25.03.2013 Clockwork in the eye of a fly

Rudi Grebler (left) and Matthias Schlichting working with a rotary drum used to test the optomotor response of a fly. (Photo: Verena Dusik)

The blue-light pigment cryptochrome is important in regulating the circadian clock of many organisms. Scientists have now discovered that in the fruit fly Drosophila it also intervenes in the visual process. The central experiments involved were conducted at the University of Würzburg’s Biocenter.

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22.03.2013 Festgala für ausgezeichnete Physiker

Laurens Molenkamp (2.v.r.) bei der Preisverleihung in Genf. Alle Preisträger erhielten neben dem Preisgeld eine Trophäe, gestaltet von dem dänisch-isländischen Künstler Olafur Eliasson. (Foto: Fundamental Physics Prize Foundation)

Ende 2012 hatte die Fundamental Physics Prize Foundation die Preisträger des Physics Frontiers Prize bekannt gegeben. Darunter war auch der Würzburger Experimentalphysiker Professor Laurens Molenkamp. In einer Gala in Genf wurde der Preis jetzt offiziell übergeben.

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15.03.2013 Can the canine distemper virus infect humans?

The structural model shows how, after just one mutation, an envelope protein (pink) of the canine distemper virus can bind to the CD150 receptor (blue) of human immune cells. This would give the virus access to the cell interior. (Graphic: Bieringer et al. PLoS ONE 8(3): e57488)

Eradicate measles – this is one of the goals of the World Health Organization. If it succeeds, this might open the door to another pathogen: the canine distemper virus.

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14.03.2013 Fibromyalgia: First Proof Found

The fibromyalgia syndrome is characterized by chronic pain in several body regions. Researchers at the University Hospital of Würzburg now have found clear proof of damage to patients' small fibers. (Foto: Benjamin Thorn / pixelio.de)

Fibromyalgia has a reputation as a mysterious illness: The symptoms are diverse, the causes are unknown and the diagnosis is difficult. For the first time, researchers at the University Hospital of Würzburg now have found clear proof of damage to patients' small fibers.

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13.03.2013 Tapeworms: Genome Mapped

In this stage, the larva of a fox tapeworm enters the fox that has eaten an infected mouse. In the centre of the globular structure, we can see more clear-cut bends: This is the set of hooks the tapeworm uses to attach to the intestinal wall of the fox. (Photo: Klaus Brehm)

For the first time, scientists have mapped the entire genome of four tapeworm species. Their publication in "Nature" magazine reveals new weak spots of the parasites – they seem to be susceptible to standard cancer drugs.

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08.03.2013 Good Grades for Gifted Student Classes

[Translate to Englisch:] (Grafik: Gerd Altmann / pixelio.de)

For quite a few years now, special classes for gifted students have been implemented at grammar schools in the German states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. Researchers from Würzburg, Trier and Erlangen have studied them to determine whether they live up to expectations. The results are definite.

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07.03.2013 Dialysis: Blood Protein as a Risk Factor

Christiane Drechsler and Professor Christoph Wanner from the University Hospital of Würzburg have gained new insight into the treatment of dialysis patients. (Photo: Robert Emmerich)

A modified blood protein increases the mortality risk in patients undergoing dialysis treatment. This has been reported by researchers from Würzburg and Boston in the journal "Science Translational Medicine". They also have an idea about how the risk factor might be successfully dealt with.

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01.03.2013 Wildbienen sichern gute Ernten

Eine Wildbiene besucht die Blüten eines Apfelbaums. (Foto Saul Cunningham)

Viele Kulturpflanzen müssen von Insekten bestäubt werden, um hohe Erträge zu bringen. Dabei spielen Wildbienen eine weitaus größere Rolle als bislang angenommen. Das berichtet ein internationales Forschungsteam in „Science“.

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