SARS-CoV-2 viruses can hide from recognition by the immune system. However, the antiviral immune receptor RIG-I can be stimulated, which improves protection against lethal SARS-CoV-2 infections. Researchers led by Prof. Dr. Gunther Hartmann from the Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology at the University Hospital Bonn, in cooperation with other members of the cluster of excellence ImmunoSensation2 at the University of Bonn, have shown this in mice. Also, the incidence of severe disease progression was observed to be significantly reduced. The study was published online in advance in the journal "Molecular Therapy - Nucleic Acids" and is now available in the final version.

How can digital technologies be used for more sustainable crop production? Researchers from a wide range of disciplines are working on these questions at the Cluster of Excellence PhenoRob at the University of Bonn. At the Cluster's flagship conference, DIGICROP from March 28–30, experts pool their knowledge, bringing together distinguished speakers from around the world. The Cluster of Excellence is receiving support from the AI Institute for Next Generation Food Systems (USA). Registrations for the digital, English-language conference are open until March 24.

Multiple sclerosis sufferers often complain of more severe disease symptoms after consuming dairy products. Researchers at the Universities of Bonn and Erlangen-Nuremberg have now found a possible cause for this. According to the study, a protein in cow's milk can trigger inflammation that targets the "insulating layer" around nerve cells. The study was able to demonstrate this link in mice, but also found evidence of a similar mechanism in humans. The researchers therefore recommend that certain groups of sufferers avoid dairy products. The study has now been published in the journal PNAS.

The University of Bonn condemns the invasion of Russian troops and expresses its solidarity with the people in Ukraine. In solidarity with German academic institutions, it is suspending all cooperation with Russian partner institutions until further notice.

The current issue of the research magazine DEPENDENT, issued biannually by the Cluster of Excellence Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies, is dedicated to the topic of "Values, Norms, and Institutions in the Study of Slavery and other Forms of Asymmetrical Dependency".

With Putin's attack on Russia's neighboring state Ukraine, a historical epoch has come to an end, says Prof. Dr. Martin Aust, historian and Eastern Europe expert at the University of Bonn. How the conflict will continue is uncertain. But one thing is clear: President Putin is leading his country into isolation. We conducted an interview with Prof. Aust on this topic.

Not only humans try to look younger than they really are – stars do, too. This is what an international team of astronomers investigates in their paper that was just published in Nature Astronomy. 

Drivers headed for the Koblenzer Tor passage will need to plan on a detour starting on Shrove Monday (February 28, 2022). It marks the start of a six-month renovation project by the Civil Engineering Service of the City of Bonn that will close the western passage to traffic.