Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Kyushu University


What happens when a shoreline scavenger consumes microplastics?

Researchers found altered gene expression in wharf roach guts after consuming expanded polystyrene, but no significant impact on lifespan. The gut microbiome showed little change, but rare microbes were detected in EPS-fed specimens. This highlights the need to manage EPS waste carefully and prioritize coastal cleanup efforts.

SourceKyushu University·JournalMarine Pollution Bulletin·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 4, 2026

The framing of nature changes how kids respond to environmental education

A randomized trial in 21 Japanese elementary schools found that students respond more strongly to environmental education when nature is framed around its human benefits rather than its intrinsic value. This approach increased students' short-term interest in the environment. In contrast, students who received an ecocentric framing sho...

SourceKyushu University·JournalEcological Economics·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 20, 2026

Scientists ‘see’ nanoscale forces, providing evidence of electric fields at the air‑water interface

Researchers used 3D electron microscopy to capture direct evidence of electric fields at air-water interfaces, opening a path to rationally designed clean-energy materials. The study found a repulsive force holding thinnest films together, reaching 10 megapascals, and provided chemical evidence for the electric field's existence.

SourceKyushu University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeObservational study·DateAug 18, 2026

Natural insecticide made by nanoemulsification of compounds found in garlic and spearmint found to be effective on adzuki bean beetles with low non-target impacts

Researchers developed a new environmentally friendly insecticide using nanoemulsions of diallyl disulfide and carvone, which showed enhanced toxicity against the adzuki bean beetle while having relatively low impact on parasitic wasps. The nanoemulsions were also safe on seeds and enhanced root growth.

SourceKyushu University·JournalEcotoxicology and Environmental Safety·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 7, 2026

Inter-filamentary diffuse gas flows replenish dense filaments and sustain gas accretion onto hubs, promoting massive star formation

Researchers from Kyushu University found that low-density gas contributes to hub growth through direct inflow and by replenishing nearby dense filaments, substantially underestimating the material available for massive star formation. The study's combined analysis of dense and diffuse gas increased estimated material flowing onto hubs ...

SourceKyushu University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeImaging analysis·DateAug 5, 2026

Capturing the cosmic ‘drift’ before a star is born

A team of researchers from Kyushu University and Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics have detected ambipolar diffusion in a prestellar core, weakening magnetic support and leading to gravitational collapse. This finding provides insight into early star formation and the creation of stellar systems like our own.

SourceKyushu University·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·TypeObservational study·DateJul 10, 2026

Rewriting the reactivity rules: A new catalyst for recycling mixed plastics

Japanese researchers have developed a catalyst that selectively degrades polyurethane in mixed plastic waste, allowing for the separation and chemical recycling of complex materials. The breakthrough opens up new possibilities for waste management, particularly in industries such as end-of-life vehicle recycling and mattress disposal.

SourceKyushu University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 9, 2026

Wasted pumpkin peel can keep your food fresh

Researchers at Kyushu University developed a new food preservation solution using pumpkin peel, creating a nanomaterial that slows deterioration of fruit and reduce transport damage. The material showed good biocompatibility and was effective in suppressing microbial growth and preserving freshness.

SourceKyushu University·JournalFood Research International·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 6, 2026

Harvesting UV Light from sunlight just got ‘solid’

Researchers at Kyushu University have created a solid-state material that converts visible light into ultraviolet (UV) light under ordinary outdoor sunlight, achieving a conversion efficiency of 1.9%. The material offers advantages for real-world use, including straightforward synthesis and low-cost starting materials.

SourceKyushu University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 23, 2026

Exploring the origin of freely adjustable parameters in the fundamental equations of nature

A study by researchers at Kyushu University suggests that continuous parameters in quantum gravity may not be freely adjustable, but rather emerge from operators within the theory. The findings support Einstein's century-old claim about the fundamental laws of nature and have implications for our understanding of quantum gravity.

SourceKyushu University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 17, 2026

Body clock found to control inflammatory responses in macrophages

Researchers from Kyushu University discovered that the circadian clock protein BMAL1 drives macrophages towards a pro-inflammatory M1 state by activating inflammatory signaling pathways. This mechanism links the body clock to intracellular metabolism and immune function, offering new insights into treating inflammatory diseases.

SourceKyushu University·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2026

Seven-second X-ray scan accurately detects severity of heart valve regurgitation in patients with repaired congenital heart defects

A simple, seven-second X-ray scan can accurately detect the severity of pulmonary valve regurgitation in patients with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot. The test uses dynamic chest radiography and requires minimal radiation, offering a more accessible diagnostic option for those who cannot undergo traditional methods.

SourceKyushu University·JournalRadiology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 4, 2026

Scientists show how baby stars’ cradles get their radial shape

Researchers at Kyushu University used 3D computer simulations to understand the physics behind hub-and-spoke patterns in star-forming regions. The study shows that oblique shocks create invisible channels guiding compressed gas into central filaments, forming the radial shape of baby stars' cradles.

