Bonn researchers take the lead in developing classification criteria for gene variants that can lead to hereditary colorectal cancer. Genetic confirmation of the suspected diagnosis of “hereditary colorectal cancer” is of great importance for the medical care of affected families. However, many of the variants identified in the known genes cannot currently be classified with certainty with regard to their causative role in tumor formation. Under the leadership of the Institute of Human Genetics at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB),…
MHH project investigates differences in neurological symptoms between multiple sclerosis and the rare Sjögren’s syndrome. Different diseases can cause similar symptoms. For treatment, however, it is important to know which cause is responsible for the symptoms. This is because a medication that helps against one disease may be ineffective or even harmful for another. This is precisely the problem that arises in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) and Sjögren’s syndrome. Both are autoimmune diseases caused by an overregulation of…
Secure communication, impervious to interception, is achieved through the application of quantum mechanics in a groundbreaking technology. This method facilitates not only tap-proof communication but also the tamper-proof transfer of diverse data. It seamlessly integrates into existing microchip and processor manufacturing processes, offering a cost-effective solution. In conventional communication, data is generated and encrypted using mathematical algorithms. However, the vulnerability of this encryption lies in the decryptable nature of the underlying algorithm, as evidenced by numerous global cyberattacks, exposing weaknesses…
The findings may offer insight into disease growth and the mechanics of antibiotic resistance. Dental plaque, gut bacteria and the slippery sheen on river rocks are all examples of biofilms, organized communities of microorganisms that colonize our bodies and the world around us. A new study led by Penn State researchers reveals exactly how growing biofilms shape their environments and fine-tune their internal architecture to fit their surroundings. The findings may have implications for a wide variety of applications, from…
Research team identifies new details of a promising phenomenon. To magnetize an iron nail, one simply has to stroke its surface several times with a bar magnet. Yet, there is a much more unusual method: A team led by the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) discovered some time ago that a certain iron alloy can be magnetized with ultrashort laser pulses. The researchers have now teamed up with the Laserinstitut Hochschule Mittweida (LHM) to investigate this process further. They discovered that the…
Seattle Hub for Synthetic Biology launched by Allen Institute, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, and the University of Washington will turn cells into recording devices to unlock secrets of disease. First-of-its-kind research initiative will develop technologies to reveal how changes in cells and genes over time influence human health and disease. The Allen Institute, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), and the University of Washington (UW) today announced the launch of the Seattle Hub for Synthetic Biology, a landmark collaboration that will build…
…hastening possibilities for quantum information processing. In work that could lead to more robust quantum computing, Princeton researchers have succeeded in forcing molecules into quantum entanglement. For the first time, a team of Princeton physicists have been able to link together individual molecules into special states that are quantum mechanically “entangled.” In these bizarre states, the molecules remain correlated with each other—and can interact simultaneously—even if they are miles apart, or indeed, even if they occupy opposite ends of the…
… revealed by models, observations. Fission models find clear fingerprints of nuclear process never before directly observed in stars. The elements above iron on the periodic table are thought to be created in cataclysmic explosions like the merger of two neutron stars or in rare classes of supernovae. New research suggests fission may operate in the cosmos during the creation of the heavy elements. Combing through data on a variety of elements that reside in very old stars, researchers have…
Researchers from EPFL have resolved a long-standing debate surrounding laser additive manufacturing processes with a pioneering approach to defect detection. The progression of laser additive manufacturing — which involves 3D printing of metallic objects using powders and lasers — has often been hindered by unexpected defects. Traditional monitoring methods, such as thermal imaging and machine learning algorithms, have shown significant limitations. They often either overlook defects or misinterpret them, making precision manufacturing elusive and barring the technique from essential industries…
Under certain circumstances galaxies release huge quantities of matter into their environment, triggered by a large number of explosions of massive stars. The MUSE instrument of the Very Large Telescope of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) has now demonstrated for the first time that such “galactic winds” are by no means rare, but actually occur frequently. An international research team, led by the Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), found the double-cone-shaped structures characteristic of galactic winds when examining…
New research has shown that methane trapped under the ocean is vulnerable to climate change and could be released into the ocean. An international team of researchers involving experts from GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel found that methane, a potent greenhouse gas, released as methane hydrates break down, moves from the deepest parts of the continental slope to the edge of the underwater shelf, and even further inland beyond where methane hydrates are typically found. This means that…
Advanced control of prosthetic hands. Artificial hands can be operated via app or with sensors placed in the muscles of the forearm. New research at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) shows: a better understanding of muscle activity patterns in the forearm supports a more intuitive and natural control of artificial limbs. This requires a network of 128 sensors and artificial intelligence based techniques. Modern prostheses offer access to multiple grip patterns, which can be controlled by detecting muscle activity…
Fraunhofer Institutes Establish New Branch for Aviation Research in Cottbus. Several Fraunhofer Institutes and the Brandenburg Technical University Cottbus-Senftenberg, under the leadership of Rolls-Royce Germany and other partners such as the research institution ACCESS, are collaborating on the future of hybrid electric flying. Supported by the state of Brandenburg and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, the partners are researching an entirely new propulsion system for medium-range aircraft with up to 35 passengers. The Clean Sky programs…
…bridge the gap between nanoscopic and macroscopic. In a new Nature paper, two nanotechnology approaches converge by employing a new generation of fabrication technology. It combines the scalability of semiconductor technology with the atomic dimensions enabled by self-assembly. A central goal in quantum optics and photonics is to increase the strength of the interaction between light and matter to produce, e.g., better photodetectors or quantum light sources. The best way to do that is to use optical resonators that store…
New Insights from Single-Cell Genomics. To mechanistically understand the root causes of lung disease, and identify drugs that target specific pathways, the scientists around Prof. Herbert Schiller and Dr. Gerald Burgstaller from Helmholtz Munich are collecting deep molecular insights from patient samples and combining these with experimental interventions in the laboratory. A new combination of methods now enabled them to study mechanisms directly in human lung tissue, thereby accelerating drug development for novel therapies. This groundbreaking work is now published…
From April 17 to 19, 2024, laser manufacturers and users from various industries will meet for the 14th time at the “AKL – International Laser Technology Congress” in the Eurogress in Aachen. 82 speakers will inform the visitors on the latest trends in laser technology in production. AKL’24 will present and participants will discuss the latest findings from applied research and pioneering achievements in the industry – from smart solutions for functional surfaces, AI-supported laser systems to networked digital manufacturing…
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