On these pages you will find a selection of research news from the Leibniz Institutes.
Growing roots
11.06.2019 · Leibniz Institute for Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research
Plants respond to nutrient deficiencies by adapting the growth of their roots. Low levels of nitrogen stimulate a foraging strategy by which the roots can exploit nutrients from a larger soil volume.
Floating plastic
06.06.2019 · Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries
Microplastics may represent a significant habitat and transport medium for microorganisms including toxic species. On plastic items, they exhibit much higher densities than in the surrounding water.
Living Water
29.05.2019 · Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries
Inland and coastal waters are among the most threatened ecosystems. However, the loss of biodiversity often remains unnoticed. A new research agenda aims to raise awareness.
Acidified oceans
29.05.2019 · Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research
The chemical composition of the limestone skeleton of tropical corals reflects ocean acidification - a consequence of the increase in CO2 in the atmosphere.
Evolution of language
28.05.2019 · German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research
West African green monkeys warn their conspecifics against predators with special alarm calls. Their structure allows conclusion about how language developed in the course of evolution.
Well integrated
23.05.2019 · German Institute for Economic Research Berlin
A refugee´s personality is one of the factors which decides how successful integration is. Refugees who are more willing to take risks and who tend to reciprocate friendliness integrate faster.
Original kilogram replaced
22.05.2019 · Leibniz-Institut für Kristallzüchtung
The kilogram also is now defined by a natural constant: the Planck constant. It replaces the original kilogram which has been the measure of all things for almost 130 years.
Hidden Champions
20.05.2019 · ZEW - Leibniz-Centre for European Economic Research Mannheim
They combine innovative technology with tailor-made solutions for their customers: 'Hidden Champions' are among the most successful small and medium-sized enterprises in Germany.
Stressed farm animals
16.05.2019 · Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology
Climate change may become a major problem for livestock farming. Researchers have found that the increasing heat stress leads directly to health consequences in the intestines of dairy cows.
Prizewinning „Tomatofish“
16.05.2019 · Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries
A research team at the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries received the Ralf Dahrendorf Prize for a resource-saving breeding method.
Climate change and migration
13.05.2019 · Berlin Social Science Center
Climate change refugees are accepted by the public in Germany at a far higher rate than economic refugees. However it is often difficult to seperate the reasons why people flee in the first place.
Fit sturgeons
10.05.2019 · Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries
Sturgeon training can increase their fitness for the wild. Already a two-week learning lead made the search for food more efficient. This may facilitate the reintroduction of the endangered species.
Bioinspired plaster
18.04.2019 · INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials
Scientists developed adhesive structures for the treatment of eardrum injuries. The Gecko-inspired plaster not only adhere reliably, but it is also expected to improve the healing process.
Mysterious Ape
15.04.2019 · Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung
Approximately one million years ago at least three additional species of hominids shared the habitat of Homo erectus on Java – a higher diversity than previously assumed.
True compass
05.04.2019 · Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research
Bats rely heavily on vision when orienting over long distances since echolocation is error-prone. A study reveals the mechanisms a migratory mammal uses for navigation.
