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Archive All Categories 2019

239 articles

Jahresauswahl

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  • Standing Out: Alex Rübel, Director of the Zurich Zoo

    Protecting What You Love

    Alex Rübel works with animals from all over the world, but has stayed loyal to his roots: Born and raised in Zurich, he studied veterinary medicine at UZH and has served as the Director of the Zurich Zoo for 28 successful years. Watch our video to find out what his plans are when he retires in 2020.
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  • Astrophysics

    Capturing Alien Comets

    There should be interstellar comets hiding in our Solar system after making a journey of many lightyears. Maybe we have already seen one but believed it was a “normal” comet formed in the solar system, says Tom Hands, astrophysicist at the University of Zurich and member of the NCCR PlanetS.
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  • Skin and Mucous Membrane Lesions as Complication of Pneumonia

    Painful inflammatory lesions of the skin and mucous membranes may occur in children who develop bacterial pneumonia. A research group at the University Children's Hospital Zurich has recently developed a new diagnostic blood test, which reliably diagnoses bacteria as the causative pathogen at an early stage, allowing more specific treatment and prediction about prognosis.
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  • Saving the World

    The Hydrogen Society

    Hydrogen is a clean source of electricity, fuel and fertilizer. The problem is that hydrogen still isn’t produced very sustainably. This could change – thanks to artificial photosynthesis.
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  • New National Center of Competence in Research at UZH

    The Power of Language

    A new National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) will be based at the University of Zurich. Entitled “Evolving Language”, it will investigate the origins and future of language. UZH linguist Balthasar Bickel will serve as co-director of the research network alongside Anne-Lise Giraud from the University of Geneva. The national network includes numerous other universities and research institutes within Switzerland.
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  • New UZH Magazin

    Saving the World

    Energy from hydrogen, free train travel, green investments, repairing not replacing, no more plastic, modified seeds and biodiversity. The focus of the new UZH Magazin is on saving the world – we present seven ideas from UZH researchers for a bright and sustainable future.
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  • Newly Discovered Protein Gives Signal for Virus Infection

    Researchers at the University of Zurich have discovered a protein that enables adenoviruses to infect human cells. The Mib1 protein gives the virus the signal to uncoat the DNA and release it into the nucleus. Blocking this protein could therefore help people with weakened immune systems to fight dangerous viruses.
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  • Open Access Strategy

    Negotiations with Publishers Partially Successful

    Aimed at promoting open access, the negotiations between swissuniversities and major publishing houses Elsevier, Wiley and Springer Nature have come to a largely successful conclusion. However, no agreement could be reached with Springer Nature. There are alternative ways of access, which we will present below.
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  • Protein Research

    Trendsetter for New Top Technology

    Biophysicist Ben Schuler will serve as a fellow at the Biophysical Society starting early next year. The US-based organization has recognized Schuler’s innovative contributions to protein research, marking the first time a researcher at the University of Zurich has received this honor.
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  • Nearly 12 Million Euros for Outstanding UZH Research

    Six researchers at the University of Zurich have been awarded ERC Consolidator Grants from the European Research Council. They will each receive funding of around 2 million euros for their research projects in the fields of economics, medicine and humanities.
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  • Robotics

    UZH Drone Wins Silver

    Robotics professor Davide Scaramuzza and his research group finished in second place at the AlphaPilot international drone race. Among the nine finalists, the first three places were all won by university teams.
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  • Versatile and Successful

    After several years at the helm of large organizations, Ingrid Deltenre has returned to her alma mater – part-time, at least. She is President of the Executive Committee of the EMBA at UZH.
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  • Change in Master’s System at Law School

    Change in Master’s System at Law School

    Law degrees at UZH are set to be overhauled and become more practical. The changes, which mainly affect the Master’s program, will come into effect in the Fall Semester of 2021.
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  • Alumna Portrait

    “I’m a complete all-rounder”

    This Friday, the Institute of Romance Studies celebrates its 125th anniversary. The guests of honor will include alumna Barbara Schmid-Federer. The former National Councilor for Zurich, now the new president of young people’s charity Pro Juventute, will talk about the value of studying Romance languages and literature.
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  • New Journal Edition

    Superstar of Scholarship

    In the current edition of the UZH Journal, we ask researchers about the significance of Alexander von Humboldt for modern research. The two UZH Open Science delegates also present their vision of a change in research culture.
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  • Onboarding Day

    Offering Support, Advice and Leadership

    Holding a professorship involves much more than research and teaching. At this year’s Onboarding Day, the Executive Board of the University provided newly appointed professors with additional details about their roles, responsibilities and UZH’s organizational culture.
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  • Wealth and Morality

    Fast Money

    They personify the dream of wealth and are sometimes morally questionable: Bankers fascinate authors and filmmakers alike. English literature scholar Barbara Straumann researches how the world of finance is depicted in literature and film.
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  • Education Evaluation

    Learning for Life

    Does our academic performance have an effect on our personal development? A new study by UZH education evaluation specialists has investigated this interesting question.
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  • New Strategic Principles

    Principles to Which UZH Is Committed

    The more diverse a university, the more important it becomes to agree on common principles. UZH has developed a set of Strategic Principles that define 10 core concerns for its future development.
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  • New Migraine Medications Could Endanger Patients with High Blood Pressure

    New migraine medications block αCGRP, a neuropeptide which causes vasodilation, for example in the meninges. The very same peptide, which is formed in the muscles during physical activity, protects the heart – which is vital for people with chronic high blood pressure. The innovative migraine prophylaxis could endanger these people, as researchers at the University of Zurich have demonstrated in mice.
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  • Leukemia in Children Discovered

    Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most common form of cancer affecting children in Switzerland and, unfortunately, is often incurable. Researchers from the University of Zurich and the University Children’s Hospital Zurich have now found a way to stop the driving force behind this type of leukemia at a molecular level and develop a targeted therapy.
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  • Chinese Porcelain Art in Pale Green-Blue Shades

    With its shimmering manifold green and blue colors, celadon porcelain from the Chinese province of Zhejiang, which draws on a thousand year-old tradition, is currently undergoing a new resurgence. An exhibition at the Ethnographic Museum of the University of Zurich provides insights into the history, technology and knowledge of the craft in the celadon metropolis of Longquan.
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  • Literary Studies

    Unruly Insects

    In his research on insects in literature, German literature scholar Davide Giuriato has been closely examining the fly – an insect whose extraordinary literary career has seen it progress from villain to idol.
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  • University Library Zurich (UBZH)

    Project At Starting Gates

    The Board of the University has approved the “University Library Development” project. Preparations to bring together the UZH libraries can now begin.
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  • Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy

    A Roller Coaster Ride

    With hormonal swings and changes in our social situation, life after forty presents distinct challenges. Psychologists Hannah Süss and Jasmine Willi examine the best ways of managing this phase of our life.
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  • Showing off wealth

    Bearskin and Bling

    From the early medieval Lombards to Bill Gates: People showcasing their wealth and power is nothing new. Medieval art historian Carola Jäggi discusses wealthy benefactors, swanky watches and super-rich Russians.
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  • Jane Goodall at UZH

    Advocating for Animal Welfare

    Jane Goodall visited UZH and looked back on her eventful life with wild chimpanzees. The famous 85-year-old primatologist remains an energetic campaigner for animal welfare and environmental protection, and considers young people to be the biggest hope for the future.
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  • Medicine

    The Vital Necessity of Gender Medicine

    Men and women not only get sick in different ways, they also react differently to pharmaceutical drugs. UZH visiting professor Vera Regitz-Zagrosek gave a presentation on research into these differences in the field of gender medicine.
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  • Neuropsychology

    Bad Boys, Bad Girls

    Severe emotional disturbances have until now mainly been associated with violent young men. But girls can also display anti-social behavior. Studies show that changes in the brain can play a role.
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  • Science Barometer Switzerland: Trust in Science and Research Remains High

