news

Researchers reveal new insights into the how the matrix layer of HIV-1 becomes mature Researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry have discovered the mechanism behind an important step in the life cycle of HIV. Working together with teams at Heidelberg and Yale Universities, they found that the enigmatic -spacer peptide 2-, one of the virus components, plays a key role in converting immature HIV-1 particles into infectious particles.

Classical models of collective behavior fail to explain the mechanisms driving desert locust swarms Desert locust swarms affect millions of lives worldwide.

A new study shows how the brain reorganises itself in the first few months after a stroke to improve the ability to speak again. The findings will help researchers understand how functional networks work in the brain. They also have the potential to be used in the future for personalised treatment of stroke patients.

International research team led by Göttingen University develops user-friendly software method Identifying and delineating cell structures in microscopy images is crucial for understanding the complex processes of life. This task is called "segmentation" and it enables a range of applications, such as analysing the reaction of cells to drug treatments, or comparing cell structures in different genotypes.

A recent study shows how the brain reorganizes itself in the first few months after a stroke in order to improve language ability. The findings help to better understand the functioning of functional networks in the brain. They also have the potential to be used in personalized therapy after a stroke in the future.

A new study by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology sheds fresh light on one of the most debated concepts in biology: evolvability. The work provides the first experimental evidence showing how natural selection can shape genetic systems to enhance future capacity for evolution, challenging traditional perspectives on evolutionary processes.

Great apes, like humans, remember objects better when introduced by a social agent, but develop this skill only in adulthood Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, examined how social models influence memory in great apes. They presented young and adult apes with videos of either a human hand (a social model) or a mechanical claw (a non-social model) building a tower.

Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA) and Freie Universität combined a mixture of mucilaginous and sticky proteins to produce an adhesive for biomedical applications / Results published in journal PNAS An international team of engineers from MIT and the Collaborative Research Center "Dynamic Hydrogels at Biointerfaces," located at Freie Universität Berlin, has developed a new type of glue that combines the waterproof stickiness of the mussels' plaques with the germ-proof properties of another natural material: mucus.

Stress hormones, often prescribed after premature delivery, affect the brain development of the embryo Infections, chemicals, stress - these environmental factors influence the risk of developing psychiatric or neurological disorders, especially if they occur before birth. The biological mechanisms behind this are still not fully understood.

An interdisciplinary research team from Leipzig University and the Saxon AI center ScaDS.AI have developed a new approach that combines methods of artificial intelligence (AI) and biophysical modeling. This new approach can be used to develop new active substances such as antibodies and vaccines, for example for pandemic prevention.

In a recent study, scientists at Leipzig University have for the first time demonstrated play-like behaviour in flies. They found that fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) voluntarily and repeatedly visited a carousel. "Until now, play-like behaviour has mainly been described in vertebrates," says Professor Wolf Huetteroth, who led the study at the Institute of Biology at Leipzig University and recently moved to Northumbria University in Newcastle, England, as an associate professor.

News from Since the Industrial Revolution, global changes have driven declines in biodiversity. Understanding, protecting, and constructing healthy ecosystems is crucial to addressing these changes. A new meta-analysis by an international team including Professor Nico Eisenhauer (iDiv, Leipzig University) revealed that the soil engineering effects of the three major invertebrate groups - termites, earthworms, and ants - can enhance soil nutrient contents, soil respiration rates, microbial biomass, and plant biomass at a global scale.

Since the industrial revolution, global changes have led to a decline in biodiversity. To counter these changes, it is crucial to understand what constitutes healthy ecosystems - and how to protect and build them.

In a recent study, scientists at Leipzig University have demonstrated the potential play behavior of flies for the first time. They found that fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) voluntarily and repeatedly visit a carousel. "Until now, play behavior has mainly been described in vertebrates," says Wolf Hütteroth, who led the study at Leipzig University's Institute of Biology and recently moved from Leipzig to Northumbria University in Newcastle, England, as an Associate Professor.

Utrophin increase in muscle cells after transcriptional adaptation normalises cell function in Duchenne muscular dystrophy Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a rare hereditary disease with severe consequences such as muscle atrophy. It is caused by some mutations in the dystrophin gene, which results in disrupted gene expression.

People watching videos of sneezing or sick people show increased activity at the junction of brain regions and the immune system that react to potential dangers. At the same time, the concentration of antibodies in their saliva increases. Findings from a study conducted by researchers in the University of Hamburg's Department of Biology indicate that a significant part of the immune system responds even before a pathogen enters the body.

How can nerve pathways in the brain be visualized to improve the planning of complex surgeries? A research team from the Lamarr Institute and the University of Bonn, in collaboration with the Transla

What measures are suitable for providing better living conditions for insects in typical Franconian landscapes? This question was investigated by a research team from the University of Würzburg. The results are now available. Biodiversity is under threat worldwide.

Bonn researchers clarify how energy regulates the spatial arrangement and quantity of molecules in nerve cells Nerve cells have amazing strategies to save energy and still perform the most important of their tasks. Researchers from the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the University of Bonn as well as the University Medical Center Göttingen found that the neuronal energy conservation program determines the location and number of messenger RNA (mRNA) and proteins, and differs depending on the length, longevity and other properties of the respective molecule.

New insights into neural waves could revolutionize the development of energy-efficient AI systems Researchers at the Ernst Strüngmann Institute in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, led by Wolf Singer, have made a groundbreaking discovery in understanding fundamental brain processes. For the first time, the team has provided compelling evidence that the brain-s characteristic rhythmic patterns play a crucial role in information processing.