20 BRINGING DISCOVERY TO LIGHT 21

dynamic planets origins and the of life also inside Intelligent materials Deep ocean in deep trouble Women leaders in Myanmar The virus hunter THE COMPLETE SOLUTION FOR RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH FOR SOLUTION THE COMPLETE

Credit: Denys Bilytskyi / 123rf Share your research Spread the knowledge page18 PUTTING A SPIN ON HEUSLER ALLOYS

Electricity Fast spin test Venus Women leaders drop by drop for infection super-rotation in Myanmar page 08 page 25 page 32 page 42 page 28 MONITORING MALARIA topic PARASITES Environment 04 Technology 15 Medicine 24 Space 32 People 34 COVID-19 48 Welcome to the 2021 edition of

Researchers are investigating the formation of Credit: Petrica Ciprian Kis | 123rf Earth and early life.

Cover image credit: Johan Swanepoel | 123rf

Asia Research News Team Magdeline Pokar Laura Petersen Aya Kawanishi Nadia El-Awady Vivien Chiam Ruth Francis As we complete this issue, most of Research News community have Sophie Protheroe the world has been on a pandemic lock- forged ahead and we are pleased down for over a year. In the early days to showcase some of these findings. Design of Asia Research News, I remember at- Journey with us to some of the most Gordon Doucette tending a meeting where researchers extreme places on Earth, see how cli- Editorial Consultants predicted a worldwide pandemic. It was mate change is affecting them, and Daniel Raymer chilling to recently rediscover scribbled search for clues about how life began. Pokar Vellaykuti notes from that meeting which said: “Not Find out how researchers are racing to Research featured in Asia Research News if, but when.” In this issue of the maga- develop more resource efficient tech- 2021 is based on information provided by the research institutions listed. Readers zine, we bring you a special report on nologies, production processes, and are advised to contact the researchers for additional information. the incredible work by scientists in our energy sources, as well as better tools All images used in whole or in part within this community, joining the global effort to to explore DNA, detect infection and publication are credited to the respective overcome COVID-19. treat diseases. image owners. In some places, researchers battled Don’t miss our podcasts and videos ResearchSEA Limited and the Asia Research News team does not accept responsibility for more than a pandemic. We were writ- that accompany several stories, which any loss, damage or expenses incurred resulting from the use of information in this publication. ing up the article on women leaders in you’ll find at our website. We hope Myanmar when the coup broke out. these stories inspire you as they have ISSN 2042-0536 Copyright Asia Research News. We welcome you to reproduce ar- The article outlines years of hard work us. And please get in touch. We’re on ticles in Asia Research News 2021, provided appropriate credit is given to Asia Research by local teams to study and help shrink a mission to bring new voices to inter- News and the research institutions featured. the gender gap, progress that we hope national research news and we want to Contacts will continue when peace returns. hear from you. General: Magdeline Pokar Despite the immense challenges, [email protected] researchers throughout our Asia Singapore: Vivien Chiam [email protected]

Japan: Aya Kawanishi [email protected] www.asiaresearchnews.com Add your voice! @AsiaResearchNews @ResearchSEA Join our community and increase AsiaResearchNews diversity in research news. company/ResearchSEA ENVIRONMENT

DEEP OCEAN IN DEEP TROUBLE

Deep sea animals face greater risks compared to those nearer the surface as they become less able to maintain their preferred thermal habitats with climate change.

The curly-cue shape is a characteristic An international team, including a Hok- of this chrysogorgid octocoral, called kaido University researcher, analysed Iridogorgia. contemporary and future global patterns of temperature change across the oceans’ depths. While a great deal of attention has been paid to how warming waters bleach coral and stress other animals liv- ing closer to the surface, this study shows creatures of the deep, where water is colder, are not safe. “We wanted to challenge the common perception that deep sea biodiversity is less exposed to climate change because deep waters are less variable than sur- face waters,” says Jorge García Molinos, a ASIA RESEARCH NEWS ASIA RESEARCH climate ecologist at Hokkaido University’s Arctic Research Center, who contributed to the study published in the journal Nature Climate Change. “In fact, we find deep sea biodiversity is likely to be at greater risk because they are adapted to much more stable thermal environments.” Specifically, García Molinos and his col- Credit: NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research

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Further Assistant Professor Jorge García Molinos | [email protected] Arctic Research Center 4 information Hokkaido University ENVIRONMENT Credit: NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research

Hariotta raleighana, a long-nosed chimaera

leagues analysed climate velocity, which tested greenhouse gas emission scenar- where high biodiversity and velocity describes the speed and physical direc- ios,” García Molinos says.“This provides overlap. They found that risk areas for tion of temperature change, and serves as strong motivation for considering the surface and intermediate layers domi- a proxy for potential shifts of marine biota future impacts of ocean warming on nate in tropical and subtropical latitudes, seeking to maintain their thermal habitats. deep ocean biodiversity, which remains but risk areas in the deepest layers are They found that globally, average climate worryingly understudied.” widespread across all latitudes except velocities in the deepest layers of the Climate velocities in the mesopelagic for the polar regions. ocean (deeper than 1,000 metres) have layer of the ocean (200-1,000 metres) The scientists caution that uncertainty been two to nearly four times faster than are projected to be four to 11 times high- of the results increases with depth. Also, at the surface between 1955 and 2005. er than current velocities at the surface life in the deep ocean is limited by many This is due, in part, to the deep ocean by the end of this century. Marine life factors other than temperature, such as having temperature layers that don’t in the mesopelagic layer includes great pressure, light and oxygen concentrations. change much as you move laterally, so abundance of small fish that are food for “Without knowing if and how well deep animals have to move much longer dis- larger animals, including tuna and squid. ocean species can adapt to these chang- tances to compensate for even small This could present additional challenges es, we recommend following a precau- temperature changes. for commercial fisheries if predators and tionary approach that limits the negative NEWS ASIA RESEARCH Notably, even though climate veloc- their prey further down the water column effects from other human activities, such ities are projected to slow down at the do not follow similar range shifts. as deep-sea mining and fishing, as well as ocean surface if strong action is taken to The research team, led by the Uni- planning for climate-smart networks of limit global warming, climate velocities will versity of Queensland in Australia, also large marine protected areas that include continue to accelerate in the deep ocean. compared biodiversity levels and climate the deeper ocean,” says García Molinos. “The acceleration of climate velocity for velocity for more than 20,000 marine the deep ocean is consistent through all species to reveal potential risk areas

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5 ENVIRONMENT

MACHINE LEARNING PREDICTS STRUCTURAL CORROSION

Complex algorithms can be taught to predict steel corrosion rates in coastal regions, helping engineers choose the best materials for each location. Credit: Sean Pavone | 123rf

The massive Akashi Kaikyō Bridge structure boasts a 3,911m span.

Materials scientists in China report in Gao and her colleagues applied six Further evaluations showed that the the journal Science and Technology of different machine learning algorithms total content of alloying elements, such Advanced Materials that machine learn- to data from the Corrosion Data Sheet as copper, chromium, nickel, manganese, ing algorithms can effectively predict belonging to Japan’s National Institute for silicon or phosphorus, was always one how easily certain low-alloy steels used in Materials Science. The data is based on a of the most significant factors affecting bridges and other structures might cor- variety of low-alloy steels, which contain a corrosion rates. Also, salt deposition on rode in coastal regions. low percentage of certain metals, exposed the metal and local precipitation were the “The corrosion resistance of metals at three coastal sites around Japan for one main factors affecting corrosion in the affects the service life and safety of en- to 10 years. Eighty percent of the data was first three years of exposure, while local gineering structures like bridges and oil used to train their machine learning mod- humidity was the most significant factor platforms,” says Kewei Gao of the Uni- els and the remaining 20% was used to after five years. versity of Science and Technology Beijing, test the model’s prediction accuracy. Once the model learned the complex

ASIA RESEARCH NEWS ASIA RESEARCH who led the study. “Evaluating corrosion The scientists fed the algorithms effects of the various factors on metal resistance is an important aspect of con- information about the composition of 18 corrosion, the scientists used the remain- struction and new material development, low-alloy steels and the effects of several ing data to test its accuracy predicting the but doing so in the actual environment environmental factors on their corrosion metals’ corrosion behaviour. “Our opti- where they will be used is expensive and over varying time periods. By doing so, mized model had high prediction accura- time-consuming, taking more than ten they were able to identify the factors with cy for multiple steel samples in different years in some cases. To save time, we pro- the strongest effects on corrosion. These environments,” says Gao. pose a machine learning model that can included the composition of the metal The team next aims to apply machine directly predict the steel’s corrosion rate itself, in addition to the surrounding tem- learning to real-time monitoring of corro-

on the basis of specific information, like perature, humidity, salt deposition, the sion in coastal steel structures. 2021 the material’s chemical composition and presence of combustion particles from the environmental conditions.” ships, and exposure to solar radiation.

Further Professor Kewei Gao | [email protected] Dr Yoshikazu Shinohara | [email protected] School of Materials Science and Engineering Science and Technology of Advanced Materials 6 information University of Science and Technology Beijing National Institute for Materials Science The nitty gritty of corrosion In the early stages of corrosion, the scientists anticipate that a loose, thin layer of rust forms that is easily penetrated by chloride ions and pre- cipitation, creating a wet, corrosive environment on the metal’s surface. After five years, the rust layer has thickened, making it difficult for chloride ions and rain to seep in. However, long-term humidity in the region helps form a corrosive micro- environment on the metal’s surface, causing corrosion to continue.

Akashi Kaikyō Bridge, Kobe, Japan ENVIRONMENT

ELECTRICITY GENERATED DROP BY DROP

A new device can light up 100 LED bulbs with a single drop of water.

Hydropower is nothing new, but harness- and the power generated can light up 100 it forms a bridge to the aluminium elec- ing the energy in waves, tides and rain- small LED light bulbs,” says CityU engi- trode, creating a closed-loop electric circuit. drops has remained elusive because con- neer Zuankai Wang, who led the research. When the spreading water connects the ventional technology does not efficiently Two crucial components make this two electrodes, all the stored charges on convert low-frequency kinetic energy into possible. First, they used a material called the PTFE can be fully released to generate electricity. That challenge has been over- polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which an electric current. As a result, both the come with an invention by researchers at has a quasi-permanent electric charge instantaneous power density (the amount City University of Hong Kong (CityU) and that accumulates charges better than of power per volume unit) and energy their collaborators. Their droplet-based other materials. The scientists found that conversion efficiency are much higher electricity generator, described in the the surface charges generated when than other materials. journal Nature, features a new transistor water droplets continuously hit the sur- The DEG works with rainwater and structure that enables highly efficient en- face of PTFE accumulate and gradually seawater, and efficiency is unaffected by ergy conversion rates from single drops of reach saturation, overcoming a bottle- humidity changes. Wang anticipates that, ASIA RESEARCH NEWS ASIA RESEARCH falling water. neck of low charge density encountered in the long run, the new design could be The research team, which includes in previous work. installed on a variety of surfaces where liq- researchers at the University of Nebras- Another key feature is a unique set of uids come into contact with solids, includ- ka-Lincoln and the Beijing Institute of Na- structures similar to a field-effect tran- ing ferry hulls, umbrellas, coastlines and noenergy and Nanosystems, spent two sistor (FET), the basic building block of even inside water bottles. years developing the droplet-based elec- modern electronic devices. Their tran- The team has filed a patent application tricity generator (DEG), which can pro- sistor-like device consists of aluminium in the US and mainland China. Wang hopes duce thousands of times more power than and PTFE-covered indium tin oxide the technology will help address the global similar devices. (ITO) electrodes. The latter is responsible renewable energy shortage. “Generating

2021 “Our research shows that a drop of 100 for the charge generation, storage and power from raindrops instead of oil and microlitres of water released from a height induction. When a falling water droplet nuclear energy can facilitate sustainable of 15cm can generate more than 140 volts, hits and spreads on the PTFE/ITO surface, development,” he says.

Further Professor Zuankai Wang | [email protected] Department of Mechanical Engineering 8 information City University of Hong Kong ASIA RESEARCH NEWS 2021 9 ENVIRONMENTENVIRONMENT , which is thousands of of , which is thousands ² Credit: City University of Hong Kong Hong of University City Credit: Powerful design Powerful a field-effect transistor-like design. transistor-like a field-effect can reach an instantaneous power density density power an instantaneous reach can watts/m 50.1 of times higher than similar devices without without devices than similar higher times The droplet-based electricity generator generator electricity The droplet-based a height of 15 cm can generate more than than more generate can cm 15 of a height generator, a drop of water released from from released water of drop a generator, 140 volts, lighting up 100 small LED bulbs. LED bulbs. up 100 small lighting 140 volts, With the new droplet-based electricity electricity droplet-based new With the

Credit: City University of Hong Kong DROP BY DROP DROP BY ELECTRICITY GENERATED GENERATED ELECTRICITY ENVIRONMENT

RARE ACCESS REVEALS EAST ANTARCTIC MELTING HOTSPOT

Ice is melting at a surprisingly fast rate underneath Shirase Glacier Tongue in East Antarctica due to the continuing influx of warm seawater into the Lützow-Holm Bay.

