A new MS therapy uses peptide-coupled red blood cells to redirect the immune response, potentially stopping the disease without suppressing the immune system. The clinical trial shows promising results, with the therapy showing good tolerability and safety.
Researchers have developed a biomarker score called BioTAK to identify broken-heart syndrome, which affects postmenopausal women and is triggered by emotional or physical stress. The score uses blood biomarkers to distinguish the condition from a heart attack, providing new insights into disease mechanisms.
A new study reveals the importance of land use in maintaining soil health, with high levels of organic matter found in private gardens and low levels in lawns. The research uses buried cotton underwear to measure soil activity and provides insights into how to promote healthy soil ecosystems.
A new study confirms that oxytocin selectively increases trusting behavior in men with a low disposition to trust, regardless of their trust scores. The hormone's effect persists even after controlling for personality traits, suggesting that oxytocin may intensify the expectation of cooperation and reduce fear of being cheated.
A systematic review reveals that social media has only partially fulfilled its promise to democratize climate change communication. Established actors continue to shape the discussion, while climate-change skeptics gain visibility. This undermines public debate on climate change.
Researchers found specialized astrocytes in mouse brains that can repopulate damaged areas and rebuild cells. These 'regenerative' astrocytes send newly formed cell nuclei to the site of injury, knitting the network back together.
Research team led by University of Zurich found Arctic fires occurred 2.5 times more often in lit areas associated with human activity than in climatically similar unlit areas. Effective fire prevention and response can help reduce risks extending far beyond the Arctic.
A new study reveals that Amazonian communities use at least one-third of the region's known plant species, totaling 5,796 species. Climate change is expected to lead to a decline in biocultural heritage by 26% from 2060 to 2080, threatening Indigenous cultural identity and ecosystem services.
A recent study led by the University of Zurich reveals that higher intergenerational educational mobility is associated with significantly higher innovation output in Europe. This association has significant implications for education and economic policy.
The restitution follows several years of collaborative provenance research under the Benin Initiative Switzerland, which showed that the objects were most likely looted from the Kingdom of Benin during the British attack in 1897. The returned artefacts will be displayed at the National Museum in Lagos and temporarily stored in Edo State.
A global analysis of fish biodiversity in rivers reveals that warmer climates and larger catchment sizes are associated with increased biodiversity. However, human activity weakens this relationship, particularly in smaller river catchments. The study demonstrates the potential of environmental DNA as a tool for rapid, large-scale biod...
A University of Zurich study found that positive, everyday life events like school, friendships, and travel have a greater impact on young people than crises. The research used open-ended written responses from 1,442 participants to show that 83% of mentioned events were positive.
Researchers at the University of Zurich have developed epigenetic drugs that can reprogram perivascular fat cells to reduce inflammation and improve blood vessel health. By targeting specific gene-expression regulators, these drugs aim to prevent vascular damage in people with obesity and metabolic disease.
Researchers at the University of Zurich have identified 10 biomarkers in saliva that can detect acute sleep deprivation. The study uses machine-learning methods to analyze metabolic changes in saliva, providing a new milestone for forensic research.
A study by Jan Schmutz and Andrea Cantisani found that frequent contact didn't necessarily lead to positive social relationships. In fact, increased proximity was linked to conflict, mistrust, and reduced performance. The researchers also observed subgroups forming within the team based on language or nationality.
Researchers found that monasteries are surprisingly adaptable to technological change, using historic forms of organization as a strength in their digital transformation. The study highlights the importance of co-determination and decentralized decision-making processes in successful digitalization.
A research team at the University of Zurich has developed a new gene editing approach that correctly treats the genetic mutation causing hereditary epilepsy in mice. The therapy improves communication between nerve cells, reduces febrile seizures, and increases survival rates.
A novel antibody, NG101, accelerates the regeneration of damaged spinal cord tissue by neutralizing a protein that blocks nerve fiber growth. This therapy enables new nerve fibers to form functional connections, allowing patients to become more independent and potentially recover arm and hand function.
A new study by researchers at UZH's Institute of Evolutionary Medicine found that oxytocin levels increase during football matches, particularly against familiar rivals. The study suggests that oxytocin plays a key role in team dynamics and group boundaries, potentially promoting cooperation and cohesion.
A global study finds that regions with long-term isolation exhibit greater linguistic diversity despite lower genetic diversity. This dynamic helps preserve a wider range of language structures and grammar organization.
A long-term study finds that children in infant care institutions had a 48% higher risk of mortality and shorter life expectancy than those raised at home. The research highlights the importance of affection and stimulation in early childhood, revealing lifelong consequences for those who experienced institutional care.
Researchers found two strategies used by bacteria to colonize new habitats: acquiring new traits and reducing genome size. This study sheds light on the evolutionary biology of soil microbes, revealing unexpected results about their adaptation to freshwater environments.
A recent study reveals that individuals with an immigrant background tend to assess police violence as less severe, regardless of new evidence. Respondents on the political right continued to exhibit a strong bias, rating police violence lower against those with immigrant backgrounds, even after clear evidence was presented.
A nationwide survey in Switzerland found that HPV vaccination uptake among adults was lower than among adolescents, with only 27% of those aged 18-45 vaccinated. The survey also revealed significant differences between genders, age groups, and levels of knowledge about HPV, highlighting the need for targeted information and tailored co...
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that brief interventions after a suicide attempt can significantly reduce re-attempts. Participants who received these interventions were 28% less likely to attempt suicide again than those receiving usual medical care.
