Researchers created comprehensive catalogue of human gut microbiota subspecies and developed model predicting colorectal cancer presence from stool samples. The method detected 90% of cancer cases, outperforming current non-invasive detection methods.
The study reveals that genetic mixing with hunter-gatherers increased locally over time during the Neolithic expansion, leading to a complex colonization process. Early farmers had a demographic advantage, with an effective population size five times larger than hunters.
Researchers at UNIGE discovered that nutrient transport in plant roots becomes unidirectional as the root develops, with implications for enhancing plant resistance to drought stress. The study found that genetic mutants with abnormally wide plasmodesmata exhibited improved drought resilience.
A UNIGE team has identified a new brain mechanism responsible for modulating sensory signals. This discovery reveals a previously unknown form of communication between the thalamus and somatosensory cortex, which could explain perception variations and open up new avenues for understanding mental disorders.
The Near-InfraRed Planet Searcher (NIRPS) spectrograph, combined with HARPS, offers exceptional performance in detecting and characterizing exoplanets. The first scientific results revealed atmospheres of two gas giant exoplanets, including one with an extreme atmosphere containing evaporated iron.
A UNIGE team analyzed data from 33,000 Europeans to examine the impact of hearing loss and loneliness on memory. The findings show that hearing loss accelerates cognitive decline particularly among individuals who feel lonely, regardless of social isolation.
Researchers from UNIGE and the University of Pisa have developed a new family of remarkably stable chiral molecules, paving the way for new drug constructs. The stability of these molecules is crucial to drug design and storage.
A UNIGE team has shown that memories are more strongly triggered by the deeper meaning of a situation than its surface-level cues. This finding highlights the importance of structuring knowledge transfer in schools, where students often struggle to connect different examples of an unfamiliar concept.
Researchers found that Parkinson's disease symptoms on one side of the body can predict cognitive decline and psychiatric disorders. The study analyzed 80 studies to demonstrate the critical importance of personalized care tailored to individual disease profiles.
Scientists have discovered that CD4 T cells can target tumour cells with high efficiency, expanding the pool of patients who could benefit from this therapy. A clinical trial is currently preparing to test this approach in adults and children with various types of cancer.
Scientists at UNIGE have identified MLF2 and RBM15 as key proteins regulating chromatin remodelling, which can go awry leading to cancers and neurological disorders. These two proteins could become promising therapeutic targets for diseases linked to disrupted chromatin remodelling.
A new study reveals that turtles employ both molecular genetic factors and mechanical forces to develop the scales on different parts of their heads. The findings suggest that mechanical shaping of scales is an ancestral trait shared with crocodiles and likely dinosaurs, but lost in birds.
A team from UNIGE, Harvard, and McGill has discovered that the ventral tegmental area (VTA) encodes not only anticipated reward but also precise moment of expectation. This finding highlights the value of combining AI with neuroscience to reveal brain mechanisms.
Research suggests that people with insomnia disorders have intact sleep-wake regulatory systems, indicating that cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) may be an effective treatment. Objective sleep parameters and direct sleep-wake perception did not significantly differ from healthy participants, highlighting the potential ...
A team of researchers from UNIGE and UniBE used generative AI to assess emotional intelligence, finding that AIs achieved significantly higher scores than humans. The results also showed that AIs can generate new emotional intelligence tests in record time.
A UNIGE team shows that particles can be measured jointly without physical proximity, using quantum entanglement to link separate particles. This breakthrough enables promising applications in quantum communication and computing.
A UNIGE team has identified a single gene, CLCN2, that determines the corn snake's diverse skin pattern diversity. The study found that variations in this gene lead to distinct coloration patterns, including red blotches and stripes.
Astronomers have discovered a massive spiral galaxy resembling the Milky Way, formed just 1 billion years after the Big Bang. The galaxy, Zhúlóng, exhibits a mature structure with a central old bulge and large star-forming disk, challenging our understanding of galaxy formation.
Scientists at UNIGE identified a defect in communication pathway between two brain structures, leading to rapid redirection of attention deficits. The discovery paves the way for better prediction of development and more targeted interventions.
A UNIGE team used eye-tracking to improve social and emotional skills in nine young people with multiple disabilities. The personalized training showed promising results, enabling these individuals to exhibit visual preferences and strengthen certain socio-emotional skills.
A new international prize is launching to reward researchers bridging neuroscience and psychiatry, aiming to improve mental health diagnosis and treatment. The Synapsy Center at Université de Genève is offering a 50,000 CHF award for mid- to advanced-career contributions at the intersection of neuroscience and psychiatry.
A recent study by an international team reveals that the Arabian Peninsula's desert was once home to a vast lake and river system, which fostered grasslands and savannahs, enabling human migration. The findings highlight the impact of climate cycles on landscapes and human societies.
A recent discovery reveals that massive quiescent galaxies formed even earlier and more rapidly than previously thought. The study found a galaxy named RUBIES-UDS-QG-z7, which formed a stellar mass of over 10 billion solar masses within the first 600 million years after the Big Bang before ceasing star formation.
Adults with ADHD have higher levels of brain iron and neurofilaments, associated with increased risk of dementia. The study provides first evidence for a neurological mechanism possibly involved in the link between ADHD and dementia.
Researchers have discovered that a specific gene pathway is crucial for feather formation, dating back to the origins of proto-feathers in dinosaurs. The study provides insights into how genetic interactions evolved to allow for the emergence of complex structures like feathers.
Researchers discovered that gamma-actin increases the rigidity of cell membranes while beta-actin filaments are less stiff. This mechanism may contribute to hearing loss by affecting the apical membrane's stiffness essential for auditory function.
