiently developed. Of course, emojis can also pose genuine risks. They are sometimes used to conceal the true meaning of a message that is understandable only to insiders. Researcher S.L. Budylin cites an example documented in a 2020 publication by U.S. law enforcement agencies intended to help identify illegal activities. In that context, the tree and broccoli emojis were used as coded references to marijuana. Emojis can also create communication barriers. This partly explains the emergence of specialized platforms such as Emojipedia and Emoji Analysis, which help users interpret graphical symbols correctly. – Why do misunderstandings arise when interpreting emojis? – Emojis may be interpreted differently by people from different cultures, generations, and social groups. A common example is the thumbs-up emoji. In many Western countries, it signifies approval, whereas in Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan it is perceived as a rude and offensive gesture. Today there is also much discussion about how differently emojis are understood by Baby Boomers, Millennials, and Generation Z. For example, Boomers tend to interpret the skull emoji literally as "death". Millennials may understand it as meaning "everything is terrible", while members of Generation Z commonly use it to mean "I'm dying of laughter". According to A. Soldatov, editor of the Russian language portal Gramota.ru, a 2021 survey conducted by the consulting agency Perspectus Global among 2000 respondents aged 16–29 ranked the thumbs-up emoji the first among the "old-fashioned" emojis. Within this age group, using it may even be perceived as irony or sarcasm. Another challenge is that emojis often participate in wordplay. Their meanings are shaped by specific communicative contexts and may later become conventional. For instance, the eggplant and peach emojis gradually acquired figurative meanings and became euphemisms associated with sexual innuendo and discussions of taboo subjects. In interpreting emojis, context is therefore essential. The existing international Unicode standard is updated every year with new emojis that reflect contemporary society. In 2020, the "face with medical mask" emoji appeared, reflecting the pandemic. The symbolic emoji of 2024 became the "melting face", expressing emotional exhaustion and being overwhelmed. In 2025, Unicode introduced the "face with bags under eyes" to symbolize chronic fatigue, along with the "leafless tree" representing environmental concerns. In 2026, the preliminary list included, among others, the "pickled cucumber" image, meaning "sour mood" and "mild irritation". All of these emojis generated particular interest among users, who heatedly discussed the innovations online. Time will tell what meanings these emoji will acquire. What remains important is using emojis consciously, taking into account the communicative situation, the sphere of communication, cultural differences, and the individual characteristics of one's interlocutor. We should also remember the importance of maintaining communicative balance in relationships and be aware of the legal consequences that may result from careless or malicious use of emojis. – Can emojis have legal significance? Yes, absolutely. The use of emojis can result in legal proceedings and even criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment. International judicial practice involving emojis in cases related to insults, threats, fraud, extremism, and other offenses continues to develop. For example, in Russia, the money bag emoji became decisive evidence in a fraud and extortion case. Within the context of correspondence between the director of a legal agency, the deputy head of a regional tax office, and the business owner, this icon represented a demand to prepare one million roubles. The money was intended to resolve alleged regulatory violations committed by the company. The businessman reported the incident to law enforcement authorities, and the senders were sentenced to two years of imprisonment. A message consisting of just three emojis—a clenched fist, a pointing finger, and an ambulance—nearly resulted in five-year prison sentences for two young men in the United States. The recipient filed a lawsuit, and the experts concluded that the message constituted a genuine threat, meaning: "We intend to beat you so badly that you'll end up in an ambulance". An American schoolgirl was also charged with making death threats after posting the message, "See you in the library on Tuesday", accompanied by gun, knife, and bomb emojis. The number of court cases involving emojis continues to grow. In such proceedings, forensic linguists are frequently called upon to determine the meaning of particular icons within the context of a message. These challenging tasks contribute to the development of forensic linguistics, a branch of applied linguistics that serves the needs of judicial practice. All of this demonstrates that emojis are a unique phenomenon of digital communication. They have become not only a means of expressing emotions but also a tool of persuasive communication, a way of concealing linguistic identity, and an element of digital slang. As an integral part of visual communication, emojis continue to evolve rapidly, attracting growing interest from researchers in the social sciences and humanities. Read more in the �� channel on MAX

