Research reveals that magmas from Mount Etna and Mount Vulture have extremely high Nb/Ta ratios, indicating a deep carbon-rich lithospheric mantle beneath southern Italy. This process contributes significantly to global volcanic CO2 emissions.
Researchers at the University of Cologne have identified a new direct link between proteins BAX and DRP1 and apoptosis. The study reveals that DRP1 can serve as a direct cell death activator by binding to BAX, potentially leading to new cancer therapies.
Researchers discover Amazon basin as main mechanism for precipitation in Atacama Desert, accounting for 40-80% of total precipitation. The findings reveal a new pathway of water supply for the driest region on Earth, aside from summer rain, through moist easterly winds and winter storms.
A study by sociologist Dr. Ansgar Hudde found that city dwellers with high education levels cycle significantly more than those living in rural areas, with a strong correlation between education level and bicycle mobility. This trend is attributed to the perceived status and health benefits associated with cycling.
Researchers discovered a new method to control spin-lattice interaction with ultrashort terahertz pulses, potentially revolutionizing ultrafast data processing and storage. This breakthrough could address the growing energy demands of data storage centers.
Researchers discover tBID can induce programmed cell death through mitochondrial damage, revealing a new function for a previously thought signal transducer protein. This finding has implications for treating malignant cells and combating infections like Shigella.
Three young stars have been discovered at the center of our galaxy, contradicting initial assumptions about a gas and dust cloud called G2. The unusual temperature of G2 has sparked debate among astronomers, but new observations reveal it is actually composed of three evolving young stars.
Researchers discovered that wound macrophages undergo different metabolic programs to coordinate tissue repair, including the use of reactive oxygen radicals for blood vessel growth. Macrophages also utilize a different type of mitochondrial exchange for anti-inflammatory and reparative functions in late-stage wound healing.
A team of biologists identified the fungus Verticillium dahliae's effector molecule VdAMP3, which targets beneficial organisms in the plant's microbiome to promote infection. This discovery highlights the importance of considering the entire microbiome when understanding disease.
Researchers analyzed seismic data to uncover the composition of Elysium Planitia's shallow subsurface, revealing a regolith layer and basaltic rocks. The findings provide insights into Mars' geological history and properties that will inform future landed missions.
A study by University of Cologne researchers found that COVID-19 has a particularly negative impact on young people from economically disadvantaged and less educated backgrounds. They exhibit decreased prosocial behavior, including lower generosity, altruism, and cooperation, as well as reduced trust in others.
Dysfunction in mitochondrial respiration leads to imbalanced extracellular matrix (ECM) and tissue organization in cartilage. Research discovered the respiratory chain plays a key role in maintaining ECM balance.
A team of researchers has found a 390-million-year-old hyper-facet eye system in trilobites that is unique to the animal kingdom. The discovery suggests that this ancient eye may have been an adaptation for life in low light conditions, and could provide insights into the evolution of visual systems.
A study by University of Cologne economists found that social distancing measures reduced people's mobility by 30% and prevented over 80% of COVID-19 infections and 60% of deaths in Germany within the first three weeks, saving an estimated 500,000 infections and 5,400 deaths
Scientists prove Meselson effect in ancient asexual species, showing survival without sexual reproduction is possible. The study of beetle mite Oppiella nova reveals genetic variance and adaptation through independent genome evolution.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to predict the angle of repose of sand hills, which is influenced by particle size and gravity. The model was validated using simulations and has potential applications in space exploration, additive manufacturing, and planetary science.
A study by University of Cologne researchers found that negative student expectations outweighed positive ones regarding remote learning during the pandemic. Students feared a decrease in social interaction, quality of teaching, and feedback, while hoping for increased flexibility and improved media competency.
Researchers have determined the crustal thickness of Mars for the first time, with values ranging from 20 to 39 kilometers. This independent measurement allows for a precise map of the planet's crust across its entire surface.
A new model calculates maximum running speeds for animals of any size, revealing that medium-sized animals achieve top speed due to their body shape and leg structure. Larger or heavier animals are limited by the weight and stiffness of their bones, resulting in lower top speeds.
Researchers reconstruct climate history in Ethiopia for the last 200,000 years, revealing a wet phase that supported human migration to Europe and Asia. The study provides evidence for significant impact on human evolution and mobility.
Researchers at the University of Cologne discovered a rare tripartite symbiosis between a ciliate, a green alga and a previously unknown purple bacterium. The genome of the purple bacterium is greatly reduced, suggesting it relies on photosynthesis for survival.
New research suggests that high CO2 levels in the atmosphere may have warmed the young Earth's climate, accounting for apparent anomalies such as hot seawater temperatures above 70°C. The study proposes a plausible explanation for these phenomena, indicating temperatures closer to 40°C when considering ocean composition changes.
A recent study confirms a plant-fungus partnership as the origin of terrestrial vegetation, with scientists using CRISPR to demonstrate lipid exchange between plants and fungi. This discovery sheds light on the first steps of life on land, validating a 40-year-old hypothesis.
A novel graphene nanoribbon sensor has been developed to detect atoms and molecules, utilizing the quantum mechanical tunnelling effect. The sensor's sensitivity is particularly strong when adsorbates accumulate on its surface.
Researchers have discovered a new method to track oxygen levels in the ancient oceans by analyzing tungsten isotopes. This breakthrough may provide valuable insights into the evolution of life on Earth and its ability to thrive under various environmental conditions.
