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Identification of innovation drivers based on technology-related news articles
(2025) Latifi, Albina; Lenz, David; Winker, Peter
Quantifying preferential flow occurrence in dependence of land cover on the southern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
(2025) Shagega, Frank Paul; Codalli, Fabia; Jacobs, Suzanne; Munishi, Subira Eva; Windhorst, David; Breuer, Lutz
Study regions: This study examined preferential flow occurrence and patterns in eight ecosystem types on the southern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Study Focus: We analyzed continuous soil moisture content measured in three soil depths and rainfall data at 1-h resolution from January 2022 to August 2023. After a separation and clustering of rainfall events we assessed the dynamics of soil moisture responses. The sequence and timing of soil moisture changes informed about the occurrence of preferential versus sequential (matrix) flow. New hydrological insights for the Region: The results showed that the frequency of occurrence of preferential flow events were notably high in Erica forest (81.6 %), montane forest (26.4 %), and Ocotea forest (30.1 %), highlighting rapid subsurface water movement and potential for groundwater recharge. Other land covers such as disturbed Ocotea forest, grassland and maize indicated more uniform flow dynamics, which may favor surface runoff and increased soil erosion. We found that rainfall depth, duration and intensity are important factors that influence preferential flow. Additionally, the level of initial soil moisture also played a role in preferential flow occurrence, with optimal initial soil moisture levels between 35 % and 45 %. Both, very dry and very wet soil conditions were less favorable for preferential flow occurrence. These findings have important implications for understanding subsurface water movements and managing water resources in both natural and disturbed ecosystems.
Further investigations into the accuracy of infrared radiofluorescence (IR-RF) and its inter-comparison with infrared photoluminescence (IRPL) dating
(2025) Sontag-González, Mariana; Murari, Madhav K.; Jain, Mayank; Frouin, Marine; Fuchs, Markus
Infrared radiofluorescence (IR-RF) is an alternative dating technique for potassium feldspar grains, offering a higher signal stability and based on a simpler underlying mechanism than more common luminescence dating approaches. However, its accuracy when tested on known-age samples has so far shown inconsistent results. In this study, we present a refined accuracy assessment using samples that have previously produced unreliable IR-RF ages. Our approach incorporates two major methodological advancements developed over the past decade: elevated temperature measurements using the IR-RF70 protocol and sensitivity change correction by vertical sliding. To expand the dose range comparison, we included two additional samples: one expected to be in saturation and another of modern age. Additionally, we evaluated the effect of using a narrower bandpass filter to exclude any signal contributions from potentially contaminating shorter wavelength emissions. Our results following the IR-RF70 protocol with sensitivity corrections show an improvement over the original room-temperature results. For four out of the seven tested known-age samples spanning ca. 100–300 Gy (20–130 ka), we obtained results in keeping with the expected doses. Two additional modern samples, however, yielded slight dose underestimations. Introduction of a multiple-aliquot regenerative dose (MAR) protocol improved the accuracy of two out of three samples with large sensitivity changes. Finally, we also compared the new IR-RF equivalent doses (De) to those obtained with the newer dating method, infrared photoluminescence (IRPL), for the same samples, including previously published values and new measurements. Like IR-RF, IRPL is also expected to be trap-specific. We observe that, with the new improvements, the success rate of IR-RF is comparable to that of IRPL.
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in spontaneously hypertensive rat strain SHR/NCrl is associated with specific expression of uncoupling proteins, glucose transporter 1 and BACE1
(2025) Sato, Tsunehisa; Schreckenberg, Rolf; Schlüter, Klaus-Dieter
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder worldwide. To improve treatment strategies against ADHD a better understanding of underlying pathophysiology is required. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) from the strain SHR/NCrl are a suitable rodent model of ADHD. Here we compared the gene expression in the brains of SHR/NCrl strain to that of other genetically related hypertensive and normotensive rat strains that do not show an ADHD phenotype. In addition, the impact of physical activity on genes that display such differences was also addressed because high physical activity is one non-pharmacological option to cure ADHD symptoms. RNA was isolated from the medulla oblongata, the olfactory bulb, and the cortex. Gene expression was analyzed by qRT-PCR. The cortical expression of GLUT1 was also analyzed by Western Blot. Physical activity was improved by free access to running wheels for six months. Female rats were used in this study and sacrificed at the age of 7.5 months. The results show that gene expression in SHR/NCrl differs from other SHR strains in the olfactory bulb, medulla oblongata, and the cortex. Main differences were obtained for SLC25A14, coding for the protein UCP5, SLC2A1, coding for the protein glucose transporter (GLUT) 1 in the cortex and CCL2 and for BACE1 in the medulla oblongata. The expressions of SLC25A14 and BACE1 in the medulla oblongata were normalized in physical active rats. Our study further underlines the usefulness of the SHR/NCrl strain as an ADHD animal model when combined with proper controls. Furthermore, this study identifies genes that are specifically down-regulated in the medulla oblongata of SHR/NCrl and that are affected by activity status.
Eating healthy and sustainable : consumer awareness, perceptions and attitude towards mushroom consumption in Kigali, Rwanda
(2025) Ndayisaba, Felix; Hatungimana, Mediatrice; Umarishavu, Françoise; Teuber, Ramona
While the health and sustainability aspects of diets in high-income countries have received great attention, the dearth of research on food-related health and sustainability aspects in low-income countries needs to be addressed. Focusing on mushroom consumption as an example of a healthy and sustainable dietary practice, this study examines consumers’ awareness and knowledge towards healthy and sustainable eating and explores the attitudes and barriers towards mushroom consumption in Kigali, Rwanda. Data from 16 in-depth interviews and two focus group discussions were thematically analyzed using MaxQDA 24.3.0 through the lens of the Theory of Planned Behavior and the New Ecological Paradigm Scale. The results indicate that awareness on food related sustainability issues is limited, and most respondents reported being indifferent to environmental concerns in their food decision making process. While healthy diets are perceived as those containing plenty of vegetables and fruits, unhealthy diets are described as those containing high amounts of sugar, salt and fats, including overconsumption of meat products. The results also highlight mixed attitudes toward mushroom consumption, shaped by cultural misconceptions, limited availability, and gaps in cooking knowledge. The findings underscore the need for interventions to enhance awareness on healthy diets and sustainability, while mushroom consumption could be supported by developing the value chain to ensure all-season availability, accessibility and affordability.