Hokkaido University scientists have iden- melting rate in East Antarctica, at a rate area’s currents and wind, ice radar mea- tified an atypical hotspot of sub-glacier of 10-11 metres per year.” surements, and computer modelling to melting in East Antarctica. Their findings, The Antarctic ice sheet, most of which understand ocean circulation underneath published in the journal Nature Commu- is in East Antarctica, is Earth’s largest the Shirase Glacier Tongue at the glacier’s nications, could further understandings freshwater reservoir. If it all melts, it could inland base. and predictions of sea level rise caused by lead to a 60-metre rise in global sea lev- The scientists’ data suggests the melt- mass loss of ice sheets from the southern- els. Current predictions estimate global ing is a result of deep, warm water flowing most continent. sea levels will rise one metre by 2100 inwards towards the base of the Shirase The 58th Japanese Antarctic Research and more than 15 metres by 2500. Thus, Glacier Tongue. The warm water moves Expedition had a very rare opportunity to it is very important for scientists to have along a deep ocean trough and then flows conduct ship-based observations near a clear understanding of how Antarctic upwards along the tongue’s base, warm- the tip of East Antarctic Shirase Glacier continental ice is melting, and to more ac- ing and melting the ice. The warm waters when large areas of heavy sea ice broke curately predict sea level fluctuations. carrying the melted ice then flow out- up, giving them access to the frozen Most studies of ocean–ice interactions wards, mixing with the glacial meltwater. Lützow-Holm Bay into which the glacier have been conducted on the ice shelves in The team found this melting occurs protrudes. West Antarctica. Ice shelves in East Ant- year-round, but is affected by easter- “Our data suggests that the ice directly arctica have received much less attention, ly, alongshore winds that vary seasonally. beneath the Shirase Glacier Tongue because the water cavities beneath most When the winds diminish in the summer, is melting at a rate of 7-16 metres per of them were thought to be cold, protect- the influx of the deep warm water year,” says Daisuke Hirano, a physical ing them from melting. increases, speeding up the melting rate. oceanographer at Hokkaido Univer- During the research expedition, Hira- “We plan to incorporate this and future sity’s Institute of Low Temperature no and his collaborators collected data on data into our computer models, which will Science. “This is equal to or perhaps water temperature, salinity and oxygen help us develop more accurate predic- even surpasses the melting rate under- levels from 31 points in the area between tions of sea level fluctuations and climate neath the Totten Ice Shelf, which was January and February 2017. They com- change,” Hirano says. thought to be experiencing the highest bined this information with data on the ASIA RESEARCH NEWS ASIA RESEARCH

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Further Assistant Professor Daisuke Hirano | [email protected] Institute of Low Temperature Science 10 information Hokkaido University ENVIRONMENT

Daisuke Hirano (centre) with a helicopter pilot (left) and a field assistant (right) having lunch on the floating Shirase Glacier Tongue.

The Japanese icebreaker Shirase near the tip of the Shirase Glacier during the 58th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition.

Credit: Kazuya Ono Credit: Yuichi Aoyama ASIA RESEARCH NEWS ASIA RESEARCH

Warm water flows into Lützow-Holm Bay along a deep under- water ocean trough and then flows upwards along the tongue’s base, warming and melting the base of Shirase Glacier Tongue.

2021

Credit: Daisuke Hirano et al., Nature Communications, August 24, 2020

11 ENVIRONMENT

WHEN EVOLUTIONARY TREES GET FROGGY A new study on frogs shows gene flow and population structure should be considered to determine if morphologically similar and genetically distinct animals comprise separate species.

Descriptions of new species have been draneil Das, a conservation biologist at rapidly on the rise since the turn of the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS). century, especially in biodiversity hotspots Most new species boundaries are like Southeast Asia. Many of these are defined using statistical methods that cryptic species: animal groups that look use similarities and differences in alike but are genetically quite distinct. genetic characteristics to estimate evolu- Distinguishing cryptic species is noto- tionary relationships between species and riously difficult and can lead to overesti- produce a best guess at the family tree. mates of species numbers. A new study But these conventional methods often characterizing species boundaries in a ignore other important factors, such as group of Southeast Asian spotted stream the transfer of genetic material from one frogs urges a more cautious approach. population to another, called gene flow. Credit: Pui Yong Min ASIA RESEARCH NEWS ASIA RESEARCH

Pulchrana signata, a member of Southeast Asia’s riparian frog assemblage.

“We showed that breeding between The international team of research- populations and then further inter- ers compared conventional methods of breeding between hybrids and parent species description with more robust ge- populations can produce evolutionary nomic analyses that take gene flow and patterns and levels of divergence that other factors into account, using more

2021 resemble distinct species, but they are than 12,000 genetic markers to produce still part of one species lineage,” says In- a more unbiased representation of evo-

Further Professor Indraneil Das | [email protected] Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation 12 information Universiti Malaysia Sarawak ENVIRONMENT

The science of communication lutionary relationships. They studied frog populations from Pulchrana picturata, a single species that shows high levels of genetic diversity, leading scientists to suspect it may actually contain several cryptic species. You’ve got questions about The results showed two distinct evolu- tionary lineages within P. picturata: one comprising populations from Peninsu- communicating research to lar Malaysia and Sumatra, and the other from Borneo. Conventional statistical methods show the public and media. the Borneo population appearing to contain multiple cryptic species. However, the new approach indicates their genetic diversity is actually the result of histor- ical interbreeding between Borneo and Sumatra populations, and there is not enough evidence they are on diverging evo- lutionary paths to call them distinct species. We’ve got answers. This implies all Borneo populations should be considered a single species un- der the name P. picturata. In contrast, the Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra popu- lation evolved separately and should be considered a novel species. Find out more at These findings, published in the journal asiaresearchnews.com/blog Molecular Ecology, demonstrate defining cryptic species should not rely solely on conventional methods, but should also ex- amine population structure and gene flow. “Although the rapid addition of spe- cies to global and national lists can invoke a sense of national pride, species inflation can create burdens for conser- vation and wildlife management,” says Das. “A more robust genomic approach can help improve scientific estimates of biodiversity not only for amphibians, but many other animals across Southeast Asia and the tropics.”

Credit: Juhani Viitanen | 123rf

Credit: Micha Klootwijk | 123rf ENVIRONMENT Credit: Curtis Palmer via Wikimedia Commons

Did you know? An estimated 50 million tons of e-waste are produced annually.

BRINGING THE GREEN REVOLUTION TO ELECTRONICS From biomemory to implants, researchers are looking for ways to make more eco-friendly electronic components.

Researchers are investigating how to of China’s Shenzhen University and Researchers are especially keen to find make electronic components from colleagues in the journal Science and biocomposite materials that work well in eco-friendly, biodegradable materials to Technology of Advanced Materials. resistive random access memory (RRAM) help address a growing public health and The scientists expect that including devices. These devices have non-volatile environmental problem: around 50 mil- biocomposite materials in the design memory: they can continue to store data lion tons of electronic waste are produced of electronic devices could lead to vast even after the power is switched off. Bio- every year. cost saving, open the door for new composite materials are used for the in- Less than 20% of the e-waste we pro- types of electronics due to the unique sulating layer that is sandwiched between duce is formally recycled. Much of the rest material properties, and find applica- two conductive layers. Researchers have ends up in landfills, contaminating soil and tions in implantable electronics due to experimented with dispersing different groundwater, or is informally recycled, ex- their biodegradability. types of nanoparticles and quantum dots posing workers to hazardous substances For example, there is widespread in- within natural materials, such as silk, gel- ASIA RESEARCH NEWS ASIA RESEARCH like mercury, lead and cadmium. Improper terest in developing organic field effect atine and chitosan, to improve electron e-waste management also leads to a sig- transistors (FET), which use an electric transfer. An RRAM made with cetyl- nificant loss of scarce and valuable raw field to control the flow of electric current trimethylammonium-treated DNA em- materials, like gold, platinum and cobalt. and could be used in sensors and flexible bedded with silver nanoparticles has also According to a UN report, there is 100 flat-panel displays. shown excellent performance. times more gold in a ton of e-waste than Flash memory devices and biosensor “We believe that functional devices in a ton of gold ore. components made with biocomposites made with these fascinating materi- While natural biomaterials are flex- are also being studied. For example, one als will become promising candidates ible, cheap and biocompatible, they do FET biosensor incorporated a calmod- for commercial applications in the near

2021 not conduct an electric current very well. ulin-modified nanowire transistor. Calm- future with the development of materials Researchers are exploring combinations odulin is an acidic protein that can bind science and advances in device manufac- with other materials to form viable bio- to different molecules, so the biosensor turing and optimization technology,” the composite electronics, explain Ye Zhou could be used for detecting calcium ions. researchers conclude.

Further Dr Ye Zhou | [email protected] Dr Yoshikazu Shinohara | [email protected] Institute for Advanced Study Science and Technology of Advanced Materials 14 information Shenzhen University National Institute for Materials Science TECHNOLOGY AI HELPS DESIGN NEW ALLOYS MADE TO ORDER

An artificial intelligence approach extracts how an aluminium alloy’s contents and manufacturing are related to specific mechanical properties.

Scientists in Japan have developed a ma- ly magnesium and copper, and are most this without the need for input or su- chine learning approach that can predict commonly used in bicycle frames. pervision from a human. the elements and manufacturing pro- Experimenting with various combi- For example, the model found that cesses needed to obtain an aluminium nations of elements and manufacturing 5000 series aluminium alloys highly re- alloy with specific, desired mechanical processes to fabricate aluminium alloys sistant to stress and deformation can be properties. The approach, published in is time-consuming and expensive. To made by increasing the manganese and the journal Science and Technology of overcome this, Ryo Tamura and col- magnesium content and reducing the Advanced Materials, could facilitate the leagues at Japan’s National Institute for aluminium content. discovery of new materials. Materials Science and Toyota Motor “This sort of information could be use- Aluminium alloys are lightweight, ener- Corporation developed a materials in- ful for developing new materials, includ- gy-saving materials made predominantly formatics technique that feeds known ing alloys, that meet the needs of indus- from aluminium, but also contain other data from aluminium alloy databases try,” says Tamura. elements, such as magnesium, manganese, into a machine learning model. This The model employs a statistical meth- silicon, zinc and copper. The combination trains the model to understand rela- od, called Markov chain Monte Carlo, of elements and manufacturing process tionships between alloys’ mechanical which uses algorithms to obtain infor- determines how resilient the alloys are properties and the different elements mation and then represent the results in to various stresses. For example, 5000 they are made of, as well as the type of graphs that facilitate the visualization of series aluminium alloys contain magne- heat treatment applied during manu- how the different variables relate. The sium and several other elements and are facturing. Once the model is provided machine learning approach can be made used as a welding material in buildings, with enough data, it can predict what more reliable by inputting a larger data- cars and pressurized vessels. 7000 series is required to manufacture a new alloy set during the training process. aluminium alloys contain zinc, and usual- with specific mechanical properties. All ASIA RESEARCH NEWS ASIA RESEARCH

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Credit: Jozef Polc | 123rf

Dr Ryo Tamura | [email protected] Dr Yoshikazu Shinohara | [email protected] Further International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics Science and Technology of Advanced Materials information 15 National Institute for Materials Science National Institute for Materials Science TECHNOLOGY

ELASTOMERS DEVELOP STRONGER BONDS OF ATTACHMENT Molecular interactions within gels and rubbers can be controlled to fabricate stronger and more elastic materials.

Elastomers are the soft, elastic materials, Takeoka and his team from Nagoya like gels and rubbers, that are found in University’s Department of Molecular automobile and airplane parts, in sports and Macromolecular Chemistry explain equipment, and are used to protect that elastomers can be made tougher precision machinery and buildings by introducing strong hydrogen or ionic against vibrations. Scientists now want bonds that can reversibly link elastomer to make them thinner and tougher, with- chains together. These reversible bonds out losing elasticity. Nagoya University attach and detach from the elastomer materials engineer Yukikazu Takeoka chains as the material deforms. Scientists and colleagues reviewed the most recent have used hydrogen bonds to fabricate efforts towards improving elastomers strong hydrogels that can deform up to for the journal Science and Technology 600% and return to their original state of Advanced Materials. within three minutes at 37°C or a few “Our review gives hints about the kind seconds at 50°C. of molecular thinking that needs to go Elastomer chains can also be linked into making elastomers tougher,” says through ring-like cyclic molecules, giving Takeoka. linked chains a large degree of flexibility Elastomers are made of many long and improved toughness. For example, molecular chains of repeating subunits. scientists mixed solutions of polyeth- They can undergo large deformations ylene glycol and cyclic alpha-cyclodextrin when stretched, returning to their orig- in water to make slide-ring molecules, inal shape when the tension is released. which they then used to fabricate a very They can do this because their molecular flexible elastomer. chains have enough mobility to stretch Takeoka and his colleagues suggest ASIA RESEARCH NEWS ASIA RESEARCH and crunch up. that further combining elastomers linked Elasticity and overall toughness depend by reversible bonds with moving cyclic on the interactions between the molecular molecules could lead to even tougher chains inside the material. Scientists have elastomers with better elongation. “It’s been working on controlling how chains critical to examine molecular behaviour link together and interact in order to in detail while designing polymer mate- change elastomers’ mechanical properties. rials,” says Takeoka.

