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Kyoto University


Changing ties that naturally bind

A collaborative research group from Kyoto University investigates how animals balance information sharing with disease risk to form social networks. They propose an integrative framework that incorporates deleterious forms of social transmission, like infectious diseases.

Two for the price of one

Researchers from Kyoto University have developed a new method to synthesize dicarboxylic acids and generate hydrogen as a byproduct. Using renewable diols and an iridium catalyst, the process achieves greater efficiency and yield, offering a safer alternative for industrial organic chemistry.

SourceKyoto University·JournalChemSusChem·DateJul 30, 2020

Cells communicate by doing the 'wave'

Researchers at Kyoto University discovered a novel method of communication among cells using 'mechano-chemical' signals. The findings show that the movement of one cell can trigger a cascading reaction resulting in collective cell migration.

SourceKyoto University·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateJul 21, 2020

Flaring, massively

Astronomers have successfully detected a superflare on the nearby red dwarf AD Leonis, with one flare being 20 times larger than those emitted by our sun. The high-quality data from the Seimei Telescope has revealed intriguing phenomena, including an increase in high-energy electrons and unusual light patterns.

SourceKyoto University·JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of Japan·DateJul 9, 2020

Getting a grasp on India's malaria burden

A new approach developed by Kyoto University scientists provides insight into the liver stage of the Plasmodium vivax malaria parasite. The method involves infecting human liver cells with mosquito-bred parasites, enabling researchers to study the parasite's life cycle and develop more effective treatments.

SourceKyoto University·JournalMalaria Journal·DateJul 3, 2020

Artificial intelligence enhances brain tumor diagnosis

A new machine learning approach classifies gliomas into low or high grades with near-perfect accuracy, enabling clinicians to choose the most effective treatment strategy. Researchers developed the method using MRI scans from over 200 patients and achieved an accuracy rate of 97.54%, outperforming state-of-the-art approaches.

SourceKyoto University·JournalIEEE Access·DateJun 9, 2020

A special elemental magic

Physicists from Kyoto University have developed a new 'Nucletouch' table that reimagines the periodic table of elements around protons in the nucleus, rather than electrons. This shift highlights alternative ways to illustrate natural laws and provides a fresh perspective on familiar elements.

SourceKyoto University·JournalFoundations of Chemistry·DateMay 27, 2020

How do birds understand 'foreign' calls?

A study by Toshitaka Suzuki found that birds can visualize a snake when hearing specific alarm calls from another species. The coal tit was observed to approach the experimental area during these calls, indicating it mentally retrieves 'snake' images.

SourceKyoto University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 19, 2020

Reconstructing the clock of human development

Researchers at Kyoto University have successfully reconstructed the human segmentation clock using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), a key focus of embryonic development research. The study reveals novel genetic components and oscillation patterns of the clock, which controls the formation of organs and tissues.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature·DateApr 1, 2020

Eye blinking on-a-chip

Kyoto University scientists develop a device that mimics the movement of tears and blinking eyes, allowing for more accurate testing of ophthalmic drugs. The device shows promise in increasing filament production in corneal cells, potentially leading to improved ocular drug development.

SourceKyoto University·JournalLab on a Chip·DateMar 24, 2020

Exciting tweaks for organic solar cells

Researchers at Kyoto University have improved the efficiency of organic solar cells by targeting the molecular backbone of the power-generating layer. The new design approach increased the excited state duration of the electron-accepting component, converting over 70% of light particles into current. Further modifications to the molecu...

SourceKyoto University·JournalChemical Science·DateMar 5, 2020

New state-of-the-MOF materials

Researchers at Kyoto University have successfully converted crystalline MOFs into glassy or liquid states, demonstrating porosity, ion conductivity, and optical properties. The new materials show promise for heat storage, gas permeation, and catalytic reactions.

SourceKyoto University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateFeb 28, 2020

Advancing gene therapies: PIP pip hurray!

Researchers at Kyoto University have designed a new compound that can bind to DNA and activate genes, which could lead to new treatments for cancers and hereditary diseases. The compound, called ePIP-HoGu, targets specific DNA sequences and recruits gene-modifying molecules.

SourceKyoto University·JournalChemical Communications·DateFeb 28, 2020

How're your cells' motors running?

