Researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry found that the cannabinoid receptor is crucial for erasing fear behavior. In mouse models lacking this receptor, fear behavior evoked by an aversive acoustic sound was significantly reduced compared to normal control mice.
Researchers create near-field infrared microscope to visualize crystal vibrations in the nanometre range. The technique uses infrared light to enhance signal intensity at the tip of a scanning probe needle, revealing phonon resonance in silicon carbide crystals 200-fold brighter than gold.
The quasar APM 08279+5255 has a three times larger iron fraction than our solar system, contrary to expectations. This suggests an unknown efficient way of producing iron or the universe may be older than expected.
Astronomers detect ND3, the first molecule with three deuterium atoms, in a molecular cloud at distances of 500 to1000 light-years from Earth. The discovery suggests that gas-phase reactions are responsible for producing molecules in interstellar space.
Satellite observations show northern regions experiencing a 'greening' trend over the past two decades, with spring advancing by about a week and summer maximum leaf cover increasing. The LPJ model confirms this trend, attributing it to warming caused by climate change, while also highlighting other factors such as increased carbon dio...
The excavation of a chimpanzee stone tool site in the Ivory Coast reveals new insights into the behavior of our closest living relatives. The site, discovered using archaeological methods, shows that chimpanzees collected rocks from various sources and brought them to nut-cracking sites, creating large refuse accumulations.
Scientists have identified a mechanism by which neutrophils can neutralize disease-causing bacteria like Shigella and Salmonella. Elastase, an enzyme produced by neutrophils, destroys virulent proteins in bacteria, allowing for the mobilization of other defenses that can destroy the bacteria.
A Max-Planck doctoral student has discovered a new insect order, Mantophasmatodea, which is composed of insects that appear to be a mixture between a stick insect and a praying mantis. The discovery was made in Namibia and consists of several animals that could not be allocated to any known insect order.
Researchers have developed the STED-4Pi-Microcope, which uses stimulated emission to narrow the focal spot of the fluorescence microscope, allowing for resolutions below 50 nm. This technique enables the imaging of features on a molecular level, advancing biological and medical research.
An international team observed ferromagnetism in one-dimensional cobalt chains, which exhibit both short- and long-range magnetic order. The chains' localized orbital magnetic moments are much larger than those in thin films or bulk crystals, opening up new possibilities for nanoscale magnetic structures.
A new study shows that 14-month-olds can imitate a novel means action modelled to them, but only if it's considered the most rational alternative. This indicates that imitation of goal-directed action is a selective interpretative process. In contrast, infants perform the 'hand-action' automatically, suggesting an emulation-like process.
Scientists at Max-Planck-Institute for Molecular Physiology develop a new concept for more efficient search of drug candidates. By employing biologically relevant natural products as starting point, the 'domain concept' aims to increase hit rate in compound libraries.
A team of physicists has discovered evidence of an unusual, fluctuating magnetic order in high-temperature superconductors, which could be crucial for explaining this phenomenon. This discovery was made using neutron beams to investigate the properties of a high temperature superconductor.
Researchers found that single neurons in a brain region reacted to specific features, conveying detailed information about the diagnostic features of categories. The monkeys' brains used these learned features to recognize matching faces, demonstrating how neural training sharpens perception and enables the brain to encode and interpre...
Scientists have successfully created a crystal of atoms and observed a quantum phase transition, shedding light on fundamental problems in solid-state physics, quantum optics, and atomic physics. By increasing the strength of a microscopic lattice, researchers induced a transition from a superfluid phase to an insulating Mott phase.
Aquaporins regulate water flux in various tissues, including the kidney, eye lens, and brain. Recent computer simulations revealed a 'dance' of water molecules through aquaporin channels, controlled by protein parts that increase permeation rates while blocking proton passage.
Brain researchers find that glial cells produce surplus cholesterol to support nerve cell growth and synapse formation. The discovery sheds new light on an often-disdained molecule and offers perspectives for neurobiological research and potential strategies to cure brain lesions.
Scientists have created an atomic-resolution image of the three-dimensional intensity distribution of a strongly localized radiation field using a single calcium ion. This technology has far-reaching implications for quantum computing, as it enables the generation of light pulses containing exactly one quantum of light.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute developed a theory to explain lexical selection and form encoding in spoken word production. The theory proposes two major processing components: lexical selection and form encoding, which can be completed within two-thirds of a second.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics create miniature chip that achieves Bose-Einstein condensation, replacing bulky machines with reduced power consumption. The new technique enables integration of multiple components on a single chip, paving the way for innovative devices and applications.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine discovered a molecular switch in CRF by replacing a single amino acid, allowing for the development of selective CRF-like agonists and antagonists. This breakthrough has potential applications in treating anxiety disorders.
The Lazarus Team has made predictions for the gravitational waves emitted during black hole mergers, allowing for the first-ever detections. These simulations will provide astronomers with a set of templates to recognize signals in noise from detectors and deduce the masses and distances of the holes.
The study demonstrates a fundamental role of caveolin-1 and caveolae in organizing multiple signalling pathways in the cell. The absence of caveolae impaired nitric oxide and calcium signaling, leading to severe physical limitations in caveolin-1-disrupted mice.
Researchers study presolar diamond grains found in meteorites and simulate implantation of ions to test mechanism. The results reveal a bimodal release of noble gases with different temperatures, suggesting at least two events involved in the introduction of xenon.
Researchers discovered strontium titanate deforms plastically at low stresses and temperatures, contrary to its brittle nature. Detailed analysis reveals the existence of different dislocation core structures, suggesting potential applications in forming or enhancing ceramic properties.
