Leopoldina News 6|2018

Leopoldina news 6|2018

Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina – German National Academy of Sciences

Halle (Saale), 6 December 2018

Following in Alexander von Humboldt’s footsteps

STATEMENT P 3 CLASS IV P 5 WORKSHOP P 9

Privacy in times of New members receive Academies advise on digitalisation certificates sustainability Ensuring the protection of Lecture on Empress Maria Support for the United individuals Theresa of Austria Nations’ objectives 06|2018 // LEOPOLDINA NEWS 2 Editorial

Dear Members and Friends of the Leopoldina, Fighting the extinction of biological

The diversi- species with immediate action ty of plant and animal species Academies present short statement on biodiversity present in agricultural areas in Germany has decreased dra- matically in the past 25 years. This observation served as a spring- board for the short statement “Species decline in the agricultural landscape: What do we know and what can we do?”, a joint publication by the Leopoldina, the Union of the German Academies of Sciences and Humanities and acatech on 24 Octo- ber (see accompanying text), which recommends immediate action for species conservation. Because biodiversity is important An ever increasing number of butterfly species are going extinct. Likewise, the biodiversity of these for ecosystems and agriculture, and insects is decreasing in agricultural landscapes just like that of plants, birds and mammals. species diversity also speaks to most Graphic: Sisters of Design people’s hearts. There have been a lot of discussions The diversity of animal and plant spe- exhaustive use of plant protection pro- and a host of publications in the cies in Germany has been continuously ducts, overfertilisation, and the decline past months about species loss, co- decreasing for years now, particularly of structural diversity which goes hand in lony collapse disorder, monocultu- in the agricultural landscape. Under the hand with the decline of biodiversity. res and plant protection products. In direction of Prof. Dr. Kathrin Böhning- The academy’s recommendations the spring, the Leopoldina also spoke Gaese ML, Prof. Dr. Alexandra-Maria were presented to the public in Berlin on out about the use of plant protection Klein and Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Wägele, 24 October. Experts see a particular need products in its discussion paper “The the academy working group “Biodi- for action in agricultural policy on the Eu- Silent Spring”. So why are we publi- versity in Agricultural Landscape” ropean level and in Germany. Biodiversi- shing yet another paper, one which is released the statement “Species decline ty-friendly cultivation – a central demand currently being developed by the aca- in the agricultural landscape: What do – has to be profitable for farmers. The demy working group Biodiversity for a we know and what can we do?” It also upcoming reform of the European Com- more detailed statement? entered into discussions with represen- mon Agricultural Policy should be used to Because the time left for slowing tatives from the political and agricultu- provide more funding for protecting bio- down the extinction of biological spe- ral sectors. diversity. cies is quickly running out. And be- In the discussion, Hubertus Paetow, cause a societal discussion on such Biodiversity in Germany is not officially President of the German Agricultural So- topics only really takes off once vari- monitored on a national level. Thus, the ciety (DLG) emphasized his association’s ous players are vocal about them. The survey of the state of biodiversity in Ger- recognition of the need for action and ex- Leopoldina’s members and our part- many has been compiled from many dif- pressed its support of the recommenda- ner academies will continue to keep ferent sources using differing standards tions. Dr. Elsa Nickel, Head of the Direc- the conversation about biodiversity and methods. According to the statement, torate-General Nature Conservation and going. For that, they have my since- a massive decline in number of species in Sustainable Use of Natural Resources at rest thanks. May they be heard! Germany and Europe as a whole over the the German Federal Ministry for the En- past 25 years is clearly evident. For ex- vironment, Nature Conservation and Nuc- Please enjoy reading this exciting ample, since 1990, more than 30 percent lear Safety (BMUB), referenced a study of issue. of agricultural landscape birds have been the Soest district that showed more than lost and in the same timeframe, the but- 200 hectares of land under public owner- terfly population has decreased by nearly ship being used for agriculture. She is cal- half. ling for such areas to be used for biodiver- The causes for this decline are mani- sity conservation and wildlife corridors. fold, including the increase in the cultiva- (ca) tion of arable land, the precautionary and STATEMENT SPECIES REDUCTION (GER) 06|2018 // LEOPOLDINA NEWS 3

Taking advantage – protecting privacy Academies present potential actions for protecting data in the age of digitalisation

In the past few years, digitalisation has continued to permeate nearly all branches of society and has contributed to significant improvements along the way, including simplified communica- tion both at work and at home, easier access to information and increased potential for analysing large amounts of data, for instance in the research sector. And these are only three of the many areas of application. However, some non-desirable effects have also become increasingly noticeable – particularly in the realm of privacy, since new technologies frequently subvert data protection measures.