2021 Different kinds of bonds can link elastomer chains together, changing how the material behaves.

Credit: Composition Olga Yastremska / Phana Sitti | 123rf Credit: Bond graphics based on image by Yukikazu Takeoka

Further Assoc Prof Yukikazu Takeoka | [email protected] Dr Yoshikazu Shinohara | [email protected] Department of Molecular Design & Engineering Science and Technology of Advanced Materials 16 information Nagoya University National Institute for Materials Science TECHNOLOGY

MANUFACTURING MADE EASY WITH ONE-STEP PRINTING

Printing electronic circuits could soon get easier and cheaper.

Scientists at The Chinese University of method can be used to print an electric ingly, the researchers found commer- Hong Kong (CUHK) have developed circuit on a glass slide or even on normal cial ink, which contains carbon-based a new printing method that can make tape, while retaining electrical properties nanoparticles, works surprisingly well for fabricating integrated circuits and other as good as the bulk metal and having the this purpose. tiny devices easier and cheaper. The ap- flexibility of materials like nylon.” Next, laser light is shone on the proach overcomes issues in conventional The method, called light-induced deposited mixture and moved over it to micro-manufacturing processes, which material deposition, starts with depos- give the desired pattern. The laser light require multiple steps, advanced equip- iting onto a surface a mixture of two excites electrons in the nanoparticles, ment and highly trained personnel, and solutions, one containing metal particles inducing a chemical reaction that cause are prone to errors. and the other containing semiconductor the metal ions to stick to them. The laser “Our new approach directly prints pat- nanoparticles. The scientists found their light also acts like an optical tweezer, terns onto substrates,” says Sen Yang, a process works on a wide range of sur- trapping the metal/nanoparticle com- physicist at CUHK who led the research, faces, including glass, quartz, sapphire, pound on the printing surface precisely which was published in the journal indium tin oxide, and tape. The metal where the laser is focused. Once the Nature Communications. “We can print particles in the first solution can be gold, pattern is complete, the extra solution is metals, insulators, and magnets from the platinum, silver, iron, zinc or nickel. Also, removed and the surface cleaned, leav- macroscopic scale all the way down to a a wide range of nanoparticles can be ing the finished printed structure. few nanometres in size. For example, the used for the second solution. Interest- A series of tests confirmed the qual- ity of the deposited materials and their

Credit: The Chinese University of Hong Kong electrical and mechanical properties. The scientists used the method to print a variety of structures, including a resistor flex sensor commonly used in robotics. The approach is cheap, versatile, and easy to use, so much so that it would be possi-

ble to print electrical circuits in the field. NEWS ASIA RESEARCH It could also make repairing electrical circuits easier than current approaches. The scientists are now trying to improve the process so it can print The method involves depositing a mixture of two solutions containing metal particles and semiconductor nanoparticles onto a surface. Laser light shone even smaller structures, down to 20 on the surface induces a reaction that causes the metal particles to stick to nanometres in size. “We will also try to the surface of the nanoparticles, and then to attach to the spot focused on further simplify the setup and make a by the laser. Once the patterning is done, the liquid part of the solutions is removed and the surface is cleaned, leaving a printed pattern. For example, market-ready prototype, with the aim

the panda printed in platinum and gold (right) matches the design (left).

of commercializing our product within 2021 five years,” says Yang.

Credit: Jürgen Fälchl | 123rf

Assistant Professor Sen Yang | [email protected] Further Department of Physics information 17 The Chinese University of Hong Kong TECHNOLOGY

PUTTING A SPIN ON HEUSLER ALLOYS Heusler alloys are promising contenders for faster and more energy-efficient computing and memory storage devices.

Spintronics, also known as spin electron- ics, is a field of applied physics that inves- tigates the use of electron spins, instead of their charge, for carrying information in solid-state devices. A category of mate- rials showing great promise in this area is Heusler alloys: materials formed of one or two parts metal X, one part metal Y, and one part metal Z, each coming from a dis- tinct part of the periodic table of elements. The interesting thing about these alloys is that even though the metals are not mag- netic on their own, they become magnetic when combined. “Spintronic devices using Heusler alloys are expected to replace currently used memory cells and magnetic sensors,” says Atsufumi Hirohata of the University of York, UK, who specializes in spintronics and helped review the major achievements made to-date in Heusler alloy spintronic research for the journal Science and Technology of Advanced Materials. ASIA RESEARCH NEWS ASIA RESEARCH A major advantage of Heusler alloys for spintronic devices is the ability to control their unique electrical and magnetic prop- erties, which result directly from electron spins, by making changes to their crystal- line structures. But this requires very high temperatures, which researchers want to reduce for practical device applications. Over the last few decades, scientists

2021 have investigated different ways to grow

Credit: Dmitri Stalnuhhi | 123rf

Further Professor Atsufumi Hirohata | [email protected] Dr Yoshikazu Shinohara | [email protected] Department of Electronic Engineering Science and Technology of Advanced Materials 18 information University of York National Institute for Materials Science Did you know? Spin is related to how an electron rotates around on its own axis at different speeds and angles, like a wobbly top, which in turn influences magnetism. Spin can be defined as the internal angular momentum of an elementary particle. That angular momen- tum determines which way a particle’s internal magnet points: north or south. Credit: 123rf

Heusler alloy films on special substrates with crystal lattices that are similar to the alloy’s. Matching the two lattices can lead to the development of half-metallicity in the Heusler alloy film, where only elec- tron spins in one orientation are conduct- ed through the material, whereas those spins in another are not. Having such perfectly-aligned spins makes the film an ideal platform to carry information. Hirohata and his colleagues are cur- rently working with Heusler alloy films to make a metallic magnetic junction. These junctions consist of two ferromagnets separated by a thin insulator. When the insulating layer is thin enough, electrons are able to tunnel from one ferromagnet to the other. There is low resistance to electron movement as long as the two ferromagnets have parallel alignment, but as soon as it becomes antiparallel via current-induced switching, the junction becomes highly resistant. This forms a magnetic switch, offering a fundamental building block for magnetic recording and memory. The team hopes to develop metal- lic magnetic junctions with much larg- er magnetoresistance than the current record at room temperature, realising next-generation memory with smaller junction size for a sustainable society. TECHNOLOGY

SELF-HEALING GELS COULD POWER FUTURE ELECTRONICS

Ion-conducting gels that repair themselves following damage are under development for wearable electronics.

Flexible ion gels could become critical with various ion gel compositions and components in wearable and stretchable ways to boost their self-healing proper- electronic devices, but first they must be ties. For example, some researchers have able to withstand repeated mechanical made repairable ion gels by adding the deformation, such as bending or stretch- compound azobenzene, which changes ing, to be viable. its shape in response to light. Exposing the “Despite their importance, ion gels with damaged gel to ultraviolet light changes it healing functions have only been devel- into a liquid that fills the damaged region. oped to rudimentary levels,” says Ryota Exposing it then to visible light restores Tamate of Japan’s National Institute for the gel, damaged section and all, to its Materials Science, who reviewed the lat- original state. Ion gels that heal in response est advances in the field with Masayoshi to light have also been made using other Watanabe of Yokohama National Univer- light-responsive compounds. Scientists sity in the journal Science and Technol- have also developed ion gels that repair ogy of Advanced when temperatures change. Materials. “Mate- Perhaps even more intriguing is cur- rial scientists are rent research into ion gels that can autono- beginning to push mously self-repair. Tamate and Watanabe these novel ion recently developed tough ion gels that gels forward.” self-heal because they contain hydrogen Ion gels are bonds between polymers. Damage usual- made of a polymer ly occurs along these bonds, which come matrix containing back together at room temperature with- ionic liquids: room out an external stimulus. “Spontaneous temperature mol- healing was observed within a few hours ten salts containing when we cut an ion gel into two pieces,” positively and neg- says Tamate, noting its mechanical and

Credit: Ryota Tamate atively charged electrochemical properties fully recovered. ions. Ionic liquids Several proof-of-concepts have been

ASIA RESEARCH NEWS ASIA RESEARCH on their own are demonstrated in soft robotics, such as a highly conductive, strain sensor for touch screens and nonflammable and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. De- chemically and spite their promise, further research is An ion gel cut into two pieces healed itself electrochemically stable. They are being needed to ensure high durability against after several hours, restoring its strength considered for use in a variety of elec- the mechanical loads they would experi- and stretchable properties. tronic devices, including supercapacitors, ence in practical applications. Scientists rechargeable lithium batteries, fuel cells need to continue exploring the complex and soft robotics. Ion gels have the same interactions between ionic liquids and advantages of ionic liquids, with the add- polymers before self-healing ion gels can

2021 ed benefit of being pliable and durable. take off in the real world. Scientists have been experimenting

Further Dr Ryota Tamate | [email protected] Dr YoshikazuChikashi Shinohara Nishimura | [email protected] | E-mail: [email protected] Center for Green Research on Energy and Environmental Materials Science and ScienceTechnology and ofTechnology Advanced of Materials Advanced Materials 20 information National Institute for Materials Science National InstituteNational for InstituteMaterials for Science Materials Science TECHNOLOGY

GAINING MORE CONTROL OVER FUEL CELL MEMBRANES

Controlling the organization of molecules within polymer membranes could lead to more efficient fuel cells. Credit: Illustration based on graphic by Yuki Nagao

Polymer materials for fuel cell membranes conduct hydrogen protons better when their internal molecular structure is well organized.

More organization at the molecular level ing polymer membranes is better than it fuel cell performance. could improve the efficiency of mem- is in the thinner ionomer ones. Therefore, Molecules in another type of film, branes used in the hydrogen fuel cells that the second part of the proton transport made from alkyl sulfonated polyimide, provide energy to electric cars and other process must be studied to improve fuel become more organized with water up- industrial applications, according to a re- cell performance, says materials scien- take. This property is the result of the view published in the journal Science and tist Yuki Nagao of the Japan Advanced material’s ability to enter a liquid crystal Technology of Advanced Materials. Institute of Science and Technology, who phase when solvent is added. Hydrogen fuel cells are the energy- has been researching proton-conducting “Developing a better understanding producing components of electric cars. films for many years. of these properties and their impacts on To work, they need to be able to split Using state-of-the-art technologies, proton conduction will be important for hydrogen molecules into positively he and others have been looking into the clarifying proton conduction mechanisms,” charged protons and negatively charged molecular structures of ionomer films explains Nagao. ASIA RESEARCH NEWS ASIA RESEARCH electrons. A proton-conducting poly- and have been finding that they conduct Further research is needed to under- mer membrane is used for this purpose. protons better the more organized they stand how to control molecular organiza- It only allows protons to pass through it, are internally. tion through the application of external Credit: background no attribution | 123rf while the electrons get circuited around Some ionomer films commonly used magnetic fields, by employing their liquid the membrane to create the desired in hydrogen fuel cells are made with per- crystal properties, or by developing electric current. Protons are then trans- fluorinated sulfonic acid. The films can be hydrogen bond networks between poly- ported along a thin ‘ionomer’ film and placed on surfaces made from substanc- mer chains within the thin films. This could then into an electrochemical catalyst es such as silicon oxide, magnesium oxide, help lead to a variety of applications using

where electrons and protons rejoin. sputtered platinum or gold. Nagao found highly proton-conductive polymer thin

Research has shown that proton trans- that proton conductivity in these films de- films. 2021 port through the thicker proton-conduct- pends on the surface type and may affect

Chikashi Nishimura | E-mail: [email protected] Assoc Prof Yuki Nagao | [email protected] Dr Yoshikazu Shinohara | [email protected] Further Science and Technology of Advanced Materials School of Materials Science Science and Technology of Advanced Materials information 21 National Institute for Materials Science Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology National Institute for Materials Science Intelligent strategy Tell your story

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THE RESEARCH COMMUNICATION EXPERTS MEDICINE

THE PERFECT ANGLE FOR E-SKIN ENERGY STORAGE The trick to extremely thin supercapacitors with improved performance is spraying graphene ink at an angle.

Researchers at the Daegu Gyeongbuk for improving energy storage, as they are Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST) highly porous so provide a large surface and their colleagues in Korea have found area for the electrostatic reactions to an inexpensive way to fabricate tiny ener- occur. Micro-supercapacitors could also gy storage devices that effectively power be improved by fabricating electrodes flexible skin sensors and other wearable with interlocking teeth, like those of two electronic devices. The key to success is combs, increasing the amount of energy spraying a precise amount of graphene that can be stored. But this process is ex- ink onto desired substrates at a specific pensive and doesn’t work on flexible, tem- angle and temperature. Their findings, perature-sensitive substrates. published in the journal Nano Energy, help Lee, Nandanapalli, and their collab- pave the way towards remote medical orators successfully combined the two monitoring and diagnosis. approaches by fabricating a paper-thin micro-supercapacitor with interlocking Credit: DGIST graphene electrodes and excellent per- formance. The trick was to spray ten mil- lilitres of graphene ink at a 45° angle and 80°C temperature onto a thin, flexible substrate. This led to the formation of po- rous, multi-layered electrodes. It solved the issue faced by previous research- ers who had found vertical spraying of graphene onto a flexible substrate led to The micro-supercapacitor features interlocking graphene electrodes. electrodes that aren’t very porous and have compact layers, giving them poor “Many scientists are focusing their performance. research efforts on developing wearable The team’s micro-supercapacitor is 23 electronic skin devices for remote diagno- micrometres thin, ten times thinner than sis, which require extremely tiny and flexi- paper, and retains its mechanical stability ble energy power sources,” says Sungwon after 10,000 bends. It can store around Lee, a materials scientist at DGIST. 8.4 microfarads of charge per square cen- Lee worked with DGIST materials sci- timetre, which is twice as much as other entist Koteeswara Reddy Nandanapalli, similar devices reported to date, and has ASIA RESEARCH NEWS ASIA RESEARCH and collaborators at Dongguk University a power density of about 1.13 kilowatts per and the Korea Institute of Geoscience and kilogram, which is four times higher than Mineral Resources to improve those pow- lithium-ion batteries. er sources, called micro-supercapacitors. “Our work shows that it’s possible to When micro-supercapacitors are reduce the thickness of micro-superca- charged, positive and negative electrical pacitors without degrading their perfor- charges accumulate on their electrodes mance,” says Lee. and are stored as energy. They have short The team next aims to improve their charging and discharging times compared storage capacity and energy consumption

2021 to batteries, but can’t store as much energy. to make it feasible for use in real-world Graphene electrodes show promise electronic skin devices.

