A newly discovered protein helps bacteria recognize stress hormones in the human body and direct their motion in the host. The discovery reveals that bacteria use catecholamines as signaling molecules to control their swimming behavior and navigate towards colonizing an organism.
A study published in PLOS Biology reveals that the human brain uses the same neural machinery to resolve social conflicts as it does to resolve internal conflicts. The researchers found that activity in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) is responsible for informational influence, while normative influence is associated with s...
Researchers have discovered how long-term benzodiazepine use damages brain synapses, leading to cognitive decline. Benzodiazepines, commonly used for anxiety and sleep disorders, trigger microglial activation, resulting in the degradation of neural connections.
A study suggests that increased agricultural efficiency could save up to half of current global cropland, leading to reduced prices and increased production. The research found largest land saving potentials in regions with high pressure on land, such as Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Latin America.
A new study in Frontiers in Environmental Science reveals the impact of politics on climate change in Colombia. Deforestation dynamics vary significantly depending on municipality area and region, with coca farming predominating in the Andes and cattle ranching in the Amazon.
A 30-year study reveals that part-time work has contributed to the persistence of the gender wage gap in Western Germany. Women's increasing selection into lower-paid part-time jobs has offset the closing of the gap, widening hourly wage disparities between men and women.
Researchers have discovered that RNA polymerases move along highly expressed genes, forming stiff structures called transcription loops. These loops can be up to 10 micrometers in size and traverse most of the nucleus.
Researchers have discovered that crow sex chromosomes exhibit high transposable element (TE) activity, which may affect the aging process and fitness of female birds. High TE activity on sex chromosomes has been previously found only in the fruit fly, where it accelerates male aging.
A study found that three exposures to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein elicit superior neutralizing immunity against all variants of concern, including Omicron. The immune system's ability to neutralize the virus correlates with antibody binding strength, not just antibody titer.
A team led by Basmah Riaz has detected deuterated methane in three proto-brown dwarfs, indicating a warmer gas composition than expected. This finding suggests that brown dwarfs may not be simply scaled-down versions of stars.
Breathing coordinates neuronal activity throughout the brain during sleep and quiet, enabling memory consolidation and synchronization of brain regions. This novel mechanism, termed 'respiratory corollary discharge', provides a fundamental link between respiratory and limbic circuits.
Researchers identify three key regional factors controlling subduction zone earthquakes and tsunamis. The study's unified model explains the physical processes during a major earthquake and tsunami, accounting for complex fault geometry and rock behavior.
Researchers discover that ion channel TRPML3 plays a key role in regulating MMP12, a molecule that contributes to the development of COPD. Inactivating TRPML3 leads to increased MMP12 levels and lung damage.
A team of scientists analyzed plant family diversification and found it occurred about 20 million years ago, following a global drop in atmospheric CO2. Low CO2 concentrations triggered water loss through stomatal pores, creating an environment favorable to grasslands.
Scientists have developed a new method called Ladder-seq to extract more information from sequencing data. This allows for better understanding of gene expression and its role in diseases.
Researchers create new method to genetically analyze resting CD4+ T cells, allowing targeted modifications and insights into HIV interaction. This enables the investigation of cellular factors playing a role in infection and the development of new therapeutic approaches for eliminating HIV from the body.
Researchers found evidence of lignite smoke inhalation in Bronze Age dental calculus, revealing its early use in kilns. This discovery suggests the Mycenaean Greeks produced high-quality ceramic vessels and bronzes on an industrial scale, with systematic lignite use enabling mass production.
Researchers at LMU developed a new approach to create photoactivatable DNA processing enzymes that can be triggered by UV light pulses. This breakthrough overcomes the limitations of traditional hot-start methods, enabling more precise diagnostics without sacrificing sensitivity.
A molecule found in a nematode worm has shown promise in protecting the brains of stroke patients by reducing cell death and decreasing affected region size. Experimental treatments using glycolic acid have successfully salvaged threatened tissue in animal models, offering potential for reduced mortality and disability in stroke patients.
Researchers discovered peptide bonds can form in liquid sulphur dioxide, a breakthrough for understanding the origin of life. The findings suggest a volcanic environment could have supported peptide formation on early Earth.
Researchers at LMU and MPI-CBG demonstrate that gas bubbles within heated rock pores can facilitate the growth and division of membraneless coacervate microdroplets, potentially driving the evolution of life on Early Earth. The study suggests that these conditions could have led to the emergence of protocells, which are precursors to m...
Researchers at LMU have found a new marker in the blood of Covid-19 patients that correlates with disease severity. Phosphatidylserine levels can potentially trigger inflammatory processes and coagulation disorders, enabling better diagnostics and predicting severe cases.
Researchers discovered Roquin's role in controlling immune cell activation and autoimmunity. Mutations can improve anti-tumor responses.
Researchers have discovered that protein structural dynamics emerged through terminal additions during long-term evolution. This process allowed for diversification of substrate specificity and ligand binding mechanisms, ultimately leading to the emergence of various biological functions.
A study published in iScience reveals that strategic disinformation can outperform honesty in winning over and retaining human clients in a competitive environment. The researchers found that misreporting evidence about facts that clients care about is an effective strategy for social influencers to gain an advantage over their rivals.
