Archive – Science

Street parade 2003 – let the sun shine!

This content was published on Aug 9, 2003 With its motto “Let the sun shine!”, the Street Parade is issuing a plea for love, peace and tolerance. Organisers of the event have seen their wish granted. After last year’s downpour, the weather has stayed bright and sunny, with temperatures reaching 36 degrees in Switzerland’s business capital. Around 800,000 spectators and dancers from all…

Zurich to forge San Francisco partnership

This content was published on Aug 5, 2003 The most visible symbol of the project is San Francisco’s Swiss House which is set to open its doors in November. The scheme follows on from recent Swiss collaborations in Boston, New York and Chicago. The “San Francisco-Zurich Initiative” will focus initially on the exchange of ideas and information between the two cities’ academic institutions.…

Mental illness sends disability claims rocketing

This content was published on Aug 4, 2003 There are fears that the explosion in disability handouts could cripple the state’s invalidity insurance fund. The number of people receiving disability benefit – who are deemed incapable of working – has almost doubled since 1990, from 130,000 to 220,000. Until recently, the main causes of disability were physical illness, accidents or congenital disabilities. But…

Dinosaurs come alive in Basel

This content was published on Aug 3, 2003 The entire dinosaur period, believed to span from about 220 million to 65 million years ago, is covered in the show. Christian Meyer, director of Basel’s Natural History Museum, claims the exhibition contains a number of world firsts. “We have the best-preserved skeleton of a meat-eating dinosaur in the world, an allosaurus,” Meyer told swissinfo.…

Swiss scientists win equal rights in EU

This content was published on Aug 2, 2003 From January 1, 2004, Swiss scientists will be able to take part in more projects and get more funding from Brussels. The Swiss have been taking part in the EU’s research programmes for the past 15 years, but there have been restrictions in the range and number of projects in which they were allowed to…

Fireworks maker does rain dance for National Day

This content was published on Aug 1, 2003 Pyrotechnics on Swiss National Day are big business, but dry weather forced authorities in many areas to impose a ban – much to the dismay of manufacturers. But when swissinfo visited the Hans Hamberger Fireworks Factory a steady rain had brought a smile to the face of the company director, Kurt Abegglen. “We’re hoping for…

Solar cells give ray of hope to Swiss scientists

This content was published on Jul 31, 2003 The so-called nanocristalline solar cells have been shown to be much cheaper and just as effective as the silicon cells which have been used to make solar energy until now. Thanks to new technology, the cost of making the nanocristalline cells could tumble by as much as 80 per cent. Professor Michael Grätzel and his…

Fireworks banned as dry weather continues

This content was published on Jul 30, 2003 French-speaking regions are most affected by the ban which has been imposed because of a lack of rainfall this summer. Grand firework displays lie at the heart of the National Day festivities which also include farm brunches and the traditional gathering at the Rütli meadow in canton Uri – considered the cradle of the Swiss…

A dream come true

This content was published on Jul 29, 2003 Her skills have helped her make a name for herself in Europe, as she told swissinfo’s Mathias Froidevaux. Petignat is something of a footballing pioneer, having proven herself good enough to referee the final of the women’s World Cup and to oversee the best games in Swiss football. But now, she is facing an even…

Science of the small poses big dilemma

This content was published on Jul 28, 2003 Nanotechnology is the manipulation of particles at the nanoscale – one-millionth of a millimetre. Supporters in Switzerland say the discipline has the potential to create huge benefits in areas such as medicine, electronics, chemistry and computing. Critics say we need to understand whether it raises new ethical, health and safety or social issues before we…

Archive – Science

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Archive – Science

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Street parade 2003 – let the sun shine!

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Zurich to forge San Francisco partnership

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Mental illness sends disability claims rocketing

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Dinosaurs come alive in Basel

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Swiss scientists win equal rights in EU

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Fireworks maker does rain dance for National Day

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Solar cells give ray of hope to Swiss scientists

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Fireworks banned as dry weather continues

More

A dream come true

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Science of the small poses big dilemma

Popular Stories

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