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112009. 06
No. 16 View. 12230
'Artificial Intelligence' to help scientists search science and technology paper...
KISTI unveils 'Prototype Next-Generation Science and Technology Information Service' The Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (President Park Young-seo) said on June 4 that it has constructed a 'Prototype Next-Generation science and Technology Information Service' using OntoFrame, a Semantic service platform and will unveil the system to the public.'Semantic Web' refers to a cutting-edge web service that allows computers to intelligently understand information and then make logical inferences based on different types of data. Onto Frame is a next-generation search platform using Semantic Web technology that allows the user to search the most relevant information through the continual interlinking and seemingly infinite growth of data. The new 'Prototype Next-Generation Science and Technology Information Service' offers in-depth service for 450,000 scientific journals in the fields of information and biotechnology. Specifically, services made available by the innovative system include news on the latest trends in research topics, experts and research institutes by research topic, networks of research sites, and researchers conducting similar studies, information on which is generally hard to retrieve through conventional reference materials and literature. Additionally, the system classifies search words employed by the user according to whether the word is a research topic of a researcher, and allows the user to generate a viewing format suitable for the given search word, thus enabling him of her to locate the required data easily and conveniently. The 'Prototype Next-Generation Science and Technology Information Service' system?utilities more than 40 patents that are being applied for or are already registered in Korea and elsewhere, and has thus earned recognition for its uniqueness and a high level of comprehensiveness. OntoFrame, which was used as the system's service platform, had been applied to projects for the Korea Research Foundation, the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards, and the Ministry of Justice. Ryu Beom-jong, head of KISTI's information technology research division, said, "The new Prototype Next-Generation Science and Technology Information Service will play a crucial role in upgrading the current search-focused information service based on simple keywords to an advanced information service based on Semantic Web technology, a key element for the Web 3.0 era." Meanwhile, KISTI plans to make public the new system via a website(ontoframe.kr/2008) specially designed for the service, and to gather and compile opinions and assay demand for the system to further improve its NDSL service. Photo] Sample web page of the Prototype Next-Generation Science and Technology Information Service (searched through "neural network") ? Hellodd.comJung Ji-onjion97 at hellodd.com [June 11, 2009]--------------Source - Hellodd.com -
272009. 05
No. 15 View. 13708
ETRI develops core technology for 'high-efficiency white OLED lighting'
New technology boasts electricity consumption efficiency of over 70 1m/W. Expected to carve out global lighting market niche worth 3 trillion won.(Photo) ETRI-developed OLED lighting, considered on par with Korea's best OLED lighting technology. A Korean research team has developed a core technology for Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) lighting, an eco-friendly 'green growth' lighting technology that is replacing conventional florescent lamps and glow lamps.The Electronic and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI, President Choi Moon-ki) said on May 20 that it had developed a white OLED lamp for lighting that boasts an electricity consumption efficiency of 70 1m/W, the highest level in Korea. OLED technology is considered an exemplar of "eco-friendly green growth" lighting due to its energy efficiency, which is higher than either florescent lamps or glow lamps, reduced carbon dioxide emission, and non-production of mercury, a by-product of both florescent and glow lamps. Numerous countries around the world are currently racing to develop OLED lighting together with other next-generation lighting devices, including LED lighting. OLED lighting is not only thin and lightweight, but it also offers a transparent and flexible lighting source. Hence, it is a highly versatile technology. with numerous potential applications owing to a host of advantages in terms of its high efficiency, long durability, low cost and lighting design. ETRI said the development is notable in that Korea has now secured a high level of technology in the white OLED lighting sector that is on par with that of advanced countries. Korea had previously been saddled with a more than five-year technology gap in the sector in relation to those countries. Experts say that the development will also allow Korea to join the race for high-performance lighting, which has traditionally been led by advanced countries, and to advance the commercialization of OLED lighting by banking on the new technology. Cho Hye-yong, head of the ETRI's OLED lighting research team, said, "OLED lighting shares the same industry infrastructure and value chain as the OLED display, and if Korea can proactively take advantage of its industrial environment as the top producer of OLED displays, it will be able to dominate the next-generation lighting market." In the meantime, ETRI plans to hold an "OLED lighting design contest" from May 25 to August 31 in an effort to promote and propagate OLED lighting. ETRI will seek to hold the contest as an annual event, and identify talented designers and excellent designs that make the most of OLED technology as a flat lighting source. The Institute expects excellent designs and talented designers will contribute to the early industrialization of OLED lighting by making the most of Korea's superior OLED production infrastructure. The institute plans to make prototype products based on the contest's winning designs, and exhibit them at the "IMID international display exhibition" in October in order to promote OLED lighting. (Photo) Poster for the OLED lighting design contest. ? Hello DD.comLim Eun-heeredant645 at hellodd.com ? [May 27, 2009]- - - - - - -Source - HelloDD.com -
212009. 05
No. 14 View. 13136
Korean scientists develop new production technology for nanowire, key to develop...