Credit: Stanislav Vostrikov | 123rf

Further Professor Sungwon Lee | [email protected] Dr Koteeswara Reddy Nandanapalli | [email protected] Department of Emerging Material Science Department of Emerging Material Science 24 information Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST) Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST) MEDICINE

A FAST SPIN TEST FOR URINARY TRACT INFECTION

A spinning toy meets hydrodynamics and sets point-of-care diagnostics in motion.

A spinning microfluidic device, developed brane. As the sample drains through, to filter a one-millilitre sample, despite a by researchers at the Ulsan National Insti- bacteria particles accumulate on top. A large variation in the spin speed generat- tute of Science and Technology (UNIST) drainage chamber beneath the mem- ed by people with different hand power.” and Korea’s Institute for Basic Science brane is filled with a buffer solution that The team demonstrated the efficacy (IBS), can detect urinary tract infection ensures uniform filtration of the urine of their device by testing urine samples in under an hour. Inspired from 39 people suspected of by the popular fidget spin- having urinary tract infection ner toy, it works much faster in Tiruchirappalli, India. The than conventional laboratory results were reported in the tests, which can take days to journal Nature Biomedical return results. Engineering. Compared to “Our simple, rapid test the gold-standard culture can help improve patient method, the diagnostic fid- care, especially in low-re- get spinner provided a com- source settings, and ensure parable result on-site in only only those with infection 50 minutes. The device can receive antibiotics, helping also test bacteria susceptibil- in the global fight against ity to two different antibiot- antibiotic resistance,” says ics in less than two hours to UNIST biomedical engineer The popular fidget spinner toy (above) inspired the design for the determine which one would Yoon-Kyoung Cho, who led urinary tract infection test device (below). be more effective for treat- the research. ing the patient. Besides being fast, the Sometimes, people sus- test is inexpensive, portable pected of having a urinary and accurate, requiring only tract infection are given an- a small urine sample that is tibiotics before confirming added to the device by a test results. The study found pipet. A flick of a finger sets that 59% of patients were the gadget in motion. over- or under-prescribed The spinning motion cre- antibiotics while waiting for ates a centrifugal force that, conventional test results. NEWS ASIA RESEARCH combined with the research- “I hope our rapid on-site er’s new fluid assisted sep- test can help more patients aration technology (FAST), get the most effective treat- works to filter and enrich ment, especially since UTIs bacteria in the sample so in- Credit: UNIST are one of the most common fection can be detected by the naked eye through the membrane with minimal infections in the world,” Cho says. based on colour. A larger infection results hydrodynamic resistance. The team plans to continue investigat- in a darker orange or red colour. “This allowed for maximized bacterial ing ways to adapt the diagnostic fidget

Specifically, the centrifugal force cell enrichment efficiency while minimiz- spinner for other diseases, including viral 2021 pushes the urine sample outwards so ing the force needed for the filtration,” infection. that it spreads over a filtration mem- says Cho. “One or two spins were enough

Credit: antishock | 123rf

Professor Yoon-Kyoung Cho | [email protected] Further Department of Biomedical Engineering information 25 Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology MEDICINE

MAGNETIC SPRAY TRANSFORMS OBJECTS INTO MILLIROBOTS A spray-on magnetic coat turns any object into a robot controlled by a magnetic field. The biocompatible robots can walk, crawl and roll, and switch motions on demand.

Researchers from City University of Hong roll. The robots adapted well to various Kong (CityU) and their collaborators obstacles and surfaces, including glass, at the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced skin, wood and sand. Technology and Chinese Academy of Notably, a millirobot’s locomotion Sciences designed a simple way to make mode can be reset on demand by repro- insect-sized robots, called millirobots, gramming the alignment of the magnetic that adapt to different environments for particles coating it. For example, the same exploration, remote sensing and biomed- millirobot could switch from a faster 3D ical applications. The key is coating ob- caterpillar movement in a spacious envi- jects with a composite, glue-like magnetic ronment to a slower 2D accordion move- spray called M-spray. ment for passing through a narrow gap, “Our idea is that, by putting on this explains Xiong Yang, a PhD student in magnetic coat, we can turn any object into Shen’s lab and co-first paper author. a robot and control their locomotion,” says All M-spray components are biocom- CityU engineer Yajing Shen, who led the patible and can disintegrate inside the research published in the journal Science body when needed, showing potential for Robotics. “The M-spray we developed biomedical applications. For example, the sticks on the targeted object and activates team demonstrated that a catheter coat- it when driven by a magnetic field.” ed with M-spray can make both sharp Composed of polyvinyl alcohol, gluten and smooth turns. They also guided an and iron particles, M-spray adheres to M-spray-coated capsule containing a rough and smooth surfaces of one-, two- drug to a specific location inside a rabbit’s and three-dimensional objects instantly, stomach. Once there, an oscillating mag- stably and firmly. It forms a 0.1–0.25mm netic field caused the coating to disinte- film, which is thin enough to preserve the grate, releasing the drug. original size, form and structure of the ob- “The controllable disintegration prop-

ASIA RESEARCH NEWS ASIA RESEARCH jects. The researchers then programme erty of M-spray enables drugs to be re- the alignment of the magnetic particles in leased in a targeted location rather than the coating with a strong magnetic field to scattering in the organ,” Shen says. set how the object will move. The team plans to continue improving Different alignments combined with M-spray’s ability to withstand the acidic differently shaped objects lead to dis- environment of the body, broadening its tinct motions. The team converted cotton applications in medicine, as well as explor- thread, flat origami, soft film and plastic ing its use in other fields. pipe into robots that crawl, walk, flip and

2021

Credit: City University of Hong Kong

Further Associate Professor Yajing Shen | [email protected] Department of Biomedical Engineering 26 information City University of Hong Kong MEDICINE

Dr Yajing Shen places millirobots coated with the magnetic spray inside a Helmholtz coils system to evaluate their magnetic actuation performance.

Credit: City University of Hong Kong

The team converted cotton thread, origami, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) film and plastic pipe into soft reptile, multi-foot, walking and rolling robots, respectively. Watch a video of the robots in action at Asia Research News. ASIA RESEARCH NEWS ASIA RESEARCH

Credit: City University of Hong Kong

2021 M-spray transforms a bean shaped object into a biocompatible rolling millirobot.

27 MEDICINE

MONITORING MALARIA PARASITE POPULATIONS IN MALAYSIAN BORNEO

A simple tool allows researchers to track how different subpopulations of the Plasmodium knowlesi parasite are changing over time. ASIA RESEARCH NEWS ASIA RESEARCH

Did you know? Anopheles latens, the mosquito vector for Plasmodium knowlesi in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, is

2021 a forest mosquito that is attract- ed to both monkeys and humans for blood meal.

Credit: neydt | 123rf

Further Dr Paul Cliff Simon Divis | [email protected] Malaria Research Centre 28 information Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) MEDICINE

Did you know? MONITORING MALARIA In 2017 and 2018, a total of 7,745 cases of malaria caused by the Plasmodium knowlesi PARASITE POPULATIONS IN parasite were reported in Malaysia, 86.8% of which were MALAYSIAN BORNEO detected in Malaysian Borneo.

Malaria caused by the monkey parasite Plasmodium knowlesi is a serious public health concern in Malaysian Borneo, and cases are on the rise. Researchers from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), together with collaborators from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, have developed a simple tool to track different subpopulations of this parasite species, revealing new insights Credit: UNIMAS into the transmission of the disease. The P. knowlesi parasite is transmitted Microscopic images show the different development stages of P. knowlesi in from monkeys to humans via mosquitoes infected red blood cells of a patient. A: early ringform, B: band-form trophozoite, C: schizont, and D: gametocyte. and can cause severe malaria, which can be fatal. Back in 2015, a team of UNIMAS researchers discovered that P. knowlesi changing in numbers over time,” explains ing them into close proximity with humans. infections in Malaysian Borneo are caused by Paul Cliff Simon Divis, director of the In contrast, pig-tailed macaques prefer two genetically divergent subpopulations UNIMAS Malaria Research Centre. more remote forests, making transmis- of the parasite: cluster 1 is associated with To do this, the researchers developed sion of the cluster 2 subpopulation less long-tailed macaque hosts, and cluster 2 is a new genetic test to distinguish between likely. These findings were published in associated with pig-tailed macaque hosts. and survey the two parasite subpopu- the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases. “The crucial question is to find out lations. While previously used methods, The results also revealed an apparent whether these parasite subpopulations are such as microsatellite genotyping and increase in overall P. knowlesi infections whole genome sequencing, are time between 2016 and 2018, driven mainly consuming and expensive, the newly by rise in cluster 1 infections, which might developed genotyping tool – a type of have been caused by increased exposure polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay – to animals along with a reduction of other

is simple and efficient. endemic malaria parasites. NEWS ASIA RESEARCH “The new test is remarkably sensitive “What’s exciting about this study is that and can detect as few as four parasites per it reveals new insights into the biological, microlitre of blood,” says Divis. clinical and ecological characteristics of The researchers used the tool to anal- the P. knowlesi parasite and how it infects yse 1,204 P. knowlesi infections in patients humans,” says Divis. at Hospital Kapit in Sarawak state. They Continued monitoring of the differ- found the cluster 1 parasite subpopulation, ent parasite subpopulations along with Credit: UNIMAS associated with long-tailed macaques, tracking environmental changes, such as

accounted for two-thirds of all cases be- deforestation, may play an important part 2021 Dr Divis used the new PCR genotyping tween 2000 and 2018. This makes sense in future strategies for malaria prevention assay to clarify different P. knowlesi infections in malaria patients. because long-tailed macaques prefer and control. cropland, wetland and urban areas, bring-

29 MEDICINE

WATCHING DNA STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN REAL TIME Researchers have observed DNA spooling and unspooling in real time using CRISPR to attach fluorescent tags to very specific DNA points in living cells.

Researchers at the Ulsan National identify how changes in chromatin struc- Using the system, the researchers Institute of Science and Technology ture affect gene expression, aging and were able to see the location and mo- (UNIST) have developed a way to la- cancer,” says UNIST biomedical engineer tion of the target chromatin segment bel specific points in DNA inside living Hajin Kim. by looking through a fluorescence mi- cells with fluorescent probes, using Kim and his colleagues used the croscope. The team observed that DNA the gene-editing technology CRISPR/ CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology to strands not only move passively inside Cas9. The labelling system, described in attach fluorescent probes to precise seg- the nucleus, as ink spreads in water, but the journal Genome Research, enables ments of DNA, called loci, inside living cells. also actively in certain time scales, con- real-time tracking of how DNA is pack- They were able to minimize back- firming an earlier prediction, says Nar- aged inside the cell nucleus. ground noise from the probes light- endra Chaudhary, PhD candidate and Each cell in the human body contains ing up more than the targeted area first author of the study. approximately two metres of DNA, effi- to improve their ability to observe Now, researchers can use the system ciently wrapped around proteins called small sections of chromatin. They did to target a wider range of loci through- histones so it can fit inside the nucleus. this by combining a particular type of out the genome and observe their The whole complex of DNA and his- probe, called a tripartite superfolder movement inside the nucleus. It opens tone proteins is called chromatin, and green fluorescent protein, with another up new possibilities for studying genetic the physical structure and dynamics molecular system, called SunTag. This processes inside living cell nuclei, such of chromatin heavily influence which design amplifies the target signal and as DNA replication, repair, recombina- genes are expressed. also allows certain components to be tion and transcription, through direct “New methods for tracking the move- refreshed, extending the time the imaging. ments of chromatin in real time could help labelled loci glow.

Credit: UNIST Credit: UNIST ASIA RESEARCH NEWS ASIA RESEARCH

1 μm 1 μm

Existing techniques, such as Hi-C, have enabled scientists to infer the whole chromatin struc-

2021 ture, but not to track specific sections along the DNA. The new technique allows scientists to label specific points or regions of DNA in live cells. Thus, it becomes possible to observe the structure of DNA regions (left) or to track their diffusing motions (right).

Credit: Siarhei Yurchanka | 123rf

Further Associate Professor Hajin Kim | [email protected] Single Molecule Biophysics Laboratory 30 information Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology asiaresearchnews.com

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ATMOSPHERIC TIDAL WAVES MAINTAIN VENUS’S SUPER-ROTATION Images from the Akatsuki spacecraft unveil why Venus’s atmosphere rotates much faster than its surface.

