Researchers identified global factors explaining plant diversity in form and function, influenced by climate and soil properties. Characteristics such as size, structure, and life span were shown to be determined by these factors.
A long-term study found that academic education can positively affect aging of the brain, with reduced degenerative processes and improved cognitive performance. Participants with an academic background showed a lower increase in signs of brain degeneration and faster processing speeds.
A new study reveals the sophisticated mechanism by which adenoviruses infect human cells and transfer foreign DNA into their nucleus. Protein V plays a crucial role in increasing the virus particle's stability and preventing premature DNA release, which triggers an anti-viral alarm system.
Researchers at the University of Zurich have found a unique 2,700-year-old leather scale armor in Northwest China that originated in the Neo-Assyrian Empire. The armor's design and construction indicate a technology transfer between West and East during the first millennium BCE.
Previous antibody responses to harmless coronaviruses contribute to SARS-CoV-2 immunity, reducing infection severity and hospitalization rates. Researchers found that people with strong immune responses to other human coronaviruses have some protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Researchers created novel frog models to replicate polycystic kidney disease, allowing for real-time observation of disease processes. AI analysis enabled rapid assessment of disease in the tiny animals.
New study reveals that blocking interleukin-23 is more effective than targeting both interleukin-23 and interleukin-12 in treating psoriasis. Interleukin-12, previously thought to contribute to the disease, actually protects against it by maintaining normal skin cell function.
A research team from the University of Zurich has identified a common genetic variant in the AQP1 gene that affects treatment efficacy and patient survival on peritoneal dialysis. Patients carrying this variant have a higher risk of death, but researchers found a way to circumvent the problem using colloid osmotic agents.
Researchers found that antidepressants inhibit the growth of pancreatic and colon cancers in mice by blocking a mechanism used by cancer cells to evade the immune system. The findings suggest a promising approach for combining antidepressant drugs with immunotherapy to treat incurable cancers.
Researchers discovered that natural killer cells play a crucial role in wound healing by accelerating blood vessel growth. However, this process increases the risk of bacterial infections. The study suggests harnessing killer cells to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria and finding a balance between wound healing and immune defense.
The study found that patients with low risk of exacerbations do not benefit from low to moderate dose inhaled corticosteroids, while high doses are associated with severe side effects. Tailoring treatment according to patient characteristics, such as age and blood cell count, can minimize over- and underuse of inhaled corticosteroids.
An international team reconstructed language families spanning over 10,000 years by combining genetics, linguistics, and musicology data. Grammar was found to reflect population history more closely than other cultural features, highlighting the importance of the grammatical factor in understanding human cultural evolution.
A recent study found that people willingly share monetary gains with others and dislike inequality, yet behave selfishly in large group decisions. In the Big Robber Game, over half of participants took the maximum amount from their group, while displaying prosocial behavior in small, bilateral games.
A new algorithm has been developed that can guide a quadrotor drone through a series of waypoints on a circuit, beating the fastest lap of two world-class human pilots. The algorithm generates time-optimal trajectories that fully consider the drones' limitations, resulting in faster and more consistent flight times.
A study of over 11,000 individuals found that actively addressing inequalities fosters social change when both disadvantaged and advantaged groups feel heard and accepted. Empowerment through active listening and acknowledgment of injustices are key factors in promoting social justice.
A machine-learning algorithm can recognize virus-infected cells based on fluorescence of the cell nucleus, reliably identifying viruses and predicting severe acute infections. The algorithm has been trained with a large set of microscopy images and demonstrates 95% accuracy in detecting virulent infections up to 24 hours in advance.
Researchers analyzed the causes and scope of the devastating Chamoli flood, which killed over 200 people and destroyed two hydropower plants. The study used satellite imagery and digital models to reconstruct the event, highlighting the risks of hydropower projects in fragile alpine ecosystems.
Researchers found that 75% of medicinal plant services are linguistically-unique and known to one language, highlighting the critical role of indigenous languages in preserving medicinal knowledge. The study suggests that language loss will be even more critical to medicinal knowledge extinction than biodiversity loss.
Researchers developed a neuromorphic chip that can detect high-frequency oscillations and recognize complex biosignals in real time. The technology has the potential to improve neurosurgical interventions and monitor epilepsy outside of hospitals.
The study introduces a dynamic approach to complement existing climate mitigation scenarios, taking into account the financial system's enabling or hampering role. This framework helps investors adjust their expectations and reallocate capital to low-carbon investments, leading to a smoother transition to a sustainable economy.
Young male and female orangutans exhibit distinct preferences for role models, with males learning from immigrant adults and females from their mothers. These differences reflect the animals' ecological needs and adaptability, highlighting the significance of social learning in shaping behavior.
Researchers used base editing to introduce a single point mutation in the PCSK9 gene, reducing LDL cholesterol levels by up to two-thirds. This precision technology holds promise for treating inherited metabolic liver diseases.
Researchers at the University of Zurich have developed a new technology called SHREAD that enables cancer tumors to produce therapeutic agents on demand, reducing side effects and improving delivery of Covid-related therapies.
A new biomarker has been discovered to predict severe cases of COVID-19 with high accuracy. The number of natural killer T cells in the blood can identify patients at risk of developing severe disease.
Researchers tracked African wild dog movement and found suitable corridors within the KAZA, but country-specific differences hinder animal movements. The study's findings support conservation efforts and suggest benefits for other species like lions, elephants, and cheetahs.
