Press releases

- Developed green energy solutions using high-performance triboelectric generator - Developed an ionic polyurethane with self-healing, biodegradable, and high triboelectric properties and published the paper in "Nano Energy"

A violinist, an athlete, engineers and architecture graduates highlight the diversity and drive of Duke-NUS Medical School’s 18th cohort of medical students.

Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are gene transplants that help flies live longer, a COVID-19 treatment using embryonic stem cells, and how a frog named after Darwin likes to get it on.

Growing use of AI reveals the need for global sustainability initiatives

Researchers at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) debuted four projects at the Silicon Valley International Invention Festival (SVIIF) 2024, focusing on healthcare, sustainability, clean energy, and biomedical research. The CityUHK teams achieved outstanding results, winning five awards, including one Semi-Grand Prix and four Gold Medals.

A research group led by Associate Professor Katsuya Sakai, Researcher Nichole Marcela Rojas-Chaverra, and Professor Kunio Matsumoto of the Cancer Research Institute and Nano-Life Science (WPI-NanoLSI) at Kanazawa University has developed a long-acting, subcutaneously injectable artificial hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) mimetic molecule using a fusion technology of cyclic peptides and protein engineering. They demonstrated in a mouse model that it improves liver fibrosis, lipid accumulation, and inflammation caused by non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). This research result provides an option for the development of NASH therapeutics as well as a technology for creating growth factor and cytokine mimetic molecules with improved pharmacokinetics.

Researchers develop method to calculate the probability of a fall for older adults

Commercially important marine fish and invertebrate species will likely shift northwards under a warmer climate.

Applied Microbiology International has announced that it has recruited 11 new Global Ambassadors from around the world.

A new treatment combining tiny iron particles and nitric oxide gas shows promise in targeting oral cancer cells for destruction.

A historic folk tradition from Bengal, patua combines storytelling with scroll painting. Performers of this tradition travel from one village to another, reciting tales from Hindu epics like the Ramayana, and from local Santhal mythologies, bringing them to life by unravelling vivid scroll paintings illustrating these stories. Discover the ancient history, decline and revitalisation of this folk tradition, and how the government has used it to promote family planning in postcolonial India.

The anti-tumor drug indisulam has shown promise both in cell cultures and in animal studies. However, clinical trials have shown fewer clear-cut results. Scientists from Hiroshima University Hospital have been researching the reasons behind this resistance to it.

A randomised trial conducted by health economists at Duke-NUS Medical School found that a bit of peer influence can nudge us to select healthier groceries.

- Recipient Associate Professor Lena Ho spearheads groundbreaking research to develop first- in-class therapeutics to target inflammatory diseases; Collaboration between 65LAB and Duke-NUS aims to advance promising innovation from academic institutions with potential to build new therapeutic companies from Singapore; S$1.85 million funding comprises US$1.5 million from 65LAB and US$350,000 from Duke- NUS' newly established incubator, LIVE Ventures

New scoring model enhances early prognosis prediction using prehospital resuscitation data only

Researchers from the HeKKSaGOn Alliance – involved were scientists from Kyoto University, Osaka University and Heidelberg University (Germany) – synthesized a bio-inspired polymer for water purification. The polymer was designed to mimic phytochelatin, a plant protein that selectively captures and neutralizes harmful heavy metal ions. The hyperconfinement of the polymer enabled a flow-through system and effectively removed cadmium ions from contaminated water, making it safe to drink. The system was selective for heavy metals and provides a new way to remove specific contaminants from water.

Researchers from the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo have found that ice starts forming near the surface of water via structures similar to a rare, recently discovered type of ice, which helps us understand ice formation better

Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are the smallest and lightest drone that can pave the way for new models, how good intentions may have provoked a heatwave, and how eating fruit can stave off depression.

On July 18, the British Academy announced its list of 84 newly elected Fellows for 2024, including 30 International Fellows. Academia Sinica Academician David Der-wei Wang and Distinguished Research Fellow Dr. Joseph Cho Wai Chan were honored as International Fellows, recognizing their significant research contributions.

Distinctive processes could provide hints on how to use next-generation materials

- DGIST Prof. Lee Hongkyung, LG ENERGY SOLUTION, and Yonsei Univ. Prof. Lee Yong-min collaboratively develop a protective film for lithium metal cathodes to improve the lifespan of Li-S batteries - Unlike conventional methods, the film prevents the initial protective layer from peeling off, which is expected to lengthen the operation time of Li-S batteries

- DGIST Professor Seo Dae-ha’s team has developed a methodology that combines nanoparticles, high-resolution microscopy, and analytical algorithms to observe intracellular cargo transport strategies. - They observed the three-dimensional movement of endosomes during intracellular transport and discovered the real-time strategy of cells for efficient transport. - The research findings were published in Advanced Science.

- DGIST Prof. Lee Kwang and team propose new neural law of dopamine that differs from existing theory - Developed original technology that simultaneously monitors electrical and chemical brain signals, redefining the correlation between changes in dopamine signaling within physiological range and neural signal processing in the brain - Findings are published in Nature Neuroscience

Using optical vortex enhances printing technology, shows promise in creating well-formed single ferrite crystals

Fragrant, sweet, exotic and golden-yellow, the mango is an apt metaphor for summer in South Asia. Domesticated over 4,000 years ago, it has been a symbol of wealth, desire and luxury in the subcontinent. Peel back the layers of this iconic fruit to reveal the reasons behind its enduring popularity and read more about mango’s significance through art objects and discover how artists and craftsmen have tried to capture its essence in all its glory.

Sometimes less is more. Researchers at Tohoku University accurately modeled dynamic fish schooling by incorporating the tendency of fish to focus on a single visual target instead of the whole school.

Detailed analysis of bone density changes and stem-femur contact after total hip replacement

Duke-NUS Medical School today launched LIVE Ventures, a S$20 million incubation programme designed to catalyse the commercialisation of innovative academic research. Focused on translating scientific breakthroughs into clinical applications, LIVE Ventures will provide Duke-NUS scientists conducting high-impact research with essential commercialisation expertise and resources and partner with both public and private sector entities to co-fund these projects.

Researchers from Osaka University interviewed Japanese women using oral contraceptives (OC) in Korea, revealing clinical and ethical issues faced by transnational patients. The study identified new health care types and highlighted differing perceptions of OC between patients and doctors upon returning to Japan, creating dilemmas. Ethical implications were proposed, and future access to patient-centered medicine and drug reclassification was investigated to improve SRHR issues in Japan.

A 100-year-old physics mystery may be close to being solved as a new study reveals structural changes in titanium-48’s nucleus