University of Bonn

Researchers have shown that activating certain receptors can give older mice the bodies of younger animals

Medical

Activating brown fat receptors helps mice burn fat, build muscle

By triggering receptors on a fast-burning form of fat, researchers were able to give older mice less fat and more muscle, making them as healthy as much younger mice. And better yet, humans seem to have a similar pathway.

Different parts of the universe may be expanding at different rates, according to new observations

Physics

Parts of the universe may be expanding faster than others

One of the core components of cosmology is the understanding that the universe is expanding evenly in all directions. But new X-ray observations now suggest that this may not be the case after all – certain areas may be expanding faster than others.

Researchers have found that a high-salt diet can negatively affect the immune system

Medical

High-salt diet found to hamper the immune system

Scientists at Germany’s University Hospital Bonn have turned their attention to salt's impacts on the human immune system, finding that a diet too heavy on sodium chloride can “significantly weaken” our natural defenses against bacterial infections.

Three new studies add weight to a long-held hypothesis connecting neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment to chronic inflammation

Medical

Inflammation linked with Alzheimer's, reduced cognition and brain fog

Several new studies are reporting evidence affirming a growing hypothesis that links inflammation with the cognitive deficits seen in bipolar disorder and Alzheimer’s. It's also suggested low-grade inflammation can result in mental sluggishness.

A white dwarf star, which is at the heart of the strange new object

Space

Bizarre celestial object spotted is one of the rarest in the galaxy

The cosmos is full of strange things, like planets made of diamond, mysterious radio bursts and quasars that shine like 600 trillion Suns. Now astronomers have spotted a bizarre star that may prove to be one of the rarest objects ever, with maybe as few as five or six of them in the galaxy.

The elephantnose fish actually has a long chin, which it uses to detect its own electrical signals

Science

Electric fish inspires murky-water camera

Back in 2016, a scientist from Germany's University of Bonn discovered how the African elephantnose fish can switch between its visual and electrical sensory systems. Now, a team led by that same researcher has developed a camera which mimics the fish's electrical sense of "sight."

A farmer uses the new neck collars on his cattle while plowing his fields

Good Thinking

Eau de antelope saves bovine lives

While you likely already know that the tsetse fly causes sleeping sickness in people, you may not realize that it also spreads the often-lethal disease among cattle. Help is on the way, however, in the form of antelope-scented cow collars.

If human trials are approved and successful, this little plant could have a big impact on treating dementia

Medical

Old mice get brains of two-month-olds thanks to cannabis

It turns out the fountain of youth might spurt smoke instead of a magical liquid. Researchers discovered that one of the active ingredients in marijuana – THC – was able to improve the brains of elderly mice to the level that they seemed like the brains of rodents who were only two months old.

Scientists have found, in tests on mice and simulated human hearts, that administering painless pulses of light to correct irregular heart beats might be a viable alternative to harsh electric shocks

Medical

Painless light pulses, instead of harsh electric shocks, shown to restore heart rhythms

Current treatments for arrhythmia involve administering an intense burst of electricity in times of cardiac arrest, but these pulses are painful and harmful. Now scientists have found that beams of light can restore regular heart function, as a gentle and safe alternative to a harsh electric shock.

EPItect is a sensor for accurate detection of epileptic seizures

Health & Wellbeing

Earpiece detects and warns of epileptic seizures

A consortium headed by the University of Bonn in Germany has received financing to develop a sensor to detect and warn of epileptic seizures. The sensor can be worn like a hearing aid.

The team carried out their fat-burning experiments on cultured human cells in the lab, where they found the technique worked in much the same way as in mice

Medical

Brown cell-booster flicks the fat switch

In search of such a trigger to turn bad fat into good, scientists have uncovered a switch in the fat cells of mice that helps them shed the extra pounds. The good news? That very same switch is present in humans.

Scientists have discovered a compound that neither Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (pictured) nor Mycobacterium tuberculosis are resistant to (Image: Shutterstock)

Medical

Newly-discovered compound gives hope in fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria

In recent years, many pharmaceutical companies have largely turned their backs on the quest to develop new antibiotics. Out one company bucking the trend is NovoBiotic, which has announced the discovery of a new class of antibiotic that holds promise for treating drug-resistant superbugs.