Peer Reviewed

The Kaiser effect, which is known as a stress memory effect, predicts that seismic events occur only when the previous maximum stress is exceeded. However, the Kaiser effect has only been tested at room temperature in laboratories. Here, we performed deformation experiments on natural olivine at high pressures and high temperatures. We have successfully confirmed a stress memory effect in strongly deformed olivine at high pressures and high temperatures.

A new study reveals striking international differences in how doctors approach the sensitive issue of tracheostomy invasive ventilation (TIV) for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Cultural norms and healthcare systems appear to significantly influence physician attitudes and, consequently, patient choices regarding this life-sustaining treatment.

Although psychosomatic medicine is regarded as a branch of psychiatry in many countries, some of its diagnostic concepts are not fully encompassed by mainstream psychiatric diagnostic systems. When these two systems are integrated, the interrelationships among various diagnoses and their associations with psychopathologies remain to be elucidated.

Near the eastern coast of Luzon, Philippines is the Benham Bank, an underwater seamount taller than the country's highest peak, Mt. Apo. Researchers from the University of the Philippines' Marine Science Institute discovered that it is a thriving ecosystem full of unique, untouched biodiversity.

Researchers from The University of Osaka have shown the crucial role of iron metabolism in sex determination in mice. In male embryos, activation of the Sry gene, responsible for the correct development of testes, is dependent on the intracellular iron levels. Insufficient iron reduces the activation of Sry and can even cause some genetically male embryos to develop as female. This study indicates the importance of adequate iron levels in pregnant mothers for healthy embryonic development.

The stem cell-based embryo model and actual human embryos share many characteristics but are distinctly different. However, internationally, not everyone agrees on the definitions and what we should and should not do in using this research model.

Suppression of de novo fatty acid synthesis with ethyl p-methoxycinnamate found to inhibit tumor cell growth

An international research team led by Professor Maestre-Reyna from National Taiwan University filmed a high-resolution, 3D molecular movie of a cryptochrome in action.

Researchers from the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, track and control levels of key flavor compounds in cultured beef

Patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) exhibit a higher risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared to those without MASLD following HCV cure using direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Moreover, MASLD mediates all cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRFs) contributing to HCC development. Lifestyle modification, effective control of CMRFs, and judicious HCC screening for at-risk populations are essential to reduce and enable early detection of HCC during post-HCV cure follow-up.

Researchers at the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, produce tiny transistors with high performance and reliability through the use of an innovative material and design

Researchers at the RIKEN Pioneering Research Institute (PRI) / RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science (CSRS) have successfully used insects as mini molecule-making factories.

The study reviews existing scientific methods for detecting methanol in lambanog, a traditional Filipino alcoholic beverage.

Scientists demonstrated room-temperature plasmonic lasing by integrating quasi-two-dimensional perovskites with high-Q plasmonic nanostructures.

Researchers at Tohoku University found a method to break down specific contaminants in water in order to help replenish one of our most precious resources: fresh water.

Continuous 24-hour observations clarify time these fish engage in courtship, spawning

The Mindoro Archaeology Project has found compelling evidence of the pivotal role of the Philippine archipelago in ancient maritime Southeast Asia.

In a comprehensive review published in Nature Reviews Immunology, a Duke-NUS-led team compiled a 'handbook' of key insights from over 200 studies on immune cell types, their location and their behavioural changes over time, providing an evidence-based start line to accelerate scarring research.

Researchers from the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, discover just how crucial the molecular structure of water is to ice formation

Guaiazulene is a compound that gives off a beautiful blue colour, and it is often found in topical creams for skincare. It has also been touted as a potential food coloring agent. Yet this has been stymied because of its poor water solubility and color degradation under acidic conditions. A group of researchers overcame this common stumbling block by introducing guaiazulene into a hydrophilic poly(allylamine).

In response to rising energy demand and urban heat island effects in Taipei, an energy raft foundation was constructed beneath a 13-story residential building to provide energy-efficient indoor heating and cooling for the residents while acting as a structural support for the superstructure. This study investigated the thermal response of the energy raft foundation using three-dimensional coupled thermo-hydraulic finite element analysis. The numerical model was validated against field measurements. Parametric studies were conducted to investigate the influences of ground heat exchanger (GHE) spacing and pattern on heat exchange efficiency. The study found that GHE pipe spacing and length were crucial in maximizing heat exchange efficiency while minimizing the thermal impact on nearby structures. This research enhances the understanding of the thermal responses of energy rafts and supports the development of sustainable building solutions in dense urban environments.

Researchers from The University of Osaka found that PM2.5 air pollutants negatively affect mucociliary clearance, a protective mechanism of the respiratory tract. Air pollution led to the formation of lipid peroxide-derived aldehydes, known to damage protective cells in the airway and increase the risk of infections. ALDH1A1 was found to play an important role in protection against aldehydes, making it a potential therapeutic target to diminish the negative effects of air pollution.

A team of researchers used a machine learning model to predict unknown chemical pathways, and bring us one step closer to efficiently storing next-generation hydrogen fuels.

A team led by Professor Masakatsu Murakami has developed a novel concept called micronozzle acceleration (MNA). By designing a microtarget with tiny nozzle-like features and irradiating it with ultraintense, ultrashort laser pulses, the team successfully demonstrated—through advanced numerical simulations—the generation of high-quality, GeV-class proton beams: a world-first achievement.

Researchers proposed a novel strategy for using a magnetic field to boost the efficiency of single-atom catalysts – thus speeding up helpful reactions used for ammonia production and wastewater treatment.

Mutant protein protects against mildew, but leaves turn yellow and age sooner

A team at Tohoku University has developed a data-driven method to accelerate the discovery of affordable, stable catalysts for clean hydrogen production. Using a digital platform called DigCat, they identified a low-cost metal oxide that performs both OER and HER in acidic conditions and remains stable over time.

Singapore researchers uncover a low-power mechanism for upconverting light using geometry and kinetic electron motion

Self-assembling dye rings demonstrate photosynthetic energy and charge circulation

Jellyfish cyborgs may sound like something straight out of science fiction. But harnessing jellyfishes’ natural locomotion provides an efficient and environmentally-friendly means to monitor coral reefs, track oil spills or observe climate change. Now, a team from Tohoku University’s Department of Robotics has successfully modulated the swimming behavior of jellyfish using gentle electric pulses and generated a means of measuring it via AI. In doing so, they have created a gentle way to harness the powerful swimming mechanisms of jellyfish.