Peer Reviewed

Modified yeast developed to efficiently adsorb targeted elements from solutions

Lab tests confirm that Pin1 inhibitors could reduce and stop outbreaks of herpes simplex virus-1

Researchers from the Institute of Polymer Science and Engineering at National Taiwan University have developed a multifunctional hydrogel sensor for detecting formaldehyde.

Researchers from The University of Tokyo have found that single cells in collective chemotaxis act like agents in distributed reinforcement learning, utilizing the environment as an “external memory” and exhibiting highly intelligent behavior.

SUTD researchers test a privacy-preserving approach that blends federated learning with cloud coordination for smart grids in future 6G environments.

Researchers found overlooked sources of greenhouse gas emissions in urban Osaka using mobile measurements

SOSE researchers are looking at a possible vaccine for H. pylori, a widely common bacterium that causes stomach ulcers and raises the risk for stomach cancer.

The precise placement of a single silver atom can be enough to make a huge difference. Researchers found that light-emitting properties were 77 times more efficient as a result – paving the way for better optoelectronics and sensing technologies such as OLED lights.

Scientists from National Taiwan University have created a new light-based imaging technology that can trace a person’s blood sugar history by analyzing individual red blood cells. This breakthrough could improve diabetes care and help detect certain cancers earlier through simple, noninvasive testing.

The University of Osaka scientists have developed a safe, efficient “dump-and-stir” method to introduce ortho-carborane into various aromatic compounds using a newly designed lithium–copper reagent. This innovation overcomes the complexity and hazards of previous methods, paving the way for new applications in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), three-dimensional aromatic materials, and bioisosteric drug design.

Researchers at The University of Osaka discovered that the protein TMEM217 is essential for sperm motility and male fertility. TMEM217 stabilizes a protein complex that produces the signaling molecule cAMP, which powers the sperm’s tail. Mice lacking TMEM217 have immotile sperm, but treating the sperm with a cAMP-like molecule restored motility and fertility via IVF. This finding opens doors for new diagnostics and therapies for male infertility.

Researchers from The University of Osaka in collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine have developed a new therapy for a severe form of male infertility called non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Using lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to deliver specific mRNA into the testes of infertile mice, they were able to restart sperm production. The sperm produced were then used in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to successfully generate healthy and fertile offspring. The findings provide a crucial proof-of-concept for treating male infertility caused by genetic defects.

A team of international researchers has developed alternatives to antibiotics that prevent infection of cow udders, called bovine mastitis, to address rising antibiotic resistance and concerns around milk contamination from antibiotic residues.

SUTD researchers have developed a streamlined life cycle assessment method that makes environmental evaluation faster, cheaper, and more accessible to product designers without compromising reliability.

Researchers at The University of Osaka have discovered precursor T follicular regulatory cells (preTfr), comprising 30-50% of circulating Tfr in human blood. preTfr are significantly reduced in severe COVID-19 and sepsis, correlating with increased anti-interferon-gamma autoantibodies and activated atypical B cells. Unlike stable conventional naïve regulatory T cells, preTfr are specifically depleted during severe disease. When stimulated, preTfr up-regulate suppressive molecules including IL-1RA and show enhanced wound healing capacity. Conversely, mRNA vaccination increases preTfr frequency, suggesting controlled immune participation. The findings identify preTfr as a therapeutic target for preventing autoantibody production during severe infections.

Researchers investigated how autoimmune gastritis alters the gastric microbiota and disrupts metabolism, shedding light on mechanisms that contribute to the development of neuroendocrine tumors.

Researchers at Tohoku University have made a magnesium battery prototype that represents the potential next stage in energy storage - a fast-charging battery made from sustainable materials.

Tohoku University researchers dispel the “plasma effect” myth in spark plasma sintering, showing that both SPS and hot pressing achieve equally effective, rapid densification of LLZO solid electrolytes.

Researchers have developed a method to produce strong, biodegradable plastic from bamboo.

By employing state-of-the-art flat histogram Monte Carlo techniques combined with thermodynamic and configurational analyses, this study reveals the complex and diverse behavior of water adsorption in metal–organic frameworks.

Researchers from China engineered a system that captures carbon dioxide from seawater and converts it into biodegradable plastic precursors at high efficiency and low energy consumption.

An international research team revealed how we could use Germanium-Tin (GeSn) in highly efficient semiconductors – which could benefit a plethora of everyday technologies.

Researchers from The University of Osaka have developed a polymeric adhesion system by introducing reversible bonds at the adhesion interface based on the formation and dissociation of host–guest complexes. The adhesive can be decomposed on demand using temperature or chemicals and reused multiple times. Visualization of the interface using neutrons revealed the mechanism underlying repeatable sticking and peeling. This technology can be used for sustainable material applications.

With so many environmental issues arising, how can we even begin trying to solve them all? Perhaps, we can start by asking AI. This study highlights how AI can pinpoint viable action plans for these issues.

Identifying cracks is critical for health monitoring of civil infrastructure. To enhance inspection efficiency, the proposed autonomous crack segmentation and exploration system enables the agent to navigate itself without human operation, and the agent successfully captures over 85% of cracks in the training dataset and achieves 82% crack coverage in the testing dataset. In terms of computational resources, proposed system enhances efficiency by 64% compared to conventional exhaustive search methods, demonstrating strong potential for practical deployment on UAVs and other edge devices.

Having a good leader–follower relationship matters, but only when people spontaneously choose their roles

A rock described as a flaky pastry may sound delicate, but researchers at Tohoku University found that when they fold under compressive forces in just the right way, they can actually be strong. These findings may help with earthquake risk assessment.

Study reveals a gap between willingness and actual use among people with poor health

The University of Osaka researchers developed a reinforcement learning framework that lets dialogue systems efficiently learn new words while asking fewer questions. This approach enhances user experience and enables future systems to naturally acquire family-specific nicknames and expressions, becoming more familiar companions in everyday life.

National Taiwan University researchers uncover how silencing a single protein protects the brain and extends lifespan.