2018
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2018 Magazine articles
The green nanotechnology revolutionNational Institute for Materials Science (NIMS)Nanocellulose offers renewable, biodegradable, strong and lightweight components for electronic products. |
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Improving DNA-detecting transistorsNational Institute for Materials Science (NIMS)Two teams investigate how to improve fabrication methods of transistor-based biosensors. |
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Graphene E-skin helps detect strained materialsIOP PublishingChinese researchers weave thin carbon layers into a colourful and highly responsive detector that can sense strain in a way similar to human skin. |
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Shaping a plantInstitute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (WPI-ITbM), Nagoya UniversityFlowering plant parents cooperate to guide proper development of offspring; insight that could lead to new hybrid plants. |
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Green walls could buffer flash flooding in citiesUniversiti Malaysia SarawakSimulations reveal that green walls filled with coconut peat could absorb storm water running off buildings, mitigating flash floods. |
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Designing a greener reagentZelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of SciencesA safe and sustainable chemical reagent could aid cost-efficient development of new materials and medicines. |
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Killing tumours by targeting their viral DNAHong Kong Baptist University (HKBU)A nucleus-penetrating probe could lead to therapies for virus-related tumours. |
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Observing defects in liquid crystalsKorea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)Understanding how liquid crystal molecules change positions, creating structural deformations known as topological defects, could unlock questions about similar defects in the fabric of the universe. |
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A new semiconductor superhighwayThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)A novel semiconductor nanofibre with superb charge conductivity has potential to greatly increase the effectiveness of solar cells, among other applications. |
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The economic value of Malaysia's medicinal plantsUniversiti Malaysia SarawakUnderstanding the economic value of medicinal plants in Malaysia’s Bidayuh community could help develop a better conservation strategy. |
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The game algorithm that could improve materials designNational Institute for Materials Science (NIMS)A new algorithm could help scientists decide the best atomic structures for the materials they design. |
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Protecting the gut with wormsUniversity of MalayaImproved hygiene in the developed world could have a surprising consequence: higher rates of inflammatory bowel disease. |
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Contactless 3D fingerprint identificationThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)A new system improves the speed and accuracy of fingerprint scanning and matching by using 3D technology. No pressing required. |
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Seafood on the menu for bone repairUniversiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)Cockle shells could be potential scaffolds for tissue engineering. |
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The photo that launched the world's largest galaxy surveyKavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU)The stunningly clear images of galaxies captured by a huge camera aboard the Subaru telescope in Hawaii began with a breath-taking photo of our nearest neighbour. |
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Spray-on sensing for engineered structuresThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)A sprayable sensing network for real-time monitoring of structure integrity is lighter, more flexible and less expensive than conventional sensors. |
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Tracing the sudden, dangerous rise of ZikaUniversiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)Tropical South-East Asian countries where mosquitos thrive are at risk, and must take action to reduce the threat. |
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Stricter reporting for Chinese medicine clinical trialsHong Kong Baptist University (HKBU)New recommendations could lead to more transparent reporting of Chinese herbal medicine clinical trial results. |
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Mimicking biology to shape nanomaterialsHokkaido UniversityResearchers utilize cellular proteins to shape silver nanoplates, suggesting an efficient strategy for controlling the nanostructure of inorganic materials. |
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An edible one-two punch to reduce cholesterolUniversiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)Novel micro-beads encapsulating probiotics could help to further lower cholesterol levels. |
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Improving remote detection of hazardous radioactive substancesUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST)Radioactive materials could soon be detected from up to a few hundred metres away. |
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Finding Alzheimer's treatment from within [Asia Research News 2018 feature]The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)An immune molecule in the body shows promise for the treatment of Alzheimer’s.
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Unravelling the mystery of black hole formationKavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU)Supersonic gas streams left over from the Big Bang likely gave rise to early massive black holes. |
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Neglected tropical diseasesAsia Research NewsSome tropical diseases are neglected because they generally afflict the world’s poor, and historically have not received as much attention or funding as other diseases. |
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The green nanotechnology revolution [Asia Research News 2018 feature]National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS)Nanocellulose offers renewable, biodegradable, strong and lightweight components for electronic products. |
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Orchids protect the skin [Asia Research News 2018 feature]Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU)An orchid-based skincare product could protect skin from the sun’s aging effects.
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New efficiency record for perovskite solar cellsUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST)Perovskite-based solar cells reach a record 22.1% energy conversion rate, thanks to a new fabrication method. |
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Uncovering the origins of galaxies' halosTohoku UniversityDwarf galaxies and star-containing halos found 25 million light years away from Earth hint at how these halos are formed. |
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Infertility mechanism in males identifiedQatar UniversityLarge doses of a sperm protein that is ineffective in infertile males can be injected directly into eggs to kick-start fertilization, giving couples hope of conceiving. |
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Sugar withdrawal: Killing the Leishmania parasiteUniversiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)Findings on how parasites cope with stress on a cellular level could aid the development of drugs that combat leishmaniasis, a tropical disease neglected by the pharmaceutical industry. |