Press releases

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University today (17 June 2009) launches a dedicated channel on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/HongKongPolyU).

The Forest Research Institute Malaysia received 11 awards for its 10 research products submitted for competition at the 20th International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition (ITEX) in Kuala Lumpur in May 2009.

Under this Joint Fellowship Scheme, the Centre will sponsor up to five scientists during the year for short-term affiliation at ICCBS for a period of up to ~3 months.

Under this scheme, the Centre will sponsor up to five scientists during the year for short term affiliation at ZMT for a period of up to 3 months.

Working in collaboration with the HKSAR Government's Highways Department, Prof. Michael Siu, Leader of the Public Design Lab of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has achieved a major breakthrough in managing public space by the invention of a new bollard system, known as FlexiBOL®, for use along the roadside and pedestrian walkways.

The Network of African Science Academies (NASAC), a group of 13 merit-based science academies in Africa, will formally present a statement on scientific brain drain to the heads of states attending the G8+5 Summit in L’Aquila, Italy, in July.

In simple rites held at the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB), UP Los Baños yesterday June 10, Dr. Artemio Salazar, together with UPLB officials led by Chancellor Luis Rey I. Velasco presented the new YAP (Yield and Protein) corn variety to the Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Arthur C. Yap, whom the corn was named after.

Hundreds of people from all walks of life came to the Forest Research Institute Malaysia in Kepong on 7 June to join in the Green Fest celebration, co-organised by the institute and The Star in conjunction with the World Environment Day 2009.

The Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Guangdong Academy of Forestry (GAF), Republic of China, on collaboration in forest protection, forest ecology, tree improvement and medicinal plants in nursery practices.

Summaries of newsworthy papers Nanomaterials in biological systems, How nanotubes suppress the immune function?, Alzheimer’s assemblies identified, A new vision for eye condition, Protein translation factor causes breast cancer, Sperm DNA packaging, Genome screens suggest clues to multiple sclerosis risk

KUBANG KERIAN, MALAYSIA, 12 JUNE – Researchers from Universiti Sains Malaysia have developed the world’s first endodontic or root canal treatment sealer using nanotechnology.

Chemical-induced switching of polymer magnetism achieved at room temperature

Knocking out a clock gene in plant cells interrupts mitochondrial function and energy release

This article gives an overview about research combining organic substances and base metals such as zinc to create molecules with properties equivalent to those of precious metals, or molecules that can cause completely new chemical reactions.

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University today received a donation of RMB1 million from Mr Ye Xuefeng of WuXi Innovatech Company Limited, a mainland enterprise in Jiangsu Province, in support of the future development of its Industrial Centre.

A new analysis of the current swine-origin H1N1 influenza A virus suggests that transmission to humans occurred several months before recognition of the existing outbreak.

In Nature China this week - A novel ubiquitin ligase that promotes the production of type I interferon may be effective against viral infection

Summaries of newsworthy papers include New mechanism implicated in tuberculosis, Grounded eclipse observations yield unique insights, Fat cells influence blood formation, Mind the bandgap and Worlds in collision: what are the chances?

The Bioremediation Research Team of the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology based in UP Los Baños is currently conducting studies to rehabilitate several contaminated sites in the country. These include an abandoned mining site at Mogpog, Marinduque, and bodies of water in Bulacan.

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Can Alzheimer’s disease be infectious?, New drug target for leukaemia, Quick, look sharp, Regulating an ancient arm of our immunity, Activating genes in live animals and Sex cells harbour longevity secrets

The first ever Asia Consciousness Festival was opened today (5 June) by Mr James Tien, Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board; and Ms Florence Hui, Undersecretary for Home Affairs at a ceremony held in The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

The biennial Digital Review of Asia Pacific is a comprehensive guide to the state-of-practice and trends in information and communication technologies for development (ICTD) in Asia Pacific. This fourth edition (2009–2010) features 30 economies and four subregional groupings.

Penang, Malaysia, June 5, 2009 – No one argues about the impact of ICTs on Asia. India leveraged ICTs to drive its economy and lift millions out of dire poverty. However, rural Asians, remain among this planet’s poorest and the most underserved by health, education, and economic programs.

Penang, 5 June 2009: The biennial Digital Review of Asia Pacific is a comprehensive guide to the state-of-practice and trends in information and communication technologies for development (ICTD) in Asia Pacific, and will be launched on June 11th.

Penang, 5 June - Imagine cup is the Microsoft sponsored world's premier student technology competition

We thought that the avian flu might have been that new strain, but surprisingly enough, it turned out to be another new flu, swine flu, which was suddenly contracted from pigs in Mexico in April 2009.

A mesh-like structure formed by two synaptic scaffolding proteins controls the shape and protein make-up of the synapse

New phosphorescent complexes improve manufacturing of high-efficiency light sources

RIKEN has developed a common infrastructure called RIKEN SciNeS (Science Networking System) to execute large-scale releases of data in a format conforming to the international Semantic Web standard.

Asia Research News 2009, the first magazine to focus on current on-going research in Asia has been launched by ResearchSEA. Asia Research News 2009 features interesting on-going research from selected research institutions, with contact details of leading researchers for interested readers.