UNI NOVA – Research Magazine of the University of Basel

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  Research

  How love shapes us.

  Text: Noëmi Kern / Relationships play a key role in our lives. A study by Basel psychologists shows how partnerships and personalities are interconnected.

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  Research

  E-bikes instead of cars.

  Text: Barbara Spycher / Faster than a bicycle, more environmentally friendly than a car: e-bikes offer numerous advantages. What exactly persuades people to switch from four wheels to two?

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  Research

  Bringing expertise to politics.

  Text: Urs Hafner / Researchers can contribute much to government-commissioned political advisory committees — if they are allowed to do so. Monika Pfaffinger and Laurent Goetschel share their contrasting experiences.

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  Alumni

  The nuances of legal language.

  Interview: Marion Maurer / Karin Scherrer Reber studied law at the University of Basel. She was appointed as a federal judge in 2022 – a career development that was not necessarily planned.

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  Alumni

  The trailblazer.

  Text: Marion Maurer / Mahnaz Parian-Scherb works at Roche, researching possible applications of artificial intelligence. She also mentors students and helps them to find their own path.

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  Research

  Where chemistry meets medicine.

  Text: Elizaveta Maksimova, chemist / Even as a child, Elizaveta Maksimova wanted to do something with medicine — today she is developing nanoparticles for targeted cancer therapy.

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  Research

  Is there such a thing as a good or bad metabolism?

  Text: Matthias Betz / Some people seem to be able to eat whatever they like and still stay slim. Others just have to look at a hearty meal and they gain weight. What’s behind this? And can specific preparations actually “speed up” our metabolism?

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  In conversation

  “Almost 40% of nursing staff leave the profession.”

  Interview: Christian Heuss / Staff shortages and poor working conditions in the healthcare sector are the subject of constant discussion. Nursing scientist Michael Simon explains where the system needs improvements, why academization is not a problem, and how nursing robots could help.

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  Dossier

  Sounds after sunset.

  Text: Noëmi Kern / In pre-industrial times, music was played not only in the hours of daylight; in the middle of the night, people even took up their instruments to play. How sleep habits have influenced music.