Japan

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

Researchers at Tohoku University and the UK developed a model showing the ability of reconfigurable intelligent surfaces to redirect the propagation of radio waves, which could improve the signal.

Researchers from Japan discover a new enzyme with promising antibacterial activity

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

First epidemiological study on incidence of EoE in Japan

Potential benefits of method include subjecting patients to fewer exams and reducing health care costs

A team led by Osaka University discovered that the new organic molecule thienyl diketone exhibits high-efficiency phosphorescence, achieving a rate over ten times faster than traditional materials. This breakthrough provides new guidelines for developing rare metal-free organic phosphorescent materials, promising advancements in applications like organic EL displays, lighting, and cancer diagnostics.

In this study, the crystal structure of serpentine (antigorite) was investigated using first-principles calculations under pressure. The results showed that the structure and chemical composition of antigorite changed gradually under high pressure, and it is highly likely that water was released by these structural changes during the subduction process. It was shown that the changes in the modulated structure (polysome) reported in this study may explain the distribution of intermediate-depth earthquakes reported by observations.

Researchers at the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo implement a genetic algorithm to automatically design phononic crystals with desired vibrational properties, which may help with future computer and communication devices

Sound velocities in lunar mantle aggregates at simultaneous high pressures and temperatures suggests the presence of garnet in the deep lunar interior

Researchers at Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University report in Small Methods the 3D imaging of a suspended nanostructure. The technique used is an extension of atomic force microscopy and is a promising approach for visualizing various 3D biological systems.

Osaka University researchers developed molecules, called splice-switching oligonucleotides (SSOs) that bind to the RNA molecules encoding a protein known as REST. In neuroendocrine tumors, these RNAs are incorrectly spliced together, which supports the cancerous phenotype. When injected into tumors in laboratory mice, SSOs could help restore normal REST function, leading to reduced tumor size. This novel approach is a promising new tool for treating neuroendocrine tumors that do not respond to conventional therapies.