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Helmholtz Association


Seismic gap outside of Istanbul

Researchers have identified a 30km-long fault zone near Istanbul as a potential starting point for a strong earthquake. The area, located just 15-20km from the historic city center, has shown no seismic activity in recent years.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 18, 2013

Water is no lubricant

Researchers used the Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometer to examine the role of water in single olivine crystals at the near-atomic scale. The study found that water has a much lower effect on the mechanical weakening of olivine, challenging earlier concepts about its lubricating properties.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNature·DateJun 12, 2013

Laser-brightened cirrus clouds

Researchers used laser light pulses to study aerosol and cloud processes in atmospheric conditions. The results show that high-intensity laser pulses can increase the number of ice particles in cirrus clouds by up to a factor of 100 within seconds, intensifying their optical density and making them appear brighter.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 5, 2013

Galactic knee and extragalactic ankle

The KASCADE-Grande experiment detected a bend in the energy spectrum of high-energy cosmic rays at different energies for light and heavy particles. The study reveals a flattening of the spectrum beyond the knee, indicating extragalactic acceleration, with the ankle structure appearing first in light primary particles.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalPhysical Review D·DateJun 3, 2013

Proteins in migration

Scientists develop new animal model to study Parkinson's disease, tracing protein spreading in brain regions. The experiment reveals clues on mechanisms underlying pathological progression.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·DateMay 24, 2013

Researcher construct invisibility cloak for thermal flow

Scientists at KIT successfully demonstrated a method to influence the propagation of heat around objects by using specially arranged materials. By creating an annular structure with copper and silicon, they can control how heat flows around hidden areas, making it ideal for applications such as microchips and machines.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 8, 2013

MDC and FMP researchers identify edema inhibitor

Researchers have identified a substance that prevents fluid accumulation and edema formation in the body, offering new hope for treating excessive fluid retention in patients with chronic heart failure. The discovery also reveals a new molecular mechanism controlling water homeostasis in the kidneys.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateApr 5, 2013

Light tsunami in a superconductor

Scientists have successfully controlled the flow of electrons within layers of a superconductor using terahertz flashes. This technique enables precise switching on and off of superconductivity, paving the way for new applications in information processing.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNature Materials·DateApr 3, 2013

Transmission routes of spreading protein particles

Researchers found that certain protein particles can multiply and spread from one cell to the next, contributing to the development of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. This discovery may lead to new methods for treatment by preventing the spreading of disease-related protein particles.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 27, 2013

New insights into the development of the heart

Studies on zebrafish embryos reveal that the protein Nodal triggers a signaling cascade, allowing cardiac progenitor cells to migrate faster and form an asymmetric heart. The research also shows that another signaling molecule, Bmp, reduces cell migration on the left side of the heart.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateMar 26, 2013

Extreme water

A team of researchers studied water under extreme conditions, discovering its structure transforms from ordered to disordered at supercritical temperatures. This knowledge provides an improved estimate of water's behavior during geochemical and geological processes.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 13, 2013

'Healthier hormones' through diet and exercise

A study of 439 overweight postmenopausal women found that weight loss and physical activity lower the risk of breast, colorectal, and cervical cancers. Adiponectin levels increased with weight loss, while leptin levels decreased, suggesting a protective effect against tumor cell growth.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalJournal of Internal Medicine·DateMar 6, 2013

Light from silicon nanocrystal LEDs

Researchers from KIT and the University of Toronto have successfully manufactured highly efficient light-emitting diodes using silicon nanocrystals. The SiLEDs can produce light in various colors and have a surprising long-term stability, making them an attractive alternative to existing LEDs.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNano Letters·DateFeb 22, 2013

Titanium dioxide nanoreactor

Researchers at Helmholtz Centre Berlin have developed a method for producing titanium dioxide nanoparticles at room temperature in a polymer network. The analysis showed that the nanoparticles are homogeneously distributed over the polymeric nanoreactors and have a crystalline structure, enabling their use as catalysts.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNano Letters·DateFeb 21, 2013

Dickkopf makes fountain of youth in the brain run dry

A team of scientists from the German Cancer Research Center has discovered that silencing Dickkopf-1, a signaling molecule that promotes age-related cognitive decline, leads to increased neurogenesis in the hippocampus. This results in improved spatial orientation and memory performance in mice, even in advanced adult age.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateFeb 7, 2013

RNA promotes metastasis in lung cancer

Researchers discovered that long non-coding RNA MALAT1 regulates genes involved in metastasis, leading to impaired mobility and tumor growth. By silencing MALAT1, the team found reduced metastasis formation in mice, opening a promising approach for lung cancer treatment.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalCancer Research·DateFeb 5, 2013