Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Friedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena


Easier to let go -- can depression help people deal with life?

Patients with depression are more successful than healthy individuals in abandoning unattainable goals. By giving up on unrealistic objectives, depression can actually facilitate personal development. Researchers found that individuals with depression spent less time on unsolvable anagrams, indicating a greater ability to disengage.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalJournal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry·DateFeb 2, 2017

Virtual renaissance

University Jena researchers have launched a project to create 3D representations of cultural objects from museums and collections, including historical globes and other unique artifacts. The goal is to make these treasures accessible to the public and enable scientific investigation through accurate replicas created via 3D printing.

The tree of life has its roots in Jena

Ernst Haeckel's groundbreaking work in 1866 introduced the concept of monophyly and natural selection in speciation, illustrating the evolutionary history of organisms as a tree of life. This innovative method has remained unchanged for over 150 years, with its principle being widely adopted to represent biodiversity.

Trauma in a bee

Entomologists have described a traumatic insemination process in which male twisted-winged parasites inject semen directly into the female's body cavity. The fertilization process is unusually prolonged, lasting up to 30 minutes, and is likely used to reduce sperm competition.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 29, 2016

The odor of stones

Researchers discovered that diatoms are attracted to the smell of silicate minerals and move actively to areas with high concentrations. This ability allows them to colonize specific regions and is a key factor in their survival. Understanding this process could lead to the development of new materials resistant to algal colonization.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 4, 2016

A wardrobe full of embarrassments

Researchers developed a tool to measure consumers' 'brand embarrassment tendency', which determines how likely they are to feel shame or embarrassment when wearing certain brands. The study found that brands like Ed Hardy and Lonsdale trigger more brand embarrassment than others, affecting consumer buying intentions.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalJournal of Business Research·DateNov 27, 2015

How plants turn into zombies

Scientists at Jena University have discovered how bacteria infect plants by hijacking the regulation of flower development, preventing normal growth and sexual reproduction. The study sheds light on the molecular reasons behind this phenomenon, where infected plants 'become the living dead'.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalTrends in Plant Science·DateOct 16, 2015

CSI -- on the metabolite's trail

A team of bioinformaticians at the University of Jena has developed a new search engine, 'CSI:FingerID', that significantly simplifies the identification of molecular structures of metabolites. The tool reduces the number of possible compounds from thousands to ten, making it feasible for precise lab tests to identify specific compounds.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 22, 2015

Lack of oxygen in the groundwater

A new study by Jena University researchers finds that airport de-icing chemicals can decrease oxygen content in soils and groundwater, leading to dramatic pollution and ecosystem damage. The team suggests using natural self-cleaning capacities of the soil, controlling oxygen levels, or alternative substances for pollutant degradation.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalEnvironmental Science and Pollution Research·DateApr 29, 2015

Colorful nano-guides to the liver

Researchers create dye-functionalized nanoparticles that selectively deliver siRNA to liver cells, reducing cholesterol production and offering new hope for personalized therapy approaches. The method uses near-infrared fluorescent dyes as address labels and tracking numbers, allowing for non-invasive monitoring of the transport process.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 3, 2014

The sweetest calculator in the world

Researchers at Jena University developed a molecular computer based on sugar molecules, enabling the processing of complex information through chemical reactions. The 'sugar computer' uses fluorescent dye and quencher to process signals, with a demonstrated ability to solve simple calculations within 40 minutes.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 19, 2014

Attack is not always the best defense

Pharmacists at Jena University have developed three potential therapeutic agents that may improve the healing of inflammatory illnesses. The agents suppress a key enzyme in the body's own cascade of inflammation, specifically targeting 5-LOX, which plays a pivotal role in synthesizing leukotrienes. This breakthrough could lead to more ...

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalBritish Journal of Pharmacology·DateMay 27, 2014

Love makes you strong

Researchers discovered that young adults in romantic relationships exhibit reduced neuroticism over time. The study found that partners support each other and positive experiences change thought structures, leading to increased stability. This effect is observed in both men and women, with long-term relationships having a stronger impact.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalJournal of Personality·DateMay 9, 2014

Where nothing grows anymore

Researchers found that high sodium concentrations in the soil lead to instability and increased erosion in Tuscany's Crete Senesi badlands. The presence of vegetation helps stabilize the ground, but agricultural use is eroding the landscape, threatening its disappearance in 35-40 years.

Faces we don't forget

Psychologists at the University of Jena discovered that attractive faces without distinctive features are less memorable. In a study published in Neuropsychologia, researchers found that test subjects were more likely to remember unattractive faces than attractive ones when the latter lacked notable traits.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalNeuropsychologia·DateFeb 4, 2014

The dark side of entrepreneurship

Researchers found that entrepreneurs exhibit higher levels of rule-breaking behavior during adolescence, such as cheating and truancy. However, this behavior tends to dissipate by adulthood, with most entrepreneurs showing no significant difference in anti-social tendencies compared to non-entrepreneurs.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalJournal of Vocational Behavior·DateAug 6, 2013

Where entrepreneurship is at home

Researchers found that entrepreneurial personality structure is more prevalent in Western US states, Germany's Berlin-Hamburg axis, and Great Britain's East of England region. This correlation suggests a link between regional personality traits and entrepreneurial activity.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateMay 31, 2013

Congestion in the Earth's mantle

In some Earth's mantle regions, the movement of subducted plates stagnates due to slow diffusion and transformation of mineral components. High-pressure experiments revealed that exchange of elements between minerals slows down significantly at depths of 440-650 kilometers, leading to congestion.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalNature Geoscience·DateMar 31, 2013

Why fish is so good for you

Scientists have discovered that omega-3 fatty acids found in fish can help lower blood pressure. The 'SLO1' potassium channel plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of these fatty acids. When administered to mice, DHA expanded blood vessels and decreased blood pressure, but this effect was blocked when the SLO1 channel was not present.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 5, 2013

How to make customers happy

Researchers found that customers' perceptions of call center performance are not influenced by location or accent, but rather by the agent's customer orientation. The study recommends companies prioritize this aspect when recruiting staff, regardless of location.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalInternational Business Review·DateApr 5, 2012

Poisonous morning hygiene

Scientists discover that microalgae produce biogenic cyanogen bromide to control competing organisms in the ocean ground. This toxic chemical helps diatoms grow and thrive by eliminating direct competitors for light and space. Researchers are now investigating why the poison doesn't harm the producing algae themselves.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 30, 2012

Prejudices? Quite normal!

Research from Jena University reveals that prejudice development peaks between 5-7 years of age, but well-designed prevention programs can effectively reduce biases. The study highlights the importance of diverse contacts in reducing sweeping generalizations and discrimination, especially for children from social minorities.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalChild Development·DateJan 27, 2012

Nanocrystals make dentures shine

Researchers from Jena University developed a new type of glass ceramic that can be used in dentistry due to its high strength and optical characteristics. The material, which is composed of nanocrystals, achieves a strength five times higher than comparable denture ceramics available today.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalJournal of Biomedical Materials Research·DateJan 5, 2012

How to unbalance nothingness

Researchers from Jena and Graz calculated the time evolution of the vacuum decay, revealing that particles of matter and antimatter behave in a novel self-focusing way. This breakthrough increases the possibility of discovering these particles in super strong electric fields.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 28, 2011