Corona research at the MPI-DS

Press releases about Corona related research at the MPI-DS

European Championship with side effects
The epidemiological baseline situation in a country determines how much the infection figures increase as a result of a major event such as a European soccer championship more
Less infectious particles from children’s lungs
A comprehensive analysis on particle exhalation in adults and children more
Wind music causes less transmission than singing
Playing wind instruments spreads more viruses than breathing, but less than speaking or singing. more
COVID-19 transmission: Large indoor-spaces fairly safe with universal masking
The risk of COVID-19 infection in large indoor spaces such as hardware stores is low if everyone wears a face mask. more
Masks potentially more efficient against Omicron
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization (MPIDS) found that well-fitted face masks protect at least as well against the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 as they do against Delta. Wearing masks can thus be an efficient protection, despite the higher infectivity of the new variant. more
Together against Omicron

Together against Omicron

January 13, 2022
European countries must act together quickly to confront Omicron, state scientists from all over Europe more
Effects of behavior and risk perception on the spread of COVID-19
Voluntary and mandatory contact reductions, as well as hygiene measures and vaccination jointly determine how quickly COVID-19 spreads. Yet, the individual health-protective behavior is not constant, but partly triggered by risk perception based on current and past developments of the pandemic. more
Bundled strategy for infection control to keep schools open 
Interdisciplinary team of experts creates air hygiene action plan to keep schools open and recommends a combination of synergistic measures including masks, ventilation, spacing, testing and vaccination. more
More objectivity in crisis situations
Researchers in policy advocacy on the Corona pandemic must not be defamed by media or made targets for personal attacks more
How well masks protect

How well masks protect

December 02, 2021
A detailed study shows the maximum risks of being infected by the coronavirus for different scenarios with and without masks more
Measures for dealing with new Omicron variant
In view of the current spread of the new variant "Omicron" of the SARS coronavirus, various scientists have formulated a catalog of measures for dealing with the virus in the immediate future. In their statement, they give a prognosis for the timely development of the pandemic and formulate concrete recommendations for action for politicians. They also consider the different incidences of hospitalization in the individual German Bundesländer. more
Sustainable strategies against the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany in winter 2021/2022.
The research group of Viola Priesemann's at the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization has coordinated a recent statement by leading international scientists on the occasion of possible strategies for pandemic response in winter. more
Recurrent lockdowns are not necessary for pandemic control
A new study in Science Advances analyses the mitigation of infectious disease outbreaks. It shows that recurrent strict lockdowns are not necessary for long-term control of pandemics – as long as moderate precautionary measures are sustained. more
Bad air out, good air in

Bad air out, good air in

August 16, 2021
To slow the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, cleaning or exchanging the air is crucial, especially in enclosed spaces. Ventilation systems that move fresh air indoors in enclosed spaces such as classrooms can help. more
European experts address the COVID-19 pandemic
How should Europe deal with the COVID-19 pandemic in the future? Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization brought together more than two dozen experts from all over Europe and jointly prepared a detailed situation analysis for the coming months and years. more
Synchrotrons accelerate corona research
Researchers from Göttingen and Mainz use short-wavelength photons to study distribution of aerosol particles during singing, talking or coughing more
New app calculates corona infection risk in rooms
Size of aerosol droplets that virus carriers release strongly influences infectivity more
Opening at the pace of vaccination
If the case numbers are low, contact restrictions can be relaxed relatively quickly in the course of the vaccination campaign more
Step-by-step plans without yoyo effect
A group of international scientists proposes a sustainable strategy in the Covid-19 pandemic more
Communitas Prize for Viola Priesemann
The Max Planck Society honors the physicist for her science communication during the Corona pandemic more
Europe-wide against the coronavirus
New viral variants increase the urgency to consistently reduce Covid-19 case rates across Europe more
A face mask is the best protection
In an interview, published by Pro-Physik, the fluid physicist Eberhard Bodenschatz explains how aerosols form and spread and what protection masks offer. more
European scientists recommend COVID-19 targets
Max-Planck-Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization initiates pan-European call for a rapid reduction of COVID-19 case numbers more
Human droplets and aerosols

Human droplets and aerosols

December 16, 2020
More than 1900 participants made Prof. Eberhard Bodenschatz's scientific evening lecture at the German Physical Society on December 15, 2020 a great success  more
Tool to calculate the risk of infection by SARS-CoV-2 available: HEADS
The new App HEADS (Human Emission of Aerosols and Droplet Statistics) enables the estimation of rosk of infection: more
Corona pandemic: Regional lockdowns could shorten the total duration of restrictions
To be successful strict local containment and low number of cross-regional infections are crucial more
Quantifying the impact of interventions
Göttingen team analyzes the progression of the epidemic more
“By the end of May, we could reach well below 1000 new infections per day”
Viola Priesemann from the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization talks about the spread of the coronavirus Sars-CoV-2 and strategies to contain the Covid-19 epidemic. She is one of the authors of a statement by non-university research organisations on pandemic. more
Strategies to contain the COVID-19 pandemic
A statement by the presidents of the non-university research organizations based on mathematical analyses of the data situation more
Take "social distancing" seriously!
Göttingen researchers warn of shortage of intensive care beds for coronavirus patients more
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