Research

The Swiss soil of the year 2025 is characterized by earthworms. WSL researchers are investigating how their activity affects forest soils.

ETH Zurich researchers have uncovered a serious side effect of using the CRISPR-Cas gene scissors. A molecule designed to make the process more efficient destroys parts of the genome.

A new generation of wearable sensors will fundamentally change medicine. Researchers at ETH Zurich and international experts have now published an overview showing what is possible with such sensors and what questions their developers should consider to ensure their successful future use.

Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have presented a concept for decarbonising transport while keeping it economically competitive. Increasing the utilisation of carbon dioxide from biogas plants plays an important role.

From smart textiles to self-driving cars: Empa researchers are developing new types of detectors for infrared radiation that are more sustainable, flexible and cost-effective than conventional technologies. The key to success is not (only) the composition of the material, but also its size.

The discovery that an unexpected brain region is crucial for walking recovery in mice with spinal cord injuries has led a deep brain stimulation therapy in humans. The approach restored enough leg control in two individuals with partial spinal injuries to walk unaided and even climb stairs.

Verena Zimmermann is convinced that it is too simplistic to view people solely as a risk factor in cyber security. Rather, the special abilities of users should be utilised in a targeted way in order to increase cyber security.

A study from EPFL reveals that the effectiveness of brain stimulation on motor skills is determined by an individual's learning ability rather than age, highlighting the need for a more personalized approach to neurorehabilitation.

Since more and more deciduous trees are being planted in Swiss forests, whose wood is often burned directly, innovative ideas are in high demand in order to utilize Swiss hardwood more sustainably. Empa researchers are therefore equipping wood with new functionalities. Their latest coup: wood that can glow in the dark.

A research team led by EPFL scientists has developed a system that provides key insight into the relationship between sea spray aerosols, sea state and atmospheric conditions. The system was mounted on an icebreaker and carried across vast regions of the Arctic to collect and analyze valuable data.

The upgrade project IMPACT is scheduled to start in 2025. It envisages two significant enhancements involving PSI’s proton accelerator facility. There will be benefits for research – and Swiss society.

People are already being forced to flee the consequences of climate change to an alarming extent in the Global South, says Jan Freihardt. He believes, however, that Europe's fear of mass climate migration is exaggerated, since international migration has other root causes.

A new European research project, TIMBERHAUS, aiming at promoting timber construction in Europe, was launched in Copenhagen in early November. The goal is to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions in the construction sector by developing innovative timber construction technologies and design solutions. The pan-European consortium consists of 19 partners from ten countries, including Empa.

Sleep problems have become a widespread issue. In a new popular science book and in an interview with ETH News, ETH sleep researcher Caroline Lustenberger describes the do’s (and don’ts) for when you can’t get to sleep.

The Swiss Data Science Center (SDSC), a joint initiative of EPFL and ETH Zurich, is reaching a significant milestone and strengthening its national positioning in data science.