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Tag: Taiwan

NTU Advances AI & Biomed Research

Posted on by National Taiwan University

Supported by the Ministry of Education’s “National Key Field Top Research Centers Program,” National Taiwan University (NTU) established the AI Top Research Center and the Advanced Biomedical Research Center in 2025. These centers aim to drive interdisciplinary innovation in artificial intelligence and precision medicine, addressing national technological and healthcare needs while positioning NTU as a global hub for cutting-edge research and talent development.

The AI Top Research Center, led by Academia Sinica fellow Li Lin-Shan, brings together international scholars and industry leaders to build a competitive and socially responsible AI ecosystem. Its research focuses on AI education, trustworthy and explainable AI, next-generation models, and multilingual/cross-cultural understanding. The center will collaborate with top universities such as MIT, Stanford, and ETH Zurich, as well as industry leaders like NVIDIA and Google DeepMind, to advance AI applications across healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and more.

The Advanced Biomedical Research Center integrates NTU’s medical, engineering, and life science faculties, along with NTU Hospital and the Genomics and Precision Medicine Research Center. Led by experts including NTU Yonglin Health Research Institute director Yang Pan-Chi, it focuses on major diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disorders, neurodegeneration, and gut microbiome research. The center combines fundamental studies with applied research—high-resolution imaging, AI diagnostics, and multifunctional therapeutics—while fostering international collaboration with France’s CNRS and INSERM and industry support to accelerate clinical translation and innovation.

Design Thinking for Future-Ready Graduates

Posted on by Taipei Medical University

“Innovation requires more than just specialised engineering or design talents,” says Thera Chiu, an associate professor in the Center for General Education at Taipei Medical University. The knowledge economy and ever-changing digital technologies have impacted traditional production and business models, and education needs to adapt to the changing era.

This is why Taiwan’s Ministry of Education places design thinking at the heart of its Miaopu programme. Design thinking “focuses on human needs, with processes including empathy, define, ideate, prototype and test”, she says. The programme, known as Miaopu, which means sapling, in Chinese, aims to foster interdisciplinary talent through design thinking, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit.

“It emphasises a human-centric approach to problem-solving, encouraging collaboration across different fields and seeking to bridge the gap between higher education and industrial transformation,” Chiu says.

Taipei Medical University (TMU) has been involved with the programme since its inception eight years ago, participating in all five phases of the Sapling Project. TMU is a leading private university in Taiwan, renowned for its strong focus on medicine, health sciences and biomedical innovation. Since its founding in 1960, TMU has grown into a comprehensive university with 11 colleges and more than 6,000 students from more than 40 countries.

Since the university became involved in the Miao Pu programme, it has guided “more than 4,000 first-year students in designing their own university learning journeys and provided design-thinking workshop experiences to more than 3,000 students,” Chiu says. More than 10 of its faculty members have been certified by the Ministry of Education as official coaches.

The benefits of the programme extend beyond the university. “The Sapling Project has now evolved into a methodology that supports other Ministry of Education initiatives, making it a truly unique programme,” Chiu says.

Teacher development is a starting point, she says: “It begins with cross-disciplinary teaching collaboration among faculty members, which then extends to cross-disciplinary learning among students.”

Cross-disciplinary collaboration is vital because it directly responds to the demands of a rapidly evolving world. “A core objective is to cultivate individuals who can collaborate effectively across different fields,” she says. “This is seen as crucial for developing innovative solutions and addressing the complexities of future society.”

Chiu’s own research focuses on identifying the factors that contribute to success in interdisciplinary education. She says that there are two critical factors: students’ self-understanding and their ability to collaborate in teams. While there is a great deal of research highlighting the importance of collaboration, there’s a lack of concrete steps for educators to follow. “Our team has developed a structured and effective set of guidance strategies for fostering team collaboration, which has proven to be successful and is supported by empirical research,” she says.

As the only university that has contributed to all of the programme’s phases, TMU will continue to adopt design thinking as a guiding methodology. “It will help students to design their life paths, root medical education in empathy and promote team collaboration,” Chiu says. “Our next vision for this project is to empower students to identify and solve real-world problems through teamwork and empathy, ultimately becoming the kind of future-ready talent needed by society.”

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Original Article: https://oge.tmu.edu.tw/design-thinking-creates-future-ready-graduates/

TMU Professor Ya-Tin Lin Receives IUPS

Posted on by Taipei Medical University

Dr. Ya-Tin Lin, Assistant Professor at the Graduate Institute of Metabolism and Obesity Sciences, College of Nutrition, Taipei Medical University (TMU), has been awarded the 2024 Early-Stage Faculty Prize by the International Union of Physiological Sciences (IUPS).

