Stressed soil: How drought is changing grassland
How will the future of our soils - and thus also water availability - be shaped by the effects of impending climate change? An international study led by Jesse Radolinski and Michael Bahn from the Department of Ecology at the University of Innsbruck shows how drought, warming and increased atmospheric CO₂ concentrations are changing existing hydrological processes in soils and challenging the resilience of ecosystems. The findings were published in the journal Science.
A molecular fountain of youth for the brain
What happens in the brain as we age? Might it be at all possible to rejuvenate nerve cells? Seeking answers to these questions, a research group led by Frank Edenhofer at the Department of Molecular Biology has succeeded for the first time in observing mini-brains age.
Why me? Depression in the brain scan
What distinguishes individuals who are susceptible to depression from others? And why do some respond better to treatment than others? An international data platform seeks to harness artificial intelligence to provide a better understanding of depression. Researchers from Innsbruck are participating in the project by analyzing brain scan data.
A supersolid made using photons
Manuele Landini from the University of Innsbruck was part of an international team led by researchers at CNR Nanotec in Lecce, Italy, that has demonstrated the emergence of a supersolid phase of matter in a photonic crystal polariton condensate. This pioneering work, published in Nature, introduces a new platform for exploring supersolidity beyond traditional ultracold atomic systems.
First OS for quantum networks created
An international research team including the group led by Tracy Northup has developed the first operating system designed for quantum networks: QNodeOS. The research, published in Nature, marks a major step forward in transforming quantum networking from a theoretical concept to a practical technology that could revolutionize the future of the internet.
Thousands of dwarf galaxies discovered
The European Space Agency ESA today published new data from its Euclid space telescope. These used for a galactic census undertaken by astronomer Francine Marleau and her team at the Department of Astro- and Particle Physics at the University of Innsbruck: In Euclid images the scientists identified and characterized 2,674 dwarf galaxies.
New type of quantum computer studies the dance of elementary particles
The study of elementary particles and forces is of central importance to our understanding of the universe. Now a team of physicists from the University of Innsbruck and the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) at the University of Waterloo show how an unconventional type of quantum computer opens a new door to the world of elementary particles.
High-Resolution Estimates of Anemia in Children in Low- and Middle-income Countries
Children living in poverty often suffer from anemia, a condition linked to serious health risks. A research team led by statistical experts from the University of Innsbruck has now provided high-resolution estimates of anemia prevalence among children in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Their model-based analysis draws on a dataset comprising around 750,000 observations from 37 countries.
Hot Schrödinger cat states created
Quantum states can only be prepared and observed under highly controlled conditions. A research team from Innsbruck, Austria, has now succeeded in creating so-called hot Schrödinger cat states in a superconducting microwave resonator. The study, recently published in Science Advances, shows that quantum phenomena can also be observed and used in less perfect, warmer conditions.
Celestial spectacle witnessed
A recent study reports the first direct observation of merging star clusters in the nuclear region of dwarf galaxies in Nature. The team was studying observations from the Hubble Space telescope, which were led by Francine Marleau from the University of Innsbruck. This detection confirms the feasibility of this formation route for nuclei in dwarf galaxies, which has long been debated.
Bacteria in motion
In a joint effort with various international institutions, researchers from the University of Innsbruck have described the movement patterns of the bacterium Escherichia coli. To do so, they used an engineered bacterial strain, experiments under the microscope and complicated functions.
Compression may cool
An international research team from Innsbruck and Geneva has developed a new thermometry method to measure temperatures for low-dimensional quantum gases. With this method it was found that compressing a gas may lead to cooling. The results on this counterintuitive phenomenon have just been published in the prestigious journal Science Advances.
Weighing Galaxy Clusters
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics have published the cosmological results of the first X-ray sky survey of the Western Galactic Hemisphere by the eRosita space telescope. The working group for Extragalactic Astrophysics at the University of Innsbruck was also significantly involved in the calculations. The results provide new insights into dark energy, the nature of the Universe and confirm a rejected hypothesis of Albert Einstein.
The “superradiance” revisited
Theoretical physicist Farokh Mivehvar has investigated the interaction of two collections of atoms emitting light inside a quantum cavity – an optical device consisting of two high quality, tiny mirrors facing each other that confines the light within a small area for an extended time. The model and predictions can be implemented and observed in state-of-the-art cavity/waveguide-quantum-electrodynamics experiments and might have applications in the new generation of so-called “superradiant lasers”.
Biomarkers of Aging
A new study proposes a framework to standardize biomarkers of aging and accelerate clinical use. Co-author Chiara Herzog from the European Translational Oncology Prevention and Screening Institute at the University of Innsbruck explains how this could improve the life expectancy and health of the population.
Successful Laser Cooling of Positronium
An international team of scientist including Giovanni Cerchiari from the University of Innsbruck demonstrated laser cooling of positronium, a matter-antimatter system composed of an electron and a positron, which is the antimatter counterpart. This milestone marks a pivotal advancement in our understanding and manipulation of antimatter establishing a foundation for forthcoming experiments and technological advancements.