Our right to privacy is rooted in the Uni- versal Declaration of Human Rights as Graphic: Sisters of Design well as in the Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany. After all, having regionally. Rather, they are often available protection and being able to decide for transnationally or globally, posing unique ourselves whom we reveal information to legal challenges. is one of the basic prerequisites of free- Statement “Privacy in the era of dom and a central aspect of a liberal-de- digitalisation” mocratic society. Growing level of risk to individuals' The Leopoldina, the Union of the Ger- privacy man Academies of Sciences and Huma- nities and acatech published a statement Digitalisation comes with an ever gro- on 26 November entitled “Privacy in the wing amount of data being collected and era of digitalisation”, revealing potential processed. By analysing data, particularly technical, legislative and social actions via its interconnectedness with the aid of that could enable us reconcile the benefits machine learning methods, we can recog- of digitalisation with privacy protection. nize correlations that extend well beyond Such actions may include expanding data individuals’ perceptive abilities. However, protection rights and the returning data the growing amounts of data being crea- sovereignty to consumers as well as bet- ted and analysed using digital technolo- ter monitoring algorithms which combine gies also mean a growing level of risk to and analyse data. individuals’ privacy. Furthermore, economic policies need This is exacerbated by a substantial to address issues such as the protection lack of transparency in the use of digital As one of the spokespersons of the working group against oligopolies – a system in which technologies and the management of un- "Big Data – Data protection – Privacy", Klaus- only a few companies dominate the enti- derlying business models. It is generally Robert Müller presented the recent statement of re market. At a more fundamental level not known what data companies gene- the working group about "Privacy in the era of the security of information technology rate, link and forward internally to other digitalisation". Photo: Leopoldina | Johannes Mengel systems does not just constitute the ba- business units or to other companies, or sis of privacy protection, it is also a perti- how machine learning algorithms are de- ent methods for warranting protection nent economic factor for which standards signed. against private companies — the main should be defined. This goes to show that This use of digital technologies brings drivers of digital transformation — must there is a whole array of options available up the fundamental question: To what ex- be ensured. Legislation is compounded for shaping the digital future together. tent can today’s legal regulations maintain by the dissolution of boundaries brought (ew, jm, sw) the current level of privacy protection? In about by new technologies. Digital tech- addition to the protection of individuals nologies, their underlying infrastructures from government authorities, suffici- and the resulting services are not limited STATEMENT PRIVACY (GER) 06|2018 // LEOPOLDINA NEWS 4

