Science

All things related to science & technology, from Germany and beyond

Science quick read articles →

A second wind for exoplanets habitability

May 25, 2025 • 12:00 AM

Earth is the only planet we know that has life, so it's easy to think that any other habitable planet must look like it. Indeed, the study of exoplanets (planets outside of our solar system) often concentrates on looking for Earth's "twins". But the universe is a weird and varied place: could some different world be habitable too?  According to a study from the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, the answer is yes! If there's any chance that a planet has liquid water on its surface, it's...

How basic research helped expose VW's dirty secret!

May 25, 2025 • 12:00 AM

German auto giant Volkswagen's (VW) recent fall from grace is a result of the same greed that brought down Toyota nearly six years ago - the quest for becoming the most powerful automaker in the world.  But what makes the VW scandal even more nefarious? Deliberate lies by VW, misleading the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the United States and its consumers to believe that discrepancies found in the air pollutant (nitrous oxide) emission levels were simply technical glitches.  Where...

Flowing water found on Mars

May 25, 2025 • 12:00 AM

In a press conference on September 28th, NASA scientists announced that they have solid evidence of liquid water on the surface of present-day Mars. For the first time, liquid water has been found on the surface of a planet other than Earth!

The evidence comes from long, dark streaks---first seen on images from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter---that stretch down some mountains and crater walls on the planet. Because they grow bigger and darker during Martian summer, then recede in winter, these...

Converting classrooms into "smart" rooms

May 25, 2025 • 12:00 AM

Imagine a classroom setting in a university, where students have their heads bent down - not taking notes as you imagine but looking into smartphones. Doesn't that seem like an outrageous notion?

Smartphones have invaded our society and are prevalent in our everyday lives, especially among the younger generation. Therefore, it's not surprising that they are universally found in many college settings.

But that begs the immediate question - Are smartphones beneficial to the educational process or...

New approach tries to clear the air over fossil fuels

May 25, 2025 • 12:00 AM

With an ever-increasing energy demand, the use of fossil fuels is steadily on the rise.

But so are air pollution and the concerns over its consequences on our health.

Air pollution, in fact, increases the risks of asthma and heart attacks, as well as the overall mortality rate.

However, according to a group of scientists led by engineers from the Georgia Institute of Technology, fossil-fuel-based power plants could minimize their health impact in an affordable way.

All it takes is some smart...

Pluto's icy breath, young look and big heart: what we learnt from New Horizons so far

May 25, 2025 • 12:00 AM

On July 14th, NASA's New Horizons probe completed its nine-year-long journey flying close to Pluto.

"This mission has been a big success," says Professor Andreas Burkert, an astrophysicist of the Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, not affiliated with the project, "one has to congratulate the team for their excellent job."

Because the probe was traveling at almost twenty kilometers per second, it was too fast to orbit around the dwarf planet, and it had to take pictures and perform...

The yin and yang of social interaction

May 25, 2025 • 12:00 AM

At some point in our lives, all of us have found ourselves in a crowded bus stop or grocery store or a music concert.

But have you considered the possibility that the unknown person next to you in these crowded situations may be connected to your friend of a friend of a friend?

Much as it may sound completely random or just plain impossible, scientific studies in the past have shown that each of us could potentially connect to everybody else in the world within six links.

Many of us may be...

Can we influence the evolution of an idea...

May 25, 2025 • 12:00 AM

Read part 1 of this series at:
http://www.themunicheye.com/news/The-yin-and-yang-of-social-interaction-3211

Can you imagine an exclusive social circle with a qualification-based filter in the interest of blossoming and evolving ideas?

If so, how would such a group function?

It would be akin to birds of a feather flocking together and as a result would preclude contact with people from different social settings.

Naturally, exchange of ideas between such distinct separated groups would become...

Eyes wide open

May 25, 2025 • 12:00 AM

Eye contact is the most basic interaction with another person. When people look into each other's eyes, they spontaneously indicate that their attention is focused on the other person. If the look is returned then a channel for interaction is opened. Eye contact has been described as the 'window into the soul' and is a powerful social signal.

Past research has identified specific brain patterns associated with locking eyes with someone or looking at someone who isn't returning your gaze. The...

Even cheap wine can taste great

May 25, 2025 • 12:00 AM

"It's cheap wine so it will not taste great." Does this imply that the wine is really tasteless?

Or is one so prejudiced about the wine such that even if it actually tastes great, one's brain is oblivious to that?

