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University of Cologne


Surgical treatment of fat distribution disorder is particularly effective

The LIPLEG study found that liposuction is significantly superior to conservative therapy in terms of key treatment outcomes, with 68.3% of patients experiencing clinically relevant pain reduction. The procedure also led to a marked improvement in quality of life, with patients reporting a reduction in pain and an increase in mobility.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 4, 2026

Good news, false expectations? How people assess potential returns in the stock market

A study found that people, including retail investors and financial professionals, often have different expectations for stock market returns due to varying mental models. Despite receiving outdated news, many respondents continued to expect higher returns, focusing solely on future profits rather than current share prices.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalThe Quarterly Journal of Economics·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 12, 2026

A stellar envelope near the black hole Sgr A* contains water

Astronomers have discovered water molecules in the envelope of star IRS 3, located near the supermassive black hole Sgr A*. The star's enormous envelope, fueled by rapid mass loss, has allowed water to thrive in its vicinity. This finding suggests that Sgr A* is being enriched with fundamental building blocks of life.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·TypeObservational study·DateAug 11, 2026

When the rapid adaptation of sales channels pays off

A study by University of Cologne researchers found that sales system agility contributes to higher operating profit only when channel structure and management are aligned. Companies should review their sales channel mix and allocation of responsibilities to reap benefits from rapid adaptation.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalInternational Journal of Research in Marketing·TypeSurvey·DateJun 23, 2026

Inducing cell death in pancreatic cancer cells

A team of researchers has identified a previously unknown vulnerability in KRAS-mutated pancreatic cancer cells, making them susceptible to necroptosis. Blocking the tumor cells' defense mechanism by inhibiting caspase-8 leads to significant cell death and reduced tumor growth.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 16, 2026

Extreme aridity in the hyperarid core of the Atacama Desert began around 45 million years ago

A new study reveals that the Atacama Desert's hyperarid core became arid 45 million years ago, contradicting previous assumptions. The research team used cosmogenic nuclide dating to analyze quartz clasts and found exceptionally high concentrations of rare isotopes, indicating that surface clasts remained undisturbed for tens of millio...

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 5, 2026

Politics plays a role in finding a partner

A new study by University of Cologne researchers found that political orientation significantly impacts romantic interests, with young Americans showing reluctance towards dating across party lines. The study suggests that people use politics as a filter to determine compatibility and social circle approval.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalEuropean Sociological Review·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 3, 2026

Links discovered between mitochondrial lipid deficiency and inflammation of the gut

A study published in Nature Metabolism has found a crucial link between mitochondrial lipid deficiency and gut inflammation, revealing that cardiolipin plays a key role in maintaining immune homeostasis. The research suggests that targeting the metabolism of immune cells could be a new approach to treating inflammatory bowel diseases.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalNature Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2026

When nerve cells form new connections: approach to treating spinal cord injuries developed

A new treatment approach has been developed to treat spinal cord injuries by activating signaling pathways in both injured and uninjured nerve cells. Using the protein hyper-interleukin-6 (hIL-6), the researchers showed consistent improvements in walking ability and coordinated gait patterns in mice with contusion injuries.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalNeurobiology of Disease·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 7, 2026

Fungi utilize ancient antimicrobial proteins to attack hosts and their microbiomes

Researchers discovered that fungal effector proteins evolved from ancient antimicrobial proteins to weaken host immune systems and manipulate the surrounding microbiome. These findings provide new insights into how fungi attack both hosts and beneficial microorganisms, with potential applications in agriculture and medicine.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 5, 2026

Early intervention in severe fetal megacystis can increase survival rate and kidney function

Researchers found that treating severe fetal megacystis with a vesicoamniotic shunt in the first trimester can improve survival rates and kidney function. In the study, 75% of children were born alive and 68% survived their first year of life, with most showing normal or only slightly impaired kidney function.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalThe Lancet Child & Adolescent Health·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 13, 2026

How faulty mRNA is destroyed

Researchers have identified a crucial mechanism behind nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), which removes faulty transcripts to prevent incomplete protein production. The study reveals that the SMG5 and SMG6 proteins interact directly, forming an endonuclease that cuts through RNA in a targeted manner.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 5, 2026

False alarm in newborn screening: how zebrafish can prevent unnecessary SMA therapies

A zebrafish model was used to test the functional significance of rare SMN1 variants in children with false positive SMA diagnoses. The research found that both variants were functional and did not cause the disease. This breakthrough could prevent unnecessary SMA therapies and provide families with security.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 13, 2026

Organisms in the Atacama Desert soil are remarkably diverse

A new study reveals that resilient nematodes can persist in the Atacama Desert's hostile soil, with population diversity correlating to water profile and temperature fluctuations. The findings suggest that biodiversity in arid regions may be higher than previously assumed, but also warn of ecosystem damage.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateJan 13, 2026

Study models the transition from Neanderthals to modern humans in Europe

The study uses a numerical model to simulate encounters between Neanderthals and modern humans on the Iberian Peninsula. Climate fluctuations significantly influenced population dynamics, with mixing possible in certain regions. The research offers a broader explanatory framework for interpreting archaeological and genomic data.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalPLOS One·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 19, 2025

Animal behavior: AI can help fill the gap

A new AI method, DISK, helps recover missing data in animal behavior recordings, enabling more accurate analysis of neuroscience experiments. This technology, developed by a team of researchers, can analyze movements at sub-second scales and provide real-time estimations of data quality.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalNature Methods·DateDec 4, 2025

Optional learning support fosters self-directed learning

A study at the University of Cologne found that optional support is mainly used by students who need it most, making it a potentially effective tool for individualized support. However, relying solely on this type of support is not enough to address initial differences in prior knowledge.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalInternational Journal of Science Education·TypeSurvey·DateNov 11, 2025