Hormone researcher to hold the Timely help for traumatised Leopoldina’s Christmas lecture refugees Jens Claus Brüning receives Carl-Friedrich-von-Weizsäcker-Preis Refugees’ traumatising experiences can At the Leopoldina’s annual be mitigated or avoided altogether. Ef- Christmas lecture on 11 December, fective help for refugees on the basis of Prof. Dr. Jens Claus Brüning ML scientific findings was the topic of the will be honoured with the Carl- event entitled “Traumatised refugees Friedrich-von-Weizsäcker-Preis – immediate response required”, held for his research on the funda- on 5 November at the Berlin-Branden- mentals of obesity and diabetes burg Academy of Sciences and Huma- mellitus. nities (BBAW) in Berlin. It drew on the The prize will be jointly awar- Leopoldina’s and BBAW’s April statement ded by the Donors’ Association of the same name. for the Promotion of Humanities The experiences of violence, life- and Sciences in Germany and the Jens Claus Brüning is receiving the 2018 Carl-Friedrich-von- threatening danger and loss of loved ones Leopoldina. Weizsäcker-Preis. Photo: Erim Giresunlul while fleeing from one’s homeland can lead to a sensation of permanent threat. “Distinguishing Jens Claus Brüning with are responsible for this process.” Using Affected individuals can barely manage this prize means recognising the work of a this knowledge, we can comprehend how everyday situations in Germany: learning scientist who was able to gain vital insight the body signals the energy storage levels the language, managing a job or school, or into the research of the lifestyle-related to the brain and how the brain in turn pro- simply taking the tram can easily become diseases obesity and diabetes,” says Pre- cesses these signals to regulate the feeling absolutely overwhelming tasks. Trauma- sident of the Leopoldina Prof. Dr. Jörg of being hungry as well as the body’s food tic experiences are particularly critical in Hacker ML, stating the grounds on which intake. “We are working on identifying children since many of their brain struc- the physician from Cologne won the prize the nerve cells which react to the body’s tures are still being shaped – often with and the 50,000 euros which come with it. signals and ultimately influence the meta- life-long consequences. Brüning will provide closer insight into bolism,” says Brüning, who has been Di- Prof. Dr. Thomas Elbert ML, speaker his research on neuroendocrinological rector at the Max Planck Institute for Me- of the working group, explained the biolo- foundations of both nutritional and metabolism Research in Cologne since 2011. gy underlying traumatisation and presen- tabolic diseases at the Leopoldina’s an- He is also addressing the question of ted a neurobiological treatment and care nual Christmas lecture. On 11 December, why insulin no longer works as a blood approach. The Director of the Landes- he will be speaking in Halle (Saale) about sugar regulator in overweight patients, weite Koordinierungsstelle Kommunale “The brain’s monitoring of the body’s allowing for the onset of type 2 diabetes. Integrationszentren (State Coordinating energy balance and metabolism”. “We now know that certain fats which ac- Office for Local Integration Centres, LaKI) The 52-year-old hormone researcher cumulate in the liver and muscles of over- in North Rhine-Westphalia Suat Yilmaz explains his approach: “Science has gai- weight patients are resistant to insulin pointed out a critical issue: In states and ned an understanding of the fundamental and lead to diabetes,” Brüning extrapola- municipalities, “traumatisation” is on the biological principle of how the brain regu- tes. Now, certain enzymes are said to have agenda, yet there is a lack of awareness lates body weight and which nerve cells been discovered which have been connec- and personnel to enable the holistic ma- ted to the build-up of these types of fats. nagement of integration. JENS CLAUS BRÜNING “If we are successful in developing specific Moreover, refugees tend to be over- inhibitors, they could serve as a new treat- whelmed by the existing support sys- ... serves as Director at the Max Planck ment approach.” tems, according to Mekonnen Mesghena, Institute for Metabolism Research and Di- Approximately 30 percent of all people Department Head of Migration & Di- rector of the Department of Endocrinolo- in developed countries suffer from obesity versity at the Heinrich Böll Foundation. gy, Diabetology and Preventative Medici- or type 2 diabetes. Brüning is working to An estimate provided by the panellists ne at the University Hospital Cologne. Last change this. That is why the Weizsäcker- claims that around a quarter of all people year, the endocrinologist and molecular Preis itself is “special – because it stresses who have arrived in Germany since 2015 biologist was awarded membership of the societal pertinence of science”. At the require help, which does not necessarily the Genetics/Molecular Biology and Cell same time, the accolade is considered an mean that all of them require psychothe- Biology section of the Leopoldina. Brü- important signal to the public that resear- rapy. Studies show that properly trained ning, born in Cologne in 1966, has recei- chers are capable of finding solutions to specialists could also help traumatised ved numerous awards, including the 2007 pressing issues. (bh) individuals. (kh/sw/jm) Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize from the German Research Foundation. CHRISTMAS LECTURE STATEMENT ON TRAUMATISED REFUGEES 06|2018 // LEOPOLDINA NEWS 5

A powerful woman, but a weak view of womankind Certificate award ceremony for Class IV members and lecture on the role of Empress Maria Theresa

