Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER

For decades, a theory in physics has postulated the existence of a mirror world whose interaction with our own reality is extremely feeble. The particles in this mirror universe are also thought to be candidates for dark matter. Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have now examined some 25 billion neutrons – thereby ruling out, with a very high degree of certainty, their disappearance into the mirror world.

To transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, we need to build new infrastructure. Empa researchers show that obsolete fossil fuel infrastructure – such as coal mines, oil and gas platforms, fossil fuel power plants, and pipelines – can provide some of the raw materials needed for the energy transition. In particular, recycling copper and steel would make the energy transition more cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

Researchers and authorities from across Europe are collaborating on the major EU project PARC to further develop the risk assessment of chemicals. Researchers at Empa in St. Gallen are participating in the sub-task Safe and Sustainable by Design and are developing methods that can be used to assess the safety and sustainability of new chemicals right from their initial development stages.

Several types of cancer are triggered by mutations in a protein called BRAF. Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have resolved a previously unknown conformation adopted by this protein during cell proliferation. Their study, which has now been published in the journal Molecular Cell, opens new avenues for cancer treatment.

On 21 July, Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, travelled to Dublin to attend the informal meeting of EU ministers responsible for research and innovation. Held under the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the meeting focused on how Europe can optimally leverage research and innovation to improve European competitiveness.

The UN sanctions committee has amended the list of sanctioned individuals, companies and organizations. The SESAM database has been updated accordingly. On 4 March 2016 the Federal Council has adopted the Ordinance on the automatic application of the UN Security Council’s sanctions lists. Hence, the amendments of the UN Security Council’s sanctions lists enter into force in Switzerland without delay.