News
Swiss Academy of Sciences SCNAT
Preserving glaciers at over 3,000 metres through climate protection
Strengthened climate protection on a global level could preserve more than a quarter of the ice existing today in the Swiss Alps. Researchers have written about this in a new fact sheet from the Swiss Academy of Sciences that outlines the current level of knowledge concerning glacial melting in the Alps, the diverse effects of this and possible courses of action. In particular, glaciers at over 3,000 metres above sea level could be preserved in the long term. The fact sheet will be published on 21 March 2025 to mark the first "International Glacier Day". The United Nations has declared 2025 the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation.
Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences SAMS
News
Digitalisation in medicine: The CEC focuses on current developments
Digital applications are increasingly being used in medical practice. They can improve the quality of care, promise greater efficiency, and open up new forms of collaboration. At the same time, these developments confront us with new medical-ethical challenges. The Central Ethics Committee (CEC) of the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences (SAMS) is currently addressing questions related to digital surveillance and clinical information systems (CIS) in order to contribute to a responsible use in practice.
Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences SAMS
News
Futility in psychiatry: when treatments reach their limits
The concept of therapeutic futility is well established in somatic medicine. The SAMS has explored the topic in depth, particularly in the context of the pandemic, and published its thoughts on the concept of futility in medicine in 2021. However, questions surrounding ineffectiveness and futility in psychiatric care were left out. An international and interdisciplinary group of experts has closed this gap and published a consensus paper, which is recommended reading.
Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences a+
Press release
Understanding and dialogue between the scientific and political communities and society as a whole needs to be further strengthened
During the first Swiss Research and Innovation Summit held on 17 March 2026 in Bern, experts from the scientific community, politics, administration, the business community and civil society discussed the role scientific expertise plays in politics and society. The purpose of this event was to promote and strengthen an understanding of the need for scientific consultation and mutual dialogue between the scientific community and society as a whole.