Trump's protectionism raises unemployment
A study by Université de Genève researchers shows that Donald Trump's protectionist policies increase unemployment in the US and Mexico, reducing welfare by 0.31% in the US and 6.6% in Mexico.
Université de Genève
How our dreams prepare us to face our fears
Scientists identify brain areas activated during frightening dreams, including the insula and cingulate cortex, which improve emotional regulation upon waking. They found a link between fear in dreams and emotions experienced once awake.
Aging in good health: The inequalities are widening
Researchers found that life expectancy in Switzerland has increased, but the country's population who only attended compulsory schooling are living longer in poor health. The gap between men and women is also widening, with women experiencing a smaller increase in healthy years due to their higher life expectancy
'Super-grafts' that could treat diabetes
By adding amniotic epithelial cells to pancreatic islet clusters, researchers created more robust
Could mathematics help to better treat cancer?
Using information theory, researchers at UNIGE aim to understand how impaired cellular communication influences cancer development. They propose a new approach to oncology, focusing on restoring proper signaling pathway activity rather than shutting them down.
New chemical weapon to combat cancer
Researchers at UNIGE have developed a new formula, C2, composed of four anti-cancer drugs that target and kill tumour cells while leaving healthy cells intact. The formula has shown promising results in reducing the risk of resistance and side effects associated with high-dose treatments.
Diabetes: A next-generation therapy soon available?
Researchers at UNIGE identified a protein called S100A9 that regulates blood glucose and lipids, improving glucose management and reducing harmful side effects in diabetic mice. A clinical trial is underway to test the safety and efficacy of this new therapy in humans.
Tissue damage caused by a heart attack to be reduced by 30%?
Researchers at Université de Genève and University of Lyon identified deoxydihydroceramide as the molecule causing tissue necrosis. Inhibiting its synthesis reduced tissue damage by 30% in mice, suggesting a new model for treating heart attacks and strokes.
Quantum physics: Ménage à trois photon-style
Scientists at UNIGE have entangled three pairs of photons to create a highly-correlated triangle, exhibiting strong quantum correlations. This discovery could lead to the development of new ultra-secure encryption keys and revive fundamental quantum physics research.
Cancer: The origin of genetic mutations
Researchers at UNIGE unveil a mutation mechanism essential for cancer development by linking DNA replication failures in cancer cells to their genetic instability. They successfully corrected the effects of replication stress in diseased cells, showing that this phenomenon is controllable and potentially exploitable for therapy.
Why is the brain disturbed by harsh sounds?
Researchers from UNIGE found that harsh sounds between 40-80 Hz stimulate the brain's aversion networks, activating salience and pain centers. This explains why humans are drawn to these frequencies, which are also used in alarm systems.
The stellar nurseries of distant galaxies
Molecular clouds in distant galaxies have higher mass, density, and internal turbulence than those in nearby galaxies, producing more stars. The international team used ALMA to detect clouds in a Milky Way progenitor 8 billion light-years away.
Type 2 diabetes is not just about insulin
Researchers at UNIGE found that the liver can produce glucose independently of hormonal signals, challenging the long-held belief about its role in glucose regulation. This autonomous glucose production may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes in patients with a fatty liver syndrome.
Brain: How to optimize decision making?
Neuroscientists develop mathematical model to maximize reward by considering the difference between choices. When values are similar, decision-making becomes complex, highlighting the brain's reliance on maximizing possible gains.
The birth of vision, from the retina to the brain
Researchers at UNIGE identified key genes regulating retinal cell differentiation and axon guidance, offering insights into the construction of vision and potential treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. The study's findings have significant implications for regenerative medicine and could lead to new therapies for optic nerve damage.
How our brain filters sounds
The study reveals that auditory sensory gating filtering begins at the brainstem, contradicting earlier hypotheses. This finding has significant implications for understanding schizophrenia, a condition characterized by difficulty prioritizing and ranking sounds.
Providing a solution to the worst-ever prediction in physics
Physicist Lucas Lombriser proposes a new mathematical manipulation of general relativity equations to harmonize theory and observation on the cosmological constant. Theoretical value is 0.704%, close to the best experimental estimate, resolving a 10121-year discrepancy.
Brain stem cells have a good memory
Researchers at UNIGE have discovered that brain progenitor cells can recover their past skills and rejuvenate when transplanted into a young mouse embryo. This finding sheds light on how the brain constructs itself and opens up new possibilities for cortical neuroregeneration.
