
HSE Researchers Find Counter-Strike Skins Outperform Bitcoin and Gold as Alternative Investments
Virtual knives, custom-painted machine guns, and gloves are common collectible items in videogames. A new study by scientists from HSE University suggests that digital skins from the popular video game Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) rank among the most profitable types of alternative investments, with average annual returns exceeding 40%. The study has been published in the Social Science Research Network (SSRN), a free-access online repository.

Centre for Language and Brain Conducts First Neurolinguistic Field Study of Reading in Yakut
In July, a team from the HSE Centre for Language and Brain, in collaboration with the Centre for the Study, Preservation, and Development of Native Languages of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), conducted the first-ever neurolinguistic expedition to the village of Churapcha to study reading in the Yakut language using electroencephalography (EEG). For the first time, EEG data from 43 adults and behavioural data from 40 children was collected during the two-week expedition.

‘We Describe Unwritten Languages’
Chiara Naccarato, Research Fellow at the HSE Linguistic Convergence Laboratory, graduated from university in Italy and came to Russia to study the languages of Dahgestan and the speech patterns of bilingual speakers. She notes the friendly atmosphere of the laboratory and the hospitality of the people of Daghestan.

'Our Goal Is Not to Determine Which Version Is Correct but to Explore the Variability'
The International Linguistic Convergence Laboratory at the HSE Faculty of Humanities studies the processes of convergence among languages spoken in regions with mixed, multiethnic populations. Research conducted by linguists at HSE University contributes to understanding the history of language development and explores how languages are perceived and used in multilingual environments. George Moroz, head of the laboratory, shares more details in an interview with the HSE News Service.

Slim vs Fat: Overweight Russians Earn Less
Overweight Russians tend to earn significantly less than their slimmer counterparts, with a 10% increase in body mass index (BMI) associated with a 9% decrease in wages. These are the findings made by Anastasiia Deeva, lecturer at the HSE Faculty of Economic Sciences and intern researcher in Laboratory of Economic Research in Public Sector. The article has been published in Voprosy Statistiki.

HSE University Strengthens Ties with Central Asia
Experts from the HSE Faculty of Urban and Regional Development (FURD) took part in the international forum ‘The SCO in the Era of Digital Diplomacy: Scientific Initiatives for Global Balance.’ The event, held in Astana, was organised by the Eurasian Association for International Studies and the Institute for the Study of Regional Integration (Kazakhstan).

Scientists Reveal Cognitive Mechanisms Involved in Bipolar Disorder
An international team of researchers including scientists from HSE University has experimentally demonstrated that individuals with bipolar disorder tend to perceive the world as more volatile than it actually is, which often leads them to make irrational decisions. The scientists suggest that their findings could lead to the development of more accurate methods for diagnosing and treating bipolar disorder in the future. The article has been published in Translational Psychiatry.

Scientists Develop AI Tool for Designing Novel Materials
An international team of scientists, including researchers from HSE University, has developed a new generative model called the Wyckoff Transformer (WyFormer) for creating symmetrical crystal structures. The neural network will make it possible to design materials with specified properties for use in semiconductors, solar panels, medical devices, and other high-tech applications. The scientists will present their work at ICML, a leading international conference on machine learning, on July 15 in Vancouver. A preprint of the paper is available on arxiv.org, with the code and data released under an open-source license.

HSE Takes Part in BRICS Summit
On July 6–7, 2025, the 17th BRICS Summit took place in Rio de Janeiro. For the first time in the organisation’s history, representatives of civil society from BRICS countries participated. HSE Vice Rector, Head of the BRICS Expert Council–Russia, and Co-Chair of the Russian Chapter the BRICS Civil Forum Victoria Panova attended the meeting of the bloc’s national leaders.

‘Economic Growth Without the AI Factor Is No Longer Possible’
The International Summer Institute on AI in Education has opened in Shanghai. The event is organised by the HSE Institute of Education in partnership with East China Normal University (ECNU). More than 50 participants and key speakers from over ten countries across Asia, Europe, North and South America have gathered to discuss the use of AI technologies in education and beyond.
Application deadline: June 23, 2025