Press releases

Genetic analysis finds evidence suggesting that acoustic fat bodies in the heads of toothed whales were once the muscles and bone marrow of the jaw.

Researchers from Japan’s Osaka University and Switzerland’s University of Lausanne explored the ethical considerations and current status of cancer multigene panel testing access in their countries. Despite cultural and healthcare differences, they found common national barriers: limited test availability, insufficient patient information, and variable insurance coverage. The study underscores the need for more equitable genetic medicine, suggesting improvements in test access, patient education, and insurance policies.

Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are where music affects our bodies, a battery powered by the oxygen inside our bodies, and the largest bird family tree to date.

New research could pave the way to develop cancer drugs targeting an enzyme that inhibits ferroptosis, a type of cell death. Cancer cells that are resistant to anticancer drugs are known to be vulnerable to ferroptosis. Therefore, agents that effectively induce or enhance the sensitivity of cancer cells to ferroptosis are expected to become novel anticancer agents.

Rapid, responsive, and readily-available antigen-antibody testing is crucial in the fight against infectious diseases, something driven home by the COVID-19 pandemic. To improve these tests, a Tohoku University research group has created a new method to form polymer particles that are adorned with gold nanoparticles.

Disease-causing E. coli among species labeled electrochemically using organic metallic nanohybrids

- Indiscriminate deregulation could root out the possibility of growing new industries - The team suggested that transforming or setting regulations optimized for the emergence and growth of new industries is the key point for future government policies to nurture new industries

Researchers from Osaka University and Imperial College London have used operando optical spectroscopy in conjunction with other spectroscopic techniques to follow the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) for an iridium oxide catalyst. Using complementary techniques to probe the catalytic process at different pH values allowed them to observe the effect of the extended environment around the intermediate species involved. The findings are expected to contribute to optimizing the OER for green hydrogen production.

Researchers at Tohoku University have made a groundbreaking advancement in battery technology, developing a novel cathode material for rechargeable magnesium batteries that enables efficient charging and discharging even at low temperatures.

New survey from Springer Nature shows that amongst researchers in Japan, approximately a third of the respondents are unsure how to share their research beyond academic publications and presentations, indicating the need for further support for their research to reach and have influence on the wider community

Drawing inspiration from the way plants breathe, a group of researchers at Tohoku University has created a paper-based magnesium-air battery that can be used in GPS sensors or pulse oximeter sensors. Taking advantage of paper’s recyclability and lightweight nature, the engineered battery holds promise for a more environmentally friendly source of energy.

Researchers from the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo and collaborating partners have created guidelines for the design of intercalated materials, which will accelerate research on energy storage, electronics, and more

In India’s dry, western-most state — Rajasthan — the gods are carried from village to village, and tales that surround the deity are narrated so that the devout may be blessed. The gods are housed in a ‘kavad’, a portable shrine adorned with intricate narrative paintings of folk tales and epics. Constructed from low-density wood and painted with mineral-derived pigments, the kavad serves as a conduit for the oral storytelling tradition known as kavad banchana. Learn about the synergy between the makers, painters and patrons of these shrines, and how this tradition continues to evolve.

Researchers from Osaka University found that exposure to environmental carcinogens and psychological distress significantly decreases happy life expectancy, a measure of the lifespan during which an individual experiences subjective emotional wellbeing. These findings suggest that developing public health policies to reduce exposure to these chemicals could help people live longer, happier lives.

Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are spiders that join together to transform into a flower, birds giving the right of way, and a potential natural treatment for hair loss.

Hosting of the WEEF-GEDC is expected to serve as a great opportunity to showcase the quality and achievements of engineering education in universities in Korea, including DGIST, on the global stage

The lipids in some herbal teas have been identified in detail for the first time, preparing the ground for investigating their contribution to the health benefits of the teas.

A marine biologist is inching closer to conquering science’s over 120-year pursuit to farm lobsters by letting these “dragons of the sea” get real weird.

Tohoku University researchers have created a reliable means of predicting the performance of a new and promising type of catalysts. Their breakthrough will speed up the development of efficient catalysts for both alkaline and acidic environments, thereby saving time and effort in future endeavors to create better fuel cells.

A case study on the effects of open waste burning on air quality in Northwestern Greenland calls attention to the importance of no-one-left-behind sustainable air quality monitoring in the Arctic region.

Lingnan University's Department of Psychology was honoured to host delegations from Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai (BNU Zhuhai) and East China Normal University (ECNU) for a series of enriching visits and academic exchanges. These visits were a significant milestone in fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing between the institutions.

A comprehensive analysis of the integration of artificial intelligence in science and research across various countries. It addresses both the advancements made and the challenges faced in this field.

May prove to be therapeutic target in breast cancer treatment

Researchers from Monash University and Osaka University have unveiled a groundbreaking discovery regarding the pivotal role of sensory neurons in orchestrating tissue repair and regeneration, offering significant promise for patients with poorly healing tissues and diabetes.

Numerical basis found for picosecond laser endpoints in effective clinical treatments with fewer complications

Scientists successfully addressed mathematical challenges in conventional Spectral Matrix analysis, used to analyze three-component seismic signals, by introducing time-delay components. The new technique enables the characterization of various polarized waves and the detection of seismic events that have previously gone unnoticed by conventional methods. These findings pave the way for improving a variety of applications, including earthquake detection.

Bilingualism is often associated with stronger executive function. SUTD and NUS scientists found that early bilingual acquisition can also protect cognitive processes that facilitate our social and emotional skills against normal age-related decline.

Researchers from Osaka University used machine learning to identify subgroups of trauma patients who are more likely to survive their injuries if treated with tranexamic acid. This treatment controls bleeding and thereby prevents death from hemorrhage. The team also identified subgroups of trauma patients who do not benefit from tranexamic acid. These findings should help guide treatment decisions after traumatic injury and provide trauma patients with more personalized care.

AI is revolutionizing the way researchers seek to identify new materials, but it still has some shortcomings. Now, a team of researchers has navigated AI’s pitfalls to identify a thermoelectric material that boasts remarkable properties.

- The new photocatalyst is capable of generating methane production 51 times greater compared to commercial TiO2 photocatalysts by improving the surface and electrical properties with amorphous In2TiO5/MoSe2 photocatalysts - The research results were published in Chemical Engineering Journal, a prestigious international journal in the field of energy and environment.