Chronic nitrogen deposition alters diazotrophic community composition, reduces biological nitrogen fixation, and restructures fungal diazotroph co-occurrence networks in deadwood
Hossen, Shakhawat; Groß, C.; Roy, F.; Kellner, H.; Noll, Matthias; Borken , W. (2026)
Microbial Ecology 2026.
DOI: 10.1007/ s00248-026-02849-5
Open Access Peer Reviewed
Living with Adenomyosis and Involuntary Childlessness: A Qualitative Interview Study
Weiß, Katharina; Hiller, Annika; Kohls, Niko; Meißner, Karin (2026)
BMC Women's Health 26, 455.
DOI: 10.1186/s12905-026-04880-7
Open Access Peer Reviewed
From Ritual to Response: Cognitive and Contextual Influences on Acupuncture Effects
Meißner, Karin (2026)
Acupuncture Evidence Conference, Tutzing.
TCM trifft Digitalisierung: Neue Wege in der Frauengesundheit
Meißner, Karin (2026)
7. Kongress der SMS, Tutzing, Vortrag in Symposium.
Diversity of stomatal and cuticular structures affects microbial colonization and leaf functioning in temperate forest tree species
Schulz, W.; Schulze, Ernst-Detlef ; Reiße, S.; Rischke, Roman; Bouriaud, Oliver; Büdel, B.; Straub, T.; Pillai, E.; Tanunchai, Benjawan; Purahong, Witoon; Simm, Stefan; Noll, Matthias (2026)
Schulz, W.; Schulze, Ernst-Detlef ; Reiße, S.; Rischke, Roman; Bouriaud, Oliver...
PLoS One 2026 (21(5)), e0349938.
DOI: https:// doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0349938
Open Access Peer Reviewed
Tree type-specific endophytic bacterial assembly and function in senescing leaves and needles in temperate forests of Central Europe
Ji, Li; Tanunchai, Benjawan; Schroeter , Simon Andreas; Sara Fareed Mohamed, Wahdan; Hossen, Shakhawat; Noll, Matthias; Purahong , W. (2026)
Ji, Li; Tanunchai, Benjawan; Schroeter , Simon Andreas; Sara Fareed Mohamed, Wahdan...
BMC Plant Biology
(26), 900.
DOI: 10.1186/s12870-026-08931-x
Open Access Peer Reviewed
D-amino acid peptides targeting Tau as potential therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases
Funke, Susanne A.; Ailaud, I.; Malhis, M.; Kaniyappan, S.; Chandupatla, R.R.; Horn, A. H. C.; Sticht, H.; Mandelkow, E. (2026)
Funke, Susanne A.; Ailaud, I.; Malhis, M.; Kaniyappan, S.; Chandupatla, R.R....
TauGlobalConference, 2026 online 2026.
Peer Reviewed
Taiji bei chronischer Insomnie: Langfristig so wirksam wie kognitive Verhaltenstherapie für Insomnie (CBT-I)
Meißner, Karin (2026)
Chinesische Medizin / Chinese Medicine.
Peer Reviewed
Healing by Context: Placebo Effects Across Psychological and Somatic Dimensions
The Mind - Bulletin on Mind-Body Medicine Research 2026 (1), 1-6.
Open Access
Healing by Context: Placebo Effects Across Psychological and Somatic Dimensions
Meißner, Karin (2026)
Wissenschaftlicher Vortrag, Mind-Body Medicine Research Council (MBMRC) Talk Series, Universität Witten-Herdecke, Institut für Integrative Gesundheitsversorgung und Gesundheitsförderung (IGVF).
Remote collaboration in virtual reality induces physiological synchrony comparable to face-to-face interaction
Streuber, Stephan; Rogula, S; Quirós-Ramírez, Miguel; others, others (2026)
Scientific Reports 16, 3721.
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-35955-y
Open Access Peer Reviewed
Physiological synchrony refers to the temporal alignment of bodily signals, such as heart rate variability, between two or more individuals during social interaction. It reflects implicit, often unconscious processes that arise when people share attention, emotions, or behavioral rhythms in close physical proximity. Because these coordinated physiological patterns are linked to social cohesion, rapport, and effective communication, physiological synchrony provides a valuable window into the quality and dynamics of social interaction. Here, we study physiological synchrony during virtual interaction where interaction partners are not physically co-located but remotely connected via technology. This allows us to capture aspects of social connectedness that are not accessible through self-report or behavior alone, making it a powerful tool for understanding how people engage and collaborate across different media. In our study, triads of participants performed a collective creativity task in one of three conditions: face-to-face (F2F) collaboration, remote collaboration using video conferencing (Video), or remote collaboration using immersive Virtual Reality (VR). To quantify social interaction quality, we measured creative group performance, social presence, and heart rate variability synchrony (HRVS) as a marker of social cohesion. As expected, creative group performance and social presence were highest in the F2F condition and significantly reduced in the VR and Video conditions. However, we observed strong HRV synchrony in the VR and F2F conditions and significantly weaker HRV synchrony in the Video condition. Our study supports the idea that VR (unlike video conferencing) supports physiological synchronization processes important for social interactions. Future studies need to identify the underlying physiological and psychological processes.
Virtual reality-based compassion meditation for clinical contexts: A co-design study of a loving-kindness meditation prototype
Quiros-Ramírez, Alejandra Quiros; Haberland, Sarah; Hempel, Tobias; Arlt, Richard; Keune, Paul; Streuber, Stephan (2026)
Quiros-Ramírez, Alejandra Quiros; Haberland, Sarah; Hempel, Tobias; Arlt, Richard...
Empathic Computing 2, 202523.
