Highlights
MEMS
Double-layer capping solves two problems
14 January 2014Using a newly developed technique, protective casings for microscale devices can be built quickly and cheaply without damaging components
Catalysts
Carbon dioxide tamed
14 January 2014Using a copper catalyst to unite carbon dioxide with organic molecules under mild conditions could make this ubiquitous gas industrially useful
Microelectronics
Mitigating corrosive effects
14 January 2014A study of the thermodynamic properties of copper connections uncovers a route to improving the reliability of electronic devices
Graphene
Graphene sees the light
17 December 2013Sheets of carbon just one atom thick could make effective transparent electrodes in certain types of photovoltaic cells
Tissue Engineering
Hydrogel fibers make tissue generation efficient
17 December 2013Cell-filled hydrogel fibers could provide the basis for engineered tissues to effectively repair damaged organs
Vaccines
Getting personal with hep B vaccines
17 December 2013Manipulating a population of blood cells in an individual could help to activate immune responses against the hepatitis B virus
Brain Development
How a protein collaboration builds the brain
17 December 2013RNA and protein molecules join forces to switch on gene networks responsible for brain development
A*STAR Singapore Immunology Network (A*STAR SIgN)
Keeping the dengue virus unmasked
17 December 2013A method that stops the dengue virus from resembling a host’s RNA could yield an effective and affordable vaccine
Pluripotency
A HEX that coaxes differentiation
17 December 2013A regulatory protein called HEXIM1 induces human pluripotent stem cells to adopt a more specialized cell fate
Quantum
Light finds the right mix
3 December 2013Quickly switching the orientation of a laser beam enables control over the quantum properties of light
Development
A healthy start hinges on proper packaging
3 December 2013A specific ratio of DNA packaging proteins ensures normal gene expression during early embryonic development
Endoscopic Probes
New chip provides better all-round performance
3 December 2013A microelectromechanical system developed in Singapore provides the 360-degree view that is critical in diagnostic imaging
Cell Biology
Taking advantage of defects in splicing
3 December 2013A newly discovered early-warning system triggers cellular suicide when a critical RNA editing system breaks down
