A recent study by Dr. Ansgar Hudde found that women in Germany have been voting more left-wing than men, with the youngest voters being particularly left-leaning. The trend is most evident among those aged 18-24, where parties like the Greens and Left are more popular among women.
Researchers have uncovered a novel mechanism of cell death regulation, shedding light on its significance during conditions such as SARS-CoV infection and skin injury. The study reveals that the cleavage of cFLIP restrains cell death during viral infection and tissue injury, favoring tissue repair.
A team of researchers from the University of Cologne has successfully decoded a previously unknown ancient script, known as the Kushan script. The breakthrough was made possible by analyzing inscriptions found in caves, bowls, and clay pots in Central Asia, which provided key clues to deciphering the writing system.
Research by Professor Björn Schumacher investigates the role of male germ cells in genetic mutations. The study suggests that paternal DNA damage can lead to faulty repairs in the genome, resulting in structural variants.
A recent study by Nils Heck and Kenneth Dumack reveals that microbial predators like amoebae and ciliates play a significant role in shaping the bacterial community in wastewater treatment. The findings suggest that these predators, which are temperature-dependent, contribute to seasonal variations in wastewater treatment efficiency.
A new study by the University of Cologne and IAB found that school closures during the pandemic reduced working hours for parents due to childcare obligations. Reopening schools led to a rebound in working hours, with parents who had access to care or schooling attending work about 1.5-2 hours more per week than those without.
Daniel Herwartz receives 2 million euros funding from ERC Consolidator Grant for his project KinO, which explores temperature fluctuations associated with mass extinction and improves temperature reconstructions of ancient ocean temperatures.
A study found that people offer bribes above average to officials from countries with a reputation for corruption. Citizens tend to over- or underestimate the acceptance rates of officials from different countries. Overcoming biases about certain nations could help fight corruption globally.
A study by University of Cologne researchers found that 25-35% of permafrost's organic carbon is bound to mineral particles, making it harder for microorganisms to utilize. This complex binding process affects the release of greenhouse gases from thawing permafrost.
As organisms age, gene transcription speed increases but accuracy decreases, leading to lower-quality proteins. However, researchers found that dietary restrictions and certain interventions can reverse this process, revealing a potential molecular mechanism for healthy aging.
Research reveals that cold activates cellular cleansing mechanisms that break down protein clumps, preventing age-related diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. By modulating proteasome activity, scientists have found a potential therapeutic target for aging and related neurodegenerative disorders.
A specialized mRNA translation circuit controlled by protein RBPMS determines the competence for heart formation in human embryonic development. The study provides a better understanding of human cardiac development and reveals potential molecular targets for therapeutic interventions.
Researchers at University of Cologne discovered a way to improve DNA repair in body cells, making them resilient towards DNA damage. This can help prevent aging and cancer development, with potential applications for treating human patients.
Scientists uncover evidence of median eyes in trilobites, which were previously unknown due to fossilization process. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of arthropods and provides a new tool for classifying species.
Researchers have developed a new type of OLED display that uses strong coupling of light and matter to improve color saturation and brightness. The displays, known as polariton-based OLEDs, achieve this without compromising efficiency or viewing angle dependency.
A study by University of Cologne researchers found that virtual reality gamers completed tasks faster with higher levels of general intelligence and processing capacity. The results suggest VR games can be used as a tool for predicting job performance, bridging the gap between research and practice.
A new study has discovered a connection between a mitochondrial metabolite and the activation of an inflammatory response. Fumarate, produced in the mitochondrion, triggers mitochondrial damage that releases genetic material into small vesicles, leading to inflammation.
A team of scientists observed the dynamic formation process of interstellar gas clouds, revealing speeds of up to 20 km/s that compress gas into denser regions where massive stars form. The findings challenge previous assumptions of slow and quasi-static star formation processes in this region.
Researchers at the University of Cologne discovered that bacterial membrane potential changes during biofilm formation, correlating with increased antibiotic tolerance. The study found characteristic patterns of polarization that evolve in space and time, which are linked to a change in oxygen availability.
Researchers discovered that radiation damage to paternal DNA is passed on to offspring through a highly error-prone repair mechanism. This leads to structural changes in the paternal chromosomes and causes developmental defects. Histone proteins play a crucial role in shielding damaged chromosomes from accurate repair.
A study by Dr Ansgar Hudde found that the Dutch cycle around twice as often as Germans during winter months due to differences in mobility culture. This is attributed to a cycling culture in Germany that only encourages seasonal cycling, whereas the Netherlands promotes year-round cycling.
Researchers discovered that RNA interference, a viral defence mechanism, also prevents overproduction of body's own proteins in intestinal cells, promoting ER quality control. This interplay is crucial for maintaining protein balance and overall intestinal health.
Researchers from University of Cologne and Technical University of Munich discovered that the signal peptidase complex plays a crucial role in quality control of membrane proteins. The complex cleaves faulty membrane proteins to initiate their degradation, maintaining cellular function. This discovery has important implications for und...
Scientists have discovered how cells eliminate mutated mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) using autophagy, a cellular waste disposal process. This mechanism prevents mitochondrial damage and preserves function.
A study by University of Cologne scientists found that colleagues' encouragement and own healthy behaviors positively correlate with employees' fruit and vegetable consumption. However, explicit encouragement has a positive effect on physical exercise, while colleagues' behavior does not typically influence others' physical activity.
