Archive – Science

Biotech seen as answer to generic competition

This content was published on Jan 20, 2003 A key objective of BioData 2003 is to look at how pharmaceutical firms can use biotechnology to stay ahead of the competition. Michael George of Geneva-based Serono – Europe’s largest biotech firm and one of Biodata’s main sponsors – predicts that pharmaceutical and biotech firms will work ever more closely together in the future. “The…

Switzerland on the road to gender equality

This content was published on Jan 18, 2003 But discrimination at work and in the legal system mean that Swiss women are still worse off than some of their European neighbours. “We mustn’t forget that we started with zero in 1971 [when women were given the vote],” Patricia Schulz, director of the Federal Office for Equality and head of the Swiss delegation in…

Comet chaser faces lengthy delay

This content was published on Jan 15, 2003 The Rosetta spacecraft, which carries an instrument designed at Bern University, was due to embark on its ten-year journey before the end of the month. The European Space Agency (ESA) and its rocket operator, the Arianespace consortium, announced the project would be postponed because of lingering concerns about the reliability of the Ariane 5 launcher.…

Comet chaser prepares for take-off

This content was published on Jan 15, 2003 The mission will involve the first attempt to try to land a robot on a comet. The Rosetta spacecraft, whose payload includes an instrument designed at Bern University, is embarking on a ten-year journey. It will be the most detailed study of a comet ever undertaken and should reveal much about how the solar system…

Rough ride for Swiss horses

This content was published on Jan 11, 2003 Swiss Animal Protection (SAP) claims that many horses are being neglected both by their owners and by Swiss law. “The Federal Veterinary Office only produces guidelines for how horses should be kept,” explains SAP spokesman Mark Rissi. “Unlike with other farm animals, there are no binding laws related to the keeping of horses. “The cantonal…

Swiss scientists put finishing touches to Envisat

This content was published on Jan 9, 2003 The team based at the University of Zurich is in the process of calibrating instruments for evaluating data from Europe’s most powerful and sophisticated satellite. Urs Frei, Zurich University I am convinced that it will be possible to estimate the probability of natural disasters. The satellite is designed to help scientists better understand climatic shifts…

English powers ahead

This content was published on Jan 6, 2003 Right across the country, schools and businesses are pouring resources into learning the language. One of the first signs that English was on the rise was the move by canton Zurich’s education department to introduce it as the first foreign language taught in primary schools, in place of the traditional French. The decision was at…

Maternal instinct is not enough

This content was published on Jan 4, 2003 Last year alone, it is estimated that more than 50,000 parents attended courses ranging from baby massage and dealing with the “terrible twos” to coping with a rebellious teenager. Despite its popularity, parent education in Switzerland remains firmly in the voluntary sector. There is no government department for family matters, and almost no public funding…

Switzerland pays homage to Eccles

This content was published on Jan 4, 2003 A new foundation aiming at continuing his research has opened its doors in Ticino, where the Australian-born neuroscientist spent the last years of his life. Eccles was born in Melbourne on January 27, 1903, and dedicated most of his life to neuroscience and research into the communication among nerve cells. Together with his wife Helena,…

Avalanche victim cheats death

This content was published on Jan 3, 2003 The man, who was skiing to the Jungfraujoch – the highest alpine station in Europe – was discovered by a Swiss rescue hound. The 23-year-old had started out from the Mönchjochhütte with a friend on New Year’s eve when they triggered an avalanche. “He disappeared [in the snow] and was dragged down the slope for…

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Archive – Science

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Biotech seen as answer to generic competition

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Switzerland on the road to gender equality

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Comet chaser faces lengthy delay

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Comet chaser prepares for take-off

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Rough ride for Swiss horses

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Swiss scientists put finishing touches to Envisat

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English powers ahead

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Maternal instinct is not enough

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Switzerland pays homage to Eccles

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Avalanche victim cheats death

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