Every week, scilog features an exemplary project funded by the FWF. The presentations shed light on scientific questions and report on recent insights gained in basic research. The projects not only reflect the great variety of scientific disciplines, but also the range of support options offered by the Austrian Science Fund.
In politically sensitive regions of the West Balkans, the mineralogist and crystallographer Tamara Đorđević investigates mining waste contaminated with arsenic and other toxins. In order to understand how these ticking time bombs affect the environment, she examines their crystal structure with cross-disciplinary expertise from crystallography and chemistry. Continue reading “New materials discovered in toxic mining waste”
A European research consortium is exploring the roots of social isolation and loneliness among the elderly. Keeping gender aspects in mind, use of long-term data and country comparisons will for the first time provide a more accurate picture of social exclusion in old age and reveal its impact on society. Continue reading ““Social contacts are a buffer against constraints””
In order to keep the intestinal mucosa and the entire organism healthy, intestinal epithelial cells have developed various protective functions involving a number of maintenance mechanisms that protect cells from stress. In chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, these mechanisms are often disrupted, although the trigger for these diseases remains unclear. Suspected culprits include a high-fat diet […] Continue reading “Faulty maintenance endangers intestinal health”
The Corona pandemic was an unwelcome surprise to thousands of Erasmus students too. However, high levels of foreign language proficiency and intercultural competence can also be acquired at home. A recent study shows that self-motivation, strategy and reflection are the driving forces for honing such skills. Continue reading “Skills development requires strong motivation”
A research team in Vienna is investigating how calorie intake, liver activity and fat storage interact and what role the central nervous system plays in this. Initial findings on blockages of the brain-liver axis could serve as a basis for new treatment approaches for fatty liver. Continue reading “Hormonal balance between liver and brain”
A crisis like the corona pandemic demonstrates how important reliable information and transparent communication are, particularly when dealing with such a sensitive area as health. Current studies on quality measurement in the healthcare system show why Austria has some catching up to do in terms of transparency. Continue reading “Healthcare quality data under scrutiny”
Cancer stem cells are a cell type that was previously little known. They are resistant to irradiation and prevent the effective treatment of many types of cancer. A research group from Innsbruck has now identified two genetic mechanisms that produce this radioresistance. Continue reading “How cancer cells defend themselves against radiotherapy”
A research group led by the physicist and economist Stefan Thurner is a member of the corona prognosis consortium of the Ministry of Health. The consortium’s models are the basis for the measures taken by the Federal Government to contain the corona pandemic in Austria. Thurner’s model calculations use methods from basic research projects that […] Continue reading “How a coincidence helps to control the pandemic”
Cryptologist Daniel Slamanig is investigating how today’s encryption methods can be rendered fit to ward off future attacks. Not even powerful quantum computers should be able to harm them. Continue reading “New threats to our old data”
A minimal – and therefore innocuous – dose of an antibiotic coupled with highly sensitive measurement technology could save time and money in the development of new active ingredients. The shortcut lies in being able to do pharmacokinetic testing earlier, which consists in establishing proof that the potentially antibacterial agent can actually become effective at […] Continue reading “Potential shortcut in antibiotics development”