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Researchers from Universiti Teknologi Mara are working on a non toxic, nature dye for optoelectronic devices, a new source of energy that is environmentally friendly and particleboards from oil palm for the furniture industry.

Scientists have identified the cellular target of two important anticancer molecules as a component of the spliceosome and a rapid and very sensitive technique for the detection of infectious prion proteins is reported. Prions, the cause of neurodegenerative diseases such as mad cow are infectious proteins in the brain.

A team of researchers from RIKEN’s Discovery Research Institute, Wako, and the US universities of Chicago and Santa Barbara has elucidated the role played by electrons in the transition of a two-dimensional disordered material from an insulating to a metallic state.

A team of researchers from the RIKEN Discovery Research Institute has shown that the strong light–matter interaction between a short laser pulse and a mix of the two noble gases helium and neon can be used to create laser pulses with very high energies and extremely short duration. This work marks the beginning of an entirely new research field.

Researchers provide a detailed insight into the change in structure of a metal complex when exposed to light. This study not only sheds new light on the fundamental question of how metal-ligand complexes change shape in real time, but could have implications for practical applications that use these materials.

Keio University has decided to partner with Google Book Search Library Project for digitalization and release of its library collection, and for this purpose, has signed an Agreement fwith Google, Inc. This project already has 25 partners in the U.S. and Europe, however Keio University will be the first partner outside U.S. and Europe.

From the empowerment of women to managing their health — information and communication technologies (ICTs) have changed the lives of thousands of Indian villagers.

Pakistan is in the grip of a wave of vicious suicidal attacks after religious extremists vowed to avenge the operation on the Lal Masjid/Jamia Hafsa mosque/seminary in Islamabad last week.

The paper evaluates the option of changing the fully funded individual account in China to a notional defined contribution individual account that operates on a pay-as-you-go basis. The change will keep the advantages of the individual account and avoid huge risks caused by China’s immature capital market.

The highlights include The unique flavour of Jinhua ham is caused by enzymes that break up long-chain molecules and workers at China's electronic-waste region of Guiyu show high levels of pollutants in their blood and more

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Evolution: Out of Africa, Ageing: Anti-ageing effect of protein duo, Quantum physics: Two electrons, together apart and finally… Geckos with mussel

This APDIP e-Note highlights possible solutions for bridging the gap between ICT skill demand and supply.

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Carbon and phosphorus meet up, The shape of a Möbius strip and Genetic risk factor for gallstone disease

Ultrafast fluorescence measurements used to resolve controversy over proton transfer in a chemical reaction

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

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.