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.

A team from the Max Planck Research Group for Systems Immunology at the University of Würzburg has identified a previously unknown phase of the immune response. These new insights have significant implications for the development of vaccines and cellular immunotherapies. The research groups led by Wolfgang Kastenmüller and Georg Gasteiger employed innovative microscopy techniques to observe how specific immune cells, known as T'cells, are activated and proliferate during a viral infection.

To the point A new replication study reviews and confirms previous research findings on the influence of digital media on democracy. Digital media such as social media, messenger groups or comment columns in online media have a predominantly negative influenc e on political processes. They can encourage populist movements, increase polarization and undermine trust in institutions.

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.

Mediterranean hunter gatherers navigated long-distance sea journeys well before the first farmers To the point Malta reached earlier than previously thought: Researchers have found evidence that hunter-gatherers arrived on the island by boat as early as 8,500 years ago - around 1,000 years before the first farmers.

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.

Iceberg armadas and altered river courses caused parts of the northern hemisphere to cool rapidly on several occasions Abrupt climate changes: From the peak of the last ice age to the Holocene, the North Atlantic and neighboring regions cooled rapidly again and again, temporarily. Revealing model simulations: Between 20,000 and 13,000 years ago, ice masses breaking off from the ice sheets of the northern hemisphere enriched the North Atlantic with fresh water and weakened the Atlantic overturning circulation (Amoc), which transports heat from the tropics to the north.

Research team led by Göttingen University challenges conventional poverty metrics   Two billion people globally suffer from moderate to severe food insecurity and widespread micronutrient deficiencies. This contrasts with 654 million people who are classified as extremely poor according to the World Bank's US$2.15 per day International Poverty Line (IPL).

To the point Successful: Birds in the city are less likely to have brown plumage, and those with colorful plumage are more common. Differences between city and countryside: It is usually warmer in cities, there are fewer predators, but there is more artificial light and other background colors Advantages: Camouflage is not as important in the city because there are fewer predators than in nature.

Publication by the University of Bonn warns of misunderstandings in handling predictive algorithms Researchers from chemistry, biology, and medicine are increasingly turning to AI models to develop new hypotheses. However, it is often unclear on which basis the algorithms come to their conclusions and to what extent they can be generalized.

In a study, it wasn't the bravest mice, but rather the shy ones, that proved to be the most persistent tinkerers To the point More successful: Shy mice visited problem-solving tasks more often than their bold counterparts, giving them more chances to succeed. Testing conditions matter: mice performed differently in natural environments compared to laboratory settings - and not always in predictable ways.

A study examines the relationship between gender roles and the desire to have children in Scandinavia To the point Low Birth Rates: Researchers examined the link between gender roles and the desire to have children in Denmark, Finland, and Norway. Structural barriers are only a factor: In highly gender-equal societies, declining birth rates cannot automatically be attributed to everyday structural challenges faced by parents.

Max Planck researcher Isabel Thielmann finds that dishonest behavior is consistent In brief New study shows: People who have lied once are likely to lie again in similar situations. It used to be assumed that lying is primarily situation-dependent. There is a connection between dishonest behavior and certain personality traits.

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.

International research team analyses magmatic crystals formed prior to volcanic eruption 40,000 years ago How long before the actual volcanic eruption are there warning signals deep down inside the Earth? An international research team led by the University of Göttingen has investigated this question by analysing volcanic deposits from a volcanic eruption that occurred in the Phlegraean Fields near Naples 40,000 years ago.

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.