Researchers have discovered lipid signatures associated with chemotherapy-resistant cells in colorectal cancer. These lipid alterations can serve as prognostic markers and help develop new treatment strategies to restore drug sensitivity.
A new study reproduces the formation and evolution of a magnetar using numerical simulations, providing insights into their origin. The research supports the dynamo action theory, which suggests that magnetic fields are amplified through complex motions in proto-neutron stars.
Researchers at UNIGE have developed a system that uses light to activate targeted molecules, enabling spatial and temporal control over the activity of a molecule in a living organism. This technology has vast potential applications in both basic research and improving existing medical treatments, such as those for skin cancer.
Researchers have discovered an enzyme called CH25H in cancerous lymphatic cells whose properties enable the immune system to fight tumors more effectively. The enzyme converts cholesterol into 25-hydroxycholesterol, a metabolite that promotes antiviral immunity and enhances anti-tumor immunity.
A UNIGE team discovered that heterosexual individuals' interpretations of scientific data on sexual orientation are influenced by their own frame of reference, leading to both positive and negative attitudes towards homosexuality. The study found that religiosity plays a significant role in shaping these attitudes.
Astronomers detect a super-Earth in an eccentric orbit, oscillating between habitable and non-habitable zones. The discovery provides a laboratory for testing new hypotheses on the search for life beyond Earth.
Proteins form complexes to fulfill their functions, with assembly often beginning during synthesis. Misfolded proteins can lead to cellular dysfunction and diseases; understanding co-translational assembly may help develop new therapeutic approaches.
A UNIGE study has overturned the assumption that Hot Jupiters orbit alone, discovering a unique multi-planetary system with an inner Super-Earth and an outer massive giant planet. The WASP-132 system's unexpected architecture raises new questions about planet formation and evolution.
Researchers from UNIGE-HUG Centre and MSF successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of a hepatitis E vaccine in an outbreak in Bentiu, South Sudan. The study showed that two doses of the vaccine reduced the incidence of the disease and provided protection against severe symptoms.
A UNIGE team has demonstrated that sulphur in its bisulphide (HS- ) form plays a critical role in transporting gold in magmatic fluids. The study uses innovative methodology to replicate extreme pressure and temperature conditions, providing new insights into the formation of precious metal ore deposits.
Researchers from UNIGE found that mechanical forces, linked to tissue growth, drive the emergence of diverse biological structures. They demonstrated this using computer modeling and microscopy, revealing how variations in skin growth rates and stiffness generate distinct scale forms among different crocodilian species.
A recent study by the University of Geneva and the United Nations found that 30% of hackathons contribute significantly to the SDGs, particularly climate change. These events attract new participants and generate long-term collective engagement, making them a promising tool for global cooperation.
SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences·TypeNews article·DateDec 9, 2024
Researchers discovered interleukin-38 forms condensates in keratinocytes, driving programmed keratinocyte death and epidermal renewal. The study offers a new perspective on human epidermis and sheds light on skin diseases like psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.
An international team led by UNIGE has identified three ultra-massive galaxies forming at unexpected speeds in the early Universe. The discovery challenges existing galaxy formation models and suggests that massive galaxies may have been more efficient in building stars than previously thought.
A French-Swiss team has discovered a slight discrepancy between Einstein's predictions and measurements of gravitational lensing from the Dark Energy Survey. The study found that the depth of gravitational wells varied with cosmic history, challenging the validity of Einstein's theories for explaining phenomena beyond our solar system.
Researchers identified disturbances in glucose regulation after delivery in women who have had gestational diabetes, despite comparable clinical measurements. Continuous monitoring using wearable devices revealed disrupted blood sugar rhythms and internal clocks, suggesting a need for appropriate follow-up.
A team of scientists observed a prehistoric unicellular organism, Chromosphaera perkinsii, forming multicellular structures resembling animal embryos. This suggests that embryonic development may have existed prior to the evolution of animals.
A team from UNIGE analyzed the formation of grooves in dog noses using 3D imaging and computer simulations. They found that differential growth of skin tissue layers leads to the formation of domes, supported by blood vessels.
Researchers have discovered molecules capable of limiting the side effects of opioids by blocking the receptor responsible for their action. The scientists created even smaller molecules that retain the same properties, which could prove far more effective than current treatments in mitigating the harmful effects of opioids.
A team from UNIGE and EPFL has demonstrated the Entropic Pulling mechanism of Hsp70 chaperones, a long-debated theory that explains their role in controlling protein quality. The study uses nanopore single-molecule technology to show that Hsp70s generate a strong force to manipulate protein structure, ruling out previous models.
Researchers at UNIGE and HUG have developed CAR-T cells capable of targeting malignant gliomas while sparing healthy tissue. The treatment uses a specific marker on tumour cells and appears to be effective in controlling tumour growth without signs of toxicity.
Researchers found that adult mice with only beta cells have better glycaemic balance and insulin sensitivity than standard animals. Non-beta cells are not essential for maintaining blood sugar levels, contradicting the prevailing conception.
Researchers identified genetic and metabolic characteristics of leukaemic stem cells, including a specific iron utilisation process that can be blocked to kill these cells without harming healthy ones. This breakthrough paves the way for new therapeutic strategies to combat leukemia.
Researchers at UNIGE have discovered how yeast cells respond to physical stress on their membranes. Cryo-electron microscopy revealed that specific lipid domains can stabilize and trigger cellular responses to mechanical stimuli. This study sheds light on the role of membrane compartmentalization in cell survival.