Taiwan

This research introduces a soft, injectable material designed for use in the eye to help protect and support damaged retinal tissue. It offers a gentle, biocompatible way to stabilize the inner eye environment and may assist future treatments like cell therapy and drug release.

A daily mismatch between temperature and humidity, observed in certain mountain and waterside regions, helps regulate atmospheric dryness. However, this protective effect may weaken under global warming.

Operando X-ray spectroscopy is a powerful tool for probing electrocatalyst dynamics—but intense X-ray exposure can distort structural insights. This study reveals flux- and dose-dependent artifact thresholds and proposes practical protocols to ensure accurate, artifact-free measurements.

A new self-powered water sensor uses wave energy to monitor pollutants like heavy metals, microplastics, and pesticides—no battery needed.

The high recurrence rate of bladder cancer is often attributed to inadequate tumor visualization and localization. To address this limitation, the Hotliposome group at National Taiwan University has developed a mucoadhesive nanoplatform, HMSN(E)-SH, which selectively targets tumor tissue and enhances imaging precision, supporting the advancement of non-invasive diagnostic strategies.

In the 2D ferromagnet Fe5GeTe2, researchers reveal atomic-scale coherence linking charge density waves, Kondo physics, and ferromagnetism—the first direct observation of synchronized electric and magnetic quantum states.

Scientists at National Taiwan University have developed a new microfluidic system that can detect subtle chemical fingerprints from bacteria—helping identify even antibiotic-resistant strains. This technology could help physicians quickly and accurately diagnose infections in hospitals.

The study reveals that uneven buildup of amyloid beta between the eyes may cause thinning differences in the retina, appearing early in cognitive decline. This eye-based asymmetry could offer a simple, non-invasive way to detect cognitive frailty at its earliest stages.

Research groups from National Taiwan University (NTU), and City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) developed a new class of small organic molecules for efficient cancer photothermal therapy.

SPARK Taiwan has catalyzed innovation, commercialization, and talent development, solidifying Taiwan's position as a rising global leader in biotechnology.

Although psychosomatic medicine is regarded as a branch of psychiatry in many countries, some of its diagnostic concepts are not fully encompassed by mainstream psychiatric diagnostic systems. When these two systems are integrated, the interrelationships among various diagnoses and their associations with psychopathologies remain to be elucidated.

An international research team led by Professor Maestre-Reyna from National Taiwan University filmed a high-resolution, 3D molecular movie of a cryptochrome in action.

Patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) exhibit a higher risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared to those without MASLD following HCV cure using direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Moreover, MASLD mediates all cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRFs) contributing to HCC development. Lifestyle modification, effective control of CMRFs, and judicious HCC screening for at-risk populations are essential to reduce and enable early detection of HCC during post-HCV cure follow-up.

Scientists demonstrated room-temperature plasmonic lasing by integrating quasi-two-dimensional perovskites with high-Q plasmonic nanostructures.

In response to rising energy demand and urban heat island effects in Taipei, an energy raft foundation was constructed beneath a 13-story residential building to provide energy-efficient indoor heating and cooling for the residents while acting as a structural support for the superstructure. This study investigated the thermal response of the energy raft foundation using three-dimensional coupled thermo-hydraulic finite element analysis. The numerical model was validated against field measurements. Parametric studies were conducted to investigate the influences of ground heat exchanger (GHE) spacing and pattern on heat exchange efficiency. The study found that GHE pipe spacing and length were crucial in maximizing heat exchange efficiency while minimizing the thermal impact on nearby structures. This research enhances the understanding of the thermal responses of energy rafts and supports the development of sustainable building solutions in dense urban environments.

Scientists unlock a new way to boost green energy materials—without rare elements.

Prof. Chii-Shen Yang’s team at National Taiwan University resolved the molecular structure and discovered that HwMR, a light-sensing protein in H. walsbyi, transports magnesium ions using key residues, helping microbes survive extreme conditions.

Researchers from the Center for Condensed Matter Sciences, National Taiwan University, have developed a new electron microscopy technique to reveal hydrogen storage and defect healing processes in palladium.

Multi-layered mBC/CS/WPU films, made via spraying, mercerization, and infiltration, offer synergistic protection comparable to petroleum-based

The combination of estrogen-blocking treatment with immunotherapy enhanced immunotherapy efficacy in ER+ metastatic breast cancer.

Researchers develop energy-efficient spintronic devices with 11 memory states for next-generation neuromorphic computing.

A joint study by National Taiwan University’s Prof. Hsiao-Mei Wu and Academia Sinica’s Dr. Yi-Chung Tung reveals that oxygen tension elevation during week 4–6 promotes neurogenesis in brain organoids, regulated by Neuroglobin.

A breakthrough to tackle the long-standing challenges of heterogeneity and scarcity in extracellular vesicle (EV) research.

Researchers from National Taiwan University reveal how electric scooter battery-swapping systems can enhance grid flexibility and support urban decarbonization.

In-situ phosphatized Ni–N3PC boosts CO2 to CO conversion in acidic electrolyte, suppresses HER, and achieves >90% FECO with high stability.

A joint team from National Taiwan University and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology has developed a novel hydrogel actuator whose movement can be programmed using UV light, enabling precise spatial control of thermoresponsive deformation for presenting a potential application in soft robotics and in vitro muscle models.

Functional cure, defined as durable hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA titers below the lower limit of detection (LLOD), is associated with better clinical outcomes of chronic HBV infection and regarded as the preferred treatment endpoint of novel therapeutic agents against HBV. Scientists from the College of Medicine of National Taiwan University and National Taiwan University Children’s Hospital identified that the Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion in childhood, high-genetic-barrier nucleos(t)ide analogue(s) therapy before HBeAg seroconversion, and the HBsAg titer < 1000 IU/mL after HBeAg seroconversion are predictors of functional cure. Findings demonstrated the merit of the follow-up and treatment of chronic HBV infection from childhood.

By tailoring crystal shape, researchers boost oxygen reduction performance, paving the way for cost-effective fuel cell technologies.

Phosphorylation of tau protein triggers the formation of phase-separated liquid droplets of tau, known as liquid-liquid phase separation, in a temperature-dependent and reversible mechanism. The modified tau protein (p-tau) had a looser and more flexible shape, as shown by advanced protein analysis. Intracellular tau aggregation formed surrounding the cell nucleus only when cells were treated with this form of tau, similar to what is seen in Alzheimer’s disease brains.

Graph neural networks with uncertainty quantification enable reliable exploration of vast chemical spaces for material and drug discovery.