Venus rotates very slowly, taking 243 around the equator at 360 kilometres/ equator, the heat warms and pushes the Earth days to rotate once around its axis. hour (224 miles/hr). To move so much atmosphere towards the planet’s much Its thick atmosphere, however, rotates faster than the planet, the atmosphere cooler nightside, creating a powerful 60 times faster, taking only 96 hours to needs to generate enough angular mo- thermal tide. This tidal wave provides whip around the entire planet. mentum to overcome friction caused by the necessary force to keep the atmo- “The super-rotation of Venus’s the planet’s surface, even at the top of sphere moving so fast. atmosphere was discovered in the the cloud layer 70km (42mi) above the North and south of the equator, an- 1960s, but the mechanism behind its surface. other circulation pattern pushes warm air formation and maintenance has been Others have theorized that turbu- towards the poles, distributing both heat a long-standing mystery,” says atmo- lence and waves within the atmosphere and angular momentum. The interaction spheric scientist Takeshi Horinouchi of provide the needed angular momentum. between the two circulations helps rein- Hokkaido University. Horinouchi and his colleagues found force the thermal tide, propelling it in a Horinouchi and his colleagues from that they do play important roles, but westward direction, even despite turbu- ASIA RESEARCH NEWS ASIA RESEARCH Japan’s Institute of Space and Astronau- the most critical factor for maintaining lence and other waves working against it. tical Science and other institutes have super-rotation has to do with heat. Besides providing the angular momen- solved a key part of the puzzle. Since the planet rotates so slowly, tum needed for super-rotation, the dual Venus’s cloud layer is the fastest mov- Venus’s dayside faces the sun for months circulation system also helps even out ing section of its atmosphere, racing (in Earth time), getting very hot. At the temperatures across the planet.

2021

Credit: NASA/JPL

Further Professor Takeshi Horinouchi | [email protected] Faculty of Environmental and Earth Science 32 information Hokkaido University SPACE

ATMOSPHERIC TIDAL WAVES MAINTAIN VENUS’S SUPER-ROTATION Credit: Planet-C project team

Above: The proposed system that maintains the super-rotation (yellow) of Venus’s atmosphere. The atmosphere is controlled by a dual circulation system: a vertical circu- lation (white) that slowly transports heat towards the poles and the super-rotation that rapidly transports heat towards the planet’s nightside. The thermal tide (red) on either side of the equator forces the super-rotation in a westward direction.

The findings, reported in the journal Science, are thanks to the Akatsuki spacecraft, which began its orbit of Did you know? Venus in December 2015. Using images provided by Akatuski’s ultraviolet and Venus is one of two planets in our infrared cameras, the researchers were solar system that rotate ‘backwards’, able to develop a new, highly precise from east to west. Uranus is the oth- method to track clouds and derive wind er. The atmosphere on Venus moves velocities. This allowed them to estimate in the same direction, but 60 times the contributions of atmospheric waves faster than the planet. and turbulence to super-rotation. “Our study could help us better un- Venus has the longest day of any derstand atmospheric systems on tid- planet in our solar system. One day ASIA RESEARCH NEWS ASIA RESEARCH ally-locked exoplanets with one side is longer than its entire year! always facing a central star, which is similar to Venus’s very long solar day,” With an axil tilt of only three de- Horinouchi says. grees, Venus spins nearly upright and so does not experience notice- able seasons.

2021

33 PEOPLE

Credit: N. Escanlar, ELSI

Specially-Appointed Assistant Professor Tony Z. Jia

EARLY EARTH DROPLETS AND THE ORIGINS OF LIFE

Tony Z. Jia is a specially-appointed assistant professor and lab manager at Japan’s Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI), based at the Tokyo Institute of Technology. He is an astrobiologist and shared highlights from his dual research/management role.

Q: What is astrobiology and bound organelles in modern cells, like their potentially easy synthesis in prebiot- what is your specialized area of stress granules and the nucleolus. We ic environments and their ability to form interest in this field? investigate what these membraneless compartments with primitive functions droplets might have been composed of, shows their relevance to the origins of life A: Astrobiology investigates the origin and if they can encapsulate other mole- and astrobiology. and evolution of planets, life, and life on cules and perform other functions, like Second, we have shown that DNA Earth and in the universe. It encompasses growth and division. liquid crystals can assemble within mem- many fields, including astronomy, plane- braneless droplets composed of peptides tary science, geology, chemistry, biology Q: What have been your most ex- and nucleic acids. Again, most people and more. Anyone in almost any field can citing scientific findings so far? think screens and displays when they hear contribute to astrobiology! the term liquid crystals, but they could ASIA RESEARCH NEWS ASIA RESEARCH My research is lab-based. We sim- A: We have observed two completely have been important for the origins of life! ulate processes that aim to reveal the novel systems that assemble into mem- origins of life on Earth, which could help braneless droplets that could be relevant Q: What does your lab look like? us detect life elsewhere in the universe. as prebiotic compartments. Our laboratory simulations utilize the First, we found that drying alpha A: ELSI is very unique. Rather than a processes and chemicals that were like- hydroxyacid monomers leads to the hierarchical system, where a principal in- ly present on early Earth to learn how synthesis of polyesters and rehydrating vestigator is in charge of many students they assembled into compartments that these polyesters results in the assembly and postdocs, ELSI operates in a more might have resembled the first cells. of droplets that can encapsulate or inter- flat or hybrid system, with more inde-

2021 Specifically, we study the formation of act with nucleic acids, proteins and lipids. pendent researchers. Most researchers membraneless droplets, which are sim- The term polyester often brings to mind work in a number of different labs at ilar in structure to the non-membrane- textiles or materials, but we believe that ELSI. Much of my research takes place

Further Specially-Appointed Assistant Professor Tony Z. Jia | [email protected] Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) - Tokyo Institute of Technology 34 information World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI) PEOPLE

Polarization microscopy images show typical fingerprint textures indicating assembly of a large population of liquid crystal coacervate droplets.

Credit: Tommaso P Fraccia, ESPCI-Paris

in Unit B (biology), but I am the lab man- management, and the management of group. I consider my management and ager of Unit C (chemistry). assets, safety and human resources. Since grant-writing duties as great training for Unit C has around 15 researchers, staff 2020, COVID restrictions have required future positions. and students. We have a number of gen- cataloguing and sometimes restricting I find the mentorship aspect of my job eral spectroscopy and chromatography researcher movements in the labs. While especially rewarding. Many students and instruments. Since ELSI’s research goals we have become more accustomed to researchers, especially in still-developing are quite broad, we lack certain special- the current situation, policies are regularly Asian countries, may not have the same ized equipment and often collaborate updated, so we are learning to be flexible opportunities as their peers from other with colleagues in labs and institutes else- and to react quickly to keep in line with regions. It is up to us, in more senior or where in the country and internationally university standards, while still maintain- advanced positions, to advocate for them, who have access to instruments we don’t ing a safe environment. Lab operations provide opportunities and be support- have. The researchers and students focus would be impossible without support ive. I believe that it is very important for mainly on research, while lab technicians from our team of technical staff. researchers in Asia to help expand the support researchers by assisting with reach of astrobiology so that more stu- analyses, maintaining the facilities and Q: What do you find most dents can have opportunities in the future. with administrative tasks. rewarding about your work? To this end, ELSI is hosting the Astrobiol- ogy Graduate Conference (AbGradCon) Q: What skills have you found A: Each aspect of my work is very for the first time in Asia this year, and a are necessary for managing a lab? rewarding in different ways. Being able to few researchers around the region have work with many different collaborators banded together to found the Astrobi- A: Managing the lab requires proficiency, at ELSI and around the world has been ology Society of Asia-Pacific. Hopefully, efficiency and organization. It involves in- really rewarding intellectually. Most fac- together, we can all help to create a fu- strument maintenance and repairs, stock- ulty do not get management experience ture where there are more astrobiology ing consumables, budget execution and before starting their own lab or research research opportunities in the region.

Credit: Tony Z. Jia, ELSI ASIA RESEARCH NEWS ASIA RESEARCH

Jia and his team showed that alpha hydroxyacid monomers, which were found in the chaotic prebiotic Earth soup, can form polyester microdroplets that could have acted as primitive com- partments for very early life.

2021

There’s more! Listen to Tony Z. Jia discuss his work on the Asia Research News Podcast. 35 PEOPLE

Credit: Tomohiro Mochizuki

Above, colourful pH strips are used to measure the acidity of the water from Togo hot spring in Tottori, Japan.

Tomohiro Mochizuki taking 97 °C source water sample at Noboribetsu hot spring in Hokkaido, Japan.

Credit: Tomohiro Mochizuki

ASIA RESEARCH NEWS ASIA RESEARCH THE VIRUS HUNTER Tomohiro Mochizuki tracks down viruses inside single-cell organisms thriving in boiling hot springs. His fieldwork is conducted in relatively extreme environments and, despite the significance of his investigations, he doesn’t need many fancy gadgets back at his lab at Japan’s Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI). ARN asked Mochizuki about his virus-hunting exploits and what they involve.

2021

Further Specially-Appointed Assistant Professor Tomohiro Mochizuki | [email protected] Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) - Tokyo Institute of Technology 36 information World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI) PEOPLE

Q: The COVID-19 pandemic has stranded DNA (ssDNA) virus found in anaerobic cultures. I do not use too many made people more aware of hyperthermophilic archaea. All archaeal fancy, cutting-edge analytical machines. viruses and how they function. viruses found up until that point had dou- But there are two things I cannot survive But you study viruses that most ble-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genomes, without: an ultracentrifuge to separate people won’t have heard of. which were thought to be more stable viral particles and an electron microscope physico-chemically. to observe them. We have an ultracen- A: Viruses are everywhere on our plan- Finding a hyperthermophilic archaeal trifuge at ELSI and share an electron et and are found in every known cellular ssDNA virus suggests RNA viruses might microscope with the Tokyo Institute of organism, from simple organisms like ar- exist in elevated temperature conditions, Technology. chaea and bacteria, to the more complex although this has not yet been proven. ELSI is a multidisciplinary institute. Our organisms known as eukaryotes, which in- The textbook theory is that life started bio unit includes four researchers sup- clude plants and animals. I work on viruses in a hot thermal environment with RNA- ported by the World Premier Internation- that infect hyperthermophilic archaea: genomed cells, even though RNA is known al Research Center Initiative (WPI) and nucleus-free, single-cell organisms that to be extremely sensitive to heat. Finding about 15 students, postdocs and techni- thrive in environments hotter than 80°C. a thermophilic RNA virus in the modern cians. Our lab space is also shared with re- biosphere could help fill a missing gap. searchers in other fields, such as chemists Q: What’s so special about ar- and geochemists. We have around 60 us- chaeal viruses? Q: What are you working on ers annually, including temporary visitors. now? A: Archaea, especially those that thrive Q: What are the various mana- in high temperatures, are thought to A: One of my most recent findings is gerial roles you play to keep your have played a key role in the early evo- starting to look quite interesting. We research work going? lution of life. Many scientists believe our found a new virus whose ancestral lineage last universal common ancestor (LUCA) seem to be quite ancient. A: Our lab is shared between many peo- ple of different nationalities, research specialties and backgrounds. It is the most highly populated unit at ELSI. This means we have the largest budget, and I am in Transmission electron microscope image of Clavaviridae APBV1, isolated from a charge of handling this. Together with my hot spring in southern Japan. This virus colleagues, we try to maintain a healthy infects hyperthermophilic archaea Aero- working environment, including ensuring pyrum pernix, which grows optimally at 85-90 °C. lab safety. Q: What do young researchers 100 nm Credit: Tomohiro Mochizuki need to learn in order to run their own research labs? was a thermophilic organism that may Q: What kind of equipment do have been very similar to today’s hyper- you need during your fieldwork A: It’s a tough question, especially since I thermophilic archaea. By learning about and what does your lab at ELSI am still learning myself. I’d say it’s most im- viruses in present-day hyperthermo- look like? portant to have a flexible mindset and to philic archaea, we hope to get a grasp on consider what would bring the most hap- the kind of viruses that existed billions of A: Researchers who do field work in hot piness to the most people you work with. years ago. My long-term goal is to unravel springs to study thermophiles have dif- the LUCA-era virosphere. ferent approaches. Rather than spending Q: What do you find rewarding NEWS ASIA RESEARCH a long time at a single source site, I try to about your work? Q: You’ve discovered several vi- collect hot water samples from as many ruses. What can you tell us about sources as possible, from locations mainly A: I feel most rewarded when I get an ex- them? in Japan but also in France, Italy and the US. tremely interesting lab result, like when I On-site, I’ll measure temperature, acidity, find a new virus, which often happens in A: I have discovered nearly half of all the salinity, and collect several hundred mil- the electron microscope room. I also real- known 24 viral families that infect ar- lilitres of water, often in several different ly enjoy presenting to people who are not chaea. Among the ones I found, the most tubes. So things are not too complicated. familiar with my field and seeing them get

significant, evolutionarily speaking, is Over the years, I have equipped my excited about the research I do. 2021 Spiraviridae virus ACV (Aeropyrum coil- lab at ELSI with high-temperature incu- shaped virus). This was the first single- bators and gassing systems for preparing

