The research magazine Horizons offers an overview of research activities in Switzerland. Horizons is published jointly by the SNSF and the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences. Four times a year it reports on the latest developments in all scientific disciplines: from biology, medicine and social and cultural sciences through to mathematics and the natural sciences.
Learn more about the fascinating and inspiring world of science: what are the drivers of progress in medical research? What sources of energy can we use? Which issues will preoccupy future generations?
What’s a country to do with a spare ten billion? Bid to host the Olympic Games, finance a new airport? Build a hydroelectric dam, commission an aircraft carrier? How about a state-of-the-art space telescope?
What’s a country to do with a spare ten billion? Bid to host the Olympic Games, finance a new airport? Build a hydroelectric dam, commission an aircraft carrier? How about a state-of-the-art space telescope?
Who owns the Swiss subsoil and how should it be used? The legislation is unclear. With underground usage subject to increased competition, it’s clear that a problem is emerging.
Who owns the Swiss subsoil and how should it be used? The legislation is unclear. With underground usage subject to increased competition, it’s clear that a problem is emerging.
It’s getting more and more difficult for experts to get their arguments across to a broad public. We investigate why and offer advanced instructions for imparting knowledge: getting scientists heard amidst the noise of fake news. Read more in the current issue of the science magazine "Horizons".
It’s getting more and more difficult for experts to get their arguments across to a broad public. We investigate why and offer advanced instructions for imparting knowledge: getting scientists heard amidst the noise of fake news. Read more in the current issue of the science magazine "Horizons".
They entertain, create digital pioneers and move science forward: Video games have to be taken seriously. Read more in the current issue of the science magazine "Horizons".
They entertain, create digital pioneers and move science forward: Video games have to be taken seriously. Read more in the current issue of the science magazine "Horizons".
Given the potentially catastrophic consequences, is it right for finance to carry on in this way? Just like aviation, economics is a science capable of advancement. It must progress first and foremost towards societal relevance, just as it must seriously render the economic system less fragile. The walls between schools of thought must be torn down, and the repeatedly exposed dogmas placed at arm’s length, in particular ‘efficient markets’ and Homo oeconomicus, neither of which actually exist.
Given the potentially catastrophic consequences, is it right for finance to carry on in this way? Just like aviation, economics is a science capable of advancement. It must progress first and foremost towards societal relevance, just as it must seriously render the economic system less fragile. The walls between schools of thought must be torn down, and the repeatedly exposed dogmas placed at arm’s length, in particular ‘efficient markets’ and Homo oeconomicus, neither of which actually exist.
Horizons takes a look at the automation of research: using robots to speed up laboratory work, artificial intelligence to process floods of data and algorithms to analyse the scientific literature. Does it work? And is it a good idea?
Horizons takes a look at the automation of research: using robots to speed up laboratory work, artificial intelligence to process floods of data and algorithms to analyse the scientific literature. Does it work? And is it a good idea?
Horizons is embracing impermanence and the inevitability of death. But when exactly does life end? How does our society deal with dying and death? And how much self-determination is there in a living will?
Horizons is embracing impermanence and the inevitability of death. But when exactly does life end? How does our society deal with dying and death? And how much self-determination is there in a living will?
Science is global. Many people assume this means prestigious research partnerships between Western universities, perhaps also involving Asian institutions. But that eliminates half the world from the equation.
Science is global. Many people assume this means prestigious research partnerships between Western universities, perhaps also involving Asian institutions. But that eliminates half the world from the equation.
Swiss legislators are currently debating dual-use goods, such as the kitchen knife, the perfect example of a product that is both utensil and weapon. They’re trying to find a solution to the inevitable moral issues that arise out of legislating the arms trade, in particular defining categories of military goods and of authorised export-destination countries.
Swiss legislators are currently debating dual-use goods, such as the kitchen knife, the perfect example of a product that is both utensil and weapon. They’re trying to find a solution to the inevitable moral issues that arise out of legislating the arms trade, in particular defining categories of military goods and of authorised export-destination countries.
These days, one scientific study out of twelve comes from China. The growth of scientific production in Asia is unprecedented, and it has already upset the world’s research scene.
These days, one scientific study out of twelve comes from China. The growth of scientific production in Asia is unprecedented, and it has already upset the world’s research scene.
Science is taking a hard look in the mirror, and it’s for the best. The problems it faces are increasingly clear: reproducibility, fraud and statistical bias, to name but a few. Back in 2013 the news magazine The Economist featured the front-page headline “How Science Goes Wrong”. For sure, it may be somewhat alarmist to talk about ‘a crisis of science’, but it does embody the idea behind the critical, unwavering view of the scientific community on the state of affairs in its own house.
