Physicists compare black hole shadow images to alternative theories of gravity, showing differences in extreme cosmic objects. High-resolution measurements could test Einstein's theory and confirm or refute exotic possibilities.
A new research project at Goethe University Frankfurt aims to shed light on the molecular pathways of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) in cardiovascular diseases. The project will search for transmembrane proteins that bind to EETs and mediate their effects, with potential implications for developing new classes of drugs.
In Oman, a significant decline in birth rates since the 1970s is observed due to shifting marriage practices and gender roles. The research reveals nuanced changes in values surrounding birth control and family planning over several generations.
The new German center, Instruct-DE, joins pan-European distributed research infrastructure Instruct-ERIC to make high-end technologies freely available to researchers across Europe. Partner institutions include top-tier German research centers, enhancing European collaboration in structural biology.
The Global Tipping Points Report 2025 reveals that the world has crossed its first climate tipping point, with devastating consequences for coral reefs and potential sea level rise. The report warns of further tipping points in systems such as the Amazon rainforest and Atlantic Ocean circulation.
A new pilot project by Frankfurt University Medicine and Münster University Hospital has shown that deep brain stimulation can significantly reduce stuttering frequency and severity. The treatment, which involves implanting a thin wire into the left thalamus of the brain, was found to decrease stuttering by 46% in one patient.
A researcher is exploring the hidden functions of vascular-neuronal interfaces to uncover how blood vessels influence brain development and connectivity. The study aims to develop new therapeutic strategies for diseases caused by disrupted communication between blood vessels and neurons.
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt used complex simulations to study the origin of powerful jets emitted by black holes. They discovered that magnetic reconnection is involved in extracting rotational energy and powering these jets.
Genomic imprinting discovered by Davor Solter and Azim Surani reveals maternal chromosomes contribute essential information missing in paternal chromosomes. This phenomenon, coined genomic imprinting, involves tiny methyl groups attached to DNA's four bases regulating fetal growth and development.
The European Network on Regional Labour Market Monitoring explores foresight methods to improve forecasting accuracy, given the speed of change in regional labour markets. The network's annual conference brings together international researchers, consultants, and practitioners to exchange insights and share knowledge.
Five new professors join Goethe University's C3S, focusing on biodiversity modeling, socioeconomic drivers of climate change, data surveillance, critical computational literacy, and the normative constitution of computation. Hagen, Linsenmeier, Akbari, Verständig, and Müller-Mall bring fresh momentum to the center.
Researchers Jeremy McCormack and Andrei Kuzhelev at Goethe University are investigating the reasons behind prehistoric shark extinctions using new isotopic analysis methods. They also develop a novel nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy technique to study large biomolecules.
A new bioinformatics-based method, fDOG, has been developed to search for genes with certain functions, including those involved in plant cell wall degradation. The study reveals a detailed global map of enzymes capable of degrading plant cell walls, with surprising discoveries among fungi and animals.
Scientists at Goethe University Frankfurt have directly measured the correlated zero-point motion of a molecule's atoms for the first time, revealing complex patterns of vibrational modes. The experiment uses Coulomb Explosion Imaging to generate high-resolution images of the molecule's structure.
The new LOEWE Center “DynaRel” investigates ambivalent neighborhoods between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in historical and contemporary contexts. The LOEWE Research Cluster “Lipid Space” aims to understand the role of lipids in tissue self-regulation and their potential targets for novel therapeutics.
The University Library Johann Christian Senckenberg in Frankfurt has completed its first provenance research project, identifying a significant number of books looted from Jewish owners during the Nazi era. The project reveals that around one-third of pre-1945 books in the library's collection were confiscated under Nazi rule.
Researchers will examine forensic methods, aesthetic practices, and issues of restitution in the context of archival investigation. They will explore how to critically engage with archives of colonial and political violence.
A new study from Goethe University confirms that climate change and extreme weather events are devastating amphibian diversity. Analysis of global weather data reveals a direct connection between increased heat waves, droughts, and declining salamander populations.
The university successfully secured funding for two new clusters, SCALE and CPI, which will focus on understanding cellular architecture and cardiovascular diseases. The clusters aim to pioneer new paths in medicine through innovative research.
New research finds megalodon preyed upon a variety of species, including fish, sharks, and even crustaceans, contrary to the long-held belief that it targeted large marine mammals. The discovery was made by analyzing zinc isotopes in fossilized teeth, providing insights into the prehistoric shark's ecological versatility.
Nico Wunderling joins the Center for Critical Computational Studies (C3S) to investigate global warming's impact on planetary stability. He focuses on the Amazon rainforest and its biodiversity under climate change pressures.
A team of researchers from Goethe University and Kiel University has discovered a way to prevent the formation of harmful protein aggregates in cultured cells. The study found that linking TDP-43 with SUMO prevents its aggregation, suggesting a potential new approach for treating ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers from Goethe University Frankfurt and LEIZA aim to analyze 4,000 stamped bricks from the Roman period to gain insights into brick production and use in ancient Trier. The study may reveal previously unknown construction projects and provide a model for integrating archaeological and archaeometric methodologies.
The university has approved two new research units: one focusing on power and abuse in the Roman Catholic Church, and another exploring premodern Christian diversity. These initiatives will intensify research on topics such as vulnerability, systemic conditions, and theological foundations of power imbalances.
The Future Factory aims to strengthen the link between academic research, education, and entrepreneurial practice in the Rhine-Main region. With four universities and Futury launching the initiative, startups can access leading industry networks, capital, and expert coaching.
