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China and Japan battle for science lead in dynamic Asia-Pacific region

PRESS RELEASE FROM NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP

Thursday 27 March 2014

China and Japan continue to battle for the Asia-Pacific science crown as the region also boosts its contribution to global science, according to the Nature Publishing Index (NPI) 2013 Asia Pacific published today as a supplement to Nature.

Researchers from the Asia-Pacific contributed 31% (1,371) of papers in the 18 Nature-branded research journals in 2013, up from 28% (1,009) in 2012. Supplement editors say ‘the region will continue to be an engine of growth for quality research output for years to come.’

Last year, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) took the lead for the first time in NPI Asia-Pacific institutional rankings, knocking the traditional leader, the University of Tokyo, off its perch. China accomplished much in 2013, leading the region in chemistry. [Read more…] about China and Japan battle for science lead in dynamic Asia-Pacific region

Australia performs strongly in earth and environmental sciences

PRESS RELEASE FROM NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP

Thursday 27 March 2014

Australia retains third place in a dynamic Asia-Pacific region, with its greatest strengths still in earth and environmental sciences, according to the Nature Publishing Index 2013 Asia-Pacific released today as a supplement to Nature.

The country improved its NPI score by almost every measure, with the second highest level of international collaboration in the region. Its contribution to Nature journals grew by more than 50% in 2013.

In the life sciences, Australia ranks third in the NPI Asia-Pacific behind China and Japan. However, it is persistently strong in immunology. Four of the top five regional institutions contributing to Nature Immunology were Australian.

Japan remains the major scientific power in Asia-Pacific

PRESS RELEASE FROM NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP

Thursday 27 March 2014

Japan remains the major scientific power in Asia-Pacific, despite China nipping at its heels – according to the Nature Publishing Index (NPI) 2013 Asia-Pacific published today as a supplement to Nature.

Japan, which is overcoming the impacts of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, with the help of a US$1.8 billion science stimulus package, continues to lead the Asia-Pacific NPI in physics, life sciences and earth and environmental sciences. [Read more…] about Japan remains the major scientific power in Asia-Pacific

China’s star ascendant as Academy tops Asia-Pacific rankings

PRESS RELEASE FROM NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP

Thursday 27 March 2014

China is on track to become the dominant scientific power in Asia-Pacific, according to the editors of the Nature Publishing Index (NPI) 2013 Asia-Pacific published today as a supplement to Nature.

Supplement editors predict China is ‘on pace to take over as the top Asia-Pacific contributor to the NPI in the next two or three years’. The country has accomplished much in 2013, with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) knocking the University of Tokyo off the top of the NPI institutional rankings for the first time. Chinese scientists also lead the way in publishing more papers in Nature journals than Japan or any other Asia-Pacific nation. It is also the regional leader in Chemistry.

Despite Chinese growth, Japan still leads the region when the publication figures are corrected for authors’ affiliations. However, China is narrowing the gap and at this rate could potentially overtake Japan in 2014. [Read more…] about China’s star ascendant as Academy tops Asia-Pacific rankings

South Korea regains scientific impetus

PRESS RELEASE FROM NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP

Thursday 27 March 2014

South Korea ranks fourth for scientific research output in the region, according to the Nature Publishing Index 2013 Asia-Pacific released today.

In 2013, the nation significantly increased its NPI output following a slight drop in 2012.

Named a possible ‘one to watch’ by the supplement editors, with high levels of investment in science and technology announced by both government and private enterprise, its NPI output is growing faster than China’s. [Read more…] about South Korea regains scientific impetus

Singapore’s scientific output continues to grow

PRESS RELEASE FROM NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP

Thursday 27 March 2014

Singapore holds its own among its bigger Asia-Pacific neighbours, ranking fifth for scientific research output according to the Nature Publishing Index 2013 Asia-Pacific released today.

The country’s multi-billion dollar research and development investment programme has been steadily growing over the past decade and its NPI output almost doubled in 2013.

Singapore’s three significant research institutions all rank in the Asia-Pacific top 20. The National University of Singapore (NUS), sixth in the Asia-Pacific, outperformed the top institutions from higher-ranked nations, Australia and South Korea. [Read more…] about Singapore’s scientific output continues to grow

Scientists performing at a venue near you – FameLab Australia State Heats

Lights! Camera! Science! Passionate Aussie scientists are in the spotlight talking science.

No jargon, no lab coats – props, music and poetry optional.

Join us in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide for the State Heats of FameLab Australia – a competition that gives early-career researchers the chance to talk about their science in plain English.

But they’ve only got 3 minutes.

The State Heat winners will head to Perth to compete in the FameLab national final in May.

All events are free to attend and all are welcome.

Brisbane – 25 March www.famelabqld.eventbrite.com
Sydney – 27 March www.famelabnsw.eventbrite.com
Melbourne – 2 April www.famelabvic.eventbrite.com
Perth – 8 April www.famelabwa.eventbrite.com
Adelaide – 10 April www.famelabsa.eventbrite.com
National Final – 13 May (event opening soon)

Surfing at 85 – the genetics of healthy ageing and cancer

We’re living longer. That means that we’re all at greater risk of cancer and we’ll all suffer from bone loss. And for many of us, our final
years will be difficult.

Josef Penninger plans to change all that. His vision is of a future where we can safely surf and live active lives at 85 years of age without fear of fracture, cancer or any of the other scourges of ageing.

He’s director of Austria’s Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, and is in Australia as a guest of the Centenary Institute in Sydney to share his vision for a healthy old age, and discuss the research that’s getting us there.

Join the systems biology revolution; meet our new SA group leaders; travel grants

In this month’s newsletter:

Posted on behalf of Nadia Rosenthal, Scientific Head, EMBL Australia
[Read more…] about Join the systems biology revolution; meet our new SA group leaders; travel grants

Evolution stuck in slime for a billion years

Wednesday 19 February 2014

Tasmanian researchers have revealed ancient conditions that almost ended life on Earth, using a new technique they developed to hunt for mineral deposits.

The first life developed in the ancient oceans around 3.6 billion years ago, but then nothing much happened. Life remained as little more than a layer of slime for a billion years. Suddenly, 550 million years ago, evolution burst back into action – and here we are today. So what was the hold-up during those ‘boring billion’ years?

According to University of Tasmania geologist Professor Ross Large and his international team, the key was a lack of oxygen and nutrient elements, which placed evolution in a precarious position. “During that billion years, oxygen levels declined and the oceans were losing the ingredients needed for life to develop into more complex organisms.”

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