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.
A new study by ETH Zurich researchers has identified a critical link between oxidative stress and the immune system's ability to fight off viruses. Vitamin E was shown to be effective in protecting T cells from cell death caused by oxidative stress, a breakthrough that could have implications for treating chronic infections.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a highly sensitive temperature sensor called cyberwood, which mimics the properties of temperature-sensitive plants. By incorporating plant cells and pectin molecules, the material responds to small temperature fluctuations with large changes in conductivity.
Scientists at ETH Zurich and the California Institute of Technology have shown that global warming reduces temperature variability, leading to fewer cold snaps and less fluctuation in mid-latitude temperatures. This contradicts the hypothesis that Arctic amplification contributes to extreme winter events in lower latitudes.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a novel biotechnological solution to treat erectile dysfunction by triggering reliable erections with gene therapy and blue light exposure. The system works similarly across all mammals, including humans, and is expected to have few side effects.
Researchers at ETH Zurich found that rain falls most frequently in areas with lower soil moisture, which warms air and allows water vapor to rise higher. High soil moisture, on the other hand, can lead to more evaporation and precipitation, but the relationship is complex and still not fully understood.
The discovery of Protein Targeting to Starch (PTST) reveals the crucial role of a molecule in transporting Granular Bound Starch Synthase (GBSS) to starch granules, necessary for normal amylose synthesis. The research found that PTST is essential for GBSS stability and function.
Electrical engineers at ETH Zurich and biologists from the University of Bern have developed a new method to record the activity of moving cells, including beating cardiac muscle cells. The new method combines the patch-clamp technique with an atomic force microscope, allowing for longer measurements and automation.
Researchers have developed a new method to store large volumes of data using DNA and silica, which can potentially survive for over a million years. The technique uses an algorithm to correct errors and encases the information-bearing segments of DNA in silica, providing a robust storage solution.
An international team of astrophysicists has witnessed the formation of a quadruple star system, consisting of a young star and three gas clouds that will develop into stars in 40,000 years. The system is unstable and prone to interference due to its multiple members.
The gold deposits in the Witwatersrand Basin are thought to have formed through a process involving volcanic rain, anoxic rivers, and ancient life forms. This theory reconciles previous debates between placer gold and hydrothermal hypothesis theories.
Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a physical model explaining electron transport in nanocrystal solar cells, which could lead to improved efficiency. The model reveals that nanocrystal size can be controlled to optimize absorption of sunlight, enabling the creation of flexible and thin solar cells with higher performance.
A massive celestial object impacted Mars, generating a magma ocean that solidified into the mountainous highlands of the southern hemisphere. This event, occurring around 4-15 million years after Mars' formation, is believed to have triggered volcanic activity and changed the planet's magnetic field.
Scientists at ETH Zurich develop a method to produce pre-structured cellulose materials with three-dimensional micro-structures, enhancing biocompatibility. This leads to reduced inflammation and rejection reactions when using artificial implants.
Researchers analyzed mid-ocean ridge basalts to understand the uranium isotope cycle, revealing a 'fingerprint' of the element in oceanic crust. The study suggests that uranium has been transported from the surface to the deep mantle through subduction, providing insights into Earth's evolution over billions of years.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a method to amplify gene samples containing damaged DNA adducts, which are common in cancer. This breakthrough could enable the analysis of molecular mechanisms involved in cancer initiation and risk factors.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have discovered a new glass material that can store more energy than traditional lithium-ion batteries. The vanadate-borate glass exhibits improved charging capacity and stability, paving the way for more efficient electric vehicles and longer-lasting portable electronics.
A new method to produce lactic acid from glycerol, a waste feedstock, has been introduced, reducing CO2 emission by 30% compared to conventional fermentation. The process also lowers production costs, increasing the potential profit by 17-fold.
Research suggests that early-life stress can have positive effects on behavior, such as improved flexibility and goal-oriented behavior, which can be passed down through generations via molecular pathways. This study reveals the beneficial impact of moderate stress in childhood, leading to better coping strategies in adulthood.
