A research team at the University of Göttingen has discovered 'protective switches' in the SARS-CoV-2 virus that shield it from attacks by the immune system. These molecular structures were found to stabilize the protein's structure against oxidative damage, allowing the virus to replicate effectively.
Researchers have uncovered evidence of complex microbial communities existing in ecosystems over 3 billion years ago, with a diverse carbon cycle involving various microorganisms. The study provides a rare glimpse into the Earth's early ecosystems and advances our understanding of ancient microbial ecosystems.
A study published in Current Biology reveals that complex green organisms, including land plants and algae, evolved multicellularity almost a billion years ago. Researchers used gene sequencing data to pinpoint the emergence of this trait in filamentous algal lineages.
Researchers at Göttingen and Warwick Universities studied the structure and mechanics of cytoskeletal networks composed of actin isoforms. The study found that gamma actin forms rigid networks near the cell apex, while beta actin preferentially forms parallel bundles with distinct organizational patterns.
A large international sample of single women aged 18-67 years was surveyed on their ideal partner characteristics, revealing links between age and preferences. Most attributes were consistently important across ages, but higher age correlated with a preference for confident partners and greater acceptance of younger partners.
Researchers investigated how urbanization affects interactions between plants and pollinators in a tropical city. They found that seasonal changes play a crucial role in shaping these interactions, leading to significant changes in plant-pollinator networks.
Researchers analyzed dolomite rocks and found a high proportion of C-13, indicating strong methane formation by microorganisms in water with low sulphate content. The sediment's chemical development is controlled by crater floor cooling and water supply, not climatic changes.
A new study by the University of Göttingen reveals that oil palms' photosynthesis and response to meteorological and soil conditions play a significant role in N2O production. The research suggests that conventional measurement approaches can underestimate emissions by up to 49%.
A researcher from Göttingen University advises on overcoming difficulties faced by mining communities in transition, suggesting a three-step approach centered around stakeholder collaboration. This approach combines early planning, local-based solutions, and targeted investments to foster economic and workforce transformation.
A study in Germany found that consumers struggle to grasp the environmental consequences of their buying choices, even with extra information. The research suggests introducing an eco-label could guide shoppers towards more informed decisions about sustainable palm oil production.
A research team at Göttingen University has developed plasmonic molecules from nanoparticles using a novel process that precisely arranges the particles. This breakthrough enables the creation of large quantities of these compounds, which can be used for various functions in nanotechnology.
Göttingen University researchers develop mathematical model that shows small imbalances in mixture composition can amplify and control phase separation. This discovery offers a potential mechanism for regulating structure formation in living cells, with applications in fields such as market economies and ecological networks.
Dr Saskia Limbach receives ERC Starting Grant to investigate the effects of the printing press on widows' rights and agency. The project 'WidowsPrint' aims to reconstruct the professional networks of women book printers and analyse their economic contributions in 16th-17th century Germany.
A research team led by the University of Göttingen has discovered fossil spines that indicate the existence of irregular echinoids in the deep sea for at least 104 million years. The study provides insights into the past, including a mass extinction event that caused smaller species to thrive and changes in spine morphology.
A research team from the University of Göttingen investigated the molecular networks of a single-celled alga to understand plant terrestrialization. They identified 'hub genes' that play a central role in coordinating gene expression, revealing insights into long-term evolutionary patterns.
A team of researchers from Göttingen University has identified seven new species of leaf insects, showcasing their unique camouflage abilities. The discovery highlights the importance of protecting these distinct species from extinction.
A research team led by the University of Göttingen investigated the flora of Tenerife and found that island plant-life exhibits a remarkable diversity of forms. However, the plants differ little from mainland plants in functional terms, with slow-growing, woody shrubs dominating the island's flora.
A study highlights the importance of wild plants in fallow land and other ecosystems in Madagascar, revealing a wide range of plant species used for various purposes. Fallow land is found to be a valuable contributor to rural households' health, food and energy supply.
An international research team has found that tree islands in oil palm plantations can significantly increase biodiversity within five years. This method also does not affect the yield of the plants. The study was conducted on an industrial-scale plantation in Indonesia and showed promising results for ecological restoration.
A research team at Göttingen University analyzed data from over 1,000 prehistoric burials in Europe, finding that 10% of individuals did not fit the binary norm. The study suggests that non-binary persons were formally acknowledged and protected in prehistoric societies.
A research team at Göttingen University has discovered that mobile and stationary cells have different mechanical properties due to their cytoskeleton. The study found that intermediate filaments, which are crucial for cell stability, exhibit metal-like plasticity when stretched, similar to non-biological materials.
A team led by Professor Timo Betz has developed a 3D cell culture chamber to grow muscle and other tissue using high-resolution microscopy. The new system will enable scientists to mimic the mechanical situations that confront various living tissues in serious conditions, reducing animal testing and costs.
A study found that establishing fallow land can increase the populations of farmland birds and improve biodiversity. The benefits depend on landscape complexity, particularly in regions with a moderate density of boundary lines between fields and woody structures.
A study reveals that plant roots are crucial for belowground life in the tropics, supporting decomposition and soil health. Removing living roots decreases animal abundance by 42% in rainforest plots and 30% in plantations.
A new study by Göttingen University reveals that mechanical weeding and reduced fertilizer usage significantly increase ecosystem multifunctionality and profit in industrial oil palm production. The researchers found no reduction in greenhouse gas emissions with these practices.
