Archive – Science

Swiss scientists to study Genesis space data

This content was published on Sep 30, 2004 Important material survived the space capsule’s crash-landing in the United States earlier this month. Swiss scientists will be among those analysing solar wind particles – gathered during the three-year Genesis mission – which could shed light on how the Sun was created billions of years ago. When the Genesis capsule crashed in the Utah desert,…

Government urges support for stem-cell research

This content was published on Sep 28, 2004 The issue, which goes to a nationwide vote on November 28, is being opposed by anti-abortion groups and the Greens. The new law, which has been approved by parliament, would allow fertilised eggs left over from in-vitro fertilisation to be used for research purposes, but only under strict conditions. If approved at the ballot box,…

Alien life forms threaten Switzerland

This content was published on Sep 28, 2004 Alien animals and plants pose a serious threat to biodiversity, the national economy and people’s health – according to the organisers of the Neobiota international conference. Wolfgang Nentwig of Bern University, one of the conference organisers, told swissinfo that the Swiss public needed to be made aware of the inroads foreign species were making. “People…

Experts consider how to transform war economies

This content was published on Sep 25, 2004 Swiss and international experts agreed that the problem could only be tackled by creating political and economic stability in the countries concerned, and involving grassroots and international actors. Participants considered the example of Afghanistan where the transformation of the economy is proceeding slowly after 20 years of war. The one-day event was organised by the…

Monster mushroom spans 100 football fields

This content was published on Sep 25, 2004 Scientists said on Friday the fungus was about 1,000 years old and measured 800 by 500 metres, the equivalent of 100 football fields. A detailed survey revealed that the fungus was a single mushroom, mostly concealed underground. It was found near the Ofenpass in the mountainous southeastern canton of Graubunden. “The majority of the fungus…

Aid for stricken Haiti steps up a gear

This content was published on Sep 23, 2004 The government and charities have already made over SFr600,000 ($477,000) available, but getting assistance to stricken areas is proving difficult. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) on Tuesday added SFr225,000 to its contribution to the World Food Programme (WFP) for Haiti, providing a total of SFr1.16 million. Private Swiss charities, including Caritas and…

Castle reveals secret of severed hand

This content was published on Sep 23, 2004 A severed hand in its own display cabinet has been helping to draw record numbers of daytrippers to the picturesque hilltop castle village. For more than 100 years, mystery has shrouded the ancient shrunken limb. It took one of Switzerland’s most eminent anthropologists to uncover the truth, in a research project started in 2003. Legends…

Virtual humans show way forward for tourism

This content was published on Sep 21, 2004 The Federal Institute of Technology programme shows planners what is likely to attract or deter tourists. It is based on information collected in the mountain village of Schönried near Gstaad. The winter ski resort has recently suffered a dearth of snow, due to its relatively low altitude of 1,200 metres. As climate change continues to…

Roche announces positive test for key cancer drug

This content was published on Sep 20, 2004 Pancreatic cancer, for which current treatment options are limited, was the focus of the latest trial. William Burns, head of Roche’s pharmaceuticals division, said: “The survival benefit delivered in this study is particularly exciting, as these results come on top of good data for lung cancer. “This means new hope for pancreatic patients who currently…

Tailored drugs risk leaving the poor untreated

This content was published on Sep 17, 2004 Pharmacogenetic tests, pioneered by the Swiss drug firm Roche, promise more effective and safer treatments, but the implications are not all therapeutic. Despite incredible progress made in recent decades, medicine remains anything but an exact science. New drugs coming onto the market generally have a success rate of between 70 and 80 per cent. “Try…

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Swiss scientists to study Genesis space data

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Government urges support for stem-cell research

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Alien life forms threaten Switzerland

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Experts consider how to transform war economies

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Monster mushroom spans 100 football fields

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Aid for stricken Haiti steps up a gear

More

Castle reveals secret of severed hand

More

Virtual humans show way forward for tourism

More

Roche announces positive test for key cancer drug

More

Tailored drugs risk leaving the poor untreated

Popular Stories

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