wire - news in brief

Synapses in the Brain Mirror the Structure of the Visual World
The research team of Prof. Sonja Hofer at the Biozentrum, University of Basel, has discovered why our brain might be so good at perceiving edges and contours. Neurons that respond to different parts of elongated edges are connected and thus exchange information. This can make it easier for the brain to identify contours of objects.

Fine particles come into greater focus
An EPFL study has deepened our understanding of the fine particles produced by adhesive wear. This breakthrough could lead to cost savings and environmental benefits. Adhesive wear occurs when two surfaces - such as a brake pad and a wheel's disc, or a car tire and the road - rub against each other.

Eight professors appointed at ETH Zurich
The ETH Board appointed new professors at ETH Zurich as part of its meeting of 5/6 July 2017, in accordance with the application submitted by ETH Zurich President Lino Guzzella.

Research experience from California benefits Swiss X-ray free-electron laser SwissFEL
Two scientists who have studied superconductivity and magnetic molecular switching at the Californian X-ray laser LCLS have relocated to PSI. Here, they will contribute to the development of the SwissFEL. It's the camera that allows researchers to make extremely rapid processes visible: the X-ray free-electron laser.

X-ray Lasers Show Mechanisms behind Superconductors and Magnetic Switching
Research experience from California's X-ray free-electron laser benefits SwissFEL It's the camera that allows researchers to make extremely rapid processes visible: the X-ray free-electron laser. Currently, however, only three sites worldwide—in the US, Japan and South Korea—have facilities capable of carrying out such measurements.

Ten years of the European Research Council: positive record from Swiss perspective
Bern, 06.07.2017 - An event was held in Geneva on 6 July to mark the tenth anniversary of the European Research Council (ERC).

Novartis receives approval in the EU for Cosentyx label update, includes long term superiority data versus Stelara in psoriasis
Label update includes 52 week data from CLEAR study demonstrating long-term superiority of Cosentyx versus Stelara in psoriasis ,   Update also includes use of Cosentyx in moderate-to-severe scalp ps

Naturalness as a success factor
"Naturalness" is a construct - but according to a new study from the ETH Consumer Behavior group, a product's success on the food market is primarily defined by whether or not consumers perceive it as natural. The increasingly artificial and virtual nature of everyday life has now achieved broad acceptance, and the benefits that technological development bring to everyone cannot be denied.

On fast track at ETH
At the age of 29, Professor of Computer Science Mohsen Ghaffari is one of the youngest professors at ETH Zurich.

Praying Mantises Hunt Down Birds Worldwide
A study by zoologists from Switzerland and the US shows: praying mantises all over the globe also include birds in their diet. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology has just published the results. Praying mantises are carnivorous insects with powerful raptorial front legs that usually depend on arthropods such as insects or spiders as their primary prey.

Meeting Nobel Laureates
ETH Zurich's Thomas Gianetti meets up with the world's most promising Young Scientists at the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting.

«We have to talk about what the future
In May 2016, Patrick Wäger took over the helm at Empa's Technology and Society lab. Closing material cycles and performing life cycle and technology assessments are just some of the topics that now come under his dominion.

Building with robots and 3D printers
At the Empa and Eawag NEST building in Dübendorf, eight ETH Zurich professors are collaborating with business partners to build the three-storey DFAB HOUSE.

Fuel and chemicals from plant waste
From the inexhaustible raw material lignin, which as a constituent of many plants accumulates in great quantities, fuels and other important substances could in theory be extracted for industry - so far, though, it can't be done efficiently enough. Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI and ETH Zurich have now found a method for identifying heretofore unseen intermediate products of the catalytic reactions used for this conversion.

Novartis receives EU approval for first-line use of Zykadia in ALK-positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
In ALK-positive advanced NSCLC patients, Zykadia demonstrated superior median progression-free survival (PFS) compared to SOC chemotherapy with maintenance   Zykadia benefit was also seen in patients

Light switches from a spray can
Researchers are on the lookout for rapid, reliable and affordable switches for the opto-electronics of the future.

Designed Proteins to Treat Muscular Dystrophy
The cell scaffolding holds muscle fibers together and protects them from damage. Individuals who suffer from muscular dystrophy often lack essential components in this cell scaffold. As a result, their muscles lack strength and become progressively weaker. The research team of Prof. Markus Rüegg at the Biozentrum, University of Basel, has now designed two proteins that stabilize the cell scaffolding link it to the muscle fiber and thereby restore muscle structure and function.

The gene behind follicular lymphoma
EPFL scientists have discovered an important gene whose loss lies behind follicular lymphoma, an incurable cancer. Follicular lymphoma is an incurable cancer that affects over 200,000 people worldwide every year. A form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, follicular lymphoma develops when the body starts making abnormal B-cells, which are white blood cells that in normal conditions fight infections.

