Peer Reviewed

An international team of scientists including Koji Yamanaka and colleagues at the RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, have found that damage to brain cells other than motor neurons is critical to the onset of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Mapping of electron distribution in highly unusual hypervalent atom will advance our understanding of rare carbon compounds

Each moment that we are awake, our senses are bombarded with stimuli. Focusing our attention on the few stimuli that are important allows us to filter out the ones irrelevant to the task at hand. RIKEN researchers have found that attention does in fact modulate primary cortical responses to both auditory and visual stimuli.

Japanese researchers provide the first large-scale identification of protein control sites from the model plant Arabidopsis

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Biopsy sample sheds light on HIV-1 evolution, Magnetic imaging and sensing using diamond spins, The glaciation threshold, An earlier dawn for microRNAs, Measuring the magnetic field of a distant galaxy, Knock-out blow for Chlamydia and Evolution in action

In Sri Lanka, a grassroots pilot study combines advanced communication technologies with local volunteer networks to alert coastal villages to danger coming from the sea.

In Jakarta, Indonesia, a program to convert sediment from gutters into bricks is transforming a public health hazard into a resource that fills a social purpose while generating income for the community.

Beatriz Barbuy, a Brazilian astrophysicist who has made a major contribution to the study of the evolution of the chemical composition of stars, and Roddam Narasimha, an Indian engineer and physicist whose work in fluid dynamics has increased understanding of turbulence, have been awarded the 2008 Trieste Science Prize.

The books include - Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak, Common Commercial Timbers of Peninsular Malaysia, Timber Technology Bulletin 46, Pocket Check List of Timber Trees and Foresters’ Manual of Dipterocarps

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Thwarting tumour invasion, Glacier acceleration through subsurface ocean warming, Complement enhances tumour evasion, Groundwater levels determine land response to climate and A century of artificial nitrogen fertiliser

Scientists use a theory that exists in higher dimensions to better understand the process by which a neutron decays into a proton

Study obtains protein structures more efficiently using a combination of techniques

New man-made materials could produce unique chaotic motion in electron beams

New experiments reveal detailed physical features of a protein thought to exacerbate the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease

Sign language is the most natural means of exchanging information for the deaf. A project at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak is focusing on developing hand gesture modeling techniques for sign language recognition and presentation. It aims for a prototype that would allow easier communication between the deaf and others in daily communication.

A special issue of Nature this week tackles science in the US election, exploring how John McCain and Barack Obama developed their stances on science; who is advising them on technical issues; and where they might take the country if elected.

A new approach to improving vaccine supplies in the event of an influenza pandemic is reported

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Astronomy: Star light, star bright, Infectious disease: The GILTy party and Quantum Flicks: Now you see them, now you don't

A simple device for assisting in the therapy to regain the range of motion as well as strengthening the motor skills that control the fingers movement are being developed in Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. This will offer an alternative rehabilitation activity for post-stroke patients with partial paralysis of one side of the body.

On Saturday, September 20, 2008, Islamabad witnessed one of the most horrific suicide attacks in Pakistan’s history, which targeted the Marriott hotel less than 2 kms away from the Parliament, the Presidency and the Prime minister’s house.

Summaries of newsworthy papers include ‘Friendly’ bacteria protect from diabetes, Downward dog, When humans control fire, Survival strategies, Cortisone shakes up channels, Watching protein structures move in nanoseconds and Fish fingers point to origin of digits and All of p53

Singapore To Promote Maritime R&D Innovation Through a S$3.4 million Collaboration Between Maritime Port Authority And A*STAR’S Institute Of High Performance Computing - pictures attached

In a press conference held today, Universiti Sains Malaysia archaeologists announced their latest finding from the prehistoric cemetery recently discovered in Sarawak, Malaysia. The remains prove the existence of humans in the area between 2000-3000 years ago - pictures attached.

Interview with Toshi Shioya Actor, film director, producer, acting trainer and President of WILL Do Co. Ltd.

Prof. Itoh's laboratory focuses on quantum computers that use atoms for calculation. Inviting researchers from around the world, everyone aims at positively getting out of stereotypes in their research and everyday life.

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Extremely warm year suppresses plants’ carbon dioxide uptake in the long term, Feature shared by two black hole counterparts, New approach for leukaemia treatment?, Colloids borrow a trick or two from DNA structure

Summaries of newsworthy papers appearing in Nature and Nature journals: Neuroscience: Deaf people learn new speech patterns, The tuberculosis bacterium’s stealthy ways, Susceptibility to bladder cancer, Dual gating in one motion,Risk factor for common kidney disease and A new take on tooth evolution

Health experts of PolyU who have rendered their quality services to members of the China's national sports teams in preparation of the Beijing Olympics were thanked and praised.

This book is about the gender dimensions of natural resource exploitation and management, with a focus on Asia.

Currently, more than a billion people do not have access to safe drinking water and more than 2 billion people lack proper sanitation. This book systematically and comprehensively analyses the legal development of the concept of water as a human right.