Scientists observe permafrost thawing in the Kola Peninsula. This can serve as an important indicator of climate change and a footing for developing climatic scenarios for the Arctic. To study this problem, specialists from the Karelian Research Center RAS have worked out a new method of permafrost monitoring based on remote sensing and machine learning techniques. It enables estimating the degree of degradation of palsa mires containing areas of frozen peat. Scientists applied an approach integrating aerial photography, ground-penetrating radar surveys, computer simulations, and vegetation descriptions.

Scientists produced a first detailed description of the structure of individual organs and tissues of an ecologically valuable fish, the daubed shanny, during its growth and development in the Svalbard Archipelago. Special attention was given to the study of the uniquely structured lipid sac in juvenile fish. The fat-filled lipid sac turns this small-sized shanny into a literal 'energy shot' or 'health capsule' for many other species of marine mammals, birds and fish. The new findings are important for understanding the adaptation and life history of this species at northern latitudes.

Olga Bakhmet, Director General of the Karelian Research Center RAS, took part in the events of the 17th "The Land of Kalevala" Ethno-festival. She told about the contribution of researchers to the study and conservation of the natural, historical and cultural heritage of Karelia. At the wrap-up of the festival KarRC RAS leader was awarded a "Karelian Commonwealth" medal.

More than 50 people took part in the All-Russian Scientific Conference "Earth Sciences: Challenges for the Young", which was held at the Institute of Geology KarRC RAS on April 12. Young scientists, doctoral students, university and school students from Petrozavodsk, St. Petersburg and Tomsk presented the results of their research in the field of geology.

Employees of the Karelian Research Center RAS took part in the first Congress of Young Scientists of Belarus and Russia. The specialists became acquainted with the work of scientific units within the system of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and established a new professional network in their areas of research.

So far only about 2% of lakes in Russia have been studied. Attracting the youth to this branch of science and organizing the exchange of expertise between specialists in different fields is the mission of the Polar Limnologists Hands-on School, which has started in the Murmansk Region. During one week leading scientists from the Karelian and Kola scientific centers RAS will give lectures and practical classes for young researchers on the ice of Lake Imandra.

Member of the Federation Council Committee for Agrarian and Food Policy and Environmental Management Igor Zubarev met with Olga Bakhmet, Director General of the Karelian Research Center RAS in her office. The main topic of the working meeting was the development of aquaculture in the region.

The science-to-practice seminar "Integrated Development of Arctic Territories: Expert Opinion" was held at KarRC RAS. It is meant to become a regular event. In this first meeting, scientists presented the results of research on modernization of single-industry towns, studies of human capital in the Arctic, as well as the consequences of the coronavirus infection among Karelian citizens.

The open Veps and Karelian corpus VepKar was supplemented with audio recordings of words in the Mikhailovsky dialect of the Ludic supradialect. Employees of the Institute of Linguistics, Literature and History KarRC RAS visited the village of Mikhailovskoye and recorded new material from a native speaker. Scientists are creating an audio map of the Balto-Finnic languages of Karelia and neighboring regions, containing fragments of Veps and Karelian dialectal speech. Dictionary entries in VepKar can now be not only read, but also listened to.

Specialists from the Institute of Geology KarRC RAS participate in studying the graphite deposit at Kirjavalahti area in the Sortavala District. Geologists are expected to estimate the reserves of this mineral. Global demand for industrial concentrates of graphite, which is used in high-tech industries, such as the production of electric vehicle batteries, is growing.