Nature Special Issues

Nature periodically publishes articles that focus on aspects of science in the Asia-Pacific region. Below is a list of some of these features.

Spotlight & Focal Point
Regional features that promote global acknowledgement of science in the particular county / region.
Nature Supplement
Nature supplements are published in Nature and distributed around the globe.
Editorial Coverage
Various areas of Asia Pacific have been covered.

Spotlight & Focal Point Taiwan China Singapore Japan Australia

Focal Point on Food Science in Japan

17 Dec. 2020

Fresh twist for the future of food science
Japanese food scientists are creating new value through novel ways of utilizing food and ingredients that have potential to support a healthy planet and an ageing population.

Focal Point on Food Security in Japan

3 Dec. 2020

Rising a steep challenge
Japan's farming sector has been dealt a tricky hand, but necessity might just push its robotics and smart agriculture industry forward.

Focal Point on Synthetic Biology in Japan

6 Aug. 2020

Japan's bioeconomy built on a foundation of fermentation
With cells primed to drive key production processes and more sustainable economies, Japan’s strong history with fermentation research will help push ideas to commercialisation.

Focal Point on Genomic Medicine in Thailand

4 Jun. 2020

A twisted ladder to prosperity
Genomic medicine is being harnessed to address southeast Asian health concerns and to help Thailand reach high-income status.

Focal Point on Genome Editing And Gene Therapy In Japan

31 Oct. 2019

Japan's gene therapy and genome editing boom
The timing is right, as intensified commercial interest collides with maturing research in these cutting-edge fields.

Focal Point on AI and big data healthcare in Korea

28 Mar. 2019

Cracking the code of personalized medicine
South Korea is at the vanguard of a revolution in AI and big data healthcare.

Focal Point on Nanomedicine in Japan

15 Nov. 2018

A race against time and old age
Nanomedicine is on the frontline of Japan’s efforts to revitalise its economy, and it may pre-emptively solve some of the world’s toughest problems to boot.

Focal Point on Vaccine Research in Asia

8 Nov. 2018

Looking to the east
The future of vaccine research may be in Asia.

Spotlight on Kanazawa

11 Oct. 2018

An alternative Japan experience
Meet the sides of Japanese cities that most international researchers never see.

Focal Point on Kobe

4 Oct. 2018

A seismic shift
How Kobe rebuilt itself after a devastating earthquake and turned into a biotechnology hub.

Focal Point on Japan's Designated National University Initiative

22 Mar. 2018

Reforming the system
Japan’s radical new program to boost just a handful of universities has precedents across the world.

Focal Point on Commercial Space Exploration in Japan

8 Feb. 2018

Entering a new era of space development
Businesses are increasingly investing in space exploration and development.

Focal Point on Medical Innovation

21 Dec. 2017

Speeding up the sequencing
In the age of genomic big data, the worlds of medicine and IT are rapidly colliding.

Spotlight on Kanagawa

21 Dec. 2017

A smart place to work
Lower house prices, proximity to Tokyo, and a burgeoning R&D ecosystem are thrusting Kanagawa into the modern world from its ancient history.

Spotlight on Anti-ageing

14 Dec. 2017

Scientists seeking to reverse or stall the effects of ageing are trying to make the leap from laboratory research to human trials.

Spotlight on Nanocarbon Technology in Japan

7 Dec. 2017

Catching up with carbon
Japan's historical leadership in the field of nanocarbon research is being challenged. Learn how it’s fighting to stay on top of a field it pioneered.

Spotlight on Sports Science

7 Sep. 2017

Smarter, not harder
The young discipline of sports science is finding ways to stretch the boundaries of human biology

Spotlight on Food Science in Japan

30 Mar. 2017

The Washoku Restoration
How Japan’s culinary revival could ease the burden of an aging society and breathe new life into an ailing agricultural sector.

Spotlight on Technology Universities in Japan

31 Aug. 2016

Talent spotting
As science becomes increasingly globalized and collaborative, Japan is looking to bring more overseas researchers into the fold.