This year’s Class IV symposium entitled “Anomalies. Disruption and source of The new members of Class IV knowledge” took place in Halle (Saale) on 23 and 24 September. The lectures at the conference led by Prof. Dr. Ulrich Gäh- de ML (Hamburg) were dedicated to the topic of anomalies in science. They chal- lenge established scientific theories and ethical concepts, often advancing science in the process. On 7 November, the newly chosen members of Class IV were presented with their certificates. To conclude, Prof. Dr. Barbara Stollberg-Rilinger ML (Münster) held a presentation with the title “There is nothing more unbearable than a powerful woman – Empress Maria Theresa and the order of the sexes”. For a long time, women’s and gender history remained On 7 November, the new members of Class IV received their membership certificates. From unconcerned with Maria Theresa (1717– left: Prof. Dr. Thomas König ML (Mannheim), Leopoldina Secretary-General Prof. Dr. Jutta 1780). Based on her 2018 book “Maria Schnitzer-Ungefug (Halle), Prof. Dr. Michael Pawlik ML (Freiburg), Prof. Dr. Tatjana Hörnle ML Theresia. Die Kaiserin in ihrer Zeit” (“Ma- (Berlin), Prof. Dr. Heiner Fangerau ML (Düsseldorf), Prof. Dr. Ottmar Edenhofer ML (Potsdam), ria Theresa. The empress in her time”), Prof. Dr. Peter Gollwitzer ML (New York/USA), Prof. Dr. Andrea Weber ML (Wien/Österreich), Stollberg-Rilinger shed light on the char- Prof. Dr. Thomas Mussweiler ML (London/UK), Prof. Dr. Rainer Goebel ML (Maastricht/Nie- ged relationship between masculinely derlande), Prof. Dr. Ortwin Renn ML (Potsdam), President of the Leopoldina Prof. Dr. Jörg coded rule and feminine gender during Hacker ML (Halle), Prof. Dr. Rudolf Stichweh ML (Bonn) und Prof. Dr. Hannes Leitgeb ML Maria Theresa’s reign. She was charged (München). Photo: Leopoldina | Markus Scholz with defending the Austrian country she had inherited from her father in eight- year-long disputes with other European her, as she was the one who truly execu- conviction that women had to be subser- powers. The attacks are depicted in pam- ted governmental business. Politically, vient to men, a paradigm that was not phlets and on coins as physical assault on she was treated like a man, as evidenced changed through her rule. In the 19th and the empress by masculine rulers. for instance by her coronation as King of 20th centuries, Maria Theresa served as She named her husband Francis I Hungary. However, as was typical for her a shining example for feminine equality, coregent, but in the courtly ceremonial, time, particularly for a devout Catholic something her true historical personage he was meant to take his place behind like Maria Theresa, she was of the firm hardly was. (cb)

Education and income determine level of health

Those who have more money live longer: that social status as determined by income tend to be more successful in the higher This sums up what was discussed at the and level of education has a major impact rungs of society. The welfare state, can Leopoldina Symposium “Health inequa- on health for our entire lives. The result? only gradually improve this situation, and lity” in Berlin on 20 November. Germany In Germany, up to eight years difference in wealthier countries, relative inequality is said to have outstanding medical care in life expectancy have been measured is even greater. and a good social welfare system, yet this between low and high income groups. Possible explanations can be found is not reflected in the life expectancy, ac- This social gradient takes hold beginning in experiences of stress during childhood cording the sociologist Prof. Dr. Johannes as early as in pregnancy, when, for ex- and adolescence, workplace insecurity and Siegrist (Düsseldorf), who coordinated ample, smoking is more common amongst environmental factors. During the discus- the conference in coordination with psy- members with a lower social status than sion, it became clear that an individual’s chologist Prof. Dr. Ursula Staudinger ML those of a higher social status. Such diffe- behaviour can make just as great a contri- (New York). rences in behaviour persist across all age bution to breaking down health inequali- The lectures provided data from many groups and are also subject to a preventi- ty as state intervention to improve living different studies. It has been determined on dilemma because changes in behaviour conditions does. (rg) 06|2018 // LEOPOLDINA NEWS 6

Alexander von Humboldt was one of the last great polymaths, with work spanning the fields of botany, zoology, mining and meteorology. His support for long- term geophysical measurements laid the foundations for modern climate research. Repro: Leopoldina | Photo: josefkubes - stock.adobe.com Alexander von Humboldt’s scientific method Celebrating the 250th birthday of the polymath and Leopoldina member in 2019

