[K-Tech] Shining light on brain cuts urge to drink, Korean researchers report

SEOUL, August 27 (AJP) - South Korean researchers say they have found that shining near-infrared light on the brain can significantly ease alcohol cravings and dependency, opening a potential new path for addiction treatment. The Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) said Wednesday that, in a clinical study, patients who received the therapy showed measurable reductions in both their urge to drink and overall dependency levels. The research, conducted jointly

August 27, 2025

KAIST creates AI capable of detecting defects in smart factories with frequent machine replacements

SEOUL, August 26 (AJP) - Researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) have developed an artificial intelligence system that can keep detecting defective products in smart factories even when machines are replaced or production conditions change. The breakthrough solves a long-standing weakness in factory AI systems, which often fail when equipment or operating environments are altered. The research team, led by Professor Lee Jae-gil of KAIST

August 26, 2025

[K-Tech] Samsung-Johns Hopkins team honored for breakthrough in cooling technology

SEOUL, August 25 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics said Sunday that a joint project with Johns Hopkins University’s Applied Physics Laboratory has been recognized among the world’s top 100 innovations at this year’s R&D 100 Awards, an annual competition that highlights advances in science and engineering. The joint research centers on “next-generation Peltier cooling technology,” a method that uses electricity rather than chemical refrigerants to regula

August 25, 2025

[K-Tech] LG CNS unveils enterprise AI platform, aiming to redefine workplace

SEOUL, August 25 (AJP) - LG CNS on Monday introduced what it described as South Korea’s first full-scale platform for “agentic AI,” a new class of artificial intelligence designed to make decisions and carry out tasks without human oversight. At a press conference at LG Science Park in Seoul, the IT services arm of LG Group announced two flagship offerings: AgenticWorks, a modular platform for building enterprise-grade agentic AI services, and a:xink, a workplace p

August 25, 2025

South Korea turns to drone technology to guard against fires, bird strikes

SEOUL, August 20 (AJP) - South Korea has selected two consortiums to develop specialized drones for firefighting and airport bird control, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said Wednesday. This came as the country moves to strengthen disaster-response capabilities following a series of deadly incidents. The ministry said it reviewed 22 proposals from 119 companies before awarding the projects. One consortium will focus on building heavy-duty drones to fight wildf

August 20, 2025

[K-Tech] Vegan meat gains global momentum. In Korea, it's a harder sell.

SEOUL, August 19 (AJP) - On a narrow street in Itaewon, the Seoul neighborhood known for its antique shops and international dining, a brown-hued restaurant hums with chatter in several languages. The tables are crowded with steaming bowls of shrimp fried rice, jjajangmyeon noodles slicked with black bean sauce, and glossy platters of deep-fried beef — or at least that is how it looks. The restaurant, ALT.a, is entirely vegan. The shrimp, beef and pork are not from animals

August 19, 2025

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-contr

August 18, 2025

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

August 10, 2025

[K-Tech] Samsung SDI battery powers electric vehicle to Guinness World Record

SEOUL, August 7 (AJP) - A Samsung SDI battery-powered electric vehicle has secured a place in the Guinness Book of World Records after achieving the world's longest single-charge driving distance. Samsung SDI announced Thursday that Lucid Motors' Lucid Air Grand Touring model, equipped with the South Korean company's batteries, broke the previous world record during a single-charge driving test. The vehicle traveled 1,205 kilometers (748.7 miles) without charging duri

August 7, 2025

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 Mechanic

August 6, 2025