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Category: Biology and Medicine

Projects

19 December 2022

Food enhancement by algae parasites

As a result of climate change, lakes are seeing a stronger growth of large and often toxic algae, which are not edible for zooplankton such as water fleas. Nevertheless, these tiny creatures are thriving with the help of parasitic fungi that enhance fatty acids. This was discovered by researchers at Wassercluster Lunz in Austria. With […] Continue reading “Food enhancement by algae parasites”

Projects

28 November 2022

Longer life expectancy for progeria patients

Patients suffering from Hutchinson-Gilford Syndrome go through an accelerated ageing process – with fatal consequences: the majority of sufferers die in their teens. A Vienna-based research group is now working on the development of a new approach to treatment that could significantly prolong patients’ lives.   Continue reading “Longer life expectancy for progeria patients”

Projects

1 August 2022

Strategies of locusts being used for new active substances

The hormone systems of insects and humans have quite a lot in common. This fascinating research finding is now being used in biomedicine as a basis for new drugs with low side effects. The biochemist Christian Gruber has investigated locust hormones in an international basic research project. Continue reading “Strategies of locusts being used for new active substances”

Projects

18 July 2022

Global warming disrupts the relationship between plants and pollinators

How would the floral scent of crops change if the temperatures were to rise by five degrees? And what would be the consequences for the relationship between plants and pollinating insects? An international team in Salzburg has simulated a scenario of global warming on three crops with three pollinators. Even though it will not be […] Continue reading “Global warming disrupts the relationship between plants and pollinators”

Portrait

11 July 2022

When food is the enemy

By Margit Schwarz-Stiglbauer

In Austria, eight in one hundred children and adolescents are being treated for an eating disorder. That, however, is only a quarter of all those who are actually affected, and they are getting younger and younger. Child and adolescent psychiatrist Andreas Karwautz has three decades of experience at the special outpatient clinic for eating disorders […] Continue reading “When food is the enemy”

Projects

4 July 2022

How we age and what helps us along with that

During a research stay at ETH Zurich, the biochemist Corina Madreiter-Sokolowski investigated the role played by mitochondria, the centres of energy production in the cells. There she tested ingredients from red wine and green tea for their life-prolonging potential in a cellular ageing model and in nematode worms. Back in Graz, she is now exploring […] Continue reading “How we age and what helps us along with that”

Projects

27 June 2022

Ground beetles for a sustainable food supply

Corinna Wallinger and her research group have studied the food choices of ground beetles in local grain fields. They found that these insects can play an important role in weed regulation, as they consume significantly more weed than previously assumed. This insight may contribute to making agriculture more sustainable. Continue reading “Ground beetles for a sustainable food supply”

Interview & Opinion

22 June 2022

Why the smallest organisms play the biggest role

Interview: Isabella Ferenci

Microbiologist Christa Schleper has dedicated her research career to archaea – the tiny unicellular organisms that counted among the first life forms on Earth. The 2022 Wittgenstein Award winner has discovered numerous microorganisms, and specialises in studying the impact of archaea on the nitrogen cycle. Her findings lay the groundwork for determining the impact of […] Continue reading “Why the smallest organisms play the biggest role”

Interview & Opinion

22 June 2022

How do humans impact animals’ search for food?

Interview: Laura Anninger

Humans interfere with nature in many ways. Using global datasets, behavioural scientist and START Award winner Petra Sumasgutner studies how short-eared owls and common ravens are impacted by human intrusions when foraging, and what the consequences are. She also uses machine learning in her research. Continue reading “How do humans impact animals’ search for food?”

Interview & Opinion

22 June 2022

A cell protein like a bull in a china shop

Interview: Alois Pumhösel

If the protein legumain is not in its proper place in the human cell, the likely result is cancer or Alzheimer’s disease. Molecular biologist and START prize winner Elfriede Dall from the University of Salzburg is investigating how this protein functions outside of its usual environment.    Continue reading “A cell protein like a bull in a china shop”

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