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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.

How does the body regulate the activity of insulin-producing cells in order to react quickly to changing conditions? Researchers at the University of Würzburg have investigated this question. The hormone insulin plays a central role in the metabolism of many living organisms. When food is plentiful, insulin promotes the absorption and storage of energy.

Scientists from DZNE, University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the University of Bonn provide new evidence that preventing brain inflammation is a promising approach for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Their findings, based on studies in cell culture, mice and tissue samples from patients, may contribute to the development of more effective therapies.

Human influence has led to loss of chimpanzee culture and calls for conservation strategies to include preserving cultural distinctiveness A new study, conducted on wild chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes verus ) in Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire, provides evidence that the gestures used by male chimpanzees from four neighbouring communities during copulation requests may reflect different dialects.

An enzyme called Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 5 is a key factor in protein quality in heart muscle cells A disrupted protein degradation process in heart muscle cells can lead to a range of severe heart diseases.

Adhesion GPCRs are a group of cell surface sensors that are associated with many bodily functions and diseases. However, they have not yet been sufficiently investigated in order to use them for therapies. The Collaborative Research Center 1423 at Leipzig University aims to change this. Scientists from the Faculty of Medicine have now developed an innovative numbering system for the GAIN domain, a protein domain that is common to all adhesion GPCRs.

Based on their observations, the biologists proposed a model detailing the mechanisms of systemic immune signalling in plants: Triggered by a pathogen, initially a third kinase inside the infected cell triggers the generation of extracellular reactive oxygen species in the cell, which would then diffuse to the surface of neighbouring cells.

New study published in "Science" shows that a single gene determines the mating behavior of male ruffs In the animal kingdom, testosterone is a necessary hormone for reproduction, and high levels of it are often associated with male dominance and aggression. However, in ruffs - a shore bird that breeds across Europe and Asia - a single gene turns aggressive males into peaceful ones.

New research shows how cancer develops in children who are predisposed to Wilms' tumor. This could help to predict the development of tumors before they fully form or to develop new, targeted therapies. Wilms' tumor is a form of kidney cancer that mainly affects children under the age of five. In Germany, around 100 children are diagnosed with it every year.

Researchers from around the world have studied the genome of over 150,000 people with bipolar disorder Genetic factors play a major role in the development of bipolar disorder. In an effort to better understand the underlying biology, researchers are constantly examining the genome of people with bipolar disorder.