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Developmental biologists from RIKEN working with Japanese and Canadian colleagues have located an important gene that regulates the establishment of the head-to-tail or anterior-to-posterior (A–P) axis in mice. The future development of the whole embryo is orientated to this point of reference.

A team of Japanese scientists led by Akimitsu Okamoto from the RIKEN Frontier Research System, Wako, has developed a new method for tagging a particular DNA base responsible for causing cancer.

Scientists from all over the world began deliberations on the role of herbal, medicinal and aromatic plants in improving the livelihoods of the rural poor at the regional expert workshop at ICARDA, Syria.

A new method to detect small changes in human genes could lead the way in personalized medicine. Specific, fluorescent dyes could light the way in recognizing genetic disorders resulting from small DNA sequence variations

A research team at the RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology, Kobe, has developed a cell tracing method that unambiguously identifies the yolk sac—an extra-embryonic structure—as a source of blood cells in both the embryo and, later, the adult.

Japanese researchers show subtle fluctuations in electron spins are the origin of magnetism and superconductivity in a common oxide

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Developmental biology: Niche job for stem cells, Genetics: RNAi resource, Extrasolar planets: Water vapour on ‘hot Jupiters’?, Comets: The same inside out? and Ecology: Biodiversity matters

Highlights include Competition network of Asian Go players has a 'small-world', 'rich-club' structure, Intercropping maize and faba beans together can improve crop yields, Coordination polymers can trap otherwise unstable cores and more

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Nanocrystal shape control, Common genetic risk variant for colorectal cancer, Growth factor reinforces cocaine addiction and Arresting autoimmunity

The latest from Rice Today, the magazine of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)

This paper compares the relationships between export orientation and technological intensities in auto part firms in East and Southeast Asia. The findings show that the relationship between export intensity and technological intensity are different depending on the ownership of the firms.

This paper examines how East Asia’s management of funds could exacerbate USA’s twin deficit problem and thus triggering global imbalances.

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Genetics: Variation associated with childhood asthma, Oncology: New cancer mutation found, Neurodegeneration: Newly discovered protein may help treat Parkinson’s? and Look-alikes can be good for your health

The prestigious Prince de Asturias Award, is today awarded to Nature, Scientists are considering how RNAi technology might be exploited to treat neurodegenerative diseases and Structural changes in the eye’s blood vessels could signal the onset of other cardiovascular risk factors

This paper in the latest issue of Asian Economic Papers analyses the relationships between changing demographics, saving and current account balances and shows the impact of an aging population on global capital flows.

UPM scientists are researching the possibility of using "tapai ubi", or fermented tapioca, as a prevention against cancer. Preliminary tests indicated that seven types of cancer, including cervical, ovarian, breast and leukaemia, could be prevented by eating tapai ubi.

Slope instability is a serious problem in many rapidly developing countries. The first technology incorporate slope monitoring and early warning system using geosynthetic material with the real time forecasting on the rainfall impact to the slope while the other is a new system developed for real time prediction of slope instability.

Observing the motion of individual molecules trapped inside carbon nanotubes offers a direct look at the process of vision, reports a paper online this week in Nature Nanotechnology.

Hsp90 inhibitors allow small cell lung cancer to die, What happened before the Big Bang?, A solid base for nitride semiconductors, The stress of gaining weight, Spermicide favors HPV infection, Genetic link between prostate cancer and type 2 diabetes, Male pheromone stimulates neurogenesis in the female brain.

Unlike in the Gulf War, the medium for the Coalition's messages in 2003 was not exclusively CNN or the BBC; the Arab world had developed its own TV channels, and their reach and influence were to become an important dynamic in the conflict. The most influential of these were Al-Jazeera, Al-Arabiya, and Abu Dhabi TV.

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Evolution: Good genes gender specific?, Interstellar chemistry: Blowing in the wind, Optics: Nanowire light source and Geochemistry: Silicon in the Earth’s core

A £5 million programme to ensure that British higher education is equipped to compete globally in Chinese studies as that country rises in international importance was launched today by the universities of Bristol, Oxford and Manchester.

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Stellar weather, Omega 3 fatty acids may prevent eye disease, Tastier GM tomatoes?, How cancer cells keep their telomeres and Seeing histone tails specifically

Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) researchers prove their capability when grabs 3 Gold medals, 2 Silver medals and 1 Bronze medal in Invention & New Products Exposition 2007 (INPEX) exhibition. Known as America’s largest invention tradeshow, the event was held from 6th to 10th June 2007 at Expomart Hall, Pittsburgh, USA.

Telecentres are being promoted as an answer to the problems of the digital divide as there are still large sections of society that do not enjoy access to ICTs and are therefore at risk of being excluded from the socio-economic benefits that such access brings. Telecentres have been springing up across developing Asia.

The Global COE Program aims to support the establishment of world-class education and research centers within Japanese universities with an eye to raising their competitiveness to the highest world level.

Researchers at Universiti Putra Malaysia have developed a molecular carrier for immunogenic peptides which can be used for the development of multicomponent vaccines, diagnostic reagents and the delivery of novel therapeutics or drugs