    The Swiss population’s trust in science and research is high to very high. As the Science Barometer Switzerland 2019 study shows, people in Switzerland have a positive attitude towards science and are keen to receive information about research, with climate and energy considered the most important topics.
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  • University Medicine Zurich

    New Immunotherapies to Combat Cancer

    The University Medicine Zurich initiative presented its new flagship project Immuno-TargET at its annual event this week. The project combines the latest technologies in developing immune therapies for specific types of endocrine cancer.
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  • 68th UNI–POLY Rowing Regatta

    Women’s and Professors’ Boats Victorious

    At the 68th edition of the UNI-POLY rowing regatta last Saturday, the boats of the University of Zurich women and professors were victorious, while the men and alumni of ETH Zurich won their races. The duel between the two Zurich universities thus ended in a 2:2 tie.
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  • Private Banks Should Proactively Foster Sustainable Investments

    ustainable investments are on the rise, but does impact follow? The new UZH report on sustainable investing capabilities urges private banks to gear up their services to meet investor demands – and environmental targets. Most of the reviewed Swiss and European private banks should increase training of client advisors and offer more products with measurable impact.
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  • Infrastructure

    Kantonsschulen temporär am Campus Irchel

    UZH is making its chemistry building on Irchel Campus available to three Zurich upper secondary schools from 2023 to 2032. In return, the University will be able to start constructing much-needed new buildings sooner than planned.
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  • Milk from Teeth: Dental Stem Cells Can Generate Milk-Producing Cells

    Stem cells of the teeth can contribute to the regeneration of non-dental organs, namely mammary glands. According to a new study from researchers at the University of Zurich, dental epithelial stem cells from mice can generate mammary ducts and even milk-producing cells when transplanted into mammary glands. This could be used for post-surgery tissue regeneration in breast cancer patients.
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  • Employee Survey

    Listening Closely

    This summer, UZH carried out its first-ever university-wide employee survey. The results of the survey show that the university offers a good working environment. However, there are some areas where UZH can still improve. Deputy President Gabriele Siegert and Stefan Schnyder, Director of Finances and Human Resources, give their opinion on the results in the following interview.
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  • Plant Biology

    Fading Petunias

    Through heat, saline soil or aridity, the environment can directly influence the activity of genes. As the biologist Ueli Grossniklaus has demonstrated, in plants these epigenetic changes can sometimes be inherited.
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  • Portrait: Artur Avila

    Beyond Facts

    He got booted from school in his home country of Brazil. Today Artur Avila is an award-winning mathematician teaching at UZH. The research he's conducting picks up roughly where Isaac Newton long ago left off.
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  • University History

    Deep-Rooted Resentment

    In her doctoral thesis, Silvia Bolliger examined the University of Zurich's stance towards foreign students during the interwar period (1919-1939). The historian and former UZH archivist’s work shines a light on “discreet anti-Semitism”.
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  • Video Series “Standing Out”: Martin Meuli, Pediatric and Fetal Surgeon

    Operate or Opera?

    As a medical student at UZH, Martin Meuli flirted with the idea of becoming a professional singer. In the end, he decided to pursue a career in medicine.
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  • Romance Languages

    A Kaleidoscope of Romance Languages

    Anyone embarking recently on a study of Romance languages at UZH has been immersed in seven linguistic traditions at once – all thanks to a blended learning approach integrating videos in different Romance languages. The innovative teaching and learning approach is a lighthouse project.
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  • Mindfulness Meditation Enhances Positive Effects of Psilocybin

    Recent years have seen a renewed interest in the clinical application of classic psychedelics in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. Researchers of the University of Zurich have now shown that mindfulness meditation can enhance the positive long-term effects of a single dose of psilocybin, which is found in certain mushrooms.
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  • Internet survey

    More than half of internet users in Switzerland avoid searching for certain terms or expressing certain views online because they believe they are being monitored. This is the conclusion of a representative survey conducted by the University of Zurich on internet use in Switzerland.
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  • Marmoset Monkeys can learn a new Dialect

    Monkeys and other animals communicate through calls that can differ depending on region. The common marmoset is one such animal that communicates using regional dialects. Researchers at the University of Zurich have now found out that they even adapt their dialect when they move to a different area.
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  • Antibiotics with Novel Mechanism of Action Discovered

    Many life-threatening bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to existing antibiotics. Swiss researchers co-headed by the University of Zurich have now discovered a new class of antibiotics with a unique spectrum of activity and mechanism of action – a major step in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. By disrupting outer membrane synthesis, the antibiotics effectively kill Gram-negative bacteria.
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  • The New Silk Road

    A Once-in-a-Lifetime Project for the Middle Kingdom

    The much-discussed new Silk Road is the topic of the current lecture series of the Geographic Ethnographic Society of Zurich (GEGZ). Sociologist Patrick Ziltener, one of the speakers, sees much potential here for collaboration with Switzerland.
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  • Protein in Blood Protects against Neuronal Damage after Brain Hemorrhage

    Patients who survive a cerebral hemorrhage may suffer delayed severe brain damage caused by free hemoglobin, which comes from red blood cells and damages neurons. Researchers at the University of Zurich and the UniversityHospital Zurich have now discovered a protective protein in the body called haptoglobin, which prevents this effect.
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  • Raw Meat-Based Diets for Pets Pose a Health Risk for Humans

    Multidrug-resistant bacteria are found in half of all dog foods made from raw meat, researchers from the University of Zurich have found. Feeding pets a diet of raw meat, also known as a "BARF" diet, is a growing trend. The resistant bacteria in the raw food can be transmitted to the pets - and thus also to humans.
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  • The Abundance of Nature

    Fertile Ground

    We have to make use of the abundance of nature, says Bernhard Schmid. The environmental scientist is calling for more biodiversity in agriculture, as crop mixtures produce better yields and are more sustainable than monoculture farming practices.
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  • The Brain Does not Follow the Head

    The human brain is about three times the size of the brains of great apes. This has to do, among other things, with the evolution of novel brain structures that enabled complex behaviors such as language and tool production. A study by anthropologists at the University of Zurich now shows that changes in the brain occurred independent of evolutionary rearrangements of the braincase.
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  • Rethinking Wealth

    “Greed is dangerous”

    More isn’t always better, says Marc Chesney. The economics professor criticizes the pursuit of economic growth and calls for banks to stop investing in fossil fuels.
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  • ZAZH – Zurich Center for the Study of the Ancient World

    The Presence of the Ancients

    The first open evening of the new Zurich Center for the Study of the Ancient World proved extremely popular. Visitors gained insight into diverse research projects, and learned about the relevance of antiquity for current issues.
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  • Reproductive Medicine

    Fertility on Ice

    Specialists at the University of Zurich are thoroughly investigating the topic of social egg freezing — whereby egg cells are frozen as a precautionary measure with a view to a pregnancy at a later date. Increasing numbers of women in Switzerland are also interested in the idea. Legal expert Andrea Büchler and physician Bruno Imthurn discuss reasons and benefits, but also the possible constraints of the new method. Their concern is that women should make well-informed decisions.
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  • Zurich meets Seoul Festival

    Seoul Calling

    Are there useful applications for blockchain? What are “Smart Cities”? Researchers from Switzerland and South Korea got together at the “Zurich meets Seoul” festival last week to discuss such questions, foster connections, and present their work to the public.
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  • Mummy Research

    Analyzing Entrails

    Frank Rühli is an evolutionary medicine expert who is conducting pioneering research on mummified entrails. He recently became the first person to study the Egyptian Museum’s collection of canopic jars from an interdisciplinary perspective.
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  • Details of Dental Wear Revealed

    The teeth of mammals experience constant wear. However, the details of these wear processes are largely unknown. Researchers at the University of Zurich have now demonstrated that the various areas of herbivores’ teeth differ in how susceptible they are to dental wear, detailing an exact chronology.
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  • Modern Family Roles Improve Life Satisfaction for Parents

    Increased equality has a positive effect on mothers and fathers. Thanks to greater freedom to strike an individual balance between caring for children and working in paid employment, mothers and fathers today are happier with their lives than parents were 20 or 30 years ago, a study by sociologists at the University of Zurich has shown.
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  • Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine

