The Swiss Connection

Quagga mussel: An Invasive Species Is Rewriting Switzerland’s Waterscape

Send a textA fingernail‑sized invader is transforming Swiss lakes and the cost of clean water. In this episode, we track the quagga mussel from its arrival in the Rhine to its rapid spread through deep Swiss basins—stripping plankton, stressing fisheries, and clogging water infrastructure. Researchers from Eawag and the University of Konstanz explain the biology behind its takeover and what global case studies reveal about long‑term impacts. read more on this story on Quagga mussels  and science from SWI swissinfoJournalist: Julie HuntHost: Jo FahyAudio editor/video journalist: Michele AndinaDistribution and Marketing: Xin ZhangSWI swissinfo.ch is a public service media company based in Bern, Switzerland.

Bonus Episode - The Trends Shaping the Pharmaceutical Industry in 2026

Send us a textJoin host, Jo Fahy, and pharmaceuticals and healthcare reporter, Jessica Davis Pluss, to weigh up the forces shaping pharma in 2026. From AI’s real gains in clinics and labs, to the case for inclusive data, we also discuss the politics of who funds innovation, and why rare diseases and antibiotics deserve our focus. SWI swissinfo.ch is a public service media company based in Bern, Switzerland.

Bonus Episode - Inside Switzerland’s Quiet Rise as a Longevity Hub

Send us a textHow did longevity go from a social media trend to a focus of serious science?In this special bonus episode our host, Jo Fahy, is joined in the studio by pharmaceuticals and healthcare reporter, Jessica Davis Pluss. We trace how Switzerland was uniquely positioned to become a global hub for healthier ageing. We also compare lifespan and health span, examine why access to clinics is so tightly guarded, and discuss why the pharmaceutical industry is moving cautiously in this growing field.SWI swissinfo.ch is a public service media company based in Bern, Switzerland.

Special announcement: Season wrap for longevity, please try out Lost Cells

Send us a textLost cells on Apple, Spotify and any where you listen to your podcasts. SWI swissinfo.ch is a public service media company based in Bern, Switzerland.

Rethinking Aging: Science, Society, And The Stories We Tell

Send us a textWant a longer life that still feels like yours? We sit down with psychologist Christina Röcke of the University of Zurich’s Healthy Longevity Center to unpack what actually fuels healthy aging—and what’s just marketing noise. From blue-zone myths to AI-driven biohacking, we trace why the longevity boom exploded and where the evidence really points: consistent movement, quality relationships, realistic stress strategies, and communities that make healthy choices simple.Join Swissinfo for a debate on this topic or read more of our science stories,  by visiting our website swisinfo.ch. You can help other people to find our podcast by leaving us a five-star review.Journalist: Jessica Davis PlüssHost: Jo FahyAudio editor/video journalist: Michele AndinaDistribution and Marketing: Xin ZhangSWI swissinfo.ch is a public service media company based in Bern, Switzerland.