Researchers from the University of Konstanz discovered that locusts adapt their sense of smell when they switch to a gregarious lifestyle. This adaptation allows them to better detect food odours in the swarm's complex environment, enabling them to find food despite being in a crowded swarm.
Researchers at the University of Konstanz have developed a method for all-optical control, compression, and characterization of electron pulses in space and time using terahertz light. This enables unprecedented time resolution in ultrafast electron microscopy, capturing dynamic processes in materials with unparalleled clarity.
Researchers at the University of Konstanz have identified a molecular mechanism in plant cellular recycling, crucial for managing environmental stress. The ESCRT machine plays a key role in sealing autophagosomes, allowing plants to recycle damaged cell components and recover valuable resources.
Researchers from the University of Konstanz and Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour found that meerkats use two different types of vocal interactions to communicate within their groups. Close calls are call-and-response exchanges between animals, while short notes announce 'I am here' but don't necessarily get a direct reply.
Researchers use a new method to analyze the structural properties of proteins under extreme pressure, revealing new insights into their native structures. The technique, which applies 3,000 bar of pressure, allows for the observation of protein states that would be invisible under normal conditions.
Researchers at the University of Konstanz have developed a theoretical model for stable qubit information exchange by utilizing photons as a means of transport. The new method uses stimulated Raman emissions to control the photon, enabling precise temporal shape optimization and addressing environmental perturbations.
A German-American research team created an 'atlas of internet surveillance' by mapping the global ownership of internet service providers. The study shows that authoritarian states control more influential internet service providers than democracies, and often use state-owned transit networks to surveil and censor content. Additionally...
A study by Konstanz biologists reveals that the moths use visual feedback to move and correct the movement of their proboscis, similar to humans grasping objects. The animals' efficient way of working is also great models for applied research in robotics and understanding the visual control of appendages.
Living organisms produce minerals through a complex process involving pre-nucleation clusters, mobile water molecules, and dissolved hydroxide ions. The study provides a structural model for amorphous calcium carbonate and sheds light on the conductivity of ACC particles.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that countries with more comprehensive welfare systems experience lower levels of technostress, which is caused by technological change. This suggests that state support can mitigate the negative effects of digitalization on health and social inequality.
Antiferromagnets exhibit fluctuations that can reveal information about their weakly magnetic material. Researchers developed a new method to detect these ultrafast fluctuations using ultrashort light pulses, leading to the discovery of telegraph noise.
A University of Konstanz study found that consumers believe healthy meals are also sustainable, but actual environmental impact and healthiness don't necessarily align. The research suggests that better information on food sustainability is needed to inform consumer choices.
Researchers at the University of Konstanz developed an AI-powered method to objectively characterize embryonic development tempo and stages. The Twin Network trained on over 3 million zebrafish embryo images accurately identified developmental stages, temperature dependence, and malformations.
Scientists studied how players' brains react when working together in a computer game called Pacman. They found that the brain's response is linked to the player's role during cooperation.
Researchers from the University of Konstanz and Tübingen have found genetic evidence of a woolly rhinoceros's presence in southern Germany during the late Middle Palaeolithic period. The analysis of hyena coprolites reveals that the animals preyed on and consumed woolly rhinoceroses, providing insights into prehistoric ecosystems.
A study led by primatologist Gisela Kopp identified the Horn of Africa as the region of origin for ancient Egyptian mummified baboons. Genetic analysis and comparisons with historical records linked Punt to Adulis, suggesting two names for the same place used at different times.
Researchers found that honey bee drones exhibit synchronized hyperactivity periods, coinciding with their flight periods, and adapt their behavior to reduce energy consumption. This study reveals the complexity of drone behavior in the hive.
Researchers have developed SMART-BARN, a cutting-edge technology lab for complex behavioral analysis. The facility can host hundreds of animals simultaneously and track their movements in 3D, allowing for unprecedented insights into collective behavior.
Research confirms the EIH hypothesis on a global scale using extensive data, showing that plants from vast, species-rich regions are most successful at naturalizing. Additionally, economic plants from these regions also show similar patterns of invasion and cultivation, suggesting interactions between biological and cultural systems.
Complex proteins adopt multiple structural states in solution, making it challenging to determine their three-dimensional structure. A new approach combining NMR spectroscopy and computer simulations reveals the dynamic properties of these proteins.
A study by the University of Konstanz found that people's self-assessments of their immune response to vaccination corresponded surprisingly well with actual antibody levels, especially when the immune response was weak. The researchers suggest that patients' self-perceptions provide valuable clues about their state of health, and phys...
Researchers at the University of Konstanz have developed a biodegradable mineral plastic with self-healing properties, replacing polyacrylic acid with sustainable polyglutamic acid. The new material retains its positive properties and has been shown to degrade in just 32 days using microorganisms from forest soils.
Biologists found that glyphosate impairs aversive learning in bumblebees, reducing their ability to associate threats with visual cues. This impairment could increase mortality rates and impact colony success.
A study from Konstanz and Baltimore reveals that around 4.2 million animals have been used for hazard assessment under REACH, with many more expected due to a 2022 revision. Animal-free alternative methods are advocated by researchers, who argue that they provide more meaningful results than animal testing.
A study led by the University of Konstanz warns that human-induced salinity changes could have devastating impacts on marine organisms and ecosystems. Salinity is a critical factor in many metabolic processes, and its effects are often underestimated due to its complex interactions with other physical and chemical properties.