    UZH Honorary Doctor Receives Nobel Prize

    In 2017, the University of Zurich bestowed an honorary doctorate on Sir Peter John Ratcliffe – today Ratcliffe, together with William G. Kaelin and Gregg L. Semenza, has been awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for his research into oxygen supply in cells.
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  • Bible Research

    Imperial God

    In the midst of their flight through the desert, the people of Israel received God’s commandments at Mount Sinai. That’s what it says in the Bible. No less dramatic is the historical background of this story. Biblical scholar Konrad Schmid is tracking it down.
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  • New UZH Magazin

    Being Rich

    How do you become rich? How do people show off their wealth? And how should it be distributed? In the new UZH Magazin, UZH scholars explore what it means to be rich and how we handle wealth.
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  • Artifical Intelligence

    Artificial intelligence improves biomedical imaging

    Scientists at UZH and ETH Zurich are using artificial intelligence to improve the quality of images recorded through a relatively new biomedical imaging method. Their work paves the way for more accurate diagnoses and cost-effective devices.
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  • Trainee Program

    Local experts for global reports

    Climate change and its consequences pose even greater challenges to developing countries than industrialized countries. But these countries are severely underrepresented in bodies assessing the relevant science. A training program for early career researchers at the Department of Geography takes counteraction.
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  • Diversity

    “Diversity is good for UZH”

    The University of Zurich is committed to promoting diversity and preventing discrimination through active and systematic measures. UZH’s Diversity Policy entered into force one year ago. Christiane Löwe and Jennifer J* Moos from the Office for Gender Equality and Diversity explain the ideas underlying the policy and how it is being implemented.
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  • PRIMA Grantees

    Springboard to Success

    The Swiss National Science Foundation’s PRIMA grants support outstanding female researchers on their way to obtaining professorships. Three recipients of the grant have chosen UZH as the host institution for their research projects.
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  • University Act

    Reorganization of Representative Bodies at UZH

    The Cantonal Parliament of Zurich has authorized the partial revision of the University Act, which includes among other things a reorganization of the “Stände” – the bodies represented in the Extended Executive Board of the University. Once the act enters into force, all students and employees of UZH will be informed in a personal e-mail about which representative body they belong to.
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  • Open Access

    Information Campaign on Open Access

    Open access is gathering pace. The Swiss National Science Foundation’s strategic objective is for all the research findings it funds to be freely accessible from 2020 onward. The University of Zurich is stepping up the advice and training it offers on open access.
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  • Alumni

    Michael Hermann

    Michael Hermann, entrepreneur and political analyst, is bringing new ideas to the field of political science. As someone who enjoys crossing borders, the UZH alumnus has since been going back and forth between his public role as a political analyst and his tasks as an entrepreneur.
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  • Recognizing, Promoting and Understanding Developmental Steps of Small Children

    A new app allows parents to playfully support their children as they explore their surroundings. They can record important motor, cognitive and linguistic milestones and receive scientifically sound information on each step. The app was developed by psychologists at the University of Zurich, who are researching the individual development of children.
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  • Open Science

    New Zurich-Made Microscope Proves Popular

    Neuroscientist Fabian Voigt couldn’t find the perfect microscope to suit his needs – so he built one himself instead. His special light-sheet microscope (mesoSPIM) has since garnered interest from researchers all over the world.
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  • New UZH Journal

    How to Excel at Teaching

    The latest edition of the UZH Journal focuses on outstanding teaching staff and forward-looking teaching formats. We also present the measures UZH is taking to promote open access publishing.
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  • 30 Years Film Studies

    Camera rolling... and Action!

    It took a while for film studies to be offered at UZH. When it finally happened in 1989, the subject took off and has been going from success to success ever since.
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  • Growing Interest in Natural Sciences, Law and Economics

    Next Monday, the Fall Semester begins for about 27,000 students at the University of Zurich. The number of Master's students in particular has increased. In the arts and social sciences, students now benefit from clear and consistent degree program structures, which have been brought about by a wide-ranging study reform.
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  • Spin-off

    Era-107: A Pill to Gently Tame Your Appetite

    Many anti-obesity drugs are not very effective or have unwanted side effects. One UZH spin-off wants to change this: EraCal Therapeutics is developing a potent and highly selective appetite suppressant. Animal models have shown that the therapy is twice as effective at reducing weight than current drugs on the market.
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  • Building Blocks of Bird Babble Identified

    A new study by an international team headed by the University of Zurich sheds light on whether animal vocalizations, like human words, are constructed from smaller building blocks. By analyzing calls of the Australian chestnut-crowned babbler, the researchers have for the first time identified the meaning-generating building blocks of a non-human communication system.
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  • Vontobel-Award

    This year’s Vontobel Award for Research on Age(ing) goes to Burcu Demiray Batur from the University of Zurich, Jonathan Rychen from the University Hospital of Basel and Sarah Stricker from the Hôpital Necker in Paris. Sarah Ziegler from UZH is the winner of the 2019 recognition prize.
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  • Communication and Media Research

    Pinocchio online

    The internet and social media have become a battleground for the war between facts and fake news. How do we separate fact from fiction? And to what extent should operators of social media platforms and search engines be held responsible?
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  • ERC Starting Grants

    Two scientists of the University of Zurich have both been awarded a coveted ERC Starting Grant of 1.5 million euros from the European Research Council. Lorenzo Casaburi's study aims at improving market access for farmers in East Africa. And Maximilian Emmert wants to develop a novel transcatheter aortic valve prosthesis that lasts a lifetime.
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  • Scientific research draws crowds

    The Scientifica event hosted by the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich was a huge success. This weekend, 20,000 to 30,000 visitors were able to learn about scientific facts straight from the experts. Current research fascinated guests - discussions, short lectures and exhibition stands were very popular throughout the two-day event.
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  • Video Series “Standing Out” Dominique Rinderknecht

    “The main thing is that you enjoy what you study”

    UZH alumna Dominique Rinderknecht moved into the spotlight as Miss Switzerland. Today she works as a brand ambassador and presenter, and her studies in media science proved a valuable resource for her current roles. In our video, she looks back on her time at UZH and shares her dreams for the future.
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  • Teaching Fund

    Telling Stories through Maps

    In the colloquium “Storytelling with Maps”, students learn to take a critical approach in dealing with the sources of maps. The innovative course is one of the projects supported by the Teaching Fund of UZH.
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  • Magic Spells and Desert Sharks

    Can you make things happen with words only? How did a shark end up in the desert? Can 10-year-olds go to prison? And why can airplanes fly? The varied new program of the Children’s University begins in the Fall Semester 2019.
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  • North-South Cooperation

    Highest precision balance

    Tuberculosis is the world's most common fatal infectious disease, in particular among people with HIV. Tuberculosis therapy plays an important role in the fight against AIDS. Optimizing this treatment is one of the aims of the research partnership between the University of Zurich and the Infectious Diseases Institute in Uganda – with a highly developed analytical machine playing a key role.
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  • West African Drummers Making Their Voices Heard

    Much of today’s popular music is based on principles derived from West African forms of musical expression – this is the surprising insight gained from the new exhibition in the Ethnographic Museum of the University of Zurich. The exhibition shows how drummers from Ghana and Nigeria combine physical skills and cultural knowledge to make their voices heard in local and global discourses.
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  • Psychiatry

    Fleeing Like Antelope

    What goes on in our brains and bodies when we feel under threat? Psychiatrist Dominik Bach researches how we react to fear and how disturbing memories can be made less painful.
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  • Artificial Intelligence

    Cuddling a Robot Seal

    Humans and machines have a long history of co-existence, but artificial intelligence (AI) threatens to disrupt this delicate balance. Will machines become more intelligent than we are? Will they ultimately take over and enslave us?
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  • Teaching Fund

    Status Update from Kriemhild

    The Teaching Fund project “Siegfried goes YouTube – Alte Mären in neuen Medien” aims to utilize modern media such as video and podcasts in literary analyses. In the first of its four semesters, the project focused on the Nibelungenlied.
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  • Internationalization

