UNI NOVA – Research Magazine of the University of Basel

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  Dossier

  «Even mathematicians sometimes get it wrong.»

  Text: Tim Schröder / Many countries were caught off guard by the rapid surge in Covid-19 cases. Mathematician Helmut Harbrecht discusses the mathematics behind exponential growth – and why we have such a hard time wrapping our heads around it.

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  Dossier

  Artificial intelligence tidies up.

  Text: Yvonne Vahlensieck / The number of photos and videos that people accumulate over their lifetimes is becoming immeasurably large. In order to maintain an overview, we have no choice but to rely on technical solutions. But this has its disadvantages.

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  Dossier

  A better way to save.

  Text: Martin Bornhauser / The point of investing is to multiply your assets – as a provision for older age, for example. Shares offer a higher yield than a retirement savings account. When choosing a private pension plan (known as pillar 3a in Switzerland), fees and transparency are important considerations.

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  Dossier

  The multitalented protein.

  Text: Angelika Jacobs / 30 years ago, Michael N. Hall and his team made a profound discovery. With far-reaching implications. Only after numerous setbacks, came success and recognition.

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  Dossier

  Weighty questions.

  Text: Santina Russo / An increasing number of people are severely overweight. Researcher and physician Professor Katharina Timper is on the case, offering consultation and treatment for patients at the obesity outpatient clinic at University Hospital Basel. She often finds herself correcting misconceptions.

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  Opinion

  Should we always obey laws, Markus Wild?

  Text: Markus Wild / Anyone who breaks an existing law must face the consequences. What reasons are there for not obeying the law in spite of this?

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  Opinion

  Should we always obey laws, Raphaela Cueni?

  Text: Raphaela Cueni / Anyone who breaks an existing law must face the consequences. What reasons are there for not obeying the law in spite of this?

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  In pictures

  Return to nature.

  Text: Cornelia Niggli / The Rhine island within the “Petite Camargue” conservation area lies about 10 kilometers down the Rhine from Basel in the Alsace region. This former arable land is the subject of a rewilding project that aims to turn it into a selfsustaining area of meadows and woodland with the support of researchers from the University of Basel.

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  Portrait

  Straightforward tenacity.

  Text: Irène Dietschi / In summer 2020, Scott McNeil assumed the first of two endowed professorships in nanopharmacy. Moving to Switzerland in the middle of the pandemic was an adventure, but the American scientist has lots of experience with new beginnings.