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Institute of Science Tokyo


How Macau strengthened its typhoon resilience without massive seawalls

A study by researchers at Science Tokyo found that non-structural disaster measures in Macau significantly improved coastal resilience and reduced storm-surge impacts. The city's emphasis on evacuation guidance, communication, monitoring systems, and public awareness helped build trust and reduce disaster impacts.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalInternational Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction·TypeSurvey·DateJun 4, 2026

How mechanical stress can accelerate bone destruction in periodontitis

Researchers found that traumatic occlusion combined with periodontitis leads to significant bone loss due to upregulated inflammatory pathways. The study suggests that excessive bite force does not directly cause damage but exacerbates existing dysregulation, making clinical applications of occlusal adjustment in treatment more relevant.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalJournal Of Clinical Periodontology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2026

Toward power-generating displays: a single device that harvests and emits light

Researchers have developed a single device that can harvest light and emit bright visible light, achieving high efficiency in both power conversion and electroluminescence. The device uses a novel organic semiconductor material with controlled energy flow, enabling it to operate at standard lithium-ion battery voltages.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 21, 2026

Smarter search for fuel-cell catalysts using machine learning

Researchers have developed a new computational workflow combining generative AI with atomistic simulations to identify promising platinum alloy catalyst structures for hydrogen fuel cells. The method produces high-performing candidates from several material combinations, addressing a longstanding challenge in catalyst design.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·Journalnpj Computational Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 11, 2026

A new strategy for synthesizing polyfunctionalized biaryls without transition-metal catalysts

Researchers develop substrate design strategy to selectively promote benzidine-type sigmatropic rearrangement of nitroarenes, enabling efficient synthesis of polyfunctionalized biaryls. The method achieves high yields without expensive transition-metal catalysts or complex prefunctionalization.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalChemistry - A European Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 29, 2026

Foldable origami-inspired antennas for CubeSat satellites

Researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo developed a 5.8 GHz foldable antenna designed to provide high antenna gain while remaining compact enough for small satellites. The system aims to improve communication capabilities of small satellites used in applications such as space-based internet services and disaster monitoring.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalIEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 22, 2026

How a key regulatory protein guides cartilage formation during embryonic development

Researchers mapped how Sox9 guides cartilage formation in mouse embryonic limbs, finding that it dynamically targets different genes depending on developmental timing and cell type. The study provides a foundation for understanding skeletal development and may contribute to future research on bone and cartilage diseases.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournaliScience·TypeObservational study·DateApr 21, 2026

How fetal reversion supports intestinal regeneration and preserves stem cells

Researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo discovered a unique mechanism in which conventional stem cells can temporarily switch into a specialized regenerative state called revival stem cells, driving tissue repair. This process, known as fetal reversion, enables efficient regeneration without exhausting the stem cell pool.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 27, 2026

Deep learning model predicts how individual cells influence disease outcomes

A computational method called scSurv links individual cells to patient outcomes using bulk RNA sequencing data, identifying cell populations associated with survival across several cancers. The model estimates the contributions of over 10,000 individual cells to disease risk and prognosis, providing a foundation for precision medicine.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalBioinformatics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 20, 2026

Researchers use NMR, mathematical modelling and simulations to reveal how a tryptophan-rich allosteric communication network helps activate a major drug target receptor

A study using NMR, mathematical modeling and simulations reveals the role of tryptophan-rich residues in activating the human adenosine A2A receptor, a key drug target. The research provides new insights into the mechanisms of GPCR function and could lead to next-generation pharmacology.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 19, 2026

How materials informatics aids photocatalyst design for hydrogen production

A new photocatalyst design using machine learning interatomic potential calculations has successfully identified suitable dopants for a novel tin oxide material. The resulting aluminum-doped material produces 16 times more hydrogen under visible light than the undoped material, paving the way for next-generation clean energy applications.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 13, 2026

Describe the vibe, see the look: An AI-based system projects makeup onto the user’s face

Researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo created a system that turns spoken impressions into personalized makeup colors, combining AI and projection technology. The system shows realistic makeup previews on real skin under natural light, making it easier for users to find suitable colors.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalInternational Journal of Human-Computer Interaction·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 13, 2026

Subglacial weathering may have slowed Earth's escape from snowball Earth

A new study suggests that chemical weathering beneath thick continental ice sheets may have consumed atmospheric carbon dioxide and prolonged global glaciations during the snowball Earth event. This process could have slowed atmospheric warming and delayed deglaciation, helping to explain the long durations of some snowball Earth events.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 10, 2026

Predicting cardiovascular complications in chronic kidney disease using microRNAs in blood

Researchers identified multiple microRNAs linked to disease progression and built a model to distinguish high-risk patients with CKD. The M3V2 equation significantly outperformed conventional clinical markers in predicting both kidney decline and major cardiovascular events.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 25, 2026

New antibody–drug conjugate strategy to block HIV infection

Researchers developed antibody–drug conjugates that combine CD4 mimic and neutralizing antibodies to target HIV entry, showing seven times better efficacy than existing approaches. The strategy aims to block HIV before it enters the host cell, offering a more targeted therapeutic profile and potentially reducing adverse effects.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalJournal of Medicinal Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2026

Novel photoreactive probe enables sensitive detection of epigenetic intermediates

Researchers developed a light-sensitive oligonucleotide probe that selectively detects 5-formylcytosine, an epigenetically important intermediate. The probe demonstrates stable cross-linking with 5fC across various conditions, enabling its detection in target DNA and complex biological samples.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 5, 2026

Highly selective asymmetric 1,6-addition of aliphatic Grignard reagents to α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated carbonyl compounds

Researchers achieve highly regio-, stereo-, and enantioselective 1,6-addition of aliphatic Grignard reagents to α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated carbonyl compounds using an iron catalyst with a chiral N-heterocyclic carbene ligand. The achievement offers new opportunities for drug discovery, materials chemistry, and fine-chemical synthesis.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 2, 2026

Atomic spins set quantum fluid in motion

A team of researchers has observed the Einstein–de Haas effect in a Bose–Einstein condensate, demonstrating the transfer of angular momentum from atomic spins to fluid motion. This finding highlights the conservation of angular momentum between microscopic spin and macroscopic mechanical rotation in the quantum world.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 29, 2026

MAN PPK2: A “universal” enzyme for the production of RNA building blocks

A team of researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo developed a novel enzyme, MAN, that efficiently converts common nucleotide substrates into RNA nucleotides with remarkable efficiency. This method simplifies the production of RNA building blocks by using inexpensive and stable polyphosphate as a phosphate donor.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 22, 2026

Understanding unusual chirality-driven anomalous Hall effect via first-principles calculations

Researchers present novel theoretical framework explaining non-monotonic temperature dependence and sign reversal of chirality-related AHE in highly conductive metals. The study reveals clear picture of unusual transport phenomena, forming foundation for rational design of next-generation spintronic devices and magnetic quantum materials.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 20, 2026