A new hybrid filter membrane has been developed to remove heavy metals from water, including industrially relevant elements like lead and mercury. The membrane's efficiency is high, with over 99% of toxic substances bound in just a single pass.
Researchers use a new technique to electro-deposit dissolved metals, creating complex structures like watch components and microtools. The process uses a force-controlled nanopipette to print pixels layer by layer, with high spatial resolution.
Researchers at ETH Zurich are studying the Atlantic hagfish's remarkable slime to understand its structure, properties, and formation process. The slime, composed of protein threads and mucin, can immobilize vast amounts of water, making it a potential inspiration for creating novel super hydrogels with numerous applications.
Climate researchers have calculated regional temperature increases based on a global 2-degree target, revealing clear-cut effects and limitations. The study provides valuable tool for politicians, decision-makers, and civilians to understand the importance of reducing CO2 emissions.
ETH Zurich scientists develop software that uses optical means to create 3D models of entire buildings in just 10 minutes, outperforming infrared technology in sunlight. The method allows for detailed architectural features and potential applications include augmented reality, city tours, and self-parking cars.
A study by ETH Zurich researchers found that teachers with less experience discriminate against female students in physics exams, leading to poorer grades. The findings highlight the importance of teacher training and objective grading criteria to combat biases and stereotypes.
Scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a new type of transparent electrode using 3D print technology, featuring gold or silver nanowalls on a glass surface. This innovation offers higher conductivity and transparency than traditional indium tin oxide electrodes, leading to improved screen quality and touch responsiveness in smartphones.
Researchers have discovered that yeast cells use a complex protein structure, called the polarity site, to detect scent gradients. This site moves along the membrane towards the strongest signal before creating a bulge in the cell to grow towards its source.
Researchers have elucidated the structure of mTORC1, a crucial protein complex involved in cellular signaling and disease regulation. The study reveals detailed interactions between partner proteins, shedding light on the mechanism of rapamycin-induced changes, which affects substrate specificity and pharmaceutical effects.
Researchers developed molecular prosthetics that can detect complex signals in the immune system to suppress inflammatory responses. The prosthetics were implanted into mice and successfully treated psoriasis, providing a potential early-warning system for prevention.
A new rapid test using polarized light can detect a wide range of pathogens, including malaria parasites, HIV, Ebola, diverse bacteria, glucose and cholesterol. The test is extremely fast, inexpensive, and flexible, making it suitable for use in areas with limited laboratory equipment.
Researchers identified 30 genes influencing ageing process across three species, finding that blocking these genes extended lifespan by at least five percent. The bcat-1 gene, which degrades branched-chain amino acids, was found to be particularly influential in extending nematode lifespan.
Scientists at ETH Zurich have produced a new kind of foam out of gold, making it the lightest gold nugget ever created. The aerogel has a metallic shine and is soft and malleable to the touch.
Researchers propose that mantle plumes played a crucial role in initiating plate tectonics on Earth. Computer simulations suggest that plume-induced weaknesses in the lithosphere could have led to the formation of subduction zones and the emergence of modern plate boundaries. The study provides a possible explanation for the early hist...
A new study reveals that hepcidin, a protein regulating iron absorption, can inhibit the body's ability to absorb iron supplements in quantities necessary and desirable. The researchers suggest waiting longer between doses may improve iron absorption efficiency and reduce side effects.
Scientists at ETH Zurich create surface designs that allow water droplets to 'trampoline' upwards, leveraging evaporation and microstructure. This phenomenon enables materials to violently repel water and ice, with potential applications in de-icing, power lines, and road surfacing.
A study by ETH Zurich researchers found that a serum concentration of around 40 micrograms of vitamin D per litre of serum is ideal for slowing or preventing bone degeneration in postmenopausal women. The study showed that daily vitamin D supplements can increase calcium absorption and reduce bone degeneration.
ETH Zurich researchers Prof. Dirk Helbing and Dr. Evangelos Pournaras propose a citizen-led platform called Nervousnet to enable self-determination and sustainability. The platform allows users to measure, analyze, and share data in real-time, promoting participatory governance and environmental awareness.
A new study reveals that potato waste in Switzerland can be reduced significantly through improved cultivation methods and quality standards. The researchers found that 53% of conventionally produced table potatoes are wasted, while organic production leads to a higher waste proportion.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have successfully built an electron resonator, focusing electrons between two mirrors. The resonator's spin-coherent coupling could enable long-distance communication between quantum dots, solving a key challenge in quantum computing.
Scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a genetically modified cassava variety that produces several-fold higher levels of vitamin B6, addressing the widespread deficiency in Africa. The new trait is stable under different conditions and has been confirmed to be bioavailable for human consumption.
The study found that over 2,625 invasive plant species were offered for sale on eBay, with 35 being among the 100 worst invasive species. The plants are often sold by dealers in countries with lax regulations, making it difficult to track and control online trade.
Scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a method to analyze hundreds of metabolites simultaneously in real-time, allowing for rapid analysis of cellular responses to external stimuli. This breakthrough enables the study of complex biological processes and has potential applications in developing new pharmaceutical agents.
A team of ETH Zurich researchers has created a biomimetic dental prosthesis that replicates the structure and properties of teeth and seashells. The material, produced using magnetically assisted slip casting, exhibits improved durability and complexity, with potential applications in dentistry and beyond.
A Franco-Swiss research team has proposed a new explanation for the starting mechanism of the MTO process. They found that alumina, present in zeolites, can transform methanol into ethylene and other hydrocarbons, which can then be converted into carbenium ions. This discovery sheds light on how the MTO process begins.
Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a new type of acoustic imaging device that extracts contour information during measurement, creating detailed outline images of objects. The method uses evanescent waves and is useful for quickly recording relevant information about objects.
A new study reveals that competition from previously unknown plant species at lower elevations can be decisive for alpine plants in warmer climates. This finding challenges the assumption that higher temperatures are the primary effect of climate change on alpine species, instead highlighting the importance of competition.
The Southern Ocean's carbon sink has revived after 'saturating' since 2005 due to changes in weather patterns. The reinvigoration is attributed to variations in wind and temperature, enabling the ocean to absorb more CO2 from the atmosphere.
A recent study has found that microRNAs, previously thought to be digested and absorbed by the body, are actually broken down in the small intestine, rendering them ineffective for modifying physiological functions.
Researchers from ETH Zurich have determined the structure of a flippase, PglK, that flips lipid-linked oligosaccharides, revealing a novel mechanism. The discovery sheds light on fundamental biological processes and may lead to therapeutic approaches for diseases associated with glycosylation disorders.
A team of ETH Zurich researchers has identified seven genes central to X chromosome inactivation in females, including Spen, which prevents gene expression at the X chromosome. The discovery sheds light on how the human body maintains a delicate balance between genes, preventing disease.
A new method for producing high-quality yarn from gelatine has been developed by Philipp Stössel and his team. The process involves spinning the protein-rich material into fine fibers that can be woven into textiles with improved insulation and water resistance compared to traditional wool-based fabrics.
A new type of electro-optic modulator is smaller, faster, and cheaper than traditional models, using plasmon-polaritons to enhance its performance. The device consumes much less energy than current commercial devices, making it a crucial step towards reducing the environmental impact of data transmission.
Researchers confirm the neural efficiency hypothesis, which suggests that intelligent brains require less cortical activation to solve tasks. The study found that highly intelligent individuals required fewer resources to complete moderately difficult tasks, but not very easy or very difficult ones.
A new study published in Nature Geoscience reveals that latent heat release in ascending air masses plays a crucial role in the formation and perpetuation of stable high-pressure systems, also known as 'blocking', which can lead to extreme weather conditions. The research team analyzed massive amounts of climate data from around the wo...
A team of researchers discovered a massive black hole with nearly 7 billion solar masses in an otherwise normal, distant galaxy called CID-947. The finding contradicts previous theories on the co-evolution of galaxies and their central black holes.
Researchers have successfully applied topological insulator principles to mechanical systems, creating edge states that exhibit robust, 'topologically protected' properties. These properties make them suitable for applications in sound and vibration insulation, as well as focusing sound like a lens.
Astronomers discover active galactic nuclei (AGN) exhibit flickering behavior, switching on and off every 200,000 years. This phenomenon affects star formation in host galaxies, with radiation from AGN potentially delaying or preventing the collapse of gas clouds.
Researchers discover fructose's role in heart failure, finding it efficiently converts to fat and stimulates glycolysis. Fructose also activates HIF, leading to increased KHK-C production and a vicious cycle of growth and damage.
Scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a new method to manipulate the buckling profile of ceramic membranes, significantly enhancing their conductivity. This breakthrough has far-reaching implications for industries such as energy conversion and electronics.
A recent study found that less competitive strains of Myxococcus xanthus can retain their genetic diversity by occupying niches inaccessible to dominant strains. This phenomenon, known as positive frequency-dependent selection, allows weaker gene variants to survive and thrive when numerically superior.
Scientists have developed a new type of sensor using a composite material that interacts with CO2 molecules, changing its conductivity depending on the concentration. The sensor can measure CO2 concentrations over a wide range without requiring high temperatures or energy.
Scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a technique to manipulate domain walls in multiferroic materials, which could lead to new technologies in data storage and electronics. The discovery shows that domain walls can be selectively shifted or altered using electrical fields, paving the way for new applications.
Scientists have created a hybrid state of being both 'alive' and 'dead' by combining Schrödinger's cat with squeezed quantum states, enabling more stable quantum computing and precise measurement capabilities.
In a study published in ETH Zurich, researchers discovered that the microRNA-200 family triggers the death of beta cells, leading to type 2 diabetes. By blocking miR-200 production, scientists can guarantee the survival of these vital cells. This finding has significant implications for the development of new treatments for diabetes.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new microscopy technique that enables selective visualization of individual cells within complex tissue. Using 'chameleon proteins' like Dendra 2, they can highlight single cells or groups of molecules with one color while keeping other cells visible in another color.
Researchers have found four enormous craters on the lake bed, measuring 80-160 meters in diameter and up to 60 meters deep. The craters are filled with a suspension of water and sediment, indicating that they are linked to karst systems and possibly triggered by earthquakes.
Research at ETH Zurich reveals that wider seismogenic zones increase the probability of a supercycle occurring, characterized by several large earthquakes and eventually a giant earthquake. The study proposes a new explanation for the gradual rupture phenomenon, suggesting that physical stresses build up rapidly at the edges of the zone.
The bumblebee genome has been mapped, revealing a relatively small fraction of genes involved in the immune response compared to flies and mosquitoes. Despite its weak social organization, the bumblebee has just as few immune genes as the honeybee, suggesting that diet may play a role in shaping its immune system.
Researchers used a new computer model to simulate the formation of high-lying valleys in the southeastern Tibetan plateau. They found that these valleys developed in place, not as remnants of former lowlands, and were shaped by river disruption due to tectonic movement.