Genome Analysis: Adaptability of Haptophyte Uncovered
The haptophyte Emiliania huxleyi is an ecological all-rounder. Scientists now have deciphered the alga's genome and discovered the genetic principle behind the alga's enormous capability for adaptation.
Climate's Future Lies Offshore Greenland
Scientists in Kiel have investigated a phenomenon hitherto underestimated by climate research: they include in their models small eddy currents in the oceans and thereby are able to create more precise climate change forecasts.
New Elementary Particle Discovered
All matter known to us consists of quarks. They are the basic components of our world; quarks combine to form particles such as protons and neutrons. So far, the equation was a maximum of three quarks per particle. Now, scientists involved with the Japanese accelerator experiment BELLE have discovered a charged particle consisting of four quarks and which is four-times heavier than a proton. A small sensation, according to researchers. DESY particle physicist Torben Ferber is one of the German collaborators in the project.
Portrait: Alexander Kappes, Astrophysicist
Alexander Kappes knows: what he wants to say now does not sound very positive. But then he says it after all. "Studying physics means a continuous increase of the frustration threshold", says the astrophysicist. What does not imply that such a study cannot be fun, he quickly adds. "One learns to have patience. And even not finding what one is looking for means increase of knowledge. This is how science works."
Science Council: Science Welcomes Recommendations
The German Science Council has published its recommendations for the future of the German science and research system. The Helmholtz Association welcomed the newly published recommendations.
Whistle Blowers: DFG Reviews Recommendations
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG - German Research Foundation) has published updates and addenda to its Recommendations for Safeguarding Good Scientific Practice. This was met with a heated debate in social networks and blogs.
Secondary Exploitation Right
With a majority of CDU and FDP and already before the summer break, the Bundestag has passed the introduction of a secondary exploitation right. In future, scientists are to have the right to publish their research results a second time online subsequent to their first publication in a scientific journal. This is to make free access to scientific results available also to the broader public. However, the passed law has its limitations, which are subject to criticism from German science organisations, amongst others.
