Storys aus Bern

Schweizerischer Nationalfonds / Fonds national suisse

Small and medium-sized towns are surprisingly innovative

Bern (ots) - Small and medium-sized towns are increasingly appearing on the radar of policy makers all over Europe. Findings from a project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation on the role and significance of these towns in Switzerland show that national policy and planning overlook their potential. For a long time, policy and research on urban development have primarily focused on large cities. Now, an ...

Schweizerischer Nationalfonds / Fonds national suisse

Dying in Switzerland - a review of current developments

Bern (ots) - All of us die - but the question is how? Today we have a greater say in the way our lives end than ever before. Nevertheless, most people do not die where they would like to. The book "Das Lebensende in der Schweiz" (End of life in Switzerland) reflects on what is currently known about dying in Switzerland. As a conclusion: palliative care needs to be strengthened, but there are still limits to the extent to ...

Schweizerischer Nationalfonds / Fonds national suisse

Young adults caught in a dilemma between traditional family models and modern views

Bern (ots) - A study funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation has found that even young adults who do not yet have children are influenced by traditional concepts of family. At the same time, they have modern views of equality, career engagement and childcare. The result is a dilemma that affects not only young women, but also young men early in adulthood. ...

Schweizerischer Nationalfonds / Fonds national suisse

Speeding up genetic diagnosis of Huntington's disease

Bern (ots) - Elongated segments of DNA cause Huntington's disease and certain other disorders of the brain. Researchers funded by the SNSF have developed a method to determine the length of the mutated genes quickly and easily. People with Huntington's disease suffer from jerky body movements and decreasing mental abilities. The condition usually leads to death 15-20 years after diagnosis. The cause of the disease is a ...

Schweizerischer Nationalfonds / Fonds national suisse

Preserving soil quality in the long term

Bern (ots) - Spatial planning tools, agriculture and forestry that suit local conditions, nationwide soil mapping, and a more committed and coherent soil policy are the cornerstones of the measures put forward by the National Research Programme "Sustainable Use of Soil as a Resource" (NRP 68) to safeguard soil quality in Switzerland in the long term. By virtue of its properties, soil fulfils a wide variety of functions. ...

Schweizerischer Nationalfonds / Fonds national suisse

Improving hydropower through long-range drought forecasts

Bern (ots) - Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL) have developed a complex hydrological model for forecasting dry spells lasting several weeks with high spatial resolution. These predictions make it possible, for example, to operate hydropower plants more profitably. Changing climatic conditions pose extra challenges for hydropower plant operators. As part of the ...

Schweizerischer Nationalfonds / Fonds national suisse

SNSF image competition 2019: Participate and share unexpected insights into science

Bern (ots) - Following the success of the first two editions, the Swiss National Science Foundation has decided to stage its competition for images and short videos from the world of science for a third time. The best entries will be showcased in various exhibitions and via social media. The over 800 entries in 2017 and 2018, and the enthusiasm generated among the ...

Schweizerischer Nationalfonds / Fonds national suisse

How to certify a quantum computer

Bern (ots) - SNSF-funded researchers have developed a protocol for checking that quantum computer components function as they should. That's a critical step in making the promise of quantum computing - including unprecedented computing power - a reality. Quantum computers are being developed by teams working not only at universities but also at Google, IBM, Microsoft and D-Wave, a start-up company. And things are evolving quickly, says Nicolas Sangouard, SNSF Professor at ...

Schweizerischer Nationalfonds / Fonds national suisse

Latsis Prize 2018: Andrea Ablasser unlocks the secret of rapid virus defence

Schweizerischer Nationalfonds / Fonds national suisse

Innovations in ultrasound imaging improve breast cancer detection

Bern (ots) - A new ultrasound technique can help distinguish benign breast tumours from malignant ones. The technology was developed with support from the Swiss National Science Foundation. Ultrasound is one of the three main technologies used in medical imaging. It is more compact and affordable than nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, and safer than x-rays. But the images it produces are often difficult ...

Schweizerischer Nationalfonds / Fonds national suisse

Research into new audio experience resonates at Tinguely Museum in Basel

Bern (ots) - Research into new audio experience resonates at Tinguely Museum in Basel A project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation is investigating the audio phenomena and sound culture associated with radio. As part of this work, an algorithm has been developed to search radio archives using sound-based criteria. Visitors to the "Radiophonic Spaces" ...

