Peer Reviewed

In a multi-institutional collaboration, one SUTD researcher finds a way to optimise the design of perovskite tandem solar cells using machine learning.

Researchers from Osaka University found that how well light-converting molecules stack together in a solid is important for how well they convert light into electric current. A rigid molecule that stacked well showed excellent electricity generation in an organic solar cell and photocatalyst, easily outperforming a similar flexible molecule that did not stack well. This new way of improving the design of molecules could be used to pioneer the next generation of light-converting devices.

An experimental approach based on universal multi-branch general-purpose convolutional neural network

Researchers at Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University, IMDEA Nanoscience (Madrid, Spain) and CNB-CSIC (Madrid, Spain) report in ACS Nano experiments that reveal a cycle of conformational stages that recombinant Influenza A genomes pass through during RNA synthesis.

Ecklonia cava, a brown algae seaweed, is shown to have the ability to protect against neurodegeneration

Wild boars and red junglefowl gave rise to common pigs and chickens. These animals’ genes evolved to express themselves differently, leading to signatures of domestication — such as weaker bones and better viral resistance — in pigs and chickens, according to a research team based in Japan.

Growing use of AI reveals the need for global sustainability initiatives

A research group led by Associate Professor Katsuya Sakai, Researcher Nichole Marcela Rojas-Chaverra, and Professor Kunio Matsumoto of the Cancer Research Institute and Nano-Life Science (WPI-NanoLSI) at Kanazawa University has developed a long-acting, subcutaneously injectable artificial hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) mimetic molecule using a fusion technology of cyclic peptides and protein engineering. They demonstrated in a mouse model that it improves liver fibrosis, lipid accumulation, and inflammation caused by non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). This research result provides an option for the development of NASH therapeutics as well as a technology for creating growth factor and cytokine mimetic molecules with improved pharmacokinetics.

Researchers develop method to calculate the probability of a fall for older adults

Commercially important marine fish and invertebrate species will likely shift northwards under a warmer climate.

A new treatment combining tiny iron particles and nitric oxide gas shows promise in targeting oral cancer cells for destruction.

The anti-tumor drug indisulam has shown promise both in cell cultures and in animal studies. However, clinical trials have shown fewer clear-cut results. Scientists from Hiroshima University Hospital have been researching the reasons behind this resistance to it.

New scoring model enhances early prognosis prediction using prehospital resuscitation data only

Researchers from the HeKKSaGOn Alliance – involved were scientists from Kyoto University, Osaka University and Heidelberg University (Germany) – synthesized a bio-inspired polymer for water purification. The polymer was designed to mimic phytochelatin, a plant protein that selectively captures and neutralizes harmful heavy metal ions. The hyperconfinement of the polymer enabled a flow-through system and effectively removed cadmium ions from contaminated water, making it safe to drink. The system was selective for heavy metals and provides a new way to remove specific contaminants from water.

Researchers from the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo have found that ice starts forming near the surface of water via structures similar to a rare, recently discovered type of ice, which helps us understand ice formation better

Distinctive processes could provide hints on how to use next-generation materials

Using optical vortex enhances printing technology, shows promise in creating well-formed single ferrite crystals

Sometimes less is more. Researchers at Tohoku University accurately modeled dynamic fish schooling by incorporating the tendency of fish to focus on a single visual target instead of the whole school.

Detailed analysis of bone density changes and stem-femur contact after total hip replacement

Researchers from Osaka University interviewed Japanese women using oral contraceptives (OC) in Korea, revealing clinical and ethical issues faced by transnational patients. The study identified new health care types and highlighted differing perceptions of OC between patients and doctors upon returning to Japan, creating dilemmas. Ethical implications were proposed, and future access to patient-centered medicine and drug reclassification was investigated to improve SRHR issues in Japan.

A 100-year-old physics mystery may be close to being solved as a new study reveals structural changes in titanium-48’s nucleus

Elucidation of the substrate recognition mechanism of ArcS, the second-step enzyme for archaeosine synthesis in tRNA

Combination of venetoclax and azacitidine helps patients with AML who relapse after hematopoietic cell transplant

Mechanics and thermodynamics of (Mg,Fe)O grain boundaries under extreme pressure

Researchers at Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University report in Biosensors and Bioelectronics: X a novel approach for detecting a particular biomolecule associated with several diseases. The results show good sensitivity and selectivity, and may lead to the development of a low-cost, rapid detection device useful in cancer prognosis.

Evaluation of developmental toxicity of early chicken embryos exposed to chlorinated paraffins

Inexperienced users of voice-controlled smart speakers face challenges due to lack of system feedback

This study presents a method to record the temperature of materials with exceptional temporal resolution, using a Doppler broadening effect in neutron resonance absorption. Using a high-powered laser to generate pulses of neutrons 100 nanoseconds long, a test on samples of silver and tantalum successfully returned characteristic information for both materials and their temperatures.

A case study in post-siege Marawi City, Philippines

A method to screen a wide variety of drug candidates without laborious purification steps could advance the fight against drug-resistant bacteria.