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University of Vienna


The next generation of RNA chips

A University of Vienna research team has developed a new generation of RNA building blocks for high-density microarrays, significantly reducing production time. This breakthrough enables faster synthesis and analysis of RNA molecules, opening up new opportunities for medical research and non-invasive diagnostics.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 31, 2024

Nonreciprocal interactions go nonlinear

A University of Vienna team observed nonlinear and Non-Hermitian dynamics in a tabletop experiment using two glass nanoparticles. The researchers created a positive feedback loop resembling a chase-runaway dynamic, where one particle forces the other into motion, resulting in amplified amplitude and nonlinear dynamics.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Physics·DateJul 25, 2024

The "Queen of the Night" does not whistle

A new study by the University of Vienna rejects the idea that opera singers rely on a specialized 'whistle' voice register to produce high-pitched notes. Instead, researchers found that vocal folds vibrate at extremely fast rates to create these sounds, similar to speech and other forms of singing.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 18, 2024

Quantum entanglement measures Earth rotation

Researchers at the University of Vienna have successfully measured Earth's rotation using quantum entanglement, achieving a thousand-fold precision improvement. By exploiting the unique properties of entangled photons, they were able to detect the rotation signal with remarkable stability and accuracy.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 14, 2024

How can forests be reforested in a climate-friendly way?

A recent study by the University of Vienna found that only a few tree species can survive a century of rapid climate change. Mixed forests are essential for forest ecosystem stability, but limited species options pose a challenge. The selected set of future-proof trees averages three properties, such as carbon storage and animal habitats.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateApr 29, 2024

Giant viruses infect deadly parasite

Scientists have isolated giant viruses that infect the deadly human parasite Naegleria fowleri, which causes primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. The newly discovered Naegleiaviruses were found in wastewater treatment plants near Vienna and exhibit a unique stargate structure for DNA entry.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 24, 2024

Compact quantum light processing

Researchers have achieved quantum interference among several single photons using a novel, resource-efficient platform, paving the way for scalable quantum technologies. This breakthrough represents a significant advancement in optical quantum computing.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 19, 2024

Do violent video games numb us towards real violence?

A recent neuroscientific study investigated whether violent video games affect adult empathy. Contrary to previous findings, the research found no negative impact on empathy and brain activity. The study's authors caution against jumping to conclusions, emphasizing the need for further research to understand potential effects on vulner...

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournaleLife·DateJan 16, 2024

When baby stars fledge

A team of astrophysicists discovered that two methods for determining the age of stars measure different things, with a 5.5 million-year difference in age determined by dynamic tracking versus isochronous measurement. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of star formation and stellar evolution.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Astronomy·DateNov 23, 2023

Microbial metabolites: A new link to Parkinson's disease?

A recent study by the University of Vienna and collaborators suggests that microbial metabolites may play a role in inducing Parkinson's-like symptoms. The researchers identified a specific bacterial metabolite that selectively damages dopamine-producing neurons, mirroring the neuronal loss observed in Parkinson's disease.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalEnvironment International·DateOct 10, 2023

Soil bacteria prevail despite drought conditions

Recent research reveals that certain soil microorganisms persist and even thrive during drought periods, influencing ecosystem balance and plant growth. A novel method using water vapor measurement indicates that specific bacterial species become more active under simulated future climatic conditions.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 28, 2023

Surprising study results: Students are bored during exams

Researchers discovered that test boredom is a significant issue in exams, with underchallenging and overchallenging tasks exacerbating the problem. The study's findings suggest that exam tasks should be relevant to students' lives to minimize test boredom, which can lead to poor performance and negative consequences.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalJournal of Educational Psychology·DateAug 30, 2023

The genetic heritage of our extinct ancestors

Researchers discovered a 40,000-year-old gene flow event between an extinct gorilla ghost population and the common ancestor of eastern lowland gorillas and mountain gorillas. This exchange introduced genes that are still present in today's eastern gorillas, including a bitter taste receptor gene under positive selection.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateJul 27, 2023

Engineering dual carriageways for signals

Researchers have developed a new class of systems that exploit interference to create quadrature nonreciprocity, allowing for unidirectional signal transmission without breaking time-reversal symmetry. This enables the creation of dual carriageways for signals, with potential applications in quantum information processing and sensing.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Physics·DateJul 13, 2023

Quantum physics secures digital payments

Researchers at the University of Vienna have developed an unconditionally secure system for digital payments using quantum mechanics. The new protocol, which utilizes single photons, ensures that transactions cannot be duplicated or diverted by malicious parties.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 3, 2023

Like human, like dog

A recent study by researchers at the University of Vienna found that dogs and humans have brain regions specialized in perceiving body postures, similar to those found in humans. The study used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to compare the brains of 40 human participants with 15 pet dogs.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalCommunications Biology·DateJun 27, 2023

Making the most of minuscule metal mandalas

Researchers at the University of Vienna have created a speciation atlas for polyoxometalates (POMs), a type of metal compound. The atlas provides predictive models and databases to accurately determine POM structure and behavior under various chemical conditions, enabling scientists to make the most accurate results and discoveries.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 22, 2023

Shining potential of missing atoms

A team at the University of Vienna has developed a method to controllably create single atomic vacancies in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) using ultra-high vacuum and aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy. This breakthrough enables the creation of defects that can emit single photons, opening up new opportunitie...

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalSmall·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 14, 2023