Announcement

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are sponge-like organic-inorganic hybrid materials and have a variety of uses due to their ultra-high “porosity,” or the ratio of pores or air pockets to the solid material. Through a technique called “post-synthetic modification,” Professor Jinhee Park and her research team were able to enhance and modify the function of these materials for specific purposes.

Scientists from the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Korea, develop a novel silica-based cathode for lithium–sulfur batteries, thereby enabling the realization of batteries that can last for over 2000 charge/discharge cycles. The possibility of successfully using the unconventional silica could spark a paradigm shift in rechargeable battery designs.

Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) has established six interdisciplinary research laboratories that expand on the University’s existing research strengths.

A research group led by Professor Patrick Chun Man Wong, Stanley Ho Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience of the Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages, and Director of Brain and Mind Institute at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), invited more than 400 native speakers of Cantonese to participate in a study. The results show that participants with a specific genotype of the ASPM gene are better at perceiving lexical tone in Cantonese, and those without it may improve their abilities through musical training. The research offers clear evidence for the hypothesis that subtle differences in genetic makeup may form the different languages people speak in different regions of the world. In this case, because most Chinese people have an ASPM genotype that favors lexical tone processing, they adopted lexical tone in their language. The findings were recently published in the journal Science Advances.

Nature Index 2020 South Korea, published in the May 28 issue of Nature, investigates South Korea’s strategy to become a “first mover” by investing in basic research grants and original discoveries.

Publisher becomes largest research publisher to sign DORA (San Francisco Declaration of Research Assessment), joining thousands of research institutions, publishers, imprints and funders in the commitment to ensure a balanced and fair approach to research assessment

Open access book output has doubled in two years, supporting Springer Nature’s commitment to open research

First open access publisher, BMC celebrates its 20th Anniversary

The International Network for Government Science Advice Asia is organising an essay contest on “How is science advice used for the government in your country?”

Researchers from the School of Life Sciences at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and Japanese research teams have constructed a high-resolution chromosome-scale full genome sequence assembly of an American Shorthair domestic cat (AnAms1.0). By incorporating data from multiple advanced genomic technologies, this genome assembly has a much improved quality over the currently available reference. This research will drive forward precision veterinary medicine to provide the most suitable treatments based on individual differences predicted from genomic information.

Researchers from Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology develop a simple approach for controlling the otherwise random formation of cracks in flexible thin-film conductors, greatly increasing the durability of flexible electrodes and transistors against bending and folding.

The newly developed rapid testing kit detects COVID-19 antibodies, requiring only micro-liter volume of serum and 15 minutes of time for achieving results.

A research team led by Prof. Yi-Chun LU from the Faculty of Engineering at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has taken a critical step forward in improving high-energy batteries by introducing a novel electrolyte to the aqueous lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery. This electrolyte is commonly used in skin cream. It is inexpensive, inflammable, less toxic and is eco-friendly, yet can create stable voltage for common usage. The breakthrough was recently published in the world-leading scientific journal, Nature Materials, a sister journal of Nature.

Researchers from Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology(DGIST) have developed an innovative method that allows them to visualize up to tens of different proteins simultaneously in the same cell. This technology could help scientists elucidate the complex protein interactions involved in degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, deepening our understanding of their mechanisms and allowing for early detection and treatment.

Scientists are finding safer ways to keep drug-loaded microrobots attached to cancer tissue.

The UK today confirmed that it will be the largest supporter of the international alliance to vaccinate children against deadly diseases, saving millions of lives.

COVID-19 is affecting every corner of the world with its disastrous damage to human health and economy. Hidden infections that skip the usual surveillance system pose an obstacle to controlling the spread of COVID-19. There is currently no information on hidden COVID-19 infection in Hong Kong.

Springer Nature and UNESCO have signed an agreement to publish open access books on a range of issues cutting across major research areas such as education, culture, the natural sciences, the human and social sciences and communication and information

Application period now open for award programme that acknowledges and celebrates outstanding women working in STEM* research and outreach

Approach means Plan S-funded authors will be able to continue to submit research to these journals

New white paper analyses data from Springer Nature authors and interviews with institutions to better understand the fragmented and varied funding currently available for article processing charges (APCs)

New transformative read and publish deal agreed with Manipal Academy of Higher Education, India

Open access chemistry database PubChem will now include thousands of links to chemical and physical properties of materials from the SpringerMaterials database

Springer Nature achieves new milestone in 2019 in publishing over 100,000 OA articles in one year, and is the largest OA publisher of primary research

Researchers who have shown great courage and integrity in standing up for science and scientific reasoning can be nominated until 11 May 2020

Springer Nature Group commits to be net carbon neutral this year, as part of an ongoing reduction in emissions and broader responsible business programme.

Communications Materials and Communications Earth & Environment join Springer Nature’s comprehensive portfolio of around 600 open access journals

Springer Nature continues its commitment to opening up research and enabling the advancement of discovery with the rollout of the SharedIt initiative to proceedings books.

A technology to further accelerate the commercialization of Colloidal Quantum Dot(CQD) Photovoltaic(PV) devices, which are expected to be next-generation photovoltaic devices, has been developed.

A research team led by Professor Kin-ming KWAN from the School of Life Sciences at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has recently discovered a novel mechanism by which extrinsic signaling factors modulate the fate transition of neural progenitors to allow the generation of specific neuronal subtypes. This work provides important insight into stem cell biology and the regeneration of neuronal cells, and contributes to the development of neurological therapy for diseases like autism spectrum disorders and hereditary cerebellar ataxia. The research is published in the renowned international scientific journal Cell Reports.