Researchers have identified a new molecular target, OR51B4 olfactory receptor, in colorectal cancer cells, which can be activated by the odorant troenan. This activation leads to inhibition of tumour growth, slowing down cell proliferation and increasing apoptosis.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum found that ischemic injury affects the extracellular matrix in the retina and optic nerve, leading to changes in protein composition. These changes can influence cell survival or death, contributing to eye diseases.
Researchers found that viruses stimulate the assembly of light-harvesting complexes in host bacteria, allowing for efficient photosynthesis and energy production. This mechanism provides a selective advantage to the virus, enabling it to replicate quickly.
A study published in eLife found that differences in gene activity between the left and right hemispheres are responsible for handedness. The researchers also discovered that environmental influences during pregnancy can affect the development of precursors to handedness.
The flashlight fish uses its bioluminescent light organs to detect prey in the dark, adjusting flash frequency to the context. Researchers also found that the fish blink at a high rate during feeding and are regulated by lighting conditions.
Researchers found olfactory receptors in human heart muscle that react to fatty acids, reducing heart rate and contraction force. A blocker for the receptor has been developed to mitigate negative effects on diabetic patients and those with increased heart rates.
A team led by Prof Dr Aiden Haghikia and Prof Dr Ralf Gold report two patients who developed severe symptoms under alemtuzumab, a common MS treatment. The researchers successfully treated the side effects with a new algorithm that could benefit other patients worldwide.
Researchers from Ruhr-Universität Bochum used data from the Astrophysical Journal to determine the age of the star, finding it had formed at the same time as our galaxy. The dual star system's companion star transferred matter to 49 Lib, causing incorrect age estimates.
Using infrared spectroscopy and computer simulations, researchers at Ruhr-Universität Bochum discovered a magnesium atom contributes significantly to switching G-proteins on and off. This finding has implications for understanding disease mechanisms and developing targeted drugs.
The project investigates Buddhist networks in Eastern Central Asia from the 6th-14th centuries, exploring transregional links between China, India, Tibet, and Central Asian regions. The team will analyze manuscripts and conduct field research to understand how Buddhism spread and evolved.
Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum found that capsaicin, an active ingredient in chilli peppers, inhibits the growth of triple-negative breast cancer cells by activating the TRPV1 receptor. The treatment also causes tumour cells to die and reduces their ability to form metastases.
Researchers aim to understand how particle shape influences catalytic activity and design more efficient catalysts for CO2 recycling reactions. The goal is to convert climate gas CO2 into valuable chemicals and fuels.
The researchers used spectroscopy to visualize the arginine finger bonded to the GTP molecule at high precision, revealing how its snap affects geometry and charge distribution. This discovery has implications for understanding switch processes in the body and developing treatments for cancer and genetic diseases.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum and Malmö University created a hybrid fuel cell and capacitor using biocatalytic processes, generating and storing energy efficiently. The new biosupercapacitor combines energy production and storage, offering high capacity and low weight for potential use in implantable devices.
Scientists found that the mechanism of splitting disulphide bonds under tensile stress changes depending on bond strength, making it harder to interpret experimental data. Quantum mechanical simulations revealed complex interactions with surrounding water molecules.
Researchers found that Arabidopsis halleri rockcress can accumulate high levels of toxic heavy metals like zinc and cadmium in its leaves. This adaptation may help clean soils contaminated with these pollutants through phytoremediation.
Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum have successfully combined enzyme and chemical catalysts using a gel matrix to overcome the challenge of different reaction conditions. This approach enables more efficient and cost-effective synthesis of polyphenols, with potential applications in cancer therapies.
Researchers discovered that solvent molecules can significantly impact the formation of an ether molecule, even when they don't directly participate in the reaction. A second methanol molecule is essential for the reaction to occur, indicating that solvent molecules are not just bystanders but rather assistants.
A team of biologists has identified a cannabinoid receptor, GPR18, in spermatozoa that plays a crucial role in the acrosome reaction and fertilization process. The receptor is sensitive to NAGly and THC, and its activation triggers the acrosome reaction.
Scientists identified two types of olfactory receptors that dilate and contract bronchioles when activated by specific scents. The discovery could lead to new asthma treatments using compounds like amyl butyrate, which relaxes bronchi muscles.
Researchers have found a new, sustainable catalyst for hydrogen production in the form of pentlandite, a mineral composed of iron, nickel, and sulfur. The study shows that artificial pentlandite produces hydrogen more efficiently than naturally occurring variants, with stable performance and a high active surface area.
Scientists have successfully realised qubits in a novel form, leveraging electron holes to overcome interference issues. This breakthrough offers potential improvements in programming and reading quantum bits for future quantum computers.
Neuroscientists found specific brain regions active when using prototype and exemplar strategies for categorization. These strategies help reduce information load by applying different cognitive processes.
Researchers found a negative correlation between rainfall in north-western Africa and Europe 10,000 years ago, reversing in the early Holocene period. Climate simulations suggest the North American ice sheet's melting affected atmospheric circulation patterns and ocean currents, leading to the change in correlation.
Researchers used a new artificial neural network method to simulate the atomic interactions of water molecules, explaining its melting temperature and density maximum. The study provides insights into the unusual properties of water, which cannot be understood solely on the basis of its chemical composition.
