immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: Gesundheit

  • OST thinks AI ahead

    OST thinks AI ahead

    Artificial intelligence is more than just a trend at the OST. It is an integral part of teaching and research. Rector Daniel Seelhofer emphasised that the OST specifically builds bridges between scientific excellence and practical application. More than 20 OST research institutes are now working with AI, often in collaboration with companies, administrations or the healthcare sector. The topic has been part of all degree programmes since 2021.

    The importance of this focus was emphasised by Bettina Surber, member of the St. Gallen cantonal government. She praised the OST as a driving force for Eastern Switzerland and pledged the canton’s political support for the university.

    From concrete to care to children’s language
    Various short presentations and films demonstrated the wide range of applications for AI at OST.

    Sustainable construction
    AI helps to optimise concrete mixes with reduced cement content for specific requirements.

    Focus on ethics
    How can AI be used fairly?

    Self-determined handling of data
    A digital “data account” is intended to give citizens more control over their information.

    Sport and intelligence
    Exergames train the intelligence of professional ice hockey players under physical stress.

    Healthy eating with digital support
    A smart app creates personalised meal plans – taking allergies, preferences and health goals into account.

    Agriculture with robots
    Agricultural robots carry out maintenance work such as irrigation or pest control independently.

    Care advice via chatbot
    A digital assistance system for caring relatives was developed in collaboration with the city of St.Gallen.

    Understanding children’s language
    An AI supports professionals in interpreting children’s expressions.

    Two panel discussions focussed on the social dimensions of AI. SRF presenter Florian Inhauser led the discussions. Questions about data protection, responsibility and inclusion were addressed. The discussion showed that technological development alone is not enough. Clear ethical guidelines and social dialogue are needed.

    AI as a tool, not an end in itself
    The second OST University Day made it impressively clear that artificial intelligence is already present in many areas of life – and is making real improvements possible. The decisive factor is how responsibly it is used. The OST is positioning itself as a key player in combining innovation with social benefits.

  • Basel receives multi-billion euro immune research institute

    Basel receives multi-billion euro immune research institute

    The Botnar Foundation has donated one billion Swiss francs to establish the Botnar Institute of Immune Engineering (BIIE). This institute will be located in Basel, more precisely in Allschwil, and aims to develop novel immune-based solutions for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases. The BIIE is being set up in collaboration with the University of Oxford and ETH Zurich, with other international partners to follow.

    Strategic choice of location and expansion plans
    The research centre in Basel was able to prevail over renowned locations in the USA, England, Israel and Singapore. By 2027, the BIIE will move into its own building in the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area in Allschwil, which is being designed by Herzog & de Meuron. For the time being, the institute is housed in the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering at ETH Zurich in Basel. It is planned that a total of 300 employees, including scientists and support staff, will work at the institute.

    Priorities and international collaborations
    BIIE will focus on the development of computer tools and immune-based solutions. Together with the University of Oxford, the Basel-Oxford Centre of Immune Engineering will be established, which will include professorships and training programmes for students. This collaboration will advance basic and clinical research, particularly for children and adolescents in poorer countries.

    Leading personalities and administration
    Stephen Wilson, former Chief Operating Officer of the La Jolla Institute for Immunology, will serve as CEO of BIIE. Sai Reddy, Professor of Systems and Synthetic Immunology at ETH Zurich, will serve as Scientific Director. Georg Holländer, an expert in molecular developmental immunology with professorships at the University of Basel, ETH Zurich and the University of Oxford, will assume the position of Global Engagement Director.

    Significant upgrade for Basel as a research centre
    The establishment of the BIIE represents a significant upgrade for Basel as a research centre. The site complements existing research groups at the D-BSSE and the Department of Biomedicine at the University of Basel and strengthens the region, which is already home to over 40 biotech and pharmaceutical companies in the field of immunology.

    Huge benefit for the Basel region
    “The BIIE will bring together a critical mass of researchers who are all experts in different aspects of immune engineering. The combination of their strengths and perspectives should result in a sum that is greater than its parts,” explains Stephen Wilson. Conradin Cramer, President of the Government of the Canton of Basel-Stadt, emphasises the importance of the institute for the region: “Basel as a strong economic region with a great philanthropic tradition will be further strengthened by the BIIE.”

    Christof Klöpper, CEO of Basel Area Business & Innovation, sees the BIIE as an enormous gain for the region: “Our life sciences location will not only be expanded by an important field of research, but will also strengthen its position on the global map of the most important research locations.”

    The generous donation from the Botnar Foundation and the collaboration with leading international institutions such as the University of Oxford and ETH Zurich position the Botnar Institute of Immune Engineering as a central institution in immune research. The new institute will further establish Basel as a top global centre for life sciences and enable significant advances in immune-based diagnostics and therapy.

  • Modernisation of the Herzogenmühle health centre

    Modernisation of the Herzogenmühle health centre

    After more than three decades of operation, the Herzogenmühle health centre is undergoing a fundamental modernisation. This measure takes into account the change in operational requirements and the changing needs of the residents. The project focuses on various structural optimisations that are to be implemented between July 2024 and July 2025. In particular, the aim is to create larger communal areas by merging various rooms. The aim is to improve mobility within the centre and increase the quality of stay for residents. Special niches for rollators and wheelchairs will make it easier to get around.

    A major part of the conversion involves converting unused bathing facilities in the basement into a modern health and fitness room, including a physiotherapy facility. In addition, a previously unused nursing bath will be reactivated and the podiatry department will be relocated to a new area within the hairdressing salon. The outdoor areas of the health centre will be enriched by numerous newly planted trees, which will improve the local climate and contribute to increasing biodiversity.

    In addition to these optimisations, necessary repairs are also planned. For example, the windows need to be refurbished due to leaks and the flat roof needs to be completely replaced. Photovoltaic systems are to be installed on the redesigned roof in order to increase the building’s energy efficiency. Furthermore, adjustments will be made to the exterior to increase accessibility and improve accident prevention. The energy and building technology will also be comprehensively modernised, including the installation of automated shading for the cafeteria, dining hall and multi-purpose hall to ensure better heat protection in summer. For these comprehensive measures, the city council approved new expenditure totalling CHF 1.664 million for the renovation and CHF 4.218 million for the partial refurbishment, including the usual reserves.

  • Lack of evidence of health risks from 5G

    Lack of evidence of health risks from 5G

    The increasing demand for mobile phone antennas, particularly for video content data traffic, has led to an increase in 5G mobile phone installations in Switzerland, with 10,359 installations currently in operation.

    In and around the Petit-Saconnex district of Geneva, residents have expressed concerns about the installation of more 5G antennas, fearing health effects ranging from headaches to cancer. So far, however, there is no scientific evidence of such adverse health effects from 5G.

    The frequencies used for 5G are in a similar range to previous mobile technologies such as 4G and Wi-Fi. There is no objective diagnosis for electrosensitivity and there are no recognized medical diagnostic criteria. The World Health Organization has not yet been able to prove a link between 5G radiation and health complaints.

    Research on non-ionizing radiation, which includes 5G, is extensive, but studies cannot provide a general declaration of safety. It is emphasized that no absolute statements are possible in medicine, and the limits of scientific studies are recognized by experts and the WHO.