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NEWS IN BRIEF
NEWS IN BRIEF
Nuclear physics
Signals from the deep
Bringing light into the dark: More than half of the earth’s internal heat is most likely the result of radioactive decay processes deep in the lower mantle. This is the result of measurement data from the Borexino detector (picture), which detects neutrinos 1,400 metres below the earth’s surface in the Gran Sasso massif near Rome. “The hypothesis that there is no more radioactivity in the depths of the earth’s mantle can now be ruled out with 99 per cent certainty. Instead, decay processes provide part of the energy that drives volcanoes, earthquakes and the earth’s magnetic field,” says Jülich researcher and Borexino physics coordinator, Prof. Livia Ludhova.
– Nuclear Physics Institute –
Materials research
Extremely resilient
New synthetic fibres hold 4 million times their own weight. The unique combination of maximum tensile and tear strength opens up applications in wind turbines, aerospace, sports equipment and lightweight construction. An international team of researchers with Jülich participation has developed the fibres from a commercially available plastic material using a new spinning and processing method.
– Jülich Centre for Neutron Science –
A lightweight shows strength: researchers of the University of Bayreuth explain the advantages of the new synthetic fibre. 1million euros …
is the amount provided by the Federal Government for the BioökonomieREVIER project. Participants from science, business, politics and civil society jointly develop concepts for the structural change of an entire region: The Rhenish lignite mining area is to become a model for resource-efficient and sustainable management. Scientific coordinator of the project is the Jülich bioeconomy expert Prof. Ulrich Schurr.
– Institute of Bio- and Geosciences –
AI classifies symptoms
Scientists and doctors have frequently tried to classify the manifold symptoms of schizophrenia. The signs of the disease – such as social withdrawal, memory disorders or hallucinations – differ considerably among those affected. Jülich brain researchers have now used artificial intelligence (AI) to divide the symptoms into categories. In the future, the findings could enable treatment that is better tailored to the individual patient.
– Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine –
Battery research
Robust battery
Materials researchers from Jülich and China have developed a solid-state sodium battery that still has over 90 per cent of its initial capacity after 100 charging cycles. In contrast, previous batteries of this type could no longer be used after less than 20 cycles. Solid state batteries cannot leak and are considered safe and resistant.
– Institute of Energy and Climate Research –
Physics
Magical nanostructures
Jülich physicists Prof. Rafal Dunin-Borkowski and Prof. Stefan Blügel, along with two researchers from Mainz and the Netherlands, want to detect nanoscale magnetic 3D structures in solids that have particle-like properties. The European Research Council supports the project in the form of an “ERC Synergy Grant” with € 11.8 million. The existence of magical 3D structures, including so-called Hopfions, has so far only been theoretically predicted in outline. Hopfions are expected to make it possible to build highly energy-efficient computers modelled on the human brain. Jülich and Mainz researchers led by Stefan Blügel have already discovered a new magnetic interaction in magnesium germanide crystals that could possibly be used to generate Hopfions.
– Ernst Ruska-Center for Microscopy and Spectroscopy with Electrons/Peter Grünberg Institute –
Biotechnology
The menu of the TBC pathogen
Special white blood cells, the macrophages, are part of the body’s own “health police” and eat up adverse bacteria. Tuberculosis (TBC) bacteria, however, can survive inside the macrophages. Together with English colleagues, Jülich researchers have determined that the imbibed pathogens feed on various amino acids of the macrophages, among other things. However, the bacteria must themselves produce one amino acid that is essential for survival: serine. This could be a starting point for new medicines.
– Institute of Bio- and Geosciences –
Surprising differences
Findings about the tiny contacts between nerve cells, the synapses, have so far mostly been obtained from animal experiments. Jülich brain researchers have now created 3D computer models of human synapses based on samples of human tissue. They found marked differences between humans and animals, but also between men and women. According to the researchers, the differences show that findings from animal models cannot readily be transferred to humans.
– Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine –
Photos: Forschungszentrum Jülich, Forschungszentrum Jülich/T. Lan, 3D MAGIC Project, BOREXINO Collaboration, Public Domain, Universität Bayreuth/Rennecke, koya979/Shutterstock.com, Video: Universität Bayreuth