Tens of thousands of people joined the heats up the atmosphere, he was the first Alexander von Humboldt’s most si- celebrations to mark his 100th birthday to recognise that human civilisation causes gnificant scientific expedition was a trip in New York, Buenos Aires, Paris and imbalances in nature and permanent chan- to South America from 1799 to 1804 with Berlin. His work combined meticulous ges to the biosphere and atmosphere. “He the botanist Aimé Bonpland. The two Le- research with a literary style and had was one of the first to draw attention to the opoldina members collected and identi- a worldwide readership. More plants potential effect of greenhouse gases on the fied thousands of plants and insects and and animals, more streets and public climate,” says Prof. Dr. Gerald Haug ML, a recorded temperature and atmospheric squares have been named after him climate researcher at the Max Planck Insti- pressure, compiling an impressive set of than after any other person in history. tute for Chemistry in Mainz, Germany. findings – a sort of 19th-century version And now, as the 250th anniversary of In fact, as early as 1844, Humboldt of “big data”. In the years that followed, his birth approaches, how is Alexander wrote about the global changes that hu- Humboldt produced a 45-volume work von Humboldt faring? mans were causing “by clearing forests, evaluating the collected data. by changing the distribution of bodies of One result of these endeavours is a ta- Some may know him as the eccentric plant water, and by generating large masses of bleau illustrating the vegetation zones on collector from the novel Measuring the steam and gas in the centres of industry”. Chimborazo, then believed to be the high- World, by Daniel Kehlmann, or the film est mountain in the world. The Danish of the same name. But even in his home HUMBOLDT AND THE macroecologist Prof. Dr. Naia Morueta- country of Germany, many people confuse MOUNTAINS Holme, of the University of Copenhagen, him with his brother Wilhelm, an educa- was so fascinated by this that in the year tional reformer. Alexander von Humboldt On 13 February 2019, the National Acade- of 2012 she travelled to Ecuador with a is most notable for the fact that his name my of Sciences will hold a public event com- colleague, climbed the mountain and took is not associated with one single inventi- memorating Alexander von Humboldt’s the same measurements as Humboldt, on or discovery – like Albert Einstein or work in Halle (Saale) under the title this time using modern instruments. Charles Darwin. “Humboldt and the Mountains”. This will She found that the vegetation zones had His significance for modern science mark the 250th birthday of the polymath, shifted around 500 metres upwards in lies in the way that he drew together bio- who was appointed a member of the Leo- the intervening 200 years – clear evi- logy, geography, meteorology and social poldina in 1793, by presenting his research dence of changes in the climate. “While research to develop a new, holistic under- on mountain ranges as a natural habitat individual disciplines have become high- standing of the world. What he termed and exploring the modern-day effects of ly specialised,” says Morueta-Holme, a “general physics of the Earth” is today climate change in the Andes. “we’re now returning, in a sense, to called Earth System Science. While Hum- LEOPOLDINA CELEBRATION Humboldt’s holistic scientific method.” boldt could not have known at the time ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT YEAR 2019 (cdr) how the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide 06|2018 // LEOPOLDINA NEWS 7

Dialogue with the President of the Euro- Genetic heritage of prehistory pean Research Council

