Press releases

A team from China created induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell lines from mouse fibroblast, before showing that these cells could go on to generate fertile live mouse pups, the first born of which they named Tiny.

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Light impact on lake productivity, Pushing the limit, More evidence for water on Enceladus, Order, order, in the valleys!, New function for classic tumour suppressor protein and Spots in the aurorae

This week in Nature China - Researchers in Beijing have developed an efficient method for preparing large graphene sheets

Penang, 22 July - In a press conference today, researchers in Malaysia announced their discovery of a new scuttle fly species which was parasitizing a mound-building termite. Although the research is still in its early stages, this new species may have the potential to be a biological agent in controlling termite infestation.

A special issue of Nature Chemical Biology focuses on the new insights gained into the basic principles of enzyme function and provides perspectives about the future of the field.

Summaries of newsworthy papers in Nature and Nature research journals including: Origin of raindrop size revealed, Geoscience: Full circle, Possible mechanism for blood cancer type, Fast-flowing ice streams mould their beds, A genetic susceptibility locus for follicular lymphoma and Neuroscience: Exploring exploration

Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation Sdn. Bhd. had organised a visit for a delegation comprising 25 entrepreneurs and scientists from Korea led by the Korean Research Institute in Biotechnology and Biosciences (KRIBB) to the Forest Research Institute Malaysia on 8 July 2009

A delegation of seven from the Forest Research Institute Nigeria (FRIN) paid a two-day visit to the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) in Kepong on 7 July 2009

Researchers identify a population of olfactory sensory neurons that is responsible for zebrafish attraction towards amino acids

A technique for characterizing ultrafast light pulses will lead to better optical probes for studying electron dynamics

A total of around 200 people, including 24 members of RIKEN, attended the event, which showcased cutting-edge research and technology in chemical and materials science.

In Nature China this week - A colorimetric sensor based on hydrogen bonding could allow on-site, real-time detection of melamine in dairy products

Professor George Woo, internationally renowned Optometry expert and Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, has recently taken the helm of the World Council of Optometry for a term of two years.

The QuEST Bioherba programme was initiated in 2006 to strengthen the capacity, understanding and scientific knowledge of aspiring entrepreneurs in herbal industry, as well as to assist them in enhancing the quality, safety and efficacy of their products through use of safe technology.

A beam 100 times stronger than any other in the world has allowed　an international research group to demonstrate in only eight hours what it would take other scientists more than six months to achieve.

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Diversity dynamics, Decoding bilharzia, Diversity without barriers, An inverse photoconductor, Sea ice in the Eocene Arctic, Look south, A new window on the past

PENANG, 14 July: Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is prepared to share its expertise with Perusahaan Automobil Kedua Sdn. Bhd. (PERODUA) in the production of more efficient engines in terms of performance and oil consumption.

"Changing Borders" contains the work produced by 16 journalists from Cambodia, China, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar and Vietnam as part of their fellowship under the sixth cycle of the Imaging Our Mekong media programme (2007-08).

The Tokyo University of Science concluded an agreement related to a graduate school Master's double degree program with the Institut Teknologi Bandung in Indonesia.

A team of Japanese scientists has uncovered anatomical clues charting the developmental path by which the turtle acquired its shell.

The swine-origin H1N1 influenza viruses responsible for the recently declared pandemic cause more lung damage than a seasonal influenza strain in animal models, but are still sensitive to antiviral drugs, finds a study published online this week in Nature.

Professor Timothy W. Tong, President of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, has recently led a delegation to visit Hangzhou, the city of Zhejiang Province.

PENANG, 9 July: Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) once again created history when a team of seven students from the School of Computer Sciences, USM won the first and third spots for the category, 'Unlimited Potential Design for Development Award' at the Imagine Cup World Finals, organized by software giant, Microsoft Corp. in Egypt recently.

In the Championship, the group presented their invention, an innovative software programme known as the ‘Mobile Desktop Grid’ that was created through the use of open source software produced by Sun Microsystem.

A naturally occurring population of dendritic cells reduces the incidence and severity of graft-versus-host-disease in mice

A timid knockout mouse separates conflicting emotional behavior for the first time

‘Metamaterials’ — artificially created materials with nanostructures designed to control light — are attracting considerable attention for the development of a range of new technologies, such as very thin eyeglass lenses, optical microscopes that will allow the observation of atoms and optical fibers with no transmission loss.

RIKEN has implemented significant changes since the previous external evaluation in 2006 by the RIKEN Advisory Council (RAC). At the seventh meeting, held in April 2009, the RAC made several new recommendations. RIKEN President Ryoji Noyori and RAC Chair Zach Hall discuss RIKEN’s progress and future directions.

Universiti Sains Malaysia recently hosted two programmes on national television, the Gen Y TV1 Programme on Green Technology for a Sustainable World and a Forum on Islamic Issues on the topics 9 Doors to Good Fortune and Sustainable Environment, Sustainable Ummah.

According to the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Omar Osman, USM is providing this service in view of the fact that some of the participants at the Asia Pacific Regional Symposium (APPS 2009) held in one of the hotels in Penang from 26 June till 1 July 2009 were confirmed positive for the H1N1 flu virus last week.