    Internationalization

    The University of Zurich has much to offer – as a partner for international cooperation projects and as a destination for high-potential talent and top researchers from around the world. But the UZH brand is currently too little known in international academic circles. UZH has therefore decided to take concrete measures to boost its networks and get more exposure for its success.
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  • Humans May Have Had Key Role in Cave Bear Extinction

    Humans may have played a substantial role in the extinction of the European cave bear at the end of the last ice age. These findings of a study with the involvement of the University of Zurich suggest a drastic cave bear population decline starting around 40,000 years ago.
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  • Astrophysics

    Giant impact disrupted Jupiter’s core

    New interior models of Jupiter based on data gathered by NASA’s Juno mission suggested that the giant gas planet might not have a small compact core but rather a diluted, “fuzzy” one. Now, an international team with researchers of the University of Zürich and the NCCR PlanetS has found an explanation for this surprising Juno result.
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  • Teaching Fund

    A Deeper Understanding of Switzerland

    The new course “Switzerland for Incomings” is aimed exclusively at exchange students. It uses innovative teaching methods to help students gain an anthropological understanding of Swiss society and culture.
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  • Scientifica 2019

    Is Virtual Reality Used in Criminal Proceedings?

    Find out in the video below and whet your appetite for the Scientifica festival. In the run-up to the festival, Kosmos cinema and UZH will also be showing a series of classic sci-fi films, with comments from scientists and researchers. We are raffling off tickets for each screening.
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  • Structural Biology

    On the brink of a revolution

    Structural biology has long played an essential role in drug development. Thanks to enormous progress in recent years, the field is now on the brink of a revolution. A symposium is bringing the stars of the scene together in Zurich.
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  • Permafrost

    Monitoring Matterhorn

    A unique project is linking in-situ measurements with natural hazards research. For the past ten years, a network of wireless sensors on the Matterhorn’s Hörnli ridge has been constantly streaming measurement data on the condition of steep rock faces, permafrost and prevailing climate.
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  • Hidden genetic variations power evolutionary leaps

    Laboratory populations that quietly amass "cryptic" genetic variants are capable of surprising evolutionary leaps, according to a paper in the July 26 issue of Science. A better understanding of cryptic variation may improve directed evolution techniques for developing new biomolecules for medical and other applications.
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  • Fingerprint of Multiple Sclerosis Immune Cells Identified

    Researchers at the University of Zurich have identified a cell population that likely plays a key role in multiple sclerosis (MS). T helper cells in the blood of MS patients infiltrate the central nervous system, where they can cause inflammation and damage nerve cells. This discovery opens up new avenues for monitoring and treating MS patients.
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  • UZH Summer Quiz

    Take the Plunge

    Are you still looking for a good read for your summer holiday? Take our summer quiz and find out about remarkable, surprising and fun facts from the University of Zurich. The UZH News team is off into the summer break. We hope you enjoy your summer!
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  • History of Art

    How Heidi Was Reinvented in Japan

    An untouched mountain paradise, fresh air, the freedom of life on the alp. The Heidi anime series from 1974 shaped the Japanese image of Switzerland for decades. And the Japanese Heidi also claimed a space in children’s hearts across Europe. Now, Heidi in Japan is the subject of a symposium at UZH and an exhibition at the Swiss National Museum. Masterminding the two events is art historian Hans Bjarne Thomsen.
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  • Criminology

    Telltale Bacteria

    DNA tracing has become an indispensable tool when it comes to solving crimes. And now microbes are expanding the possibilities. A research group at UZH has conducted a study in which they examined bacteria in tissue samples for use in forensics.
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  • Diving into Colorful Underwater Worlds

    Turtles, bears and crocodiles. Tropical forests, fathomless caves and precipitous ice cliffs. These are just some of the many fascinating motifs captured on camera in the underwater photography of Michel Roggo. The Swiss photographer has traveled the world to take pictures of all major freshwater types. An exhibition in the Zoological Museum of the University of Zurich featuring over 900 of his photos presents a beautiful underwater world awash with light.
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  • Churchill Lecture

    Getting a Stumbling Europe Back on its Feet

    Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović gave a Special Churchill Lecture at the University of Zurich on Tuesday. She talked about the challenges facing a Europe characterized by differences and made the case for an expansion of the EU.
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  • Geography

    At a Glacial Pace

    Even though glaciers react relatively slowly to rising temperatures, Switzerland will have to adjust to a future without these magnificent ice masses. We will manage – but the challenges facing Asian countries are far greater.
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  • A novel perception mechanism regulating important plant processes

    An international research team has revealed a novel mechanism for the perception of endogenous peptides by a plant receptor. The discovery of this activation mechanism sets a new paradigm for how plants react to internal and external cues. The study ‘Mechanisms of RALF peptide perception by a heterotypic receptor complex’ was published today in the journal Nature.
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  • UZH International Summer Schools

    Learning and Socializing

    This summer for the second time, international summer schools for Bachelor’s and Master’s students from around the world are being held at UZH. 59 students from abroad have joined 23 UZH students to explore how Switzerland became one of the richest countries in the world, why it developed into an international financial hub, and what skills it takes to successfully interact with members of different cultures.
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  • Media change

    “Selling our data soul”

    Algorithms accompany our every click on the internet. Facebook and Google use them to analyze our online behavior. Communications expert Michael Latzer researches what algorithms do and how they shape our view of the world.
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  • Workplace

    Independent Advice in Difficult Situations

    From August this year, the newly established Counseling and Mediation Service will open its doors to employees of the University of Zurich. UZH staff will have easy access to free advice if they are experiencing difficulties in the workplace.
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  • Video Series “Standing Out”

    Sustainable Success

    Daniel Muntwyler has been interested in sustainable investments ever since his days as a business administration student at UZH. Watch the video to find out what sparked his interest.
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  • Artificial Photosynthesis

    Splitting Water

    UZH chemist Sandra Luber has set her sights on achieving artificial photosynthesis. A successful outcome could enable major climate issues to be solved in one fell swoop. However, there are still many hurdles to overcome.
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  • Climate Change and Banking

    Can Banking Regulation Address Climate Change?

    Policymakers are tasked with keeping a close eye on systemic risks to financial stability. But banking’s regulators seem to have a blind spot when it comes to climate change and the financial risks it poses.
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  • Conference on eHealth

    “If it’s not documented, it didn’t happen”

    Digital change is also having an impact on spiritual care in hospitals, as electronic patient records and eHealth are in common use in many clinics. At a conference about eHealth and spiritual care, the topic on the agenda was the uneasy relationship between digitalization and spiritual care.
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  • Syphilis

    Das Bakterium des Kolumbus

    Syphilis sailed back to Europe with the voyagers who discovered America – and stayed. With the use of penicillin, "Cupid's disease" started to die out and gradually fell into oblivion. But not for long. Having reappeared at the turn of the millennium, cases have been recorded in Switzerland too.
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  • Botanical Garden

    Please Touch!

