Archive – Science

Senior vet hammers Pitbull ban

This content was published on Jan 18, 2006 Pierre-François Gobat, president of the Association of Cantonal Veterinarians, believes the knee-jerk reaction by the government and politicians has no scientific basis and will not make people safer. On Friday the government proposed a series of measures against “dangerous dogs”, including a ban on Pitbull terriers and tighter restrictions on 13 other breeds. It follows…

Pluto mission gets Swiss shield

This content was published on Jan 17, 2006 Zurich-based Contraves Space is supplying the fairing that sits on top of the launcher, protecting the spacecraft as it accelerates through the Earth’s atmosphere. Nasa, the United States space agency, says the mission is designed to help understand planets known as ice dwarves by making the first reconnaissance of Pluto and one of its moons,…

Antibiotics use is below rest of Europe

This content was published on Jan 16, 2006 But there are large differences in uses between the cantons, both in terms of per capita antibiotic sales and defined daily doses. The findings are part of a research programme on antibiotic resistance funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation. In Switzerland, as elsewhere, public health authorities are alarmed by the emergence and spread of…

Government recommends Pitbull ban

This content was published on Jan 13, 2006 Swiss animal experts have criticised moves to ban the fighting dog and impose restrictions on 13 other breeds, saying such measures don’t always work or don’t address the real problem. The veterinary office said on Friday it was recommending a clampdown on 13 dog breeds, including bull terriers, Rottweilers and Dobermans. People wanting to keep…

Aluminium giant slashes 180 jobs in Valais

This content was published on Jan 12, 2006 The closure of the plant in Steg, canton Valais, comes just seven months after 110 posts were cut at another Alcan plant in the same canton. The move is expected to result in the loss of 140 jobs for smelter workers and 40 employees in support positions. A statement from Alcan, the second-largest aluminium company…

Nasa gathers stardust from “Bernese” comet

This content was published on Jan 12, 2006 The comet was named after its discoverer, the Bernese astronomy professor, Paul Wild. “It was only a small whitish spot on the edge of a photograph,” Wild says of the object he saw for the first time on January 6, 1978. The emeritus professor and former director of Bern University’s Astronomical Institute had seen such…

Gout discovery offers hope for arthritis

This content was published on Jan 12, 2006 They say they have identified the mechanism that triggers gout and claim it can be successfully blocked using inhibitor drugs already available on the market. It has long been known that patients suffering from gout have a high level of uric acid in the blood. This over time crystallises and settles in the joints, causing…

Federal institute aims to lead the way

This content was published on Jan 8, 2006 Hafen wants the federal institute to lead the way in education in Switzerland by changing its system of teaching and forging closer links with industry. He believes student fees would help students make better decisions and help fund education at the institute in future. And he thinks a referendum vote at the end of last…

Pond scum shows promise against Alzheimer’s

This content was published on Jan 7, 2006 But the scientists warn it could be years and plenty of money before any potential application appears on the drug market. It is believed to be the first time that a potent agent against Alzheimer’s has been extracted from a type of cyanobacteria commonly known as ‘pond scum.’ The new compound, nostocarboline, was isolated by…

“Introverted” Swiss lead the world in openness

This content was published on Jan 6, 2006 Hot-blooded Italians, cold Germans, unassuming Canadians, welcoming Indians… The list of stereotypes is long, sometimes offensive and almost always wrong. Stereotypes come into existence, and survive, through a combination of history, political discourse, culturally determined jokes, and of course, the media, which reinforces the image of a “typical” national type. But rarely do stereotypes stand…

Archive – Science

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Archive – Science

More

Senior vet hammers Pitbull ban

More

Pluto mission gets Swiss shield

More

Antibiotics use is below rest of Europe

More

Government recommends Pitbull ban

More

Aluminium giant slashes 180 jobs in Valais

More

Nasa gathers stardust from “Bernese” comet

More

Gout discovery offers hope for arthritis

More

Federal institute aims to lead the way

More

Pond scum shows promise against Alzheimer’s

More

“Introverted” Swiss lead the world in openness

Popular Stories

Most Discussed