Story ideas, media briefings, and press releases specifically for media. If you are a journalist, you can subscribe to receive upcoming press releases by email.

Press Releases

Mountain spring water flowing out of a rock

22 September 2022

An integrated modeling framework to assess surface and groundwater resources

Against the backdrop of climate change and rising water demand, tools for adequately modeling water availability are much needed. In a new study, researchers applied a large-scale model linking surface water to groundwater, which can be used for estimating water resources at a high spatial resolution.
Flag showing map of Africa with highlighted countries and IIASA logo surrounded by relevant country flags

15 September 2022

IIASA welcomes its first regional member organization

IIASA has increased its membership footprint through its newest member, the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Member Organization, as part of a regional approach to participation in IIASA research and capacity building activities.
Field with bioenergy crops in Brandenburg, Germany

07 September 2022

Over-reliance on biomass-based carbon removal technologies could increase climate and food security risks

An international team of researchers highlighted the inherent risk of relying too much on carbon removal technologies to limit climate change in a new study just published in Nature.
girl in lockdown looking out of the window

05 September 2022

Lessons learned from COVID-19 mitigation measures

Due to the uncertainty of the timing of vaccine approval at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, policymakers struggled to find the best mitigation measures. In a new study, researchers analyzed how the expectation of a vaccine influences optimal lockdown measures.
Colorful farm fields from above

01 September 2022

Supporting Europe on the path to climate neutrality

A new Horizon Europe project coordinated by IIASA will provide a novel governance model based on multi-level stakeholder dialogues spanning the European Commission, through national and local administrations down to citizens, as well as the necessary tools for co-designing agriculture, forestry, and climate policies in support of the EU’s climate neutrality target. 
Person with cellphone in hand taking photo in the forest

25 August 2022

Citizen science: empowering citizens to address global challenges

Citizen science is increasingly recognized as an important vehicle for democratizing science and promoting the goal of universal and equitable access to scientific data and information. IIASA researchers actively contribute to the development of this scientific approach and have recently published a primer aimed at both established and aspiring practitioners of citizen science to highlight key issues and how to address them.
africa agriculture

18 August 2022

A sustainable path to eliminate hunger in Africa

To feed Africa’s growing population, agricultural-food systems need to be modernized. In a new study, researchers analyzed how continental free trade and agricultural development could ensure sustainable food security for Africa.
Air conditioning units on a building

16 August 2022

Propane — a solution for more sustainable air conditioning

Current severe heatwaves that will likely increase in severity and frequency in the future are driving a rise in the use of air conditioners, threatening the environment with their high energy consumption and refrigerants with high warming potential. A new study finds that switching to propane as a refrigerant could lessen the global temperature increase from space cooling.
Close up oftwo people's hands - one elderly and one younger

25 July 2022

Weak handgrip strength may signal serious health issues

Muscle strength is a powerful predictor of mortality that can quickly and inexpensively be assessed by measuring handgrip strength. In a new study, researchers developed cut-off points that apply to the general population, while also considering the correlation of handgrip strength with gender, body height, and aging to be used in medical practice.