    The edible and medicinal plants section at the University’s Botanical Garden has had a complete overhaul. A feast for the senses awaits, with plants to smell, touch and taste, and children are especially welcome.
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  • New Therapy Promotes Vascular Repair Following Stroke

    Following a stroke, antibodies that inhibit the signaling molecule Nogo-A can help repair blood vessels in the affected brain regions. This also promotes the regaining of motor functions, researchers at the University of Zurich have shown in a mouse model. The study opens up new avenues for treatment.
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  • The Richer the Pickings, the more Honest the People

    The more money there is in a lost wallet, the more likely it is to be returned to its owner, researchers from the Universities of Zurich, Michigan and Utah show in a global study. They explain the surprising result with the fact that dishonest finders have to adapt their self-image, which involves psychological costs that can exceed the material value of the wallet.
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  • New UZH Magazin

    Us and the Machines

    We have a long history of living side by side with machines. But with technology getting smarter and smarter, what does this mean for our future? This is the question we explore in the new UZH Magazin.
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  • Robotics

    Drone Olympiad Ready for Takeoff

    Robotics professor Davide Scaramuzza has qualified to compete in an international drone racing series that will pit autonomous quadcopters against drone pilots. A million dollars await the winner.
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  • Rinsing System in Stomach Protects the Teeth of Ruminants

    When they graze, goats, sheep and cows often ingest bits of earth that can be damaging to their teeth. Researchers from the University of Zurich have now shown how the animals protect themselves against dental abrasion: Their stomach system rinses dust and sand off the ingested food before it is chewed for the second time.
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  • Accessibility

    Surfing the Web without Obstacles

    The design of websites often ignores the needs of people with impairments. The Disability Office wants to change this, and is working to promote accessible websites.
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  • Banking and Finance

    Culture Influences Financing Decisions

    The cultural identity of managers can influence the way an organization finances itself. An economist at UZH has shown that companies led by Italian-speaking people take up credit more often than those managed by German-speakers.
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  • Gender Equality Monitoring

    Facts and Figures on Gender Equality

    Just published, the UZH Gender Equality Monitoring Report indicates that the share of women at professorship level at UZH increased slightly in 2018. The good news is that things are progressing: in the last ten years the number of female full professors has doubled.
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  • Swiss Congress of Historical Sciences

    Rich people are mostly born rich

    The fifth Swiss Congress of Historical Sciences will take place at UZH from 5 to 7 June. The theme of the congress is wealth. In this interview, medieval historian Simon Teuscher discusses the meaning of wealth and how ideas about it have changed.
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  • Video Series “Standing Out” Doris Leuthard

    “It should never get boring”

    UZH alumna and former federal councilor Doris Leuthard continues to lead a busy life even after her time in office. As part of our alumni video series, she looks back at her time as a law student and gives us a glimpse into her personal life.
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  • Four Scientific Institutions will Monitor Switzerland from Space

    The Swiss Data Cube (SDC) is an innovative technology that gathers all available satellite images from the American Landsat program and the European Sentinel 1 and 2. UNEP/GRID-Geneva, the University of Geneva (UNIGE), the University of Zurich (UZH) and the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL) have entered a new cooperation agreement to foster the use of Earth Observation data for environmental monitoring at national scale.
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  • Recycling

    Floating power plants

    Huge floating solar islands on the ocean that produce enough energy to enable CO2-neutral global freight traffic - it sounds like science fiction, but researchers have now figured out how it might be possible.
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  • Public Health

    Small or Tall

    Height – and the influence it has on our health – is the topic of an international symposium currently taking place at UZH. For example, research shows that tall women in Switzerland are more likely to develop cancer than shorter women.
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  • Neuropsychology

    The Key to Brain Fitness

    Maintaining mental fitness as we age is a goal we all aspire to. But how can we achieve this? In a recent talk, neuropsychologist Martin Meyer explains why social interaction and physical activity do more to improve your mental performance than brain training exercises.
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  • Fathers Aid Development of Larger Brains

    The bigger the brain, the more intelligent a mammalian species is. Developing a large brain, though, requires a huge energy input. The females of many large-brained animal species are therefore reliant on the help of other group members to care for their young. Researchers at the University of Zurich have now demonstrated that larger brains particularly develop in animal species in which fathers assist mothers, for only the help of fathers is dependable.
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  • Chimpanzees fish for crabs

    Chimpanzees have a mainly vegetarian diet, but do occasionally eat meat. Researchers at the University of Zurich have now shown for the first time that chimpanzees also eat crabs. In the rainforest of Guinea, the researchers observed how chimpanzees regularly fish for crabs.
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  • Domino Effect of Species Extinctions Also Damages Biodiversity

    The mutual dependencies of many plant species and their pollinators mean that the negative effects of climate change are exacerbated. As UZH researchers show, the total number of species threatened with extinction is therefore considerably higher than predicted in previous models.
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  • Library Modernization

    "An important factor for the success of our university"

    The Executive Board of the University has approved the “University Library Development” project. The aim is to modernize UZH’s library provision and implement the latest technologies. In an interview, Vice President Christian Schwarzenegger explains the decision.
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  • Altered Brain Activity in Antisocial Teenagers

    Teenage girls with problematic social behavior display reduced brain activity and weaker connectivity between the brain regions implicated in emotion regulation. The findings of an international study carried out by researchers from the University of Zurich and others now offer a neurobiological explanation for the difficulties some girls have in controlling their emotions, and provide indications for possible therapy approaches.
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  • Astrophysics

    Stolen comets and free-floating objects

    Our Solar System may contain alien comets that were stolen from another star flying past 4.5 billion years ago. Far away in a distant cluster of young stars, a similar close encounter might have also sent the inter-stellar visitor “Oumuamua” flying on its way towards us, and there must be many more of these free-floating objects in the Galaxy. These are results of a new study by astrophysicists at the University of Zurich.
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  • Ecology

    Opening our eyes to nature

    With a range of grasslands, wetlands and woods, Irchel Park is rich in ecosystems and is habitat to a host of plants and animals. A new trail has been designed to give visitors to Irchel Campus the chance to discover the park’s natural environment. Marking International Day for Biological Diversity, the Irchel Nature Trail officially opens today.
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  • New UZH Journal

    Fear and Courage at Exam Time

    The current issue of the UZH Journal focuses on exam stress and what can be done about it. Also in the spotlight are the new guidelines for supervision of doctoral candidates.
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  • International Congress for 200th Anniversary of Gottfried Keller’s Birth

    A Wonderful Legacy

    Gottfried Keller is the most famous Zurich writer of the 19th century. He had close links with UZH and bequeathed the university his complete estate and archive, laying the foundations for modern-day Keller research. A major international congress is now being held on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of Keller’s birth. From 23 to 25 May, congress attendees and speakers will examine Keller’s literary heritage.
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  • Moral Standards

    "Many people feel anxious and disconcerted"

    With her commitment to the environment, 16-year-old Swede Greta Thunberg has provoked a debate on values among young people all over the world. How do values arise, and how do they change? An interview with social ethics expert Monika Wilhelm and economist Martin Kindschi.
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  • Astronomy

    “A village on the moon”

    Fifty years ago, on 21 July 1969, humans stood on the moon for the first time. To celebrate the anniversary of the moon landing, UZH astrophysicist Ben Moore has written a biography of the moon. In this interview he tells us about the new space race, and explains how the Earth’s satellite came into being.
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  • Infectious Tourists

    Chlamydiae are bacteria that can be transmitted from pigs, goats and sheep to humans and can cause infections. We talked to veterinarian Nicole Borel whose work follows these highly adaptable and sometimes mystifying pathogens.
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  • Violence Prevention

    "Prevention works, but only long-term"

    Every third teenager is subject to violence from peers. How can we identify risk factors at an early stage and intervene in time? A UZH study investigated these questions, evaluating data from the Zurich long-term study “z-proso”.
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  • 2018 Annual Report

    Shaping the Digital Future – UZH in 2018

    The University’s Annual Report for 2018 has just been published. In addition to the current statistics on student and staff numbers and the latest financial figures, highlights from research, teaching and campus life are presented. One of the topics explored in more depth is digitalization and how UZH is stepping up to the challenges of digital change.
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  • Publications

    Open access – at breakneck speed?

