Axel Fries, master of percussion in the north-west, has been introducing university students to rhythm and percussion for 15 years. He has given countless concerts with his ensembles and successfully participated in competitions.

The 25th anniversary of the university's A Cappella Evening will take place on 1 and 2 February - with workshops, concerts and, above all, many encounters.

Language plays a central role in schools as a medium for communication and education. Oldenburg researchers are examining how to train teachers in being sensitive about language.

At the cutting edge of science: Oldenburg psychiatrist René Hurlemann is researching how new types of medication and procedures can help people with severe depression.

Many surface waters in Lower Saxony are heavily polluted with nitrate. Members of the public can now measure the levels themselves – either by wading knee-deep into their nearest stream or from home using the ‘Nitrogen Box’.

The University and the University Society (UGO) celebrated their New Year's reception with five honours and classical opera music. Around 550 guests, including Lower Saxony's Science Minister Björn Thümler, enjoyed an atmospheric evening.

Digital tools or "serious games": seven projects at the university are being funded in the "Innovation plus" programme. 330,000 euros will be available over the next two semesters to further improve teaching in the long term.

The activity of nerve cells in the brain generates extremely weak magnetic fields. Oldenburg psychologists are using sophisticated techniques to measure these brainwaves and gain further insights into the workings of the brain.

Wind conditions influence water circulation and CO2 concentrations in the Southern Ocean, a study by geochemist Torben Struve and colleagues shows. The crucial clue came from fossil corals from the depths of the Drake Passage south of Chile.

It surrounds us, is indispensable for our lives - and is far too often destroyed by us. Five Oldenburg scientists describe what nature actually is, who it belongs to and how we relate to it.

An international team of scientists including Bernd Blasius has completed the longest known predator-prey time series. In the journal Nature, the researchers report on the ecological mechanisms behind the regular flutcuations.

The University Senate has confirmed special education teacher Annett Thiele as the new Vice President for Early Career Researchers and Gender equality. This sets the final course for the management of the university from 2020.

"My Song" - under this heading, art students are exhibiting their music-related works in the Lecture Hall Centre until 9 January. The artistic diversity reflects a musical spectrum ranging from Bach to flamenco to Madonna.

A collection of Karl Jaspers’ letters – published on the fiftieth anniversary of the great thinker’s death – guides the reader through Jaspers’ life and work, shining a light on philosophical ideas of the twentieth century.

For decades, school absenteeism was a taboo topic in Germany. Now views have changed, many schools are facing the problem. Heinrich Ricking of the Department of Special Needs Education and Rehabilitation has played a key role in this process.

The University of Oldenburg receives funding as an Exist-Entrepreneur University from the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi). A regional start-up network will help to expand the entrepreneurial support scheme.

Every year for the past nine years, the university has supported high-achieving and committed young people with a Deutschlandstipendium scholarship with the help of private donors. Students and sponsors came together at a ceremony in the castle.

What do statistics, crops and the production of knowledge have in common? All three topics were the subject of outstanding courses. Eight lecturers have now been honoured for their lectures, seminars and projects.

Oldenburg philosopher Tilo Wesche is concerned with the rights of nature. In this interview, he talks about the ownership of natural resources, a failed understanding of sustainability - and a river in New Zealand that points the way out.

In the Emergency and Intensive Care Medicine Research Network, Oldenburg care researchers are investigating whether and how specially trained paramedics can relieve the burden on emergency departments and rescue services.