Press releases

The last of a series of seven surveys of residents’ opinions towards Hong Kong Disneyland conducted by the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) found that residents’ opinions towards the Disney theme park were still mixed, shifting more to the negative.

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Receptor signalling in pairs, To mend a failing heart, Seven novel loci for plasma lipid levels, Genetics of height and bone disease, Sleep provides a window into memory, Seeing how viruses encounter immune cells and Transmitting HIV through T cell nanotubes

High-energy protons with polarized spin can now be produced in particle colliders, thanks to devices called Siberian snakes

Statistical analyses demonstrate variability in association between genes and osteoarthritis links to ethnicity. Genes can affect disease differently depending on one’s ethnicity, concludes a team of international researchers reporting in the July 2007 issue of Human Molecular Genetics[1].

Lasing from ‘artificial atoms’ is demonstrated for the first time. Researchers from RIKEN’s Frontier Research System in Wako, in collaboration with the NEC Nano Electronics Research Laboratory in Tsukuba, have realized the first laser made from ‘artificial atoms’ based on a superconducting electronic device.

Local governments should start taking action now and begin implementing climate change adaptation and mitigation policies to cushion the impact of climate change, Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, Chair of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said during a video-conference held on November 2, 2007 at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT).

Communicating Disasters was published in December 2007. It is a multi-author book that discusses how information, education and communication can help create disaster resilient communities across the Asia Pacific region. It also takes a critical look at the communication lessons of the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004.

There are currently many incentives given to the promotion on the use of renewable energy from biomass in Malaysia. This paper reviewed the current status of the technologies used in Malaysia, with special emphasis given to environmentally clean and economically viable systems.

This paper elaborates on how the optimum harvesting regime is developed and its contribution to the sustainable management of Seraya forests.

Almost 80% of the wood composite products are exported and generates more than RM 5 billion revenues annually. Statistics have indicated that Malaysia exported more than 1 million m3 per year and became the second largest MDF exporter behind Germany since 2001 until 2004

Natural chemicals found in green tea may be a safe and easily administered neuroprotective treatment for Parkinson's disease

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Cancer: MicroRNAs that reduce metastasis, Space: Antimatter close to home, Cancer biology: Suppressing a leukaemia suppressor, Immunodeficiency: A shortage of oxygen to beat infection, Nanotechnology: Roughened silicon nanowires take the heat and The genetics of sex

Weekly Report Will Accelerate Industry Innovation and Improve Efficiency of BioPharma Investment Decisions

Experts from the University of the Philippines Diliman are currently working on the development of an optical imaging technique that would provide quantitative analysis of artworks which may guide curators, conservators and researchers.

Many of the historic moments in modern science can now be explored online. The archive of the first eighty years (1869-1949) of the journal Nature, the world's foremost weekly scientific journal, goes live today. Every article published in Nature, back to volume 1, issue 1 will now be available online.

The CIST – Centre for Information Systems Training – was launched in 2005 in Phnom Penh to provide disadvantaged students with IT training and qualifications leading to a job. In 2009 it will reach its full capacity and bring 200 people out poverty each year to become actors of the economic development of Cambodia within the IT sectors.

This book brings together scholars, practitioners, former regulators, and policymakers to address the problem of expanding information and communication technology (ICT) connectivity in emerging Asia. It gleans lessons from five Asian countries — Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

Summaries of other newsworthy papers include Walking after spinal rewiring in Nature Medicine and First sign of trouble in Nature Immunology

Researchers identify a mechanism controlling the function of an important cellular protein

Development of a computation system that can accurately predict electron magnetism provides a test of quantum theory

Researchers are applying relativistic quantum theory to explain how graphene could switch from a metal to an insulator

Garcinia atroviridis known in Malaysia as Asam Gelugor is popularly used as seasoning in curries, sour relish and fish dressing. FRIM researchers have discovered that it also has the ability to help reduce weight and have developed it into a herbal tea.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the global health problems in both developed and developing countries. One of the complications is diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness. This research suggest that a compound extracted from a Himalayan medicinal plant has the potential to prevent this.

The Centre for Science and Technology of the Non-Aligned and Other Developing Countries is offering three Fellowship schemes aimed at supporting deserving young scientists and researchers in developing countries. Applications are invited for the year 2008.

Summaries of newsworthy papers including - Tumour incidence: When three is better than two, Metabolic engineering: Brewing better biofuels, Magnetism: Poles apart in spin ice, Astrophysics: Newborn extrasolar planet still tied to parent star, Arctic climate: Warming up and Cancer: Breast cancer goes NUMB

ICTs are powerful tools for reducing poverty, for combating HIV/AIDS, and for promoting good governance. At the Third Global Knowledge Forum (GK3) held recently in Kuala Lumpur, Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and its research partners showcased some of the innovative ways in which ICTs can foster human development.

Increasing attention has been given to the rate of deforestation of tropical forests, which arguably has contributed to a higher level of carbon emission to the atmosphere in the region for the last few years. This paper assesses the carbon sink potential of forests in Malaysia.

Peatlands and peat swamp forests account for 70% of the total wetland areas in Malaysia. With rapid development and mounting population pressures on the natural resources, these areas are under threat. This paper introduces an on-going project to conserve the wetlands through projects in 3 states.

The strong rattling motion of potassium in its atomic cage strongly affects the superconducting state

A team of Japanese scientists has developed a method to ‘fish’ for specific DNA-base problems that are responsible for causing cancer. The method can also be used to identify the exact site and measure the extent of the disorder.