Japan

Combining multiple sensory inputs has been a big hurdle for developing physical AI robots. Recent research at Tohoku University solves this problem using a brand new approach.

Researchers from The University of Osaka have found that they can keep mouse uterine tissue alive outside of the body, allowing them to directly observe embryonic implantation and development. Their technique brings hope for patients with infertility, and may allow for the development of therapies to treat recurrent implantation failure and improve the chance of implantation success using assisted reproductive technologies.

Researchers from The University of Osaka found that macrophages use microautophagy, mediated by Rab32-positive lysosome-related organelles, to directly engulf damaged mitochondria and other organelles. This was discovered to be independent of macroautophagy. Key factors in this process include Rab32 GTPase, PI(3,5)P2, ubiquitination, and p62/SQSTM1. By clearing mitochondria, microautophagy promotes metabolic reprogramming toward glycolysis, supporting M1 macrophage polarization. Loss of Rab32/38 disrupts this process, highlighting microautophagy’s role in regulating macrophage function.

Scientists at The University of Osaka and Tohoku University have developed a groundbreaking technique for creating nanoscale magnetic thin films with embedded functionality. By leveraging the stretchability of flexible substrates, they can precisely control the atomic spacing within these nanofilms, effectively “programming” desired magnetic properties directly into the material. This innovative approach, published in Applied Physics Letters, overcomes limitations of conventional deposition methods and paves the way for advancements in various fields, from electronics to fundamental materials science.

Researchers led by Associate Professor Hideki Kikumoto at the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo fuse regional climate datasets and local weather observations to find a significant rise in urban temperatures and heatwaves in Tokyo

A drug called lubiprostone - typically used for constipation - was remarkably shown to help patients with chronic kidney disease.

This new crystal growth technology uses tungsten to create single crystals that can stand extreme temperatures - a new achievement in the field.

By analyzing outcomes from a large-scale national dataset, this study raises tough questions about the impact of pre-hospital life support procedures on outcomes in patients with asystole.

Researchers from Japan found that macro-heterogeneity (the presence of multiple cell types) and micro-heterogeneity (variability in cell behavior within a cell type) are crucial for muscle breakdown and rearrangement in the pupal stage of fruit fly development. Computational modeling of cell interactions suggested that designing heterogenous robot swarms based on similar principles could improve their ability to multitask.

Researchers at Tohoku University have unified experimental and computational data into one valuable resource: a map that instantly guides scientists to suitable materials out of countless candidates.

Researchers at The University of Osaka have developed a novel technique to enhance the performance and reliability of silicon carbide (SiC) metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) devices, a key component in power electronics. This breakthrough utilizes a unique two-step annealing process involving diluted hydrogen, to eliminate unnecessary impurities and significantly improve device reliability.

Changing the interval between fertility drugs boosts fertility even in rats that typically respond poorly

The research team directed by H. Shimomoto and E. Ihara in Ehime University succeeded in preparing a new type of carbon-carbon main chain polymers, in which cyclic repeating units are densely incorporated around the carbon-based main chain. In addition, the team demonstrated the unique thermal behavior of the obtained polymers, compared to the corresponding polymers without cyclic structures. This achievement will contribute to the development of new functional polymer materials.

Researchers at The University of Osaka and collaborating institutions have developed a cryo-optical microscopy technique that rapidly freezes live cells with millisecond precision during optical imaging. This enables detailed quantitative imaging of fast cellular events via optical microscopy techniques, including super-resolution fluorescence and Raman microscopy. With near-instant immobilization, a single time point in the cells can then be visualized with multiple imaging techniques, providing new insights across cell biology, biophysics, and medical research.

JapanFlux2024 compiles 30+ years of eddy covariance data from 83 sites across the region

Can understanding these differences help researchers breed better crops suited for a changing climate?

Recent research on fullerene’s role as a metal-free catalyst may redefine our understanding of how carbon nanomaterials can be used in clean energy technologies.

Professor Ogawa, Mr. Echigo (PhD student), and their colleagues in Kanazawa University report in Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging that combination of an At-211-labeled agent with immune checkpoint blockade significantly enhances its therapeutic effect. This strategy represents a promising advancement in the development of next-generation cancer therapies that combine targeted alpha therapy and immunotherapy.

Most currently used fuel cells can only operate efficiently above 500°C, but researchers found a way to essentially cut that number in half.

Researchers at The University of Osaka have discovered a new type of chiral symmetry breaking (CSB) in an organic crystalline compound. This phenomenon, involving a solid-state structural transition from an achiral to a chiral crystal, represents a significant advance in our understanding of chirality and offers a simplified model to study the origin of homochirality. This transformation also activates circularly polarized luminescence, enabling new optical materials with tunable light properties.

Using XRISM, JAXA’s new high-precision X-ray spectroscopic satellite, researchers observed a stellar-mass black hole in the Milky Way and detected highly ionized iron absorption lines — clear signatures of hot gas. Remarkably, this detection was achieved at the dimmest X-ray state ever reported for such a system. The results reveal the complex structure and motion of gas around the black hole, offering new insights into the dynamic behavior of black holes.

Researchers from The University of Osaka used electricity to drive a reaction to form a novel hetero[8]circulene consisting of five hexagons and three pentagons (called a dioxaza[8]circulene). The dioxaza[8]circulene is unsymmetrical, unlike existing hetero[8]circulenes. The novel molecule can be produced from commercially available materials by a two-step method that simultaneously forms six new bonds with only water as a byproduct. The dioxaza[8]circulene may have potential as a photocatalyst, and be used to speed up reactions triggered by light.

The subducted oceanic crusts are regarded as the major source of lower-mantle heterogeneity. However, the limited knowledge about the physical properties of major components in the subducted oceanic crusts prevents us from fully understanding the complex features of the related geophysical anomalies. Here, we comprehensively investigated the phase transition of (Al, H)-bearing stishovite at simultaneously high P-T conditions. These results contribute to our understanding on the complex depth distribution of the mid-lower mantle seismic scatterers.

A research group led by The University of Osaka has discovered that the DNA repair enzyme Polβ plays a crucial role in protecting the developing brain from harmful mutations. The study found that a lack of Polβ leads to a significant increase in small insertions and deletions of DNA, known as indels near CpG sites, which are important regulatory regions in genes. This accumulation of mutations could contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders.

Sensitive region detection for improved non-invasive cattle monitoring

What appears to be silver-blue pigment is actually structural coloration—an optical phenomenon that Encephalartos horridus creates through light-scattering wax crystals sculpted from a lipid compound that may date back to the dawn of land plants.

First direct observation of quantum Kelvin–Helmholtz instability reveals eccentric fractional skyrmions

A Japanese superconducting quantum computer, designed and built with homegrown components and software, went live on July 28th at The University of Osaka’s Center for Quantum Information and Quantum Biology (QIQB). This achievement signifies Japan's technological prowess in quantum computing, demonstrating the nation's capacity to design, manufacture, and integrate a complete quantum system. Visitors to Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai, Japan will have the opportunity to interact with this cutting-edge technology through a dedicated exhibit.

Discovery of new therapeutic effects induced by CAR-T cell therapy

Environmental conditions affect reproduction times in model fish