Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Ruhr-University Bochum


How to make biocatalysts immortal

A research team from Bochum and Marseille has developed a self-defence mechanism in biocatalysts that shields them from oxygen, extending their service life up to 22,000 years. The new design uses tiny molecular spheres to create an extremely thin protective film that maintains efficiency.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateOct 9, 2019

New results on fungal genetics

Researchers discovered physically linked mating type loci in 24 Trichosporonales fungi species, with highly conserved gene sequences. This is unusual, as mating type chromosomes tend to degenerate during evolution, and the mechanisms stabilizing these loci will be analyzed in future studies.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateSep 9, 2019

Molecule properties change through light

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum have developed a novel molecule that can control its magnetic properties through visible light. The discovery has significant implications for the development of flexible and processable magnetic materials, which could be used in a range of applications including data storage and chemical sensors.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateSep 9, 2019

New approaches to heal injured nerves

A team from Ruhr-University Bochum has deciphered a new mechanism that enables the regeneration of nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. By eliminating the inhibiting protein PTEN, researchers can partially restore regenerative capacity in nerve cells, but direct inhibition is not suitable due to cancer risks.

How to improve multiple sclerosis therapy

Researchers identify various disease mechanisms underlying progressive MS, highlighting the need for precise therapy approaches targeting different pathomechanisms. Financial obstacles, including patent expirations, also hinder the development of new drugs.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Reviews Drug Discovery·DateAug 20, 2019

How two water molecules dance together

A team of researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum and Emory University observed the movement between individual water molecules for the first time, revealing new insights into their interactions. The findings help to better understand the intermolecular energy landscape and the strange properties of water.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateAug 13, 2019

Manufacture of light-activated proteins

A new strategy for designing light-sensitive proteins has been developed by researchers at Ruhr-Universität Bochum. They combined computer-aided and experimental methods to create a more targeted approach, enabling the manipulation of protein building blocks without impairing function.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalChemBioChem·DateAug 2, 2019

Next step in producing magnetic organic molecules

A team of researchers from Ruhr-Universität Bochum has successfully created new organic molecules with magnetic properties, which retain stability up to -110 degrees Celsius. These compounds could be the key to developing lightweight, transparent, and flexible magnetic materials.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJul 30, 2019

Supposed disorder is not disorder after all

A team of researchers at Ruhr-Universität Bochum has shown that the supposed disorder in the HMGA1a protein is not disorder after all. The protein adopts dynamic, more compact structures that depend on its phosphorylation state. This discovery could lead to new therapeutic strategies for cancers caused by HMGA1a.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateJul 29, 2019

How nature builds hydrogen-producing enzymes

Researchers from Ruhr-Universität Bochum and University of Oxford reveal the mechanism behind activating hydrogenases, complex enzymes that produce hydrogen efficiently. The discovery sheds light on the process of introducing a chemical cofactor into the enzyme's active center.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 24, 2019

Depressed by Facebook and the like

Researchers found a positive correlation between passive Facebook use and depressive symptoms in individuals with an increased need for social comparisons. Long-term use of social networks can also lead to lower self-esteem and greater depressive tendencies.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalBehaviour and Information Technology·DateJul 18, 2019

How procrastinators and doers differ genetically

A study found that women tend to procrastinate due to a genetic predisposition towards high dopamine levels, which affects brain regions involved in decision-making and impulse control. This trait is not observed in men, who show no correlation between the tyrosine hydroxylase gene and action control.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalSocial Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·DateJul 11, 2019

Lightning bolt underwater

Scientists at Ruhr-University Bochum created underwater plasmas using optical spectroscopy and modelling, producing extreme conditions that briefly surpass the sun's temperature. The resulting plasma breaks down water molecules into their components, releasing oxygen crucial for regenerating catalytic surfaces.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalPlasma Sources Science and Technology·DateJun 27, 2019

High reaction rates even without precious metals

Scientists at Ruhr-University Bochum have developed nanocatalysts made from cobalt iron oxide that achieve high reaction rates in oxygen generation without the need for binders. The catalysts exhibit exceptional stability under extreme conditions, making them a promising alternative to expensive precious metal catalysts.

Preventing drugs from being transported

A research team created an artificially produced antibody fragment that successfully blocks the transport of antibiotics and chemotherapy agents out of cancer cells. By binding to a specific protein, the fragment prevented the protein from splitting ATP, thus stopping the transport process.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 17, 2019

How stress leads to Facebook addiction

A study by Ruhr-University Bochum found that daily stress levels are positively correlated with Facebook engagement and addiction risk. Users who receive little offline social support are most at risk of developing a pathological dependence on the platform.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalPsychiatry Research·DateMay 28, 2019

New class of catalysts for energy conversion

Researchers at Ruhr-Universität Bochum have discovered a new class of high entropy alloys suitable for electrocatalytic applications. These materials show potential in reducing energy losses and improving activity comparable to platinum catalysts in oxygen reduction reactions.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalACS Energy Letters·DateMay 6, 2019

How the olfactory brain affects memory

Researchers found that piriform cortex stimulation triggers synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus, leading to enhanced memory formation. The study provides a theoretical basis for understanding the special role of olfaction in memory formation and retrieval.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalCerebral Cortex·DateApr 29, 2019

How light triggers brain activity

The discovery of channelrhodopsin-2 reveals two parallel paths in the activation of the ion channel by light, allowing for optimized applications in optogenetics. This understanding could lead to treatments for blind individuals and patients with agitated paralysis in Parkinson's disease.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 23, 2019

Spin lasers facilitate rapid data transfer

Researchers have developed a novel concept for rapid data transfer using spin lasers, which can work at least five times faster than traditional systems and consume significantly less energy. The technology has the potential to revolutionize data transmission, but further optimization is needed.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature·DateApr 4, 2019

How nerve cells control misfolded proteins

A team of researchers has identified a protein complex called Lubac that marks misfolded proteins, stopping them from interacting with other proteins and directing them towards disposal. This discovery holds promise for the development of new therapeutic approaches to treat neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateMar 27, 2019

The ABS of molecular engines

A team of researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum has identified a crucial role for a sixth transport step in the regulation of peroxisome function. The study reveals that this step is essential for maintaining the balance between import and export of enzymes, preventing diseases such as infant mortality

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalBiochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Cell Research·DateMar 8, 2019