Joint research team uncovers RNA quality control mechanism that slows aging SEOUL, August 18 (AJP) - A joint research team from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), Yonsei University, and the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB) has identified a key protein that regulates the pace of aging by maintaining the quality of ribonucleic acid (RNA). The discovery points to a potential new strategy for treating age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's. The researchers found that a ribosome quality-control protein called PELOTA plays a central role in removing faulty messenger RNAs (mRNAs). While the link between aging and the quality of DNA and proteins has been studied extensively, the role of RNA quality control remained largely unknown. The team demonstrated for the first time that ribosome-based mRNA surveillance directly influences lifespan. Using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, a widely used model for aging research, the researchers showed that overexpressing PELOTA extended lifespan. Without PELOTA, the animals aged faster. The study revealed that ribosome quality control, mediated by PELOTA, is essential for eliminating abnormal mRNAs that can disrupt cellular balance. The study also revealed how PELOTA connects with major cellular pathways. When PELOTA was deficient, the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway became abnormally active, and autophagy, the cell's self-cleaning and recycling process, was suppressed, accelerating aging. By contrast, activating PELOTA helped inhibit mTOR, promote autophagy, and preserve cellular homeostasis. Importantly, the findings were not limited to worms. The team observed similar mechanisms in mice and human cells, suggesting that PELOTA function is evolutionarily conserved. The loss of PELOTA activity was linked to muscle aging and Alzheimer's disease-like pathologies, pointing to potential therapeutic applications. "This study provides strong molecular evidence that RNA quality control is a central part of the aging regulatory network," said Lee Seung-jae of KAIST's Department of Biological Sciences, who led the work. "Our results show that removing abnormal RNAs is critical for maintaining cellular balance and delaying aging." The collaboration was co-led by Seo Jin-su of Yonsei University and Lee Kwang-pyo of KRIBB. The paper, titled Pelota-mediated ribosome-associated quality control counteracts aging and age-associated pathologies across species, was published on August 4 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). Doctoral researchers Lee Jong-seon and Kim Eun-ji of KAIST, Lee Bo-ra of KRIBB, and Lee Hye-in of Yonsei University were credited as co-first authors. The project was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea's Leader Research Program. 2025-08-18 13:51:15

[[K-Pop]] BLACKPINK gears up for November album release amid global tour success SEOUL, August 18 (AJP) - K-pop girl band BLACKPINK is set to release a new album in November, according to YG Entertainment's chief producer Yang Hyun-suk. The announcement came through a video posted Monday on the company's official YouTube channel, where Yang provided updates on several YG artists, including TREASURE and BABYMONSTER. "The BLACKPINK members and their producer have been working very hard to prepare (for a new album)," Yang said, adding: "We hope to have an album out in November. We will do our best to make that happen." The comeback follows the release of BLACKPINK's latest single "JUMP," which dropped on July 11. The song is currently ranked No. 11 on Spotify's weekly global chart. It previously debuted at No. 1 and logged over 44 million streams in its first week, marking the strongest opening for any song on the platform this year. The group is also in the middle of its "Deadline" world tour, which began on July 5 at Goyang Stadium in South Korea. The stadium-only tour has since moved through major cities in North America and Europe, including Los Angeles, New York, Paris, and London. Additional stops are scheduled into early next year, with fans in Asia, Oceania, and Latin America still awaiting their turn. Alongside BLACKPINK's news, Yang shared a major update on TREASURE, a 10-member boy band. describing the group’s upcoming release as a new beginning. "They recently celebrated their 5th anniversary. Member So Jung-hwan appeared on 'Treasure Box' when he was 14 years old, and now all the members have become adults. They have finally entered their 20s," he said. TREASURE's new album, scheduled for release on September 1, will feature four retro-inspired tracks. Yang called it the start of “Act 2,” signaling a shift from their teen-focused image to a more mature and polished identity as a boy group. BABYMONSTER, comprised of seven members from South Korea, Japan, and Thailand, is also gearing up for a comeback. Initially slated for October 1, the mini-album will now be released on October 10 due to delays related to the Chuseok, Korean Thanksgiving Holiday. The title track will be "We Go Up," and the album will include four new songs. According to YG's chief producer, BABYMONSTER recently completed filming their first original content series, "BABYMONSTER HOUSE," which will begin airing in September. 2025-08-18 10:38:46