There’s more! Listen to Tomohiro Mochizuki discuss his work on the Asia Research News Podcast. 37 Credit: Hitoshi Gomi Hitoshi Credit:

こ れ ま で に 、ど ん な 発 見 が あ り ま し Q： 熱伝導度は、私の研究以前の見積もりよ 私は、地球の中心部にある金属核の熱伝 導度を求める研究をやってきました。熱 逆算していけば、地球ができたばかりの 球ができたのは46億年前であることが 高温・高圧条件にある物質の熱や電気の 示します。重要な結論として、金属核の 伝導度というのは、熱の伝わりやすさを 伝わりやすさ、いわゆる輸送特性を精密 分かっているので、冷えているペースから に求めることはとても難しいのですが、今 たか？ 中心核がどの程度の温度だったのか知る いう事は、中心核が思っていたよりも速い ペースで冷えていたことを意味します。地 ことが できます 。 した。熱伝導度が思っていたよりも高いと り 、は る か に 高 い で あ ろ う こ と が 分 か り ま 手のひらサイズにも関わらず、地球の中心部で発生する365万気圧を超え ヤモンド製の堅い物質が内部に入っている。 る高圧力を発生させることが可能なダイヤモンドアンビルセル装置。 ダイ る高圧力を発生させることが可能なダイヤモンドアンビルセル装置。 （WPI) 起こっているのか、地球の磁場がどのよう 的 に 再 現 する数 値 シミュレーションなど 私たちの研究は、マントルと呼ばれる地 球核の外側層の物質の対流がどのように 球という惑星がどの程度特別な存在な 高温高圧状態での物理的性質を知るた 地球がどのようにしてできたのか？」「地 伝わりやすさなど、いわゆる物理的性質 に作られているのか、などを明らかにする ための基礎知識となります。最終的には「 が我々の住んでいる地球表層のものと大 か？」「生命はどのように誕生したのか？」な めに、実験室で高圧実験を行って実際に のか？」「似たような惑星はたくさんあるの の密度、音波の伝わる速さ、電気や熱の その状態を再現したり、計算機内で数値 を行っています。 きく変 わります 。 どといった 問 題を解き明 かしていきます 。 （ELSI） [email protected] | 地球の中心部の物質を研究しながら、共に研究をしている仲間が働きやすい環境を作 球科学者として行う研究活動と、ラボマネージャーの役目について、お話しを伺った。 るのが五味斎特任助教の日常だ。所属先の東京工業大学・地球生命研究所(ELSI)で地 東京工業大学 地球生命研究所 五味斎 世界トップレベル研究拠点プログラム Further Further information information DEMYSTIFYING PLANET BIRTHS FROM DEEP EARTH DEEP FROM BIRTHS PLANET DEMYSTIFYING 地球の底から、惑星誕生の謎に迫る Credit: Hitoshi Gomi Hitoshi Credit: PEOPLE Q：地球科学とはどんな学問ですか？そ 所属する地球生命研究所では、「地球と 研究対象にする学問ですが、実際には地 部は、非常に高い圧力と高い温度の状態 球以外の惑星や恒星である太陽、衛星で 広大な専門領域の中で私が着手してい 究対象は生物にも及んでいます。 地球科学というのは、文字通り「地球」を 星の深部の物質の研究です。惑星の深 星、金星などの太陽系の惑星と、太陽系 外のスーパーアースと呼ばれる地球型惑 生命の起源に迫る」という大きなテーマ にあり、例えば地球の中心部分は約360 の中で、先生はどんな研究を行ってい 万気圧・6000℃に達していると考えられ ある月なども研究対象に入ります。私の を掲げて研究を行っているため、その研 ますか？ ています。こうした過酷な条件では、物質 るのは、地球や地球に似ている水星や火 38

Credit: Johan Swanepoel | 123rf ASIA RESEARCH NEWS 2021 PEOPLE

後は熱伝導度以外の物理的性質を調べ ていきたいと考えています。

Q：地球科学者になろうと思ったきっか けは 何で すか？

単純に高圧の地球科学の研究が面白か パソコンを20台並列接続したPCクラスタで数値シミュレーションを行い、高 ったからです。世の中に興味深い研究対 温高圧状態にある物質の性質を調べる。 象 と い う の は 色 々 あ る と 思 い ま す が 、高 Credit: Hitoshi Gomi 圧の地球科学という分野は「まだ全然分 かっていないけれど、ちょっと頑張れば分 か り そ う 」と 感 じ る 研 究 テ ー マ が 、と に か く 利用されています。こういった外部の研 点でもあり、難しい点でもあると思いま 沢山ある印象です。重要な研究テーマで 究者の受け入れもラボマネージャーの す。この点の良さを活かせるように、自分 あっても、手も足も出なければ楽しめませ 仕事の一環です。 の実力向上をすることが目下の目標です。 ん。そういう意味で、高圧地球科学は私に とってちょうどよいバランスだと思ってい それから、ラボマネージャーや実験室運 Q：最も達成感を感じる時と、これまで ます。 用に関わる研究者たちで組織されてい の最大の教訓を教えてください るLab Manager Committee (LMC)で Q：ラボマネージャーとはどんな職 種で は、メーリングリストなどを通じて、研究 やはり一番楽しいのは、自身の研究活動 すか？ 所全体での実験の方針を決めたりしま です。論文が受理された時、研究室内の す 。例 え ば 、コ ロ ナ 禍 に お い て 、研 究 者 セミナーや学会で発表を面白いと言って 地球生命研究所では、大まかな分野ご や学生の感染リスクと、研究遂行のバラ もらえた時など達成感を感じる場面は色 とに研究室がUnitというグループに分 ンスをど のようにとるか など に つ い て 議 々あります。滅多にないのですが、自分の けられています。例えば、Unit-Aは天文 論します 。 新 し い ア イ デ ア が 、こ れ ま で よ く 分 か っ て 学、Unit-Bは生物学といった感じです。 いなかった問題点・矛盾点をピッタリ説 複数の研究室をグループ分けすることで、 Q：ラボマネージャーになって新たに 明できることに気づいたときは、最高です。 共同で利用する実験装置の管理などが 身 につ い たスキ ル は あります か？ 円 滑 に 進 め ら れ る よ う に な っ て い ま す 。こ 研究活動やラボマネージャーとしての活

れらの各Unitにラボマネージャーが配置 ラボの実験装置を管理する上で、すべ 動ともに反省点は幾つもありますが、未 NEWS ASIA RESEARCH されており、実験装置などの管理を任さ ての実験装置を深く理解して、すべての だに何もかも手探りでやっている状況な れています。 問題を一人で解決できる、というのが理 ので、これが私の最大の教訓ですと言え 想なのかもしれません。ですが、複数の るように なりた い で す 。 私が担当しているUnit-Dは、高圧鉱物物 研究室にまたがるUnitでそれは現実的 理学、アストロバイオロジー、古地磁気学 ではありません。それぞれの実験装置に Q：地球科学者を目指す・ラボマネージ を専門領域とする３つの研究室から構成 は、その装置を深く理解しているユーザ ャーになる研究者にアドバイスをお願 されており、各研究室のオーバーラップ ーがいるものです。なにか問題が起きた いします は比較的少なめです。 とき、そういった上級ユーザーの人たち と、問題解決のために上手にコミュニケ 地球科学の研究も、ラボのマネージメント

Unit-Dの管理下で一番有名な実験装 ー シ ョ ン を と れ る 、と い う の が 重 要 な ス キ もどちらもやりがいがある仕事です。いつ

置 は 、電 子 プ ロ ー ブ マ イ ク ロ ア ナ ラ イ ザ ー ルだと思います。 か一緒に働ける日を楽しみにしています。 2021 (EPMA) です。これは、いわゆる電子顕 微鏡の一種で、Unit-Dの研究室に限らず、 ラボ の マ ネージメントを行うという立 場 地球生命研究所外の研究室の方にも広く 上、私個人の裁量が大きいのは、良い

五味先生の研究について、さらに知りましょう。Asia Research Newsのポッドキャストでお待ちしています。 39 PEOPLE

WEAVING A TALE OF EARLY-EARTH ECOSYSTEMS 見えない生態系が残した物語を紡ぐ

火山や湖、温泉の物質からは数十億年前に存在した微生物の生態系が見えてくると 語るのは、東京工業大学・地球生命研究所（ELSI）の中川麻悠子特任助教。異分野の 研究者たちと共に微生物の作り出した成分を解析する傍ら、ラボマネージャーとして 国内外の訪問者サポートや最先端の機材の管理などを行っている。

Credit: Soichiro Takemoto 特に、初期地球の嫌気環境から現在のよ うな酸素のある環境に変化していった時 に、生態系がどのような機能や物質、エネ ルギーを必要とし、安定かつ効率的に循 環させるた め にど のように 対 応して いっ たのかを視覚的・数値的に描くことを目 指しています。

Ｑ:なぜ微生物の研究をしようと思った ので すか？

私はもともと生物や自然が好きで、生物 が どういうしくみ で 生 きて いるの か が とて も気になっていました。微生物は肉眼では 見えませんが、様々な場所で働き、影響を 与えています。微生物の働きはとても興 味深いもので、自分でもっと理解したいと 高分解能安定同位体質量分析装置を管理する中川先生。ラボマネージャーとし 思い、研究者になりました。 て、実験室装置の管理、分析相談や補助を行う他、自身の研究にも活用している。 Ｑ:最近の研究結果と、現在行っている Ｑ:先生が行っている微生物の研究から 作られたのかわかると、当時生息してい プ ロジェクトつ い て 教 えてください ど んなことが 分 かります か？ た生物の様子もわかってきます。 国際共同研究プロジェクトでは、コスタリ 「環境と微生物生態系」をキーワードに、 例えば、約34億年前の岩石から有機物 カの火山域周辺にある噴出口や温泉の 環境と調和した生態系の物質循環の理 の塊が発見されたという報告があります。 地質学的、化学的、生物学的分析を行い 解 を 試 み て い ま す 。湖 や 温 泉 な ど の 自 然 調べてみると、炭素同位体元素の割合が ました。私は温泉水の炭素同位体比分析 環境の調査を行い、その環境に適応した 生物の作る割合に近かったことから、この を担当し、地球深部から表層へ輸送され 生態系を営む微生物群集の種の組成と、 時代に生物がいたことがわかりました。こ る炭素循環解析のためのデータを出しま それらの競争・共生関係を、環境物質に含 れら の デ ータ を 積 み 重 ね て いくことで 当 した。他の研究機関とのデータと合わせて まれる「安定同位体」の比率や遺伝子情 時の地球環境や生物の情報を復元する 解析したところ、地球深部から表層へ二 報で 解析します。 手法を開発できないかと考えています。 酸化炭素が供給されている量がこれまで

同位体は地球上の物質を構成する元素 の中にある粒子です。それぞれの元素で は、異なる重さの同位体が、安定した比率 ASIA RESEARCH NEWS ASIA RESEARCH で存在しています。これを安定同位体比と 言います。しかし、生物は軽い元素を取り こみやすいので、生物の中の重い同位体 元素の割合は、自然環境の中よりも少なく なります 。

生物は環境中の元素を取り込み、代謝し、 身体を作ります。そして生物は死骸になる と、DNAを含む分解しやすい有機物から 分解されるため、遺伝情報を堆積岩から Credit: Mayuko Nakagawa

2021 取り出すことは難しくなります。しかし、分 解されにくい有機物の安定同位体比な 秋田県奥奥八九郎温泉へのフィールド調査にて、温泉から湧き出るガス どの化学的情報は数十億年残ります。残 っている有機物がどのような代謝によって を採取している様子。

Further 中川麻悠子 | [email protected] 40 information 東京工業大学 地球生命研究所（ELSI） 世界トップレベル研究拠点プログラム（WPI） PEOPLE

Credit: Mayuko Nakagawa

微生物は肉眼では見えないため、試薬を用いて光らせることで顕微鏡観察をし やすくする。「肉眼では透明なのに、顕微鏡写真では星空のようにたくさん表れて、 微生物の存在に感動した写真です」と中川先生は語る。

