science - Swisstamil

Switzerland Introduces New Growth Charts for Children

Paediatricians across Switzerland have started using newly developed standardised growth charts aimed at improving the accuracy of child development monitoring. The updated system replaces older international reference values with charts based specifically on Swiss national data.

Starting Tuesday, doctors will rely on these new guidelines to assess the physical growth of children more precisely. Health experts say the change marks an important step toward more personalised and locally relevant healthcare standards.

The new growth charts are based on one of the largest paediatric studies conducted in Europe. According to the Paediatric Endocrinology Centre Zurich, researchers analysed data from more than 43,000 children and adolescents across all linguistic regions of Switzerland.

One of the key findings of the study is that children in Switzerland are generally taller than previously indicated by World Health Organization (WHO) reference values. On average, Swiss children were found to be up to four centimetres taller than global benchmarks suggested.

Medical experts explain that relying on international standards alone may not always reflect regional differences in genetics, nutrition, and living conditions. The new Swiss-based charts are expected to provide a more realistic assessment of growth patterns in the country.

Doctors believe the updated system will help identify growth-related health issues earlier and reduce unnecessary concerns caused by outdated or non-local reference data. This could lead to more accurate diagnoses and better-targeted treatments for children.

Paediatric specialists also note that the new charts will support improved communication between doctors and parents by offering clearer and more relevant growth comparisons.

The introduction of these national growth standards reflects Switzerland’s broader approach to evidence-based and data-driven healthcare improvements, ensuring that medical guidelines are adapted to local population characteristics.

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Swiss AI Brain “Pacemaker” Helps Parkinson’s Patients Walk Better

Swiss researchers have developed an advanced AI-powered brain pacemaker that could significantly improve mobility for people living with Parkinson’s disease. The innovative system automatically adjusts brain stimulation in real time, helping patients move more naturally and with greater stability.

The technology was developed by scientists at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) and Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), and the findings were published in the medical journal Nature Medicine.

Deep brain stimulation has long been used as an effective treatment for advanced Parkinson’s disease. It helps reduce common symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, and movement difficulties. However, traditional systems often struggle to fully address gait-related problems, which remain one of the most disabling symptoms for many patients.

The new Swiss-developed system addresses this limitation by integrating artificial intelligence. The AI continuously analyzes brain signals in real time and identifies whether a patient is sitting, standing, or walking. Based on this activity, the device automatically adjusts the level of electrical stimulation delivered to specific brain regions.

Researchers tested the system on 35 Parkinson’s patients who already had electrodes implanted in the subthalamic nucleus, a key area of the brain targeted in deep brain stimulation therapy. The results showed a clear improvement in mobility compared to conventional stimulation methods.

Participants reported noticeable benefits in daily movement. One patient explained that walking had previously been difficult due to heavy or uncontrollable leg movements, but the adaptive stimulation allowed for smoother and longer walking ability.

Scientists describe the results as an important breakthrough and a strong proof of concept for future medical applications. However, they emphasize that additional research is required before the technology can be widely used in hospitals and clinics. Larger and longer-term studies are planned to evaluate safety, effectiveness, and durability of the treatment.

If further research confirms these results, the AI-driven brain pacemaker could represent a major step forward in neurotechnology, offering new hope for improving quality of life for Parkinson’s patients worldwide.

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Swiss Parliament Approves Millions for EU Research Programmes

Switzerland has reaffirmed its commitment to international scientific cooperation after both chambers of Parliament approved CHF58.3 million in funding for European Union research programmes. The allocation forms part of Switzerland’s supplementary 2026 federal budget, which totals nearly CHF90 million.

The approved funding will enable Switzerland to continue participating in major European research initiatives, including Horizon Europe and Euratom. These programmes provide access to some of the world’s largest research networks, offering opportunities for Swiss universities, research institutions, and innovative businesses to collaborate on cutting-edge scientific projects.

The Federal Council originally requested CHF67.3 million for the programmes. However, lawmakers reduced the amount by CHF9 million after determining that a previously planned reserve fund was no longer necessary. Despite the adjustment, Parliament maintained strong support for continued participation in European research activities.

