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Taste, pain, or response to stress - nearly all'essential functions in the human body are regulated by molecular switches called G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Researchers at the University of Basel have uncovered the fundamental mechanism how such a GPCR works. Using a method similar to the earth satellite GPS, they could track the motions of a GPCR and observe it in action.

The body defends itself against pathogens by depriving them of vital iron. However, this strategy doesn't always succeed against Salmonella. Researchers at the University of Basel have discovered that these bacteria specifically target iron-rich regions within immune cells to replicate. Their findings on how pathogens evade the immune defense are important for fighting infections.

In order for trees to grow, they need to control their water balance meticulously. A study by the University of Basel shows how trees react to drought - and revises previous perceptions. Plants have small pores on the underside of their leaves, known as stomata. When the sun rises, these pores open and the plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, which they need, in addition to sunlight and water, for photosynthesis.

Bacteria have a simple yet potent mechanism that controls their sensitivity to environmental stimuli. A new study by researchers at the University of Basel reveals that the responsiveness of cells is directly linked to their growth rate: the slower cells grow, the more sensitively they respond to their environment.

As part of the Weed Care study, researchers are investigating how the legal supply of cannabis affects consumption and mental health among participants. In a first academic publication, the study team has now reported on the direct comparison of the substance's legal versus illegal procurement. In Switzerland and several other countries, debates about the legalization of cannabis use have been ongoing for years.

Runny nose, itchy eyes: even a small concentration of pollen in the air can trigger a reaction in allergy sufferers. Researchers from the University of Basel and the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute have now investigated whether allergic reactions such as these influence cognitive performance.

People breathing contaminated air over the course of years are at greater risk of developing numerous diseases. This is thought to be due to highly reactive components in particulate matter, which affect biological processes in the body. However, researchers from the University of Basel have now shown that precisely these components disappear within hours and that previous measurements therefore completely underestimate the quantities in which they are present.

LSD is a well-known hallucinogenic drug, but medical research has also discovered its potential for treating psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety. Now, researchers from the University of Basel have explored whether the substance could also relieve symptoms of ADHD. The history of LSD began in Basel in 1943, when Albert Hofman first identified the substance's psychoactive effects.

In vertebrates, the skeleton of different regions of the body arises from different precursor cells. Researchers at the University of Basel have now discovered that these skeletal cells do not just differ in their developmental origin, but also in their gene regulation - which may be a key to the vertebrates' evolutionary success story.

Almost half of women of reproductive age experience complaints in the days leading up to menstruation. A lot of treatments come with side effects, only provide limited relief, or don't work for everyone. Researchers from the University of Basel have shown that open-label placebos can help, particularly when combined with an explanation of the treatment.

Scientists at the Universities of Basel and Cologne have revealed a key superconducting effect in topological insulator nanowires. Their findings bring topological insulator nanowires closer to serving as the foundation for stable, next-generation quantum bits (qubits). Physicists at the Universities of Basel and Cologne have taken an important step forward in the pursuit of topological quantum computing: They observed for the first time ever the so-called Crossed Andreev Reflection (CAR) in topological insulator (TI) nanowires.

Nerves and muscles must work together perfectly for us to move. Researchers at the University of Basel have identified a large number of genes in mice that help maintain the connection between muscle and nerve cells. The study, published in "Nature Communications", also provides valuable insights for the treatment of currently incurable neuromuscular diseases.

Injuries to the articular cartilage in different joints, including the knee, are painful and limit mobility. Therefore, researchers at the University of Basel and University Hospital Basel are developing cartilage implants using cells from the patient's nasal septum. A recent study shows that giving these cartilage implants more time to mature significantly improved clinical efficacy, even in patients with complex cartilage injuries.

Some bacteria deploy tiny spearguns to retaliate against rival attacks. Researchers at the University of Basel mimicked attacks by poking bacteria with an ultra-sharp tip. Using this approach, they have uncovered that bacteria assemble their nanoweapons in response to cell envelope damage and rapidly strike back with high precision.

Antibiotics are indispensable for treating bacterial infections. But why are they sometimes ineffective, even when the bacteria are not resistant? In their latest study published in the journal "Nature", researchers from the University of Basel challenge the conventional view that a small subset of particularly resilient bacteria are responsible for the failure of antibiotic therapies.

Women are less likely to be admitted to an intensive care unit after a cardiac arrest, receive less intensive care treatment and have a higher risk of dying than men. These are the findings of a new Swiss-wide study by researchers from the University Hospital Basel and the University of Basel. Cardiac arrest is one of the most common causes of death worldwide, despite advances in modern medicine.

Women are less likely to be admitted to an intensive care unit after a cardiac arrest, receive less intensive care treatment and have a higher risk of dying than men. These are the findings of a new Swiss-wide study by researchers from the University Hospital Basel and the University of Basel. Cardiac arrest is one of the most common causes of death worldwide, despite advances in modern medicine.

Consumers in Switzerland are prepared to spend much more money on cow's milk products if they have been produced in an animal-friendly way, and this factor is even more important to them than climate sustainability, as shown by a new study by the University of Basel. Consumers in Switzerland value the well-being of cows in Switzerland.

Researchers at the University of Basel are able to test the effects of more than 1,500 compounds on cell metabolism in parallel. Their analysis also led to the discovery of previously unknown mechanisms for known drugs. This approach could help scientists better predict side effects and find additional uses for commercially available medications.

Sexual harassment: "A disciplinary measure under personnel law won't make everything right again" Innovation in Basel-Land: Opening of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Basel University of Basel and ETH Zurich combine cutting-edge research for children and adolescents worldwide New Biozentrum building: handover to the University of Basel planned for the fourth quarter of 2020 University of Basel and QuantumBasel join