News

Quick, concise, clear: doctoral students present research in 3 Minute Thesis Competition

The Three Minute Thesis Competition (3MT) presents doctoral students with a challenge that they are not usually faced with in research: to keep it very short, reduce it to the essentials and present it in a simplified, generally understandable way. They have three minutes to present the topic of their dissertation, a single PowerPoint slide is allowed, creativity is desired and English is required as the language of presentation. On 14 March 2025, nine doctoral students took to the stage at the Literaturhaus Graz for the competition organised by the Doctoral Academy.

Sensitive and strong: physicists at the University of Graz create basis for new sensors

Sensors play a crucial role in all areas of modern technology. The more precisely they respond to the smallest changes, the higher the quality and performance of an application – whether in devices for facial recognition at the airport or for detection of viruses. Researchers in the field of nanooptics at the University of Graz have now found a solution for further optimising sensors. The current study was published in the renowned scientific journal Physical Review Letters.

Doctorate sub auspiciis: Researchers from the University of Graz and TU Graz honoured

Six researchers from Graz have been awarded doctorates "sub auspiciis Praesidentis rei publicae" this year: Computer scientists Barbara Gigerl, Andrea Pferscher and Fikret Bašić (all TU Graz), mathematicians Andreas Habring (Uni Graz) and Reinhard Lüftenegger (TU Graz) and chemist Andreas Windischbacher (Uni Graz) were honoured on Friday, 14 March 2025 for their outstanding achievements at school and university, including their doctorates. An honour that only very few graduates of Austrian universities receive. On behalf of the Federal President, University of Graz Rector Peter Riedler and TU Graz Rector Horst Bischof performed the graduation ceremony in the auditorium of the Old University of Graz. Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen will personally present the doctoral candidates with the Ring of Honour with the Federal Eagle of the Republic of Austria in the Vienna Hofburg on 17 March.

Brain teasers: Almost 300 students at the Maths Mixed Doubles at the University of Graz

The University of Graz and the Styrian Department of Education jointly organised a maths competition for ten to twelve-year-olds. The final on 25 February 2025 for the fifth grade was won by Musikmittelschule Weiz, while MS/BG/BRG Klusemannstraße from Graz came out on top in the sixth grade.

What makes cancer cells weak: a new approach in the fight against therapy resistance

One particular challenge in the treatment of cancer is therapy resistance. An international research team has now discovered a mechanism that opens up new treatment strategies for tumours in which conventional chemotherapeutic agents have reached their limits. "Cytotoxic agents from nature lead to an increased incorporation of polyunsaturated fatty acids into the membrane of cancer cells. This makes them more susceptible to ferroptosis, a type of cell death, at a very early stage," reports Andreas Koeberle, a pharmacist at the University of Graz and lead author of the study, which has just been published in the scientific journal Nature Communications.

True crime: psychologist identifies reasons for the fascination of the genre

True crime documentaries, series and podcasts about real crimes have many fans. What is it that makes this genre so fascinating? Is it the insights into the dark side of the human psyche or into meticulous investigations? Or is it that dealing with crime trains our ability to cope with fear? These and other questions are being asked by psychologist Corinna Perchtold-Stefan in a research project. The first results are already available.

Circular Bioengineering: FWF Cluster of Excellence aims to revolutionise the product cycle

Take a renewable raw material from nature – wood, for example – break it down into its building blocks and use them to create a functional material, such as a water-repellent surface coating, with the help of green chemistry. Once this has served its purpose, break it down again into its chemical components and use them to build something new. This idea is set to revolutionise the production and life cycle of materials and goods. The Cluster of Excellence "Circular Bioengineering", funded by the Austrian Science Fund FWF, is researching how to produce products from biomass, develop sustainable methods for the production process, and open options for returning products that have reached the end of their lifetime back into a cycle. The University of Graz is a partner in this Cluster of Excellence, for which the FWF is providing 18 million euros. Including its own funds, the total volume of the project is 27 million euros. The lead is with the BOKU University in Vienna.

New network for nanostructures

The Austrian Science Fund FWF is funding the Graz research group "Molecule arrangement through artificial intelligence" with 1.19 million euros. Leonhard Grill is part of the team.

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