http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Sat, 25 May 2013 05:07:14 +0200 Sat, 25 May 2013 05:07:14 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/volcano-experts-puzzled-by-recent-burst-in-mount-etna-activity-a-901492.html#ref=rss Mount Etna is spitting lava more violently than it has in years, and scientists are baffled as to why. Despite being the world's most-studied volcano, the Sicilian mountain is also its most unpredictable. Fri, 24 May 2013 10:22:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/volcano-experts-puzzled-by-recent-burst-in-mount-etna-activity-a-901492.html Mount Etna is spitting lava more violently than it has in years, and scientists are baffled as to why. Despite being the world's most-studied volcano, the Sicilian mountain is also its most unpredictable.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/new-sahara-research-the-lakes-of-ounianga-a-900518.html#ref=rss A marvel of nature, the lakes of Ounianga in the Sahara Desert have lasted thousands of years and withstood dramatic climate change. Now, a German geologist has analyzed lakebed sediments to shed light on a spectacular chapter in human history. Tue, 21 May 2013 18:32:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/new-sahara-research-the-lakes-of-ounianga-a-900518.html A marvel of nature, the lakes of Ounianga in the Sahara Desert have lasted thousands of years and withstood dramatic climate change. Now, a German geologist has analyzed lakebed sediments to shed light on a spectacular chapter in human history.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berlin-researcher-discovers-new-dinosaur-species-a-901005.html#ref=rss Dinosaurs used to be found most often in clay or tar pits. But a scientist in Berlin has found a more mundane and unexpected site for the finding of a previously unknown breed of plesiosaur: a museum drawer. Tue, 21 May 2013 14:11:22 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berlin-researcher-discovers-new-dinosaur-species-a-901005.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/stephen-wolfram-analyses-personal-facebook-data-a-896981.html#ref=rss British scientist Stephen Wolfram has already developed two highly influential computational systems: Mathematica, an algebraic software program, and the popular search engine Wolfram Alpha. Now he's taking on Facebook's treasure trove of data, with results that would interest Mark Zuckerberg. Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:32:17 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/stephen-wolfram-analyses-personal-facebook-data-a-896981.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/fbi-has-encrypted-recipe-for-deadly-poison-ricin-on-website-a-894981.html#ref=rss The US Capitol was put on high alert after a letter to a senator was found to contain the deadly poison ricin. Days later a German cryptology enthusiast discovered something surprising: The FBI has lightly encrypted instructions on how to make ricin on its website. Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:09:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/fbi-has-encrypted-recipe-for-deadly-poison-ricin-on-website-a-894981.html The US Capitol was put on high alert after a letter to a senator was found to contain the deadly poison ricin. Days later a German cryptology enthusiast discovered something surprising: The FBI has lightly encrypted instructions on how to make ricin on its website.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/germany-sees-rising-interest-in-execution-site-archaeology-a-893747.html#ref=rss For years, few were interested in unearthing what lay beneath old gallows and scaffolds. But, in Germany, growing interest in "execution site archaeology" is throwing much light on how the executed died and the executors lived. Fri, 12 Apr 2013 16:15:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/germany-sees-rising-interest-in-execution-site-archaeology-a-893747.html For years, few were interested in unearthing what lay beneath old gallows and scaffolds. But, in Germany, growing interest in "execution site archaeology" is throwing much light on how the executed died and the executors lived.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/scientists-aim-to-bring-the-passenger-pigeon-back-from-extinction-a-893744.html#ref=rss The world has been without passenger pigeons since 1914. Now, scientists want to bring them back. Geneticist Ben Novak has embarked on the project and has begun collecting passenger pigeon DNA from natural history museums. His "de-extinction" efforts are not without critics. Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:13:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/scientists-aim-to-bring-the-passenger-pigeon-back-from-extinction-a-893744.html The world has been without passenger pigeons since 1914. Now, scientists want to bring them back. Geneticist Ben Novak has embarked on the project and has begun collecting passenger pigeon DNA from natural history museums. His "de-extinction" efforts are not without critics.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/researchers-launch-trials-with-non-embryonic-stem-cells-a-892475.html#ref=rss Ethical worries have slowed medical research into applications for stem cells. But scientists like Robert Lanza have developed less controversial ways to derive stem cells from normal body cells rather than embryos and are already launching the first clinical trials. Fri, 05 Apr 2013 16:58:12 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/researchers-launch-trials-with-non-embryonic-stem-cells-a-892475.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/santander-a-digital-smart-city-prototype-in-spain-a-888480.html#ref=rss Cities around the world aim to become "smart cities," but in Santander, Spain, the goal has already become a reality. Thousands of sensors help alert residents to traffic jams, regulate the watering in city parks and dim the street lamps. Thu, 14 Mar 2013 16:28:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/santander-a-digital-smart-city-prototype-in-spain-a-888480.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/planck-satellite-data-provides-baby-photo-of-the-universe-a-888355.html#ref=rss Europe's "Planck" research satellite has measured the residual radiation from the big bang with greater precision than ever before. The goal of the mission is to solve the mystery of whether the universe truly arose out of nothing. Wed, 13 Mar 2013 17:06:43 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/planck-satellite-data-provides-baby-photo-of-the-universe-a-888355.html Europe's "Planck" research satellite has measured the residual radiation from the big bang with greater precision than ever before. The goal of the mission is to solve the mystery of whether the universe truly arose out of nothing.