Latvian Academy of Sciences

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LATVIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

Akademijas laukums 1, Riga, LV 1050, Latvia. Phone: +371 722 5361. Fax:+371 782 1153. E-mail: lza@lza.lv

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ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE science OF lATVIA IN 2007

The Top ten scientific developments in Latvia in 2007 have been named by the Latvian Academy of Sciences. The list of Latvian Science’s Top 10 of 2007 was made thoroughly considering the suggestions submitted by the universities, research institutes and centers.

Elaboration and introduction of a complex clinical-genetic investigation method to identify the risk factors of chronic diseases in children (corresponding member of the LAS Ingrīda Rumba, Dr. Liene Ņikitina-Zaķe, Dr. Tatjana Sjakste, Ieva Saulīte, Irēna Rinkuža, Dr. Silvija Remberga (Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Institute of Biology of the University of Latvia, Children’s clinical hospital in Gaiļezers).

Development of theoretical basis for specific signal processing technology and publishing the monograph „Digital Alias-free Signal Processing”(Wiley, 2007). The new technique allows significant extension of the frequency range of real-world analog signals that can be converted and processed in a digital format. (Dr. Ivars Biļinskis, full mem.LAS, Institute of Electronics and Computer Science).

Development of new organic materials for direct recording of surface relief holograms in the red region of the spectrum (Dr. Valdis Kokars, corresponding member of the LAS Andris Ozols, MS Dmitrijs Saharovs, full mem. LAS Valdis Kampars, MS Ansis Maļeckis, Dr. Gundars Mežinskis, MS Artūrs Plūdons, Faculty of Material Sciences and Applied Chemistry, Riga Technical University).

Detection of the surface properties of strontium titanate that are potential for remarkable improvement of operation of information processing devices (Dr. Jurijs Kotomins, Dr. Sergejs Piskunovs, Dr. Jurijs Žukovskis, Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia).

Mildronate has been demonstrated to have the ability to regulate mitochondrial processes that opens new possibilities in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders (full mem. LAS Vija Kluša, full mem.LAS Ivars Kalviņš, Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis).

Publishing the monograph Burried Treasures. Finding and Growing the Worlds Choicest Bulbs (Thimber Press, 2007), which summarizes the results of more than thirty-year work in exploration, introduction and selection of flower bulbs (LAS Dr.h.c. Jānis Rukšāns)

Development of new methods - microrobotics and peeling of microlayers - for the purpose of analyzing the structure and surface properties of papermaking fibres (corr. Mem. LAS Arnis Treimanis, MS Uldis Grīnfelds, Mārīte Škute, Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry).

Publishing of the last volume “Small towns and country of Latvia” in the four-volume series of drawings and descriptions by J. K. Brotze „Monumente” marks the conclusion of scholarly processing and publishing of a significant source of Latvia’s history and ethnology of the18th century (Institute of History of Latvia of University of Latvia, Latvian Academic Library).

Editing and publishing of the scientific contribution made by the distinguished linguist of Latgale Professor Antons Breidaks in a two-volume book entitled „Selected Works” by the Publishing House of the Latvian Language Institute, University of Latvia (Latvian Language Institute of the University of Latvia, Daugavpils University).

Publishing of a scholarly edition of A. Pumpurs’ epos „Lāčplēsis” in English language („Bearslayer. The Latvian Legend”, Academic Publishers of the University of Latvia, 2007 for the purpose of popularizing Latvian national values throughout the world. Translation made by Dr. h.c. of the University of Latvia Artūrs Kroplijs (Australia) and scholarly reviews and commentaries written by corr. mem. LAS Ausma Cimdiņa, full mem. LAS Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga, Dr. Ojārs Lāms, full mem. LAS Janīna Kursīte, Dr. Kaspars Kļaviņš. (Faculty of Philology, University of Latvia).

ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE SCIENCE OF LATVIA IN 2006

The Top ten scientific developments in Latvia in 2006 have been named by the Latvian Academy of Sciences. The list of Latvian Science’s Top 10 of 2006 was made thoroughly considering the suggestions submitted by the universities, research institutes and centers.

· Introduction of a new technology into haematology patient care that will remarkably improve the possibilities of treating the patients with acute and chronic leukosis. The new technology involves allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (Dr. Sandra Lejniece, Dr. Viesturs Boka, Ilze Puga, Riga Stradins University; Riga Austrumu Hospital, clinic “Linezers”)

· Development of new optical methods for the diagnosis of skin and blood vessel disorders (Dr. Janis Spigulis, Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy, University of Latvia, in collaboration with the Faculty of Biology and Institute of Cardiology, University of Latvia)

· Cloning of the genomes of plant viruses and its further applications in biotechnology – in creation of vaccines and diagnostics. (Dr. Andris Zeltins, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre)

· Determination of new spatial structures of large molecular weight proteins, using the method of multi-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. It allows to better understand the mechanism of protein biological activity (full member LAS Edvards Liepins, Latvian Institute of Organics Synthesis)

· Creation of effective luminiscnet detector materials of a new type that are used for the measurement of the oxygen quantity (Dr. Larisa Grigorjeva, Dr. Donats Millers, Mag. Krisjanis Smits, Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia in collaboration with the Institute of High Pressure Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences)

· Elaboration of a new, more capacious optical storage device, consisting of several layers of thin wolframates (corresponding member of the Latvian Academy of Sciences Aleksejs Kuzmins , Dr. Roberts Kalendarevs, Institute of Solid State Physics of the University of Latvia )

· Elaboration of a new technology for soil agrochemical investigation using the Global Positioning System (GPS). By applying the GPS technology the first digital agrochemical map of soils in Latvia (Bauska district Code parish) was prepared and published (Dr. Regina Timbare, Skaidrite Poriete, Aija Mikelsone, Agrochemical Research Centre)

· Accomplishment and publication of a study in regional economics: a case study of the economics and analysis of increasing economic competitiveness of the Latgale Region (Dr. Viktors Voronovs, Irina Petrova, Edgars Racko, Daugavpils University )

· Summarization and monographic publication of the affluent materials, which characterise the spiritual and material culture of the Livs and have been gathered during archaeological excavations in the populous area and burial grounds of 10-13th centuries in the lower reaches of the river Daugava – Country School of Salaspils (under the leadership of Dr. Anna Zarina, Institute of History of Latvia, University of Latvia)

· Accomplishment of a significant study in cultural history “Anthology of Latvian Choral Music in 12 volumes: unaccompanied music for mixed, male and female choirs a capella”. For the first time in music history the “golden collection” of Latvian choral songs, starting from the 1^st All Latvian Song Festival (1873) up to the works of contemporary artists, has been systematized and complemented with scientific comments (honorary member of the Latvian Academy of Sciences Imants Kokars, Dr. Arnolds Klotins, Arvids Bomiks, Dr. Oļģerts Gravitis, Janis Lindenbergs, Peteris Plakidis). The 12 volumes have been illustrated by performance of the chamber choir Ave Sol in 12 CD’s (conducted by Uldis Kokars).