UNI NOVA – Research Magazine of the University of Basel

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  Dossier

  The new me.

  Text: Yvonne Vahlensieck / Trans people want those around them to be able to identify their true gender. Facial characteristics play an important role. Now, one Basel-based study is exploring whether it is possible to modify these characteristics without surgery.

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  Dossier

  Body rebooting.

  Text: Angelika Jacobs / Resolving to do more exercise is a good thing. Then we get stressed, bad weather puts us off or our workout gear needs a wash. A service offered by the Department of Sport, Exercise and Health aims to help people act on their good intentions. Time to try it for myself.

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  Dossier

  Development aid from Africa.

  Interview: Urs Hafner / Western Europe was successfully reconstructed after the devastation of World War II. This wouldn’t have been possible without raw materials from Africa, says historian Danelle van Zyl-Hermann.

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  Dossier

  Without violence.

  Text: Andreas Grote / In Switzerland, violence against women in partnerships is on the rise. Intervention programs aim to teach offenders different ways to resolve conflict in future.

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  Dossier

  Death is not the end.

  Text: Christoph Dieffenbacher / Ancient Egyptian religion and culture were informed by the concepts of demise and renewal. Rituals provided stability and security in times of upheaval, for example at the end of life.

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  In pictures

  Hidden water flow paths.

  Text: Noëmi Kern / Rain seeps into the ground and becomes part of the groundwater before reemerging from springs at different locations. Which subterranean pathways does the water follow? How long does it remain underground? And how does that affect its quality?

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  Opinion

  Is old age something worth striving for, Stefan Felder?

  Text: Stefan Felder, health economist / Everyone hopes to live a long life. But how do we stay fit and healthy for as long as possible? What new questions arise as life expectancy increases? Answers from health economics.

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  Opinion

  Is old age something worth striving for, Heike Bischoff-Ferrari?

  Text: Heike Bischoff-Ferrari, geriatrician / Everyone hopes to live a long life. But how do we stay fit and healthy for as long as possible? What new questions arise as life expectancy increases? Answers from geriatric medicine.

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  Portrait

  In search of a more sustainable chemistry.

  Text: Yvonne Vahlensieck / Catalysts speed up chemical reactions and are essential for industry; but there is still some room for improvement. Murielle Delley wants to make catalysts more efficient and more sustainable.