When a diseased liver disrupts the brain
Researchers have discovered that chronic liver diseases can cause cerebral molecular disturbances as early as two weeks after liver malfunction, even without physical symptoms. The study found two new molecules involved in the disease process: creatine and vitamin C.
Expert mathematicians stumped by simple subtractions
Research found that even high-level mathematicians can't solve simple subtraction problems when their worldly knowledge interferes. The study suggests that math education should consider this bias to improve performance.
On-demand control of terahertz and infrared waves
Graphene's ability to control infrared and terahertz waves using magnetic fields has been confirmed experimentally, opening up new possibilities for opto-electronics, telecommunications, and medical diagnostics. The research also shows that graphene can be used to observe molecular chirality and search for life on exoplanets.
Medicines made of solid gold to help the immune system
Scientists at UNIGE and Swansea University develop gold nanoparticles that activate B lymphocytes without harming them, leading to potential breakthroughs in vaccine development and cancer treatment. The use of these nanoparticles improves the efficacy of pharmaceutical products while reducing side effects.
Is multiple sclerosis linked to childhood viral infections?
A potential link between transient cerebral viral infections in early childhood and the development of auto-immune disease has been discovered. The study found that brain-resident memory T cells accumulate at the site of infection, allowing self-reactive cells to access the brain and cause auto-immune brain lesions.
Schizophrenia: Adolescence is the game-changer
Researchers at UNIGE discovered that the development of the hippocampus, responsible for memory and emotions, is severely impacted in adolescence following the onset of psychotic symptoms. The study suggests that a 'second hit' later in development may determine further hippocampal atrophy and psychotic symptom emergence.
Genetic inequity towards endocrine disruptors
Researchers at UNIGE identified genetic causes of susceptibility to phthalates, a common endocrine disruptor, which affects fertility and sperm quality. The study revealed that epigenetic changes caused by phthalate exposure can be passed down to future generations.
When social interaction helps you choose your food
Studies using rodents demonstrate how sensory stimuli linked to social contacts modify neural connections involved in food choice, highlighting the importance of social transmission of food preferences. This mechanism may be deficient in individuals with autistic disorders, contributing to their social difficulties.
Music helps to build the brains of very premature babies
A study published in PNAS finds that premature infants who listened to tailored music had improved brain network development and functional connectivity compared to those without music. The research suggests that music can be a valuable tool to support the development of fragile newborns.
Poor semen quality in Switzerland
The first nationwide study on semen quality in Switzerland found that 38% of young men have semen parameter values above the WHO norms. Poor semen quality is associated with an increased risk of testicular cancer and infertility, with 25% of men having less than 40% motile spermatozoa.
The insulin under the influence of light
Scientists uncover how light influences insulin sensitivity and metabolic homeostasis, shedding light on the circadian rhythms' impact on diabetes. The study suggests that taking into account time of day can help patients better manage their treatment and reduce risks associated with daily insulin injections.
Using 3D to test personalized treatments in five days
Researchers at UNIGE have created a 3D cell co-culture platform to test personalized cancer treatments, demonstrating that low-dose combinations of drugs are more effective than high-dose monotherapies. The platform opens the door to rapid and cost-effective treatment options for various types of tumors.
Back to the sources of neural diversity
Swiss and Belgian researchers decipher the genetic programmes of neurons in the cerebral cortex to understand how specific cell types are generated. They found temporal patterns of gene expression that control the developmental scenario, which may contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders.
A model to decipher the complexity of gene regulation
A new framework analyzes gene regulation, identifying regulatory elements and their interactions with genes. The study reveals the structure of these elements, which influence gene expression and disease risk, and provides a model to understand genetic variation's impact on chromatin variability.
Immigrants: citizens' acceptance depends on questions asked
A UNIGE study found that the number of immigrants Switzerland welcomes greatly affects citizens' opinions, with figures in the media playing a significant role. The researchers discovered that anchoring bias influences public opinion, with high or low initial numbers leading to differing responses.
When it comes to learning, what's better: The carrot or the stick?
The study found that participants are more confident when trying to win money, but this confidence rapidly evolves into over-confidence. In contrast, learning in a loss context mitigates these errors of judgment. The fear of losing money makes individuals more flexible and accurate in their decision-making.
