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Institute of Science Tokyo


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

Layered hydrogen silicane for safe, lightweight, and energy-efficient hydrogen carrier

Researchers have discovered a new solid-state hydrogen carrier called layered hydrogen silicane (L-HSi) that can release hydrogen under ambient temperature and pressure. L-HSi exhibits high gravimetric hydrogen capacity and is stable, making it a promising alternative to conventional hydrogen storage systems.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2026

Discovery of a new superfluid phase in non-Hermitian quantum systems

Researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo have discovered a stable superfluid that inherently hosts singularities known as exceptional points. The study reveals how dissipation can stabilize this unique superfluid phase, which features a finite order parameter and emerges deep inside a strongly interacting phase.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 12, 2026

Ultrathin ferroelectric capacitors for next-generation memory devices

Researchers from Japan successfully downscaled a total ferroelectric memory capacitor stack to just 30 nm, maintaining high remanent polarization and paving the way for compact and efficient on-chip memory. This breakthrough demonstrates compatibility with semiconductor devices and paves the way for future technologies.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalAdvanced Electronic Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 5, 2026

Novel composite copper oxides with strong and stable antiviral activity

Composite copper oxides La₂CuO₄ and Y₂Cu₂O₅ demonstrate exceptionally high antiviral activity against non-enveloped viruses, outperforming individual constituent oxides. The oxides' cation-rich surfaces enhance electrostatic adsorption of viruses, leading to protein inactivation and viral neutralization.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 19, 2025

‘Tubuloids’ offer a realistic platform for modeling chronic kidney disease

Researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo developed 'tubuloids' to capture the slow progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), replicating key features such as DNA damage, cellular senescence, inflammation, and fibrosis. This realistic platform provides a new way to develop and test treatments for millions globally.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 16, 2025

Engineering magnetism and thermal expansion in BiFeO3 for next-generation memory devices

Scientists successfully introduce ferromagnetism into bismuth ferrite at room temperature through dual-cation substitution, enabling potential use in low-power memory devices. Negative thermal expansion is also observed, which could help solve problems caused by thermal expansion in electronic components.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 11, 2025

Uncovering the dynamics of sugar–protein interactions

Researchers developed a novel magnetic biosensing technique using polydopamine-coated magnetoliposomes to monitor lectin-glycan binding. The technique provides insight into the dynamics of sugar-protein interactions and holds promise for medical diagnostics, glycoscience research, and drug discovery.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 9, 2025

Chemistry meets biology: controlling artificial cell membranes through catalysis

Scientists at Institute of Science Tokyo have developed an artificial metalloenzyme-based platform that enables dynamic control of artificial membranes, mimicking the behavior of natural biological membranes. The researchers successfully induced phase-separated domain disappearance and membrane division in artificial membranes using a ...

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 1, 2025

Lighting and acoustics matter for better work environments in ICUs

A study conducted in a Japanese ICU found that healthcare workers experience reduced satisfaction and concentration due to poor lighting and excessive noise. The findings suggest that designing ICUs with improved natural light and mitigating noise can enhance worker satisfaction, productivity, and quality of patient care.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalIntensive and Critical Care Nursing·TypeObservational study·DateNov 17, 2025

Stable and versatile optical wireless power transmission for sustainable IoT

Scientists at Institute of Science Tokyo developed an automatic and adaptive LED-based optical wireless power transmission system that can efficiently power multiple devices without interruption. The system overcomes limitations of traditional OWPT systems by adapting to varying lighting conditions and ensuring stable power delivery.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalOptics Express·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 14, 2025