Physicists at the University of Konstanz solve a physics mystery by reworking a discarded model, which explains glass's unique sound wave behavior and its implications for thermal properties.
The Tara Pacific expedition's dataset reveals that global microbial biodiversity is ten times higher than previously thought, and environmental impacts on evolutionary adaptation are species-specific. Duplication of important genes in corals may be the key to their long lifespan.
Scientists have identified a molecular control centre responsible for processing newly formed proteins correctly when they leave the cell's protein factories. The ribosomal gatekeeper NAC ensures the excision of methionine from specific proteins, preventing cell death.
Scientists at University of Konstanz have developed a method to compress an electron beam into short pulses using femtosecond light flashes. The resulting electron pulses exhibit temporal superposition and can be used to study ultrafast phenomena in quantum mechanics, including the interaction between electrons and light.
Researchers found evidence for a modifier gene in sand cress that can lead to loss of self-incompatibility and acquisition of self-pollination. The study challenges current understanding of this process and opens up new avenues for research on plant breeding systems.
The team uses a continuous-wave laser to create ultrashort electron pulses, allowing for attosecond time resolution. They investigate nanophotonic phenomena and film electromagnetic processes inside waveguide materials, opening up new developments in photonic integrated circuits and metamaterials.
Researchers developed EmbryoNet, an automated image analysis software that uses AI to detect and classify developmental defects in fish embryos. The software outperforms human experts in terms of speed and accuracy, making it a valuable tool for investigating the mechanisms of drug action and studying embryonic development.
Researchers have identified a new human RNA ligase protein that plays a protective role against cellular stress and oxidative damage. The enzyme, C12orf29, links the ends of RNA strands in three characteristic steps and protects cells from menadione-induced oxidative stress.
A German-Chinese research team has developed a general method to produce two-dimensional nanoparticles, which have high catalytic potential. The synthesis process is carried out in a simple aqueous solution without toxic additives or high temperatures.
Researchers developed a new method to collect data on animal behaviour and environment using drones and computer vision. The method allows for the extraction of information on spatial distribution, movement, and behaviour, providing rich insights into the social and environmental context of group-living animals.
Researchers from University of Konstanz develop 'neural puppeteer' AI model to predict animal poses and appearances, enabling analysis of intermediate motions. The system uses 3D key points to calculate statistically likely steps, crucial for studying collective behavior in wildlife.
A study published in npj Vaccines found that clear communication strategies, such as emphasizing self-interest and common ground, can increase vaccination solidarity among citizens. The researchers recommend a crisis communication approach that highlights the risks of vaccine nationalism and promotes long-term profit orientation.
Researchers at the University of Konstanz found that selfish behavior can lead to a fair distribution of risk within groups of animals. By positioning themselves optimally to minimize distance from others, individuals reduce their own predation risk and create a safer environment for all members.
A new open-access syllabus is training professors in public administration to develop the digital skills needed for post-pandemic governance. The project, initiated by Ines Mergel and David Eaves, provides teaching materials and resources to support instructors in adapting to the digital age.
A comparative study of over 1,000 bird species found that parental care is the key factor influencing brain size. The researchers concluded that parental energy input, via egg size and active feeding after hatching, drives brain growth. This finding has implications for understanding differences in brain size across various animal groups.
Scientists have created a new polyester material that combines mechanical stability with high biodegradability, making it an attractive alternative to traditional plastics. The innovative material, called polyester-2,18, was shown to degrade in lab experiments and pass industrial composting standards.
Researchers found that simultaneously acting global change factors decrease grassland plant community diversity, regardless of individual factor quality. This effect is linked to increased biomass production due to the influence of highly influential factors like eutrophication.
Eduardo Sampaio joined the Captain Darwin expedition to study octopus behavior and discovered they can recognize themselves in mirrors. The project aims to update Darwin's research style with modern methods, including machine learning and computer vision.
An international research team developed an animal-free testing battery to detect developmental neurotoxicity, using human cells instead of animals. The results show that the testing battery is technically feasible and already has a measurement sensitivity comparable to animal experiments.
Researchers observe a surprising phenomenon where particles near the surface of colloidal glass move faster than in the solid below, forming a liquid layer up to 30 particle diameters thick. This discovery sheds new light on the properties of thin disordered films and their potential applications in technology.
Researchers developed NETfacts to address severe trauma in communities, combining individual treatment with collective process. The results show that both NET and NETfacts significantly reduced posttraumatic stress disorder and depression, as well as stigma and violence.
A research team led by Ivano Amelio found that the protein p53 acts as a key to maintaining genomic stability, preventing cancer-promoting mutations. Without p53, cells become more aggressive and prone to acquire genomic instability.
Researchers from University of Konstanz discovered a new species of cichlid fishes in Nicaraguan crater lake Xiloá through genetic hybridization. The hybrids exhibit transgressive traits and occupy a unique ecological niche, outcompeting parental species for food resources.
A team of scientists has identified a key protein involved in regulating the second arrest in meiosis II, allowing the matured egg to await fertilization. Cyclin B3 keeps the availability of Emi2 below a critical threshold during the first maturation division, preventing premature arrest.
Researchers introduce synthetic catalysts into algae cells, enabling chemical reaction upgrades to produce building blocks for polymers and chemicals. The process reduces reliance on fossil raw materials, using atmospheric carbon dioxide as a carbon source.