Asia Research News 2010

asia research news 2010 A ResearchSEA publication to highlight research in Asia

Next-Generation Supercomputer...

Lifestyle China...

Emerging infectious diseases...

Reducing pollution in Jakarta slums...

The origin of language...

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CONTENTS

Welcome to the 2010 issue of Asia Research News....

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A G R I C U LT U R E

Asia Research News highlights interesting research from institutions in Asia. This is part of ResearchSEA’s service to further raise awareness about Asia’s research and experts.

ResearchSEA would like to thank the following institutions for contributing their research to Asia Research News 2010. In alphabetical order - Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (A*STAR), International Development Research Centre, Prince of Songkla University, RIKEN, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi MARA, University of the Philippines – Diliman, Waseda University.

For more information about ResearchSEA, please read page 37 or visit www.researchsea.com

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A Q U A C U LT U R E

12-19 T E C H N O L O G Y

AGRICULTURE • A cherry tree for all seasons • Buffalo vaccine • Torch ginger • Improving oil-palm kernel • Controlling ammonia in poultry farms • Pea aphid and soybean genome sequenced • The proteins that help plants keep time • Organic fungicide from agriculture waste • Healthy food • Precision farming • Wood machining doctor • Determining orchid colours AQUACULTURE • Supporting fishing communities • Sustaining seafood • Culturing horseshoe crabs

21-23 L A N G U A G E

24-29 E N V I R O N M E N T

30-37 S O C I E T Y

38-45 H E A LT H & M E D .

TECHNOLOGY • Nano-aquarium opens up a new realm of research • Faster, more accurate drawing • Using physics to help queues • Unlocking the power of wood • Blast from the past • Children and computers • All sky x-ray image data online • Mobile phones creating choices for farmers • A new antenna • New base for Telecentre in the Philippines • Sensitive hybrid • Clean energy • Mobile video on demand • Reducing interference in RFID readers • Counting down to the brightest light...

• Music-friendly information retrieval • Enhancing underwater video • Monitoring landslide and flood risk • Minimising knowledge loss • High-performance varistor • Next-Generation Supercomputer • Cross platform enterprise security LANGUAGE • The origin of language • Iban alphabet now in computer fonts • Anthology of Southeast Asian Literature in English • Impact of new technology on language • Creating a universal playground • Focusing on Filipino language ENVIRONMENT • Orchid diversity • Terrestrial carbon sequestration • Degradable polymer • Wooden alternatives

46-50 H E A L T H T E C H .

• Transforming carbon dioxide into methanol • Indigenous fibre for car bumpers • Environmental CoaTIN technology • Detecting and cleaning oil spills • Reducing pollution in Jakarta slums • Monitoring and cleaning contaminants SOCIETY • Lifestyle China • Promoting an active life • Spiritual intelligence • A satisfied society • Ethnographic profiling in metro Manila • Influences on cultural identity • Oldest civilisation in Southeast Asia • Researching poverty in China • The Deep South • Promoting community governance • Career profiling • Research consortium for theatre and film arts • Predicting tourists’ future behaviour • The Philippine music hybridity project • 18th and 19th century Philippines HEALTH AND MEDICINE • Understanding and treating cancer • Diabetes • Improving the health of astronauts • Brain change • Diagnosing amebiasis • Identifying gelatine in pharmaceuticals • Controlled drug delivery • New vaccine for childhood illness • Sights set on immunisation target • Nanotechnology combats fatal brain infections • Novel nanobiocomposites • Elucidating Alzheimer's genes • Tackling the onset of Down syndrome • Toothbrush from a twig • Milking the Milkfish • Carpal tunnel treatment • Japanese genomes and ulcerative colitis • Asian research into emerging infectious diseases HEALTH TECHNOLOGY • A new era of pressure management in medicine • Thai-English Braille computer notebook • Reducing the cost of DNA diagnostics • Measuring skull and face • Care bear robot • Wheelchair technology • Lightweight gamma camera • Medical imaging also helps electronics industry • The knee motion assistive system • Ultrasound diagnosis for breast cancer

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Buffalo vaccine

A cherry tree for all seasons A new breed of cherry blossom tree that blooms in all four seasons has been created for the first time by RIKEN scientists using heavy ion beams.

The new breed blooms longer, produces more flowers and grows under a wider range of temperatures than existing cherry blossom trees, demonstrating the power of accelerator technology in horticulture.

To create the new breed, researchers at the RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science used beams of carbon ions to induce mutations in branches from Keiou-Zakura No. 13, a type of cherry blossom tree. The branches were grafted and cultivated to create a new breed called the 'Nishina Otome'.

Unlike normal cherry blossom trees, the Nishina Otome does not require a period of cold winter weather to trigger growth in the spring. As a result, the new tree is able to bloom in all four seasons under indoor conditions, and in both the fall and the spring when grown outdoors. Given sufficient exposure to low temperatures over the winter, it produces three times more flowers than normal trees, and stays in bloom for twice as long, when it blooms in April.

The use of heavy ion beams to generate new breeds of plants, an approach to horticulture unique to Japan, is drawing attention worldwide as a powerful non-GM breeding technique capable of shrinking breeding times to only a few years. The second breed of cherry blossom tree to be registered by RIKEN, the Nishina Otome hints at an exciting future for accelerator-based mutation breeding, one which opens the door to the design of plant varieties better able to cope with a changing environment.

For further information contact: Dr. Tomoko Abe Radiation Biology Team RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science Email: gro-pr@riken.jp

Cattle and buffalo are prone to the disease haemorrhagic septicaemia which has been difficult to vaccinate against but a new vaccine from UPM looks very promising.

The disease has no obvious symptoms and can kill within a short period of time. Each disease outbreak may kill between 100 to 400 buffaloes. An injectable vaccine used since the 1960s is available but vaccination programmes are difficult to manage on semi-wild roaming buffalo.

Scientists noticed that buffaloes that survived natural infection had strong and lasting immunity to the disease, so they developed a live vaccine which is administered intra-nasally. When the live vaccine was sprayed into the nostrils of a group of buffaloes, all were found to be protected from the disease. When another group of buffaloes were allowed to commingle with the vaccinated buffaloes, between 70 and 100% of the commingled buffaloes were also protected from the disease.

The research suggests that the vaccine transmitted naturally from one group of buffalo into another group of commingling buffaloes, resulting in self-vaccination and protection of most buffaloes. This concept, when used in the field, can dramatically increase the vaccination coverage among the semi-wild, roaming buffaloes leading to fewer outbreaks of haemorrhagic septicaemia among cattle and buffaloes.

For further information contact: Dr. M. Zamri Saad Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Universiti Putra Malaysia Email: zamri@vet.upm.edu.my

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Photo Credit: Dr. Tsan Fui Ying, Farehan Fauzi, Sam Yen Yen, Zainuri Mohd Salleh and Zakarian Tajudin

Torch ginger Researchers from UiTM are studying the effect of plant growth regulators on the vegetative growth and flowering of the Torch Ginger (Etlingera elatior), locally known as Bunga Kantan.

For further information contact: Dr. Tsan Fyi Ying Faculty of Applied Sciences Universiti Teknologi MARA Email: tsanfuiying@salam.uitm.edu.my

Improving oil palm kernel UPM researchers are using genetic engineering of palm kernel to improve the production of industrial oils and animal feed with greater nutritional value.

Palm kernel oil is important for the production of industrial oils (oleochemical industry) and the kernel is a valuable animal feed.

To improve the products from the oil palm kernel, the scientists need to isolate a kernel-specific promoter sequence for targeting and driving expression of the manipulated genes. Their research found that oil palm glutelin promoter can target expression of the introduced gene into kernel tissue, thus it can serve as a valuable tool for metabolic engineering or molecular farming involving transgenic palms.

For further information contact: Dr. Siti Nor Akmar Abdullah Faculty of Agriculture Universiti Putra MalaysiaEmail: sakmar@agri.upm.edu.my Dr. Cheah Suan Choo Asiatic Centre for Genome Technology (ACGT) Email: suanchoo.cheah@asiatic.com.my

Controlling ammonia in poultry farms Scientists at UPM have developed a new additive for poultry feed which reduces the risk of fly infestation.

Raising poultry can be a smelly experience, especially in large scale facilities. This is due to the ammonia produced when the manure breaks downs.

The manure also attracts flies, which lay eggs and produce larvae. Farmers often resort to pesticides to deal with the fly infestation.

To help resolve this issue, researchers in Malaysia have developed an additive for poultry feed, containing palm kernel and zeolite, which reduces water content in the poultry manure. This in turn reduces ammonia production and potential for fly breeding.

According to the scientists, a 5% addition in the diet can reduce water content by more than 40% and ammonia by 30%.

For further information contact: Prof. Dr. Abdul Razak Alimon Faculty of Agriculture Universiti Putra Malaysia Email: ralimon@agri.upm.eu.my

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Photo Credit: RIKEN

Pea aphid and soybean genome sequenced In two separate studies, international consortiums of scientists have published the first ever complete genome of the pea aphid and the soybean Pea Aphid - The pea aphid is both a highly destructive pest and complex organism. It damages crops and spreads deadly viruses. Yet aphids have also evolved complex life cycles, alternating between sexual and asexual reproduction, producing offspring with multiple phenotypes and forming symbiotic relationships with inherited bacteria.

As the world's most important agricultural pest and one of its most biologically distinctive species, the aphid is of central concern to industry and science alike. The genome provides a basis for the development of safer, more effective pest control techniques, while setting the stage to exploring the genetic basis of a range of complex biological phenomena.

Soybean - Soybeans are an important food source for humans, a major ingredient in animal feed and play a key ecological role in taking nitrogen from the air and putting it back into the soil.

"The genome sequence opens the door to crop improvements that are needed for sustainable human and animal food production, energy production and environmental balance in agriculture worldwide," write the authors.

The sequenced genome enables further research into disease resistant varieties, high nutritional content, hardier seeds and plants. According to the authors, the next step in this work will be to determine which genes encode for these traits.

For further information contact: Pea aphid Dr. Atsushi Nakabachi Miyagishima Initiative Research Unit RIKEN Advanced Science Institute Email: gro-pr@riken.jp Soybean Dr. Tetsuya Sakurai Integrated Genome Informatics Research Unit RIKEN Plant Science Center Email: stetsuya@psc.riken.jp

The proteins that help plants keep time Researchers at RIKEN have identified proteins which govern the circadian clock in plants. This opens the door to engineering of plant clock systems with powerful applications to agriculture.

The circadian clock, a 24-hour biological cycle governing everything from seasonal flowering to hormone secretion, has been the focus of intense attention in plant science research for its wide-reaching implications in growth and development.

At the heart of this clock is a feedback loop of gene expression known as the ‘central oscillator’, whose interaction is thought to regulate biological rhythms governing various physiological processes. By studying three proteins, researchers at RIKEN have clarified the way in which this oscillator adjusts its activity throughout the day.

Artificial manipulation of the proteins enables control over properties such as plant size and stress tolerance, with significant benefits to agriculture.

For further information contact: Dr. Norihito Nakamichi Biodynamics Research Team RIKEN Plant Science Center Email: gro-pr@riken.jp

Organic fungicide from agriculture waste Researchers at Universiti Putra Malaysia are using agricultural waste from oil palm and rice to create “compost teas”.

Compost teas are natural bioactive organic “substrates” which have the ability to control diseases from phytopathogenic fungi.

When using the compost tea on fruit and vegetables such as muskmelon, okra, luffa, brassica, kangkong and cucumber, the researchers found a reduction in the severity of disease caused by various fungal pathogens.

The compost tea also significantly enhanced the growth of vegetables in terms of shoot and root length, number of leaves and leaf area and total yield.

This biological approach is a safer and environmentally friendly alternative to chemicals.

For further information contact: Dr. Sariah Meon and Yasmeen Siddiqui Institute of Tropical Agriculture Universiti Putra Malaysia Email : sariahm@putra.upm.edu.my

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Healthy food Researchers at several universities are expanding the agriculture industry with research into healthy food.

Carotenes from palm oil mill waste According to the World Health Organization vitamin A deficiency is a public health problem in more than half of all countries, especially in Africa and South-East Asia.

Vitamin A can be found in carotenes. The processing of palm oil generates effluent containing carotenes and USM researchers at USM are looking into methods of extracting carotenes from palm oil mill effluent.

Packing in nutrients - Researchers in the Philippines are using aseptic processing to produce juice blends from indigenous fruits and vegetables. The chosen blends are: Mango-Guapple, Pineapple-Dalandan, Carrot-Calamansi, PapayaCalamansi, and Strawberry-Banana. These juice blends are fortified with vitamins A and C and aseptic processing and packaging technology are used to ensure maximum retention of quality and nutrients.

For further information contact: Carotenes from palm oil mill waste Professor Abdul Latif Ahmad School of Chemical Engineering Universiti Sains Malaysia Email: chlatif@eng.usm.my Packing in nutrients Dr. Teresita P. Acevedo and Rowena Grace O. Rumbaoa Department of Food Science and Nutrition University of the Philippines Diliman Email: teresita.acevedo@up.edu.ph Flour from green bananas Dr. Noor Aziah Abd. Aziz School of Industrial Technology Universiti Sains Malaysia Email: naziah@usm.my Flour from okra Dr. Ali Mohamad Noor Universiti Teknologi MARA Email: ali@salam.uitm.edu Tea for health Dr. Suhaila Mohamed Faculty of Food Science and Technology Universiti Putra Malaysia Email : mohamed.suhaila@gmail.com Healthy oils Dr. Lai Oi Ming Department of Bioprocess Technology Universiti Putra Malaysia, Email: omlai@biotech.upm.edu.my

Flour from green bananas and okra - Two teams of researchers in Malaysia have separately developed flour from green bananas and mature okra. The healthy flour is rich in fibre, minerals and vitamins.

Bananas are the second most widely cultivated fruit in Malaysia and mature okra is normally thrown away as waste.

Tea for health - Too much stress is bad for us. It raises blood pressure and can contribute to heart disease. A double study in Malaysia on rats using tea made from oil-palm leaves has indicated that not only could the beverage reduce oxidative stress levels but could also reduce cholesterol levels, another cause of heart disease.

Healthy oils - Meanwhile, Scientists at UPM have successfully developed a new process for the production of edible diacylglycerol oil (DAG), which is claimed to be beneficial in the prevention and management of obesity. The new process uses enzymatic partial hydrolysis to produce DAG.

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Photo Credit: Universiti Putra Malaysia

Researchers in Malaysia have completed the first national field trial of precision farming.

Traditionally, farmers have applied the same amount of fertilizer everywhere, which is detrimental to the environment and wasteful. Using the new system, if only a small area of the crop requires additional fertilizer, then only that section will be given the amount of fertilizer it needs.

In this project scientists have developed a system easily used by Malay speaking paddy farmers with limited IT skills. They use the technology to assess what fertilizer is needed, how much and when.

The technology may be used in any farm system, from small-scale manual farming to high end machinebased farming. In the field trial, the paddy farm needed 75% less nitrogen, 57% less phosphate and 100% less potash, compared to normal practices.

For further information contact: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdul Rashid Mohamed Shariff Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Email: Rashid@eng.upm.edu.my

Wood machining doctor Researchers at Universiti Putra Malaysia have developed the world’s first wood machining diagnostic system.

The system uses data from 1500 tropical wood species all over the world, along with machining and tooling data to calculate and predict possible defects that may arise. It has an accuracy of up to 83 % and provides images of the various machining defects, causes and suggestions to overcome them. This helps the user to pre-empt the development of these defects.

For further information contact: Dr. Jegatheswaran Ratnasingam Faculty of Forestry, Universiti Putra Malaysia, E-mail: jegaratnasingam@yahoo.com

Photo Credit: Universiti Putra Malaysia

Precision farming

Protocorm-like Bodies and seedlings producing bright colored petals contain high PAL activity.

Determining orchid colours Researchers at UPM are investigating the enzymes which influence the colour of orchid flowers.

The orchid industry is a multibillion dollar business, where flower colour is an important factor in price. This can be difficult as the colour trait varies from plant to plant within a hybrid or species.

Commercial orchid growers select high quality plants at the seedling stage. As they have to deal with millions of seedlings at a time, a method to predict plant quality and colour at the seedling developmental stage would save time and money.

