Under certain circumstances, ant colonies can team up to form huge supercolonies extending across thousands of kilometres and displace native species, if they refrain from aggressive behaviour. A research group from Innsbruck is now investigating how this situation can arise. Continue reading “Non-aggressive behaviour facilitates ant invasion”
While searching for biological markers for suicide risk, a Viennese research team has gained new insights into the relationship between environmental factors and genetics. Traumatic childhood experiences play an essential role and leave traces in the brain. Continue reading “The genetics of suicide risk”
In order for a tumour to grow, it needs cholesterol to build new cell walls. At the same time, the so-called “good” cholesterol or high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is regarded as a protective factor against cancer. Schrödinger fellow Raimund Bauer investigated the effect of HDL on tumours more closely and was able to show that a […] Continue reading “How “good cholesterol” gets to do even more good work”
In the context of a project funded by the Austrian Science Fund FWF, the microbiologist Franz Radner was able to identify an important mechanism of skin metabolism and develop new treatment options for the skin disease ichthyosis. The therapy could also be effective against ageing of the skin. Continue reading “New therapeutic approach for severe skin disease”
Supported by funding from the Austrian Science Fund FWF, a team from the Max F. Perutz Laboratories deciphered the mechanism of the TTP protein as a time-switch for the programmed cell death of white blood cells. A targeted death of these cells prevents an excessive immune reaction, but could also be used as a therapeutic […] Continue reading “Time-switch for immune cells”
Schrödinger Fellow Hannes Schuler stays at the Feder Lab in Indiana (USA) to study the emergence of new species in fruit flies. Apart from the joy of being part of an inspiring research team, the biologist was also gripped by a sporting ambition at the campus of the University of Notre Dame. Continue reading “Staying with the “Fighting Irish””