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Two ERC Starting Grants were awarded to UZH scientists, as researchers based in Switzerland are once again eligible for Horizon Europe funding.
Archive Research 2025
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Operating with a Robot
José Oberholzer was one of the first worldwide to perform organ transplants using robotic assistance. He now mentors the next generation of surgeons. -
When AI Meets Ancient Rome
Researchers in classical studies have developed a tool that creates AI images of antiquity that are grounded in history, offering fresh perspectives. -
What Phở and Christmas Cookies Have in Common
In its new exhibition “Symphởny of Spices”, the Ethnographic Museum at the University of Zurich explores the complex ancient and modern connections between Cinnamon, star anise and cardamom – tracing their journey from local fields to the global marketplace. -
Watching How Stars Come into Being
Pictures provide new insights in astrophysics. Simulations of cosmic events are used to study the formation of stars, planets and galaxies. -
The Google Maps of Cell Analysis
Apricot BIO, a University of Zurich spin-off, developed a process that quickly determines the right medication for cancer patients. -
Falling Ice Drives Glacial Retreat in Greenland
When an iceberg calves, huge chunks of ice break off at the end of the glacier. These trigger high waves on the surface and underwater, pushing warmer sea water upwards. This accelerates the melting of the ice masses. -
AI Meets CRISPR for Precise Gene Editing
The powerful new method opens the door to more accurate modeling of human diseases and lays the groundwork for next-gen gene therapies. -
Gorillas Move Between Groups
When female gorillas move to a new social group, they seek out groups with familiar females and avoid males they grew up with. -
Economic Success and Ethical Supply Chains Are Not Mutually Exclusive
Do supply chain due diligence laws harm the economy? A recent study found no long-term economic disadvantages for firms subject to such regulations. -
Preterm Infants More Likely to Experience Delayed Language Development
Differences in early language development, which is key to later communication skills, social interaction and academic success, emerge during infancy. -
Wounded Rainforest
Alexander Damm-Reiser uses satellite data to analyze the impact of companies on biodiversity, ecosystems and environmental damage. -
How Did Complex Life Evolve?
Fungi, plants, animals and humans are made of eukaryotic cells. These cells evolved at a late stage in the evolution of life. -
Swiss Genome of the 1918 Influenza Virus Reconstructed
Researchers discovered that the virus already had key adaptations to the human host at the beginning of the world's deadliest influenza pandemic. -
Biomedicine Inspires at Osaka Expo
Stem cell researcher Melanie Generali shares how UZH scientists brought high-tech medicine to the public at the Expo in Osaka – without resorting to jargon. -
Mapping Disease Across the Globe
Thomas Van Boeckel investigates environmental factors, global patterns of infectious disease and antibiotic resistance in order to better combat these issues. -
“Antibiotic resistance is a global problem like climate change”
Biochemist and microbiologist Markus Seeger explains why international, multidisciplinary exchange is key in the fight against AMR. -
A Faster Path to Tailor-Made Voting Advice
An algorithm developed by computer scientists at UZH aims to enhance the quality of voting advice provided on the Smartvote online platform. -
False Heroes and a Disappearing Soldier
Roland Meyer studies how our perception of images is shifting in the digital world and why the political right loves AI-generated imagery. -
Baby talk – a human superpower?
Humans from different cultures use a form of child-directed speech. However, it appears that this characteristic is far from prevalent in non-human great apes. -
Contrary and Audacious
In the 1970s, women founded their own publishing companies, explored new ways of writing and dared to rebel against the patriarchy. -
A High-Resolution View of Cancer Cells
Today’s most advanced instruments can peer deep into living cells, helping researchers study diseases such as cancer and improve therapies. -
“I’ve spent half my life at UZH”
Twenty-one-year-old Maximilian Janisch defended his PhD thesis today. In this interview, the mathematician reflects on his time at UZH and shares his plans for the future. -
“ADHD is complex. There are no black and white answers.”