DOI: 10.70401/ec.2025.0014
Peer Reviewed
Aims: This study introduces and evaluates a virtual reality (VR) prototype designed for the Loving-Kindness Meditation (LKM) to support
mental health rehabilitation and relaxation in clinical contexts. The aims include the co-creation of a VR-based mindfulness experience with
clinical experts and the evaluation of its usability, user experience, and short-term effects on relaxation, affect, and self-compassion.
Methods: Following a design thinking and co-creation approach, the VR-based LKM experience was developed iteratively with input from
clinicians and computer scientists. The final prototype was implemented for the Meta Quest 3 and included five immersive scenes
representing phases of the LKM and transition scenes guided by a professionally narrated audio track. Eleven participants (M = 36.5 years,
SD = 14.6) experienced the 12-minute session. Pre- and post-session measures included relaxation, positive and negative affect schedule,
and self-compassion, complemented in the end by the Igroup Presence Questionnaire, usability measures and a semi-structured qualitative
interview.
Results: Participants reported significant decreases in negative affect (t(10) = -2.512, p = .0307, d = -1.037) and stress (t(10) = -3.318, p = .007,
d = -1.328), as well as increases in relaxation (t(10) = 5.487, p < .0001, d = 2.471) and self-compassion (t(10) = 2.231, p = .0497, d = 0.283).
Usability was rated as excellent (M = 92.5), and presence as good (M = 4.0, SD = 0.43). Qualitative feedback described the experience as
calming, aesthetically pleasing, and easy to engage with, highlighting the falling leaves and pulsating orb as effective design elements.
Conclusion: The co-designed VR-LKM prototype was perceived as highly usable and beneficial for inducing relaxation and self-compassion,
suggesting its potential as a supportive tool for clinical mindfulness interventions. The results indicate that immersive VR can effectively
facilitate engagement and emotional regulation, providing a foundation for future clinical trials and broader implementation in therapeutic
and wellness settings.
siRNA Delivery via Cross-Linked Gelatin Microparticles Enables Targeted Modulation of Osteogenic-Vascular Cross-Talk: An Advanced Human 3D in Vitro Test System for Therapeutic siRNA
Mitrach, Franziska; Kubat, Jonas; Simm, Stefan; Springwald, Alexandra; Demir, Burak; Liebezeit, Anton; Hacker, Michael; Schulz-Siegmund, Michaela (2026)
Mitrach, Franziska; Kubat, Jonas; Simm, Stefan; Springwald, Alexandra; Demir, Burak...
Advanced Healthcare Materials, e04773.
DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202504773
Open Access Peer Reviewed
Species-specific iNOS expression distinguishes epithelial and myeloid IFNγ responses in tuberculosis
Stei, Fabian; McCaffrey, Erin; Zessin, Björn; Pioch, Jonathan; Simm, Stefan; Stubbe, Beate; Ewert, Ralf; Verreck, Frank; Schneider, Bianca; Dorhoi, Anca; Bryson, Bryan; Corleis, Björn (2026)
Stei, Fabian; McCaffrey, Erin; Zessin, Björn; Pioch, Jonathan; Simm, Stefan...
bioRxiv.
DOI: 10.64898/2026.01.11.697682
Placebo and the Body: Psychobiological Pathways of Healing
Meißner, Karin (2025)
Vortrag im Rahmen der "Guest Lecture Series", Placebo Beyond Opinion (PBO) Center, University of Maryland School of Nursing.
Open Access
Virtual Reality for Stress Reduction: Evaluating Strategies and Challenges in Coburg
Strauch, Hannah; Schuil, Isabel; Grubert, Jens; Meißner, Karin (2025)
The Mind - Bulletin on Mind-Body Medicine Research 2025 (9), 12-16.
Open Access
With the emergence of new technologies, numerous options for stress management are becoming available. One promising approach to support individuals in coping with stress is virtual reality (VR). A variety of relaxation techniques, such as guided imagery and breathing meditation, have recently been translated into virtual environments, providing easily accessible alternatives to traditional approaches. As studies suggest that VR interventions are effective in reducing stress, the consortium project AI4Coping aims to develop a toolbox for individually adaptive, digitally supported coping strategies. Furthermore, the project evaluates the efficacy of VR interventions across various application fields and addresses the societal, ethical, and economic dimensions that determine its use in the general population.
Aktiv gegen Brustkrebs: Wie ein gesunder Lebensstil das Risiko senken kann
Meißner, Karin (2025)
Vortrag auf der Veranstaltung "Frauengesundheit im Fokus – gemeinsam gegen Krebs" des Sachgebiets Gesundheit im Landratsamt Lichtenfels in Kooperation mit der Gesundheitsregion Plus zum Jahresschwerpunkt "Frauen - sichtbar und gesund".
Challenges and Perspectives in Research on Chinese Dietetics
Meißner, Karin (2025)
Vortrag auf Symposium "Chinese Dietetics" im Rahmen des 38. "ICMART World Medical Acupuncture Congress", Antibes, Frankreich.
Peer Reviewed
Continuous intake of façade eluates affects active and total soil microbiome
Reiß, Fabienne; Kiefer, Nadine; Reiß, Pascal; Kalkhof, Stefan; Noll, Matthias (2025)
2025, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-025-01955-9.
DOI: 10.1007/s00374-025-01955-9
Peer Reviewed
Täuschung als Therapie: Das Rätsel des Placebo-Effekts
Meißner, Karin (2025)
Interview im Bayerischen Fernsehen, Sendung "Gut zu wissen", Erstausstrahlung 04.10.2025.
Open Access
Referat Forschungs- und Drittmittelservice (FDS)
Hochschule Coburg
Friedrich-Streib-Str. 2
96450 Coburg
Support of publications
Dr. phil. Jakob HankeForschungsreferent
T +49 9561 317 360
jakob.hanke[at]hs-coburg.de