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Kobe University


Structural color just got glossy, durable and 3D-ready

The Kobe University team demonstrates glossy, non-iridescent, and protection-coated structural color coatings for 3D objects, reducing diffuse reflectance and increasing color brightness. The coatings are lightweight, making them ideal for aircraft and other applications where weight reduction is crucial.

SourceKobe University·JournalSmall Structures·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2026

Your reputation depends on how others treat you

Researchers at Kobe University found that allowing observers to update the recipient's reputation helps people's evaluations become more aligned, making cooperation easier to sustain. They also discovered that a social norm called 'recipient image scoring' was particularly effective in supporting cooperation.

SourceKobe University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 24, 2026

Who are the secret gardeners of a parasitic plant?

A Kobe University study reveals that land hermit crabs are effective seed dispersers of a non-green parasitic plant. The animals scrape off fruits with their pincers, sometimes attaching them to their bodies, allowing seeds to survive passage through the digestive tract and travel significant distances.

SourceKobe University·JournalEcology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2026

Many ways to become a monster and one map to tell

A Kobe University research reveals that insect snatching forelimbs have evolved in a similar direction but did not settle on a single solution. The study's framework allowed researchers to quantify the process across lineages and found that different shapes can capture the same ecological function.

SourceKobe University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateJul 7, 2026

The battle of the sexes in the egg

A study by Kobe University researchers found that the size of sperm and egg cell nuclei competes after fertilization, maintaining regulatory modifications necessary for embryonic development. The team introduced a new concept where separate pronuclei engage in a race to absorb growth factors, helping maintain proper regulation.

SourceKobe University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 29, 2026

A secret code that patches a problematic relationship

Researchers at Kobe University have identified a rare scent, dihydroedulan I, that guides the pollinator to male flowers first and female flowers later in a specific plant species. The chemical system ensures the partnership remains beneficial to both parties and promotes reliable pollen transfer.

SourceKobe University·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 6, 2026

Mirror fragments intercept Alzheimer’s-causing protein

Researchers from Kobe University have designed a small mirror protein that disables amyloid-beta, a causal factor of Alzheimer's disease. The approach uses the principle of 'chirality' to bind to the protein, inhibiting its aggregation and potential for brain cell damage.

SourceKobe University·JournalChemistry - A European Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 31, 2026

How do giant caldera volcanoes fill up?

Researchers at Kobe University have discovered a region beneath the Kikai caldera in Japan that is filled with magma, which they believe is newly injected magma. This finding allows them to propose a general model for how magma reservoirs under caldera volcanoes refill, potentially improving our ability to predict future giant eruptions.

SourceKobe University·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 27, 2026

Smaller insects more likely to escape fish mouths

A Kobe University study reveals that smaller aquatic insects have a high probability of surviving catfish attacks by resisting ingestion and being spat out alive. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of size-dependent predator-prey relationships in aquatic insects and fish.

SourceKobe University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 12, 2026

Saving two lives with one fruit drop

Researchers found that the plant aborts almost all fruits containing larvae, but instead allows larvae to emerge and burrow into soil, promoting a stable balance in the relationship. This 'fallen-fruit compromise' is a novel mechanism that stabilizes nursery pollination mutualism between Sambucus and kateretid beetles.

SourceKobe University·JournalPlants People Planet·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 5, 2026

AI accurately spots medical disorder from privacy-conscious hand images

Researchers at Kobe University developed an AI model that can diagnose acromegaly with high sensitivity and specificity using only pictures of the back of the hand and clenched fist. This approach holds promise for disease screening, particularly in rural or resource-constrained areas where access to specialists may be limited.

SourceKobe University·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 27, 2026

Nutrient uptake gets to the root of roots

Researchers at Kobe University found that liverwort's hair-like rhizoids take in and transport phosphorus to its tissues, contrary to initial assumptions. This discovery sheds light on the evolution of nutrient acquisition mechanisms in simple land plants like mosses and liverworts.