    Free access to all academic publications is the goal of the open access movement. But how quickly should academic publishing be transformed? UZH put this question up for debate at a well-attended panel discussion on Tuesday evening.
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  • Stalking

    “You belong to me”

    Is better legal protection against stalking needed in Switzerland? UZH doctoral candidate Aurelia Gurt is researching this politically hot topic.
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  • Bilingual Children Show Keener Understanding of Their Communication Partners

    Bilingual children adapt to the needs of their communication partners better than monolingual children. According to researchers at the University of Zurich, this is because children growing up bilingually have to manage challenging communication situations more often and deal with the differing communication styles of their parents.
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  • Digitalization

    Appeal for Human Rights

    Developments in artificial intelligence are continuing apace, dramatically impacting our lives in the process. In his guest lecture at UZH, UN Special Rapporteur Philip Alston explains how human rights offer an important normative framework for regulating artificial intelligence.
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  • Sociology

    Fear of the Foreign

    Children are mostly open and tolerant towards foreigners but, in contrast to adults, their attitudes are easier to change. Much depends on their friends.
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  • Gene Therapy

    Last Chance

    Immunologist Janine Reichenbach is doing research into serious congenital immune deficiencies. And she is developing gene therapies – for some patients the last hope of a cure.
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  • The Quiet Loss of Knowledge Threatens Indigenous Communities

    Most of the knowledge that indigenous communities in South America have about plants is not written down. Now, ecologists at the University of Zurich have analyzed comprehensive information about the services provided by palm trees from multiple regions and made it accessible via a network approach. What they also discovered in the process was that the simultaneous loss of biodiversity and knowledge represents a key threat to the survival of indigenous peoples.
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  • Teaching Award 2019

    Translating between Humans and Machines

    Chatchavan Wacharamanotham, Professor of Interaction Design, is a highly motivated teacher with an innovative, interactive approach to sharing his subject matter with students. It’s earned him this year’s Credit Suisse Award for Best Teaching.
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  • Susceptibility to Disease Develops during Childhood

    Traumatized children and children who develop multiple allergies tend to suffer in adulthood from chronic inflammatory diseases and psychiatric disorders. Researchers at the Universities of Zurich and Lausanne have demonstrated this in a study in which they identified five classes of early immune-system programming.
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  • University of Zurich Awards Six New Honorary Doctorates

    At its 186th Dies academicus ceremony, the University of Zurich awarded honorary doctor-ates to law professor Niamh Moloney, pediatrician Marina Cavazzana, linguist Johanna Nichols, computational analysis specialist Kathleen M. Carley, biblical scholar Shimon Gesundheit, and sustainability expert Ghassem R. Asrar. Former Swiss Federal Councilor Doris Leuthard and publisher Denise Schmid were named honorary senators.
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  • in 30 years

    Three decades from now, nearly half of the Swiss population will have had some experience with cannabis use. According to a new study by the University of Zurich, the number of active users will rise as well, increasing by 50% compared to 2015 - unless the government establishes new regulations.
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  • Psychology

    A Steeled Mind

    Many former Verdingkinder suffered a traumatic childhood, but some have managed to cope with the potentially damaging experience. Psychologist Myriam Thoma wanted to know how.
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  • Video Series “Standing Out”

    The Criminal Investigator

    Do you need to be especially tough to be the criminal investigation police chief? In this video interview, UZH alumna Christiane Lentjes-Meili tells us how she got into this unusual profession.
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  • Researchers Observe Slowest Atom Decay Ever Measured

    The XENON1T detector is mainly used to detect dark matter particles deep underground. But a research team led by Zurich physicists, among others, has now managed to observe an extremely rare process using the detector – the decay of the Xenon-124 atom, which has an enormously long half-life of 1.8 x 10 to the power of 22 years.
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  • Schadenfreude: Your Pain Is My Gain

    If someone in the workplace is mistreated, their colleagues may respond with empathy – or with schadenfreude. The latter emotion, according to a new study by the University of Zurich, occurs primarily in highly competitive working environments, when one person’s misfortune facilitates another’s goals. Even worse, schadenfreude can be contagious. For this reason, it is worth establishing an inclusive working climate and team-based incentives.
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  • Simple and Fast Method for Radiolabelling Antibodies against Breast Cancer

    Radioactive antibodies that target cancer cells are used for medical diagnostics with PET imaging or for targeted radioimmunotherapy. Researchers from the University of Zurich have created a new method for radiolabelling antibodies using UV light. In less than 15 minutes, the proteins are ready-to-use for cancer imaging or therapy.
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  • Thermodynamic Magic Enables Cooling without Energy Consumption

    Physicists at the University of Zurich have developed an amazingly simple device that allows heat to flow temporarily from a cold to a warm object without an external power supply. Intriguingly, the process initially appears to contradict the fundamental laws of physics.
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  • Quiz

    Easter Brainteaser

    UZH News has compiled some quiz questions to get you thinking ahead of the holiday weekend. We wish you all a Happy Easter!
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  • 3R principles

    Improving Animals’ Well-Being

    Paulin Jirkof has been working for around a year as 3R Coordinator for UZH. Her job is to help reduce the number of animal experiments conducted at UZH and to improve the welfare of the animals involved.
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  • Criminal Law

    Shady Dealings in Protected Species

    The illegal trade in animals and plants is a highly profitable and low-risk business. Due to inconsistent application and lax enforcement of laws in many countries, criminals get an easy ride. Students at UZH are looking for solutions to the problem.
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  • Precise Decoding of Breast Cancer Cells Creates New Option for Treatment

    Researchers at the University of Zurich and from IBM Research have investigated the varying composition of cancer and immune cells in over one hundred breast tumors. They've found that aggressive tumors are often dominated by a single type of tumor cell. If certain immune cells are present as well, an immune therapy could be successful for a specific group of breast cancer patients.
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  • Innovative Medicines Initiative Launches Translational Safety Biomarker Pipeline Project

    The University of Zurich coordinates a worldwide research project that focuses on the development of new biomarkers. The biomarkers are expected to improve safety of new drugs and to contribute to better diagnosis and management of acute and chronic diseases. The project is funded by the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI).
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  • Mercator Awards

    Award-winning junior researchers

    Three junior researchers will receive this year's Mercator Award for their outstanding projects: religious scholar Barbara Zeugin, cell biologist Federico Teloni and attorney Alessia Dedual. In addition, theoretical physicist Frank Schindler will receive a special award from the jury.
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  • New Center of Competence

    Evolution

    How do animals communicate? How do humans acquire language? When humanities scholars and natural scientists join forces, groundbreaking answers to those questions become possible. The new Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Language Evolution at UZH aims to deliver them.
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  • Interplay of Pollinators and Pests Influences Plant Evolution

    Brassica rapa plants pollinated by bumblebees evolve more attractive flowers. But this evolution is compromised if caterpillars attack the plant at the same time. With the bees pollinating them less effectively, the plants increasingly self-pollinate. In a greenhouse evolution experiment, scientists at the University of Zurich have shown just how much the effects of pollinators and pests influence each other.
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  • Georg Friedrich Götz Award

    Research Excellence

    Today, dermatologist Simone M. Goldinger and molecular biologist Tuncay Baubec received the renowned Georg Friedrich Götz Award. This prize is awarded annually at UZH for outstanding contributions in the field of medical research.
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  • Auffällige Affen haben kleine Hoden

    Well-adorned or well-endowed – but not both. Evolutionary biologists at the University of Zurich have for the first time demonstrated that male primates either have large testicles or showy ornaments. Developing both at the same time may simply take too much energy.
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  • Nanotechnology

    Water that never freezes

    Can water reach minus 263 degrees Celsius without turning into ice? Yes it can, say researchers from the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, if it is confined in nanometre-scale lipid channels.
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  • Melting Glaciers Causing Sea Levels to Rise at Ever Greater Rates

    Melting ice sheets in Greenland and the Antarctic as well as ice melt from glaciers all over the world are causing sea levels to rise. Glaciers alone lost more than 9,000 billion tons of ice since 1961, raising water levels by 27 millimeters, an international research team under the lead of UZH have now found.
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  • Appointment Procedures

    Fair Chances for Women

    Who gets the coveted professorships, and why? UZH has developed new guidelines on professorial selection procedures. The new guidelines should also lead to the recruitment of more female professors.
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  • Towards a Sustainable and Transparent Future

    The University of Zurich is committed to promoting and raising awareness of sustainable development, both within its own ranks and in society as a whole. UZH has approved a Sustainability Policy and is now publishing its first Sustainability Report. Furthermore, the University is publishing a new transparency list of third-party funding sources.
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  • 6.68 Million Euros for Cutting Edge Research at UZH

