As early as 20 years from now, Germany's hours worked per capita may decrease by 8 percent due to the aging population. This shift requires a more flexible and evenly distributed workforce to maintain productivity.
Researchers measure lifetimes of low-energy excitations in MnF2, a model system for understanding spin wave interactions. The data provide insight into the nature and strength of these interactions, helping to answer a longstanding question in physics.
Researchers have discovered four fully different classes of phosphatase inhibitors using the BIOS principle, which mimics natural products to identify potential new medicines. The study found promising results in targeting antiangiogenesis inhibitors, cell cycle regulation, and tuberculosis infections.
Researchers from Max Planck Institute in Potsdam have discovered an oscillating pattern in nanoparticle crystallization and self-organization. The study shows that these systems can form complex patterns, including concentric circles, through a combination of chemical reactions and diffusion.
Researchers created frequency maps for most of the 11 auditory cortex fields (ACFs) and observed a periodic pattern of topographic preference for certain frequencies. The ACFs were divided into two groups, with three core fields reacting to individual frequencies in simple sounds like tones.
Researchers have identified over 1400 proteins in liver cells of mice, mapping their locations in ten different compartments. The study's findings show that around 40% of these proteins also appear in other cell organs, suggesting a high degree of conservation across species.
A team of researchers from Munich discovered a cellular mechanism that protects against tumours by controlling the Bcl-3 oncogene. The study identified Cyld as a potential tumour suppressor, which can accumulate around the nucleus and prevent Bcl-3 from entering it.
Scientists find VIAAT enables joint storage of GABA and glycine in vesicles, refuting dogma that GABA release is crucial for nerve cell growth. VIAAT mutant mice develop normally despite GABA and glycine release elimination.
The signal recognition particle (SRP) complex plays a crucial role in sorting secretory and membrane proteins, determining their final destination within or outside the cell. By understanding its structure, researchers can uncover key events during protein sorting, essential for expressing these proteins correctly.
Researchers discovered that molecular motors use one-dimensional diffusion to rapidly target microtubule ends. This strategy allows for efficient and accurate localization of microtubule ends, crucial for chromosome distribution during cell division.
Researchers discovered a new mechanism in nerve cells that enables them to filter and transfer signals rapidly, contrary to the traditional Hodgkin-Huxley model. This allows for high precision in transmitting fast-changing signals while ignoring slowly varying stimuli.
Scientists have visualized individual synaptic vesicles and proteins using Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) microscopy, resolving the diffraction barrier. They found that synaptotagmin molecules remain together after fusion, enabling efficient neurotransmitter release.
Scientists from the Max Planck Institute determined how toxins interact with bacterial potassium channels at an atomic level. They found that toxins attach to a particular area of the channel, changing its structure, and recognize specific amino acid sequences in the ion channel.
A Dutch-German research team has successfully controlled a chemical reaction by steering the motion of electrons with ultrashort laser pulses. The team used phase-controlled laser pulses to manipulate the timing of electron motion, leading to a preferential emission of deuterium ions and atoms in specific directions.
Scientists have identified specific DNA fragments in tomatoes that influence their nutritional content and taste. By analyzing these fragments, researchers can develop targeted breeding strategies to create healthier and tastier tomatoes.
Researchers identify key proteins in Salmonella metabolic paths, finding that blocking certain enzymes may not be effective against the bacteria. Only a few essential enzymes are necessary to keep Salmonella alive, and these are also present in other pathogens or human organisms.
When plant tissue is eaten by insects, it causes a decrease in electric voltage, leading to a decrease in the cell's ability to react. The study found that calcium ion concentration in attacked leaves was smaller than in mechanically wounded leaves, potentially reducing the plant's defense.
Scientists have found evidence of volcanic activity on Enceladus, a key player in shaping the E ring. The discovery sheds light on the dynamics of ice particles in Saturn's system and challenges existing assumptions about how the moon contributes to the ring's mass distribution.
The Cassini spacecraft detected 'holes' in Saturn's magnetosphere near Enceladus, indicating that the moon's geologically active plumes of water change over days or weeks. This variation affects Saturn's magnetosphere, causing material to be lost from Enceladus.
A research team led by Professor Eberhard Bodenschatz has experimentally tested two theories on how particles separate in strong turbulence. The results, which agree with George Batchelor's predictions but not the Richardson-Obukhov law, suggest that particles move more slowly away from each other than previously assumed.
Researchers have made the fastest measurements of molecular vibrations, using a new technique that detects UV photons emitted by molecules under laser pulses. The results show atomic nuclei moving at varying speeds in different isotopes, providing insights into molecular dynamics.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research discovered 'anti-planetary' electron rays on Saturn that fly away from the planet, similar to those observed on Earth. These findings suggest a fundamental process underlying polar lights, which were previously only seen on our planet.
Researchers found that well-informed players contributed the most to a public good, climate preservation. Players who received public recognition also donated more than those who made anonymous contributions.
In a study at Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Uganda, chimpanzees were found to understand when they needed help and chose the best collaborative partner. They recognized individual strengths and weaknesses among chimps, such as Mawa's poor cooperation skills, and consistently selected Bwambale as their preferred partner.
A study by Felix Warneken and Mike Tomasello found that children as young as 18 months willingly helped complete strangers, even without any reward. The children's ability to infer when someone needed help suggests a natural inclination towards altruism.
Physicists at Max Planck have measured the lifetime of positronium ions six times more precisely than before, finding an average lifespan of almost half a nanosecond. This closely matches predicted values and provides an interesting model system for quantum mechanics.
