wire - news in brief

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a congenital disease which causes muscle degeneration and eventual death in teenagers. Recently, researchers from Bern developed an active substance, which they together with an international team tested successfully. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a relatively rare congenital disease which only affects boys and which leads to irreversible muscle wasting.

Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko continues to reveal more of its secrets: Researchers in Bern have detected considerable variations in the gas escaping from the comet. This could amount to seasonal changes on the tiny celestial body. Meanwhile, the camera OSIRIS on board the Rosetta comet probe is revealing new details of the surface of «Chury».

A team of researchers at the University of Bern has managed to considerably prolong the lifespan of flies by activating a gene which destroys unhealthy cells. The results could also open new possibilities in human anti ageing research. Immortality has long been a dream for humans. For example, in many ancient mythologies, immortality is one of the traits that distinguishes humans from the gods.

A vaccine against the Ebola virus, tested in West Africa for the first time in a field trial, has proved to be effective. People who had come into close with someone recently infected, and who are therefore at particularly high risk, were vaccinated. Investigators from the University of Bern were heavily involved in designing the World Health Organization (WHO) «Ebola ça Suffit» vaccine trial.

Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko poses new riddles: Surface material measurements performed by the «Philae» landing module indicate that the near surface material might have changed since its formation. Up to now, many researchers had assumed that it has remained in virtually the same state since its formation about 4.5 billion years ago.

Particulate matter from gasoline engines is harmful to our airways, regardless of whether the engines are a bit older or comply with recent EU standards. Fine dust particles allow pathogens to enter the lungs easier. Researchers at the University of Bern and the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have shown this conducting a realistic laboratory experiment.

Rosetta's target «Chury» and other comets observed by space missions show common evidence of layered structures and bi-lobed shapes. With 3D computer simulations Martin Jutzi, astrophysicist at the University of Bern, was able to reconstruct the formation of these features as a result of gentle collisions and mergers.

Great honour for Nicolas Thomas from the University of Berne: The scientist was selected as part of the imaging team for NASA's Europa Clipper mission.

A study by the University of Bern shows that East African cichlids that were exposed to a change of food in their nursery show significantly better cognitive performance as adults. The researchers were thus able to demonstrate experimentally for the first time that a single striking change in environmental conditions has positive effects on intelligence.

Bern - Universität Bern Der vom Menschen verursachte Klimawandel bewirkt eine zusätzliche Freisetzung des Treibhausgases CO" aus der Landbiosphäre und dem Ozean " dadurch wird die globale Erwärmung verstärkt.

Bern - Universität Bern Mit dem Ja zur Minarettverbots-Initiative wollten die Stimmbürger ein symbolisches Zeichen gegen die Verbreitung des Islams in der Schweiz setzen.

Bern - Universität Bern Die gelbe Farbe des Federkleides der Kohlmeisen ist eng gekoppelt an die Qualität ihrer Spermien: Die leuchtend gelbe Meise kann ihre Spermien besser vor Schäden schützen und ist fruchtbarer als die blasse.

Bern - Universität Bern Der Regierungsrat des Kantons Bern hat den Medizinprofessor Martin Täuber zum künftigen Rektor der Universität Bern gewählt.

Bern - Universität Bern Genetiker der Universität Bern haben eine Genmutation gefunden, die bei Schafen zur Kleinäugigkeit führt.