PloS One

A new malaria metabolic model may uncover better ways to treat a highly deadly disease.

A Nagoya University-led study shows for the first time germ cells have an inherent property to feminize the body in teleost fish, medaka.

Researchers have identified a key process that enables the Ebola virus to infect host cells, providing a novel target for developing antiviral drugs.

Scientists have revealed more details of the molecular mechanism behind neuronal cell death in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a step forward to find ways to control progression of the disease.

In Malaysia, research into elder abuse and neglect (EAN) has indicated a link between abuse and premature death, with pattern differences between males and females. Financial abuse is found to be more common than other subtypes (physical, psychological, sexual and neglect), and comprises the group with the largest percentage of mortality.

Researchers from University of Malaya and China Agricultural University painstakingly searched for all bats’ records in Peninsular Malaysia and found records for 110 species. This first comprehensive list of bat species found in Peninsular Malaysia has been published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE recently.

South Korea's Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology has presented, for the first time, the whole genome sequence and analyses of the Myotis rufoniger.

Researchers from Malaysia assessed the whole brain microstructural integrity of major nerve tracts among older fallers and non-fallers. They proposed the potential synergistic relationship between blood pressure fluctuations with standing, balance disorders and structural brain abnormalities observed among fallers.

Nagoya University forensic scientists show that viable DNA samples can be taken from mosquito blood meal that has been digested for up to two days.

Scientists at University of Malaya, Malaysia, have found that the seagrass meadows in Johor harbor three times more juvenile fish than coral reefs. They also found that the dugong herds there prefer certain types of meadows over others.

Understanding the interactions between miRNAs with their specific cancer gene targets is an on-going effort to identify new therapeutic strategies. Researchers from University of Malaya carried out investigations to study the relationship between natural compound and miRNA expression in cancer cells.

Studying DNA fragments left by ancient viruses in their host’s genome has shown even non-autonomous viruses could prosper by helping each other.

The spatial distribution of fibers in hollow bamboo cylinders is optimized to reinforce flexural rigidity, a new finding that sheds light on biomimetic approaches in the development of materials.

Publication is the beginning of research impact and visibility, thus dissemination of research publications have to be proactive. Researchers can promote their research work in three stages: (1) manuscript preparation and submission; (2) post-publication promoting; and (3) after receiving mentions/citations (monitoring).

An algorithm that prioritizes gene variants with their likelihood of involvement in human disease.

Java sparrows are more likely to mate after dancing together, according to a study from Hokkaido University, contradictory to the belief that songs are the primary sexual signal.

Altmetrics are new metrics proposed as alternatives to impact factor for journals as well as individual citation indexes (h-index). Altmetrics uses online activities to measure the impact, buzz and word of mouth for scientific information. It includes new methods to measure the usage at citation level.

Nagoya University-led researchers have uncovered novel red- and violet-light-sensitive pathway that helps keep green algae’s sense of day and night in sync with surroundings.

A Nagoya University research team uses new image processing tool to confirm human visual system has evolved specifically to detect snakes.

A team of Hokkaido University researchers has established a method for capturing live, three-dimensional, high-resolution images deep within the skin of living mice, casting light on the precise manner in which cells divide to maintain the thick outer layer of skin.

People are influenced by their family, friends, colleagues and even strangers. This social sway can be measured by science, say researchers from Singapore Management University.

The Pacific coast of the Tohoku region has been struck by four large tsunamis in just over a century - in 1896, 1933, 1960 and 2011.

Zoonotic disease danger ever-present as protected species are sold in markets as food.

Scientists based at Nagoya University, Japan, demonstrate the development of behavioral laterality (left-/right-handedness) in a scale-eating cichlid from Africa’s Lake Tanganyika, Perissodus microlepis.

Academics at The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC) are calling for the provision of accurate and timely information about air quality after research.

Researchers in Malaysia are using blowflies to sample mammal DNA and develop a mammal monitoring tool.

Full genomic sequencing of all 14 species of the Malassezia genus opens up possibility of new treatments for microbially-mediated skin diseases.

Conservation scientists use an enhanced population survey technique that identifies, for the first time, priority forest protection zones irreplaceable for saving the critically endangered Sumatran rhino. The study identifies small and scattered populations that should be consolidated if they are to become viable.

Researchers in India and France have shown the biomarker role of certain circulatory microRNAs characteristic of ‘Asian Indian phenotype’ in patients with type 2 diabetes.