Press releases

Studies can be on managerial, epidemiological or behavioral issues with respect to communicable diseases, including HIV/AIDS, but excluding clinical interventions. The deadline for submission of Expression of Interest is 28 June 2007

Asia Pacific Conference on Plant Tissue Culture and Agribiotechnology (APaCPA) 2007 - "Biotechnology for Better Food, Health and Quality Living" 17 - 21 June 2007, PWTC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

A study of Asian men shows that both obese and underweight individuals with low physical activity are at greater risk of impotence; Desertification in northern China is reversing as a result of climatic changes, Increased human activities alter the balance of nutrients in Chinese coastal waters and more

Indian Government and Keio University co-hosted the international workshop “Light Path to India” in Delhi last week to promote collaboration in advanced research projects among Asian countries utilizing the latest Information Technology

The winning inventions include Violet Biothread, Dairy Probiotic, Biofiltration for Wastewater Treatment, Industrial Sludge Reduction Using Biomass Extract, Corporate Governance Screencard, Malaysian Café, Biodegradable Natural Colour Pencils, Drug Delivery System for Herbal Extracts and Semi-Purification Process of Bioactive Herbal Fractions

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Chilly receptor, Very short RNAs make unexpected appearance, Tropical cyclones mix things up, Neuronal duo implicated in diet-restricted ageing, Water vapour in planetary birthplace, Arithmetic is child’s play, Putting a spin on logic gates and How animal ‘personalities’ came to be

Summaries of newsworthy papers include : DNA breakage in living colour – Nature Genetics, Forever blowing bubbles – Nature Nanotechnology and Checking immune activation – Nature Immunology

The ‘localization’ of the English language has caused fear among educators and professionals especially the native speakers that English has turned into a corrupt language. This paper highlights the nature of local variations in Malaysian English

UiTM also received four international awards namely; the ARCA Award (Croatia), British Inventors Society Award (BIS) and INPEX Award (USA). The GENEVA Award (Switzerland) was also won by UiTM for receiving the highest gold medals.

Innovating Towards Sustainability - The best innovative ideas will be awarded grants in collaboration with Malaysian researchers. The abstracts should be submitted by 15 June 2007.

Prof. Shigeru Watanabe and Associate Prof. Eiichi Izawa of Keio University and his group became the first in the world to succeed in drawing up a stereotaxic atlas of a crow. Crows are known to be smart, and the findings proved that the pallium of the crow brain, which is related to intellectual activities, is well developed.

A baby girl of extremely low birthweight, born in Keio University Hospital on 25 October, 2006, was discharged from the hospital on 3 April in good health. Born weighing only 265 grams, she is the smallest baby ever survived in Japan, and the second smallest throughout the world.

Summaries of newsworthy papers include Biophysics: Clustering key to membrane remodelling, Optical materials: Semiconducting nanocrystals light up the way, Evolution: Paddlefish clues to limb development

This study explores how community radio plays a role in revitalizing local communities in Japan.

An accounting educational computer-based learning courseware, GenerReS was developed as an innovative pedagogical tool for financial accounting.

Detection kit for White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) which causes millions of dollars losses to the shrimp industry in Asia.

Digital meter to measure ripeness of oil palm fruits

Tropical herbs which prevent cardiovascular related disorders have been developed into capsules.

Serious infestation of weedy rice or locally known as "padi angin" had been reported to reduce rice yield up to 75%. UPM researchers have developed a novel seed treatment to counter the infestation

Antibodies are important in eliminating infectious viruses. However, DNA vaccinations generate only low levels of antibodies. UPM researchers outline approaches to improve the humoral response of DNA vaccines without suppressing the T cell response.

Newcastle disease is one of the most important viral diseases of poultry in the world. It occurs in most countries and has a devastating effect on poultry production.

Palm oil and kitchen wastes used as raw materials for the production of biodegradable plastics.

An array of newly synthesized 'fine organics' originated from palm oil and its fractions for the chemical industry.

A new tool is available to contribute to the genetic improvement of banana in Malaysia.

Internet-based ecotourism site rating expert system

John Richards, IUBAT overseas faculty member, led a roundtable on the problems of school quality in Bangladesh. The roundtable was organized to release the latest monograph of the IUBAT Centre for Policy Research. The monograph title is “What Parents Think of their Children’s Schools”.

Glitter of gold traps microparticles, Gene copy number and risk of autoimmunity, A red-letter day for brain connectivity, Skin barrier formation and caspase-14, Control of all fates, The dual role of BRCA2 in DNA repair, Deciphering the histone code

Researchers, civil society and entrepreneurs are invited to submit applications for four action research projects under the theme of ‘Value chains and the rural poor in disadvantaged regions’. These studies will start in September 2007. Deadline June 29th 2007.

Book Review - The Palestinian refugee issue remains a central component of the Arab-Israeli conflict. This timely book, brings together the most cutting-edge research from various disciplines and explores the demographic and developmental challenges that the return of refugees to a future Palestinian state would generate.

An IDRC-supported peer-to-peer mentoring program helps bring science journalists in the Middle East and Africa closer to the professional mainstream.