SourceKobe University·JournalNew Phytologist·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2026

Rhododendron-derived drugs now made by bacteria

Kobe University scientists have engineered bacteria to produce a group of compounds with promising pharmacological activities. The breakthrough uses a rational design strategy to create a platform for industrial production of drug candidates.

SourceKobe University·JournalMetabolic Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2026

Sniffing out the cause of keratoderma-associated foot odor

Researchers at Kobe University have identified a specific bacterial strain, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum, as the primary causes of foot odor in Nagashima-type palmoplantar keratosis. Topical application of benzoyl peroxide reduces odor by decreasing C. tuberculostearicum levels.

SourceKobe University·JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 22, 2026

iPS cells from dish to freezer and back

Researchers at Kobe University developed a method to preserve iPS cells directly in their culture dishes using D-proline as a cryoprotectant. This allows for easy automation of the process, reducing costs and increasing efficiency in regenerative medicine and drug discovery research. The breakthrough enables the direct freezing, thawin...

SourceKobe University·JournalBiochemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 18, 2025

How parasitic, asexual plants evolve and live

Researchers found that all Balanophora plants have an extremely reduced plastid genome, showing that even though they abandon photosynthesis, the plastid is still vital to their metabolism. Asexual reproduction likely evolved repeatedly in the group, with some species colonizing islands without fertilization.

SourceKobe University·JournalNew Phytologist·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 10, 2025

A sound defense: Noisy pupae puff away potential predators

In a study published in the Journal of Experimental Biology, researchers from Kobe University found that hawkmoth larvae and pupae produce defensive sounds when stimulated. These sounds are released through respiratory openings and resemble snake warning signals, potentially helping the insects evade predators.

SourceKobe University·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 7, 2025

Fearless frogs feast on deadly hornets

A study by Kobe University ecologist Shinji Sugiura reveals that adult pond frogs actively attack and consume hornet workers despite being stung repeatedly. The frogs showed no noticeable harm from the venomous stings, making them a unique model organism for studying mechanisms underlying venom tolerance.

SourceKobe University·JournalEcosphere·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 4, 2025

Urban natives: Plants evolve to live in cities

Researchers found that a plant species adapted to urban conditions exhibited inheritable characteristics, such as changes in size and flowering periods, within 60 years of urbanization. Elevated ground temperatures and reduced soil acidity drove these differences.

SourceKobe University·JournalJournal of Ecology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 25, 2025

Hornets in town: How top predators coexist

Research by Kobe University entomologist SAGA Tatsuya found that two hornet species divide their prey by specializing on different targets. The Japanese yellow hornet eats soft-bodied prey like crickets and moths, while the yellow-vented hornet consumes low-value prey such as beetles and wasps.

SourceKobe University·JournalEntomologia Generalis·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 4, 2025

Tricky treats: Why pumpkins accumulate pollutants

A Kobe University team identified the cause of pollutant accumulation in pumpkins and their relatives, discovering that specific proteins bind to pollutants and transport them through the plant. By controlling these proteins' behavior, safer crops can be created and polluted soils can be cleaned.

SourceKobe University·JournalPlant Physiology and Biochemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 30, 2025

Deadwood brings wild orchids to life

A study by Kobe University discovered that wild orchid seeds require fungi from decaying logs to germinate. The team found a consistent association between young and adult plants with coral-shaped rhizomes and wood-decaying fungi, suggesting an essential role for these fungi in the orchid's nutritional needs.

SourceKobe University·JournalFunctional Ecology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 8, 2025

Catching Alport syndrome through universal age-3 urine screening

Researchers found that over 30% of children referred for Alport syndrome testing at age 3 already required therapeutic intervention, highlighting the potential benefits of early detection. The study suggests introducing a urine testing system may enable intervention before kidney dysfunction onset.

SourceKobe University·JournalKidney International Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 7, 2025

The mouse eye as a window to spotting systemic disease

A new technology allows for clear observation of living retina and microglia's behavior, revealing their increased activity before tissue damage in diabetic mice. The study found that the diabetes drug liraglutide reduced microglia's activity in healthy mice too, suggesting a direct modulation mechanism.