Researchers developed a method to measure individual thresholds for change, finding that personal thresholds vary widely and that combining social network structure and individual thresholds improves real-world interventions. Strategies that target individuals connected to many others who are already adopting the change were most effec...
Researchers analyzed brain activity of over 570 people in game situations to understand adaptive mentalization, a process where we infer others' thoughts and adjust our behavior. The study found that brain activity in specific regions, including the temporoparietal cortex, predicts how well people adapt to changing opponent behavior.
A new study found that flexible school start times can significantly improve teenagers' sleep patterns, reducing chronic sleep deprivation and its negative effects on mental health. Under a new model with flexible start and end times, students were able to get up 40 minutes later and slept an average of 45 minutes longer on school days.
Researchers found that nearly one-third of young people experience physical aggression towards their parents between ages 11-24. This behavior is linked to factors such as parental conflict, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD), and physical punishment.
A new AI tool has been developed to predict the chances of death, major bleeding, or another cardiac event in cancer patients who have had a heart attack. The ONCO-ACS score combines cancer-related factors with standard clinical data to provide individualized treatment recommendations.
A Europe-wide study reveals that pesticides have substantial effects on beneficial soil organisms, including mycorrhizal fungi and nematodes. The contamination has a major impact on soil biodiversity, highlighting the need to adapt current pesticide assessments and regulations.
Researchers have demonstrated memantine's efficacy in stabilizing red blood cells and reducing hospitalizations for sickle cell patients. The treatment was found to be well-tolerated and showed a clear clinical benefit, particularly in children experiencing fewer painful flare-ups.
Young adults who remain single for longer periods experience a decline in life satisfaction and increasing feelings of loneliness, particularly when entering their late twenties. Entering a first romantic relationship improves well-being across several dimensions, but the effects are less pronounced on depressive symptoms.
Research reveals molecular interaction between environmental and genetic risk factors triggers MS. EBV and gene variants HLA-DR15 haplotype play key roles in disease onset.
Researchers discovered a previously unknown interplay between wheat's resistance genes and fungal disease factors. The study found that powdery mildew fungus overcomes resistance by modifying recognized effectors, but a new approach could slow down its development by combining targeted resistance genes.
Researchers at the University of Zurich examined fossil records worldwide and found a consistent pattern: young shark species are more likely to go extinct. This challenges the long-held assumption that older species are less vulnerable to extinction.
A new study finds that raising the minimum legal drinking age from 16 to 18 years significantly improves academic performance and mental health among European teenagers. The research, conducted by Carmen Villa, shows a decrease in binge drinking and intoxication, leading to better PISA exam scores and reduced anxiety medication use.
A study by University of Zurich researchers has shed light on the mechanisms that maintain homeostasis with mucosal fungi. The team discovered that the fungus Candida albicans uses a toxin called candidalysin to survive in the mouth, and that interleukin 17-mediated immunity prevents it from growing out of control.
A new study by the University of Zurich suggests that Uranus and Neptune may be more rocky than icy, challenging their classification as ice giants. The researchers developed a unique simulation process to model the planets' interiors, which found that the two planets could have either water-rich or rock-rich compositions.
A new study reveals that elephants, giraffes, and rhinos are unable to get enough salt from their habitats, leading to sodium deficiency. The researchers found that larger-bodied species are more affected by sodium scarcity, which influences their habitat selection and behavior.
A new paper argues that modern life has outpaced human evolution, leading to chronic stress and health issues. The researchers suggest that societies need to rethink their relationship with nature and design healthier environments to mitigate these effects.
Researchers found that large language models exhibit systematic biases when evaluating texts, but only when the source or author is revealed. The studies showed a high level of agreement among models when no information was provided, but decreased agreement and even bias emerged when fictional sources were used.
Researchers have developed a novel therapeutic approach that combines difluoromethylornithine with a targeted diet to enhance the effectiveness of treatment in high-risk neuroblastoma patients. The diet blocks the formation of polyamine precursors, amplifying the drug's effects and driving cancer cells to mature.
A landmark study analyzed health data from over 600,000 patients across 10 countries to assess patient risk for non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). The AI-powered model GRACE 3.0 predicts risk more accurately and guides personalized treatment decisions.
Researchers at UZH have identified a new function of checkpoint inhibitors in promoting tissue healing, which could help treat fibrosis and chronic wounds. The study found that TIGIT upregulates a growth factor critical for repairing tissue after viral infections.
Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee will establish the Lemann Center for Development, Education and Public Policy at UZH, focusing on policy-relevant research and education. The center aims to foster collaboration between UZH and Brazilian researchers and policymakers.
Long-term exposure to fine air pollutants like PM2.5 can impair metabolic health by disrupting the normal function of brown fat through complex epigenetic changes. The study identified two enzymes, HDAC9 and KDM2B, as key drivers of this process.
A study of 1,620 participants aged 6-80 found that motor skills develop rapidly in children up to age 10, with adults reaching peak performance between 20-35 years old. Fine motor skills remain stable into old age, while gross motor and strength decline faster with age.
Stem cell transplantation has been shown to reverse stroke damage in mice by regenerating neurons and restoring motor functions. The treatment also improved blood-brain barrier integrity, reduced inflammation, and promoted new blood vessel formation.
Scientists have developed a new device to probe the existence of dark matter particles across a wide mass range below one mega electron volt. The QROCODILE experiment uses an improved superconducting nanowire single-photon detector to detect changes in direction, which can help filter out non-dark-matter events.