Research & Expertise

From June 4 to 6, 2025, the MathSport International 2025 conference took place at the University of Luxembourg. Researchers from around the globe gathered to discuss the application of mathematical methods to the analysis of sports, ranging from soccer to cyber sports. More than 100 papers were presented in total, including two studies by young IDLab specialists.

On May 16, 2025, the International Laboratory for the Economics of Intangible Assets (IDLab) hosted another session of its regular academic seminar series, featuring guest speaker Dr. Michael Appiah, Associate Professor at the School of Management and the Department of Finance and Economics at Jiangsu University (China), and Director of Dorstell Research & Consultancy. In his presentation, Dr. Appiah shared the findings of his research on financial risk management in OECD countries, focusing on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) innovation, technological infrastructure, and regulatory quality.

Scientists from HSE University, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Southern California, have developed an algorithm that rapidly and accurately predicts the behaviour of quantum systems, from quantum computers to solar panels. This methodology enabled the simulation of processes in the MoS₂ semiconductor and revealed that the movement of charged particles is influenced not only by the number of defects but also by their location. These defects can either slow down or accelerate charge transport, leading to effects that were previously difficult to account for with standard methods. The study has been published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

A team of researchers at HSE University, in collaboration with scientists from Russian and foreign universities, has investigated the impact of electrical brain stimulation on learning new words. The experiment shows that direct current stimulation of language centres—Broca's and Wernicke's areas—can improve and speed up the memorisation of new words. The findings have been published in Neurobiology of Learning and Memory.

Neural network models developed at the HSE AI Research Centre have significantly improved the prediction of risks for obesity, type 1 diabetes, psoriasis, and other complex diseases. A joint study with Genotek Ltd showed that deep learning algorithms outperform traditional methods, particularly in cases involving complex gene interactions (epistasis). The findings have been published in Frontiers in Medicine.

In biomedical research, machine learning algorithms are often used to analyse data—for instance, to predict cancer recurrence. However, it is not always clear whether these algorithms are detecting meaningful patterns or merely fitting random noise in the data. Scientists from HSE University, IBCh RAS, and Moscow State University have developed a test that makes it possible to determine this distinction. It could become an important tool for verifying the reliability of algorithms in medicine and biology. The study has been published on arXiv.

Artificial intelligence is transforming every aspect of life, expanding both our capabilities and our boundaries. At the same time, it presents new challenges for humanity, including concerns about safety, ethics, and environmental sustainability. Today, each neural network leaves a significant carbon footprint. However, with responsible management, AI has the potential to benefit the planet and become a cornerstone of a sustainable future economy. Panos Pardalos, Academic Supervisor of the Laboratory of Algorithms and Technologies for Network Analysis at the HSE Campus in Nizhny Novgorod, emphasised this point as he addressed the XXV Yasin (April) International Academic Conference on Economic and Social Development.

IDLab researchers of the Higher School of Economics - Maria Molodchik, Anna Davii, Egor Ivanov, Nikita Matkin, Mikhail Usanin and Alexey Smirnov took part in the XXV Yasin (April) International Academic Conference. The anniversary conference was held at the Moscow campus of the Higher School of Economics on April 15-18, 2025 as part of the Decade of Science and Technology in Russia program.