Schweizerischer Nationalfonds / Fonds national suisse

Tax incentives reduce energy consumption - if effectively implemented

Bern (ots) - By studying the effects of Basel's electricity levy, researchers at the University of Lucerne investigated how tax incentives work in practice and how their impact on energy consumption could be increased. The National Council and the Council of States decided not to debate the proposals of the Federal Council on the second phase of the Energy Strategy ...

Schweizerischer Nationalfonds / Fonds national suisse

Marie Heim-Vögtlin Prize 2018: Sara Montagner discovers the epigenetic secrets of mast cells

Bern (ots) - Epigenetic modifications of our DNA are a key aspect of the normal functioning of mast cells, which play an important role in immune reactions. Biologist Sara Montagner was able to demonstrate this in her work. She will receive this year's Marie Heim-Vögtlin Prize from the SNSF at the award ceremony in Bellinzona on 29 November 2018. Mast cells are white ...

Schweizerischer Nationalfonds / Fonds national suisse

Melting glaciers have a limited impact on Swiss hydropower production

Bern (ots) - A new study quantifies the effect of glacier retreat due to global warming on hydropower production. This detailed analysis of all Swiss water resources shows that only a small percentage is provided by glacier meltwater. Consequently, the reduction of these waters predicted for the end of the 21st century poses no threat to Swiss hydropower production. ...

Schweizerischer Nationalfonds / Fonds national suisse

Eating less is healthy thanks to gut bacteria

Bern (ots) - Mice with a lower calorie intake live longer and are both healthier and leaner. A team of researchers funded by the SNSF may have found the reason for this positive effect: much of it is down to gut microbial communities and how they affect the immune system. The researchers also found compounds that mimic caloric restriction and may transform obesity treatments. Reducing the intake of calories by up to 40% ...

Schweizerischer Nationalfonds / Fonds national suisse

A novel antibiotic from weeds

Researchers working on an SNSF project have discovered novel, antibiotically active chemical substances in a previously rarely explored site: the leaf of a common field weed. The just published findings show that this microcosm contains many still unknown natural products that could lead to new drugs. Many of the antibiotics used today were developed from natural products made by ...

Schweizerischer Nationalfonds / Fonds national suisse

Drones survey African wildlife

In collaboration with a nature reserve in Namibia, researchers funded by the SNSF are developing a new approach to counting animals: combining drone flights and automated image analysis. A new technique developed by Swiss researchers enables fast and accurate counting of gnu, oryx and other large mammals living in wildlife reserves. Drones are used to remotely photograph wilderness ...

swissstaffing - Verband der Personaldienstleister der Schweiz

New swissstaffing president appointed at historic Annual General Meeting

Schweizerischer Nationalfonds / Fonds national suisse

Diamond watch components

SNSF-funded researchers have developed a new technique for carving materials to create micromechanical systems. In particular, they have created a miniscule watch component out of synthetic single-crystal diamond. Diamond is very hard and elastic, a very good thermal conductor and highly transparent, which makes it ideal for many mechanical and optical applications. But cutting it into ...

Schweizerischer Nationalfonds / Fonds national suisse

Cancer: More targeted use of immunotherapy

Doctors are increasingly fighting cancer by stimulating patients' immune systems. SNSF-supported researchers have now discovered a method for predicting the likelihood of treatment success. Immunotherapy changes a patient's immune system to allow it to attack cancer cells and either destroy them or at least keep them from growing. ...

Schweizerischer Nationalfonds / Fonds national suisse

Hybrid overhead lines: More power, not more power lines

Social opposition to new high-voltage lines is delaying modernisation of the power grid. Two projects of the National Research Programmes "Energy Turnaround" and "Managing Energy Consumption" have determined the optimum design of hybrid overhead lines needed to increase the capacity of the power transmission grid and, at the same time, win popular acceptance for the new technology. Unlike conventional power lines, hybrid ...

BKW Energie AG

Sale of Swissgrid convertible bond / BKW is selling its convertible bond to Credit Suisse

BKW Energie AG

BKW expands its wind power portfolio / Acquisition of four wind farms in France

BKW Energie AG

BKW AG - Swissgrid: Revaluation of BKW's share of the transmission grid