Peer Reviewed

Researchers at the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo (UTokyo-IIS) have developed a real-time data assimilation system that substantially improves streamflow and flood forecasting accuracy across Japan.

Pinpointing associated factors that contribute to injury in older adults

Researchers at Kanazawa University, in collaboration with Diamond and Carbon Applications (Germany), have developed a buried-growth process for nitrogen–vacancy (NV) centers in diamond using microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD). By employing nitrogen-radical selective etching, which simultaneously enhances metal-mask durability through nitridation, the team enabled a continuous etching–growth sequence within a single MPCVD process. Optical measurements confirmed highly aligned NV centers selectively buried in predefined regions. This integrated approach provides a stable and scalable platform for orientation-controlled diamond qubits and future room-temperature quantum technologies.

Hiroshima University researchers say a newly proposed three-step “detour” pathway for making dolichol, a molecule cells need to properly process proteins, may be more universal than scientists realized. Experiments in yeast suggest eukaryotes may rely on overlapping biochemical pathways, including the evolutionarily conserved “detour” and evidence of a possible “backup route,” to produce a molecule essential to life.

In the context of global decarbonization, reducing energy consumption in the building sector is an urgent issue. We have developed a next-generation building energy evaluation model that combines rule-based symbolic AI computing with VR technology. This model enables real-time visualization and simultaneous evaluation of the energy-saving effects and indoor thermal comfort during the design stage of a Zero-Energy Building. This approach will have a wide range of applications in the design of next-generation smart buildings.

Exciting new research at Tohoku University’s Advanced Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR) explains how to transform decades of scattered literature data into design rules for catalysts.

- Professor Yu Seong-woon’s team identifies a novel role of the “p53” gene that controls chronic stress-induced brain disorders - Successful prevention of depression and memory impairment using the anticancer drug “RITA”: a novel concept of mental disorder treatment is expected - Published in “Autophagy”—the world’s leading academic journal in the field of autophagy

By engineering a bismuth thin film / twisted bilayer MoS2 heterostructure, the research work achieved precise bidirectional electron confinement without any applied voltage. Moiré potential controls horizontal electron localization; Bi film thickness tunes vertical effective mass - switching electron configurations between a trimer and a Kagome-like arrangement. The voltage-free confinement mechanism offers a material foundation for charge qubits and ultra-low-power semiconductors.

Researchers at The University of Osaka have developed novel kirigami structures with periodic parallel inclined cuts. Stretching these materials longitudinally causes them to twist and rotate. Thus, these structures provide a mechanism for coupling tension and rotation. The mechanical deformation of these structures can be characterized in terms of a geometrical property, the chirality. Some of the developed chiral structures were auxetic, longitudinal stretching resulting in lateral expansion, instead of contraction. The findings have applications in soft robotics and soft actuators.

Scientists found that certain chemical impurities, such as hydrogen and oxygen, help amorphous carbon form graphite-like, ultralow-friction interfaces under mechanical stress. The findings reveal how impurities can enable self-forming lubricating surfaces, offering a new strategy for designing durable, energy-efficient materials.

- Reductive sulfonamidation of ketones, previously impossible, was achieved using new 'diethylsilylium ion’

What happens when luxury brands known for exclusivity and prestige communicate with consumers through memes? Research suggests that luxury-branded meme ads are perceived as funnier and generate stronger social media sharing intentions because consumers view the combination of luxury brands and memes as unexpected.

Patients with stroke undergoing inpatient rehabilitation differ in how sedentary time accumulates and changes over one month.

A study co-led by an SUTD researcher has developed an AI-powered deep-learning framework trained on experimental data rather than simulations, enabling faster and more accurate design of light-controlling nanostructures.

Researchers from Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo analyzed Nankai Trough seafloor displacement data, detecting previously unknown variations in the locking strength between tectonic plates

A new paper in Nature finds that previously unrecognised group of young worker honeybees are responsible for engineered microenvironments that have a critical role in queen development.

A new study from Taiwan combines consumer behavior research and life cycle assessment to design reusable cup systems that people are more willing to use. The findings show that convenience and incentives strongly shape participation, while well-designed reusable cup systems can still reduce environmental impacts compared to single-use cups.

A remarkable new method of distinguishing chiral (mirror-image) molecules could eventually detect distortions inside quantum and soft materials, find abnormal protein aggregates linked to disease, and more.

The Philippines can strengthen national energy security by harnessing tidal power for a clean, predictable, and locally-rooted alternative to imported fossil fuels.

Researchers at The University of Osaka used a focused laser beam to make in vitro models of cytoskeletal networks that exhibit dynamic cell-like motions. This technique provides spatiotemporal control of the network structure, unlike conventional methods based on self-organization and photochemical reactions. The models could be used to determine the structure–motion relationship of cytoskeletal networks, which has applications for understanding cell division, migration, and adhesion and the creation of protein-based robots and synthetic cells.

Researchers map careers as rivers to show how independence evolves over time

The device retains 98% of its performance even after 45,000 charge–discharge cycles, demonstrating excellent long-term stability.

Researchers at Tohoku University used state-of-the-art semiconductor fabrication technologies to demonstrate how we could be ready for large-scale spintronic p-computers.

Researchers from The University of Osaka found that nanomicelle-mediated delivery of five mRNAs involved in angiogenesis, heart cell contraction, immune and hematopoietic stem cell recruitment, and immune response suppression promoted cardiac repair and increased overall survival in a mouse model of myocardial infarction–induced heart failure. These findings suggest that a multifactorial treatment approach effectively addresses the complex nature of heart failure and could aid new treatments in regenerative medicine for cardiovascular disease.

- DGIST found post-capitalism clues through international collaborative research... Identifying conditions for the sustainability of the social market economy - Research results published in Cities—a world-renowned academic journal in urban studies and sociology

- In collaboration with GIST, Principal Researcher An Jinung’s team has implemented an AI that classifies pain intensity by analyzing brain waves based on thermal stimuli. - The limitations of subjective expressions that vary from patient to patient are overcome... An innovative learning strategy is adopted to filter out low-reliability data - The research results were published in the May issue of IEEE TNSRE: the possibility of assessing pain in patients who have difficulty expressing themselves is presented.

Researchers at Tohoku University look beyond the life-taking venomous stings of box jellyfish, and focus on life-creating processes in a new comprehensive study of their reproductive traits.

- Prof. Hyuk-Jun Kwon’s team at DGIST develops a high-performance photodetector (light-sensing sensor) in a two-dimensional semiconductor material using a single laser process - Expected to enable next-generation flexible and image sensor applications without complex stacking or transfer processes - Published in the international journal Advanced Optical Materials

Researchers have developed a new way to generate realistic synthetic training data for agricultural robots by recreating tomato cultivation environments in a virtual world. The approach could help overcome one of the biggest barriers in agricultural robotics: the time and labor required to collect and manually label real-world data under challenging greenhouse conditions such as changing lighting, dense foliage, and fruit occlusion.

Scientists from National Taiwan University and St. Paul’s Hospital have demonstrated how AI can leverage routine chest X-rays to detect asymptomatic bone loss, closing critical gaps in screening healthy Asian populations.