Press releases

Content is provided by our community of institutions, partners, researchers and journalists.

Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST)
06 May 2024
- A research team led by DGIST Professor Sohee Kim has touted the electrodes’ potential for large-area retinal stimulation given that they closely adhere along the retinal curvature to ensure a wide field of view. - The electrodes are expected to be used in retinal implants to restore partial visual function to patients with blindness.
The mini air purifier PureAura designed by the Lingnan Entrepreneurship Initiative (LEI) receives the 2024 iF Design Gold Award. From left: Mr Uwe Cremering, CEO of iF Design, Mr Adrian Lo Chun-kwong, Product Design Lead of LEI, and Prof Albert Ko, Director of LEI.
Lingnan University (LU)
06 May 2024
The mini air purifier PureAura, designed and developed by Lingnan University's Entrepreneurship Initiative (LEI), has received the 2024 iF Design Gold Award in the Product - Building Technology category. The iF Design Award is widely regarded as the Oscars of the design industry, and Lingnan University is the sole Hong Kong institution, and one of only eight universities worldwide, to be given this honour since the Gold Awards' inception in 1954.
Asia Research News
03 May 2024
Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are the origin of a nearby asteroid, laser-activated droplets that detect biomarkers, and another example of how apes are not too far from us humans!
Singapore University of Technology and Design
03 May 2024
A global study by an SUTD researcher in collaboration with scientists from Japan explores the economic benefits of airport investment in emerging economies using nighttime satellite imagery.
Lithium-superrich iron oxides for cost-effective, high-capacity, and cyclable cathodes. (Illustration: Science Graphics. Co., Ltd. with modification)
Hokkaido University
02 May 2024
Charge-recharge cycling of lithium-superrich iron oxide, a cost-effective and high-capacity cathode for new-generation lithium-ion batteries, can be greatly improved by doping with readily available mineral elements.
Osaka University
02 May 2024
Osaka University researchers discovered a concerning association between bacteremia and probiotic use, particularly with Clostridium butyricum (C. butyricum) MIYAIRI 588. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that all C. butyricum bacteremia strains were probiotic derivatives. Out of 6,576 cases of positive blood cultures, C. butyricum was detected in only five cases, all derived from probiotics. The study underscores rare but serious adverse events linked to probiotics, advocating cautious prescribing practices, especially for hospitalized patients.
Osaka University
01 May 2024
Researchers from Osaka University have found that a brain disorder associated with flu (influenza-associated encephalopathy, or IAE) can be caused by the influenza virus entering the brain from the blood via endothelial cells. In these cells, the researchers observed viral protein accumulation, suggesting that antivirals targeting viral transcription/translation may be useful treatments for some patients. Given the lack of effective treatments for IAE, this finding will likely improve patient care and reduce IAE-related deaths worldwide.
 The new species of Japanese lily Lilium pacificum
Osaka Metropolitan University
01 May 2024
Classification of these plants bloom to double the number of taxonomic groups through morphological study, DNA analysis
Duke-NUS Medical School
30 Apr 2024
Immune response from two doses of mRNA vaccines is sufficient to protect against COVID-19 in children. A third dose does not confer additional benefit, research conducted by the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine) and Duke-NUS Medical School has found.
(Illustration: Yuki Kimura)
Hokkaido University
29 Apr 2024
Samples reveal evidence of changes experienced by the surface of asteroid Ryugu, some probably due to micrometeoroid bombardment.
Tohoku University
26 Apr 2024
Our brains are truly miraculous. They can process vast swathes of information with very little energy supply. One of the many ways our brain may do this is through dilation of blood vessels, which enhances energy circulation and clears wasteful materials. A research team has recently developed a method that easily observes and monitors this phenomenon.
The flow-type fixed-bed reactor used in the process of recovering phosphorus from incinerated sewage sludge. (Photo: Naoto Tsubouchi)
Hokkaido University
26 Apr 2024
Chemical and heat treatment of sewage sludge can recover phosphorus in a process that could help address the problem of diminishing supplies of phosphorus ores.
Lingnan University and PKU organise the first Lingnan-Yuanpei STEM Summer Academy.
Lingnan University (LU)
26 Apr 2024
The launch ceremony for the Lingnan-Yuanpei STEM Summer Academy (LYSSA), jointly organised by Lingnan University and Yuanpei College (Yuanpei) of Peking University (PKU), was held recently on the Lingnan campus. Over 50 experts, project advisors and students from both universities attended in person or virtually. A hub cultivating Hong Kong’s and Beijing’s innovative and entrepreneurial talents, LYSSA encourages students from both universities to transform their creative ideas into grant-winning business plans. At the same time, they are expected to acquire liberal arts qualities and an entrepreneurial spirit.
