Press releases

Newsworthy papers include A cold snap explained, I think therefore I touch, The 'good', the 'bad' and the gut, Forced out and fighting it, An infrared ring round a neutron star, Diagnostics in the balance, The big thaw, Engineering surface features of titania crystals, Quantum phase transition in a quantum dot, Visual invisibles, Packing wrapped up

Penang, Malaysia - Prof. Ismail Ab. Rahman gave his expert views on the Sol Gel Process and its contribution towards ceramic technology development. While Prof. Yeap Guan Yeow discussed research and its impact in Malaysia.

In April 2008, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) once again won recognition at national level when it was awarded the Grand Prize Winner in two categories at the National Intellectual Property Award 2008 Ceremony.

The park has a collection of about 500 species of economical herbaceous plants. The plants are for biological science research purposes.

One of the partnership programmes is the system of fertilization using minimum soil and usage of water and nutrient in the most efficient way for horticulture production. The project aims to create a prototype structure of plantation protected within its environment which has a system for cooling, airing and stabilization of wet temperature.

The Gold medal winners were for L2 Lipase: A Thermostable Enzyme for Industrial Applications and Production of Palm-based Anti Obesity Functional Oil.

Penang, Malaysia - Through the competition, many had the chance to witness a total of 145 researches by undergraduate students from 19 public and private higher learning institutions throughout the country.

PENANG, 20 MAY: Realising the importance of clean water for more than 27 million people in Malaysia, two USM students successfully produced a material which is able to absorb heavy metal from industrial waste water.

PENANG, 21 MAY: Raising concerns over global fuel price hikes have prompted USM students to explore fuel alternatives for vehicles.

Penang, Malaysia - University Science Malaysia’s Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Prof. Muhammad Idiris Saleh, officiated the USM World Biodiversity Day and Haniff Awards on 22 May 2008.

Newsworthy papers include Nanoparticles need 'stripes' for cellular success, Genetic variants affect cancer risk in alcohol drinkers, Conducting without pressure, A critical factor for maintaining blood stem cells, Understanding cocaine craving, Genetic clue to 'clubbing', Searching for cancer's 'Achilles' heel', Observing virus birth

A MoU was signed between Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and Sarawak Waste Management Sdn. Bhd./Trienekens (Sarawak) Sdn. Bhd. to generate new knowledge, technologies and approaches for a sustainable management of solid wastes in Sarawak.

Cancer of the nasopharynx has its highest incidence in South East Asia, and is more prevalent in the Chinese population. Past studies linked its development to genetic predisposition and herpesvirus infections. UNIMAS researchers in this on-going project have further discovered the involvement of genes not previously implicated.

This project places an emphasis on accumulation of knowledge related to environments and disaster prevention. One of the expected outcomes is a system to improve human security in the Asian region with the implementation of a disaster management system

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Outburst marking the birth of a supernova, Molecular clues to appetite and drug addiction, Magma can directly produce earthquakes, A trick of light, Stem cells: Getting to grips with self-renewal, How a vaccine enhancer, Climate : Tracking extreme conditions and A Texan fossil astride the amphibian gap

In Nature China this week - High wind may inhibit plant growth irrespective of rain availability. Other papers include Electrochemical DNA sensors: Turn on the signal, AIDS treatment: The winning count, Genetics: Productivity booster, Quantum entanglement: Six at a time, Gamma-ray burst: Dust sees the light

A genome wide study from Japan and Korea suggests generic susceptibility to gastric cancer. Other newsworthy papers include Fewer Atlantic hurricanes under global warming, Genetic links between pigmentation and skin cancer, Towards a model for Huntingdon’s disease and Three-dimensional microscopy at nanoscale resolution

Mariam Sticklen urges governments around the world to acknowledge the pressing need to develop these technologies — without such action biofuels will remain expensive and may even add to the environmental threat.

With raising the youth of both Japan and China to shoulder the goodwill enterprise between the countries as its objective, the Japanese side of the "China-Japan Youth Amity Exchange" was opened in the Okuma Auditorium on May 8th.

For Earthquake experts, journalists may contact the following persons. For contact details of experts, please email [email protected]

Penang, Malaysia - The award carries a cash prize of USD100,000, a trophy and a certificate was first introduced in 2002 with the aim of promoting research and knowledge development, particularly in the field of science, amongst institutions in member countries of IDB.

Penang, Malaysia - At ITEX 2008, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) won 9 Gold, 10 Silver and 5 Bronze medals. The gold medals were for an affordable Intelligent Braking System fitted wheelchair for use by paraplegics, sustainable aqua-feed, environmental friendly polymer, intelligent exoskeletal arm for stroke patients and more.

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Atmosphere: Message in a bubble, Climate change: Huge analysis shows warming is changing the world, Planetary science: Pole to pole and Materials: Practical polaritonics

This week from Nature China - Clinical trials show that a new malaria vaccine is safe and effective in humans, and may one day help control malaria, Female Chinese jumping spiders prefer males that reflect ultraviolet-B rays and more.

IDRC believes that poverty alleviation, food security, and environmental sustainability go hand in hand. This article outlines some notable IDRC supported research towards food security.

Peatlands are the most extensive natural wetland ecosystems in South East Asia. They play an important role in climate regulation. Peatland reclamation for agriculture disrupts this role. UNIMAS is currently working on a sustainable management of the peatlands in Sarawak that would benefit the ecosystem and its dependent communities.

Ottawa, Canada May 13 – Two international experts on food and agriculture were in Ottawa at IDRC today to discuss the factors driving escalating food prices. They addressed some of the forces behind the crisis and offered concrete ways to curb rising food prices through innovations from agricultural research.

Nocturnal tree frogs living in China have been found to possess extraordinary vocal skills comparable to dolphins, elephants and humans. Summaries of other newsworthy papers include The origins of the modern tomato, Insight into devastating pregnancy condition, Targeting dormant leukaemia cells, Tracking plates in the subsurface & more

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Climate: Atmospheric aerosol and sea temperature, The planets: Mysteries surrounding the ‘butterscotch’ planet’s equator and Predicting fish diversity patterns in river networks

IDRC believes that to bring about positive change in people's lives, knowledge should be shared. This CD has information about IDRC activities and e-books including new titles in 2007 and 2008. A link to order your copy is supplied.