The Magazine of the Austrian Science Fund FWF • 22nd June 2023

How our concept of economics hinders societal transformation

Conventional ideas of how the economy works are deeply embedded in universities, everyday life and politics. They are counterproductive for bringing about the transformation necessitated by the climate crisis. Stephan Pühringer has set out to change this.

The Magazine of the Austrian Science Fund FWF • 22nd June 2023

Understanding how aquatic microbes affect climate change

Microorganisms in aquatic ecosystems continuously produce methane, and consume it again. The Barbara Bayer wants to find out how the overfertilization of lakes and oceans influences the natural methane cycle.

The Magazine of the Austrian Science Fund FWF • 2nd May 2023

Pointy water gatherers

Cactus spines harvest drops of dew and mist from the air. What can we learn from them in times of climate crisis and water scarcity?

The Magazine of the Austrian Science Fund FWF • 20th March 2023

What ultrasound can tell us about the forest

Forests are being challenged by the impact of the climate crisis. How do beech and spruce trees cope with the increasing severity and frequency of droughts? Biologist Barbara Beikircher is using ultrasound to find out.

The Magazine of the Austrian Science Fund FWF • 13th February 2023

Biodiversity as a barrier

European research groups are investigating how antibiotic resistance genes spread in rivers and soils. Initial results confirm their hypothesis: the healthier the natural environment, the less resistance one finds.

The Magazine of the Austrian Science Fund FWF • 5th December 2022

The pitfalls of “vulnerability”

Political scientist Monika Mayrhofer explores who is meant by “vulnerable” in the context of human rights and the climate crisis, and shows what risks this attribution entails.

The Magazine of the Austrian Science Fund FWF • 26th September 2022

How data is changing our cities

"IT companies have immense knowledge about urban mobility," says Peter Mörtenböck. The architect draws attention to the dark side of "smart cities" and the digitalised urban world.

The Magazine of the Austrian Science Fund FWF • 12th September 2022

What biofictions tell us about gender

English literary scholar Julia Lajta-Novak investigates novels and films about historical women artists and reveals the underlying gender stereotypes.

The Magazine of the Austrian Science Fund FWF • 22nd June 2022

How do humans impact animals’ search for food?

Petra Sumasgutner studies how short-eared owls and common ravens are impacted by human intrusions when foraging, and what the consequences are. She also uses machine learning in her research.

The Magazine of the Austrian Science Fund FWF • 22nd June 2022

A diary opens up a new world

Greek and Latin philologist William Barton is using artificial intelligence to decipher the diary of Hellenist Charles-Benoît Hase, written in Ancient Greek and long thought to have been lost.