Science-Switzerland

#WeeklyDigest | 𝗦𝘄𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 & 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 | A weekly recap of the latest achievements of Switzerland's higher education and research institutions, startups and other innovation-driven organizations: 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 / 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 - Climate Change Affects the Risk of Malaria in Kenya (University of Basel) >> https://lnkd.in/gWscPgEz - Examining Aerosols for Solar Geoengineering (ETH Zürich) >> https://lnkd.in/gAdbYGyF 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 - Pathogen's Resistance Drops When Colonizing Airways (EPFL) >> https://lnkd.in/g8ksCzyf - A New Way of Detecting Mutations Linked to Cancer (Université de Fribourg - Universität Freiburg) >> https://lnkd.in/gXgBMvWx - Decoding Alzheimer's Protein Structures (Empa) >> https://lnkd.in/grB7ErWZ - Enhancing Memory without Surgery (EPFL) >> https://lnkd.in/gjCRRd7Q - Similarities in Brain Development Between Marmosets and Humans (University of Zurich) >> https://lnkd.in/gQaGBBha 𝗡𝗮𝗻𝗼 / 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 / 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 - Revolutionizing Tissue Engineering with Novel Scaffold Technology (ETH Zürich) >> https://lnkd.in/gwwuU3Be 𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝘀 / 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 / 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗵 - A New Spectroscopy Reveals Water's Quantum Secrets (EPFL) >> https://lnkd.in/gBEq6dhG - Breakthrough in Sustainable Chemical Catalysts (EPFL) >> https://lnkd.in/gJvAGHAx - Fundamental Quantum Model Recreated from Nanographenes (Empa) >> https://lnkd.in/gCE_6Jjy 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 - Assistive Technologies for Everyday Use (ETH Zürich) >> https://lnkd.in/gnBZ7v_U 🇨🇭 Follow #ScienceSwitzerland for the latest news and emerging trends on Swiss science, technology, education and innovation >> swissinnovation.org Follow us >> Science-Switzerland #AddingValue | #Education | #Research | #Innovation

#QuantumPhysics | 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗺 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗡𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀 | Researchers at Empa, led by Prof. Dr. Roman Fasel, with contributions from Dresden University of Technology and the INL - International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory in Portugal, have made an exciting breakthrough in applied quantum physics. They successfully recreated a well-known theoretical quantum physics model in a synthetic material using nanographenes. This study is a landmark achievement as it demonstrates the potential to create and study exotic quantum states in synthetic materials. Such advancements hold promising applications in fields like communication, computing, and sensor technology. 👉 Learn more >> https://lnkd.in/guD8Wbpt 👉 Original publication >> https://lnkd.in/g46C8P-u 🇨🇭 Follow #ScienceSwitzerland for the latest news and emerging trends on Swiss science, technology, education, and innovation >> swissinnovation.org Follow us >> Science-Switzerland #Science | #Education | #Research | #Innovation

#NeuroTechnology | 𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘆 | A collaborative effort led by Prof. Dr. Friedhelm Hummel and Prof. Dr. Olaf Blanke has achieved a remarkable breakthrough in neuro-technology. Their innovative approach utilizes non-invasive brain stimulation to boost memory without the need for surgery, representing a significant advancement in cognitive science. The research employs transcranial temporal interference stimulation (tTIS) to specifically target brain regions responsible for memory and navigation. This technique holds promise for developing targeted therapies for individuals with cognitive impairments, such as the elderly, brain trauma patients, and those with dementia. 👉 Learn more >> https://lnkd.in/gWFt3c2v 👉 Original publication >> https://lnkd.in/gv4Fuj-5 🇨🇭 Follow #ScienceSwitzerland for the latest news and emerging trends on Swiss science, technology, education, and innovation >> swissinnovation.org Follow us >> Science-Switzerland #Science | #Education | #Research | #Innovation

#Evolution | 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘀 | A team of international researchers, led by Dr. Paola Cerrito from the University of Zurich, has made a significant breakthrough in understanding the brain development of common marmosets and its relation to their socio-cognitive skills and prosocial behavior. This study sheds light on how prolonged brain development in socially interactive regions equipped marmosets with sophisticated social abilities. The research used magnetic resonance data to analyze brain development, revealing that certain regions associated with social interaction develop over an extended period. These findings are crucial as they provide new perspectives on the relationship between brain development timing and socio-cognitive skills in marmosets, offering a model for human evolution. 👉 Learn more >> https://lnkd.in/gJmRVKdr 👉 Original publication >> https://lnkd.in/gWWRvitT 🇨🇭 Follow #ScienceSwitzerland for the latest news and emerging trends on Swiss science, technology, education, and innovation >> www.swissinnovation.org Follow us >> Science-Switzerland #Science | #Education | #Research | #Innovation

#AlzheimersResearch | 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗹𝘇𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿'𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 | Empa researcher Dr. Peter Nirmalraj, alongside scientists from the University of Limerick, has made a remarkable breakthrough in Alzheimer’s research. Their innovative study has shed light on the process of protein fibril formation, classifying them into subpopulations like "superspreader" based on their surface structures. This research is crucial as it advances our understanding of protein spread in Alzheimer’s disease, potentially leading to new monitoring and diagnostic methods. Employing a high-resolution atomic force microscope, the team observed fibril formation with unparalleled precision in real-time. This approach was enhanced with molecular model calculations, providing deeper insight into the fibril structures. 👉 Learn more >> https://lnkd.in/eJDdprgk 👉 Original publication >> https://lnkd.in/gWr5eSFk 🇨🇭 Follow #ScienceSwitzerland for the latest news and emerging trends on Swiss science, technology, education, and innovation >> swissinnovation.org Follow us >> Science-Switzerland #Science | #Education | #Research | #Innovation

