UNI NOVA – Research Magazine of the University of Basel

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  Alumni

  Supporting an urban oasis.

  Interview: Eva Rösch / Martin Kolb studied at the University of Basel and the University of Münster. Even as a student, he valued the peace and quiet of the Botanical Garden in Basel. Donating to the construction of a new tropical greenhouse was therefore very important to him.

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  On the essence of life.

  Text: Chiara Saffirio / My book: As a kind of contrast to her research, Chiara Saffirio likes to read books that focus on people and their relationships. She is particularly fond of "A Late Divorce" by Abraham B. Yehoshua.

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  In conversation

  "Many zoonoses are being forgotten in the wake of corona."

  Interview: Irène Dietschi / Since the end of the 20th century, a growing number of pathogens are spreading from animals to humans. Jakob Zinsstag studies these zoonotic diseases, or zoonoses, and explores how a new understanding of medicine can help fight them.

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  In pictures

  Seeing, fast and slow.

  Text: Angelika Jacobs / Signals from the peripheral fields of vision have a much longer path to the optic nerve than those from the center of the retina. How is it that we do not perceive a delay between our central and peripheral fields of vision?

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  Dossier

  The world on a screen.

  Text: Noëmi Kern / A selfie with your best friend, a photo in front of the Eiffel Tower … We use our smartphones to showcase what we experience and share on social media. This affects how we perceive and present ourselves and the world around us.

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  Dossier

  Data leeches.

  Text: Andreas Grote / When we are active online, we leave behind a data trail. There is a lack of transparency on which data social media companies collect. Cybersecurity expert Isabel Wagner explains the mechanisms and highlights areas where we should exercise caution.

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  Dossier

  “Mommy, put your phone down!”

  Text: Eva Mell / What effect does it have on a child’s development when its parents are permanently stuck on their smartphones. Psychologist Eva Unternährer is developing tips for healthy smartphone use in the family.

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  Dossier

  Research tweets.

  Text: Anika Zielenski / Communicating with the community and finding out what other research groups are doing: Six scientists' experiences in their Twitterverse.

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  Dossier

  Making politics visual.

  Text: Jonas Frey / Those seeking to win favor with voters are well-advised to be present on social media. How exactly politicians go about this – and how successful they are in their endeavors – is the subject of research by a team of political and computer scientists.