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The European Research Council (ERC) funds YIN member Frank Biedermann (left) and YIN alumnus Christian Greiner (right) with a "Proof of Concept" grant for medical diagnostics and materials development. The funding supports projects that aim to translate basic research into practical applications. Over the next 18 months, 150,000 euros will be provided for each project. Both researchers have received an ERC Consolidator Grant during their time at YIN. Frank Biedermann received the grant in 2022 for his research into biosensors and Christian Greiner in 2017 for his investigation into the frictional behavior of metals.

doi.org/10.1007/s10342-025-01842-w

Old-growth forests are late-successional ecosystems characterized by large trees, multi-layered canopies, abundant deadwood, and natural regeneration. They store carbon over centuries, regulate hydrological cycles, and maintain biodiversity. The European Journal of Forest Research now published a study showing that tree-related microhabitats are sensitive, early indicators of biodiversity, forest maturity and resilience. Their richness and abundance is strongly influenced by canopy structure and tree diameter. YIN supported the collaboration of first author Radhika Sood and Somidh Saha with a Networking Grant.

Tuule Müürsepp, ETH Zürich

Hurricane-like winter storms develop from the North Atlantic to Western Europe, causing millions of euros worth of damage and endangering people's lives. "Accurately predicting the location, timing and intensity of such extreme weather events has so far been a challenge," says Annika Oertel. Many of the physical processes take place over the Atlantic – an area that regular observation systems do not cover adequately. The large-scale NAWDIC measurement campaign will now use airborne and ground-based observations of the atmosphere to help improve weather forecasts and climate models.