Cluster: Science

Asian insects make a beeline for Switzerland

This content was published on Sep 11, 2012 “There have been a few non-native insects in Switzerland for several years, but we’re now seeing a worrying spike in numbers,” says Stève Breitenmoser, an entomologist at the Changins-Wädenswil agroscope research station. “The main reason for the proliferation of all these insects is the rise in trade and transcontinental shipping,” says Breitenmoser. “But some species…

Climate solutions

Malaysia money laundering case ensnares UBS

This content was published on Aug 31, 2012 The case has been opened in response to complaints by the rainforest advocacy group Bruno Manser Fund (BMF), which accuses UBS of having breached its due diligence duties in managing its relationship with Sabah’s chief minister, Musa Aman, who controls logging in the region. Aman has been chief minister of Sabah since 2003 and is…

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Conflicting interests compete for space

This content was published on Jul 30, 2012 The view from the Rüeggisberg monastery ruins is enough to take your breath away. The Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, the three most famous mountains in the Bernese Alps, can be seen in all their glory. But the screeching engines of two fighter jets overhead breaks the spell in the Gantrisch regional nature park. Just south…

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Dogs in sheep’s clothing

This content was published on Jul 30, 2012 Walter Hildbrand was mandated by the Federal Environment Office in 2002 to carry out a project on herd protection in the mountain village of Jeizinen in canton Valais. It has since become a permanent centre. He tests his Maremma sheepdogs to see how they can be used to protect flocks of sheep. Opponents keep a…

The growing potential of solar energy

This content was published on Jul 23, 2012 The Swiss parliament decided in 2011 against the construction of new nuclear power plants in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan and a wider shift away from atomic power. In the coming months Switzerland’s new energy policy must be fine-tuned and agreement found on the substance and framework of how to exit…

Climate solutions

Solar energy gets southern boost

This content was published on Jul 23, 2012 Four rivers, two marshes, rice paddies, almond trees, farms and small businesses: the town of Calasparra is removed from the usual tourist haunts in this part of the country, 100 kilometres west of Alicante. Far from rainy Switzerland, the July sun is high in the sky and the temperature hovers around 32 degrees Celsius. For…

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Malaria vaccine appears to be within reach

This content was published on Jul 13, 2012 No-one claims that the battle against the disease – which kills about one million people a year – has been won. But of the 20 or so vaccines under development, testing of RTS,S is at the most advanced stage. Some 16,000 children aged between five and 17 months are taking part in phase III clinical…

Climate solutions

Nuclear plants must resist extreme weather

This content was published on Jul 6, 2012 The Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI) said on Friday it had written to the operators of the country’s five nuclear power facilities to outline the conditions for meeting the requirements. The onus on operators to demonstrate that their plants can resist extreme weather was one of the outstanding issues highlighted by the European Union…

Climate solutions

Glacier climber tells how he found skeletons

This content was published on Jul 4, 2012 DNA tests are now being carried out to determine whether the remains are those of four local men who disappeared in March 1926 after bad weather interrupted their climb. In a first interview with the media, Robert McGregor, from Eastbourne in southern England, told swissinfo.ch how he and his partner Sally Stoneley were walking back…

Climate solutions

Nearly 100,000 fewer animals used in labs

This content was published on Jun 28, 2012 In all, 662,128 animals were experimented on. Of those, 79 per cent were rodents such as rats, mice and hamsters. Ten per cent of the animals were poultry on which researchers were testing feeding and caging methods. The veterinary office said the number of animals used for experiments in which they suffered “severe distress” had…

Cluster: Science

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Cluster: Science

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Asian insects make a beeline for Switzerland

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Malaysia money laundering case ensnares UBS

More

Conflicting interests compete for space

More

Dogs in sheep’s clothing

More

The growing potential of solar energy

More

Solar energy gets southern boost

More

Malaria vaccine appears to be within reach

More

Nuclear plants must resist extreme weather

More

Glacier climber tells how he found skeletons

More

Nearly 100,000 fewer animals used in labs

Popular Stories

Most Discussed