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Ruhr-University Bochum


How humans repress prejudices

Research by Dr Beate Krickel suggests that people can hold unconscious biases despite professing tolerant views. These biases can be detected using psychological tests, but may be masked by repression of negative emotions.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalPhilosophical Psychology·DateMay 16, 2018

Email encryption standards hacked

Researchers demonstrated that two common email encryption standards are vulnerable to attacks, compromising secure communication. The S/MIME standard is not suitable for secure communication due to outdated cryptography, while OpenPGP can be configured securely but often isn't.

Stress helps unlearn fear

Researchers found that stress can render extinction learning context-independent, allowing patients to transfer knowledge from one situation to another. This could improve the efficacy of exposure therapies for anxiety disorders.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalBehavior Therapy·DateMay 9, 2018

Detailed images of tumor vasculature

The new technology, called Motion Model Ultrasound Localization Microscopy, allows for the tracking of individual microbubbles in real-time, enabling the reconstruction of fine vascular networks and monitoring of blood flow. This technique has potential applications in cancer treatment, particularly in sonoporation therapy.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 18, 2018

Carbon dioxide as a raw material

Scientists at Ruhr-University Bochum successfully converted CO2 into an alcohol through a two-step reaction, facilitated by copper and rhodium catalysts. The process achieved a 40% recycling rate for the base, paving the way for industrial-scale applications.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalChemistry - A European Journal·DateApr 17, 2018

Observing biological nanotransporters

Researchers shed light on functional mechanism of ABC exporters, which transport a wide range of molecules out of cells. This understanding could lead to new therapeutic approaches by specifically influencing or inhibiting these processes.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateApr 13, 2018

A catalyst with self-defense against oxygen

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum have developed a new catalyst with a self-defense mechanism against oxygen damage, using DuBois-type complexes based on abundant metals. The protection system involves an immobilization matrix that electrically disconnects the catalyst from the electrode surface.

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

Creating complex molecules in just a few steps

Researchers have developed a new process for creating complex molecules in just a few steps, making it more efficient and environmentally friendly. The method involves C-H activation, allowing for the transformation of a single C-H bond into a functional group, enabling easy combination of two different molecules.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateMar 7, 2018

Bacteria produce more substances than hitherto assumed

A team of researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum has discovered that the bacterium Streptomyces chartreusis produces 1,044 different substances, exceeding expectations. Many of these substances have pharmaceutical potential and could lead to new treatments for patients who suffer from iron overdose or aluminium toxicity.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 21, 2018

Why the boss always gets the blame

Researchers found that social role, not causal influence, determines blame distribution in real life. The study tested this assumption in an online experiment with 209 test participants and found that bosses received more criticism than employees even when they didn't make the decision.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalPhilosophical Psychology·DateFeb 20, 2018

Optimal fertilization thanks to sensor and cloud

A new nitrate sensor developed by Ruhr-University Bochum can analyze one drop of plant juice in seconds to determine optimal fertilization levels, resulting in improved crop yields and reduced waste. The sensor is linked to a cloud-based system that estimates regional fertilizer demand and provides farmers with real-time data.

Feelings determine from which side we embrace each other

Researchers studied over 2,500 hugs to understand how emotional context affects hug behavior. They found that emotional states influence the lateralization of hugs, with left-sided hugs more common in positive situations and right-sided hugs in negative contexts. Handedness and footedness also play a role in predicting hug direction.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalPsychological Research·DateJan 24, 2018

New therapeutic approach for advanced lung disease

Researchers have identified new drug candidates that target multiple protein kinase families to reduce inflammation in COPD. The Narrow Spectrum Kinase Inhibitors (NSKIs) show promising anti-inflammatory effects and may constitute a breakthrough in treating advanced lung disease.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateJan 12, 2018

