A new integrated isotope study reveals that environmental conditions, rather than human selection, drove the initial increase in cereal grain size in southwest Asia around 11,000 years ago. The research found that larger grains grew under wetter conditions, while smaller wild-sized grains grew under drier conditions.
The European Union has selected Kiel, Brest and Split as the new ambassadors for science in 2026, with a focus on promoting innovation and research. The cities will receive 6 million euros in funding to organize various events and activities aimed at strengthening trust in research and making scientific discoveries accessible to citizens.
Researchers at Kiel University discovered that porpoises and sand eels create shallow pits in the North Sea seafloor when hunting for buried sand eels. The findings have significant global implications, suggesting that scouring of sediments by vertebrates could modulate the seafloor on a global scale.
Researchers at Kiel University modelled various storm surge and sea level rise scenarios to assess the effectiveness of dike lines and managed realignment. They found that current defence lines are insufficient to withstand sea level rise, but managed realignment could provide greater protection when combined with raising existing dikes.
Researchers at Kiel University developed a new method to study bacteria using microscopy and metabolomics, revealing insights into chemical communication between microbes and their hosts. The method allows for the simultaneous identification of individual bacteria and analysis of metabolites without laboratory cultivation.
A new study reveals that artificial rocks from macroplastics, known as plastiglomerates, pose a significant environmental risk to coastal ecosystems. These 'rocks' are made up of plastic waste held together by coral fragments and can release toxic pollutants into the environment.
Kiel University is the only German institution to receive funding from the European Commission's largest program for postdoctoral researchers. The university will offer a 2.3 million euro-funded 'Kiel Training for Excellence' career development program, which aims to attract and develop international talents.
Researchers reconstruct link between ocean warming and shift to smaller fish species using sediment samples from the Humboldt Current System. The study finds that warmer temperatures lead to a dominance of smaller, goby-like fish, pushing back important food fish like anchovies.
An interdisciplinary research team at Kiel University has produced a highly conductive hydrogel that retains its elasticity, suitable for medical implants. The innovative production method uses graphene to achieve high electrical conductivity while maintaining the original mechanical properties.
Researchers explore how standardized visualization influences our understanding of the world, linking material culture to brain development and social power dynamics. The study spans prehistoric societies to contemporary digital technologies, examining the role of reification in shaping our vision.
Scientists from Chinese and German institutions report on time-resolved measurements of lunar surface radiation, revealing an equivalent dose rate of about 60 microsieverts per hour. This poses considerable exposure for humans, highlighting the need for shielding during long-term moon stays.
Researchers at Kiel University found that neglected magnetic interactions play a key role in stabilizing skyrmions, increasing their lifetime and opening up new material systems. The discovery could enhance the stability of skyrmions, enabling their use in future electronic devices and data storage concepts.
Researchers have developed a new tool to simulate electron-light interactions with unprecedented accuracy, enabling the study of ultra-fast processes and complex dynamics. The breakthrough, led by Professor Nahid Talebi, combines Maxwell and Schrödinger equations to describe electron-light interactions beyond adiabatic approximations.
Researchers at Kiel University have observed rapid electronic changes in tungsten ditelluride using laser pulses, which could enable ultra-fast optoelectronic switches. The team used time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy to visualize the changes in the material's electronic structure, revealing new insights into its unusual properties.
A research team of physicists and chemists from Kiel University mimicked self-assembly processes to fabricate various patterns of controllable sizes, including the largest structures reported so far. They developed a model of intermolecular forces driving the self-assembly, enabling control over pattern size.
Researchers at Kiel University have created a new simulation method that enables fast calculations of many-body quantum dynamics, saving computer time by up to 10,000 times. This breakthrough allows for simulations of complex quantum systems, such as molecules and solids, with unprecedented accuracy.
A study by Kiel University researchers has identified a consistent counterclockwise deviation in the orientation of newly built Early Neolithic houses in Central and Eastern Europe. The finding is attributed to the phenomenon known as pseudo-neglect, where humans tend to prefer their left visual field.
A team of researchers from Kiel University has developed more stable spin states in molecules, enabling potential applications in computing and data storage. The newly created compounds feature three properties that are coupled together to create a self-assembling switch, revolutionizing the field of molecular spintronics.
Researchers at Kiel University successfully measured entropy in complex plasmas using video microscopy and laser technology. They found that the thermodynamic fundamentals are fulfilled, leading to new insights into strongly coupled systems.
A new study using satellite data from the European Space Agency has provided unprecedented insights into the deep structure of Antarctica. The researchers used special gradient data to analyze the lithosphere, which consists of the crust and the earth's upper mantle below the frozen continent.
Researchers from Kiel and Copenhagen developed a new computational model to simulate the detailed behavior of electrons in graphene nanoribbons. The model predicts that correlation effects due to electron repulsion have a dramatic influence on local energy spectrum, enabling precise control over electronic properties.
Researchers from Kiel University found that the invasive American slipper limpet is not the main cause of European oyster population decline in the North Sea. The study analyzed historical collections of both species and revealed that the decline began in the late 19th century, before the limpet's introduction.
Marine researchers investigated adaptability of marine organisms to highly acidified seawater after earthquake and typhoon hit a volcanic island. Organisms were able to adapt to changes in biogeochemistry, providing insights into effects of ocean acidification on marine communities.
Researchers discovered a tripartite relationship between sponges, bacteria, and bacteriophages, where viruses protect bacteria from being digested. The study found that sponge viruses have unique functions and may enable symbiotic co-existence between hosts and microbes.
