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22 Jul 2011
As in other multicellular organisms, plants have evolved mechanisms to maintain genome stability and integrity
22 Jul 2011
Researchers at the SPring-8 Photon Science Research Division are developing a range of imaging tools to reveal the remarkable mechanism of bacterial locomotion
18 Jul 2011
This conference provides an ‘interdisciplinary-platform’ to enhance mutual understanding between scientists, engineers, policy makers, and experts from a wide spectrum of pure and applied sciences in order to resolve the daunting global issues facing mankind
15 Jul 2011
Sighting a theoretical exotic particle may become possible thanks to recently developed mathematical simulations
15 Jul 2011
A family tree of the 2009 pandemic influenza viruses in Japan reveals a high rate of viral evolution
15 Jul 2011
Zinc-transporting protein complexes are found unexpectedly to steer the maturation of an essential enzyme
12 Jul 2011
Collaborative research from the Tokyo University of Science shows potential for bioengineered mature organ replacement as a next generation regenerative therapy.
08 Jul 2011
Applicants must have a Ph.D. degree in a related field of expertise (physical science, medical science, molecular biology, cytobiology, etc.), the experience and achievements stated in our laboratory outline as well as possess team management and research promotion skills. The deadline for application is friday, July 22, 2011 at 17:00(Japan time).
08 Jul 2011
The world’s second X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) recently went online in Japan, hot on the heels of the first, the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in the US, which began operating in the hard X-ray region in 2009.
08 Jul 2011
The strong coupling between electrical currents and magnetization in topological insulator materials is surprisingly unaffected by impurities
08 Jul 2011
A newly identified gene variant could lead to predictive tests for a major cause of cancer-related deaths
06 Jul 2011
According to Thomson Reuters, the journal Science and Technology of Advanced Materials (STAM) now ranks 34th out of 222 journals in the category of Materials Science & Multidisciplinary worldwide, and is ranked 1st among materials science journals in Japan.
05 Jul 2011
Japanese scientists report on a unique ‘ubiquitous element strategy’ to overcome the ‘rare-element crisis’ that was triggered by increasing demand for such elements as lithium, used in batteries, and dysprosium for Ne-Fe-B permanent magnets.
04 Jul 2011
A genome-wide study by in Japan has identified a genetic variant associated with the development of liver cancer in chronic hepatitis C virus carriers.
04 Jul 2011
Highly aggregative and neurotoxic amyloid peptide Aβ43 points the way to new approaches for AD diagnosis and treatment
01 Jul 2011
Cultures of embryonic stem cells can be coaxed to spontaneously develop into a mature, properly organized retina
01 Jul 2011
A newly discovered natural product produced by a fungus prevents cancer cells from becoming malignant
01 Jul 2011
Numerical simulations reveal that deliberately engineering defects into ultrathin oxide films enhances catalytic water-splitting reactions
28 Jun 2011
Researchers from Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and the University of Tokyo and Tohoku University suggested a possibility to control a magnet's behaviour
28 Jun 2011
Researchers from Institute for Solid State Physics, the University of Tokyo and RIKEN (Institute of Physical and Chemical Research) have succeeded in the magnetic control of anomalous Hall effect (AHE) induced by spin chirality, which might be a step toward non-volatile memory based on the AHE.
28 Jun 2011
Researchers from Tohoku University and Osaka University made a remarkable step toward a next-generation energy-conservation device
24 Jun 2011
The RIKEN CDB seeks laboratory heads to lead independent laboratories under the Creative Research Promoting Program and the Center Director’s Strategic Program
24 Jun 2011
RIKEN invites applications for the position of Chief Scientist to lead a new laboratory working on The Advanced Science Institute (ASI). Applications from overseas applicants are welcome.
24 Jun 2011
The Initiative Research Unit Leader Program gives young scientists with outstanding, internationally recognized achievements the opportunity to pursue independent, interdisciplinary research of their own design at RIKEN. Everyone interested, whether Japanese or non-Japanese, is strongly urged to apply.
24 Jun 2011
A full-color three-dimensional hologram has been created by harnessing electron density waves in thin metal films
24 Jun 2011
Signaling proteins that help immune cells develop also enable those cells to mount an effective counterattack against infections
23 Jun 2011
RIKEN researchers show how the effects of stress can be passed down the generations by mechanisms outside genetic inheritance. Published in the journal Cell, the results mark a major advancement in our understanding of non-Mendelian inheritance.
21 Jun 2011
A new technique for producing artificial bone implants has been developed by Korean researchers. By mimicking natural bone, it is hoped the implant material will better complement the natural regeneration process.
21 Jun 2011
RIKEN and Fujitsu have taken first place on the 37th TOP500 list announced at the 26th International Supercomputing Conference (ISC'11) held in Hamburg, Germany. This ranking is based on a performance measurement of the "K computer," currently under their joint development.
17 Jun 2011
Memories are more likely to stick if learning includes regular periods of rest. Now researchers think they know why
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Giants in history
Ruby Sakae Hirose (1904 – 1960) was a Japanese-American scientist whose research contributed significantly to our understanding of blood clotting, allergies and cancer.
Haisako Koyama (1916 – 1997) was a Japanese solar observer whose dedication to recording sunspots – cooler parts of the sun’s surface that appear dark – produced a sunspot record of historic importance.
Michiaki Takahashi (17 February 1928 – 16 December 2013) was a Japanese virologist who developed the first chickenpox vaccine.
Toshiko Yuasa (11 December 1909 – 1 February 1980) was the first Japanese female physicist whose research on radioactivity shed light on beta decay – the process in which an atom emits a beta particle (electron) and turns into a different element.