Interuniversity Campus in ��: Comfortable Space for Living and Studying

Качко Сергей — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000

The new academic year will begin pretty soon, and �� students will find a new point of attraction on our city's map! Comfortable rooms await residents of the stylish dormitories located in the midst of a modern architectural space. The surrounding beauty catches your eye at the first sight, and you will definitely fall in love with how the interior is arranged: contemporary loft-style design, well-thought-through logistics, cosy residential rooms, co-working spaces, game zones, mini-kitchens, and storage facilities – the campus creators have taken all the needs of young people into consideration. Whole new level of comfort This place is not about pathos or luxury, but everyone will find a comfortable bed with an orthopaedic mattress, a work place with a desk, a rack cabinet and shelves for clothes, a refrigerator, and storage units for personal items. Each room has a shower cubicle with a lavatory with new furniture and modern design. The bathroom has a lighted mirror and additional shelves. A whole range of free-of-charge services is available to students so that their life on campus feels truly comfortable: Use of public spaces (co-working spaces, playroom, TV room, and more); Self-service laundry (washing and drying machines, ironing boards); Daily cleaning of public spaces and express cleaning of rooms; Weekly cleaning of rooms with changing of bedclothes and towels; All the required supplies: bedclothes, a set of towels, soap, toilet paper, etc. Refilled during cleaning; Potable water; Bicycle parking facility; Wake-up service, handing over of correspondence, use of the first aid kit, and calling the paramedic service. At an extra cost, you can use a storage locker (rent a box), print out, Xerox-copy, or scan your documents, and rent a negotiations room. The room rate is affordable: from 10,900 RUR per month for a double-occupancy accommodation, and from 16,800 RUR per month for single occupancy. There is a wide choice of rooms, so everyone will find the one perfect for them. But the most important thing is the unique atmosphere of creativity, cooperation, friendship and mutual help that all the hotel complex spaces are filled with. You cannot measure it with money, you must try it for yourself! How can one become the campus resident? Everything is most simple and transparent. Accommodation is available for students of age from secondary-vocational and higher education institutions of any registration type. No limitations or bureaucratic barriers — only comfortable conditions for those wishing to study and develop. Just submit an application for accommodation, and the administrators will contact you. The construction of the Interuniversity Campus in �� is part of the federal initiative to establish a network of modern campuses, being implemented under the “Youth and Children” national project, and remains under the direct supervision of the Governor of the �� Region Alexey Texler. Questions? Call at: +7 (951) 240-50-70 E-mail us at: uralcampus@mail.ru Website: кампус-южныйурал.рф Read more in the �� channel on MAX #челкампус #chelcampus

South Ural Interuniversity Campus Team Awarded for Successful Defence of its Product Programs