Researchers developed MoBIE, a user-friendly tool for sharing and exploring large image data sets. The tool allows for visualization and analysis of huge amounts of data from hundreds of sources, making it easier for researchers to analyze and interpret microscopy data worldwide.
A study by the University of Göttingen found that arranging rows of trees at right angles to semi-natural habitats increases pollination performance and nut production. The design also promotes easy movement of bees through the plantation.
An international research team from the Global South emphasizes the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in tropical ecology and conservation. They suggest ten actions for researchers living in the Global South to improve their inclusivity and participation in international research collaborations.
A new study by the University of Göttingen found that alley-cropping agroforestry significantly improves ecosystem functions, including carbon sequestration, habitat creation, and soil protection. In contrast, open grassland systems did not show significant changes in ecosystem function after conversion to agroforestry.
Scientists at Göttingen University have created a novel approach to produce X-ray images in color from a single exposure, eliminating the need for focusing and scanning. This breakthrough method uses an X-ray color camera and a specially structured plate to capture the intensity pattern of fluorescing atoms in a sample.
A study by researchers at the University of Göttingen investigated the effect of mixing wheat and faba beans on pollinating insects. They found that areas with mixed crops were visited equally often by foraging bees as those with single crops. The findings suggest that this mixture may counteract pollinator decline.
Researchers analyzed 550 million-year-old cherts to uncover the secrets of early Earth's cooling. The study found that oxygen isotope ratios in ancient cherts are driven by the Earth's thermal evolution, not seawater temperatures, sparking new insights into the planet's history.
The EU project CRAFT-OA aims to strengthen institutional publishing using Diamond Open Access model across Europe. The project will enable local platforms and service providers to expand their content services with the aim of networking them with other information systems in science.
The study suggests that increased demand for energy transition metals could be more disruptive to some communities than winding back production of thermal coal. An additional 115.7 million people would be at risk from disruption by ETMs.
A new genus of scorpionflies has been discovered in Nepal, characterized by a spindly and extremely elongated abdomen. The males have long grasping pincers for mating, while the females lack these distinctive features, making classification more challenging.
Researchers from the University of Göttingen found that European beech trees are experiencing increased drought stress in northern Germany due to climate change. The study reveals that dry locations show the strongest long-term decline in growth, highlighting the need for more resilient tree species.
Researchers at Göttingen University found that removing vegetation in small areas led to a significant increase in ground nests, especially with nearby flowering plants. The removal of vegetation proved to be a simple measure to promote ground-nesting wild bees on calcareous grasslands.
Researchers modelled relationship between plant diversity and environmental conditions, capturing how diversity varies along environmental gradients. The models predict highest concentrations of plant diversity in environmentally heterogeneous tropical areas like Central America and the Amazonia.
Researchers at Göttingen University have found fluorescent color patterns in fossils from the Triassic period, making them the oldest of their kind. The study reveals a surprising variety of stripes, zigzags, and flame patterns, similar to those of modern seashells.
Researchers from University of Göttingen found that plant water stress, not termites, causes Namibia's fairy circles. The grasses within the circles died immediately after rainfall due to strong depletion of water, while surrounding grasses thrived.
Researchers at University of Göttingen develop a new method to convert CO2 into chemical substances by confining molecules in nano-sized environments. The team demonstrates the ability to break individual chemical bonds and restore them in single molecules under controlled conditions.
Researchers developed a new machine-learning method to understand force chains in jammed granular solids. The graph neural network approach can predict the position of force chains with high accuracy, even for complex systems and varying conditions.
A research team from the University of Göttingen has observed the build-up of dark Moiré interlayer excitons for the first time using femtosecond photoemission momentum microscopy. This breakthrough allows scientists to study the optoelectronic properties of new materials in unprecedented detail.
An international research team led by the University of Göttingen has discovered unexpected quantum effects in naturally occurring double-layer graphene. The study reveals a variety of complex quantum phases emerging at temperatures near absolute zero, including magnetic behavior without external influence.
A study by the University of Göttingen and Malagasy universities found that vanilla plantations on fallow land have similar yields to those in forests while increasing biodiversity. This sustainable approach helps smallholder farmers secure their income, highlighting a win-win opportunity for both economy and conservation.
Researchers found that farm management practices like crop diversification and native plant presence support wild bee conservation. Urban agriculture can benefit local bee populations if managed sustainably.
A research team developed a novel super-resolution microscopy technique combining metal-induced energy transfer and single-molecule localization microscopy. The method achieves isotropic three-dimensional imaging of sub-cellular structures, allowing for high-resolution analysis of protein complexes and organelles.
A research team discovered that bacterial cellulose produced by Komagataeibacter bacteria survived on Mars-like conditions. The study found minor changes in the genome after reactivation on Earth, suggesting cellulose as a potential biomarker for extraterrestrial life.
A team from the Institute for X-ray Physics at the University of Göttingen has developed a new method for X-ray microscopy that uses imperfect lenses to achieve higher image quality and sharpness. The researchers used a lens consisting of finely structured layers deposited on a thin wire and adjusted it between the object to be imaged ...
A study by researchers at Göttingen University and the Centre for Ecological Research found that organic farming is more effective in promoting wild bee populations than conventional fields with flower strips. The findings suggest that considering both yield and area of land is crucial when evaluating agri-environmental measures.