Archive – Science

Bridge on through to the other side

This content was published on Aug 6, 2014 The bridge, which will cross the Tamina Gorge and join the communes of Pfäfers and Valens in canton St Gallen, will have an arch span of almost 260 metres and a total length of 475 metres. Thirty-five metres have already been completed on the Pfäfers side and 20 on the Valens side (pictured here). The…

The serious study of what’s funny

This content was published on Aug 5, 2014 Despite the fact that humour is found in many aspect of life, it has only been the subject of serious scientific research for the past 30 years. University of Zurich professor Willibald Ruch is recognised as the most significant researcher in the field of humour within the German-speaking world. He explains how research has shown…

Postcards from the First World War

This content was published on Aug 2, 2014 Postcards had their heyday at the start of the 20th century. They were a blank, but somewhat idealistic, canvas for propaganda, satire and patriotism.

Swiss-made camera heads to ISS before burning up

This content was published on Jul 29, 2014 An Ariane 5 rocket will set off on July 30 External linkto carry the last of the five European Automated Transfer Vehicles (ATVs) to the International Space Station (ISS). The ATV, named “Georges Lemaître”, is set to dock with the ISS’s Russian Zvezda module on August 12. The transporter will deliver a total of 6.6…

Swiss and EU reach agreement over Horizon 2020 research funds

This content was published on Jul 27, 2014 Switzerland and the European Union have reached an agreement over Swiss participation in the Horizon 2020 research funding programme. It must now be ratified by both governments.

The activity of neurons can be controlled using pulses of laser light delivered into the brain with an optical fibre

Re-wiring the brain with light to overcome disorders

This content was published on Jul 27, 2014 A cutting-edge technology that could potentially combat drug addiction could also help defeat neurological disorders such as depression and schizophrenia, according to University of Geneva researcher Christian Lüscher.

European Commission defends Human Brain Project

This content was published on Jul 21, 2014 Earlier this month, the group of EU researchers labelled the Human Brain Project as badly organised and said it was too narrowly concentrated on brain simulation. More than 600 researchers have since signed the letter. “As a public authority for research, we take all such signals seriously,” said Robert Madelin, who is responsible for the…

Secret Harry Potter theme park train unveiled

This content was published on Jul 18, 2014 For years the Hogwarts Express that brought Harry Potter and his friends to their school of magic has only existed in readers’ imaginations and on the big screen. That is, until now. A new attraction has opened at Universal Studios in Florida. A reproduction of the famous train was built in Switzerland by cable car…

Reaction to the Google-Novartis contact lens deal

This content was published on Jul 16, 2014 Will Google and Swiss drugmaker Novartis’ new “smart” contact lenses make medical history? The jury’s still out. The Google-Novartis venture is the first such deal between Big Tech and Big Pharma. First revealed as a Google prototype in JanuaryExternal link, the announcement that the two giants are teaming up is a major step forward for…

Smallest Swiss cross in the world made in Basel

This content was published on Jul 15, 2014 The international team in the university’s physics department used the tip of an atomic force microscope, which is extremely tiny and used in nanotechnology, to place the bromine atoms on an insulating surface. The Swiss cross they constructed measures only 5.6 nanometres square. Physicists have been able to move around and reposition single atoms since…

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