Researchers at the University of Cologne discovered two previously undescribed genera and one new species of bacteria related to Legionella, which live in amoebae. The findings suggest a wider range of host organisms than previously thought, potentially leading to more cases of disease.
A recent study has shown that the deep sea is home to a vast array of unique and highly specific organisms, including protists, foraminifera, and ciliates. The diversity of these organisms was found to be highly specific to individual deep-sea basins, with little overlap between them and coastal regions.
Researchers discovered two subsets of tumor cells that can be targeted using different methods, one inducing ferroptosis and the other inhibiting antioxidant production. The study found that combining these approaches could improve treatment outcomes for small cell lung cancer patients.
A recent study by biophysicists at the University of Cologne shows that bacteria can easily integrate genetic material from other bacterial strains, producing hybrid organisms with extensive genomic and functional changes. This horizontal gene transfer enables rapid evolution and can drive evolutionary processes efficiently.
A new model can predict the evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria by analyzing growth rates and resistance levels at different drug concentrations. This knowledge can help identify optimal treatment protocols, drug targets, and new antibiotic candidates to combat resistant bacteria that threaten global health.
Researchers developed an 'aging clock' that directly measures biological age from gene expression in Caenorhabditis elegans. The new BiT age clock uses a mathematical trick to minimize gene activity variation, allowing accurate predictions of biological age and its effects.
The European Union is funding a new vaccine research network, VACCELERATE, to coordinate clinical trials and promote knowledge exchange among 26 partner institutions. The network aims to build long-term herd immunity in Europe by testing vaccine efficacy and safety against SARS-CoV-2.
A research team has detected organic molecules and gases in 3.5 billion-year-old rocks, dating back to a time when early life developed on Earth. The findings suggest that these ancient rocks may have played a crucial role in the emergence of life on our planet.
Researchers discovered that mantle convection on early Earth was surprisingly slow and spatially restricted until around 3 billion years ago. This finding suggests that the onset of modern plate tectonics triggered the emergence of large continental masses and an oxygen-rich atmosphere, setting the stage for complex life.
Researchers at the University of Cologne have discovered the molecular mechanism of plant immune receptors, revealing a common structural principle to trigger intracellular immune signals and cell death. The study found that activated protein forms a tetramer, which creates a unique surface necessary for defence signal triggering.
Researchers study insect brain computation to develop faster, more efficient machine learning algorithms. The fruit fly's ability to generalize experiences in complex environments informs the creation of an AI model capable of rapid adaptation.
Researchers unveil titanium pair as catalytically active centre, contradicting long-held assumption of isolated titanium atoms. This breakthrough has significant implications for improving existing catalysts and developing new homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts.
The study found that modern humans settled along the Mediterranean coast before expanding into the Sinai desert and eastern Jordanian Rift Valley. Favorable environmental conditions, including a freshwater lake known as Lake Lisan, enabled human settlement and spread throughout the region.
A research team from Cologne has discovered a mechanism that restores cell function after genome damage by altering the DNA structure. The discovery involves a double occupation of two methyl groups on the histone protein H3K4me2, which enables genes to be reactivated and proteins to be produced after damage.
Researchers discover that hair follicle stem cells can prolong their life by switching metabolic state in response to low oxygen concentration, preventing age-induced hair loss. The team identified Rictor signaling as crucial for this process, which involves a shift from glutamine metabolism to glycolysis.
Researchers found a 1.5 ° C increase in near-ground temperature over four decades at the Paranal Observatory, threatening telescope quality due to air turbulence. Climate change also affects image resolution, contrast capabilities, and potentially limits exoplanet studies.
A new study suggests that companies should adapt to external disruptions, such as the corona pandemic, by recognizing and leveraging these changes. This can lead to innovative business strategies, as seen in past crises like the global financial crisis of 2008 and the temperance movement in the USA in the 1920s.
A study by Professor Kai Kaspar found that people's motivation to socially distance increases with the severity of their perceived infection. Motivation to use corona apps also depends on trust in official providers and confidence in data handling, with users more likely to report higher motivation when they believe apps will help prev...
A joint study by University of Cologne researchers predicts the outcomes of combining certain antibiotics using mathematical models. The scientists found that interactions between antibiotics are often caused by bottlenecks in the translation cycle, allowing them to predict the effects of antibiotic combinations without trial and error.
A team of astrophysicists observes newborn stars' magnetospheric accretion region for the first time, providing insight into star formation mechanisms. The study uses the Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI) and GRAVITY instrument to measure angular size and prove magnetospheric accretion taking place close to stellar surfaces.
Researchers from the University of Cologne and Bremen found that participants underestimated COVID-19 cases grew linearly, rather than exponentially. Interventions improved understanding of virus growth and increased support for social distancing.
Researchers found an entry point for suppressing spontaneous antibiotic resistance development in E. coli by targeting membrane transport and chaperones. The study provides new molecular targets to improve antibiotics' effectiveness.
Researchers found that the loss of UBE2K enzyme silences key genes for neuronal differentiation, leading to impaired development of nerve cells. The study provides a potential link between epigenetic regulation and neurodevelopmental diseases.
A team of researchers has successfully measured the dispersion relation of complex quantum many-body states 'Bethe strings' using inelastic neutron scattering experiments. The results confirm theoretical predictions made by Hans Bethe in 1931 and provide new insights into the properties of these excitations.
Researchers discovered a rescue route that enables cells to repair damage to complex I in mitochondria, a highly sensitive component. This self-help mechanism is more energy-efficient than rebuilding the entire complex and acts as a safety valve to prevent harmful reactive oxygen species.