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Bonobos refuse to participate when faced with unequal rewards, reinforcing the highly contentious debate about inequity aversion in animals To the point Bonobos show signs of inequity aversion : In two experiments, bonobos were less willing to participate when they received a worse reward than a partner, suggesting they dislike unequal treatment.

The pedunculate oaks typical of Leipzig's floodplain forest and other German oak forests are struggling to regenerate in the understorey due to a lack of light. One reason for this is the absence of flooding in floodplain forests. In a two-year oak experiment in Leipzig's floodplain forest, researchers from Leipzig University and the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) found that the current tree dieback - caused by drought and pest outbreaks - combined with the thinning of certain understorey species, can actually support oak regeneration.

Researchers at the MPI of Biochemistry have used spatial Deep Visual Proteomics workflow to reveal why some patients with the hereditary disease alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency remain healthy despite the genetic defect.

The human brain can learn through experience to filter out disturbing and distracting stimuli - such as a glaring roadside billboard or a flashing banner on the internet. Scientists at Leipzig University and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam have used electroencephalography (EEG) to show that early visual processing in humans changes with repeated exposure.

The human brain can learn through experience to block out disturbing and distracting stimuli, such as a glaring billboard on the side of the road or a flashing banner on the internet. Researchers at Leipzig University and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam have discovered with the help of brain wave measurements (EEG) that early visual processing in humans changes through repeated experience.

New insights into dopamine in focal cortical dysplasia: For the first time, a research team in Bonn is systematically investigating the role of the dopamine system in a common form of therapy-resistant epilepsy. Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) type 2 is a congenital malformation of the cerebral cortex that is often associated with difficult-to-treat epilepsy.

Pathogenic salmonella inject effector proteins into the cells of the stomach and intestinal tissue in order to penetrate and multiply there. The bacteria, which are usually ingested with food, cause dangerous gastrointestinal inflammation and even systemic infections, especially in children and the elderly.

A novel paper led by Ulrich Brose of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena and the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) is widening understanding of how species interact within ecosystems via the so-called ,Internet of Nature'. Published in 'Nature Ecology and Evolution', the paper reveals that species not only exchange matter and energy but also share vital information that influences behaviour, interactions, and ecosystem dynamics - revealing previously hidden characteristics of natural ecosystems.

The detection of peripheral neural stem cells could transform the treatment of Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injuries To the point Peripheral neural stem cells: Researchers have discovered a new type of neural stem cell in the lungs of mice. These cells have similar properties to the known neural stem cells in the brain, including self-rejuvenation and differentiation ability.

Long-standing problem solved: Researchers discover that misfolding prevents efficient utilisation of so-called split inteins as 'protein glue' Proteins are the building blocks of life. They consist of folded peptide chains, which in turn are made up of a series of amino acids. From stabilising cell structure to catalysing chemical reactions, proteins have many functions.

How can artificial intelligence enhance our understanding of the visual system in the brain? An international research team (MICrONS), with the participation of the University of Göttingen, has developed new AI models to decode the complex processing of visual stimuli in the brain. The researchers investigated how the shape, connectivity and activity of nerve cells in the mouse brain are related.

To the point Induction of Multicellularity : When mechanically compressed, the salt-loving archaeon Haloferax volcanii can shift from being single-celled to forming tissue-like clusters, displaying new mechanical and biological properties. Insights into Evolution : This study challenges current thinking about evolution by showing that physical forces and genetic changes can work together to promote the development of complex life forms, suggesting that multicellularity might arise more easily than we previously imagined.

Isotope analyses of limestone cave deposits reveal recurrent humid intervals in the Saharo-Arabian Desert over the last eight million years. Dripstones reveal: The Saharo-Arabian Desert experienced repeated wetter periods over the past eight million years. Life-friendly desert: Wetter conditions favoured the exchange of mammals between Africa and Eurasia.

Alcohol in their food increases the production of sex pheromones in male fruit flies, making them more attractive to females A team of researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology has investigated why the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster drinks alcohol and has shown that alcohol has a direct and positive effect on the mating success of male flies.

A new study reveals a long-isolated North African human lineage in the Central Sahara during the African humid period more than 7,000 years ago To the point DNA analysis from two naturally mummified individuals from Libya: More than 7,000 years ago, during the so-called African Humid Period (Green Sahara), a long isolated human lineage existed in North Africa.

New research shines light on how the brain interprets nutritional and hydration needs and turns them into action. To ensure we get the calories and hydration we need, the brain relies on a complex network of cells, signals, and pathways to guide us when to eat, drink, or stop. Yet, much about how the brain deciphers the body-s needs and translates them into action remains unknown.

In brief When sleep-deprived: European jackdaws tend to sleep with both halves of their brains deeply asleep rather than staying alert with one half - especially at the beginning of the night when the need for rest is greatest. Differences in the brain: Some brain regions sleep more deeply than others.

To the point A neuroimaging study examined the processing of pain signals in the brain as participantswatched virtual nature videos. Participants reported less pain and showed lower activity in brain regions associated with specific pain processing. The findings underscore the importance of nature-based therapeutic approaches in pain management.

Göttingen research team constructs network of self-learning infomorphic neurons   Novel artificial neurons learn independently and are more strongly modeled on their biological counterparts. A team of researchers from the Göttingen Campus Institute for Dynamics of Biological Networks (CIDBN) at the University of Göttingen and the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization (MPI-DS) has programmed these infomorphic neurons and constructed artificial neural networks from them.

Würzburg researchers present a new strategy against the life-threatening fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. They combine RNA molecules and an antifungal agent in nanoparticles. Fungal infections are on the rise globally. According to a study by the Manchester Fungal Infection Group , in 2022, approximately 6.5 million people were infected by a pathogenic fungus, and about 3.8 million died as a result - nearly twice as many as in 2012.