Peer Reviewed

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Ecology: The unrealized power of parasites, Materials: Flexible electronic networks of carbon nanotubes and Astrophysics: Accretion disks show their true colours

This essay discusses from a viewpoint of "believe in quality rather than quantity" how international students should be accepted by Japanese firms and settled in Japan in a satisfactory manner.

In a study conducted on the relationship of taste to food preference and body mass index, a significant relationship was found between taste threshold on the one hand, and energy and nutrient intakes on the other; also between 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) taster status and food preference.

The Dean of the University of the Philippines College of Science, Dr. Caesar Saloma, receives the 2008 ASEAN Outstanding Scientist and Technology Award for his significant contributions in photonics and signal processing.

Assessment of antioxidant activities of some local root crops in the Philippines by researchers from the University of the Philippines Diliman reveals that the phenolic content of sweet potato has the highest antioxidant property among the local root crops studied.

Comments on the the Sichuan earthquake and cyclone Nargis. Other papers include Genetic origins of the Grey horse, New cancer drugs with reduced side effects, Predicting lung cancer survival, Heavy rains ahead, Fighting tuberculosis with acid, Rafting down biological cascades, Animal behaviour lighting the way, Nanotechnology: Gold standard

This research from USM enables valuable carotenes to be recovered from polluting palm oil mill effluent, thus creating a cheap source of carotenes. The global market for carotenoids is at USD 1 billion, rising by 2.9 per cent annually.

NY, USA - In his four-minute address to the 54-member Council on 1 July, President Irandoust presented AIT as a success story in relation to ongoing sustainable development work in Asia.

Why did Hillary lose? Waseda's Prof. Toyonaga reflects on how the long US presidential election process made her initial desire and expectation of Hillary's candidacy turn to disappointment.

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Mars: Water almost everywhere, Earth science: Setting off a Cretaceous extinction event, Microscopy: Watching the cavorting of once-invisible atoms and How the brain pays attention

In a special News report, Nature asks leading reproductive biologists and clinicians what developments in the field could have an equivalent impact in the next three decades. Millions of babies have now been conceived through IVF – will any of the experts’ latest predictions, including artificial wombs, be as commonplace in 2028?

Spreading Japan's unique Egyptology to the world - Waseda University was the first Asian team allowed to excavate. With dedication & technology, they confirmed the Great Pyramid's Second Boat, found Tutankhamun and his wife's rings - the first pair of rings in Egyptology, found one of the oldest mummies in perfect condition and more.

Hydrogen energy: it attracts hope with its potential as the new, clean, eco-friendly energy of the 21st century. A significant topic on the front lines of developmental research is the establishment of hydrogen-synthesizing techniques which would produce energy suitable as a foundation for society, supporting both industry and everyday life.

Material durability is a major concern in structural design as it affects the particular material service life. A research is currently being conducted to investigate the effect of Malaysia's tropical climate on the strength of epoxy resin concrete structure.

In the future, we hope to use advanced multi-core processor to create high-performance cell phones driven by solar batteries, safer, comfortable and energy-saving automobiles, small, quiet desktop super-computers and small food generating robots driven by sunlight.

SERDANG, MALAYSIA - Four Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) researchers won six medals including two gold awards during the Invention and New Product Exposition (INPEX) held at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA recently.

WHILE the G8 continues to make more promises on how to save the world, a Malaysian is putting his money where his mouth is. Tan Sri Mustapha Kamal of the well-known EmKay group took the initiative to launch the Belum Rainforest Research Centre last week.

The Irrawaddy Delta, Myanmar is a high-risk area for groundwater contamination with arsenic, suggests research published online this week in Nature Geoscience.Other papers include A common inflammatory pathway in silicosis and Alzheimer’s, Genetic risk factor for osteoarthritis and Shells ruled by mass extinctions

Brunei - The Information Comunication Technology Centre (ICTC), formerly known as Computer Services Centre, was formed in 1986 with the mission "to create and maintain an IT environment at Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

Brunei: The Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre was set up by Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) deep in the country's unspoiled jungle as an international focus for research into the threatened rainforests of Borneo.

Penang, Malaysia 12 July – A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on Friday between Nigeria’s Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO) and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) to commercialize USM’s research on bananas.

The Waseda University affiliated Waseda Saga Junior High School and High School is scheduled to open in April of 2010 in Karatsu City. The proximity of Karatsu to China and Korea makes it the perfect place for the development of individuals who will become active in Asia and throughout the world.

The increase in global demand for wood requires increase in forest productivity. There is, therefore, a need for a high-yield, faster growth, and short-rotation plantation forests. Thus, a joint research programme between Sarawak Forestry Corporation and UNIMAS was sealed for the development of plantation forests in the State of Sarawak.

The research spans a wide-range, from people who study plays with a literary approach and people who study the history of noh theater and kabuki to people who study how theater should be promoted in cultural policies.

"If Japan can only spend $1 million dollars where Hollywood spends $50 million dollars, then we must have the determination to give that $1 million dollars a value of $20 million dollars by utilizing technology, networking, and alliances."

Summaries of newsworthy papers include The scare switch, Ebola structure reveals virus camouflage, A bridge from the historical to the contemporary, A handle on human proteins used by H5N1 virus, Could there be water in the Moon?, Spinning to destruction, The usefulness of social diversity, Monitoring stress at depth and Keeping an eye out

Summaries of newsworthy papers including Nanotechnology: Look to the stars, Mutation associated with increased rice yield, How EGFR promotes skin cancer, A natural ligand for PPAR-gamma, Ingesting and digesting intracellular bacteria, Sensing light without eyes, Muscling in on disease imaging and Enzyme implicated in risk of common obesity.

Monitoring and detecting oil spills as they occur in real times accelerates response time – thus substantially reducing cleanup/remediation costs, and limiting damage to the environment. UPM has developed the optimum solution for this requirement. Oil Scan is a highly effective, cost saving and easy to use

As IDRC's South Asia regional office celebrates its 25th anniversary, some of the region's most respected thinkers talk about their impressions of the Centre and the work it has carried out.

In a press conference today, USM unveiled their new product made from starch, rubber and plastic waste which will degrade in just 3 - 6 months when exposed to microbes, air and sunlight and costs only RM5 (USD1.50) per kg