Necrophagy: A means of survival in the Dead Sea
Researchers from UNIGE discovered that bacteria can thrive in the Dead Sea's sediments, surviving extreme conditions by feeding on ancient corpses. This finding has significant implications for searching for life on other planets and highlights the importance of understanding how microorganisms adapt to hostile environments.
Breast cancer: The promises of old recipes
Researchers at UNIGE and UNIL discover clofazimine's efficacy in stopping triple negative breast cancer progression by blocking Wnt cell signaling pathway. The study highlights the need to re-examine existing drugs for potential targeted therapy.
How our body 'listens' to vibrations
Neuroscientists discover vibrations perceived as noise pollution similar to sound processing; Pacinian corpuscles identified as key receptor. Researchers propose ancient sensory channel as potential precursor of hearing system.
A gentle method for unlocking the mysteries of the deep brain
Scientists successfully demonstrated that electroencephalography can be used to accurately study activity in the deep areas of the brain. This breakthrough technique may lead to better understanding and treatment of diseases such as Parkinson's, Tourette syndrome, and obsessive-compulsive disorders.
Neuroendocrine tumors: Choosing the best treatment
Researchers conducted an extensive comparison of all drugs used in neuroendocrine tumor treatment, guiding physicians through available options. Combination therapies showed high efficacy, but were often underrepresented in international guidelines.
Human cells can also change jobs
Researchers at UNIGE show that human pancreatic cells can be converted to produce insulin in a sustainable way, potentially compensating for lost or dysfunctional cells. The conversion was successful in both diabetic and non-diabetic donors, with modified alpha cells showing improved resistance to autoimmune diabetes.
The physical forces of cells in action
Researchers from Université de Genève and NCCR in Chemical Biology create probes inspired by lobster cooking to visualize physical forces in action, enabling imaging of forces within organelles like mitochondria. This breakthrough allows scientists to study mechanobiology and revolutionize life sciences.
A solid scaffolding for our cells
Researchers at UNIGE have deciphered the fundamental role of the Not1 protein in regulating ribosome activity, allowing proteins to assemble at the right time and place. This discovery sheds light on a crucial element of cellular machinery and its potential link to diseases.
To sleep well, let yourself be rocked!
Researchers from UNIGE, HUG, and UNIL demonstrate that slow and repeated movement during sleep modulates brain wave activity, leading to improved deep sleep and memory consolidation. Rocking has been shown to synchronize brain waves and reinforce deep sleep, with benefits also observed in mice studies.
The feminization of men leads to a rise in homophobia
Researchers at UNIGE found that the feminization of men leads to an increase in homophobia as some men assert their manhood by stressing heterosexuality and rejecting homosexuality. The study suggests that this rise in homophobia is mainly among traditional men, who struggle with the decline of the anti-feminine norm.
Why do Hydra end up with just a single head?
Researchers at UNIGE discovered the identity of Hydra's inhibitor, protein Sp5, which maintains a single-headed adult body and regulates regenerative response. The mechanism has been conserved throughout evolution, suggesting potential therapeutic applications in human tumors.
How our cellular antennas are formed
Researchers from UNIGE develop in vitro system to form microtubule doublets, revealing crucial role of tubulin in preventing uncontrolled ciliary structure formation. This discovery may lead to new treatments targeting differences between human and pathogen cilia.
The orderly chaos of black holes
Researchers discovered that photons emitted during black hole creation appear to be disordered, yet highly ordered within short time slices. This contradicts theories of either complete polarization or randomness, presenting new challenges for understanding the birth environment of black holes.
How does the brain learn by talking to itself?
Researchers decipher how brain's cortex processes sensory information and optimizes synaptic connections through feedback systems. This study sheds light on the mechanisms of perceptual learning and its potential applications in computerized learning systems and artificial intelligence.
Interpreting emotions: A matter of confidence
A recent study by UNIGE and HUG researchers found that people's confidence in interpreting others' emotions is often skewed by their personal experiences. The study used functional MRI to examine brain activity during emotional recognition, revealing that areas of the brain linked to autobiographical memory play a key role in determini...
A new way to cut the power of tumors
A new approach to treating tumors has been discovered by regulating vascularization through a gene that is overexpressed in the tumor vasculature. By targeting the insulin receptor, scientists hope to deliver treatments more accurately and effectively.