Press releases

Researchers from Osaka University found that the oral bacterium Streptococcus gordonii activates another bacterial species, Fusobacterium nucleatum, to produce large quantities of methyl mercaptan, a compound responsible for bad breath. Disrupting this interaction could therefore help treat halitosis, and possibly also help prevent the development of more serious tooth and gum disease.

Researchers from Osaka University and collaborating partners succeeded in biomanufacturing from chemically synthesized sugar for the first time in the world. With refinement of this technology, one can envision a future society in which the sugar required for biomanufacturing can be obtained "anytime, anywhere, and at high rate". In the future, biomanufacturing using chemically synthesized sugar is expected to be a game changer in the biotechnology field—including the production of biochemicals, biofuels, and food, where sugar is an essential raw material—ultimately leading to the creation of a new bio-industry.

Researchers from Osaka University have found that gargling with an antiseptic mouthwash can reduce so-called ‘bad’ bacteria in the mouths of patients with type 2 diabetes. Notably, this reduction in bacteria was accompanied by improved blood-sugar control in some patients. Given that the oral diseases caused by these bacteria have been linked to many other serious inflammation-associated diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease, this simple treatment may have widespread effects.

The properties of supramolecular polymers are dictated by the self-assembled state of the molecules. However, not much is known about the impact of morphologies on the properties of nano- and mesoscopic-scale polymeric assemblies. Recently, a research team demonstrated how terminus-free toroids and random coils derived from the same luminescent molecule show different photophysical properties. The team also presented a novel method for purifying the toroidal structure.

Researchers from the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo have solved a foundational problem in transmitting quantum information, which could dramatically enhance the utility of integrated circuits and quantum computing.

AI records rare bird footage, Lighting up IoT and smart cities, Crystal language designs new materials, Detecting toxins with mobile phones, and Dragonfly wings for better aerodynamics. Plus join us for SciCom coffee. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice.

Researchers including Kavli IPMU have used equipment originally intended for astronomy observation to capture transformations in the nuclear structure of atomic nuclei, reports a study in Scientific Reports.

Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are growing placenta organoids, a 90-million-year old fossil, and how COVID-19 can cause insomnia, but people were more relaxed during the emergency measures.

Yokohama National University scientists are working towards creating a better tomorrow by addressing diverse challenges, from snow algae and tropical cyclones to AI cyberthreats, and much more.

Perovskite oxides have been touted as an alternative to noble metal catalysts. However, their application is still hampered by their poor electrical conductivity and low specific surface area. Now, a research team has created a new method that improves this, facilitating their application in hydrogen fuel cells.

A trained AI system learns to design cellular materials with specific target properties for a wide range of potential uses, including tissue engineering and energy storage.

A new coating for tiny vaccine carriers allows vaccines to remain in the body for longer.

A team of researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University assessed the feasibility of conducting cardiopulmonary exercise testing with the upper limbs as an alternative to the conventional method that uses the lower limbs. The researchers investigated the relationship between heart rate and oxygen uptake during exercise stress tests using a cycle ergometer and an arm crank ergometer, and estimated maximal oxygen uptake. The study participants were 17 male collegiate athletes from rowing and cycling clubs. The results showed that the estimated maximal oxygen uptake for both rowing and cycling groups was lower on the arm crank ergometer than on the cycle ergometer. Additionally, this study showed that exercise testing using an upper extremity ergometer underestimates cardiopulmonary function, regardless of upper limb training status.

In collaboration with other universities and incubators in the region, City University of Hong Kong (CityU) launched the "HK Tech 300 Southeast Asia Start-up Competition" (HK Tech 300 SEA Competition) in Kuala Lumpur in May 2023. Since then, it has attracted over 100 participating start-ups from seven countries and cities in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.

Two start-ups from City University of Hong Kong (CityU) have been honoured at the “2023 Deloitte Hong Kong Technology Fast and Rising Star” awards. The awards aim to identify and recognise fast-growing and innovative local companies that promote the development of innovation and technology ecosystems in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and beyond. One of the the CityU start-ups was recognised for its innovative liquid biopsy technology for accurate cancer diagnosis and disease monitoring, and for its high revenue growth rate. The other start-up was recognised for its expertise in electricity-free cooling technology, which is helping to facilitate the global transition to carbon neutrality.