Swiss lawmakers emphasized that maintaining access to Horizon Europe and other EU research frameworks is essential for the country’s scientific competitiveness. Following several years of limited participation, Switzerland regained association with these programmes in 2025, restoring opportunities for researchers to engage in international projects and secure collaborative funding.

Supporters of the measure argued that participation in European research networks strengthens Switzerland’s position as a global innovation leader. They highlighted the importance of cross-border cooperation in areas such as technology, medicine, energy, climate research, and advanced engineering.

The Swiss People’s Party (SVP) was the only major political group to oppose the funding. Party representatives argued that the European Union continues to increase participation costs, placing an unnecessary financial burden on Switzerland. However, lawmakers from other parties rejected this criticism, stating that the benefits of participation far outweigh the costs.

The federal government has also indicated that it may reduce spending by CHF40 million in the 2027 budget to offset the additional expenditure. Officials are expected to make a final decision on possible budget adjustments later this year as they address broader financial pressures facing the federal administration.

For Switzerland’s scientific community, the funding approval is viewed as a positive development that ensures continued access to international research partnerships, advanced facilities, and collaborative innovation opportunities across Europe.

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Experts Gather in Davos to Tackle Global Biodiversity Crisis

More than 1,000 experts from over 70 countries will meet in Davos, Switzerland, from June 14 to 19 for the World Biodiversity Forum 2026, focusing on urgent solutions to global biodiversity loss and species extinction.

The event brings together scientists, policymakers, businesses, and civil society representatives to move beyond discussion and toward concrete action.

From Targets to Implementation

Although the international community agreed on ambitious biodiversity goals under the 2022 Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, experts say progress remains insufficient.

Gabriela Schaepman-Strub, professor of Earth system science at the University of Zurich and chair of the forum, stressed that global efforts are still not on track to meet the 2030 biodiversity targets.

She emphasized that while international discussions have intensified, implementation at national and global levels continues to lag behind expectations.

Biodiversity Under Pressure in Switzerland

The situation is also critical within Switzerland. According to Lukas Berger of the Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT), biodiversity in the country remains under severe pressure.

While the rate of decline has slowed since the early 2000s and some improvements have been observed, around one-third of species in Switzerland remain at risk.

Experts highlight that the main challenge is not the absence of laws or strategies, but weak implementation and enforcement of existing environmental policies.

Conflicting Policies and Global Impact

Researchers also point to contradictory incentives that affect biodiversity protection. While funding exists to support conservation, significantly larger subsidies continue to support activities that harm ecosystems.

Experts further stress that Switzerland has a global responsibility, as biodiversity loss is also driven by international supply chains and overseas investments linked to Swiss industries.

Science, Business, and Policy Collaboration

Unlike formal United Nations negotiations, the World Biodiversity Forum serves as a platform for collaboration between science, business, politics, and civil society.

The goal is to develop innovative, practical solutions rather than formal agreements between states.

Participants are expected to adopt a resolution calling for a shift from policy declarations to real-world implementation.

Biodiversity as the Foundation of Life

Experts at the forum emphasize that biodiversity is essential for human survival, supporting clean water, fertile soil, pollination, and ecosystem stability.

They argue that protecting nature should not be seen as optional but as fundamental to human health and well-being.

As Lukas Berger noted, biodiversity is “our lifeblood,” and successful conservation efforts can already be seen in restored habitats and improved ecosystems where action has been taken.

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Swiss Researchers Develop Saliva Test to Detect Driver Fatigue

Swiss scientists have developed a promising new method that could one day detect fatigue in drivers using a simple saliva test, potentially improving road safety and workplace security.

Researchers at the University of Zurich (UZH) have identified a metabolic “fingerprint” in saliva that can reliably indicate acute sleep deprivation. The findings suggest that fatigue affects measurable biological changes in the body that can be detected through advanced analysis techniques.

Study Shows Clear Biological Markers of Fatigue

The research team, led by scientists at the Institute of Forensic Medicine at UZH, conducted controlled sleep experiments involving twenty young male participants. Their saliva samples were collected under three conditions: after a sleepless night, after four nights of restricted sleep (six hours per night), and after a full eight-hour sleep.