She is the first scholar from an Asian academic institution to receive this honor, which is a significant recognition of Taiwan’s growing influence in global physiological research.

The IUPS, representing physiological societies from over 60 countries, is the world’s most recognized academic organization in physiology. It is dedicated to promoting the advancement of physiological research and teaching, while fostering platforms for international exchange. The IUPS International Early-Stage Faculty Prize recognizes up to four promising young scholars each year, selected for the quality of their research contributions, dedication to teaching, and engagement in academic development.

Dr. Lin’s research focuses on neuronal regulation of metabolism, particularly in the context of metabolic diseases. Her research team has conducted extensive studies on neuropeptide FF (NPFF), investigating its physiological roles in energy homeostasis, pain transmission, and stress responses. A key discovery revealed that NPFF receptor type 2 (NPFFR2) is co-expressed with insulin receptors in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus, and its activation impaired the hypothalamic insulin downstream signaling. Notably, modulating NPFFR2 significantly impacts obesity- and diabetes-related metabolic dysfunctions, offering new directions for clinical treatment strategies. Parts of the findings were published in Clinical Nutrition, entitled “Hypothalamic NPFFR2 attenuates central insulin signaling and its knockout diminishes metabolic dysfunction in mouse models of diabetes mellitus”.

In addition to research relating to metabolic disorders, Dr. Lin also conducted pioneering research on the use of focused ultrasound for pain management. Her research demonstrated that low-intensity focused ultrasound can activate gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons in the dorsal root ganglion, which further reduces the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) cascade, and relieve chronic and neuropathic pain. Her study, titled “Stimulation of dorsal root ganglion with low-intensity focused ultrasound ameliorates pain responses through the GABA inhibitory pathway”, was published in Life Sciences and showcases significant clinical translation potential.

Beyond her research achievements, Dr. Lin serves as the Secretary-General of the Chinese Physiological Society, where she contributes significantly to the society’s efforts to foster Taiwan’s international links in physiology, strengthen physiology education, and advance research in the field. As a recipient of the 2024 IUPS International Early-Stage Faculty Prize, Dr. Lin is recognized not only for her innovative contributions to science but also for marking a significant milestone for TMU in the global academic community. This recognition further strengthens Taiwan’s international academic presence and fosters deeper collaboration in translational studies.

NTU Reconstruct 120-Day Blood Sugar Levels

Posted on by National Taiwan University

Scientists at National Taiwan University (NTU) have created a pioneering optical microscopy method capable of reconstructing a person’s long-term blood glucose history from a single blood sample. Led by Professors Chi-Kuang Sun and Tzung-Dau Wang, the team developed colour-resolved third-harmonic-generation microscopy (cTHGM), a label-free imaging technique that distinguishes glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) from normal haemoglobin within individual red blood cells.

Unlike conventional monitoring systems that capture short-term glucose fluctuations, this method tracks sugar exposure over the entire 120-day lifespan of red blood cells. Using a broadband femtosecond-laser microscope, the technique detects nanometre-scale wavelength shifts caused by chemical differences in haemoglobin molecules, producing a high-resolution chemical map of long-term blood sugar exposure.

The NTU researchers suggest that cTHGM could improve precision diabetes management and provide early detection of metabolic disorders associated with cancer. Beyond clinical applications, the technique demonstrates the potential for real-time, colour-sensitive molecular imaging in living tissues, turning subtle biochemical traces into actionable diagnostic information.

CKM syndrome may shorten your life expectancy

Posted on by Taipei Medical University

Summary

Researchers from Taipei Medical University (TMU) and collaborating institutions conducted a large-scale study of over 500,000 adults, revealing that cardiovascular–kidney–metabolic (CKM) syndrome significantly increases the risk of early death, cardiovascular deaths, kidney failure, and reduced life expectancy—highlighting the urgent need for integrated chronic disease care.

A study involving over half a million adults has confirmed that the combination of cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic conditions substantially increases the risk of early death and serious illness. The findings highlight the urgent need for integrated care that treats these conditions together rather than in isolation.

Why Chronic Disease Care Needs a Unified, Global Approach

As chronic diseases continue to rise globally, this research offers timely evidence for healthcare providers, policymakers, and the public. The study shows that CKM syndrome, newly defined by the American Heart Association in 2023, is not just a medical concept but a real-world predictor of life expectancy and health outcomes. The findings support a shift toward cross-speciality collaboration in medicine, with particular relevance for aging populations, health insurers, and those shaping chronic disease policy.

