Peer Reviewed

Insulin-secreting islet cells in the pancreas possess an inherent ‘clock’, and diabetes mellitus may be triggered when the clock fails, a Nature paper suggests.

Summaries of newsworthy papers include: Sub-glacial cavity melting; Rapid canyon formation during catastrophic flood

Pioneering work on the immune system in our gut reveals the important role of intestinal ‘microfold’ cells in the functioning of our immune system.

Artificial ‘molecules’ with an asymmetric structure can control the flow of electrons in semiconductor materials

The discovery of novel risk factors for osteoarthritis illuminates a probable role for the immune system in the pathology of this joint disorder

Tokyo, 17 June - Researchers at the RIKEN have demonstrated that a technique for tagging and profiling proteins can be used to accurately classify anti-cancer drugs based on the molecules they target. The technique promises to accelerate the process of proteomic profiling and contribute to more effective drug discovery.

Summaries of newsworthy papers include: Taking the measure of a trans-Neptunian object; Rift and break up; Measuring up?; Single-molecule vibrations under control; Written in stone

Scientists have identified a potential biomarker for establishing the quality of cow’s milk.

Summaries of newsworthy papers include: The Drillers are Coming; War of the Machines; DNA Drugs Grow Up; How Babies Think

A molecular explanation for why women are twice as vulnerable as men to stress-induced illnesses such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder is presented in Molecular Psychiatry this week.

A senior delegation led by Professor Timothy W. Tong, President of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has recently visited Beijing to explore collaborations with the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST).

Nurturing research in times of turmoil is key to transforming societies

Researchers at the RIKEN BioResource Center are storing and restoring life from preserved gene lines.

Motile bacteria switch between swimming patterns through conformational changes of a constituent protein of the propeller-like flagellum

Radioactively labeled drugs can track inflammation in the brain

Fresh insights into the workings of the ‘internal timetable’ of plants could ultimately guide the engineering of hardier, faster-growing crops

Growing a liver; Ancient ocean on Mars; Exciting shift in the brain; Liquid-crystal gels meet living cells; Revised map of human hematopoiesis; Watching plants grow, cell by cell

Tokyo, 13 June - Researchers in Japan and Italy have developed new methods for biological analysis with dramatically higher sensitivity and detail than earlier techniques, expanding our understanding of RNA and its function in the cell. The methods open the door to the study of diseases well beyond the reach of current technologies.

Tokyo, 13 June - A research team in Japan has uncovered the mechanism underlying the antifungal activity of theonellamide (TNM), a bioactive compound found in a species of marine sponge. The finding provides new insights toward the development of antifungal drugs, with broader applications to drug analysis in areas such as cancer research.

Hong Kong, 10 June - The Global Student Challenge (GSC) organized by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has come to a climax today (10 June) at its Final held on the university campus, with six finalist teams competing for the coveted award in the University Division and another six teams competing in the Secondary School Division.

This week in Nature, Stephen Scherer and the Autism Genome Project Consortium describe the results of a genetic analysis of the largest assemblage of families with autism spectrum disorder.

What makes a moon?; Tracing Jewish roots; Sex bias in trials and treatment must end; ‘Random walk’ helps predators find food; Supply and demand; Stem-cell promise; Bubbles from bubbles

Tokyo, 8 June - Critical missing links in a signaling-transcription cascade responsible for pivotal cell-fate decisions have been described for the first time in a paper in Cell.

Tokyo, 8 June - The world’s most powerful beam of heavy ions has enabled Japanese scientists and their international collaborators to uncover 45 new neutron-rich radioisotopes in a region of the nuclear chart never before explored.

The Non-Destructive Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Centre and the Particle Design Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, UiTM, organized a 2-day conference and 3-day exhibition, 25 - 27 May 2010, at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).

The Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia, sets out to focus on nanotechnology.

Cholesterol under brain control; Genetic rearrangements in cancer; Cellular aging prevents fibrosis during wound healing; Susceptibility to vitiligo; A new window into the behaving brain; Suppressing severe allergy

OPINION: The Facebook-based competition, Everyone Draw Mohammed (sic) Day!, on May 20 is said to promote "freedom of expression".

OPINION: On the 13th of this month, I was on my way to the new Bangkok airport after having participated in a UNESCO retreat in the outskirt of the city...

On April 21, a delegation of 12 dignitaries from China visited the RIKEN Wako campus to meet with RIKEN President Ryoji Noyori and a number of RIKEN directors.