How the latest sensors analyse body fluids

Impressive possibilities - from dummies that recognise dehydration, to tattoos that measure blood sugar, to breathing masks that detect viruses without the need for an unpleasant nasal swab

09-Dec-2024 - A new generation of wearable sensors will fundamentally change medicine. Researchers at ETH Zurich and international experts have now published an overview showing what is possible with such sensors and what questions their developers should consider to ensure their successful future use. Using a ...

Blood diagnostics modelled on leeches

For all those who are afraid of needles: New device for taking blood samples uses microneedles and a suction cup instead of a large needle

07-May-2024 - Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a safe and inexpensive device for reliable blood measurements. It works using a suction cup and could also be employed to diagnose the tropical disease malaria – even by non-​medical personnel. Many people are afraid of needles, and having a doctor take a ...

What can bulls tell us about men?

Towards a better understanding: Which genes and mechanisms control male fertility?

19-Feb-2024 - Researchers have found genes in the reproductive organs of bulls that influence fertility. The findings can be transferred to humans, as these genes are also present in men. Infertility is a widespread problem: worldwide, one in eight couples fail to fulfil their desire to have children within a ...

Resistance to mosaic disease explained

22-Jul-2022 - Researchers from ETH Zurich, the United States and Uganda have identified the gene responsible for resistance in certain cassava cultivars against the devastating cassava mosaic disease. This is an important step for breeding virus-​resistant cassava varieties. Cassava, also known as manioc, is a ...

Spread of a novel SARS-CoV-2 variant across Europe in summer 2020

There is currently no evidence of this variant being more dangerous

30-Oct-2020 - Researchers from Basel and Spain have identified a novel SARS-CoV-2 variant that has spread widely across Europe in recent months, according to an un-peer-reviewed preprint released this week. While there is no evidence of this variant being more dangerous, its spread may give insights into the ...

Measuring ethanol’s deadly twin

18-Sep-2019 - ETH researchers have developed an inexpensive, handheld measuring device that can distinguish between methanol and potable alcohol. It offers a simple, quick method of detecting adulterated or contaminated alcoholic beverages and is able to diagnose methanol poisoning in exhaled breath. Methanol ...

Using algorithms to track down cancer

08-Aug-2019 - Modern medicine is looking for markers that provide early warning of complex diseases. In its quest to discover these “biomarkers”, the ETH spinoff Scailyte has developed software capable of analysing millions of single cells very efficiently. The search for biomarkers is currently one of the ...

How AI could spur drug development

29-Mar-2019 - Using artificial intelligence in drug design would give pharmaceutical research a boost, says Gisbert Schneider. In the medium term, computers could even carry out experiments autonomously. Designing drugs is a complex and challenging task. How do you create effective new medicines without ...

A social bacterium with versatile habits

25-Mar-2019 - Related individuals of a soil bacterial species live in cooperative groups and exhibit astonishing genetic and behavioural diversity. Many living systems share a fundamental capacity for cooperation. Plants and animals are made up of billions of cells that communicate with one another, carry out ...

Hidden signs in cancer tissue

07-Aug-2018 - When scientists at ETH Zurich analysed huge amounts of genetic cancer data, they found previously unresearched molecular changes. These could help in developing new personalised cancer treatments. A research team led by Gunnar Rätsch, Professor of Biomedical Informatics at ETH Zurich, has ...