Peer Reviewed

Scientists have identified the gene responsible for generating acylceramide, the key lipid in forming the skin barrier that protects us from pathogens, allergens and other harmful substances. This finding could prove crucial in developing medicines for treating atopic dermatitis and ichthyosis.

An ultrathin semiconducting sheet showing gas-responsive electronic properties may lead to highly sensitive gas sensors.

New nano-sized sensors provide unprecedented data on how heat diffuses in and out of living cells.

A biological sensor can identify and quantify the activity of a little-known class of plant hormones, strigolactones.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed a novel technology of embedding highly conductive nanostructure into semi-conductor nanofiber. The novel composite so produced has superb charge conductivity, and can therefore be widely applied, especially in environmental arena.

Researchers have identified a new mineral in the oldest solar system solids from primitive meteorites. They've named it "rubinite" after Dr. Alan E. Rubin, a pioneering cosmochemist at University of California, Los Angeles. Rubinite was officially approved in March 2017 by the International Mineralogical Association.

Astronomers have gotten their first look at exactly where most of today’s stars were born. To do so, they used the National Science Foundation’s Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) to look at distant galaxies seen as they were some 10 billion years ago.

People who consume low-fat milk and yoghurt, rather than whole-fat dairy products, are less likely to have depression, according to researchers in Japan and China.

Researchers have developed a new method for assessing the cultural value of landscapes using geotagged photos shared on a social-networking service. Data obtained with this method could help determine which locations should be used for tourism or targeted for environmental protection.

A common language for computer software tools that describes materials at their smallest scale could lead to designing faster and better materials.

The Ainu people are the indigenous population of Hokkaido, Sakhalin and the Kuril islands. Having suffered a great deal of discrimination in modern history, there have been many recent efforts to preserve Ainu culture and its endangered language.

An international research team involving Hokkaido University reveals functions of mouthpart-controlling genes in the development of enlarged mandibles in the stag beetle.

Land snails are generally believed to be ground-dwelling creatures, preferring dark and humid places, like the forest floor, or a suburban garden. So why do we find some species of snails in the tops of trees, where it is relatively light and dry?

Minimal structural change in catalyst enables stereochemical inversion for the synthesis of amino acid derivatives

Malaysia has implemented a number of legislative activities over the decade of participation in the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC). NARCC (UM) developed a training program - Smoking Cessation Organizing, Planning and Execution (SCOPE) which is accredited by the Ministry of Health.

A new study, affiliated with South Korea's Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), developed a transistor-type active-matrix pressure sensor using foldable substrate and air-dielectric layer.

Controlling memory with electric fields enables faster and more energy-efficient computing.

A transition metal catalyst triggers the transformation of an advanced synthetic intermediate into a whole family of naturally occurring molecules.

Superimposing two lattices of similar periods creates structures that researchers can design to control and localize light.

Spherical biodegradable carriers support scalable and cost-effective stem cell expansion and bone formation for tissue engineering.

A system composed of two different types of nanoparticles can be used to accurately, sensitively and quickly detect viruses.

Researchers have revealed the mechanism to recover the function of aging cells in HGPS patients using ROCK inhibitor. Propose a new research direction for studies on the improvement of aging and aging diseases.

A mysterious flash of X-rays has been discovered by NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory in the deepest X-ray image ever obtained. This source likely comes from some sort of destructive event, but may be of a variety that scientists have never seen before.

A team in South Korea has opened a new horizon of aging recovery research by changing the irreversibility paradigm of aging. The research team was the world’s first to confirm that as cell aging progresses.

Enzyme follows a two-step verification system before cutting and repairing DNA damage.

A cutting-edge research conducted by a faculty member from Qatar University College of Medicine (QU-CMED) in collaboration with researchers from Cardiff University, UK showed that an important sperm protein required for the egg fertilization process, known as phospholipase C zeta (PLC), is ineffective in individuals suffering from infertility.

Altmetrics are new metrics proposed as alternatives to impact factor for journals as well as individual citation indexes (h-index). Altmetrics uses online activities to measure the impact, buzz and word of mouth for scientific information. It includes new methods to measure the usage at citation level.

Scientists have designed mathematical expressions that more accurately estimate gas movement through nanosized pores. This could help improve fuel cell development.

A new study, affiliated with South Korea's Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), finds key to produce perovskite solar cells that display both high efficiency and long-term stability.

Scientists develop new method to accurately count big cats over large landscapes. Authors say new methodology will greatly advance conservation monitoring of tigers and other big cats.