Spotlight on Yamanashi

06 Jul. 2016

Science at the foot of Mt. Fuji
Japan's Yamanashi prefecture has a lot to say for itself when it comes to cutting-edge R&D.

Spotlight on Food Science in Japan

09 Jun. 2016

Smart foods for an aging population
The search for taste launched Japan as a food science pioneer. Now it leads a global drive to create functional foods, and opportunities abound for career-hungry researchers.

Spotlight on Japanese Battery Technologies

02 Dec. 2015

Japan was the first country to commercialize the lithium-ion battery in the 1990s and is once again reasserting its market dominance with more efficient commercial lithium-ion batteries for automotive applications.

Spotlight on Singapore

29 Oct. 2015

This year, as Singapore hosts various events to mark its Golden Jubilee ― the 50th year since becoming an independent state ― it has a lot more to celebrate than its rapid social and economic development. Science has also been booming.

Spotlight on Australia: Aiming for Impact

14 Oct. 2015

Long recognized as producers of high-quality science, Australian institutions are striving to find better ways to translate research excellence into social, environmental and financial benefit.

Spotlight on University of Tsukuba

9 Oct. 2014

Spotlight on Osaka

2 Oct. 2014

Spotlight on Kobe

9 Jan. 2014

Spotlight on Fukuoka

21 Mar. 2013

Spotlight on Gunma

6 Dec. 2012

Spotlight on Kawasaki

19 Sep. 2012

Spotlight on Singapore

16 Nov. 2011

Spotlight on Hokkaido

22 Sep. 2011

Spotlight on Shizuoka

2 Dec. 2010

Spotlight on Tsukuba

11 Nov. 2010

Spotlight on Nagoya

8 Oct. 2009

Spotlight on Osaka

16 Sep. 2009

Spotlight on Singapore

23 Oct. 2008

Spotlight on Shenzhen

27 Sep. 2007

Spotlight on Taiwan

5 Apr. 2007

Spotlight on Sendai

10 Aug. 2006

Spotlight on Osaka

13 Oct. 2005

Spotlight on Japan - Western Japan : Go west, young postdoc

17 Jul. 2003

Nature Supplement Singapore New Zealand China Australia Asia Global

Nature Index 2021 Canada

17 November 2021

Key to Canada’s strength as a leading science nation is its high-quality research, informed by its vast natural resources. But the country is losing ground in areas where it held an early lead.

Nature Index 2021 Infectious disease

27 October 2021

COVID-19 has brought new urgency to the study of infectious disease. This Nature Index supplement shines a light on some of the research, and the people and institutions behind it, that aims to reduce the staggering human and economic cost of communicable disease.

Nature Index 2021 Science cities

25 September 2021

Many leading science cities are active in research related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This Nature Index supplement showcases how they are supporting climate change and clean energy targets, protecting oceans, coastal communities and food security.

Nature Index 2021 Materials Science

30 June 2021

Researchers are rethinking the nature and potential of matter. From new metal mixes that form more efficient catalysts to bio-inspired super-black products, their work is driving advances in manufacturing, drug discovery and product design.

Nature Index 2021 China

26 May 2021

China's successes in space exploration, quantum technologies and cutting-edge chemistry underline its superpower status in research, rivalling that of the United States. As the nation's science policy shifts towards self-sufficiency and talent repatriation, we see the impact of rising geopolitical tensions on collaborative articles with the US, and signs that its remarkable growth in research output in recent years is slowing down.

Nature Index 2021 Asia Pacific

17 March 2021

Sustainability, climate-change mitigation, and biomedical science are key areas for future research prowess in the Asia-Pacific region. While COVID-19 travel restrictions have disrupted collaborations between far-flung nations, they have focused attention on vast opportunities for researchers in countries in close proximity and South and southeast Asia to work more closely together on new initiatives.

Nature Index 2020 Artificial Intelligence

Nature Vol. 588 No. 7837, 10 December 2020

As investments and revenues soar year-on-year and nations vie for leadership in the field of artificial intelligence, research output continues its steep, upward trajectory. But there are significant ethical and technical challenges to overcome.