A comparative microbiome study has identified significant differences in the composition of microbial communities between aquatic and terrestrial organisms. The researchers suggest that microorganisms may have played a key role in the evolutionary transition from purely aquatic life to life on land.
Researchers from Kiel University discovered a complex interplay of factors influencing pollen adhesion to surfaces. They found that pollen's adhesive properties change depending on the duration of contact and microstructure of the surface, providing new insights into coating processes and transporting medicinal substances.
A team of Kiel University chemists built the first artificial molecular assembler, which uses light as the energy source. The system combines selective binding, accurate positioning, and active release of the product, solving the 'sticky fingers' problem.
A team of scientists from Kiel University and Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology applied the neutral metaorganism theory to various model organisms. The study found that the predicted microbial community compositions matched experimental data for many organisms, suggesting a possible lesser role for selection in shaping micr...
A study reveals that pastoralists in ancient Eurasia adopted agricultural products through trade and social networks, driving changes in dietary dynamics. The shift occurred around the transition to the Iron Age, coinciding with the expansion of trans-regional networks and complex political structures.
A Kiel University team proposes that over-fed bacteria disrupt the human microbiome, leading to disease development. The researchers suggest that an unnatural nutrient supply decouples bacteria from their host organisms, promoting disease growth.
Researchers at Kiel University have discovered a new effect where energetic plasma ions can excite electrons in solids, leading to the formation of so-called doublons. This effect has potential applications in nanoelectronics and optical lattices.
Researchers at Kiel University will develop next-generation gene therapies for cardiovascular disease using AAV vectors, aiming to improve treatment approaches and reduce vascular inflammation in conditions like atherosclerosis. The project aims to translate experimental treatments into clinical applications.
A team from Kiel University has developed an ultrafast camera system that films the motion of electrons in solids. The camera, which operates at a temporal resolution of 13 femtoseconds, allows researchers to study fundamental processes involved in the conversion of light energy into electricity.
Researchers at Kiel University developed a new computer simulations method to accurately describe dynamic properties of warm dense matter. The study provides unique insights into the behavior of electrons under extreme conditions.
A Kiel-based study reveals that 49 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Mediterranean are at risk due to sea-level rise and storm surges. The sites face increased flood risk of up to 50% and erosion risk of up to 13% by 2100, according to a spatial database and model simulations.
A research team from Kiel University has developed a method to boost the adhesive effect of silicone materials by combining surface structuring with plasma treatment. They found that surfaces with a mushroom-like microstructure exhibit significantly improved adhesion, even when bent to varying degrees. This breakthrough could enable ne...
Researchers found that specialized buildings regularly featured in the world's earliest agricultural villages, providing a focal point for everyday activities and facilitating social interaction among community members. The study suggests that these architectural features helped shape human interaction during a period of significant so...
Researchers at Kiel University developed a novel computer simulation technique to predict electron behavior under extreme conditions, providing the first exact data on thermodynamic properties. The results allow for benchmarking and improving previous models, paving the way for advancements in materials science and quantum physics.
A researcher is exploring the emergence, transmission, and intensification of mobile pastoralism across the Eurasian steppe. The project will analyze human and animal bones, teeth, pottery, and other remains to understand how people relied on sheep, goats, cattle, and horses for food.
A research team from Kiel University has successfully placed a new class of spin-crossover molecules onto a surface and improved their storage capacity. The result could theoretically increase the storage density of conventional hard drives by more than one hundred fold, enabling data carriers to be made significantly smaller.
Scientists from Kiel University and University of Trento create stable 3D network of carbon nanotubes using wet chemical infiltration process. The method retains beneficial properties of CNTs, enabling applications in battery technology, medical implants, sensors, and electronic components.
Research at Kiel University has discovered that the bacterial colonization of the intestine controls peristaltic functions. The study found that only a balanced microbiome can regulate tissue contractions, with certain molecules secreted by bacteria intervening in the control mechanism.
Researchers from Kiel University discovered that small molecules secreted by nerve cells influence the composition and colonization of specific types of beneficial bacteria in Hydra. The study found that these neuropeptides have antibacterial activity, which affects the balance of the microbiome.
The 'Keep Control' project aims to improve understanding and diagnosis of balance and gait deficits in older adults, with a focus on developing innovative treatment options. The initiative, coordinated by Kiel University, brings together experts from Europe to enhance diagnosis and therapy for fall-prone individuals.
Scientists developed a bioinspired adhesive material that can be controlled remotely by UV light, transporting micro-objects with high precision. The material consists of mushroom-shaped adhesive microstructures and elastic porous material, allowing for reversible control and detachment.
Four Kiel University instruments will measure electrons, protons and ions in the Solar Orbiter space probe. The instruments passed tests with flying colours, providing valuable insights into sun particle radiation and its effect on Earth.
The Kiel research team has developed a process called nanoscale-sculpturing, which allows metals like aluminium and titanium to be permanently joined with almost any surface. This enables the creation of water-repellent surfaces and improves biocompatibility for medical implants.
Researchers at Kiel University have identified natural proteins that can disrupt bacterial communication and prevent biofilm formation. These 'molecular troublemakers' have potential applications in medicine and biotechnology, particularly against antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
Kiel researchers found that the stiffness of a male beetle's penis is crucial for successful mating, as the female's spiral-shaped reproductive organ makes penetration difficult. The study suggests that males with softer tips may have an advantage in mating.
Researchers at Kiel University discovered primordial cancer in a primitive animal, Hydra, which provides crucial information to understand complex problems like cancer. The study confirms that tumours exist in evolutionary old animals and affect only female Hydra polyps, resembling ovarian cancers in humans.