The European Research Council (ERC) plays a crucial role in driving scientific breakthroughs in Europe. It provi- des funding for exceptional projects run by outstanding basic researchers from the postdoctoral phase onward, following a highly selective application process. To promote dialogue between the ERC and scientists in the Leopoldina’s home state of Saxony-Anhalt, the State Minister for Economy, Science and Digitalisation Prof. Dr. Armin Willing- mann joined the President of the Leo- Did Neanderthals and modern humans mix? How much of genetic material from extincted humans poldina Prof. Dr. Jörg Hacker ML in in- do we carry today? How does this genetic heritage influence us in being vulnerable for diseases? viting members of the state’s scientific Prof. Dr. Svante Pääbo adressed those and more questions in front of 500 attendees in his lecture community to the Leopoldina on 6 No- „Neandertaler – Denisovaner – Moderner Mensch“ ("Neanderthals – Denisovans – modern hu- vember for an evening with Prof. Dr. man") on November 26 at the Paulinum – Aula and University Church St. Pauli in Leipzig. Svante Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, President of Pääbo is member of the Leopoldina, Director at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anth- the ERC, and ERC grant recipients from ropology Leipzig and honorary professor at the Universität Leipzig. He is paleogeneticist and one Magdeburg, Halle (Saale) and Gatersle- of the most influential representatives in his field worldwide. In his lecture, Svante Pääbo talked ben. about how his team develops methods to extract DNA from fossil bones and other remains. (lb) More than 130 attendees, many Photo: Markus Scholz of whom were natural scientists, took the opportunity to learn first-hand about the aims of the ERC’s funding mechanism and how it works, and to discuss the grant recipients’ experiences with submitting Academies lead global debate on agriculture and implementing their projects. (art) and nutrition

Qualitative and quantitative malnutriti- the Americas (IANAS), Asia (AASSA) and on are an issue in every country around Europe (EASAC). These reports formed Academia Europaea the world – how can we ensure that the the basis for the fifth IAP Global Report, world’s population has access to suffici- “Opportunities for future research and honours Leopoldina ent amounts of safe and nutritious food? innovation on food and nutrition security Maximising agricultural production often and agriculture,” which was presented on The Academia Europaea has awarded the causes unintentional harm – how can we 28 November. National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina encourage a sustainable food production The topic was also in the spotlight at its Gold Medal. President of the Leopol- system that minimises damage to our en- the World Health Summit held in Octo- dina Prof. Dr. Jörg Hacker ML received vironment and climate? ber in Berlin, where the IAP and the Le- the award on 29 November at the annual This broad spectrum of issues is the opoldina presented the project FNSA. The conference of the Academia Europaea in focus of the project Food and Nutrition European FNSA working group discussed Barcelona, where he spoke about the role Security and Agriculture (FNSA), which food security on a regional and global sca- of the European national academies in pro- was launched by the global network Inter- le, particularly in the context of health viding science-based advice for politicians Academy Partnership (IAP) in 2015 and is and wellbeing. The session was led by and the general public. funded by the German Federal Ministry of President of the Leopoldina Prof. Dr. Jörg The Academia Europaea is a scientific Education and Research. It has brought Hacker ML and former President Prof. Dr. society founded in 1988 which now has altogether over 130 National Academy of Volker ter Meulen ML. An international most 4,000 members, appointed following Sciences and Medicine from around the audience including many young scientists nomination and review by a selection world to produce collaborative, science- engaged in lively discussions on the topic. committee. Its Gold Medal is awarded to based advice on political and societal is- (csd, nh) non-members and organisations who have sues. Initial scientific analyses and recom- made significant contributions to European mendations were drawn up by the IAP’s FIFTH GLOBAL IAP REPORT science. (art) four regional networks in Africa (NASAC), 06|2018 // LEOPOLDINA NEWS 8

Infectious diseases remain a major threat to humanity

There is an international consensus that infectious diseases will continue to re- present one of the greatest threats to human life in the future. Multi-resistant pathogens, new dynamics of known viral diseases, climate change and the associated spread of vectors, and growing antibiotic resistance all demand major action in research, medicine and health policy, and across society as a whole. We urgently need to form allian- ces and make a concerted effort to fight infection. With this in mind, around 300 internationally recognised scientists from a range of disciplines met with industry and healthcare representatives in Jena, Germany. They discussed the latest findings of infectious disease research as well as Harald zur Hausen, Nobel laureate of 2008 and member of the Leopoldina since 1987. measures to fight infection. The highlight Photo: Leopoldina | Markus Scholz of the meeting was the public evening lecture by Prof. Dr. Harald zur Hausen The event was made possible by the um InfectControl 2020, with the support ML. The Nobel laureate discussed how Leopoldina’s collaboration with the Union of the Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Hal- viral infections can cause cancers to de- of the German Academies of Sciences and bach Foundation. (sk) velop. Humanities in Hamburg and the consorti-