Molecular neuroscientist Edna Grünblatt uses stem cells from individuals with ADHD to investigate how certain neurons in the brain develop and how medication works. -
The Downside of Part-Time Work
With her ERC Advanced Grant the UZH labor geographer Karin Schwiter plans to study the problem of underemployment in Switzerland, the UK and the Netherlands. -
Research Begins on Landslide in Blatten
A few days after the landslide in the Lötschental valley, remote sensing specialists from the University of Zurich (UZH) measured the debris cone from above. -
The Power of Images
Images can reveal cancer cells and visualize learning processes or environmental degradation. The latest UZH Magazin highlights the many ways in which UZH researchers are using images to generate knowledge. -
Oldest Diagnosis of Bone Infection in a Dinosaur
The dinosaur that graces the entrance of UZH's Natural History Museum perished in the mud. A severe bone infection didn't improve its odds. -
Regulating Authorship Fairly and Transparently
UZH is introducing guidelines for authorship in scientific publications, thereby strengthening the standards of good academic practice. -
Back to the Roots
Knowledge of medicinal plants is communicated differently in African countries. A special exhibition at the Botanical Garden sheds light on traditional medicine in Uganda. -
Fungal Resistance in Wheat: Preserving Biodiversity for Food Security
Wheat production is threatened by a major fungal disease: yellow rust. UZH researchers have found traditional wheat varieties from Asia that harbor several resistance-conferring genes. -
Study Traces Transmission Routes in Largest Diphtheria Outbreak in Western Europe in 70 Years
Data from the outbreak indicate transmission routes along established migration pathways into Europe. Although rapid interventions successfully contained the outbreak, these strains continue to cause new infections. -
Korean Art is Making Waves
As a major exhibition at Museum Rietberg showcases the global success of contemporary Korean culture, a corresponding colloquium at UZH highlights centuries of cultural exchange. -
Intestinal Bacteria Influence Aging of Blood Vessels
Researchers have shown for the first time that intestinal bacteria and their metabolites contribute directly to vascular aging. -
43,000 Data Points against Melanoma
Every tumor is unique. In a new study, scientists from Zurich and Basel used advanced technologies to create individual profiles for precise tumor treatment. -
Your Best Friend’s Personality Can Shape Your Own
Students become more conscientious, open, and competitive when they spend time with friends who also exhibit these traits, according to the first study on how students’ personalities are shaped by their peers. -
Live View: Stress-Induced Changes in Generations of Cancer Cells
Drugs that affect DNA replication, or radiation that causes direct DNA damage, lead to increasingly diverse offspring over multiple cell generations. This increases the tumor’s genetic complexity and facilitates the development of resistance to therapy. -
“We’re in the second quantum revolution”
Erwin Schrödinger laid the foundation for quantum mechanics at UZH 100 years ago. We met with UZH physicist Titus Neupert to discuss quantum computers, new sensors and the stability of tables. -
Dual Associations with Two Fungi Improve Tree Fitness
Tree species that form symbioses with two different types of mycorrhizal fungi cope better with water and nutrient scarcity. -
Multilingual Switzerland
Switzerland long ago stopped being a quadrilingual country. It is now a multilingual one. A new book – subtitled “Languages and Space in Switzerland” – analyzes this shift and illuminates linguistic diversity in Switzerland. -
Digital Assistant for Cancer Treatment
AI has the ability to advance precision cancer treatment by using data to predict the course of the disease with greater accuracy. This saves resources and precious time. -
Einstein’s Theory of Relativity Put to the Test
Using a set of extremely accurate atomic clocks in space, the ESA experiment ACES was launched into space last week and is expected to deliver data soon. -
Personality Traits Shape Our Prosocial Behavior
Why do some people do more for the community than others? A new study now shows that personality traits such as extraversion and agreeableness correlate with volunteering and charitable giving. -
Navigating a Sea of Data
Processing, storing and ensuring access to large amounts of data is becoming increasingly important for many researchers. The Data Stewards Network at UZH is there to help them find their way through the data jungle. -
Current AI Risks More Alarming than Apocalyptic Future Scenarios
Most people are generally more concerned about the immediate risks of artificial intelligence than about a theoretical future in which AI threatens humanity. This is shown by a new study from the University of Zurich. -
Embracing Diversity, Shaping the Future
The UZH Annual Report shows how diverse talents and perspectives lead to new ideas and future-oriented solutions. -
Retinal Clues to Mental Health
A new study has shown that evidence of genetic susceptibility to schizophrenia can be found in the retina. This finding could help improve the early detection of the disorder. -
“A colonial ruler in trouble”
Europe is a major trading partner for India. And yet, India doesn’t see its future in the Old Continent, says Indian studies scholar Nicolas Martin. The country is particularly sensitive to criticism coming from the West. -
“Europeans must have confidence in the future”
To be able to play up its economic strengths against China and the US, Europe should aim to eliminate barriers in its internal market and not try to regulate everything down to the smallest detail. -
New Urine Test for Prostate Cancer Screening
In the future, a simple urine test could detect early-stage prostate cancer. In this interview, the developers tell the story of their invention. -
Major Award for CERN Experiments
Four experiments at the Large Hadron Collider particle accelerator at CERN have been awarded the Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics. UZH researchers are significantly involved in two of the prize-winning experiments. -
China-Europe relations
As the EU distances itself from China, Switzerland is forging closer ties with the country, says sinologist Simona Grano. Europe’s future relations with China will be shaped by security concerns. -