Researchers at UPM are studying the enzymes involved in anthocyanin production, which is directly related to flower colour. The activity of the enzyme phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) is monitored in different parts of the plant and in flowers of different colour intensities. The results consistently showed that high PAL activities in Protocorm-like bodies, leaves and flowers are correlated with increased colour intensity.

Low PAL activity was detected in white-petalled flowers.

Their studies indicate that the enzyme has the potential to be a marker for colour.

For further information contact: Dr. Maziah Mahmood Faculty of Biotechnology & Biomolecular Sciences University Putra Malaysia Email: maziahm@biotech.upm.edu.my

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Prince of Songkla University has been working on a number of projects to help communities affected by the 2004 tsunami and to support villages who rely on fishing.

Small food processing factory - The area of Ban ThungRuk was populated mainly by fishermen and fruit and vegetable farmers when it was hit by the terrible tsunami of December 2004. The survivors lost their livelihood when their fishing gear and farm equipment were lost in the disaster. Since then The Chaipattana Foundation has assisted by setting up an area of small factories to produce products for sale at local markets. Prince of Songkla University has been working to identify the most feasible products for the small food processing factory.

They have come up with cold and hot smoked shrimp, dried shrimp, seasoning fish floss and vacuum fried banana. All of these products have been tested for consumer acceptance and the villagers are getting ready to launch the new products onto the market.

Addressing Pattani fishermen’s concerns - Meanwhile, other academics at the Prince of Songkla University have been working with small scale subsistence fishermen in Thailand’s south-eastern Pattani Province. This region of Thailand has been the subject of a government policy which focused on revenue generation through the export of fish. The area has suffered from the impact of commercial fishing vessels which use environmentally destructive fishing equipment that scrapes the seabed, destroying the coral reefs and seagrass that are integral parts of the marine habitat. If these push net trawlers enter the 3-kilometre protected coastal zone to fish, they rapidly deplete the stock of aquatic animals, resulting in declining catches for small-scale fisherfolk, who consequently suffer from reduced income and an even more precarious livelihood situation.

In order to address the problem of declining livelihood, The Pattani Province Small-Scale Fisher Network Association (PSSFA), was established. It comprises 18 community-based organizations engaged in small-scale coastal fishing along the Gulf of Thailand in six different districts of Pattani Province. The aim of the PSSFA is to get state officials to acknowledge their problems through peaceful means such as submitting petition letters, organising peaceful protests, conducting dialogues and participating in problem solving processes.

The PSSFA has also been working with Prince of Songkla University in conducting participatory research to find peaceful solutions to the critical damage to the marine ecology and the sustainability of coastal resources which are vital to the survival of the region.

The findings include three major proposed solutions: More effective law enforcement to suppress illegal fishing vessels which use environmentally damaging equipment in protected coastal waters; Installation of artificial coral reefs which function as a habitat for young fish and other aquatic species to allow stock replenishment and finally releasing more young fish and other aquatic species in coastal areas that have been damaged by the illegal fishing vessels.

Rejuvenating fishing village - Also in Southern Thailand, villagers and academics are working together to

Photo Credit: Prince of Songkla University

Supporting fishing communities

A Q U A C U LT U R E

rejuvenate a struggling traditional fishing community.

The project has been successful in improving public health and environment, education both religious and common, boosting the economy, creating jobs and increasing social activities and welfare. The greatest success of this project is economic and education development. Three specific mechanisms are now working well including village fish farming, fish cracker factories and village financial systems.

Village fish farms have been successful for many years and were able to increase income for at least ten families. The fish cracker factory is a food production system run by villagers and employs at least twenty-five villagers. This village financial system has provided more than 600,000 baht in loans to village members. The proceeds from the financial system will go to the village social welfare fund. In terms of education, the project strives to enhance the educational standard in the village by providing educational activities including special tuition for students, scholarships and helping parents realise the importance of education for the future of their children.

For further information contact: Small food processing factory Associate Professor Sunchai Klinpikul Faculty of Engineering Prince of Songkla University Email: sunchai.k@psu.ac.th Addressing Pattani fishermen’s concerns Assistant Professor Piya Kitthavorn Faculty of Political Science Prince of Songkla University Email: piya@bunga.pn.psu.ac.th Rejuvenating fishing village Assistant Professor Sukree Hajisamae Faculty of Science and Technology, Prince of Songkla University E-mail: hsukree@bunga.pn.psu.ac.th

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Photo Credit: Universiti Putra Malaysia

Sustaining seafood Seafood is a popular choice of food worldwide as well as being an important source of protein. In addition to this, the seafood industry is vital to the economies of many Asian countries. Due to the importance of fish and seafood throughout Asia, it is unsurprising that several Asian universities are conducting research in a wide range of aspects associated with the industry.

New algae food - It is important that farmed fish and seafood receive proper nutrition for their own sake and for the benefit of healthier human diets. To this end, scientists at Universiti Sains Malaysia’s (USM) Centre for Marine & Coastal Studies are developing new cultures of algae isolates for fish and prawn fry feed which will create a healthier source of seafood.

Algae-bacteria complex - The problem of shrimp larvae survival in seafood farms is one that has been researched by scientists at Universiti Putra Malaysia.

Poor water, inadequate live-feed quality and cannibalism are all problems that have to be tackled by the industry. To overcome these issues, the research team have developed a complex which combines algae and bacteria. This algae-bacteria complex maintains high water quality in culture tanks by absorbing toxic waste compounds such as ammonia and nitrite, provides high quality live feed for the shrimp larvae, reduces cannibalism by providing shelters and decreases bacteria which can cause diseases in humans. Tests illustrated that postlarvae cultured in this complex were significantly healthier and more tolerant to stress.

Biosynthetic aquafeed - In USM’s School of Biological Sciences researchers are looking at creating a sustainable and economical aquafeed. To date, much aquafeed is created from marine resources such as fish oil because of the desirable unsaturated fatty acids it contains. This is facing economical and sustainability issues due to depletion of supply and increase in global

demand. Plant-based lipids from palm oil, soybean and corn have limited usage for marine species due to inferior unsaturated fatty acids content. USM scientists have developed a micro-organism which can biosynthesise highly unsaturated fatty acids. This is sustainable due to the capacity of mass production from bioprocessing.

Sergestid shrimp - Since fishing is so important to the region it is essential to keep accurate records of habitat, population and distribution changes in order to monitor any undesirable fluctuations. Dr Nurul Amin at Universiti Putra Malaysia has been closely monitoring the sergestid shrimp, Acetes, locally known as ‘udang geragau’. They are economically important shrimps in Asia and East Africa waters. In fact, Acetes intermedius is one of five important commercial shrimp species found in the shallow coastal waters of Malaysia.

For further information contact: New algae food Dr. Khairun Yahya Centre of Marine & Coastal Studies (CEMACS) Universiti Sains Malaysia Email: khairun@usm.my Algae-bacteria complex Dr. Fatimah Md Yusoff Institute of Bioscience Universiti Putra Malaysia Email: fatimah@ibs.upm.edu.my Biosynthetic Aquafeed Dr. Alexander Chong Shu-Chien School of Biological Sciences Universiti Sains Malaysia Email: alex@usm.my Sergestid Shrimp Dr. Nurul Amin Faculty of Agriculture Universiti Putra Malaysia Email: smnabd@gmail.com

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The horseshoe crab is proving to be a useful source of compounds for use in the pharmaceutical industry.

Scientists are working to create a laboratory-based culturing system for the animal.

The horseshoe crab is a fossil animal of more than 445 million years old which is important to the ecological balance of a coastal environment. Surveys carried out from 2004 to 2006 in Malaysia indicated that the populations of these invertebrates are declining fast.

This is mainly due to the development of coastal areas, land reclamations, pollution and over- harvesting. The horseshoe crab takes 9 years to reach maturity. Upon attaining this stage, this horseshoe crab will come ashore to spawn. This is when they are most vulnerable and will be harvested by fishermen for their eggs.

A few years ago, an important product used in pharmaceutical and biomedical industries to test the safety of intravenous solutions and antibiotics was derived from the blood of a horseshoe crab species found in North and Central America. Since then, there has been much increase in the research carried out to find other beneficial substances from the horseshoe crab’s blood. In 2006, scientists at Universiti Putra Malaysia discovered that two local horseshoe crab species can be a potential source of antibacterial compounds. To allow more studies, horseshoe crab are being produced and cultured in laboratory condition.

The success of artificial fertilization has led to the development of a culture system for the horseshoe crab.

For the first time, a compact recirculating system has been designed for egg incubation and larvae rearing.

It consists of polyethylene trays, arranged to resemble drawers which can be pulled out for monitoring and maintenance purposes. These trays are fitted with tubings to allow the supply (from a reservoir tank) and outflow of water (to a mechanical-biofilter), then through an ultraviolet sterilizer and finally being pumped back into the reservoir. Horseshoe crab culturing requires seawater, therefore this system prevents water wastage and reduces cost for the continuous supply of seawater.

Newly inseminated horseshoe crab eggs can be kept incubated in these trays until hatching (in 30 to 45 days), and continue with the rearing of the larvae. This system will be able to support thousands of eggs and hundreds of larvae until they reach 2 years of age.

For further information contact: Dr. Annie Christianus Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia Email: annie@putra.upm.edu.my

Photo Credit: Universiti Putra Malaysia

Culturing Horseshoe crabs

A Q U A C U LT U R E

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TECHNOLOGY

Nano-aquarium opens up a new realm of research into microorganisms

Faster, more accurate drawing Researchers are working to produce a classifier which recognises sketches and drawings within seconds, to help engineers, planners, artists and the medical community to draw faster and more accurately.

The new classifier combines the mathematical equations of Jaccard and Mahalanobis. The classifier will recognise two-dimensional objects faster and more accurately, within seconds rather than minutes. It will also identify the differences between the drawn objects and the expected objects in real time, thus guiding the person to re-draw immediately. Apart from being a valuable tool for industry, it can also help in medical therapies such as psychomotor dyslexia therapies and exercises.

A microchip fabricated with femtosecond lasers at RIKEN allows the rare observation of microalgae behaviour.

Microalgae are photosynthetic organisms that appeared on Earth more than three billion years ago.

Diatoms, Euglena and other members of this family typically inhabit the sea or fresh water, and possess a very simple, unicellular form. Some of them are even able to move using tiny appendages known as flagella.

Perhaps the easiest and simplest examples are used in scientific experiments for schools children. However, algae are also in high demand for next-generation industrial research and development as a raw material for the production of biofuel.

At RIKEN, researchers are unravelling a variety of hidden functions of single-cell, flagellated algae that swim in fresh water using a newly developed ‘nanoaquarium’. Far from an ordinary fish tank for ornamental purposes, the nano-aquarium is actually a tiny microchip; a glass plate just five square millimeters in size embedded with flow channels and micro-devices.

The algae, which normally swim around at lightning speed, move within the tightly controlled channels, and sometimes are given physical stimuli using a movable micro-needle in order to observe their response. Such nano-manipulation techniques provide great assistance for analyzing the detailed mechanisms of algae using RIKEN’s cutting-edge optical microscopes, opening up a new realm of biological and evolutional research on these ancient microorganisms.

For further information contact: Dr. Siti Salwa Salleh Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences Universiti Teknologi MARA Email: ssalwa@tmsk.uitm.edu.my

Using physics to help queues

Photo credit: RIKEN

How do complex systems interact? When queuing to buy tickets or for help at disaster relief centers, is it beneficial to switch lanes? Does it improve the overall traffic performance?

Most of us prefer short queues as we believe it improves our chances of completing the transaction quicker. Sometimes we switch lanes. Is switching always an effective strategy for pedestrians and does it improve overall traffic performance? In contacting a busy service center, is it better to dial one and the same phone number all over again or to choose randomly from a set of allowed numbers?

Researchers at the Philippines' National Institute of Physics on Complex Systems are working on this, particularly on issues related to practical problems involving queuing, crowd and traffic dynamics, granular materials, and financial & business systems, to mention a few.

For further information contact: Dr. Johnrob Y. Bantang University of the Philippines Diliman Email: jbantang@nip.upd.edu.ph johnrob.bantang@gmail.com

For further information contact: Dr. Hiroyuki Kawano Laboratory for Cell Function Dynamics RIKEN Brain Science Institute Email: gro-pr@riken.jp www.rikenresearch.riken.jp/eng/grants/6208

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TECHNOLOGY

Unlocking the power of wood

Blast from the past

A ‘family’ tree of enzymes from protists in the termite gut may help boost biofuels research.

Wood-derived biomass offers a promising source for cellulose-based fuels, but efforts to exploit this energy have been thwarted by the need for methods to deal with a component of the plant cell wall that binds cellulose and interferes with enzymatic processing.

Termites have developed a natural workaround for this problem. Over the course of evolution, the various ‘lower termite’ species have formed an essential partnership with bacteria and protists dwelling within their gut; these derive support from their termite hosts, and in turn facilitate the digestion of the insects’ woody diet.

Glycosyl hydrolase family (GHF) enzymes produced by these symbionts are a key component in the cellulose digestion process, enabling efficient cellulose processing without the need for lignin breakdown.

“Some of the enzymes that we have found have more than 10-fold higher activity than current industrial enzymes,” says Shigeharu Moriya of the RIKEN Advanced Science Institute in Wako.

His team is now partnering with other RIKEN teams and teams outside RIKEN to develop novel techniques for characterizing the metabolic pathways of these protist communities in an effort to identify additional factors that expedite biomass processing.

For further information contact: Dr. Shigeharu Moriya Biosphere Oriented Biology Research Unit RIKEN Advanced Science Institute Email: smoriya@riken.jp www.rikenresearch.riken.jp/eng/research/6214

Photo credit: RIKEN

X-rays emitted from the remnant of a supernova provide clues to its explosive history The supernova remnant known as the Jellyfish Nebula and IC 443 lies 5,000 light years away from Earth in the Gemini constellation.

Left after a stellar explosion, the remnant—hot plasma, surrounded by a cooler shell—is the first of its type to be observed by astronomers. The finding is based on x-ray data collected aboard the Suzaku satellite.

“The satellite data have enabled us to investigate the explosion mechanisms that led to this supernova, as well as what was happening within the star before it exploded,” explains Hiroya Yamaguchi from the RIKEN Advanced Science Institute, Wako, who led the multiinstitutional study.

Light, from long radio waves to x-rays, carries information about the activity in a stellar explosion. Both hot ions and fast moving electrons radiate x-rays in IC 443, which at 4,000 years old is considered a middleaged remnant. Astronomers estimate the temperature of the ions and electrons in the remnant plasma by measuring the spectrum of these x-rays—that is, how the x-ray intensity varies with energy. The electron and ion temperatures, and any difference between them, yield clues as to how the star exploded and progressed through time.

Yamaguchi and his team noticed a curious discrepancy by analyzing the x-ray spectrum of IC 443: the silicon and sulphur ions, which are estimated to be a searing 14 million degrees Celsius, are nearly twice as hot as the electrons. In fact, the silicon and sulphur ions are so hot that some of them are completely stripped of their electrons.

“This is the first discovery of such spectral features in the x-rays emitted by a supernova remnant,” explains Yamaguchi.

This conclusive evidence for the process that astronomers call ‘overionization’ suggests that when the star that produced IC 443 exploded, a blast wave heated the dense gas around the star to the very high temperatures that stripped the electrons from the silicon and sulphur ions. This was followed by a shock wave that caused the gas to expand and allowed the electrons to cool, but rarefied the ions so much that they could not cool down again.

“Gamma-ray bursts and hypernova—which have energies more than 10 times that of supernova—are known to be some of the most energetic and explosive events in the universe, but the detailed explosion mechanism and nature of their progenitors are still unknown,” says Yamaguchi. “The application of our method will play an important role to solve these issues.”

For further information contact: Dr. Hiroya Yamaguchi Cosmic Radiation Laboratory RIKEN Advanced Science Institute Email: gro-pr@riken.jp www.rikenresearch.riken.jp/eng/research/6180

Photo credit: RIKEN

TECHNOLOGY

Children and computers Some researchers have developed a system to help preschoolers learn basic programming and problem solving, while others can finally help you find out why young people spend hours playing computer games while the educational CDs are left on the shelf.

