Researchers have discovered the mechanism behind granular capillarity, where sand rises in a tube under vertical vibrations. The study found that convective motion of sand grains causes an upward pressure on the base of the column, leading to its ascent.
The 'Moving Trades' project investigates the impact of international labor migration on skill formation in Norway, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. The study aims to understand how migrant workers influence firms' training behavior and potential institutional changes in vocational training.
A recent study reveals that protein CHIP regulates insulin receptor turnover, leading to anti-aging activity. In its absence, premature aging occurs due to uncontrolled protein breakdown. The researchers are now exploring mechanisms to control CHIP's activity for potential treatments.
The Cerro Chajnantor Atacama Telescope (CCAT-prime) will be the highest telescope of its kind, allowing scientists to study the formation of stars and galaxies in unprecedented detail. With a diameter of six meters and location at an altitude of 5,612 meters, CCAT-prime aims to solve the mystery of dark matter and dark energy.
A new study by University of Cologne researchers reveals that herbivores have a significant positive impact on plant biodiversity. The interaction between nutrient availability and consumer species diversity is found to be crucial in maintaining producer diversity, highlighting the importance of preserving this balance for ecosystem he...
A recent study found that taxi drivers in Athens charge business travelers a 7% higher fare than locals, taking advantage of the fact that passengers are reimbursed by their employers. The researchers also discovered that women were more likely to be overcharged than men.
Researchers are developing micro-optical systems to efficiently rearrange starlight and enable high-precision measurements of cosmic objects. The technology targets use on large telescopes to search for earth-like planets and determine atmospheric composition.
Researchers discovered that Salmonella typhimurium tricks the immune system into suppressing autophagy by degrading key proteins. This allows the pathogen to survive and evade the immune response. Understanding this mechanism could lead to new therapeutic strategies to enhance or manipulate autophagy in diseases like cancer.
Scientists discovered that expressing a single subunit of a chaperone complex can improve protein folding and extend lifespan. The study found that this approach mimics the proteostasis of human pluripotent stem cells and delays age-related diseases in a model organism.
Necroptosis is a crucial physiological process that regulates cell death and tissue function. Researchers have now found that RIPK1 inhibits another inducer of necroptosis, ZBP1, which triggers inflammation when mutated. This study provides new insights into the regulation of necroptosis and its role in chronic inflammatory diseases.
A study conducted by Bettina Rockenbach and colleagues found that people tend not to enforce social norms, especially for larger violations. Despite negative emotions towards more severe offenses, individuals admitted reluctance to confront or punish them due to fear of retaliation.
A new study by Dr. Georgina King and her team has disproved the idea that surface processes control tectonic deformation in the eastern Himalayas. The research reveals that changing tectonics, rather than climate, drives erosion rates in this region.
Microalgae have tremendous potential in industrial biotechnology due to their applications in food, medications, and environmental biotechnology. The University of Cologne's new method using Porous Substrate Bioreactors (PSBR) reduces liquid consumption by up to 100 times, making it more cost-efficient and energy-saving.
Researchers found that stretch-induced mechanical forces downregulate thousands of genes while increasing a few in skin stem cells. This leads to changes in DNA packing within the nucleus, affecting transcriptional activity and differentiation.
Researchers found that customers with insurance are less critical of costs, leading to overcharging and higher prices. The study showed a significant difference in repair prices, with customers with insurance paying up to €128.68 compared to €70.17 without insurance.
Researchers found that the degree of cold in the preceding ice age determines how fast vegetation adapts to interglacial climates. The study reveals that plants need thousands of years to adapt from a cold to a warmer period, with permafrost being the main reason for this delay.
Researchers identified 'stop cells' in the brainstem of mice and lampreys that quickly end movement by activating neural networks. The study provides new insights into the neuronal control of movement termination in vertebrates.
A study by University of Cologne researchers found that conservatives are happier in a conservative social environment. Life satisfaction depends on time and country, with conservatives generally experiencing more happiness than non-conservatives.
A study of 16,132 participants found that midlife loneliness is associated with low income, health restrictions, and limited social interaction. High income, professional status, and good job security are protective factors against loneliness in this age group.