Bonobos Combine Calls in Similar Ways to Human Language
Bonobos – our closest living relatives – create complex sequences of sounds that resemble human word combinations. A new study by researchers from the University of Zurich and Harvard University challenges the uniqueness of human communication. -
Investing in Early Years
Schools should offer all children the same opportunities. However, things don’t always work out this way. Education researcher Kaspar Burger looks at the reasons why, and what could be done to increase equal opportunities. -
A Step into a New Space Age
On board the private spaceflight mission Fram2, the Space Genomics experiment of the University of Zurich launched today. -
“Schools reproduce inequality”
What should schools be doing to ensure that our kids can learn successfully and develop positively? In this interview, educational scientists Katharina Maag Merki and Roland Reichenbach share their views. -
The Devastating Human Impact on Biodiversity
Humans are having a highly detrimental impact on biodiversity worldwide. Not only is the number of species declining, but the composition of species communities is also changing. These are the findings of one of the largest studies ever conducted on this topic. -
The Strength of a United Europe
Europe currently faces challenges on multiple fronts: internally from populism, and externally from China and the US, which under Trump could go from partner to rival. How can Europe respond? -
“The Court should be there for the people”
UZH professor Alice Margaria's research shows that the European Court of Human Rights often neglects its responsibilities when it comes to discrimination against non-traditional families. -
Decoys Restore Antiviral Immune Defense
Defects in the immune system are caused by antibodies that inhibit important defense proteins. UZH researchers have now generated "decoy molecules" that can intercept these autoantibodies. -
Every Tenth of a Degree Helps
In many regions, the “eternal ice” of the glaciers will not survive beyond the 21st century – with fatal consequences for millions of people, reports the UZH-based World Glacier Monitoring Service. -
Europe’s Future
What will it take for Europe to succeed? The latest issue of the UZH Magazin explores this question, drawing on UZH researchers' global insights. Europe needs to get its act together if it wants to tackle major issues. -
Euclid reveals cosmic wonders
Data from the Euclid mission is providing an unprecedented glimpse into the structure and expansion of the universe – with the help of UZH researchers. -
Efficient Development of Drugs with Fewer Mice
With a novel technology, around 25 antibodies can now be tested simultaneously in a single mouse. This should speed up the R&D pipeline for new drugs and hugely reduce the number of animals required. -
Artificial Intelligence: Between Demons and God
An avatar priest, praying via app and artificial intelligence as a deity: UZH anthropologist Beth Singler researches the interplay between AI and religion. -
Promising Active Ingredient for Lupus Therapy
In lupus, the immune system attacks its own structures, causing inflammation and organ damage. A new study shows that natural active ingredient gluconolactone could offer a more targeted therapy. -
Swiss Women Had More Children at Start of Coronavirus Pandemic
A UZH study on the impact of pandemics on fertility reveals an unexpected increase in births during the COVID-19 pandemic, contrasting with the significant decline during previous ones. -
Equipping Children for Life
Parents only have a limited influence on their children’s development. In order to thrive, children above all need to feel safe and secure. Much of the rest happens on its own. -
New Spin-Offs with Innovative Technology
Detecting prostate cancer at an early stage, keeping transplantation organs viable for longer, or a lab that fits on a chip: these six spin-offs from UZH are bringing research ideas to the market. -
African Young Adults Balance Self-Determination and Communalism
A new study from the University of Zurich shows that the cultural influence on the transition to adulthood in sub-Saharan Africa is more communal and less self-centered than in Western contexts. -
ChatGPT on the couch: relaxation for stressed AI
Distressing news and traumatic stories can cause anxiety – not only in humans, but also in AI language models. Researchers have now shown that an elevated “anxiety level” in GPT-4 can be “calmed down” using mindfulness-based relaxation techniques. -
Young Star Clusters Give Birth to Rogue Planetary-Mass Objects
How do rogue planetary-mass objects form? An international team of astronomers used advanced simulations to show that these enigmatic objects are linked to the chaotic dynamics of young star clusters. -
Schizophrenia is Reflected in the Brain Structure
The symptoms of schizophrenia vary greatly from person to person. A new study shows how these differences manifest themselves in the structure of the brain. -
Rising Wages Drive Innovation in Automation Technology
A new UZH study shows for the first time that higher minimum wages for low-skill jobs drive firms to develop automation technologies. Rising wages for high-skill labor, in contrast, can hamper this effect. -
Long-Term Research Funding
Seed money from the TRANSFORM funding stream will allow the university to establish lasting interdisciplinary research structures in the fields of classical studies, quality assurance in research, and immunotherapy. -
Getting to the Roots of Violence
Some regions of the world are dominated by violence, yet elsewhere people lead relatively peaceful lives. The political scientist Enzo Nussio is researching why this is the case and looking for strategies to make countries in Latin America more peaceful. -
Melting Glaciers Increase Loss of Freshwater Resources and Rise Global Sea Levels
The melting ice from glaciers worldwide is leading to an increased loss of regional freshwater resources. Since the year 2000, glaciers have been losing 273 billion tons of ice annually. -
Of Skulls and Polar Bears
The University of Zurich's wide-ranging collections serve as a valuable resource for scientific research. Establishing the origins of the objects and handling them with respect are key principles. -
Authority or Leniency?
