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University of Basel


Scientists grow cartilage to reconstruct nose

Researchers at the University of Basel have developed a method to grow cartilage in the lab, enabling successful nose reconstruction surgery. The technique, known as tissue engineering, uses patients' own cells to create engineered cartilage that is implanted into the defect, resulting in improved functionality and cosmetic appearance.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalThe Lancet·DateApr 10, 2014

Green tea boosts your brain

Researchers found that green tea extract increases brain connectivity and improves working memory performance. The study suggests potential clinical applications for treating cognitive impairments in neuropsychiatric disorders like dementia.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalPsychopharmacology·DateApr 7, 2014

Sport makes muscles and nerves fit

Researchers at the University of Basel discovered that endurance sport improves both muscle condition and neuronal connections. By increasing PGC1α levels in muscles, athletes can enhance their nervous system's performance.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 2, 2014

Forgetting is actively regulated

A team of scientists has found a molecule that actively regulates memory loss, revealing the process of forgetting is not passive but rather an active process. The discovery could lead to new treatments for mental disorders such as Alzheimer's.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalCell·DateMar 13, 2014

New gene for bipolar disorder discovered

A recent study published in Nature Communications has identified two new gene regions linked to bipolar disorder, bringing hope for new treatments. The research, involving over 24,000 patients and healthy individuals, sheds light on the genetic factors contributing to the complex condition.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 11, 2014

How memory and schizophrenia are connected

A study published in Neuron reveals a connection between genes controlling neuronal excitability and working memory, psychiatric disease, and brain activity. The researchers identified a network of genes that plays a crucial role in human brain function, highlighting the importance of understanding its dysfunction in schizophrenia.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNeuron·DateFeb 13, 2014

Helical electron and nuclear spin order in quantum wires

Researchers from the University of Basel have observed spontaneous magnetic order of electron and nuclear spins in a quantum wire at temperatures of 0.1 kelvin, exceeding previous limits of microkelvin range. This new state of matter is stabilized by nuclear spin coupling and mutual interactions between electrons.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 11, 2014

Typhoid fever -- A race against time

Researchers at the University of Basel have discovered how Salmonella bacteria outsmart the host's immune cells, allowing them to survive and spread infection. This knowledge may lead to new treatments for typhoid fever, a life-threatening disease affecting millions worldwide.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateJan 16, 2014

Motor excitability predicts working memory

A study by researchers from the University of Basel found that individuals with high motor excitability have better working memory than those with low excitability. The research used transcranial magnetic stimulation to measure motor cortical excitability and its correlation with working memory performance, revealing a positive correla...

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalAnnals of Clinical and Translational Neurology·DateDec 23, 2013

When care is omitted -- new research on a taboo topic

A study by the University of Basel found that four out of thirteen nursing activities are left undone across Europe, with psychoeducational care being the most omitted. The research highlights the negative impact on job satisfaction and suggests optimizing nurse work environments can help reduce this issue.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalBMJ Quality & Safety·DateNov 11, 2013

New drug reduces negative memory

Researchers at the University of Basel have identified a new compound that reduces aversive memory, a trait central to anxiety disorders like PTSD. The compound, a known antihistamine, was found to significantly reduce memory recall of negative pictures but not neutral or positive ones.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 21, 2013

Chemistry with sorted molecules

Scientists successfully sort individual conformers of a molecule using an electric field, showing that their spatial structure affects their chemical reactivity. The new method provides insight into fundamental reaction mechanisms with potential applications in chemical catalysis and molecule synthesis.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalScience·DateOct 3, 2013

Erratic proteins: New insights into a transport mechanism

The study reveals that membrane proteins use a dynamic, constantly changing state to transport proteins across the outer membrane without requiring energy. This finding provides an exceptional insight into the transport mechanism and has implications for understanding protein folding and transport in bacteria.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateSep 30, 2013

Communicating nightingales: Older males trill better

Researchers found that older males can perform faster and more demanding trills than their younger counterparts, which may be used by females to assess male quality. The study also reveals the nightingale's exceptional singing abilities, with a large song repertoire and rapid broadband trills.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalJournal of Avian Biology·DateAug 12, 2013

Cobalt replacements make solar cells more sustainable

Researchers at the University of Basel have successfully replaced iodine in copper-based dye-sensitized solar cells with cobalt, increasing sustainability and improving long-term stability. This breakthrough uses a systems chemistry approach to optimize molecular components, paving the way for environmentally friendly energy production.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalChemical Communications·DateAug 2, 2013