Researchers at the University of Göttingen discovered an unknown group of marine eustigmatophyte algae that produces distinctive lipids, allowing for the reconstruction of summer sea surface temperatures. The Long chain Diol Index provides a novel climate proxy based on these lipids.
Researchers found that diverse landscape compositions with faba beans led to higher bumblebee densities, increased pollination success, and higher bean yields. Short-tongued bumblebees stole nectar more frequently from faba beans when there was a high proportion of faba beans in the landscape.
A new study reveals that two equal charges in enzymes do not repel each other, but instead attract, facilitating chemical reactions. The researchers used protein crystallography to obtain a structural snapshot of the substrate before the reaction and found an attractive interaction between the enzyme and substrate.
A study found that people in Germany and the US prioritize equal access to COVID-19 vaccines worldwide. In contrast, vaccine distribution according to a country's production capacity or free market regulation received little support. The research highlights the public's willingness to share vaccines despite logistical challenges.
Researchers analyzed two peat cores to discover that higher concentrations of charcoal occurred between 9,000 to 4,000 years ago due to larger forest fires. Mangrove pollen found in the earlier period indicates rising sea levels and increased salt, contributing to dry conditions suitable for massive forest fires.
A new phenomenon was discovered where increased pressure leads to a sudden burst of rapid and coordinated cellular motion, spraying outwards from the tumour. This fluid-like pushing mechanism can kill cancer cells but also enables them to survive and multiply in new environments.
A new protein group has been identified that functions as a switch to regulate biological activity, found in all domains of life and essential for cellular activities such as gene expression and metabolism. The discovery opens up new possibilities for the development of novel drugs targeting these switches.
A research team from the University of Göttingen found that vanilla agroforestry systems have advantages for both humans and nature, particularly when planted on fallow land. However, price fluctuations pose a challenge to sustainable cultivation.
Research finds that read-to-infants activities boost vocabulary growth during lockdown, while screen time is linked to fewer words; children learn more words than expected despite increased screen time.
Researchers at the University of Göttingen found that virtual farm tours using virtual reality glasses and tablets can improve transparency in pig farming. Participants appreciated the comfortable and entertaining information intake, but suggested that additional explanations be provided to support virtual farm tours.
A diverse pollen diet and varied landscape contribute to better colony growth and more offspring for young queens. This diversity also reduces the negative effects of infestation with parasitic wax moth larvae.
A team of scientists from Germany, Spain, Australia and Japan discovered a new species of branching marine worm, Ramisyllis kingghidorahi, in Japan. The worm has a unique body shape with one head and multiple posterior ends, living inside the internal canals of sea sponges.
Professor Alexander Ecker is awarded a Starting Grant to develop machine-learning methods to describe neurons' shape and function, leveraging a large dataset from the US Brain Initiative. The research aims to uncover how a neuron's shape relates to its role in sensory information processing.
Researchers developed a new method to complete genetic data gaps using haplotype blocks, improving breeding efficiency in plants. The approach has shown comparable quality to collecting more information from DNA strands, reducing costs in animal and plant breeding.
Researchers from Göttingen University and Hannover Medical School have detected changes in heart muscle tissue of people who died from Covid-19. The study used innovative X-ray imaging to visualize the affected tissue in three dimensions, revealing a network of chaotic vessel formations.
A transdisciplinary research team at Göttingen Campus has found a new perspective on the rhythmic processes in the brain. They discovered that adapting interneurons can switch between very slow rhythms and fast rhythms, challenging previous assumptions about their function.
A study by Göttingen University found that training methods combining farmer-to-farmer learning with educational videos significantly increased the use of productive practices among smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. This approach also promoted informal information transfer and improved adoption of complex technologies.
Research found that cacao agroforestry systems support unique bird species in tropical dry forests, while bats are more abundant in these areas than in nearby forests. This suggests that cacao farms can serve as biodiversity-friendly oases, providing food and refuge for birds and bats.
Researchers at the University of Göttingen studied how blocking certain enzymes affects brain adaptability in healthy and diseased mice. In healthy mice, inhibiting these enzymes blocked neuronal plasticity, while in stroke-affected mice, it restored lost plasticity.
The Safe Childbirth Checklist, adapted for local needs, increased communication of danger signs, improved baby feeding practices, and reduced stillbirth rates in Indonesian health facilities. The study suggests that long-term adherence to the tool requires continued support for midwives.
Researchers investigated how providing information about alternative feedstuffs impacts consumer preferences. They found that consumers are more likely to prefer insect-based feed due to sustainability claims. The study emphasizes the importance of labelling and transparency for the acceptance of these alternatives.
An international research team developed a novel sampling method called 'bat point counts' to detect and count flying bats. The new technique showed that insect-eating bats are more common than previously thought in oil palm plantations, playing a significant role in suppressing insect pests.
A study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B reveals that a rare alga, Chlorokybus, contains at least five distinct species previously thought to be a single entity. Genetic analysis confirmed these findings, shedding new light on the biodiversity and evolutionary pathways of this key algal group.
Research from the University of Göttingen reveals that milk producers in Cameroon employ strategies such as dairy-focused training and farm diversification to maintain their livelihoods after a supply chain disruption. The study's findings highlight the importance of adequate support for smallholder producers.
Researchers at Göttingen University have developed a new X-ray imaging method to detect changes in neuronal cell nuclei, indicating altered activity of neurons. This technique enabled the identification of changes in neurons in Alzheimer's disease.