SourceKobe University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 6, 2025

A graphene sandwich — deposited or transferred?

Researchers at Kobe University investigated how different manufacturing techniques affect the electronic structure of magnetic tunnel junctions. They found that the surface of ferromagnets is different when insulators are transferred to them compared to growing crystals on insulator flakes. This difference influences device behavior, p...

SourceKobe University·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 18, 2025

Biodegradable PET alternative bioproduced at unprecedented levels

A Kobe University team has engineered E. coli bacteria to produce the compound pyridinedicarboxylic acid (PDCA) from glucose at unprecedented levels, surpassing previously reported concentrations. The breakthrough enables the clean and efficient synthesis of a biodegradable PET alternative with superior physical properties.

SourceKobe University·JournalMetabolic Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 4, 2025

Metformin changes blood metal levels in humans

A Kobe University study found that metformin reduces copper and iron levels and increases zinc levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. This suggests a possible mechanism for the drug's beneficial effects beyond lowering blood sugar levels.

SourceKobe University·JournalBMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 31, 2025

Optimists are alike, every pessimist has their own way

A study by Kobe University found that optimists' brains work similarly when imagining future events, while pessimists' brains show more individuality. This commonality may explain why optimists are seen as more sociable and satisfied with their social relationships.

SourceKobe University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 21, 2025

Finding the enzymatic needle in the database haystack

A Kobe University team developed a technique to classify thousands of enzymes, allowing for rapid evaluation and identification of highly active and versatile enzymes. The approach enabled the discovery of an enzyme with up to 10 times higher productivity than industry standards.

SourceKobe University·JournalACS Catalysis·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 26, 2025

A threesome that hatches potato parasites

A Kobe University team has identified a new molecule, solanoeclepin C, that plants secrete to attract soil microbes. This newly found compound is converted into hatching factors that cause potato cyst nematodes to hatch prematurely, potentially offering a novel approach to parasite control.

SourceKobe University·JournalNew Phytologist·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 4, 2025

A root development gene that’s older than root development

A Kobe University study finds that a gene regulating root development in vascular plants is also essential for organ development in liverworts, demonstrating the evolutionary dynamic of co-opting. The RLF protein, involved in this process, interacts with others to clarify plant organ development evolution.

SourceKobe University·JournalNew Phytologist·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 25, 2025

Hey vespids, what's for dinner? DNA analysis of wasp larvae’s diverse diet

A study by Kobe University found that Japanese wasp larvae feed on a diverse range of species, including birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects. The research used DNA metabarcoding to identify the gut contents of larvae from wild and reared nests, revealing significant differences in prey composition between the two.

SourceKobe University·JournalJournal of Insects as Food and Feed·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2025

A one-pixel camera for recording holographic movies

Researchers at Kobe University have created a single-pixel camera that can record three-dimensional holographic movies, even through tissues. The camera uses a high-speed digital micromirror device to project patterns required for recording the hologram, enabling the capture of moving objects and images outside the visible spectrum.

SourceKobe University·JournalOptics Express·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 21, 2025

On the origin (and fate) of plants that never bloom

A study by Kobe University reveals that plants reproducing solely through self-pollination likely arose from populations with extremely low genetic diversity. The research found that these species are highly successful at producing fruit and may have an evolutionary edge over outcrossing, raising questions about their long-term viability.

SourceKobe University·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 20, 2025

Blue tips are red algae’s red flags

Researchers at Kobe University discovered that red algae use structural color to communicate with each other. The discovery was made in the European Journal of Phycology and suggests that these colors may serve as a warning signal to algae-eating fish.

SourceKobe University·JournalEuropean Journal of Phycology·TypeObservational study·DateMay 5, 2025

No more copy-pasting: DNA base editing for better Lactobacillus strains

A Kobe University team developed a DNA base editing technology that enables precise control over microorganism genetic content without using template DNA from other organisms. They successfully applied this technique to industrially important Lactobacillus strains, creating safer probiotics for people with type 2 diabetes.

SourceKobe University·JournalApplied Microbiology and Biotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 24, 2025