A study by Max-Planck-Gesellschaft researchers found that disabling Ret-receptors in mice leads to earlier death of dopaminergic neurons, similar to Parkinson's disease. The loss of these neurons is a hallmark of the disease, and the study suggests that preserving this function may be crucial for preventing neurodegeneration.
A fossil juvenile from Jebel Irhoud, Morocco, dated to approximately 160,000 years ago, showed a modern human life history profile at almost 8 years of age. This finding suggests that prolonged childhood development may be linked to the origins of social and biological changes.
Researchers have developed a system that uses a single trapped atom to generate high-quality single photons, which can be controlled and made indistinguishable for quantum computing. The 'single-photon server' has the potential to revolutionize quantum information processing by enabling deterministic atom-photon entanglement experiments.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research and University of Manchester fabricate ultra-thin membranes made of graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms. The membranes have demonstrated stability comparable to corrugated cardboard despite their thinness.
Scientists have discovered a new phase transition in metal YbRh2Si2 at absolute zero, revealing additional changes to electronic properties. This study extends our understanding of phase transitions and is relevant to complex systems like high-temperature superconductors.
Researchers access interaction between single magnetic adatoms on a metal surface by comparing experimental results with detailed theoretical analysis. They observe novel magnetic state for chain of three cobalt adatoms and improve understanding of fundamental interactions between single spins.
Organic transistors consume less energy than silicon transistors and can be constructed on flexible surfaces. Researchers linked p channel and n channel transistors in complementary circuits to save energy and create flexible electronic components.
A study by Max-Planck-Gesellschaft scientists finds that bacteria Helicobacter pylori spread with humans out of Africa, following similar migration paths. The genetic diversity of H. pylori is larger than man's, but paves the way for analyzing its data to understand human history.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute successfully integrated in-vitro synthesized membrane proteins into artificial lipid membranes, overcoming previous difficulties due to protein solubility. This breakthrough enables the creation of biosensors that can detect poisons, explosives, or drugs.
Researchers discovered evidence that chimpanzees used stone tools to crack nuts around 4300 years ago, pushing back the origin of this behavior by thousands of years. The study found similarities between chimpanzee and human ancestors' cultural attributes, suggesting a possible common ancestor for these behaviors.
Researchers have discovered that all Type Ia supernovae explode with the same mass and energy, making them useful for measuring distances. The brightness of supernovae depends on the amount of nickel they contain, allowing for more accurate calibration and future distance measurements.
Scientists have developed a new method to read brain activity patterns associated with specific thoughts, enabling the decoding of secret intentions. The technique, called multivariate pattern recognition, combines brain imaging data with sophisticated computer algorithms to predict subjects' decisions.
A 36,000-year-old human skull from South Africa confirms the 'Out of Africa' theory of modern human origins. The fossil provides critical evidence that modern humans migrated out of sub-Saharan Africa around this time.
Researchers discovered that neutrophils can form web-like structures called NETs outside cells, composed of nucleic acid and enzymes that catch bacteria and kill them. This process is equally effective as devouring bacteria, showcasing the neutrophil's role in defense even after death.
Scientists at Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics have discovered a way to make a picture of everything that gravitates in the Universe using radio telescopes. By analyzing radio waves emitted from the early Universe, they can create high-resolution images of cosmic mass distribution, surpassing current galaxy distortions.
A new study finds that 93% of gorillas at the Lossi Sanctuary in Congo were killed by Ebola during outbreaks in 2002 and 2003. The research suggests that targeted vaccination strategies could be effective in controlling the spread of the disease, which has devastated ape populations in Africa.
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research have found that the cerebral cortex actively controls memory transfer during sleep. The researchers developed a new technique to investigate this largely under-researched field, discovering a link between interneurones and the cerebral cortex.
Researchers propose that microorganisms can thrive in the Deep Biosphere due to natural radioactivity, offering an alternative energy source. This process, radiolysis, creates hydrogen and oxygen, providing sufficient energy for life forms to survive without surface processes.
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute discovered that newt heart cells can re-differentiate after damage, allowing for complete repair and restoration of function. The researchers found that Phospho-H3 protein marks the G2 phase of cell cycle and indicates regeneration without stem cells.
Physicists at the Max Planck Institute have discovered a way to arrange randomly deposited atoms in regular patterns, mimicking the behavior of sheep in a pen. By adjusting substrate temperature and parameters, they created circular fencing that guides adatoms into ordered structures.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Microstructure Physics developed single crystal silicon nanowires using an aluminium catalyst, reducing the size of microchips. The new process fulfils key criteria for industrial-scale production and could lead to improved semiconductor components.
Scientists have developed a theoretical model to predict the properties of microcapsules based on salt content and temperature, enabling precise control over their permeability. This allows for intelligent transport systems that can release active substances at specific locations in the body.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute have found a way to easily reverse vortex cores, creating a digital bit that is extremely stable. This mechanism can be used for a new magnetic storage concept, where magnetic pulses can efficiently reverse the vortex core with no losses and quickly.
Lu Yongxiang, a top-ranking Chinese scientist, has initiated new forms of cooperation with the Max Planck Society, enhancing their research friendship. He is credited with making the Chinese Academy of Sciences a popular international partner.
The study reveals that asymptomatic carriers played a crucial role in the evolution and global transmission of Typhi, leading to antibiotic resistance and hindering treatment efforts. The research also highlights the importance of healthy carriers in facilitating the spread of the bacteria.