KAIST develops AI that designs optimal cancer-targeting drugs without prior molecular data SEOUL, August 10 (AJP) - KAIST scientists have unveiled an artificial intelligence model that can automatically design potential drug molecules precisely tailored to disease-causing proteins, even when no prior information about suitable molecules is available. The breakthrough could speed up drug discovery and cut costs, especially for hard-to-treat cancers. Traditionally, drug development starts by identifying a target protein, such as a cancer cell receptor, then screening vast libraries of molecules to find one that binds effectively to block its harmful activity. This process is time-consuming, expensive, and has a low success rate. The new KAIST system, called "BInD" (Bond and Interaction-Generating Diffusion model), skips the trial-and-error search by generating both the molecular structure and the way it interacts with the target protein in a single step. The team, led by Kim Woo-youn of KAIST's Department of Chemistry, designed BInD to create molecules that satisfy multiple drug design requirements at once, such as stability, physical properties, and structural realism. Most existing AI models generate molecules separately and then evaluate how they might bind to proteins. BInD instead considers the protein–molecule binding process from the start, boosting the chances of producing effective and stable candidates. The AI uses a "diffusion model", the same approach that underpinned the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the AlphaFold3 system for protein–drug structure prediction. Unlike AlphaFold3, which predicts atomic positions directly, BInD integrates knowledge-based chemical guidelines, such as bond lengths and distances between atoms, to ensure its generated molecules follow real-world chemical laws. The researchers also developed an optimization strategy that reuses strong binding patterns found in earlier AI-generated results, enabling the system to improve output without additional training. Using this method, the team successfully designed molecules that selectively target mutant forms of EGFR, a protein linked to certain cancers. This work builds on the group's previous AI models, which required pre-defined information on how molecules should bind to proteins. BInD removes that dependency, learning the key binding factors on its own. "This AI can understand and learn the essential elements for binding to a target protein, enabling it to design optimal drug candidates without prior molecular information," said Kim. "It has the potential to transform drug discovery by making it faster, more precise, and more reliable." The findings, co-authored by doctoral candidates Lee Joong-won and Jeong Won-ho as first authors, were published on Jul. 11 in the journal Advanced Science under the title "BInD: Bond and Interaction-Generating Diffusion Model for Multi-Objective Structure-Based Drug Design." 2025-08-10 12:05:00

[[K-Pop]] BTS' new brother band CORTIS to debut on August 18 SEOUL, August 07 (AJP) - BigHit Music has revealed Thursday the name of its highly anticipated third boy group, CORTIS. This marks the agency’s first new boy group in six years, following the debut of TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT). BTS' label launched official social media accounts for the new group and introduced the name CORTIS. The name is formed from selectively chosen letters in the phrase "COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES," which reflects the group’s philosophy of thinking freely and creatively beyond set boundaries. CORTIS consists of five teenage members: Martin, James, Juhoon, Sunghyun, and Gunho. According to BigHit Music, all members are part of a young creators' crew that emphasizes originality and self-expression. Rather than following traditional roles, the group works collectively to create their music, choreography, and videos. Before their official debut, the members already showcased their creative abilities through collaborations with BigHit's senior artists. Martin was credited as a composer on TXT’s recent track "Beautiful Strangers." He and James also contributed to the songs "Deja Vu" and "Miracle." James further demonstrated his range by helping to choreograph "Deja Vu." These early contributions have drawn attention to CORTIS as a group of multi-talented artists. Their collaborative spirit and emphasis on originality are expected to bring a fresh perspective to the K-pop scene. CORTIS will officially debut on August 18. 2025-08-07 10:30:19

[[K-Pop]] ILLIT makes sitcom debut as college freshmen in new YouTube series SEOUL, August 07 (AJP) - K-pop girl group ILLIT is taking on a new challenge, stepping into the world of sitcom acting for the first time since their debut. On the night of August 6, the group released the second teaser for their new self-produced content series titled "The Genre is ILLIT, Introduction to Youth Studies" through their official YouTube channel. The upcoming series "The Genre is ILLIT" follows the comedic campus life of five freshmen at the fictional ILLIT University. Each member takes on a unique character as they navigate college life, form friendships, and learn to work as a team, all while showcasing the awkward, endearing charm of youth. Despite the teaser’s short length, it offers a vivid glimpse into each member’s role. Yuna plays an exuberant and cheerful theater major bursting with enthusiasm. Minju transforms into a competitive physical education major. Moka takes on the role of a top-ranking law student, highlighting her studious persona. Wonhee portrays a quirky, free-spirited art student. Iroha rounds out the group as an early childhood education major who may lack bite but never holds back her thoughts. In one scene, the five characters gather for a group project, only for tensions to rise as Yuna and Minju both vie for the lead in the presentation. Moka steps in to mediate, but the teaser ends on a cliffhanger as the group's dynamics take a dramatic turn, heightening anticipation for the full episode. Episode one of "The Genre is ILLIT" will premiere on August 11 at 8 p.m. on the group's official YouTube channel. 2025-08-07 09:39:14