KAIST Professor Kim Sang-wook's team uses molecular assembly nano technology. A new chapter has opened in the production of nanowire, widely considered one of the top 10 technologies that will change the world. A team of researchers led by Prof. Kim Sang-wook at the new materials department of KAIST (President Suh Nam-pyo) said on May 11 that it had developed a new method for arranging polymers that independently form nanopatterns on a large surface, and had also used the method to develop a technique that allows for the easy and convenient production of nanowire at a specific location as required. Kim's team composed a nanostructure that is self-arranged in various forms by filling polymers that formed nanopatterns on their own in micro patterns. The researchers then demonstrated that they could create an aluminum nanowire and silicon semiconductor nanowire on a large surface by using the nanostructure as a template. Moreover, the team successfully measured the electrical characteristics of the aluminum nanowire that was created thorough this process. The result of the study was published in the May 7th online edition of Nano Letters, a world renowned scientific journal in nanotechnology. Steps are now underway for the registration of patents for related technologies. (Photo)Sectional diagram of PS-b-PMMA block polymers in a platy structure which are arranged between photo register patterns, and of aluminum nanowire and silicon nanowire that were created using the structure as a template. One of 10 technologies that will change the future. Nanowire is considered one of 10 technologies that will change the face of the future, and is the most critical factor for the development of cutting-edge electrical and electronic components, including transistors, memories, and sensors for chemical detection. However, the production of a nano-size template using conventional technology has generally been highly costly and time-consuming, creating a need for a new production technology. A researcher with the KAIST team said, "The new technology is expected to be widely used in the production of biosensors and multi-layer nanotransistors." ? ? ScienceTimesKim Chung-hanchkim at kofac.or.kr[May 21, 2009] - - - - - - -Source - ScienceTimes -
212009. 05
No. 13 View. 12300
Interview with Intern Researchers of KISTI
There was an interview for a featured article on Intern Research Analysts of Joongang Daily News at KISTI head office in Daejeon on May 7th. Three intern researchers (Lee Youn-soo, Kim Bo-seong and Jo Jin-hee), as well as Dr. Park Young-seo, President, engaged in this interview and talked up the work environment, fields of the study they're working on and their plan for the future.This interview would be an opportunity for considering the working conditions and the difficulties of intern investigators and for collecting their opinions.Dr. Park Young-seo talked about major research achievement of KISTI and at the same time said that it could be great opportunities for interns to act as mediators between Industry and Research.(Photo) Dr. Park Young-seo and Intern researchers -
152009. 05
No. 12 View. 14309
New software predicts 'how tall my child will be'
(Photo) Main page of the new software for predicting children's future growth. ETRI's technology uses X-ray images to analyze physis, forecast child's future height. Korean researchers have developed a new technology that can conveniently and easily predict a child's future height and treat poor growth in children. The Electronic and Telecommunications Research Institute (President Choi Moon-ki) said on May 12 that it had developed 'software for predicting children's growth in height," which allows users to forecast a child's future height by measuring bone maturity via an analysis of his or her physis, or growth plate. The software is also expected to help doctors and parents treat children who are growing poorly. The software is designed to predict a child's bone age and his or her projected height as a grownup by deciphering the maturity of the physis at two spots, including the radioulnar area and the phalanges, that are crucial for measuring the maturity of bones, based on the TW3 hand system, which is said to most accurately represent the maturity of a child. The "child growth prediction system" currently employed at hospitals uses ultrasonic image scanners with poor accuracy, and requires the user to detect the 13 physis one by one, and compare physis images with the standard images. The test is a time-consuming process, and may even provide inconsistent analysis results to different doctors. ETRI expects the new software will help doctors to "treat children who are growing relatively poorly," "predict a child's future height as an adult," "monitor progress in children undergoing growth treatment," and "predict the time for the emergence of second-stage sexual characteristics and conduct diagnosis of sexual pre-maturity," thus creating a new market for treating poor physical growth in children. The technology was developed as part of ETRI's institutional basic project supported by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy. The institute plans to commercialize the technology through a test service for its industrialization and technology transfer. Kim Seung-hwan, head of the u-Health research team, said, "The technology is expected to increase accuracy and reliability in predicting children's physical growth, and serve as a catalyst for activating the related market, including physical growth clinics." ? Hello DD.comJung Ji-eun,jion97 at hellodd.com ? ? ? [May 15, 2009] - - - - - - -Source - HelloDD.com -
