A recent study analyzed 274 pregnancies of MS patients who discontinued natalizumab before or during pregnancy, finding that stopping the drug can lead to 80% MS relapses within four to seven months. Pregnancy does not provide protection and may even increase risk
Researchers argue that biology teachers need special training to address students' incorrect ideas about evolution, which can hinder scientific understanding. The study found that experienced teachers diagnosed around 60% of misconceptions correctly, while those with no experience did so only half the time.
Researchers explored pigeons' categorization strategies using computer-generated stimuli and machine learning analysis. The study found that pigeons attach importance to specific characteristics of stimuli, leading to individualized categorization preferences.
A recent study found that most common hand disinfectants are ineffective against the hepatitis E virus (HEV), a leading cause of acute liver inflammation worldwide. Despite being non-enveloped and highly resistant to chemical influences, HEV can still be infectious after exposure to certain disinfectants.
Researchers have successfully created a supramolecular rotor enclosed in a cube-shaped porphyrin cage molecule, showcasing the potential for molecular nanomachines to be controlled remotely. The molecular gyroscope's movements can be triggered by light and exhibit stochastic dynamics.
Scientists investigated nanoparticle dispersions in aqueous solution to track down capacitance and rearrangement processes at platinum and gold nanoparticles. They found that dissolved ions accumulate between compact water layers, leading to unexpectedly high capacitances.
A study published in Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery found that eye-tracking systems can enable critically ill, non-verbal patients to communicate their pain levels, mood, quality of life, and self-esteem. The results showed that many patients experienced negative emotions despite adequate treatment.
Researchers developed a data-guided combinatorial synthesis strategy and computational modeling to identify promising high entropy alloys for electrocatalysis. The method enables the exploration of atomic scale effects on catalytic activity, providing insights into composition-activity-stability trends.
Scientists visualized the distribution of atoms in cobalt iron oxide nanoparticles and studied structural changes on the surface during oxygen evolution reaction. The findings provide atomic insights into compositional changes affecting catalytic performance.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum propose a new platform theory of consciousness, which links conscious states to complex cognitive operations. The model suggests that consciousness arises from the interaction of different neuronal networks and is essential for adaptive behavior in humans, animals, and artificial intelligence.
A new study has generated a massive dataset of artificial voice recordings, revealing subtle differences in high frequencies between real and fake files. The researchers developed algorithms that can distinguish between deepfakes and real speech, providing a starting point for other researchers to improve detection methods.
A recent study found that loneliness among emerging adults (18-29 years old) has increased by about 0.56 standard deviations on the UCLA Loneliness Scale over a 43-year period. This slight increase is considered a warning signal for the need to design prevention and intervention measures against loneliness.
Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum investigated bird brains to understand working memory limitations. They found that birds and monkeys share the same central mechanisms and limits of working memory, with a capacity of about four items of information simultaneously.
A survey of 9 European countries and the US found significant differences in vaccine skepticism, with Russia having the lowest percentage at 62% and the UK the highest at 93.9%. Factors such as media use, mental health, and government communication played a role in shaping attitudes towards vaccination.
Researchers have documented a new type of slow earthquake in British Columbia, Canada, triggered by hydraulic fracturing. The events exhibit unique features suggesting they rupture more slowly than conventional earthquakes, challenging the current understanding of induced earthquakes.
Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum identified 14 new types of cross-site leak (XS-Leak) attacks on web browsers. XS-Leaks allow malicious websites to grab personal data by interacting with other sites in the background, with popular browsers like Chrome and Firefox vulnerable to multiple attacks.
Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum found that adding organic carbon substances like ethanol and glucose can improve nitrate degradation in groundwater. Temperature played a significant role in selecting the most effective substance.
Scientists have studied how different drugs affect Pseudomonas aeruginosa, revealing what makes it resistant to antibiotics. A new experimental substance called CHIR-090 has shown promise in blocking the production of sugar-lipid compounds, a previously unexploited target for treatment.
Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery by exciting an unattainable energy transition in an artificial atom using laser light. The radiative Auger process allowed them to stimulate electrons to emit energy and transfer it to another electron, achieving a seemingly impossible transition.
Scientists investigate how positively and negatively charged ions behave at solid-liquid interfaces. They found that the hydration shell of positively charged sodium ions is stripped away at small voltages, while negatively charged chloride ions require higher voltages.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum found that people combine different strategies to comprehend others, with mindreading playing a crucial role in building and maintaining long-term relationships. This approach suggests that social cognition should not be viewed as competing strategies, but rather as interacting and flexible methods.
Researchers found that children who were described as calm tended to play calmly, while active toddlers played actively, regulating their negative feelings. Toddlers also learned distraction strategies by observing adults playing while waiting, regardless of the adult's temperament.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum study coral reefs' reaction to climate change, discovering polyp bailout as a potential survival mechanism. The study reveals different species react with varying intensity to environmental stressors, and that individual polyps can survive and grow in new locations.
Researchers investigated the impact of mRNA vaccines on dialysis patients' immunity against Sars-Cov-2 variants. They found that while many produce reactive T cells, protective antibodies are formed less frequently. This immunological memory can be strengthened through vaccination and repeated contact with the pathogen.
Researchers investigated how people understand emoji by replacing words with emojis in sentences and measuring reading time. Participants easily understood sentences with emoji, but took longer to read emoji depicting homophones, indicating the image must be interpreted first.
