Oases are ecosystems that offer unique biological and cultural diversity and are therefore crucial for humans and nature alike. A study led by Senckenberg researchers, recently published in the journal “PeerJ,” has undertaken the first comprehensive global analysis of these areas. Based on 1,657 research papers, 1,344 oases in 30 countries were identified, which provide […]
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Which mollusc will win the race? Starting today, all fans of snails, octopuses, and their ilk can cast their vote at https://moty.senckenberg.science and decide which of the five species in the final deserves the title of “International Mollusc of the Year 2025.” This is the fifth time that the Senckenberg Society and Unitas Malacologica, the […]
continue readingAn international team of scientists has cracked a longstanding evolutionary mystery surrounding molluscs, one of the most diverse groups of animals on Earth. The groundbreaking research, published today in Science, resolves the family tree for molluscs, bringing long-awaited clarity on their evolutionary history and resolving debates that have persisted for decades. Molluscs, which include animals like […]
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A recent study by the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center Frankfurt and the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz shows the dramatic effects of artificial night-time lighting on insects. The researchers studied the midge species Chironomus riparius and found that light pollution caused profound changes in 1564 larval genes. The consequences are alarming: delayed development, increased oxidative […]
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Bats have the ability to tolerate coronaviruses and other viruses without becoming ill. This is due to special adaptations in their immune system. As part of the “Bat1K” project, an international research team has now generated high-quality genomes of bats in order to analyze these adaptations. The study, published today in the renowned scientific journal […]
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An international research team led by Senckenberg scientist Prof. Dr. Peter Haase has evaluated the results of global measures to protect biodiversity in rivers. Their study, now published in the renowned scientific journal “Nature Reviews Biodiversity,” shows that many protection and renaturation measures fall short and often only achieve limited success. In order to sustainably […]
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An international research team led by Senckenberg scientists Dr. Dimitrios-Georgios Kontopoulos and Prof. Dr. Michael Hiller has investigated the evolution of different types of torpor – the temporary sharp drop in metabolism and body temperature to conserve energy – in numerous mammals and birds. Their study, recently published in the scientific journal “Functional Ecology,” shows […]
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A research team from the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center (SBiK-F), the former LOEWE Center for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (TBG), and Goethe University Frankfurt has gained fascinating genetic insights into the evolution of the largest animal on earth, the iconic blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). Their study, published in the journal “Molecular Ecology,” provides evidence […]
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