LMU scientists create a light-triggered system that produces hydrogen and carbonate, capturing carbon as carbonate without releasing CO2. This process has potential applications in scalable fabrication and could enable carbon-neutral production of hydrogen from low-cost alcohols.
Scientists have identified molecular mechanisms that enable octocorals to maintain calcification under difficult conditions, making them less sensitive to climate change. This resilience could give octocorals a competitive edge over stony corals in the future.
The discovery of insect larvae with elongated appendages and early flying insects shed light on ecology, developmental biology, and the evolutionary history of insects. The findings suggest that lacewings played a more prominent ecological role in the Cretaceous Period and challenge traditional assumptions about developmental constraints.
A study found that COVID-19 decreases dendritic cells in the blood, impairing their ability to stimulate T cells. This could make patients more susceptible to secondary infections during recovery. Despite this, patients still generate antibodies and activate a robust immune response against the virus.
Researchers found promising candidates for a prebiotic evolutionary system with imidazolidine-4-thione organocatalysts. These catalysts can change their composition and catalyze essential reactions, supporting the development of our current biosystem.
Researchers have successfully used photosynthetic micro-organisms to provide oxygen to nerve cells in tadpole brains. This breakthrough demonstrates a novel means of controlling oxygen levels in tissues and has potential applications in cell culture and organ research.
Researchers at LMU have identified a new silencing factor for ERV genes, enabling the formation of condensed chromatin structures that inhibit activation. This discovery sheds light on the role of histone variants in regulating gene expression and may have implications for treating autoimmune diseases and cancers.
Researchers have discovered strong indications of brain injury and accelerated aging following long-duration spaceflight. Blood samples from astronauts showed an increase in brain-derived proteins and a correlated response with time spent in space.
A new study reveals that E. coli bacteria can prevent Salmonella infections by competing with them for sugar substrates in the gut. The research team found that specific strains of Lachnospiraceae anaerobic bacteria are essential for E. coli to effectively exclude Salmonella.
The development of alveoli in mammary-gland organoids follows the same principles as droplet formation in a water jet. The researchers used time-lapse microscopy to track the growth dynamics of the mini-organs and found that cell rotation drives the formation of spherical protrusions.
Researchers at LMU Biocenter have discovered that PCMD-1 is an essential functional bridge between centrioles and the surrounding matrix, ensuring proper spindle pole integrity. This finding highlights the critical role of protein interactions in maintaining cell division accuracy and preventing diseases such as cancer.
Researchers have discovered six new species of glass sponges and two previously unknown species in the waters off New Zealand, revealing a more diverse ecosystem than previously thought. The findings provide important data for protecting these unique habitats from deep-sea mining and fishing.
A subset of mononuclear phagocytes protects the kidney from toxic damage through a specific subtype called CD64-positive MNPs. Eliminating this subtype increases kidney damage, while promoting its proliferation could help mitigate drug-induced nephrotoxicity.
A new transgenic pig model has been developed to study beta-cell function and insulin turnover, bridging the gap between rodent models and humans. The model enables researchers to distinguish different pools of insulin secretory granules and follow their rates of turnover in vivo.
Researchers have found that rapidly dividing cells can change their epigenetic markers to reactivate silenced genes. This phenomenon occurs in embryonic cells and is likely also present in adult stem cells and precursor cells.
Scientists at LMU's Nano-Institute have developed a method to cool samples using thermal radiation, reducing energy consumption. The technique, called radiative cooling, uses long-wave thermal radiation emitted by a sample to effectively cool it.
Researchers have found a combination of basaltic rocks and natural heat flows that creates an optimal balance of magnesium and sodium ions, necessary for RNA's catalytic activity. This discovery sheds light on the origin of life, suggesting that RNA molecules played a crucial role in early biological processes.
A new study reveals that bacterial evolution can occur in ancient sub-seafloor sediments with low nutrient availability. The genomes of bacteria isolated from these sediments show a high proportion of pseudogenes and reduced genetic recombination, leading to the accumulation of deleterious mutations.
Researchers found that certain personality types excel in specific countries and years due to environmental factors like predator presence and beechmast availability. This suggests that spatial and temporal variation in selection promotes the maintenance of behavioral differences within species.
A study by Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München's researchers found that the CD40L/CD40 interaction plays a crucial role in atherogenesis. The team showed that inhibition of this interaction can reduce atherosclerosis-associated clot formation and stabilize plaques, offering new therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular disease.
Researchers have elucidated the structure of VIPP1, a protein essential for thylakoid membrane assembly and stability. The study's findings will facilitate biotechnological efforts to enhance plant resistance to environmental stresses.
Researchers developed an open-source camera to capture mice's view in their natural environments. The study reveals that mice have adapted to perceive colors in the green and ultraviolet regions to aid survival and reproduction.
A recent study by Frauke Kreuter and colleagues shows that individual interviews can provide valuable insights into the development of social phenomena, even in an era where big data dominates. The global Covid Trends & Impact Survey uses human social sensing to forecast the pandemic's trajectory, with preliminary results suggesting a ...
A study has elucidated the structure of a protein crucial for photosynthetic membranes' assembly and stability. The insights will boost biotechnological efforts to enhance plants' ability to cope with environmental stresses.
Researchers from LMU have identified two RNA-binding proteins that regulate synaptic transmission in distinct ways, controlling mRNA levels and translation. These findings provide insight into the mechanisms of neurological disorders such as epilepsy and autism.