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Johannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz


Genomes from Zagros mountains reveal different Neolithic ancestry of Europeans & South Asians

A recent study published in Science reveals that populations in the ancient Fertile Crescent are the ancestors of modern-day South Asians, but not of Europeans. The earliest farmers from the Zagros mountains in Iran showed a genetically distinct group that only very distantly related to the first farmers of western Anatolia and Europe.

First code of conduct for the use of virtual reality established

Researchers from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have prepared a list of ethical concerns related to the use of virtual reality (VR). They recommend minimizing risks by providing clear warnings about potential psychological trauma, hallucinations, and unconscious influence. The authors also emphasize the need for regulations regard...

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalFrontiers in Robotics and AI·DateMar 4, 2016

Age of blueschist is not an indicator of the date of emergence of plate tectonics

Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz found that the appearance of blueschist, a blue-violet rock, is connected to long-term changes in the composition of the oceanic crust. This discovery challenges theories on the emergence of plate tectonics, which previously dated back to the Neoproterozoic era or even earlier.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalNature Geoscience·DateDec 14, 2015

Strangled cells condense their DNA

A recent study has shown that when cells are deprived of oxygen and nutrients, their DNA becomes compacted into tight clusters. This dramatic change reduces gene activity and leads to cell shutdown. The discovery may help researchers develop new treatments for diseases such as heart attacks, strokes, and cancer.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalGenome Biology·DateNov 9, 2015

Wood instead of petroleum: Producing chemical substances solely from renewable resources

Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and the University of Alabama have successfully synthesized two complex chemical substances from wood-based starting materials. The new xylochemical synthesis demonstrates a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach to manufacturing everyday products.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateOct 26, 2015

Firstborn, middle child, last-born: Birth order has only very small effects on personality

A study of over 20,000 grown-ups found no substantial effects of birth order on central personality traits, including extraversion, emotional stability, and conscientiousness. Self-reported intellect showed a small effect, with firstborns reporting better vocabulary and less difficulty understanding abstract ideas.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 19, 2015

Hydrogen sulfide loses its electrical resistance under high pressure at minus 70° Celsius

Scientists at Max Planck Institute for Chemistry and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz set a new record for superconductivity by observing conventional superconductivity in hydrogen sulfide at -70 degrees Celsius under high pressure. The discovery highlights a potential way to transport current at room temperature with no loss.