Switzerland deals flexibly and pragmatically with plurilingualism. It does this successfully. Nevertheless, immigration and increasing international integration are posing new challenges to schools, economy and administration. If the potential of multilingualism can be tapped, it will be beneficial to the community. These are some of the conclusions of the National Research Program 56 “Language diversity and language skills in Switzerland.”
The recording of the presentations for the press conference on the conclusion of NRP 56 “Language Diversity and Linguistic Competence in Switzerland“ can be found here (duration: 32 minutes).
Religions have a tendency to set themselves apart from other faiths in order to safeguard their identity and position themselves. Often enough, the means to this end are derogatory. A study conducted by the National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) "Mediality – Historical Perspectives" examines how people went about this in the Middles Ages. In a 15th century illustration, for instance, Christians are shown mocking pagans who are holding a somewhat unusual procession.
Using methods from the field of cultural studies, the Zurich-based science historian Marianne Sommer examines how the natural sciences go about explaining the history of man. There is growing public interest in such explanations, which delve deep into the body to tell us who we are and where we come from.
A new type of sensor with unprecedented sensitivity has led scientists supported by the SNSF to new insights into the behaviour of bacteria: the concentration of a messenger determines whether bacteria move freely as individual cells or live in communities that form biofilms resistant to antibiotics. The ability to measure the levels of this messenger in individual living bacterial cells should boost the search for new antibiotics.
In the greenhouse, lines of genetically modified wheat carrying a resistance gene against the fungal disease mildew have a yield which is up to twice as high as that of control plants. In the field however, this ratio is reversed for certain, but not all, wheat lines. A study performed within the National Research Programme «Benefits and Risks of the Deliberate Release of Genetically Modified Plants» (NRP 59) concludes from these results that data from the greenhouse cannot be applied to the situation in the field and that therefore field trials are important.
In 2009 the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) approved around 2,900 research proposals with funding totalling 707 million Swiss francs. Last year researchers submitted significantly more applications to the SNSF than in previous years, noticeably sharpening competition for research funding.
As part of the National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) “IM2 – Interactive Multimodal Information Management”, nViso, a young start-up company, is developing a system for detecting emotions, based on an analysis of facial expressions and eye movement. The researchers aim to offer these innovative solutions in the marketing sector.
For the first time, Swiss HIV Cohort Study researchers have reconstructed on a molecular basis how the AIDS agent HIV has spread in Switzerland over the past 30 years. Data shows that the distribution of sterile needles to drug addicts, introduced in 1986, also protected many non-drug addicts against the disease. This is of relevance especially for those countries, in which needle distribution programs have still not been introduced.
Stem cells show great promise in fighting chronic illnesses. What is still unclear is just how these cells work. The NRP 63 programme recently launched in Switzerland seeks to find a solid basis for medical applications in the future.
In its new multi-year programme, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) aims to make scientific careers in Switzerland more attractive to young scientists. It also wishes to strengthen the competitiveness of Swiss researchers and secure Switzerland’s opportunities for formative action in cross-border research activities.
A new method developed by researchers within the framework of the National Research Programme “Musculoskeletal Health – Chronic Pain” (NRP 53) provides a three-dimensional view of spine movements. The researchers hope this will facilitate the development of new artificial disc replacements.