Nature Index 2020 Germany

Nature Vol. 587 No. 7835, 26 November 2020

Although national science organizations are thriving under funding certainty, there are concerns that some universities will be left behind.

Nature Index 2020 South Korea

Nature Vol. 581 No. 7809, 28 May 2020

This supplement investigates South Korea’s strategy to become a ‘first mover’ by investing in basic research grants and original discoveries.

Nature Index 2020 Annual Tables

Nature Vol. 580 No. 7805, 30 April 2020

The Nature Index 2020 Annual Tables highlight the institutions and countries that dominated high quality research in the natural sciences in 2019 as tracked by Nature Index.

Nature Index 2020 Cancer

Nature Vol. 580 No. 7804, 23 April 2020

This supplement features stories of success and challenges in the hard-fought and expensive race to increase survival rates. But it’s not all good news - improved treatments may still be out of reach in the countries where 70% of global cancer deaths occur.

Nature Index 2019 Materials Science

Nature Vol. 576 No. 7786, 12 December 2019

This supplement explores the materials that will give rise to the new industries of the future. It highlights the intriguing field of energy harvesting and profiles the early career stars who are expanding the physical world through new materials discoveries

Nature Index 2019 Collaboration and Big Science

Nature Vol. 575 No. 7783, 21 November 2019

This supplement explores the effects of political instability and escalating trade tensions on US-China and UK-EU research collaborations, and highlights the most successful 'big science' players in high-energy physics, genomics and oncology

Nature Index 2019 Young Universities

Nature Vol. 574 No. 7779, 24 October 2019

Nature Index 2019 Young Universities profiles some of the most intriguing young universities in the world and highlights the research that’s putting them on the map, including treatments for paraplegia, tsunamis on Mars and medical microbots

Nature Index 2019 Biomedical Sciences

Nature Vol. 569 No. 7756, 16 May 2019

Nature Index 2019 Biomedical Sciences highlights scientists and institutions prominent in the ongoing research effort that will further transform our ideals of a healthy human life in the coming decades.

Nature Index 2019 Japan

Nature Vol. 567 No. 7748, 21 March 2019

Japan is relying on international collaboration as a way to arrest the decline in its contribution to global science, but will it be enough? Nature Index 2019 Japan seeks answers to that question.

Nature Index 2018 China

Nature Vol. 564 No. 7735, 13 December 2018

China’s rise is the story of the century in science. Its scientific output has already overtaken that of the United States, but on measures of quality, such as articles published in the high-quality journals tracked by the Nature Index, it still has a big gap to close. Some exceptional disciplines, though, are leading the way to overcoming the quality deficit.

Nature Index 2018 Science Cities

Nature Vol. 563 No. 7729, 1 November 2018

Nature Index 2018 Science Cities profiles five science cities that are leaders in their regions. But each is contending with problems of equity and engagement that need to be addressed to keep them strong.

Nature Index 2018 Rising Stars

Nature Vol. 561 No. 7723, 20 September 2018

If ideas are the flames burning from the torches of discovery, scientists are the hands that hold them. Creative minds uphold the scientific enterprise.

Nature Index 2018 Earth and Environmental Sciences

Nature Vol. 558 No. 7711, 28 June 2018

For every top ten country producer of Earth and environmental sciences except China, output has been declining. Climate change is the issue that looms largest.

Nature Index 2018 Japan

Nature Vol. 555 No. 7697, 22 March 2018

Has Japan’s contribution to high quality scientific output continued to decline?

Nature Index 2017 Science Inc.

Nature Vol. 552 No.7683, 7 December 2017

This supplement investigates the changing role of corporate institutions in the world of science and the costs and benefits to high-quality research of these evolving arrangements.

Nature Index 2017 United States

Nature Vol. 551 No.7678, 2 November 2017

This supplement reveals that the country’s output of high-quality research in the natural sciences has declined over the past five years, following on from long-term declines in federal funding for research and development.