Every Added Condition Matters: New Patterns Reveal Deadly Toll of CKM Syndrome

The study uncovered several significant patterns that clarify how CKM syndrome and its components influence long-term health risks:

  • Widespread Impact: Over 70% of the study’s participants met the criteria for CKM syndrome. Among adults aged 55 and older, nearly 90% were affected.
  • Increased Risk of Death: People with CKM syndrome had a 33% higher risk of death from any cause and were nearly three times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease.
  • Kidney Disease Link: Those with CKM syndrome were over ten times more likely to develop end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), requiring dialysis or transplantation.
  • Each Added Condition Matters: Every additional CKM component (such as hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, metabolic syndrome, or high triglyceride) increased the risk of all-cause death by 22% and cardiovascular death by 37%.
  • Shorter Life Expectancy: Each additional component reduced life expectancy by approximately 2.5 years for men and 3 years for women. Those with all five components could lose up to 13–16 years of life.

Massive 25-Year Study Confirms CKM’s Deadly Impact in Over Half a Million Adults

Researchers from Taipei Medical University and collaborating institutions analyzed medical data from over 515,000 adults in Taiwan, collected between 1996 and 2017. Participants underwent physical exams, laboratory tests, and completed lifestyle questionnaires. The study tracked deaths and disease progression over 25 years, using statistical models to assess the impact of CKM components on mortality. The team used standardized definitions aligned with American Heart Association guidelines, which were adjusted for use in Asian populations.

“Our findings show that cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic conditions are not isolated challenges—they are profoundly interconnected. We need a healthcare model that reflects the reality of how these diseases cluster and amplify risk, especially as populations age,” said Prof. Mai-Szu Wu and Prof. Mei-Yi Wu, the corresponding authors of the study.

First Large-Scale Asian Study Urges Shift to Integrated Chronic Disease Care

This study, published in PLOS Medicine in June 2025, is among the first large-scale evaluations of CKM syndrome in an Asian population, reinforcing the need for coordinated, multidisciplinary care. Treating high blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney disease in isolation may miss the broader picture—where the intersection of these conditions drives worse health outcomes. Early intervention and integrated disease management could help millions live longer and healthier lives.

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Original Article: Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality: A retrospective cohort study

NTU Contribute to Science Study on Mosquito

Posted on by National Taiwan University

Professor Kun-Hsien Tsai and alumna Kai-Ti Yu from National Taiwan University(NTU)’s Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences joined an international research team led by Princeton University to redefine the evolutionary history of the underground mosquito Culex pipiens form molestus and its role in spreading West Nile virus. The large-scale genetic study, published in Science on October 23, 2025, provides new insights into how mosquitoes adapted to human environments.

The findings reveal that the so-called “underground mosquito,” known for infesting subways during World War II, did not evolve recently with urbanization. Instead, genetic evidence suggests that mosquito populations adapted to human habitats as early as 1,000 to 10,000 years ago, likely in ancient Egypt or the Mediterranean. The NTU team further discovered distinct genetic differences between northern and southern Taiwan populations, suggesting multiple introductions or gene exchanges among mosquito groups.

The study highlights the importance of cross-disciplinary approaches to public health and urban planning. It calls for enhanced monitoring of mosquito gene flow across urban and rural regions, integration of mosquito ecology into disease prevention and climate adaptation policies, and greater community awareness of vector control. The research provides a scientific foundation for forward-looking strategies to prevent viral spillover and improve urban health resilience.

This research was published in Science: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ady4515

NTU and Garmin Foster Research Talent

Posted on by National Taiwan University

National Taiwan University (NTU) recently held the Garmin Professorship and Scholar Awards ceremony alongside the inauguration of the NTU–Garmin Faculty Residence. Garmin Founder and Chairman Dr. Min Kao personally presented awards to three endowed professors—Professors Chi-Kuang Sun (Graduate Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics), Chih-Wei Liu (Department of Electrical Engineering), and Chen-Hung Kao (Department of Materials Science and Engineering)—and four Garmin Scholars: Professors Chao-Chieh Lan, Chia-Ya Lan, Nien-Tze Lee, and Yi-Teng Huang. Each awardee will receive an annual grant of US$30,000 for a renewable three-year term.

The newly completed NTU–Garmin Faculty Residence features 14 housing units and shared living spaces to provide a supportive environment for teaching and research. By integrating accommodation with the professorship program, NTU aims to strengthen its capacity to attract and retain top scholars and to further enhance international academic competitiveness.

NTU President Wen-Chang Chen expressed gratitude to Dr. Kao for his sustained generosity, noting that in addition to establishing the endowed professorships, Dr. Kao has also donated to support the construction and maintenance of faculty housing. Dr. Kao announced an additional US$5 million donation to expand the program, extending eligibility to the College of Science and further advancing NTU’s research and global engagement goals.

