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ETH Zurich


Artificial intelligence improves biomedical imaging

Researchers developed a machine learning method to enhance optoacoustic imaging quality without sacrificing it. The approach uses sparse data, allowing for reduced sensor numbers and improved diagnosis accuracy, facilitating clinical decision-making.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·DateSep 30, 2019

Battery with a twist

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a flexible thin-film battery that can be bent, stretched and twisted without disrupting power supply. The new battery features a water-based gel electrolyte that is environmentally friendly and non-toxic.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateSep 24, 2019

Antimicrobial resistance is drastically rising

The proportion of bacteria resistant to antimicrobials has increased significantly worldwide, with critical consequences for animal health and human consumers. A new map reveals high resistance rates in regions such as northeast China, northeast India, and southern Brazil, where key antibiotics have lost efficacy.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·DateSep 19, 2019

Measuring ethanol's deadly twin

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a handheld device that can detect methanol in alcoholic beverages and diagnose poisoning by analyzing exhaled breath. The device uses a small metal oxide sensor to distinguish between methanol and ethanol, with detection limits down to the legal limit.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 16, 2019

Advanced breeding paves the way for disease-resistant beans

A new breeding method uses genetic profiles to predict disease resistance in beans, speeding up the process and reducing pesticide use. The method has been applied to 316 varieties of beans and shows promise for increasing crop yields and improving food security in Africa and Latin America.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalFrontiers in Plant Science·DateSep 11, 2019

Feeling legs again improves amputees' health

Researchers developed an interface to connect a leg prosthesis with residual nerves, providing sensory feedback that reduces effort during walking and phantom limb pain. The system also increased confidence in prosthetic use, enabling users to devote more attention to other tasks.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Medicine·DateSep 9, 2019

Natural ways of cooling cities

Cities with high rainfall can achieve cooler temperatures through targeted planting, while extremely dry regions benefit from increased wind circulation and shade. The study provides a preliminary classification of cities for urban heat island mitigation, highlighting the importance of regional climate characteristics.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateSep 4, 2019

Revolutionizing the CRISPR method

Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a new CRISPR-Cas method that can modify up to 25 target sites within genes in a single step. This technology enables targeted, large-scale cell reprogramming by systematically modifying entire gene networks, with potential applications in basic research and cell replacement therapy.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Methods·DateAug 14, 2019

Monitoring the Matterhorn with millions of data points

The PermaSense project has recorded a unique 10-year record of high-resolution data on the Hörnli ridge of the Matterhorn, offering a better understanding of processes that can lead to rock destabilization. The data set includes measurements of temperature, seismic activity, and deformation of the mountain ridge.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalEarth System Science Data·DateAug 13, 2019

The world's smallest stent

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new method for producing highly detailed structures measuring less than 100 micrometres, enabling the creation of the world's smallest stent with shape-memory properties. The stent has shown promising initial findings and could potentially open the door to minimally invasive surgery.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalAdvanced Materials Technologies·DateAug 8, 2019

A catalyst for sustainable methanol

Scientists at ETH Zurich developed a new catalyst technology converting CO2 and hydrogen directly into methanol, enabling the production of fuels and chemicals from renewable resources. The approach has significant potential to close the carbon cycle and produce sustainable methanol on an industrial scale.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 29, 2019

How multicellular cyanobacteria transport molecules

Multicellular cyanobacteria have developed cell junctions that allow for the exchange of nutrients and messengers across cell boundaries. The channels are composed of a protein tube sealed with a plug at both ends, and have a five-armed protein structure similar to a camera aperture.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalCell·DateJul 12, 2019

How trees could save the climate

A new study by ETH Zurich reveals that reforestation efforts could store two-thirds of the 300 billion tonnes of carbon released into the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution. The greatest potential for forest restoration lies in six countries: Russia, US, Canada, Australia, Brazil, and China.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·DateJul 4, 2019

Targeting individual atoms

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new method to directly track the precession of single nuclear spins, allowing for precise molecular analysis. This breakthrough enables scientists to study molecules at the atomic level, with potential applications in fields like materials science and chemistry.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateJun 24, 2019

