Research & Expertise

Whether researching how the human brain works, identifying the source of COVID-19, running complex calculations or testing scientific hypotheses, supercomputers can help us solve the most complex tasks. One of the most powerful supercomputers in the CIS is cHARISMa, which is now in its third year of operation at HSE University. Pavel Kostenetskiy, Head of the HSE University Supercomputer Modeling Unit, talks about how the supercomputer works and what kind of projects it works on.

Mathematicians from HSE University in Nizhny Novgorod have developed a new way to predict the preferences of mobile device users. The method, which is 2–12% more accurate than known analogues, is based on simultaneous recognition of objects, faces and scenes in a smartphone’s photo gallery and on a remote server. The algorithm can be used to personalise services and offer recommendations tailored to a particular person. The article was published in the Pattern Recognition journal.

Rational architecture, a focus on functionality, and a cutback on ornamentation—these factors made the Electroperedacha power station an important early-20^th-century achievement in the development of architecture, urban development, and the power industry. The architect of the building turned out to be Hermann Muthesius, a renowned German public figure and one of the founders of the Deutscher Werkbund. The authorship of the building was determined by a researcher from HSE University using original blueprints from the archive of the Mosenergo power supply company. The results of the study were published in Articult.

The fifth season of HSE Science Battles is currently underway, with the Sber office serving as a venue for another stage of the battle. Four speakers fought for a place in the finals by presenting their research in a ‘TED Talks’ format. The HSE News Service reports on highlights from the event, including how to explain to your grandmother that GMOs aren’t dangerous, what font you should use to develop your memory, and who ‘hate-watchers’ are.

Youth as a driver of economic development, the Arctic as a region of constructive cooperation, and innovation as a way to dispel illusions. Experts from HSE University took part in sessions of the 2022 St Petersburg International Economic Forum and HSE Rector Nikita Anisimov answered questions in the interactive studio of the Knowledge Society.

Researchers from HSE University and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology compared the performance of eSport gamers of different weight categories. Despite the fact that this study looks at computer games, it touches on the broader issue of including obese individuals in modern work activities that are often associated with computer technology.

Researchers from the HSE University Institute of Education have studied data on the work schedule of teachers in an online English-language school and have shown that women aged 25–35 work less than men. This is connected to lower workloads in the evenings. The article ‘Women in gig economy work less in the evenings’ has been published in Scientific Reports.

Marketers often make ads bright and catchy. However, scientists from HSE University have found out that banner advertising on websites should be neutral in order to influence users more effectively. The results of the study have been published in the Frontiers in Psychology journal.

Researchers from the HSE International Laboratory of Intangible-driven Economy have developed a model for optimising contest prizes for winners and more. The study uses eSports statistics to offer insights into the optimal reward structure for team competitions in a variety of spheres, including corporate and patent battles. The findings from this study have been published in the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization. 

Natural disasters and long-term climate change processes, from rising sea levels to melting glaciers to soil degradation, are causing people to move to safer locations not yet affected by food and water shortages. Recently, climate migration has been on the rise globally due to environmental changes. What territories are more likely than others to experience out-migration, and why? A report co-authored by Associate Professor of the HSE Faculty of Geography and Geoinformation Technology Yulia Kuznetsova offers some ideas.