Science is taking a hard look in the mirror, and it’s for the best. The problems it faces are increasingly clear: reproducibility, fraud and statistical bias, to name but a few. Back in 2013 the news magazine The Economist featured the front-page headline “How Science Goes Wrong”. For sure, it may be somewhat alarmist to talk about ‘a crisis of science’, but it does embody the idea behind the critical, unwavering view of the scientific community on the state of affairs in its own house.
Governments are ever more dependent on scientific expertise, but many researchers hesitate to become politically active themselves. Horizons offers three perspectives on this complex relationship, including an interview with the politician and physician Felix Gutzwiller, who argues in favour of having more researchers in parliament. Other articles analyse independence-seeking parties in Europe, explore the world’s largest underwater caves, examine the history of crime in the US and explain how Switzerland assumed a central role in the fight against Ebola.
Governments are ever more dependent on scientific expertise, but many researchers hesitate to become politically active themselves. Horizons offers three perspectives on this complex relationship, including an interview with the politician and physician Felix Gutzwiller, who argues in favour of having more researchers in parliament. Other articles analyse independence-seeking parties in Europe, explore the world’s largest underwater caves, examine the history of crime in the US and explain how Switzerland assumed a central role in the fight against Ebola.
This edition focuses on the subject "The boundaries of science". Do we know what we can't know? Boundaries we've crossed - and boundaries we haven't yet - The ethical and legal boundaries of science
This edition focuses on the subject "The boundaries of science". Do we know what we can't know? Boundaries we've crossed - and boundaries we haven't yet - The ethical and legal boundaries of science
Stress is a socio-psychological concept. It’s something humans have in common with rats. It makes us sick and violent, but it’s also supposed to be healthy. So what is stress?
Stress is a socio-psychological concept. It’s something humans have in common with rats. It makes us sick and violent, but it’s also supposed to be healthy. So what is stress?
Penser en chiffres: la statistique - Cellules souches contre l’incontinence - La réticence des Unis face au plagiat - Trop parfait, le cinéma numérique?
Penser en chiffres: la statistique - Cellules souches contre l’incontinence - La réticence des Unis face au plagiat - Trop parfait, le cinéma numérique?
Le dilemme de l’expérimentation animale - Télescope aux limites de la science - Jésuites en Chine: et les femmes? - Chercheurs dans le viseur du pouvoir
Le dilemme de l’expérimentation animale - Télescope aux limites de la science - Jésuites en Chine: et les femmes? - Chercheurs dans le viseur du pouvoir
Experts: surestimés ou sous-estimés? - Plantes: les armes secrètes des espèces envahissantes - Moyen Âge: le pouvoir des prophéties de Merlin - Prix Latsis: un quart siècle d'excellence
Experts: surestimés ou sous-estimés? - Plantes: les armes secrètes des espèces envahissantes - Moyen Âge: le pouvoir des prophéties de Merlin - Prix Latsis: un quart siècle d'excellence
Archives: le pouvoir controverse des dossiers - Nappe phréatique: précieuse mais souvent surexplotée - Malaria: du sucre pour combattre la maladie - Recherche: l'Europe veut devenir plus compétitive
Archives: le pouvoir controverse des dossiers - Nappe phréatique: précieuse mais souvent surexplotée - Malaria: du sucre pour combattre la maladie - Recherche: l'Europe veut devenir plus compétitive
Biologie: les secrets de l'horloge interne - Charpentes en acier: comment les rendre plis sûres - Résistance aux maladies: voici la pomme cisgénique - Famille: priorité à la protection des droits de l'enfant
Biologie: les secrets de l'horloge interne - Charpentes en acier: comment les rendre plis sûres - Résistance aux maladies: voici la pomme cisgénique - Famille: priorité à la protection des droits de l'enfant
Roumanie: des enfants malades de la pollution - Hygiène hospitalière: elle est vitale pour les patients - Chine: un pays qui investit massivement dans la recherche - Espèces menacées: un nouveau modèle pour les recenser
Roumanie: des enfants malades de la pollution - Hygiène hospitalière: elle est vitale pour les patients - Chine: un pays qui investit massivement dans la recherche - Espèces menacées: un nouveau modèle pour les recenser
Étrangers: ils sont politiquement invisibles - Tuberculose: nouveaux espoirs thérapeutiques- Bois tropical: idéal pour construire des ponts - Traces de terre: quand les géologues aident la police
Étrangers: ils sont politiquement invisibles - Tuberculose: nouveaux espoirs thérapeutiques- Bois tropical: idéal pour construire des ponts - Traces de terre: quand les géologues aident la police
Angoisses: comment on peut les soigner - Font des glaciers: son impact sur le château d'eau des Alpes - Alimentation: des mets adaptés aux besoins de chacun - Carte en relief: elle a chargé regard sur la Suisse
Angoisses: comment on peut les soigner - Font des glaciers: son impact sur le château d'eau des Alpes - Alimentation: des mets adaptés aux besoins de chacun - Carte en relief: elle a chargé regard sur la Suisse
Au commet: grimper pour la recherche - Maisons rurales: de la diversité à l'uniformité - Greffe d'organes: la xénotransplantation à nouveau actuelle - Fusion nucléaire: de l'énergie propre dans 30 ans?
