Researchers found a correlation between Arctic ozone depletion and extreme weather events in the Northern Hemisphere. Simulations suggest that reduced ozone levels contribute to warmer temperatures and droughts in central Europe, while wet conditions prevail in polar regions.
A study by ETH Zurich researchers shows a sharp increase in opioid poisoning cases and sales in Switzerland between 2000 and 2019, with oxycodone being the second most common cause. The rise is similar to that seen in other European countries, but per capita sales are higher in Switzerland.
Researchers discovered 40,000 biosynthetic gene clusters in ocean microorganisms, including a new species with giant genome size. These clusters may hold key to new natural products with antibiotic properties. Collaboration between ETH Zurich and Jörn Piel's group validated the structure and function of two promising molecules.
Researchers found that circulating cancer cells form metastases mainly during sleep phases, with higher cell division rates at night, suggesting a link between hormone regulation and tumor growth. This discovery highlights the need for healthcare professionals to record the time of biopsies to ensure comparable data.
Researchers analyzed iron samples from asteroid cores to determine the timing of asteroid core cooling and collisions. The study suggests that violent collisions occurred within a 7.8-11.7 million year window after solar system formation, indicating a chaotic early phase.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a novel memristor design that can switch between two operation modes, enabling greater efficiency in machine learning applications. This breakthrough component is made of halide perovskite nanocrystals and simulates complex neural networks with high accuracy.
Researchers have engineered bacteria to act as data loggers, capturing gene activity and metabolic responses in the gut. This allows for non-invasive monitoring of gut health and dietary status, enabling early diagnosis of malnutrition and inflammatory responses.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed an automated way to analyze animal behavior from video footage using computer vision and machine learning. The new algorithm can distinguish individual animals and identify specific behaviors, such as curiosity or fear responses, with high accuracy.
A new study using environmental DNA reveals a 16% higher fish diversity on coral reefs than traditional visual observations. The approach detects pelagic, reef-bound, and cryptobenthic species that are difficult to spot by divers.
SourceETH Zurich·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 21, 2022
A study published in Current Biology found that consuming non-essential amino acids can curb appetite and encourage physical activity in mice. This mechanism is thought to be rooted in evolutionary history, where eating these amino acids promoted the urge to seek out more nutrient-rich food sources.
Research at ETH Zurich found that light amplification accelerates photochemical processes in aerosols by two to three times, leading to changes in atmospheric properties. This effect must be considered in climate models to improve their accuracy.
A mobile system developed by ETH Zurich researchers aims to promote deep sleep through auditory brain stimulation, showing promise in enhancing slow waves during deep sleep in older adults. The system involves a headband that continuously measures brain activity and triggers short auditory signals to synchronize neuronal cells.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a method to break down certain polymers into their basic building blocks, enabling full recycling. The breakthrough involves creating 'radicals' at the end of a polymer chain, triggering depolymerisation and recovering up to 92% of the monomers.
Researchers found variations in carbon isotopes in younger kimberlites, suggesting the Cambrian Explosion affected the Earth's lower mantle. The study suggests that changes in marine sediments leave profound traces on the Earth's interior.
Researchers discovered two novel contractile injection systems (CISs) in cyanobacteria and a marine bacterium, revealing unique features and anchoring mechanisms. These systems provide insights into the evolutionary differences between various injection system classes.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new approach to modeling nonlinear dynamical systems using experimental data. By identifying key structures rather than detailed dynamics, the algorithm reduces calculation time from hours to just minutes.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have successfully replicated the surface structures of the Cynandra opis butterfly using nano-3D printing, enabling the production of structures that generate all visible spectrum colours. This breakthrough could lead to applications in security features, optical technologies, and high-resolution colour displays.
The Congo Basin's tropical forest is a unique greenhouse gas emitter, with low nitrous oxide emissions but high methane releases, particularly in swamp forests. Soils play a crucial role in converting nitrous oxide to harmless nitrogen, affecting the forest's overall climate gas balance.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new control technology that enables ANYmal, a quadrupedal robot, to combine visual perception of its environment with proprioception-based sensing. This allows the robot to tackle rough terrain faster and more efficiently.
Researchers at ETH Zurich analyzed garnet crystals from volcanic deposits to infer magma chamber residence times. They found that phonolitic magma stored in the upper crust for several thousand years before triggering an eruption, and a reservoir of this magma has existed beneath Vesuvius for the last 10'000 years.
Researchers have discovered that Earth's interior is cooling at a faster rate than expected, with implications for plate tectonics and the planet's overall activity. The study suggests that this increased heat flow will accelerate mantle convection, leading to a faster cooling of the Earth.
A team of researchers at ETH Zurich has developed a computer model that can predict how individuals will choose between options and feel confident in their decisions. The model uses patterns of eye movements to determine the level of attentional effort invested in evaluating options, revealing that introspection is key to self-control ...
Researchers at ETH Zurich have discovered a single relationship explaining the massive efficiency differences in extracellular electron shuttles. The study found that the transfer of the first electron from the shuttle to iron oxide determines the iron reduction rate, shedding light on a critical step in microbial respiration.
SourceETH Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 11, 2022
Researchers found that fungal communities play a key role in tree growth, with some species increasing tree growth rates up to a tree-fold. The study suggests that using specific fungal communities can help improve forestry and potentially absorb more carbon from the atmosphere.
The Matterhorn oscillates at two frequencies, with movements up to 14 times stronger at the summit than at the foot. Researchers detected these subtle vibrations using seismometers, which are also found in bridges and high-rise buildings, revealing a broader phenomenon.
