2015
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2015 Magazine articles
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Defusing violence and vulnerability in PakistanInternational Development Research Centre (IDRC)Researchers studying how gender roles contribute to different types of violence in Pakistani cities aim to identify solutions and share them widely. |
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Building new skills for better jobs in BangladeshInternational Development Research Centre (IDRC)Research teams are examining Bangladesh’s rural-tourban transformation in order to help the country move beyond low-skill jobs toward a high-skill economy. |
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Uncovering the scope of infanticide and infant abandonment in MalaysiaUniversiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)Researchers have published the first systematic data on infanticide and illegal infant abandonment in Malaysia, which could ultimately aid in the development of preventive measures. |
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Reviving the Iban alphabetUniversiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)A Malaysian indigenous group has revived its alphabet from the brink of extinction, thanks to specially designed computer fonts. |
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Building maternal e-health in VietnamInternational Development Research Centre (IDRC)Researchers are harnessing mobile phone technology to provide ethnic minority women in Vietnam with crucial
information about pregnancy, birth and infant care. |
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Engineering a multipurpose, environmentally friendly damUniversity of the Philippines DilimanResearchers in the Philippines are using green engineering to develop a low-cost dam that aims to prevent flooding, generate electricity, and help end food and water shortages. |
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Future antibiotic-making kits for amateurs?Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (WPI-ITbM), Nagoya UniversityResearchers in Switzerland and Japan have developed a rapid, simple and safe method for generating large libraries of novel organic molecules in a fraction of the time required for traditional organic synthesis.
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Used cigarette butts offer energy storage solutionSeoul National UniversityScientists in South Korea have developed a new way to store energy that also offers a solution to a growing environmental problem. |
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Strengthening governance through open dataInternational Development Research Centre (IDRC)A research network is exploring how open data can help address specific challenges and bring about positive change in developing countries. |
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Laser technology advances microchip productionThe Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)A new process for cutting silicon wafers could streamline the production of smaller and more powerful microchips for electronic devices. |
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Mechanobiology provides insight into disease and healing processesNational University of SingaporeResearchers in Singapore are gaining further insight into how the mechanical environment of cells drives fundamental cellular processes such as motility, growth and survival. These processes are integral to many clinical challenges, from cancer prognosis to wound healing and skin repair. |
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Using ozone to protect papaya exportsThe University of Nottingham Malaysia CampusMalaysian researchers are developing an ozone treatment to protect papaya and other exotic fruits from diseases and decay during storage and transportation. |
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Quail breeding discoveries shed light on human sexualityInstitute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (WPI-ITbM), Nagoya UniversityJapanese researchers are studying quail to understand the underlying mechanisms involved in their breeding behaviours. |
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Artificial enzymes to reduce carbon dioxide emissionsThe University of Nottingham Malaysia CampusAn international team is developing artificial enzymes designed for industrial plants that could convert carbon dioxide into carbonates, with the ultimate aim of reducing CO2 emissions. |
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The true burden of tuberculosisUniversity of MalayaPrisons are common settings for tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks, yet screening and prevention services can be extremely limited. As the spread of drug-resistant TB increases, understanding and monitoring levels of the disease among vulnerable populations can minimise the delay of much-needed treatment. |
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Salt-tolerant herb rich in antioxidant compoundsUniversiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)Researchers in Malaysia are exploring the link between antioxidant production in the herb purslane and the salinity of the soil where it grows. Their results suggest that salt-stressed purslane may be a potential source of bioactive compounds for commercial use. |
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Developing “greener” household productsThe Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) in Singapore is working with a Japanese multinational company to develop safer, anti-odour and anti-bacteria household products that eliminate the use of harmful biocides. |
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Gamma ray camera may help with Fukushima decontaminationWaseda UniversityJapanese researchers have significantly improved the performance of a gamma ray-imaging “Compton” camera. The new technology has potential applications in scientific research, medical treatment and environmental monitoring, as well as radioactive decontamination work. |
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A non-invasive tool for diagnosing cancerThe Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)Researchers in Singapore have developed an ultrasensitive method to detect micro-RNAs: tiny molecules that can indicate the presence of tumours. They are applying the technology toward a non-invasive screening test for gastric cancer. |
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First dolphins appeared millions of years earlier than previously thoughtWaseda UniversityJapanese researchers have described the earliest species of a true dolphin in the known fossil record: the oldest Miocene delphinid fossil including a skull. Their research has huge implications for our understanding of dolphin evolution. |
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South-East Asian haze increases risk of respiratory mortalityAsia Research NewsResearch has shown a significant association between haze events in South-East Asia and mortality rates caused by respiratory illness on the west coast of peninsular Malaysia. |
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Protein mimic shows promise as tissue engineering glueAsia Research NewsResearchers have demonstrated the potential of a “synthetic protein mimic” to promote the adhesion of brain cells in a laboratory setting. This feat could help overcome a major challenge in nerve tissue engineering. |
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‘Current test’ for water pollutionUniversiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)Kuala Lumpur, 3 March - A simple electrical conductivity could be enough to measure water pollution in tropical rivers instead of the complex tests currently used, according to a paper in the Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science (JTAS) |
