Even with a greater muscle mass, a sprinter cannot win a marathon. His specially-trained and strengthened muscles will fatigue faster than the endurance-trained muscles of a long distance runner. A research group at the University of Basel’s Biozentrum shows that during endurance exercise the protein PGC-1α shifts the metabolic profile in the muscle.
A team of researchers from the University of Basel finds that multitasking does not always result in poor judgments. In fact, multitasking can improve performance – provided that the task at hand can be best resolved by using a simpler, less demanding strategy.
The relationships of fathers to their teenaged children are apparently influenced by the nature of their previous desire for children. The more acute that this feeling is, the more closely fathers engage with their children at an everyday level. This is the conclusion of a study conducted by the Center for Gender Studies at the University of Basel. This is the first time that a study has examined the perspectives of both fathers and teenagers regarding their relationship.
In April, the University of Basel adopted an Open Access Policy that commits it to supporting open access to scientific publications. Silvia Witzig of the Open Access Center and University Library Director Hannes Hug clarify what this means for researchers at the University of Basel.
The protein complex mTORC1 promotes muscle growth. However, should this complex remain constantly active, it impairs the ability of the cells to self-clean, causing myopathy. Scientists working with Markus Rüegg, Professor at the Biozentrum, University of Basel, describe the exact mechanism involved in the current issue of the scientific journal “Cell Metabolism“.
The lack of control over one’s own bowel movements can severely affect an individual’s quality of life. Researchers at the University of Basel want to develop an adaptive implant that would be able to contract and relax like a natural muscle. The national research initiative Nano-Tera.ch will provide CHF 2.2 million to support the interdisciplinary research and development of the implant.
In 2007, the Time magazine named Elizabeth Blackburn one of the 100 "Most Influential People in the World". On 22nd April, 2013, the molecular biologist and Nobel Prize laureate, Prof. Elizabeth Blackburn, will speak as a "Biozentrum Lectures" guest about the enzyme telomerase and its role in aging as well as in the development of diseases such as cancer.
During archaeological excavations in the Kings’ Valley in Upper Egypt a team of researchers from the University of Basel found one of the world’s oldest ancient Egyptian sun dials. The team of the Egyptological Seminar under the direction of Prof. Susanne Bickel made the significant discovery while clearing the entrance to one of the tombs.
In the "QS World University Ranking" published worldwide today (September 11), the University of Basel has improved 30 positions over its 2011 ranking and lies worldwide in position 121. In addition, in the well-known "Shanghai ranking", the University of Basel improves four positions and is placed worldwide as number 85, placing it well within the top 100 universities.