Nature Index 2017 Science Cities

Nature Vol. 550 No.7676, 19 October 2017

Science thrives in cities. With two-thirds of the global population projected to live in urban areas by 2050, cities will become even more distinctly the domain of knowledge and innovation.

Nature Index 2017 Saudi Arabia

Nature Vol. 549 No.7673, 28 September 2017

Saudi Arabia is already the scientific leader of the Arab world, but it is not standing still. Through investment in research and education – and a new focus on maximising the commercial value of its academic prowess – the country is beating a path to reducing its reliance on oil.

Nature Index 2017 Innovation

Nature Vol. 548 No.7666, 10 August 2017

This supplement examines the connection between high-quality research and the commercialization of new products and services.

Nature Index 2017 China

Nature Vol. 545 No.7655, 25 May 2017

This report looks beyond China’s continued increase in publication output and examines how it holds up in other factors that contribute to a functioning research ecosystem.

Nature Index 2017 Japan

Nature Vol. 543 No.7646, 23 March 2017

Japan’s status as a science superstar is vulnerable. This supplement examines Japan’s efforts to arrest the decline and return to form as an innovative nation.

Nature Index 2016 Collaborations

Nature Vol. 539 No.7629, 17 November 2016

The supplement highlights some of the most fruitful collaborations between institutions and countries, such as those resulting from the bonds between China and the United States.

Nature Index 2016 Australia and New Zealand

Nature Vol. 538 No.7626, 27 October 2016

The supplement highlights these countries’ quality natural science research.

Nature Index 2016 Rising Stars

Nature Vol. 535 No.7613, 28 July 2016

This supplement identifies the ascendant performers in the world of science.

Nature Index 2016 Saudi Arabia

Nature Vol. 532 No.7600, 28 April 2016

In 2015 Saudi Arabia had the largest growth of its region in the production of high-quality research tracked by the Nature Index, propelling the country into a leading position.

Nature Index 2016 Japan

Nature Vol. 531 No.7594, 17 March 2016

Japan is among the top producers of high quality research in the Nature Index, but new analysis reveals this position is being challenged.

Nature Index 2015 China

Nature Vol. 528 No.7582, 17 December 2015

Nature Index 2015 China reveals the country’s output of high quality science continues to grow – a trend that shows no signs of slowing.

Nature Index 2015 Collaborations

Nature Vol. 527 No.7577, 12 November 2015

The supplement paints a picture of global research partnerships and yields insights into the power and impact of joint research.

Collaborations between countries

Collaborations between institutions

Nature Outlook: Liver Cancer

Nature Vol. 516 No.7529, 3 December 2014

Liver cancer is one of the most lethal forms of the disease: fewer than 40% of those who have it survive a year after diagnosis, even with treatment, and there are not many promising therapies in the pipeline. But if researchers can understand why some people with unhealthy livers develop cancer but others do not, they may be able to more effectively treat the disease — or even prevent it.

Nature Index 2014 Global

Nature Vol. 515 No.7526, 13 November 2014

The Nature Index 2014 Global supplement provides a snapshot of results from the new Nature Index, comparing the countries and institutions around the world that contributed to some of the highest quality research during the previous calendar year.

Nature Outlook: Rice

Nature Vol. 514 No.7524, 30 October 2014

A simple grain with global impact, rice has helped to build empires and fed revolutions. Now, scientists are starting a rice revolution of their own to feed a hungry world. By decoding genetics, improving breeding and, perhaps, reshaping the plant’s biology, researchers are working to take the world’s most vital crop into the future.

Nature Outlook: Assessing Science

Nature Vol. 511 No.7510, 24 Jul. 2014

The issue of how to evaluate the fruits of academic research confronts scientists and policymakers all over the world. Each country has its own set of circumstances depending on its research infrastructure and wealth as well as its economic, environmental and developmental objectives. Australia and New Zealand might be neighbours, but their programmes of research assessment are very different. Focusing on the tools and methods used to measure the quality and impact of science in Australia and New Zealand should inform similar debates throughout the scientific world.