Archive – Science

The science behind the America’s Cup

This content was published on Feb 5, 2010 The university is official scientific advisor for Alinghi, holder of sailing’s most prestigious prize. Its chair of modelling and scientific computing, mathematics professor Alfio Quarteroni, oversees the team’s fluid dynamics research. A specialist in computer simulations, Quarteroni’s job is to ensure that the Swiss yacht is designed to move through the water with as little…

Weighing the needs of patient and researcher

This content was published on Feb 2, 2010 There is agreement among experts about the legal principles on human research but opinions differ over involving people who cannot give their consent to tests, including children and the mentally handicapped. The amendment sets the basis for more detailed legislation the 26 largely autonomous cantonal authorities will have to apply if the vote goes through…

An ice highway draws tourists and scientists

This content was published on Feb 1, 2010 At some 23 kilometres in length, the Aletsch glacier is the largest in the Alps, and a major part of the Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn Unesco World Heritage site. If you take the cable car from the village of Fiesch in the Rhone valley, up to the Eggishorn you are rewarded with a breathtaking view. When you emerge…

Coldest January recorded for almost 25 years

This content was published on Feb 1, 2010 The average temperature in this icy and snowy month was more than -1 degrees Celsius below the normal temperature. The lowest temperature of the winter was recorded on La Brévine in the Jura on the morning of February 1 at -34.8 degrees. Temperatures did not reach the low of January 1987, when the Swiss shivered…

Swiss technology tackles greying society

This content was published on Jan 30, 2010 Swiss scientists in Davos outlined the latest medical, robotics, biomechanics and architectural research aimed at improving the lives of the elderly. But delegates also heard that tough political decisions would be necessary. All demographic projections point to a marked increase in the number of pensioners in the next 50 years, coupled with a significant downturn…

Roche vilified in Davos for transplant drug

This content was published on Jan 28, 2010 Roche received two “shame” prizes at the Public Eye Awards in Davos for conducting research on transplant patients in China without knowing the origin of the organs donated. The Basel-based company won the 2010 Swiss Award in addition to the People’s Award – the latter based on an online poll. The presentation is held each…

More Swiss aid prepares for Haiti missions

This content was published on Jan 25, 2010 The aircraft is carrying 105 tonnes of aid goods to Haiti. Toni Frisch, deputy director-general of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has just returned from Haiti and said that despite the difficult conditions, he could report a positive result about Swiss emergency aid. But he warned: “Such a catastrophe is by its…

Science of the small has big potential

This content was published on Jan 21, 2010 The first ever Swiss Nanotech Report into the domestic industry was not yet able to come up with figures for the present situation, but experts agreed the country played a leading global role. Nanotechnology is the manipulation of atoms and molecules, with one nanometre being around one millionth the diameter of a pinhead. The discipline,…

Suitable housing out of reach for disabled

This content was published on Jan 19, 2010 The organisation said that only about 12 per cent of apartments on the market are fitted for people depending on wheelchairs. Of those, only one in three are rental units. The findings are based on a nationwide survey carried out last September. Social security subsidies intended to encourage people to live outside homes for the…

New biodiesel factory fuels energy debate

This content was published on Jan 19, 2010 The company, Green Bio Fuel, has received permission from authorities in canton Aargau to build a factory that could generate enough biodiesel to help Switzerland meet its target of reducing carbon dioxide emissions to ten per cent of 1990 levels. The facility will have the capacity to produce 130 million litres of biodiesel a year,…

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