News — University of Bonn

Record attendance at the Unifest

Almost 2,000 graduates celebrated the successful completion of their studies at what is probably the largest central graduation ceremony at a German university. Families, friends and lecturers joined in the celebrations - over 5,000 guests in total. The tradition has existed for almost two decades, and currently one record attendance follows the next.

Concept neurons are the building blocks of memory

Specialized nerve cells in the temporal lobe react highly selectively to images and names of a single person or specific objects. Researchers at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the University of Bonn have provided direct evidence for the first time that the so-called concept neurons are indeed the building blocks of our memory for experiences. Their results have now been published in the renowned journal "Nature Communications".

Geordie Williamson receives the Max Planck Humboldt Research Award 2024

Artificial intelligence and computer science are driving developments in many areas of society – including in scientific research. This has prompted the Max Planck Society and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation to honour outstanding achievements in the use of algorithms in mathematics, microscopy and climate research in 2024: The Max Planck-Humboldt Research Award, endowed with 1.5 million euros, goes to Geordie Williamson, Professor at the University of Sydney. Williamson uses artificial intelligence (AI) for his fundamental work in mathematics. The prizewinner will also cooperate closely with the mathematics at the University of Bonn in this field. The awards will be presented on 3 December in Berlin.

Researchers create a one-dimensional gas out of light

Physicists at the University of Bonn and the University of Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU) have created a one-dimensional gas out of light. This has enabled them to test theoretical predictions about the transition into this exotic state of matter for the first time. The method used in the experiment by the researchers could be used for examining quantum effects. The results have been published in the journal “Nature Physics.”

Language improves learning in artificial networks

Across all species, critical skills are passed on from parents to offspring through communication. Researchers at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the Researchers at the University of Bonn showed that effective communication relies on how both the sender and receiver represent information. Their study reveals how this process underlies training efficacy and task performance. Their results have been published in the journal "Nature Communications".

Seven ERC Starting Grants for the University of Bonn

There have never been so many ERC Starting Grants at once at the University of Bonn: no fewer than seven researchers have been successful with their applications in the highly competitive European Research Council (ERC) funding process. With their funding of some €1.5 million each, the researchers from the fields of ethics, mathematics, economics, soil science, computer science and astronomy will be able to realize their projects over the next five years.

Modern teaching techniques and equipment for efficient studies

About the introduction of a central plagiarism software, the Campus Management System and the challenges and opportunities of digitalization for the education of lawyers: We spoke with Gregor Wiescholek, the digitalization manager of the Faculty of Law, in our podcast at the turn of the year.