Researchers identified WNT and DKK proteins as key regulators of hair follicle spacing, providing experimental confirmation of the Turing hypothesis. The study revealed a reaction-diffusion mechanism controlling the spatial arrangement of hair follicles, shedding light on biological pattern formation.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute have determined the structure of photosystem II, a crucial step in photosynthesis. The discovery reveals the precise arrangement of manganese and oxygen atoms, which could lead to the development of artificial catalysts for regenerative hydrogen production.
An international team of researchers has identified genes in Ustilago maydis that help the fungus live at its host plant's expense without killing it. The findings could lead to new ways to combat this fungus, which affects maize and other crops worldwide.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute found that bone stretches more than its fibers and mineral composition, allowing it to sustain large strains without breaking. The hierarchical structure of bone leads to a hierarchical deformation, with soft layers absorbing most of the strain, protecting the mineral phase from excessive loads.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute developed a technology to identify and quantify specific protein phosphorylation sites in response to stimuli. They discovered 6,600 phosphorylation sites in 2,244 proteins, with 90% being unknown, and created the Phosida database to share their findings.
Scientists capture ultrafast molecular motion by visualizing vibration and rotation of a hydrogen molecule as a quantum mechanical wave packet. The image reveals the wave packet's collapse and revival over extremely short timescales.
Researchers have identified a circuit diagram that allows movement information from one hemisphere to reach the H2 cell in the opposite hemisphere, enabling the fly to differentiate its own movement from environmental movement. The study found that the HSE cell directly and the CH cell indirectly provide input to the H2 cell.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Metals Research develop adhesive material mimicking beetle feet's microhairs for improved adhesion. The material exhibits excellent performance, lasting hundreds of applications and showing benefits such as no visible marks or need for cleaning.
Researchers use computer simulations to study the effect of adhesive patch size and density on cell adhesion. They found that protrusion height is the most critical factor, with small increases leading to faster adhesion rates.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics in Berlin have explained the molecular principles of cell division control mechanisms. The study found that checkpoint kinases interact with a different category of proteins involved in developing the cell division spindle.
Astrophysicists discover gamma-ray variability on days around M87's central black hole, revealing emission region size of approximately 0.000001% of the galaxy's size. This discovery confirms M87 as a unique extragalactic source and hints at novel production mechanisms for high-energy particles.
Researchers at MPI-CBG defined the distance between Kinesin-1 and microtubules, explaining how it avoids collisions. This finding sheds light on refined motor proteins' ability to navigate cells efficiently.
A German-French research team found specialised microorganisms thriving in the ice-cold Arctic deep-sea, which feed on methane and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The study showed that high flow velocities of mud volcano water reduce the efficiency of natural gas filters by 60%.
Researchers from Max Planck Institute and Collège de France developed two protocols for controlled membrane fusion, revealing that the process is surprisingly fast. The fusion process can be completed within 200 nanoseconds, with an average expansion velocity of centimeters per second.
Researchers develop innovative process to combine low-energy photons in sunlight into higher-energy shortwave photons, boosting solar cells' efficiency. This breakthrough could enable the use of previously lost light energy, leading to a significant increase in solar cell efficiency.
Scientists successfully teleported the state of a light pulse to an ensemble of 10^12 atoms, marking the first transfer between objects of different nature. The experiment has significant implications for quantum computing and quantum cryptography.
Brain researchers in Göttingen have created a genetic animal model for autism, showing that neuroligins ensure signal transmission between nerve cells. The study reveals that autistic patients often lack mature synapses due to mutations in the genes carrying building instructions for proteins in the neuroligin family.
A 3-year-old Australopithecus afarensis girl, discovered in Ethiopia, provides a unique window into human infancy. The fossil offers clues about skull morphology, brain growth, locomotion, and height, shedding light on early human evolution.
The study reveals that 1- and 3-year-old children, as well as great apes, prefer a place-based strategy to remember hidden items, while humans reassess this preference with age. This suggests that some evolved cognitive strategies are masked early on in human development.
Scientists discover GAL83 gene that allows plants to store carbon in roots, reducing damage from herbivore attacks. This adaptation enables plants to withstand voracious insects and extend seed production period.
European blackbirds born in cities exhibit a reduced stress response compared to those from forests, which may be the result of urban-specific selection pressures. This adaptation helps them thrive in concrete habitats around the globe.
Researchers have created a method to release substances into tumor cells using microcapsules and laser light, which could lead to more targeted cancer treatments. The technique involves heating the polymer shell of the capsule with infrared laser light, causing it to open and releasing its contents.
Researchers from Max Planck Institute successfully sequenced the genome of a methane-producing Rice Cluster I Archaeon, revealing unique enzymatic mechanisms that enable them to thrive in oxygen-rich environments. This breakthrough could pave the way for developing methods to monitor and potentially reduce methane emissions from floode...
Researchers at Max Planck Institute propose a biomimetic model system where molecular motors create spatial order in cytoskeletal filaments, defying basic physical principles. The model suggests that motor activity enhances the tendency for filaments to align and order, even in the presence of constant motion.
Astronomers have observed a massive nuclear explosion on the surface of a white dwarf star, sending gas into space and creating a blast wave that accelerates electrons to nearly the speed of light. The European VLBI Network tracked the outburst using telescopes around the world, revealing a cigar-like shape in the blast wave.