    Three researchers at the University of Zurich have been awarded coveted ERC Advanced Grants. A physicist, a mathematician and a theologian will each receive up to 2.5 million euros from the European Research Council to continue their crucial research.
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  • Consultation on the Library of the Future

    “The importance of books isn’t in question”

    The contributions to the consultation on the future library set-up at UZH can now be viewed online. In this interview with UZH News, Vice President Christian Schwarzenegger and Adrian Scheidegger, the new head of the Library of the Future project, comment on the results, and explain what happens next.
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  • Climate Change

    Andreas Linsbauer

    As teacher trainer and scientist at the Department of Geography, Andreas Linsbauer communicates on environmental issues with various target groups. The exhibition he has curated, Expedition 2 Grad (Expedition 2 Degrees), opens at the National Park Centre in Zernez today.
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  • Ethnographic Museum UZH

    Exhibition on Wheels: Mobile Dairy Museum Tours Uganda

    A museum on wheels has recently started touring Uganda. The mobile museum is visiting remote towns and villages to give an insight into Swiss and Ugandan dairy practices. This traveling exhibition was co-created by the Ethnographic Museum at UZH. Here we take a closer look.
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  • Climate Change Threat to Dolphins’ Survival

    An unprecedented marine heatwave had long-lasting negative impacts on both survival and birth rates on the iconic dolphin population in Shark Bay, Western Australia. Researchers at UZH have now documented that climate change may have more far-reaching consequences for the conservation of marine mammals than previously thought.
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  • Gravitational waves

    At the limits of measurability

    The international large-scale project LIGO/VIRGO researches gravitational waves and will start its third measuring period in April. UZH postdocs Maria Haney and Shubhanshu Tiwari are involved in the project – a significant honor for them professionally and for UZH.
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  • Of Scythes, Scythe Hammers and Work Songs

    The agricultural techniques of wild hay making in Switzerland and shifting cultivation in the eastern Himalayas have one thing in common: They are both performed on steep slopes. A new exhibition at the Ethnographic Museum of the University of Zurich is dedicated to the subject of farming on sloping terrain. The tools and soundscapes exhibited portray a fascinating living environment that is both dangerous and demanding.
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  • Botanical Museum

    Botanical Works of Art

    A mysterious set of dazzlingly beautiful glass diapositives was recently discovered in the university’s Botanical Museum. In her new book, archaeobotanist Christiane Jacquat presents these botanical pictures for the first time and describes the search for their creator.
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  • Lying, Sitting or Standing: Resting Postures Determined by Animals' Size

    Cows always lie on their chests so that their digestion is not impaired. Rodents sometimes rest sitting down, while kangaroos sometimes lie on their backs. The larger the animal, the less often it lies down, and when it does, it is more likely to lie on its side - but there are exceptions. A team from UZH investigated the resting postures of mammals.
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  • UZH Magazin

    A Good Laugh

    Have you laughed yet today? We hope so, because research at UZH has shown that humor enriches our lives. Luckily, laughter features strongly in the new UZH Magazin, with our in-depth exploration of what humor is and why it is necessary.
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  • Linguistics

    How Big Data Is Transforming Linguistics

    The University of Zurich is investing in research into human languages. In the next few years a great deal of equipment will be bought and labs built as part of the LiRI project. With the help of IT specialists, it will be possible to process and analyze large volumes of data.
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  • New Potential Approach to Treat Atopic Dermatitis

    How does the immune system respond to fungi on our skin? Researchers at the University of Zurich have demonstrated that the same immune cells that protect us against skin fungi also encourage the inflammatory symptoms of atopic dermatitis. An antibody therapy could alleviate this chronic inflammatory skin disease.
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  • Developmental Pediatrics

    Giving Children with Heart Defects a Chance

    Children with heart conditions show signs of developmental delays, which become especially noticeable in school. Developmental pediatrician Bea Latal is seeking to help these children in adolescence by means of a dedicated developmental support program.
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  • World Kidney Day

    Kidneys’ Balancing Act

    Our kidneys filter all the blood in our body 36 times a day. How on earth do the kidneys manage this herculean task? That is the question being researched by the National Center of Competence in Research Kidney.CH, for which UZH is the home institution. On World Kidney Day, we take a brief glimpse behind the scenes of Swiss kidney research.
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  • Diet-Induced Changes Favor Innovation in Speech Sounds

    Diet-induced changes in the human bite resulted in new sounds such as “f” in languages all over the world, a study by an international team led by researchers at the University of Zurich has shown. The findings contradict the theory that the range of human sounds has remained fixed throughout human history.
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  • Sustainability Week

    “2019 is the University of Zurich’s year of sustainability”

    As part of Zurich Sustainability Week, leaders from the five Zurich higher education institutions got together to discuss the role of universities in sustainable development. Many measures are underway at the University of Zurich, reported Gabriele Siegert, Deputy President of UZH.
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  • Negative Emotions Can Reduce Our Capacity to Trust

    It is no secret that a bad mood can negatively affect how we treat others. But can it also make us more distrustful? Yes, according to a new study, which shows that negative emotions reduce how much we trust others, even if these emotions were triggered by events that have nothing to do with the decision to trust. The study was carried out by an international research team from the University of Amsterdam (UvA) and the University of Zurich (UZH).
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  • Molecular Biology

    Accelerating Diagnostics of Multi-Resistant Tuberculosis

    UZH molecular biologist Prajwal and a team of researchers have developed a comprehensive rapid diagnostic test for multi-resistant tuberculosis pathogens. He now wants to turn the test into a commercial product with the help of a UZH Entrepreneur Fellowship.
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  • Initiative of the Canton of Zurich

    A Boost to Digitalization

    A pioneering project: The DIZH digitalization initiative of the Canton of Zurich’s institutions of higher education will strengthen the University of Zurich and its partners. Around three dozen new professorships are to be created at UZH, 20 of them assistant professorships.
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  • Leadership

    “I don’t believe in rigid hierarchies”

    Do women lead differently? How do they view employee leadership and what is their approach to management? Italian studies expert Tatiana Crivelli Speciale and natural scientist Nicole Joller each have different views on this topic – including on gender quotas.
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  • Scandinavian Studies

    From Edda to Pippi Longstocking

    On Friday the Universities of Zurich and Basel celebrated their joint professorial chair for Nordic studies. Invited guests included the Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish ambassadors.
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  • Study of the Ancient World

    Modern Lessons from the Ancient World

    A brilliant lecture by Egyptologist Jan Assmann opened the series of Ringvorlesungen on the theme of Migration in Antiquity. The event also marked the opening of the ZAZH – Zurich Center for the Study of the Ancient World.
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  • Looking for the Best Solutions

    François Chapuis is as passionate about creative details as he is about great architecture. He has been Director of Real Estate and Facility Management at UZH since December 2018.
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  • Film Studies

    Digital Tools for Analog Colors

    Film studies has been remarkably indifferent when it comes to exploring the topic of color. The research project FilmColors wants to change this – and in doing so open up a range of new tools for film studies scholars.
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  • Neanderthals Walked Upright just like the Humans of Today

    Neanderthals are often depicted as having straight spines and poor posture. However, these prehistoric humans were more similar to us than many assume. University of Zurich researchers have shown that Neanderthals walked upright just like modern humans – thanks to a virtual reconstruction of the pelvis and spine of a very well-preserved Neanderthal skeleton found in France.
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  • 200 Years of Gottfried Keller

    “He never lost his spark”

    A public lecture series at UZH investigates the many faces of poet, writer, politician and painter Gottfried Keller, who was born 200 years ago. Notable Keller expert Ursula Amrein discusses why his work has remained meaningful to this day and what he had in common with railway pioneer Alfred Escher, who was a contemporary of Keller.
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  • Bat Influenza Viruses Could Infect Humans

    Bats don’t only carry the deadly Ebola virus, but are also a reservoir for a new type of influenza virus. These newly discovered flu viruses could potentially also attack the cells of humans and livestock, researchers at the University of Zurich have now shown.
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  • Free Download

