Research

6 October 2017|Research

2017 Nobel Prize in Chemistry: structural biologist Prof. Dr. Kay Grünewald on the importance of cryo-electron microscopy

Prof. Dr. KAy Grünewald vor einem Elektronenmikroskop

Photo: CSSB

This year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry goes to three pioneers of cryo-electron microscopy, a path-breaking technology enabling us to examine native biological samples using high resolution at low temperatures. Structural biologist Prof. Dr. Kay Grünewald researches in this field and explains to us why...

4 October 2017|Research

Prof. Dr. Daniel Geiger conducts research on crisis management in Uganda

Das Forschungsteam der Universität Hamburg in einem Dorf in Uganda

Photo: UHH/Geiger

How can organizations manage humanitarian crises? And how can numerous organizations coordinate? Researchers from Universität Hamburg have been working withe the Ugandan Red Cross since March 2017 to look at how best to manage crises. Two research stays in the East African country have now yielded...

21 September 2017|Research

How digital currency changes the financial sector

Photo: Public Domain

Digital or "crypto" currencies are becoming more popular and have become a significant economic factor worth billions in trade. There is more than meets the eye, however, when it comes to Bitcoins and other currencies: an infrastructure that will fundamentally alter finance. Researchers at...

18 September 2017|Research

Professionalizing teacher training: 5 questions for Prof. Dr. Eva Arnold and Prof. Dr. Gabriele Kaiser

Prof. Dr. Eva Arnold und Prof. Dr. Gabriele Kaiser

Photo: Hans-Christian Scholz

What skills make good teachers? What didactic concepts should then form the focus in teacher training? From 21 to 23 September 2017, around 200 researchers working on national and international educational contexts will convene at Universität Hamburg to discuss these questions. The congress is part...

13 September 2017|Research

Online comments reveal ever more sceptics

Photo: UHH/CEN/Lörcher

Do online forums attract climate sceptics? A new study conducted by CliSAP excellence cluster examines the debate on public platforms. An interview with communications researcher Ines Lörcher. [Read on in German]

6 September 2017|Research

How stressed are Hamburg's trees?

Biologe Dr. Christoph Reisdorff beschäftigt sich die Arbeitsgruppe „Ökophysiologie und Stress“ an der Universität Hamburg mit der Anpassungsfähigkeit von Pflanzen auf unterschiedliche Umweltbedingungen.

Photo: UHH/Schöttmer

Hamburg has about 540 km² of flora and fauna, making it Germany's greenest city. In addition to 600,000 trees in the city's parks, there are about 250,000 trees lining the city center's streets. Biologist Dr. Christoph Reisdorff and his research team are looking at plant adaptability in various...

5 September 2017|Research

Key research area Particle, Astro- and Mathematical Physics

Forschungsschwerpunkt „Teilchen-, Astro- und Mathematische Physik“

What are the building blocks of matter? What does dark matter consist of and what is "dark energy"? How are space and time structured, what are the origins and history of the Universe, and how does it all go together? These are the questions that they key research area Particle, Astro- and...

31 August 2017|Research

ERC grant for research into immune responses in cancer: interview with oncologist Prof. Dr. Dr. Sonja Loges

Photo: Felizitas Tomrlin/UKE

THe European Research Council (ERC) has awarded oncologist Prof. Dr. Dr. Sonja Loges from the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf with an ERC starting grant of 1.5 million euros over the next five years. Her research aims to improve on current cancer therapies. [Read on in German . . .]

30 August 2017|Research

Key research area: Photon and Nanoscience

Forschungsschwerpunkt „Photonen- und Nanowissenschaften“

The University key research area Photon and Nanoscience includes a broad spectrum of successful projects in basic research. Topics range from magnetism, laser and quantum physics, and nanochemistry to biophysical problems such as the decoding of molecules using ultrafast lasers and state-of-the-art...

29 August 2017|Research

Plant communication: how corn reacts to multiple stress situations

Pflanzenkommunikation: Mais im Mehrfach-Stress

Photo: UHH/Nicolai

When plants are exposed to individual stimuli, they respond by transmitting signals using electric currents. During dry conditions, for example, the roots send signals to the leaves telling them to slow down photosynthesis. In a new experiment, a research team working in wood science has shown that...

