Newsletter  
15 November 2011  
 
 
 
 
  Subsidy for world-wide research network focusing on Asian cities
The Leiden International Institute for Asian Studies has been awarded a 1.25 million euro subsidy for the Urban Knowledge Network Asia. This is an international network focusing on the urban issues in South and East Asia.
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  NeCEN microscopes show how a virus infects a cell
With one press of the button, Liesbeth Spies, representative of the Provincial Executive, created a live connection with the microscope 70 m away. This signalled the officialy opening the Netherlands Centre for Electron Nanoscopy (NeCEN) on 27 October. NeCEN has two of the most advanced cryo-transmission electron microscopes in the world.
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  Herschel space telescope detects abundant water around young star
Using the Herschel space telescope, astronomers have for the first time found cold water vapour in the planet-forming disc around a young star. This indicates that the disc contains large quantities of water. There may be many more planets with water in the universe. The research team of Leiden astronomer Michiel Hogerheijde published their findings in Science.
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  Tracking the production of thin films ‘live’
The processes involved in making thin films - used in such everyday products as smartphones and sun glasses - have to date been a matter of trial and error. Vincent Fokkema from the Leiden Institute of Physics has now developed a unique instrument that makes it possible to track the processes 'live'. 'There's only one of these instruments in the world, and it's in Leiden.' PhD defence 10 November.
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  The wisdom of the ordinary
‘The study of mundane objects used by ordinary people on a daily basis can play a key role in deepening our understanding of Japanese society. And understanding Japan may just be the way to end the West-centredness which sometimes plagues academia.’ So argues Prof. Katarzyna Cwiertka, Professor of Modern Japan Studies, in her inaugural lecture on 11 November 2011.
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  Black Theatre alive and kicking in South Africa
Black Theatre, activist theatre by and for black South Africans, flourished under apartheid. However, according to Francis Rangoajane, the democratisation of South Africa has in no way diminished the importance of this art form. PhD defence 16 November.
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More news
Secretary of State Zijlstra opens renovated Leiden Observatory
New biomarker for rheumatism prognosis
Two sides to the reliability of news
'Bridging the unbridgeable’: a dialogue with the general public
‘FishForPharma’ as a model for infectious diseases
Longevity due to polygamous ancestors
Realism and idealism in International Criminal Law

  View from abroad
Jochem Rietveld from Michigan: 'This is the place for big politics'
 

  International students
ISB: 'Leiden world class'
Ten years of the Praesidium Libertatis scholarship
Anastassia lucky winner of an iPod Touch
Leiden Excellence Scholars welcomed to Leiden
Meet us in your country: India 25 November to 4 December
LUC The Hague: Apply now for February 2012
Academic Language Centre: Courses starting January/February 2012
Apply for your LU-card. It only takes a minute!
 

  International staff
P&O News 1 November
Apply for your LU-Card. It only takes a minute!
Euraxess Newsletter for researchers
 

  Laureates
19 Veni awards for Leiden researchers
Eveline Crone one of the most powerful women in science
 
 

 
  Coming events
November: Master's Information Days
16 November: Speed date a diplomat at SIB Leiden!
21 November: Dr Menachem Klein lecture on 'Being an Arab-Jew in a cosmopolitan Palestinian city' 
On or around 26 November: LUF - International Cleveringa meetings
4 December: Leiden Seminar on Global Interactions
7-8 December: LUCIS international conference on 'Bioethics and Islamic Law'
9 December: Simon Schama to deliver 40th Annual Huizinga Lecture
12-14 December: LUCIS international conference on 'Transnational Islam in Interwar Europe'
 

 
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