Sandoz receives approval in Europe for Erelzi (biosimilar etanercept) to treat multiple inflammatory diseases
European Commission approves Sandoz Erelzi to treat immunological diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis Approval of Erelzi provides more treatment options for heal

More security in cyberspace
At yesterday's Cyber Risks Summit at ETH Zurich, international experts discussed and presented the latest scientific and technological approaches for effectively protecting society from the dangers of cyberspace.

Fewer pills, more flexibility in dosing: Roche’s new Esbriet tablet formulation approved in Europe for mild to moderate idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)
Fewer pills, more flexibility in dosing: Roche's new Esbriet tablet formulation approved in Europe for mild to moderate idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) New immediate-release tablet formulation of

Microplastics from the washing machine
Even before the UN Ocean Conference in early June, we already knew about the disastrous ways in which plastic affects the world's oceans. Billions of pieces of plastic are floating in the oceans. Their effects are also sufficiently well-known: marine animals swallow them or get tangled up in them, which causes them to die in agony.

A gravity researcher in search of weightlessness
Lavinia Heisenberg is a theoretical physicist. She is reluctant to accept that General Relativity can be used to describe the universe only on the assumption of exotic materials and energy sources.

NEST celebrates its first birthday

Roche’s emicizumab showed positive results in phase III studies (HAVEN 1 and HAVEN 2) in haemophilia A with inhibitors
Roche's emicizumab showed positive results in phase III studies (HAVEN 1 and HAVEN 2) in haemophilia A with inhibitors Emicizumab showed substantial and clinically meaningful reduction in bleeds across two pivotal studies Data from HAVEN 1 in adults and adolescents and interim data from HAVEN 2 in children to be presented at the 26th International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) Meeting Roche today announced positive data from the p

NEJM publishes full analysis of Rydapt (midostaurin) Phase III RATIFY trial in newly diagnosed FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
Significant overall survival benefit observed for FLT3+ AML patients consistent across FLT3 mutation subgroups, including ITD and TKD Detailed data show Rydapt plus standard chemotherapy improved eve

Novartis Kisqali (ribociclib) receives positive CHMP opinion as first-line treatment for HR+/HER2- locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer in combination with any aromatase inhibitor
Novartis Kisqali (ribociclib) receives positive CHMP opinion as first-line treatment for HR+/HER2- locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer in combination with any aromatase inhibitor CHMP opinio

Novartis pivotal CTL019 6-month follow-up data show durable remission rates in children, young adults with r/r B-cell ALL
83% of patients achieved complete remission (CR) or CR with incomplete blood count recovery within 3 months of treatment with CTL019; consistent with interim ELIANA data   Data evaluating 63 patients demonstrate relapse-free survival and probability of survival in a majority of patients at six months   Advances in CTL019 and ELIANA result from global CAR-T cell therapy collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania   CTL019 is manufactured us

Novartis data shows half of eligible Ph+ CML-CP patients remain in Treatment-free Remission nearly two years after stopping Tasigna
New 96-week data support durability and safety of Treatment-free Remission (TFR) in Ph+ CML-CP patients who stop taking Tasigna [1,2] More than 90% of Ph+ CML-CP patients in ENESTfreedom and ENESTop who stopped Tasigna and were in TFR at 48 weeks remained in TFR at 96 weeks [1,2] 48-week data from same trials recently added to Tasigna SmPC following EC approval; discussions with other regulatory authorities are underway worldwide - Novartis toda

Presentation confirms Venclexta/Venclyxto monotherapy benefit in certain patients with high-risk chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and its potential in other hard-to-treat blood cancers
Presentation confirms Venclexta/Venclyxto monotherapy benefit in certain patients with high-risk chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and its potential in other hard-to-treat blood cancers First in class BCL2-specific oral inhibitor represents a potential new way of treating different blood cancers Efficacy and tolerability confirmed in high-risk patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, including those with 17p chromosomal de

Roche presents new data from GALLIUM study reinforcing clinical benefit of Gazyva/Gazyvaro in people with previously untreated follicular lymphoma
Roche presents new data from GALLIUM study reinforcing clinical benefit of Gazyva/Gazyvaro in people with previously untreated follicular lymphoma Longer follow-up showed sustained benefit in progression-free survival of Gazyva/Gazyvaro-based treatment over MabThera/Rituxan-based treatment regardless of chemotherapy regimens People with follicular lymphoma who received Gazyva/Gazyvaro-based treatment reported improvement in health-related qualit

FDA approves Rituxan Hycela (rituximab and hyaluronidase human) for subcutaneous injection in certain blood cancers
FDA approves Rituxan Hycela (rituximab and hyaluronidase human) for subcutaneous injection in certain blood cancers Treatment can be administered in five to seven minutes, compared to 1.5 hour

