On these pages you will find a selection of research news from the Leibniz Institutes.
  1. Paved road by a lake

    Not only an urban phenomenon
    01/31/2023 · Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries

    Soil sealing in rural areas is an underestimated factor in water quality degradation, a new study shows.

    read more

  2. Chilli plant

    Spicy Plants
    01/30/2023 · Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry

    How do plants make those pungent substances, anyway? A group of scientists have pinpointed the crucial enzymes that gives the fruits of the pepper and the chili plant the distinctive taste.

    read more

  3. Hummingbirds energy-consuming hovering flight

    Extraordinary flight artists
    01/13/2023 · Senckenberg Society for Nature Research - Leibniz Institution for Biodiversity and Earth System Research

    The hummingbird’s hovering flight likely evolved because of a lost gene. 

    read more

  4. Tablets

    Poisoning of the liver
    01/10/2023 · Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors

    What mechanisms are at work in paracetamol poisoning of the liver? Researcher are therefore investigating in a new project. 

    read more

  5. Soy field

    An opportunity in climate change
    01/06/2023 · Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research

    Climate change requires a rethink of crop production. Expanding soybean cultivation in previously cooler regions of Europe expands the possibilities for farmers. 

    read more

  6. Boulders on the surface of Mars

    Microorganisms on Mars
    01/04/2023 · Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries

    What would microorganisms on Mars need to survive? Very dry deserts serve as a reference for science. 

    read more

  7. Stingray

    Natural products against flu viruses
    12/15/2022 · Senckenberg Society for Nature Research

    Worldwide, the annual influenza epidemics lead to an estimated three to five million severe cases of illness. Active substances from nature could help inhibit the spread of flu viruses. 

    read more

  8. New lasers light up the sky above Kühlungsborn

    Mini laser developed
    12/06/2022 · Leibniz Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the University of Rostock

    A new device is able to measure wind and temperature in a compact size. 

    read more

  9. Cheetahs marking a tree

    Hotspots for communication
    12/06/2022 · Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research

    Marking trees are important hotspots of communication - not only for cheetahs. Many mammalian species use scent marks, urine or scats to communicate with each other.

    read more

  10. [Translate to english:]

    Policies and the health
    11/29/2022 · Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology

    Non-communicable diseases are by far the leading cause of disability and death in Europe. The Network PEN aims to identify public policies most likely to sustain healthy lifestyles. 

    read more

  11. New sub-variant, new resistance
    11/23/2022 · German Primate Center – Leibniz Institute for Primate Research

    To protect high-risk patients, biotechnologically produced antibodies are administered as a preventive measure upon confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, the new Omicron sub-variant BQ.1.1 is resistant to them. 

    read more

  12. Medical face masks

    Assistance according to interest
    11/16/2022 · Kiel Institute for the World Economy

    China has been exporting aid goods worth around 835 million USD annually since 2017. The resources are distributed by China primarily according to geopolitical interests and increasingly to Asia and Africa.

    read more

  13. Lecture hall

    Studying and gender-based violence
    11/08/2022 · GESIS - Leibniz-Institut für Sozialwissenschaften

    Since starting at their institution, nearly two in three staff and students in Europe have experienced at least one form of gender-based violence.

    read more

  14. Autumn leaves

    Energy and leaves from the city
    11/04/2022 · Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy

    In a comparative study, scientists analyzed the composting of leaves and their utilization for biogas production.

    read more

  15. Barley ears

    New resistances
    11/04/2022 · Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research

    Viruses are serious pathogens of crops. A research team has now succeeded in modifying a gene in barley using the Cas9 gene scissors, making new resistances to important viruses available.​

    read more

  16. Two primary school pupils scribble in a school book

    Learning gaps threat prosperity
    10/31/2022 · ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich

    The academic results achieved by elementary school children in Germany are alarming. The current decline is unprecedented and threat the prosperity.

    read more

  17. Ahana Aurora Fernandez at work in the field.

    Innovative bat research
    10/31/2022 · Museum für Naturkunde - Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science

    Biologist Ahana Aurora Fernandez is the recipient of this year’s Marthe Vogt Award. In her doctoral thesis she investigated the development of the vocal repertoire of greater sac-winged bat pups.

    read more

  18. Two children with smartphone

    Growing parental concerns
    10/31/2022 · Leibniz Institute for Media Research | Hans-Bredow-Institut (HBI)

    77 percent of parents in Germany are concerned about the online safety of their children. This is shown by the study "Youth Media Protection Index 2022", which has now been published.

    read more

  19. Microscopic image of the fruiting bodies of D. discoideum on an agar plate

    Control of multicellularity
    10/24/2022 · Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute

    The multicellular stage of the amoeba Dicyostelium discoideum is partially regulated by an intensely yellow natural product. The newly identified substance prevents the amoebae spores from hatching too early.

    read more

  20. 3D visualisation of the river network in a valley on Lake Como

    An ultrafine network for rivers
    10/20/2022 · Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries

    Researchers have developed the highest-resolution map of the world’s river systems ever produced. The data set comprises a total of 726 million potential river sections.

    read more