Mining has a long-lasting effect on regional water resources

Industrial so- will be published cieties need to in early 2019 as consume large a science policy quantities of raw statement. Prof. materials which Dr. Peter Fritz are mined from ML (Leipzig) hea- the earth. Coal ded the academic still plays an im- coordination of portant role in this event, the energy produc- third in the series tion, and rare “Water and Re- earths are essen- gional Develop- tial for techno- ment”, on behalf logical products of the Leopoldina. such as smart- The acade- phones. But mi- mies cooperated ning operations with the National and accidents Institute of Sci- have an immedia- ence and Techno- te and often long- The workshop was attended by 23 young scientists, predominantly from Germany and Brazil. logy on Mineral lasting impact on Photo: Marcos Cortesao Barnsley Scheuenstuhl Resources, Wa- the environment. ter, and Biodi- Humans can also suffer health-related Mining Landscapes” in Belo Horizonte versity – INCT-Acqua and the Centre for and other effects. (Brazil) from 1 to 5 October to discuss Water and Environmental Research at the The Leopoldina and the Brazilian Aca- the impact of mining on regional water University of Duisburg-Essen. (jn) demy of Sciences organised the workshop resources. The attendees drew up recom- “Water Management in Mining and Post- mendations for political action which 06|2018 // LEOPOLDINA NEWS 9

Cooperation to meet UN Sustainable Development Goals Academies help advise on societal issues at regional and national levels

In September, the Leopoldina held a workshop titled “Implementing the Susta- inable Development Goals: How Can the Academies Help?”, which was attended by representatives of 21 member academies of the European Academies’ Science Ad- visory Council (EASAC), four Young Aca- demies in Europe and the Global Young Academy (GYA), as well as political influ- encers and decision-makers. The two-day event focusing on the United Nations’ Sustainable Develop- ment Goals (SDGs) was organised by EASAC and the global network InterAca- demy Partnership (IAP). The discussions between members and academy experts centred around the implementation of the SDGs in Europe and, in particular, natio- The Leopoldina hosted the workshop on the implementation of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals nal reporting on the progress being made by academies of sciences worldwide. Photo: Leopoldina | Markus Scholz and the contribution of the academies. Another focus of debate was the status academies make a genuine contribution to ject Improving Scientific Input to Global of academies of sciences as advisors on the global agenda established by the Uni- Policymaking and was supported by the political and societal issues at both a re- ted Nations with the SDGs? Carnegie Corporation of New York (USA). gional and a national level. How can the The workshop was part of the IAP pro- (csd)

Network is Think Africa: Impact of Artificial intelligence tank of the Year 2018 neonicotinoids and robotics

EASAC, the network of the National Sci- The use of neonicotinoids in Africa is the The Académie des Sciences and the Le- ence Academies of the EU Member States, focus of a new joint project by the Leo- opoldina have drafted a joint position Norway and Switzerland, the secretariat poldina and the Academy of Science of paper on the key role of robotics in the of which is managed by the Leopoldina, South Africa (ASSAf). The two academies context of artificial intelligence (AI). Too has received the award „Think Tank of the are also collaborating with the European often, AI and robotics are seen as separate Year 2018“ in November. Academies’ Science Advisory Council fields of research, despite the fact that the This title is awarded annually during (EASAC), the global network InterAca- intersection of the two disciplines holds the Public Affairs Awards Europe by the demy Partnership (IAP) and in particular particularly great potential for innova- PRCA which represents public relations the Network of African Science Academies tions and value creation. and communications agencies in 67 coun- (NASAC). Their aim is to draw up science- President of the Leopoldina Prof. Dr. tries worldwide. Last year, the award was based recommendations for raising awa- Jörg Hacker ML delivered the paper to given to the influential European think reness among African decision-makers of the ministries which are responsible for tank BREUGEL. In previous years, the the effects of this group of pesticides on developing Germany’s AI strategy. France well-known Centre for European Policy ecosystem services. launched a national strategy in March Studies was among the awardees. The project was launched on 15 and of this year, and the German Federal EASAC produces and communicates 16 November with a workshop for Af- Government will present the results of its the joint positions of the European Natio- rican and European experts in Pretoria own work this week at the Digital Summit nal Science Academies on important issu- (South Africa). The event began with an in Nuremberg. es from the areas of Environment, Energy overview of existing studies on the to- The position paper is the result of the and Biosciences, to the institutions of the pic by European academies from 2015, Robotics AI symposium that the two aca- European Union. (csd) and the political impact of these studies, demies organised in Paris in September. which has extended to a ban on almost all (rn) neonicotinoids in the European Union. (csd) POSITION PAPER ROBOTICS AI 06|2018 // LEOPOLDINA NEWS 10

