A cross-temporal meta-analysis of loneliness studies in Japan found a substantial increase in loneliness over the past 40 years. Loneliness was particularly pronounced among adolescents and women, coinciding with changes in social indicators such as marriage rates and GDP.
Researchers propose a new design principle for QM/MM simulations, enabling the objective and automatic determination of the quantum-mechanical region based on electronic-state changes. This approach addresses long-standing challenges in multiscale molecular simulations, demonstrating consistent applicability across different systems.
A novel microfluidics technology has been developed to produce highly uniform DNA condensates using a simple vibration platform. This approach enables precise control over condensation within a single aqueous phase, preserving biomolecular activity.
A study combining DNA barcoding and production/trade data identifies global freshwater eel consumption patterns, revealing over 99% of global consumption consists of three threatened species. East Asia emerges as the global center for eel consumption driven by cultural preferences and purchasing power.
The study reveals that over 99% of global eel consumption consists of three threatened species, with the American eel being the most consumed. East Asia emerges as the global centre of eel consumption due to cultural preferences and purchasing power.
A research group at Chuo University has developed a non-destructive in-line dynamic photo-monitoring system for pharmaceutical agent pills using carbon nanotube (CNT) photo-thermoelectric imagers. This system facilitates multi-wavelength photo-monitoring and identifies constituent materials and concealed foreign substances in a non-con...
Researchers at Chuo University have developed chemically enriched photo-thermoelectric (PTE) imagers using semiconducting carbon nanotube (CNT) films, achieving enhanced response intensity and noise reduction. This enables efficient remote and on-site inspections with palm-sized wireless circuits.
A study by Chuo University reveals that American eel is widely distributed in processed eel products sold at Japanese retail stores, contradicting the country's primary reliance on Japanese Eel. The research highlights the need for sustainable use of anguillid eels beyond Japanese Eel to ensure their conservation.
Researchers successfully produce artificial cells with model nuclei, allowing for protein synthesis and demonstrating potential applications in biotechnology. The development of these uniform artificial cells is a significant step towards creating artificial cells that can replace natural ones.
The ELSI University Summit in Japan brought together experts to discuss challenges and prospects of responsible AI development. Key findings include the need for ethics-driven approaches, collaboration between academia and industry, and the importance of setting evaluation indicators for Responsible AI.
A research group at Chuo University has developed an all-printable device fabrication strategy to overcome technical limitations of multi-functional image sensor sheets. The new technique accurately prints carbon nanotube channels and integrates other constituents into single devices, facilitating non-destructive monitoring.
Researchers at Chuo University developed a non-destructive image sensor with a freely coatable and paintable design for functional photo-thermal modules. The new design enables the full utilization of photo-thermoelectric (PTE) sensors, overcoming trade-off trends between photo-absorptance values and Seebeck coefficients.
Researchers developed a synergetic strategy combining millimeter-wave-terahertz-infrared photo-monitoring and computer-vision three-dimensional modeling for ubiquitous non-destructive inspections. The approach allows for material composition identifications and structural reconstructions of composite multi-layered objects.
Researchers determine stereostructure of iriomoteolide-1a and -1b using NMR spectroscopic analysis, theoretical calculation, and total synthesis. The study reveals nanomolar cytotoxic activity of synthetic iriomotelide-1a in human cancer cells.
A research group at Chuo University developed a method to induce deformations in polymer materials at specific depths using two-photon absorption. This enables versatile deformations and motions, enhancing the degree of freedom, and contributes to the development of small, lightweight, and soft robots.
A new covert eye-tracking system, CovET, has been developed to evaluate visual recognizability of brand logos in peripheral visual fields. The study found that participants could recognize the Saizeriya logo even when it was presented outside their line of gaze, indicating higher visual recognizability on covert attention.
This study used a community-based participatory approach to assess the stock dynamics of glass eels in West Java, Indonesia. The project improved data collection and contributed to sustainable glass eel fisheries, opening up possibilities for global improvement.
A research group at Chuo University developed a novel non-destructive inspection technique combining multi-functional photo monitoring devices with image data-driven three-dimensional restoration methods. The technique precisely evaluates target objects by compositional identifications and structural reconstructions, providing a breakt...
Imports of American eel fry for aquaculture in East Asia have reached an all-time high, threatening the already endangered species. The surge is driven by Japan's demand for two-thirds of its eel consumption, with the US and Haiti being major exporters.
A recent study reveals that infants aged six months and older can perceive misbinding, a type of visual illusion where features are mistakenly integrated. In contrast, infants under six months do not exhibit this phenomenon, indicating they may perceive the external world more accurately than adults.
This study introduces Rigid-Autonomous Phase Sequences (RAPS), which may be responsible for cognitive, sensory-motor, and memory-related challenges in ASD. RAPS can lead to inflexible neural pathways causing difficulties with learning, social communication, and memory.
A team of researchers applied an unsupervised data-driven analysis method to multiomics dataset, identifying patterns shared across gene expression, DNA methylation, and genetic variation. The study found that these patterns are associated with various diseases and can be used to predict disease onset.
A new fabrication process for photo-thermoelectric imagers on soft sheets has been developed, enabling highly durable non-destructive inspections. The process simplifies the integration of multi-functional device substrates, contributing to the manufacturing of image sensor sheets.
A study found that infants aged 5-8 months preferentially perceive faces in the upper visual field. The bias emerges around 7 months and is specific to faces, with no observed bias for non-face images. This suggests an important role of experience with faces in daily life in shaping this perceptual bias.
Infants younger than 7 months can perceive faces even when they are followed by a mask image, but this ability disappears in older infants. The study found that visual backward masking occurs due to interference with feedback processing, which develops in the second half of the first year of life.
Researchers found that infants aged 7 and 8 months could identify two faces when the temporal interval was 800ms, but overlooked the second face when separated by 200ms. This suggests that infants take less than a second to process visual information and have the same temporal limitation as adults.
Research suggests that infants under 6 months can detect the motion of large objects more accurately than small ones, whereas adults struggle with this task. This phenomenon is attributed to surround suppression, which weakens in older children and adults, allowing them to see smaller motions better.
A new study found that 5- to 8-month-old babies exhibit face-specific brain activity in response to yawning, suggesting a neural basis for their preference. The research used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to measure brain activity while babies viewed yawning and mouth movement.
Babies younger than 6 months fail to recognize their mothers' faces when watching mobile phones, but improve face recognition at around 5.5 months through increased brain activity in response to profile views. Longitudinal testing of 14 babies from 3-8 months old provided key insights into developmental changes in face recognition skills.
Researchers found that infants aged 4- to 8-months hold a primary cerebral representation of audiovisual integration in their right hemisphere, with the number of processed materials increasing with experience. This study sheds light on the trajectory of acquiring general knowledge about objects.