Science

In our science coverage, we look at where Swiss inno-vation touches the world. We focus especially on solutions to climate change and other areas where Swiss research contributes to global understanding and solutions.

Climate misinformation is ‘muddying waters’ and delaying urgent action, experts warn

The Neurath lignite-fired power station in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

This content was published on Jul 11, 2025 The fossil fuel industry and right-wing populists are coordinating misinformation campaigns to obstruct efforts to tackle the climate crisis, according to a new review of climate misinformation.

Climate solutions

Climate misinformation is ‘muddying waters’ and delaying urgent action, experts warn

Extreme heat and drought are Switzerland’s top climate change risks

This content was published on Jul 10, 2025 Swiss authorities have identified dozens of climate-related risks in the coming decades. Swissinfo looks at the top heat and drought threats.

Why Switzerland is among the ten fastest-warming countries in the world

This content was published on Jul 10, 2025 Switzerland is particularly affected by climate change, with temperatures rising faster than in most other countries.

AI giants accused of hiding environmental footprint

This content was published on Jul 8, 2025 The boom in artificial intelligence (AI) comes with environmental costs that are still largely hidden.

Researchers in Switzerland have tested the use of fibre optics on several Alpine glaciers (picture shows the Rhone Glacier).

Fibre optics on glaciers open new frontiers for natural disaster predictions

This content was published on Jun 29, 2025 The fibre-optic cables we use to surf the Internet and make phone calls could help us predict a landslide or the collapse of a glacier.

Opinion

Climate scientist: overhyped carbon removal risks delaying urgent climate action

This content was published on Jun 26, 2025 Misrepresenting the potential of carbon dioxide removal technologies like direct air capture risks undermining global efforts to decarbonise, says climate scientist James Kerry.

Saving lives in the shadow of melting giants

This content was published on Jun 25, 2025 As climate change threatens the Himalayas, Switzerland brings its Alpine disaster prevention expertise to India.

Solar panels on the Muttsee dam in the Glarus Alps, August 2021.

Five unusual places to install solar panels in Switzerland

This content was published on Jun 15, 2025 Solar energy is essential for achieving a zero-emission society. But where to produce it in large quantities? Here are the most curious and promising Swiss ideas.

A view on June 6 of the millions of tonnes of rock, ice and other debris that engulfed the mountain village of Blatten in the Lötschental valley after a local glacier collapsed on May 28.

The devastating glacier collapse in Blatten: what next?

This content was published on Jun 13, 2025 Two weeks after a landslide wiped out most of the Alpine village of Blatten, talk of reconstruction is picking up, but huge challenges remain.

Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?

Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?

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Jun 13, 2025

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In Blatten, in the Lötschental valley in Valais, an estimated nine million cubic metres of ice, mud and rock crashed down a nearby mountain on May 28, wiping out the village. The few houses that remained intact were later flooded.

Blatten: what price for preserving Swiss mountain life?

This content was published on Jun 11, 2025 Swiss debates on preserving Alpine life have intensified following the Blatten glacier collapse. Discover the discussion shaping mountain village futures.

Research frontiers

AI giants accused of hiding environmental footprint

This content was published on Jul 8, 2025 The boom in artificial intelligence (AI) comes with environmental costs that are still largely hidden.

Swiss Reddit study on fake news stirs ethics debate

This content was published on Jun 11, 2025 A controversial fake news study on the social media platform Reddit, has highlighted the ethical challenges of conducting research on society.

The fake news study on Reddit failed to inform particpants in advance

How a fake news study tested ethical research boundaries

This content was published on Jun 10, 2025 A controversial fake news study on Reddit has highlighted the ethical responsibilities of conducting studies on society.

Switzerland has road tested some 30 driverless vehicle projects

Swiss roads could see driverless vehicles within three years

This content was published on May 27, 2025 A recent Swiss law change has raised the possibility of automated vehicles operating in real-life conditions in around three years.

UBS deploys AI analyst clones

This content was published on May 20, 2025 Zurich-based bank using OpenAI and Synthesia models to create lifelike avatars of its experts.

The Swiss mega-project to transport freight underground

This content was published on May 15, 2025 Cargo sous terrain – an initiative to build an underground tunnel system for transporting goods around Switzerland – rethinks strategy.

The Basel researcher whose work triggered a longevity revolution

This content was published on May 7, 2025 Basel-based scientist Michael Hall’s discovery of the gene Target of Rapamycin has fuelled one of the fastest growing trends – longevity.

The start-up Sun-Ways has installed solar panels between the rails of a railway line near Buttes, canton Neuchâtel. in western Switzerland.

