Press releases

TWAS, the academy of sciences for the developing world, is seeking nominations for the 2008 Trieste Science Prize scheme, aimed at honouring scientists living and working in developing countries. The closing date for nominations is 31 January 2008.

In Nature China this week - The northward transport of nutrient-rich waters through the Bering Strait could act as negative feedback on global warming and plants can be genetically engineered to stunt the growth of insect pests

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Ageing: A long and happy life, Environment: Browning of lakes and streams, Feature: Grand challenges in non-communicable diseases, Genetics: Insight into wood-munching termites, Earth science: Giant landslide, giant debris and finally... Babies weigh up the social situation

Concerns about national security have induced U.S. immigration authorities to limit the number of foreign research students in universities. This study reviews how the presence of international students contributes to publications and patents awarded to universities and how key East Asian economies can take advantage of this.

Summaries of newsworthy papers include More single photons, Neural networks organise themselves, Gene prevents sudden death in mice after infection, Optimistic neurons, How the visual system grows up, Suppressing allergy and Getting attached to measles

A combination of experimental and theoretical approaches may help explain the molecular mechanics underlying each muscle contraction

Researchers isolate and devise a way to produce progenitors of cells essential for ovarian follicle maturation

A novel cyclization reaction is used to make molecules that switch between two different forms by redistributing their electrons

Though the President is attempting to brave the storm, his position is much weakened as he takes hurried measures to redress the prevailing situation. He has refused to give a date for lifting the state of emergency and said it might continue even beyond the elections because of the situation on the terrorism front.

TWAS has announced the winners of the TWAS Prizes for 2007. Each winner will receive a US$10,000 cheque and be invited to lecture about his or her research at the Academy’s Silver Jubilee anniversary celebration scheduled to take place in Mexico City from 11 to 13 November 2008.

TWAS awarded its first-ever Regional Prizes for Public Understanding of Science. Each prize carries a US$3,000 cash award. It is given to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to improving public understanding and appreciation of science.

TWAS, the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World, has announced the election of 45 new members. The election took place at the Academy’s 18th General Meeting, held in Trieste, Italy on 13 November.

The political impact of climate change in Australia and the United States is the focus of a collection of News Features in Nature this week.

The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) has published series of nine Working Papers on the state of Compensation for Environmental Services in three continents – Africa, Asia and Latin America.

As states encroach on Internet governance around the world, IDRC is supporting a major new initiative that will investigate the impacts of Internet censorship in Asia.

A method of reprogramming rhesus macaque adult fibroblasts into embryonic stem cells using somatic cell nuclear transfer is presented in Nature this week.

IDRC was one of the earliest development agencies to embrace information and communication technologies (ICTs) as powerful tools for reducing poverty, for combating HIV/AIDS, and for fostering good governance.

In Nature China this week, scientists in China have isolated a protein from peanut seeds that has antifungal, antibacterial and anticancer activities while scientists in Hong Kong have demonstrated the possibility of a three-dimensional cloaking device for sound.

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Testing time, A new virulence mechanism for MRSA, Genetic mutation in familial aortic aneurysm, Regulating immune suppression, Stalling chemotherapy damage, Controlling protein stability in parasites

Since 2004, China has amended its treatment of foreign investments to attract higher-quality foreign investment and upgrade processing exports in order to transform itself from a world sweatshop to a global manufacturing center. The policies appear to have the intended effects.

Manila – A new international research initiative, linking the private and public sectors for the first time and launched today at the 2007 Asian Seed Congress, aims to boost the research and development of hybrid rice for the tropics.

Researchers have revealed how two closely related proteins trigger opposing effects in developing roots

Japanese researchers have identified a subset of cells they believe may induce the formation of a network of follicular dendritic cells (FDC) in the spleen and lymph nodes.

The University of the Philippines Asian Center in collaboration with The UP Vargas Museum, The Japan Foundation, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and Filipino-Japanese Foundation of Northern Luzon, Inc. cordially invites you to the Philippine nikkeijin 2007

The new programme quietly introduced by the British government last week affects people from all countries outside the European Economic Area and Switzerland.

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Atmospheric science: Detecting ozone intrusions, Planetary science: Saturn’s radio clock, Development: How the body builds an asymmetric aorta, Quantum physics: The perfect couple and finally…Be not afraid

ASEAN is considering an East Asian Free Trade Agreement. Can ASEAN remain in the driver's seat of regional integration and be an effective hub? The FTA proliferation also has important consequences and effects for East Asia and the world trading system.

ALEPPO, Syria: A low-cost technology developed by scientists at ICARDA to treat high level of magnesium in soil by using calcium has demonstrated the potential to double the crop yield in magnesium-rich soils in Central Asia.

In Nature China this week - People at risk of cardiovascular disease can improve the condition of their blood vessels and carotid arteries by consuming soy products and scientists have validated an improved technique for detecting the early stages of kidney disease in Chinese patients

Summaries of newsworthy papers include In vivo folding lights up, RNA interference insecticides, Genetic variants associated with rheumatoid arthritis and Genes for Transplants