Researchers discovered that two types of 'kinesin' molecular motors coordinate differently, with kinesin-1 working independently and kinesin-14 interacting to tune transport speed. This breakthrough expands understanding of cellular processes and basic life functions.

SourceKyoto University·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 22, 2020

The little auks that lived in the Pacific

A 700,000-year-old fossil bone found in Japan indicates that a close relative of the modern dovekie was once thriving in the Pacific Ocean. The discovery suggests that dovekies were more abundant in Japan and the Pacific than previously thought.

SourceKyoto University·JournalJournal of Vertebrate Paleontology·DateJan 21, 2020

Using a chip to find better cancer fighting drugs

Kyoto University researchers have developed a new 'tumor-on-a-chip' device that can better mimic the environment inside the body. The device allows for the growth of tumor cells and blood vessels in three dimensions, enabling scientists to test potential cancer fighting drugs more effectively.

SourceKyoto University·JournalBiomaterials·DateDec 20, 2019

Dendrites filtering neuron's excitement

Researchers at Kyoto University discovered that Purkinje cell dendrites can filter and modulate incoming signals, enabling new learning mechanisms in the cerebellum. This finding provides insight into the brain's ability to modify itself and change signaling properties.

Neuron circuitry from brain signals

Researchers at Kyoto University developed a machine learning model that reconstructs neuronal circuitry by analyzing brain signal spikes, estimating the strength of nerve connections with high accuracy. The findings, published in Nature Communications, have the potential to elucidate how different brain regions process information.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 6, 2019

Lend me a flipper

Researchers at Kyoto University found that bottlenose dolphins can coordinate their behavior in a rope-pulling task, with initiators waiting for followers to reach the task and followers matching the initiator's swimming speed. This flexible coordination is likely rooted in their patterns of affiliative behavior.

SourceKyoto University·JournalPeerJ·DateOct 28, 2019

Transforming DNA repair errors into assets

A new bioinformatics tool, MHcut, reveals that microhomology-mediated end joining is more common in humans than previously thought. Using this tool and commercial genome-editing technology, researchers created precise gene mutations to model diseases, providing insights into rare and orphan diseases.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 28, 2019

New material captures carbon dioxide

Researchers at Kyoto University developed a porous material that selectively captures CO2 molecules with high efficiency, converting them into valuable organic materials. The material can also be recycled without losing its efficiency.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 11, 2019

Living a long chimpanzee life

Researchers at Kyoto University analyzed data from over 1,000 captive chimpanzees in Japan, revealing an average life expectancy of 40 years for adults, with males reaching 41.5 years and females 39.2 years on average. The study highlights the importance of providing long-term care to these intelligent, long-lived creatures.

SourceKyoto University·JournalPrimates·DateOct 3, 2019

Great apes have you on their mind

A new study suggests that great apes, including chimpanzees, bonobos, and orangutans, possess a theory of mind, enabling them to understand others' mental states. The team observed that the apes anticipated an agent's actions based on their own experiences with different barriers.

SourceKyoto University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 30, 2019

An overactive cerebellum causes issues across the brain

A recent study by Kyoto University found that acute cerebellar inflammation causes 'depression-like' behavior in rats, characterized by decreased motivation and sociability. The research team discovered that microglia activation led to increased neuronal firing, causing the cerebellum to become hyperexcited.

SourceKyoto University·JournalCell Reports·DateSep 10, 2019

Why fruit flies eat practically anything

Researchers at Kyoto University discovered that fruit flies can thrive on various diets due to their flexible response to carbohydrates. In contrast, genetic cousins of the fruit fly are 'nutritional specialists' and can only grow on specific plants. The study sheds light on how organisms adapt to different nutritional environments.

SourceKyoto University·JournalCell Reports·DateSep 3, 2019

I see the pattern under your skin

A team from Kyoto University found that collagen in the skin is organized in a mesh-like structure, with elastic fibers following the same orientation. This discovery has significant implications for understanding skin pliability and could lead to breakthroughs in skin grafts and transplantation.

