On these pages you will find a selection of research news from the Leibniz Institutes.
  1. It's the rhythm that counts
    02/22/2022 · German Primate Center – Leibniz Institute for Primate Research

    Focusing on what's important is one of the main tasks of our brain. Scientists have now investigated in how the attentional selection of the oscillatory neural activity works. 

    read more

  2. Candida albicans illustration

    Hijacked immune system
    02/10/2022 · Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute

    In immunocompromised people Candida albicans can invade the bloodstream and cause life-threatening infections. A research team has now discovered that the fungus specifically exploits human immune defenses to do this.

    read more

  3. Affective teaching
    01/17/2022 · ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich

    After the introduction of ethics classes, support for traditional attitudes eroded. Conversely, the teaching reform had no effect on life satisfaction or ethical behaviors such as volunteerism. 

    read more

  4. Mountain lake with clear water

    Lessons from the Ice Age
    01/17/2022 · Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries

     Mountain lakes clearly react to climate change in their ecology. They are likely to change significantly in the coming decades.

    read more

  5. Dark rain clouds over hilly landscape

    Rainy days harm the economy
    01/13/2022 · Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research

    Economies across the world are slowed down by more wet days and extreme daily rainfall. Rich countries are most severely affected.

    read more

  6. Breeding female ricefish

    Innovative inflammation
    01/10/2022 · Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change

    A "plug" allows ricefish mothers to carry their offspring until hatching. Researchers discovered new evidence that inflammatory immune responses can lay the foundation for this evolution.

    read more

  7. Part of the "smart textiles"

    Next generation textiles
    01/06/2022 · Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology

    In the future it should be even easier to supply mobile electronic devices worn close to the body with energy. Smart textiles use the warmth of the human body and convert it into electricity. 

    read more

  8. Close-up of sewage sludge

    Dangerous sewage sludge
    01/05/2022 · Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research

    If sewage sludge is applied to fields, microplastics can get into deeper soil layers and onto adjacent areas.

    read more

  9. Snowglowing over a park

    Snowglow
    12/20/2021 · Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries

    Due to the increase in artificial lighting, night and winter are no longer dark enough. To bend the curve of biodiversity loss, transdiciplinary solutions are crucial.

    read more

  10. Treacherous sea grass
    12/16/2021 · Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research

    Regenerating sea grass beds in coastal waters aims at removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to fight climate change. Whether the cultivation is actually helpful in a climatic context depends on its location.

    read more

  11. Flaming gas cooker

    Energy and Gender
    12/14/2021 · Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research

    Switching to modern cooking fuels like gas or to electricity can improve the well-being of woman in the global South. Furthermore, expanding access to modern energy is likely to accelerate the demographic transition. 

    read more

  12. Bat killed by wind turbine

    Dangerous wind turbines
    12/14/2021 · Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research

    Many bats die at wind turbines when colliding with the spinning blades. A comparison of age, sex and geographic origin now reveals that juveniles are killed more frequently than adults.

    read more

  13. Solarpanel

    Precise forecasts
    12/02/2021 · Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research

    The expansion of renewable energies requires precise forecasts as to how much solar power will be fed into the grid. Air quality models could improve the accuracy of that projections in the future. 

    read more

  14. Mother breastfeeding her child at a market, other women and children sitting in the background

    Spicy breast milk?
    11/25/2021 · Leibniz-Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich

    In part of a recent study, it was found that after eating pepper, the alkaloid piperine was present in the milk of breastfeeding woman. The findings help decipher mechanisms that shape our food preferences from infancy.

    read more

  15. Great group of Guinea baboons

    Who's the boss?
    11/10/2021 · German Primate Center – Leibniz Institute for Primate Research

    In Guinea baboons, females are more free and less subordinate to males than in other species. Therefore, male and female guinea baboons are equally successful in leading the group.

    read more

  16. Row of young maize plants on fresh field

    Maize loses, wheat wins
    11/03/2021 · Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research

    Farmers worldwide must adapt to new climate realities. Maize crop yields are projected to decline by almost a quarter.

    read more

  17. Anti-immigration attitudes and the reality check
    10/22/2021 · WZB Berlin Social Science Center

    A new study shows: Exclusionary beliefs and behaviours in Germany are weaker in regions with a high proportion of refugees. 

    read more

  18. "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. 

    read more

  19. 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.

    read more

  20. 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.

    read more