Scientists at the University of Basel have created nanoparticles that can serve as efficient contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These smart nanoparticles produce significantly more contrast than traditional contrast agents and respond to specific environments.
Researchers at the University of Basel found that brief smartphone exercises can improve mood. Participants felt more alert, calm, and uplifted after using short video tutorials on their smartphones as a guide.
A large study of 350,000 cases over 15 years found no higher suicide risk in clinics with locked wards compared to those with open-door policies. The study suggests that a controlled atmosphere may actually hinder successful therapy and patient autonomy.
Researchers at the University of Basel discovered that the choroid plexus produces key signaling factors that regulate adult neural stem cells. As people age, these signals change, affecting stem cell behavior and leading to a decrease in new neuron formation.
Researchers have discovered that protein pairs are essential for cellular memory, allowing cells to store and recall information. The formation of these pairs enables cells to respond more quickly to environmental stimuli and differentiate into specialized cells.
Researchers discovered that protein pairs form feedback loops to store information in a cell's memory. The formation of these pairs is crucial for the cell's sensitivity to environmental stimuli and its ability to differentiate into specialized cells.
Researchers have used molecular dynamics simulations to study the spatial and temporal behavior of myoglobin, a protein involved in oxygen transport. The simulations provide insights into the underlying chemical structure and dynamics of metastable intermediates, shedding light on the protein's function.
Researchers at the University of Basel have identified a protein called gasdermin D that drives immune cells to pyroptosis, a form of programmed cell death. This process allows macrophages to burst open and expose pathogens, which can then be targeted by the immune system.
Researchers have successfully coupled the nuclear spins of distant atoms using just one electron, leveraging quantum theory to overcome limitations in spin qubit stability. The experiment, led by Prof. Richard Warburton at the University of Basel, demonstrates an unprecedented distance of up to five nanometers.
Scientists at the University of Basel and Zurich have successfully reproduced one of natural photosynthesis' key phases with artificial molecules. They stored two negative charges for 870 nanoseconds, paving the way to harnessing sunlight into chemical energy.
A team of researchers has developed a method to precisely alter the quantum mechanical states of electrons in an array of quantum boxes. This allows for the investigation of interactions between various types of atoms and electrons, crucial for advancing quantum technologies.
Research suggests that prenatal stress can lead to epigenetic adaptations in newborns, activating the oxytocin receptor gene and facilitating social behavior. This mechanism could indicate that babies develop more resilience to cope with future adversities.
Researchers at the Swiss Nanoscience Institute and University of Basel measured van der Waals forces between individual atoms for the first time. The forces varied according to distance, with some cases showing values several times larger than calculated.
A team of physicists has proposed an experiment that could detect entangled photons directly, paving the way for new applications in quantum physics. The experiment involves amplifying entangled photons 100-fold and using a special technique to preserve their quantum physical effect.
Researchers found that yoga and aquatic exercise significantly improved symptoms of multiple sclerosis, including reduced fatigue, depression, and paresthesia. The study, involving 54 women with MS, showed a significant reduction in moderate to severe depression in those who exercised three times a week.
Scientists have developed a new method to image magnetic fields on the nanometer scale at temperatures close to absolute zero. They used quantum sensors in diamond-based microscopes to achieve unrivalled precision in measuring magnetic fields in superconductors.
For the first time, researchers have filmed 'living' nuclear pore complexes in action using an ultra-fast atomic force microscope. The study reveals the dynamic behavior of molecular 'tentacles' inside the pore, which regulate the transport of molecules into and out of the cell nucleus.
Tumor cells switch to glycolysis, a form of anaerobic energy production, allowing them to continue growing even without new blood vessels. This discovery opens up new possibilities for long-term cancer treatments by inhibiting anaerobic energy production or transport of lactic acid.
Researchers have observed Bell correlations for the first time in a large system of 480 atoms, indicating that properties may exist independently but not deterministically. This finding opens up new possibilities in quantum technology and basic research.
Researchers found trees exchange large quantities of carbon among different species through mycorrhizal fungi. This discovery questions the concept of tree individuality and adds a new dimension to the role of these fungal networks in forests.
A new study by Swiss zoologists found that urban moths have learned to avoid light due to high mortality rates in rural populations. The researchers observed a significant decrease in flight-to-light propensity among moths exposed to heavy light pollution.
Research reveals that spiders consume a wide variety of plant types, including nectar, sap, and leaves. These findings suggest that spiders may incorporate plants into their diets as a survival mechanism during periods when insects are scarce.
E. coli bacteria attach to the surface of the urinary tract via protein FimH, binding more tightly under flow conditions. This discovery could lead to development of FimH antagonists, reducing antibiotic use and resistance.
Researchers have discovered graphene's exceptional lubricity, which could drastically reduce energy loss in machines when used as a coating. The material's ability to slide smoothly across gold surfaces has significant implications for improving energy efficiency and extending equipment lifespan.
A team of researchers led by Catherine Housecroft and Edwin Constable developed a water oxidation model that simulates fuel cells powered by light radiation. The model uses compounds of ruthenium as a catalyst, enabling the self-assembly of individual components in a hierarchical structure.
