Academia Sinica on Wednesday said it has joined a project initiated by the US that seeks cooperation among several nations in an effort to promote cancer prevention and control.
Earlier this year, Academia Sinica and Chang Gung University signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the National Cancer Institute in the US to join the Cancer Moonshot initiative, which was announced in January.
The MOU features a strategy of analyzing a large number of cancer cases and exploring the mechanism of when the disease occurs.
Describing Academia Sinica as having leading proteogenomics technology, Chen Yu-ju (陳玉如), head of its Institute of Chemistry, said: “This cooperation shows that Taiwan’s proteogenomics technology has won international recognition and will help promote Taiwan’s visibility in the area of academic research.”
Academia Sinica and Chang Gung University last year signed MOUs with the National Cancer Institute to develop international cooperation on using proteomic methods to characterize tumors and compare findings with other diagnostic features, including genomic characterization, Academia Sinica said.
Earlier this year, the three organizations agreed to sign revised agreements to expand areas of cooperation, which makes Taiwan a participant in the US-led cancer project, it said.
With the aim of accelerating the progress toward prevention, treatment and even a cure for cancer, US President Barack Obama announced the Cancer Moonshot initiative in January and appointed US Vice President Joe Biden to lead the effort.
During a speech at the Social Good Summit in New York, Biden expressed the hope that by 2030 cancer will have disappeared from the world.
To achieve the goal, Biden announced steps through the Cancer Moonshot initiative, which include the announcement of new commitments with various countries to support better international cancer research and care.
The US will work with institutions in Taiwan, Canada, China, Germany, Switzerland, Japan and South Korea in the field of proteogenomics, and with Serbia, Sweden and Japan to open a discussion about better prevention, screening, treatment and research collaboration, Biden said.
Meanwhile, the US Department of Energy will work with Norway to share cervical screening data over the long term, he said.
The US Department of State will also strengthen US bilateral science and technology engagements with other countries to support Cancer Moonshot, he added.
Aftershocks from a magnitude 6.2 earthquake that struck off Yilan County at 3:45pm yesterday could reach a magnitude of 5 to 5.5, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Seismological Center technical officer Chiu Chun-ta (邱俊達) told a news conference that the epicenter of the temblor was more than 100km from Taiwan. Although predicted to measure between magnitude 5 and 5.5, the aftershocks would reach an intensity of 1 on Taiwan’s 7-tier scale, which gauges the actual effect of an earthquake, he said. The earthquake lasted longer in Taipei because the city is in a basin, he said. The quake’s epicenter was about 128.9km east-southeast
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The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
The New Taipei City Government today warned about the often-overlooked dangers of playing in water, and recommended safe swimming destinations to cool off from the summer heat. The following locations in the city as safe and fun for those looking to enjoy the water: Chienshuiwan (淺水灣), Baishawan (白沙灣), Jhongjiao Bay (中角灣), Fulong Beach Resort (福隆海水浴場) and Sansia District’s (三峽) Dabao River (大豹溪), New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Department Director-General Yang Tsung-min (楊宗珉) said. Outdoor bodies of water have variables outside of human control, such as changing currents, differing elevations and environmental hazards, all of which can lead to accidents, Yang said. Sudden