Качко Сергей — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000

This high praise is a result of a big-scale work on forming a portfolio of 83 products aimed at the scientific and technological development of our region. This event has confirmed the status of the South Ural region as one of the leaders of the pilot project by the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia. The awards ceremony followed announcing the results of the defence of product models developed under a joint project with the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia. The event was organized as a video conference chaired by Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Andrey Omelchuk. During the ceremony the results of the pilot project on developing the campuses’ products programs were summarized. The �� Region became one of the five pilot participants, along with the Novosibirsk Region, Sakhalin Region, Tyumen Region, and the Perm Territory. Among the event’s participants were First Deputy Governor of the �� Region Stanoslav Mosharov, First Deputy Minister of Education and Science of our region Olga Statirova, heads of the campus’s thematic specializations and product programs, and representatives of the resident universities and the project office. The team was awarded a special prize for active participation and high results of working in the “Development of Campus Products Programs” pilot project under the “Creating a Network of Modern Campuses” federal project. Stanoslav Mosharov noted in his speech: “Our award is the recognition of not only the content of the programs, but also of the established system of interaction between science, regional government and industry, including thanks to the principled position and personal support of the Governor Alexey Texler. He sees science as one of the key drivers of our region’s development. We have proven that we can work as one team. An important stage of the implementation is ahead. We will do our best so that the practices of the South Ural region could become an example for all the campuses in our country.” The product portfolio of the �� campus includes 8 programs combining 83 solutions: from science-intensive technologies to educational services. The key tracks are related to our region’s priorities, such as intelligent manufacturing, materials science and materials physics, ecology and living systems. The awarding of this prize became a recognition of not only the quality of elaboration of the financial and economic models and mechanisms of putting the products into market, but also of the efficiency of the team work of universities, regional government and business. 70 percent of the campus portfolio products had been developed by our university’s scientists and engineers in 7 interdisciplinary technological tracks: “Transport and Logistics Systems” (headed by S.M. Taran), “Industrial Robots” (headed by M.A. Grigoriev), “Digital Maturity of Industry in the �� Region” (headed by A.V. Gollai), “Technology Entrepreneurship and Management of High-technology Business” (headed by I.A. Solovieva), “Ecobiotech” (chief designer is I.Iu. Potoroko), “Materials Science and Materials Physics”, and “Youth on Campus”. “Construction of this campus is a huge step forward towards the development of education and science in the �� Region, and an important part in the implementation of the “Youth and Children” national project. We are creating an up-to-date environment for studying and research, that would allow to keep our talented young people in our region. Considerable areas will be allotted for joint laboratories of �� and our industrial partners, such as URAL plant, �� Forge-and-Press Plant, KONAR company, and METRAN company. Here, students, scientists, and engineers will be working on breakthrough projects in mechanical engineering, metallurgy, robotics, and other key fields,” noted �� Rector Alexander Wagner. ��’s zone of responsibility in this project could be called one of the intellectual centres of the future campus. The campus resident university performs the functions of a regional project office and coordinates the interaction of all the participants: from partner universities to major industrial enterprises. This was not for the first time that the campus team received high praise from experts. In 2023, during the 3rd Young Scientists Congress at Sirius, the �� Region campus had already been marked with a special prize for high project management quality. Today, this experience helps integrate industrial partners into the programs’ implementation. The experience of this pilot project will be upscaled to all 40 university centres that will appear in our country as part of the “Youth and Children” national project by 2036. The construction of the Interuniversity Campus in �� is part of the federal initiative to establish a network of modern campuses, being implemented under the “Youth and Children” national project, and remains under the direct supervision of the Governor of the �� Region Alexey Texler. Read more in the �� channel on MAX #челкампус #нацпроектмолодёжьидети #нацпроектмолодежьидети #молодёжь_и_дети #chelcampus #youthandchildrennationalproject #youthandchildrennationalproject #youth_and_children

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Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Education and Science of the �� Region

�� Researchers Develop Next-Generation Nanofertilizers to Help Crops Withstand Environmental Stress

