Japan

Researchers from Monash University and Osaka University find that administering regulatory T cells (Tregs) to a tissue injury can promote healing. The team locally treated mouse bone, muscle, and skin injuries with Tregs, resulting in significant tissue regeneration and wound healing compared with control treatments. Mechanistically, Tregs can promote tissue monocyte and macrophage switching to an anti-inflammatory state, specifically by secreting signaling molecules like interleukin-10. These data demonstrate the strong potential of using Tregs as a cell-based therapy for regenerative medicine.

Mutant microalgae produce wax esters for biofuel feedstock with improved cold flow

Researchers from Osaka University have designed and synthesized a new organic semiconductor for organic solar cells (OSCs). By adding specific side units to their structure, they achieved separation between the frontier molecular orbitals, leading to lower exciton binding energy and increased power conversion efficiency. This tuning of the design of an acceptor component is expected to increase the performance of OSCs leading to more effective large-scale photovoltaic systems and new devices.

Whether immunotherapy or conventional chemotherapy carries less mortality risk depends on BMI

Researchers from Osaka University fabricated copolymers with chiral backbones based on indacenodithiophene. Spin-coated films of the copolymers behaved differently toward currents with opposite polarization, resulting in chirality-induced spin selectivity. The magnitude of this selectivity was quantified as a spin polarization of almost 70%, which is among the highest achieved to date for a chiral polymer. These chiral copolymer films are attractive for use as spin filters in spintronics applications.

Researchers at the Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University, develop a biosensor that improves sensitivity to 1-methylnicotinamide (1-MNA) in urine by orders of magnitude without the need for sample purification.

Medaka fish that lacked functional Hmgn2 genes were unable to distinguish between simple shapes, revealing a new function for the regulatory gene.

New filter removes chemical contaminants from water even at very low concentrations

Researchers from Osaka University have identified key immune cells that respond to the COVID-19 mRNA vaccination. These cells, known as activated atypical B cells, are increased in blood samples from people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Additionally, people with higher levels of these cells have more antibodies to fight the COVID-19 virus. These findings should help researchers assess how well people respond to the vaccine and help improve the design of new vaccines.

A capacitor is like a highspeed battery that can quickly store and release energy. What happens when it becomes “super?” Researchers at Tohoku University have potential solutions to improve energy-efficiency.

Suppression of an enzyme might allow melanocytes to recover

A study highlights that children with ADHD frequently experience sleep problems, potentially linked to lower levels of melatonin, a hormone crucial for regulating sleep. Genetic variations that reduce melatonin levels at night are associated with more severe ADHD symptoms in children aged 8-9. The research suggests that improving sleep habits, such as increasing morning sunlight exposure and reducing evening screen time, could help manage ADHD symptoms. This underscores the importance of addressing sleep issues as a possible way to alleviate ADHD symptoms in children.

Studied oxidative stress and Parkinson’s disease as a case study

Feeder-free induced pluripotent stem cells hold hope in therapies for cats’ chronic kidney disease

A re-analysis of early gas storage materials shows that they could adjust their shape to hold more gas, a property generally associated with newer, more advanced materials

A research group including researchers from SANKEN (The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research) at Osaka University has developed a safe, cost-effective, and environmentally-friendly method to synthesize sulfonyl fluorides. By reacting thiols and disulfides with SHC5® and potassium fluoride, they achieved a green synthesis process with non-toxic by-products. This method simplifies the production of sulfonyl fluorides, making it suitable for chemical and industrial applications, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals.

Foaming plastic carriers creates uneven surfaces, more area for necessary microorganisms

A team including the Kavli IPMU has observed a pair of galaxies merging 12.8 billion years ago, forming one of the brightest objects in the early Universe. These results will help us understand the early evolution of galaxies and black holes.

Researchers from Osaka University, The University of Adelaide, and the Osaka Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology have invented a compact, ultra-broadband (de)multiplexer that efficiently separates and combines terahertz waves around 300 GHz with orthogonal polarizations, similar to polarized sunglasses. This breakthrough can double the data transmission rate, advancing 6G communications toward 1 Terabit/s.

To understand the mysteries surrounding black holes, researchers at Tohoku University created a simulation of accretion disk turbulence that possesses the highest-resolution currently available.

Survey of 10,000 Japanese adults reveal leading causes of burp-related disorders

Researchers from Osaka University found that voltage-sensing phosphatase (VSP) is activated by electrical signals during sperm maturation and is crucial for establishing the optimal phosphoinositide environment to generate functional spermatozoa. Modulating VSP function to promote appropriate sperm maturation could be used to develop clinical treatments for infertility in the future.

Fujitsu and Osaka University accelerate progress toward practical quantum computing by significantly increasing computing scale through error impact reduction in quantum computing architecture

Researchers at Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University, implement modifications to their high-speed atomic force microscopy that simultaneously improve resolution and speed, while enabling direct measurements of 3D structures to provide conclusive evidence of a contested hydration layer forming as calcite dissolves.

Scientists have struggled to manufacture quasi-1D Zirconium pentatelluride in larger quantities - until now. This finding by Tohoku University researchers may advance tech such as quantum computing.

Specific nucleosides hinder replication of tumor cells in step toward cancer prevention

Researchers at the Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University, used high-speed atomic force microscopy to observe dynamic changes in AMPA receptors, which are vital for brain communication. Their findings, published in ACS Nano, reveal how these receptors adapt during signal transmission and suggest potential targets for neurological therapies.

A nonirritant, antibacterial solution to prevent oral inflammation may lie in citrus and coconut chemical compounds

Researchers at Kanazawa University report in eLife on deciphering the actin structure-dependent preferential cooperative binding of cofilin.

A machine learning algorithm can use X-ray diffraction data from polymers to predict the behaviour of new materials.