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/spiegel-interview-with-edward-wilson-on-the-formation-of-morals-a-884767.html#ref=rss American sociobiologist Edward O. Wilson is championing a controversial new approach for explaining the origins of virtue and sin. In an interview, the world-famous ant reseacher explains why he believes the inner struggle is the characteristic trait of human nature. Tue, 26 Feb 2013 13:23:21 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/spiegel-interview-with-edward-wilson-on-the-formation-of-morals-a-884767.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/new-science-research-shows-dangerous-carbon-lurking-in-permafrost-a-885052.html#ref=rss Research published Thursday in the journal <i>Science</i> says that even slightly warmer temperatures could start melting permafrost, which in turn threatens to trigger the release of huge amounts of greenhouse gases trapped in ice. Fri, 22 Feb 2013 18:21:21 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/new-science-research-shows-dangerous-carbon-lurking-in-permafrost-a-885052.html Science says that even slightly warmer temperatures could start melting permafrost, which in turn threatens to trigger the release of huge amounts of greenhouse gases trapped in ice.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/killer-cats-threaten-the-world-s-endangered-species-a-881978.html#ref=rss The house cat -- that cute, furry feline beloved the world over -- is also one of the world's most destructive predators, killing for kicks and hunting rare species into extinction. Cats thrive because people protect them -- but should they? Fri, 08 Feb 2013 13:01:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/killer-cats-threaten-the-world-s-endangered-species-a-881978.html The house cat -- that cute, furry feline beloved the world over -- is also one of the world's most destructive predators, killing for kicks and hunting rare species into extinction. Cats thrive because people protect them -- but should they?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/george-church-explains-how-dna-will-be-construction-material-of-the-future-a-877634.html#ref=rss In a SPIEGEL interview, synthetic biology expert George Church of Harvard University explains how DNA will become the building material of the future -- one that can help create virus-resistant human beings and possibly bring back lost species like the Neanderthal. Fri, 18 Jan 2013 19:41:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/george-church-explains-how-dna-will-be-construction-material-of-the-future-a-877634.html In a SPIEGEL interview, synthetic biology expert George Church of Harvard University explains how DNA will become the building material of the future -- one that can help create virus-resistant human beings and possibly bring back lost species like the Neanderthal.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/rapid-expansion-of-wels-catfish-causing-takeover-of-german-rivers-a-878417.html#ref=rss The enormous wels catfish is rapidly expanding in German waters. The fish can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh over 300 pounds, making recreational fishermen excited about the prospects of catching one. While biologists aren't yet calling the fish pests, they are puzzled by the boom. Fri, 18 Jan 2013 18:42:02 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/rapid-expansion-of-wels-catfish-causing-takeover-of-german-rivers-a-878417.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/project-plans-to-pump-oxygen-into-baltic-sea-using-wind-mills-a-876439.html#ref=rss Polluted and virtually cut off from the restorative flow of other bodies of water, Europe's Baltic Sea is slowly running out of oxygen. But one scientist hopes to artificially oxygenate it with pumps. Critics worry there could be unforeseen consequences. Wed, 09 Jan 2013 12:01:54 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/project-plans-to-pump-oxygen-into-baltic-sea-using-wind-mills-a-876439.html Polluted and virtually cut off from the restorative flow of other bodies of water, Europe's Baltic Sea is slowly running out of oxygen. But one scientist hopes to artificially oxygenate it with pumps. Critics worry there could be unforeseen consequences. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/3d-printing-technology-poised-for-new-industrial-revolution-a-874833.html#ref=rss 3-D printing technology, used industrially for the last few decades, is poised to break into the mass market. Its endless and swiftly developing possibilities -- from entrepreneurial manufacturing to the potential sculpting of human organs -- could become the next industrial revolution. Fri, 04 Jan 2013 18:05:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/3d-printing-technology-poised-for-new-industrial-revolution-a-874833.html 3-D printing technology, used industrially for the last few decades, is poised to break into the mass market. Its endless and swiftly developing possibilities -- from entrepreneurial manufacturing to the potential sculpting of human organs -- could become the next industrial revolution. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/new-virtual-autopsy-procedure-is-changing-forensics-a-875657.html#ref=rss It used to be that the cause of death could only be determined by cutting a corpse open. But a new, virtual procedure developed by Swiss researchers is providing new insights into dead bodies. It could help identify previously undiscovered murders. Fri, 04 Jan 2013 17:08:11 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/new-virtual-autopsy-procedure-is-changing-forensics-a-875657.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/suprise-whale-sightings-in-norway-bring-hobby-photographer-recognition-a-874312.html#ref=rss Amateur photographer Espen Bergersen's career took a serendipitous turn when he spotted an unusual winter appearance of whales near his hometown in northern Norway. His spectacular images, marked by eerie polar light, were made possible by the changing migratory patterns of fish. Fri, 21 Dec 2012 13:43:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/suprise-whale-sightings-in-norway-bring-hobby-photographer-recognition-a-874312.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/exhibition-shows-how-plastic-is-choking-the-ocean-a-873890.html#ref=rss A new exhibition in Hamburg seeks to alert people to the dangers of the plastic in our daily lives, painting a stark picture of how it accumulates in the world's oceans. It reveals how plastic particles can enter into the food chain and return to us through our dinner plates. Wed, 19 Dec 2012 18:56:01 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/exhibition-shows-how-plastic-is-choking-the-ocean-a-873890.html