Качко Сергей — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000

As part of the V.B. Khristenko Grants Program, a team of students from the Department of Ecology and Chemical Engineering at the Institute of Natural Sciences and Mathematics has proposed a concept for next-generation foliar nanofertilizers and zinc-oxide-based seed nanopriming. The project is led by Artem Ugaev, a student of group ET-282, jointly with Eva Petrova, Dariia Lipukhina, and Semyon Dyomin (group ET-432). Their development is based on the use of nanooxide systems, designed to help crops cope with soil salinity, drought, and heavy metal contamination. Conventional fertilizers are typically water-soluble salts, a large proportion of which are either washed away or become bound in the soil before plants can absorb them. The �� researchers propose treating seeds with a solution containing zinc oxide nanoparticles. Measuring as little as 30 nanometers in size, these particles can easily penetrate plant cells. Rather than simply supplying plants with zinc, the technology acts as a form of biological conditioning: mild stress induced by the nanoparticles activates the plant's natural defence mechanisms, making it more resilient to adverse environmental conditions. “The principle is simple: what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. Zinc oxide nanoparticles create a mild stress response in plant cells by triggering the formation of reactive oxygen species. In small amounts, these molecules act as alarm signals. The plant responds by activating its antioxidant enzymes and accelerating its metabolism. As a result, when real heat or drought arrives, the plant is already prepared,” explains Artem Ugaev. A major focus of the research is protecting crops from lead contamination. Lead present in soil can accumulate in plants and eventually enter the human food chain. Instead of attempting to remove lead from contaminated soils—a practically impossible task—the new technology helps plants absorb less of the toxic metal. Zinc ions compete with lead ions for transport pathways into plant cells, while the nanoparticles stimulate the plant's detoxification mechanisms. Consequently, crops grown in contaminated soils accumulate significantly lower concentrations of lead while simultaneously containing higher levels of beneficial zinc, an essential nutrient for the human immune system. The team of young scientists from ��, supervised by Tatiana Krupnova, Candidate of Sciences (Chemistry) and Associate Professor at the Department of Ecology and Chemical Engineering, is currently focusing on Grenada spring wheat and several pea varieties. Experimental results have demonstrated a clear correlation between nanoparticle treatment and improved stomatal function, higher seed germination rates, and stronger root development. “For example, treating pea seeds with the optimal nanoparticle concentration increased germination energy by 53%, germination rate by 50%, and root length by 52% compared with untreated plants. The seedlings were noticeably more vigorous, emerged more uniformly, and produced healthier foliage with higher chlorophyll content, indicating more efficient photosynthesis,” says Artem Ugaev. However, its successful application depends on a number of challenges. One of them is finding the right balance of concentration. Tests showed that a dosage of 2 g/L causes toxic stress, whereas the effective range lies between 10 and 250 mg/L, with the optimal concentration varying from one crop species to another. Despite the challenges, the researchers believe their development will be of interest to large agricultural enterprises that cultivate large areas and are interested in yield stability. A second important segment is greenhouse owners, who can control conditions and maximize the effect. In the future, smaller consumer packages could become available for individual farmers and home gardeners. The project aligns closely with global trends in agricultural nanotechnology. The researchers' next priority is to move from laboratory studies to field trials. If successful, the technology could not only strengthen Russia's agricultural sector but also become competitive internationally, contributing to high-tech import substitution while supporting the national priorities for advancing the chemical industry and developing new materials. The project is being carried out under the V.B. Khristenko Step into the Future Grants Program. As part of the Priority 2030 university development program, the initiative provides annual funding for promising research, formation of personnel reserve, and implementation of unique educational programs that shape the strategic development of �� and the �� Region. Read more in the �� channel on MAX

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Iuliia Sherstobitova, photos courtesy of the project participants

�� Vice-Rector for Student and Social Affairs Wins the Women Leaders of the Ural Region Award

Качко Сергей — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000

The administration, faculty, staff, and students of our university congratulate Anastasiia Lapo, Vice-Rector for Student and Social Affairs and Chair of the Public Chamber of ��, on winning the Women Leaders of the Ural Region competition. The winners of the sixth Women Leaders of the Ural Region competition were announced during the International Industrial Exhibition “INNOPROM 2026”. The annual competition recognizes women leaders and mentors who implement impactful initiatives and projects across a wide range of professional fields. It serves as an effective platform for supporting and promoting women's entrepreneurship, public initiatives, and professional achievements throughout the Ural Region. This year, the competition received 124 applications across 20 categories. Vice-Rector for Student and Social Affairs Anastasiia Lapo was named the winner in the Women Leaders in Public Service and Community Engagement category. This achievement reflects not only her personal success but also recognition of her professional expertise and leadership, providing new opportunities for further accomplishments. The competition is held with the support of the Sverdlovsk Regional Branch of the All-Russian Political Party "United Russia", the Women's Movement of the Sverdlovsk Regional Branch of the All-Russian Political Party "United Russia", and the Public Chamber of the Sverdlovsk Region. Read more in the �� channel on MAX

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�� Researchers Develop Next-Generation Nanofertilizers to Help Crops Withstand Environmental Stress

�� Vice-Rector for Student and Social Affairs Wins the Women Leaders of the Ural Region Award