Researchers at the University of Basel elucidated how drugs interact with cell surface proteins and transmit signals to the cellular interior. Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy, they obtained unprecedented details into G protein coupled receptor function.
Researchers at the University of Basel have developed a simple and effective test to detect Ponto-Caspian gobies in streaming and stagnant water. The method uses environmental DNA analysis, reacting exclusively to the genetic material of invasive gobies, making it a cost-efficient alternative to traditional methods.
A pioneering study has examined a collective grave in Spain, providing insights into the lives of people around 6,000 years ago. The research reveals a uniform community with strong familial relationships, a homogeneous diet, and evidence of ancestral worship.
Researchers found that risk-taking propensity decreases with age in most countries, but remains high in countries with poverty and inequality. The study, published in Psychological Science, analyzed data from 77 countries and showed a clear connection between country standards of living and citizens' willingness to take risks.
Researchers at the University of Basel have solved the structure of mammalian TOR complex 1 (mTORC1), a critical regulator of cellular processes. The study reveals the unique architecture of mTORC1, highlighting the importance of partner proteins in its function.
A survey of 3,000 Swiss university students found that 70% believed using prescription drugs for cognitive enhancement was unfair. The study suggests that universities should provide more information on the risks and benefits of brain-doping to address these concerns.
The Rhine River has been found to be among the most polluted rivers worldwide due to high levels of microplastic pollution. The river's surface contained an average of 892,777 particles per square kilometer, with some areas reaching peak concentrations of up to 3.9 million plastic items per square kilometer.
A recent study published in Cancer Cell found that a key signaling pathway present in most organisms actually suppresses the formation of specific types of brain tumor, including gliomas. This discovery has significant implications for glioma treatment and diagnosis.
Researchers have successfully combined an antibody-drug conjugate with immunotherapy to treat breast cancer. The therapy has shown promising results in attacking tumor cells and improving the body's immune response.
The BK polyomavirus often causes complications after kidney transplantation due to immunosuppressive drugs like Tacrolimus. Researchers have found that Tacrolimus directly activates virus replication, while Sirolimus inhibits it, providing a rationale for clinical trials.
Researchers at the University of Basel successfully transport electrons from a superconductor through a quantum dot into a metal with normal conductivity. The team measured discrete resonances, confirming theoretical predictions and demonstrating the phenomenon's applicability to quantum technology applications.
Scientists have created two innovative techniques to visualize microwave fields, utilizing spin states induced by microwaves. The first method uses rubidium atoms in a glass cell to image the field in high resolution, while the second method employs individual electrons in diamond to produce nanoscale images.
Researchers developed a technique using nanobodies to selectively manipulate and analyze the morphogen Dpp in wing development, influencing growth in the center but not periphery. The method holds promise for future studies on organ development and may uncover causes of malformation.
Scientists at the University of Basel create membrane gates made from chemically modified membrane protein OmpF, responding to changes in pH values. The gates open only when exposed to acidic environments, releasing active agents at targeted locations such as diseased tissue.
A study of over 6,500 teenagers found that those with mental disorders are more likely to experience chronic pain. The researchers identified connections between various types of mental disorders and chronic pain, suggesting that mental health issues may be an underlying risk factor for chronic pain in young people.
Scientists have discovered a signaling axis consisting of three proteins that regulates cell repulsion. This process is essential for preventing cells from sticking together and could play a role in cancer metastasis. The study's findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms behind cell migration.
Research on butterfly species shows that females pass on their own experience to their brood, even if it was not ideal. This rapid adaptation allows insects to adapt quickly to changing environments.
Scientists at University of Basel have shown how chaperones stabilize immature bacterial membrane protein FhuA and guide it in the right folding direction, preventing misfolding. This discovery has significant implications for diseases caused by misfolded proteins like Alzheimer's and cystic fibrosis.
Physicists at the University of Basel have created a new type of light source that emits identical single photons, a crucial step towards quantum information technology. The breakthrough uses a semiconductor quantum dot to control nuclear spin, allowing for indistinguishable photons.
Physicists at the University of Basel have demonstrated that electron exchange limits the stability of quantum information in qubits. By controlling this exchange process, they can extend coherence times and improve quantum computing performance.
A specific group of genes controls calcium ion concentration, crucial for memory performance and Alzheimer's development. The study provides new insights into the origins of the neurodegenerative disorder.
Researchers at the University of Basel have synthesized boron-doped graphene nanoribbons with controlled band gaps, enabling the development of highly sensitive gas sensors for nitrogen oxides. The material's chemical properties were characterized using atomic force microscopy, revealing high selectivity towards adsorption.
Researchers from the University of Basel's Biozentrum have discovered a mechanism by which FIC proteins send bacteria into a state of dormancy, protecting them from antibiotics. This discovery sheds light on the evolutionary origins of pathogens and their tools, offering new avenues for understanding bacterial evolution.
Recent anthropological analysis of a 7000-year-old mass grave reveals victims were murdered and deliberately mutilated during the early Neolithic period. The study suggests that social tensions may have contributed to the termination of this era and that such massacres were frequent features of the early Central European Neolithic period.
Research reveals that humans and animals host highly specialized microbial communities, differing from earlier assumptions of generalist dominance. These findings have significant implications for the structure of biodiversity in microbial ecosystems.