wire - news in brief

Where to play: a practical guide for running your tech business
The world's leading researcher in entrepreneurship and EPFL Vice-President for Innovation, Marc Gruber, along with co-author Sharon Tal, have written the book "Where to play", a practical strategy th

Reduced Efficacy of Anthelmintic Drugs
Approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide are affected by soil-transmitted helminth infections. Efficacy of current treatments is decreasing, as indicated in a systematic review and network meta-analysis by the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).

Holograms for molecules
Scientists at ETH Zurich and Roche have developed a completely new method for the analysis of molecules in liquids on a chip. The possible applications of this technology are immense. It has the potential, inter alia, to revolutionise medical diagnostics. Much can be detected in blood or urine: viral illnesses, metabolic disorders or autoimmune diseases can be diagnosed with laboratory tests, for instance.

Even Open-Label Placebos Work - if They Are Explained
For some medical complaints, open-label placebos work just as well as deceptive ones. As psychologists from the University of Basel and Harvard Medical School report in the journal Pain, the accompanying rationale plays an important role when administering a placebo. The successful treatment of certain physical and psychological complaints can be explained to a significant extent by the placebo effect.

Environmental bike path with a station

New regulator for liver regeneration
By performing large-scale proteomics analysis of liver proteins, ETH researchers have discovered a protein that is essential for liver regeneration. They have also figured out the mechanism of the protein's function. The liver is a wonderful thing: it's the only organ able to fully regenerate with no scar tissue formation, even after major injury.

Antarctica: the wind sublimates snowflakes
A team of researchers has collected new data that shows a significant decrease in snow precipitation close to the ground in Antarctica, which has an impact on the ice sheet surface mass balance. Researchers have observed and characterized a weather process that was not previously known to occur in Antarctica's coastal regions.

A brain-system that builds confidence in what we see, hear and touch
A series of experiments at EPFL provide conclusive evidence that the brain uses a single mechanism (supramodality) to estimate confidence in different senses such as audition, touch, or vision. The study is published in the Journal of Neuroscience. Behavioral scientists and psychologists use the term "metacognition" to describe our ability to access, report and regulate our own mental states: "thinking about thinking", "knowing about knowing" "being aware about being aware", are all higher-order cognitive skills that fit this category.

Roche receives EU approval of TECENTRIQ (atezolizumab) in a specific type of metastatic lung cancer and two types of metastatic bladder cancer
Roche receives EU approval of TECENTRIQ (atezolizumab) in a specific type of metastatic lung cancer and two types of metastatic bladder cancer TECENTRIQ provides a new treatment option for people wit

Roche receives European approval for Actemra /RoActemra in giant cell arteritis
Roche receives European approval for Actemra /RoActemra in giant cell arteritis Actemra/RoActemra is the first therapy approved for the treatment of giant cell arteritis (GCA) in Europe GCA can lead to blindness, aortic aneurysm or stroke if left untreated The approval was based on the outcome of the phase III GiACTA study Roche announced today that the European Commission (EC) has approved Actemra /RoActemra (tocilizumab) for the treatment of giant cell arteritis (GCA), a chronic and potentially life-threatening autoimmune condition.

Roche receives EU approval of Gazyvaro for people with previously untreated advanced follicular lymphoma
Roche receives EU approval of Gazyvaro for people with previously untreated advanced follicular lymphoma Approval is based on phase III GALLIUM study results, which showed superior progression-free survival for Gazyva/Gazyvaro compared to MabThera/Rituxan Roche announced today that the European Commission has approved Gazyvaro (obinutuzumab) in combination with chemotherapy, followed by Gazyvaro maintenance in people achieving a response, as a new treatment for previously untreated advanced follicular lymphoma.

Novartis and The Max Foundation transform pioneering cancer access program for people in lower-income countries
CMLPath to Care(TM) collaboration replaces Glivec International Patient Access Program (GIPAP) with a new, independent, patient-centered access model   GIPAP was introduced 15 years ago and has provi

Developing robots that can walk more naturally
Walking on two legs isn't as easy as it seems. Especially for robots, where a natural stride is a major challenge. Researchers at EPFL's Biorobotics Laboratory are testing novel systems to improve humanoids' ability to walk and interact. For humans, it comes perfectly naturally. But walking on two legs is actually a complicated task, requiring several muscles to perform delicate balancing acts.

EPFL will be involved in Switzerland's first Digital Day

Wave needle and thread goodbye - and
Over the last few years, Empa scientists have developed a novel process that fuses synthetic fiber fabrics - making the "seam" airtight and waterproof. In order to exploit the innovative technology commercially, Empa researchers Alexander Haag and Michel Schmid recently founded the spin-off "Nahtlos", located in the Startfeld innovation center in St. Gallen right next door to Empa.

Rapid imaging of granular matter
Granular systems such as gravel or powders can be found everywhere, but studying them is not easy. Researchers at ETH Zurich have now developed a method by which pictures of the inside of granular systems can be taken ten thousand times faster than before. Even in our modern world full of highly technological machines and devices it is still impossible to predict when rockslides, such as the recent one in Graubünden, or earthquakes will occur and how exactly they evolve.

