Peer Reviewed

Genetic variants associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocelullar carcinoma (HCC) are reported this week in Nature Genetics. Chronic HBV infection is a primary risk factor for HCC, one of the most common cancers worldwide.

In their recently published review article in the Science and Technology of Advanced Materials, Yasuhiko Iwasaki at Kansai University and Kazuhiko Ishihara at the University of Tokyo describe how developments in synthesis techniques have liberated the polymer MPC’s potential for a huge range of medical and biological applications.

PolyU's novel inline hydropower system for power generation from water pipelines. In full operation, an array of in-pipe turbines is expected to save 700kWh of electricity and reduce 560 kg of carbon dioxide emission per year.

A theoretical and numerical study of graphene sheets reveals a property that may lead to novel opto-electric devices and circuits

A method that boosts the contrast of high-resolution optical images has the potential to enable lithography at the nanoscale

Operating tiny magnetic memories under electrical fields reduces power demand and could enable storage and retrieval of data at much higher speeds than conventional devices

Theoretical calculations show graphene’s potential for controlling nanoscale light propagation on a chip

A method for reprogramming human cells in urine samples into neural progenitor cells is reported in a paper published in Nature Methods this week.

"Using similar research methods as in 1979, we found a marked shift away from son preference. Most women we interviewed wanted fewer children and no longer cared much if they were boys or girls. Indeed, some expressed a preference for daughters."

Tsukuba, Japan 5 Dec - Researchers in Japan have created a hybrid scaffold which promotes regeneration of skin in live animals while maintaining mechanical strength making it a promising material for future skin tissue engineering. This research was recently published in the Science and Technology of Advanced Materials.

The cortical mechanisms governing speech are not well understood because it is extremely challenging to measure the activity of the brain in action, that is, during speech production. Researchers in Japan have found modulation of mu-rhythms in the cortex related to speech production.

Electric vehicles (EV) have ten times higher energy performance than automobiles powered by gasoline-based engines. However, they are not yet popular with drivers due to the need to store large batteries onboard. Now, Takashi Ohira and colleagues are developing an innovative method for powering EVs that drastically reduces the number of batteries.

Hitoshi Goto and colleagues have developed high performance molecular simulation tools to study the 3D arrangement of molecules, enabling better design of medicinal and agricultural drugs which are more effective and fewer side effects

A recent publication by Singh and colleagues in the Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science explores a range of methods to combat microsporidiosis, a highly infective disease affecting silkworms - a key task that determines the future of the sericulture industry.

Rashila Ramli and colleagues from Universiti Kebangsaan in Malaysia have developed a model to improve human security in Southeast Asia. The so-called “Bangi approach to Human Security (BAGHUS)” is outlined in the latest edition of the Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Singapore, 3 December 2012 - First-of-its-kind Lab focused on developing scientific approaches towards biorenewable feedstocks

This conceptual study is about mathematical modeling for sea wave in electricity generation.

The Photonics Research Centre at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has recently achieved breakthrough in the research of high-speed optical communications by increasing the speed of optical communication networks by 40 times.

Singapore, 27 Nov- A*STAR’s Institute of Microelectronics (IME) and SFC Fluidics, a USA microfluidics-based biomedical device development company, will be collaborating to develop a portable diagnostic tool for rapid triaging of traumatic brain injury (TBI) victims and to improve the treatment strategies.

Professor Ramona Flores and Roberto Verzola turned over to Chancellor Caesar A. Saloma today 10 copies of the book "Not On Our Watch: Martial Law Really Happened. We Were There" at the Office of the Chancellor.

A total of 27 Malaysian researchers were adjudged the Top Research Scientists Malaysia (TRSM) 2012 and conferred the Fellowship of the Academy of Science Malaysia (ASM), at a function held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Of these, 12 were from UPM.

IDRC is pleased to announce the launch of a new innovation competition in Latin America and the Caribbean. The competition welcomes concept notes on how innovative and simple public eHealth solutions can advance equity in health in the region.

(Tokyo, 26 November 2012) Tokyo Tech ‘s Toshihiro Osaragi and colleagues report on models for evacuation procedures in big cities after massive earthquakes based on the behavior of people in Tokyo after the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake on 11 March 2011.

(Tokyo, 26 November 2012) Models for earthquake evacuation procedures, training computer to understand the human brain, and Lewis acid catalysts for industry—the November issue of the Tokyo Institute of Technology Bulletin contains the latest information about cutting edge research projects and related activities at Tokyo Tech.

Research Highlight - Virtual learning via cyber space. Researcher Rasaya Marimuthu and his team from Universiti Teknologi MARA conducted a study to determine the online learning strategies of male and female students in an English Language course.

With their innovative design for the "Energy-relay cars", The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) student team won the third place in an International Engineering Design Contest, which is the second best record since PolyU entered the final round of the international contest ten years ago

A novel approach produces dual-function molecules that enhance a widely used chemical reaction while reducing harmful by-products

A more sensitive technique for determining user position could lead to improved location-based mobile services

The waste plant materials remaining from palm oil extraction processes can now be converted into a useful sugar

A metamaterial invisibility cloak that can adapt to hide different sized objects is demonstrated by in Nature Communications this week. The findings represent a useful advance for more practical applications of metamaterial cloaking. The research is led by Yonsei University, Korea.