062009. 05
No. 11 View. 12539
KAIST Professor Park Chan-beom develops multi-color 'bio-nanotube'
New material seen to have applications in biosensor chips, next-generation display devices. Study published in world-renowned materials journal, Advanced Materials. A research team (state-designated laboratory for new biomaterials) led by Prof. Park Chan-beom at the new materials department of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology said on April 27 that it has developed a nanotube material that can generate diverse fluorescent colors, including red, green, and blue, by using self-assembly technology existing in nature. The new material is expected to have applications as a biotechnology-based nanomaterial that can generate a wide-ranging color spectrum in various display devices. The self-assembly technology refers to a phenomenon that creates a specific structure or pattern on its own through weak non-covalent binding interaction between a material's components.The technology is one of the most widely studied techniques in the world at present. The nature of chemical materials assembling themselves like Lego blocks to create a three-dimensional structure is the fundamental basis for a wide range of biological phenomena, and the technology is highly sought after as a key technique for developing nanomaterials. Prof. Park and his team formed a nanotube structure one one-thousandth the size of a hair strand by allowing tens of thousands of very simple, two-amino acid peptides to self-assemble on their own. The team learned that in this process of self-assembly, photosensitization can be significantly magnified. Notably, the team used a protein plaque known as "amyloid," which has been linked to Alzheimer's Disease, as the peptide in its study,allowing it to successfully develop a new functional nanomaterial by applying the phenomenon of degenerative nerve diseases. The feat has drawn keen attention from the international science community. The new auto-assembly fluorescent nanomaterial is expected to have applications in the areas of biosensors, biochips, cell carriers for various drugs, medical hydrogels, and next-generation display devices, and will help Korea strengthen its science and technology competitiveness in the nano- and bio-fusion sectors. (Photo) The spectrum of fluorescent colors (left) generated by the KAIST research team and its bio-nanotube (right) The team has been conducting the internationally acclaimed study since 2008 thanks to government funding, part of the "government-designated laboratory program" operated by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. The study was published in the latest issue (April 27) of Advanced Material, a world-renowned material science journal. Experts say the study has made major contributions to the development of a new nanomaterial through the creative integration of nanotechnology and biotechnology. In recognition of the work's importance and applicability, Advanced Material listed the study in its "Advanced in Advanced" category, an honor awarded to the top 10 percent of the best science papers. Hello DD.comJung Yoon-hayhjeong at hellodd.com ? [May 06, 2009] - - - - - - -Source - HelloDD.com -
062009. 05
No. 10 View. 12853
Biocompatible material developed using Pohang Accelerator
Seen to have applications as coating material for side effect-free artificial organs, medical equipment. The Pohang Accelerator Laboratory (Director Ree Moon-hor) announced on April 23 that its studies on biocompatibility using the Pohang Accelerator have allowed it to identify a "brush polymer" that simulates the structure of cell walls, and to develop a new material that can be used in the human body. The study, which was conducted by lab director Ree Moon-hor and lab researcher Dr. Kim Ga-hee, was published on April 14 in the online issue of Advanced Functional Materials, a world-renowned materials science journal. According to the Korean researchers, cell walls play a key role in the stable maintenance of cellular structure and functions by protecting materials inside the cell and by controlling the entry and exit of materials into and out of the cell. Researchers around the