Helping preschoolers learn - Human-computer interaction can be improved with the use of physical objects to interact with the digital world. This is especially appropriate for young children in pre-school education. A system coupled with sound and visual effects offers sensory stimulation which is lacking in traditional human - computer interaction.

With this in mind, researchers have developed, a system made up of a mobile robot, wooden blocks, a tray and a play area. The blocks represent instructions to the robot which receives the commands over a wireless link. It is an effective tool for preschoolers to learn basic programming, direction, orientation and problem-solving.

Identifying what works - “It is all to do with engagement,” argues Normahdiah Sheik Said. Despite creative and innovative design features, young teens do not find educational software engaging. To further understand this, she has developed a model which helps identify interactive design features in multimedia CDs that work and those that do not work for children. Which design features are engaging and how long do the users stay engaged? The model was developed based on a study of children and young teenagers (ages 9 to 14) interacting with a number of multimedia applications.

For further information contact: Helping preschoolers learn Josef Karlo S. Diaz Electrical and electronics engineering institute University of the Philippines Diliman Email: caloykoy@gmail.com Identifying what works in educational multimedia Dr. Normahdiah Sheik Said Faculty of Modern Languages & Communication Universiti Putra Malaysia Email : norma@fbmk.upm.edu.my

14

All sky x-ray image data online Streamed from MAXI’s perch atop the International Space Station’s Japanese Experimental Module, the data will provide views of the universe that have never before been seen or analyzed.

Scientists, researchers and amateur astronomers alike will rejoice at the latest news from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and RIKEN. In collaboration with six Japanese universities, JAXA and RIKEN, who have teamed up over recent years to develop the largest wide-field X-ray camera in the world, known as MAXI (short for “monitor of all-sky Xray image”), have announced that they will release data acquired by the new camera onto the internet for use by the general public.

The universe is full of fascinating astronomical phenomena, including quasars, black holes, neutron stars and relativistic jets. But absorbed by the Earth’s atmosphere, X-rays emitted by these objects never reach ground level, making observation of these objects impossible by ground-based observatories. MAXI makes these observations from space at a level of sensitivity higher than any other all-sky camera to date, scanning the sky every 90 minutes and collecting observational data on changes in X-ray intensity.

Observations by MAXI are performed using multiple gas and solid-state slit cameras, and the data are processed, calibrated and transmitted immediately, providing updates within one day of actual observation.

The data acquired so far cover roughly 100 astronomical objects, and JAXA and RIKEN plan to ultimately release data for a much larger number of phenomena and for time scales extending from days to months. And thanks to a notification system currently being established, any emergence or brightening of astronomical X-ray objects detected by MAXI will be shared immediately with the public through email alerts advising of the time of origin, position and intensity.

MAXI’s high sensitivity means that its observations can go beyond our galaxy to monitor extra-galactic Xray activity by objects such as quasars. Its all-sky coverage also complements the features of another Japanese X-ray camera known as Suzaku. Launched in 2005, Suzaku focuses on a very limited region of the sky at a sensitivity level several thousand times higher than that achieved by MAXI. By directing Suzaku’s highsensitivity telescopes toward interesting objects, MAXI promises to open a new window onto never-before-seen places in our universe for people from across the world to explore.

For further information contact: Global Relations Office RIKEN Email: gro-pr@riken.jp www.rikenresearch.riken.jp/eng/roundup/6220

Photo credit: University of the Philippines Diliman

15

TECHNOLOGY

Mobile phones creating choices for farmers IDRC is supporting research into how mobile phones and related technologies can improve the lives of the poor.

Sri Lanka based LIRNEasia has carried out an extensive study of 10 000 people to find out how poor people use ICT in Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand and the Philippines. As a result of this research, the largest mobile phone operator in Sri Lanka is offering a new service to farmers giving information about prices for their produce at markets, through SMS, Internet or call centres.

Researcher Harsha de Silva says “Through this research we are talking about creating choices for farmers, giving them power using mobile phones as a tool. It is a sustainable intervention in the farmer’s decision making process, and it’s funded by the operator. This is unprecedented. It is IDRC funded research that is getting other people interested.”

Photo credit: IDRC

For further information contact: Laurent Elder International Research Development Centre Email: lelder@idrc.ca

A new antenna To satisfy the increased requirement for large quantities of digital data transfer over wireless networks and to complement the reduction of the size of the current wireless systems, new methods of antenna miniaturisation are being researched.

The growth in information technology services requires transferring of digital data from one building to another. Wireless point-to-point is the best choice to do the job without road digging.

USM scientists are working on the development of a 5.8GHz point-to-point wireless link using a dielectric antenna. The dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) has been proposed as a more versatile alternative to the traditional antenna as it enables designs to suit the wide range of physical or electrical requirements of various communications applications. Smaller than conventional metal antennas, it is more resistant to proximity detuning when placed close to another object.

Furthermore, by varying the thickness of the dielectric resonator the antenna can be scaled to the desired operating frequency, thus making this type of antenna promising in wireless applications.

As usage of wireless application such as cellular phones looks set to be the trend for the future, this technology can be utilised as WLAN, WIMAX and GPS technologies continue to become more developed.

New base for telecentre.org in the Philippines Manila is the new headquarters of the telecentre.org Foundation.

Telecentres are public places where people can use computers, the internet and other emerging technologies to help promote economic and social development. The telecentre.org network initiative was created in 2005 by Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Microsoft, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

Since its creation, over 200 telecentre networks and organisations have spread across 70 countries to provide the support, tools, and opportunities that telecentres need to help people overcome poverty and create economic opportunities. It is estimated that there are approximately 40 million telecentre users worldwide.

For further information contact: Dr. Basheerhamad Shadrach Executive Director telecentre.org Foundation Email: bshadrach@idrc.org.in

For further information contact: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Fazil Ain School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering Universiti Sains Malaysia Email: mfadzil@eng.usm.my Photo credit: Universiti Sains Malaysia

16

TECHNOLOGY

Clean energy Researchers are developing new processes for cost effective fuel cells and for producing hydrogen.

Polymer fuel cell catalyst - In order to produce energy, the hydrogen is split into protons and electrons using a catalyst. At present, the best fuel-cell catalysts are platinum and platinum-based materials, which are expensive and tend to dissolve in acidic electrolytes. To tackle this issue, researchers at UiTM are studying the effects of gamma irradiation on organic and inorganic hybrid electrodes in order to develop a polymer fuel cell catalyst, which will be inexpensive and more durable.

Photo credit: RIKEN

Sensitive hybrid Researchers in Japan have produced a high-sensitivity terahertz detector which can be a powerful tool in medicine, nanomaterials, bioscience and astronomy.

Terahertz radiation (THz) has unique characteristics with the potential to provide the basis of new imaging techniques for detecting and diagnosing cancer and other medical conditions. Moreover, because the energy of the photons that carry THz radiation is around 100,000 times less than that of x-rays, it is expected to be much safer.

Unfortunately, the efficiency of devices built to detect THz radiation has been poor. This is because the frequency of THz radiation is too high to be handled by microwave electronic circuits, and its energy is too low for conventional optoelectronic devices. By combining several advanced device concepts, researchers at RIKEN have succeeded in building a highly sensitive THz detector that is capable of sensing just a handful of THz photons at a time.

Practical sensing devices must perform two key tasks: absorb the radiation they are trying to detect, and then react to this absorption in some measurable way.

These tasks are usually performed by a single component of a device. This new device, however, performs them with two different components.

As well as achieving unprecedented detection sensitivity, the device operates at temperatures much higher than most previously demonstrated detectors.

This means it needs much simpler refrigeration techniques, making it cheaper and easier to use in practical applications.

The detector can also be a powerful tool in fields such as nanomaterials, bioscience and astronomy where important information is expected to be concealed in the THz region.

For further information contact: Dr. Yukio Kawano RIKEN Advanced Science Institute Email: ykawano@riken.jp www.riken.jp/lab-www/adv_device/kawano/ eng/index.html

Chitosan-PEEK membrane - Elsewhere at UiTM researchers are working on a fuel cell which uses a membrane or a film as its electrodes. The membrane will be made from sulfonated chitosan and poly ether ether ketone (PEEK), treated with UV irradiation. The material chosen as it does not expel pollutants when overheated up to 200°C and is non-polluting when discarded. Chitosan is produced from shrimp and crab shells and is used widely in medicine, health foods and agriculture, while PEEK is polymer used in many engineering applications.

Splitting a water molecule - A research team at RIKEN has succeeded for the first time in selectively controlling for reaction products in the dissociation of a single water molecule on an ultrathin film. Using a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) at ultra-low temperatures, the team explored the dynamics of single water molecules interacting with a film of magnesium oxide (MgO) several atoms in thickness. They discovered that by injecting tunnelling electrons into water molecules on the MgO surface, they could select between dissociation pathways: excitation of the molecule’s vibrational states induced dissociation into hydroxyl (H + OH) whereas excitation of its electronic states induced dissociation into atomic oxygen (O). The reaction presents opportunities in targeted catalysis, particularly in the production of hydrogen, a potential source of clean energy.

For further information contact: Polymer fuel-cell batteries Dr. Nor Kartini Jaafar Universiti Teknologi MARA Email: Norka603@salam.uitm.edy.my Chitosan-PEEK membrane Dr. Nazli Ahmad Aini Universiti Teknologi MARA Email: Nazli2005@salam.uitm.edu.my Splitting a water molecule Dr. Yousoo Kim RIKEN Advanced Science Institute Email: ykim@riken.jp

17

TECHNOLOGY

Mobile video on demand Scientists at USM are working to develop a data streaming system for mobile device users which allows for high quality video streaming via a 3G cellular network.

Streaming, unlike downloading, is not limited by the storage capacity of the mobile device and is increasingly being used for video playback. Streaming also allows playback to commence almost immediately, without having to wait for the item to finish downloading.

The system in development is composed of three basic modules bound by protocols that will guarantee high quality media and uninterruptible video playback as long as the 3G connection holds. A 3G mobile user can download and install a Java based application that will enable dynamically “streaming” of video contents to the mobile device using the high speed 3G network.

For further information contact: Prof. Sureswaran Ramadass National Advanced IPv6 Centre (NAv6) Universiti Sains Malaysia Email:sures@nav6.org

Reducing interference in RFID readers Researchers are looking at improving the front-end architecture of RFID readers to reduce interference.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a system that uses radio waves to automatically identify physical objects. It is used in passports, supermarkets, public transport and more.

However, RFID readers are frequently exposed to extreme interference from environmental factors and antenna reflection. To deal with this, researchers at the University of the Philippines Diliman are focusing on a modification of existing front-end architectures to significantly improve the sensitivity and the dynamic range of the receiver and thus achieve superior performance and read-range in different environments.

Certain aspects of the technology are similar to existing interference cancellation schemes, but the main difference lies in the method of measuring the interference in the receiver and adjusting the parameters of the cancelling signal. The creation of RFID readers to combat difficult wireless environments is now making the development of “adaptive interference cancellation schemes” such as the one described here even more urgent.

For further information contact: Dr. Joel Joseph S. Marciano, Jr. Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute University of the Philippines Diliman Email: joel@eee.upd.edu.ph

Photo credit: RIKEN

Counting down to the brightest light on the eastern semi-sphere As reported in the last issue of Asia Research News, the 700 m long X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) facility at Harima, Japan, is on course for completion in 2011.

Both the discovery of X-rays and that of lasers have had a great impact on later developments in science.

Not only did these discoveries influence science itself, but they also gave rise to new industries and expanded fields of medicine, and today have grown to become indispensable in our daily lives. By extending laser technology into the X-ray region, XFEL produces a completely new kind of light and with it the promise of new science. Using beams of electrons travelling close to the speed of light, XFEL will produce radiation beams a billion times brighter than existing X-ray sources. This offers an entirely new kind of light, enabling one to actually see a class of objects that, until now, were only conceived of in theory.

With its ability to instantaneously capture atomic scale events, XFEL is also expected to take snapshots of extremely fast movements, including the vibration of atoms in various chemical reactions. This will allow close, real-time observation of small but vital objects such as proteins, viruses and nanomaterials and may lead to the new development of some nanomaterials.

The RIKEN Harima Institute has already received many proposals from around the world from teams keen to benefit from this pioneering laser.

For further information contact: Dr. Tetsuya Ishikawa RIKEN-JASRI Joint project for SPring-8 XFEL Email: project-XFEL@riken.jp

18

TECHNOLOGY

Photo credit: Universiti Putra Malaysia

Music-friendly information retrieval

Enhancing underwater video

With the increasing use of music documents encoded in digital formats, a retrieval system with a more music-friendly interface has been developed.

The difficulty in managing large collections of music in digital format has necessitated the development of computer-based Music Information Retrieval (MIR) systems.

Researchers in Malaysia have developed an early research prototype content-based MIR system that incorporates a music-friendly interface (such as singing a melody or playing it on a musical keyboard). The melodic query would require pre-processing for retrieval from the MIR system. The new system uses the technique of creating n-grams from polyphonic music.

Previously, n-grams had only been created from monophonic sequences.

Higher visibility videos and pictures, which are a more true visual reproduction of subjects, can now be produced.

Marine videos and pictures are affected by problems of noise, blurring, colour constancy and reflection.

Scientists in USM’s School of Computer Sciences have developed a technology which combines colour correction techniques with video enhancement, noise removal and sharpening.

The tool automatically corrects marine videos and pictures that are affected by noise, blurring and colour constancy, producing higher visibility videos and pictures, which are a more true visual reproduction of subjects. The new technology will benefit marine biologists, fisheries departments, Navies, marine archaeologists, ecologists, environmentalists, divers and aquaculture industries. Its use is not restricted to underwater photography; it may also be useful for general film.

For further information contact: Dr. Shyamala Doraisamy Department of Multimedia University Putra Malaysia Email: shyamala@fsktm.upm.edu.my

Photo credit: Universiti Sains Malaysia

For further information contact: Dr. Rosalina Abdul Salam School of Computer Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia Email:rosalina@cs.usm.my

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TECHNOLOGY

Monitoring landslide and flood risk Landslides are a real risk for countries such as the Philippines; scientists there are working on new technology to predict where a landslide might occur.

Meanwhile in Malaysia, new modelling technology will help planners assess flood risk in land development.

Monitoring landslides - Several serious landslides have happened in the Philippines in the last decade alone.

Nobody knows when or where a landslide might occur and what its intensity will be. The team at the University of the Philippines Diliman is seeking to understand why slopes collapse and to improve the country’s monitoring system of landslides by developing a cost-effective yet efficient means for monitoring slopes.

The new technology uses sensors, networks and computing to monitor the slopes. The team has built a laboratory-scale slope model which has been subjected to increasing water levels in the upslope, allowing water to infiltrate laterally towards the bottom of the slope.

Physical changes in the slope models were recorded by tilt sensors and video cameras. The tilt sensors were able to detect the initial changes before visual changes manifested.

The next phase of the project is a real-world deployment of the sensor on an unstable slope in Benguet Province in the Northern Philippines. It is hoped that eventually the monitoring tool will be available to communities where it is needed.

Flood management - Traditionally, the rainfall is measured using rain gauges. The limited number of gauges in any one area may provide inaccurate results, which affects decisions made in flood management.

Researchers in Malaysia have developed a model which creates virtual rainfall stations using radar derived rainfall data. With a hydrological model, it enables the user to assess the effect of land-use changes on the magnitude of river flow. The new methodology will help planners and decision makers with more accurate assessment of hydrological impacts when formulating future plans for land development.

For further information contact: Landslide Dr. Joel Joseph S. Marciano, Jr. Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute University of the Philippines Diliman Email: joel@eee.upd.edu.ph Flood management Dr. Mohd Amin Mohd Soom Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering Universiti Putra Malaysia Email: amin@eng.upm.edu.my

Photo credit: Kamal Mohd. Zaini

Minimising knowledge-loss An emerging research field looks at how the phenomenon of “knowledge-loss” can be reduced in construction projects, leading to fewer expensive and time-consuming miss-coordination errors.

There are many examples of construction projects which are over-time and over-budget, some involving serious mistakes. One reason is called knowledge-loss or “k-loss” occurring between the design phase and the construction phase where decisions made during the earlier design process were not carried effectively over to the succeeding phases of the project.

