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A scientist at the German Aerospace Center DLR in Cologne
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Sights Set on Society
How do modern societies solve their problems? What part does the state play in this? These and similar issues are dealt with by researchers at the Max-Planck Institute for the Study of Societies. Though basic research is an important focus at the institute, the researchers are equally concerned with practical application. Their goal: A theory about steering societal development set against a background of globalization both in the economy and politics.
A series of interesting projects are included in the institute’s program. For example, the role of the internet and the question of how the global network finds its way between the state and the market economy. The researchers in Cologne are also working on the issue of migration and the problems of transnational social politics. They investigate the economic development of individual nations with special emphasis on the advancements in European integration. The researchers agree that international co-operation is especially important because different cultures broaden horizons – in research, too.
A peep into the brain
A stroke is often painless, and not everyone notices it – a fact that often has grave consequences. That’s because it’s usually in the hours immediately following the stroke that doctors can best help. At the Max Planck Institute for Neurological Research, the stroke is the focus of research. Researchers are especially concerned with the question of what happens when a stroke leads to the dying of cells. They hope that studies on animal brains can shed some light.
In an effort to reduce consequential damage, the scientists are looking for new possibilities of therapy. The most important thing is that the brain needs blood. That’s why vessel clots have to be quickly eliminated after the stroke. Researchers also want to re-active the brain tissue with the help of stem cell research. At the same time the institute also deals with other afflictions such as Alzheimer’s, epilepsy and brain tumors. Scientists, interested in contacts with patients, work closely together with the university clinic for neurology.
Gazing up at the stars
Want to reach a space station via a radio? That should be no problem at the German Aerospace Center DLR. After all, there’s telescience here – a method with the help of which researchers can contact laboratories in space. Researchers at DLR also explore faraway planets and experiment with gravity. They take part in flights in outer space and are dedicated to environmental protection. That’s because only the universe promises a boundless view of the ozone hole and the greenhouse effect.
But it’s not just space that dominates here at DLR. Researchers also deal with space travel and are involved in improving airplane propulsion to reduce the emission of harmful gases and to improve the performance of the planes.
In the department for energy technology, scientists develop solar power plants. The aim is not just to make air traffic environmentally friendlier, but also electricity consumption.
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Alina Paluch from Poland studies art Cologne's Academy of Media Arts. (German)
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