Parents across the world raise their children in different ways. Researchers from UZH investigate how in the World Parenting Survey. -
Curbing the Global Spread of Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Cases of bacterial sexually transmitted infections are on the rise worldwide. The University of Zurich has now developed a new method for genome sequencing and discovered a previously unrecognized strain of chlamydia -
“Keep a childlike curiosity”
At the Sparkling Research celebration, Vice President Elisabeth Stark handed out 12 awards as UZH honored exceptional accomplishments in research, innovation and academic career development. -
“We’re part of the heavens”
Andreas Losch and Matthias Wüthrich study issues around the exploration and utilization of space, and what it means for theology and humanity. -
Deeply Relaxed, Highly Focused
Three studies at the University of Zurich demonstrate that hypnosis alters activity in the large-scale functional networks of the brain. It also affects the neurochemical milieu of specific brain areas. -
Social Media Can Make You Happy
Young people spend a lot of their time on TikTok and other platforms. Yet this is no reason for parents to start panicking, according to the media researchers Sandra Cortesi and Daniel Süss. -
Omega-3s Can Slow Down Aging Process
A daily intake of one gram of omega-3s can slow down biological aging by up to four months, according to an analysis of clinical data from the international DO-HEALTH study led by the University of Zurich. For the first time, epigenetic clocks were used to measure the aging process. -
Climate Change Increases Risk of Successive Natural Hazards in the Himalayas
An international research team reconstructed the Sikkim flood disaster in the Himalayas in October 2023 that triggered a deadly and devastating 20-meter flood wave. -
The Neuropsychology of Happiness
Children need stimulation and attention for the healthy development of their brains. Neglect can have serious consequences for children’s health, as well as their ability to learn and form relationships. -
Global Trust in Science Remains Strong
Led by UZH and ETH Zurich, a team of 241 researchers conducted the largest post-pandemic study of trust in science, societal expectations and public views on research priorities. -
Germs and Kisses
Adrian Egli has devoted himself to microbes – all the bacteria, fungi and viruses that keep us alive but can also kill us. The industrious scientist is using AI and high tech to explore these pathogens. -
CHF 2 Million for Neonatology Research
Professor Martin Wolf has been awarded one of the coveted SNSF Advanced Grants 2023. His project to develop an imaging device capable of detecting hypoxia in premature babies will receive CHF 1.9 million of funding. -
Automatic Speech Recognition on Par with Humans in Noisy Conditions
Current ASR systems achieve remarkable accuracy and may even surpass human performance. While they need to be trained on an incredible amount of data, humans acquire comparable skills in less time. -
Beatings and Idolization
Back in the 18th century, philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau cast childhood in an entirely new light. His ideas inspired the thinking and writing of generations of authors. But happy childhoods are rarely encountered in literature. -
Rethinking Population Management in Zoos
Until now, zoos used contraception to avoid surplus animals. Scientists argue for preserving breeding populations and raising awareness of conservation challenges by allowing animals to reproduce naturally and culling surplus animals. -
AI Shifts Power
Machines are not yet capable of thinking like we do. But if artificial intelligence evolves further and does everything better than humans can, it raises questions about what that means for society and whether humans will stay in control. -
Disinformation, Democracy and the Digital Sphere
How should governments deal with disinformation in digital media? And what will it take to protect democracy? Media specialist Mark Eisenegger and legal scholar Florent Thouvenin set out some proposals in an interdisciplinary study.