A trial at Oxford University suggests an existing low-cost drug can cut the risk of death from Covid-19 substantially. Tests involving 6,000 hospitalised Covid-19 patients suggest the drug can cut the risk of death for those on ventilators from 40% to 28%. For patients needing oxygen the risk of death could be cut from 25% […]
Swisscom network experiencing problems
Since 11:50 am on 26 May 2020, Swisscom’s mobile and landline networks have been experiencing problems. Landline and mobile network calls are currently impaired for business and private customers, according to Swisscom. The company said its specialists are working on rectifying a fault that started at 11:50am on 26 May 2020. According the Swiss government […]
Coronavirus: new studies suggest fatality rates far lower than early estimates
At the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak, fatality rates were based on those testing positive for the virus using mucus-based swab testing. Now, we have the results of an increasing number of community-wide antibody blood tests, and they paint a different picture. The main SARS-CoV-2 test involves taking a mucus sample and analysing it to […]
Coronavirus: scientists see spread in Swiss waste water
Scientists at EPFL and Eawag have worked out how to detect Covid-19, even at low concentrations, in Switzerland’s waste water. Such a system could be used to warn of a resurgence of cases earlier than clinical diagnostic tests, possibly one week earlier. Initial wastewater samples from Lausanne, Zurich and Lugano have been analysed. Samples collected […]
Researchers in Switzerland create a Covid-19 detector
A new device developed at Empa, ETH Zurich and Zurich University Hospital can detect Covid-19. In future the device could be used to measure the concentration of the virus in the environment – for example in places where there are crowds or in hospital ventilation systems. Before the COVID-19 outbreak, the team, headed by Jing […]
Three years for coronavirus vaccine, according to expert
It typically takes 10 to 15 years to develop a vaccine, however, recent progress in the development of vaccines could cut the time to three years, according to Thomas Cueni, who was recently interviewed by RTS. Cueni is the Director General of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (IFPMA), the global association of research-based pharmaceutical […]
Might sugar be able kill viruses?
Not many positive things are written about sugar these days. A key driver of obesity and type II diabetes, few are likely to associate it with cures. However, researchers at UNIGE, in Geneva, EPFL, in Lausanne, and the University of Manchester recently managed to destroy a wide range of viruses using modified sugar molecules, according […]
Swiss environmental agency sets no date for 5G launch
Earlier this week, Switzerland’s Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) announced it had contacted the cantons at the end of January 2020, informing them it had not set a date for switching on 5G networks. However, mobile networks plan to continue installing 5G equipment after rolling out more than 2,000 antenna last year – a […]
No need to switch phones to flight mode on Swiss
Since 1 February 2020, switching devices to flight mode is no longer required on Swiss, according to the newspaper Blick. However, flights through US airspace will still require flight mode because of US regulations. While there are no documented cases of transmitting and receiving personal electronic devices (T-PEDs) compromising flight safety, regulators have applied the […]
The Swiss company that spied on the world
Yesterday, the Federal Council, Switzerland’s executive, announced it was investigating Crypto AG, a company with ties to the CIA and West German intelligence (BND). The Federal Council obtained information on Crypto in November 2019, according to Swiss broadcaster RTS. Parliamentarian Balthasar Glättli has called for a more in-depth investigation and the creation of a parliamentary […]
