Recent experiments led by a group of international researchers from 32 countries showed that the size of a proton is 4 % smaller than what was long believed. Yi-We Liu, an associate professor with the National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) Physics Department is one of the main scientists who contributed to develop the laser system to probe the proton radius. Most of the experiments were carried out at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland.
http://focustaiwan.tw/ShowNews/WebNews_Detail.aspx?Type=aECO&ID=201007130001

A flexible pay scheme for university faculty and public research institution staff will be put into effect to facilitate recruitment of outstanding scholars from abroad and retain Taiwan’s best instructors. The “creating top-notch universities” program is to allow 5-10 Taiwanese universities to rank among the world’s top 200 in the next five years.
http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/etn/news_content.php?id=1309985&lang=eng_news&cate_rss=news_Politics_TAIWAN http://www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=109410&ctNode=445

The quality of Taiwan’s research papers has been improving in recent years, with the number of theses cited in journal articles on engineering ranked 9th, material science 10th and information science-related papers 11th in the world. The number of theses published in journals increased from 537 in 1981 to more than 24’000 in 2009, with an average annual increase of over 12 %. In 2009, the number of Taiwanese theses published ranked 16th, while the number of theses cited ranked 19th.
http://focustaiwan.tw/ShowNews/WebNews_Detail.aspx?Type=aALL&ID=201007140035

Arthur Carty, director of the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology at the University of Waterloo (Canada) said that the success and degree of sophistication of Taiwan’s science and technology development is much better than the credit it receives. Taiwan has almost all the elements of a technologically advanced country, incl fine universities, innovation and leading companies, he said. Taiwan’s decision to focus on computer and information technology development 20 years ago has turned out to be a brilliant policy as a number of its companies have had global success. Investment in nanotechnology will also pay off in the future.
http://focustaiwan.tw/ShowNews/WebNews_Detail.aspx?ID=201007240011&Type=aSOC

The number of foreign students at Taiwan's top academic institutions is regarded as too low. The proportion had risen to 1.5 % out of 1.37 million students at 164 universities, colleges and institutes from 1.3 % over the past two years, but it should reach 2 % or even 2.5 % during the next two years.

Highlights of major news from the scientific world in Taiwan in July 2010:
Two Taiwan hospitals are about to start with human clinical trials on a locally developed enterovirus (EV71) vaccine – playing the ocarina can be effective in treating patients with breathing problems – a night vision system and a collision avoidance device developed by the Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology are expected to be put on the market in two years – the government is stepping up efforts to develop vaccines against grouper viruses – two students won an award for developing a chip that is able to detect epileptic seizures in mice before full-blown attacks occur – a new device helps people traveling abroad control the electrical devices in their home remotely – FlexUPD, on of ITRI’s three winning innovations at the R&D 100 Awards, enables panel makers to use their existing manufacturing process to produce flexible displays – a research team used pig embryonic stem cells to produce nerve cells for successful treatment of Parkinson’s disease in lab rats - a student of National Cheng kung University won the top prize at an international student research competition sponsored by the US Association for Computing Machinery with his research involving droplet routing algorithms for digital microfluidic biochips – the Institute of Nuclear Energy Research developed its own version of a key agent used in brain blood flow imaging that will make such imaging cheaper and more accessible in Taiwan – the National Taiwan University found that insulin glargine, given to diabetes patients, does not increase the risk of cancer among users, as a European study has suggested – the National Science Council is giving away NT$ 50 mio. per year to establish collaborative research centers in Taiwan – researchers identified incompatible genes in three closely related yeast species, a finding that provides insight into the evolutionary process of distinct species – researchers found a way to “customize” treatments for individual hepatitis B patients by predicting the activity of the virus – an international research team led by a Taiwanese scholar developed a new method to more clearly map large cosmic structures that could help scientists unlock the mystery of “dark energy”

The National Science Council (NSC) and the Department of Health (DOH) are the main resources for funding of research in medical care science and technology. DOH has made quite some progress in recent years, such as in the compilation of epidemiology data for aging and major diseases, vaccine research, disease screening, cancer prevention and control, long-term nursing care, the health care system, pharmaceutical control, pharmaceutical science technology, food sanitation and nutrition. Taiwan’s efforts in hepatitis B prevention and control have earned it one of the highest ranking in the world.