21 August 2017|Research

When the permafrost thaws: Hamburg ethnologist investigates impact of climate change in Siberia

Forschungsteam zu Besuch bei einem Familienbetrieb in Sacha

Photo: A.N. Fedorov

Climate change is causing temperatures to rise across the globe—even in Siberia. In many places there the permafrost is in danger of thawing. What will this mean for local populations and their land-use practices? Together with an interdisciplinary team, Professor. Dr. J. Otto Habeck from the...

17 August 2017|Research

Key research area: Manuscript Research

Forschungsschwerpunkt „Manuskriptforschung“

Centuries-old Arabic Koran and Biblical manuscripts or fragments of Homer's Illiad: manuscripts shaped the world’s cultures long before the printed book. Even today they play an important part in many non-European cultures. [Read on in German . . .]

16 August 2017|Research

School for robots

Der Roboter NICO (Neuro-Inspired Companion)

Photo: UHH/www.knowledge-technology.info

The informatics campus in Stellingen is home to an unusual community of researchers, students, and robots. Just like small children do at school, the robots there learn to mind their manners, show respect, and be considerate of others. [Read on in German . . .]

10 August 2017|Research

Core research area Climate, Earth and Environment

Ansicht der trockenen Erde einer Wüste mit einer kleinen grünen Pflanze

Will the Gulf Stream continue to transport enough warmth to Europe? How fast will the Arctic sea ice melt? What will drive our Earth system in the future? Universität Hamburg's core research area Climate, Earth and Environment investigates fundamental questions into the processes and characteristics...

3 August 2017|Research

Floor heating for the salt marshes

Wissenschaftler/innen installieren Gewächshäuser auf den Salzwiesen

Photo: UHH/Nicolai

Hamburg resarchers are undertaking a world-first experiment investigating the effects of global warming on a Hamburg island ("Hallig") in the Elb River. [Read on in German . . .]

1 August 2017|Research

A trial that left traces

Prof. Dr. Florian Jeßberger, Leiter des Forschungs- und Dokumentationsprojekts „Der Stammheim-Prozess“.

Photo: privat

The Stammheim Red Army Faction trial from May 1975 to April 1977 is a seminal event in German history. Lawyers, judges, defendants, and defense attorneys engaged in a war of words, defendants went on hunger strike, there was a wiretapping scandal as well as accusations that defendants had been held...

25 July 2017|Research

Team of historians reconstructs antique lottery machine

Prof. Dr. Kaja Harter-Uibopuu neben einer antiken Losmaschine

In their pursuit of democracy, Athenians of the 4th century B.C. were avid lottery fans. And they used a sophisticated lottery machine—the cleroterion. Historian Prof. Dr. Kaja Harter-Uibopuu and her team have now reconstructed the clever contraption. [Read on in German]

25 July 2017|Research

Historiker-Team baut antike Losmaschine nach

Fast schon fanatisch waren die Athener des 4. Jahrhunderts v. Chr., wenn es um das Losen ging – für sie war es der Versuch, die Demokratie zur Perfektion zu treiben. Für das Losverfahren benutzten sie ein ausgefeiltes Gerät: das Kleroterion. Historikerin Prof. Dr. Kaja Harter-Uibopuu und ihr Team...

24 July 2017|Research

Royal visit: William and Kate meet Universität Hamburg students

SICSS-Studierende mit dem Prinzenpaar und Hamburgs Erstem Bürgermeister Olaf Scholz

Photo: Roland Magunia / Senatskanzlei Hamb

The British heir to the throne Prince William and his wife Kate visited Hamburg last Friday and expressed their interest in marine and ocean research. At the International Maritime Museum they met young researchers from Hamburg, Bremen, and Kiel. Two students from the SICSS graduate school at...

20 July 2017|Research

Research in outer space

Alexander Gerst in der sogenannten Cupola der Raumstation ISS

Photo: ESA

For his doctoral thesis, the astronaut Alexander Gerst explored Earth's core before turning his attention to outer space. In 2014 Gerst spent six months on the International Space Station (ISS). In 2018, he will return to the station as a commander. [Read on in German]