Switzerland turns train tracks into solar power plants

This content was published on Apr 29, 2025 A Swiss start-up’s system to quickly install and remove solar panels between train tracks is now being tested.

Artificial intelligence explained

This content was published on Apr 22, 2025 This video explains what Natural Language Processing, Artificial General Intelligence and other terms linked to Artificial Intelligence mean.

Opinion

Why Switzerland’s proposed space law matters

This content was published on Apr 10, 2025 Switzerland’s proposed law on space operations will impact on how we collectively manage our activities beyond Earth’s atmosphere.

Gene therapies’ moment of reckoning

This content was published on Apr 4, 2025 Gene therapy companies have faced numerous setbacks over the last few years. What will it take for gene therapies to fulfill their promise?

Listen to our science podcast

The Swiss Connection Podcast: Hear Swiss science stories for the world

Why is Switzerland so sweet on cryptocurrency? What’s it like to be a Swiss expat in America? Swiss women couldn’t vote until when?!

Community corner: latest debates and surveys on science

What do you think about advanced health technologies such as freezing cord blood?

Do you have any experience with such solutions? Do you think more or less regulation is needed and why?

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Feb 11, 2025

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Science and technology: Insights from Switzerland

Our monthly newsletter helps you understand how developments in science and technology out of Switzerland are shaping our lives.

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Our videos on science

Sara Pisano talks to students about how AI could change their futures.

Is AI making young people rethink their careers?

This content was published on Dec 16, 2024 We spoke with vocational school students in Bern to hear their thoughts on AI and discuss the potential risks it poses to their careers.

Lift off! Swiss students build next-gen reusable rockets

This content was published on Oct 10, 2024 Rocket-building used to be the sole preserve of space-faring nations like the United States or Russia. Now many other players are getting involved from private companies to young researchers, even from Switzerland.

Fish stocks hit by warming lakes. Climate change seems partly to blame.

Fish species are disappearing as Swiss lakes warm up

This content was published on Sep 26, 2024 As temperatures climb in Switzerland, Swiss lakes, fish species and their natural habitat are also suffering. A look at the impact on Lake Geneva.

The first major project under the federal government’s “Solar Express” scheme is being built near the village of Sedrun in southeast Switzerland.

Construction starts on first large-scale solar park in Swiss Alps

This content was published on Sep 13, 2024 Construction starts on first large-scale solar park in Swiss Alps

What’s inside a comet?

This content was published on Jul 24, 2024 Watch how two Bern astrophysicists are hoping to dig beneath the surface of a comet to find out more about the origins of the solar system.

Pioneering research using dioxin-eating bacteria could help clean up Swiss city

This content was published on Jun 7, 2024 Pioneering research using dioxin-eating bacteria could help clean up Swiss city

More on science

Swiss fuel CO2 emissions fell in 2024

This content was published on Jul 10, 2025 CO2 emissions from fuels in Switzerland fell last year.

Extreme heat and drought are Switzerland’s top climate change risks

This content was published on Jul 10, 2025 Swiss authorities have identified dozens of climate-related risks in the coming decades. Swissinfo looks at the top heat and drought threats.

Why Switzerland is among the ten fastest-warming countries in the world

This content was published on Jul 10, 2025 Switzerland is particularly affected by climate change, with temperatures rising faster than in most other countries.

Trained on the “Alps” supercomputer at the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS) in Lugano, the new LLM marks a milestone in open-source AI and multilingual excellence, according to its developers.

Swiss universities to release multilingual AI programme

This content was published on Jul 9, 2025 This summer researchers at Swiss universities will make available a large language model (LLM), an AI programme trained on vast amounts of data, developed on public infrastructure.

The centre will link data from satellites, drones, measuring stations, and other sources.

Switzerland to build CHF100m Earth Observation Centre

This content was published on Jul 8, 2025 Swiss Earth Observation Centre will be funded by a donation of CHF100 million.

Reconstruction of the destroyed bridge in Val Maggia (TI) has begun

Reconstruction starts of destroyed Swiss Visletto bridge

This content was published on Jul 8, 2025 The Visletto bridge, destroyed by Swiss storms in June 2024, will be rebuilt by late autumn 2026.

AI giants accused of hiding environmental footprint

This content was published on Jul 8, 2025 The boom in artificial intelligence (AI) comes with environmental costs that are still largely hidden.

New 3D simulations for better avalanche forecasting

New Swiss 3D simulation tool offers better landslide forecasting

This content was published on Jul 7, 2025 A new 3D simulation tool is enabling much more accurate avalanche forecasts. The model, which proved its worth during the landslides in Brienz (GR) and Blatten (VS), could lead to more effective management of alpine risks.