Environmental Design Informatics research at Universiti Putra Malaysia are developing solutions to help the construction industry mitigate this problem, including using virtual reality and computational prototypes to minimise potential sources of “k-loss” For further information contact: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hjh. Rahinah Ibrahim Faculty of Design and Architecture Universiti Putra Malaysia Email: rahinah@putra.upm.edu.my

High-performance varistor Using nanotechnology, USM researchers have developed a varistor which is cheaper and outperforms those currently in the market.

Malaysia experiences almost 280 days of lightning and thunder per year. Consequently, electrical and electronic equipment malfunctions because it is unable to cope with the surge of power. A varistor can protect circuits against excessive transient voltages due to lightning or thunder. Researchers have developed a varistor which is cheaper and outperforms those currently in the market.

Low-voltage varistors currently in use for electrical equipment in the home such as television sets, computers, refrigerators and others are designed to withstand an electrical surge of not more than 500 amperes. With nanotechnology, the researchers have succeeded in producing a varistor that can absorb electrical surges of up to 2 000 amperes with no damage to electrical products. The cost of a varistor in the market is approximately RM 1.26 sen for the 13-mm low voltage model while this invention is estimated to cost no more than RM0.70 sen a unit.

For further information contact: Dr. Shahrom Mahmud School of Physics Universiti Sains Malaysia Email: shahromx@usm.my

Photo credit: Universiti Sains Malaysia

20

TECHNOLOGY

Cross platform enterprise security

Photo credit: RIKEN

Next-Generation Supercomputer The Next-Generation Supercomputer R&D Center (NSC) was established to design and build the fastest supercomputer in the world. The new supercomputer will be used in a wide range of fields of scientific research, from life sciences to nanotechnology.

A supercomputer is an ultra-fast computer that can be used for large-scale scientific calculations across a wide range of fields. Simulations using supercomputers have become vitally important as a third method of research and development, alongside theory and experiments. In industry they are highly useful in the development and design of products.

Supercomputers in Japan have been developed under the leadership of the national government and now RIKEN is working in collaboration with various institutions to develop the Next-Generation Supercomputer and a user environment for the system.

Tadashi Watanabe, Project Leader of the RIKEN Next-Generation R&D Center, says “The NextGeneration Supercomputer will be a driving force behind Japanese science and technology and an essential foundation for advanced research and development. It will be used in the natural sciences (physics, chemistry, and biology), nanoscience, the life sciences, engineering, and the prediction of environmental change and natural disasters. To build the supercomputer, we have to develop many pieces of cutting-edge computer technology, from semiconductors to system software.�

Due to be ready in 2012, the new supercomputer will ensure that Japan continues to lead the world in science and technology, academic research, and industry.

For further information contact: Dr. Tadashi Watanabe Project Leader RIKEN Next-Generation Supercomputer R&D Center Email: gro-pr@riken.jp http://www.nsc.riken.jp/

USM researchers have developed the world’s only cross-platform enterprise level distributed network analysis and troubleshooting tool.

Most organisations have growing numbers of computers within their walls. If one of these computers is causing a problem on the network, it can sometimes take days or weeks to pinpoint the fault. USM researchers have developed a real-time, around-theclock network monitoring tool that continuously monitors enterprise networks to prevent potential performance degradation or downtime.

It provides intelligent troubleshooting as well as support for new protocols that supports next generation network protocols. The system is unique in that it not only provides a centralised visualisation and analysis engine, it also provides an autonomous and intelligent self managed remote agents, to monitor and protect each remote network segment within the organisation.

A managed intelligent server is then used to collect network data from remote agents and perform intelligent analysis. This unique distributed architecture creates a complete protected environment for the organisations servers, PC and the network. It is also the world's only cross platform enterprise level distributed network analysis and troubleshooting tool.

For further information contact: Prof. Sureswaran Ramadass National Advanced IPv6 Centre (Nav6) Universiti Sains Malaysia Email: sures@nav6.org

Photo credit: Universiti Sains Malaysia

21

The origin of language By examining the song structure of various animals, researchers at RIKEN hope to unveil clues to the origin of human language.

Humans are the only animal that has language.

How did human language emerge? The ultimate goal of RIKEN's Laboratory for Biolinguistics is to present a scenario that can reasonably explain the origins of human language from a biological viewpoint. To this end, the team takes the approach of comparing the communication behavior of a variety of animals with human language. The subjects of their research are the Bengalese finch (domesticated songbird), the degu and naked mole rat (murine rodents), and humans. “The biological origins of language are being comprehensively explored by applying findings in animals to humans, and by applying findings in humans to animals. That’s our unique method of research,” says Kazuo Okanoya, team leader at the Laboratory for Biolinguistics.

For further information contact: Dr.Kazuo Okanoya Laboratory for Biolinguistics RIKEN Brain Science Institute Email: gro-pr@riken.jp

Photo credit: RIKEN

LANGUAGE

LANGUAGE

22 16

Photo credit: Universiti Teknologi MARA

Iban alphabet now in computer fonts

Photo credit: Universiti Teknologi MARA

Dr Bromeley Philip of UiTM Sarawak has developed computer fonts for the Iban alphabet.

The Iban people of Sarawak, Borneo do not possess any form of writing system that can be used universally within its large community. There have however been individual attempts to invent a form of writing system. One known system was invented by Dunging anak Gunggu in 1947. Dunging’s alphabet comprises syllabic writing and alphabetic writing symbols and can be used to spell Iban words accurately. There are several sounds in the Iban language that cannot be distinguished distinctively in terms of spelling using the Roman alphabet. One example is the word mata meaning “eye” and mata meaning “raw fruit/food”.

The new computer font, developed by Dr Philip over several years, is known as “LaserIban”. It is available for Windows and Macintosh and is completely cross-platform compatible. “The alphabet captures all sounds in the Iban language, thus, making it dynamic enough to be used to represent written forms of words,” he said. It is hoped that the new font will be used to document Iban texts in an authentic form orthographically, and will symbolise a unique linguistic identity for the Iban community as a whole.

For further information contact: Dr. Bromeley Philip Academy of Language Studies Universiti Teknologi MARA Email: bromeley@sarawak.uitm.edu.my

Anthology of Southeast Asian literature in English This collection stresses a sense of region through a sense of language and aims to prove that English is now owned by Southeast Asians and that it is marked

by Southeast Asian cultural impingements.

Researchers from the University of the Philippines and the National University of Singapore are are compiling a collection of Southeast Asian works in English, including short stories, poetry, plays and excerpts from novels. The works will be thematically arranged with a general introduction containing a historical and literary contextualization of the works.

Each segment will be accompanied by shorter introductions that feature a discussion of the themes, the periods covered, the authors and the individual works.

For further information contact: Dr. Lily Rose Tope and Isabela Mooney University of the Philippines Email: lrtope@up.edu.ph; isabelamooney@gmail.com Dr. Rajeev Patke and Dr. Philip Holden National University of Singapore Email: ellpatke@nus.edu.sg; ellhpj@nus.edu.sg

Impact of new technology on language Researchers are looking at the impact of technology, in particular social networking sites, on language in Malaysia A fundamental fact about language is that it is always changing. Many present-day speakers find Shakespeare’s sixteenth century texts difficult and Chaucer’s fourteenth century Canterbury Tales nearly impossible to read. Nowadays, communication is much more immediate. Communication in cyberspace using instant messaging, Facebook, Twitter and other electronic forms has led to an increase in the use of economical language in real time featuring abbreviations, symbols and emoticons. This phenomenon is generally viewed by educationists as having some detrimental impact on the standard language.

To date, no research has been done on this phenomenon in multilingual Malaysia. An earlier pilot study indicated that in a multilingual setting, several languages can be at risk. This study investigates how language choice in Facebook affects the English language, focusing on the role of technology as central to language change.

The research will involve both quantitative and qualitative methods using data from 18-23 year old candidates. The aim is to gain some insights into how users relate to new language forms and incorporate them in their use. Knowledge gained from the study will not only add to understanding of the new linguistic culture but assist educationists in making informed decisions about language when confronted with such linguistic issues.

For further information contact: Prof. Dr. Hazadiah Mohamad Dahan Universiti Teknologi MARA Email: phazadiah@salam.uitm.edu.my

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Creating a universal playground Researchers at UNIMAS are pioneering the use of an ICT program for children in South East Asia to overcome language barriers and facilitate communication with others.

The Pangaea project, jointly run by the Centre of Excellence in Rural Informatics and Pangaea, a not-forprofit Japanese organization, has been set up to look at how ICT can benefit rural communities in Borneo.

Using ICT, children aged 9 – 15 years are provided with a “universal playground”, a place where they can express themselves and share thoughts with other users while overcoming language barriers. Through PangaeaNet, children share their artwork, including animations, pictures, and drawings, with their peers at other Pangaea sites. Multiple global locations can be connected without difficulty and the program has so far been implemented in various sites in Japan, Austria, Nairobi and Kenya. The Department of Cognitive Sciences at UNIMAS is responsible for the first trial of the program in South East Asia.

There are two types of activity for children to engage in; local activities offering face-to-face interaction with other children at each site and webcam activities offering real-time interaction with users in other countries.

The project has two phases: The first is to pilot the use of ICT tools using an existing educational programme for children at the university. The second phase is to implement Pangaea for children in Bario, a rural community in the Highlands of Borneo. The primary research focus is to understand how ICT can benefit rural communities in Borneo, with the endproduct of creating a blueprint to deploy the educational programme to other rural areas.

For further information contact: Fitri Suraya Mohamad Faculty of Cognitive Sciences Universiti Malaysia Sarawak Email: mfitri@fcs.unimas.my

LANGUAGE

ENGLISH

ENGLISH

Survey

Survey

FILIPINO

FILIPINO

‘Sarbey’?

‘Serbey’?

ENGLISH Survey FILIPINO ‘Surbey’?

Focusing on Filipino language Specialists from the University of the Philippines-Diliman are using technology to better understand language.

English loan words -The first project examines English loan words and the difficulty in adapting these to the Filipino language. For example, the English word “survey” can be spelled and pronounced in Filipino as sarbey, serbey, or surbey. The project therefore aims to standardize the vowels used in loan words. The team are studying the properties of speech using voice recordings and neural networks to find a basis for mapping English vowels to Filipino vowels.

Vowel migration -The second project looks at the issue of intelligibility or the comprehensibility of words to an audience when a singer uses the technique of vowel migration to perform in large spaces. The researchers are attempting to identify the point at which the quality of sound is attained with minimum effect on its intelligibility.

Emotion recognition -The 3rd project aims to develop an emotion recognition system to assist call centres in monitoring and improving their services. Using features of speech such as rhythm and pitch contour, both the client’s and the call centre agent’s emotions are monitored and classified into anger, boredom and neutral emotions. This research will aid in the standardisation of the Filipino language and contribute to future technologies.

Photo Credit: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

Digitised texts -A 4th project aims to create a digital text corpus of fifty selected socio-historical novels in the Filipino language. Unlike other projects which are oriented towards the preservation of old texts, this project is intended to aid in the investigation of the history of the evolution of political lexicons in the Philippines as reflected in the Filipino national language. In the longer term, the end result should be a quantitatively supported lexical and conceptual map of the evolution of Philippine political discourse from the beginning of the 20th century to the beginning of Martial Law in 1972.

For further information contact: (English loan words, vowel migration, emotion recognition) Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara College of Engineering University of the Philippines Diliman Email: rduo.ovcrd@up.edu.ph (Digitised texts) Dr. Ramon G Guillermo Filipino and Philippine Literature University of the Philippines Email: potopotfs@yahoo.com

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ENVIRONMENT

Photo Credit: Universiti Putra Malaysi

Orchid diversity Researchers are studying orchid diversity in swamp forests and limestone formations to help policymakers with informed decisions on development.

The rich biodiversity of rapidly developing countries can sometimes be overlooked in the need for more homes and roads. Researchers in Malaysia are studying orchid diversity in limestone formations and swamp forests in the hope of helping policy makers make informed decisions on development sites. For example, the study of limestone habitats should aid decisions on which limestone to quarry or develop.

The researchers reported 152 species of orchids in the swamp habitat of Peninsular Malaysia and 288 species in Perlis limestone formations in Peninsular Malaysia and Padawan limestone , Sarawak, Borneo.

The rich orchid diversity in peat swamp forest is a surprising find as this habitat is known to have poor plant species diversity. Epiphytic orchids, which grow on living and dead trees, presented the greatest number of species found in the swamp study. Other surprises included finding Phalaenopsis amboinensis, a species believed to be endemic to Sulawesi, and a limestone forest species (Eria ornata) in the peat swamp forest. In general, the peat swamp forest orchids tended to have different shades of flower, were smaller than expected and had a surprising number of highland species.

The ten-year limestone formation study has been comparing similarities and differences in orchid diversity in two limestone formations found in Northern Malaysia and Padawan, Sarawak (Borneo). A total of 288 species were found, of which 111 were new records. Only 13 species are common to both formations due to differences in climate, limestone formation age and different flora element. The endemic species populations were found only on certain larger outcrops within both the formations, which clearly indicates which outcrop or hill should be given priority for in situ conservation to avoid commercial cement quarrying.

For further information contact: Dr. Rusea Go Faculty of Science Universiti Putra Malaysia Email: rusea@science.upm.edu.my

Terrestrial carbon sequestration Researchers at Universiti Putra Malaysia have developed a model to determine carbon flux in tropical forests and are looking at Acacia species as carbon sequester and potential source of biofuel for renewable energy.

Carbon capture and storage is one of the solutions proposed to help fight climate change.

The UPM carbon flux model can be used. It is flexible enough to handle uneven aged and mixed species forest management regimes including selective logging of the tropical forest. The Model also takes into account the growth, death and migration of the forest species.

Meanwhile, another group of researchers are looking into Acacias as carbon sequesters in forest plantation programmes. Acacias are fast-growing, resistant to pests and diseases and adaptable to most soils and climates. The team evaluated the genetic variation and growth performance of four types of Acacias and further compared two main species grown in Asia and the Pacific for carbon sequestration potential. They found that Acacia mangium was a better carbon sequester and mostly outperformed the other Acacia species in the traits tested.

For further information contact: Carbon Storage Modelling Dr. Ahmad Makmom Abdullah Universiti Putra Malaysia Email: amakmom@env.upm.edu.my Acacias Dr. Nor Aini Shukor Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products Universiti Putra Malaysia Email: anishukor@yahoo.com

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Photo Credit: Universiti Putra Malaysia

Untreated oil palm wood

Treated oil palm wood

Degradable polymer

Wooden alternatives

Scientists at USM have developed a novel polymeric material from waste plastic and rubber.

The world's consumption of polymeric materials has increased from around 5 million tonnes in the 1950s to nearly 100 million tonnes today. We produce and use 20 times more plastics today than we did 50 years ago.

This causes problems due to the slow rate at which polymers degrade, the shortage of landfill space and the depletion of petroleum resources to manufacture new plastics.

The new material developed at USM, is a degradable polymer made from 15% waste plastic and rubber. It has rubbery properties but can be processed using conventional plastic equipment such as injection moulding, blow moulding, extrusion and compression moulding. The cost of the new material is about 20% less than commercially available polymers.

With treatment oil palm wood can be used instead of wood from the rainforest.

Malaysia has a total oil palm planted area of 4.2 million ha. While the fruit is harvested, much of the other parts of the palm are wasted. This includes the fronds, stems, and empty fruit bunches. Researchers have been looking at ways to make use of these wastes.

For example, the wood from the outer parts of the stem can be used as solid timber, thus reducing the need to cut down trees from the rainforest. It is estimated that 12 million m3 of oil palm wood can be produced in Malaysia annually, which exceeds the total amount of lumber that can be produced from the Malaysian rainforests.

However, the oil palm wood needs treatment before it can be used as solid wood material. UPM scientists have developed a resin, heat and hot press treatment which transforms the oil palm wood and makes it a viable alternative to wood from the rainforest.

For further information contact: Professor Hanafi Ismail School of Materials and Minerals Resources Engineering Universiti Sains Malaysia Email: hanafi@eng.usm.my

For further information contact: Dr. Edi Suhaimi Bakar Faculty of Forestry Universiti Putra Malaysia Email: ndeeps@admin.upm.edu.my

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Scientists at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) have succeeded in unlocking the potential of carbon dioxide – a common greenhouse gas – by converting it into a more useful product.

