News from science

Articles and Interviews

Her future had been decided for her: the man she was supposed to marry, her role as a housewife, a life dictated by the rules of her caste. But then Geetha Thangavelu discovered her love of mathematics and everything changed. The story of a career swimming against the tide and against all expectations.

Opportunities with Obstacles

What challenges do young researchers face today?

Internationalisation, globalisation, flexibility – these are all terms that encapsulate the new academic landscape. Researchers nowadays come from all over the world and go all over the world. Never was there a generation that enjoyed such opportunities – and was subject to similar pressure.

Taking a look at unknown worlds

The European XFEL x-ray laser

Germany recently became home to the world's largest x-ray laser, the European XFEL. The x-ray flashes generated in the 3.4 km long system of underground tunnels allow the tiniest particles and extremely fast processes to be studied with an unprecedented level of precision.