A 30-meter sediment core from the Great Blue Hole in Belize provides the longest recorded storm frequency data for the Atlantic, with 574 storm events over 5,700 years. The research reveals a steady increase in tropical storms and hurricanes in the southwestern Caribbean due to climate change.
An international team of scientists has molecularly decoded blood stem cell differentiation pathways using state-of-the-art sequencing methods. They identified a crucial surface protein, PD-L2, which suppresses the immune response by preventing T cell activation and release of inflammatory substances.
Ancient bacteria can respire carbon dioxide and hydrogen into acetic acid to produce ATP. A new mechanism involving sodium ions is activated when acetic acid is produced, driving a molecular turbine that generates energy.
Researchers used X-ray light to analyze the structure of 2-thiouracil, a substance with medically relevant properties. The study found that UV radiation causes the molecule to bend, resulting in the protrusion of the sulfur atom and making it reactive.
The university plans to recruit an outstanding researcher for a professorship focused on psychoanalytical approaches, combining psychology and social sciences. This will enable exploration of new research fields and innovative combinations of expertise between Goethe University's Faculty of Psychology and Sports Sciences and Sigmund Fr...
Goethe University has joined Bluesky as a central social media communications channel to promote university life, research, and career opportunities. The move aims to escape problematic communication practices on X (formerly Twitter), favoring fact-based cooperation and democratic discourse.
A new survey will examine the experiences of 100,000 people in German cities, focusing on perceived 'foreign' individuals who face increased police checks. The study aims to understand racism and discrimination in police work, complemented by qualitative interviews with police officers and civil society groups.
Researchers have discovered a strong connection between the long ringdown phase of post-merger gravitational waves and the properties of dense regions in neutron-star cores. Analyzing this phase can significantly reduce uncertainties in the equation of state at very high densities, shedding light on what neutron stars are made of.
The EXIST Women program aims to promote start-ups in the Rhine-Main region by supporting female founders. The program offers individual coaching, mentoring, and a strong network, as well as financial support of up to €3,000 per month. Participants benefit from workshops and coaching sessions that strengthen their entrepreneurial skills.
The study analyzed material from asteroid Bennu, finding evidence of building blocks of life, water, and energy. The team also discovered evaporites, which have been found on Earth in dried-out salt lakes, providing insights into the asteroid's formation.
Tobias Ackels' research reveals that mammals can differentiate between odor sources at lightning speed, using a temporal dimension to orient themselves in space. This ability is encoded in the output of the olfactory bulb and could be used for early detection of dementia.
The EHT Collaboration unveils a new analysis of the supermassive black hole at the heart of galaxy M87, combining observations from 2017 and 2018. The study confirms the presence of a luminous ring with a shifted brightest region, indicating turbulent accretion disk dynamics.
Goethe University has established a new professorship in experimental physics, solid-state physicist Olena Fedchenko has been appointed to the position. The professorship was made possible by Gisela Eckhardt's €11.5 million bequest.
Kevin Bauer's new professorship at Goethe University Frankfurt aims to understand human-machine interaction and promote responsible AI research. His research focuses on the psychological and organizational factors determining the efficiency and quality of collaboration between humans and machines.
Goethe University Frankfurt and over 60 German institutions have withdrawn from X, citing the platform's disfavor towards democratic voices and manipulation of content for Elon Musk's worldview. The universities now prioritize fact-based knowledge and democratic values on alternative platforms.
Scientists at Goethe University Frankfurt have discovered a new way to tailor natural killer cells to target leukemia cells, improving their efficacy. The researchers used CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to disable an immune checkpoint, allowing the modified cells to attack cancer cells more effectively.
The CEDITRAA project investigates the impact of digitalization on cultural production, focusing on Asia and Africa. It explores how platforms like TikTok shape cultural formats and how globally active online communities emerge in music production.
The Amazon rainforest is a significant source of condensation nuclei for clouds, according to two studies. The rainforest's plant transpiration and thunderstorms produce aerosol particles that can be transported thousands of kilometers, influencing marine cloud formation.
Goethe University has awarded two prizes, 'Public Service Fellowship' to human geographer Martin Lanzendorf and 'New Horizon' to the Science Garden team, recognizing their commitment to sustainability and social impact. The prizes are intended to motivate university employees and focus attention on important topics.
A new professorship in suicide studies and prevention has been established at Goethe University Frankfurt, led by Dr. Ute Lewitzka. The goal is to develop effective preventive measures through systematic tracking and analysis of suicide attempts and suicides.
The Goethe University Frankfurt has awarded 600 new Deutschlandstipendium scholarships, increasing the number of scholarship holders by 50 from last year. The scholarships provide a monthly stipend of €300 for up to two years, allowing students to focus on their studies.
A team of researchers has identified a mechanism that interferes with the splicing process in a more subtle way, leading to cell death. The study reveals that spliceosome subunits U4, U5, and U6 are normally stabilized by protein USP39, but when mutated or absent, stability is compromised, causing incorrect connections during splicing.
Researchers have discovered a mechanism to detach and recycle parts of cellular canal membranes as needed. The study, conducted with supercomputer simulations, shows that protein regions can cause the membrane to bulge and pinch off, forming vesicles for recycling.
Achim Geisenhanslüke's project investigates the concept of rhythm in poetry, combining systematic and historical analysis with concrete manifestations from modernity to present day. The research focuses on rhythm as a dynamic, form-in-motion aspect of poetic speech.
A new mechanism has been found by which tumor cells escape the immune system, involving a protein called IRGQ. Studies have shown that suppressing IRGQ can trigger a stronger immune response against cancer cells, leading to improved survival rates in liver cancer patients.