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University of Vienna


The role of bitter receptors in cancer

A systematic review of bitter taste receptors in cancer found that overexpression of these receptors stimulates anti-cancer mechanisms, reducing cell division and migration while increasing programmed cell death. Conversely, downregulation of bitter taste receptor genes is common in cancer cells.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalCancers·DateNov 23, 2021

Athletes with a pre-performance routine perform better

Research from the University of Vienna found that athletes with a pre-performance routine outperform those without, regardless of sport task complexity or athlete age/gender. A meta-analysis of 800 athletes across 15 sports revealed significant performance improvements after learning and applying a PPR.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalInternational Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology·DateNov 11, 2021

Synchrony through touch

A study found that touch and proximity contribute to the attunement of brain and heart rhythms between mother and baby. Mother-baby pairs showed mutual neural adjustment when they touched each other or played face-to-face, demonstrating the fundamental role of touch in early adaptation.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNeuroImage·DateSep 20, 2021

Gut bacteria influence brain development

Researchers identify biomarkers that indicate early brain injury in premature infants, highlighting the importance of gut microbiome and immune system balance. The study provides a starting point for developing therapies to prevent or mitigate brain damage.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateSep 3, 2021

How special are we?

A recent study sheds light on the formation of planetary systems like our own, suggesting that nearby supernovas may have contaminated gas with radioactive material. The researchers found a 59% chance that the enrichment process in Ophiuchus star-forming region is due to supernovas.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Astronomy·DateAug 17, 2021

Heisenberg under the microscope

Researchers from the University of Vienna and TU Wien have successfully controlled a large glass sphere's motion at the quantum level using control engineering methods. The experiment, published in Nature, demonstrates the potential for combining quantum physics and control engineering to enable more precise experiments.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature·DateJul 14, 2021

Bacterial survival kit to endure in soil

Acidobacteria use low-affinity terminal oxidases to 'breathe' oxygen at nanomolar concentrations, challenging traditional assumptions. These microbes also scavenge atmospheric hydrogen to survive nutrient-poor periods, playing a central role in soil microbial communities and ecological balance.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalThe ISME Journal·DateJul 6, 2021

Integrate disciplines to conserve biodiversity

The article emphasizes the importance of integrating different disciplines and stakeholders in conservation efforts. Key findings include the need for increased funding and expert guidance for transdisciplinary research, as well as the benefits of such approaches, including improved data quality and innovation.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalBasic and Applied Ecology·DateJul 5, 2021

The evolution of axial patterning

A research group discovered that β-catenin signaling is used for axial patterning in sea anemones and sea urchins, a mechanism that also exists in vertebrates. This suggests that this system was present in the common ancestor of Cnidaria and Bilateria around 650 million years ago.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature·DateJun 29, 2021

Quantum-nonlocality at all speeds

Quantum nonlocality is a universal property that prevails regardless of particle speed or indeterminacy. Researchers designed an experiment to test this phenomenon, using the principle of physical phenomena being independent of frame of reference, to prove nonlocality for any quantum particle.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 16, 2021

Making a meal of DNA in the seafloor

Specialized bacteria in the oceans' seafloor have been found to consume and recycle DNA from dead biomass, a process that plays a crucial role in global biogeochemical cycles. The study identified novel DNA-eating bacteria, including the species Izemoplasma acidinucleici, which have sophisticated tools for degrading DNA.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Microbiology·DateJun 14, 2021

Bacteria hijack latent phage of competitor

Researchers have discovered a highly selective phage activation mechanism based on signal molecules in bacterial ecosystems. The study reveals that a specific bacterium produces a signal molecule that triggers the conversion of a latent phage into an active parasite, offering new possibilities for phage therapies and biotechnology.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 10, 2021

Meiosis: Mind the gap

Cells introduce hundreds of DNA DSBs to facilitate genetic recombination, but researchers found that approximately 20% of breaks correspond to closely positioned pairs of DSBs, which can initiate recombination at chromosome gaps

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature·DateJun 9, 2021

Is the past (and future) there when nobody looks?

