Press releases

Researchers from the RIKEN SPring-8 Center in Harima, the Japan Atomic Energy Agency and the universities of Tokyo and Virginia have discovered how changes to the crystal structure of the oxide material HgCr2O4 correlate to its magnetic state

RIKEN scientists have accurately measured a tiny voltage produced by segregating electrons according to their spin1, a result which could help to usher in a new era of spin-based computing.

Prof. Dr. Peter M. Palese of Mount Sinai School of Medicine will be speaking on improvements of vaccines at the upcoming Bangkok International Conference on Avian Influenza 2008: Integration from Knowledge to Control (23-25 January 2008) in Bangkok, Thailand. Registrations are now open.

An exclusive interview in this week's Nature Podcast with Simpsons head writer Al Jean, also includes Homer, Lisa and, er, Stephen Hawking. Together they explain why the Simpsons is the most scientifically literate show on TV, and now at the movies. The interview is supported by a feature in this week's issue of Nature.

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Climate change: Don’t blame the weatherman, Pressure in the Amazon, Tectonics: Rift of difference, Materials: Graphene oxide ‘paper’ is super strong and Quantum physics: Entangling atom pairs

A microscope imaging technique for visualizing and analyzing semiconductor integrated circuits developed by a team of scientists from the University of the Philippines’ National Institute of Physics was awarded a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Highlights from Nature China include Organogels: Stick and shine, Autoimmune disease: A balanced approach, Forestation: Carbon storage in soil, Papaya ringspot virus: Coat variations, Frustrated magnets: Seeking stardom

Many countries in the Asia-Pacific region are collecting and analysing large amounts of biological data but have their progress is impeded by low network bandwidths. This project addresses the problem of low bandwidth and reliability through the introduction of third generation P2P protocols.

Researchers in Universiti Teknologi Mara are working on pre-nanoemulsion gel from coconut oil which can help repair skin damage and chewable vitamin C tablets and herbal tea made from hibiscus.

The paper evaluates the effects of reducing higher income tax rates in New Zealand. The results indicates that reduction in higher income tax rates would improve New Zealand’s long run economic performance if it were financed by a decline in non-productive government spending and/or increase in revenue from other less distortional taxes.

Universiti Putra Malaysia's researchers have produced MBSofax, an array of newly synthesized ‘fine organics’ originated from palm oil and its fractions. It is suitable for use in the cosmetics, food, drugs, pharmaceuticals and other chemical industries.

Researchers from Universiti Teknologi Mara are working on a non toxic, nature dye for optoelectronic devices, a new source of energy that is environmentally friendly and particleboards from oil palm for the furniture industry.

Scientists have identified the cellular target of two important anticancer molecules as a component of the spliceosome and a rapid and very sensitive technique for the detection of infectious prion proteins is reported. Prions, the cause of neurodegenerative diseases such as mad cow are infectious proteins in the brain.

The RIKEN Brain Science Institute (BSI) is currently accepting applications for two full-time laboratory head and/or unit leader positions in the Intellectual Brain Function Research Group. Closing date is July 31, 2007

RIKEN invites applications for the position of Chief Scientist (Laboratory Director) to head a new laboratory for theoretical biology or bioinformatics. Applications from overseas are welcome.

Applicant must have a doctoral degree with an excellent track record in plant biology. We encourage early career scientists with an international experience. RIKEN Plant Science Center engages in research and development to improve plant productivity for sustainable agriculture.

A team of researchers from RIKEN’s Discovery Research Institute, Wako, and the US universities of Chicago and Santa Barbara has elucidated the role played by electrons in the transition of a two-dimensional disordered material from an insulating to a metallic state.

A team of researchers from the RIKEN Discovery Research Institute has shown that the strong light–matter interaction between a short laser pulse and a mix of the two noble gases helium and neon can be used to create laser pulses with very high energies and extremely short duration. This work marks the beginning of an entirely new research field.

Researchers provide a detailed insight into the change in structure of a metal complex when exposed to light. This study not only sheds new light on the fundamental question of how metal-ligand complexes change shape in real time, but could have implications for practical applications that use these materials.

Keio University will host the Doctoral Students Conference, one of the main events of APRU* (Association of Pacific Rim Universities) at its Mita campus. At this international conference, doctoral students of member universities with different cultural backgrounds and diverse disciplines will all present papers and participate in discussions.

Keio University has decided to partner with Google Book Search Library Project for digitalization and release of its library collection, and for this purpose, has signed an Agreement fwith Google, Inc. This project already has 25 partners in the U.S. and Europe, however Keio University will be the first partner outside U.S. and Europe.

This is a Call for Proposals on how developing countries can access technologies and information contained in existing patents to enhance innovative research at the national level.

IDRC’s Urban Poverty and Environment Program (UPE) is launching the IDRC ECOPOLIS Graduate Research and Design Awards with the goal to promote research and design projects that help lighten the environmental problems borne by the urban poor and enhance their financial, human, resource, and social and political assets.

High-level delegates from Canada and Vietnam met in Hanoi, Vietnam, on June 11, 2007 to discuss economics, trade, and the work of long-time IDRC partner, the Vietnam Economic Research Network (VERN), at a luncheon meeting hosted by the Centre.

Social science and humanities expertise to be harnessed for international impact

IDRC's Innovation, Technology and Society (ITS) program invites proposals under these 4 headings - Limiting Patentability, Exempting Research, Accessing IP and Fostering Collaboration

From the empowerment of women to managing their health — information and communication technologies (ICTs) have changed the lives of thousands of Indian villagers.

This new journal will address peripheral issues related to biotechnology that are that are of paramount importance to the development of biotechnology industries in OIC countries.

RIKEN is now accepting applications for the position of Associate Chief Scientist. This is a position introduced at RIKEN in April 2006 with the long-term objective of fostering the development of young and talented scientists who will take the lead in pioneering the next generation of scientific research.

Pakistan is in the grip of a wave of vicious suicidal attacks after religious extremists vowed to avenge the operation on the Lal Masjid/Jamia Hafsa mosque/seminary in Islamabad last week.