The new microscope enables crystallographic information to be measured at a lateral resolution of about 40 cubic nanometres, and depending on the material, even more finely. Researchers have already used it to study steel-related iron-aluminium intermetallic alloys, which show promise for high-temperature gas turbines.
Max Planck researchers find that human language processing involves two distinct brain areas, with younger Broca's Area activated for complex grammatical rules and older frontal operculum for simple probability-based rules. The study reveals insights into the evolutionary origins of human language faculty.
The H.E.S.S. collaboration has discovered gamma-ray emission from a complex of gas clouds near the Milky Way Galaxy's centre, revealing a prehistoric particle accelerator. The density of cosmic rays exceeds that in the solar neighbourhood, suggesting recent acceleration.
Scientists study Cu3Au alloy's corrosion behavior, observing the formation of a protective passivation layer that protects against further corrosion. Controlled corrosion allows for nanometric-scale material structuring, potentially leading to new catalysts with high surface areas.
Astronomers have discovered a new planet, 2003 UB313, which is larger than Pluto and located in the Kuiper Belt. The object's size was determined through thermal emission measurements, revealing a diameter of approximately 3000 km.
Researchers from Max Planck Institute used data from a popular internet game to analyze banknote movements, finding universal scaling laws that govern human travel behavior. These laws provide insight into the statistical rules governing the spread of diseases.
Scientists from Max Planck Institute and MIT perform atom-by-atom investigations, gaining insight into dynamic fracture instabilities. They propose a new model that explains how material properties affect crack propagation, with implications for understanding fracture in various materials and scales.
A study suggests that plant methane emissions do not contribute to global warming, but rather are a natural part of the greenhouse effect. However, reforestation programs may be slightly impacted by these emissions, with potential benefits outweighing negative effects.
Scientists identified a gene TPS10 that produces a specific scent attracting parasitic wasps to damaged corn plants. The wasps needed an initial exposure to both the scent and the caterpillar to react properly.
Researchers identified Staufen2 as essential for maintaining synapses in nerve cells. The absence of Staufen2 leads to impaired signal transmission and altered synapse structure, suggesting mRNA transport is crucial for their maintenance.
Researchers from Max Planck Institute for Metals Research and University of Hohenheim investigate the effect of two-layered crystalline wax on insect attachment. The upper layer contaminates insects' feet, while the lower layer reduces contact area between feet and substrate, resulting in slippery zone that traps insects.
Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics found that living plants emit significantly more methane than dead plant material, and this process is not hindered by oxygen. The discovery suggests that about 10-30% of global annual methane production comes from plants, with tropical regions being the largest contributors.
Researchers have detected gamma rays from radioactive aluminium (26Al) originating from the central regions of the Galaxy, indicating an ongoing process of new atomic nucleus production. The estimated total amount of radioactive 26Al is equivalent to three solar masses, corresponding to a galactic rate of supernovae every 50 years.
Researchers developed a technique to record brain activity using BOLD signal while applying electrical microstimulation to the primate brain. The study found that activity patterns are larger than expected, reflecting functional spread via horizontal connections.
Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology have discovered a feedback mechanism involving hormones and regulatory proteins that controls the number of stem cells in plants. The research sheds light on how plants maintain a balance between growth and cell proliferation, preventing stunted or uncontrolled growth.
A team of researchers used a 100-nanometre wide x-ray beam to study how nanolayers buckle in bent high-tech carbon fibres. They observed the local strains and orientation of carbon layers in the fibre, revealing key findings on nano-buckling.
Scientists at Max Planck Institute and University of Cologne isolate mutant Arabidopsis thaliana with single sperm cell, allowing it to germinate and fertilize. The researchers found that a positive signal from the egg cell's fertilization triggers endosperm proliferation.
The Huygens probe has revealed that Titan's surface is a barren, 'river' landscape where water ice congeals like stone. Methane plays a similar role to water on Earth, existing in solid, liquid, and gas states. The dense atmosphere has conditions similar to those early in our solar system.
Max Planck researchers have expanded the tool kit of colloid particles to produce new, shimmering colours that change with temperature. By metallising crystals with gold, they created patterns of varying symmetries and sizes at nanoscale, opening up possibilities for optical data processing.
Researchers use high-resolution transmission electron microscope to study interactions at solid-liquid interfaces, observing density fluctuations and atom ordering in liquid aluminium. The findings suggest that crystals can induce the ordering of atoms in liquids, even in metal-ceramic systems at high temperatures.
Bacteria use magnetosomes to distinguish 'up' from 'down' in the Earth's magnetic field and navigate to optimal growth conditions. A recent study identified a protein called MamJ that plays a crucial role in forming the magnetosome chain, enabling bacteria to sense the magnetic field.
Researchers found a double line of defence in plants, with PEN2 enzyme releasing fungicidal substances and another mechanism involving EDS1, PAD4 and SAG101 proteins. This multi-step defence system is crucial for plant durability against parasite attacks.
Researchers from Max Planck Institute discovered that a small number of molecular motors can pull cargo particles over long distances. By working together, the motors can overcome their individual limitations and achieve remarkable feats.
A newly discovered protein called alpha-defensin can kill Bacillus anthracis bacteria, the causative agent of anthrax. The skin form of anthrax is harmless due to neutrophils' ability to identify and kill microbes, whereas the lung form remains fatal, prompting hope for new treatments.