scilog - The FWF Science Magazine • 26th May 2025

The darker the glaciers, the greater the melting

The reflection of sunlight plays an important role in the melting of glaciers. A research project is investigating how a combination of data can measure glacier melt as accurately as possible, thereby facilitating predictions about the future of the “white giants”.

scilog - The FWF Science Magazine • 12th May 2025

Social media triggers self-harming behavior in children and adolescents

Many young people hurt themselves deliberately. As new research shows, images on social media can reinforce the urge to self-harm. These findings may serve as a basis for targeted treatment.

scilog - The FWF Science Magazine • 19th March 2025

More biodiversity for Europe's forests

A research project is identifying ways to achieve biodiverse forests in Europe. Complex, data-based analyses are helping to achieve this goal.

scilog - The FWF Science Magazine • 4th November 2024

The unknown climate factor from the permafrost

Ecologist Christina Biasi is exploring the conditions under which tiny organisms contribute to permafrost soils emitting nitrous oxide. Her research could be essential for the development of future climate scenarios.

ECH • 23rd October 2024

Our Climate - a Cultural-Historical View

Literature cannot stop climate change, says Eva Horn, a literary and cultural studies scholar. Yet, it can teach us much about how climate has always shaped human perception. We talked to her about insights from a humanities perspective.

scilog - The FWF Science Magazine • 22nd July 2024

Hunters, gatherers and the constantly changing environment

Archaeologists are analyzing stone tools from a site in Lower Austria with the aim of understanding the strategies that Paleolithic hunter-gatherer communities employed to deal with changes in the climate.

scilog - The FWF Science Magazine • 7th May 2024

Is digitalization helping to make the welfare state fairer?

Doris Allhutter is investigating the use of technical systems in the distribution of social benefits. Her research question is: will AI and data lead to a fairer society – or only to greater efficiency?

EUobserver • 2nd May 2024

How the EU is challenging Porsche’s expansion plans in Italy

The European Commission raises questions about a plan by German car manufacturer Porsche to expand its track testing centre in Apulia, Italy, as the project threatens protected natural sites.

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.