Japan

A newly developed compound that reduces harmful inflammation in rats caused by overactive neutrophils shows great potential as a safer treatment for various inflammatory diseases in humans.

Affordable polyethylene rafts found 5 times more durable than usual bamboo ones

One of the smallest lifeforms may have the biggest impact on marine ecosystems. Researchers at Tohoku University modeled how climate change can affect phytoplankton – and our future.

Researchers from Osaka University find that the transcription factor Ikaros binds to Foxp3 to inhibit the expression of target genes, including Ifng, in regulatory T cells

ChatGPT’s diagnostic capabilities evaluated in comparison to radiologists

Researchers from Osaka University developed molecular wires with periodic twists. By controlling the lengths of regions between twists, the electrical conductivity of individual polymer chains can be enhanced. This work may lead to novel organic electronics or single-molecule wires.

Researchers from Osaka University developed an antibody that prevents the activation of the Dickkopf 1–Cytoskeleton-associated protein 4 (DKK1–CKAP4) pathway, which is important for tumor growth in several cancers, including pancreatic cancer. On the basis of an antibody derived from mice, the researchers developed an antibody that could be used in humans (Hv1Lt1). Hv1Lt1 successfully prevented tumor formation in experimental mice. When given in combination, it improved the effect of chemotherapy drugs.

Our understanding of Venus' water history and the potential that it was once habitable in the past is being challenged by observations made by researchers from Tohoku University.

A clinical trial conducted by Tohoku University researchers has lead to the approval of a treatment for patients with a rare, muscle-weakening disease called GNE myopathy.

Clean energy products could be made from metal-organic frameworks

Recent advances in medical science have complicated clinical decision-making, raising ethical issues. Hospitals have set up clinical ethics consultation systems, but their effectiveness is limited due to low awareness and communication difficulties. To address this, a research group initiated by Osaka University studied proactive ethics consultation practices, proposing strategies like “inter-professional ethics rounds" and "patient note reviews." These methods aim to resolve ethical issues, improve care, and alleviate moral dilemmas facing medical staff.

Cell–cell adhesion-induced patterning in keratinocytes can be explained by just starvation and strong adhesion, Hokkaido University researchers find.

Applying chaos theory to the movement of iconic arctic whales uncovered a 24-hour diving cycle and a long-range (~100 km) synchronization.

A catalyst that significantly enhances ammonia conversion could improve wastewater treatment, green chemical and hydrogen production.

Velocities of aluminum enriched superhydrous phase B suggest the presence of hydrated mantle regions beneath subduction zones

We are constantly surrounded by electromagnetic waves such as Wi-Fi. Researchers at Tohoku University tested a device to convert this ambient energy into energy for electronic devices.

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

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.

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.

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

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

Growing use of AI reveals the need for global sustainability initiatives

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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