Pathogens from the sea
Researchers identified specialized 'adventurer' cells in Vibrio parahaemolyticus that facilitate its dissemination and prevalence. These cells enable the bacterium to colonize new habitats and spread disease globally.
Max-Planck-Gesellschaft
Immune reaction causes malaria organ damage
Researchers discovered a mechanism behind malaria's severe complications: an immune reaction that damages the patient's own tissue. The parasite triggers an escalation of neutrophil activity, leading to organ failure and death in severe cases.
Highest mortality risks for poor and unemployed
A recent study using a large German dataset reveals that good education and high income can reduce mortality rates, while unemployment increases the risk. The study highlights the importance of addressing socioeconomic factors to improve public health outcomes.
Global warming may diminish plant genetic variety in Central Europe
A new study published in Nature found that only a few individuals of the thale cress plant have adapted to extreme climate conditions, suggesting a potential collapse of species genetic diversity in Central Europe. This could lead to reduced plant populations unable to survive due to changing precipitation and temperature patterns.
A new concept for self-assembling micromachines
Researchers have created a new concept for self-assembling micromachines using dielectrophoresis, which enables components to find each other in an electric field. This technique has the potential to construct medical microrobots and laboratory devices on microchips.
The brains of birds synchronize when they sing duets
Researchers found that the nerve cell activity in one bird's brain synchronizes with its partner when they start singing together. The brains of both birds essentially function as one, leading to perfect duet coordination.
Lower pension, shorter life
A study by Max Planck Institute found that pension gap between rich and poor in Germany has grown significantly over the past 20 years. Life expectancy of poor men is diverging more from rich men, with those receiving high retirement benefits living 19 years longer on average compared to low-income men.
The friendly extortioner takes it all
Scientists found that a strategy called 'extortion' is unbeatable, as it alternates between cooperation and egoism to force opponents to cooperate. This tactic can lead to significant gains for the 'extortioner', even when competing against cooperative players.
How predatory plankton created modern ecosystems after 'Snowball Earth'
The discovery of ancient molecules, including bisnorgammacerane, reveals that predatory plankton played a crucial role in shaping the evolution of modern ecosystems. This finding suggests that massive predation helped 'clear' out bacteria-dominated oceans and create space for algae, paving the way for more complex lifeforms to evolve.
Medically assisted reproduction does not raise risk of preterm birth and low birth weight
A new study published in The Lancet found that medically assisted reproduction does not increase the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight. Couples can now consider fertility treatment without worrying about harming their baby.
Double the stress slows down evolution
Bacteria adapt more slowly and less efficiently when exposed to two stress factors, leading to smaller population sizes. This affects the evolution of antibiotic resistance, as bacteria are less able to protect themselves from predators, resulting in a stronger influence on their survival rate.
'Boomeranging' back to a parents' home negatively affects young adults' mental health
A recent MPIDR study suggests that young adults who move back home after independence experience an increase in depressive symptoms. The study also found that men and minority groups are more likely to be living with their parents, while those who live independently are less depressed and financially better off.
Gatekeeper for poison capsule
A team of researchers has fully unveiled the sophisticated mechanism of bacterial toxins, including the Tc toxin complex used by the plague bacterium and other germs. The study reveals a molecular gatekeeper that controls the poison's exit, offering new insights for developing innovative therapies to combat bacterial infections.
Large cells for tiny leaves
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research have discovered a protein called LMI1 that regulates leaf growth and shape. The study found that LMI1 limits cell division, preventing cells from developing into other types and reducing the size of organs.
Artificial intelligence controls quantum computers
Researchers use artificial intelligence to develop a quantum error correction system that can learn from experience, outperforming traditional methods. The approach enables quantum computers to solve complex tasks by correcting errors in qubit states.
New Caledonian crows can create compound tools
New Caledonian crows demonstrate the ability to combine short components into novel functional tools, solving complex problems without assistance. This remarkable cognitive feat parallels human and ape behavior, highlighting the importance of planning and creative mental modeling.
Closing the gender gap in competitiveness with a psychological trick
Researchers found that using priming can lead to significant changes in competitive behavior among both men and women. The study revealed that when men were primed to exert influence, they became more cautious, while women became more confident. This breakthrough has implications for education and professional training.
