Members of "Tri-Sustaine" during their first workshop in Tanzania — © Norbert Arnold

04.12.2017 in Science, Research, International News

Project on medicinal plants in Africa: first workshop in Tanzania

Approximately 80 per cent of African residents seek out traditional medical professionals in case of illnesses. The healers often use medicinal plants that they have collected for treatment. Evaluating the pharmaceutical potential of those plants is the main objective of the international research project “Tri-Susain”, led by Martin Luther University. The first workshop of the project took place in November in Bagamoyo, Tanzania. Dr Lucie Moeller from the University of Halle reports about the event. Read more

12.10.2017 in Science, Context

Positive psychology

Anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorders are major themes of traditional psychology. Happiness and playfulness are seldom discussed. Positive psychology, which has gained a lot of attention in recent years, looks at precisely these aspects. Psychologist Dr René Proyer explains why. Read more

IPBES develops first global biodiversity assessment. — © Chinnapong/Fotolia

10.10.2017 in Science, Research, Knowledge Transfer

World biodiversity council: Researchers from Central Germany actively involved

Every year, many animal and plant species all over the world become extinct. As yet, we know very little about the exact extent, the reasons for this and the consequences for the ecosystems, humankind and the world. Within the scope of the world biodiversity council IPBES, researchers from all over the world are working on a first global assessment and solutions for stopping this biodiversity loss. Many researchers of Martin Luther University are actively involved with this international platform. Read more

Courtyard of the former Leucorea University in Wittenberg — © Manuela Bank-Zillmann

23.03.2017 in Featured, Science, Research

Luther’s Leucorea: Research in Wittenberg

Where Martin Luther once taught in Wittenberg, researchers today are working together on an interdisciplinary basis to study the history and effects of the Reformation. Two research projects, funded by the State of Saxony-Anhalt, are examining these topics at the Leucorea Foundation at the University of Halle. Read more

Burkhard Schnepel erforscht das Gebiet des Indischen Ozeans. — © Michael Deutsch

14.03.2017 in Research, Science

Indian Ocean Studies: ideas that travel

Globalisation isn’t new. It effectively started in the 16th century. Back then, sailors navigated the Indian Ocean and the world’s other seas. This was accompanied by active trading: traders brought with them goods, languages and ideas. All of these influences are examined today as part of the study programme “Indian Ocean Studies” and represent some of the aspects social anthropologist Professor Burkhard Schnepel is investigating. He has created a unique network in Halle in partnership with the Max Plank Institute for Social Anthropology. Read more

Many bacteria that live in and on the human body have yet to be identified. — © Colourbox.com

08.03.2017 in Science, Context

Context: The Microbiome

Every human being shares his or her body with a countless number of tiny organisms, for example, bacteria. Up until a few years ago their significance was unrecognised. Today we know that bacteria can significantly impact a person’s health and even their behaviour. Gary Sawers, a professor of microbiology, explains why. Read more

Manja Hussner, Christian Tietje and prorector Elchin A. Khalafov of the Baku State University — © privat

02.01.2017 in Research, Science

New cooperation project between the University of Halle and Azerbaijan

How does a country successfully navigate the transition from a planned economy to a global market economy? What does such a profound transformation mean for the country’s legal system? A new research unit at the Institute of Business Law and Economic Law at the University of Halle will be working on these questions starting in 2017. The Volkswagen Foundation is providing 560,000 euros in support of the project on the legal transformation in Azerbaijan, which also aims to modernise teaching and research activities in the country. Read more

Hans Adler and Elisabeth Décultot are working on a complete edition of Sulzer’s writings. — © Markus Scholz

05.12.2016 in Research, Science

Sulzer – the unknown philosopher

At present, it’s hard to get hold of the writings of Swiss philosopher of the Enlightenment Johann Georg Sulzer or find much literature about his work. This is set to change in the coming years: Humboldt Research Award winner Professor Hans Adler from the University of Wisconsin–Madison is planning a complete edition of the works and letters of Sulzer together with Halle’s Humboldt Professor Elisabeth Décultot. Read more

Soil scientists travel to the remote Bale Mountains to conduct research. — © Indrik Myneur / CC 2.0 BY

13.10.2016 in Featured, Research, Science

Ice age in Ethiopia: refuge in the mountains?

Did the people in Ethiopia take refuge in the mountains during the last great ice age 16,000 years ago? An international team of soil scientists, archaeologists and biologists are conducting research on this as part of a new project entitled “The Mountain Exile Hypothesis”. To do this, soil scientists from Halle will be traveling to the remote Sanetti Plateau to examine the soil there and use modern biogeochemical methods to look for traces of mankind that are thousands of years old. Read more