A new water filter membrane made from natural raw materials has been developed to render viruses harmless. The membrane combines protein nanofibrils with iron oxyhydroxide nanoparticles to eliminate a wide range of water-borne viruses, including those causing gastrointestinal infections, with great efficiency.
Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a vaccine that guides bacteria's evolution to make them a weaker pathogen, rather than trying to kill them. The combination vaccine was shown to be more effective in preventing Salmonella infections than existing vaccines.
Researchers have developed a new fluorescence microscopy technique that allows for high-resolution images of microcirculation in the brain without invasive surgical methods. This breakthrough has the potential to reveal new insights into neurological disorders and facilitate early detection and treatment.
A research team at ETH Zurich has created a comprehensive bovine genome reference by integrating data from six breeds, revealing numerous new genes and functionalities. These newly discovered sequences show connections to immune functions and may provide insights into genetic variants lost during domestication.
Researchers have deciphered how tendon cells adapt to physical demands, revealing a molecular force sensor that promotes stiffness. A gene variant associated with West African ancestry enhances jumping performance in humans by 13%, suggesting its potential role in elite athletic success.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have discovered that dendritic cells can migrate more quickly to lymph nodes via a newly found pathway during inflammation. This route allows them to bypass the slow and energy-intensive process of entering capillary vessels, enabling faster immune activation and response.
A team of researchers from ETH Zurich has identified the crucial step in viral protein synthesis that makes coronaviruses like SARS-CoV-2 vulnerable to inhibition. They found that targeting this process with chemical compounds could lead to effective antiviral drugs, offering new hope for treating COVID-19 and other coronaviruses.
Researchers at ETH Zurich calculate that waste incineration plants in Europe have a significant potential for negative emissions through bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). If fully exploited, BECCS could reduce European CO2 emissions by 200 million tonnes per year.
A new study reveals that global glacier retreat has accelerated by 267 gigatonnes of ice per year on average between 2000 and 2019, contributing to rising sea levels. The loss of glacial mass is having a profound impact on mountain glaciers in the Himalayas and other regions.
A team of scientists developed a machine learning method that optimizes antibody properties, identifying potential candidates for therapeutic use. The new approach increased the candidate pool from thousands to millions, leading to improved drug efficacy and stability.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed an approach to generate a broad palette of colours by adjusting the chemical structure of molecules themselves. By varying the chain length of fluorescent organic polymers, they can produce polymers with different colours, including yellow, green, and blue.
A recent study published in Environmental Research Letters finds that climate change greatly increases the risk of flood-related displacement, with a 50% increase for each degree of global warming. Even if population growth is stabilized, the risk will still rise significantly, with projected increases of up to 110% by the end of this ...
A recent study by ETH Zurich reveals that climate change has a globally visible influence on rivers, with complex patterns emerging worldwide. The research analyzed data from 7,250 measuring stations and found that river flow changed systematically between 1971 and 2010.
Research at ETH Zurich found that defaulting to green electricity increased demand by over 80% in private households, with a significant impact on business customers as well. Despite higher costs, the majority of customers stuck with green options, demonstrating the lasting effect of default settings.
The 'Destination Earth' initiative aims to create a highly accurate digital model of the Earth, incorporating observational data and new human activity data. This digital twin will enable high-resolution simulations of complex processes and inform policies on sustainable development.
A recent study found that human activities, particularly air pollution, are the primary cause of fluctuations in global dimming and brightening. Surface solar radiation increased after economic collapse and improved air quality regulations, suggesting a link between human-induced aerosols and climate changes.
Researchers have discovered a potential Earth-like planet in the Alpha Centauri star system using unprecedented sensitivity data collection methods. The team's findings suggest that this exoplanet may be located in a habitable zone where liquid water could form.
Researchers create epidemiological blueprint to decipher SARS-CoV-2 transmission, identify new variants, and understand reproductive rates. The blueprint enables better response to emerging threats, including potential 'spillback' from animals to humans.
A team of ETH Zurich researchers has developed a 3D-printed bioresorbable airway stent that can be customized to a patient's anatomy. The stents, made from a specially designed resin, are biocompatible and gradually dissolve after implantation.
Researchers analyzed millions of decisions made by recruiters on a popular job platform, revealing significant bias against immigrants and women. The study found that biases were more pronounced towards the end of the workday and in male-dominated professions.
Researchers developed a platform to derive comprehensive molecular profiles of tumours, enabling personalized therapy recommendations and expanded treatment options. The Tumor Profiler study analyzed 240 patients' tumour samples using advanced testing methods, providing insights into cellular diversity and treatment response.
A team of scientists has reconstructed solar activity from 969 to 1933 using measurements of radioactive carbon in tree rings. The study used modern detection techniques to achieve high precision, confirming the regularity of the eleven-year cycle and revealing potential solar energetic proton events.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have gained new insights into aerosol formation by detecting volatile components for the first time. Volatile components were found to catalyze vapor nucleation, accelerating the process.
The ETH researchers conclude that continuing to power aircraft with fossil fuels and removing CO2 emissions using Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a cost-effective option for achieving carbon neutrality. Indirectly capturing CO2 from waste incineration gases also shows promise, costing significantly less than direct air capture.
Researchers have developed neurofeedback prostheses that restore sensory feedback to amputees, enabling them to perceive their prosthetic leg as lighter and reducing the effort required for walking. The study found a 23% reduction in perceived weight and improved motor-cognitive tasks, suggesting a more natural limb experience.
