Research

An international consortium led by FAU astronomers has discovered three hyper-velocity stars (HVS), which have survived supernova explosions. These ‘zombie’ stars could give clues about how chemical elements are created and distributed in the Universe. The researchers have not only discovered a new class of HVS, they have also identified a new physical slingshot mechanism for ejecting the stars.

Is the success of species mainly dependent on environmental factors such as climate changes or do interactions between the species have a greater role to play? A British-German study involving Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Kießling from FAU has investigated this question in more detail.

We all know that deep grooves and folds are characteristic of the human brain. This is the area Dr. Silvia Budday from the Chair of Applied Mechanics at FAU is researching. The German Research Foundation (DFG) has accepted her into the Emmy Noether programme, and has provided her with approximately one million euros in the first funding period to lead a junior research group investigating the mechanics of our brains.

Whether they are synthetic materials such as PET, medicines or flavourings, life without synthetically produced compounds is barely conceivable in our everyday lives. The chemical industry depends on efficient, long-term methods of producing synthetically derived molecules. For this purpose, chemists often use catalysts, i.e. additives with which they can facilitate and control chemical reactions.

Immune therapy is considered a milestone in the battle against metastasised malignant melanoma. However, these treatments do not work effectively for every patient. Prof. Dr. Lucie Heinzerling, attending physician at the Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, hopes that conducting a study will lead to new methods being developed for treating these patients.

Climate change is threatening species diversity, a new mass extinction may be approaching.

Women in Science: Fortunately, more and more women are finding their way into research and are also taking senior positions in research projects and institutions. Nevertheless, women who want to pursue a career in science still might face some hurdles. At FAU, women scientists and female students have recently set up a community – the SHEer Power community – to support and help other female students and researchers. We talked to some members of the SHEer Power community to find out more about this fascinating project.

Halmuthur M. Sampath Kumar obtained a PhD degree from the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad, in the area of biomimetic chemistry. In 2000, he moved to the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Physiology in Dortmund as Alexander von Humboldt Fellow to work in the area of nuclear localization and gene therapy. From May 2019 until July 2019, Prof. Dr. Kumar will research on new, gentler anti-cancer drugs at FAU.