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Bielefeld University


Why chess masters win

Cognitive scientists at Bielefeld University have been investigating the secret of successful chess players by recording players' eye movements and facial expressions. The research group found that chess experts concentrate on main chess pieces and control their attention more efficiently than novices.

Speeding up comprehension with grasping actions

Grasping actions have been shown to accelerate the brain's comprehension process, allowing for a faster interpretation of words. This new method could be used in therapies for aphasia, a language disorder affecting stroke patients, by utilizing motor training through grip movements to strengthen word recognition.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 21, 2016

Optical tractor beam traps bacteria

Bielefeld University physicists develop new method to study biological cells using optical tractor beams, allowing for superresolution images of DNA in single bacteria. The technique enables researchers to rotate and move bacterial cells at will, enabling the study of three-dimensional cellular structures.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 14, 2016

A chair for getting fit and trim

Researchers at Bielefeld University developed an active chair as part of the KogniHome project, which uses a virtual avatar to lead family members in fitness exercises. The chair measures physical parameters like respiration and heart rate while monitoring healthy posture.

How the brain merges the senses

Scientists propose a computational model explaining multisensory integration in humans, utilizing a Multisensory Correlation Detector. The brain detects similarity across visual and auditory signals to integrate stimuli, opening new clinical perspectives for neurological syndromes like Autism Spectrum Disorder and Dyslexia.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 6, 2016

How the index finger can be fooled

A new study by Bielefeld University's CITEC researchers reveals that the human brain can be fooled into perceiving a larger displacement of the index finger when it actually remains stationary, due to changes in contact area with the skin. This finding has implications for developing virtual sense of touch technologies.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 8, 2016

Why bartenders have to ignore some signals

A new study at Bielefeld University investigates how a robotic bartender can understand human communication and serve drinks socially appropriately. Participants played the role of robotic bartenders, making decisions based on sensor data, to find that ignoring some data can be beneficial.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateNov 25, 2015

Mammography screening: Only 1 in 3 women is well-informed

A new study published by Bielefeld University found that only one in three women participating in Germany's mammography screening programme (MSP) are well-informed about it. The study also showed that women with higher levels of education and those from Turkish migration backgrounds are more likely to make an informed decision.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 4, 2015

Scent matters to fur seals

Researchers at Bielefeld University discovered that Antarctic fur seals have a unique 'scent profile' that enables them to identify their offspring and family members. This finding suggests that scent plays a crucial role in the animals' social behavior, particularly in recognizing kin and selecting mates.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 12, 2015

Seeing the world through assistive glasses

The ADAMAAS project aims to create a mobile assistance system that identifies problems and provides situation-dependent assistance through intelligent glasses. The technology combines eye tracking, memory research, object recognition, and augmented reality to support users in daily activities.

Cooling with molecules

Researchers at Bielefeld University and colleagues successfully cooled to minus 272.15 degrees Celsius using magnetic molecules, surpassing absolute zero. The discovery could provide an alternative to helium-based refrigerants and has implications for various applications such as transparent magnets and nano data memoires.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 22, 2014

Sperm wars

Evolutionary biologist Steven Ramm explores sperm competition as a key driver of reproductive system evolution, highlighting the diversity of sperm cells and their adaptations to compete for fertilization. This research could inform genetic modification to increase fertility in endangered species.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalMolecular Human Reproduction·DateOct 17, 2014

Marriage of convenience with a fungus

Researchers found that not all plants react to the fungus in the same way, with some experiencing increased catalpol and citric acid levels while others show little change. The study's findings suggest that the impact of the fungal symbiosis on plant chemistry is not uniform across all plant species.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 22, 2014

With imprecise chips to the artificial brain

Junior Professor Dr. Elisabetta Chicca and colleagues discover that imprecise digital and analog circuits are more efficient than precise ones in building artificial nervous systems. The study, published in Proceedings of the IEEE, reveals a new approach to designing autonomous cognitive systems with minimal power requirements.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalProceedings of the IEEE·DateMay 16, 2014

Would you believe your hand could turn into marble?

Researchers induce a bodily illusion where participants' hands feel stiffer and heavier, showing the brain can quickly update its perception of body material. This study reveals multisensory integration can alter perceived body properties, which may help explain how tools and prostheses integrate into our body schemas.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 24, 2014

The more the better!

Researchers from Bielefeld University and TU Braunschweig found that female fire salamanders can store sperm from multiple males, leading to increased offspring numbers and fitness. Polyandry appears to be a key mechanism for reproductive success in this species, contradicting the long-held assumption of monogamy.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalMolecular Ecology·DateNov 29, 2013

Doing research in the pub

Researchers analyzed customer behavior in pubs and clubs to determine effective signals for ordering a drink. They found that positioning themselves directly at the bar counter is a successful signal, while avoiding these behaviors indicates non-ordering intentions.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateSep 16, 2013

Process devised for ultrathin carbon membranes

Physicists from Bielefeld University have developed a new process to produce ultrathin carbon membranes, which can filter out fine materials and separate gases. The method allows for the creation of customized nanomembranes with specific properties, such as thickness, transparency, and elasticity.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalACS Nano·DateAug 22, 2013

Measuring molecules in their undistorted form

Researchers at Bielefeld University can now determine the three-dimensional structure of gaseous molecules with unprecedented precision. The university's electron diffractometer allows for the analysis of small molecules in their pure state, shedding light on fundamental questions about atomic arrangements.

Algae can draw energy from other plants

Biologists at Bielefeld University have confirmed that certain algae species can draw energy from other plants by digesting cellulose, a previously thought exclusive trait of fungi and bacteria. This groundbreaking discovery has significant implications for bioenergy production.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 20, 2012

A mating dance with Popeye arms

A research team at Bielefeld University is studying how female locusts prefer males with the most powerful swellings on their front legs. The study aims to understand the evolution of sexual ornaments and their role in mate selection, which may be linked to an animal's health.