A study of 35 low- and middle-income countries found that less than one-third of individuals with high cholesterol received treatment. This highlights the inadequate care for hypercholesterolemia in these regions, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Researchers at University of Göttingen investigate tight junctions' importance in cell movement and their consequences when missing. The findings suggest a 'tug of war' scenario between cells with unequal contraction and stretching, affecting tissue mobility and biological functions.
The study found that 29% of younger Germans eat a flexitarian diet and 17% follow a meat-free diet, demonstrating high levels of climate awareness. The results highlight the need for effective communication to promote climate-conscious eating habits among the undecided group.
Researchers discovered that living cell interiors become softer and more fluid during mitosis, a process crucial for life. The findings could help ensure precise separation of cellular structures into daughter cells.
A research team from Göttingen University observed magnetic forces arranging gas particles in solar prominences, with charged particles moving at speeds of up to 42 km/s. This phenomenon is significant for understanding astrophysical processes, including star and planet formation.
Researchers have found a way to stabilize the novel quantum effect in graphene at room temperature, which could lead to breakthroughs in data storage and computer components. The discovery was made using standard microfabrication techniques and showed that the material can generate its own magnetic field.
Researchers at the University of Göttingen have discovered a novel type of ordering effect generated and sustained by steady shear deformation. They found that under sufficient driving force, an interesting ordering effect emerges, revealing a hidden order in the force directions.
Pollinators contribute significantly to global food production, particularly for small-scale farmers who rely heavily on these services. The author emphasizes the need for increased support and research efforts to maintain biodiversity and improve crop yields.
Researchers from Göttingen and Hohenheim found hand pollination used worldwide for 20 crops, including apples and vanillas. The method can reduce losses and improve crop quality, but also brings challenges due to labor intensity and cost.
Research team investigates urbanization's impact on farmland bird communities in Bangalore, India, finding that urbanization homogenizes bird species, eliminating insect-eating birds essential for pest control. The study highlights the importance of preserving biodiversity to maintain ecosystem resilience and food production systems.
A landscape mosaic of natural habitats and small-scale cultivated areas can promote biodiversity on a large scale. Contrary to organic certification, diverse cultivation can double species numbers and improve biological pest control.
Göttingen University researchers have developed a new type of hydroplastic polymer called cellulose cinnamate (CCi) that can be molded using little more than water at everyday temperature and pressure. The bioplastic exhibits high quality mechanical properties, making it suitable for various applications.
Researchers at Göttingen University found that customers tend to react negatively to chatbots initially, but positive reactions occur when mistakes lead to a deeper understanding of issues. Disclosing chatbot presence can actually improve customer loyalty in cases where errors occur.
A study of online surveys from five countries reveals that genome editing is generally viewed as beneficial for crops but raises concerns about animal welfare. The research found four distinct groups: strong supporters, supporters, neutrals, and opponents, with 21% strongly supporting the technology.
Researchers found a 51,000-year-old engraved bone in the Unicorn Cave, showing evidence of Neanderthal creative talent. The carved notches suggest that Neanderthals independently developed artistic skills before modern humans arrived in Europe.
A study by the University of Göttingen found that diverse agricultural landscapes increase the species richness of wild bees. Different mass-flowering crops like rapeseed and faba beans support different wild bee species due to varying flower shapes.
Intermediate filaments play a crucial role in maintaining cellular stability, elasticity, and resistance to mechanical stress. The study reveals the physical effects that determine their properties and how they interact with each other in networks.
Researchers found that Bronze Age weight systems emerged gradually in a westward spread from Mesopotamia to Europe, with similar units of weight used across the region. The study suggests that free entrepreneurship drove the emergence of accurate weight systems, enabling merchants to interact freely and establish profitable partnerships.
A new project funded by the German Research Foundation is analyzing the coronavirus crisis in India to understand its effects on social policy, regional variations, and local experiences of access to social entitlements. The project aims to capture the dynamism of social perceptions during this period.
A team of researchers built a high-resolution microscope using LEGO bricks and mobile phone parts, showing significant improvement in children's knowledge of microscopy. The study demonstrated that constructing the microscope themselves increased children's understanding of optical characteristics.
A research team from the University of Göttingen has observed a direct interaction between microtubules and intermediate filaments, leading to stabilisation and extended lifespan. This interaction is important for understanding cellular processes and may have implications for diseased cells.
Research reveals sacred groves in Kurdistan, Iran, harbor higher taxonomic diversity than neighboring lands, hosting rare plants and threatened animals. Local perceptions prioritize spiritual values, cultural heritage, and biodiversity protection.
A research team from the University of Göttingen uses powerful laser irradiation to study electrical and magnetic properties on surfaces of transparent crystals. They successfully demonstrate control over high harmonic radiation, enabling the investigation of magnetisation at the surface of magnesium oxide.
A study by University of Göttingen sports sociologist Dr. Marcel Reinold analyzes autobiographies of professional cyclists, revealing they use complex techniques to manipulate information and conceal doping. The results show athletes play down the extent of the doping problem and portray themselves as victims to avoid suspicion.
Scientists from the University of Göttingen and the Gobabeb Namib Research Institute investigated the long-term results of an experiment from 1979. They found that poisonous substances from Euphorbia damarana leaves did not induce fairy circles, contradicting Theron's original hypothesis.