ETH Zurich researchers use a novel method called KARMA to analyze protein complex assembly, revealing a hierarchical principle and durable scaffold. The technique allows for the reconstruction of precise assembly sequences, opening up new avenues for studying biological processes.
A study found that herbivorous insects from lower elevations can alter alpine plant communities when introduced to higher elevations, leading to changes in biomass structure and composition. This disruption can favor the growth of small-stature plant species.
A new study from ETH Zurich found that informing the public of potential bias does little to improve perception, even for those aware of exponential growth. Participants underestimated infections after 30 days of exponential spread, but improved when asked about doubling times or time gained with mitigation measures.
Scientists have discovered a way to control the flow of liquids using magnetotactic bacteria, which can be used to transport cancer drugs directly to tumors. The bacteria produce an effect similar to that of a micropump, allowing for precise control over the movement of active substances.
Researchers at ETH Zurich identified a self-regulating mechanism that limits the productive period of trees, leading to earlier leaf fall. Global warming previously expected to delay senescence, but photosynthesis in spring and summer actually accelerates it.
The study found that Earth's early atmosphere was slightly oxidizing, with carbon dioxide as its main constituent, and had a surface pressure much higher than today due to the hot surface.
Scientists create miniscule robots with plastic chassis and magnetic metal wheels, powered by rotating magnetic fields, opening up applications for delivering medications and treating aneurysms.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have successfully created biochemical random numbers using DNA synthesis, correcting a long-standing challenge in generating truly random numbers. The team achieved this by synthesizing DNA molecules with randomly placed building blocks, resulting in vast quantities of randomness that can be stored in a small ...
A recent study published in Nature Food found that countries have a significant impact on nitrogen pollution, often multiple times greater than their effect on crop yields. Countries can curb fertiliser use without compromising yield by adjusting institutions, economic development, population size, and farm production processes.
A recent study by ETH Zurich researchers found that workplace interruptions lead to increased cortisol levels and physical stress. Participants who received chat messages from superiors during a task reported better emotional and cognitive responses to stress.
Researchers at ETH Zurich found a link between the increased availability of high-dose paracetamol tablets and a rise in poisoning cases. The study suggests that limiting pack sizes and promoting lower doses could help minimize accidental overdoses.
Researchers from ETH Zurich and colleagues reconstructed the Paleocene and Eocene climates using siderite minerals, finding high humidity and heat transport. This suggests today's global warming is linked to increased moisture and heat transport in the atmosphere.
Physicists at ETH Zurich have demonstrated a new method for delivering multiple laser beams precisely to the right locations in a stable manner, allowing for delicate quantum operations on trapped atoms. The approach enables high-fidelity logic gates and scalability for large quantum computers.
Researchers have found that the Earth's mantle has a different composition to its upper layer, contradicting long-held assumptions. Lab experiments and seismic wave analysis suggest that silicon is present in the lower mantle, not the core.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a novel approach to frequency doubling in nonlinear crystals, utilizing disordered nanocrystals to achieve efficient light conversion. The method, which combines two seemingly irreconcilable approaches, enables wide-range frequency tuning and minimizes material usage.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a non-invasive method for concentrating and releasing drugs in the brain with pinpoint accuracy using focused ultrasound. The new technique aggregates drugs at specific sites, reducing dosage requirements by 1,300 times, and preserves physiological barriers between blood and nervous tissue.
Researchers developed a new generation of microelectrode-array chips that can record electrical activity from up to 20,000 nerve cells simultaneously. The new chip enables comprehensive measurements of more than 1,000 cells at once, suitable for testing the effects of drugs and reducing animal experiments.
Researchers at ETH Zurich propose an alternative theory for the formation of the Alps, suggesting that the mountains were uplifted by the subduction of the Eurasian plate beneath the Adriatic microplate. This new model simulates the processes leading to the formation of the Alps and explains the observed seismicity in the region.
Extensive measurement data reveals severe impact of heat and drought on lower-altitude ecosystems, while higher-altitude ecosystems benefited from warmer temperatures. Productivity fell by an average of 20% in mixed forest and meadows at lower altitudes.
Researchers detected a slight tilt in the seismometer's signal during solar eclipses, likely due to ground cooling and deformation. This effect could be used to map Phobos' orbit with increased precision, important for future missions to the Martian moon.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a method to determine how tightly ribosomes bind to hundreds of thousands of RNA sequences in a single experiment, using machine learning and deep sequencing technology. This approach enables precise control over protein production in bacteria, with potential applications in genetic diseases.
Researchers detect electron movements in liquid water using photoemission, revealing a delay of 50-70 attoseconds compared to gaseous form. This discovery sheds light on chemical reactions and biological processes such as photosynthesis and DNA damage.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed RNA molecules that can compensate for gene mutations in bone marrow cells, a potential breakthrough for treating rare hereditary diseases. The molecules bind to the body's own RNA and restore ferrochelatase enzyme production, which is deficient in patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria.
A long-term study in Southeast Asian rainforests found that active restoration accelerates forest recovery, with areas recovering up to 50% faster than those left to regenerate naturally. However, the high cost of restoration currently limits its impact on mitigating climate change.
Clinical studies in Kenya suggest that iron deficiency during infancy may reduce the protection provided by vaccinations. In one study, researchers found that anaemic infants had more than twice the risk of lacking protective antibodies against diphtheria and other pathogens.