Magazine

2019

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2019 Magazine articles

Chinese medicine

Chinese medicine: The good, the bad and the authentic

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)
Authenticating Chinese traditional medicines could become quicker and easier.
Medicine
Jetlag

Finding compounds to reduce jet lag

Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (WPI-ITbM), Nagoya University
Researchers investigated existing drugs for molecules that affect circadian rhythms and found a known anti-aging supplement reduced jet lag in mice.
Health, Medicine
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Predicting the endgame in dengue

Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)
A new model may help clinicians predict the possibility of death from severe dengue infection.
Diseases, Health, Medicine
Fingerprint

Invisible nanofilm enables on-screen fingerprint detection

Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST)
A transparent, flexible smartphone sensor also measures skin temperature and tactile pressure, which could combat fingerprint forgery and make mobile devices even more compact.
Inventions, Materials, Technology
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Eyeglasses stop shortsightedness in its tracks

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)
A lens developed by optometrists in Hong Kong can delay the progression of short-sightedness in children.
Health, Inventions, Technology
Ocean salinity

Tracking ocean salinity from space using colour

Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
Ocean colour could serve as a reliable proxy for salinity, opening the door for more frequent and detailed measurements.
Environment, Science, Water
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Liver cancer reaches jaw in rare case

Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)
Researchers at Universiti Teknologi MARA reported in the journal Medicine a rare case of hepatocellular carcinoma cells migrating from the liver and settling in the jawbone and shoulder blade of a 61-year-old man.
Diseases, Medicine
Lignin

A sweet, clean-cut farewell in plants

Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST)
A honeycomb-shaped brace in plants keeps them fit by precisely coordinating the discarding of organs, such as flowers and leaves.
Plants & Animals
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Improved solar panel monitoring

University of Malaya
A novel solar panel tracer is faster, less expensive and more accurate than conventional devices.
Energy, Inventions, Technology
Health monitoring

Smarter health monitoring

University of Malaya
A compact sensor noninvasively checks dengue severity and cholesterol at home or in any health care centre.
Health, Inventions, Technology
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Moving beyond graphene

National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS)
Developing materials similar to graphene remains a challenge, but chemists are making progress, moving closer to smaller, faster electronics and photonics.
Materials, Technology
DNA

Powerful new system for studying diabetic kidney disease

Duke-NUS Medical School
A new mouse model accurately mimics diabetic kidney disease in humans, suggesting new approaches for treatment.
Health, Medicine
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Two strains of oil eating bacteria found in Antarctica

Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
Indigenous bacteria show promise for cleaning up pollution.
Environment, Science
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Protecting rice plants by exploiting their natural defences

Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
An analysis of the chemical signals sent out by rice plants under attack by the brown planthopper could help in the natural control of this insect pest.
Plants & Animals, Science
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New species of malaria parasite found in long-tailed macaques

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
Molecular analysis reveals that long-tailed macaques from Malaysian Borneo host a previously unidentified species of Plasmodium malaria parasite.
Diseases, Medicine, Plants & Animals
Electrons

Electron sandwich doubles thermoelectric performance

Hokkaido University
The ability of thermoelectric materials to convert heat into electricity has been more than doubled. This could help reduce the amount of wasted heat, and thus wasted fossil fuel, in daily activities and industries.
Energy
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Memory foam scaffold helps bone regenerate

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)
A new scaffold expands to fill in bone defects and encourage tissue growth.
Health, Medicine, Technology
Charging

Converting vibrations into electricity

National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS)
Compact chips could power electronics using natural vibrations.
Technology
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Nanotech massage produces safe brain cells

Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU)
An award-winning device employs nanotechnology to safely grow neural stem cells for replacement therapy research.
Brain, Health, Medicine
Reflux

The cancerous effect of reflux?

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
Investigations suggest a link between bile acid reflux and cancer of the upper throat.
Medicine
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Printing the 'soft' robots of the future

National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS)
3D printing shows potential for fabricating personalized ‘soft’ robotic hands and hearts. But challenges need to be addressed.
Technology
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Skin pigmentation recreated with 3D bioprinter

IOP Publishing
Engineered human skin can look more natural when made using 3D bioprinting.
Science, Technology
IAV blocked

Key flu target identified

Hokkaido University
A key cell receptor that facilitates influenza A virus infection has been identified following decades of research.
Diseases, Medicine
BoneCancer

Delivering the goods to bone cancer

Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU)
A gene-editing Trojan horse that sneaks up on osteosarcoma cells could help the fight against this aggressive childhood bone cancer.
Genetics, Health, Medicine
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Investigating the safety of Myanmar's bridges

Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo (UTokyo-IIS)
Japanese researchers have investigated a collapsed bridge in Myanmar and surveyed the safety of seven similar bridges across the country.
Materials, Technology
Perovskite Solar Panels

Perovskite solar cells: Can we go lead-free?

National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS)
Scientists are investigating the potential of non-toxic materials to replace lead in perovskite solar cells.
Energy, Environment, Materials
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Gene regulator goes to town in liver cancer

Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST)
Hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis, prognosis and treatment could improve by identifying a closely associated protein.
Diseases, Medicine
Learning community

Learning life outside the classroom

Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU)
A multi-generational learning programme shows Hong Kong university students can learn much from older people in the community.
Brain, People
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Mitochondria come together to kill cancer cells

Hokkaido University
Uncovered details of a molecular pathway in cancer cells could lead to improved treatment.
Diseases, Medicine
Stomata

The compounds that keep plants fresh

Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (WPI-ITbM), Nagoya University
Controlling plant pore openings could help boost drought tolerance in live plants and extend the freshness of bouquets of cut flowers, thanks to an unusual research approach.
Plants & Animals

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