Taiwan

Scientists used a 3D-printing approach to pattern hydrophobic barriers inside hydrophilic filter paper. These barriers, designed in different geometries, guide liquids along precise paths and shape their flow behavior, demonstrating effective use in mixing, gradient generation, and two-phase separation within miniaturized systems.

Researchers at National Taiwan University have uncovered, for the first time at atomic resolution, how the human proteasome recognizes branched ubiquitin chains. This breakthrough reveals a multivalent decoding mechanism that enhances protein degradation accuracy and speed.

The origin of the elusive preference of copper chalcogenides for selectively converting carbon dioxide (CO2) into formate has long puzzled researchers. Researchers at National Taiwan University have identified a charge-redistribution mechanism that resolves this long-standing debate, providing fundamental insight into the basis of their exceptional selectivity.

A team of researchers from Academia Sinica and National Taiwan University has identified the Drosophila Cul2 substrate adaptor DmZer1 as a key regulator of protein quality control, acting at the intersection of two major cellular “cleanup systems”: autophagy and the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Interestingly, lowering DmZer1 levels activates the Cnc/Nrf2 stress-response pathway, which in turn strengthens the cell’s ability to defend itself against oxidative stress.

What if a surface could instantly switch from sticky to slippery at the push of a button? By using electricity to control how ions and water structure at the solid liquid interface of self-assembled monolayers of aromatic molecules, researchers at National Taiwan University have created a molecular-scale adhesion switch that turns attraction on and off.

A new scoring system using common clinical parameters accurately identifies chronic liver disease patients with a significantly increased risk of developing liver cancer. This tool acts as a universal predictor, helping doctors guide surveillance recommendations for patients with diverse liver diseases, including metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease.

Researchers from National Taiwan University Hospital and collaborating institutions have demonstrated that finerenone, a new-generation nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA), significantly reduces the risk of death and major heart and kidney events compared with spironolactone in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Scientists from National Taiwan University and the National Institutes of Applied Research of Taiwan develop a rapid and accurate microfluidic device that generates precise drug gradients and outperforms manual dilution, enabling reliable multi-drug screening for high-throughput and personalized medicine.

A seven-year study of 470 patients revealed that a severe fungal lung infection once mainly seen in specific high-risk groups is increasingly affecting elderly patients and those with common cancers who are not receiving traditional high-risk treatments, suggesting current prevention strategies may be missing vulnerable populations.

Prof. Pi-Tai Chou’s group at National Taiwan University Department of Chemistry has created a catalyst that turns two challenges into one solution: it produces clean hydrogen with remarkable efficiency while breaking down urea with ease. This breakthrough not only lowers the energy cost of hydrogen but also helps eliminate harmful pollutants.

Lactate, once thought to be just a waste product, is now recognized as an important fuel and signaling molecule in the brain. This study introduces a red fluorescent biosensor that allows scientists to visualize both brain metabolism and neuronal activity at the same time.

A novel study from scientists at National Taiwan University challenges the long-held view of ketone bodies as mere energy substrates, revealing instead that those produced during lactation act as epigenetic signals that promote beige adipocyte formation and protect against obesity.

Researchers at National Taiwan University have discovered how light, electricity, and tiny forces can work together to help wounds heal naturally and leave fewer scars, offering new hope for chronic wound care.

Recent discoveries have shown that MFC systems can be combined with soil to form soil microbial fuel cells (SMFCs), or further combined with plants to form plant microbial fuel cells (PMFCs). Researchers at National Taiwan University investigated the effects of SMFCs and PMFCs on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from soil.

Researchers led by Prof. Kevin C.-W. Wu at National Taiwan University and Prof. Yusuke Yamauchi at Nagoya University have successfully developed a rapid and scalable evaporation-induced method to create continuous, uniform thin films of mesoporous amorphous metal-organic frameworks (aMOFs).

Researchers have developed a novel biomedical engineering tool that uses volumetric MRI analysis to precisely measure paraspinal muscle atrophy, distinguishing nerve root severities in traumatic brachial plexus injuries with 91% accuracy. The new evaluation system outperformed standard clinical assessments and shows promise for diagnosing degenerative radiculopathy, potentially enabling early detection of chronic nerve compression.

DeePFAS, a novel deep-learning model, streamlines large-scale non-targeted screening of "forever chemicals" (PFAS) by projecting raw MS2 spectra into a latent space of chemical features, offering a rapid, AI-driven solution to replace complex traditional analysis.

A common soil fungus (Purpureocillium lilacinum BA1S), when combined with calcium and mild alkalinity, speeds up the breakdown of biodegradable plastic (PBAT), offering a greener path for managing agricultural and packaging waste.

Researchers from the Institute of Polymer Science and Engineering at National Taiwan University have developed a multifunctional hydrogel sensor for detecting formaldehyde.

Scientists from National Taiwan University have created a new light-based imaging technology that can trace a person’s blood sugar history by analyzing individual red blood cells. This breakthrough could improve diabetes care and help detect certain cancers earlier through simple, noninvasive testing.

By employing state-of-the-art flat histogram Monte Carlo techniques combined with thermodynamic and configurational analyses, this study reveals the complex and diverse behavior of water adsorption in metal–organic frameworks.

Identifying cracks is critical for health monitoring of civil infrastructure. To enhance inspection efficiency, the proposed autonomous crack segmentation and exploration system enables the agent to navigate itself without human operation, and the agent successfully captures over 85% of cracks in the training dataset and achieves 82% crack coverage in the testing dataset. In terms of computational resources, proposed system enhances efficiency by 64% compared to conventional exhaustive search methods, demonstrating strong potential for practical deployment on UAVs and other edge devices.

National Taiwan University researchers uncover how silencing a single protein protects the brain and extends lifespan.

A new study led by National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) researchers shows that while scarless thyroid surgery preserves delicate structures better, it requires longer operative time, higher costs, and may compromise specimen integrity.

High-grade gliomas pose formidable challenge clinically due to poor prognosis and high recurrence rate. Principal investigator Prof. Feng-Huei Lin and research scientist Dr. Jason Lin from National Taiwan University have designed a novel injectable gel against high-grade gliomas, which delivers platinum-based chemotherapeutic agents in two stages, including immediate release of carboplatin and delayed release of platinum from platinum-doped calcium carbonate. This time-release gel synergizes subsequent radiotherapy, suppressing tumor relapse while reducing radiation side effects. It offers a promising approach to improving brain cancer treatment.

Researchers led by Professor Yi-Tsu Chan at National Taiwan University have created a giant molecular cage that mimics nature’s nested structures. This layered nanocage is remarkably stable and can serve as a miniature reactor for producing gold nanoparticles.

Researchers at National Taiwan University have developed biodegradable MXene–bamboo paper electrodes that combine flexibility, waterproof stability, and tunable conductivity. Encapsulated in a breathable Ecoflex layer, these scalable green electrodes enable wearable sensing, electromyography, and exoskeleton control, offering a sustainable pathway for next-generation assistive technologies.

Researchers from National Taiwan University Hospital and Academia Sinica have identified a simple blood marker that can reliably pinpoint chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients at negligible risk of developing liver cancer.

Researchers led by Prof. Homer H. Chen at National Taiwan University have developed a way to convert stereo images into light field content, enabling existing AR/VR media to be viewed on next-generation light field displays. The approach could accelerate the move toward more natural and comfortable AR experiences.

Researchers at National Taiwan University developed a new device that captures energy from vibrations more efficiently. Its self-adjusting mechanism enables resonance with environmental frequencies, resulting in higher power output across a broader operational range.