Peer Reviewed

Summaries of newsworthy papers - Evolution: A candidate for a pair of wings; Physics: Materials for efficient recovery of waste heat

Professor Wolfgang Johannes Reinhard Hoefer, from Singapore’s Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC) has been recognized by his peers as an authoritative pioneer in the field of microwave research. He will be receiving the prestigious "Microwave Pioneer Award" from the IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques (MTT) Society.

Graphene, the one-atom-thick carbon lattice that is the subject of last year’s Nobel Prize in Physics, has found application in surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensing.

A 20-member delegation of the Hong Kong Young Industrialists Council (HKYIC) visited The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) on 27 April to see the latest development of the University and to exchange views on Hong Kong's industries.

A protein-devouring enzyme complex uses two different mechanisms to determine which targets to destroy

A key regulator of nervous system development works by blocking a signaling protein with multiple roles in stem cell maturation

Newly available data on rare, neutron-rich isotopes reveal shortcomings of models describing the synthesis of elements

The discovery of a simple, inexpensive method for making large quantities of unnatural amino acids could reduce the cost of many pharmaceuticals

A novel photochemical process allows catalytic and magnetic metals to be deposited onto semiconductor nanorods without effort

Systematically designed ultrasmall peptides mimic the molecular assembly processes observed in neurodegenerative diseases

A germanium–tellurium alloy could form the basis for reconfigurable electronic switches

Motion-sensing technologies developed at A*STAR could revolutionize human–computer interaction.

Hitachi Asia Ltd. and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) Data Storage Institute (DSI) recently entered into a strategic partnership to research a new generation storage system for genome sequencing data.

‘Good citizens’ in the human gut bacterial community produce protective compounds that help prevent onset of food poisoning

Titanium oxide doped with cobalt produces magnetic properties at room temperature via a newly discovered mechanism

Social learning occurs in specific nerve cells in the cerebral cortex of the brain that become fully active only when observing others

Summaries of newsworthy papers on Learning and memory; Energy conversion with polymers; Quantum memory with a single atom; A Rosi-coloured view of food intake and on Obesity-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress

The School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has strengthened its efforts in nurturing hospitality graduates to address the growing demands of the hospitality and tourism industry in Hong Kong and the region.

Summaries of newsworthy papers on Patenting Ethics; The rise of people power; The role of Agulhas leakage in climate control; How the Grand Canyon and its neighbours got grand and Keeping rats up past their bed time

Analysis of mutations of the 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus by researchers at the RIKEN Omics Science Center (OSC) has revealed major genetic differences between the virus in its early phase of infection in Japan and in its peak phase.

Summaries of newsworthy papers - Chemical Biology: Old drugs as new antibiotics; Neuroscience: Mate selection: it’s a matter of taste; Immunology: Neuroinflammatory driver; Medicine: Entry cofactors for HCV; And finally…Nature: A queen in the making

An article in Science Signaling by researchers at the RIKEN Research Center for Allergy and Immunology (RCAI) has clarified for the first time the mechanism governing differentiation of B cells into antibody-producing plasma cells.

Summaries of newsworthy papers on Healing light fixes smart materials; Manipulating mosquitoes to manage malaria; Mechanics of anxiety control; The future of the PhD; Detection of a footprint from one of Saturn’s moons; Refining the microbiome; TRIMming back virus infection; Serotonin from the placenta

A research team from Chiang Mai University (CMU) have developed a simpler, less-expensive Detection Kit for monitoring Hyaluronan using purified protein from the waste cartilage of a variety of species from the meat processing industry. The research won the team the National Research Council Invention Award, 2011.

A mouthwash that may help prevent mouth cancer has been developed by researchers at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). The plant based product could provide a non-alcoholic alternative to conventional products for the Islamic market.

The impact of crude oil prices has far reaching impacts on the direct and indirect costs involved in rice production. Researchers have mapped crude oil, rice and soybean oil prices between 1970 and 2008 and demonstrate the implications of world crude oil prices on the agriculture sector, in particular on rice production.

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has recently received a software and system donation worth more than HK$700,000 from Hong Kong Aero Engine Services Limited (HAESL), with further support from Metrology Software Products Limited (MSP).

Professor Osamu Soda of Waseda University examines how best to proceed with reconstruction in the areas affected by the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Summaries of newsworthy papers - Nature: Role of microRNA uncovered for HIV control; Medicine: A new target for chronic asthma; Physics: Quantum effects of gravity probed; Geoscience: The source of toxic mercury; Nature: Targeting RORs to ameliorate autoimmune disease; And finally…Materials: Killer carriers for malignant cells

A group of researchers from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) successfully produced Cardio-mate or a salt substitute from plants with low sodium content which proves to be friendly for heart, diabetes and high blood pressure patients who are at risk of food salt.