World record solar cells for "move"
Swiss start-up Flisom is ready for the global market: The company, a spin-off from ETH Zürich and Empa, has developed a unique roll-to-roll process for the cost-effective production of flexible and highly efficient thin-film solar modules.

X-ray and neutron imaging for palaeontologists and archaeologists
The interior of fossils and artefacts that are hundreds, thousands and yes, sometimes millions of years old can be examined at two PSI research facilities. A conversation with Federica Marone and Eberhard Lehmann, who are opening a new view into the past with their methods. Ms. Marone, Mr. Lehmann  -  palaeontologists and archaeologists regularly come to you to look inside fossils and ancient objects with your non-destructive analysis methods.

Drones can almost see in the dark
A conventional camera and an event camera (on the right) picture the same building. The latter reports changes in brightness for each pixel.

Novartis drug Rydapt (midostaurin) receives EU approval for newly diagnosed FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and three types of advanced systemic mastocytosis (SM)
Novartis drug Rydapt (midostaurin) receives EU approval for newly diagnosed FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and three types of advanced systemic mastocytosis (SM) Significant overall surviv

Nanocapsules Enable Cell-Inspired Metabolic Reactions
Researchers at the University of Basel succeeded in developing capsules capable of producing the bio-molecule glucose-6-phosphate that plays an important role in metabolic processes. The researchers were able to produce the metabolite in conditions very similar to the biochemical reaction inside natural cells.

Phase III data showed that Venclexta/Venclyxto plus MabThera/Rituxan helped people with previously treated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia live longer without their disease worsening compared to bendamustine plus MabThera/Rituxan
Phase III data showed that Venclexta/Venclyxto plus MabThera/Rituxan helped people with previously treated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia live longer without their disease worsening compared to bendamustine plus MabThera/Rituxan Data from pivotal phase III study will be submitted to health authorities and presented at an upcoming medical meeting Roche announced today that the phase III MURANO study, which evaluated Venclexta /Venclyxto (venetocla

Novartis’ Xolair confirms re-treatment efficacy in chronic spontaneous urticaria patients after treatment interruption
OPTIMA Phase IIIb data re-confirm that almost two thirds of patients treated with Xolair 300 mg for 6 months are well-controlled   Should a treatment pause be necessary, data showed almost 90% of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) patients - previously well controlled - regained effective symptom control within 12 weeks of re-treatment on Xolair   Previous studies have shown that inadequately controlled CSU has a major impact on sleep, social l

"It's not Balelec every day at EPFL - but have fun!"

The University of Bern on the move
Media releases, information for representatives of the media Media Relations (E) Research at the University of Bern is being intensified: Innovative joint projects from different subject areas are being supported with the new Interfaculty Research Cooperations IRC.

Life Expectancy Increases in Switzerland
Countries have saved more lives over the past decade according to the annual Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) study published yesterday. In Switzerland, life expectancy has increased to 85 years for women and to 81 years for men. The Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute contributed to the GDB, the world's largest scientific collaboration on population health.

Second lease of life for used batteries
What can we do with aging scooter batteries' Instead of scrapping them and recycling their components, the batteries could be left intact and re-used in a solar power storage cabinet.

New Study on the Placebo Effect and Antidepressants in Children and Adolescents
Although the clinical efficacy of antidepressants in children and adolescents is proven, it is frequently accompanied by side effects. In addition, the influence of the placebo effect on the efficacy of antidepressants is unclear. A meta-analysis of data from over 6,500 patients has now shown that, although antidepressants are more effective than placebos, the difference is minor and varies according to the type of mental disorder.

Parasitic Worms in Siberia
Millions of people worldwide are infected with parasitic worms, most of them in tropical low-income settings.

Increase of antibiotic resistance - Antibiotic Awareness Week highlights the risks
Bern, 14.09.2017 - The global fight against antibiotic resistance is ramping up. The World Health Organization has launched an Antibiotic Awareness Week, which will be running for the first time in Switzerland from 13 to 19 November 2017.

The hard worker from Val Mesolcina
For Aldo Antognini, physics and conviviality are in the blood PSI researcher Aldo Antognini has received more than 2.2 million Swiss francs from the EU for his latest experiment.

Sandoz proposed biosimilar adalimumab matches reference biologic in terms of efficacy and safety in long-term study
51-week clinical study confirms that Sandoz proposed biosimilar adalimumab matches reference medicine Humira * safety and efficacy profile Sandoz proposed biosimilar adalimumab is currently under review by the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of several immunological diseases Sandoz expects that approval of biosimilar adalimumab would further improve access to treatment for people living with immunological diseases Holzkirchen, Septem

Vessels that help cancers spread can also boost cancer immunotherapy
Scientists from Switzerland and the US have shown that lymphatic vessels can enable both metastasis and T-cell invasion, opening new paths for cancer immunotherapy. Many cancers, such as melanoma, are known to metastasize and spread by expanding nearby lymphatic vessels. This process, lymphangiogenesis, also helps the tumor evade the patient's own immune system, and it would be expected that inhibiting lymphangiogenesis, could enhance the efficacy of cancer immunotherapies, which are only effective in a minority of patients.