Scientists used computational strategies to evaluate antibiotic candidates, identifying a promising new variant that is up to 56 times more active than existing antibiotics. This approach enables faster and more affordable development of new antibiotics, helping to combat resistance.
A recent study suggests that dialysis patients can benefit from a third Covid-19 vaccination dose. Researchers examined 23 dialysis patients who had shown a reduced vaccination response after two doses and found that most developed high antibody titers and killer cell responses against the Sars-Cov-2 coronavirus after a third dose.
The study found that memories of objects from stressful situations rely on similar brain activity as memories of the stress trigger itself. This suggests that the mechanism reinforcing emotional memories is rooted in the neural link between important aspects of the episode and the stress trigger.
A study published by Ruhr-University Bochum's Department of Neurophysiology found that the olfactory system works closely with the brain's reward and aversion systems to form and retrieve memories. Non-olfactory brain regions, such as the limbic cortex, play a crucial role in categorizing scents as pleasant or unpleasant.
A research team identified H3 acetylation as a crucial factor in human brain development, leading to the unique neocortex structure. This finding could pave the way for new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases by manipulating basal progenitor cell proliferation.
Protons seem to migrate faster than other ions in free aqueous solutions, but individual protons do not really move. In confined spaces, protons get stuck in an oscillatory state due to confinement effects and acid concentration.
The team designed a cascade for flow catalysis to convert glucose into trehalose in two steps using immobilised enzymes. They aim to optimise the process by improving substrate materials and making it more cost-efficient through recycling UTP.
A four-year multicentre study by Ruhr-University Bochum's Department of Dermatosurgery found that adalimumab can be used both before and after surgery for moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa. The study involved 200 patients and showed the drug to be effective and safe in this context.
Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum explain how people construct memories of important events, influenced by positive or negative feelings, narrative self-image, and descriptive language. This process shapes memories to protect the positive self and mitigate negative memories that don't fit the self-image.
A new study confirms physical activity's dual benefits in depression: reducing symptoms and increasing the brain's ability to change. The exercise programme promoted motivation, social togetherness, and improved neuroplasticity, leading to decreased depressive symptoms.
Researchers found that viruses on coins and banknotes are unlikely to be transmitted through contact. The shelf life of Sars-Cov-2 on these surfaces is short, with the risk of transmission being very low under realistic conditions.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum have developed a new reverse optogenetic tool that can be controlled by light, suitable for studying changes in the brain responsible for epilepsy.
Researchers develop underwater plasmas using high-voltage pulses, creating extreme conditions with pressures and temperatures similar to the Pacific Ocean's deepest point. The ignition process challenges conventional theories and demonstrates the potential for re-oxidising catalytic surfaces in electrochemical cells.
Scientists identify edible wild mushroom with complex reproductive structure, challenging traditional understanding of fungal reproduction. The study reveals a new type of reproduction that recombines genetic information without a mate, potentially increasing ecological fitness and adapting to previously unsuitable habitats.
A recent study of over 3,500 participants found that traumatic brain injuries are increasing in the over-65 age group, with falls as the most common cause. The study highlights the need for prevention measures, such as training programs for safe walking and redesigning homes to remove tripping hazards.
A new study published in the American Journal of Pathology uses Fast IR imaging-based AI to identify tumor type in lung cancer, providing a promising diagnostic method for future testing and treatment prediction. The analysis takes only half an hour, offering a significant improvement over current methods.
A recent study found that patients with unilateral nerve injuries often experience sensory abnormalities on the opposite side of their body, regardless of whether they have pain or not. This phenomenon, known as contralateral sensory abnormalities, suggests a common underlying mechanism for both painful and painless neuropathies.
Researchers have discovered a huge diversity of alternative splicing combinations in the human brain, allowing for adaptation to specific requirements. New glutamate receptor variants, some with potential new functions, were identified using bioinformatic methods.
A research team found that the GEA-1 algorithm, used in mobile phones since the 1990s, is easy to break and likely a deliberate weak encryption. The vulnerability no longer poses a significant threat to users, as most data traffic now uses more secure networks.
The study identifies a correlation between the progression of Alzheimer's disease and nuclear aggregates in brain cells. The findings suggest that these aggregates have a function in manipulating gene expression and may be part of AD pathology.
Researchers developed an organ-preserving treatment method to repair damaged vein valves, achieving a success rate of 95.24% in eliminating varicose vein problems. The therapy uses a thin sheath around the defective vein to restore its normal diameter and prevent serious health issues.
The Ras protein, involved in cancer development, is found to exist in a pair at the cell membrane. This pairing enhances signal transmission for cell growth, making it a potential target for cancer treatment. Bioinformatic methods and experimental data validate the structure of the interface between the two proteins.
The research team found that tenascin-C plays a crucial role in damaging vision cells following ischaemia. In mice without tenascin-C, retinal function improved after ischaemic damage, and fewer photoreceptors died.
Researchers at Ruhr-Universität Bochum discovered two new attacks that break PDF certification signatures, enabling attackers to implant malicious code and insert fake content. The team tested 26 PDF applications, with 24 of them vulnerable to at least one attack.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum have discovered a universal functional mechanism of channelrhodopsins, which determines their efficiency as an optogenetic tool. This finding will help tailor more efficient optogenetic tools in the future by blocking inefficient pathways.