Archive – Science

Drug price study sparks controversy

This content was published on Oct 15, 2003 The controversial findings have been challenged as misleading by patients groups and the federal price watchdog. According to a study commissioned by the Swiss pharmaceutical industry, high production costs mean that drugs in Switzerland are among the most expensive in the world – second only to the United States. But when purchasing power was taken…

Young neurobiologist wins Latsis Prize

This content was published on Oct 15, 2003 Silvia Arber, a 35-year-old neurobiologist at Basel University, discovered that the human nervous system is not entirely pre-programmed but develops over time. The prize, which comes with a cheque of SFr100,000 ($75,100), is awarded annually by Switzerland’s National Science Foundation, and is aimed at encouraging young researchers. This year’s prizewinner is the daughter of Werner…

Swiss identify US nanotech opportunities

This content was published on Oct 13, 2003 “The US Nanotechnology Environment– where’s the business?” is aimed at small and medium sized businesses. “There is business to be done in the field of metrology equipment, simulation software, coatings, biotechnology and catalysts,” said David Kouidri, Trade Commissioner, of the Swiss Business Hub in Chicago, and the publisher of the report. “We believe that Swiss…

Pleas for help in tackling youth suicide

This content was published on Oct 12, 2003 Switzerland has one of the highest youth suicide rates in Europe, with recent figures suggesting that around 1,000 children or adolescents attempt to kill themselves each year. About one in ten suicide attempts actually succeeds. With suicide the leading cause of death among 20 to 24-year-olds in Switzerland, mental health societies say not enough is…

Radios and computers enlisted to reduce poverty

This content was published on Oct 8, 2003 They are all using information and communication technologies (ICTs) to help improve lives. Dozens of similar projects will be on display in December in Geneva at an exhibition to coincide with the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). Some 200 organisations and businesses from 80 countries are taking part in the joint exhibition and…

Cold blast gives foretaste of winter

This content was published on Oct 8, 2003 Gusts of up to 180 kilometres per hour have been recorded in the Alps, and snow has made its first appearance in many parts of the country, leading to traffic chaos. Central and eastern Switzerland were worst affected by the sudden change in conditions. In canton Lucerne, the strong winds led to power cuts. Repair…

Politics is a big turn-off for Switzerland’s youth

This content was published on Oct 6, 2003 In an attempt to reverse the trend, hundreds of delegates – including young Swiss – gathered to discuss the problem in Lucerne. The international conference was organised by the Swiss government and the Council of Europe, under the theme “Democracy can be taught”. The international conference was organised under the theme “Democracy can be taught”.…

Scientists warn of gene doping threat

This content was published on Oct 2, 2003 Concerns over genetically engineered athletes should be taken seriously, experts claim, even though gene therapy is still in its infancy. The potential use of synthetic genes to cure people suffering from otherwise fatal diseases has made gene therapy one of the most talked-about fields in modern medicine. But although gene therapy technology is only at…

Swiss deflect blame for Italian blackout

This content was published on Sep 29, 2003 At least four deaths have been attributed to the blackout, which affected almost all of Italy’s 57 million population. The Italian authorities have blamed the blackout on a breakdown of electricity lines from France and Switzerland, which supply around 17 per cent of Italy’s power. The Swiss electricity company, Aare-Tessin for Electricity (Atel), said powerful…

Basel turns to deep heat for energy

This content was published on Sep 28, 2003 But while most geothermal plants rely on naturally occurring hot springs or steam fields, engineers in Basel have been forced to adopt a different approach. They will drill two boreholes into hot rock to a depth of five kilometres where the temperature is about 200 degrees Celsius. They will fracture the rock between the boreholes…

Archive – Science

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Archive – Science

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Drug price study sparks controversy

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Young neurobiologist wins Latsis Prize

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Swiss identify US nanotech opportunities

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Pleas for help in tackling youth suicide

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Radios and computers enlisted to reduce poverty

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Cold blast gives foretaste of winter

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Politics is a big turn-off for Switzerland’s youth

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Scientists warn of gene doping threat

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Swiss deflect blame for Italian blackout

More

Basel turns to deep heat for energy

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