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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
A study by University of Vienna researchers clarifies cycads' origin and geographic distribution, revealing a dynamic evolutionary history with key lineages becoming extinct or spreading. The findings provide valuable insights into biodiversity research and have implications for conservation efforts.
A 15-country study confirms that people living near or visiting the seaside experience better health, regardless of country or personal income. The research, led by Sandra Geiger from the University of Vienna, found consistent patterns across all countries and demonstrated that everyone benefits from coastal access.
A comprehensive multicontinental analysis found that COVID-19 vaccination reduced mortality by 22% among hospitalized and oxygen-dependent individuals. Vaccination was particularly beneficial for vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions.
A new study maps gene linkages to identify comb jellies as the sibling group to all other animals, providing a clear-cut evidence of their evolutionary relationship. The research sheds light on how key features of animal anatomy evolved over time.
An international team analyzed 90 shark species using X-ray CT and 3D reconstructions, finding relatively little variation in shape over millions of years. Most variable jaws were found among deep-sea sharks, reflecting their diverse feeding strategies.
A team of researchers identified UBA868 as a significant player in the biogeochemical cycle of the deep ocean, regulating energy balance and fixing carbon dioxide. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the role of microorganisms in the marine ecosystem.
A recent study found that eight hours of social isolation can lead to lower energy levels comparable to eight hours without food. The researchers propose that this is part of our homeostatic response to social contact and may be an adaptive response, but also potentially maladaptive in the long run.
A new study by University of Vienna psychologists debunked the Mozart effect myth, finding no reliable evidence for symptom relief in epilepsy patients. The researchers attribute this alleged effect to selective reporting, small sample sizes, and inadequate research practices.
A new phylogenetic tree analysis by the University of Vienna has provided fresh insights into the evolutionary history of sharks and rays. The study found that the Late Jurassic shark Protospinax annectans was a highly evolved species, contrary to previous hypotheses about its position in the family tree.
A new study by the University of Vienna shows that the persistence of acesulfame varies with temperature, making it an effective tracer for groundwater flows. The research team analyzed seasonal fluctuations in acesulfame concentrations to better understand subsurface processes and optimise waterworks operations.
Physicists from the University of Vienna successfully demonstrated a universal rewinding protocol that can reverse certain quantum processes, including the time evolution of a single photon. The protocol uses an intricate optical setup and demonstrates reversibility without knowing the interactions with the quantum system.
Scientists from the University of Vienna found that grid cells in the brain play a crucial role in detecting movements of people around us. This mechanism may help explain disorientation in dementia patients. The study suggests that grid cells create a mental map of our surroundings, including the movements of others.
A study found that mesopelagic fishes, including lanternfishes, shrink in size with climate warming. Body sizes decreased by 35% during the interglacial period, affecting the ocean's ability to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Researchers at the University of Vienna and Wageningen University & Research found that chlamydiae, which live inside host cells, evolved over a billion years ago. They also discovered that some chlamydiae gained important genes through gene transfer from other bacteria, challenging traditional views on endosymbiotic evolution.
A new study finds that lettuce plants absorb toxic additives from tyre wear particles through the soil, potentially harming consumers. The research team discovered that these chemicals can be metabolized by plants into stable compounds with unknown toxicity.
Researchers at the University of Vienna and ETH Zurich have successfully cultivated a representative of the Asgard archaea, a group believed to be the closest relatives of eukaryotes. The newly developed model organism, Lokiarchaeum ossiferum, exhibits unique cellular characteristics, including an extensive cytoskeleton and complex cel...
Scientists studied fossil braincase material of Europasaurus, a long-necked herbivorous dinosaur from Northern Germany, to understand its reproductive and social behavior. The digital reconstruction of its inner ear showed that it had a good sense of hearing and possibly relied on balance immediately after hatching.
Researchers found anti-inflammatory proteins and lipids in long COVID patients, which may contribute to symptoms and suggest an alternative explanation for the condition. These findings support the theory that alternatively polarized macrophages play a key role in Long COVID disease.
Scientists at the University of Vienna uncover the connection between Pacific Ocean air mass transport and climate anomalies, including droughts in the Amazon and increased precipitation in the southeastern US. They also find that El Niño warms the Atlantic Ocean by transporting large amounts of heat.
A new method developed by the University of Vienna has provided deeper insights into glycolipids located on stem cell surfaces. The approach enables comprehensive analysis of gangliosides, a class of fatty sweet molecules whose composition changes during stem cell differentiation.
Research by University of Vienna scientists reveals that regions occupied by the same European power have more similar 'alien floras' due to restrictive trade policies. The study shows that strategic economic importance increases floristic similarity, highlighting the lasting impacts of colonialism on global ecosystems.
A new concept is presented to increase nitrogen fertilization efficiency and reduce nitrous oxide emission in agriculture. Crop plant-derived biological inhibitors are proposed as an economical alternative to chemical fertilizers.
