UNI NOVA – Research Magazine of the University of Basel
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DossierDemographics and the labor market.
Text: Jörg Becher / What effect does an aging society have on the labor market? Instead of simply speculating, economics professor Conny Wunsch wants to deliver concrete answers – using a realistic model.
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DossierCombating muscular atrophy.
Text: Martin Hicklin / Even in older individuals, strength training helps to combat the loss of muscle mass. Known as sarcopenia, this “curse of old age” is the focus of a research project at the Biozentrum.
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Dossier
Bridging the generation gap through exercise.
Text: Céline Eugster / Children and older people alike often get less exercise than they need. Sports researchers in Basel are tackling this problem with projects aimed at getting the two groups moving – together.
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In conversation“Humanities for the 21st century.”
Interview: Samuel Schlaefli / The humanities of the 21st century will be computer-based, believes Gerhard Lauer, Professor of Digital Humanities. Digitalization is about more than just facilitating access to research material, he explains – it brings completely new analytical methods to the humanities.
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PortraitHistory’s biggest fan.
Text: Christoph Dieffenbacher / A researcher at the Center for Jewish Studies, Erik Petry is devoted to remembrance and making sure the past is not forgotten. His other great passion is sports – as an academic, as a fan and as an active participant.
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ResearchMarijuana and happiness research.
Text: David Hermann / Users of medical cannabis in the USA experience greater mental well-being if access to it is liberalized. This finding from happiness research by Basel based economist Alois Stutzer could also have important implications for Switzerland.
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ResearchNew neurons for the brain.
Text: Yvonne Vahlensieck / New neurons are made by stem cells located in the adult mammalian brain. Much remains to be understood about this process, known as neurogenesis – but there are hopes that one day it could be harnessed to promote brain repair.
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ResearchCriminalizing the veil?
Text: Tobias Ehrenbold / Switzerland is set to vote on whether covering one’s own face should be a punishable offense. Having weighed up the arguments employed by proponents of the initiative, Basel legal scholar Bijan Fateh-Moghadam concludes that a general ban on face coverings is incompatible with the country’s liberal federal constitution.
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OpinionCorruption: What is the problem, Lucy Koechlin?
Text: Lucy Koechlin / What are the mechanisms behind global corruption and what is the best way to combat it?
