Schweizerischer Nationalfonds / Fonds national suisse

The quiet hum of innovation driving railways forward

Bern (ots) - Knowledge is one of Switzerland's most important resources. But it alone does not create prosperity. Value is only created when scientific knowledge is transformed into marketable innovations. This is the mission of the ABB Group in Baden. Until a few years ago, diesel locomotives with hybrid engines that could also run on electricity were just a visionary concept. Now, such hybrids are operating in Europe, ...

Women with severe burn injuries are more likely than men to develop blood poisoning

Bern (ots) - Bacteria in the bloodstream can result in life-threatening complications for burn victims. Women are more susceptible to this than men, according to the unexpected results of a study funded by the SNSF. The skin forms a natural barrier that prevents bacteria entering the body. Severe burns stop this pro-tective function from working properly, and germs can ...

When science prints the future

Bern (ots) - The Vaud-based company BOBST designs cutting-edge technologies for printing and converting packaging and labels. The productive dynamic linking research and industry relies on the Swiss academic ecosystem. The factory in Mex, near Lausanne, exudes precision. In the brightly lit halls, steel frames, cables and meticulous fine-tuning are part of everyday life. But beneath the noise of the presses, another scenario is unfolding: that of a discreet science guiding ...

"Developing antibiotics is not profitable, hence the crucial role of universities."

Lost in the mall - wayfinding in complex multi-level shopping centres

Bern (ots) - Open floor plans with atriums or galleries and the ability to mentally map the surroundings help with wayfinding in complex buildings. This is the finding from a study supported by the SNSF involving a virtual shopping trip. Who hasn't gone round and round in circles in a shopping centre looking for a particular store? Or had trouble finding their way back ...

In the Stöckli workshops, science shapes snow sports

Bern (ots) - To design some of the best performing skis on the market, Stöckli combines craftsmanship, competition and basic research. The Swiss academic ecosystem is proving to be a strategic ally in this adventure. In the workshops in Malters, near Lucerne, wood, fibres and resins are layered with the precision of a musical phrase. Switzerland's last remaining ski manufacturer skilfully combines a strong heritage of ...

Innovation with a bite: the technology behind Planted

A new type of wave discovered in Lake Geneva

Bern (ots) - Every summer, a special wave travels around Lake Geneva. The phenomenon has only been discovered now, even though the currents are among the strongest in the lake and influence biogeochemical cycles in the nearshore zones. Those going for a swim in Lake Geneva have no idea what is going on under their feet. Waves do not only form on the lake surface. Wave-like currents - known as internal waves - also flow ...

Robot dog ANYmal gains momentum

Why insurers rely on basic research to understand tomorrow's risks

Prizewinner Anna Feller researches biological matchmaking

How often red kites actually collide with wind turbines

Trade relations between Switzerland and China through a historical lens

Bern (ots) - Trade between China and Switzerland has been characterised by pragmatism and vigilance since the 1970s. With the support of the SNSF, an anthropologist and a historian have analysed these relations. China is Switzerland's third largest trading partner after the European Union and the United States. And Switzerland is one of the few countries in Europe - ...

Federal budget cuts: SNSF to adapt its research funding from 2026

Bern (ots) - The SNSF rejects the massive budget cuts planned by the Federal Council from 2027. At the same time, it is preparing itself. After close dialogue with all partners, it has decided to cut costs across several funding schemes. The SNSF supports research in Switzerland on behalf of and with funding from the Confederation. As part of relief package 27, the Federal Council is planning to reduce the SNSF's funding ...

Getting a grip on pointless antibiotics prescriptions

Bern (ots) - Patients often push their doctors to prescribe antibiotics unnecessarily, increasing bacterial resistance. More trust in patients could help here. This is the surprising outcome of a study supported by the SNSF. Five million people die each year from bacterial infections because the pathogens are resistant to anti-biotics. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), this figure will double by 2050. ...

More and more children are allergic to cashew nuts

Bern (ots) - Nuts account for around a quarter of all food allergies. Recently, cashew nuts have been causing a particularly high number of severe reactions in children. This is probably because of increased consumption. Whether as a savoury snack or disguised in gluten-free flour and vegan milk, cashew nuts, which originally come from Brazil, are very much in demand. They are rich in protein but contain less fat and ...

Tackling antibiotic resistance by capturing bacteria

Bern (ots) - Rapidly identifying certain bacteria allows antibiotic treatments to be optimised. A team from the University of Zurich, supported by the SNSF, has developed molecules to detect and capture certain species. The discovery of antibiotics revolutionised medicine in the 20th century, saving countless lives. However, the emergence of resistant bacteria has quickly become a new challenge. One key factor in tackling ...

What if we had a third arm?

Bern (ots) - According to a recent study, the brain can adapt to an artificial third arm and use it for simple tasks. This keeps alive the dream of precision mechanics and surgeons deftly using a third arm sometime in the future. About 20 study participants are learning to use an artificial arm in a laboratory setting. The rudimentary limb, equipped with a clamp at its end, is fixed to a table next to the participants who, while seated, control it using a belt placed on the ...

She is reprogramming cells to cure diabetes

Why slower-sinking microorganisms are bad news for the climate

Bern (ots) - Organic particles that settle on the seabed ensure CO2 stays locked. However, natural gel-like substances slow down this process. Such microscale mechanisms play a crucial role in enhancing climate predictions. Divers are familiar with marine snow, tiny particles of dead algae and other microorganisms that slowly sink to the bottom of the ocean. In total, the enormous accumulation of organic particles ...

New SNSF co-directors: bolstering research, shaping change, securing the future

1,800 new research projects generate knowledge for the economy and society

Bern (ots) - The SNSF invested some 1 billion Swiss francs in research in 2024, but it again had to reject many innovative projects. If the federal government cuts the SNSF's budget, hundreds more are likely to be rejected. How can self-driving cars or care robots be made safer? A research project funded by the SNSF is exploring this question, while another project ...

Certificates for palm oil plantations have unintended consequences

Bern (ots) - Analysis of independent satellite data shows a decrease in the efficiency of palm oil plantations in Malaysia after they received sustainability labels. This could have negative repercussions for the environment. Sustainability certificates are inherently beneficial. The label on the packaging ensures that specific environmental and social standards are ...

Twenty prizewinners in the SNSF Scientific Image Competition