A new study confirms that plants can adapt to diurnal or nocturnal pollinators through evolutionary changes. In a Costa Rican plant species, insect pests were found to exclusively pollinate during the day, using a previously unknown scent compound.
Researchers deciphered the diversity and evolution of nerve and gland cell types in sea anemones, revealing common progenitor populations and conserved regulatory mechanisms. The study highlights a remarkable ability of sea anemones to maintain neural balance throughout their lives.
Researchers have discovered that L-cryptochrome, a molecule in marine animals, can interpret moonlight to entrain the monthly clock for sexual maturation and reproduction. This ability helps organisms adjust their behavior and physiology by light.
Researchers found that intracellular bacteria known as symbionts protect their host amoebae against giant viruses. This discovery suggests a positive effect of the bacterial symbionts on the ecosystem, influencing the flow of nutrients in food webs and potentially impacting ecosystem dynamics.
A team of researchers at the University of Vienna has found a new mechanism that fundamentally alters the interaction between optically levitated nanoparticles. By applying coherent scattering, they were able to create non-reciprocal forces and improve coupling in arrays of particles, enabling new ways to study complex physical phenomena.
The study investigated the homeland of Indo-European languages and found that their ancestors originated in West Asia. The genetic results suggest a web of pan-regional contacts between early farming communities, providing new evidence for the complex process of Neolithic transition.
Researchers at the University of Vienna have discovered that Asian elephants emit low-frequency rumbles through both their trunk and mouth, a finding that challenges existing knowledge on animal communication. This novel discovery suggests that mammals may be more flexible in their vocalizations than previously thought.
Bacteria in the Neisseriaceae family evolved to divide along their longitudinal axis without separating, forming caterpillar-like filaments that aid in attachment and cooperation. This unique strategy helps them survive in the oral cavity, where competition is high.
Researchers develop NMR spectroscopy method with amplifier for accurate protein detection at physiological concentrations. This allows study of protein dynamics and behavior at native levels, shedding light on cell proliferation to tumor growth.
Researchers developed a novel composite material of COF and graphene that shows high and rapid adsorption capacity for organic pollutants. The material, consisting of a nanoporous, ultrathin covalent organic framework (COF) anchored on graphene, can filter out organic dyes from water efficiently.
Researchers have developed a new method to produce RNA chips, which can help elucidate the functions of RNA molecules in cells. The method allows for quick and easy conversion from commercially available DNA chips, paving the way for further applications in disease diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers found that a higher voice pitch leads to faces being assessed as half a year younger on average. However, the face itself provides crucial information for evaluating attractiveness, femininity, and health, making the voice less influential in these evaluations.
A new study finds that brief online art viewing can lower negative mood and anxiety while increasing subjective well-being. The effects are comparable to those of visiting physical art galleries or engaging in nature experiences.
Scientists at the University of Vienna have successfully measured the migration of carbon atoms on graphene's surface using an indirect method. By heating the material and observing the effect on stability, they determined the energy barrier to be 0.33 electronvolts.
A 1,700-year-old genome study from Korea reveals greater genetic heterogeneity among ancient Gaya confederacy individuals compared to modern Koreans. The findings suggest that the Korean peninsula experienced more genetic diversity in the past, with ancient Koreans intermixing within the region.
Research on two worm phyla provides clues on how separate sexes originated and evolved in animals. The study characterizes the evolution of sex chromosomes in flatworms and roundworms, revealing that their diversity is a result of different combinations of genetic elements.
Researchers discovered that moonlight adjusts the reproductive cycle of marine bristle worms to specific hours during the night. The study reveals how light receptors decode sun- and moonlight to adjust the plastic daily clock, which is essential for species survival.
A new study by Sonja Spitzer and Mujaheed Shaikh found that older people who overestimate their health visit the doctor less often, leading to delayed diagnoses and treatment. Conversely, those who underestimate their health visit the doctor more frequently.
Researchers have developed a new NMR method to monitor fast biomolecular events like protein folding, enabled by hyperpolarized water. This technique enhances signal intensities by up to 10,000-fold, allowing for real-time monitoring and tracking of individual amino acids.
Researchers discovered banded iron formations as a new geochemical archive to study the early Earth's evolution. They found that iron- and silica-rich layers deposited from seawater can record the Earth's mantle and crust development. This approach offers new insights into the Precambrian Earth.
A study on tiger shark teeth reveals gradual and subtle changes in tooth shape during the shark's life, with younger sharks having simpler serrations. The study also describes the first comprehensive description of tiger shark embryos' teeth, which form in the womb without serrations and are swallowed before birth.
Research found that bolder marmoset monkeys learn faster than their shy counterparts, with social environment also playing a role. The study suggests that both personality traits and family group membership influence cognitive performance in these monkeys.