world have conducted extensive studies to develop a polymer material that simulates the cell wall, but had thus far failed to recreate the complete nanostructure of the cell wall. The Korean researchers created a brush structure by attaching a "long alkyl chain" on poly glycol, which maintains a regularly linear form, and introduced phospholipid at the edge, thus successfully synthesizing a brush polymer, which is similar in structure to human cell walls.They then identified the complete nanostructure of the brush polymer using a 4C2 small angle X-ray scattering beamline from the Pohang Accelerator. Initially, the researchers confirmed that protein and blood platelets, which are related with blood clotting, did not stick to the surface of the brush polymer. They also demonstrated that the material could be used as a biological material through an experiment in which they inserted the brush polymer into the subcutaneous tissue of mice. They further observed that various pathogenic germs existing in the body died upon coming into contact with the surface of the brush polymer film. As such, the material is expected to have many applications as a high-performance, highly bactericidal biomaterial that can be used to prevent secondary infections in the human body. Experts say the study comprises the first time that anyone has successfully recreated the complete nanostructure in the form of cell walls through a simple coating method. Dr. Kim Ga-hee said, "Bio-synthesis technology is presently a hot topic in global circles, and the study is expected to contribute to the development of coating materials for artificial organs and medical equipment that induce no side-effects." (Photo) Image of germs killed after sticking to the brush polymer material. ? Hello DD.comJi Na-ranara at hellodd.com ? [May 06, 2009] - - - - - - -Source - HelloDD.com -
272009. 04
No. 9 View. 12714
Poikilotherms 'control body temperature, longevity' according to changing temper...
POSTECH Professor Lee Seung-jae announces study Scientists have discovered that poikilotherms, including worms and frogs whose body temperatures change according to changing temperatures of the surrounding environment, control the pace of aging and longevity, as their nerve cells change in response to changing temperatures. Professor Lee Seung-jae at Pohang University of Science and Technology said on April 21 that his joint study with Prof. Cynthia Kenyon at University of California, San Francisco in the U.S. has found that thermo-responsive nerve cells in C. elegans, one of the poikilotherms, regulate changes in longevity in response to changing temperatures. The study was published in the latest issue of Current Biology, an affiliate publication of Cell, a world renowned scientific journal.Prof. Lee found in the study that polikilotherms die much sooner at high temperatures when thermo-responsive nerve cells are removed, and demonstrated that thermo-responsive nerve cells affect the longevity of such animals by changing the path of steroid signals.? Lee's team found that the thermal response system of C. elegans represses the aging process at around 25 degrees Celsius, and concluded that such a system is similar to homoeothermic animals' body temperature control. Prof. Lee said, "C. elegans' thermal response system tries to maintain the pace of aging even if the temperature increases," adding, "The study has shown that polikilotherms control their longevity by controlling responses to heat on their own." Prof. Kenyon, a corresponding author of the study, said, "The study is an astonishing finding, which will result in the rewriting of the chapter on polikilotherms in high school biology textbooks." Professor Lee plans to continue his study to find genes that regulate the pace of aging using C. elegans and how they operate, with a fund from the World Class University program supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. ? (photo) C. elegans' (left) used in the study and Prof. Lee Seung-jae (right) ? Hello DD .comJi Na-ranara at hellodd.com [April 27, 2009]- - - - - - -Source - HelloDD.com -
172009. 04
No. 8 View. 12070
Korean scientists identify mechanism of dimensional conversion