A chemical criterion for rating movies
Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Chemistry found that isoprene levels in cinema air correlate with film age ratings. The study measured over 13,000 audience members during 135 screenings of eleven different movies, providing a reliable indicator for deciding how movies should be classified.
Elucidating cuttlefish camouflage
Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Brain Research and Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies developed techniques to reveal the cuttlefish brain's control network. By analyzing skin pattern dynamics, they inferred motor neuron activity and predicted higher-level control structures, providing insights into biological camouflage.
A step towards biological warfare with insects?
Scientists and legal scholars warn that DARPA's Insect Allies program could be misused for biological warfare due to the ease of dispersing genetically edited viruses into fields. The technology has the potential to rapidly alter crop properties, raising concerns about its peaceful use.
Parrots' economics
Researchers found that parrots make deliberate, profit-maximizing decisions, prioritizing higher-value food over immediate rewards. However, individual motivation plays a role, with some birds valuing the token itself over economic gain.
Self-healing seed pods
Researchers discovered a self-sealing mechanism in the seed pods of Banksia plants, where special waxes melt at 45-55°C to seal small cracks. This adaptation protects seeds from environmental challenges, such as moisture and pathogens, and may have potential applications for dimensionally stable wood.
The evolution of testes
The study uses DNA sequence data to analyze the evolution of testes in mammals, finding that African species lack the testicular descent process due to non-functional genes. This suggests that the testicular descent process was ancestral and lost in these species.
Loving the sweet enemy
Research found that foods high in both fats and carbohydrates stimulate the brain's reward system more strongly than other calorie sources. This intensified effect is consistent with game results, suggesting that our brains prefer these types of foods due to evolutionary pressures.
Storks on the wing
Researchers tracked a group of young storks as they migrated to Africa and Europe, finding that leader birds lead the way to thermals. The study reveals how flying skill affects wintering grounds, with flappy birds opting for shorter journeys.
Hostility towards minorities can be contagious
A recent study found that hostility towards members of other ethnic groups is more often imitated than hostility towards co-ethnics. The study examined adolescents from schools in eastern Slovakia and their behavior towards the Roma minority, finding a significant influence on their choices.
SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 9, 2018
One step closer to reality
A new open-access software called PyFRAP has been developed to accurately analyze molecular diffusion in living cells. The program takes into account three-dimensional structures and provides reliable results, especially under complicated conditions.
Decoding the structure of huntingtin
Scientists have decoded the three-dimensional molecular structure of the healthy human huntingtin protein, enabling its functional analysis. This breakthrough could contribute to the development of new treatments for Huntington's disease.
Modern human brain organization emerged only recently
Researchers found that the modern human brain shape developed gradually within the species, with fossils showing a transition from elongated to globular shapes between 100,000 and 35,000 years ago. This evolution was independent of brain size and was accompanied by changes in early brain development.
A new genome for regeneration research
The study provides a complete genome assembly of the planarian flatworm Schmidtea mediterranea, revealing novel giant repeat elements, new genes, and the absence of certain essential genes. The discovery has potential implications for understanding regeneration research and stem cell biology.
Decoding the axolotl genome
Researchers have sequenced the axolotl genome, the largest genome ever to be decoded, to study molecular basis of regrowing limbs and other forms of regeneration. The analysis discovered several genes that are expressed in regenerating limb tissue and revealed key roles for PAX3 and PAX7 genes in muscle and neural development.
The bright side of an infectious protein
Researchers discovered that a yeast protein's prion domain acts like a stress sensor, triggering the formation of protective droplets and gels to help cells recover from stress. This finding suggests that prion domains have a positive function beyond their association with disease-causing aggregates.
Pulmonary fibrosis caused by single transcription factor
Researchers at Max Planck Institute found reduced FoxO3 activity reprograms connective tissue cells, leading to pulmonary fibrosis. Boosting FoxO3 activity halted disease progression in mice, offering a potential treatment pathway.
Fewer laboratory animals thanks to secondary nanobodies
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry have developed secondary nanobodies that outperform traditional antibodies in key cell-biological applications. These nanobodies can be produced in large scale by bacteria, reducing the need for animals in antibody production and improving resolution in light microscopy.