Au commet: grimper pour la recherche - Maisons rurales: de la diversité à l'uniformité - Greffe d'organes: la xénotransplantation à nouveau actuelle - Fusion nucléaire: de l'énergie propre dans 30 ans?
Eugenik: Schweiz unter den Pionieren - Notfall: Schnell, aber nicht schnell genug - Smartes Material: Nerven wie Glasfasern - Handy-Strahlung: Forschung untersucht Gesundheitsrisiken
Eugenik: Schweiz unter den Pionieren - Notfall: Schnell, aber nicht schnell genug - Smartes Material: Nerven wie Glasfasern - Handy-Strahlung: Forschung untersucht Gesundheitsrisiken
Feinstaub: Massnahmen ungenügend - Dinosaurier: Keine plumpen Trampel - Einbürgerung: Von Gemeinde zu Gemeinde verschieden - Top of Europe: 75 Jahre Forschung auf dem Jungfraujoch
Feinstaub: Massnahmen ungenügend - Dinosaurier: Keine plumpen Trampel - Einbürgerung: Von Gemeinde zu Gemeinde verschieden - Top of Europe: 75 Jahre Forschung auf dem Jungfraujoch
How do global environmental change and particularly climate change influence migration patterns in develop- ing countries? This question is increasingly receiving at- tention up to the highest political levels. The present fact sheet summarises state-of-the-art scientific knowledge that can help to find answers, and it assesses how the issue affects Switzerland and its policies on migration, asylum, and development cooperation. Most studies’ findings suggest that Switzerland will not be flooded with masses of environmental refugees. Population movements that are triggered by climatic factors occur mainly across short distances – within states and, to a lesser degree, between neighbouring states. Switzerland’s main challenge is to provide as- sistance in the countries and regions affected.
How do global environmental change and particularly climate change influence migration patterns in develop- ing countries? This question is increasingly receiving at- tention up to the highest political levels. The present fact sheet summarises state-of-the-art scientific knowledge that can help to find answers, and it assesses how the issue affects Switzerland and its policies on migration, asylum, and development cooperation. Most studies’ findings suggest that Switzerland will not be flooded with masses of environmental refugees. Population movements that are triggered by climatic factors occur mainly across short distances – within states and, to a lesser degree, between neighbouring states. Switzerland’s main challenge is to provide as- sistance in the countries and regions affected.
Climat: comment il a influencé nos ancêtres - Effet de serre: des arbres tropicaux qui piègent le CO2 - Dilemme: quand les juristes agissent contre leur conscience - Horloge atomique: mieux comprendre le césium
Climat: comment il a influencé nos ancêtres - Effet de serre: des arbres tropicaux qui piègent le CO2 - Dilemme: quand les juristes agissent contre leur conscience - Horloge atomique: mieux comprendre le césium
Question: à quoi sert la recherche? - Environnement: la pollution due aux déchets miniers - Développement de l'enfant: bilan des études zurichoises - Cinéma: les anciens films documentaires suisses redécouverts
Question: à quoi sert la recherche? - Environnement: la pollution due aux déchets miniers - Développement de l'enfant: bilan des études zurichoises - Cinéma: les anciens films documentaires suisses redécouverts
Océans: des Suisses explorent leurs fonds - Musique: comment elle agit les émotions - Afrique du Sud: les origines de la variété végétable - ADN: une structure en zigzag et pas en hélice
Océans: des Suisses explorent leurs fonds - Musique: comment elle agit les émotions - Afrique du Sud: les origines de la variété végétable - ADN: une structure en zigzag et pas en hélice
Cancer: vers de nouvelles thérapies - Enfants placés: ils racontent leur douloureux passé - Nano-Senseurs: un énorme potentiel scientifique et économique - Europe: comment la recherche suisse peut rester performante
Cancer: vers de nouvelles thérapies - Enfants placés: ils racontent leur douloureux passé - Nano-Senseurs: un énorme potentiel scientifique et économique - Europe: comment la recherche suisse peut rester performante