How odors are turned into long-term memories

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum investigate the brain area responsible for storing odours as long-term memories. They found that the piriform cortex is involved, but only works in interaction with other areas, and requires instruction from the orbitofrontal cortex to establish long-term memory.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalCerebral Cortex·DateDec 22, 2017

Tracking a solvation process step by step

Chemists at Ruhr-Universität Bochum tracked individual water molecules attaching to an organic molecule, exploring hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity. The study uses low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy, providing insights into solvation processes.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateDec 21, 2017

Hydrogen gas from enzyme production

Scientists at Freie Universität Berlin and Ruhr-Universität Bochum have discovered how enzymes produce molecular hydrogen. The process involves two electrons being transferred to two hydrogen ions through proton-coupled electron transfer, a mechanism that could explain the production of hydrogen gas in other enzymes.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateDec 6, 2017

When friends become objects

Researchers found that Facebook users with strong materialistic values use the platform more frequently and engage deeper, objectifying their friends. The Social Online Self-Regulation Theory proposes self-regulation as the key to social media usage, aiming for a neutral attitude towards platforms.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalHeliyon·DateNov 23, 2017

Why plants form sprouts in the dark

Researchers identified a cell wall signal that initiates darkness programme in seedling development, enhancing survival. The signal is linked to metabolic breakdown products of pectin, allowing plant cells to communicate with each other about light conditions.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalCurrent Biology·DateNov 7, 2017

How enzymes produce hydrogen

Enzymes called [FeFe]-hydrogenases efficiently convert electrons and protons into hydrogen, offering a potential solution for biotechnological production of the energy source. The team's discovery reveals the crucial role of a complex structure called the H-cluster in facilitating this process.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 21, 2017

How protein interactions drive cellular death

A team of researchers has decoded the complex interplay of three components in a protein network regulating programmed cell death, also known as apoptosis. Their findings suggest that interaction between Bcl-2 proteins is key to understanding this process and its link to diseases such as cancer.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 14, 2017

How selenium compounds might become catalysts

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum have discovered that selenium can form bonds similar to those of hydrogen bonds, resulting in accelerated chemical reactions. The team's findings suggest that weaker bonds, such as hydrogens bonds, might be sufficient for activation or catalysis.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJul 13, 2017

Carbon displays quantum effects

Researchers have observed carbon atoms exhibiting quantum effects, including wave-particle duality and tunneling behavior, in a reaction called the Cope rearrangement. At extremely low temperatures, the molecules can transition from one form to another without overcoming an energy barrier, a phenomenon known as tunneling.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJul 12, 2017

Psychological effect against pushing and shoving

The study reveals that participants in a corridor setup exhibited lower crowd density than in a semicircle setup. Psychological aspects, including social norms and fairness, are believed to play a role in shaping the behavior of crowds. The findings suggest that purely physical models are insufficient for understanding crowd dynamics.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 6, 2017

For rodents, seeing is believing

Researchers found that rats use local visual cues more than idiothetic cues when navigating through identical environments in darkness. Place cell activity indicated that animals were unaware of separate environments, suggesting reliance on visual cues over directional sense.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalFrontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·DateJul 6, 2017

Fixation of powder catalysts on electrodes

Researchers developed a new method to tightly fix powder catalysts on electrode surfaces, addressing the challenge of high physical stress induced by gas evolving reactions. The technique involves applying an organic polymer that transforms into carbon at high temperatures, providing a stable and conductive surface for catalysis.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 30, 2017

New method: Water mapping around solutes

Chemists at Ruhr-University Bochum developed a new terahertz calorimetry technique to map changes in water molecules around solutes. This method allows for real-time analysis of hydration shells and can be applied to complex systems like enzymes for drug design.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMay 22, 2017

Diagnosing cancer

Scientists at Ruhr-University Bochum have established a new process for identifying biomarkers in cancer diagnosis, utilizing infrared spectroscopy. The method enables precise analysis of protein changes in tumor tissue, facilitating personalized therapy.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 3, 2017