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Goethe University Frankfurt


Geoscience: Cosmic diamonds formed during gigantic planetary collisions

An international research team found large diamonds and nanodiamonds in ureilite meteorites, suggesting they formed through massive impact events rather than continuous pressure in planetary precursors. The discovery challenges existing theories and provides insights into the extreme forces that shaped the early solar system.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 29, 2020

When liver cirrhosis is deadly

Researchers have identified three forms of disease progression for acute decompensated liver cirrhosis, including a high-risk variant that leads to severe organ failure and death. The study provides valuable insights into the pathophysiology of ACLF and lays the groundwork for developing preventive therapies.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalJournal of Hepatology·DateAug 27, 2020

Exact climate data from the past

Researchers have developed a new method for reconstructing past Earth surface temperatures using clumped isotopes. By analyzing the ratio of two rare carbonate groups, scientists can now accurately determine temperature without being influenced by mineralization processes.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 10, 2020

2,000 years of storms in the Caribbean

A 2,000-year sedimentary archive from the Blue Hole in Belize provides insights into climate change and its impact on storms in the Caribbean. The study shows that hurricane activity has increased over the past 1,885 years, with a significant shift in frequency and intensity starting around AD 900.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 22, 2020

Treating leukaemia more effectively

Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt and University of Kent have discovered that the enzyme SAMHD1 can split phosphate groups off nelarabine, making it less effective in B-ALL patients. This breakthrough could lead to more targeted treatment options for individual patients.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalCommunications Biology·DateJun 24, 2020

Envy divides society

A game theoretical study by Claudius Gros shows that envy can lead to the emergence of social classes in a society. The study simulates individual behaviour in a competitive environment, where agents with different skills and opportunities interact.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateJun 17, 2020

How the brain controls our speech

Research at Goethe University Frankfurt reveals that both hemispheres of the brain contribute to speech control, with the left hemisphere handling fast processes and the right hemisphere controlling slower processes. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that the right hemisphere only analyzes spoken words.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 10, 2020

Snapshot of exploding oxygen

Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt have developed a new experimental technique using the European XFEL's powerful laser pulse to 'X-ray' individual oxygen molecules. The resulting images show the atomic structure and fragmentation process of the molecule, providing valuable insights into its behavior.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalPhysical Review X·DateJun 9, 2020

How mistakes help us recognize things

Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt found that mistakes in short-term memory, such as misperceiving the motion direction of dots, contribute to our ability to recognize and integrate visual information over time. This 'blurring' of perception helps us perceive a stable environment despite constant changes.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 28, 2020

New metabolism discovered in bacteria

Researchers at Goethe University discover a unique metabolism in Acetobacterium woodii that enables the bacterium to recycle hydrogen, allowing it to survive in oxygen-poor environments. This discovery has implications for our understanding of ancient life forms and their metabolic capabilities.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalThe ISME Journal·DateMar 30, 2020

Pain in a well-toned body

A study of 865 sports students found that over half experience pain in two or more regions of the body, with frequent depressions, anxiety, and low self-compassion. The lack of attention to physical limitations can lead to chronic pain, emphasizing the need for early discussion and consideration of athletes' health.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalJournal of Sports Science and Medicine·DateMar 23, 2020

How the brain controls the voice

Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt studied brain activity in Seba's short-tailed bats to understand how the brain controls vocalization. They identified a group of nerve cells creating a circuitry from the frontal lobe to the corpus striatum, which fires off rhythmic signals predicting echolocation or communication sounds.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMar 20, 2020

Superfast insights into cellular events

Researchers at Goethe University have developed a new NMR method that allows them to follow tiny structural changes in RNA chains in real-time. This breakthrough enables the study of RNA refolding and its role in regulating transcription processes, which are crucial for cellular functions.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 27, 2020

New metabolic pathway discovered in rumen microbiome

A German-American research team has discovered a new metabolic pathway in the rumen microbiome of ruminants that allows the bacteria to adapt to extreme fluctuations in sodium content. This adaptation enables the production of ATP through two different respiratory circuits, one requiring sodium ions and the other using hydrogen ions.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 8, 2020

Detailed insight into stressed cells

Researchers at Goethe University develop a new method to measure acute cellular stress responses, enabling precise time-resolved measurements of thousands of proteins. This breakthrough opens the door for new therapeutic strategies in diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalMolecular Cell·DateDec 5, 2019

How the Zika virus can spread

Researchers from Goethe University have developed reliable maps predicting the Zika virus transmission risk in South America. The models also indicate a moderate risk in Central America and lowest in southern areas of the continent. Europe is under threat, especially in Mediterranean regions and inland France.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalPeerJ·DateNov 11, 2019

Noninvasive view into the heart

A study by Goethe University Frankfurt has demonstrated the safety and efficacy of non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in guiding therapy decisions for patients with stable chest pain and coronary heart disease. MRI measurements were found to be as safe as cardiac catheterization, with reduced need for invasive procedures.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 24, 2019