推 定され てい た 量より大きいことが わ か 佐する形がとられていると思います。 率の小さい同位体分子の計測を可能に りました。その約90％は炭酸塩として地中 します。ただ、新しい装置のため、メーカー に保持され、表層では数％が温泉水中の ELSIのような国際的で複合的な研究所を のエンジニアと共にメンテナンスや分析 微生物活動により有機物へ変換されてい 運営する場合、研究者と同様の専門性を 法の開発を進めており、最先端の分析装 ました 。 持つラボマネージャーという職名で実験 置に携 わ れていることを嬉しく思 います 。 室を管理することは有効だと考えます。 このような地球深部と表層間の炭素循環 Ｑ:最も達成感を感じる時と、これまでの は、過去から未来にかけての気候変動解 Ｑ:ラ ボ マ ネ ー ジャーとしてど ん な 経 験 を 教 訓 を 教 えてください 析に重要な要素であり、生物・非生物活 得 ました か？ 動も含めたモデルとして本研究で新しく 分析すること自体が好きなので、成果報 提案されたものです。 実験室や装置の管理・維持を任されるた 告に必要なデータが得られた時、学生と め、それらを利用する内外の様々な研究 一緒に研究を進めている時や、必要な実 私の研究グループでは、新たな安定同位 員や学生と交流する機会が多いです。自 験装置や作業を適切に提案したり、成果 体比の分析法開発も行っています。そこ 身の専門分野だけでなく、異なる分野から を出せるように補佐できた時に達成感を から得られる新しい同位体比情報によっ の研究や、装置利用法を相談されるため、 感じます 。 て、これまで判別できなかった分子の生 新たな利用法やより効率のいい方法に気 成・消滅過程の議論を行えるようになり、 づいたり、考えられる機会が得られます。そ 誰でも達成したいことがあります。その 地球上の生命を支える環境条件や、地球 うして始まった共同研究が沢山あります。 道 のりを長く難しく感じ、周りと比 較して 外惑星における生命活動の検知等への 落 ち 込 む こ と も あ り ま す 。で す が 、何 か 進 応用だけでなく、農作物の産地判別や新 一方で、未経験の利用者に対して研究所 められる環 境であれ ば 進めて続けること たな健康・病気診断法など、幅広い展開 や実験室の使用ルールを遵守してもらう が大切です。最初は進みが遅いですが、 が期待できます。現在、様々な分野の国 ように確 認 するところは 、難しいと感じま ある段階になると加速します。研究者と 内外研究者と共同研究を行っています。 す。専門分野が異なるだけでなく、国内外 交流したり、学生を見て、継続することで の実験室ルールも異なるため、常識が共 成長する過程を実感しました。 NEWS ASIA RESEARCH Ｑ:先生にはラボマネージャーの肩書きも 通ではありません。しかし、ルールを細か あります。研究活動においてラボマネー くしすぎると確認する方も利用する方も大 ラ ボ マ ネ ー ジャー として 多 様 な 分 野・国 ジャーの役割の重要性を教えてください 変なため、絶対遵守すべき大まかなルー 籍の研究員や学生と関わり、これまでの ルを伝えるオリエンテーションと定期的な 知識を別の視点から見る機会が増え、新 研究者が研究に集中する時間を得るた ミーティングを行うことで対応しています。 たな展望などに繋げられています。サポ め に は 、ラ ボ マ ネ ー ジ ャ ー 職 が 必 要 に な り ートする側ですが、私の研究を進めるた ますが、職名の認知度がまだまだ低く、他 Ｑ:ラ ボ マ ネ ー ジャーとしてど ん な 機 材 を めの助けも得られています。 の職名で代替されている状況です。例え 管 理していますか？ ば、現在の日本の大学では、教職員が研 異分野融合、国際共同研究、これまで経

究室の運営・実験室の管理・学生の教育・ 験のない試料や技術を扱うことには多く

私が管理している装置の中に国内で唯一 2021 研究活動の全てを担わなくてはならず、 ELSIが保有している最新型の高分解能 の障害がありますが、協力しながら一歩 多忙な状況にあります。そのため、技術員 安定同位体質量分析計があります。この 一歩進めることができると学びました。 や研究員が雇用され、それらの業務を補 装置は、これまで分析できなかった存在

中川先生の研究についてさらに知りましょう。Asia Research Newsのポッドキャストでお待ちしております。 41 PEOPLE

ELEVATING WOMEN LEADERS IN MYANMAR Many hurdles remain to achieve gender equality in Myanmar politics and society at large. Research supported by Canada’s Knowledge for Democracy Myanmar Initiative is identifying opportunities to close the gap. Credit: Michael Schmeling | 123rf

Gender gaps were starting to shrink. In and Global Affairs Canada. November 2020, the number of women “Research and data about Myanmar elected to Myanmar’s national, subna- generated by Myanmar scholars is import- tional and regional parliaments increased ant for the country’s transition towards from about 10 percent to around 17 per- democracy,” says Edgard Rodriguez, the cent. The military coup in February 2021 lead program officer for K4DM. “Local prevented many elected representatives researchers are communicating their find- from taking their seats. As of press time, ings to their communities. These efforts the military had pledged to hold new elec- can help boost gender equality and, in turn, tions after a one-year state of emergency. prosperity for Myanmar.” “We were happy to see more women elected in 2020 and believe they should CULTURAL NORMS be allowed to serve,” says Aye Lei Tun, gen- der research program manager at the En- While Aung San Suu Kyi, the country’s lightened Myanmar Research Foundation de facto leader until the coup, is popular (EMReF). “We still have a long way to go among many Myanmar citizens, the same to achieve gender equality in politics and in level of respect for women leaders does Myanmar.” not trickle down to the local level. Over the past several years, Myanmar “In villages and townships, women are think tanks have been conducting in-depth not viewed as leaders,” says La Ring, an research surveys to understand what helps EMReF researcher. “Even though women ASIA RESEARCH NEWS ASIA RESEARCH and hinders women’s participation in attend community meetings, decisions are governance and civic spaces at the local, usually made by men.” state and national levels. While carried Through surveys and interviews, re- out before the coup, the findings still ap- searchers from EMReF and the Gender ply and provide nuanced insights. These Equality Network (GEN) found social locally led projects were supported by norms present a major barrier to women While Myanmar is home to numer- the Knowledge for Democracy Myanmar entering civic life throughout the country. ous ethnic groups, traditional cultural and gender norms are widespread. Initiative (K4DM), a five-year research Culturally, women are assumed to be Inspirational role models are breaking initiative from Canada’s International caretakers who stay home, raising children,

2021 the mould. Development Research Centre (IDRC) not out leading their communities or work-

Further Edgard Rodriguez | [email protected] Knowledge for Democracy Myanmar Initiative 42 information International Development Research Centre (IDRC) PEOPLE

It’s very clear that through the democratization process, there is more space for women to engage in governance and take leadership roles in their communities.

May Sabe Phyu Director, Gender Equality Network

Credit: Khin Su Kyi

ing as the primary income earner. This is a in politics tend to come from political fam- perspective typically shared by both men ilies with more resources, much like Aung and women: the majority of women re- San Suu Kyi. spondents said doing household chores is Having so few women in decision-mak- not a drawback for them. ing roles has a lasting effect, additional “Many women have internalized that K4DM-supported research from the household chores are their responsibility,” Myanmar Institute for Gender Studies says Soe Myat Tun, a researcher at GEN. (MIGS) found. With- “This shows we need to educate women out women’s voices and men that chores are not solely the in decision making responsibility of women, they are also bodies, it is diffi- the responsibility of men, so women have cult to secure more more time to participate in public life.” funding for women’s needs and priorities, FINANCIAL BARRIERS such as education, childcare and health Women lack financial support for run- services. This in turn ning for office and for childcare, putting continues to inhibit them at a disadvantage compared to women from hav- men. “When you get involved in politics, ing the support they you have to use a lot of your own mon- need to get involved. Credit: Shwe Paw Mya Tin ASIA RESEARCH NEWS ASIA RESEARCH ey,” says May Sabe Phyu, director of “This creates a vicious cycle inhibiting WATC H : Voices of Ethnic People in GEN. “Since women are not the primary women’s opportunities and voices, which Shan State About Gender Equality income earners, they depend on their is why it is so important to have women in husbands or male family members for leadership roles and policies that elevate financial support.” women’s priorities in budgets at local, state Once elected, representatives are not and national levels,” says Khin Ma Ma Myo, paid very much, making it difficult for both founder of MIGS. men and women, but especially single mothers holding down a job and caring for

their children. Women who do participate 2021

Credit: Shwe Paw Mya Tin

Story continues... 43 PEOPLE

POLITICAL PARTIES & ences how candidates are selected.” CLOSING THE GAP GENDER EQUALITY In-depth interviews with nine political parties by EMReF researchers found par- Based on these findings, the research- Over the last decade, political parties in ties nominated and selected candidates ers recommend parties expand female Myanmar – of which there are dozens – in various ways. Those with clear proce- participation by taking a number of have played a huge role in deciding who dures that start nominating delegates at steps: set clear rules for the nomina- can run as candidates. the village level tend to have more women tion process that starts at the local lev- “Myanmar citizens tend to vote along candidates than parties who control the el; establish party quotas for women party lines, so how parties recruit and nomination process via a central selection candidates; provide financial support committee and for women candidates; help women party gatekeepers. campaign in rural areas by providing an The proportion escort to increase security; and provide of women candi- more training for women interested in dates for political running to practice campaign and par- parties in 2015 liamentary skills. Na Bo served as assistant village head ranged between While there was some resistance to of her Lahu village in Shan State. Villag- ers respected her, especially her ability 4 and 19 percent. quotas among members of parliament, to help solve disagreements. She says That increased to the general population supports the education and role models are critical for helping more young women take between roughly idea of quotas for female candidates, leadership roles. 9 and 29 percent the researchers found. in 2020. In 2020, both ETHNIC VOICES the Chin National League for Democ- As part of the K4DM research initiative,

Credit: Shwe Paw Mya Tin racy (CNLD) and the Myanmar Institute for Integrated the Shan Nationali- Development (MIID) and local part- promote female candidates is critical ties League for Democracy (SNLD) set 30% ners interviewed several ethnic groups to increasing gender equality and rep- quotas for women candidates running for in Shan State to understand how deci- resentation,” says Netina Tan, a political seats. While CNLD fell far short of the goal, sions are made at the local level. Their scientist at McMaster University in SNLD nearly reached it. “That was a big step research also showed traditional cultural Canada who collaborated with EMReF. forward and shows how even societies that norms are entrenched. “Candidate selection committees are are traditionally highly patriarchal can work For example, in the Pa-O Self Admin- heavily male dominated and that influ- to change gender relations,” says Tan. istrative Zone, in southern Shan State,

ASIA RESEARCH NEWS ASIA RESEARCH A Gender Equality Network (GEN) research survey of 3,000 house- holds found strong support among the general population for quotas Women for women members of parliament. 67% However, they found those already elected were less enthusiastic about

quotas and believed that female 2021 Men candidates could succeed based on 76% their abilities. Approve of quotas for women in parliament Credit: Shwe Paw Mya Tin 44 PEOPLE

customary rules mandate that men are women’s rights, domestic violence, and the main decision makers. And in Eastern gender equality. They also aim to increase Shan State, “According to Palaung tradition, women’s knowledge about current affairs, women are not allowed to participate. It is so they have confidence to participate in impossible,” says Paw Saung, one of four village affairs. village heads in a Palaung village. Trainings are having a positive effect. But there are positive signs of change. Mu Mu Aye is the Secretary of Shwe Inlay For example, Ma Mi Shel is a respected and heads a chapter of a regional women’s leader in her Akha village, even though she network. Before 2010, she said women in is only in her 20s. Her father, a former vil- her region would only sit and listen during lage leader, encouraged her to be involved village meetings. After 2010, many organi- in village administration, and has ensured zations began conducting leadership and that she will inherit the family farm, despite gender trainings. Now, women actively Akha tradition preventing women from participate in meetings and serve on village inheriting any family assets. development committees with widespread In a Lahu village, Na Bo became an acceptance. assistant village head. Originally, her hus- While, as of press time, it is unclear band was selected for the role, but since what will happen in the coming months, he was often away working, she took this evidence shows how grassroots efforts, on the responsibilities, even though she combined with larger structural policy and cannot read nor write. “I resolved many funding changes, can help continue to problems. The villagers didn’t oppose me shrink the gender equality gap throughout being a woman,” Na Bo says. “They said I Myanmar. have a sense of influence and leadership “It’s very clear that through the democ- skills when I talk.” ratization process, there is more space for women to engage in governance and take EDUCATION IS CRITICAL leadership roles in their communities,” says GEN’s May Sabe Phyu. “We must continue Most of the MIID survey respondents the hard work driving this change forward, stressed that education for children and using all of our local research to inform pol- adults is key to achieve gender equality. icies that will support girls and women.” Several community organizers are host- ing workshops to educate women about

Mu Mu Aye is the Secretary of Shwe Inlay and leads a local chapter of the May Doe Kabar network, which represents women in the Intha community. She organises training workshops to help build women’s confidence to participate in village affairs, enhance livelihoods, and empower women to speak out in their communities. ASIA RESEARCH NEWS ASIA RESEARCH

The GEN survey asked who you would be more inclined to vote for between a man or woman politician with the same political views. Respondents were more likely to vote for someone of the

same gender, all else being equal. 2021

Credit: Shwe Paw Mya Tin

There’s more! Check out photos and stories in multiple languages at Asia Research News. 45 PEOPLE GIANTS IN HISTORY

THE EINSTEIN OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING Fazlur Rahman Khan (3 April 1929 – 27 March 1982) was a Bangladeshi-American structural engineer and architect who invented the tube principle, which formed the basis for modern skyscraper design. Instead of designing high-rise buildings around a solid core, he proposed the perimeter walls should resemble a thin hollow cylinder. His design enabled towers to withstand strong winds or earthquakes, and significantly reduced construction costs and environmental impacts. Khan designed several sky- scrapers, including Chicago’s Sears Tower, since renamed Willis Tower, which at 108 stories was the tallest building in the world from 1974 to 1998. Khan is known as the Einstein of structural engineering.

THE PHYSICIST WHO STUDIED COSMIC RAYS Bibha Chowdhuri (1913 – 2 June 1991) was an Indian physicist who, together with Debendra Mohan Bose, discovered the meson subatomic particle. She earned a Mas- ter’s degree in physics from University of Calcutta in 1936, the only woman in her class. After working at the Bose Institute, she went on to conduct her PhD research at the University of Manchester in the lab of Patrick M.S. Blackett (Nobel Prize in Physics 1948). Chowdhuri investigated cosmic rays and air showers—extensive cascades of ionized par- ticles and electromagnetic radiation produced when a cosmic ray enters the atmosphere. She discovered that when particle density of an air shower increases, so does the density of penetrating events. Considered a forgotten legend by some, the International Astro- nomical Union named a star in the Sextans constellation “Bibha” in her honour.