Researchers have discovered a highly selective catalyst that converts carbon dioxide into ethylene, producing more ethylene and fewer unwanted side products. The catalyst, made from plasma-treated copper, offers new possibilities for designing nanoscale catalysts with specific activity and selectivity.
Researchers from Ruhr-Universität Bochum and Technische Universität Dortmund used infrared spectroscopy and computer simulations to analyze the behavior of TMAO at high pressure. They found that some bands shifted to higher frequencies, while individual peaks changed their form, indicating a change in molecular structure.
Researchers found that learning and training improve perception in older adults, despite degraded tactile perception. Computer simulations revealed that the brain's compensatory mechanism is strengthened, resulting in enhanced brain activity and improved perception.
Scientists mapped all RNA structures of a diarrheal pathogen at once, identifying temperature-responsive structures that sense temperature changes. These 'RNA thermometers' can reveal gene sequences and proteins controlling disease progression.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum have discovered an olfactory receptor in melanocytes, which can be activated by Beta-Ionone to regulate enzyme activity and cell growth. This finding offers new potential for treating melanoma and other pigmentation disorders.
Engineers successfully created a hydrogen-producing enzyme that works as efficiently as the natural version, without needing platinum. The artificial variant replaces sulphur with selenium and retains its biochemical properties.
Christof Paar, a Bochum IT security expert, has been awarded an ERC Advanced Grant to explore and prevent cryptographic hardware backdoors that pose a major threat to the Internet of Things. The project aims to develop countermeasures against hardware Trojans that can compromise device security.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum successfully taught bacteria to swim by combining various RNA modules in a new way. The team used riboswitches and RNA thermometers to control the bacterium's behavior and responded to temperature and metabolic products.
Chemists develop methods to wind up molecules into screw-shaped structures using artificial molecules, demonstrating a mechanism to transfer handedness. The technique could be used to design molecules for catalysis or energy conversion.
Martina Havenith from Ruhr-Universität Bochum receives funding for Time-Resolved THz-Calorimetry, a new method to study protein-solvent interactions in real-time. The project aims to investigate dynamic interplay between molecules and solvent.
Scientists have created an optogenetic tool that can control specific G-protein-coupled signalling pathways in the brain with high temporal precision. By using different-coloured light, researchers can switch these pathways on and off, offering new insights into the role of certain signalling pathways in disease.
Researchers found that the brain automatically pays attention to social context in everyday actions, suggesting a high level of sensitivity for absorbing social information. The study used hypnosis to switch off top-down attention processes and showed that mu-suppression was stronger in hypnotised participants.
The researchers genetically modified cyanobacteria to produce enzymes for basic and fine chemicals, utilizing photosynthesis to supply energy. This approach shows promising potential for industrial applications by reducing unwanted by-products and increasing selectivity.
The novel blood test detects misfolded Amyloid beta peptides in body fluids, revealing potential for early detection of Alzheimer's. The test has achieved high diagnostic precision with a sensitivity of up to 90% and is being further optimized in ongoing studies.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum developed a new dry electrode for measuring ion concentrations, overcoming size and cost constraints. The system uses solid electrode material with storage capacity for positively charged ions, providing stable results over a lengthy period.
Researchers have successfully increased water electrolysis efficiency by applying a copper layer to platinum electrodes. This innovation boosts the reaction's activity and extends electrode lifespan. The breakthrough could lead to large-scale implementation of climate-friendly energy conversion using surplus electricity.
Researchers found that birds have sophisticated cognitive skills, matching those of apes, in tasks such as hoarding food and recognizing themselves in mirrors. The brains of birds and apes share similar single modules and prefrontal brain structures controlling executive functions.
A philosopher at Ruhr-University Bochum argues that our brain constructs complex contents immediately upon spotting an object, integrating typical features into a pattern. This process is evident in both individual and social perception, and has evolutionary significance.
A team of researchers monitored the folding of an RNA hairpin in a living cell and compared the results with those of test tube analyses. They found that the RNA molecule in the living cell exhibited strong fluctuations in stability, similar to the dynamic changes in the cellular environment.
Olfactory receptors in human blood cells have been found to be activated by the Sandalore odorant, inhibiting the growth of leukemia cells and promoting red blood cell formation. This discovery could provide a new starting point for developing leukaemia treatments.
Researchers used molecular dynamics simulations to study supercritical water, revealing differences in hydrogen bond networks between three states: liquid water at room temperature, high-density and low-density supercritical states. The study aims to interpret experimental results using terahertz spectroscopy.
A new theoretical model proposes that humans have an exclusively human capacity for mental time travel, composed of episodic memory and scenario construction. However, no definitive evidence supports foresightful behavior in animals, suggesting they may not possess the same level of mental time travel capabilities.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum found a link between brain GABA levels and tactile learning, predicting learning success by baseline GABA levels. Higher GABA levels were associated with improved sensory learning potential.
Scientists have identified a second giant pore in peroxisomes, enabling the transport of folded proteins essential for human life. The discovery sheds light on how these organelles import enzymes and other proteins from the cytoplasm, a process critical for cellular function.
A three-year project is launching to investigate neural network mechanisms of sequence generation in the hippocampus. The researchers aim to shed light upon the neuronal foundations of memory, a brain structure crucial for remembering personal experiences.