How can a structure hold together if its individual components are actually repelling one another? An international research team has now demonstrated one example of such a highly excited exotic quantum state of matter. Researchers from the University of Bonn played a major role in the study. The findings have now been published in the journal “Nature.” 

The University Election Assembly of the University of Bonn has elected five female Vice-Rectors and one male Vice-Rector. This completes the team with which Rector Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Hoch will start his third term of office in May 2025. Vice-Rectors are part-time and form the Rectorate together with the Rector and Provost Holger Gottschalk.

Researchers at the University of Bonn have isolated a DNA molecule that is suitable for combating allergic contact dermatitis in mice. What is known as an aptamer binds to certain immune system messenger substances, rendering them ineffective. This even works if the active ingredient is applied to the skin in the form of an ointment. The working groups involved hope that aptamer creams such as this could also be suitable for treating other skin conditions. The results have now been published in the journal Molecular Therapies - Nucleic Acids.

The international Belle II collaboration has elected Florian Bernlochner, a professor at the University of Bonn’s Institute of Physics, as its next spokesperson. From summer 2025 onward, therefore, Belle II will be preparing for an upgrade and collecting data at unprecedented rates of collision under his leadership. The experiment is set to play a major part in the planned Color meets Flavor Cluster of Excellence. 

Fake news significantly impacts economic dynamics, leading to higher unemployment and lower production. Additionally, people tend to overestimate their ability to distinguish between accurate and false information. However, once they are made aware of this (through experience), their willingness to pay to protect themselves from fake news increases. These are some of the findings from two discussion papers produced by the ECONtribute Cluster of Excellence at the University of Bonn.

The University of Bonn held its second International Staff Week in May. The focus this time around: “New Approaches to Services for Students and Staff at Universities.” This included an investigation into the various new approaches universities are using to provide services to different target audiences and the challenges confronting administrative staff in an increasingly complex and digitalized environment.

The region with the greatest marine biodiversity on our planet is known as the Coral Triangle or Indo-Australian Archipelago. However, the detailed evolutionary history of this biodiversity hotspot is poorly understood. An international research team has reconstructed how biodiversity has developed over the past 40 million years. The University of Bonn is involved in the study, which has now been published in the journal Nature. 

With 1,896 participating graduates of the 2023/2024 academic year, the University of Excellence Bonn will once again bid farewell to a record number of Bachelor's and Master's graduates on Saturday, July 6, 2024, with a large celebration in the Hofgarten. Over 70 nations will be represented, with families and friends expected in large numbers to celebrate the handing out of certificates. This makes it probably the largest central graduation ceremony at a university in Germany.