#Innovation | 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝘁𝘀 | Researchers at EPFL, led by Associate Professor Jeremy Luterbacher, have achieved a significant breakthrough in catalyst development. They unveiled a novel method for precise layering of metal clusters on solid supports, which has the potential to enhance catalytic activity and contribute to sustainable chemical production. This research utilized a technique known as liquid-phase atomic layer deposition (ALD) to create exact catalyst active sites that facilitate reactions. The deposition of small metal clusters with near atomic precision significantly increased the rate of carbon dioxide hydrogenation, enabling the conversion of CO2 into valuable chemicals such as methanol. These advancements could accelerate chemical reactions and have substantial implications for more sustainable practices within the chemical industry. 👉 Learn more >> https://lnkd.in/gpCU4gE6 🇨🇭 Follow #ScienceSwitzerland for the latest news and emerging trends on Swiss science, technology, education, and innovation >> swissinnovation.org Follow us >> Science-Switzerland #Science | #Education | #Research | #Innovation

#CancerResearch | 𝗔 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗪𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝘂𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 | Researchers at the University of Fribourg, led by Professor Curzio Ruegg, have achieved a significant breakthrough in cancer detection. They have developed ultrasensitive nanosensors capable of identifying cancer-associated nucleic acids and mutations, marking a major leap forward in medical diagnostics. Utilizing Primer Exchange Reaction-Based Signal Amplification and Flow Cytometry, this method enables rapid, simple, and cost-effective detection of cancer mutations in tumor tissues and blood samples. The research holds great promise for enhancing cancer detection accessibility for numerous patients. Sarah Cattin and Isabelle Gray contributed significantly to this cutting-edge study. 👉 Learn more >> https://lnkd.in/grJBNBHG 👉 Original publication >> https://lnkd.in/gkuaYK74 🇨🇭 Follow #ScienceSwitzerland for the latest news and emerging trends on Swiss science, technology, education, and innovation >> swissinnovation.org Follow us >> Science-Switzerland #Science | #Education | #Research | #Innovation

#QuantumPhysics | 𝗔 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿'𝘀 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗺 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘀 | Dr. Sylvie Roke and her team from EPFL have developed the correlated vibrational spectroscopy (CVS) method, a pioneering technique that allows for the direct measurement of hydrogen-bond networks within water molecules. This innovative method utilizes femtosecond laser pulses in the near-infrared spectrum to differentiate between interacting and non-interacting molecules within the H-bond network. This advancement is crucial as it enables the quantification of hydrogen-bonding strength and offers molecular-level insights into various solutions. This method's potential applications are vast, including studies in electrolytes, sugars, amino acids, DNA, and proteins. Ultimately, it holds transformative possibilities for characterizing interactions across any material, promising significant strides in multiple scientific fields. 👉 Learn more >> https://lnkd.in/g5TK9K2h 👉 Original publication >> https://lnkd.in/gFawH3j4 🇨🇭 Follow #ScienceSwitzerland for the latest news and emerging trends on Swiss science, technology, education, and innovation >> swissinnovation.org Follow us >> Science-Switzerland #Science | #Education | #Research | #Innovation

#ClimateImpact | 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘆𝗮 | In a collaborative study led by Dr. Bryan Nyawanda and Dr. Penelope Vounatsou at Swiss TPH, an important link has been established between climate change and an increase in malaria cases in northern Kenya. This research highlights how increased rainfall and temperatures are driving a surge in malaria rates within specific regions of the country. By analyzing malaria prevalence data alongside climate variability from 2015 to 2020, the researchers uncovered significant insights into how climate influences disease patterns. This study emphasizes the necessity for region-specific malaria strategies that consider local climatic conditions and urbanization impacts. Understanding this complex relationship is crucial for developing targeted interventions and ensuring protection for vulnerable populations in Kenya and similar regions affected by climate-induced health challenges. 👉 Learn more >> https://lnkd.in/gc9eDzCJ 👉 Original publication >> https://lnkd.in/gAPq3Gst 🇨🇭 Follow #ScienceSwitzerland for the latest news and emerging trends on Swiss science, technology, education, and innovation >> swissinnovation.org Follow us >> Science-Switzerland #Science | #Education | #Research | #Innovation

#Innovation | 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 | Led by researcher Hao Liu of ETH Zürich, a groundbreaking technology has been developed that enables the production of aligned tissues such as muscle, tendon, nerve, and cartilage. This innovative approach uses delicate filament scaffolds, which guide cells to grow in precise alignments, marking a significant advancement in tissue engineering. The research demonstrates immense potential in applications like high-throughput drug screening and various medical research areas. Liu appreciates the academic freedom and engineering focus at ETH Zürich, having gained insights from research cultures in Japan and Switzerland. The team is actively working on making the technology accessible to other scientists and exploring commercial opportunities in supplying these tissue constructs for research and medical use, potentially transforming drug development processes. 👉 Learn more >> https://lnkd.in/gWJZStFU 🇨🇭 Follow #ScienceSwitzerland for the latest news and emerging trends on Swiss science, technology, education and innovation >> swissinnovation.org Follow us >> Science-Switzerland #Science | #Education | #Research | #Innovation