Amina Gačo Jež of the UL Biotechnical Faculty wins science slam

Organised by the University of Ljubljana in collaboration with the Science on the Street project, the science slam gave researchers from a range of fields – from medicine and agronomy to energy, mobility and digitalisation – the opportunity to present their work to a six-member jury and an audience, who together chose the best presentation.

Amina Gačo Jež of the UL Biotechnical Faculty stood out with her presentation on research into the influence of the moon on wood. According to popular belief, wood felled at the time of the full moon is of higher quality, but measurements of moisture content have shown no significant differences, indicating that the influence of the moon on wood remains largely a myth.

Second place was shared by Ajda Zavratnik Drglin of the National and University Library and secondary school student Manca Boh, who presented research into the manuscripts of poet Srečko Kosovel using artificial intelligence and infrared analysis to shed light on how his works were created and to make them easier to read and more accessible to the general public.

Third place went to Dr Urban Košak of the UL Faculty of Pharmacy, who presented the development of a new molecule for the treatment of cognitive disorders and explained how the research had achieved improvements in memory and learning ability in laboratory mice.

Also among the participants was Matevž Ogrinc of the Jožef Stefan Institute, who presented a digital tool for monitoring diet that allows users to instantly see the nutritional value of foods by photographing them, while users also help build a national food database and support research into the impact of diet on health through the data they contribute.

Prof. Ana Slatnar of the UL Biotechnical Faculty pointed out that consumption of locally grown vegetables in Slovenia is too low and presented modern cultivation methods that use technology to enable more sustainable and efficient agriculture.

Dr Eva Zavrl of the UL Faculty of Mechanical Engineering presented the development of materials that enable passive cooling of buildings by using night-time cooling, which could reduce energy consumption for air conditioning.

Dr Majda Černič Istenič of the UL Biotechnical Faculty spoke about the operation of smart farms, where digital systems and sensors send farmers real-time data on livestock and production, while also warning that, alongside greater efficiency, such technology brings new challenges such as constant availability and technostress, which can affect farmers’ quality of life.

Dr Rok Novak of the Jožef Stefan Institute presented a study in which sensors were used to monitor cyclists’ exposure to air pollution and noise in Ljubljana, showing that pollution levels depend on the season and traffic, but that the health benefits of cycling nevertheless outweigh the risks.

Prof. Peter Trkman of the UL School of Economics and Business spoke about studies that explore why people and organisations often fail to adopt new technologies despite having a positive attitude towards them. The findings show that even small barriers or changes can influence whether they are actually adopted.

At the end of the event, the University of Ljubljana’s Vice-Rector for Quality and Sustainability, Prof. Janez Vogrinc, addressed the audience, emphasising that the Food for the Brain Festival is becoming an important forum for reflection on the role of science in society and that it is essential nowadays for researchers to be able to present their work clearly and accessibly to the general public.