Research highlights 2024

December 19, 2024
Artificial Intelligence Astronomy Brain Cell Biology Chemistry (E&C) Climate Cultural Studies Materials Sciences (M&T) Medicine Neanderthals Robotics Social Sciences

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

Individual in a fur garment with dark, textured material surrounding them, set against a muted backdrop.

Oldest modern human genomes sequenced

December 12, 2024
Neanderthals
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
bright yellow-orange glowing spot with oval outline

Astronomers take the first close-up picture of a star outside our galaxy

November 21, 2024
Astronomy Astrophysics
Located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, at a staggering distance of over 160 000 light-years from us, WOH G64 is a dying star roughly 2000 times the size of the Sun more
burning forest

Climate impact of carbon crediting projects is substantially overestimated

November 15, 2024
Climate Social Sciences
Emission reductions from climate mitigation projects are significantly lower than claimed, a new meta-study shows. more
The picture shows a hand filling out an application for a German organ donor card.

Organ donation: Opt-out defaults do not increase donation rates

November 14, 2024
Medicine Social Sciences
Longitudinal study examines organ donation rates in five countries that have changed their organ donation default policy from opt-in to opt-out.
  more
New technology saves the lives of patients with fatal skin reactions

New technology saves the lives of patients with fatal skin reactions

October 16, 2024
Medicine Proteins
Spatial proteomics provides therapeutic approach for patients with toxic epidermal necrolysis more
How mental states impact gut health

How mental states impact gut health

September 19, 2024
Immunobiology Medicine Microbiology (B&M)
A circuit between the brain and gut influences the gut flora and thus regulates the immune system more
Two people stand to the left of an experimental setup, a rod attached to a carousel-like device

Artificial muscles propel a robotic leg to walk and jump

September 10, 2024
Artificial Intelligence Robotics
The newly developed robotic leg is inspired by living creatures and jumps over different terrains much more manoeuvrable and energy-efficiently than previous robots more
Net effects of human-made nitrogen attenuate global warming

Net effects of human-made nitrogen attenuate global warming

An assessment of the climate effects of nitrogen emissions from fertilisers and fossil fuels more
This picture, taken from a bridge over a motorway, shows heavy traffic with many lorries jammed on the two lanes in the direction of the camera. In the opposite direction, a few lorries and cars can be seen driving. A road bridge crosses the motorway a short distance away.

Clean fuel for climate-neutral truck traffic

August 08, 2024
Climate Energy
HyFiT fuels can reduce the carbon footprint of heavy goods transport and cut harmful emissions more
A sumatran orangutan with a wound on his face

Orangutan treats wound with pain-relieving plant

May 02, 2024
Behavioral Biology
Researchers observe a wild orangutan applying a plant with known medicinal properties to a wound, a first for a wild animal more
Beethoven with a DNA strand in the background

Was Beethoven unmusical?

April 10, 2024
Cultural Studies Genetics
An analysis of the famous composer's genetic make-up has revealed that DNA data has so far been too imprecise in capturing a person's abilities more
a big family sitting together and enjoying an afternoon

Families will change dramatically

January 08, 2024
Ageing Social Sciences
Recent study shows evolution of kinship structures through 2100 more

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