https://www.research-in-germany.org/en/news-and-research-areas/research-news https://www.research-in-germany.org/idw-news/en_US/2026/11/2026-11-06_The_wasps_that_horrified_Darwin_reveal_evolution_s_one-way_streets A new study led by the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin reveals that some evolutionary changes occur repeatedly, but almost never in reverse, shedding light on a fundamental question in biology: how predictable is evolution? Fri, 06 Nov 2026 17:00:00 GMT https://www.research-in-germany.org/idw-news/en_US/2026/11/2026-11-06_The_wasps_that_horrified_Darwin_reveal_evolution_s_one-way_streets 2026-11-06T17:00:00Z https://www.research-in-germany.org/idw-news/en_US/2026/11/2026-11-06_How_a_metabolite_protects_the_enzyme_that_consumes_it Metabolites are consumed by enzymes to produce other vital molecules as well as to control metabolite levels. But how do cells avoid consuming too much? Researchers from the MPI of Biochemistry, with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the de Duve Institute in Brussels, have deciphered such molecular regulation in tryptophan metabolism. The essential amino acid tryptophan binds to a second site on the enzyme TDO2, distinct from where it is consumed. This sequesters a region needed by two effectors, the kinase CK2 and the ubiquitin ligase CUL1–β-TrCP, which act sequentially to signal TDO2 degradation. The findings are now published in Molecular Cell. Fri, 06 Nov 2026 14:49:18 GMT https://www.research-in-germany.org/idw-news/en_US/2026/11/2026-11-06_How_a_metabolite_protects_the_enzyme_that_consumes_it 2026-11-06T14:49:18Z https://www.research-in-germany.org/idw-news/en_US/2026/11/2026-11-06_Malnutrition_Due_to_Illness__An_Underestimated_Problem_in_Hospitals Hannover Medical School (MHH) and Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) have signed a quality agreement to improve the treatment of affected patients. Previously, a study by MHH and the University Hospital of Würzburg had highlighted the gap in care and its negative consequences, making clear the need for action. Fri, 06 Nov 2026 11:33:18 GMT https://www.research-in-germany.org/idw-news/en_US/2026/11/2026-11-06_Malnutrition_Due_to_Illness__An_Underestimated_Problem_in_Hospitals 2026-11-06T11:33:18Z https://www.research-in-germany.org/idw-news/en_US/2026/11/2026-11-06_New_Study_Finds_Future_Warming_Events_Will_Outdo_the_Extreme_Heatwaves_of_the_Recent_Past The extreme heatwaves we have seen over the last few years may only serve as a preview of what is to come as a result of climate change. A new study led by researcher Philipp Aglas-Leitner from Freie Universität Berlin, published in Nature Communications, finds that future heatwaves could last longer, impact larger areas, and be much more severe. Fri, 06 Nov 2026 11:23:37 GMT https://www.research-in-germany.org/idw-news/en_US/2026/11/2026-11-06_New_Study_Finds_Future_Warming_Events_Will_Outdo_the_Extreme_Heatwaves_of_the_Recent_Past 2026-11-06T11:23:37Z https://www.research-in-germany.org/idw-news/en_US/2026/11/2026-11-06_Mainz_researchers_rule_out__stupendously_large__primordial_black_holes_as_significant_part_of_dark_matter_ Cosmic microwave background measurements by Planck satellite show no evidence of stupendously large black holes formed shortly after Big Bang to contain significant amounts of dark matter Fri, 06 Nov 2026 11:11:33 GMT https://www.research-in-germany.org/idw-news/en_US/2026/11/2026-11-06_Mainz_researchers_rule_out__stupendously_large__primordial_black_holes_as_significant_part_of_dark_matter_ 2026-11-06T11:11:33Z https://www.research-in-germany.org/idw-news/en_US/2026/11/2026-11-06_Quantum_gas_microscope__Interactions_in_a_three-component_Hubbard_system_can_be_precisely_controlled For the first time, an international team of researchers from Germany, Thailand, India, China and United States has created a three-component Hubbard system with tunable interactions in the laboratory. In doing so, the team used a quantum gas microscope to make the individual atoms visible. The study, which was published in “Science”, provides an important foundation for future quantum simulations of nuclear physics and materials science. Fri, 06 Nov 2026 09:51:32 GMT https://www.research-in-germany.org/idw-news/en_US/2026/11/2026-11-06_Quantum_gas_microscope__Interactions_in_a_three-component_Hubbard_system_can_be_precisely_controlled 2026-11-06T09:51:32Z https://www.research-in-germany.org/idw-news/en_US/2026/11/2026-11-06_LIKAT_Introduces_a_New_Method_for_Upcycling_Polyethylene_Suitable_for_Mass_Production_as_a_Raw_Material_for_Nylon It would greatly benefit the environment and climate if nylon—chemically known as polyamide—could be produced on a large scale from plastic waste in the future, rather than from petroleum, as has been the norm until now. At LIKAT in Rostock, chemists are pursuing this approach. They have succeeded in selectively converting polyethylene—the main component of all plastic waste—into dicarboxylic acids, which can serve as chemical precursors for nylon. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions and does not even require a catalyst. The goal is to develop a process on a pilot plant scale. To this end, the team aims to increase selectivity and elucidate the reaction mechanisms. Fri, 06 Nov 2026 09:00:00 GMT https://www.research-in-germany.org/idw-news/en_US/2026/11/2026-11-06_LIKAT_Introduces_a_New_Method_for_Upcycling_Polyethylene_Suitable_for_Mass_Production_as_a_Raw_Material_for_Nylon 2026-11-06T09:00:00Z https://www.research-in-germany.org/idw-news/en_US/2026/11/2026-11-05_COVID-19_related_stress_linked_to_faster_epigenetic_aging_in_adolescents The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated measures caused significant stress across all levels of society, negatively impacting physical and mental health. The biological consequences of this stress have not yet been explored. Researchers found impacts at the epigenetic level, especially among adolescents. Thu, 05 Nov 2026 17:14:53 GMT https://www.research-in-germany.org/idw-news/en_US/2026/11/2026-11-05_COVID-19_related_stress_linked_to_faster_epigenetic_aging_in_adolescents 2026-11-05T17:14:53Z https://www.research-in-germany.org/idw-news/en_US/2026/11/2026-11-05_Compact_x-ray_source_for_research_in_the_life_sciences_ Physics: Publication in Nature Communications X-rays with wavelengths between approx. 2.3 and 4.4 nanometres, i.e. in the so-called water window, are particularly well suited to examining biological samples in their natural, aqueous environment. To date, however, it has been technically difficult to access this type of radiation at an appropriate quality and intensity. A European research team from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU), the ELI Beamlines research facility and the University of Strathclyde have now demonstrated in model simulations that laser-plasma-based particle accelerators can offer easy access to this radiation range. Thu, 05 Nov 2026 16:42:24 GMT https://www.research-in-germany.org/idw-news/en_US/2026/11/2026-11-05_Compact_x-ray_source_for_research_in_the_life_sciences_ 2026-11-05T16:42:24Z https://www.research-in-germany.org/idw-news/en_US/2026/11/2026-11-05_Personalized_savings_reminders_can_help_boost_retirement_savings Tailored messages could encourage people to save more for retirement/ Article in Scientific Reports shows who responds to which message Thu, 05 Nov 2026 16:37:49 GMT https://www.research-in-germany.org/idw-news/en_US/2026/11/2026-11-05_Personalized_savings_reminders_can_help_boost_retirement_savings 2026-11-05T16:37:49Z