Researchers have released “Helixer,” a new deep-learning tool that eliminates the bottleneck in genome analysis. The software identifies genes directly from raw DNA. An international research team led by the University of Bremen has, for the first time, detected chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in historical measurements of the Earth’s atmosphere dating back to 1951—20 years earlier than previously known. This surprising glimpse into the past was made possible by analyzing historical measurement data from the Jungfraujoch research station in the Swiss Alps.
The discovery shows just how valuable historical measurement data can be for today’s research. “These old records allow us to trace the history of air pollution more accurately,” the researchers explain. This helps improve climate models and better understand how quickly harmful substances spread in the atmosphere. In addition to CFCs, other gases in the Earth’s atmosphere can also be detected in the historical spectra, which is the goal of further research projects.
Conclusion: Data is not a byproduct of research that can be discarded after the initial publication. It is a “time capsule.” The study shows that proper archiving and data management today can pave the way for tomorrow’s scientific breakthroughs.
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University of Bremen (02/2026)