The University of Göttingen is an internationally renowned research university. Founded in 1737 in the Age of Enlightenment, the University is committed to the values of social responsibility of science, democracy, tolerance and justice. It offers a comprehensive range of subjects across 13 faculties: in the natural sciences, humanities, social sciences and medicine. With about 28,000 students and more than 210 degree programmes, the University is one of the largest in Germany.
New press releases
Using AI to understand brain function
The European Research Council (ERC) has awarded a Consolidator Grant to the computer scientist and neuroscientist Professor Fabian Sinz. The project “Vision2Action: A data-driven computational framework to discover how behavior impacts processing in mouse visual cortex” has been awarded around two million Euro for five years. In the project, Sinz and his team plan to develop new machine learning methods to understand how motor movement influences visual processing in the brain.
more…Lifesaver for wild bees: the importance of quarries
A research team at Göttingen University, Germany’s Nature And Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) in Rhede, and the Thünen Institute in Braunschweig has investigated the importance of limestone quarries for wild bee conservation. Diverse landscapes with good connectivity between quarries and calcareous grasslands proved to be particularly valuable. Calcareous grasslands – meaning grasslands on chalk or limestone soils – are exceptionally rich in plant and animal species, making them valuable ecosystems.
more…Just 24 experiments until Christmas!
Registration now open: “PiA – Physics in Advent” is a special kind of Advent calendar: hidden behind every door lies a science adventure. Everyone who registers is sent a video clip each day – from 1 to 24 December – with an intriguing experiment that can be carried out using ordinary household materials. Participants recreate the experiments and use them to solve a clue. At Christmas, all participants receive their individual certificate and, with a bit of luck, maybe even a prize too!
more…Honour for computer scientist at Göttingen University
Xiaoming Fu, Professor of Computer Science at Göttingen University, has been elected a member of the National Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech). This honour recognizes Professor Fu's significant contributions in the fields of computer science and engineering including networked systems, mobile, cloud and edge computing, as well as big data. Fu becomes part of a network of scientists committed to advancing scientific knowledge and tackling the challenges of our time.
more…Are trees exchanging carbon via a wood wide web?
The idea of trees "talking" to one another through underground fungal networks – the so-called "wood wide web" – has captured the imagination of the public. This concept, where trees supposedly share nutrients with each other via these networks, has been popularized by books and documentaries. But a new study, led by the University of Göttingen, suggests the reality might be more nuanced and this latest research raises questions about how much actual sharing is going on.
more…Building climate resilient cocoa farming in West Africa
Agroforestry systems, which integrate trees and shrubs into farming, are vital to achieving sustainable cocoa production in West Africa where 70 percent of the world cocoa is produced. Climate change induced drought means that it is ever more critical to adapt farming practices and find new approaches. Research led by scientists from the University of Göttingen sheds light on a promising new approach to improve climate resilience in cocoa agroforestry across West Africa.
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