UNI NOVA – Research Magazine of the University of Basel
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OpinionHow precise are the sciences, Dieter Ebert?
Text: Dieter Ebert / The humanities and natural sciences differ fundamentally on the issue of how to depict the world accurately. They also deal with the problem of imprecise findings in different ways.
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ResearchUsing stem cells to combat cerebral palsy.
Text: Irène Dietschi / Cerebral palsy is a physical disability caused by brain damage in early infancy. Raphael Guzman explores the potential of using stem cells to treat this paralysis of the brain in his laboratory at the Department of Biomedicine. In the future, the neurosurgeon hopes to be able to help affected children shortly after birth.
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ResearchHow snowflakes are formed.
Text: Yvonne Vahlensieck / Cold temperatures alone are not enough: for snowflakes to form, biological particles are often needed to act as ice nuclei. It is precisely these particles that Basel-based environmental scientists are researching on the Jungfraujoch glacier saddle and in the most northern part of Norway.
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Research
Second-language support for children: the sooner, the better.
Text: Samuel Schlaefli / The sooner children from immigrant backgrounds can benefit from care outside the family, the more quickly they will learn to speak German, which in turn means they will be less disadvantaged once they enter school. These are the findings of a long-term study conducted by Basel developmental psychologists.
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In picturesThe weed from the east.
Text: Christoph Dieffenbacher / Genetische Analysen helfen, die Ausbreitung von Neophyten zu verstehen.
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OpinionIs there such a thing as politically correct language?
Text: Deborah Mühlebach / Political language criticism teaches us about the effects words actually have – and invites us to open up to other people through language.
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PortraitThe international law expert and sea piracy.
Text: Christoph Dieffenbacher / When it comes to piracy and crime at sea, Anna Petrig, recently appointed Professor of International Law at the University of Basel, is very knowledgeable: the Swiss lawyer is regarded throughout the world as a sought-after expert in this subject. She also spends her free time on the water.
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ColumnA Thousand Miles up the Nile: a momentous journey.
Text: Sabine Huebner / My book: Sabine Huebner, professor of ancient history, recommends: “A Thousand Miles up the Nile” by the British travel writer Amelia Edwards.
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Alumni“My degree was training for life.”
Interview: Bettina Huber / Theo Stich, alumnus of the University of Basel, is a freelance writer/producer, and owner of the company Lumenfilm. He takes an individual approach to filmmaking: he looks for new subjects or explores an existing topic from an original perspective.
