Science-Switzerland

#ParticlePhysics | 𝗥𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹, 𝗛𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝘀 | EPFL scientists have observed the rarest particle decay ever recorded. Specifically, they have observed the decay of a kaon, a particle made from a quark and an antiquark, into a pion and a neutrino-antineutrino pair for the first time, challenging the Standard Model of physics. This rare event, detected by a team led by Dr. Radoslav Marchevski from CERN, occurred at a rate 50% higher than predicted, potentially hinting at further discoveries beyond the current model of physics. The breakthrough came from analyzing extensive data from CERN’s NA62 experiment from 2016 to 2022 and using a new neutrino-tagging technique. This method, a joint effort between EPFL and Centre de Physique des Particules de Marseille (CPPM; CNRS/IN2P3 - Aix-Marseille University), allows scientists to accurately identify neutrinos and trace them back to their origin with unprecedented precision. This advancement not only marks a significant milestone in neutrino research but also promises to deepen our knowledge of neutrino interactions and their crucial role in the cosmos. 👉 Learn more >> https://lnkd.in/gdZvjf4z 👉 Original publication >> https://lnkd.in/gXveyRDr 🇨🇭 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

#Astronomy | 𝗘𝘂𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗠𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 | Mapping the last 10 billion years of cosmic history, researchers from the European Space Agency - ESA and the University of Geneva, led by Dr. Stéphane Paltani and Dr. Martin Kunz, have used the Euclid space telescope to observe over 26 million galaxies. This mission provides a 3D view of dark matter distribution, challenging existing gravitational theories and possibly reshaping our understanding of dark matter, dark energy, and the expansion of the Universe. Euclid's advanced imaging technology captures detailed images of galaxies, enabling the team to analyze cosmic structures and phenomena with unprecedented clarity. This breakthrough has also led to the identification of approximately 100,000 strong galaxy-to-galaxy gravitational lenses, a hundredfold increase over previous discoveries. 👉 Learn more >> https://lnkd.in/evBu6psF 🇨🇭 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

#PublicHealth | 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 | Urban jungles with well-placed trees could extend lives. Dr. Chi Dengkai and his team from ETH Zürich and the National University of Singapore found that neighborhoods with plenty of well-arranged trees see fewer deaths than less green areas. This study shows that urban forestry can improve public health, especially where air quality is poor and temperatures are high, by more than just making cities look better. The researchers analyzed tree canopy data to study green space structure within a 500-meter radius of residents' homes, focusing on tree clusters' size, closeness, connectivity, shape complexity, and fragmentation. They linked this with the survival data of over six million adults in Switzerland from 2010 to 2019. Their findings underline the significance of not only the number of trees but also their spatial organization for health. This research advises urban planners that increasing tree coverage and thoughtful arrangement could lower death rates in cities globally. 👉 Learn more >> https://lnkd.in/guHJCxPR 👉 Original publication >> https://lnkd.in/gSVmDhhG 🇨🇭 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

#Technology | 𝗨𝗹𝘁𝗿𝗮-𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 | Scientists from EPFL and IBM Research - Zurich, led by Prof. Dr. Tobias Jan Kippenberg and Dr. Paul Seidler, have developed a compact optical amplifier on a photonic chip that outperforms traditional amplifiers in bandwidth and efficiency. By using gallium phosphide, this breakthrough offers a solution for the increasing need for fast data transmission across a broad range of wavelengths in data centers, AI accelerators, and high-performance computing. The team developed a traveling-wave parametric amplifier (TWPA) that leverages gallium phosphide's high Kerr nonlinearity and refractive index while minimizing two-photon absorption. This led to the creation of a small spiral waveguide where light waves amplify each other, resulting in efficient signal boosting with minimal noise. This innovation promises significant advancements in optical sensing, metrology, and LiDAR systems for autonomous vehicles, moving towards more compact, efficient optical communication systems. EPFL and IBM's work sets a new standard through their innovative use of materials and design. 👉 Learn more >> https://lnkd.in/g5vxQTfX 👉 Original publication >> https://lnkd.in/gUVTmifx 🇨🇭 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

#Sustainability | 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗱 | Researchers from Empa's Urban Energy Systems Laboratory, led by Dr. Hanmin Cai and Dr. Federica Bellizio, have made a significant leap in building energy management. Their system cuts carbon emissions by over 10% and turns buildings into active participants in the energy grid, boosting supply reliability without compromising comfort. This advancement highlights a big step towards sustainable urban living by integrating renewable energy sources and stabilizing the grid. The team used a predictive control algorithm in a field experiment, combining photovoltaic systems, battery storage, heat pumps, and EV charging stations. This strategy ensures buildings use renewable energy efficiently while keeping occupants comfortable. It marks a new standard in energy management, offering scalable solutions for smarter, greener cities. 👉 Learn more >> https://lnkd.in/gTkEWVhN 👉 Original publication >> https://lnkd.in/gsccnyQA 🇨🇭 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

#Health | 𝗚𝘂𝘁 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗻 | Researchers from EPFL, University of Bern, and University of Lausanne, led by Dr. Antoine Jalil, have made a significant breakthrough in treating colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. They discovered that the gut bacterium Clostridium scindens can heal intestinal injuries in colitis-afflicted mice by balancing bile acids. This finding offers a new, sustainable treatment option for ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, moving away from current immunosuppressive therapies by targeting the root cause: impaired intestinal cell renewal due to imbalanced bile acids. The team introduced Clostridium scindens to mice with colitis and monitored their recovery, focusing on weight loss, colon inflammation, and intestinal healing. They confirmed the TGR5 receptor's essential role in this healing process through tests on receptor-deficient mice. Patient data analysis further proved these mechanisms are relevant in humans. This breakthrough suggests that targeting the microbiome and bile acid balance could revolutionize UC treatment, offering a safer, targeted approach to managing gut inflammatory diseases. 👉 Learn more >> https://lnkd.in/g5W4PwvD 👉 Original publication >> https://lnkd.in/gbq-ed8q 🇨🇭 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 | #Innovatio