A recent study by University of Cologne researchers found that the public is more willing to support costly climate policies if other countries contribute as well. This increased willingness is due to individuals expecting these efforts to be fairer and more effective. The team surveyed over 10,000 citizens in four countries and discov...
Researchers analyzed data from two meteorite impacts recorded by NASA's InSight spacecraft, revealing a very uniform structure and high density of the Martian crust. The findings provide new insights into the planet's core, mantle, and crust, shedding light on the formation and evolution of Mars.
Researchers found that horizontal gene transfer can accelerate bacterial adaptation under most growth conditions, but not all. By analyzing the fitness effects of gene transfer, they can predict when it will provide an advantage.
Climate variability in eastern Africa influenced hominin evolution, leading to anatomically distinct groups and modern human separation. Researchers analyzed lake sediment cores, revealing stable humid conditions, abrupt arid pulses, and extreme environmental shifts.
Researchers found a specific CAPRIN1 gene mutation linked to impaired protein production, leading to autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, language impairments, and muscle weakness. The study also identified similar symptoms in patients with early-onset ataxia and myasthenia.
Recent excavations at Româneşti, western Romania, provide insights into the adaptation and craftsmanship of early Homo sapiens around 40 thousand years ago. The site yielded standardized chipped stone bladelets and grindstones suggesting a projectile workshop.
Research finds that a single dose of alcohol permanently changes brain structure and function, leading to increased risk of addiction. The study used fruit flies and mice models to show that ethanol-induced changes in mitochondrial dynamics and synapse balance contribute to long-lasting behavioral changes.
A new study reveals that the protein CHIP can regulate insulin receptor signals more efficiently alone than in a paired state. This finding suggests that maintaining a balance between monomeric and dimeric states of CHIP is crucial for proper cellular function.
Researchers at University of Cologne and Masaryk University discovered a star, S4716, orbiting Sagittarius A* in just four years and reaching speeds of 8000 kilometers per second. The study sheds new light on the origin and evolution of fast-moving stars near black holes.
Researchers identify AgRP neurons as key players in regulating food intake by releasing endogenous lysophospholipids, which stimulate cerebral cortex activity. Administering autotaxin inhibitors can significantly reduce excessive food intake and obesity in animal models.
Research shows that default options on carbon offsetting websites can lead to faster CO2 compensation, even at higher costs. The study found that as costs increase, the effectiveness of these defaults decreases. This suggests that people are price-sensitive when it comes to high-cost defaults.
A team of researchers from the University of Cologne identified a possible key enzyme that enables algae-eating protists to dissolve algal cell walls. The study, published in Current Biology, reveals new insights into the molecular toolkit used by these organisms to interact with their prey.
Researchers found a clear tendency for people to assign idealized attributes to their online avatars, particularly regarding psychological traits. This phenomenon suggests that internet users often present an idealized version of themselves, with significant differences between actual and ideal self-representations.
A University of Cologne study finds that children with same-sex parents exhibit comparable social adjustment as those with opposite-sex parents, showcasing the resilience of same-sex families.
Researchers at Universities of Cologne and Bayreuth found that flooding frequency and topography determine the abundance of microplastics in an alluvial Rhine soil. The study, published in Science of the Total Environment, revealed that microplastics can accumulate in floodplains and be transported into deeper soil layers.
Researchers at the University of Cologne investigated UPF3A and UPF3B proteins involved in nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), a quality control mechanism preventing defective mRNA from being processed into harmful proteins. The study shows that both proteins have partially overlapping functions, enabling fault-tolerant activation of NMD.
Researchers have created a giant magnetochiral anisotropy effect in topological insulator nanowires, allowing for highly controllable current rectification. This discovery opens the pathway for technological applications and demonstrates a significant step towards achieving topological qubits.
Researchers found that some quantum computer chips are dangerously close to chaos due to improper disorder design. A delicate balance must be struck to safeguard device operation.
Researchers found that some magmas originate from mantle portions with early crust remnants, suggesting a 'graveyard' of old material survived for billions of years. This discovery sheds light on the formation of large continents and the evolution of Earth's atmosphere.
A team of economists proposes flexible import tariffs to reduce Russia's financial gains from its oil and gas exports, allowing EU to flexibly react to Moscow's actions in Ukraine. The measure could prove valuable in mid- and long-term efforts to become more independent of Russian oil and gas.
Researchers at the University of Cologne and the University of Wuppertal have developed a tandem solar cell that achieves an unprecedented 24% efficiency, outperforming previous records. The innovative design combines organic and perovskite-based absorbers with an indium oxide interconnect to minimize losses.
Researchers at University of Cologne discovered that specific diets can safeguard against acute kidney injury in mouse models. The six tested diets showed overlapping changes in cysteine catabolism as a potential mechanism for organ protection.
Researchers have found that autophagy helps form epithelial syncytia during wound healing, a process previously only observed in muscle and placenta development. This discovery highlights the importance of understanding autophagy's role in disease mechanisms.
Researchers at the University of Cologne's Institute of Organic Chemistry have created a novel method for producing synthetic messenger RNA (mRNA) with site-specifically introduced non-natural nucleotides. This approach allows for better therapeutic applications and study of cellular processes.
A new study by University of Cologne researchers reveals that computer games can significantly boost educational success when used effectively in the classroom. The study found that personal characteristics of pre-service teachers play a crucial role in their intention to adopt digital game-based learning, with perceived effectiveness ...