Damage to the epithelial barrier is responsible for a wide range of chronic diseases, including allergies, autoimmune disorders, and neurodegenerative conditions. Research suggests that environmental toxins and pollutants play a significant role in causing these disruptions, emphasizing the need for prevention and intervention strategies.
A study by University of Zurich found that more than half of young women experienced symptoms of depression, while nearly half reported anxiety. The lockdown also showed a significant decrease in risky alcohol use, particularly among women.
A team of researchers has created the first-ever single-cell atlas of the human teeth, revealing cellular heterogeneity and stem cell populations with great regenerative potential. The study highlights the importance of microenvironmental specificity in functional differences between stem cells in various tooth compartments.
Researchers at UZH found that increased sensitivity in a specific brain region contributes to anxiety and depression in response to stress. The study establishes an objective neurobiological measure for stress resilience in humans, which may aid in selecting professions or developing stress resilience training.
Researchers at the University of Zurich found that humans respond more quickly and with higher sensitivity to positive screams, which indicate joy, than to negative screams. The study revealed six distinct types of scream calls, including pain, anger, fear, pleasure, sadness, and joy.
The modern human brain is believed to have originated in Africa around 1.7 million years ago, with significant advancements in brain structure and function occurring during this time frame. The study used CT scans to analyze fossil skulls and compared them to those of great apes and humans.
Researchers found that artificial light at night reduces diurnal insect visits to plants that were illuminated during the nighttime. Beetles increased their visits instead. The study's findings highlight the indirect ecological effects of light pollution and call for further research to mitigate its impact.
Even moderate amounts of sugar increase fat synthesis in the liver, leading to a longer period of overactive fat production. Fructose and sucrose are found to have particularly detrimental effects, doubling fat production beyond food intake.
Recalling autobiographical self-efficacious behavior can boost personal resilience by making it easier to view stressful situations in a different light. This technique may be particularly useful during the coronavirus crisis where negative impacts of the pandemic can be shielded against.
A study by University of Zurich researchers reveals that increasing lamin B1 levels in aging mice stem cell division improves, leading to increased new neurons. The findings offer hope for future therapies targeting neurogenesis in older individuals or those with degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
A study by the University of Zurich found that 63% of drugs with rebates granted in Switzerland have low clinical benefits, while 49% have no significant benefit. The research highlights the need for transparent cooperation between European countries to improve drug pricing and patient access.
Scientists have developed a new modelling technique to simulate the effects of both gravity and magnetism on planetary formation. The study suggests that magnetic fields can make it difficult for growing planets to accumulate mass beyond a certain point, resulting in a higher frequency of intermediate-mass planets.
A digital intervention using a smartphone app altered major personality traits such as conscientiousness and extraversion. Participants who used the app for more than three months reported greater success in achieving their change goals compared to those who only used it for two months.
Research reveals that brain hemispheres synchronize gamma waves to integrate auditory information, enabling us to hear a unified speech sound. Electric stimulation disrupts this synchronization, impairing the integration process and potentially leading to tinnitus.
The study found that the spread of Spanish flu differed depending on the region, with a decrease in infection numbers associated with public health measures. Delayed action at the start of the second wave was fatal, contributing to its severity and duration. The researchers compared historical data from 1918 and 2020 and found parallel...
Researchers used thermography to measure marmosets' emotional responses to call interactions, finding they distinguish dialogues from monologues. Marmosets also prefer cooperative over competitive interactions, aligning with their natural behavior as cooperative breeders.
Researchers at the University of Zurich discovered that the size of connections between nerve cells determines their signaling strength. By measuring synaptic currents and analyzing synapse structure, they found a direct correlation between synapse size and signal strength.
A study by University of Zurich's Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics found that fellow students' personalities, particularly persistence, influence academic performance. Persistent peer groups improve academic achievement, which carries over to subsequent courses.
Researchers at the University of Zurich have developed a solution to stabilize drones when one motor fails, using onboard camera information. The team equipped quadcopters with standard and event cameras, which enable the drone to estimate its position in space despite high-speed rotation. This innovation improves flight safety in area...
Researchers at the University of Zurich have developed a genetic engineering method to prevent Toxoplasma gondii parasite production, which causes toxoplasmosis. The new technique uses CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing scissors to switch off essential genes responsible for oocyst formation without leaving unwanted traces.
Researchers have discovered that brain stem cells in the hippocampus of mice can divide repeatedly over several months, leading to new insights into the formation of nerve cells. This finding has significant implications for future therapeutic approaches to conditions such as depression and Alzheimer's disease.
A female-typical language style is associated with higher impact and more views in TED Talks, contradicting traditional gender stereotypes. The study found that female-typical language was connected to positive ratings like "beautiful" and "courageous," while male-typical language evoked ratings like "fascinating" and "informative."
The study's results provide key insights into the genetic factors behind wheat's adaptability and diversity. The researchers found that chromosome fragments from wild grasses were cross-hybridized with wheat, leading to differences in immune receptors and enabling the crop to adapt to regional climate conditions.
Researchers used CT scanning and 3D printing to study a 370-million-year-old chondrichthyan from Morocco. They discovered that the ancient shark's lower jaw was not fused in the middle, allowing it to rotate outwards when opening its mouth, bringing larger teeth into an upright position.
The DO-HEALTH study suggests that vitamin D and omega-3 supplementation may have significant positive effects on lowering infection rates and systolic blood pressure in healthy older adults who lead an active lifestyle. However, the study found no benefits for bone health, muscle function, or memory.