Researchers found that climate change is causing a compound effect of extreme events in the oceans, including heatwaves, acidity, and low oxygen levels. This combination can be fatal to marine species, especially those already living at the upper end of their optimal temperature range.
The global plastics supply chain has a significant impact on the climate, with production accounting for 96% of total greenhouse gas emissions. The use of coal-based energy in plastic production is driving this growth, with emissions quadrupling since 1995 and causing health issues like air pollution and asthma.
Scientists have developed a technology called LUX-MS to study the organisation of cell surface molecules, revealing that proteins work together to fulfil cellular functions. The method can detect the proximity of molecules on the cell surface with nanometer-scale precision.
Researchers propose that crushing large olivine crystals reduces plate resistance, allowing it to bend into segments. Simulations support observations from nature, including fault patterns and seismic velocity structure.
Research finds that plankton diversity will increase in warmer waters, but this may lead to a reduction in zooplankton diversity in the tropics. As climate changes, plankton species from tropical regions will shift polewards, potentially disrupting marine ecosystems and fisheries.
Researchers found that high water content in magma can reduce the risk of an explosive eruption. The study suggests combining different metrics to predict gas bubbles and crystallization, potentially leading to better forecasts for dangerous explosions.
Researchers have developed a computational model demonstrating that climate-neutral plastics can be produced through a combination of plastic recycling, biomass, and carbon capture utilization. This approach reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 53% compared to current fossil-based manufacturing practices.
Tropical rainforests have uneven biodiversity due to geological history and climate. Researchers used a new model to simulate species diversification, finding that historical dynamics of mountain building and climate change drove biodiversity distribution rather than current climate factors.
Scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a system that can manipulate the acoustic field in real time, creating illusions of objects disappearing or being simulated. The technology uses field-programmable gate arrays to control the augmentation of sound waves, enabling potential applications in sensor technology, architecture, and commu...
A team of scientists at ETH Zurich has discovered a new correlated state in twisted double layers of graphene, where negatively charged electrons and positively charged holes pair up to form an electrically neutral state. This state can transmit information or conduct heat without conducting electric current.
Roe deer's embryonic diapause phenomenon is controlled by a unique combination of amino acids and the mTORC1 pathway. The study reveals that amino acids activate mTORC1 to release embryos from decelerated proliferation, allowing them to develop normally after four and a half months.
SourceETH Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 27, 2021
Researchers at ETH Zurich discovered that exercise promotes the formation of thin blood capillaries in muscles by stimulating cell division of endothelial cells with high levels of ATF4. These 'metabolically primed' cells are activated to form new vessels, leading to improved blood supply to exercising muscles.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a multi-component molecule that interacts with collagen, allowing for the visualization of new tissue growth in the body. This breakthrough could have applications in oncology and wound healing, enabling surgeons to more accurately remove tumors and investigate tissue formation.
Researchers at ETH Zurich and partners have demonstrated a method to send precise reference frequencies via conventional telecommunications infrastructure, enabling chemical spectroscopy analyses that are 100 times more accurate than before. The approach uses the L band frequency, which is less congested by data traffic, allowing for h...
Researchers have discovered a new theory that explains the behavior of quantum systems with long-range interactions. The theory predicts that these systems will settle into meta-stable states rather than reaching equilibrium, leading to unique effects such as spiral arms in galaxies.
SourceETH Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 28, 2021
A strategic toolkit has been developed to help manage the nexus between water, energy, food and ecosystems, reducing disputes in catchment areas. The DAFNE methodology uses state-of-the-art modeling techniques to enable participatory planning and engage stakeholders, finding compromises and synergies that benefit everyone.
Researchers from ETH Zurich analyzed data from NASA's InSight mission, revealing that Mars' crust, mantle, and core have distinct structures. The findings suggest that Mars was once completely molten, but now has a thinner crust with a relatively high proportion of radioactive elements.
Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a new chip-based test that incorporates the placenta into embryotoxicity assessments. The test detects indirect damage to embryos by analyzing stress responses of human placental cells to toxic substances.
Researchers at ETH Zurich used AI to identify target molecules of natural substances, paving the way for a new class of pharmaceutical agents. The algorithm successfully predicted human receptors and enzymes that interact with natural compounds, leading to the discovery of simpler, cheaper alternatives.
Researchers identified a core set of 24 genes that activate in response to bacterial colonization, acting as volume control for plant responses and predicting the extent of colonization
Researchers at ETH Zurich have produced a crystal consisting exclusively of electrons, overcoming previous obstacles due to the low mass and high motional energy of electrons. The team used light to excite excitons in the semiconductor layer, allowing them to visualize the periodic arrangement of electrons.
A study published in Nature Plants found that mixed cultures of crops can produce higher yields than monocultures due to the biodiversity effect. This approach involves sowing multiple species or varieties alongside each other, resulting in increased plant productivity and effective natural pest control without pesticides.
Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a technology to harvest water 24/7 with no energy input, using specially coated glass and a radiation shield. The device can produce up to twice as much water as current passive technologies, with potential for large-scale integration.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new approach to prove the robustness conditions of certain quantum-based machine learning models, guaranteeing reliable results. The team's work explores protection against errors and hackers, paving the way for more accurate and trustworthy quantum machine learning applications.
Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a molecular switch that can be activated by green light from a smartwatch, producing insulin or other substances. The system uses HEK 293 cells and is linked to a gene network, which can be configured to produce specific substances.