Shinya Yamanaka and colleagues show how to convert adult mouse or human skin cells into cells that resemble embryonic stem cells without using the tumour-causing gene c-Myc. Elimination of c-Myc is considered a critical step in making these so-called ‘reprogrammed’ cells safe for clinical applications in patients.
In Nature China this week - The scorpion toxin makes a fungal insecticide a lot more deadly and Computer simulations reveal how a bat uses its nostrils to emit sounds
Summaries of newsworthy papers in Nature including - Malaria: Molecular insight into clinical severity, Metabolism: New compounds offer promise for diabetes treatment, Cell biology: Architecture of the cell, Genomics: Rearranging genomes, Materials: Keeping an eye on guest behaviour, And finally... A new role for p53
The 1997 Asian financial crisis has helped to further regional financial and monetary cooperation. The purpose of this paper is to examine these efforts, their recent developments, and to predict the prospects of such cooperation.
Summaries of newsworthy papers in Nature research journals including Neural crest stem cells on tap, Mutation identified in neurodegenerative disorder, Immune delivery service and Normal cells lead tumour cell invasion
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
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 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.