Making systems robust

ETH Zurich scientists create synthetic biology approach to make biotechnological production processes more efficient and regulate hormonal activity through cell therapy. They successfully control bacteria's growth rate despite disruptions, paving the way for applications in medicine, including cancer immunotherapy.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateJun 19, 2019

Redundancies in T cells

Researchers at ETH Zurich discover that T cells can activate using either SHP-2 or SHP-1 when PD-1 is inhibited, highlighting the need for dual-targeted therapies in cancer immunotherapy. The study provides new insights into the biochemical signaling pathway of PD-1 and its implications for immunology.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalCell Reports·DateJun 18, 2019

Breaking down pathological protein aggregates

Scientists at ETH Zurich found that a cellular mechanism called SCF detects and targets alpha-synuclein fibrils for breakdown. This mechanism could be used to develop therapies for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's. Gene therapy and stem cell transplantation may also offer new options.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 6, 2019

Exposing modern forgers

A new process uses chemical methods to purify samples and detect modern forgeries by analyzing binding agents, providing a clear result. This method was tested on a famous case and proved effective in detecting a fake painting from the 20th century.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 4, 2019

Mapping the global distribution of phytoplankton

Researchers from ETH Zurich have modeled the spatial and temporal distribution of over 530 species of phytoplankton using 700,000 water samples. The study reveals that tropical waters hold the richest diversity of species at all times of the year, while mid-latitudes exhibit lower biodiversity due to strong currents and turbulence.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 22, 2019

When sand behaves like oil

Researchers have discovered that granular materials, such as sand and coffee, exhibit similar behavior to immiscible liquids when fluidized. This phenomenon has significant implications for industries like pharmaceuticals and energy production, where efficient processing of granular materials is crucial.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 8, 2019

Fleming's method in miniature

Researchers at ETH Zurich develop a new technique, nanoFleming, to rapidly test for antibiotic activity in microorganisms. The method has identified 11 novel peptides with improved efficacy or resistance-bypassing properties.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateApr 29, 2019

Bacteria reveal strong individuality when navigating a maze

Researchers at ETH Zurich discovered that bacteria in a microfluidic T-maze exhibit diverse chemotactic sensitivity due to genetic variations, allowing some individuals to outperform others. This phenotypic heterogeneity may provide an evolutionary advantage for the bacteria, enabling them to adapt to changing environments.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 23, 2019

A biosynthetic dual-core cell computer

Researchers have developed a biosynthetic dual-core cell computer using CRISPR-Cas9 components, enabling scalable and flexible computing. This biological system can process up to 100,000 different metabolic molecules per second, far surpassing previous cell computers.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 12, 2019

Water that never freezes

Researchers at ETH Zurich have identified a novel way to prevent water from forming ice crystals by creating a new class of lipids that form a 'soft' biological matter. This material confines water in narrow channels, preventing it from freezing even at extreme sub-zero temperatures.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateApr 10, 2019

Simultaneous heatwaves caused by anthropogenic climate change

A recent study by ETH researchers suggests that anthropogenic climate change is causing simultaneous heatwaves across the Northern Hemisphere, affecting key agricultural regions and densely populated areas. The study found that such large-scale heatwaves first appeared in 2010 and have since become more frequent and widespread.

First bacterial genome created entirely with a computer

Researchers at ETH Zurich develop a computer-generated genome for Caulobacter ethensis, which is based on the genome of a harmless freshwater bacterium. The new genome contains over 800,000 DNA letters and was generated using an algorithm that simplifies genetic information to facilitate production.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 1, 2019

Major step towards individual cancer immunotherapy

Scientists create vaccine that strengthens immune defences by multiplying cancer-repelling T cells, promising treatment for individualized cancer immunotherapy and potential application in autoimmune diseases. Laboratory tests conducted on tumours in mice show effectiveness of approach.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Immunology·DateMar 29, 2019

A social bacterium with versatile habits

A study on Myxococcus xanthus reveals diverse social behaviors among cooperative bacteria, contradicting the assumption that groups are genetically homogeneous. The researchers attribute this diversity to evolutionary selection favoring specific 'social genes' that control behavior.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·DateMar 22, 2019

Ocean sink for man-made CO2 measured

A global team of scientists has measured the ocean's sink for man-made CO2 over a period of 13 years, finding that it takes up 34 gigatonnes between 1994 and 2007. The absorption rate is congruent with the increase in atmospheric CO2 levels.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·DateMar 14, 2019