#Startups | 𝗣𝗦𝗜 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗻-𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗔𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀 | Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., has announced the acquisition of Araris Biotech AG in a landmark deal worth up to USD 1.14 billion, making it the first PSI Paul Scherrer Institut spin-off to achieve unicorn-level valuation. The agreement includes USD 400 million upfront with potential additional milestone payments of up to USD 740 million. Founded by Dr. Dragan Grabulovski, Dr. Isabella Attinger-Toller, and Dr. Philipp Spycher in 2019 as a spin-off from PSI and ETH Zürich, Araris pioneered revolutionary antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology for cancer treatment. At the core of Araris' innovation is the proprietary AraLinQ platform, which enables the attachment of multiple cancer-fighting payloads to a single antibody in an efficient one-step process. This breakthrough technology creates highly uniform, stable ADCs that can deliver different types of cancer-fighting drugs simultaneously to tumors with high precision while reducing harmful side effects. The company is currently advancing three products for hematological and solid tumors, all in preclinical stage with anticipated clinical trials between 2025 and 2026. Prior to this acquisition, Araris had already established significant partnerships with Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. worth up to $780 million and received strategic investment from Samsung Ventures. The acquisition represents a major achievement for Swiss innovation and demonstrates the successful translation of scientific research into commercial success. 👉 Learn more >> https://lnkd.in/d9AjyrHG 🇨🇭 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 | 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁: 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗮 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗴 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 | Empa researchers have brought theoretical quantum physics models to life using nanographenes, making quantum effects experimentally testable. This could revolutionize quantum technology development. Led by Prof. Dr. Roman Fasel and Dr. Pascal Ruffieux, the nanotech@surfaces laboratory recreated the one-dimensional alternating Heisenberg model and its "sibling" model in the lab with synthetic materials. This achievement will facilitate the study quantum models and effects, moving technologies closer to practical use. The team used a synthetic bottom-up approach with nanographenes, such as so-called Clar's goblets and Olympicene molecules, to create alternating and homogeneous Heisenberg chains. This method enabled the manipulation of quantum properties and the study of quantum effects, including magnetism and entanglement. This breakthrough could transform communication, computing, and measurement technology. 👉 Learn more >> https://lnkd.in/gZUFBF2J 👉 Original publication >> https://lnkd.in/gRumY8xp 🇨🇭 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

#QuantumComputing | 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗺 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 | For the first time, a team led by Guillaume Beaulieu at institutions including EPFL and Sapienza Università di Roma has captured elusive second-order dissipative phase transitions in quantum hardware, marking a potential revolution in quantum computing and sensor technology. They observed both first-order and second-order transitions using a superconducting Kerr resonator, highlighting phenomena like "squeezing"—where quantum fluctuations fall below empty space's natural background noise—and distinct hysteresis cycles, advancing our understanding of quantum systems in non-equilibrium. The team built a superconducting Kerr resonator with tunable quantum properties for a two-photon drive and varied detuning and drive amplitude to study quantum state transitions. Experiments conducted near absolute zero reduced background noise, enabling precise photon behavior monitoring from the resonator. This research paves the way for improved quantum information storage and the creation of stable, responsive quantum systems, potentially transforming quantum computing and sensor design. The collaborative effort sets a new research standard in quantum phase transitions. 👉 Learn more >> https://lnkd.in/gVExkZd9 👉 Original publication >> https://lnkd.in/d32BkzX2 🇨🇭 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

#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: 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 - New Master's Program Encourages Fresh Approaches to Urban Planning (EPFL) >> https://lnkd.in/gjkg9GpB 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 - Timing is Key in Liver Transplant Success (University of Geneva) >> https://lnkd.in/gamrhUQf - Numerous Genes Important for Muscle-nerve Connection Identified (University of Basel) >> https://lnkd.in/gn4NvfQu 𝗡𝗮𝗻𝗼 / 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 / 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 - A New Method for Studying Electron Interactions in Materials (ETH Zürich) >> https://lnkd.in/g6xPpJed 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 / 𝗥𝗼𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 / 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 - 3D Printed Artificial Muscles for Next-gen Robotics (Empa) >> https://lnkd.in/gwa8pwXM - Robotics and Spinal Stimulation Restore Movement in Paralysis (EPFL) >> https://lnkd.in/gg2vNt4K 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 / 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 - Why the Ocean Temperature has Suddenly Risen (University of Bern) >> https://lnkd.in/gXjmpNzM 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 - Tiny Component Unleashes Terahertz Data Speeds (ETH Zürich) >> https://lnkd.in/ga8ygWJN 𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝘀 / 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 / 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗵 - Key Discovery in Topological Quantum Computing (University of Basel) >> https://lnkd.in/gynwUBqS - A Low-cost Sensor for Oxygen Level Measurement (ETH Zürich) >> https://lnkd.in/gMpzZQra - New Empa Laboratory to Unlock the Quantum Potential of Carbon (Empa) >> https://lnkd.in/gWXu4uc4 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 - How Regulation Can Keep Pace with Healthcare Innovation (ETH Zürich) >> https://lnkd.in/gpzpH2nN 🇨🇭 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