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Several persons in discussion
News 29 March 2023

Supporting Science in Sub-Saharan Africa: On the satisfaction derived from developing solutions

Not only crises caused by political upheavals or famines continue to wreak havoc on societies and communities on the African continent. Gilbert Fokou, a social anthropologist from Cameroon, sees himself as a bridging interface between the people and decision-makers in politics. He is driven by a strong determination to help the very poor. 

Woman in front of a shelf with records
Story 16 March 2023

Supporting Science in Sub-Saharan Africa: Saving people and sounds from being forgotten

Lizabé Lambrechts researches South African popular music from the apartheid era 

Hand an einer Seehundschnauze
Story 14 March 2023

Behavioral Biology - The Secret of the Seals

Marine mammals are fascinating creatures. Their visual system in particular, and how it contributes to underwater orientation, for example, is still a mystery. Frederike Hanke from the University of Rostock wants to change that.

Illustration with text "Ist das Fair?" (Is it fair?)
Story 21 February 2023

Is it fair? Algorithms and asylum seekers

Europe is experimenting with the application of automated decision-making to manage asylum and migration processes. Researchers in an international project are investigating whether and how the use of algorithms is able to contribute to fairness.

Detail aus einem Labor mit leuchtendem Glaselement
Story 17 November 2022

Artificial Photosynthesis: The decisive step forward

Tobias Erb of the Max Panck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology has reinvented photosynthesis – in the laboratory. His goal is to produce chemical substances with the help of sunlight and carbon dioxide in the air.

viele Menschen um einen "Buzzer" versammelt
Story 05 October 2022

Volkswagen Foundation: 60 years of science funding

Germany's largest private science sponsor celebrated its jubilee with many guests: The public was invited to join the big "Festival of Science" at Herrenhausen Palace in Hannover on October 1, 2022.

Stories

Foto einer einzelnen Manganknolle
Story 15 July 2026

Manganese Nodules and Microorganisms: Life Fuelled by Radioactivity?

Radioactivity is generally considered harmful to life. Yet in manganese nodules in the deep sea, microorganisms might benefit from it. Or even live off it? This is the intriguing hypothesis that geoscientist Walter Geibert hopes to prove.

Satellitenansicht der Innertropischen Konvergenzzone
Story 09 June 2026

Climate Research Using Old Ship’s Logs: the Wind Leaves no Trace on the Sea

Did a volcanic eruption in 1783 shift the tropical rain belt? Old ship’s logs could provide the answer – and also shed light on the future climate for millions of people living around the equator.

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