THE MARINE BIOLOGIST

ASIA RESEARCH NEWS ASIA RESEARCH WHO PROTECTED CORAL REEFS Edgardo Dizon Gomez (7 November 1938 – 1 December 2019) was a Filipino marine biologist who recognized the need to protect marine resources in the Philippines. Gomez played an instrumental role in the world’s first national-scale assessment of coral reef damage, leading to conservation initiatives such as the Global Reefs and Risk Analysis, and the International Coral Reef Action Network. He founded the Marine Science Institute at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Gomez was also a pioneer in breeding giant clams, helping restore their populations. Gomez was conferred the Order of National Scientists, the highest Presidential honour for individuals who sig-

2021 nificantly contribute to science and technology in the Philippines.

46 PEOPLE

THE MOTHER OF AEROSPACE AND SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS Lin Lanying (7 February 1918 – 4 March 2003) was a material engineer known as the mother of aerospace and semiconductor materials in China. Lin’s family did not believe in educating girls and she was not allowed to go to school. Despite her family’s objec- tions, Lin earned a Bachelor’s degree in physics at Fukien Christian University, a Bach- elor’s degree in mathematics at Dickinson College, and a PhD in solid-state physics at the University of Pennsylvania. Lin was the first in China to synthesize the crystals of several aerospace and semiconductor materials, including mono-crystalline germanium, which led to the development of transistor radios. Her research laid the foundation for the development of microelectronics and optoelectronics in China. She was elected a Chinese Academy of Sciences academician, the highest academic title for science and technology in China.

THE FATHER OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman (7 November 1888 – 21 November 1970) was an Indian physicist who performed ground-breaking research in the field of light-scat- tering. He is best known for discovering that when light passes through a material, some of the deflected light changes wavelength and amplitude – a phenomenon which became known as Raman scattering. The principles of Raman scattering and the Raman effect are applied in Raman spectroscopy, a technique widely used for analysis and identification of materials. For his pioneering work, Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930.

THE SCIENTIST WHO DISCOVERED

VITAMIN C IN GREEN TEA NEWS ASIA RESEARCH Michiyo Tsujimura (17 September 1888 – 1 June 1969) was a Japanese agricultural scientist and biochemist, who discovered green tea contains vitamin C while she was a student at the RIKEN research institute. This discovery, made together with Seitaro Miura, led to green tea popularity increasing and a boost in green tea export from Japan to North America in the early 1900s. Tsujimura also isolated and extracted constituents with anticancer properties from green tea, including catechin, tannin and gallocatechin. Her research earned her a PhD from the Tokyo Imperial University, making her the first female doctor of agriculture in Japan. Tsujimura was awarded the Japan Prize of Agri-

cultural Science in 1956 and conferred the Order of the Precious Crown of the Fourth 2021 Class in 1968.

To read more inspiring stories, go to AsiaTo readResearch more inspiring News. stories, go to asiaresearchnews.com. 47 SPECIAL REPORT

COVID-19: OUR COMMUNITY ON THE FRONT LINES OF RESEARCH The global scientific community came together in an unprecedented way to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are selected research findings shared by our Asia Research News community.

3D PPE & DISINFECTING LIGHT

At the outset of the pandemic, researchers immediately set to eye and face shields for frontline medical personnel in the region. work developing innovative protective equipment and efficient They then partnered with local industry to scale up manufactur- disinfecting techniques to help keep medical workers and the ing of the shields, which were specifically designed to provide a general public safe. better fit for the local populace. For example, City University of Hong Kong researchers pro- Meanwhile, Hiroshima University researchers in Japan pro- duced low cost, anti-bacterial graphene face masks that are vided the first proof that ultraviolet-C light at a wavelength of more environmentally friendly than conventional surgical ones. 222nm effectively kills SARS-CoV-2. Far-UVC at this wave-

The team used a CO2 infrared laser to turn a raw material like length poses minimal health risks to human skin or eyes, making paper into graphene. The resulting 3D graphene pores have it a promising disinfectant for occupied public spaces, such as an initial anti-bacterial efficiency of 80% that is enhanced to patient rooms in hospitals and clinics. almost 100% with exposure to sunlight for about ten minutes. Lingnan University researchers in Hong Kong are using a dif- Early tests showed the masks deactivated two types of coro- ferent ultraviolet-C wavelength to disinfect public spaces. The navirus. They are also reusable and biodegradable. 253.7nm wavelength is harmful to human eyes and skin, so they In February 2020, Hong Kong Polytechnic University mobil- have created a autonomous disinfecting robot that can get the ised all its 3D printers to 24-hour-a-day operation to produce job done without people being present. ASIA RESEARCH NEWS ASIA RESEARCH

City University of Hong Kong researchers produced low- cost graphene face masks, which are made by turning a material like paper into graphene.

2021

Credit: City University of Hong Kong Credit: Wikimedia.org (manipulated background image)

48 To find out more, go to Asia Research News. SPECIAL REPORT

Credit: A*STAR Institute of High Performance Computing

COVID-19: OUR COMMUNITY ON THE FRONT LINES

OF RESEARCH A*STAR researchers simulated how droplets spread through the air when an unmasked person coughs and people are standing 1 metre apart.

TRACKING THE SPREAD cal method for detecting the enveloped model the dispersion of droplets when SARS-CoV-2 virus in untreated waste- a person coughs and is not wearing a No one particularly likes the brain tickle water and have since partnered with mask. The supercomputer simulation of the nasopharyngeal COVID-19 test industry to implement an automated took Singapore’s humid, tropical envi- swabs. Scientists at Hokkaido Univer- analytical system. ronment into account to produce more accurate estimates. Students at the Ulsan National Insti- A Tohoku University review directs future investigators where to focus their energy to make wearable virus tute of Science and Technology released sensors a reality. a real-time map that tracks COVID-19 cases in their region in South Korea. Researchers in Malaysia and the UK led by Universiti Malaya developed a COVID-19 Research Information Super Hub, collating research findings into one centralized database to make it eas- ier for both scientists and policy makers to stay abreast of the latest findings and track emerging trends. Computer scientists at Hong Kong Baptist University used a model to forecast COVID-19 cases and econom- ic losses based on different reopening scenarios in five cities in China, to help Credit: Tohoku University policy makers determine when to ease social distancing and quarantine mea- sity and colleagues compared the test Researchers at The Chinese Univer- sures. Also, researchers at The Hong results of nasopharyngeal swabs and sity of Hong Kong (CUHK) provided Kong University of Science and Tech- saliva samples of almost 2,000 people free stool sample testing for children nology developed a smartphone app in Japan who did not have COVID-19 arriving in the region as a safer, easier paired with a Bluetooth wristband to symptoms. They found that viral loads alternative to swab tests. They detected automatically monitor patients under

in saliva correlated with loads from na- asymptomatic infection in several young quarantine and alert officials if they left NEWS ASIA RESEARCH sal passages and had comparable sen- children through this program. They their homes prematurely, helping save sitivity rates, suggesting self-collected also found the viral infection persists in limited human resources. saliva samples could offer an easy and the gut even after it has cleared from In the future, researchers envision effective mass testing approach for the nose and throat. wearable or integrated sensors will detect detecting asymptomatic COVID-19. Besides physical tests, teams around viral particles in the air. However, develop- Wastewater monitoring can help the globe have employed the power of ment of such devices has not made much track the large scale spread of the big data, machine learning and algo- progress in the past decade. A recent COVID-19 pandemic. This technique rithms to track the pandemic’s spread. review of the field by a Tohoku University

has previously been used for detecting In Singapore, researchers at The materials engineer in Japan aims to show 2021 non-enveloped viruses in wastewater. Agency for Science, Technology and up-and-coming investigators where they A Hokkaido University researcher and Research (A*STAR) teamed up with can focus their energy. No doubt the colleagues developed a fast, economi- the National Supercomputing Centre to pandemic will increase interest in this area.

Story continues... 49 SPECIAL REPORT

Duke-NUS Medical School researchers determined some of the molecular mechanisms enabling bats to carry viruses without getting sick themselves. Credit: Zhu Feng

THE IMMUNE RESPONSE, in Singapore discovered some unique Singapore’s National Centre for Infectious VACCINES & TREATMENTS molecular mechanisms that enable bats Diseases and A*STAR’s Infectious Dis- to carry such viruses without getting eases Labs found that antibodies against The wildly diverse reactions to SARS- sick themselves. Notably, bats appear to SARS-CoV-2 wane at different rates, CoV-2 infection, from no symptoms balance the activity of key immune and lasting for mere days in some individuals, at all to severe illness and death, have inflammatory proteins, allowing them to while forecasted to remain present in oth- been a distinct feature of the pandemic. minimize some of the detrimental conse- ers for decades. The results suggest annu- Researchers have made rapid progress quences of immune activation. al vaccinations might be needed for some understanding the risk factors associated Tohoku University immunobiologists individuals to reduce the impact of future with severe illness and what is going on at found that, as the pandemic wore on and COVID-19 outbreaks. the molecular level. the virus mutated, certain mutations led Many vaccines include ingredients For example, Hokkaido University to more inflammation — and it’s partly our called adjuvants to boost the immune researchers investigated the pathways fault. Our bodies, as part of our natural response. Identifying potential adjuvants that trigger the so-called cytokine storm defence system, appear to have edited is now easier, thanks to an approach associated with acute respiratory dis- the viral RNA in such a way that it does developed by scientists at Kyoto Univer- tress syndrome (ARDS) that can lead to more harm than good. sity’s Institute for Integrated Cell-Material death. Identifying the pathways that spark Also, as the pandemic has progressed, Sciences (iCeMS) and colleagues. The devastating inflammatory responses can researchers have been able to examine team scanned libraries of small molecules provide potential targets for drug inter- how well innate and vaccine-induced anti- that self-assemble into larger structures ventions. bodies work against the coronavirus. Sci- and found a new possible contender for a The immune system is closely linked to entists from Duke-NUS Medical School, vaccine adjuvant. microbes that live in our intestines. CUHK researchers found several good bacteria missing in the guts of COVID-19 patients, compared with healthy controls. Using ASIA RESEARCH NEWS ASIA RESEARCH big data analysis, machine learning and data from the Chinese population, they developed a probiotic formula that aims to restore the balance between good and bad gut bacteria, and thus help boost the immune system. While the source of SARS-CoV-2 has not yet been confirmed, many experts suspect it likely originated in bats, much

2021 like SARS-CoV-1, MERS and Ebola. Sci- Credit: Mindy Takamiya/Kyoto University iCeMS entists from Duke-NUS Medical School

Researchers at Kyoto University’s Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS) and colleagues developed an approach to find new adjuvants, which are key vaccine ingredients.

50 To find out more, go to Asia Research News. SPECIAL REPORT

THE FALLOUT & SILVER Social scientists, including teams ically, there have been some silver lin- LININGS supported by Canada’s International ings. An IOP Publishing study reported

Development Research Centre, have modest drops in NO2 air pollution fol- The pandemic has had a profound impact found women have borne an increased lowing the lockdown in China, but not in terms of lives lost, as well as the way burden throughout the pandemic, es- in the most fine particles that pose the we live and work. Quarantine, lockdowns, pecially already-vulnerable migrant greatest threat to human health, provid- work from home and social distancing workers throughout Southeast Asia. ing evidence to guide future reduction are here to stay until the pandemic is Social scientists are also evaluating the strategies. under control. effectiveness of policies and responses. Now that most of us have been The crisis has taken its toll, with Institutes like SEAJunction have called working from home for more than a one in three adults experiencing anxi- for policies that do a better job taking year, many commuters see the bene- ety, depression or other psychological cultural and social context into account, fits. A Lingnan University survey found distress, according to a meta-analy- and SHAPE-SEA encourages social sci- more than 80% of Hong Kong workers sis from Duke-NUS Medical School entists to share their expertise, partic- wouldn’t mind working from home at that spanned 19 countries and nearly ularly observations about how human least one day a week after the pandemic 300,000 study participants. The analy- rights are being threatened during the is over. sis revealed women, younger adults and pandemic. those of lower socioeconomic status While lockdowns and quarantines were more likely to be affected. have been brutal socially and econom-

Credit: International Organization for Migration

Migrant workers streamed back to Myanmar when the first lockdowns were implemented in neighbouring Thailand.

THANK YOU, SCIENTISTS FOCUS ON: NEWS ASIA RESEARCH EXPERTS FOR MEDIA Across the disciplines, the scientific community’s efforts and open collaboration to tackle this global crisis has been nothing In January 2020, we were tracking the news of short of incredible. As we write this in April 2021, a variety of a novel virus outbreak in Asia. As cases began vaccines are being deployed in many countries, even as vari- to pop up around the globe, we quickly worked ants spread, new lockdowns are announced, and scientists with our community to identify scientific experts continue racing to develop the next generation of vaccines willing to speak with the media as the situa- and treatments. While not over yet, the tireless work of so many researchers has rapidly accelerated us towards effective

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