KAIST develops robotic sheet that folds, grips, and walks on its own SEOUL, August 06 (AJP) - A KAIST research team has developed a new kind of robotic material that can fold itself in real time, changing its shape and function instantly without the need for reconstruction. The innovation combines physical artificial intelligence with real-time programmability and could lead to a new class of autonomous robots capable of adapting to their surroundings. KAIST announced Wednesday that Professors Kim Jeong and Park In-kyu of the Department of Mechanical Engineering have developed what they call a "field-programmable robotic folding sheet." Unlike traditional foldable structures that require pre-designed hinges and fixed directions, this new material allows users to change folding patterns and shapes through simple software commands. The team expects it to have applications in autonomous robotics, space exploration, and emergency response. Folding structures have long been used in robotics due to their intuitive and efficient ability to alter shape. However, conventional mechanisms are limited by their fixed designs, which require a new structure each time the task or environment changes. The KAIST team addressed this limitation by developing a system that lets users reprogram fold positions and directions in real time, using a single, reusable material. The robotic sheet is made from a thin, flexible polymer embedded with a fine network of metallic resistors. These resistors serve dual functions as both heaters and temperature sensors. This allows the sheet to monitor and control its folding state without the need for external hardware. By integrating software powered by genetic algorithms and deep neural networks, users can input the desired fold locations, directions, and intensity. The sheet then responds autonomously by heating and cooling itself to generate the exact programmed shape. Feedback from the built-in sensors ensures the process is continuously adjusted for accuracy. The researchers also applied a closed-loop temperature control system, which improves real-time folding precision and compensates for changes in the environment. They reported that the system resolves one of the key limitations of heat-based folding technology, which is slow reaction time. This kind of programmable shape-shifting allows a single sheet to take on multiple robotic roles without physical redesign. The team demonstrated an adaptive robotic gripper that can modify its grip depending on the shape of the object it holds. In another demonstration, the same sheet was laid flat on a surface and reprogrammed to walk or crawl, imitating biological motion. These results suggest potential for real-time environment-adaptive robots. "This research takes us one step closer to what we call 'morphological intelligence,' where the robot’s shape becomes part of its intelligence," said Professor Kim. "We plan to improve the material’s load-bearing capacity, develop faster cooling, and create integrated electrode designs without wiring. Our long-term goal is to develop this into a next-generation physical AI platform that can be applied to disaster response, personalized medical devices, and space exploration." The study was led by Dr. Park Hyun-kyu, now at Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, and Professor Jung Yong-rok, now at Kyungpook National University. They served as co-first authors of the paper, which was published in the August 2025 online edition of Nature Communications. The research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea under the Ministry of Science and ICT. 2025-08-06 17:44:37

[[K-Pop]] Jimin earns first solo MTV VMA nomination for 'Who' SEOUL, August 06 (AJP) - BTS member Jimin has earned his first solo nomination at the MTV Video Music Awards, marking a new milestone in his career apart from the group's global dominance. MTV officially announced Wednesday through its X (formerly Twitter) account that Jimin's solo track "Who" is nominated for Best K-Pop at this year's awards ceremony. The nomination places him among a formidable lineup of K-pop stars, including aespa, Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa, Stray Kids, and Rosé. While BTS has taken home multiple VMAs in past years, this is Jimin's first time contending for the trophy as a solo artist. The MTV Video Music Awards, launched in 1984, have long been considered one of the most influential music award shows in the world. Often regarded as the pop music industry's answer to the Oscars, the VMAs have hosted some of the most iconic performances and career-defining moments in modern music history. The addition of the Best K-Pop category in 2019 reflected the genre’s growing presence on the global stage and recognized the rising influence of South Korean artists in mainstream pop. "Who," released last year, has been praised for showcasing Jimin’s distinct vocal tone and emotional depth. The song charted well globally and has contributed to his growing recognition as a standalone performer. With the nomination, Jimin joins the ranks of other K-pop idols making strong individual statements beyond their group identities. Fan voting for the 2025 VMAs is currently open on MTV's website. The awards ceremony will take place on September 7. 2025-08-06 09:19:25

