Researchers at the Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and the University of Bern have, for the first time, directly measured how the human brain exchanges probing signals when asleep and when awake.

First the rocky planets, very close to their star, then the gas giants: this is the order in which scientists have hitherto conceived of the hierarchy of planets.

Researchers at the University of Bern have been able to show that simple measures to promote biodiversity, such as the installation of branch and stone piles, boost stoat populations in agricultural areas in Switzerland. This is particularly true if the measures are professionally supervised, planned and coordinated. These results provide important impulses for agriculture and nature conservation.

An old puzzle in particle physics has been solved by a research group involving TU Wien, the University of the Pacific, and the University of Bern: How can quantum field theories be best formulated on a lattice to optimally simulate them on a computer? The answer comes from AI.

Using images from cameras on Mars orbiters, an international research team led by the University of Bern has discovered structures on Mars that are very similar to classic river deltas on Earth. These are traces of rivers that have deposited their sediments into an ocean. This shows that Mars was a "blue planet" around three billion years ago.

At its Ministerial Council meeting, the European Space Agency (ESA) has approved the RAMSES mission.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is a critical diabetes-related condition. Researchers at the Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and the University of Bern have now shown for the first time that the human voice can even reveal early signs of hypoglycemia. Recordings made with the microphone of an ordinary smartphone and analyzed using artificial intelligence could make diabetes management safer and easier in the future.

An international research team, with participation of the University of Bern, has conducted the world's first comprehensive genetic study of cancer in domestic cats. The study shows that some of the genetic changes in cat tumors closely resemble those found in human cancers. These parallels open up new perspectives for developing targeted cancer therapies, particularly for breast cancer.

For the first time, researchers at the University of Bern and Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, have shown that temperature signals from the skin are processed in the brain, influencing REM sleep and sleep-related disorders. These new findings enhance our understanding of brain-body interactions that regulate sleep and provide novel therapeutic strategies for sleep-wake rhythm disorders, such as narcolepsy.

Thanks to the pioneering climate research at the University of Bern, it is taking over the direction of a new National Centre of Competence in Research together with ETH Zurich. This was decided by the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER). The NCCR CLIM+ research focus investigates climate and weather extremes and develops strategies on how Switzerland can effectively adapt to them. Researchers from the University of Bern are also involved in the NCCR Genesis, which will investigate the origin of life and the possibility of life in the universe.

A new study led by the University of Bern has discovered a large number of bright streaks, also known as "lineae", on Mercury, which are presumably caused by the outgassing of volatile material from the planet's interior.

New research from the Institute of Psychology at the University of Bern sheds light on why most people believe that women and men differ in their personalities and skills. The team evaluated data from various countries at two points in time: 1995 and 2023. This study reveals that the strength of the stereotypical beliefs reflects the extent to which women and men occupy different social roles in homes and workplaces in their society.

There is no evidence for the existence of sterile neutrinos - a fourth type of the elementary neutrino particle. This is shown by the international MicroBooNE collaboration at the US research center Fermilab with the participation of the University of Bern. The results confirm the standard model of particle physics and rule out the possibility that sterile neutrinos are the explanation for certain anomalies in earlier physics experiments.

An international research team has identified a previously unknown function of the intestinal nervous system. The study reveals that the intestinal nervous system plays a key role in regulating both the composition and stability of the intestinal barrier. Disruption of this protective mechanism can lead to the development of allergies. These findings open new avenues for advancing therapies for allergies, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases and irritable bowel syndrome.