Recent studies by Max Planck researchers found that presenting statistical information in 'natural frequencies' rather than probabilities improves experts' ability to reach correct conclusions. This method makes it easier for people to understand risk, leading to increased accuracy in medical diagnoses and criminal verdicts.
For the first time, scientists have measured nitric acid trihydrate crystals (NAT crystals) in polar stratospheric clouds. These particles contain three molecules of water and one molecule of nitric acid and can exist in the atmosphere up to 7° above the ice point.
The Max Planck Society awarded twelve scientists with the Research Award for International Cooperation in 2000, recognizing outstanding scientific achievements. The prize goes to four foreign award winners and eight German researchers across five disciplines, facilitating collaboration and new discoveries.
Researchers found genes tailored to specific environments, shared among organisms living in the same ecological niche. The discovery could help understand how cells adapt to extreme conditions.
Geneticists discover a highly conserved mechanism in zebrafish and fruitfly eyes that controls nerve cell formation, forming the basis for eye development. This shared mechanism strongly argues for a common evolutionary origin of animal eyes.
Scientists develop a simple thermodynamic model to describe ice particle formation in atmosphere, independent of solute nature. The model requires only temperature and relative humidity as parameters.
Researchers deciphered the structure of a key protein complex in the human immune system, consisting of an antibody and its receptor. This discovery opens new avenues for therapies in allergies, autoimmune diseases, and transplantation medicine, enabling a better understanding of how pathogens are recognized and removed by immune cells.
A new potent greenhouse gas, trifluoromethyl sulphur pentaflouride (SF5CF3), has been discovered in the atmosphere, with concentrations increasing since the 1950s. The gas is closely related to SF6 and may be produced as a breakdown product of industrial processes.
Scientists from Max Planck Institute report correlation between impaired RNA editing and epilepsy. Genetic manipulation in mice reveals that correcting the defect can lead to improved brain function and reduced seizures. The study suggests a potential link between human genome sequence and neurological disorders.
Scientists at Max-Planck-Gesellschaft developed a simple electrochemical procedure to fabricate three-dimensional microstructures. The innovation lies in applying ultrashort voltage pulses between the electrodes, which confines the electrochemical reaction to a small region and enables precise micromachining.
Scientists at Max-Planck Institute report strong violations of classical constraints on electron mean free path in metallic fullerenes, challenging the semi-classical approach. The study suggests that metallic behavior can occur with a mean free path less than atomic distance, indicating a breakdown of the semi-classical picture.
Scientists use quantum mechanical simulations to explain silicon's fracture anisotropy, which shows cracks prefer certain crystallographic directions. The simulations reveal a key difference in bond breaking behavior between easy and difficult propagation directions.
Researchers develop tailor-made polymers to optimize OLED devices, increasing efficiency and reducing operational lifetime. By adjusting the degree of oxidation, they achieve better hole injection and improved color emission.
Scientists at Max Planck Institute discover novel potassium current activated by calcium, shaping neural signal frequency. SK channels play a crucial role in neuronal adaptation, influencing brain function and learning. The study resolves a long-standing controversy between electrophysiology and apamin-binding studies.
Scientists report evidence that high-temperature superconductivity in copper oxides is linked to two-dimensional spin excitations, contradicting the long-held idea that stripes are responsible. This finding sheds new light on the mechanism behind this phenomenon.
Scientists have discovered that single-isotope silicon can conduct heat more efficiently than natural silicon, with a 60% improvement in thermal conductivity at room temperature. This enhancement is attributed to the suppression of phonon scattering caused by fluctuations in atomic masses, resulting in improved heat transfer rates.
Researchers have developed a novel diagnostic technique to directly detect prions in the cerebrospinal fluid, which is easily accessible for diagnostic purposes. This breakthrough method uses dual-color scanning for intensely fluorescent targets to identify single prion particles with high sensitivity.
The German-Japanese Consortium has successfully sequenced human chromosome 21, revealing 225 genes with implications for understanding trisomy 21 and other diseases. The findings also challenge previous estimates of the total number of human genes, suggesting a revised estimate of around 40,000.
A team of scientists identified Io as the dominant source of the Jovian dust streams, which are high-rate bursts of submicron-sized particles. The particles' motion is strongly influenced by Jupiter's magnetic field, providing a unique signature that could only be present if Io were the dominant source.
Scientists analyze melt inclusions in Hawaiian crystals, finding highly unusual trace-element contents that match a specific rock type. The study confirms a giant recycling process where ancient oceanic crust is melted and re-formed in the Earth's mantle.
The Neisseria meningitidis genome contains hundreds of repetitive elements that facilitate genome fluidity and antigenic variation. The most abundant element is the neisserial DNA uptake sequence, which enables transformation among different species.
Researchers at Max-Planck Institute for Quantum Optics successfully produce novel molecule by trapping single atom between two mirrors with highly reflecting surfaces. The molecule is created when an individual atom absorbs a light quantum and forms a bound state, exhibiting periodic energy exchange with the light field.
Researchers modeled US ecosystem carbon budget using state-of-the-art data and models, finding small uptake of carbon despite high emissions. The results suggest that ecosystems in the US store carbon, but not enough to balance fossil fuel use, making other regions important for climate change mitigation.
A new study by Dr. Hilke Brockmann found that German mothers' attitudes towards the sex of their children have changed over time in response to changes in welfare regimes. In contrast to Asian and African countries where sons are preferred, Germany's high level of female participation in the labor market may lead to a girl-preference.
Leishmaniasis, a deadly tropical disease, has been cured with nearly 100% effectiveness using the oral treatment Miltefosine. The new therapy was discovered in India and shows promise for treating visceral leishmaniasis, a particularly fatal form of the disease.