Using organocatalysts, the IBN researchers activated carbon dioxide in a mild and non-toxic process to produce methanol, a widely used industrial feedstock and clean-burning biofuel.

Previous attempts to reduce carbon dioxide to more useful products have required more energy input and a much longer reaction time. They also require transition metal catalysts, which are both unstable in oxygen and expensive.

“At IBN, we are innovating effective methods of generating clean energy using green chemistry and nanotechnology. In the face of environmental pollution, global warming and increasing demands on diminishing fossil fuel resources, we hope to provide a viable alternative energy option for industry, and effective sequestration and conversion of carbon dioxide.” said Professor Jackie Y. Ying, IBN Executive Director.

For further information contact: Nidyah Sani Media Contact Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) Email: nidyah@ibn.a-star.edu.sg www.ibn.a-star.edu.sg

Photo Credit: University of the Philippines Diliman

Photo Credit: Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology

Transforming carbon dioxide into methanol

Indigenous fibre for car bumpers Alternative and environmentally-friendly means of manufacturing everyday items are constantly being sought by researchers. The University of the Philippines is currently looking at using Abaca fibres to make a car bumper.

Abaca is a plant indigenous to the Philippines, which provides 86% of the world’s production of the banana-shaped plant. Abaca can be harvested three times per year and yields 600-1300 kg of fibre per hectare. Abaca fibre is also extremely strong with mechanical strength of up to 970 MPa. The car bumper is made from woven Abaca fibre, reinforced with a polyester composite. The bumper will form part of an ecar and its strength is comparable to commercial bumpers currently available.

For further information contact: Dr. Leslie Diaz Material Research Laboratory University of the Philippines Diliman Email: les.lan0502@gmail.com

Environmental CoaTiN technology Researchers have developed a new, environmentallyfriendly coating for precision tools.

Metal coatings enhance the performance and longevity of high precision tools, yet their application causes hazardous wastes that are harmful to the environment. Researchers from the National Institute of Physics of the University of the Philippines Diliman have developed an environment-friendly process of coating that is durable and low-cost.

The novel coating is made from titanium nitride (TiN) which is less than a quarter of the cost of the more common carbide coatings. The research team have built a thin-film coating facility that allows a fast and uniform coating that does not require finishing.

For further information contact: Dr. Henry J Ramos and Dr. Virginia Noguerra University of the Philippines Diliman Email: hjr@nsri.upd.edu.ph Virginia.noguerra@gmail.com

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Photo Credit: Universiti Putra Malaysia

Detecting and cleaning oil spills Researchers have developed a system which allows monitoring of oil spills trajectory and thickness in real time, a product made of natural rubber waste which cleans oil spills on land and water and identified microbes to organically clean petroleum slush.

Monitoring oil spills - The monitoring and detection of oil spills as they occur in real-time can accelerate the remedial response and reduce the cost of clean-up, thus limiting damage to the environment. This new technology from Universiti Putra Malaysia is able to process radar imagery to detect and classify oil spills.

The software takes into account weather and current conditions to determine the thickness and trajectory of the oil spill.

Oil absorbent - To clean oil spills, researchers at Universiti Sains Malaysia have developed, an oil absorbent which can be used to clean oil spills in areas where water is scarce or where water cannot be used as a cleaning agent, including oil spills on water. The absorbent was developed using natural rubber latex waste. Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand produce over 72% of the world’s natural rubber.

Biodegradation microbes - Petroleum refineries generate huge volumes of hazardous toxic petroleum sludge. Universiti Teknologi MARA researchers have identified three strains of bacteria in petroleum sludge that could be used to quicken the rate of biodegradation in the slush.

For further information contact: Monitoring oil spills Dr. Shattri Mansor Institute of Advanced Technology Universiti Putra Malaysia Email: shattri@eng.upm.edu.my Oil absorbent Assoc. Prof. Dr. Baharin Bin. Azahari School of Industrial Technology Universiti Sains Malaysia Email: baharin@usm.my Biodegradation microbes Prof. Dr. Suhaimi Abdul Talib Faculty of Civil Engineering Universiti Teknologi MARA Email: ecsuhaimi@hotmail.com

Photo Credit: Universiti Sains Malaysia

Radar image showing oil spill in the Straits of Malacca

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Photo Credit: Jonathan McIntosh

Reducing pollution in Jakarta slums Healthy Places Prosperous People is a joint project funded by IDRC and co-ordinated by Mercy Corps to improve conditions in Jakarta slums.

Each year tens of thousands of migrants flood into Jakarta in search of work and a better life. Most of these people end up in slums like Penjaringan, one of Jakarta’s largest, where inadequate waste collection, lack of affordable and safe water, and clogged sewage and drainage gutters take a severe toll on the residents’ health. Through the Healthy Places Prosperous People project, researchers are now helping residents in three Penjaringan neighbourhoods work together with local government and private companies to find lasting solutions to these problems. The strategy focuses on turning problems into solutions by creating incomeearning opportunities while at the same time providing improved sanitation and environmental conditions.

The three innovative pilot projects are household and communal composting; water provision; and gutter cleaning. Firstly, some 1200 households are collecting and processing household waste and making a profit from selling compost, ornamental plants and recycled plastic handicrafts. This reduces the need for burning or burying the waste and generates revenue for the residents.

The focus of the second project is on provision of a community-based water supply. This aims to connect households to a clean water supply from a private company. Previously, these households relied on expensive vendors for their water; the new system is expected to cut household water costs in half.

Finally, a gutter cleaning pilot project involves more than 2400 households to clear solid waste, sludge and other debris from open-air sewage and drainage gutters. Regular cleaning restores effective drainage of flood and wastewater reducing health risks. The project team is using some of the organic waste to make construction bricks, liquid fertilizer, and planting medium to generate revenue.

In all three districts over 20 000 people have learned to carry out the activities. Working closely with local and central government, the project is trying to influence policy in terms of budget allocation across Jakarta for solid waste management, water supply and sanitation.

Photo Credit: Mercy Corps

For further information contact: Dr. Carrie Mitchell International Development Research Centre Email: cmitchell@idrc.ca

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Monitoring and cleaning contaminants Industrial processes and rapid development can cause pollution which often finds its way into the eco-system causing damage to plants, animals and to human health. Scientists are looking at various methods of monitoring and removing contaminants.

White-rot fungus - Synthetic dyes leaching from textile factories into waterways can reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the bottom of rivers and lakes affecting the photosynthesis process of water plants.

Some dyes also contain potentially carcinogenic compounds. Researchers at UPM have isolated a whiterot fungus which can remove colour pollution in waste water. Samples of blue-coloured textile industrial effluents turned colourless within 3 days of incubation in the presence of the fungus strain.

White rot fungus is also being utilised for heavy metals removal by researchers at USM. Conventional treatments to remove heavy metals from wastewater are mostly based on precipitation, evaporation and adsorption on ion exchange resins. At low concentrations however, these methods can be inefficient. The new bio-sorbent, produced from white rot macro-fungi, is capable of absorbing heavy metals from industrial wastewater even at low concentrations.

Modified mesoporous silicates and spent mushroom compost - Residues from industrial processes often include heavy metals such as cadmium, copper, lead and mercury. UiTM researchers are in the early stages of research into modified mesoporous silicates as an adsorbent to remove these heavy metals. Meanwhile, another team at UiTM are investigating the use of spent mushroom compost as a means of treating waste water from electro-plating and other industrial facilities.

Moss - Moss is an effective bio-monitor as it obtains most of its nutrients through rain water or the adsorption of particles from the atmosphere. As moss is widespread geographically, it can also be used to monitor pollution on a regional scale. Scientists at UiTM are evaluating the suitability of local mosses as bioindicators near petroleum refineries. The study aims to produce a mathematical model which can be applied to other similar locations.

Monitoring PFCs - Analysis of contaminants in aquatic environments and organisms requires sensitive and accurate methods due to their occurrence in very low concentrations. Scientists at UPM have proposed a novel method for the analysis of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), in tropical environments using WAX-Cartridge and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Durian husks - Heavy metal contamination in the ecosystem works its way into our food. In high quantities these contaminants can cause problems in the kidneys, reproductive system, liver, brain and central nervous system. USM researchers have developed a food-grade bio-sorbent from the husks of the local durian fruit to help patients suffering from heavy metal poisoning. The bio-absorbent powder, made from waste durian husks dissolves readily in drinking water. Inside the body, it absorbs the heavy metals, which is then excreted through urine.

ENVIRONMENT

For further information contact: White rot fungus for removing colour pollution Dr. Mohd. Arif Syed Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences Universiti Putra Malaysia Email : marifsy@biotech.upm.edu.my White Rot Fungus for removing heavy metals Assoc Prof Mashitah Mat Don School of Chemical Engineering Universiti Sains Malaysia Email: chmashitah@eng.usm.my Modified mesoporous silicates Dr. Sabrina M. Yahaya Universiti Teknologi MARA Email: sabrina@salam.uitm.edu.my Spent mushroom compost Prof. Dr. Suhaimi Abdul Talib Faculty of Civil Engineering Universiti Teknologi MARA Email: azianabiha@gmail.com Moss Dr. Ahmad Saat INTEC Universiti Teknologi MARA ahmad183@salam.uitm.edu.my Monitoring PFCs Dr. Mohamad Pauzi Zakaria Faculty of Environmental Studies Universiti Putra Malaysia Email: mpauzi@env.upm.edu.my Durian husks Assoc. Professor Azhar Mat Easa School of Industrial Technology Universiti Sains Malaysia Email: azhar@usm.my

durian fruit husk

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Photo credit: Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Lifestyle China Researchers at Hong Kong Polytechnic University are undertaking the first large scale qualitative investigation of lifestyle in urban China to facilitate sustainable development.

Over the past three decades China has experienced continued economic growth and the middle class in the country has increased from 65 million people in 2005 to 80 million in 2007 (Source: Euromonitor 2007).

The study undertaken by Hong Kong Polytechnic University, in conjunction with ten institutions from mainland China, seeks to gain an understanding of five main aspects of everyday life: dwelling, food, communication, leisure and clothing among the growing middle class and how consumption practices reflect the material lifestyle and eco-awareness of affluent Chinese people in ten cities.

Clearly, the changing consumption practices and growing affluence of Chinese citizens will have an impact on the environment. This holistic study of the lifestyle and consumption preferences of this influential stratum of consumers in urban China is needed to facilitate sustainable development in the country.

One of the project aims is to create an interactive digitized database for access via Intranet and the Internet as well as a physical archive related to the research.

For further information contact: Mr. Benny C.H. Leong Hong Kong Polytechnic University Email: sdbenny@polyu.edu.hk

Promoting an active life We are constantly told that our levels of activity must increase to remain fit and healthy. Waseda’s Sports Science Faculty takes a holistic view of activity.

Researchers in the Sports Science Faculty endorse the concept of “active life”. This does not simply mean physical exercise; it also encompasses mental activity and a community which gives vitality to people’s lives.

The focus of the research is on three main strategic projects: pediatric health development; middle-age health promotion and top-sport promulgation. Sports may provide a possible solution to certain psychiatric problems, poor physical and athletic ability and difficulty forming social bonds.

For further information contact: Professor Kazuyuki Kanosue Faculty of Sport Sciences Waseda University Email: gcoe-sscal-office@list.waseda.jp

Spiritual intelligence Researchers have undertaken the first ever survey of spiritual intelligence among academics in the Philippines.

Spiritual intelligence is the human capacity to ask ultimate questions about the meaning of life; and to experience simultaneously the seamless connection between each of us and the world in which we live (Wolman, 2001). The study looked at spiritual intelligence and compared it with the management styles of leaders of higher education institutions in the Philippines.

For further information contact: Professor Antoinette Bass Hernandez, Ph.D College of Arts and Letters University of the Philippines Diliman Email: annettebh22@yahoo.com

A satisfied society In Japan, researchers are examining ways to achieve an “expectation-realising society”.

Individual and group behaviours are affected both by expectations concerning personal well-being and the behaviour of others. The norms and rules in society promote and constrain these expectations. Institutions which fail to meet social expectations become dysfunctional, which in turn lowers the level of expectations. To avoid becoming trapped in such a vicious circle, researchers are looking to reveal and examine a set of conditions under which institutions can fulfil the expectations of its members (an "expectationrealising society").

For further information contact: Professor Aiji Tanaka Faculty of Political Science and Economics Waseda University Email: infoglope2@list.waseda.jp http://globalcoe-glope2.jp/en/index.html

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Ethnographic profiling in metro Manila The study by the University of the Philippines Diliman is looking at the processes involved in the creation of ethnic enclaves by migrants into the city of Manila and their adaptation to their new urban surroundings.

Due to the migration of people from rural areas, several ethnic enclaves have been established in Manila.

Despite their move to the capital, the residents of these enclaves continue to speak their native language, practice their traditional religion and maintain other distinct cultural traits.

Some communities trace their origins from colonial policies of “racial” segregation, such as the case of the Chinese community in Manila, while others were established as safe havens from war, such as those of Moro communities in Taguig. Most of these communities, however, were formed by economic refugees from poor rural communities.

The research, which will create ethnographic profiles of use to local government to generate culturally-sensitive development plans and other policies, involves interviews with members of eleven different ethnic enclaves and long term intensive observation of family and community life.

For further information contact: Dr. Nestor T. Castro College of Social Sciences and Philosophy University of the Philippines Diliman Email: nestor.castro@up.edu.ph

Photo credit: University of the Philippines Diliman

Influences on cultural identity The study looks at how events, both positive and negative, have an influence over one’s feeling of cultural identity.

China’s resumption of sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997 has linked the fate of Hong Kong people together with that of Mainland Chinese. The two groups are also linked by their cultural identity. Yet, Hong Kong and Mainland China still constitute different legal, political, and economic systems. The dual identification with Hong Kong and Mainland China may dispose Hong Kong people to a unique pattern of psychological characteristics.

Researchers at Hong Kong Polytechnic University are studying how situational factors, both positive and negative, influence cultural identity.

Social psychologists suggest that if faced with a disaster that reminds a person of their own mortality, a common response is an increased need to affiliate. The terrible consequences of the Sichuan earthquake touched Chinese people all over the globe. On the other hand, does a positive event encourage such affiliation?

The 2008 Beijing Olympics thrilled the world; did Hong Kong Chinese take pride in mainland Chinese athletes’ victories and identify with them as in-group members?

This research program will shed light on the interplay of culture, personality, context and identity.

For further information contact: Dr. Sylvia Xiaohua Chen Department of Applied Social Sciences Hong Kong Polytechnic University Email: ssxhchen@polyu.edu.hk

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Photo Credit: Prince of Songkla University

New approaches to teaching Researchers are looking at innovative approaches to teaching.

Systems approach to teacher mentoring - A systems approach looks at factors which influence each other within a whole. When applied to teaching, the approach includes interventions such as training sessions, teacher and supervision mentoring, teaching resources, class size and community involvement. University of the Philippines Diliman has been working with two poor performing schools in Quezon City, focusing on students in grades 4 and 7. When completed, the research will be able to contribute to improving the educational system in the country.

Self directed learning - Universiti Putra Malaysia researchers looked at 151 teachers of low-ability students in core subjects. They found that teachers tend to perceive drills, note-taking and repetition as effective, while students prefer “hands-on” learning, especially computerbased. Based on this, the researchers developed a software to teach circuit diagrams in design and technology. The coursework was self directed, individually paced and allowed repetitions. The pilot test showed that with guidance from teachers, coupled with previous knowledge on the topic, students mastered the skill easily.

Tadika and Islamic teachers - A “tadika” is a place traditionally located inside a mosque where young children are educated in the principles of Islam. The Prince of Songkla University has been working with over 300 tadika teachers to train them in multi-disciplinary teaching methodologies. The project also set up the Tadika Network website for teachers. As the Pattani region in Thailand prepares itself to be an International Center of Islamic Studies, another project led by the university aims to help develop the training of Islamic Studies teachers in government schools.