Researchers investigate the limits of quantum theory in describing an observer's experience, leading to a 'no-go theorem' for the persistent reality of Wigner's friend perception. The study challenges traditional assumptions about the nature of reality and raises questions about the reliability of an observer's predictions.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalCommunications Physics·DateMay 14, 2021

Computer designs magnonic devices

A new computational method enables researchers to design functional magnonic devices in a shorter time, overcoming traditional limitations. The approach uses inverse design and intelligent algorithms to create devices with multiple functionalities.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 12, 2021

New ancient shark discovered

A new ancient shark species, Durnonovariaodus maiseyi, has been identified from a 150 million-year-old fossil found in the Kimmeridge Clay Formation of England. The discovery provides valuable insights into the evolution and diversity of hybodontiform sharks, which were closely related to modern sharks.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalPeerJ·DateMay 11, 2021

Childbirth versus pelvic floor stability

A new study published in PNAS suggests that a smaller pelvic canal is biomechanically advantageous for supporting the fetus and organs, despite being disadvantageous for childbirth. This 'pelvic floor hypothesis' was tested through finite element analysis, revealing that larger pelvic floors deform disproportionately more under pressure.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 13, 2021

Popeye with a whiff of rotten eggs

Researchers have discovered a sulfosugar from green vegetables that stimulates the growth of key gut bacteria, producing energy-rich compounds. This finding has implications for understanding the interactions between nutrition and the microbiome, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalThe ISME Journal·DateApr 9, 2021

The persistent danger after landscape fires

Researchers from the University of Vienna detected high concentrations of environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFR) in charcoal samples from fires worldwide. These toxic chemicals can persist for years and may harm ecosystems and human health, posing a significant threat after landscape fires.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateMar 26, 2021

Agricultural biodiversity:

Farmers prioritize government and agricultural sector information, while scientists value scientific information. Female farmers and those using organic farming methods rate biodiversity as more important than others. The study highlights knowledge gaps between research, agriculture, and policy practice.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalBiological Conservation·DateMar 22, 2021

Fear of COVID-19 :

A study published in PLOS ONE found that individual psychological variables, such as germ aversion and attachment security, are better predictors of fear and perceived health during lockdowns than environmental factors. The researchers investigated 533 participants across Europe and found that younger age, physical activity, and higher...

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 15, 2021

Fossilized feeding frenzy

A 47-million-year-old fly fossil found in Vienna revealed that flies played a significant role in ancient pollination. The fly's stomach contents showed pollen from various plant species, suggesting its importance in pollen dispersal and biotic interactions.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 11, 2021

How a ladybug warps space-time

Researchers at the University of Vienna have successfully measured the smallest gravitational force yet by using a ladybug-sized mass. The team, led by Markus Aspelmeyer and Tobias Westphal, has picked up on an idea from Henry Cavendish's 18th-century experiment to measure gravitational forces with increasing accuracy.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature·DateMar 10, 2021

Lack of diversity in science

A study of 1051 top-authors found women and the Global South are starkly underrepresented, with only 11% female authors and 25% from the Global South. The research highlights a need to promote scientific diversity and inclusion in leadership recruitment and career development.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalConservation Letters·DateMar 2, 2021

Quantum computing: when ignorance is wanted

Researchers have developed a new quantum computation protocol that allows for homomorphic quantum encryption, enabling secure delegation of computations without compromising data privacy. The protocol's security improves with increasing complexity of calculations.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·Journalnpj Quantum Information·DateFeb 18, 2021

Quantum effects help minimise communication flaws

Researchers at the University of Vienna demonstrated a new approach to reduce noise in quantum communication schemes by sending particles along multiple paths simultaneously. This method, which utilizes quantum superposition, offers improved noise reduction and has been experimentally confirmed.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalPhysical Review Research·DateFeb 10, 2021

The therapeutic potential of peptides

Researchers are harnessing the power of peptides to develop new therapeutics, leveraging vast libraries and animal venom to discover novel leads. Recent studies have shown promising results in pain relief and biopesticides, highlighting the potential for peptides to revolutionize the pharmaceutical landscape.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Reviews Drug Discovery·DateFeb 10, 2021