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Some bacteria use a kind of molecular "speargun" to eliminate their rivals, injecting them with a lethal cocktail. Researchers at the University of Basel have now discovered that certain bacteria can protect themselves against these toxic attacks. But this defense comes with a surprising downside: it makes them more vulnerable to antibiotics.

An international study led by the University of Basel has discovered that nuclear pore complexes - tiny gateways in the nuclear membrane - are not rigid or gel-like as once thought. Their interiors are dynamically organized, constantly moving and rearranging. The findings reshape our understanding of a vital transport process in cells and have implications for diseases and potential therapies.

For more than two decades, researchers at the University of Basel have been investigating a severe form of muscular dystrophy in which muscles progressively degenerate. The research team has now discovered that the muscles' ability to regenerate is also impaired. Future therapies should therefore aim not only to strengthen muscles but also to promote their regeneration.

Sexist harassment on online platforms discourages young women from getting involved in politics, as shown by a new study by the University of Basel. The consequences are not only borne by those directly affected, with democracy also being harmed. Insults, threats and hate speech online affect many people in the public eye - including politicians.

Researchers at the University of Basel have developed a new approach to applying thermodynamics to microscopic quantum systems. In 1798, the officer and physicist Benjamin Thompson (a.k.a. Count Rumford) observed the drilling of cannon barrels in Munich and concluded that heat is not a substance but can be created in unlimited amounts by mechanical friction.

The drug dexamethasone supplements cancer treatments to alleviate side effects of chemotherapy such as nausea or inflammation. Researchers at the University of Basel have now discovered that it also fights metastases in certain types of breast cancer. The active substance dexamethasone is a synthetic signaling substance with a similar effect to the body's own stress hormone cortisol.

Our body-s -blood factoryconsists of specialized tissue made up of bone cells, blood vessels, nerves and other cell types. Now, researchers have succeeded for the first time in recreating this cellular complexity in the laboratory using only human cells. The novel system could reduce the need for animal experiments for many applications.

Marine microorganisms produce large amounts of nitrous oxide, a highly potent greenhouse gas. A Basel-based researcher investigated the exact processes involved during an expedition to the Pacific. The results are important for climate modeling. To many people, nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is only known as a party drug or from the dentist.

State-of-the-art AI programs can support the development of drugs by predicting how proteins interact with small molecules. However, researchers at the University of Basel have shown that these programs only memorize patterns, rather than understanding physical relationships. They often fail when it comes to new proteins that would be of particular interest for innovative drugs.

Certain nutrients in food can trigger a mild stress response in nematodes. But instead of making them sick, this actually helps them stay healthier as they age, according to researchers at the University of Basel. People are living longer than ever, but a long life doesn't necessarily mean a healthy one.

A newly developed molecule brings together two powerful immunotherapy strategies in one treatment. Researchers at the University of Basel and University Hospital Basel have demonstrated that this fusion protein can both block the "do not attack" signal used by cancer cells and selectively activate tumor-fighting immune cells.

In wound healing, immune response, and cancer metastasis, cells migrate through the body - often squeezing through narrow, confined spaces. Together with experimental collaborators, David Brückner at the University of Basel has discovered that cells possess a kind of memory: they can "remember" how they previously navigated such constrictions.

A research team from the University of Basel has developed a new molecule modeled on plant photosynthesis: under the influence of light, it stores two positive and two negative charges at the same time. The aim is to convert sunlight into carbon-neutral fuels. Plants use the energy of sunlight to convert CO2 into energy-rich sugar molecules.

Researchers at the University of Basel have made a quantum bit faster and more robust at the same time. In the future, this could help in the development of quantum computers. There are high hopes for quantum computers: they are supposed to perform specific calculations much faster than current supercomputers and, therefore, solve scientific and practical problems that are insurmountable for ordinary computers.

In order to fulfil their many functions, proteins must be folded into the correct shape. Researchers at the University of Basel have now discovered tiny "folding factories" in cells that enable efficient and accurate protein folding. A lack of these structures can lead to diseases such as diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders.

Korean TV dramas resonate worldwide. This is not least thanks to a dedicated community that translates, comments on and adds cultural explanations to the K-dramas. Researchers at the University of Basel have investigated how meanings are negotiated together and how individual streaming is transformed into a communal experience.

Researchers at the University of Basel have repurposed a natural enzyme so that it catalyzes a highly challenging chemical reaction. Their approach opens new possibilities for synthesizing complex molecules-such as pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals-in a more environmentally friendly and efficient way.

Researchers at the University of Basel have developed mechanical models that can predict how effectively the different layers of a deep neural network transform data. Their results improve our understanding of these complex systems and suggest better strategies for training neural networks. Deep neural networks are at the heart of artificial intelligence, ranging from pattern recognition to large language and reasoning models like ChatGPT.

A recent study involving researchers from the University of Basel reveals that slowing down the intracellular transport of RNA-based drugs can significantly enhance their effectiveness. These promising therapeutics are currently used to treat rare genetic diseases. In modern medicine, personalized therapies are becoming increasingly important - particularly in the treatment of genetic diseases.

Researchers from the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) and partners have discovered a new parasitic worm species named Trichuris incognita in Côte d'Ivoire.