Several days ago, a member of our University and of the Faculty of Law and Economics has been accused of severe misconduct in social media. Currently, we have no hard evidence concerning the accusations. The facts are currently being examined.

An international team of astrophysicists has made a puzzling discovery while analyzing certain star clusters. The University of Bonn played a major role in the study. The finding challenges Newton's laws of gravity, the researchers write in their publication. Instead, the observations are consistent with the predictions of an alternative theory of gravity. However, this is controversial among experts. The results have now been published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Hemophilia A is the most common severe form of hemophilia. It affects almost exclusively males. The disease can usually be treated well, but not for all sufferers. A study at the University of Bonn has now elucidated an important mechanism that is crucial for making the therapy effective. The results could help better tailor treatment to patients. They have already been published online in a preliminary version; the final version will soon be published in the "Journal of Clinical Investigation."

The University of Bonn started the academic year 2022/2023 with a ceremony in the packed main auditorium of the University Main Building.

Together with several partners, the University of Bonn can celebrate a twofold success in the Synergy Grants grant program offered by the European Research Council (ERC). The first project, “SuperWave,” is being run in collaboration with Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Aarhus University and involves scaling up quantum systems from individual photons and atoms. The second, “Horsepower,” is studying the interrelationships between sedentary and nomadic peoples in partnership with the University of Oxford, CRNS Toulouse and the British Museum. In particular, the ERC funding is intended to advance the research being done at the interface between established disciplines and unlock new knowledge. The projects will be supported to the tune of up to €10 million over the next six years.

Distinguished early-career researchers have received state awards as part of the International Days events at the University of Bonn. Sponsored by the governments of Spain, France and the UK, the awards include the Queen’s Prize, created by Queen Elizabeth II (recently deceased) on the occasion of her 1965 visit to the University of Bonn, which recognizes outstanding achievement in English studies. The state awards have traditionally been presented simultaneously with the DAAD Prize of the German Academic Exchange Service for noteworthy accomplishments benefiting society and/or university life.

Japan Day on October 26, is an event celebrating one of the University of Bonn’s eight strategic partner countries. Wide-ranging and authentic insights into Japanese culture await attendees, including the country’s academic landscape.

Tropical deforestation causes widespread degradation of biodiversity and carbon stocks. Researchers from the German Center of Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) and Leipzig University were now able to test the relationship between land tenure and deforestation rates in Brazil. Their research, which was published in Nature Communications, shows that poorly defined land rights go hand in hand with increased deforestation rates. Privatising these lands, as is often promoted in the tropics, can only mitigate this effect if combined with strict environmental policies.