SourceKyoto University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 31, 2019

Testing corneal cell quality? Apply physics

Researchers in Kyoto have developed a 'quantitative biomarker' to assess the quality of corneal cells, allowing for prediction of their long-term efficacy through simple observation. This breakthrough has potential applications in preemptive medicine, enabling clinicians to intervene before severe symptoms appear.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateJul 22, 2019

A study in scarlet Japanese macaques

A team from Kyoto University's Primate Research Institute found that female red skin color acts as a 'badge' of their social status, not fertility. Female Japanese macaques with darker/redder hindquarters are of higher social rank.

SourceKyoto University·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateJul 8, 2019

A primate's response to death

Researchers review 200 years of non-human primate interactions with their dead, observing behaviors like defense of deceased companions and emotional responses. The study reveals a complex cognitive understanding of death among primates, including an ability to grasp objects and distinguish between living and dead.

SourceKyoto University·JournalBiological Reviews·DateJun 28, 2019

The new 'Great Wave'

A team of Kyoto University researchers has created the smallest 'Great Wave' ever produced, just 1mm in width, without using pigments. This breakthrough uses Organized Microfibrillation (OM) technology to create a new palette of colors and applications in fields like anti-forgery technology, health, and food safety.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature·DateJun 19, 2019

Breathing new life into dye-sensitized solar cells

Researchers at Kyoto University have made significant advancements in dye-sensitized solar cells by introducing a new molecular dye that enhances power conversion efficiency to 10.7%, surpassing previous records. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the field of sustainable energy.

SourceKyoto University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 12, 2019

Chimps caught crabbing

A study by Kyoto University reveals that chimpanzees habitually catch and consume freshwater crabs, suggesting a year-round source of protein and salts for females and growing juveniles. This finding sheds light on human evolution and the diverse diets of our closest genetic relatives.

SourceKyoto University·JournalJournal of Human Evolution·DateMay 29, 2019

Should I stay or should I go?

A team from Kyoto University analyzed the dispersal patterns of golden lion tamarins, revealing that males and females use different tactics to maximize their reproductive success. The study aims to inform management strategies for conserving other threatened species.

SourceKyoto University·JournalAmerican Journal of Primatology·DateApr 2, 2019

Infertility's roots in DNA packaging

Researchers at Kyoto University have made a breakthrough in understanding the root cause of abnormal sperm morphology in infertile mice. By modifying a single amino acid on a key protein, they were able to restore fertility in test mice, opening up new possibilities for treating infertility.

SourceKyoto University·JournalScience Signaling·DateMar 26, 2019

A petrifying virus key to evolution

A newly discovered Medusavirus giant virus provides new insights into host-virus co-evolution, with features including DNA coding for five histones and unique capsid surface proteins. The discovery suggests a lateral gene transfer model between host and virus.

SourceKyoto University·JournalJournal of Virology·DateMar 25, 2019

Materials that open in the heat of the moment

Researchers at Kyoto University have designed a temperature-controllable copper-based material that can dynamically change pore sizes, allowing for improved gas separation and storage. The material can selectively adsorb gases based on temperature, opening channels to separate gases with different molecular sizes.

SourceKyoto University·JournalScience·DateJan 24, 2019

Using microcredit to increase rice yield in Bangladesh

A study by Kyoto University found that microcredit programs in Bangladesh increased rice yield and overall crop farm income. Households also showed a higher adoption of hybrid and high-yield rice varieties. Additionally, there was a positive effect on cultivating owned land and livestock ownership.

SourceKyoto University·JournalAmerican Journal of Agricultural Economics·DateNov 26, 2018

Making an eye for you

A team at Kyoto University has discovered that individual cells sense and modulate themselves to form the spherical shape of the eye through a process called self-bending. This phenomenon generates a hinge that pushes cells into the cup-like structure, resulting in the formation of an optic cup.

SourceKyoto University·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 21, 2018

Making steps toward improved data storage

Researchers at Kyoto University successfully created intense terahertz pulses to fine-tune the switching behavior of a phase-change memory material. This breakthrough could lead to faster and more stable memory technologies with increased density.

SourceKyoto University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 6, 2018

Talking to an android

Researchers from Kyoto University and ATR upgraded the interaction system for conversational android ERICA, giving her more dynamic speaking skills. The team focused on developing a system for 'attentive listening', allowing ERICA to engage in fluid dialogue with human subjects.