UNI NOVA – Research Magazine of the University of Basel

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  Dossier

  Digital gold.

  Text: Fabian Schär / Bitcoin is a purely digital currency, so why does it have value? And what opportunities and risks are associated with it? Crypto expert Fabian Schär offers his perspective.

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  Dossier

  A cashless future.

  Text: Michelle Isler / How would a society without coins and banknotes function? And what role does the government play in this? A thought experiment.

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  Dossier

  From bank balance to happiness index.

  Text: Noëmi Kern / Is it true that money alone doesn’t bring happiness? Or is that just a cliché to comfort those who are less well-off and who look at the rich and famous with a certain envy?

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  In pictures

  Putting new fuels to the test.

  Text: Angelika Jacobs / Reducing CO2 emissions in the transport sector is essential to achieving carbon neutrality. Commercial vehicles, aircraft and shipping, however, cannot be readily electrified. Alternatives include carbon-neutral or low-carbon fuels such as ammonia, methanol, hydrogen and synthetic kerosene. But are the exhaust gases from these fuels really more climate-friendly? And do their constituents pose no harm to health?

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  Opinion

  How is AI changing education, Professor Bogunovic?

  Text: Ilija Bogunovic, computer scientist / AI systems are finding their way into the worlds of education and work. What does this mean for schools and universities? Perspectives from computer science.

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  Opinion

  How is AI changing education, Professor Makarova?

  Text: Elena Makarova, educational scientist / AI systems are finding their way into the worlds of education and work. What does this mean for schools and universities? Perspectives from the educational sciences.

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  Portrait

  A playground for the mind.

  Text: Angelika Jacobs / Using spontaneous discussions, a ping-pong game of creative ideas and intensive calculations, Admir Greljo explores the smallest building blocks of matter and some of the biggest unanswered questions in the universe.

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  Research

  Having a say, right to the end.

  Text: Yvonne Vahlensieck / Can older people still determine their daily lives and make decisions for themselves when they rely on care? A team of researchers at the University of Basel is trying to find out.

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  Research

  What puts hormones under stress.

  Text: Angelika Jacobs / Electrolyte and water balance, blood pressure and much more: Hormones keep numerous processes in the body in a delicate equilibrium. This can be disrupted by substances from the environment, such as those in plastics.