Researchers at ETH Zurich have found a novel mechanism to produce nanoscale light sources by exploiting the antenna-like behavior of semiconductor materials. By varying the voltage and measuring the current through a tunnel junction, they discovered an exciton resonance that acts as an effective antenna, enabling efficient light emission.
Soil microbes are releasing more CO2 into the atmosphere due to global warming, with a potential increase of 40% by 2100 in polar regions. The emissions vary across climate zones, with cold polar regions being more sensitive to changes in soil moisture.
Researchers demonstrated terabit optical data transmission through the air in a European Horizon 2020 project, enabling more cost-effective and faster backbone connections via near-earth satellite constellations. The team used laser systems to transmit high-data rates over a free-space distance of 53km.
Researchers at ETH Zurich discovered a new method to produce slow electrons through optical excitation, allowing for more efficient chemical reactions. The slow electrons, created by dissolving sodium in ammonia and exposing it to UV light, can be controlled and used to initiate reactions.
Researchers discovered that Trichodesmium filaments form aggregates through a simple behavioural strategy, controlling density and light penetration. This mechanism enables the formation of visible aggregates with unique shapes, providing essential nutrients for other marine organisms.
A new study by ETH Zurich researchers found that collaborating in solidarity can help European countries avert drastic and involuntary energy demand curtailment. The study suggests that voluntarily reducing energy demand to supply gas to other countries is far less painful than forcing a country to massively reduce its demand.
A team of researchers has performed a loophole-free Bell test using superconducting circuits, confirming that quantum mechanics predicts non-local correlations. The experiment demonstrates that entangled particles can be correlated over large distances, opening up possibilities for distributed quantum computing and quantum cryptography.
Researchers have created a detailed map of human retinal organoid development, revealing information on cell types, proteins, and gene expression. The study uses advanced imaging techniques to visualize multiple proteins simultaneously and provides insights into retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa.
Researchers determined the Martian crust's global structure using seismic data from a massive marsquake. The crust averages 42-56 kilometers in thickness, with variations between the northern and southern hemispheres.
Vogel and Benn's study replicates tissue growth in vitro, revealing the importance of ECM interactions. Myofibroblasts play a key role in wound healing and cancer progression, but their transformation into fibroblasts is influenced by ECM composition and structure.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new method called pharmacoscopy to test treatment options for multiple myeloma patients. This high-throughput screening platform analyzes the reactions of cancer cells to various treatments, offering personalized therapeutic strategies.
Scientists at ETH Zurich have successfully created a substantially heavier Schrödinger cat by putting a small crystal into a superposition of two oscillation states. The resulting 'cat' weighs around 16 micrograms, making it the fattest quantum cat to date.
Researchers studied H7N9 epidemic waves in China from 2013 to 2017, analyzing gene sequences to build phylogenetic trees. They found the virus likely circulated in poultry for months before being detected, and suggest continuous monitoring of animal health is crucial
Researchers at ETH Zurich have decoded details of how cyclic peptides cross cell membranes, providing a new understanding of their mechanism. This knowledge can help speed up drug discovery by identifying ideal side chains for these molecules.
A new study by ETH Zurich researchers has developed a model that can predict stress levels in the office based on typing and mouse behavior, finding stressed individuals type and move more erratically than relaxed ones. The approach could help prevent workplace stress early on with anonymized data protection.
Researchers found that exceptional weather conditions over several years are turning European forests brown. Characteristic weather patterns, such as prolonged dry periods and high temperatures, precede these events, with a legacy effect contributing to future low-forest greenness.
A team of researchers at ETH Zurich has created an implantable fuel cell that uses excess blood sugar to generate electrical energy. The device powers artificial beta cells that produce insulin, effectively regulating blood glucose levels.
A new invention by ETH Zurich researchers uses 3D printing to create customized insoles with integrated pressure sensors that can measure foot pressure during various activities. This allows for more accurate and efficient creation of custom insoles, potentially improving athletic performance and treating musculoskeletal pain.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have successfully applied the shape-memory effect to nano-sized objects, overcomes the limitation of objects needing to be larger than 50 nanometers. The material ferroic oxides showed a free-standing nanoscale structure made of ferroic oxides that are highly elastic and resilient.
A new study suggests that a sustainable plastics economy is possible by increasing recycling rates to 74% and using innovative production methods, such as carbon capture and utilization. This would require a fundamental shift in the way plastics are produced, consumed, and disposed of.
Researchers from ETH Zurich, Harvard, and Cambridge join forces to study chemical and physical processes of living organisms and environmental conditions for life on other planets. Synthetic cells enable scientists to deconstruct complex systems, understand basic principles of life and evolution.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have localized changes to DNA building blocks altered by tobacco smoke's toxic compounds. These findings suggest a potential method to predict cancer risk and study genetic predispositions.
Researchers developed an open-microfluidic 3D blood-brain barrier model to study the complex structure and function of the barrier. The model allows for simultaneous measurement of permeability and morphological changes, providing new insights into how the barrier responds to injuries and diseases.
A new study reveals that alien plant species are expanding their range to higher elevations at an accelerated rate, affecting mountain ecosystems globally. The number of invasive species has increased by 16% worldwide over the past decade, with neophytes colonizing niches that match their climatic preferences.
A team of scientists from ETH Zurich has developed a new diagnostic strategy for methylmalonic aciduria (MMA), a rare metabolic disorder affecting approximately one in 90,000 newborns. The approach, which considers genetic, RNA, protein, and metabolomics data, correctly diagnosed 84% of patients examined.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a special drone that can autonomously collect environmental DNA (eDNA) from tree branches, allowing for tracking of biodiversity. The drone's adhesive strips pick up material from the branch, which is then extracted and analyzed to identify genetic matches of various organisms.