World’s largest electric vehicle
A Swiss consortium of companies is constructing the largest electric vehicle in the world - in record time.

Novartis’ Cosentyx sets new benchmark in psoriasis with robust 5-year sustained Phase III efficacy and safety data
Cosentyx (secukinumab) is the first and only fully human IL-17A   inhibitor to show sustained skin clearance rates at 5 years in phase III in psoriasis   Landmark data show that PASI 90 and PASI 100

Quantum Sensors Decipher Magnetic Ordering in a New Semiconducting Material
For the first time, physicists have successfully imaged spiral magnetic ordering in a multiferroic material. These materials are considered highly promising candidates for future data storage media. The researchers were able to prove their findings using unique quantum sensors that were developed at Basel University and that can analyze electromagnetic fields on the nanometer scale.

High Altitudes meet High Latitudes : Globalizing Polar Issues

Sandoz proposed biosimilar rituximab accepted for review by the FDA
Rituximab is indicated to treat blood cancers and immunological diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis Sandoz believes the comprehensive data package submitted to the FDA for review confirms that our

Using Mirrors to Improve the Quality of Light Particles
Scientists from the University of Basel's Department of Physics and the Swiss Nanoscience Institute have succeeded in dramatically improving the quality of individual photons generated by a quantum system. The scientists have successfully put a 10-year-old theoretical prediction into practice. With their paper, published recently in Physical Review X, they have taken an important step towards future applications in quantum information technology.

Roche announces phase III study results of Zelboraf for adjuvant treatment of BRAF V600 mutation-positive melanoma
Roche announces phase III study results of Zelboraf for adjuvant treatment of BRAF V600 mutation-positive melanoma Roche today announced data for the phase III BRIM8 study, which was designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of Zelboraf (vemurafenib) in the adjuvant (after surgery) treatment of people with completely resected, BRAF V600 mutation-positive melanoma.

Adjuvant Tafinlar + Mekinist reduced the risk of disease recurrence by 53% in patients with resected BRAF V600 mutation-positive melanoma
Novartis Phase III study demonstrates adjuvant Tafinlar + Mekinist reduced the risk of disease recurrence by 53% in patients with resected BRAF V600 mutation-positive melanoma The three-year relapse

Novartis presents new data at EURETINA 2017 confirming Lucentis efficacy and durability vs aflibercept
Interim results of the head-to-head RIVAL study confirm strong efficacy and comparable durability versus aflibercept in patients with nAMD   Five-year results from the Lucentis LUMINOUS study, the largest ever in retinal disease, demonstrate real-world efficacy and safety across five retinal diseases Novartis, the global leader in ophthalmology, today reported new data confirming Lucentis (ranibizumab) efficacy and durability in patients with nAMD at the 17 th EURETINA Congress in Barcelona, Spain (September 7-10, 2017).

Roche provides update on first lampalizumab phase III study for geographic atrophy, an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration
Roche provides update on first lampalizumab phase III study for geographic atrophy, an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration Spectri study did not meet its primary endpoint of reducing mean change in geographic atrophy lesion area in patients treated with lampalizumab compared with sham treatment Safety profile was in line with previous lampalizumab trials and other intravitreal therapies Results from the second phase III study, Chro

Roche announces progress in biomarker science in cancer immunotherapy at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress
Roche announces progress in biomarker science in cancer immunotherapy at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress First data on new blood-based assay for measuring tumour mutational burden Two prospective studies underway to assess the potential of tumour mutational burden to predict response to certain cancer immunotherapies Roche announced today that the first data on a novel blood-based assay, co-developed with Foundation Medicine (NASDAQ: FMI), will be presented during the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress from 8-12 September 2017 in Madrid, Spain.

Six EPFL startups are among the Swiss top 10
L.E.S.S. and Flyability - two EPFL startups - are among the podium finishers in the latest TOP 100 Swiss Startups ranking, which was announced yesterday evening in Zurich.

50 years of space exploration at the University of Bern
Media releases, information for representatives of the media Media Relations (E) This year, the University of Bern celebrates 50 years of space exploration.

High-speed Quantum Memory for Photons
Physicists from the University of Basel have developed a memory that can store photons. These quantum particles travel at the speed of light and are thus suitable for high-speed data transfer.

Novartis presents new analysis demonstrating AMG 334 (erenumab) significantly reduced monthly migraine days in patients who failed previous preventive therapies
Novartis presents new analysis demonstrating AMG 334 (erenumab) significantly reduced monthly migraine days in patients who failed previous preventive therapies AMG 334 (erenumab) delivered consistent reductions in monthly migraine days for patients with chronic migraine and prior treatment failure, a population with significant unmet need   Dedicated cardiovascular safety study reaffirmed placebo-like tolerability of erenumab as seen consisten