SourceKyushu University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 28, 2026

Unstable software tests cause issues that spread across projects

Researchers found that over half of projects in the popular OpenStack ecosystem are affected by shared instability from “flaky tests”, resulting in a cumulative loss of 1,156 days of developer time. The study identifies environmental and system-level factors as major causes of test instability.

SourceKyushu University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Software Engineering·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 26, 2026

Understanding how oxygen is delivered to tissues at the microscopic level

Researchers at Kyushu University developed a new mathematical model that simulates oxygen transport by red blood cells through tiny blood vessels and their delivery to surrounding tissues. The findings show that RBCs can naturally adjust the amount of oxygen released based on local requirements.

SourceKyushu University·JournalInternational Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 28, 2026

A simple way of making hydrogen from alcohol by using iron and UV light

Scientists at Kyushu University have developed a simple method to produce hydrogen gas by mixing methanol with iron ions and irradiating it with UV light. The reaction produces a considerable amount of hydrogen gas comparable to that of previously reported systems, opening up new possibilities for sustainable hydrogen technologies.

SourceKyushu University·JournalCommunications Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 17, 2026

Does gravity follow the rules of quantum mechanics?

A team of researchers led by Kazuhiro Yamamoto has proposed a method to create a momentum-squeezed state in movable mirrors, which significantly broadens the quantum superposition of a mirror's position. This approach can amplify the signal of quantum entanglement generated by gravity, making it easier to detect.

SourceKyushu University·JournalPhysical Review Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 14, 2026

Star light, star bright, baby stars blow rings alight

Researchers from Kyushu University used ALMA to observe a baby star producing a giant ring of gas about 1,000 au in size, which helps the star release excess energy. The team found that this ring is slightly warmer than its surroundings and hypothesize it's produced through magnetic field threading.

SourceKyushu University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 2, 2026

A new reagent makes living brains transparent for deeper, non-invasive imaging

Researchers at Kyushu University develop a new tissue-clearing reagent, SeeDB-Live, enabling repeated, reversible, and real-time imaging of living brains at greater depth and clarity. This breakthrough allows scientists to visualize neural activity in living mice and brain slices, offering new insights into brain dynamics and function.

SourceKyushu University·JournalNature Methods·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 12, 2026

Vaping zebrafish suggest E-cigarette exposure disrupts gut microbial networks and neurobehavior

A study published in Science of The Total Environment found that e-cigarette exposure alters gut microbiota composition and affects neurobehavior in zebrafish. The researchers observed disruptions in the gut microbiome, with reduced microbial network stability and altered community composition, suggesting potential health risks.

SourceKyushu University·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 29, 2026

New synaptic formation in adolescence challenges conventional views of brain development

Researchers from Kyushu University found that the brain forms new, high-density clusters of synapses on specific segments of dendrites during adolescence, challenging the 'adolescent synaptic pruning' hypothesis. This discovery may offer new hope for understanding the biological basis of schizophrenia and other neurodevelopmental condi...

SourceKyushu University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 14, 2026

Doing good pays off: Environmentally and socially responsible companies drive value and market efficiency

A global study of 2,636 firms across 31 countries found that stronger ESG disclosure and performance correspond to higher intrinsic value. This aligns with theoretical analysis and signaling theory, highlighting the need for companies to communicate substantive progress honestly.

SourceKyushu University·JournalBusiness Strategy and the Environment·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 8, 2026

A new way to map how cells choose their fate

Researchers develop ddHodge, a geometry-preserving method that accurately reconstructs cell state dynamics. The technique reveals repeating processes like the cell cycle and identifies critical biological moments in embryonic development, tissue regeneration, and cancer progression.

SourceKyushu University·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 29, 2025

From dots to lines: new database catalogs human gene types using ’ACTG’ rules

Researchers have developed the Joint Open Genome and Omics Platform 1.0 (JoGo 1.0), which organizes human gene types into four levels based on global frequency. The database catalogs 19,194 human genes with a novel naming system, enabling secure integration of sensitive datasets and linking each gene type to public resources.

SourceKyushu University·JournalNucleic Acids Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 10, 2025

Where do microplastics go once they sink into the ocean?

New method detects small microplastic concentrations up to 10,000 particles per cubic meter, with drift and sinking behaviors observed. Microplastics reach sea depths via biofouling or neutral buoyancy, affecting marine environment and necessitating urgent countermeasures.

SourceKyushu University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 1, 2025

As global warming worsens, so may space communications

Researchers at Kyushu University found that rising CO2 levels in the atmosphere may lead to disruptions in shortwave radio communications, including systems used for air traffic control and maritime communication. The ionosphere's cooling due to global warming causes a decrease in air density and accelerates wind circulation.

SourceKyushu University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 27, 2025