This issue blasts off with preparations to capture the moon in China’s lunar mission later this year, followed by the race to quench our thirst for more energy, data storage and
advanced electronics in the technology pages. From self-driving cars to 3D on the go, we highlight some of the advances that may be available to us in the near future.
Nature has much to teach us. Scientists have looked to the moth, the lotus leaf and cactuses to create new materials for our use while the humble silkworm is enabling advances in drug delivery and artificial skin. The slime mould tells us if motorway networks are rational and the banana pseudostem enables the removal of oil from water.
Nature can also be unkind. The environment section outlines a programme to help megacities cope with natural disasters, protect animals from lighting strikes and outlines a new method for detecting radioactive contamination with the naked eye.
In the health section, researchers have genetically engineered viruses to infect and kill cancer cells and developed a gel capable of releasing drugs using only finger pressure. We
also look at how to improve sleep, tackle the root causes of infectious diseases and ask the true impact of free formula milk for babies?
In the midst of technological and health advances, it is important to look back and recall indigenous knowledge gathered over generations or how life and music has changed over
centuries. For those of us who want to turn back time, perhaps a Porsche may make us look six years younger.
We hope you enjoy reading Asia Research News 2013.
