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University of Zurich


Poses of power are less powerful than we thought

A recent study by University of Zurich researchers found that power poses, commonly believed to boost confidence and influence hormones, have no impact on actual behavior. However, the study did show that power poses can affect one's perception of power, leading to increased self-confidence.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalPsychological Science·DateApr 1, 2015

Discovery of 2 new species of primitive fishes

Two new species of Saurichthys, a predatory ray-finned fish, have been discovered in Monte San Giorgio, Switzerland. These ancient fishes exhibit distinct skull and body shapes, suggesting different hunting styles and habitats, contributing to their evolutionary success.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalZoological Journal of the Linnean Society·DateMar 31, 2015

1 in 5 suicides is associated with unemployment

A new study by the University of Zurich found that nearly one in five suicides globally is associated with unemployment. The research analyzed data from 63 countries between 2000 and 2011, revealing a strong correlation between job loss and increased suicide rates across four regions.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry·DateFeb 10, 2015

Chimpanzees learn 'food calls'

Researchers found that chimpanzees can adapt their 'food calls' to refer to specific objects after social interaction and learning. After three years of living together, the chimps' grunt calls for a particular food item changed to match those produced by other group members.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 5, 2015

Anyone who is good at German learns English better

Research by University of Zurich linguist Simone Pfenninger found that students with strong German language skills tend to excel in English, even if they start learning the latter at a later age. In contrast, early foreign language learning can sometimes hinder L1 development in the short term.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalInternational Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism·DateDec 10, 2014

Architecture of a lipid transport protein revealed

The structure determination of a lipid scramblase reveals a novel protein architecture that enables the transport of lipids across cell membranes. The discovery provides insight into the activation of the protein by calcium and has implications for understanding previously unknown mechanisms of lipid transport.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature·DateNov 13, 2014

The roots of human altruism

A study led by Judith Burkart reveals that human altruism is linked to cooperative breeding among primate species, where young are cared for by multiple group members. This behavior, not associated with advanced cognitive skills or social tolerance, may have contributed to human exceptional cognition.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 27, 2014

A healthy lifestyle adds years to life

Researchers found that an individual with unhealthy habits, such as smoking and physical inactivity, has a 2.5-fold higher mortality risk than one who maintains a healthy lifestyle. The study's findings have significant implications for health policy and prevention strategies for non-communicable diseases.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalPreventive Medicine·DateJul 8, 2014

Hypnosis extends restorative slow-wave sleep

Researchers found that highly suggestible women experienced a significant increase in slow-wave sleep after listening to hypnosis, resulting in improved sleep quality. The study suggests that hypnosis could be a promising alternative to sleep-inducing drugs with no adverse side effects.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalSLEEP·DateJun 2, 2014

New jigsaw piece for the repair of DNA crosslinks

A team of scientists reveals that a specific protein recognizes and repairs DNA crosslinks using the Fanconi anemia signal pathway. The study sheds light on the complex process of repairing damaged DNA, which can trigger cancer development. This new knowledge may lead to improved drugs for cancer treatment.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalCell Reports·DateMay 27, 2014

Camels emit less methane than cows or sheep

Researchers found that camels release less methane in absolute terms than cows and sheep of comparable body size. However, when adjusted for feed conversion, methane production is similar between the two groups. This suggests that camels' lower metabolism could explain their ability to thrive in food-scarce environments.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 10, 2014

Using different scents to attract or repel insects

Flowering plants adapt their scent signals to balance attraction of pollinators with protection from herbivore damage. Research shows that infested plants reduce floral scent to lure parasitic wasps, which are then attracted by leaf scents. This complex interaction highlights the trade-offs in plant defense strategies.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNew Phytologist·DateMar 31, 2014

Homing in on cancer with a comprehensive measurement method

Researchers developed a comprehensive measurement method to visualize tumor cells and their interactions, providing insights into the heterogeneity of tumors. The new technique can simultaneously record 32 biomarkers and has the potential to pinpoint weak points in the control system, leading to more effective therapeutic approaches.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Methods·DateMar 3, 2014

Attractive professional cyclists are faster

A recent study has demonstrated that women's preferences for facial attractiveness in professional cyclists coincide with improved endurance performance. The research, conducted by Erik Postma at the University of Zurich, analyzed over 800 portraits and found that attractive riders fared better during the Tour de France.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalBiology Letters·DateFeb 5, 2014

New immunotherapy for malignant brain tumors

Researchers developed a new immunotherapy approach that successfully treated glioblastoma, a fatal brain tumor, by stimulating the immune system and inducing tumor rejection. The treatment, combining intra-tumoral Interleukin-12 with CTLA-4 blockade, achieved a success rate of up to 80% in preclinical trials.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateNov 25, 2013

Child sexual abuse via the Internet on the rise

A study of over 6,000 Swiss adolescents found that child sexual abuse via the internet is alarmingly widespread, with 28% of girls and 10% of boys experiencing it. The majority of victims were abused by juvenile perpetrators, and most did not disclose their experiences to authorities.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateOct 29, 2013