KAIST study finds that inflammation during pregnancy may cause childhood asthma and allergies SEOUL, August 04 (AJP) - KAIST researchers have discovered how inflammation in the placenta during pregnancy can alter a baby's immune system, leading to stronger allergic reactions such as asthma after birth. The study is the first in the world to show exactly how this prenatal inflammation affects immune development and raises new possibilities for early prediction and prevention of childhood allergic diseases. The findings were announced on August 4 by KAIST, whose research team was led by Professor Lee Heung-kyu from the Department of Biological Sciences. According to the team, inflammation in the mother's body during pregnancy can influence the fetus through the placenta by disrupting its ability to regulate stress hormones. This, in turn, changes how the baby's immune system develops, especially the activity of T cells, a type of white blood cell that plays a central role in the body's immune memory. The researchers conducted an experiment using pregnant mice. To create an inflammatory condition, they injected the animals with a toxin called lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is commonly used to trigger immune responses in lab studies. As expected, the inflammation spread to the placenta. The team found that the inflamed placenta produced increased levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), a chemical signal that activates neutrophils. Neutrophils are immune cells that form the largest portion of white blood cells in the human body, making up between 40 to 75 percent. They play a key role in the body's innate immune system by attacking bacteria and fungi. When neutrophils became active in the placenta, they caused tissue damage, which triggered stress in the fetus. As a result, the fetus began producing large amounts of a stress hormone known as glucocorticoid. This hormone caused a shift in the development of the fetus's immune system. Specifically, the T cells in the fetus, immune cells responsible for remembering threats like viruses or allergens, lived longer and developed stronger memory functions. After birth, this change had consequences. When these offspring were repeatedly exposed to allergens such as house dust mites, their immune systems reacted more aggressively than usual. The mice showed strong eosinophilic inflammation, a type of allergic response that plays a key role in asthma. Eosinophils are immune cells that become overactive in people with allergies and contribute to inflammation and tissue damage. "Through this study, we were able to demonstrate for the first time how a mother's immune response during pregnancy, particularly inflammation, affects the allergy-related immune system of the fetus through the placenta," said Lee Heung-kyu. "This will serve as a scientific basis for developing early detection biomarkers and preventive strategies for childhood allergic diseases." The first author of the paper is Kwon Myung-seung, a Ph.D. graduate of KAIST's Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering and currently a clinical fellow in gynecologic oncology at Konyang University Hospital. The study was published on July 1 in the journal Mucosal Immunology, a leading publication in the field of immune responses related to the body's mucous membranes. The paper is titled Placental inflammation-driven T cell memory formation promotes allergic responses in offspring via endogenous glucocorticoids. The research was supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of South Korea, under the Basic Research Program and the Biomedical Technology Development Program. 2025-08-04 17:37:03

[[K-Pop]] aespa to release sixth mini album "Rich Man" next month SEOUL, August 04 (AJP) - SEOUL, Aug. 4 (AJP) – K-pop girl group aespa will release their sixth mini album titled "Rich Man" on September 5, their agency SM Entertainment announced on Monday. The album will include six tracks, led by the title song "Rich Man." SM said the group is taking a different musical direction from their previous release "Dirty Work" and aims to continue their commercial momentum. Since debuting in 2020, aespa has become one of South Korea's leading girl groups. Known for blending digital avatar concepts with music and storytelling, they have gained international attention with hits such as "Next Level" and "Savage." The group has also performed at global events including Coachella and major music awards across Asia. A teaser video released earlier introduced the slogan "I am enough as I am, I am a 'Rich Man'," highlighting the group's confident and bold new visual concept. Pre-orders for "Rich Man" began on August 4 at both online and offline music retailers. 2025-08-04 15:21:29

[[K-Pop]] Day6 marks 10th anniversary with stadium concert and first full album in six years SEOUL, August 04 (AJP) - K-pop rock band Day6 is celebrating a decade together with a large-scale concert and the release of a new full-length album, JYP Entertainment said on Monday. The band’s fourth studio album, "The Decade", will be released on September 5 at 6 p.m., nearly six years after their last full album, "The Book of Us: Entropy", which came out in October 2019. To kick off the celebrations, Day6 will hold a solo concert titled "Day6 10th Anniversary Tour " on August 30 and 31 at the Goyang Sports Complex north of Seoul. The venue will be the first of its kind for a South Korean band to headline, marking a milestone for the group. All four members, Sungjin, Young K, Wonpil, and Dowoon, are scheduled to perform. The anniversary project was announced through a video titled "Day6 10th Anniversary Announcement: The Decade of Us", which was posted on the band's official social media channels at midnight on August 4. Additional details about the upcoming anniversary concert will be released through Day6's social media, the agency said. Day6 debuted on September 7, 2015. Over the past decade, the group has carved out a distinct identity within the K-pop scene with their band format and emotionally driven music, earning a loyal fanbase known as "My Day". In May, the band released a digital single titled "Maybe Tomorrow", which reached the top ranks of domestic music streaming charts. That same month, they drew approximately 96,000 fans to a six-show run at the KSPO Dome in Seoul as part of their "3rd World Tour ". In July, they hosted their fourth official fan meeting, "Day6 4th Fanmeeting ", over two weekends at Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium. 2025-08-04 14:36:43