Opening of new Center for Comparative Theology

To promote the worldwide dialogue of theologies of different religions among themselves, but also to network with other disciplines - that is the goal of the newly founded International Center for Comparative Theology and Social Issues (CTSI) at the University of Bonn. The official opening of the Center will now take place on May 4 at 10 a.m. in the Festsaal (main building) of the University. Words of welcome will be given by Lord Mayor Katja Dörner, Rector Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Hoch and Auxiliary Bishop Rolf Steinhäuser. Media representatives and all other interested persons are invited to attend the opening event. Registration is requested: lwiesenh@uni-bonn.de.

Giant marine reptiles at 2,800 meters above sea level

More than 30 years ago, researchers from the University of Zurich discovered vertebrae, ribs and a tooth in the High Alps of eastern Switzerland. The typical shape indicated that they had to originate from large marine reptiles known as ichthyosaurs, but there was a lack of corresponding comparative material. A new study led by the University of Bonn now allowed a more precise classification. According to the findings, they belong to three different ichthyosaurs of around 15 to around 20 meters in length. The tooth is particularly unusual: With a root diameter of six centimeters, it is twice as large as the largest aquatic dinosaur tooth found to date. The results have now been published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. PLEAS NOTE THE EMBARGO: Thursday, April 28, 06:01 a.m. CET.

Pilot Phase Launched: Tampons and Sanitary Pads in Campus Toilets

The University of Bonn has installed free period product dispensers at seven locations in an effort to make essential hygiene products accessible to all and help destroy the taboo surrounding menstruation. The project is the brainchild of the General Students’ Committee, while the pilot phase is being organized and funded by the Vice Rectorate for Equal Opportunities and Diversity.

Meat substitutes: Environment does not motivate consumption

People who have a critical attitude toward factory farming or who pay attention to their health in everyday life are more likely to turn to meat substitutes. Concern for the environment, on the other hand, plays no role in this decision. This is the conclusion of a study conducted by the University of Bonn in which more than 400 people between the ages of 17 and 86 took part. The results appear in the journal Food Quality and Preference.

Successful spin-off from the University of Bonn and LSI

The British company APIS Assay Technologies Ltd has acquired the University of Bonn's spin-off project Clickmer Systems, which was further developed at the Life Science Inkubator (LSI), for a single-digit million euro sum. The startup is developing clickmers as a synthetic alternative to antibodies that can be utilized in research and medical diagnostics. Clickmers can be used, for example, to detect viral infections, determine vaccination status or detect rejection reactions after organ transplants. The company now wants to bring the innovative products to market quickly so that users can benefit from them in the near future.

Meat consumption must fall by at least 75 percent

If our planet Earth is to continue feeding us in the future, rich countries must significantly reduce their meat consumption - ideally by at least 75 percent. This is the conclusion of a new study by the University of Bonn. The study reviews the current state of research on various aspects of meat consumption. In addition to the effects on the environment and climate, these include health and economic effects. A conclusion of the researchers: Eating meat in small amounts can be quite sustainable. The results are published in the journal Annual Review of Resource Economics.

1.5 million euros for improved quantum sensors

They originate from the world of the smallest particles and have the ability to measure things with the highest precision - quantum sensors are currently veritable stars among experts. For a project aimed at improving such sensors, physicists at the University of Bonn and their international partners are now receiving funding of around 1.5 million euros from the European QuantERA program. In their project, the researchers want to guide laser-cooled atoms through hollow-core photonic crystal fibers in order to incorporate them into quantum sensors and quantum computers. The Technical University of Darmstadt, the Paul Scherrer Institute (Switzerland), the University of Torun (Poland) and the company Alpine Quantum Technologies (Austria) are involved.

Enzyme prevents brain activity from getting out of control

The brain has the ability to modify the contacts between neurons. Among other things, that is how it prevents brain activity from getting out of control. Researchers from the University Hospital Bonn, together with a team from Australia, have identified a mechanism that plays an important role in this. In cultured cells, this mechanism alters the synaptic coupling of neurons and thus stimulus transmission and processing. If it is disrupted, diseases such as epilepsy, schizophrenia or autism may be the result. The findings are published in the journal Cell Reports.

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