Researchers discover that tumour tracks, formed by transformed blood vessels, trap immune cells and promote healing processes. The tension of extracellular matrix fibers plays a key role in tumour development, allowing cancer cells to grow undisturbed.
Researchers from ETH Zurich elucidated the structure and function of tryptophan C-mannosyltransferase (CMT), a glycosyltransferase enzyme involved in C-mannosylation. The study reveals the enzyme's novel mechanism, enabling precise understanding of protein sequences and sugar substrates.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have created a device that uses ultrasound to automate laboratory analysis tasks. The device combines microfluidics and robotics, allowing for the mixing, pumping, and trapping of tiny amounts of liquid. This innovation enables the automation of previously custom-designed systems.
Researchers have decoded the genetic composition of self-incompatibility in grasses, enabling new breeding strategies. The study found that two loci control self-incompatibility, allowing for more diverse populations to be bred.
Researchers at ETH Zurich developed novel fluorescent dyes with modular structures, producing a wide color palette. The dyes have potential applications in security ink, solar power plants, and organic light-emitting diodes.
ETH Zurich researchers have created a range of affordable fluorescent inks with machine learning algorithms to determine the right molecular subunits. The new dyes can be used for security features and applications like solar power plants and organic light-emitting diodes.
A study found that acidification of aerosols post-exhalation significantly impacts viral load. Influenza A viruses are inactivated within minutes, while SARS-CoV-2 requires days at typical indoor pH levels.
Researchers at ETH Zurich investigate carbon-neutral production of nitrogen fertiliser, finding a transition is possible and may increase food security. However, alternative methods have advantages and disadvantages, with the key to success likely being a combination of approaches.
Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a gold-based transparent coating that absorbs infrared radiation selectively, heating up to 8 degrees Celsius. The coating is thinner, pliable, and more efficient than traditional antifogging methods, requiring minimal gold material costs.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have identified 76 proteins that could serve as biomarkers for Parkinson's disease, with their molecular structures differing between healthy and diseased individuals. The study uses a unique method to analyze protein shapes in cerebrospinal fluid, providing a promising new approach for diagnosis and potential...
Researchers analyze seismic surface waves to determine Martian crust density and structure. The data reveals a uniform crust beneath the impact sites, contradicting earlier findings at the InSight lander.
A recent study published in Nature suggests that Mars is still experiencing volcanic activity, with quakes originating from the Cerberus Fossae region indicating a warm source of molten lava. The seismic data also shows darker deposits of dust surrounding the area, suggesting geological evidence of more recent volcanic activity.
Researchers controlled magnetic bacteria to cross blood vessel walls and infiltrate tumor tissue, delivering liposomes with fluorescent dye to demonstrate their ability to carry therapeutic agents. This approach may revolutionize bacterial cancer therapy by increasing efficacy and reducing side effects.
Researchers at ETH Zurich develop a new method to track plastic biodegradation in soil, using stable carbon isotopes to demonstrate complete mass balances. The study finds that about two-thirds of the added polymer carbon is converted into CO2, while one-third remains in the soil, with some being incorporated into microbial biomass.
Researchers have identified microRNA-7 as a non-classic genetic risk factor for hereditary obesity. The molecule affects energy balance and appetite regulation in humans and mice, highlighting the need to examine non-genetic factors in gene-based studies. This discovery may lead to new therapeutic approaches for treating obesity.
Scientists have developed a new method to study human brain development by growing millimetre-sized three-dimensional tissues called organoids from pluripotent stem cells. The researchers characterized the cells in molecular-genetic terms, creating a kind of map showing the molecular fingerprint of each cell within the organoid.
The EU aims to regulate electric vehicle batteries and stationary batteries with more than 2 kWh storage capacity. Researchers warn that design options may fall short of expectations and do harm.
Researchers developed an AI method to predict how well new COVID-19 variants infect human cells and evade antibodies. The system can analyze a million mutated variants, enabling the development of next-generation antibody therapies and vaccines that provide broader protection against potential future variants.
Scientists at ETH Zurich develop a novel method to expand indole ring systems by inserting nitrogen atoms, enabling the creation of new active ingredients. The reaction is robust and tolerant towards functional groups, paving the way for late-stage diversification of indole skeletons.
A team of researchers from ETH Zurich and WSL reconstructed the topography of all Swiss glaciers in 1931 using stereophotogrammetry. They found that the glacier volume halved between 1931 and 2016, with some glaciers losing mass at varying rates depending on factors like altitude, snout shape, and debris coverage.
A study published in Science Advances reports that the Moon inherited helium and neon from Earth's mantle, supporting the Giant Impact theory. The discovery was made possible by the use of a state-of-the-art noble gas mass spectrometer, Tom Dooley, which detected high concentrations of these gases in lunar meteorites.
A new hydrogel-based platform increases vaccine thermal stability, enabling distribution in diverse regions without strict temperature control. The technology has the potential to reduce economic costs and health risks associated with cold chain logistics.
Researchers have discovered the genetic basis of natural resistance in cassava to mosaic disease, which is transmitted by whiteflies and causes significant yield losses. The gene, known as CMD2, is a DNA polymerase that corrects errors during replication, making it essential for the virus's survival.
Researchers from ETH Zurich conducted a new experiment to redetermine the gravitational constant G, obtaining a value 2.2% higher than the current official figure. The team used a dynamic measurement method involving resonating beams, allowing for real-time data analysis and minimization of interference.