Archive – Science

Good weather blamed for mountain deaths

This content was published on Aug 16, 2000 More people have died in the mountains so far this month than in June and July combined. Rescue workers say the combination of good weather and large quantities of snow in the mountains is to blame. Climbers tempted by the return of summery conditions are heading for Alpine summits where last month’s snow has still…

Solidarity Chain collects SFr17 million for Turkey

This content was published on Aug 16, 2000 The chain, which raises money for Swiss charities and aid organisations, says its partners in the region have already spent SFr10 million, and work is still continuing. Reporting on the past year’s activities, the Solidarity Chain said that, following last August’s disaster, it had helped to provide medicines, blood supplies and blankets to the victims…

Refrigerators give clues to health of older people

This content was published on Aug 15, 2000 The study published in the latest edition of the British medical journal “The Lancet” found that those older people with empty fridges were more likely to fall ill than those with well-stocked refrigerators. The research examined 132 elderly patients with an average age of 81. These patients were receiving routine house calls after leaving hospital.…

Scientists play down fears over animal-to-human transplants

This content was published on Aug 15, 2000 The Swiss response comes after the Roslin Institute in Scotland, which created the world’s first cloned sheep, Dolly, announced it would no longer pursue research in this field. The Roslin Institute said the decision was taken for purely economic reasons, after its American backers, Geron Bio-Med, cut its funding for research into producing genetically altered…

Business leaders denounce energy tax proposals

This content was published on Aug 15, 2000 Influential businessmen from different sectors of the economy held a news conference in Berne on Tuesday to ask voters to reject all three plans. Each of the proposals calls for an additional levy on energy. The money raised would be used for the promotion of alternative forms of energy or to support the country’s social…

A guide to the diverse ways of the Swiss

This content was published on Aug 14, 2000 He continues: “Land-locked, a home market smaller than London, speaking four different languages, no natural resources – other than hydroelectric power, a little salt and even less fish – no secured markets for its products through either colonies or being part of a trading bloc, Switzerland should have come down to earth with a bump…

Hedgehogs spread the word in Geneva

This content was published on Aug 12, 2000 Over 150 of these cute creatures have invaded the streets of Geneva and its suburbs to spread the word: that many things – from motor oil to old sofas, from clothes to potato peelings – can be re-used. Needless to say, we are not talking about real hedgehogs. These animals with a mission are huge,…

The Matterhorn remains a fatal attraction

This content was published on Aug 11, 2000 “It’s the mountain of mountains,” says Bruno Jelk, head of Zermatt’s rescue service as he stares at the huge, hooked pyramid of the Matterhorn. “Everyone wants to get up it even if they’re not proper climbers. It’s not really a difficult climb but if you’re inexperienced, it can be tricky. “There’s the danger of losing…

Solar power deemed too expensive for commercial use

This content was published on Aug 11, 2000 The study’s findings, presented at a press conference on Friday, do not bode well for environmentalists and others concerned about renewable energy. After three years of research, the solar power company that conducted the study, Mont Soleil, has concluded that technologies to harness the Sun’s energy remain far more expensive and inefficient than other sources…

Small village pays tribute to icy pioneer

This content was published on Aug 11, 2000 Lourtier, all closely-huddled houses and narrow streets, sits in a beautiful green valley below the resort of Verbier. It would be completely unremarkable if it wasn’t for the fact that Jean-Pierre Perraudin was born and lived here. Perraudin is the village’s most famous son but he is not as well known as he deserves to…

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