Highlights of major news from the scientific world in Taiwan in June 2010:
A Taiwanese firm develops nanometer coffee yarn – research on arsenic contamination – Taiwanese-Irish to develop innovative solar cells – study identifies possible cause of osteoporosis – breakthrough in cleaner-fish breeder – Taiwan-made shirts from recycled materials worn by nine national teams in 2010 World Cup – Economics ministry funds Tainan embroidery R&D center – researchers breed larger fluorescent fish – funds approved to develop new NAND flash technology

Taiwanese authorities have come out with a new program that is says will create some 10’000 high-tech research jobs over the next three years. An official with the government's Department of Industrial Technology said the thrust of the program will be to help local companies carry out forward-looking research and development projects. That includes R&D on highly integrated digital chips, advanced display systems, precision machinery and high-end materials. The subsidies to be offered under this program will not be subject to existing regulations that cap the government's hightech R&D subsidies at NT$30 mio.

Highlights of major news from the scientific world in Taiwan in May 2010:
The National Cheng Kung University won a gold medal at the Geneva Invention Exhibition for its development of a hydrogen sensor – the National Space Organization launched Sounding Rocket VII to gather information on changes in the ionosphere over the Taiwan region as well as the structure and production mechanism of plasma irregularities in the ionosphere – the Center for Crystal Research created its own industrial crystals – a Taiwanese-lead team at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven developed a surgical robot – Asia’s first unmanned aerial vehicle powered by a fuel cell and lithium battery hybrid made its maiden flight in Taiwan – the National Taitung University launched the world’s 1st water-fueled school bus – Prof Ding-Shinn Chen was awarded the 2010 Nikkei Asia Prize in the category of science and technology for his research related to Hepatitis B and liver cancer – a Taiwan research team discovered that the androgen (male hormone) receptor is the key mechanism that leas to hepatitis B to develop into liver cancer – the Center for Disease Control developed the world’s fastest test kit for enterovirus type 71 – a Taiwanese scientists developed a new approach for investigating the amount of nano/micorparticles taken up by mammalian cells.

The Council of Economic Planning and Development (CEPD) plans to develop Chung Hsin Village (central Taiwan) into a knowledge-based economy and R&D center. The cost of the plan in the first phase (2010-2012) is estimated at roughly NT$3.66 billion. The Industrial Technology Research Institute, the Institute for Information Industry and other agencies would begin setting up research branches in the zone from the end of this year. After the R&D center opens, efforts to solicit high-tech businesses to set up their R&D operations will begin. The goal is to attract 115 firms in various high-tech and knowledge-based industries and add some 1,450 high-level research jobs.

Highlights of major news from the scientific world in Taiwan in April 2010:
A team of Taiwanese/Japanese astrophysicists captured a snapshot showing the growth of a galaxy cluster for the first time – NTU reached a breakthrough in using MRIs to detect tumors and identify them faster than through a traditional approach – Researchers at NCU developed a new LED encapsulation technology that is touted as the world’s most advanced – Scientists indentified four genes that are associated with bipolar I disorder in people who are ethnically Chinese – a biomedical engineer gained international renown with a breakthrough in crating a new generation of biotracer – Taiwan shines in the Geneva Exhibition of Inventions – NTU professor wins Nikkei Asia prize for research on hepatitis B – A research team of Academica Sinica discovered a key molecular mechanism that contributes to antibiotic resistance in “staphylococcus epidermidis” – Taiwanese/Japanese scholars at Academica Sinica discovered clear, direct evidence about the shape of dark matter’s distribution – Taiwan and Australia cooperate in oceanographic research.

