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Ruhr-University Bochum


New catalyst achieves unprecedented activities

Researchers have developed a new efficient catalyst to synthesise aromatic amines, which are central building blocks in many drugs and pesticides. The system is more active than conventional catalysts, enabling faster and more efficient production of these compounds.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateDec 4, 2018

How water fleas detect predators

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum discovered that water fleas detect predator presence through a cocktail of signalling molecules secreted by Chaoborus larvae during digestion. The fleas respond by growing defensive features such as neckteeth and spines, making them harder to consume.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateNov 27, 2018

How a crystal is solvated in water

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum used microscopic methods to observe the solvation process of a crystal in water. The team imaged individual molecules at extremely low temperatures, revealing the attachment of solvent molecules and the loss of molecular order.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateNov 20, 2018

Affordable catalyst for CO2 recycling

Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum have developed a new catalyst using mineral pentlandite to convert carbon dioxide into valuable source materials. The catalyst's stability and ability to produce synthetic gas mixtures make it a promising approach to combat climate change.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalChemical Science·DateNov 16, 2018

Next step on the path towards an efficient biofuel cell

Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum developed a system combining gas diffusion electrode technology with the enzyme hydrogenase to achieve significantly higher current densities. The resulting biofuel cell achieved a power density of up to 3.6 milliwatts per square centimeter and an open circuit voltage of 1.13 volts.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 14, 2018

Fully identified: The pathway of protons

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum have identified the proton transfer pathway in [FeFe]-hydrogenases, a crucial step for efficient hydrogen production. The study reveals that amino acids with no function can shut down hydrogenase activity, and provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanism of proton transfer.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 9, 2018

Metallic nanocatalysts imitate the structure of enzymes

A team of researchers has successfully replicated the internal channel structures of natural enzymes in metallic nanoparticles, resulting in three times greater catalytic activity. The study focused on the oxygen reduction reaction and found that active centers within the channels enhanced reaction efficiency.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateNov 8, 2018

High stability of the hepatitis B virus

The hepatitis B virus is highly stable at room temperature and can withstand temperatures of four degrees centigrade for nine months. Disinfectants are effective against the virus when applied undiluted, but their effectiveness decreases with dilution.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateOct 30, 2018

More rules for the intelligent household

A study investigated ideal access control rules for smart home devices in networked households, analyzing user preferences and derived suggestions for access management. The researchers found that contextual factors such as age, location, and usage history affect access rights, suggesting a need for customizable settings.

A single missing gene leads to miscarriage

Research reveals a single missing gene in mothers leads to miscarriages due to placenta problems, including fewer blood vessels and altered shape. The study provides new insights into recurrent miscarriage in humans and lays the foundation for further research on placenta development.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 19, 2018

How the brain learns during sleep

Researchers found that brain activity patterns during sleep can reveal which memories are stored and which forgotten. The brain reactivates memory traces during certain sleep phases, especially when gamma band activity from deep processing is reactivated during ripples in the hippocampus, leading to later recall of images.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 5, 2018

Sexual development in fungi

Researchers have identified KIN3 as a crucial enzyme connecting cellular signalling pathways involved in fungal developmental processes. The study found that mutants lacking this enzyme were sterile and exhibited developmental disorders.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalGenetics·DateSep 4, 2018

Synthetic DNA-based enzymes

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum have developed semi-synthetic enzyme systems using DNA, which can replace protein cofactors. This innovation aims to create more stable biocatalysts that can be used in industry for climate protection and economic gain.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Reviews Chemistry·DateAug 20, 2018

How ions gather water molecules around them

Researchers from Ruhr-Universität Bochum used terahertz spectroscopy to gain new insights into the hydration shell of charged particles. They found that hydration shells with a size between two and 21 water molecules were determined for more than 37 salts, depending on the ion's size and valency.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateAug 9, 2018

Active substance raises hopes of curing hepatitis E

Researchers have found a possible active substance against the hepatitis E virus in naturally occurring silvestrol, which inhibits pathogen replication in cell cultures and mice. Silvestrol is formed by mahogany plants and has been shown to be effective against the virus in both lab tests and animal models.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAntiviral Research·DateAug 1, 2018

ERC Starting Grant for Clara Saraceno

The ERC grant will help Dr. Saraceno find new highly-efficient sources of light waves in the terahertz range, with potential applications in chemistry, physics and biology. The researchers aim to gain further insights into interactions between water molecules and substances dissolved in it.

Infrared sensor as new method for drug discovery

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum developed a new infrared sensor method to analyze the structure of proteins affected by active agents. This method provides rapid measurements, allowing for the detection of structural changes within minutes and the identification of binding periods that determine drug efficacy.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJul 19, 2018

Label-free method for rapid cancer diagnosis

Researchers at Ruhr-Universität Bochum have developed a label-free method for rapid cancer diagnosis using infrared imaging, which can perform analysis in just a few minutes. The technique, combined with bioinformatical image analysis, shows promising results with 97% accuracy compared to traditional histopathological analyses.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 18, 2018