Press releases

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Anaesthesia without paralysis, Cancer: Stem cells and metastasis, High-temperature superconductivity: An organic perspective, Physics: A single artificial-atom laser and Supercurrents in a Bose-Einstein condensate

Nature reports on how the National Science Foundation (NSF) is looking into how researchers account for time spent on federally funded projects. Auditors have found that the records kept are often not accurate, undermining the ability of the NSF to ensure that its grants are spent appropriately.

Through many decades, the Golden Triangle, led by Myanmar, has been competing with the 'Golden Crescent' --the poppy-growing region in and around Afghanistan, and originally including also Turkey -- for the position of the main opium-producing area in the world.

This project from the Asian Institute of Technology, will enable policy makers in ASEAN countries to understand their country's poverty distribution and map them using GIS technology. They can then determine links between poverty and land use which will lead to the development of long term plans to alleviate poverty in the region.

Scientists in China identify its powerful antioxidant properties. Other research highlights include fish-oil supplements for healthy hearts, incubation of turtle eggs, a new class of bisimides for transistors, non-viral gene carrier for p53 and fabricated metal-organic microtubes.

Following the signing of space collaboration agreement between China and Russia earlier this year, scientists at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) got a new chance to design their state-of-the-art space tools for a mission to Mars onboard a Russian spacecraft.

Malaysia will be sending its first astronauts to the International Space Station on 10 October, 2007 where they will be conducting 10 different experiments. One of the experiments is designed by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) to understand the structure of protein under microgravity.

Scientists from The Asian Institute of Technology analysed remote sensing images around the Mesopotamia Marsh and identified how much of the marsh has disappeared.

Ultrahigh-energy cosmic particles are extremely rare—only 11 have been observed in 13 years. No one knows where they come from, or how they could have that much energy left over after the long journey through intergalactic and interstellar space. RIKEN is planning to observe them on board the International Space Station.

UPM researchers have developed BiOX, a new type of bismuth oxide nanoparticle, which is cheap and ecologically friendly to produce. Bismuth oxide is important in everyday life its non-toxic properties. It can be used as a substitute for lead, eradicating peptic ulcer bacteria, in cosmetics and in solid oxide fuel cell

Neanderthals could have spread as far east as central Asia and Siberia. Summaries of newsworthy papers include NO end to protein modification, Micro-managing HIV replication, The long and the short of fatty liver, The gene-mapper’s best friend, Learning in stressful times, HIV stuns immune cells and Mitochondrial downfall in Parkinson’s disease

Keio University receives approval from MEXT for its merger with Kyoritsu University of Pharmacy and establishment of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences

One jellyfish can throw a swimmer into a panic, but relentless swarms can disrupt entire economies. The isolation of a promising new protein by Japanese researchers could help reverse the economic damage being done by exploding jellyfish populations

Scientists have confirmed that a powerful particle accelerator has recreated the intense conditions that existed just microseconds after the beginning of the universe.

Japanese neuroscientists from the RIKEN Brain Science Institute have uncovered a mechanism for an epileptic disorder which occurs in infants. “We hope to develop effective therapies for this intractable epilepsy from further work,” says project leader Kazuhiro Yamakawa.

Vientiane, Lao PDR – The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has announced the appointment of leading Australian agricultural scientist Elizabeth Woods as the new chair of its Board of Trustees.

Early farmers in eastern China used fire and flood control to manage coastal swamps and turn them into the first known rice paddy fields. Summaries of other newsworthy papers include MicroRNAs & metastasis, Effective gene silencing, Processing with superconducting circuits, Lovelock proposes global warming fix, Taking dendritic cells into medicine

Scientists in China have found that measuring potassium by gamma-ray spectroscopy is a cheap and easy way to assess weathering in rocks, which has implications for the construction and geotechnical industry.

The dung-aw, the pasyon, and the panagbiag are three Filipino traditional practices that differ in form, purpose, and content. However, a research establishes the interrelationship of these three in constructing life histories which makes them elements of the pakasaritaan ti biag or the Ilocanos’ narration of life histories.

Streaming JMCS is the next step in providing rich multimedia experience for 3G mobile users. A 3G mobile user can download and install a Java based application that will enable him to dynamically “stream” video contents to his mobile device using the high speed 3G network.

Summaries of newsworthy papers include In charge of biosensing, Fountain of youth and Finding co-dependent genes in fission yeast

Collective motion of molecules in a crystal could lead to new electronic devices

Multipolar-to-biopolar neuronal transition is essential during brain development. A team of Japanese scientists have determined that a protein called cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) is required for neurons to develop their proper shape.

New research has revealed how protein filaments drive a key cellular process by physically wrapping around and constricting bits of cell membrane

Japanese and American scientists have discovered a bactericidal peptide in M cells that is connected with gut immunity. M cells ingest bacteria or viruses and deliver them to our immune system. This research will help scientists develop a drug delivery system that can deliver medicines specifically to M cells.

Serotonin is used faster in the winter by people suffering from seasonal depression when compared with a control group, according to research to be published in Neurpsychopharmacology this month. The research also shows that serotonin usage returns to normal both where depression is treated effectively and during the summer months.

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Stem cells: Identifying self renewing cells, Climate change: British bog holds clue to ancient global warming and Geochemistry: Argon retention in terrestrial planets

Hydrogen ions produced in very hot water are used in the eco-friendly hydrolysis of cellulose. Other research highlights from Nature China include Gadd45a regulation, Stem-cell transplantation: Cut risks to the bone, Asian dust: Where the dust settles, Quantum dots: Two is not a crowd, Thin films: The stress test

According to the latest research report on “Customer Perceived Value in Hong Kong’s Retail Sector” conducted by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)’s Faculty of Business, both local and non-local shoppers are becoming less satisfied with the services of Hong Kong’s retail sector.

Tokyo, Japan - Both universities declare their intention to promote cooperation in research and education in various fields.