On these pages you will find a selection of research news from the Leibniz Institutes.

  1. "Caramel receptor" identified
    10/12/2021 · Leibniz-Institute for Food Systems Biology

    Furaneol is a natural odorant that gives numerous fruits, but also coffee or bread, a caramel-like scent. A new study shows which types of olfactory receptors humans use to perceive this odorant. 

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  2. Tomato bush with red, purple and unripe tomatoes.

    Red beet, purple tomatoes
    10/05/2021 · Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry

    Researchers have recently created purple tomatoes using genetic engineering methods. These sorts of methods will play an important role in the future, especially in drug manufacturing.

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  3. The tethered balloon "BELUGA" shortly before takeoff, in the background view of the Kongsfjord.

    Tethered balloon in action on Spitsbergen
    10/04/2021 · Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research

    Leibniz researchers are currently using a tethered balloon to study the air layers near the ground in the Arctic. The measurements should help to better understand the strong warming of the Arctic.

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  4. A circa 10 millimeter adult male of the newly discovered species Danionella cerebrum

    Translucent fish species discovered
    09/28/2021 · Senckenberg Society for Nature Research

    Scientists have described a new species of the fish genus Danionella. Due to the transparent body, the species is considered an ideal model organism for neurophysiological research.

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  5. Half-opened hand containing cocoa beans

    News on fine cocoa flavor
    09/28/2021 · Leibniz-Institute for Food Systems Biology

    Scientists have developed a new methodology that quickly and precisely quantifies the flavor profile of cocoa samples. The new method is already suitable for practical use in companies.

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  6. Microscopic view of oxin-producing bacteria inside the hyphae.

    Microbes united against their enemy
    09/10/2021 · Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute

    The symbiosis with a bacterium protects a fungus against its predator. The results open up new approaches for the development of natural biocontrol agents in agriculture. 

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  7. Babbling juvenile of the large bag-winged bat Saccopteryx bilineata

    Baby bats babble like human infants
    09/01/2021 · Museum für Naturkunde - Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science

    "Mamama", "dadada": Typical child development involves babbling. A new study shows that the babbling behaviour of bat pups is characterized by similar key features as human infant babbling.

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  8. Close-up of the European noble crayfish

    When economy triumphs over conservation
    08/30/2021 · Senckenberg Society for Nature Research

    For the past 150 years, the European crayfish has been devastated by the crayfish plague. For economically compensation, signal crayfish have been deliberately released into European rivers - a colossal mistake.

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  9. Leibniz Strategy Forum “Technological Sovereignty” started its work
    08/26/2021 · Leibniz-Institut für Kristallzüchtung (IKZ)

    Leibniz Institutes join expertise to strengthen national and European technology sovereignty.

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  10. Container terminal at the port of Singapore

    Global instead of national
    08/10/2021 · ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research

    Despite the Corona pandemic, German companies continue to rely on global supply chains. Large companies are relying on a wider pool of suppliers, smaller enterprises are planning to increase their warehousing.

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  11. Night view of the observatory in Melpitz/Saxony, which belongs to ACTRIS

    Understanding Climate Change
    08/06/2021 · Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research

    Germany is getting a new infrastructure for research on particulate matter, clouds, and trace gases. ACTRIS will enable better forecasts for air quality, weather, and climate in the future.

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  12. Rat on a tree trunk

    Expensive Invasion
    07/29/2021 · Senckenberg Society for Nature Research

    Non-native species have incurred costs of more than 116 billion Euros in Europe between 1960 and 2020. Rats alone has caused around 5.5 billion euros.

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  13. The planetary nebula NGC 7294 ("Helix Nebula"), an object from the near vicinity of the Sun

    Needle in a haystack
    07/26/2021 · Leibniz-Institut für Astrophysik Potsdam

    Planetary nebulae are known in the neighbourhood of the sun as colourful objects. Researchers succeeded now in detecting them in distant galaxies.

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  14. Hand holding wheat plant in a wheat field

    With great power comes great responsibility
    07/21/2021 · Leibniz-Institut für Agrarentwicklung in Transformationsökonomien

    The US has lost its leadership role on the global wheat market to the EU and the Black Sea Region, which must now take greater responsibility for ensuring global food security and fighting hunger.

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  15. Field with young cereal plants

    Using science to combat climate change
    07/20/2021 · Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research

    Agriculture and food systems are affected by the impacts of climate. The MACSUR project creates a forum that will support policy actors with scientific expertise to implement climate targets.

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  16. German ballot paper, the column "Tick here" is not filled in

    Financial hardship and voter turnout
    07/19/2021 · WZB Berlin Social Science Center

    Short-term financial difficulties prevent poor people in Germany from voting and participating in politics - such are the findings of a new study.

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  17. Marketplace of Werder near Berlin

    Covid-19 is driving people out of Germany's big cities
    07/19/2021 · ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research

    The coronavirus pandemic could give a strong boost to the existing trend of migration from city centers. Smaller cities are the most frequently mentioned destinations for relocations.

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  18. Illustration with four powerful-looking elephants at a waterhole in the jungle, with zebras, a rhinoceros and apes in the foreground.

    The rise and fall of elephants
    07/07/2021 · Museum für Naturkunde - Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science

    The history of the proboscideans is one of glory and decline. A new study reveals how earth-historical events were mainly responsible for the evolution of more than 180 species.

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  19. TRiC knows the trick
    07/06/2021 · Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute

    Planarians are able to survive long periods of starvation by maintaining their stem cell pool and regenerative capacity.

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  20. Gender-neutral language in German Companies
    07/06/2021 · ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research

    35 percent of companies in Germany use gender-neutral language for external communication, while only 25 percent adopt it for in-house purposes.

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