Using high-resolution mass spectrometry combined with machine learning, the researchers analyzed tens of thousands of molecules to identify patterns linked to sleep deprivation.

Ten Biomarkers Identified

The study found that severe fatigue affects around 10% of all biomolecules present in saliva. After filtering complex molecular data, the team successfully identified ten specific biomarkers that consistently indicate acute sleep deprivation.

Lead researcher Michael Scholz explained that the main challenge was isolating reliable indicators from a vast number of molecular signals. The results demonstrate that fatigue leaves a detectable biological signature in saliva.

Potential Applications in Road Safety and Forensics

The researchers believe the discovery could have major practical applications in improving road safety, particularly by identifying tired drivers before accidents occur. It may also support workplace safety in high-risk professions where alertness is critical.

Thomas Krämer from UZH described the study as a “milestone for forensic research,” noting its potential use in accident investigations and legal assessments involving fatigue.

Toward a Rapid On-Site Test

The long-term goal is to develop a quick and practical test that could be used directly at roadside checks or in workplace safety controls. However, researchers emphasize that the current findings are still part of basic research.

Further studies involving larger and more diverse population groups will be required before the method can be applied in real-world settings.

If successful, the innovation could become a key tool in reducing fatigue-related accidents and enhancing public safety.

Swiss Scientists Discover New Target for Treating Blindness.

Researchers led by the University of Fribourg in Switzerland have identified a promising new biological target that could lead to improved treatments for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide.

The study focuses on restoring the eye’s natural cellular recycling system, which plays a critical role in maintaining retinal health. Scientists believe that failure in this system is a key driver of vision loss as people age.

AMD primarily damages photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelial cells, which are essential for clear central vision. When these cells deteriorate, patients gradually lose the ability to see fine details, significantly affecting daily life.

The Swiss research team, led by experts in cellular biology, investigated a process known as chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA). This system normally helps cells remove damaged proteins and maintain internal balance, but it becomes less effective with age.

According to the findings, CMA activity is crucial for retinal health, and its breakdown may directly contribute to the development of AMD. By identifying this mechanism, researchers have uncovered a potential “control point” for future therapies.

The study also explored an experimental molecule known as CA77.1, which was designed to reactivate the cell’s waste-clearing system. In laboratory models, activation of this pathway reduced inflammation and slowed cellular degeneration linked to vision loss.

Tests on cells derived from AMD patients showed improved cellular stability when the recycling mechanism was strengthened. Scientists say this suggests a new direction in treatment strategies that focus on restoring natural cell function rather than only managing symptoms.

Age-related macular degeneration affects millions globally, with risk increasing significantly after the age of 50. In older populations, the disease becomes a major cause of irreversible central vision loss, creating an urgent need for innovative therapies.

Researchers believe that targeting cellular aging mechanisms could open the door to future treatments that preserve or even restore vision. While the findings are still in early stages, they represent a significant step forward in ophthalmology research.

Switzerland continues to strengthen its position as a leading hub for medical and life sciences innovation, with this study offering new hope for addressing age-related blindness in the future.

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Sperm Quality in Swiss Recruits Remains Stable, Study Shows.

A new scientific study has found that sperm quality among young Swiss men has remained stable over recent years, contrasting with global reports of declining male fertility indicators.

The research was conducted by the University of Zurich and the Zurich University Hospital and published in the journal New Microbes and New Infections. It compared data from 194 Swiss army recruits examined in 2021 with findings from 2,523 young men tested between 2005 and 2017.

Researchers evaluated key indicators of reproductive health, including semen volume, total sperm count, sperm concentration, and sperm motility. The results showed that these measurements have remained relatively consistent over time, suggesting no further decline in sperm quality among the study groups.

According to the study, 41% of men tested in 2021 had at least one sperm parameter below World Health Organisation reference standards. In the earlier dataset, this figure was significantly higher at 62%, indicating an apparent improvement.

However, researchers caution that the results should be interpreted carefully. They note that differences in participant selection may have influenced the findings, meaning the apparent stability or improvement could partly reflect sampling bias rather than a true population-wide trend.

