When cells experience ER stress, they possess a mechanism that detects changes in their membrane lipid state and suppresses intracellular transport via transcription. This mechanism is triggered by an increase in phosphatidic acid (PA) levels in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane, leading to the suppression of COPII vesicle formation.
A research team has identified a novel enhancer that controls the tissue-specific expression of Scleraxis, a key transcription factor for tendon, ligament, and entheses formation. The enhancer, capable of recapitulating Scx gene expression in developing limbs, is highly conserved from lobe-finned fishes to tetrapods.
Researchers at Hiroshima University found that changing the carbon source for bacterial fermentation produces high-value biomaterials with promising biomedical and industrial applications. The study shows that sugarcane molasses produces EPSs with superior antioxidant and antibacterial activities.
Hiroshima University researchers demonstrate that food processing liquid waste can be reused to produce omega-3 fatty acids by cultivating Aurantiochytrium sp. The study shows that three types of pickle seasoning waste can be utilized by the thraustochytrid to produce DHA and EPA. Reusing the waste medium also produces DHA and EPA, but...
Researchers have identified two new species of shrimp-like amphipods, Bogidiella isajii and Bogidiella painushima, in Japan's groundwater and anchialine environments. These species, characterized by their eyeless and elongated features, provide insights into the diversity of life in subterranean aquatic areas.
A retrospective study found that pretreatment CT scans can identify patients at high risk for medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw. Analysis of radiomics and machine learning models distinguished patients who later developed MRONJ from those unaffected.
A Japan-wide study found that growth hormone therapy improves adult height in childhood stem cell transplant survivors with short stature. However, treatment responses were highly variable and influenced by transplant-related factors such as total body irradiation and chronic graft-versus-host disease.
A team of researchers has identified an accelerator of extremely high-energy cosmic-ray protons, called a proton PeVatron, in the Milky Way galaxy. The discovery was made possible by combining data from multiple experiments, including Tibet AS gamma, LHAASO, Fermi-LAT, and Chandra X-ray Observatory.
Researchers use CRISPR-Cas9 to edit red perilla, producing green plants with increased levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. The study demonstrates a new strategy for developing high-value crops for the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Researchers developed a new allergen-specific IgE test to detect functional antibodies capable of triggering immune responses in food allergies. The improved AlphaCL method overcomes limitations of conventional tests, maintaining strong signal responses even with serum components present.
Researchers have successfully produced genome-edited T cells that can target and destroy cancer cells using the Platinum TALEN genetic engineering technique. The technique was found to be efficient, with an average yield of 72 million 1G4-TCR cells for every 3 million T-cells.
A long-term study by Hiroshima University found that lingering symptoms of COVID-19 became less common after the Omicron variant arrived, but some people continued to experience health problems years after infection. The study showed that recovery from COVID-19 does not always end when the infection clears, and that some individuals ma...
Researchers at Hiroshima University discovered a crab trapped in a plastic bottle off Okinawa, Japan, which survived for two months by feeding on juvenile fishes and algae inside the bottle. The study highlights the dangers of marine plastic pollution on small marine animals.
Researchers at Hiroshima University have applied black-box optimization algorithms to model rainfall minimization through weather control. They demonstrated that Bayesian optimization can effectively design weather interventions, even under a limited budget of expensive weather simulations, by optimizing only a small number of trials.
Researchers at Hiroshima University report a remarkable decline in chronic HBV and HCV cases, from 3.0-3.07 million to 1.1-1.4 million between 2000 and 2020. Projections suggest the number of HBV infections will drop to around 200,000 cases by 2050, while HCV is estimated to decline to fewer than 20,000 cases.
A study from Hiroshima University identifies enhancer sequences active during worker bee metamorphosis, revealing key genetic mechanisms regulating social caste development in honeybees. The research provides direct evidence of transcription factor binding sites and sheds light on the evolution of honeybee sociality.
A Hiroshima University study finds that practical digital skills, positive financial attitudes, and self-protection are more consistently associated with lower old-age anxiety than traditional financial knowledge alone. The study suggests that financial education may need to move beyond knowledge alone in the digital age.
A team of researchers from Hiroshima University has identified a unique molecule, GPR3, that rapidly responds to upstream signals and induces downstream signaling in neurons. This discovery sheds light on the early stages of neuronal development and its dysregulation in neurological disorders.
A nationwide survey in Japan found a gradual but steady decline in health-related quality of life among the working-age population over seven years. The study also revealed regional differences in HRQoL across prefectures.
Researchers found four new species of coralline algae forming rhodoliths, which contribute to long-term carbon storage in marine sediments. The discovery highlights the diversity of algal communities at different depths within the same marine area.
A new study reveals that the three-step 'detour' pathway for making dolichol is more universal than initially thought, with evidence suggesting that yeast and other eukaryotes rely on overlapping biochemical pathways. Dolichol biosynthesis is crucial for protein glycosylation and preventing congenital disorders of glycosylation.
A new study maps careers as rivers to show how researcher independence unfolds over time, influenced by relationships, external conditions and internal growth. The findings reveal a dynamic, lifelong process formed by both individuals and the systems they work within.
A study using real-time data from the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake response found that unclear tasks, command structures, and lack of meal and rest breaks significantly contributed to self-reported fatigue among disaster responders. Fatigue can compromise decision-making, lead to poor care outcomes, and affect public safety.
Researchers at Hiroshima University identified a critical boundary in the immune-regulating RELA gene that helps predict how harmful mutations cause disease. This finding could improve diagnosis and treatment for patients with autosomal dominant RELA deficiency, a rare inherited inflammatory disease.
