Taste, pain, or response to stress - nearly all'essential functions in the human body are regulated by molecular switches called G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Researchers at the University of Basel have uncovered the fundamental mechanism how such a GPCR works. Using a method similar to the earth satellite GPS, they could track the motions of a GPCR and observe it in action.

Research at the University of Lausanne's School of Criminal Sciences combines infrared spectroscopy and AI for fast, reliable detection in the field. The research, led by Hervé Rais, Olivier Delémont and Pierre Esseiva, involves deploying portable and rapid techniques for the detection and analysis of falsified medicines.

The body defends itself against pathogens by depriving them of vital iron. However, this strategy doesn't always succeed against Salmonella. Researchers at the University of Basel have discovered that these bacteria specifically target iron-rich regions within immune cells to replicate. Their findings on how pathogens evade the immune defense are important for fighting infections.

The brain's ability to integrate internal body signals with external stimuli is essential for survival. A recent study led by Marzia De Lucia in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at CHUV reveals that this mechanism persists even in coma Our body and brain are in constant interaction. This dialogue is crucial not only for reacting to signals from our organs, but also for interpreting stimuli from our environment.

Several tectonic processes are occurring beneath the surface of Venus, according to a new study led by researchers from the University of Bern's Center for Space and Habitability (CSH) and NASA. They found that many of the numerous "coronae" scattered all'over Venus' globe are associated with gravity field perturbations, hinting at the sub-surface tectonic processes.

Scientists at EPFL and AstraZeneca have developed a method to map the atomic-level structure of amorphous drugs, demonstrated on a GLP-1 receptor agonist candidate for diabetes and obesity treatment. One of the big hurdles in drug development is solubility. Many promising drug molecules just don't dissolve well enough in the body, making them tough to absorb-especially in pill form.

Computer scientists at ETH Zurich discover new class of vulnerabilities in Intel processors, allowing them to break down barriers between different users of a processor using carefully crafted instruction sequences. Entire processor memory can be read by employing quick, repeated attacks. Anyone who speculates on likely events ahead of time and prepares accordingly can react quicker to new developments.

A team from the University of Geneva has shown that particles can be measured jointly without bringing them together - a key advance for quantum communication and computing. Quantum physics keeps challenging our intuition. Researchers at the University of Geneva have shown that joint measurements can be carried out on distant particles, without the need to bring them together.

In order for trees to grow, they need to control their water balance meticulously. A study by the University of Basel shows how trees react to drought - and revises previous perceptions. Plants have small pores on the underside of their leaves, known as stomata. When the sun rises, these pores open and the plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, which they need, in addition to sunlight and water, for photosynthesis.

Fungi are considered a promising source of biodegradable materials. researchers have developed a new material based on a fungal mycelium and its own extracellular matrix. This gives the biomaterial particularly advantageous properties. Sustainably produced, biodegradable materials are an important focus of modern materials science.

Hidden beneath the Antarctic ice lies a system of lakes and watercourses. An research team, including researchers, has for the first time directly observed the subglacial streams of West Antarctica. Their study shows how individual flood events influence the melting of the ice. In the autumn of 2021, an international team of researchers from New Zealand's Antarctic Science Platform set off towards the South Pole.

Teamwork is crucial for proteins. Little is known, however, about which protein teams are actually active in which tissues. A new large-scale study by systems biologists at ETH Zurich is now redrawing the map. The human body and its organs are composed of a wide variety of cell types. Although all cells contain the same genes, they function very differently - partly because protein interactions differ between cells.

Researchers have discovered key 'units' in large AI models that seem to be important for language, mirroring the brain's language system. When these specific units were turned off, the models got much worse at language tasks. Large Language Models (LLMs) are not just good at understanding and using language, they can also reason or think logically, solve problems and some can even predict the thoughts, beliefs or emotions of people they interact with.

Researchers at the University of Bern, together with scientists from Stanford University and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), have discovered a new cellular mechanism that controls the stability of messenger RNA (mRNA) in cells. When this mechanism is disrupted, tumors can grow more quickly.

Bacteria have a simple yet potent mechanism that controls their sensitivity to environmental stimuli. A new study by researchers at the University of Basel reveals that the responsiveness of cells is directly linked to their growth rate: the slower cells grow, the more sensitively they respond to their environment.

As part of the Weed Care study, researchers are investigating how the legal supply of cannabis affects consumption and mental health among participants. In a first academic publication, the study team has now reported on the direct comparison of the substance's legal versus illegal procurement. In Switzerland and several other countries, debates about the legalization of cannabis use have been ongoing for years.

What happens in the brain when our senses don't match our expectations - for example, when we take a step, but there's no sound or the sound is delayed or distorted? A new study led by FMI neuroscientists sheds light on how the brain detects and processes these moments of sensory surprise. The findings could not only deepen our understanding of how the brain interprets the world, but might also open new avenues for diagnosing and tracking psychiatric conditions.

A study by EPFL and the Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) has found that tire additives enter into and pass through the food chain. Further research is needed to establish the implications for human health. Traces of the additives typically used in tire manufacturing have been detected in all'of the most common types of fruits and vegetables eaten in Switzerland.

In just 15 minutes, training with a simulator enabled professional field hockey players to significantly improve their perceptive skills in front of the opposing net. This new approach, developed by researchers at the University of Fribourg's Perception and Control Laboratory, enables players to better and more quickly identify the area of the goal least covered by the goalkeeper.

Why do some ancient animals become fossils, while others vanish without a trace - A new study from the University of Lausanne reveals that the size and chemical composition of an animal are among the determining factors in its chances of surviving millions of years as a fossil, or vanishing without a trace.that an animal's size and chemical composition are among the determining factors in its chances of surviving millions of years as a fossil, or vanishing without a trace.