Our research highlights 2024

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The year 2024 saw Max Planck scientists publishing exceptional research across disciplines. We have selected twelve highlights to share Our research highlights 2024

First image of a star beyond the Milky Way

Astronomers have captured the first close-up picture of a star outside our galaxy. The colossal red supergiant WOH G64, 160,000 light-years away, lies within the Large Magellanic Cloud and appears on the verge of exploding as a supernova. more

Oldest modern human genomes sequenced

Genomes of seven early Europeans show they belonged to a small, isolated group that had recently mixed with Neandertals but left no present-day descendants more

Orangutan treats wound with pain-relieving plant

Researchers observe a wild orangutan applying a plant with known medicinal properties to a wound, a first for a wild animal more

News

During the Christmas season, reindeer have plenty of time on their hands

During the Christmas season, reindeer have plenty of time on their hands

December 19, 2024
Behavioral Biology Biodiversity
After migrating to their wintering grounds, the animals move as little as possible to conserve energy
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Syphilis had its roots in the Americas

Syphilis had its roots in the Americas

December 18, 2024
Human History Infection Biology
Syphilis originated in the Americas prior to the arrival of Columbus, and European colonialism made it globally dominant
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Fire spitting volcanic cones on dusty surfaces, with the flat earth in the background

Old Moon with a Young Crust

December 18, 2024
The Moon is much older than previously thought. Its crust was reheated after its formation - and has thus misled researchers in determining its age
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Further News

Topic Specials

Climate and transformation

Climate and transformation

In addition to climate forecasts, the consequences of climate change are increasingly becoming the focus of research at Max Planck Institutes
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The brain

The brain

The human brain is the most complex organ that nature has ever produced: 100 billion nerve cells and many times more contact points give it capabilities that no supercomputer can match
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Migration

Migration

The causes and consequences of human mobility and its history are central topics for research at Max Planck Institutes
more
Further Topic Specials

Career

A first-class doctoral training

A first-class doctoral training

The International Max Planck Research Schools (IMPRS) have been an integral part of our support for doctoral students since 2000, giving talented students the opportunity to do their doctorate under excellent conditions
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The Postdoc Phase: Springboard after the Doctorate

The Postdoc Phase: Springboard after the Doctorate

Completed your doctorate and looking to advance in science, business, or society—or start your own company? If excellent research is key to your goals, the Max Planck Society is the place for you.
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Job Offers

Student / Research Assistant (m/f/d)

Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Köln
December 20, 2024

Team Assistant (m/f/d) 50-100%

Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart site, Stuttgart
December 19, 2024

Administrator (m/f/d) | Third-party Funds and Travel Expenses

Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Jena
December 19, 2024
to the JobBoard
Career

Publications


Talent Companion
Research is calling - We promote pioneers in science
75 years Max Planck Society
Annual Report 2023 of the Max Planck Society
Yearbook Highlights 2023
MaxPlanckResearch 3/2024: Focus: On Life and Survival
Living and working in Germany
Evaluation - The procedures of the Max Planck Society

From the Institutes


MPI for Biology Tübingen
Cancer therapy with protein design more
MPI for Multidisciplinary Sciences, et al.
Step by step towards hydrogen more
MPI of Immunobiology and Epigenetics
Cellular condensates come to light more
Max Planck Innovation
Max Planck Spin-off ArtemiFlow receives $5.8 million more
MPI for Marine Microbiology
Globally distributed symbiosis between microorganisms more
MPI of Animal Behavior
Chimps organize behaviors too more
MPI for Radio Astronomy
Cosmic cartography – mapping the gravitational wave background more
MPI for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences
Asymmetry of brain halves more
MPI for Terrestrial Microbiology
An Enzyme in training camp more
MPI for Biology of Ageing
mTOR on the move more
MPI for Terrestrial Microbiology
The hidden potential of enzyme promiscuity more
MPI for Demographic Research
Women´s education influences fertility rates in Sub-Saharan Africa more
MPI for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences
Electrical activity in the human spinal cord more
MPI for Evolutionary Anthropology
How steppe pastoralist groups formed and transformed over time more
MPI of Psychiatry
Increased inflammation levels with depression more
MPI for Human Development
Can we scare AI?  more
MPI for Marine Microbiology
Metabolism of ethane-consuming archaea unraveled more
MPI for Chemical Ecology
Protein for the synthesis of defense steroids in solanaceous plants discovered more

Multimedia


Unraveling Behavior

Unraveling Behavior

Podcast
A science podcast about the patterns driving human judgment and decision making. In each episode,  Ana Sofia Morais sits down with a researcher to explore how people make decisions, how they handle risk, and how our surroundings and the online world shape our behavior.
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Cell droplet research

Cell droplet research

Video
A new hope for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. A film about the research of Anthony Hyman, who was awared the Koerber Prize 2022 and the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences 2023.
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Flight and Trauma

Flight and Trauma

Video
Traumatic experiences from fleeing war zones can lead to distressing symptoms, which impair everyday life. Now with Ukranian sub-titles.
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Optogenetics | briefly explained

Optogenetics | briefly explained

Video
Turning nerve cells on and off using pulses of light. Optogenetics is a relatively new field that uses light to control genetically modified cells. It is based on light-activated membrane proteins, such as bacteriorhodopsin or channelrhodopsin, that are built into nerve cells.
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Social Media

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