For further information contunued Tadika Assistant Professor Khruasri Visetsuwannaphum The Unit of Community Academic Service Faculty of Education, Prince of Songkla University Email: K_viset@yahoo.com Islamic teachers Dr. Ibrahem Narongraksakhet College of Islamic Studies Prince of Songkla University Email: nibrahem@bunga.pn.psu.ac.th

Oldest civilisation in Southeast Asia Researchers from the Centre for Global Archaeological Research have found the oldest civilisation in Southeast Asia, dating back to the 2nd century.

This finding is far older than the Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia (12th century) and Borobudur in Indonesia (9th century).

The Sungai Batu site also revealed an iron smelting industry. Based on the size and the artifacts found, the researchers believe the location was the main site for smelting iron for export purposes. The team also discovered a ‘ritual’ site that dates back to 110 AD and is believed to be the centre of the Sungai Batu civilization.

According to lead researcher, Assoc. Prof. Mokhtar Saidin, only 10 out of the 97 sites identified have been excavated and they expect to make many more discoveries especially those related to the social structure of that civilization in due time.

For example, from the 5th century AD layer, the team found stones with writings in Sanscrit Pallava that point to belief in Buddhism and animism. Other artifacts such as knives and beads were also discovered.

Radio Carbon dating and OSL (Optically Stimulated Luminescence) were carried out by several labs in the US, UK and Korea. There are government plans to gazette the almost 3sq. kilometer site as a Heritage Park.

For further information contact: Associate Professor Dr. Mokhtar Saidin The Centre for Global Archaeological Research Universiti Sains Malaysia Email: mmokh@usm.my

For further information contact: Systems approach to teacher mentoring Dr. Vivien M. Talisayon Faculty of Education University of the Philippines Diliman Email: vtalisayon@gmail.com Self directed learning Dr. Sharifah Md Nor Faculty of Educational Studies Universiti Putra Malaysia Email: sharifah@educ.upm.edu.my

Photo credit: Centre for Global Archaeological Research

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Photo Credit: Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Researching poverty in China A research programme looks at fair trade and whether it is a feasible poverty-reduction strategy in rural China.

Meanwhile, the first research network on poverty in China is encouraging young scholars and fresh thinking in an area of increasing concern to China.

Fair Trade in Yunnan Province - Critics of Fair Trade say that it can exclude the poorest and most remote producers and brings with it the burden of unnecessary bureaucracy. A research team from Hong Kong Polytechnic University aims to critically examine whether Fair Trade and urban-rural alliance are feasible and effective poverty reduction strategies. The programme focuses on the village of Pingzhai in Yunnan Province in China.

It assess the social, cultural and economic impacts on rural producers, their families and broader community, focusing specially on how indigenous social development can be fostered through strengthening traditional cultures and traditional practices of agriculture. It also aims to explore and establish an interdisciplinary methodology integrating sociology, social work and anthropological approaches to enhance the development of new practices of rural social work.

Poverty Research Network - The high economic growth seen in China in recent years has been accompanied by a rising inequality between rich and poor. Supported by

IDRC in collaboration with Beijing Normal University, The Young China Scholars Poverty Research Network encourages young scholars and fresh thinking in an area of increasing concern to China.

The group’s work has helped deepen understanding of the dynamics of poverty and inequality, and their data work has helped show that inequality is now beginning to plateau in China. For example, one study found that earning differentials between migrant workers and local workers had decreased between 2001 and 2005, and that discrimination against migrant workers had eased slightly. Another study showed that poor rural people would benefit more if their outpatient care was subsidised rather than having hospital care reimbursed.

This kind of research is essential for developing effective public policy to reduce inequality.

For further information contact: Fair Trade in Yunnan Province Dr. David Ip Department of Applied Social Sciences Hong Kong Polytechnic University Email: ssdavidi@polyu.edu.hk Poverty Research Network Dr. Evan Due International Development Research Centre Email: edue@idrc.org.sg

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Photo credit: Prince of Songkla University

The Deep South Prince of Songkla University researchers are working with communities in Southern Thailand to understand and assist them through conflict issues in the region.

The Southern Thailand provinces of Pattani, Yala, Songkhla and Narathiwat have experienced violent conflict, which have affected many innocent people. As a university based in the region, Prince of Songkla University has several initiatives to understand and assist the people of these provinces.

The Deep South Co-ordination Center co-ordinates assistance to victims of violence. The Center has robust incident and casualty databases and provide relief and rehabilitation to those affected by the unrest. From the databases cases requiring long-term care are identified and visited at home by relevant healthcare and other professionals. The assistance provided is individually tailored and includes psychological treatment, schooling for children, provision of equipment, rehabilitation for the disabled and establishment of new businesses, such as farming or handicrafts, in order to generate income.

The Center for Conflict studies and Cultural Diversity is a centre for peace studies and conflict resolution. It is affiliated to Deep South Watch, a national organisation with the three main aims of organising and managing the database systems for monitoring the Southern violence and its consequences; bringing about a valid understanding and awareness about the violence and conflicts in the region and creating a forum for public participation from various social sectors to share the processes of conflict resolution.

Thirdly, the School of Humanities and Social Sciences has been researching the “Problems in Three Southern Border Provinces�. This is a comprehensive and integrated research programme which has a large number of aims including improving the economy of the region, better cultural understanding of the different ethnic groups, improving education, security and government. The overall aim of the research is to achieve understanding, insight and innovation for peace in Southern Thailand.

For further information contact: Deep South Co-ordination Center Dr. Metta Kuning Department of Mathematics and Computer Science Email: kmetta@bunga.pn.psu.ac.th Deep South Watch Assistant Professor Srisompob Jitpiromsri Faculty Political Science Email: srisompob@yahoo.com Problems in Three Southern Border Provinces research Assistant Professor Piya Kitthavorn Faculty of Political Science Email: piya@bunga.pn.psu.ac.th Manop Jittapusa and the research team Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Email: jmanop@bunga.pn.psu.ac.th

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Photo credit: University of the Philippines Diliman

Research consortium for theatre and film arts

Promoting community governance In the aftermath of the typhoons Winnie and Yoyong this project was started in the Philippines to encourage people to manage their own community.

The model of community governance encourages people to take the lead in managing their own lives and resources. It contrasts with the more traditional and widespread model of elite patronage and leadership.

This study is based on the experience of people in a far north village in Quezon Province. In the aftermath of the destructive typhoons, they were encouraged to manage their own community and given the tools and knowledge to do so. This project aims to showcase how people, through active participation, can be empowered to be responsible for their own destinies and reduce dependency on traditional leadership.

Waseda University’s theatre museum has been recognised as a world-class organisation for theatrical research The Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum at Waseda, widely known in the entertainment and theatre world as “Enpaku, has been nominated by the Ministry of Education as a Global Centre of Excellence.

Researchers have gathered from all over the world to engage in education and research in six main areas: Japanese theatre, Eastern theatre, Western theatre, dance and film.

For further information contact: Professor Mikio Takemoto Waseda University Email: gcoe-enpaku-office@list.waseda http://www.waseda.jp/prj-gcoe-enpaku/index_e.html

For further information contact: Dr. Oscar P. Ferrer College of Social Work and Community Development University of the Philippines Diliman Email: oscar.ferrer@up.edu.ph

Career profiling Researchers are looking at how a person may choose the career most suited to them by using the theory of multiple intelligences.

The concept of Multiple Intelligence (MI) states that there are different types of intelligence. By identifying and employing an individual’s strengths, the negative impact of the individual’s weaknesses on career success will be reduced. Researchers are developing a MI model related to career planning and development. For example, employees and students can use the model to gain awareness of their strengths and weaknesses. This will help them select the most suitable occupation corresponding to their MI strengths. The researcher also hopes to incorporate national cultural dimensions into the model and upscale it to the national level.

For further information contact: Dr. Abdul Kadir Bin Othman Universiti Teknologi MARA Email: abdkadir@tganu.uitm.edu.my

Predicting tourists’ future behaviour The concept of eco-tourism is becoming increasingly popular. Using Malaysia’s Taman Negara National Park, researchers are looking at tourists’ behaviour and working to predict future actions and choices.

The research is looking at the concept of “total ecotourist experience”. Memories of personalised experiences are said to be embedded in the memory for the entire duration of a person’s natural life and play a major role in the consumer behaviour process. This project aims to identify the characteristics of the total eco-tourist experience and how this may affect the tourists’ future behaviour.

For further information contact: Dr. Rosidah Musa.

Faculty of Business Management Universiti Teknologi MARA Email: rosidahmusa@hotmail.com

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18th and 19th century Philippines Researchers at the University of the Philippines Diliman have been looking at the criminality of high status men in the late 19th Century and will shed new light on an 18th century account of Spanish Ambassador, Bustamante, and his diplomatic mission from Manila to Ayudhya.

The Philippine music hybridity project A collaborative team are exploring Filipino music and the influences on its development.

This is the first time that Filipino music-making has been examined in the light of various contexts such as colonial, post-colonial and globalised contexts. The project team commenced with the view that music cultures are dynamic and that they emerge from historical conditions and processes of exchange.

Six researchers from various institutions studied an aspect of Filipino music-making activity that exhibits music hybridity, or mixture across local spaces and histories.

Two researchers wrote about music practised by indigenous peoples in the Philippines. Another wrote about the Moslem gongs-in-the row (kulintang) in the Filipino-American context. Three researchers investigated the use of electronically-mediated pop music genres by Filipinos, circulating regionally and globally.

The studies show Philippine music existing across geopolitical borders, a culture rooted in on-the-ground realities of movements of Filipino groups i.e. travelling in search of work or virtually in the global electronic environment.

Dr. Christi-Anne Castro University of Michigan Ann Arbor Email: ccastro@umich.edu Dr. Mary Talusan Pomona College Email: mtalusan@gmail.com Dr. Pamela Costes-Onishi American Center for Education Singapore Email: loowit_marikit@yahoo.com Prof. Michiyo Yoneno-Reyes University of the Philippines Diliman Email: michiyoreyes@hotmail.com Dr. Lee Watkins University of Hong Kong Email: willee2002@yahoo.com

18th century Spanish Ambassador and Ayudhya - The account relates the political circumstances of the time and expands on the historical context of the Spanish Embassy and its Siamese counterpart, the beginnings of the kingship of the Spanish Bourbons and the circumstances of the Ayudhya kingship. The account also looks at the conduct of the Spanish embassy itself.

For further information contact: 19th Century Philippines Dr. Filomin C Gutierrez Department of Sociology University of the Philippines Diliman Email: fc.gutierrez09@gmail.com 18th century Spanish Ambassador and Ayudhya Dr. Ferdinand C. Llanes Department of History University of the Philippines Diliman Email: bonifacio1959@yahoo.com

Image source: Philippine National Archive

For further information contact: Dr. JosĂŠ Buenconsejo University of the Philippines Diliman Email: jose.buenconsejo@gmail.com

19th Century Philippines - The study analyses archival records and documents of law-breaking activities of those holding government office in the Philippines in the second half of the 19th Century. It examines the various types of criminal activity, including theft, usury, landgrabbing and even adultery, in the context of the colonial era under Spanish rule. The acts are viewed as an innovative but illegal response to the pressures brought about by lack of resources and demands from the Spanish regime. The proceeds of the crime, in many cases, benefited both the community and the private individual responsible.

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Photo Credit: Universiti Putra Malaysia

Understanding and treating cancer University of the Philippines researchers are laying the foundations for protein based structural research with their work on integrins. Meanwhile in Malaysia, researchers are studying the properties of local plants for cancer treatments.

Integrins - Integrins are proteins on the surface of animal cells that act as communicators between the cell and its environment. Integrins are made up of two types of components called alpha and beta subunits. Several types of alpha and beta subunits exist. Different combinations of alpha and beta subunits determine the binding partners for different integrins. Research has linked changes in the predominant types of integrin subunit pairs on cell surfaces with the progression of cancer. Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and other biophysical techniques, researchers at the University of the Philippines hope to examine the structural basis for observed changes in integrin pair combinations with cancer progression.

“Cat’s Whiskers” - Orthosiphon stamineus or Misai Kucing (Malay for "Cat's Whiskers") is a traditional herb that is widely grown in tropical areas. The USM team found that a particular extract of O.S caused significant tumour reduction in xenograft tumour model of human breast and colon cancer. The extract also prevented the establishment of solid tumors when the mice were pretreated with the plant extract making it a potent chemoprevention agent. The extract targets the development of new blood vessel formation, also known as angiogenesis, hence depriving cancer cells in solid tumours of nutrients and oxygen leading to their demise.

Canssufive significantly inhibits the expression of VEGF, the most prominent growth factor that stimulates angiogenesis and can also stimulate the immune system.

The extract is currently being evaluated for clinical trial. It is hoped that it will be a cheaper alternative to the currently available anti-angiogenic agents on the market which are unaffordable to the world’s poor.

Cassava - The cassava plant has a natural cyanidegenerating system which is used against predators.

Epidemiological studies had shown a link between low incidences of cancer in communities where cassava intake is the main staple. The research group at UPM investigated the effect of the cassava extract on cervical and ovarian cancer cells in vitro. Initial findings indicated promising potential as an anti-cancer agent in vivo.

Ant’s Nest - Sarang Semut, meaning ant's nest, grows through a tuber system on trees and is named because some species house ant populations. It is traditionally used as an alternative treatment for ulcers, tumors and cancer. Researchers at UiTM are trying to understand the ability of one species, epiphytic genus Myrmecodia, to induce cell death in cancerous liver cells.

ZII - UPM researchers have isolated and purified a compound from a local herb, which they named ZII. The compound has shown very promising anti-cancer activity toward the cervix. The results were compared to trials conducted with a chemotherapeutic drug frequently used to treat cervical cancer in humans, which showed the natural compound to have similar cancer treatment effects to the commercial cancer treatment drug.

Preliminary results show no unwanted side effects in the liver, kidney and lungs at high dosages. ZII is currently in pre-clinical phase.

Daun Lemuni – The blue juice of Vitex Trifolia, a member of the plant family Verbenaceae and known locally as Daun Lemuni, colours food and is used in ayurvedic practices. It is also reported to have antibacterial, anticancer, antimicrobial and trypanocidal activities.

UiTM researchers are conducting antioxidant tests on the fractions and pure chemical substances of the plant.

For further information contact: Integrins Neil Andrew D. Bascos PhD National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology University of the Philippines, Diliman Email: ndbascos@up.edu.ph Cat’s Whiskers Dr. Amin Malik Shah Abd. Majid School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia Email: aminmalikshah@usm.my Cassava Dr. Norhafizah Abdullah Dept. of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Email: fizah@eng.upm.edu.my Ant’s Nest Dr. Mizaton Hazizul Hasan Faculty of Pharmacy Universiti Teknologi MARA Email: Mizaton_hazizul@salam.uitm.edu.my ZII Dr. Ahmad Bustamam Hj. Abdul Institute of Bioscience Universiti Putra Malaysia E-mail: ahmadbstmm@yahoo.com adelalzubairi@hotmail.com Daun Lemuni Dr. Ibtisam Abdul Wahab Faculty of Pharmacy Universiti Teknologi MARA Email: ibtisam@salam.uitm.edu.my

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Diabetes Researchers are moving closer to the dream of insulin independence, investigating the role of leptin, the influence of corn and developed noodles suitable for diabetics.

Hope for insulin independence - Researchers at RIKEN and Fukuoka University have pinpointed the mechanism responsible for early rejection of transplanted pancreatic islet cells in the treatment of diabetes.

Currently, type 1 diabetes is treated with regular injection of insulin. Islet cell transplantation, whereby insulin-producing cells from a donor pancreas are transplanted into the patient’s liver, is a promising alternative to insulin injection but have limited success due to rejection of the transplanted islets.

The latest discovery enabled the researchers to determine the mechanisms of the onset of rejection, which results in a treatment more effective than earlier islet transplantation protocols.

For millions of diabetes sufferers around the world, this discovery brings dreams of insulin independence one step closer to reality.

Investigating the role of leptin - Insulin is a hormone that enables body cells to absorb sugar and turn it into energy. If cells cannot absorb this sugar, it accumulates in the blood leading to various problems. Leptin, is a protein hormone that inhibits food intake, reduces body weight and stimulates energy expenditure. UiTM researchers believe that where leptin increases, it may inhibit insulin secretion on sugar uptake. The team will investigate the role of leptin on sugar absorption in rats exposed to low doses of human leptin. They believe that while short term leptin administration increases glucose uptake, long term leptin administration at high doses might decrease the use of glucose.

