Press releases

Controlled collisions of molecules allow RIKEN scientists to visualize dual microscopic chemical reaction pathways

A genomic study reveals important details about how microbes dwelling in the termite gut help their insect hosts to wreak havoc

Inhibiting GSK-3β, a molecule that causes Alzheimer disease pathology, may also create memory problems

UP Los Baños is currently employing biotechnology to produce clinically-important compounds from an erstwhile common garden plant – the Vinca. According to Dr. Eufrocinio Marfori of BIOTECH based at UP Los Baños, his team is looking for more natural products which can be derived from the Vinca.

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has recently received research funding totaling more than $9 million from the Research Grants Council (RGC), the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) and industry partners to advance the study of nanostructured materials on both theoretical and technological application sides.

Multi-awarded computer scientist Prof. Jaderick Pabico of the University of the Philippines Los Baños has developed a computational model that can operate a cheap computer-based system to grade agricultural produce such as tomatoes and eggs.

IPS Asia-Pacific is looking for an editor to oversee editorial production for the region. Duty station: Bangkok, Thailand

Prof. Asma discovered the antigen for Salmonella Typhi and developed a diagnostic kit for typhoid fever which has been commercialised in more than 18 countries, Prof. Halimaton initiated the study "zeolite and nanostructures" and Dr Salmah is active in efforts to overcome the impacts of floods and pollution as a result of uncontrolled development.

GEORGE TOWN – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) won the first prize at the Prestige 2009 Programme for its case study on the challenges in building a power station.

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Possible signature of dark matter detected, Melting mantle plumes and island formation and All in a spin

In Nature China this week - Researchers in China have identified a particular region of the rice genome that influences grain yield

Sugarcane conversion into biofuel is cost-effective with petroleum fuel when oil prices are high; it reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and diversifies energy sources. Ethanol production from sugarcane may look good at the outset but do these rewards true to its form?

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Peek-a-boo perception, Softening bone, Patagonian glacial-age dust machine, New genetic risk factors for breast cancer, Stem cells generate intestine, A new treatment for arrhythmia, Bio-inspired bond-breaking and How does your fungus garden grow?

World Heritage Sites – Why is such focus now being placed on World Heritage Sites? What meaning does protecting World Heritage Sites for future generations have for the 21st century? The history of World Heritage Sites can be traced back more than 30 years ago.

Waseda University plans to increase the number of international students from the current level, about 3000 students, to 8000 students in the medium term.

Under the Abe administration in 2007, the then minister Watanabe hammered out the public service reform as an eye-catcher for an Upper House election. He advertised his enthusiasm for the reform by establishing two conferences related to the public service reform immediately before the election.

Since the early 1990s, within my research in international developmental cooperation and international environmental cooperation, I have worked to establish a model for “the development of social capacity and institutional change”, a model that can become a new policy for international development.

Determining the molecular workings of plant cells is now possible using a newly developed method

Experiments with a rotating magnetic field provide new understanding on its coupling to the electric polarization of a multiferroic material

Brain cells called astrocytes secrete the S100B protein to modulate the network activity of neurons

A cooperative effect gives rare-earth metal complexes with two metal centers better selectivity than single metal catalysts

In Nature China this week - Researchers in China have developed a rapid and effective strategy for identifying DNA-binding regulatory factors

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Volcanoes: Under my umbrella, Developmental biology: Molecule implicated in stem cell engraftment, Earth Science: The lingering effects of deglaciation, Gene Patenting: new perspectives and potential problems and Oldest, well-preserved bony fish found

Based on a ‘Future Alternative Fuel for Sustainability’ theme, two groups of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) students secured second place for Model Car Invention and poster production categories

Summaries of newsworthy papers including; Heat-assisted magnetic recording, Geoscience: Dangers in the deep, Risk factors for cardiovascular health, Unexpected tumour growth?, Chemical Biology: Fragment filtering goes virtual, Finding footprints in the genome, And finally…Stellar evolution: Is it or isn’t it?

Ultrafast lasers instantaneously track a molecular twist in progress

Multiple timescales of neural activities are important to motor-control systems in animals, according to research using robots

The hotly anticipated X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) is nearing completion at the SPring-8 syncrotron facility in Hyogo Prefecture, and work is progressing toward startup in 2011. Speakers at the symposium gave detailed reports on the project’s progress in the past year.

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Metal rings for molecular dumb-bells, Heat in the crust, Light switch for brain signalling pathways, Pollen tube attractant found and Ancient feathered dinosaur and rise of the blogs

During the last two weeks of March, 2009, polar oceanographers around the world will join students and teachers in local and broadcast events in Italy, Canada, Malaysia, Scotland, France, Germany, Brazil, USA, and Mexico.