Researchers tracked black sea bream using ultrasonic biotelemetry to observe their reproductive behavior during spawning seasons. Males made frequent upward and downward movements, while females remained near specific oyster rafts, suggesting different strategies for reproduction and energy conservation. This study provides new insight...
A new study by Kyota Yasuda found a strong correlation between RBP diversity and neuronal count in six model organisms, suggesting that post-transcriptional regulation is a key factor in nervous system complexity. RBP diversity increased from 397 families in nematode worms to 469 in humans, correlating with enhanced neural complexity.
A study of over 31,000 patients found that pneumonia occurred more often after breathing tubes were removed than during ventilation, with most cases developing within a 1–2 week window after surgery. Early assessment and intervention focusing on swallowing function are crucial for prevention and improved outcomes.
A research team at Hiroshima University has discovered the key gene GEMMIFER responsible for initiating asexual reproduction in the model plant Marchantia polymorpha. The gene is essential for gemma development, acting as a master switch to start cloning in this plant species.
Researchers have created a novel sorbent made from chitosan/cellulose acetate and bentonite composites that show promise for cleaning up oil spills. The beads are floatable, biodegradable, and environmentally compatible, making them an efficient and cost-effective solution.
Researchers at Hiroshima University have developed a new approach to predicting harmful algal blooms by coupling three models and accounting for plankton species interactions. This improved forecasting can help prevent economic losses and protect fish stocks in countries like Chile, which has been hit hard by these blooms.
A study from Hiroshima University found that green skepticism weakens two key drivers of green consumption: seeking trustworthy environmental information and anticipated guilt about making less sustainable choices. This challenges the common assumption that skeptical consumers will investigate more before deciding on purchases.
A review by an international team of researchers highlights that air monitoring is essential for global public health strategies, as airborne antibiotic resistance genes can spread silently between humans, animals, and the environment.
A framework has been developed to identify candidate pathogenic variants hidden among uncertain significance variants detected in comprehensive genomic profiling. The framework was tested using BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, leading to the classification of a previously unknown variant as pathogenic.
Researchers at Hiroshima University developed a new tool to quickly and accurately map fungal gene functions, even for species with no reference genomes. The tool successfully annotated over 96% of protein-coding transcripts, providing high-resolution functional detection in diverse fungal lifestyles.
Researchers at Hiroshima University have developed a new experimental method to demonstrate the physical delocalization of individual photons in an interferometer. The study challenges traditional interpretations of quantum mechanics and has significant implications for high-tech sensors and our understanding of reality.
A study in mice suggests that matcha may reduce the need to sneeze in people with nasal allergies, suppressing brainstem neuronal activation without changing major immune markers. The findings provide a potential, food-based option to complement standard care for allergic rhinitis symptoms.
A new study from Hiroshima University revealed that pre-employment career resilience, particularly optimism about the future, plays a crucial role in forming vocational identity and coping with reality shock. The study suggests university-level programs to promote career resilience before students enter the workplace.
Researchers found that quantifiable HBV RNA levels are associated with a significantly higher risk of HCC, independent of traditional risk factors. Chronic hepatitis B patients with concurrent liver dysfunction should be intensified under surveillance for HCC.
A study found that shelterbelts in agricultural wetland landscapes reduce grassland species and wetland biodiversity, creating a trade-off for bird communities. The research suggests that agri-environmental policies must balance structural complexity with ecological needs of open-habitat species.
Hiroshima University researchers develop novel 3D printing method to produce cemented carbides with high hardness and durability, reducing material waste and cost. The new technique maintains the hardness of conventionally manufactured WC-Co cemented carbides without defects or decomposition.
A new questionnaire-based scale assesses nursing practices supporting fertility preservation decisions in women with cancer. The study highlights three essential dimensions of nursing practice: professional decision-support, communication facilitation, and system-based collaboration.
A $1.8 million grant will fund the development of refrigerated semen storage, eliminating liquid nitrogen needs for dairy farming in developing countries. This technology is expected to increase milk production and improve farmers' incomes, addressing food insecurity.
A low-cost, portable dosimetry system using radiochromic film and a smartphone can provide immediate on-site readings for radiation exposure. The system is practical for personal preparedness in mass-casualty events and costs less than USD$70.
Researchers discovered that hibernating Syrian hamsters preserve muscle mass by suppressing the generation and regeneration of muscle tissue. The study found that skeletal muscle stem cells have altered gene expression during hibernation, which leads to their maintenance, but suppresses regenerative activity.
Adults with asthma who experience depressive symptoms have elevated blood levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein typically reduced in major depressive disorder. Physical activity may also play a role in depression management, as lower activity levels are linked to worse moods.
Researchers found a neuroendocrine mechanism linking ovarian status to brain signals controlling sexual receptivity in female teleosts. Progesterone analogs restored sexual behavior but not ovulation, suggesting a direct neural pathway for hormone reception.
Research finds that oral bacterium Fusobacterium nucleatum is associated with increased disability in multiple sclerosis patients. Studies suggest a potential 'oral-brain axis' where oral inflammation influences neuroinflammatory disease severity.
Aging mice without teeth experience cognitive decline due to inflammation and cell loss in the hippocampus, essential for memory formation. The study suggests that maintaining chewing ability may be a strategy to preserve cognitive function later in life.
A new wireless fetal heart rate monitoring device improved perinatal mortality by 60% and detected abnormal fetal heart rates 8-10 times more frequently than standard techniques. The technology also reduced the risk of stillbirths and neonatal deaths, but its effectiveness was limited by late introduction in pregnancy.
A new study reveals that Southeast Asia is a significant source of climate-warming gases, with deforestation and fossil fuel use leading the way. The region's natural carbon sinks are being overwhelmed, making it challenging for countries to reach climate neutrality without urgent regional action.