A study by LMU Munich microbiologists identified an enzyme crucial for Helicobacter pylori's ability to regulate gene expression and adapt to its environment. The discovery sheds light on the bacterium's genetic diversity and its impact on human health, including the development of stomach cancer.
Researchers have taken snapshots of how C60 carbon molecules react to extremely short pulses of intense infrared light, transforming its shape from round to elongated. The findings may lead to new applications in ultrafast, light-controlled electronics.
A team of researchers from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München conducted a study on human perception and behavior towards robots. They found that when robots are humanized through anthropomorphic features, participants are less likely to sacrifice them to save human lives.
Researchers introduce a new approach to analyzing genome content in animals, resolving long-standing debates about the origin and development of tissues and organ systems. The method yields consistent results with classical views of animal phylogeny, shedding light on early evolutionary history.
Researchers at LMU Munich develop a novel enhancement resonator to generate ultrafast laser pulses, enabling the characterization of multidimensional electron motions in weeks instead of months. The technique opens new opportunities for investigating local electric fields in nanostructures.
Researchers have identified midkine as a key driver of inflammation in the heart muscle that can lead to heart failure in patients with myocarditis. The study found that inhibiting midkine reduced neutrophil infiltration and improved heart function.
A team of researchers has identified a mechanism that contributes to the degeneration of axons in multiple sclerosis, leading to permanent neurological deficits. They found that minuscule ruptures in the cell membrane allow calcium ions to enter the neuron, disrupting its balance and ultimately killing it.
Researchers at LMU Munich have successfully generated dissipative solitons in passive free-space resonators, a breakthrough that enables the compression of laser pulses while increasing their peak power. This technique opens up new avenues for exploring ultrafast dynamics and precision spectroscopy.
Researchers at LMU München developed a molecular motor that can rotate unidirectionally in response to external energy input and is independent of temperature. The new motor's unique behavior allows it to rotate faster at lower temperatures, extending its potential applications.
A team of researchers has discovered a novel protein called Phaser that neatly arranges nucleosomes in the fruit fly genome. This finding sheds new light on how gene regulation is controlled, and could have important implications for our understanding of human disease.
A study of Russian cosmonauts reveals that space travel alters the brain's tissue volume, particularly in grey and cerebrospinal fluid areas. Changes persist for at least six months after returning to Earth, with potential implications for cognition and vision.
A study published in Nature Scientific Reports found that our sense of touch provides a sense of certainty and gives us a tighter grip on reality when faced with ambiguous information. This is contrary to the assumption that touch has no intrinsic superiority over other senses.
Scientists have discovered that DNA packaging proteins play a central role in the parasite's ability to alter its surface coat protein, enabling it to evade the host's immune system. This process, known as antigenic variation, allows trypanosomes to stay one step ahead of the game and establish long-term infections.
Researchers found that information on support services was significantly more likely to be displayed in English-speaking countries. The study uncovered striking differences not only between countries but also within countries with multiple officially recognized languages.
Researchers have used a novel fluorescence-based imaging technique to track shape changes in pore proteins that export molecules into the extracellular medium. The study provides insights into the mechanisms underlying protein function and could lead to new therapeutic opportunities for disorders such as cystic fibrosis.
Theoretical analyses show that different motor proteins moving on the same filament can block each other's motion, leading to patterned distributions and emergent topological hindrance. This phenomenon was not previously modeled, but is now understood through a new theoretical model developed by LMU physicists.
A team of researchers has characterized the fates of individual phagocytes in the central nervous system, revealing that they can switch between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory phenotypes. This discovery sheds light on the complex role of mononuclear phagocytes in neuroinflammatory diseases, such as multiple sclerosis.
Researchers at LMU and Würzburg have successfully demonstrated the complete splitting of water into hydrogen fuel and oxygen using an all-in-one catalytic system. The new system, which mimics biological photosynthesis, enables the efficient generation of oxygen while minimizing damage to the nanorods.
A new study reveals that c-MYC induces the production of a transcription factor, increasing the numbers of stem cells in the intestinal epithelium and contributing to adenoma formation. The loss of Ap4 protein leads to reduced tumors and longer survival, indicating its role in controlling intestinal homeostasis.
A study published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology reveals that the Arp8 module of the INO80 complex serves as a linker DNA sensor driving chromatin remodelling. This process enables gene expression adaptations by stimulating nucleosome repositioning, which has implications for cancer therapy.
Researchers developed a model explaining how the plane of cell division is specified in bacteria Myxococcus xanthus. The critical component PomZ proteins bind to DNA and recruit a cluster, then detach and diffuse, tethering it to the nucleoid. This system ensures accurate division by balancing forces and thermal fluctuations.
Researchers have designed and synthesized a molecular structure featuring a helical binding pocket that selectively captures xylobiose, a disaccharide class of carbohydrates. The molecule's synthesis and characterization were published in Angewandte Chemie, with the journal editors rating it as 'very important.'
Scientists at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München have created novel DNA aptamers that enable the use of smaller fluorescent labels in super-resolution microscopy. This breakthrough allows for high-resolution imaging of protein networks within individual cells, paving the way for new insights into biological processes.
Researchers have developed a more sensitive single-cell RNA sequencing method, mcSCRB-seq, to analyze the functional state of individual cells. This technique provides a molecular fingerprint of each cell's mRNA population, revealing its protein-making capacity and gene regulation.
A team of researchers has discovered a new species of Placozoa, a phylum of simple multicellular animals, by analyzing its genetic makeup. The study, published in PLOS Biology, used taxogenomics to describe the new species, which was previously thought to be a single species, Trichoplax adhaerens.