Baron Kitasato Shibasaburo (29 January 1856 – 13 June 1931) was a Japanese physician and bacteriologist whose work led to a new understanding of preventing and treating tetanus, diphtheria and anthrax.
By isolating soil microorganisms and studying the compounds they produce, Satoshi Omura (born 1935) discovered almost 500 organic compounds with unique properties that were produced by these microorganisms, including many new antibiotics.
In 1915, pathologist Katsusaburo Yamagiwa and his research assistant Koichi Ichikawa became the first to prove that chronic exposure to chemicals can cause cancer.
In 1915, Koichi Ichikawa along with pathologist Katsusaburo Yamagiwa became the first to prove that chronic exposure to chemicals can cause cancer.
Reiji Okazaki (8 October 1930 – 1 August 1975) and Tsuneko (7 June 1933) were a Japanese couple who discovered Okazaki fragments – short sequences of DNA that are synthesized during DNA replication and linked together to form a continuous strand.
Tsuneko (7 June 1933) and Reiji Okazaki (8 October 1930 – 1 August 1975) were a Japanese couple who discovered Okazaki fragments – short sequences of DNA that are synthesized during DNA replication and linked together to form a continuous strand.
Husband and wife team, Kimishige (3 December 1925 – 6 July 2018) and Teruko Ishizaka (28 September 1926 – 4 June 2019) discovered the antibody class Immunoglobulin E (IgE) that triggers allergic reactions. They also discovered that IgE antibodies attach to white blood cells, known as mast cells, releasing histamine, which causes allergic reactions.
Husband and wife team, Kimishige (3 December 1925 – 6 July 2018) and Teruko Ishizaka (28 September 1926 – 4 June 2019) discovered the antibody class Immunoglobulin E (IgE) that triggers allergic reactions. They also discovered that IgE antibodies attach to white blood cells, known as mast cells, releasing histamine, which causes allergic reactions.
Japanese chemist Takamine Jokichi (3 November 1854 – 22 July 1922) founded the Tokyo Artificial Fertilizer Company, where he isolated a starch-digesting enzyme (named takadiastase) from the fungus Aspergillus oryzae.
Hideki Yukawa (23 January 1907 – 8 September 1981) was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1949 for predicting the existence of the pi meson subatomic particle. Japan’s first Nobel laureate, Yakawa also expressed his support for nuclear disarmament by signing the Russell–Einstein Manifesto in 1955.
Shinichiro Tomonaga (31 March 1906 – 8 July 1979), together with Richard Feynman and Julian Schwinger, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1965, for their contributions to advance the field of quantum electrodynamics. Tomonaga was also a strong proponent of peace, who actively campaigned against the proliferation of nuclear weapons and promoted the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Japanese chemist Kenichi Fukui (4 October 1918 – 9 January 1998) was the first Asian scientist to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Together with Roald Hoffman, he received this honour in 1981 for his independent research into the mechanisms of chemical reactions.
Minoru Shirota (April 23, 1899 – March 10, 1982) was a Japanese microbiologist who invented the popular fermented drink Yakult.
Japanese physicist Ukichiro Nakaya (1900-1962) made the world’s first artificial snowflakes. He started his research on snow crystals in the early 1930s at Hokkaido University, where there is an unlimited supply of natural snow in winter. By taking over 3,000 photographs, he established a classification of natural snow crystals and described their relationship with weather conditions.
The techniques that make industrial pearl culturing possible were developed over a century ago at the Misaki Marine Biological Station in Japan. The station’s first director, Professor Kakichi Mitsukuri, emphasized to Kokichi Mikimoto in 1890 that stimulating pearl sac formation was important for pearl growth, and they went on to successfully develop methods for culturing pearls.
The field of solid-state ionics originated in Europe, but Takehiko Takahashi of Nagoya University in Japan was the first to coin the term ‘solid ionics’ in 1967. ‘Solid-state ionics’ first appeared in 1971 in another of his papers, and was likely a play on ‘solid-state electronics’, another rapidly growing field at the time.
Chika Kuroda (24 March 1884 – 8 November 1968) was a Japanese chemist whose research focussed on the structures of natural pigments.
Motoo Kimura (13 November 1924 – 13 November 1994) was a Japanese theoretical population geneticist who is best remembered for developing the neutral theory of molecular evolution.
Osamu Shimomura (27 August 1928 – 19 October 2018) was a Japanese organic chemist and marine biologist who dedicated his career to understanding how organisms emitted light.
Kikunae Ikeda (8 October 1864 – 3 May 1936) was a Japanese chemist who discovered the fifth basic taste, umami.
Umetaro Suzuki (7 April 1874 – 20 September 1943) was a Japanese scientist best remembered for his research on beriberi, a disease caused by vitamin B1 deficiency, characterized by limb stiffness, paralysis and pain.
Kono Yasui (16 February 1880 – 24 March 1971) was a Japanese botanist who researched the genetics of poppies, corn and spiderworts and surveyed the plants that had been affected by the nuclear fallout after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Hitoshi Kihara (1893 – 1986) was one of the most famous Japanese geneticists of the 20th century. One of his most significant contributions was identifying sex chromosomes (X and Y) in flowering plants.
Michiyo Tsujimura (17 September 1888 – 1 June 1969) was a Japanese agricultural scientist and biochemist recognized for her research of green tea components.
A Japanese surgeon, Tetsuzo Akutsu (20 August 1922 – 9 August 2007) built the first artificial heart capable of keeping an animal alive.
Ogino Ginko (3 March 1851 – 23 June 1913) was the first registered female doctor to practise modern medicine in Japan.
Japanese geochemist Katsuko Saruhashi developed the first method and tools for measuring carbon dioxide in seawater