Elucidating why some patients with specific joint deformities are symptomatic while others are not

The estate of the late Ms Diana Koh gifted S$1M to Duke-NUS Medical School and NUS Medicine to fund young cancer researchers and raise awareness about cancer research advances. The gift establishes research funds, grants, prizes, and learning series to support innovative approaches to cancer treatment by the next generation of scientists and clinicians.

Lingnan University’s School of Graduate Studies recently hosted an Alumni Gathering & Networking event in Shenzhen, attended by over 80 professors, faculty members, alumni, and students from the Doctor of Policy Studies Programme, the MSocSc in Organisational Psychology and Education Management Programme, and the MA in International Higher Education and Management Programme. The event was held in Shenzhen so as to create a closer connection between alumni from different fields in Hong Kong and Mainland China, and to strengthen their bond with Lingnan University.

A key innovation in photonic (light-driven) microelectromechanical components could transform computing technology, increasing efficiency while reducing power consumption and chip size.

To further expand Lingnan University's international network and consolidate its leading position in academic research, Prof S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science of Lingnan University, embarked on a two-week visit to the US. During this visit, he engaged in discussions with various prestigious institutions to explore international academic collaboration, aiming to provide students with additional global learning prospects. As the Year of the Dragon is around the corner, President Qin also gathered with Lingnan alumni in the US, fostering connections and leveraging the collective strength of shared experiences to enhance global alumni relationships.

Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are how exercising to music can help cognitive function, a material inspired by a mythological creature, and choking cancer cells using calcium.

A study led by Duke-NUS Medical School has found an important connection between cancer, stem cells and the building blocks of cholesterol. Specifically, the research reveals how the enzyme FAXDC2 influences cancer cell growth and differentiation through its role in cholesterol synthesis, suggesting possible new approaches to cancer treatment.

Theoretical predictions have been confirmed with the discovery of an outflow of molecular gas from a quasar when the Universe was less than a billion years old.

A collaborative group of researchers has potentially developed a means of controlling spin waves by creating a hexagonal pattern of copper disks on a magnetic insulator. The breakthrough is expected to lead to greater efficiency and miniaturization of communication devices in fields such as artificial intelligence and automation technology.

Researchers from Osaka University and IMRA AMERICA demonstrated a 300 GHz-band wireless link that was able to transmit data over a single channel at a rate of 240 gigabits per second. The wireless communication system employs signal generators based on lasers that have ultra-low phase noise in the sub-terahertz band. This rate is the highest so far reported at these frequencies and is a substantial step forward in 300 GHz-band communications for 6G networks.

Lingnan University’s School of Graduate Studies’ Master of Arts in China and Regional Studies Programme and Kyung Hee University in Korea recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote inter-university cooperation.

Carbon nanostructures could become easier to design and synthesize thanks to a machine learning method that predicts how they grow on metal surfaces. The new approach, developed by researchers at Japan’s Tohoku University and China’s Shanghai Jiao Tong University, will make it easier to exploit the unique chemical versatility of carbon nanotechnology.

Lingnan University is honoured to receive a generous donation of HK$3.88 million from the Lingnan Education Organization (LEO) to support the commencement of the two-year LingArt Programme on the Promotion & Inheritance of Chinese Culture (LingArt Programme). It aims to promote Chinese culture and show its grandeur and uniqueness through a series of cultural and artistic activities, so as to foster a deeper understanding of the rich and diverse heritage of China in both local and international students, as well as to nurture a sense of national belonging in local students.

Attended by President Ing-wen Tsai, Academia Sinica launched Taiwan's first self-developed 5-qubit superconducting full-stack quantum computer at its quantum computer progress presentation today. During the event, AS President James Liao presented the research team’s self-developed 4-inch quantum wafer to President Tsai. The event was also attended by Chia-Lung Lin, Secretary-­General to the President; Tsung-Tsong Wu, Chairman of the National Science and Technology Council and Chuan-Neng Lin, Vice Minister of Economic Affairs. It marks an important milestone in the development of Taiwan's quantum technology.

A theoretical framework for measuring the Reynolds similitude in superfluids could help demonstrate the existence of quantum viscosity