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

  1. True compass
    04/05/2019 · 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.

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  2. Main driver
    04/05/2019 · Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research

    The burning of fossil fuels is fundamentally changing our planet. A computer simulation confirms how outstandingly important changes in CO2 levels are for Earth’s climate.

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  3. Going with the flow
    04/04/2019 · Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries

    Faecal bacteria are known to contaminate waters. A new model should manage the acute or sustained microbial spread in rivers.

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  4. Expensive spice
    04/04/2019 · Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research

    Saffron is the most expensive spice worldwide and it is mainly cultivated in Iran. A study shows that the plant originated from a Greek ancestor in Attica.

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  5. Protective proteins
    04/04/2019 · German Institute of Human Nutrition

    Insulin is responsible for the fine-tuning of brain function in the central nervous system. When administered through the nose, it reduces hunger for high-sugar and high-fat food.

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  6. Primordial metabolism
    04/03/2019 · Leibniz-Institute DSMZ–German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures

    Microbiologists discovered how microbes could grow from iron-sulfur-mineral conversions – an early form of energy metabolism on primordial Earth.

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  7. Combat fake news
    03/27/2019 · Leibniz Institute for Media Research | Hans-Bredow-Institut

    In view of the changing practices of today’s users, there is no circumventing the need to develop rules for the governance of social media. Five guidelines provide direction.

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  8. Cytogenetic torch
    03/27/2019 · Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research

    Researchers have developed a new CRISPR/Cas9 based molecular visualisation method that enables real-time investigation of genome sequences without denaturating the chromatin structure.

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  9. The picture shows a green landscape.

    Protected habitats
    03/22/2019 · Leibniz-Institut für Gewässerökologie und Binnenfischerei

    The network Natura 2000 is effective in protecting important habitat types in Germany.

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  10. Prickly danger
    03/13/2019 · Leibniz-Institut für Zoo- und Wildtierforschung

    A recent study identified a close relative of the diphtheria causing bacterium in hedgehogs. The bacterium has already been detected in native wildlife species and can be transmitted to humans.

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  11. The picture shows a rainforest.

    Climate change
    03/06/2019 · Potsdam-Institut für Klimafolgenforschung

    Regions of the Amazon forest with generally higher rainfall variability are more resilient to climate disturbances.

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  12. Retirement at 63 in Germany leads to higher costs
    02/28/2019 · ifo Institut - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung

    The retirement at 63 is more expensive than originally thought. Costs are expected to rise even more when bigger birth cohorts are able to take advantage of the deduction-free early pension.

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  13. Evolutionary history of baboons
    01/31/2019 · Deutsches Primatenzentrum - Leibniz-Institut für Primatenforschung

    Researchers have reconstructed the phylogenetic tree of six African baboon species. The genetic information provides clear indications that genes were exchanged between the monkeys.

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  14. Freshwater fish in danger
    01/29/2019 · Leibniz-Institut für Gewässerökologie und Binnenfischerei

    Freshwater fish are among the world´s most at-risk species. Around one-third of freshwater fish species are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change - particularly in the Mediterranean region.

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  15. The picture shows a sign with the inscription IFW Dresden and a Lego minifigure.

    Electricity from waste heat
    01/09/2019 · Leibniz Insitute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden

    Scientists have developed a magnetic generator to convert waste heat into electricity. A clever arrangement of the components has succeeded in improving the electrical yield by orders of magnitude.

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  16. Viruses in real time
    01/08/2019 · Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine

    For the first time during an ongoing Lassa fever outbreak, scientists have used portable genomic sequencing technology to identify viruses, which enabled puclic health interventions to be tailored.

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  17. Loyal consumers are left to foot the bill
    11/28/2018 · Centre for European Economic Research

    Electricity companies tend to increase their baseline electricity tariffs if more consumers search for cheaper tariffs on the internet. The ones that are losing out are consumers who remain loyal.

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  18. Sugar molecules modulate immune system
    11/28/2018 · Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology

    Sugar is more than just a pure source of energy. The body itself produces a whole battery of complex sugar chains which can influence mechanisms of the immune system, e.g. in reproductive biology.

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  19. Multifunctional forests
    11/22/2018 · Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung

    Timber production, recreation, carbon storage - forests have a lot on their plate. A study now reveals that diverse and old forests generally fare best in terms of services they provide.

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  20. Danger in the desert
    11/22/2018 · German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research

    An infection with the MERS virus causes only a cold in camels, but can be fatal for humans. Researchers now analyze mutations to predict the risk of a pandemic.

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