Scientific highlights 2019

Many publications by Max Planck scientists in 2019 were of great social relevance or met with a great media response. We have selected 15 articles to present you with an overview of some noteworthy research of the year.

Gamma-ray bursts with a high radiant power

November 20, 2019

Astronomy Astrophysics Black Holes Galaxies

Scientists are observing two cosmic bursts with an incomparably high energy output more

Color patch could throw self-driving vehicles off track

November 03, 2019

Complex Systems (M&T) Digitalisation

Machine learning methods which calculate movements are susceptible to interference more

Birds in serious decline at Lake Constance

September 02, 2019

Biodiversity

Over the last 30 years, the region has lost 120,000 breeding pairs more

A face for Lucy's ancestor

August 28, 2019

Researchers discover remarkably complete 3.8 million-year-old cranium of Australopithecus anamensis at Woranso-Mille in Ethiopia more

Global warming may diminish plant genetic variety in Central Europe

August 29, 2019

Climate Plant Research (B&M)

Only a few individuals of plants species are prepared for increasing droughts more

Biomarkers indicate health in old age

August 20, 2019

Ageing Medicine

Researchers can determine the disease vulnerability of older people using a defined set of substances in the blood more

Caterpillars perceive colour through their skin

August 12, 2019

Behavioral Biology

Twig-mimicking caterpillars change their colour depending on the background and move to colour-matching backgrounds more

While resting, our brain replays experiences we made while making decisions

New method enables deeper understanding of decision-making processes more

Fires weaken tropical rainforests for years

Even ten years after fires, large, old trees die more often and the forests remain more susceptible to fire and storm damage more

Caterpillars perceive colour through their skin

August 12, 2019

Behavioral Biology

Twig-mimicking caterpillars change their colour depending on the background and move to colour-matching backgrounds more

The opoid crisis and its children

Opioid abuse in the USA reduces life expectancy, especially among baby boomers and the next generation more

Another major step towards room-temperature superconductivity

May 24, 2019

A hydrogen-rich material becomes superconductive under high pressure and at minus 23 degrees Celsius more

First-ever image of a black hole

April 10, 2019

Astronomy Astrophysics Black Holes Galaxies

Max Planck researchers involved in direct observation of the massive gravity trap in the Messier 87 galaxy more

A change in diet may have transformed human language

March 15, 2019

Language

Changed dietary habits resulted in the development of new sounds more

Are fish aware of themselves?

February 07, 2019

Behavioral Biology Cognitive Research

Cleaner wrasse seem to recognize themselves in the mirror more