Swiss National Science Foundation funds two new research projects
The University of Lucerne has secured nearly 1.9 million Swiss francs in research funding from the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), with successful bids from both the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
The important role of melatonin from breast milk and the microbiome
Newborns produce very little melatonin themselves in the first few months of life and are therefore reliant on external sources – in particular breast milk and, possibly, the gut microbiome. The extent to which these sources contribute to melatonin supply and what effects this has on development remains unclear. A research project led by PD Dr Petra Zimmermann focuses on how the hormone melatonin influences the development of sleep, the “internal clock” and health in infants. Using blood, breast milk and stool samples, as well as data on sleep, nutrition and health during the first two years of life, the team is conducting the first comprehensive study of melatonin regulation in early life. The aim is to develop evidence-based recommendations to promote sleep, development and health.
The project will also include two clinical trials testing targeted interventions: whether sleep improves when expressed breast milk is given at the appropriate time of day, and whether low-dose melatonin supplementation supports sleep and circadian development in preterm infants. Titled "Melatonin exposure from breast milk and the microbiota: a systems biology approach to infant circadian development and health", the project runs for 48 months and has been awarded SNSF funding of around CHF 1 million.
When climate policy divides opinion: Why participation is crucial
A new research project led by Professor Lena Schaffer investigates why climate policy is losing public support and what role active participation in the energy transition can play. While climate measures benefit society as a whole, their costs can disproportionately affect certain groups, such as commuters or households with fossil fuel heating systems , which can trigger discontent and political backlash. According to Schaffer, what matters is not only the financial burden, but also whether people can actively participate in the transformation. Tenants who cannot install solar panels or access charging infrastructure, for instance, are more likely to experience the energy transition as something imposed from outside and to perceive it as unfair.
The project is the first to systematically analyse these dynamics across six European countries: Austria, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and the UK. It will assesses whether political measures enable broad participation or simply impose greater burdens on vulnerable groups such as tenants. Furthermore, it will examine how media and political parties frame climate policy, and uses surveys and experiments to track how public attitudes shift over time and why certain reforms meet with resistance. The findings aim to show how climate policy can be better supported by society through fairer access, fewer barriers and broader opportunities for participation. Titled "Pathways to Progression? Participation Capacity and Climate Policy Support", the project runs for 48 months and has been awarded SNSF funding of 900,000 Swiss francs.