International cooperation in research: Co-invention is particularly strong in Chinese Taipei, Belgium and Switzerland, where over 40% of the patents filed in the mid-2000s resulted from collaboration with at least one inventor from abroad, according to the Industry Scoreboard 2009. Taiwan’s cooperative patented inventions with other countries account for 52 % of its total, far higher than the 43 % in Switzerland, 30 % in Singapore and 4.8 % in South Korea, the Council of Economic Planning and Development said.

The Association of Indian Universities and the Foundation for International Cooperation in Higher Education of Taiwan (FICHET) signed an agreement to enhance cooperation in the field of education. The two sides agreed to initiate strategies to achieve collaboration on research projects, exchanges of teachers, cooperation in the field of technology and mutual recognition of higher education academic degrees and certificates. Currently, some 400 PhD candidates from India are currently studying in Taiwan, mainly in the IT sector. FICHET has forged similar pacts with institutes in Austria, Japan, and the USA.

Highlights of major news from the scientific world in Taiwan in March 2010:
Clinical trials for artificial retinal implant – researcher uncovers new bacteria species - new fuel-testing device – bone genetic research results – inauguration of stem cell center at National Taiwan University – collaboration on ocean energy development – Taiwan/Japan institutions join forces on cancer treatment – ITRI develops super-slim motor for e-bikes - improvement in bird tracking system – fucoidan from brown algae helps control cancer – institute develops high-fiber meals – chip detects slew of harmful allergens.

The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) received 397 U.S. patents in 2010, the most of any research institute in the world, according to an annual corporate ranking released by IFI Patent Intelligence. ITRI has received a steadily growing number of U.S. patents in recent years, going from 229 in 2007 to 286 in 2008. ITRI filed 2,330 international patent applications last year and was awarded a record high 1,308 patents. The institute hopes not only to obtain more patents in the future but also to enhance the quality of its inventions, it said. Scientists (incl from Taiwan) are conducting tests in Europe in preparation for the launch of the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS), the first large acceptance particle detector designed to operate in space. The Production of the AMS components was a joint effort, with France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, China, the US and Taiwan making significant contributions. Academia Sinica, the Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology (CSIST), National Central University (NCU), National Cheng Kung University, National Chiao Tung University, and the National Space Program Office (NSPO) are part of the Taiwanese effort. Most of the detector’s electronic equipment was manufactured at the CSIST.Its main computer and trigger system were jointly designed, manufactured and tested by Academia Sinica, NCU, CSIST and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The CSIST and NSPO were responsible for thermal modeling and analysis, and the Aerospace Industrial Development Corp produced the AMS ground support equipment and cooling panels.

Highlights of major news from the scientific world in Taiwan in February 2010 :
The government increases budget for lithium battery development – the National Space Organization switches the critical sensor module in its satellite program from CCD system to CMOS – the Science Council plans expanded ocean research – the Institute of Nuclear Energy Research introduced a new touch-screen making machine – local study proves relation between tobacco and lung cancer – Researchers found enzyme structure of mint scent – the Atomic Energy Council developed new applications of plasma overlay technology (ridding of the cadmium contamination problem) – Researchers made diabetes breakthrough – the potential for commercialization of fuel cells in Taiwan, etc.

The National Science Council will expand the scope of Taiwan’s involvement in the EU’s 7th Framework Program (FP7). The expansion includes the creation of another 8 National Contact Points that would each be responsible for different fields of research, including the environment and security. EU trade officials said Taiwan’s involvement in the program was indispensable on critical research into global health and climate issues.

Highlights of major news from the scientific world in Taiwan in January 2010:
The National Taiwan University opened Asia’s first animal cancer research center – Taiwan produced the first foal with cryoinsemination – A study into the functioning of specific messenger RNA (mRNA) in per sperm cells was published – the National Taiwan University Hospital announced a breakthrough in embryo screening – Researchers made important contributions to new plant varieties and the processing of crops into a variety of products, including cosmetics – Researchers found that green tea intake might reduce the chances of getting lung cancer – ITRI teams up with Universal Cement in flexible electronics – the Ministry of Economic Affairs will invest more in safe lithium battery technology – A research group discovered a new treatment method for influenza A (H1N1).