Life on the edge prepares plants for climate change
Scientists used genetic variability to map a plant species' ability to adapt to climate change, finding that Scandinavian plants can cope with severe drought. The study suggests that relocating populations with genetic variants supporting drought adaptation could help rescue endangered species and improve crop performance.
Stuttering: Stop signals in the brain prevent fluent speech
A hyperactive network in the right frontal part of the brain plays a crucial role in stuttering by inhibiting speech movement planning and execution. The more severe the stuttering, the stronger the connections between brain regions involved in neural inhibition of speech movements.
Crowding in the skin
Researchers found that local stress induced by crowding leads to differentiation, triggering the movement of stem cells upwards in the tissue. This mechanism helps maintain balanced numbers of stem and differentiated cells, ensuring proper skin function.
Defense at almost any price
In an evolutionary competition, bacteria and ciliates develop attack and defense mechanisms, with defense coming at a high cost for reproduction, reducing intraspecific diversity.
Anti-stress compound reduces obesity and diabetes
A stress protein found in muscle has been linked to diabetes promotion, but blocking it with inhibitors could prevent glucose intolerance. FKBP51-protein inhibitors are being developed for clinical trials to treat diabetes and metabolic diseases.
Structure of channelrhodopsin determined
The researchers discovered the structure of Channelrhodopsin 2, enabling a deeper understanding of its mechanism of action. This knowledge could lead to improved optogenetic tools for studying neurodegenerative diseases and developing gene therapies.
Every grain of sand is a metropolis for bacteria
A single grain of sand harbors up to 100,000 microorganisms from thousands of species, showcasing the impressive diversity of bacterial life. This discovery highlights the crucial role sand-dwelling bacteria play in processing carbon and nitrogen compounds and purifying the marine ecosystem.
Lung cancer triggers pulmonary hypertension
A study published in Science Translational Medicine found that lung cancer often leads to pulmonary hypertension due to immune cell activation and inflammatory processes triggered by cancer cells. This discovery could lead to new therapeutic approaches for developing a treatment.
To trim away a protein
Scientists have developed Trim-Away, a novel method that directly and quickly depletes proteins from any cell type. This technique utilizes a protein called Trim21 to recognize antibodies directed against specific cellular proteins, allowing researchers to study their function in natural environment.
Later-borns choose less prestigious programs at university
Research by Kieron Barclay and Mikko Myrskylä found that birth order differences in university subject choice explain half of the gap in siblings' long-term earnings. Later-borns tend to pursue less prestigious subjects like arts, journalism, and teaching.
Stiff fibers spun from slime
Scientists discover that velvet worm slime consists of a mix of proteins and fatty acids, forming nanoglobules that harden into stiff filaments when exposed to shear forces. These fibers have tensile stiffness similar to Nylon and can be dissolved in water again within hours.
Life in the city: Living near a forest keeps your amygdala healthier
A study published in Scientific Reports found that city dwellers living close to a forest showed healthier amygdala structures, suggesting better stress coping mechanisms. However, the association with urban green or wasteland was not confirmed.
Algae with light switch
Researchers discovered that Chlamydomonas algae can control its adhesion to surfaces using blue light, a phenomenon that could improve the efficiency of biofuels production. By understanding this mechanism, scientists hope to develop algae strains with modified photoreceptors that don't form biofilms on glass walls.
Parkinson's disease involves degeneration of the olfactory system
Researchers found Parkinson's disease reduces olfactory bulb glomerular volume by over half and alters their distribution, suggesting a key role for Lewy bodies in triggering the disease. The study provides new insights into the anatomical link between Parkinson's disease and impaired sense of smell.
Are stem cells the link between bacteria and cancer?
Researchers have found that Helicobacter pylori infection increases stem cell turnover in the stomach, leading to increased cell division and cancer risk. The bacteria sends a signal to stem cells, putting them into overdrive, which may explain why chronic infections with H. pylori are linked to stomach cancer.
Anthrax: A hidden threat to wildlife in the tropics
Researchers discovered anthrax prevalent among Taï National Park's mammal carcasses, killing 31 of 55 chimps. The disease poses a significant threat to endangered species and emphasizes the need for long-term infectious disease studies.