News

ETH Professor Emeritus Ruedi Aebersold, together with John Yates from the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, USA, and Matthias Mann from the Max Planck Institute in Martinsried, Germany, has been honoured with the prestigious Canada Gairdner International Award. The three scientists founded and shaped modern proteomics research. 

The new location of ETH Swiss GeoLab in the Canton of Lucerne has been decided: the centre of competence for Earth observation will be established at D4 Business Village in the municipality of Root. This location stands out for its attractive business environment, good public transport connections to Zurich and immediate availability of scalable space.

Planetary scientists at ETH Zurich have shown that the material that makes up the Earth originates exclusively from the inner solar system. This also sheds new light on the history of our planet’s formation.

In 16 disciplines, the university ranks among the 10 best in the world. In addition to Earth Sciences, it also achieves an outstanding ranking in Architecture, Civil and Structural Engineering, and Environmental Sciences. These are the latest results of the QS World University Rankings according to subject.

AI-generated images and videos pose a threat to democratic processes and undermine trust within society. Researchers at ETH Zurich have now developed chip technology that enables verification of the authenticity of sensor data including images or videos. 

Future lunar missions may rely on a fibre-optic cables to assess vital sub-surface structures. Researchers at ETH Zurich are investigating whether lightweight optical fibres – like those used for internet communication on Earth – could be deployed on the Moon to detect seismic activity and reveal its interior structures.

Whether a plant can draw water from the soil depends on the soil’s physical properties, not the plant itself. This explains why previous programmes aimed at cultivating drought-resistant plants have never been successful. 

Andrés Javier Bello-Hernández’s doctoral research centers on a novel diagnostic device for dengue fever. The technology also holds potential for identifying other viral infections. 

What is usually burned to generate energy today could protect houses tomorrow. Researchers at ETH Zurich and Empa have found a way to press sawdust with a mineral binder to create a robust, flame-retardant material. It’s even recyclable. 

In this interview, Isabel Günther, Professor of Development Economics at ETH Zurich, explains why higher education is a catalyst for Africa’s social and economic transfor­mation – and why a global perspective strengthens the impact of research. 

ETH Zurich has been an official partner of the United Nations since 2023. The first projects from this collaboration show how ETH researchers and students can help the UN solve concrete problems.