News
Understanding greenhouse gases in oil palm plantations
The rapid spread of oil palm plantations and associated high use of fertilizer raises concerns about the emis-sion of nitrous oxide (N2O), a powerful greenhouse gas. A new study by an international research team led by the University of Göttingen shows that oil palms’ photosynthesis and their response to meteorological and soil conditions play an important but still widely unexplored role in the amount of N2O produced by oil palm plantations. more…
Award for plant biochemist
Professor Ivo Feußner, whose expertise is in plant biochemistry, has received the European Lipid Science Award 2023. The European Federation for the Science and Technology of Lipids (Euro Fed Lipid) awarded him this prize for his work on the synthesis and function of plant lipids as energy stores and signalling molecules. The award was presented in September at the association's annual European meeting in Poznań and is considered one of the highest honours in the field of lipid science. more…
Unexpected curveball in miniature
Whether you are familiar with the term “Magnus effect” or not, you have certainly seen it in action. It is when a spinning ball – for instance in football, cricket or baseball – bends away from its expected trajectory, often to the surprise of the opposing team. The principle has engineering uses, for example to propel certain types of ships or aircraft. Physicists demonstrated that the Magnus effect also exists at a microscopic level, where its effects can become really significant under certain conditions. more…
A plea from experts: stop personifying plants
Popular science books are all the rage. Their aim is to convey scientific topics to interested members of the public as clearly and entertainingly as possible. To succeed, authors describe the science using accessible language and concepts. An international research team tested such descriptions against scientific evidence by analysing statements from two popular science books. They conclude that metaphoric descriptions are often held as literally true, and warn against personifying plants. more…
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Further news
HeKKSaGOn partner universities agree further activities
The six partner universities of the German-Japanese higher education network HeKKSaGOn agreed on further joint activities at the end of their Rectors' Meeting in Göttingen. These include another call for funding for joint projects in spring 2024 and the establishment of collaboration in the cross-cutting area of "Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship". more…
Reminder: Evacuation on Saturday 23 September 2023 due to WWII bomb disposal
As the City of Göttingen has announced previously, suspected explosive devices from World War II will be made safe on Saturday 23 September 2023. The work will start from 06:00. The City has published the area that will have to be evacuated and this will affect large parts of Göttingen and the Central Campus of the University. more…