Blind mice regain sight after single gene insertion
Reading Time: < 1 minuteIT was surprisingly simple. University of California, Berkeley, scientists inserted a gene for a green-light receptor into the eyes of blind mice and, a month later, they were navigating around obstacles as easily as mice with no vision problems. They were able to see motion, brightness changes over a thousandfold range and fine detail on an iPad sufficient to distinguish letters. The researchers say that, within as […]
M’sian made aptamer-based biosensor makes its mark
Reading Time: 2 minutesKUALA LUMPUR: A locally developed aptamer-based biosensor is set to change the way we monitor human body, pathogens, food and environmental contaminants. The innovation also has the potential to be developed into portable diagnostic kits that is robust and convenient for field use. The technology was recently introduced by Biogenes Technology Sdn Bhd (Biogenes) in […]
Engineers develop fast method to convert algae to biocrude
Reading Time: 2 minutesBIOFUEL experts have long sought a more economically-viable way to turn algae into biocrude oil to power vehicles, ships and even jets. University of Utah researchers believe they have found an answer. They have developed an unusually rapid method to deliver cost-effective algal biocrude in large quantities using a specially-designed jet mixer. Packed inside the […]
Is a gene-edited animal a drug?
Reading Time: 5 minutesBY DR ALISON VAN EENENNAAM WE eat mutations every day. All the vegetables, grains, fruits and meat humans consume as part of their diet is jam-packed with DNA speckled with mutations and beneficial variations. In 2017, the United States Food and Drug Administration proposed to regulate a specific subset of these variations as drugs: in […]
UMS calls for new research models
Reading Time: 2 minutesRESEARCH carried out by local universities must have meaningful impact on communities and industries. Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) said this, calling for the intensification of translational and transdisciplinary researches so that that local communities and industries will benefit from such researches. Its Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Prof Dr Shahril Yusof (pix) recently said research […]
Call to boost education, S&T sectors in Muslim world
Reading Time: 3 minutesKARACHI: The 5th Science and Technology Exchange Programme (STEP5) in Islamic countries, a flagship programme of Mustafa Science & Technology Foundation (MSTF) was held at the University of Karachi from Feb 28 – March 2. This year’s theme was “Cutting Edge Pharmaceutical Approaches to Meet Health Challenges of Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases; with an emphasis […]
Biotech to the rescue of brussels sprouts
Reading Time: 2 minutesAN international team has identified the genes that make these plants resistant to the pathogen that attacks crops belonging to the cabbage family all over the world. “Surnames” aside, cabbages are grown nowadays all over the world. Like them, many other plants from the Brassicaceae family such as cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage and even mustard -yes, […]
UPM develops photosynthesis enhancer
Reading Time: 2 minutesBY AZMAN ZAKARIA RESEARCHERS from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) have successfully produced ‘Photosynthesis Enhancer’ using carbon dots technology capable of increasing crop yields between 20 and 30 percent. Through the innovation, photosynthesis rate increases between 20 and 80 per cent depending on the types of crop. Furthermore, the cost to produce carbon dots is about 90 per cent lower than the conventional method. The increase in photosynthesis rate encourages […]
Researchers find new complex carbohydrate in barley
Reading Time: < 1 minuteUNIVERSITY of Adelaide researchers have discovered a new complex carbohydrate in barley. The first of its kind to be discovered in over 30 years, the cereal polysaccharide has potential applications in food, medicine and cosmetics. The research by the University of Adelaide’s School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, has been published in the American Chemistry […]
Scientists seeking to regrow kidneys make promising discovery
Reading Time: 2 minutesSCIENTISTS seeking to regrow damaged kidneys have discovered that blocked kidneys in newborns have a remarkable ability to repair themselves after the obstruction is removed. The finding offers insights into how that happens and could eventually help doctors regenerate kidneys in adults. The new research, from the University of Virginia School of Medicine, looked at […]