A study led by LMU researchers confirms the presence of magnetic particles in human brains, with striking asymmetry in their distribution. The particles were primarily found in the cerebellum and brainstem, but their chemical nature remains unknown.
Researchers discovered that afferent nerves from transplanted otic placodes form functional connections with the brainstem, allowing them to reach their target cells. The study found that these neurons rely on diffusible molecules and other guidance mechanisms to navigate the hindbrain.
A new study explores how gender impacts the impostor syndrome, finding that women tend to redouble their efforts despite negative feedback. Men who feel like impostors react more negatively to criticism and performance evaluation.
Researchers have identified a europium-containing enzyme in Methylacidiphilum fumariolicum SolV, which is essential for the bacterium's growth and catalyzes methanol conversion. The study reveals that the type of rare earth element bound affects enzyme activity.
Late-stage assembly intermediates of the human small ribosomal subunit have been structurally characterized, revealing detailed insights into their maturation principles. The findings suggest that the assembly sequence is controlled by biogenesis factors and involves several defined steps.
A study has found that circadian rhythms influence atherosclerosis, a condition leading to heart attacks and strokes. The researchers identified the molecular mechanism controlling rhythmic arterial leukocyte migration and developed a targeted therapy to stop its recruitment in atherosclerotic areas.
A comparative study of 37 plant genomes reveals that the capacity to form root-nodule partnerships has repeatedly been lost during evolution. Despite providing fixed nitrogen, these symbioses no longer benefit many plants due to parasitic bacteria invasion or other factors.
Early-stage colon cancers can be surgically removed but later stages require targeted treatments. Researchers discovered that colon cancers are composed of two different cell types with the ability to replace each other after one is killed.
Cancer cells express specific sugar receptors that can be targeted for better drug delivery. Researchers are developing nanocarrier formulations to accumulate in tumor sites and minimize side effects.
Researchers use DNA-PAINT technique to visualize individual strands in DNA origami nanostructures, revealing the robustness of assembly and incorporation efficiency of staple strands. The results show that variations in structure formation speed have little influence on overall quality, but some sites remain unoccupied.
Researchers develop powerful femtosecond light source for mid-infrared spectroscopy, enabling detection of organic molecules at low concentrations. The system uses coherent light to reveal molecular fingerprints and diagnose diseases like cancer at early stages.
Researchers at LMU have found a novel effect in optical excitation of charge carriers in solar semiconductors, enabling more efficient conversion of infrared light into electrical power. The discovery involves resonances between light overtones and excitonic band-gaps, offering new avenues for solar cell innovation.
The hemithioindigo-based molecular motor exhibits unidirectional rotational motion about a specific chemical bond when exposed to light. The team has characterized the dynamics of unidirectional rotation in the motor using ultrafast spectroscopic techniques and quantum mechanical calculations.
A new study by LMU researchers reveals that the aggregation of FUS protein is a central component of ALS and FTD. In healthy nerve cells, FUS is transported into the nucleus where it regulates DNA and RNA processing, but in neurons affected by ALS and FTD, its transport is compromised, leading to cytoplasmic aggregation.
Researchers have developed a model that explains how biological patterns can form and maintain stability even when protein concentrations are altered. The Min system, used to study cell division, has been found to use a conformational switch in the MinE protein to achieve robustness.
Researchers have discovered three new species of chameleons in Madagascar, showcasing the island's extraordinary biodiversity. The newly found Calumma uetzi features vibrant display colors when males interact with females, while a second species, Calumma juliae, is found only in a protected forest fragment under threat from deforestation.
Researchers develop a model that explains how microtubule lengths are regulated by motor proteins and resources. The study found that when resources are limited, microtubules can exhibit bistability, resulting in two distinct lengths, which is relevant to cell migration and division.
Researchers at LMU München have developed a synthetic DNA sequence that can inhibit the activities of several DNA-processing enzymes, including HIV integrase. The artificial DNA mimic successfully competes with its natural counterpart, demonstrating potential for new treatments of retroviral diseases.
A study has characterized the physical mechanism that enables a widespread bacterial pathogen to adhere to human host tissues. The researchers used atomic force microscopy and molecular dynamics simulations to reveal a unique cooperation of non-covalent hydrogen bonds in the adhesion process.
The study found that Buša cattle account for a significant proportion of neutral genetic diversity in Bos taurus worldwide. The breed's unique genetic variation makes it an important conservation target for maintaining global genetic and functional diversity.
Researchers found that humans can efficiently localize sounds when moving, using auditory motion parallax to estimate relative distances. This mechanism is particularly useful in noisy environments and allows for improved sound discrimination.
A new study has identified 22 new genetic risk factors for stroke, providing extensive insight into the biology and pathways leading to the disease. The results demonstrate shared genetic influences with multiple related vascular conditions, including blood pressure and coronary artery disease.
Four neuroscientists, including Christian Haass, receive the Brain Prize for their work on the genetic and molecular bases of Alzheimer's disease. Their research has revolutionised understanding of the changes in the brain that lead to Alzheimer's, with potential implications for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
A new study found that the choice of word used in media reports of suicides has a measurable impact on how readers subsequently perceive and evaluate the act. Researchers recommend using the neutral term 'Suizid' to reduce problematic associations. The study's findings highlight the potential role of media in suicide prevention.
Researchers at the Laboratory for Attosecond Physics have successfully observed non-linear interaction of an attosecond pulse with electrons in one of the inner orbital shells around the atomic nucleus. This breakthrough was made possible by the development of a novel source of attosecond pulses.