Blue energy future, Off switch for brain cells, New Japanese lily species, Generative AI in motion, Economies take off with new airports and Braille-shaped electrodes for retinal implants. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice. Plus SciCom Coffee with Catriona Child.
A new material developed by researchers at Tohoku University may be the key to quickly flag damaged infrastructure. This material offers a way to reduce the manpower required to regularly monitor structures that undergo daily use such as bridges. Compared to previous methods, this environmentally friendly material boasts the ability to operate without a power supply, and store information about previous incidents of mechanical stress. The application of this mechanoluminescent material is expected to make it easier and less costly to assess the safety of structures we may use in our everyday lives.
Rapidus and Hokkaido University Sign Comprehensive Collaboration Agreement aiming to enhance scientific and technological capabilities and develop human resources through the semiconductor industry.
Osaka University researchers discovered a correlation between high GDF15 levels in steatotic liver patients and increased liver cancer risk. Steatotic liver disease cases, fueled by lifestyle-related issues, have surged globally, with Japan reporting a significant prevalence. Elevated GDF15 levels also signify complication risks associated with liver cirrhosis. Combining GDF15 levels and FIB-4 index aids efficient liver cancer detection, potentially improving prognosis through early intervention.
On the occasion of World Environment Day today (5 June), the Science Unit of Lingnan University and Friends of the Earth (HK) (FoE (HK)) have signed a partnership agreement to launch the first Executive Certificate in Sustainable Finance & ESG Analytics for executives of higher education institutions in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), and aligned with the CESGA global certification. Acting in response to our era of digital transformation, this executive certificate training programme not only explores the concepts of Sustainable Finance, but also incorporates Lingnan’s expertise in Artificial Intelligence (AI) analytics, reflecting the global shift towards Sustainable Finance and the increasing integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors in financial decision-making.
Fifteen years after Japan initiated efforts to attract younger people to rural areas, researchers assess its impact and the lessons it offers for global rural revitalization policies.
The traditional optimal audio experience depended on the interplay between space, speakers and music carriers, such as CDs or vinyl records. Invisible Tech, a local start-up specialising in acoustic design, uses recycled wine crates, wood waste and reclaimed furniture to produce a range of speakers. With the support of HK Tech 300 of City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), Invisible Tech worked with CityUHK audio technology researchers to develop a sound system tailored for the modern living environment and habits. The system is designed to provide users with immersive surround sound music enjoyment.
Previous research has demonstrated that adding tin to beta-type titanium alloys improves their strength. But scientists have yet to understand the reasons for this. Now, a research team from Tohoku University has pinpointed the exact mechanisms behind this phenomenon.
Groundbreaking research from Duke-NUS offers new hope to millions with asthma and severe food allergies, signalling a new strategy for the prevention of life-threatening reactions.
A research group at Osaka University developed a mixed reality (MR) system to intuitively share flooding forecasts, which can be visualized on mobile devices via server rendering. This system addresses the challenge of displaying detailed flood risks, enhancing understanding among both experts and the public. By offloading computational tasks to servers, the system allows for real-time MR visualization over large city areas, potentially integrating advanced features like deep learning to improve disaster resilience and public safety.
Lingnan University is proud to announce the appointment of illustrious physicist and Nobel laureate, Prof Samuel C.C. Ting, as Honorary Director of the Lingnan University Institute for Advanced Study (LUIAS). Prof Ting was given an Honorary Doctorate (Doctor of Science, honoris causa) by Lingnan University and visited the campus to host the University Assembly last year, where he lectured on his ongoing space experiments, inspiring the faculty and students alike with his dedication to scientific inquiry and the pursuit of knowledge.
A research group at Osaka University has developed an innovative positioning system that enhances the versatility and accuracy of drone-viewpoint mixed reality (MR) applications by aligning real and virtual world coordinates without predefined routes. By integrating visual positioning systems and natural feature-based tracking, this technology is expected to be applied to urban landscape simulation, maintenance, and inspection work.
Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST)
02 Jun 2024
- An amorphous TiO2/CdSe photocatalyst improves CO2 conversion performance and catalyst lifetime, with quadrupled regeneration efficiency over conventional photocatalysts
- The results are published in the International Journal of Applied Catalysis B: Environment and Energy
Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST)
02 Jun 2024
Expected to enable rapid and accurate verification of videos collected and distributed online.
- Professor In-kyu Moon’s research team received about 4.8 billion KRW over 2 years and 9 months from the Ministry of Science and ICT, and the project commenced in April 2024.
