Add BrightSurf on Google Email

University of Göttingen


What does your voice say about you?

An international research team found a lower pitched voice is associated with individuals who are more dominant, extrovert, and higher in sociosexuality, regardless of gender. The study used objective digital measures to analyze the pitch of over 2,000 participants' voices.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalJournal of Research in Personality·DateMay 12, 2021

Scrap for cash before coins

Researchers found evidence of bronze scrap being used as cash in Europe during the late Bronze Age (1350-800 BC), challenging traditional notions of money's emergence. This practice spread across Western Eurasia, paving the way for a global market.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·DateMay 6, 2021

Revealing the secret cocoa pollinators

An international research team found that ants and flies play a vital role in pollination for cocoa, while leaf-litter management enhances tiny cocoa pollinators. The study emphasizes the need to prioritize biodiversity-friendly habitats for pollinator conservation in cocoa agroforests.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalBiological Conservation·DateMay 3, 2021

Standing out from the crowd

A study by researchers from the Universities of Göttingen and Groningen found that companies' investors significantly impact the uniqueness of their chosen strategies. Dedicated investors, such as pension funds, can resolve the 'uniqueness paradox' by recognizing the value of unique strategies for long-term corporate development.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalStrategic Management Journal·DateMar 16, 2021

Breaking the warp barrier for faster-than-light travel

Researcher Dr. Erik Lentz discovered a new class of hyper-fast 'solitons' that can enable travel at any speed without requiring exotic matter with negative energy density. The equations used in this research would allow space travel to Proxima Centauri and back within years, compared to current rocket technology's 50,000-year journey.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalClassical and Quantum Gravity·DateMar 9, 2021

Watching the brain learn

Researchers at Göttingen University have discovered that adult mice brains display increased experience-dependent spine removal, a hallmark of critical period-like plasticity. This study reveals structural changes in the visual cortex associated with silent synapses and sheds light on lifelong neural plasticity.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 6, 2021

Wolves prefer to feed on the wild side

A recent study found that wolves in Mongolia primarily feed on wild ungulates like Siberian roe deer, contrary to previous research suggesting a diet of mainly grazing livestock. The researchers believe this shift may be due to the availability of easier and less dangerous prey in near-natural regions.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalMammalian Biology·DateFeb 18, 2021

Forests of the world in 3D

A study led by the University of Göttingen analyzed global forest structures and found that precipitation patterns drive diversity in these complex ecosystems. The research team created maps showing regional variability in structural complexity, highlighting the importance of water availability for tree species coexistence.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 5, 2021

Scientists develop method to detect fake news

Researchers at University of Göttingen and Frankfurt have developed an approach to detect fake news in the stock market. The new method uses machine learning and linguistic characteristics to identify suspicious messages, making it harder for scammers to evade detection.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalJournal of the Association for Information Systems·DateFeb 1, 2021

How is human behavior impacting wildlife movement?

Researchers propose that human behavior, including psychological and socioeconomic factors like hunting and poaching, plays a significant role in shaping wildlife movement. The study highlights the importance of considering 'anthropogenic resistance' in connectivity-planning to ensure sustainable landscapes for both humans and wildlife.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalOne Earth·DateJan 29, 2021

Better bundled: new principle for generating X-rays

Researchers at the University of Göttingen have created a novel approach for generating X-rays by utilizing a thin layer structure with varying electron densities. This 'sandwich structure' enables focused X-ray beams to be directed in a specific direction, overcoming the challenges of traditional X-ray tube methods.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 25, 2021

Crystal structures in super slow motion

Researchers at the University of Göttingen have successfully filmed a phase transition of a crystal structure using laser beams and ultrafast transmission electron microscopy. The experiment reveals the rapid formation and growth of tiny regions where the material undergoes a structural change, providing fundamental insights into light...

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalScience·DateJan 22, 2021

A fly's eye view of evolution

Researchers found that changes in a central gene node lead to the formation of larger eyes in some species, while different mechanisms explain smaller eyes in others. The study contributes to understanding of evolution of complex traits and could inform animal and plant breeding.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateJan 13, 2021

Variety: Spice of life for bumble bees

Researchers found that bumble bees collect a wide range of pollen from different plant species to satisfy their protein needs, whereas honey bees focus on a limited number of target plants. This study highlights the importance of considering diverse foraging behavior in nature conservation efforts.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalMolecular Ecology·DateDec 21, 2020

Surprises in 'active' aging

Physicists from the University of Göttingen used computer simulations to investigate aging in living glassy systems, finding that persistent particle activity drives aging. This discovery has potential consequences for biological processes such as wound-healing and cancer metastasis.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 18, 2020

COVID-19 highlights risks of wildlife trade

A new study highlights the link between COVID-19 and wildlife trade, emphasizing the need for effective legislation to regulate the trade of wildlife and reduce consumer demand. The research suggests that addressing wildlife trade and habitat fragmentation can help prevent future zoonotic diseases.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalTrends in Ecology & Evolution·DateNov 17, 2020

Plant genetic engineering to fight 'hidden hunger'

A global research team led by the University of Göttingen explains how plant genetic engineering can combat micronutrient malnutrition. Biofortification using conventional breeding methods has already been successful in improving nutrition and health, but genetic engineering offers a way to further enhance benefits.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 15, 2020

More diversity needed in oil palm plantations

Research shows that information campaigns and free seedlings can encourage diversification in oil palm plantations, increasing tree planting and survival rates. The study emphasizes the need for policies that consider both supply-side and demand-side impacts to reduce environmental degradation.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalJournal of Environmental Economics and Management·DateOct 14, 2020

Bumblebees benefit from faba bean cultivation

A study by researchers at the University of Göttingen found that bumblebees thrive in faba bean fields, with populations more than twice as high as in non-bean landscapes. In contrast, other wild bees do not benefit from faba bean cultivation but rely on semi-natural habitats for survival.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·DateSep 10, 2020

Ecology award for agroecologist

Professor Teja Tscharntke, a renowned agroecologist at the University of Göttingen, has received the prestigious Marsh Award for his groundbreaking research on biodiversity and ecosystem services. His work focuses on understanding how landscape structure affects local biodiversity and pollination processes.

Are antivitamins the new antibiotics?

Researchers from the University of Göttingen have developed a promising new approach involving antivitamins to combat bacterial infections. The study found that antivitamins can inhibit bacterial proteins, preventing their function and leading to potential antibiotic effects.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateAug 24, 2020