Archive – Science

Reforms needed to protect Swiss wealth

This content was published on Apr 4, 2006 Experts from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said Swiss economic growth has been well below average since 1980. The new report from the OECD, “Switzerland: Seizing the opportunities for growth”, points out that the country’s stable politics and flexible labour market have helped make it wealthy. But it adds that, despite reforms…

Researchers make drug addiction find

This content was published on Apr 3, 2006 Using a substance developed by Swiss pharmaceutical concern Roche, they have shown that the cellular changes induced by drugs can be reversed. “Our findings certainly demonstrate that addiction is a brain disease and at least in theory open the possibility that treatment is possible,” Christian Lüscher, associate professor in neuropharmacology, told swissinfo. “The main message…

Research on humans needs comprehensive law

This content was published on Apr 3, 2006 More than 200 people, mainly health experts, heard that a situation similar to one in London, where six men were hospitalised when a drug trial went wrong, could also happen in Switzerland. Earlier this year the Swiss government published a draft law on such research, which is now the subject of nationwide consultation. “We want…

Labour accord opens door to new EU members

This content was published on Apr 3, 2006 The extension of an accord between Bern and Brussels on the free movement of people came into force on Saturday, six months after the Swiss voted in its favour. But access to Swiss jobs will be staggered through the use of quotas and the country has the right to impose restrictions on the number of…

GPs afraid of dying out

This content was published on Apr 1, 2006 With many GPs approaching retirement, concerns are high that there are not enough young doctors to replace them. GPs also want more of a say in health policy. The demonstration, the first of its kind by doctors in Switzerland, was organised by five professional associations. “It’s important that politicians and the health insurances, but also…

Swiss scientists find way to conquer phobias

This content was published on Apr 1, 2006 Researchers at Zurich University have discovered that the stress hormone cortisol can help reduce fear of spiders and social phobia. All phobias are characterised by a marked and disproportionate fear of certain objects and situations. Dominique de Quervain, leader of the study, chose spider and social phobias because they are very common. Cortisol is produced…

Little movement on biodiversity benefits

This content was published on Mar 30, 2006 The ten-day meeting sought to win a commitment from governments party to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to significantly reduce biodiversity loss by 2010. The meeting in the Brazilian city of Curitiba discussed such comprehensive issues as promoting sustainable use of biodiversity, protecting traditional knowledge, ensuring the equitable sharing of benefits from…

Swiss graduates outlive school leavers

This content was published on Mar 25, 2006 The authors of the study, the first of its kind in Switzerland, say new health and social strategies are needed to reduce inequalities in life expectancy. Switzerland is one of the nations with the highest life expectancy – 77.9 years for men and 83 years for women. But how long you live is linked to…

Novartis faces huge bill for US overtime

This content was published on Mar 23, 2006 Law firm Sanford Wittels & Heisler said Simona Lopes, a former sales representative, had filed the suit for herself and other employees of the company across the country. The class action lawsuit alleges Novartis violated the Fair Labor Standards Act and New York State’s overtime laws by failing to pay her for overtime when she…

Stress of modern living takes its toll

This content was published on Mar 22, 2006 An expert speaking at a lecture to mark Bern’s Brain Week said there had been a rise in chronic fatigue and pain-related conditions and that invalidity benefit had more claimants than ever. The word psychosomatic is formed from the Greek words psyche (breath, life, soul) and soma (body), explained Roland von Känel, professor of psychosomatic…

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