Despite these limitations, the study provides important insight into reproductive health trends in Switzerland and contributes to the ongoing global discussion about potential changes in male fertility. Scientists emphasize the need for further long-term research to confirm whether sperm quality trends are truly stable.

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Swiss Parliament Approves Funding for EU Research Programmes.

Switzerland has taken another important step in strengthening its position in international research and innovation. The Swiss Parliament approved CHF58.3 million in funding for European Union research programmes as part of a supplementary 2026 budget package worth nearly CHF90 million.

The funding will support Switzerland’s participation in major European research initiatives, including Horizon Europe and Euratom. Lawmakers emphasized that maintaining access to these programmes is crucial for Swiss universities, researchers, scientists, and technology companies that rely on international collaboration and advanced research networks.

Parliament reduced the government’s original request of CHF67.3 million by removing a reserve fund that was no longer necessary. Despite the reduction, the approved funding ensures Switzerland can continue contributing to and benefiting from some of the world’s largest research and innovation projects.

Supporters of the measure argued that Switzerland must remain connected to global scientific developments and avoid another period of exclusion from key European research platforms. They stressed that research cooperation plays a vital role in driving innovation, economic growth, technological advancement, and international competitiveness.

The budget supplement also includes additional funding for the European Space Agency, Swiss rail cargo services, and transportation infrastructure projects. The decision highlights Switzerland’s continued commitment to science, technology, and international research partnerships.

Study Finds Women Rated More Attractive.

A major international study has found that women’s faces are consistently rated as more attractive than men’s faces, even by other women. Researchers say the finding confirms the existence of a global “gender attractiveness gap.”

Scientists analysed more than 1.5 million facial attractiveness ratings collected from 52 studies across 76 countries. The research included nearly 30,000 participants who rated around 17,000 faces from different cultures and age groups.

According to the study, female faces received higher attractiveness scores across almost every category. Researchers found that women themselves gave the highest ratings to other women, while male faces generally received lower ratings.

The study also discovered that the attractiveness gap becomes smaller with age. By around 80 years old, the difference between how male and female faces are perceived almost completely disappears.

Researchers believe facial structure may partly explain the results. On average, women tend to have rounder facial features, while men often have more rectangular face shapes. Both male and female participants showed a preference for rounder faces.

Charles Darwin previously argued that sexual selection shaped physical appearance differently across species. However, scientists continue debating why humans show such strong preferences for female facial features.

The research team, led by Eugen Wassiliwizky, says the findings appear across cultures and sexual orientations, suggesting the effect may extend beyond social or cultural influences.

Experts caution that the study does not fully explain why female faces are generally rated more attractive. However, researchers believe both biology and long-term evolutionary factors may contribute to the pattern.

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Swiss Scientists Develop New Gene Clock.

An international research team with Swiss participation has developed advanced “gene clocks” capable of measuring biological age and predicting lifespan in real time. The breakthrough study could transform future ageing research and health monitoring.

Scientists analysed more than 11,000 tissue samples collected from mice, rats, macaques, and humans. Researchers discovered that molecular ageing patterns inside the transcriptome remain remarkably similar across species and cell types.

The study reveals that ageing activates genes linked to inflammation, cell damage, and programmed cell death. At the same time, genes responsible for tissue repair, wound healing, and regeneration become less active as the body grows older.

Using this data, researchers created highly dynamic transcriptome clocks that can measure biological ageing more accurately. To validate the technology for humans, scientists tested the system using data from over 50,000 participants in the UK Biobank.

Experts say the new gene clocks perform similarly to modern epigenetic ageing clocks already used in scientific research. However, transcriptome clocks offer a major advantage because they respond quickly to changes happening inside cells in real time.

Researchers believe this technology could help scientists evaluate the effectiveness of anti-ageing treatments, diets, and medicines much faster than current methods. The discovery may open new opportunities in personalised healthcare and longevity research.

The study involved ETH Zurich researcher Adrian Molière and was led by Harvard Medical School scientist Vadim Gladyshev.

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