The influence of corn - Meanwhile, in the Philippines, scientists are attempting to understand the influence of rice-corn mixture – rice-white flint and rice-Los Baños – on blood glucose and lipid levels of normal and prediabetic Filipino adults.

Low GI Noodles - In Malaysia, researchers have developed low glycaemic index (GI) noodles, which is suitable for diabetics and the health conscious. The noodle is manufactured using a protein cross-linking technology that traps starch coupled with the partial replacement of wheat flour with dietary-resistant starch blends.

For further information contact: Hope for insulin independence Dr. Masaru Taniguchi Laboratory for Immune Regulation RIKEN Research Center for Allergy and Immunology Email: gro-pr@riken.jp Investigating the role of leptin Dr. Justin Vijay Gnanou Medical Faculty Universiti Teknologi MARA Email: gnanou_j@yahoo.com The influence of corn Prof Cecile Leah Bayaga Department of Food Science & Nutrition University of the Philippines Diliman Email: cesbayaga@yahoo.com Low GI Noodles Assoc Prof Azhar Mat Esa School of Industrial Technology Universiti Sains Malayasia Email: azhar@usm.my

Improving the health of astronauts

Photo Credit: Universiti Sains Malaysia

The research program at Hong Kong Polytechnic University aims to design effective interventions to improve astronauts’ health.

The Chinese Astronaut Medical and Rehabilitation Research Program aims to investigate the impacts that micro-gravity conditions can have on the health of astronauts, for example loss of bone material, muscle wasting and deterioration of the cardio-vascular system, and design effective interventions for augmenting their body functions. The programme covers the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, sensory-motor and cognitive functions essential for ensuring the high-level of performance demanded by spaceflight missions.

The research team has also invented two measurement systems, one for cognitive function and the other one for blood circulation, which are useful for the selection, training and performance monitoring of astronauts.

For further information contact: Prof Chetwyn Chan Department of Rehabilitation Sciences Hong Kong Polytechnic University Email: rschchan@inet.polyu.edu.hk

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Diagnosing amebiasis

Brain change Cutting-edge imaging technology shows that monkeys’ brains grow as they learn to use tools.

Many scientists once believed that the human brain doesn’t change significantly after a person reaches maturity. This opinion has been overturned in the last few decades as studies have revealed that the brain is a very flexible organ, even in adulthood, and changes considerably according to use.

Now, Atsushi Iriki at the RIKEN Brain Science Institute and colleagues have directly observed changes in the brain structure of macaque monkeys, while the monkeys were being taught to use tools. The study, performed using a non-invasive imaging technique, is the first to reveal significant changes in the brain of an individual animal, and could provide insight into the evolution of human intelligence.

Macaque monkeys rarely use tools in the wild, but can master basic tools after a few weeks training. To gain insight into this learning process the researchers used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine the brains of three monkeys before, during, and after training them to use a rake to retrieve food that was just out of reach.

The researchers used a technique called voxelbased morphometry (VBM) to classify areas of brain tissue in their MRI images as grey matter, white matter, or cerebro-spinal fluid, and to compare the volume of each tissue area-by-area at different stages of learning.

The study is important because it is the first to detect statistically significant brain structure changes in individual animals, in contrast to human studies which require pooled data from a number of people.

Iriki and colleagues now hope to discover exactly how different brain areas increase in volume when learning a task, on a cellular, genetic and molecular basis.

For further information contact: Dr. Atsushi Iriki RIKEN Brain Science Institute Email: iriki@brain.riken.jp http://www.rikenresearch.riken.jp/eng/hom/6154

Amebiasis is an intestinal illness transmitted by eating or drinking something contaminated with a parasite called Entamoeba histolytica.

The parasite lives in a person's large intestine, often without causing any symptoms. But it can invade the lining of the large intestine, causing cramping, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or fever. Amebiasis is prevalent in parts of the developing world due to poor sanitation and lack of access to proper health care. Once diagnosed, amebiasis can be treated with antibiotics, but the tools are not currently accurate, are expensive and can be tricky to use.

Windell Rivera and colleagues at the University of the Philippines-Diliman have developed a convenient and reliable diagnostic kit for amebiasis patients. The kit is used to identify whether an individual has been infected with E. histolytica.

Traditional detection methods such as microscopy and serological assays typically need a laboratory to carry out the tests. They are also less accurate than immunoassays like this one. This kit produces a colour change which is visible to the naked eye when E. histolytica antibody is detected in the saliva sample.

For further information contact: Dr. Windell Rivera Natural Sciences Research Institute Institute of Biology University of the Philippines Diliman Email: wlrivera@gmail.com

Identifying gelatine in pharmaceuticals For a variety of reasons it is desirable to know the source of gelatine which is commonly used in the pharmaceutical industry.

Gelatine is a protein substance commonly used to make soft and hard capsules for the pharmaceutical industry. It may be derived from plants or from animal sources such as pigs and cows. The sources of gelatine have raised concerns from Muslims and Hindus as well as from vegetarians for religious and personal reasons.

A research team at USM have been working to develop a method of identifying the source of gelatine used in pharmaceuticals.

Using specific protein biomarkers for identification of the source of gelatine, proteins are extracted from the gelatine capsules and separated into their molecular weights to reveal the different protein profiles. The new biomarker provides 100 per cent accuracy for pure porcine and bovine capsules. It is also able to identify various sources of mixed gelatine.

For further information contact: Assoc. Prof. Gam Lay Harn School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Universiti Sains Malaysia Email: layharn@usm.my

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Controlled drug delivery A team of chemists at the University of the Philippines Diliman are working on synthesizing novel material for controlled drug delivery.

In the treatment of disease, many patients are given incorrect doses of medicines. The technique of providing a controlled delivery of drugs is of interest around the world. One approach is to release a drug or an active agent over a controlled period of time as triggered by the drug’s surrounding environment. Such a drug release system would allow steady maintenance of a drug level and increase patient compliance of the drug without needing administration.

The team are investigating a fatty-acid-based-poly (ester-anhydride) which was synthesized from hydroxylauric acid maleate and sebacic acid. The resulting material could serve as a drug delivery system with release occurring as the ph-dependent polymer erodes in its surrounding environment.

Since the formulation of this synthesized poly (ester-anhydride) system, the chance of producing undesirable by-products of degradation is reduced.

For further information contact: Kevin B. Dagbay and Dr. Florentino A. Sumera University of the Philippines Diliman Email: kbdagbay@yahoo.com florentinosumera@upd.edu.ph

New vaccine for childhood illness

For further information contact: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rozita Rosli Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Universiti Putra Malaysia Email: rozita@medic.upm.edu.my

Sights set on immunization target Revelation of key elements of how the digestive system defends the body broadens the scope for oral vaccines.

A RIKEN-led research team has unraveled the molecular details of a key mechanism of the immune system in the gut. The work opens the way to new possibilities for developing versatile, inexpensive vaccines that are swallowed, rather than injected.

The mouth is the most significant entry point into the body for pathogens, allergens and poisons. Most of what comes into the body through the mouth moves through the digestive system. As a result, the lining of the gut houses the largest part of the entire immune system. It protects the body from disease organisms and foreign particles by secreting vast amounts of antibodies in the form of Immunoglobulin A (IgA).

Specialized cells called microfold cells (M cells) capture and deliver foreign particles through the epithelial layer to lymphoid structures deeper in the intestinal tissue. This triggers the secretion of the antibodies.

Although this transport process is crucial researchers have struggled to understand it fully due to the relative sparseness of M cells and a lack of a unique marker to identify them.

The team show that the protein, glycoprotein 2 (GP2), on the outer membrane of M cells, acts as a receptor for certain pathogenic bacteria, rapidly instigating immune responses. Experiments demonstrate that in mice, GP2 specifically binds to bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella by recognizing a component of hairlike structures on the bacterial cell surface.

This first description of the pathway fills a key gap in our understanding of the immune responses. As a target for the development of new oral vaccines, GP2 also offers the hope of an easy-to-administer, costeffective solution for infectious diseases and allergies.

For further information contact: Dr. Hiroshi Ohno RIKEN Research Center for Allergy and Immunology Email: gro-pr@riken.jp http://www.rikenresearch.riken.jp/eng/hom/6148

Photo Credit: RIKEN

Scientists are working on a DNA vaccine for hand, foot and mouth disease.

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common viral infection affecting mainly children and infants. Its symptoms are generally a fever and a typical rash most frequently seen on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet and inside the mouth.

The major cause of the illness is the Enterovirus 71 (EV71) as well as the Coxsackievius A16. At present there is no effective antiviral treatment for severe EV71 infections and no vaccine is available. The team lead by Professor Rozita Rosli has developed a DNA vaccine using the VP1 gene from local outbreak isolates of EV71.

The DNA can then be administered either in a saline solution injected through a hypodermic needle or on DNA-coated gold beads propelled into the body using gene guns. The actual production of the immunising protein takes place in the vaccinated host. This eliminates any risk of infection associated with some live and attenuated virus vaccines.

The vaccination is still at early testing stage in animal subjects, but early results are promising.

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Nanotechnology combats fatal brain infections “Seek and destroy” nanoparticles developed at IBN may bring us one step closer to winning the war on brain infections, drug resistant bacteria and fungal infections.

Scientists at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN), Singapore have successfully developed peptide nanoparticles which contain a membrane-penetrating component enabling them to pass through the blood brain barrier to infected areas of the brain in patients suffering from C-albicans before treatment with nanoparticles brain diseases such as meningitis and encephalitis.

The brain membrane is impenetrable to many conventional antibiotics because their molecular structure is too big to enter the membrane. The new peptide nanoparticles therefore offer a superior alternative to conventional treatments.

In addition, the new C-albicans after treatment peptide nanoparticles have proven to be effective against so-called “superbugs” or multi-drug resistant bacteria, yeast and fungi Dr Yiyan Yang, IBN Group Leader, explains “Our treatment damages the structure of the pathogen and literally breaks it apart.”

Animal tests have shown that IBN’s peptide C-neoformans before treatment nanoparticles are biocompatible and cause no damage to the liver or kidneys or electrolyte balance in the blood at tested doses. Highly anti-infective, the therapeutic doses of the peptide nanoparticles are expected to be safe for use.

C-neformans after treatment

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Novel nanobiocomposites New drug delivery methods using nanomaterials are being developed at UPM. The use of nanotechnology in life sciences is having an impact on various areas including diagnostics, drug discovery and drug delivery.

One of the 2D layered materials that can be used as drugs carrier is zinc-aluminium layered double hydroxides (LDH). LDH has a 2D layered structure, held together by unique expandable bonds between the two layers which can be used as a host for a guest plasmid DNA. This novel nanohybrid material was synthesized using the ion exchange method. The results from this study shows the nanobiocomposite will be useful in the development of a new delivery system for therapeutic agents comprising plasmid DNA.

For further information contact: Dr. Mohd Zobir bin Hussein Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology Laboratory Universiti Putra Malaysia Email: ndeeps@admin.upm.edu.my

Elucidating Alzheimer’s genes Researchers at Universiti Teknologi MARA are developing a test for the genes causing Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder and the most frequent cause of dementia in the elderly population. The disease is linked with a build up of plaques in the brain and four genes have been associated with these growths.

UiTM researchers are developing a test that will detect the gene mutations that contribute to Alzheimer’s.

The approach, an allele specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR), is anticipated to be quick and cost effective.

There are many available methods used to detect gene mutations but they are complicated, require highly skilled testers and are expensive.

They attempted to establish the types and frequencies of mutations using direct DNA sequencing. Blood samples were collected, genomic DNA was extracted and allele specific primers were then designed. Sixty samples from healthy volunteers were analysed for two mutations. The team hopes to elucidate the types and frequencies of the mutations among Alzheimer’s disease patients in Malaysia.

Photo credit: Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology

For further information contact: Nidyah Sani Media Contact - Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) Email: nidyah@ibn.a-star.edu.sg

For further information contact: Prof. Dr. Abu Bakar Abdul Majeed Brain Research Laboratory Universiti Teknologi MARA Email: abubakar@salam.uitm.edu.my

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Photo credit: RIKEN

Tackling the genetic onset of Down syndrome Researchers at the RIKEN Brain Science Institute are developing a highly efficient system to create mouse model lines that could dramatically advance genetic research on the most common developmental disability.

Chromosome 21 is the smallest of the 23 pairs of chromosomes in humans, yet it is responsible for Down syndrome—the most common genetic developmental disability. Down syndrome (DS) is caused by the erroneous replication of human chromosome 21 (HC21), which results in three copies of the chromosome instead of the normal pair of two.

Worldwide, it is estimated that up to one in every 700 babies is born with DS, and there are no specific therapeutic treatments. Patients typically suffer from neurological and behavioral difficulties, including language delays and attention difficulties, and some also face immunological, digestive and cardiac problems. The severity differs by patient and age—sometimes the symptoms are alleviated with age, while for others the symptoms become worse, developing into conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.

“We’d like to understand the molecular pathways responsible for the disease so that we can contribute to the development of effective therapies in the future,” says Kazuhiro Yamakawa, head of the Neurogenetics Laboratory.

Toothbrush from a twig Researchers at UiTM are looking at the role of the miswak plant in oral hygiene.

For over 7000 years miswak (salvadora persica) chewing sticks have been used by human populations in Africa, South America, Asia and the Middle East. There is evidence that the plant, or an extract from it, could improve dental health by reducing the accumulation of microbial plaques, bleeding during brushing and gingivitis.

Researchers at UiTM are studying the effect of the mouthwash extracted from miswak on mouth bacteria in cell cultures. They want to define the minimum inhibitory concentration of miswak extract on the pathogenic bacteria and the antimicrobial effect of miswak extracts against periodontal pathogenic bacteria.

The selection of miswak from the salvadora persica is based on a number of factors. It is most common in the Middle East Region. Its taste is not unpleasant and it is cheap. Miswak wicks are flexible and strong, they bend to the appropriate shape to clear plaque and left over food in between teeth without damaging the gums.

For further information contact: Dr. Fouad Hussain AL-Bayaty Faculty of Dentistry Universiti Teknologi MARA Email: drfouadhm@yahoo.com

For further information contact: Dr. Kazuhiro Yamakawa RIKEN Brain Science Institute Email: gro-pr@riken.jp http://www.rikenresearch.riken.jp/eng/grants/6199

Photo credit: Universiti Teknologi MARA

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Japanese genomes and ulcerative colitis Milking the milkfish The milkfish is being studied for its immunity to certain diseases.

Milkfish (Chanos chanos) is known for its sturdiness against adverse environmental conditions. They are relatively resistant to most fish diseases and cope with salinity, crowding and starvation. Mainly inhabiting coastal sea waters around Asia, the milkfish can also live in freshwater. They are raised in nearly 750,000 hectares of ponds and inland waters in the Asia-Pacific Region.

Certain carbohydrate-binding proteins, known as lectins play a role in the innate, or non-specific, immunity in animals and humans. The human-serum mannosebinding lectins (MBL) inhibit in vitro infection by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The Institute of Biology at the University of the Philippines Diliman is interested to find similar mannose-binding proteins in milkfish serum and to investigate how they recognize pathogens and act in the first line host defence. Lectins from other fish sera, such as Nile tilapia fucose-binding protein (TFBP), African catfish MBL, and orange-spotted grouper MBL and fucosebinding proteins have also been isolated and characterized.

Many of these lectins have also been detected in the liver, kidney, spleen, hind gut, and skin mucous. Their molecular structures and protein sequences are now being analyzed to understand their function in disease resistance.

For further information contact: Dr. Anacleto M. Argayosa Institute of Biology University of the Philippines Diliman Email: lito.argayosa@up.edu.ph

Photo credit: Prince of Songkla University

Carpal tunnel treatment The PSU Carpal Tunnel Retractor enables the surgery to be completed in within 15 minutes and reduces the surgical wound size and scar.

Standard open carpal tunnel release process involves a long incision which can lead to delayed healing, wound infection, a painful scar, and prolonged time before the patient can return to work. The instrument was designed to improve the visual field during a mini-incision technique operation. The Navigator tip and Guard are used to create a small track underneath the skin. Using the special visual tube, the transverse carpal ligament (TCL) can be seen directly and be completely released through the tool.