    “Open access publishing can’t be stopped”

    Professor of criminal law Marc Thommen has joined forces with 13 of his colleagues to bring out Switzerland’s first-ever textbook about law published in open access. The freely accessible publication can be downloaded online for free.
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  • Campus

    Ready for the Future

    In the first issue of the UZH Journal in 2019, we take a look at the study reforms in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. From the Fall Semester 2019 onwards, students can look forward to a revamped study experience. The new structure of the study programs has sharpened the profile of UZH’s Bachelor’s and Master’s programs.
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  • Children's University of Zurich

    Kinderunis am Nil

    There are 34 children’s universities in Egypt. Sybille Leuthold, head of the Children’s University of Zurich, was a guest of honor at their recent meeting in Cairo. Read about her impressions in our interview.
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  • Fate of Meerkats Tied to Seasonal Climate Effects

    Does a drier and hotter climate present a threat to the meerkats in the Kalahari Desert? Researchers from UZH and Cambridge show that climate change is likely to impact meerkats, and seasonal rainfall and temperature will be the key factors.
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  • Global History

    Glimpses of East Asia

    UZH’s chair for global history has introduced a podcast series in cooperation with partners from across Europe. It provides listeners with fascinating insights into the history and historiography of East Asia, from the 16th century to the present.
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  • Public Lectures about Gottfried Keller or Smart Robots

    The subjects covered in this semester's public lectures include Gottfried Keller, education in old age, migration, and artificial intelligence. From 18 February onwards, researchers will share their expertise on past and present issues of society at the University of Zurich.
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  • Aguzzi Nomis

    Adriano Aguzzi of the University of Zurich has won a NOMIS Distinguished Scientist Award for his outstanding scientific work.
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  • Morals versus Money: How We Make Social Decisions

    Our actions are guided by moral values. However, monetary incentives can get in the way of our good intentions. Neuroeconomists at the University of Zurich have now investigated in which area of the brain conflicts between moral and material motives are resolved. Their findings reveal that our actions are more social when these deliberations are inhibited.
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  • Autobiographies

    Web of Stories

    There are many different ways of looking back on your life. One example is writing an autobiography. The website meet-my-life.net guides people wishing to put the story of their lives into words. Earlier this week, the best autobiographies were awarded prizes at an event held in UZH’s main lecture hall.
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  • Spotlight

    Embracing the Wilderness

    Ecologist Florian Altermatt has presided over the Swiss Biodiversity Forum since the beginning of the year. He’s committed to researching biodiversity and facilitating the cooperation of scientists and policy-makers.
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  • Monthly wages are an important step towards economic development

    Most workers and agricultural producers in developing countries are paid on a daily basis. This has a negative impact on their ability to generate savings for large expenses. Researchers from UZH have now shown that dairy farmers and agricultural workers prefer to be paid once at the end of the month rather than daily, since monthly payment schemes are an efficient tool to increase savings.
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  • How Type 1 Diabetes Gradually Destroys Insulin Production

    Using the new Imaging Mass Cytometry method, Zurich researchers have investigated the pancreas of healthy organ donors and those with type 1 diabetes. The study shows that many beta cells, which normally produce insulin, are still present in the early stages of the disease, but look very different. These beta cells could potentially be rescued for the benefit of the patient and the progression of the disease could be slowed down or even stopped.
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  • Karin Kneissl at UZH

    The region is very close to us indeed

    Migration has brought the Middle East much closer, said Austrian foreign minister Karin Kneissl in her lecture at UZH. At the same time, Europe is losing influence in the Middle East while China strengthens its presence in Syria.
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  • My Alma Mater

    Across Borders

    Swiss diplomat Christine Schraner Burgener has been the United Nations Special Envoy on Myanmar since last spring. A law degree from the University of Zurich formed the basis for her exceptional career.
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  • Wheat Resistance Gene also Protects Corn and Barley against Fungal Disease

    Plant researchers at the University of Zurich have developed transgenic corn and barley lines with improved resistance against several fungal diseases thanks to the wheat resistance gene Lr34. Following successful tests in the greenhouse, the researchers are now planning to carry out field trials at the Agroscope site in Zurich-Reckenholz.
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  • Medicine

    Live-Cell Therapy for Muscels

    Incontinence is unpleasant and limiting for the women who suffer from it. Urologists are working on a new therapy to treat the condition, using the body’s own muscle cells to get the damaged urethral sphincter working again.
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  • History

    “More than hunger, suffering and war”

    UZH historian Gesine Krüger is one of the editors of the online platform Geschichte der Gegenwart. She has recently published an article about Négritude. We met her to find out why she got involved in the magazine.
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  • Astrophysics

    All about Jupiter

    Jupiter is the most important planet in our solar system, says Ravit Helled, an astrophysicist who’s investigating how the round giant and other planets were formed.
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  • Political Science

    Coming Apart at the Seams

    Political scientist Stefanie Walter’s area of research is political current affairs. But she doesn’t just watch from the sidelines, she also gets involved in the debate – especially about the worrying future of Europe.
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  • Nudging Does Not Necessarily Improve Decisions

    Nudging, the concept of influencing people’s behavior without imposing rules, bans or coercion, is an idea that government officials and marketing specialists alike are keen to harness, and itis often viewed as a one-size-fits-all solution. Now, a study by researchers from the University of Zurich puts things into perspective: Whether a nudge really does improve decisions depends on a person’s underlying decision-making process.
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  • Ergonomics

    Working flat out

    More lifestyle choices or total exhaustion: There are pros and cons to flexible working hours says ergonomist Georg Bauer. In this interview he talks about the effects of digitalization and how to feel healthy and satisfied at work.
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  • UZH Researcher Wins Prestigious Biochemistry Award

    Bernd Bodenmiller has been selected to receive the prestigious Friedrich Miescher Award 2019 for his research at the Institute of Molecular Life Sciences of the University of Zurich. The prize is Switzerland's highest distinction for young scientists performing outstanding research in the field of biochemistry.
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  • Potential for risky behavior is also in your genes

    As part of an international research project, a group of scientists from the University of Zurich have found genetic variants associated with risk tolerance and risky behaviors. It is one of the first studies to link genetic variants with behavioral outcomes, which are relevant to social science research.
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  • How Drugs Can Minimize the Side Effects of Chemotherapy

    Researchers at the University of Zurich have determined the three-dimensional structure of the receptor that causes nausea and vomiting as a result of cancer chemotherapy. The study explains for the first time why some drugs work particularly well in ameliorating these side effects. The results also provide important insights into how to develop compounds to effectively tackle other disorders.
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  • Historic Buildings

    History Seen through Farmhouses and Village Churches

    A research team from UZH is investigating the historically significant buildings of the rural district of Dielsdorf near Zurich. The results will be published in a volume of the book series "Die Kunstdenkmaler der Schweiz".
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  • Executive Board of the University

    Gabriele Siegert

    Gabriele Siegert started her work as Deputy President of UZH last summer, in addition to her position as Vice President. Her goals include streamlining evaluation processes and promoting sustainability and diversity at UZH.
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  • Change of Teeth Causes Yo-Yo Effect in Elephants' Weight

    The weight of elephants living in zoos fluctuates over the course of their adult lives in cycles lasting around a hundred months, researchers at the University of Zurich have found. The fluctuation is linked to the particular pattern of tooth change in elephants, which results in them having more or less chewing surface available.
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  • Forum UZH

    The University of Zurich is planning to build a new center for education and research on its City Campus by 2027: The FORUM UZH. The new building is a crucial element in ensuring the future viability of Zurich as a hub for higher education. A team led by Herzog & de Meuron working together with b+p baurealisation emerged as the winners from the international architectural competition.
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  • Arabic Studies

    Alchemical Bestseller

    Didactic poetry combining alchemy and religion: The 12th-century Moroccan manuscript “Splinters of Gold” took the Arabic world by storm. But when Regula Forster was researching its author, she made a surprising discovery.
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Jahresauswahl