NTU Study Links Urban Nature to Vitality

Posted on by National Taiwan University

In the rush of urban life, reconnecting with nature can restore mental energy. Dr. Shih-Han Hung from National Taiwan University (NTU)’s International College and her team examined how perceptions of naturalness and biodiversity influence subjective vitality—the feeling of being energetic and alive. Based on surveys from over 1,000 Taichung park visitors, they proposed a dual-path model: biophilic design and restorative experience, both centered on perceived naturalness. Their findings, published in Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, highlight that clear and perceivable nature cues—rather than random wildlife encounters—offer more consistent psychological benefits.

Using immersive virtual reality, the team simulated five environments—from streams to urban forests—to test mental responses. Results showed urban forests most effectively boosted vitality, while streams and parks enhanced attention restoration. This psychological pathway of “restoration → preference → vitality” was detailed in Landscape and Ecological Engineering.

Dr. Hung further applies these insights in teaching, integrating biodiversity and AI tools to train students in evidence-based spatial design (Journal of Scholarship of Teaching and Learning). In collaboration with Chiang Mai University and the University of Helsinki, her team continues exploring how the “dose” of urban nature exposure supports well-being and resilience in sustainable cities.

Students and Collaboration Worldwide Are Always Welcomed by the Department of English, CCU

Posted on by Chinese Culture University
The Department of English Language & Literature provides excellent surroundings for students to expand their intellectual capacity and develop professional skills. Aligned with the mission and initiatives of Chinese Culture University (hereinafter referred to as CCU), our program prepares students for the ever-changing developments and globalization of industries in Taiwan and the world over.
The department offers courses in: 
1. Language Training: Courses designed to build up English proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. 
2. English & American Literature: Courses designed to increase reading proficiency, interpretation skills, and cultural literacy in English, American, and Western literatures.
3. Linguistics: Courses designed to introduce students to the phonological, syntactic, semantic structures of the English language, as well as knowledge about social and pragmatic aspects of language.
4. Translation & Interpretation: Courses designed to introduce students to basic skills in translation and interpretation and to prepare them for advanced professional translator/interpreter trainings in the future. 
5. Applied English: Courses designed to improve English writing and communication skills in professional fields such as business, tourism, journalism, etc.
The department’s goals of development include:
1. A focus on developing well-rounded English competence and communication skills.
2. A dynamic learning environment and cross-disciplinary learning resources.
3. Diversity in the curriculum to enrich language learning opportunities, to enhance knowledge of the humanities, and to provide a competitive edge in the job market.
4. Development of students’ English proficiency and interdisciplinary competence to cross disciplinary boundaries for future careers.
The department consists of 18 full-time faculty members and more than 400 students. Our faculty members are devoted to pedagogical innovation and mentoring students. Four of our professors have been awarded Teaching Practice Research Programs by the Ministry of Education since 2018, covering areas in literature, English for tourism, and English for Science and Technology. In addition, the undergraduate students—under the intensive mentoring by our faculty members—have also won several student research awards since 2018, with topics on Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Virginia Woolf, Washington Irving, and English Listening.
In addition, the department offers a wide a variety of opportunities for learning and self-development. For instance, the annual English contests in recitation, public speaking, writing, and mini-movie encourages students to show their own strength and express themselves in the public. The overseas short-term course provides students on-site experiences on foreign campuses and face-to-face contact with teachers and students in other universities. The exchange program offers opportunities for in-depth learning in other countries for 6 to 12 months.
On the other hand, our career development initiative provides ample choices to prepare students for their career route. The field visits give students a tour to local companies. The service learning course allows students to serve as teaching assistants to English teachers in local elementary or junior schools. The Internship Program allows students to work part-time in local industries, applying their language skills to meet the demands of the jobs.
As a language department, we try our best to offer students opportunities for growth so that they will be able to embrace the world and have a bright future. We welcome anyone who is willing to collaborate with us, either students or educators who are interested in joining us. We are also open to diverse forms of collaboration. We look forward to making more friends and find more colleagues around the world.

RCMB Signs Cooperation MOU with NTU Dentistry

Posted on by National Taiwan University

On August 28, 2025, the Research Center for Macromolecules and Biomaterials (RCMB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the School of Dentistry at National Taiwan University (NTU) to advance research collaboration.

National Taiwan University, ranked 68th in the QS World University Rankings 2025, is home to one of Asia’s top dental schools, recognized for excellence in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Diagnosis, Cell and Molecular Biology, and Biomaterials. The partnership emphasizes joint research and international collaboration.

This agreement is expected to accelerate the application and commercialization of novel materials developed at National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) in dentistry and oral healthcare.