On these pages you will find a selection of research news from the Leibniz Institutes.
  1. The picture shows a dragonfish.

    Transparent Teeth
    06/11/2019 · INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials

    To stay invisible to prey animals the deep-sea dragonfish has evolved transparent teeth that reduce light scattering. The predator turns out to be a natural model for materials research.

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  2. Growing roots
    06/11/2019 · 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.

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  3. The picture shows a clouded sky.

    Coal phase-out
    06/07/2019 · Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research

    It cannot be taken for granted that Germany’s plan to phase out coal will decrease CO2 emissions - to the contrary.

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  4. The picture shows floating plastic waste.

    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.

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  5. Living Water
    05/29/2019 · 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.

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  6. Acidified oceans
    05/29/2019 · 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.

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  7. The picture shows a "Green monkey".

    Evolution of language
    05/28/2019 · 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.

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  8. Well integrated
    05/23/2019 · 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.

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  9. The picture shows the prototype of a silicon-28 single crystal after growth in a floating zone plant.

    Original kilogram replaced
    05/22/2019 · 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.

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  10. Hidden Champions
    05/20/2019 · 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.

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  11. Stressed farm animals
    05/16/2019 · 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.

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  12. The picture shows the winners of the Ralf Dahrendorf Prize.

    Prizewinning „Tomatofish“
    05/16/2019 · 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.

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  13. Climate change and migration
    05/13/2019 · 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.

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  14. The picture shows a Sturgeon.

    Fit sturgeons
    05/10/2019 · 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.

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  15. The picture shows a Clownfish.

    Long live Nemo
    04/24/2019 · Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute

    Clownfish have a lifespan of about 20 years. The fish could be a new interesting animal model for research on longevity.

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  16. Singing nightingale
    04/24/2019 · Museum für Naturkunde

    A citizens' research project calls on people all over Germany to record nightingales in their surroundings.

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  17. Bioinspired plaster
    04/18/2019 · 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.

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  18. Mysterious Ape
    04/15/2019 · 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.

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  19. Food in focus
    04/12/2019 · German Institute of Human Nutrition

    When other people look at groceries in the supermarket, they become more appealing to us.

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  20. Bitter salt
    04/12/2019 · Leibniz-Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich

    Scientists identified a bitter receptor that reacts to various salts. The discovery helps to develop new therapeutics for, for example, heart disease.

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