A team of European researchers led by Aleksandra Trifunovic will explore the molecular mechanisms regulating mitochondrial gene expression in a four-year project. The goal is to elucidate the complex processes governing these genes and their association with aging diseases.
Researchers from the University of Cologne have successfully inhibited a protein that hampers activation of brown fat in mice, leading to improved glucose metabolism. By feeding Bace1 inhibitors to these animals, scientists were able to activate their brown fat and alleviate metabolic problems.
The bed bug's genome shows significant changes in receptor types for smell and taste, leading to increased resistance to pesticides. The decoded genome also reveals insights into the species' evolution from bat parasite to human feeder, highlighting genetic adaptations for chemosensation and traumatic reproduction.
Researchers successfully reconstructed the internal structure of a compound eye from a predatory crustacean dating back 160 million years. This groundbreaking discovery reveals that soft tissue was preserved and provides new insights into the evolution of visual systems, challenging previous assumptions about fossil preservation.
The project aims to shed light on EU-Turkey relations, explore Turkey's historical role, and develop scenarios for future relations, including potential partnerships and membership. The research will create a basis for policy recommendations and inform EU-Turkey relations.
A new study by University of Cologne researchers finds that poorly qualified workers with a migration background tend to earn more than native Germans, particularly those from low-educated families. School drop-outs of Turkish origin have been found to earn approximately 2.20 euros more per hour.
A team of scientists is working on a project to create new pesticides that target specific insect species without harming beneficial ones. By mimicking the hormone systems of these insects, researchers hope to disrupt their reproductive cycles and prevent population explosions.
Researchers have designed an organic electronic device with record-breaking ultra-long charge carrier lifetimes, opening up possibilities for new classes of devices such as sensitive photo detectors and flexible memory elements. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient solar cells, low-carbon electricity generation, and reduced e...
Researchers from University of Cologne measured vibrational transitions in CH5+ ions with high accuracy, revealing the molecule's structure. The findings confirm a simple model of five hydrogen nuclei moving freely around the carbon nucleus.
Researchers investigate plant molecular structures for climate adaptation, discovering novel pathways subject to natural selection. The project sheds light on convergent evolution and potential applications in ecology and agriculture.
Research reveals that annual plant growth in drylands is severely affected by droughts, but the ability to recover varies depending on the type of ecosystem and grazing regime. The study found that perennial plants dominate areas with higher drought resistance and lower recovery potential.
A team of researchers found that the articulation of vowels systematically influences our feelings and vice versa. The study revealed that words containing the long 'i' vowel tend to occur in positive emotional contexts, while those with the long 'o' vowel are associated with negative emotions.
Scientists at the University of Cologne have discovered a new method to produce hydrogen from water and formaldehyde. The approach can be used to break down contaminants in industrial waste water while generating hydrogen, reclaiming an important raw material.
Researchers found that mortality begins to increase at an occupancy level of 92.5%, indicating the safety tipping point for hospitals. For critically ill patients, high occupancy levels significantly increase the risk of dying in hospital.
Researchers found high levels of Hafnium 176 and low levels of Neodymium 143 in ancient seawater, indicating the presence of exposed landmasses. This discovery provides insights into weathering processes during the Neoarchean period.
Researchers have discovered huge active plumes containing water vapour being released from the surface of Europa, a liquid ocean lies beneath its icy crust. The plumes, comparable to earth geysers in size, will aid further investigations of the moon and potentially make life discoveries
A new study reveals that the honey bee sex determiner gene has 87-145 alleles, a significant increase in genetic diversity compared to previous estimates of 20 alleles. This discovery is crucial for apiculture, as it helps minimize the risk of inbreeding and produces diploid drones.
A University of Cologne study found that washing hands after a task increases optimism after failure, but hampers future performance in the same task domain. The subjects who washed their hands were more optimistic initially, but performed similarly to those who didn't wash their hands when faced with the same challenge again.
Andreas Ludwig, a leading theoretical solid-state physicist, is awarded the prize by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. He will conduct future-oriented research at the University of Cologne's Institute for Theoretical Physics, enhancing Germany's physics profile.