Complete Chaos: Scientists Unravel the Early History of the Solar System
The solar system’s chaotic early stages An international team of researchers led by the ETH Zurich and the National Centre of Competence in Research PlanetS…
ETH Zurich News
How Properties of Mechanical Quantum Systems Can Be Measured Without Destroying the Quantum State
New experimental work establishes how quantum properties of mechanical quantum systems can be measured without destroying the quantum state. Systems in which mechanical motion is…
SleepLoop: Enhancing Deep Sleep
Many people, especially the elderly, suffer from abnormal sleep. In particular, the deep sleep phases become shorter and shallower with age. Deep sleep is important…
Traces of Life Discovered Deep in the Earth’s Mantle
The rapid development of fauna 540 million years ago has permanently changed the Earth — deep into its lower mantle. A team led by ETH…
Is Vesuvius – One of Europe’s Most Dangerous Volcanoes – Taking an Extended Siesta?
Located near Naples, Italy, Vesuvius last had a violent eruption in 1944, towards the end of the Second World War. It could be a few…
Earth’s Interior Is Cooling “Much Faster Than Expected”
Researchers at ETH Zurich have demonstrated in the lab how well a mineral common at the boundary between the Earth’s core and mantle conducts heat….
Exploring the Quantitative Limits of Light–Matter Coupling at the Nanoscale
Combined theoretical and experimental work provides general quantitative limits to light-matter coupling in nanophotonic devices. The interplay between light and matter encompasses a stunning spectrum…
Unlocking the Power of the Microbiome – Fundamental Aspects of Close Relationships With Microorganisms
Not only animals and humans host a complex community of microorganisms – plants do this as well. Researchers at ETH Zurich have recently published two…
Harnessing AI to Discover New Drugs: Rewriting the Rulebook for Pharmaceutical Research
Artificial intelligence (AI) is able to recognize the biological activity of natural products in a targeted manner, as researchers at ETH Zurich have demonstrated. Moreover,…
A Crystal Made Exclusively of Electrons – “Holy Grail” Wigner Crystals Observed for First Time
Researchers at ETH Zurich have succeeded in observing a crystal that consists only of electrons. Such Wigner crystals were already predicted almost ninety years ago…
Worrying New Insights Into the Chemicals in Plastics – Significant Risk to People and the Environment
Plastic is practical, cheap, and incredibly popular. Every year, more than 350 million metric tons are produced worldwide. These plastics contain a huge variety of…
Harvesting Fresh Drinking Water From the Atmosphere Around the Clock
Fresh water is scarce in many parts of the world and must be obtained at great expense. Communities near the ocean can desalinate seawater for…
Polymer Fluorescence: Chain Length Determines Molecular Color
Around the world, a huge amount of research and development work is currently being done on carbon-containing, or organic, molecules that emit colored light after…
Scientists Have Discovered an Achilles Heel of the Coronavirus
A unique feature of the SARS-CoV-2 genome controls protein synthesis and presents an Achilles heel of the virus. Viruses require the resources of an infected…
Activating Genes With a Smartwatch to Control Insulin Production
Many modern fitness trackers and smartwatches feature integrated LEDs. The green light emitted, whether continuous or pulsed, penetrates the skin and can be used to…
Artificial Intelligence Helps Design Better Antibody Drugs
Antibodies are not only produced by our immune cells to fight viruses and other pathogens in the body. For a few decades now, medicine has…
How Tendons Become Stiffer and Stronger – Newly Discovered Cellular Mechanisms
Researchers from ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich deciphered the cellular mechanisms through which tendons can adapt to mechanical stresses. People who carry a…
Shortcut Discovered for Dendritic Cells
In response to pathogens and vaccines, our immune system relies on dendritic cells. These white blood cells patrol the body’s tissues, collect components of pathogens…