Peer Reviewed

Taiwanese research team provides important new evidence on diabetes medications' respiratory outcomes, with implications for patients with dual chronic conditions.

Researchers from The University of Osaka used electricity to drive a reaction to form a novel hetero[8]circulene consisting of five hexagons and three pentagons (called a dioxaza[8]circulene). The dioxaza[8]circulene is unsymmetrical, unlike existing hetero[8]circulenes. The novel molecule can be produced from commercially available materials by a two-step method that simultaneously forms six new bonds with only water as a byproduct. The dioxaza[8]circulene may have potential as a photocatalyst, and be used to speed up reactions triggered by light.

The subducted oceanic crusts are regarded as the major source of lower-mantle heterogeneity. However, the limited knowledge about the physical properties of major components in the subducted oceanic crusts prevents us from fully understanding the complex features of the related geophysical anomalies. Here, we comprehensively investigated the phase transition of (Al, H)-bearing stishovite at simultaneously high P-T conditions. These results contribute to our understanding on the complex depth distribution of the mid-lower mantle seismic scatterers.

A research group led by The University of Osaka has discovered that the DNA repair enzyme Polβ plays a crucial role in protecting the developing brain from harmful mutations. The study found that a lack of Polβ leads to a significant increase in small insertions and deletions of DNA, known as indels near CpG sites, which are important regulatory regions in genes. This accumulation of mutations could contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders.

Paving the way for cleaner air and greener chemical processes.

- A research team led by DGIST Professor Younghoon Kee has identified a novel DNA damage repair pathway and mechanism. - Study published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS), one of the most distinguished international journals.

Sensitive region detection for improved non-invasive cattle monitoring

Researchers find a way to eliminate the issue of friction when it comes to the speedy and precise delivery of small components for miniature electronics and other applications.

Studies have found that natural polysaccharides from Taiwan's national treasure "Antrodia", after specific treatment, can not only effectively inhibit inflammation, but also fight the proliferation of lung cancer cells.

What appears to be silver-blue pigment is actually structural coloration—an optical phenomenon that Encephalartos horridus creates through light-scattering wax crystals sculpted from a lipid compound that may date back to the dawn of land plants.

Discovery of new therapeutic effects induced by CAR-T cell therapy

Environmental conditions affect reproduction times in model fish

Prof. Fang-Jen S. Lee's team at National Taiwan University discovered that an intermediate cellular metabolism molecule, glycerol, regulates the localization and function of the Golgi protein Imh1, thus revealing a previously unappreciated connection between cellular metabolism and vesicular transport.

Altermagnets are a newly discovered class of magnets that exhibit unique magnetic behavior. They lack net magnetization but still influence the polarization of reflected light. This makes them difficult to study using conventional optical techniques. A research group has overcome this stumbling block using a new formula, enabling them to clarify the magnetic properties and origins of an organic crystal altermagnet.

Prognosis indicators may be detectable in canine test results

A team of theoretical researchers including Kavli IPMU's Hirosi Ooguri, and led by Kyushu University's Yuya Kusuki, have used thermal effective theory to demonstrate for the first time that quantum entanglement follows universal rules across all dimensions.

Researchers from South Korea engineered a robotic folding sheet that can crawl across a surface as well as grasp and lift various objects.

Scientists found three language-model chatbots — even with advanced prompt‐engineering tricks — often give suboptimal guidance across stroke prevention, diagnosis, treatment and recovery, highlighting the need for human oversight to ensure appropriateness and safety.

A joint research team from Japan has observed "heavy fermions," electrons with dramatically enhanced mass, exhibiting quantum entanglement governed by the Planckian time – the fundamental unit of time in quantum mechanics. This discovery opens up exciting possibilities for harnessing this phenomenon in solid-state materials to develop a new type of quantum computer.

Researchers at Tohoku University developed a method that uses an abundant, renewable biomass to ultimately create environmentally-friendly fuels.

A research team at National Taiwan University has developed a new stem cell-based vaccine that could help prevent and treat colorectal cancer.

Tsunami are rare yet one of the most devasting disasters. Researchers at Tohoku University worked together with Swiss RE International SE (Japan Branch) to develop science-based, cost-effective parametric insurance.

Researchers from the Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, develop a new synthesis route for ultrathin photoanodes, which enables a 100 nm tantalum nitride layer to outperform much thicker films fabricated through conventional oxide precursors.

Bacteria in the digestive system may work to maintain balance directly and indirectly

Researchers at Tohoku University unveil a cool new technique that can visualize both the structure and elemental distribution of nanomaterials in frozen solvents.

A novel technique has been developed using cellulose nanofibers, a blue-fluorescing amino acid and a covalent bond to yield an easily viewable, non-disruptive and dye-free alternative to conventional fluorescent tagging.

A collaborative research team from Kanazawa University, the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, and the University of Strathclyde has developed a novel method for forming high-performance high-entropy alloy (HEA) films on various surfaces—without the need for costly alloy targets. By using a proprietary rotating target composed of multiple pure metal segments and pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technology, the team successfully demonstrated a cost-effective and versatile approach to HEA film fabrication.

The Horizon Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research (JHSSR) proudly announces the release of its Special ASAIHL Edition – Volume 7(S), August 2025, themed “University’s Role in Advancing Climate Crisis Reduction.” This commemorative edition captures the pioneering spirit of Southeast Asian academia in addressing one of the 21st century’s most urgent global challenges—climate change. Curated from the prestigious 2024 ASAIHL Conference, hosted by Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia (Nov 19–22, 2024), this issue brings together a diverse body of scholarly contributions from researchers, policymakers, and educators across ASEAN and beyond. It marks a significant milestone in the academic community’s mission to inspire sustainable education, ethical leadership, and climate-responsive innovation.

How mHealth app incentives drive health and transit in Japan’s Senboku New Town

A group of researchers led by The University of Osaka have identified a novel genetic mutation in Streptococcus pyogenes, a common bacterium which causes strep throat, significantly associated with severe invasive infections. A single mutation in the bacterial ferric ion transporter enhances bacterial growth in human blood. This mutation, unique to Japanese isolates, indicates a novel pathogenic mechanism. This world-first discovery offers a potential new target for treatments and preventive measures.