People

Deceased members his observations, an innovation which is lar biology and medicine in Berlin-Buch, considered his greatest contribution to the FZMM. From 1979 to 1990 he was Harald von Boehmer ML the field. He was awarded the Max Bür- President of the East German academy of 30 November 1942 – 24 June 2018 ger medal by East Germany’s society for sciences. He was a foreign member of the Microbiology and Immunology internal medicine, and the Selmar Asch- Czechoslovakian, Bulgarian and Russian Harald von Boehmer was Professor of heim medal by the country’s society for Academies of Sciences and a founding Pathology at Harvard University from endocrinology and metabolic disorders, member of the Leibniz Society of Scien- 1999 to 2012 and Chief of the Laborato- among other honours. Hans Haller was a ces in Berlin. Werner Scheler had been a ry for Lymphocyte Biology at the Dana- board member of the latter society from member of the Leopoldina since 1977. Farber Cancer Institute in Boston (USA) 1971 to 1986 and served as its chairman for many years. He was an internationally for four years. Following his retirement, Erwin Schöpf ML recognised pioneer in the field of T-cell he chaired the complaints commission of 18 October 1936 – 17 June 2018 | immunology, and his work on the clonal the state medical council in Saxony. Hans Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany selection of T-lymphocytes is among the Haller was elected a member of the Leo- Internal Medicine and Dermatology most important biological research of the poldina in 1981. Erwin Schöpf was Professor of Derma- 20th century. Harald von Boehmer was tology and Director of the Department co-editor of the Journal of Molecular and Werner Scheler ML of Dermatology at the University of Frei- Cellular Immunology and an honorary 12 September 1923 – 9 October burg Medical Center from 1978 to 2002. member of the Scandinavian Society for 2018 | Berlin, Germany He published the first description of the Immunology and the American Associati- Physiology and Pharmacology/To- inherited ectodermal dysplasia, which on of Immunologists, among other roles. xicology became known in international scientific He was presented with the Helmholtz In- Werner Scheler was a professor and Di- literature as Schöpf-Schulz-Passarge syn- ternational Fellow Award in 2013 for his rector of the Institute for Pharmacology drome, and introduced tissue engineering outstanding research on immunology. and Toxicology at the University of Greifs- to the field of dermatology. He established Harald von Boehmer became a member of wald from 1959 to 1971, and its Rector the Documentation Centre for Severe Skin the Leopoldina in 2003. from 1966 to 1970. He was awarded the Reactions (dZh), the only institution of its university’s Medal of Honour in 1971 in kind in the world, which researches the Hans Haller ML recognition of his outstanding services. pathogenesis of drug allergies and con- 17 December 1920 – 2 November Scheler published numerous scientific tributes to medication risk assessments. 2018 | Dresden, Germany works which contributed to knowledge Erwin Schöpf was an honorary member Internal Medicine and Dermatology of the structure and conformation of of numerous international dermatological Hans Haller was a professor and, until haemoglobins and clarified physiological societies. He was a long-standing board 1986, Director of the Clinic for Internal and toxicological aspects of haemopro- member of the German Dermatological Medicine at the Carl Gustav Carus Me- tein research. He helped pave the way Society and also served as its President. dical Academy in Dresden. His primary for the identification of haemoglobin as The Society awarded him the first Braun focus was basic research on the metabo- a drug receptor. In 1971, Werner Scheler Falco prize in 2003 in recognition of his lic disorder diabetes mellitus. He coined was appointed head of a newly established services. Erwin Schöpf was appointed a the term “metabolic syndrome” to support international research centre for molecu- member of the Leopoldina in 1996. 06|2018 // LEOPOLDINA AKTUELL 11

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