Peer Reviewed

Inhibiting GSK-3β, a molecule that causes Alzheimer disease pathology, may also create memory problems

UP Los Baños is currently employing biotechnology to produce clinically-important compounds from an erstwhile common garden plant – the Vinca. According to Dr. Eufrocinio Marfori of BIOTECH based at UP Los Baños, his team is looking for more natural products which can be derived from the Vinca.

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has recently received research funding totaling more than $9 million from the Research Grants Council (RGC), the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) and industry partners to advance the study of nanostructured materials on both theoretical and technological application sides.

Multi-awarded computer scientist Prof. Jaderick Pabico of the University of the Philippines Los Baños has developed a computational model that can operate a cheap computer-based system to grade agricultural produce such as tomatoes and eggs.

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Possible signature of dark matter detected, Melting mantle plumes and island formation and All in a spin

Sugarcane conversion into biofuel is cost-effective with petroleum fuel when oil prices are high; it reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and diversifies energy sources. Ethanol production from sugarcane may look good at the outset but do these rewards true to its form?

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Peek-a-boo perception, Softening bone, Patagonian glacial-age dust machine, New genetic risk factors for breast cancer, Stem cells generate intestine, A new treatment for arrhythmia, Bio-inspired bond-breaking and How does your fungus garden grow?

World Heritage Sites – Why is such focus now being placed on World Heritage Sites? What meaning does protecting World Heritage Sites for future generations have for the 21st century? The history of World Heritage Sites can be traced back more than 30 years ago.

Waseda University plans to increase the number of international students from the current level, about 3000 students, to 8000 students in the medium term.

Under the Abe administration in 2007, the then minister Watanabe hammered out the public service reform as an eye-catcher for an Upper House election. He advertised his enthusiasm for the reform by establishing two conferences related to the public service reform immediately before the election.

Since the early 1990s, within my research in international developmental cooperation and international environmental cooperation, I have worked to establish a model for “the development of social capacity and institutional change”, a model that can become a new policy for international development.

Determining the molecular workings of plant cells is now possible using a newly developed method

Experiments with a rotating magnetic field provide new understanding on its coupling to the electric polarization of a multiferroic material

Brain cells called astrocytes secrete the S100B protein to modulate the network activity of neurons

A cooperative effect gives rare-earth metal complexes with two metal centers better selectivity than single metal catalysts

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Volcanoes: Under my umbrella, Developmental biology: Molecule implicated in stem cell engraftment, Earth Science: The lingering effects of deglaciation, Gene Patenting: new perspectives and potential problems and Oldest, well-preserved bony fish found

Based on a ‘Future Alternative Fuel for Sustainability’ theme, two groups of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) students secured second place for Model Car Invention and poster production categories

Summaries of newsworthy papers including; Heat-assisted magnetic recording, Geoscience: Dangers in the deep, Risk factors for cardiovascular health, Unexpected tumour growth?, Chemical Biology: Fragment filtering goes virtual, Finding footprints in the genome, And finally…Stellar evolution: Is it or isn’t it?

Ultrafast lasers instantaneously track a molecular twist in progress

Multiple timescales of neural activities are important to motor-control systems in animals, according to research using robots

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Metal rings for molecular dumb-bells, Heat in the crust, Light switch for brain signalling pathways, Pollen tube attractant found and Ancient feathered dinosaur and rise of the blogs

Working in collaboration with the government departments, researchers of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University are taking active steps to ease traffic noise generated from frictional contact between vehicle tyre and road surface.

Results of the Open Grant research project "Systems Approach to Teacher Mentoring and Urban Poor Student Achievement" were presented in the forum "Pagbabago sa Silid Aralan: Kung Hindi Ngayon, Kailan?" Six reactors from different fields were invited to analyze the study and the current condition of the Philippine educational system.

The 1st University of the Philippines Asian Institute of Tourism Conference featured folklore of Sariaya, Quezon for a glimpse into the province's history and culture. The conference presented partial findings of the Open Grant Research Project on "Alternative Model Towards Sustainable Tourism," funded by the Chancellor of UP Diliman.

A technological innovation for art authentication and preventive conservation was developed by a multidisciplinary research team from the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman. The new technology was installed at the UP Vargas Museum to preserve artworks of Philippine National Artist Fernando Amorsolo.

Model projections suggest ice-free Arctic Ocean by 2100, Quantum entanglement could boost communication capacity, New York sea level to rise owing to slowing ocean circulation, A brain trauma–Alzheimer’s disease connection, How nerve fibres degenerate, Many antibodies make light work and Shutting the door on obesity

Civil and structural engineering experts of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) were recently granted two first-honour research awards in the technology category by the Technology Development Centre, established under the Ministry of Education in Mainland China.

A new quantum theory describes magnetism in multiferroic materials more realistically than earlier theories

A previously enigmatic protein has been found to play a direct role in monitoring glucose levels in the body

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Link between cancer and dietary restriction, Was the Wenchuan quake an indicator of crustal shortening?, The smart way to beat hunger, Sorting senses in the fruitfly, Real time light–matter mix and A new super-battery!