Lenk Glacier Lake drained without complications

Swiss glacier lake drains without causing flooding damage

This content was published on Jul 7, 2025 The Faverges glacial lake on the Plaine Morte above Lenk in the Bernese Oberland drained over the weekend. There was no flooding or damage, the authorities announced on Monday.

257 Swiss companies are members of the SBTi

More than 250 Swiss companies sign CO2 reduction initiative

This content was published on Jul 5, 2025 A total of 257 companies from Switzerland have signed up to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). In doing so, they are committing to CO2 reduction targets that are compatible with the Paris Climate Agreement.

Swiss glaciers have lost the mass accumulated over the winter

Swiss glaciers lose winter snow and ice covering

This content was published on Jul 4, 2025 Swiss glaciers lose all the snow and ice accumulated over the winter and are now losing mass.

Building density does not necessarily make cities warmer

This content was published on Jul 4, 2025 High-density building does not necessarily lead to more heat in cities.

84 million bill expected for Val Mescolcina disaster in 2024

Swiss Val Mescolcina disaster cost CHF84 million

This content was published on Jul 3, 2025 The destructive storms in the Swiss Val Mesolcina region will cost an estimated CHF84 million.

Beznau power station completely disconnected due to heat

Swiss nuclear power station disconnected due to heat

This content was published on Jul 3, 2025 Both reactors at Beznau nuclear power plant in Switzerland have been shut down due to the heat.

Construction of the first alpine solar plant in Central Switzerland begins

Construction of Swiss Alpine solar plant begins

This content was published on Jul 3, 2025 Construction of the first alpine solar plant in central Switzerland has started.

Swiss space telescope CHEOPS discovers ‘suicidal planet’

This content was published on Jul 2, 2025 Swiss telescope CHEOPS has found a planet shrinking rapidly near its star.

Swiss lakes reach record high temperatures

This content was published on Jul 2, 2025 Swiss lakes hit record high temperatures due to a heatwave, impacting wildlife and water quality.

Basel Zoo announces offspring of endangered bird species

This content was published on Jul 2, 2025 Basel Zoo is celebrating successful breeding of endangered bird species, aiding conservation.

Climate change increases earthquake risk on the Mont Blanc massif

Study finds climate change increases earthquake risk on Mont Blanc

This content was published on Jul 2, 2025 Climate change has sharply increased earthquake risk on the Mont Blanc massif according to a new study.

Swiss firm BioVersys signs deal with Shionogi for antibiotics research

This content was published on Jul 2, 2025 Swiss firm BioVersys and Japanese firm Shionogi have joined forces on antibiotic research.

Beznau nuclear power plant shuts down one of its reactors due to the heat

Swiss nuclear power plant shuts down reactor due to the heat

This content was published on Jul 2, 2025 A Swiss nuclear reactor shuts down due to high river temperatures to protect local wildlife.

Satellite for European weather forecasts flies into space

This content was published on Jul 2, 2025 Europe launches new weather satellite for more precise storm warnings including in Switzerland.

ABB expands business in China with three new robot families

ABB expands robotics business in China

This content was published on Jul 2, 2025 ABB is expanding its robotics business in China with new AI-enabled robots from Shanghai.

Swiss heatwave danger raised to second-highest level

This content was published on Jun 29, 2025 Temperatures of up to 35°C are expected over the next few days.

Fibre optics on glaciers open new frontiers for natural disaster predictions

This content was published on Jun 29, 2025 The fibre-optic cables we use to surf the Internet and make phone calls could help us predict a landslide or the collapse of a glacier.

Swiss cantons issue heat warnings

This content was published on Jun 27, 2025 Heat warning issued for Swiss cantons of Ticino Geneva and Vaud.

The State of Valais wants to coordinate donations for Blatten

Swiss canton coordinates donations for landslide destroyed village

This content was published on Jun 27, 2025 The Swiss canton of Valais to form committee to coordinate CHF 57.4 million donations for village destroyed by a landslide.

Villagers complain of Musk reputational damage

Starlink satellite antennae plan divides Swiss village

This content was published on Jun 26, 2025 Plans to install 40 Starlink antennae in the Swiss village of Leuk is meeting with local resistance.

Temperatures are expected to soar again at the weekend

Switzerland braces for second hottest June on record

This content was published on Jun 26, 2025 The Swiss weather forecasting service MeteoSwiss expecting one of the hottest Junes on record.