Immunizing quantum computers against errors

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new way to encode qubits in trapped-ion mechanical oscillators, which could lead to more efficient quantum error correction. By exploiting the properties of periodically arranged oscillatory states, they can detect and correct errors with high precision.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateFeb 27, 2019

Visualizing mental valuation processes

A new computer model has been developed to map mental valuation processes in the brain, enabling accurate predictions of food choices. The model takes into account individual valuations and efficiency principles, allowing for the prediction of decision behavior.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateFeb 19, 2019

The global impact of coal power

Research reveals that power plants in India take the highest toll on human health due to particulate matter and sulfur dioxide emissions. The study also highlights the need for upgrading or shutting down outdated coal power plants to mitigate global warming and air pollution.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Sustainability·DateFeb 18, 2019

Predicting climate change

The Crowther Lab's research uses global datasets to understand the global forest system and identify regions of high priority for biodiversity conservation. They find that warming soil will lead to increased carbon emissions, particularly in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, threatening climate change mitigation efforts.

How proteins become embedded in a cell membrane

A team of ETH Zurich researchers used single-molecule force spectroscopy to investigate how membrane proteins become embedded in cell membranes. They discovered the role of two helper proteins, insertase and translocase, which enable membrane proteins to embed themselves in the membrane. The study sheds light on the folding pathways of...

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 14, 2019

Ice volume calculated anew

A recent study calculates the ice thickness distribution and volume of over 215,000 glaciers worldwide, revealing that the combined ice volume currently stands at around 158,000 cubic kilometres. The largest glacier ice masses, primarily in the Arctic, account for nearly half of the global glacier ice volume.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Geoscience·DateFeb 12, 2019

Waiting for the complete rupture

Researchers from ETH Zurich developed a new model that simulates earthquake cycles in the Himalayas, predicting powerful earthquakes with a periodicity of 400 to 600 years. The model shows that medium-sized earthquakes can create conditions for even larger ones, leading to complete stress release in the rupture zone.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 16, 2019

Cholesterol-lowering drugs reduce brown adipose tissue

Research reveals that cholesterol-lowering statin drugs decrease the formation of brown adipose tissue in adults. Brown adipose tissue plays a crucial role in regulating body temperature and insulin sensitivity. The study found that people taking statins have significantly lower rates of brown adipose tissue compared to non-statins users.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalCell Metabolism·DateDec 21, 2018

Explaining differences in rates of evolution

A team of ETH Zurich researchers has found a way to harmonize conflicting results from fossil-based and phylogenetic analysis of species emergence and extinction. By considering different mechanisms of speciation, such as budding, cladogenesis, and anagenesis, they have developed a computer model that accounts for these assumptions, pr...

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 18, 2018

The stiffest porous lightweight materials ever

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed porous lightweight materials that approach theoretical maximum stiffness, outperforming traditional truss-based structures. These novel plate-lattice materials are stiffer, stronger, and more efficient than their counterparts, opening up new possibilities for various applications.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateDec 12, 2018

Custom-made artificial mother-of-pearl

Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a method to produce artificial mother-of-pearl with tailored properties, similar to natural mussels. The material's structure is composed of tiny plates stacked on top of each other and interconnected with mineral bridges, which can be adjusted to achieve desired physical properties.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 11, 2018

Fighting smog supports solar power

A study by ETH Zurich researchers found that clean air would increase solar radiation nationwide, allowing for a one-tenth increase in electricity production. This could lead to additional electricity generation of 85-158 terawatt hours per year, generating significant revenue for the Chinese electricity industry.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 6, 2018

The protein with the starting gun

Researchers have identified a crucial protein, FtsZ, that triggers bacterial cell division when its concentration reaches a threshold. By studying the gut bacterium E. coli, scientists developed a mathematical model predicting when cell division will commence, providing new insights into this fundamental biological process.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalMolecular Systems Biology·DateNov 28, 2018

Millimeter waves for the last mile

The new modulator enables efficient and low-cost high-frequency microwaves transmission, covering the last mile with high data rates, and is compatible with 5G technology and future industry standards.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Photonics·DateNov 21, 2018