Japan

A picture (of the eye) is worth a thousand words to this AI system that predicts the risk for major diseases like diabetes, based on the gap between the patient’s real age and the estimated retinal age.

For many years, designing synthetic polymer systems has been inspired by the hierarchical self-assembly of folded proteins into functional nanostructures. However, extending folding-based design principles to small synthetic molecules has remained elusive. In particular, luminescent molecules with complex three-dimensional structures were considered difficult to assemble. Now, researchers from Japan demonstrate that such molecules can undergo folding-mediated self-assembly to form highly ordered nanotubes. These structures exhibit unique multidirectional energy transport, highlighting their potential for advanced optoelectronic applications.

An Ehime University research group has discovered that antiaromatic molecules, typically unstable, can form stable dimers through π-stacking. The homoHPHAC cation, despite its positive charge, adopts a slightly offset stacked structure. This interaction induces electronic reorganization, partially attenuating antiaromaticity. The findings reveal a new mode of molecular assembly for antiaromatic molecules and provide insights for designing functional π-conjugated materials.

Researchers including Kavli IPMU's Tadayuki Takahashi have achieved the world's first direct observation of muonic molecules in resonance states using a high-resolution x-ray detector.

Seismicity decreases with depth, though it turns to increase in the mantle transition zone. It has been believed that pressure-induced phase transitions of olivine are the cause of high seismicity in the mantle transition zone. We experimentally showed that a diffusionless phase transition of olivine to poirierite triggers faulting. Our findings provide a natural explanation for the cause of high seismicity in the strongly deformed areas of ‘cold’ deep subducted slabs.

Researchers have succeeded in improving mobility efficiency by having the snake-like robot move using an “undulating motion” on uneven terrain and a “rolling motion” on level ground.

Researchers are investigating how 3D printers could achieve unprecedented levels of precision when creating batteries, opening the door for new innovations.

Researchers in Japan have developed a new LED structure that generates circularly polarized light from a single chip. The advance could support smaller and more energy-efficient optical devices for AR/VR, 3D displays, quantum communication, and optical security. By combining a semipolar InGaN light-emitting structure with a stripe-shaped silicon nitride metasurface, the team created a compact light source that reduces energy-conversion loss and operates at room temperature. This advancement could help bring ultra-compact, durable light sources closer to practical use in AR/VR, 3D displays, quantum communication, and optical security.

A team of researchers have shown torsion-balance experiments — precision instruments originally built to test the equivalence principle — could double as detectors for very light dark matter.

Researchers from The University of Osaka have shown that the MIC11 gene of Toxoplasma gondii is essential for the parasite to egress, or exit, the host cell, a key part of the lifecycle. Deletion of MIC11 caused parasites to be unable to permeabilize host cell membranes and prevented egress. This study identifies potential new therapeutic targets for human diseases caused by parasites, such as toxoplasmosis and malaria, which represent a major global health problem.

Carbohydrates affect weight gain and metabolic energy

This deep dive explains the ins and outs of a catalyst called graphitic carbon nitride that speeds up the production of hydrogen peroxide – a highly useful oxidizing agent used widely in both industrial and household settings.

Light enhances adhesion between epidermal and inner tissues in plant stems

Quasi-experimental study finds multimodal travel increases daily walking

Elastic wave velocity measurements on a lunar orthopyroxene aggregate suggest the lunar upper mantle is more enriched in iron than previous estimates.

Major international recognition for research exploring largely unknown microbial life in groundwater

As climate change intensifies harmful algal blooms worldwide, an international team led by Hiroshima University has developed a hybrid modeling approach that combines algal movement simulations, AI, and long-term monitoring data to sharpen forecasts of these bloom events—linked to environmental damage, mass fish die-offs, economic losses, and risks to human health.

Dragonflies have evolved special light-sensing proteins that let them see deeper red light than most animals. Researchers have now discovered that the mechanism of red vision is shared with humans and this ability comes from small molecular changes that could inspire new biomedical technologies.

Researchers have demonstrated the world’s first simultaneous generation of 3,070 optical vortices at megawatt-class peak power (58 MW). By reformulating Hermite–Gaussian to Laguerre–Gaussian mode conversion and implementing it through a compact multibeam interference architecture, the team achieved more than three orders of magnitude improvement in both vortex number and peak power. The work establishes a scalable framework for high-intensity structured-light generation.

Butterfly wings were the inspiration behind this new, lightweight lattice structure that doesn’t compromise on sturdiness.

Researchers at The University of Osaka developed an eight-week training program that teaches CBT by encouraging graduate students to apply CBT techniques to their own experiences and reflect on the process. In a preliminary study of 29 trainees, the program showed high satisfaction, low adverse events, and perceived benefits in CBT understanding, self-awareness, and reflective skills. The approach may provide a promising new model for training mental health professionals.

Skepticism about claims regarding sustainability reduces consumers’ intentions to purchase sustainable products by weakening two important drivers of green consumption: people’s willingness to look for trustworthy environmental information and their anticipated guilt about making less sustainable choices.

Researchers investigated how the η′ meson behaves inside atomic nuclei and found evidence that it may form bound states known as η′-mesic nuclei. Using high-energy particle experiments and sophisticated data analysis, the team observed signals consistent with theoretical predictions and measured a possible change in the particle’s mass in nuclear matter. These findings provide new insight into the structure of the vacuum and the origin of mass.

Assessing the toll of elongated working hours in community-dwelling, middle-aged adults

International research collaboration develops smarter reuse of past forecasts to improve subseasonal heat predictions—without extra computation

What’s the point of methane reforming to make environmentally friendly fuels if the process itself is environmentally unfriendly? To make the process greener, researchers at Tohoku University used oxygen carriers to improve efficiency.

Natural experiment along new railway reveals unexpected correlation between location and healthcare costs

Professor Yutaka Amao’s review gives a comprehensive overview of natural photosynthesis, the principles and history of artificial photosynthesis research, and carbon dioxide capture, utilization, and storage technologies.

Single monomer containing thiolactone and pyridyl disulfide molecules allows for variable polymer functionalities

Researchers at Tohoku University have imagined a future where you can assess eye health at a local supermarket, train station, or in remote regions without hospital access using a portable, inexpensive eye scanner.