News

Open letter to Viktor Orbán
05.04.2017 ·

The amendment to the Hungarian Law on Higher Education threatens the Central European University. Leibniz President Matthias Kleiner appeals to Prime Minister Orbán to reconsider.

Draft sequence of the rye genome
04.04.2017 · Leibniz-Institut für Pflanzengenetik und Kulturpflanzenforschung

Researchers report on a whole-genome draft sequence of rye. This represents a genome resource of high value for comparative genomics and genome-based breeding for sustainable crop production.

Europe`s first cave fish
05.04.2017 · Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries

A team of cave divers and researchers discovered Europe's first cave fish in Southern Germany. The findings show that adaptation to subterranean habitats can be fast - requiring only a few thousand years.

Non-proliferation and Disarmament
05.04.2017 · Peace Research Institute Frankfurt

A new online course covers all relevant aspects of the EU non-proliferation and disarmament agenda and is an open educational resource for all interested users world-wide.

New gene mutation leads to infertility in women
30.03.2017 · Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute

More than 80 million people in the world have an unfulfilled desire to have children. Now, researchers have found a new gene mutation that obviously leads to infertility in women.

It’s not that simple
30.03.2017 · German Institute for International Educational Research

Girls perform better in reading, while boys do better in mathematics? A study shows that the influence of gender on students' academic achievement varies with social background.

Textbook of the Year
30.03.2017 · Georg Eckert Institute for International Textbook Research

This year the jury honoured extraordinary textbooks at the primary level. The textbooks impressed the jury in their ability to offer diverse, child-appropriate approaches to complex topics.

Novel cell culture modell
30.03.2017 · Leibniz Institute for Animal Biology

Scientists developed a novel cell culture model in which processes in the Fallopian tube can be simulated realistically outside the animal organism.

Diabetes Drug May Improve Fracture Healing
22.03.2017 · German Institute of Human Nutrition

A new study shows that gliptins — well known from diabetes treatment — play an important role in the cellular composition of bones. The discovery provides a novel therapeutic approach to improve bone healing in older, overweight...

Endangered giants
30.03.2017 · Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries

Freshwater megafauna such as river dolphins and sturgeons play vital roles in their respective ecosystems. Researchers have teamed up with international colleagues to illustrate the factors that currently threaten these large...

The vicious circle of drought
15.03.2017 · Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research

Logging that happens today and potential future rainfall reductions in the Amazon could increase the risk for self-amplified forest loss. A great variety of tree species in a forest patch can significantly strengthen the chance...

First it was cows – now it’s larvae!
14.03.2017 · Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries

Chaoborus spp is a small fly that uses methane to help it move around. A research demonstrates the negative role played by the larvae not just in global warming.

Simulating cellular sorting processes
08.03.2017 · DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials

Researchers developed a set of different, micrometer-sized building blocks, which can self-sort and co-assemble into defined compositions and disassemble at the push of a button. Using this particles, scientists try to simulate...

Incorrect gene activation causes cancer
27.02.2017 · Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute

Researchers verified that a lack of methyl groups in the gene body leads to an incorrect gene activation and, as a consequence, to the emergence of cancer. Chemical regulation of gene expression could be a new target for cancer...

Austerity policy counterproductive
22.02.2017 · The German Institute for Economic Research

Drastic savings measures in Spain, Portugal and Italy neutralized the effects of structural reform. The countries affected relapsed into recession without having improved their financial picture.

Together unpredictable
14.02.2017 · Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries

When hunting, sailfish increase their success rate by specialising in one attacking side. Because they hunt in groups, their prey is unable to predict from which side the attack will occur.

Harvests in the US suffer from climate change
14.02.2017 · Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research

Some of the most important crops risk substantial damage from rising temperatures. Increased irrigation can help to reduce the negative effects of global warming on crops - but only in specific regions.

Little Impact on Aggressive Tax Planning
14.02.2017 · Centre for European Economic Research

The aggressive tax planning efforts of companies such as Google or Apple are aimed at effectively reducing corporate tax burdens. A recent study carried out that current combatting strategies are not effective enough.

Global threat to primates concerns us all
20.01.2017 · German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research

When primates become extinct, the living conditions for humans will soon deteriorate dramatically. Scientists demand immediate measures to protect primates.

Epigenetic Changes Promote Development of Fatty Liver
10.01.2017 · German Institute of Human Nutrition

Mice with a strong tendency to obesity already exhibit epigenetic changes at six weeks of age. This favors the development of a fatty liver. Changes in DNA methylation are also detectable in humans and suggest a similar causal...