Researchers have identified an enigmatic object named SDSS1133, which could be a recoiling black hole ejected from its parent galaxy. The discovery, made using high-precision equipment and observations with the Hubble Space Telescope, presents a unique opportunity to study gravitational waves and their detection.
Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a new production technology and material to manufacture tiny actuators that can swim through liquids. The actuators have helical shapes, are magnetic, and possess shape-independent magnetic properties.
Researchers at ETH Zurich create an artificial graphene system that breaks time-reversal symmetry using laser beams and ultracold atoms. This setup enables the testing of the topological Haldane model, a concept first proposed in 1988, and paves the way for new electronic applications.
Researchers develop computer-based method to predict mechanism of action of natural substances, identifying potential target structures for 210,000 compounds. The software breaks down molecules into smaller fragments, discovering essential parts for the mechanism of action, which can be used to design less complex and easier-to-synthes...
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a novel gene regulation method that enables thought-specific brainwaves to control the conversion of genes into proteins. The system uses EEG headsets to transmit brainwaves wirelessly to an implant, which regulates gene expression through light-sensitive optogenetic modules.
Researchers found that groundwater temperatures have warmed significantly over the past forty years, echoing global warming trends. The warming is attributed to climate change and has been observed in groundwater close to the surface, with a certain time lag.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have discovered a new agent in fungi that kills bacteria, known as copsin, which has the same effect as traditional antibiotics but belongs to a different class of biochemical substances. The substance was found in the common inky cap mushroom Coprinopsis cinerea and is responsible for its antibiotic effect.
A new study published in PNAS suggests that eliminating short-lived climate pollutants (SLCF) has a minor effect on slowing down global warming. The research found that these gases have a measurable impact but are short-lived and quickly disappear from the atmosphere, making them less effective in mitigating climate change.
Bio-engineers at ETH Zurich have created a biological circuit that controls sensor components using internal timers, enabling precise signal transmission. This breakthrough could lead to reprogramming cancer cells and creating complex bio-computers to detect and kill cancer cells.
Researchers discovered flu virus exploits aggresome, a cellular waste bundle, to release genetic material. The process takes 20-30 minutes and is gradual, with the virus tricking the waste pickup and disposal system.
The researchers have developed a novel measurement technique for MRI signals using a diamond sensor chip, detecting the signal from a single hydrogen atom and achieving an accuracy of better than one angstrom. This breakthrough brings them closer to imaging at the level of single molecules, with potential applications in structural bio...
A new agent has been developed to treat overdoses using peritoneal dialysis, which can extract up to a hundred times more toxins from the body than conventional alternatives. This method is especially effective for treating serious liver disease, including cases involving ammonia accumulation in the blood.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have studied the molecular structure of mitoribosomes, revealing new details about how proteins are synthesized. The findings will help design antibiotics that target only bacterial ribosomes, improving their effectiveness in treating human diseases.
A new algorithm developed by ETH Zurich researchers enables smartphones to understand hand gestures, allowing users to control their devices with ease. The program recognizes six different gestures and executes corresponding commands, such as switching between browser tabs or scrolling pages.
Researchers have developed a model that uses self-organised criticality and fluid dynamics to predict the occurrence of solar flares. The model has shown to be consistent with observations in a quantitative sense, enabling scientists to better understand and prepare for these powerful events.
Researchers found that certain individuals with HIV are more tolerant of the virus than others, with factors including age and HLA-B gene variants playing a role. The study suggests that tolerance-based treatments could be an alternative to traditional resistance-based strategies.
A new study reveals climate change's complex effects on land and water, contradicting the 'DDWW' principle. While some regions become drier or wetter, others experience no trends, highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of climate change.
Researchers have developed a new method to measure structurally modified proteins in complex biological samples, enabling the analysis of thousands of proteins. The method uses a combination of digestion enzymes and Selected Reaction Monitoring to quantify protein quantities and determine structural changes.
Researchers at ETH Zurich conduct experiment to test salt's effect on building materials. They find supersaturation of salt solution is key factor in damage, with temperature playing a role. The study's findings could help conservators and restorers predict and mitigate salt damage.