New research published in the Journal of Marketing Research shows that a consumer's preconceived notion about a product may create a placebo effect such that it results in producing actual biological changes in the brain.

Scientists, Hilke Plassmann and Bernd Weber promote this as a...

Rise and shine, Philae!

May 25, 2025 • 12:00 AM

After going off the grid for seven months, Rosetta's lander Philae is back.

On November 12 2014, it became the first human-made object ever to land on a comet when it touched down on 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

However, the landing was rough.

Due to an anchoring system failure, Philae couldn't hold on to the surface of the comet, bounced a couple of times and ended up in a dark ditch.

Stranded there, it was getting very little light for its solar panels to recharge the batteries.

In the couple...

Hot and attractive: magnetism can control heat transmission

May 25, 2025 • 12:00 AM

From power plants to car engines, from houses to laptops, pretty much everything we do and use disperses a lot of energy as heat.

Unfortunately, we have nearly no way of channeling it.

According to Professor Joseph Heremans, thermal scientist at Ohio State University, "all you can do is collect it with a conductive material. But you cannot control it: once the material's in place, that's it."

So, ultimately, most of the heat dissipates and is lost forever. But if one could control the flow of...

German PKV Insurance

German Private Health Insurance

Health Insurance in Germany is compulsory and sometimes complicated, not to mention expensive. As an expat, you are required to navigate this landscape within weeks of arriving, so check our FAQ on PKV. For our guide on resources and access to agents who can give you a competitive quote, try our PKV Cost comparison tool.

Hospitals

Hospital and Clinic Directory

Germany is famous for its medical expertise and extensive number of hospitals and clinics. See this comprehensive directory of hospitals and clinics across the country, complete with links to their websites, addresses, contact info, and specializations/services.

Events

Upcoming Events

Christoph Scheuerecker: ,,Ereignis: Erzählung"

Join us at the Kunstraum in der Au for the exhibition titled ,,Ereignis: Erzählung" by Christoph Scheuerecker, focusing on the captivating world of bees. This exhibition invites visitors to explore the intricate relationship between bees and their environment through various artistic expressions,...

More News...

The Tabi: From Japanese Tradition to a Fashion Icon
Long before it became one of the most recognisable shoes in contemporary fashion, the tabi was a...
Ukrainian Diplomat Calls for Stronger Security Commitments Beyond NATO-Style Guarantees
The Ukrainian ambassador to the United Nations has emphasized the necessity for more robust and...
Pantone's Color of the Year an Endless Neutral Loop
Pantone has crowned Cloud Dancer as its Color of the Year, and with it comes a confirmation of...
Berlin Authorities Issue Hundreds of Penalties and Charges After New Year's Eve Incidents
In Berlin, law enforcement and judicial authorities have processed over 500 cases resulting in...
Indian-German Skills Partnership Accelerates as Auxila Academy Launches Fast-Track Training for Germany's Ausbildung Shortage
Germany's deepening shortage of skilled workers--particularly in nursing, care, logistics,...
Black Friday, Fast Fashion and the Cost of Constant Consumption
Every November, the fashion industry braces for one of its most profitable and paradoxical, moments...
Jonathan Anderson: Career and Personal Background
Jonathan Anderson was born in 1984 in Magherafelt, Northern Ireland.  Initially drawn to theatre,...
Chaos, catharsis, and charm - post-punk band shame at Munich's Strom
Chaos, catharsis, and charm - post-punk band shame at Munich's StromLondon post-punk band shame turned Munich's Strom into a boiling point of sound and sweat on the...

IT Job Opportunities

Frontend Developer, Vue / Node
Join a leading global record label in the vibrant city of Cologne as a Frontend Developer specializing in Vue and...
UX Designer
We are seeking a talented UX Designer to become a vital part of our expanding Digital team, based in Manhattan Beach,...
Software Test Engineer
As a leading telehealth solution provider, Caregility is on the forefront of connecting care through innovative...
Project Manager
We are seeking a highly skilled Project Manager responsible for the successful planning, scheduling, and execution of...
Machine Learning Engineer
We are looking for a skilled Machine Learning Engineer to join our team and contribute to the development of...
DevOps Engineer
We are looking for a skilled DevOps Engineer to join our dynamic team in Downingtown, PA. In this role, you will be...
Data Engineer I
We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Data Engineer I to join our dynamic team. In this role, you will be...
Information Security Analyst
We are seeking an Information Security Analyst who will play a crucial role in safeguarding information security...