The largest graduating class in Duke-NUS’ history saw 90 graduates, including the first-ever Master of International Translational Medicine cohort, receive their degrees. Collectively, this cohort published 99 academic publications, underscoring Duke-NUS’ role as a leader in innovation and academic rigour in medical education. Celebrating diverse pathways to a career in healthcare, the graduates’ first degrees reflect diverse backgrounds, including architecture, communication studies and engineering, among others.
Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are how to analyze sweat without getting sweaty, man’s best (robot) friends, and a satellite made from an innovative material: wood.
To overcome issues associated with real-life testing, SUTD researchers successfully demonstrated the use of digital twin technology within robot simulation software in assessing a robot’s suitability for deployment in simulated built environments.
Research collaboration between Osaka University and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. revealed that deletion of mRNA endonuclease Regnase-1 promoted NK cell anti-tumor activity via OCT2-dependent transcriptional up-regulation of Ifng mRNA. Associated with the deletion of Regnase-1 in NK cells, NK cells showed a high expression of OCT2 and CXCR6 in those that escaped from mRNA decay from Regnase-1, and they contributed to the transcriptional regulation of Ifng and NK cell persistence inside the tumor microenvironment, respectively. The loss-of-function strategy targeting Regnase-1 potentially enhances the production of cytotoxic proteins such as IFN-γ, granzymes, and perforin. This approach also promotes NK cell infiltration and persistence within the tumor, thereby facilitating the development of effective anti-tumor immunotherapy against solid tumors.
To mitigate global warming, the Hong Kong Government is striving to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050. A relatively concentrated energy and resource consumption industry, catering's carbon emissions cannot be overlooked, and Lingnan University's Hong Kong Institute of Business Studies (HKIBS) recently released a series of Hong Kong Catering Industry Carbon Neutrality Challenge reports. Their survey found that over 90 per cent of consumers are willing to patronise low-carbon restaurants, but few respondents understand the meaning of carbon footprint. Restaurant managers said that high costs and technical difficulties are the most common problems in implementing low-carbon operations.
Renowned for its gleaming silver and gold inlay against dark metallic backgrounds, Bidriware metal work derives its name from the town of its origin — Bidar in southern India. While the earliest documented presence of Bidriware is in a 1625 Deccani miniature painting, the craft is believed to have originated in the 14th century under the patronage of the Bahmani Sultans. Bidriware's allure ensured that it was valued and patronised by royalty across the Indian subcontinent in the late medieval and early modern period. Read about this living tradition, and the processes behind the creation of Bidriware.
Researchers from Osaka University probed the transit of cations across a nanopore membrane for the generation of osmotic energy. The team controlled the passage of cations across the membrane using a voltage applied to a gate electrode. This control allowed the cation-selective transport to be tuned from essentially zero to complete cation selectivity. The findings are expected to support the application of blue energy solutions for sustainable energy alternatives worldwide.
Researchers from Osaka University combined computer simulations and transmission electron microscopy experiments to better understand the ordering mobility and formation of microstructure domains in Fe3Al alloy. They were able to correlate structural changes with heat treatment to understand how particular mechanical behavior can be achieved. This is expected to allow the superelastic properties of Fe3Al to harnessed for the 3D printing of construction materials for absorbing seismic activity.
Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST)
29 May 2024
The potential of magnetically controlled microrobot technology in medicine has been recognized with five awards at a prominent international exhibition of inventions in Geneva.
Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST)
29 May 2024
Joint research by DGIST Principal Researcher Jinhyo Yoon’s team and Seoul National University research team
publishes research on finding signals of open innovation in companies’ financial data
Lingnan University signed multiple significant strategic cooperation framework agreements yesterday (28 May) with Rizhao City, Shandong Province, Shandong Hi-Speed Group Co, Ltd. (Shandong Hi-Speed Group), Shandong Huge Dental Material Co., Ltd., and Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited (ASTRI). These collaborations aim to leverage each party’s unique strengths in talent, research, and industry. Lingnan will conduct research projects with partner institutions, promote collaborative innovation, develop new quality productive forces, establish new research and development (R&D) institutions, accelerate the commercialisation of technological achievements, and cultivate a new generation of exceptional talent.
An SUTD professor and his collaborators propose a new tree-inspired one-time password scheme that provides security and privacy while supporting changing user environments.
Osaka University is starting a Phase I clinical trial (first in human) for refractory prostate cancer using an astatine-labeled drug ([At-211]PSMA-5). This trial aims to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of the new alpha therapy. Previous trials for thyroid cancer have been successful. The trial addresses the high unmet needs of prostate cancer patients and leverages Japan's ability to manufacture astatine. This innovative therapy promises fewer side effects and no need for hospitalization, potentially benefiting patients globally.