Novartis combination targeted therapy Tafinlar + Mekinist receives FDA approval for BRAF V600E mutant metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Novartis combination targeted therapy Tafinlar + Mekinist receives FDA approval for BRAF V600E mutant metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) Approval provides first targeted treatment in the U

Olga Sorkine-Hornung wins Rössler Prize

ACZ885 (canakinumab) reduces cardiovascular risk in people who survived a heart attack
Phase III CANTOS study met the primary endpoint, a composite of heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular death, showing that ACZ885 (canakinumab) in combination with standard of care therapy reduces cardiovascular risk in people with a prior heart attack and inflammatory atherosclerosis   Despite current treatments about 40% of heart attack survivors remain at increased risk of  recurrent heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular death because of hi

Novartis achieves important regulatory milestone for AMG 334 (erenumab) in migraine prevention with EMA filing acceptance
AMG 334 (erenumab) is the first anti-CGRP monoclonal antibody developed for migraine prevention to receive EMA regulatory filing acceptance   Filing is supported by a comprehensive clinical program o

Switzerland in pole position in ESA’s new mission
Media releases, information for representatives of the media Media Relations (E) PLATO, the largest European exoplanet research mission, was adopted on 20 June 2017 by the European Space Agency at the ESA Scientific Programs Committee meeting. The Universities of Bern and Geneva are heavily involved in this mission, which should enable astronomers to discover and characterize planets the size of the Earth and the "super 'Earths" that orbit around solar type stars in their habitable zone.

‘We have to seize this opportunity’
Die Digitalisierung verändert grundlegend immer mehr Lebensbereiche. Für ETH-Präsident Lino Guzzella ist klar: Dieser Wandel ist für die Schweiz eine grosse Chance, denn sie hat ideale Voraussetzungen, eine leistungsfähige Digitalindustrie aufzubauen.

Almost half of chronic urticaria patients are not receiving any treatment despite significant disease burden
Novartis real world study shows almost half of chronic urticaria patients are not receiving any treatment despite significant disease burden Urgent need to improve management of chronic urticaria (CU) - a disease that causes itchy, persistent hives and swelling which last more than 6 weeks or recur over months or years - highlighted by study of over 3,700 patients , 42% of CU patients studied are not receiving any treatment for their debilitatin

Novartis RTH258 (brolucizumab) demonstrates robust visual gains in nAMD patients with a majority on a 12-week injection interval
RTH258 achieved the primary efficacy endpoint of non-inferiority to aflibercept in mean change in BCVA from baseline to week 48 , in two head-to-head pivotal Phase III studies ,   57% and 52% of patients receiving RTH258 6 mg in the respective trials were maintained exclusively on a q12w interval immediately following the loading phase and continuing through week 48 ,   In both studies overall ocular and non-ocular adverse event rates for RTH258

Guidelines for Fertiliser Application for All Swiss Crops now Merged in One Document
Bern, 20.06.2017 - Fertiliser application in plant production is of vital importance for agricultural practitioners and advisers.

A Wooden Toe: Swiss Egyptologists Study 3000-Year-Old Prosthesis
It is likely to be one of the oldest prosthetic devices in human history: Together with other experts, Egyptologists from the University of Basel have reexamined an artificial wooden big toe. The find is almost 3000 years old and was discovered in a female burial from the necropolis of Sheikh ŽAbd el-Qurna close to Luxor.

Piz Daint is a world leader
After an extensive hardware upgrade at the end of last year, the CSCS supercomputer Piz Daint is now the most powerful mainframe computer outside Asia.

EPFL to become drone central in early September

Sandoz receives approval in Europe for Rixathonâ? (biosimilar rituximab) to treat blood cancers and immunological diseases
European Commission approves Sandoz Rixathon â? to treat blood cancers and immunological diseases. Approval expected to broaden patient access to biologics and enable budget-constrained healthcare systems to reallocate resources to other healthcare priorities.

Lessons from whale population collapse could help future species at risk
The research, carried out by scientists at the University of Zurich and University of Tasmania, used detailed records collected during the commercial whaling of the 20 th century and collated by the International Whaling Committee (IWC) - to look at the effects of overharvesting on whale populations, and used this historic data to help develop methods which can be applied to species of current conservation concern.

Novartis International AG: New patient survey highlights need for more action to help severe asthma patients gain control of their disease
Large-scale European patient survey found that 94% of severe allergic asthma patients were unable to fully control their disease â? These new data underscore the disconnect between self-perceived control and clinical reality; a potentially limiting factor in patients seeking support to better control their condition â? Helping patients recognize the possibilities of living a life with properly controlled asthma is central to a major new global p

A video game demonstrates how energy choices affect our carbon footpr
‘Mission Possible' combines scientific rigor and good fun to help us understand the carbon impact of our personal energy choices.