News

Four introduced species of leafhoppers newly discovered in the Botanical Garden Graz

They have travelled to Europe as stowaways via international trade and are now rapidly taking over large parts of the continent: more and more insects from other parts of the world are becoming established here. Biologist Gernot Kunz recently discovered four species for the first time at the University of Graz Botanical Garden: the American grapevine leafhopper (Scaphoideus titanus), the wounded leafhopper from North America (Erasmoneura vulnerata) and the Japanese grape leafhopper (Arboridia kakogawana) – all three specialising in vines – as well as the Indian leafhopper Pediopsoides sharmai, which is associated with walnut trees.

Chemical crash: Researchers at the University of Graz are investigating the reactions in detail for the first time

Matthew Timm and Leonhard Grill have, for the first time, succeeded in unravelling how fundamental chemical processes take place and how new molecules are formed. The findings of this study have just been published in the journal Science.

"Mathematics explains the world"

How can life be quantified? And what can science reveal that remains hidden from the naked eye? The 14th European Conference on Mathematical and Theoretical Biology at the University of Graz is dedicated to these questions. From 13 to 17 July, around 1,300 researchers from all over the world will gather on campus to discuss models, biological processes and the future of data-driven medicine. Klemens Fellner, Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and a mathematician, talks about the language that explains the world

Desert sand, microplastics, cancer cells: David Clases awarded ERC grant for analytical method

Nanoparticles trapped in polar ice can reveal a great deal about the climate 100,000 years ago. Chemist David Clases is developing unique methods to analyse them in detail. He will now adapt these methods for use with larger particles in order to glean even more information about Earth’s history. The method can be used for a wide range of other purposes – for example, in medical diagnostics or the investigation of environmental pollution. Clases has been awarded a Proof-of-Concept Grant by the European Research Council (ERC) for this work.

Getting even hotter: Researchers predict global warming of 1.7 degrees by 2027

While Europe is currently sweltering in the heat, global temperatures are also rising towards concerning record levels. In 2026, Earth’s surface air temperature is expected to reach 1.62 degrees, and in 2027 even 1.71 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The long-term temperature rise – an average over a 20-year period – is predicted to exceed the 1.5-degree threshold of the Paris Agreement as of 2026 already. For the first time, researchers at the University of Graz have been able to make such a forecast so far in advance. The intensifying El Niño climate event favors forecast skill and thereby facilitates a reliable computation.

More body awareness than a culture war

In Italy, sex education lessons will in future only be permitted with parental consent, and will be banned entirely in nurseries and primary schools. At the same time, Pride Month highlights why knowledge about the body, relationships, boundaries and diversity is important for young people. A study by the University of Graz shows how important knowledge about the body, contraception, relationship skills and protection against violence is

Survival strategies: How plants respond to drought

According to Geosphere Austria, this spring was the driest in Austria since records began around 170 years ago. The low rainfall put particular pressure on the agricultural sector. And climate change is set to make the situation even worse in the coming decades. We asked Johannes Liesche, a professor at the Department of Biology at the University of Graz, how plants react to water shortages and how they survive periods of drought.

Noise is the signal: new simulation method enables secure communication

Researchers from Graz, Vienna and Munich have developed a new simulation method that makes it possible to calculate quantum light using classical software – a step towards secure quantum communication.

More news

From one to many: Uni Graz researchers identify a mechanism for the origin of species

When a habitat changes, animals, plants and even humans must adapt to the new environmental conditions. Those who manage this fastest and best will…

Building biological bridges: Chemist discovers an ecological tool for the pharmaceutical industry

Building a relationship on a solid foundation is also important in chemistry. To produce medicines, disinfectants or plant protection products, stable…

Interpreting data: Why studies sometimes get it wrong

Hilmar Brohmer and Ziva Korda from the Institute of Psychology, together with 500 international colleagues, have re-evaluated a hundred scientific…

Achieving climate goals: Researchers highlight need for fair country shares in CO2

As the war in the Middle East is currently reminding us once again, many countries around the world are heavily reliant on oil and gas. Lax climate…

Sustainable reforestation: Researchers identify key factors for successful restoration

Natural forests are not only valuable for CO₂ storage, but also reservoirs of biodiversity. For this reason, areas that are no longer used for…

The dark side of life: new method developed to identify soil organisms

A large number of soil animals are smaller than one millimetre and are therefore difficult to study scientifically. Biologists from the University of…

On the trail of the Big Bang: University of Graz receives 1.5 million euros for doctoral programmes

The Austrian Science Fund FWF has selected the Doctoral Programme in Theoretical Particle Physics at the University of Graz for funding from the…

Teamwork: 100 pupils take part in maths competition at the University of Graz

Four clever guts per group, increasingly tricky tasks, 120 minutes: these were the requirements for the international maths competition Náboj junior,…