Osaka University
25 Apr 2024
Osaka University researchers discovered liver resident macrophages' pivotal role in defending against gut bacteria and related substances entering via the portal vein, particularly under compromised intestinal barrier conditions. Identified as "sentinel macrophages," they are activated by isoallo-lithocholic acid. This finding holds promise for developing preventive and therapeutic strategies for liver chronic inflammatory diseases, such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), by enhancing the function of these macrophages to mitigate inflammation and improve treatment efficacy.
City University of Hong Kong (CityU)
25 Apr 2024
Academic, clinical and industry partners signed several MoUs with City University of Hong Kong at a special ceremony on 24 April to mark the establishment of the CityUHK Institute of Digital Medicine (IDM).
Estimated mortality and economic impacts of enhanced Siberian wildfires through air pollution for selected East Asian countries and Russian administrative districts under the present climate condition with the most extreme wildfire scenario estimated by the modeling. (Teppei J. Yasunari, et al. Earth’s Future. April 24, 2024)
Hokkaido University
24 Apr 2024
As wildfires in Siberia become more common, global climate modeling estimates significant impacts on climate, air quality, health, and economies in East Asia and across the northern hemisphere.
Tohoku University
24 Apr 2024
The enzyme PI3K plays a critical role in cell migration. Scientists have long understood this function. But researchers have recently unveiled that a subunit of this enzyme also has the ability to slam on the breaks to this process.
Osaka University
24 Apr 2024
Researchers from Osaka University examined how specific types of contextual changes, such as government recommendations and perceived behavior of others, influenced mask-wearing behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. They found a complex relationship between societal norms and individual behavior during the pandemic, indicating that future strategies for public health crises interventions should consider various factors and contexts, including cultural predispositions.
Amur tigers in Russia.
24 Apr 2024
The recently concluded Sustainable Finance for Tiger Landscapes Conference convened tiger range countries, private and public sector donors, international development agencies, the Tiger Conservation Coalition, and other conservation organisations to discuss innovative solutions to sustainably finance tiger landscape conservation.
Tohoku University
23 Apr 2024
Researchers at Tohoku University and the Japan Atomic Energy Agency have discovered a unique property, the quantum metric, within magnetic materials, altering the 'electron universe' geometry. This distinct electric signal challenges traditional electrical conduction and could revolutionize spintronic devices.
Tohoku University
23 Apr 2024
Using neutron scattering and voltage measurements, a group of researchers have discovered that a material's magnetic properties can predict spin current changes with temperature. The finding is a major breakthrough in the field of spintronics.
Native bacteria metabolize sweat in the armpits, causing odor to arise.
Osaka Metropolitan University
23 Apr 2024
Bacteriophage therapy could be developed based on study’s results
City University of Hong Kong (CityU)
23 Apr 2024
Oxygen is vital for both human and marine life survival. A few years ago, Dr Ng Chi-on, a graduate of the Department of Chemistry at City University of Hong Kong (CityU), together with his team, developed a new type of photo-sensor that can effectively monitor oxygen concentration in seawater and reduce the monitoring cost. The team subsequently established a start-up company, called “NerOcean”. In collaboration with government departments such as the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, NerOcean tested the sensors in five to six marine zones, aiming to develop a marine surveillance network – “Nerve of the Ocean” – in the long run upon mass production of the sensors. This is expected to result in a breakthrough in sustainable marine environment monitoring and fisheries production management.
Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST)
22 Apr 2024
- A joint research team from DGIST-UNIST has developed ultra-high-efficiency pure red light-emitting devices by modifying the surface of perovskite light-emitting layers to enhance stability and electrical properties. - The findings have been published in the journal “Materials Today.”
Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST)
22 Apr 2024
- A joint research team between DGIST, Ewha Womans University, Incheon National University, and Sang-hoon Nam at MIT used atomic force microscopy to identify what causes electron-hole separation due to energy-level differences within and at the interface between crystals in the light-absorbing layer of thin-film solar cells - Suggested directions to understand carrier behaviors in a variety of fields with atomic force microscopy
Watching over with minimal intervention is a hallmark of early childhood education in Japan.
Osaka Metropolitan University
22 Apr 2024
Watching and waiting with minimal intervention forms educational philosophy guided by balance
Osaka University
22 Apr 2024
Researchers from Osaka University used structured light and switchable fluorescent molecules to reduce the background light from the out-of-plane regions of microscope samples. This method allowed for the acquisition of images that surpassed the conventional resolution limit, and it may be useful for further study of cell clusters and other biological systems.
Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST)
20 Apr 2024
- Three scholarship recipients were selected in multidisciplinary ICT and one in life sciences through the 25:1 competition ratio for the scholarship
Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST)
20 Apr 2024
- Launch of joint academic-industrial programs through a partnership agreement with K-Club, an association of KIST family companies, to enhance academic-industrial collaboration. - Expectations of joint research and spread of business achievements in promising technology fields through agreement with Samick THK.
Asia Research News
19 Apr 2024
Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are the discovery that baby stars “sneeze”, how to increase panda reproduction and detect fiddler crab signals, and how being slightly overweight in our older years can be beneficial.