RUB » RUBIN » 

You are here

Homepage

RUBIN Science Magazine

Featured topic: Conflicts Go to article overview
The climate change exacerbates water scarcity in some places. Does that lead to conflicts?

There is enough water on Earth, but it is not evenly distributed. Does the scarcity in some places lead to war, or can it perhaps bring about peace?

Prof Dr Thorsten Holz, Chair for Systems Security

Ever since “Stuxnet” attacked an Iranian enrichment plant, it has become evident how much damage attacks in cyberspace can cause. Germany is not yet sufficiently prepared for them. A commentary by computer security expert Thorsten Holz

Dr Baoquan Song: searching for traces of former cultural sites is his passion.
History

A glimpse beneath the earth from the sky

On a ride-along with an aerial archaeologist

Soaring up in his small aircraft, Baoquan Song routinely searches from the air for remains of former cultural sites which are actually hidden below ground. The bird’s eye view reveals insights that would be impossible on ground level.

Prof Pierre Thielbörger
Law

Point of view: The data war

Legal implications of the conscious manipulation of data

Mass media make it easier than ever before for States to use manipulated data for propaganda purposes. However, this form of cyber warfare is only partially covered by international law. This has to change, argues Law Professor Pierre Thielbörger.

In law, the term cyberwar is still pretty much non-existent.
Law

Cyberwar: No 'war' for lawyers

Definitions from the legal point of view

In the past, cyberwar was merely a concept from science fiction movies. Today, it has become an item on the news. In law, however, the term is still pretty much non-existent. Jurist Prof Dr Sabine Swoboda explains why.

Prof Dr Thorsten Holz, Chair for Systems Security
Information Technology

Point of view: “Cyberwar will become reality”

Germany is not sufficiently prepared

Ever since “Stuxnet” attacked an Iranian enrichment plant, it has become evident how much damage attacks in cyberspace can cause. Germany is not yet sufficiently prepared for them. A commentary by computer security expert Thorsten Holz

Prof Dennis Dijkzeul is an expert on humanitarian crises.
Social Science

About the difficulties of humanitarian aid

Interview with Dennis Dijkzeul

Relief organisations are confronted with a number of challenges. Prof Dr Dennis Dijkzeul, an expert on humanitarian crises, tells us about the type of challenges and about how they are handled by the organisations.

Not only wars but also environmental disasters bring people in greatest suffering. This woman has lost everything in the severe earthquake in Nepal in spring 2015.
Social Science

When a war is a war

Humanitarian Crises and how to manage them

The news broadcast images of people who live in troubled regions all the time. They fear for their lives, flee from armed units, are injured or have lost house and home. The term "war" comes to mind. It is often used in the media, but according to scientific statistics, wars are far less frequent today than they used to be in the past decades. But what is referred to as war these days and what isn't?

The climate change exacerbates water scarcity in some places. Does that lead to conflicts?
Law

Water scarcity – cause for war or peace?

Not just an environmental issue

There is enough water on Earth, but it is not evenly distributed. Does the scarcity in some places lead to war, or can it perhaps bring about peace?

The sun orbits the Earth – a mad idea? If you study how the planetary and the solar orbits look like from the Earth, you can just about guess how difficult it was to decipher the actual conditions in the mess that was the solar system.
Astronomy, Chemistry

From the Editor's Desk: Planets instead of atoms

Chemist simulates solar system

Dr Matthias Heyden's day job is all about creating computer-aided models of the complicated movements of atoms. In addition, he also programmed a simulation of the solar system. Simply because this is something he enjoys. The RUBIN office has received a few samples.

Dr Tanja Henking in her office
Law

The right to say "No"

Compulsory treatment in psychiatric wards

In psychiatric wards in Germany, patients used to be medicated indiscriminately against their will if doctors considered it necessary. It was only after a Federal Constitution Court ruling a few years ago that patient autonomy has been strengthened.

Arab Spring in Egypt: mass demonstrations at the Tahrir Square in Cairo in 2011
Media Studies

Heading towards democracy

Media in conflicts

A shift from authoritarian regime to democracy is always associated with conflicts. The communication of the parties involved and the way the situation is reported by the media have a crucial impact on the situation. Where does communication fail?

Protesters in Burundi
Media Studies

Research under martial law

PhD student Bettina Haasen during the military coup in Burundi

When Bettina Haasen travelled to Burundi in 2015, it was with the objective of researching the role of journalists in the context of the controversial municipal and parliamentary elections. Three days after her arrival, the military staged a coup – and failed. Accordingly, in Burundi she experienced first-hand how media operate in conflict situations.

Filter articles

Pages