Viruses such as HIV or the pathogen that causes hepatitis C can overwhelm the immune system. One approach to developing vaccines for these chronic infections has until now been aimed exclusively at what are known as the memory B cells, a specific type of immune cells. Researchers at the University of Basel now report that these cells need the help of other memory cells to effectively defend the body against chronic viruses. This is an important finding in vaccine design.
A study by the Universities of Basel and Saarland shows that there is almost no risk of transmission of the COVID-19 virus on the field. They suggest that blanket quarantine measures for opposing teams are not justified if no close contact has taken place off the playing field.
The Romans once ruled the entire Mediterranean region. How did they handle the diversity in their realm? And what can we learn from this? Latinist Nandini Pandey is looking for answers.
Introducing therapeutic proteins into cells in a targeted manner may make it possible to treat diseases that were previously incurable. However, a method that has been researched for about 30 years often fails because many of the substances become stuck halfway. A research team at the University of Basel has now found a solution.
Professor Robin Teufel has been newly appointed as an associate professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Basel. His research focuses on the biosynthesis of natural products, especially with the aim of developing new antibiotics.
Sustainable agriculture will not be achieved by one universal solution. A meta-analysis by the University of Basel shows that the current focus on no-till farming does not achieve the desired results. A sustainable system of agriculture must be designed for local needs and in dialog with local farmers.
Fraudulent practices in food production, especially false claims of geographical origin, cause billions of dollars in economic damage every year. Botanists at the University of Basel have now developed a model that can be used to determine the origin of food in an efficient and low-cost manner.
Modest financial rewards can help increase COVID-19 vaccination rates. This is the conclusion of an international study co-lead by Swiss universities, based on data from Sweden.
In the largest worldwide pricing experiment to date, researchers from the University of Basel, ETH Zurich and ZHAW have demonstrated that road users change their behavior when they must pay for the social and environmental effects of their transportation. The study took place in urban agglomerations in French- and German-speaking Switzerland.