Storm damage has become more frequent and more expensive in Switzerland

Swiss storm damage more frequent and more expensive

This content was published on Jun 26, 2025 Storm damage has increased by 126% in the last ten years. Costs have risen by 133% in the same period, according to Helvetia Insurance.

Opinion

Climate scientist: overhyped carbon removal risks delaying urgent climate action

Ruag International CEO André Wall resigns

CEO of Swiss state-owned technology company Ruag resigns

This content was published on Jun 26, 2025 Ruag International head to step down after parliament decides not to privatise Beyond Gravity unit.

Saving lives in the shadow of melting giants

This content was published on Jun 25, 2025 As climate change threatens the Himalayas, Switzerland brings its Alpine disaster prevention expertise to India.

Trees cool cities better than previously assumed

Study: trees have major cooling effect even in extreme heat

This content was published on Jun 23, 2025 Plane trees in cities have an important cooling effect even in extreme heat, according to a new study by the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL).

The panorama of the Battle of Murten is digitised

EPFL launches digitised version of Battle of Murten panorama

This content was published on Jun 23, 2025 To mark the anniversary of the Battle of Murten on 22 June 1476, the Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) has launched a website that offers the public an immersive experience of the huge panorama painting of the historic battle.

Federal Council creates law for continued ownership of Beyond Gravity

Swiss state ownership of Beyond Gravity to be formalised

This content was published on Jun 20, 2025 Swiss government to create legal basis for retaining ownership of the space company Beyond Gravity.

Climate adaptation

Why Switzerland is among the ten fastest-warming countries in the world

Cooks at work in the kitchen, pictured during a look behind the scenes at Hotel Seedamm Plaza in Pfaeffikon, canton of Schwyz, Switzerland, on March 31, 2014. (KEYSTONE/Christian Beutler)

Foreign Affairs

In Switzerland four out of ten people have a migrant background – who are they?

Swiss oddities

Mennonite movement turns 500 in Zurich, where it all began

Aging society

Suicides in Switzerland quadruple among older people

Criminals are targeting Swiss car dealerships

French gangs target luxury cars in Switzerland

Do you have Swiss ancestors? Are you planning to visit where they lived in Switzerland?

We’d love to hear more about your genealogical research.

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Jul 8, 2025

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Would you work for your municipality or country for free?

The Swiss militia system gives many people political responsibility but no salary. Would that be something for your country?

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Apr 24, 2025

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Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?

Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?

Join the discussion

Jun 13, 2025

23 Likes

17 Comments

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Science

More

Climate misinformation is ‘muddying waters’ and delaying urgent action, experts warn

More

Climate misinformation is ‘muddying waters’ and delaying urgent action, experts warn

More

Extreme heat and drought are Switzerland’s top climate change risks

More

Why Switzerland is among the ten fastest-warming countries in the world

More

AI giants accused of hiding environmental footprint

More

Fibre optics on glaciers open new frontiers for natural disaster predictions

More

Climate scientist: overhyped carbon removal risks delaying urgent climate action

More

Saving lives in the shadow of melting giants

More

Five unusual places to install solar panels in Switzerland

More

The devastating glacier collapse in Blatten: what next?

More

Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?

More

Blatten: what price for preserving Swiss mountain life?

More

AI giants accused of hiding environmental footprint

More

Swiss Reddit study on fake news stirs ethics debate

More

How a fake news study tested ethical research boundaries

More

Swiss roads could see driverless vehicles within three years

More

UBS deploys AI analyst clones

More

The Swiss mega-project to transport freight underground

More

The Basel researcher whose work triggered a longevity revolution

More

Switzerland turns train tracks into solar power plants

More

Artificial intelligence explained

More

Why Switzerland’s proposed space law matters

More

Gene therapies’ moment of reckoning

Listen to our science podcast

More

The Swiss Connection Podcast: Hear Swiss science stories for the world

Community corner: latest debates and surveys on science

More

What do you think about advanced health technologies such as freezing cord blood?

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Our videos on science

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Is AI making young people rethink their careers?

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Lift off! Swiss students build next-gen reusable rockets

More

Fish species are disappearing as Swiss lakes warm up

More

Construction starts on first large-scale solar park in Swiss Alps

More

What’s inside a comet?

More

Pioneering research using dioxin-eating bacteria could help clean up Swiss city

More on science

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Swiss fuel CO2 emissions fell in 2024

More

Extreme heat and drought are Switzerland’s top climate change risks

More

Why Switzerland is among the ten fastest-warming countries in the world

More

Swiss universities to release multilingual AI programme

More

Switzerland to build CHF100m Earth Observation Centre

More

Reconstruction starts of destroyed Swiss Visletto bridge