Peer Reviewed

Summary of news: Genetic associations for human intelligence differences

Software that can identify the individual components of a chemically complex object can help museums and auction houses to authenticate ancient objects

Highly efficient organic light-emitting diodes are created by optimizing the molecular structure and device configuration

A silicon chip with integrated laser and optical grating offers new possibilities for telecommunications

Summaries of newsworthy papers: Chemical Biology: Natural products reveal new targets for cancer therapy; Methods & Biotechnology: ‘Off-targets’ of zinc-finger nucleases; Genetics: Exome sequencing of hepatocellular carcinoma

Experiments using fruit flies as a model system reveal a molecular mechanism underlying sperm morphogenesis in insects

High-speed laser measurements reveal new insights into rearrangements of light-driven chemical structures with implications for solar-energy conversion and opto-electric devices

Differences in the chemical modification of DNA within neurons from different individuals may hint at new ways of understanding the roots of mental illness

Researchers at the RIKEN Center for Genomic Medicine (CGM), together with colleagues at Kyoto University, Tsukuba University, Harvard University, and other medical institutions have identified three new loci associated with susceptibility to adult asthma in the Japanese population.

A variant of a newly identified gene is linked to increased risk of developing osteoporosis in Japanese individuals

Noise reduction in advanced computing circuits comes a step closer thanks to measurements of the noise spectrum affecting superconducting circuits

What is the legal basis for the Law of the Sea Convention 1982 in building the universal law of the sea? And can the State-Parties Consensus Decision-Making’ be a new law-making technique for the law of the sea? Certainly sea thugs will not like these questions.

Summaries of newsworthy papers: Planetary science: Moon meets moon; Evolution: Early humans out of the woods; Neuroscience: How vampire bats ‘see’ blood; Climate science: CO2 counters warming in grassland productivity and more

Summary of news: White matter cells linked to depression

Research shows chronic exposure to low-dose methyl-mercury, an environmental contaminant commonly found in seafood, may increase the risk of developing neurodegenerative disease.

O-breath is a wearable photonic strain sensing system comprising a textile belt integrated with polymeric optical fibre sensors, and is designed to detect repeated large deformations.

The novel Retinal imaging System performs computer-aided, non-intrusive diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening and monitoring and affords privacy protection.

Study shows communication and relationships building with patients help nurses to save time

Hand robot training device works to recover the hand functions of stroke patients

Study finds firms with female board participation have significantly higher earnings quality

Intelligent building technology reduces energy consumptions in central air-conditioning systems.

The concerted efforts of researchers from both PolyU and Peking University’s Shenzhen Graduate School have led to the first total synthesis of a natural marine product as a promising anti-cancer agent.

New device to detect bacteria and virus in 30 minutes in situ

In collaboration with Hong Kong Aero Engine Services Ltd (HAESL), engineers from PolyU’s Industrial Centre (IC) have achieved a breakthrough in aero engine maintenance.

Two PolyU scientists in the modelling and characterization of nano-surface generation in ultra-precision machining have been recognized with a Natural Science Award (Second Class)

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with German industry giant E-T-A Elektrotechnische Apparate GmbH (E-T-A) to further develop the Self-Sustainable Magnetoelectric Smart Sensor Technology invented by PolyU researchers for commercial use.

More than 300 local and international health care professionals and scholars are gathering in Hong Kong from 25 to 29 July 2011 to attend the 16th Biennial School Nurses International (SNI) Conference 2011 hosted by the School of Nursing of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU).

Organized by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and co-organized by Zhejiang University and National Taiwan University, the 5th Cross-strait Conference on Structural and Geotechnical Engineering was being held on the university campus from 13 to 15 July, drawing around 200 participants.

Summaries of newsworthy papers: Silver hake fish follow the Gulf Stream; Grainy superconductivity; Selecting the best sounding mate

New robot boasts the latest in sensor technology, promises a brighter future for Japan’s elderly population