The Consumer Association investigated how common it is for products to gradually shrink without a corresponding decrease in the selling price. "Shrinkflation" is the term often used when the content of a product decreases without a similar reduction in its price. Over 700 consumers reported their observations of reduced product sizes through a survey on the Consumer Association's website. Certain products and product categories were repeatedly mentioned in the responses.
urbine and generator at the Teollisuuden Voima Olkiluoto 3 power plant. LEHTIKUVA
The Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority of Finland (STUK) has joined forces with the nuclear safety authorities of France and the Czech Republic (SÚJB and ASN) to evaluate the safety solutions designed for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). This assessment was conducted in anticipation of future licensing procedures and was not related to any specific reactor's licensing in Finland or elsewhere.
A female and male coworker at a meeting.
The EU Council has adopted new rules to combat pay discrimination and help close the gender pay gap in the EU.
Under the pay transparency directive, EU companies will be required to share information about how much they pay women and men for work of equal value and take action if their gender pay gap exceeds 5 per cent.
European Union Youth Orchestra. Photo: Peter Adamik
Innovative side by side activities with young Finnish musicians, open rehearsals, community performances across Helsinki and a cultural debate: this is the Helsinki Community Day, dedicated to reach diverse groups of people in the city of Helsinki, which hosts the musicians during their first orchestral residency in Finland. There are three main series of events which will happen throughout the day, all supporting the EUYO's focus on new and young audiences:
LEHTIKUVA
The Helsinki University Hospital (HUS) Joint Authority Board has discussed the preparation of the 2024 budget and outlined the next steps in the process. The guiding principle for next year's budget will be a break-even outcome, implying a need to balance approximately 52 million euros. Despite the challenging financial situation, staff benefits will be maintained at the 2023 level. Similarly, HUS's own research funding will remain at the same level as 2023.
A customer going into an unemployment office in Pasila, in Helsinki. LEHTIKUVA
According to a recent survey by OP Financial Group's Taloustutkimus, almost half of Finnish people consider unemployment highly unlikely in the next year, with over 70% of respondents considering it either highly or somewhat unlikely. The survey was conducted during a period of economic uncertainty, and the positive outlook towards employment is a welcome surprise. However, 44% of respondents say they are not prepared for unemployment, with a further 13% unsure if they are prepared or not.
Vaccine development. LEHTIKUVA / AFP
For a normal person, the loops, kinks and folds in the single strand of RNA that makes up the coronavirus genome might look like a bowl of spaghetti. However, to researchers like Amanda Hargrove, who is a chemistry professor at Duke University, the complex shaped RNA had untapped therapeutic potential in the fight against COVID-19. Hargrove and her colleagues had identified chemical compounds that could latch onto these 3D structures and block the virus's ability to replicate.
Photo: Jussi Hellsten / Helsinki Partners
The majority of young Helsinki residents transition directly from comprehensive school to secondary education. More young people are now primarily applying to upper secondary education, while certain vocational programs remain popular. However, there are socioeconomic and regional disparities in the educational paths of young people in Helsinki. These findings are based on the new statistical publication "Youth Education in Helsinki - Path from Comprehensive School Forward" by the City Executive Office.
The Finnish family-owned company Fredman Group Oy has developed new airplane meal trays and boxes in cooperation with Finnair. These Nordic wood fiber-based cardboard trays are already partly in use and will be fully introduced in economy class this spring. Celebrating its 100th anniversary, Finnair will also introduce a new menu. Thanks to the new packaging, Finnair will cut back on single-use plastics by 39 tonnes (*).
Customer heading to the acute reception at Kivela health center. LEHTIKUVA
The crisis in primary health care in Finland is leading to an increase in the use of private health insurance, particularly in the last year. A recent report shows that the use of private health insurance in the country has reached pre-pandemic levels, with a growth rate of over 90% in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, especially in relation to flu-related health expenses.
We are anticipating a busy end of the year for parcel and letter deliveries. E-commerce continues to grow, and international shopping days Singles’ Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the busiest time for parcel deliveries. Posti also delivers Christmas greetings abroad, and they need to be sent out soon.
”Christmas is the time for caring, and we at Posti want to deliver people’s greetings to each other.
Alpha-synuclein accumulation in a nerve cell. (Image: Timo Myöhänen's research group.)
Parkinson's disease is a debilitating disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. While the disease has been studied for over 200 years, its cause remains unknown. However, researchers at the University of Helsinki have made a significant breakthrough by identifying certain strains of Desulfovibrio bacteria as the probable cause of Parkinson's disease in most cases.
I am writing in response to Ms Pilar Díaz who wrote an article this week about her problem or lack of medical service here in Finland.
I think she was unfortunate possibly with her doctor or the health clinic but my experience of the Finnish national health is in complete contrast.
