news 2021

Immunoglobulins are antibodies that are generated by the immune system in answer to the sudden emergence of macromolecules. For example, these might be on the cell surface of bacteria that have infiltrated the body, or they are found in abnormal somatic cells. These play an important role in the identification and suppression of infections, such as Hepatitis A/B or Rabies, and in controlling cancer cells.

Auto-aggressive immune cells cause fatty liver hepatitis Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), often called 'fatty liver hepatitis', can lead to serious liver damage and liver cancer. A team of researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has discovered that this condition is caused by cells that attack healthy tissue - a phenomenon known as auto-aggression.

Meta-analysis reveals: Hypnosis relieves pain, reduces mental distress and promotes recovery after surgery Hypnosis relieves pain, reduces mental distress and promotes recovery after surgical interventions - this has been shown in a meta-analysis recently published in Clinical Psychology Review. By evaluating 50 individual studies with over 4000 patients, scientists from Jena and Leipzig examined the efficacy of hypnosis in the context of surgical interventions.

New study gives hope for more effective therapies Human cells are constantly changing shape. Biologists know that these morphological changes reflect changes in a cell's function but our ability to understand the meaning behind a cell's shape has, to date, been limited. In their new study Rune Linding from Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU) and his colleagues have utilized artificial intelligence to learn, and interpret, changes in the morphology of cancer cells in order to understand how these cells are becoming resistant to cancer medication.

A team of researchers from Tübingen and Israel uncovers how brain structures can maintain function and stable dynamics even in unusual conditions. Their results might lay the foundations for better understanding and treating conditions like epilepsy and autism. The neurons in our brains are connected with each other, forming small functional units called neural circuits.

Study at University of Cologne shows that the exchange of genes drives functional changes in bacteria very rapidly / Publication in PNAS Bacteria integrate genetic material from other bacterial strains more easily than previously thought, which can lead to improved fitness and accelerated evolution.

Increased pollen concentrations correlate with higher SARS-CoV-2 infection rates When airborne pollen levels are higher, increased SARS-CoV-2 infection rates can be observed. These results were determined by a large-scale study conducted by an international team headed by researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the Helmholtz Zentrum München.

Two scientists at the CECAD Cluster of Excellence in Aging Research have developed a method that can determine an organism's biological age with unprecedented precision / researchers expect new insights into how the environment, nutrition, and therapies influence the aging process Using the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans , researchers at the University of Cologne have developed an 'aging clock' that reads the biological age of an organism directly from its gene expression, the transcriptome.

The coronavirus has led to a worldwide crisis for over a year. In a new study, nanoscientist Roland Wiesendanger illuminates the origins of the virus. His findings conclude there are a number of quality sources indicating a laboratory accident at the Wuhan Institute of Virology as the cause of the current pandemic.

Heidelberg researchers develop test procedure that is being used for on-campus examinations and classes For approved on-campus events such as laboratory practicals or on-campus examinations which are strictly necessary for continuing or completing a degree course, Heidelberg University is offering an additional measure besides the required hygiene routines and mandatory distancing arrangements.

Team led by the University of Göttingen describes influence of molecular mechanisms How do plants build resilience? An international research team led by the University of Göttingen studied the molecular mechanisms of the plant immune system. They were able to show a connection between a relatively unknown gene and resistance to pathogens.

Cataracts: new model explains origins of the eye condition Cataracts are the most common eye ailment in humans. However, the exact processes leading to this condition are not fully understood. A team of researchers headed by the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has now discovered that the composition of the protein solution plays a decisive role.

Findings on cancer medication reveal protein regulation mechanism Immunomodulatory drugs, including the Contergan derivatives lenalidomide and pomalidomide have significantly improved the therapy of hematologic malignancies such as multiple myeloma. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have now further decoded the mode of action in this class of medications.

The "Querdenken" ("Lateral thinking") demonstrations in November 2020 contributed to the heavy spread of the coronavirus within Germany. This is shown by a recent study by authors Dr Martin Lange from the Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in Mannheim and Dr Monscheuer from the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at the HU.

New synthetic peptides could attenuate atherosclerosis Atherosclerosis, a lipid-triggered chronic inflammatory disease of our arteries, is the main cause of strokes and heart attacks. An international team of researchers led by the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the LMU University Hospital has developed novel synthetic peptides that can help to prevent atherosclerosis in vitro, that is in the test tube, as well as in animal models.

Researchers find trigger for autoimmune diseases and cancer of the lymph node Autoimmune diseases, in which the body's own immune system attacks healthy tissue, can be life-threatening and can impact all organs. A research team at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has now found a possible cause for these self-destructive immune system attacks: a hyperactive RANK protein on the surface of B cells.

Blocking the receptor "inceptor" could protect insulin-producing beta cells One hundred years after the discovery of insulin and fifty years after that of the insulin receptor, researchers have now discovered a novel - and druggable - insulin inhibitory receptor, named inceptor. This could open up new possibilities for the treatment of diabetes: The blocking of inceptor function leads to an increased sensitisation of the insulin signaling pathway in pancreatic beta cells.

Inflammation causes cerebral cortex dysfunction in multiple sclerosis Damage to the brain gray matter plays an important role in the progression of multiple sclerosis. A team of neuroscientists has now shown that the cause are inflammatory responses that lead to synapse loss, reducing neuronal activity.

Researchers show positive effect of urban nature on mental health Daily contact with trees in the street may significantly reduce the risk of depression and the need for antidepressants . This is the result of a study by researchers at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Leipzig University (UL), and the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, recently published in the journal Scientific Reports .

A new clinical study at the University of Cologne and Cologne University Hospital is investigating whether a ketogenic diet has a positive effect on patients with polycystic kidney disease / The trial is funded by the American PKD Foundation (polycystic kidney disease) A team of researchers at the University of Cologne is launching a study on the effects of ketogenic dietary regimens in patients affected by hereditary polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD).