Archive – Science

Study shows it doesn’t take brains to emigrate

This content was published on Jul 4, 2002 A team of Swiss and international researchers has discovered the skull of a small, lightly built individual at an archaeological site in Dmanisi, Georgia. The size of the skull raises the possibility that the large brains which characterise modern humans did not necessarily evolve before our ancestors began migrating all over the world. The study…

Calls for curbs on ozone-forming pollutants

This content was published on Jul 2, 2002 They have called for an international agreement – along the lines of the Kyoto Protocol – to reduce the emission of pollutants, which lead to the formation of the gas. Until now, international attention has focused on ozone depletion in the stratosphere, the layer of atmosphere which lies about 10-50 kilometres above the Earth. However,…

Ambrosia plays havoc with allergy sufferers

This content was published on Jun 29, 2002 Ragweed, also known by its Latin name, ambrosia artemisiifolia, is a native of North America. This invasive plant has already colonised the whole of Canada, while the US federal government and a number of states list it as a “noxious weed”. And with good reason. This annual plant, with its spikes of greenish bell-like flowers,…

Environmental pressures outpace solutions

This content was published on Jun 24, 2002 That’s the finding of the latest state of the environment report, published on Monday by the Swiss Environment Agency and the Federal Statistics Office. The two-volume, 670-page report say air pollution has decreased and lakes and rivers have become cleaner – thanks largely to the efforts of industry. However, every day in Switzerland an area…

Swiss Red Cross combats school violence

This content was published on Jun 24, 2002 The programme, dubbed Chili – or “hot conflict training for heads that keep their cool” – is now in its second year. Project leader Isabel Uehlinger says they chose the name “Chili” because the hot and spicy pepper is an accurate representation of the programme’s twin themes: conflict and aggression. Conflict comes in many forms…

Hemp farmers hope for new markets

This content was published on Jun 23, 2002 In September, parliament will consider a draft law to decriminalise the consumption of cannabis. But the finer details of the law covering the growing and selling of cannabis or hemp plants and their products have yet to be worked out. At the moment growing, selling, buying and consuming hemp as a drug are all illegal…

Organ donations remain taboo

This content was published on Jun 21, 2002 Last year, 1,030 people were on waiting lists to receive a replacement organ, but just 424 of them had a transplant. According to Swisstransplant, the national coordination centre, 32 others died while waiting for a transplant. The organ donor day, which is also being held in Germany and France, will try to hammer home the…

Ethics commission backs stem cell research

This content was published on Jun 19, 2002 The decision comes as the government draws up detailed legislation, which it is expected to present to parliament at the end of the year. The commission issued a majority decision, endorsing stem cell research but only on embryos up to the blastocyst stage of development, which is normally about five days. “Our main concern was…

Baby Basel meets mighty Massachusetts

This content was published on Jun 19, 2002 Basel City covers a mere 37 square kilometres and has a population of 188,000. Mighty Massachusetts, by comparison, covers some 7,840 square kilometres and boasts a population of six and a half million. However, members of local government dismiss suggestions that the Swiss canton will play baby brother in any sister-state agreement. “We recognised three…

Development agencies debate Nepal conflict

This content was published on Jun 19, 2002 The two-day meeting in London will focus on how development agencies operating in the country – including the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) – plan to coordinate their response in light of the continuing conflict between Maoist rebels and Nepalese government forces. Paul Eckert, in charge of Asian affairs at the agency, said…

Archive – Science

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Archive – Science

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Study shows it doesn’t take brains to emigrate

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Calls for curbs on ozone-forming pollutants

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Ambrosia plays havoc with allergy sufferers

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Environmental pressures outpace solutions

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Swiss Red Cross combats school violence

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Hemp farmers hope for new markets

More

Organ donations remain taboo

More

Ethics commission backs stem cell research

More

Baby Basel meets mighty Massachusetts

More

Development agencies debate Nepal conflict

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