For further information contact: Assistant Professor Sunton Wongsiri Faculty of Medicine Prince of Songkla University E-mail: wosunton@medicine.psu.ac.th

Revealing genes linked to the inflammatory bowel disease ulcerative colitis may speed the development of treatments.

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disease of the colon characterized by ulcers in that organ as well as by severe abdominal pain and chronic diarrhea during the active phase of the disease. Anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive drugs are often used to treat ulcerative colitis, but in severe cases, the only known cure is surgical removal of the colon.

The cause of ulcerative colitis thus far remains a mystery. Studies aiming to determine genetic variations more frequently found in individuals with the disease are a first step in determining what may go wrong in the gut of affected individuals to cause the onset of ulcerative colitis. Developing drugs against the proteins that are encoded by these genes may represent future avenues for therapeutic discovery.

Led by Michiaki Kubo, scientists have uncovered five discrete areas of the genome that are linked to ulcerative colitis in the Japanese population.

The approach that the researchers took was called a ‘genome-wide association study’ (GWAS). Instead of searching for differences within only one gene of interest that may explain disease susceptibility, Kubo and colleagues looked for genetic variation across the entire genomes of the individuals in the study. This allows for an unbiased approach to gene discovery, which may uncover novel mechanisms by which the disease is initiated.

Previous GWAS studies, focused on individuals of European ancestry, have identified genes linked to ulcerative colitis. But because different ethnic groups may harbor different susceptibility genes for the same disease, the genes linked to ulcerative colitis in Europeans may not relate to this disease in the Japanese population or in other ethnic groups. In fact, the researchers found that although the European and Japanese populations share a few of these susceptibility genes, they don’t share some of the other genes identified in the European study.

Also, Kubo and colleagues identified some genes linked to ulcerative colitis in the Japanese that were not identified in the European studies. Knowing these genetic differences—and similarities—is important when trying to create a drug that will work in as many ethnic groups as possible.

For further information contact: Dr. Michiaki Kubo RIKEN Center for Genomic Medicine Email: gro-pr@riken.jp http://www.rikenresearch.riken.jp/eng/hom/6200

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Asian research into emerging infectious diseases As cases of avian influenza (AI) cropped up in humans across Asia in 2005, the race to stay a step ahead of the virus upped its pace. Some scientists mapped potential outbreaks, others plotted containment strategies, but there was no unified approach and little research coming out of the region most at risk.

Times have changed. In 2010 two major networks are collaborating to share information and work together.

Initially called the Asian Partnership on Avian Influenza Research, the Canadian International Development Research Centre’s network was launched in 2005 to encourage communication across borders and disciplines. The idea grew quickly.

In 2009 in the face of a new pandemic, H1N1 swine flu, the network was reborn as Asian Partnership on Emerging Infectious Diseases Research (APEIR).

Five teams set out to discover the socio-economic effects that AI and the control measures taken against it are having on small-scale and backyard farmers, and what these farmers themselves can do to reduce the risk of an outbreak. While preventative measures may seem, from the outside, to require simple steps, they are impossible to implement without first taking current practice into consideration.

The control measures group compared the effectiveness of such measures, while their policyfocused colleagues tried to understand, through interviews and reviewing the research, how the policies are decided in the first instance.

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In politically charged problems that cross borders, objective findings from several countries that inform policy are necessary. Although cases of H5N1 had appeared in wild birds, coordinated surveillance was lacking.

At a meeting in Southern China in January the network shared results and decided on next steps.

Elsewhere in the region growing concerns over outbreaks of SARS and H5N1, and, more established diseases like AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, set a second collaboration into motion.

Ten Japanese universities and institutions have established 12 research centres in eight countries in Asia and Africa. Japanese teams conduct collaborative research with their counterparts elsewhere with the aim of improving preparedness for future infectious diseases.

RIKEN’s Center of Research Network for Infectious Diseases (CRNID) was established to promote the Program in 2005. As well as networking the centres it surveys research trends, organises symposia, scientific coordination and communication with other sectors, including with the mainstream public.

For further information contact: Asian Partnership on Emerging Infectious Diseases Research Dr. Hein Mallee International Development Research Centre Email: hmallee@idrc.org.sg RIKEN Center of Research Network for Infectious Diseases Email: gro-pr@riken.jp Website: http://www.crnid.riken.jp/english/

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Photo credit: Prince of Songkla University

Photo credit: Hong Kong Polytechnic University

A new era of pressure management in medicine

For further information contact: Professor Cecilia Li Department of Rehabilitation Sciences The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Email: rscecili@inet.polyu.edu.hk

The device works with personal computers and provides access in a natural and familiar manner, by using a Braille-enabled keyboard and a display matrix of raised dots for touch reading.

The new system was produced at relatively low cost by using locally supplied materials, together with a systems-integration approach. Additionally, the system supports both English and Thai characters, which is another advantage over imported more expensive models. This system allows visually impaired and sighted people to easily and simultaneously communicate with each other and opens opportunities for employment in the information technology sector.

For further information contact: Assistant Professor Pichaya Tadayya Department of Computer Engineering Prince of Songkla University Email: pichaya@coe.psu.ac.th

Photo credit: Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Researchers at Hong Kong Polytechnic University have been working on two interventions to reduce scarring in burns victims.

In mainland China there are more than 300 000 burns victims annually and more than 70% of these people will develop post-burn hypertrophic scars, which can result in permanent deformity and psychological problems. Pressure therapy has been used for several decades to treat post-burn hypertrophic scars and now the team at Hong Kong Polytechnic University has developed the Smart Pressure Monitored Suit (SPMS), a form of pressure garment. The SPMS is made from a new fabric which is more elastic and durable than those used previously. A computer program has been developed to draft patterns for the garments. Previously, the patterns were drawn by hand, a time-consuming and labour-intensive process; the new program significantly reduces the time required to make the garments for patients.

In addition to the SPMS, the team has also been investigating the use of silicone gel padding materials to be used in conjunction with the pressure suit. The use of gel pads increases the pressure in certain concave areas of the body, for example the neck or armpit. The silicone gel used softens the scar as well as increasing localized pressure, leading to better healing.

Pressure therapy is also used in the treatment of other conditions such as varicose veins and surgical scars; it is hoped that the new suit and gel pads will have applications for these problems as well. The new products have already been patented in China and the USA.

Thai-English Braille computer notebook

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Reducing the cost of DNA diagnostics Scientists at USM are working to reduce the cost of PCR for DNA diagnostics in developing countries The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a technique to amplify a single or few copies of a piece of DNA across several orders of magnitude, generating thousands to millions of copies of a particular DNA sequence.

The technology plays an important role in healthcare due to its ability to detect diseases early and stratify patients for treatment.

However, due to the sophistication and high cost of the PCR devices and supporting instruments, the PCR technology found little impact in underdeveloped and developing countries. To ensure accessibility of DNA diagnostics to the underdeveloped countries, the research team at Universiti Sains Malaysia, led by Professor Asma Ismail have developed the multiplex PCR Disc This affordable technology is proven to perform multi sample DNA amplification with good specificity and sensitivity in less than 30 minutes using 5 Îźl sample volume. The PCRDisc is disposable and costs USD 1.50 including the primers, compared to the current PCR tests which cost USD 10 -12. The team are now looking into developing PCRDisc from recyclable materials.

For further information contact: Professor Asma Ismail Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine Universiti Sains Malaysia Email: asma@usm.my

Photo credit: Universiti Sains Malaysia

Measuring skull and face Scientists in Malaysia have developed a system to measure 3D coordinates of the skull and face which can provide accurate assessment of facial morphology, facilitating treatment planning for clinicians and surgeons.

For further information contact: Dr. Zainul Ahmad Rajion School of Dental Sciences, USM Health Campus Email: zainul@kck.usm.my

Photo credit: RIKEN

Care Bear Robot This bear shaped robot is an important innovation in the strategy to use robotic technology in care-giving support to help tackle the issue of an ageing society.

The task of lifting and moving a patient, carried out several times a day, is one of the most exhausting for care-givers. The bear shaped robot RIBA (Robot for interactive body assistance) is the first robot able to lift and move a human patient, weighing up to 61kg, between a bed and a wheelchair. It does this using strong, human-like arms and novel tactile guidance methods with high-accuracy tactile sensors.

RIBA brings together cutting-edge sensor, information processing and materials technology, overcoming safety and performance limitations of its predecessor, an earlier model named RI-MAN. Using human-like arms equipped with high-precision tactile sensors and a body encased in a soft exterior of urethane foam, RIBA’s design guarantees patient safety and comfort.

The research team seeks to develop a human interactive robot that will come into direct contact with humans at care-giving facilities (hospitals, care homes etc.) and would like to bring robots like RIBA to market in the near future.

For further information contact: Dr. Toshiharu Mukai RIKEN-TRI Collaboration Center for HumanInteractive Robot Research Email: tosh@nagoya.riken.jp http://rtc.nagoya.riken.jp/RIBA/index-e.html

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Photo credit: RIKEN

Wheelchair technology

Photo credit: RIKEN

For further information contact: Controlling wheelchair with brain waves Global Relations Office RIKEN Email: gro-pr@riken.jp Slope sensor system for wheelchair Dr. Syed Sahal Nazli Alhady Syed Hassan School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia Email: sahal@eng.usm.my

Lightweight gamma camera Scientists in Malaysia are developing a new, lighter weight camera for medical imaging.

Gamma cameras are widely used in medical imaging, including in the detection of cancer. The commercially available models are bulky and heavy, which makes them difficult to use. The main bulk comes from the collimator which is used to focus high energy gamma rays. Scientists at Universiti Putra Malaysia have developed and tested new, much lighter collimator designs. Using the concept of a wire-mesh collimator instead of the standard multihole design the researchers have managed to replace a 115 kg collimator with a 45 kg version.

The first design is 51.2 % lighter with similar image quality as the standard multihole collimator, while the second design is 60.5 % lighter but needs some image processing to achieve the same image quality as the first design and a standard multihole collimator.

For further information contact: Dr. M. Iqbal Saripan Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Email: iqbal@eng.upm.edu.my

Photo credit: Universiti Putra Malaysia

Researchers in Japan have developed a system which controls a wheelchair using brain waves in a fraction of a second, while in Malaysia scientists there have developed a low cost sensor system which will help wheelchair bound people going up and down slopes.

The RIKEN BSI-TOYOTA Collaboration Center (BTCC) in Japan has succeeded in developing a system which utilizes one of the fastest technologies in the world, controlling a wheelchair in real time using brain waves.

BTCC’s new system fuses blind signal separation and space-timefrequency filtering technology to allow brain-wave analysis in a fraction of second (ranging from 125 milliseconds to 800 milliseconds depending on subject and training time), as compared to several seconds required by conventional methods. Brain-wave analysis results are displayed on a panel so quickly that drivers do not sense any delay. The system has the capacity to adjust itself to the characteristics of each individual driver, and thereby is able to improve the efficiency with which it senses the driver’s commands. Thus the driver is able to get the system to learn his/her commands (forward/right/left) quickly and efficiently. The new system has succeeded in having drivers correctly give commands to their wheelchairs. An accuracy rate ranging from 82% to 96% depending on training time and the user was achieved, one of the highest in the world.

Plans are underway to utilize this technology in a wide range of applications centered on medicine and nursing care management. R&D under consideration includes increasing the number of commands given and developing more efficient dry electrodes. So far the research has centered on brain waves related to imaginary hand and foot control. However, through further measurement and analysis it is anticipated that this system may be applied to other types of brain waves generated by various mental states and some positive emotions like joy, happiness, surprise and relaxation.

Meanwhile, Malaysian researchers have developed a cost effective system for wheelchair-bound people to ease the process of going up and down sloped ramps.

A sensor system mounted on the wheelchair detects the angle of the slope when the wheelchair is on an incline. Using this information, the brakes are applied with force to match the degree of the slope. This will prevent the user from falling forwards or backwards. This is an affordable alternative to expensive motorized units.

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The knee motion assistive system Researchers at the Prince of Songkla University are developing a knee motion assistive system for people with mobility impairments.

The system uses an electric motor to reduce the pressure on the knee. The development is in three phases: the first phase is to study the knee motion during various activities, the second phase is to develop the knee motion assistive system and its control techniques and the third phase is to test and evaluate the prototype in real situations on patients. Currently, this project is at the beginning of the second phase.

For further information contact: Assistant Professor Pruittikorn Smithmaitrie Department of Mechanical Engineering Prince of Songkla University Email: spruitti@me.psu.ac.th

Photo credit: Prince of Songkla University

Photo credit: Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Ultrasound diagnosis for breast cancer Researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University have successfully developed a low-cost and compact ultrasound elasticity imaging system for the diagnosis of breast cancer.

Existing ultrasound machines with elasticity imaging are extremely bulky, close to the size of a three-gate refrigerator and only installed in large hospitals. The advantage of the new machine is that it is compact and robust like a desktop computer and can easily be installed in small clinics, providing frontline assistance to clinicians in tumour diagnosis.

The machine maps the tissue stiffness so that the tumour region can be clearly viewed. The elasticity imaging technique is similar to manual palpation with a finger, but more accurate and provides medical imaging as well. Ultrasound diagnosis for breast cancer is particularly important for women aged under 50 who are not normally suitable for mammography as the dense breast tissue may affect the results.

The system is now going forward for clinical trials in hospitals in Guangdong and Shanghai.

In addition to breast cancer diagnosis, applicationspecific ultrasound devices for the assessment of liver fibrosis, scoliosis, burn scar, diabetic foot, muscle function, articular cartilage degeneration, etc., have also been developed by the HKPolyU researchers.

For further information contact: Professor Zheng Yongping Department of Health Technology and Informatics, Hong Kong Polytechnic University Email: yongping.zheng@polyu.edu.hk

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Partnership with the Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (CfEL) The Centre currently works with a range of local and international partners to develop relevant skills for starting up and growing enterprises. The aim is to build knowledge and capacity which can be shared and sustained over the long term.

Policy makers, scholars and business leaders now recognise the importance of experience-based learning and active participation by entrepreneurial practitioners in designing and teaching entrepreneurship courses. The Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (CfEL) has been a true pioneer in practitioner-led enterprise education and has expanded its network by inviting some 350 entrepreneurs and practitioners (including Venture Capitalists, Business Angels, bankers and other experts) to teach and to interact with students.

Partnership with CfEL will provide access to the rich resources of the Cambridge entrepreneurial network, Cambridge Judge Business School and the wider University of Cambridge community.

CfEL Programmes: Ignite and Enterprisers Ignite is an annual, intensive one-week training programme for aspiring entrepreneurs and corporate innovators to trial and prepare technology-based business ideas or innovations for the commercial environment in order to increase the chances of success. Examples of collaboration include partnerships with the Malaysian Biotech Corporation, la Caixa Venture Capital and Microsoft

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The Centre has collaborated with a number of Research Councils, UK and international Universities on the Enterprisers programme.

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My real inspiration came in absorbing the eye-opening “can-do” attitude of Enterprisers – a huge change from the academic world I had so far inhabited.”

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Research collaboration CfEL has a dedicated research team working on a number of research themes including ‘Understanding Individuals and Clusters’ and ‘Entrepreneurship Education’ and is keen to collaborate with faculty members from other institutions on joint research projects.

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ISSN 2042-0536. Copyright ResearchSEA Limited 2010. If you would like to reproduce any articles in Asia Research News 2010, please contact ResearchSEA. Asia Research News 2010 is published by ResearchSEA Limited, Asia’s premier platform for raising awareness of Asian research and experts. Research featured in Asia Research News 2010 is based on information provided by the research institutions listed in the contact information. ResearchSEA editors have strived to ensure the accuracy of information and aims of the projects featured in Asia Research News 2010. Readers are advised to use the contacts provided for confirmation of current details and status of projects. ResearchSEA limited accepts no liability for any loss, damage or expense incurred resulting from the use of information in this publication.

Asia Research News 2010 team - Magdeline Pokar, Catherine Atkins, Ruth Francis, Daniel Raymer and Charlotte Prince • Design by Fulton Design Front cover image supplied by RIKEN