Press Releases

Pain-relieving interventions trigger a learning effect in the brain which reduces pain. A new study shows that pain relief is more effective when it is provided by a stranger.

Barely heard of a couple of years ago, quinoa today is common on European supermarket shelves. The hardy plant thrives even in saline soils. Researchers from the University of Würzburg have now determined how the plant gets rid of the excess salt.

Human herpesviruses such as HHV-6 can remain dormant in cells for many years without being noticed. When reactivated, they can cause serious clinical conditions. Researchers from Würzburg have now found a way of differentiating between active and inactive viruses.

Solar-powered water splitting is a promising means of generating clean and storable energy. A novel catalyst based on semiconductor nanoparticles has now been shown to facilitate all the reactions needed for “artificial photosynthesis”.

Scientists of University of Würzburg have for the first time succeeded in generating beating cardiac muscle cells from special stem cells. They may provide a new approach for the treatment of heart attacks.

Valérie Guérin-Sendelbach studied political science, economics and history in Würzburg. At the age of 52, the teacher has taken a break from her job to go to Kenya with a volunteer service.

The evolution biologist Dr. Kenji Fukushima is awarded a prize money of about 1.6 million euros by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. He will use the money to build up a new working group at the University of Würzburg.

The prestigious Shanghai Ranking has placed the University of Würzburg among the world’s top 200 universities – as one of three Bavarian and 14 German universities.

Stopping bee extinction is a goal of scientists. Researches under the leadership of the University of Würzburg have discovered that a diversified plant environment helps bees in maintaining stable populations.

Ten years ago the school laboratory of the German Rudolf Virchow Center was founded, where pupil get engaged in the current research of biomedicine. So far, 5,592 students have participated.

Do viruses trigger psychiatric disorders? A new Würzburg study suggests this conclusion. Accordingly, special disorders are associated with a high rate of infection of a specific herpesvirus.

On their quest to finding a better way to diagnose the condition, scientists have now reported a success. Their approach provides a correct diagnosis more quickly and reliably.

Sven Heinrich studied geography at the University of Würzburg. Today, he is a permanent crew member of the "Thor Heyerdahl" sail training ship.

Patients suffering from congestive heart failure tend to have cognitive deficits. This is not because of the heart's reduced pumping capacity as a research team from Würzburg has recently found.

The genome of the algae species Chara braunii has been decoded. It already contains the first genetic characteristics that enabled the water plants' evolutionary transition to land.