Research
Faster and smarter
Research
PSI
When large research facilities such as the X-ray free-electron laser SwissFEL and the Swiss Light Source SLS are operating at full speed, they produce enormous amounts of data. To interpret the data and use it, for example, to develop new drugs or materials, PSI is now concentrating its expertise in a new research division: Scientific Computing, Theory, and Data.
Colour vision
Research
ETH Zurich
Colours can be created in surprisingly different ways. And in addition to being pleasing to the eye, colour can also serve a useful purpose.
Tapping the ocean as a source of natural products
Research
ETH Zurich Eawag
Using DNA data, ETH and Eawag researchers have examined seawater to find not only new species of bacteria, but also previously unknown natural products that may one day prove beneficial.
Breast cancer spreads at night
Research
ETH Zurich
A new study shows that breast cancer metastases form more efficiently while patients are sleeping. This finding, in a study led by researchers at ETH Zur-ich, could significantly change the way cancer is diagnosed and treated in future.
The fascination of images
Research
ETH Zurich
Images play an important role in science and science communication. They have always held a powerful appeal, but the means of producing them – and the notion of how they should reflect reality – continue to evolve over time.
European map of aerosol pollution can help improve human health
Research
PSI
Researchers have measured the composition of fine dust at 22 locations in Europe. The result of this international study, led by the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI, is a European map of the most important aerosol sources. The researchers have now published their findings in the journal Environment International.
From price shock to independence from fossil fuels
Research
ETH Zurich
Oil and gas prices are currently on the rise, raising questions about the security of Switzerland’s energy supply. In a policy brief, researchers from the Energy Science Center at ETH Zurich have now shown what Switzerland can do to make its energy system independent of fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas.
Walking to net zero
Research
ETH Zurich
The Canton of Zurich recently adopted the net-zero 2040 climate protection target. Here Sibylle Wälty appeals for more 10-minute neighbourhoods, which, by making better use of the settlement area, will reduce emissions.
Breakthrough study of hormone “crosstalk” in breast cancer
Research
EPFL
Scientists led by EPFL have successfully engrafted breast cancer cells on mice, allowing them to study in vivo the cross-talk between the estrogen and progesterone receptors that hampers hormone therapies. Their findings suggest that endocrine therapy may need to be personalized, and that abrogating progesterone receptor expression can be a therapeutic option.
An underrated factor
Research
ETH Zurich
How the plates of the Earth’s crust move depends largely on the behaviour of the rocks below them in the mantle. A new ETH study now shows that the grain size of these rocks is a key factor.
Graphene dust not harmful, study finds
Research
Empa
Graphene-based particles released from polymer composites after abrasion induce negligible health effects. Under the leadership of Empa, an international research team of the Graphene Flagship project conducted a study on the health risks of graphene-containing nanoparticles and recently published the results in Journal of Hazardous Materials.
Streamlining stem cells to treat macular degeneration
Research
EPFL
Scientists at EPFL and the Karolinska Institute have tested and confirmed a protocol for growing human embryonic stem cells into retina cells to treat eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration.
Mass diebacks of Scots pines caused by lack of rain in mid and late summer
Research
WSL
Since the 1990s, Valais and other dry Alpine valleys have seen repeated mass diebacks of Scots pines. Oddly, however, the amount of precipitation in the all-important summer months has not decreased at all over this period. WSL researchers have now found an explanation.
Fighting the pandemic in Africa: When distancing rules are futile
Research
ETH Zurich
Researchers from ETH Zurich and the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute have created a risk map showing which regions in Africa may see a faster spread of infectious diseases due to lacking infrastructure.
An anti-cancer drug acts as an epigenetic memory aid, scientists find
Research
EPFL
EPFL scientists have discovered how an anti-cancer drug could be repurposed to improve memory. It does so by supporting the cell’s ability to read the very genes that are important for learning. The epigenetic mechanism of the drug is shown in mice.
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