Monitor conversion from 2-dimensional and 1-dimensional characters in nano material Korean scientists have identified dimensional conversion for the first time in the world. The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (Minister Ahn Byung-man) said on April 9 that a team of Korean scientists actually monitored dimensional conversion (critical phenomenon), in which the characters of a square (two dimension) and a line (one dimension) co-exist, through a study of characters according to sizes of nano materials, and identified for the first that that common rules exist in such conversion. The study was conducted by teams of researchers led by Prof. Choi Seok-bong at the department of physics and astronomy of Seoul National University, and Prof. Lee Hyun-woo at the department of physics of Pohang University of Science and Technology, which are supported by the program for supporting veteran researchers (formerly state-designated laboratory program) that is funded by the MEST and the Korea Science and Engineering Foundation. The study, which scientifically demonstrated the crucial phenomenon of two physical situations (square, line) and then discovered common rules in such conversion, is a good example of the possibility for the existence of certain common rules in complicated biological and natural phenomena. Many scientists tried to identify such a phenomenon thus far, but failed in their attempts. As such, the study received high marks from the scientific journal, Nature. The British scientific journal Nature lauded the study, saying that the study presents the first experimental evidence of high credibility that clearly answers questions many scientists have failed to answer. The journal called the study a "really excellent paper," which will make unique contributions to the development and application of diverse nano materials, including nano-spintronics, which will draw keen attention in the future." The scientists monitored this conversion phenomenon through a study of characters according to the sizes of cutting-edge nano materials (less than approximately hundreds of nano meters (~100nm = 10-7m)), which are used in storage devices, including memories, in tune with dynamic development of ultra small, ultra high capacity, mobile electronic gadget technology. They were able to monitor the phenomenon using a scanning magnetic microscope, the world's only such measuring device that was designed and produced by the Korean scientists on their own. The scanning magnetic microscope was created to monitor reaction of a material to external magnetic fields, and in the study, the device played a critical role in demonstrating that when the size of nano particles become increasingly smaller (two dimension) and reaches a certain tipping point, a new character or line (one dimension) emerges, instead of that of square. The study is especially significant in that Korean scientists not only developed the device but also produced experimental agents, and conducted measurement and analysis on their own using homegrown technology. Prof. Choi said, "This suggests that Korea's research base and researchers, which have been accumulating over the past years, have reached a world class, and demonstrates that the environment has been prepared in Korea for scientists to spearhead world-class research." (Photo) Picture of internal core part of the scanning magnetic microscope. ScienceTimesKim Chung-hanchkim at kofac.or.kr [April 17, 2009] - - - - - - -Source - ScienceTimes -
162009. 04
No. 7 View. 12921
Chungnam National University proferssor identifies Cancer-triggering substance
Chungnam National University professor identifies cancer-triggering substance for first timeConfirms LETM-1 protein causes normal cells to change into cancerous cells Mechanism applied to all types of cancer.Chungnam National University said on March 30 that Park Jong-seon, professor of pharmacology at the university's medical school discovered for the first time in the world that 'LETM-01 protein' is a main substance that causes normal cells to change into cancerous cells.The finding was confirmed in types of cells, including breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, gastric cancer. rectal cancer, stomach cancer, and cervical cancer.In the academic community, 'LETM-1' was believed to be the protein that triggers Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome, which causes retarded physical growth, mental disorder, microcrania, Greek helmet-type face, ruptures in lips or the mouth, facial defect, and heart disorder.Prof. Park's research team confirmed the destruction of normal cells by generating excessive volume of 'LETM-1.' The team found such necrosis triggers cancer by reducing the volume of mitochondria, which is an important micro-organ that plays key role in regulating energy metabolism within cells.The study was published in the March 24th online issue of "Cancer Research," the most prestigious cancer journal of the U.S. and will be announced at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) meeting, which will take places in Denver in April.Earlier, a preliminary basic study on biochemical mechanism of how LETM-1 functions within mitochondria was published in the January 9th online version of Cellular Signaling.Currently, the fact that damage of mitochondria is a major cause of cancer and metabolic disease is a hot issue in the biomedical community, and a string of studies have been published. Prof. Park's team discovered for the first time that LETM-1 proteins integrate with 'MRPL36,' a mitochondria protein, and thus block mitochondria from generating energy.