Researchers from Kyushu University found that reducing plastic waste entering oceans by 32% by 2035 would result in more than 50% less plastic in the oceans by 2050. The study aims to provide a clear numerical target for global efforts to tackle marine plastic pollution.
Researchers have discovered microplastics in all three parts of coral anatomy, including surface mucus, tissue, and skeleton. This finding may explain the 'missing plastic problem' and suggests that corals could be sequestering plastic waste from the ocean.
Researchers developed a model using gene activity to predict when Somei Yoshino cherry tree buds awake from dormancy. The study found that the breaking of endodormancy requires around 61 days with temperatures lower than 10.1°C, and climate change is delaying this process by 2.3 days per decade.
Researchers at Kyushu University developed a new organic thermoelectric device that can generate power from ambient temperature. The device, composed of copper phthalocyanine and fullerenes, achieved an open-circuit voltage of 384 mV and a short-circuit current density of 1.1 μA/cm².
A team from Kyushu University has developed a zeolite catalyst that can be heated using microwaves to speed up the conversion of fatty acid esters to olefins. This process improves energy efficiency and reduces carbon dioxide production, offering a more sustainable chemical industry.
Researchers from Kyushu University have identified a link between fault strength and earthquake magnitude, suggesting that stronger faults are more likely to produce large earthquakes. The study analyzed seismic activity at over 1,000 locations and estimated the stress field and characterized faults as strong or weak.
A new study reveals that blowflies in southern Japan are carrying the bird flu virus, which could lead to transmission through contaminated surfaces, food sources, and water. This finding highlights the need for effective countermeasures to prevent and control the disease in poultry farms.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that blocking connexin 43 (Cx43) channels with the compound INI-0602 improved MS symptoms in an animal model by regulating immune processes and reducing inflammation. The findings suggest a potential therapeutic strategy for chronic MS treatment.
A study of Japanese listed companies found that those with higher carbon emissions face higher costs for borrowing and raising money. In contrast, companies that follow TCFD guidelines and openly share climate-related information benefit from lower capital costs.
Researchers from Kyushu University found that early-onset El Niño leads to warm winters in East Asia due to anomalous warming of the tropical Indian Ocean. Late-onset El Niño, on the other hand, results in colder winters. This study aimed to improve climate modeling and prediction during El Niño events.
Scientists at Kyushu University created QDyeFinder, an AI pipeline that untangles the dense neuronal networks in the brain. The system uses a super-multicolor labeling protocol to tag neurons and then automatically identifies their structure by matching similar color combinations.
Researchers from Kyushu University discovered new conditions for a three-flash illusion, where the brain misperceives the second flash as near the midpoint between the first and third flashes. This phenomenon occurs regardless of the second flash's location, highlighting the complexity of visual perception.
A team of researchers found that air turbulence in the thermosphere exhibits the same physical laws as wind in the lower atmosphere, leading to a new unified principle for Earth's environmental systems. This discovery can potentially improve future forecasting of both Earth and space weather.
Kyushu University researchers generalize fluid dynamics of volatile liquids using mathematical modeling and experimentation. Their findings can lead to more efficient product development in various liquid-based industries, including high-end electronics manufacturing and lab-on-a-chip disease diagnosis.
Researchers found that exercise increased neuron growth in the hippocampus, rewiring neural circuits to help mice forget strong, traumatic memories. This approach may offer new treatments for PTSD and drug addiction.
A worldwide analysis of voluntary carbon offset programs identified trends in renewable energy, forestry, and other technologies. Forestry and land management projects initially increased due to REDD+ programs, but shifted towards nature-positive solutions after 2016.
Researchers at Kyushu University analyzed the carbon footprint of building a wooden house in Japan, estimating 38 tons of CO2 emissions. The team identified electric power sector and steel manufacturing process as major contributors to total emissions.
Researchers at Kyushu University discovered that baby stars expel plumes of dust, gas, and electromagnetic energy in a phenomenon called 'interchange instability', releasing magnetic flux within the protostellar disk. This finding sheds new light on how baby stars develop and may be crucial for understanding star formation.
Researchers at Kyushu University identified a new type of tumor cell population, steroids-producing nodules (SPNs), which lead to cortisol-producing adenomas. The study provides clues into the formation and maintenance of the human adrenal cortex.
Researchers developed an AI model to detect viable tumor cells in osteosarcoma patients, improving prognosis predictions. The model showed comparable detection performance to pathologists and reduced inter-assessor variability, enabling timely assessment.
Researchers from Kyushu University found that ocean-atmosphere coupling enhances teleconnection patterns, leading to more meandering jet streams and extreme weather events. The study highlights the significance of extratropical ocean-atmosphere interactions in climate variability.
Researchers from Kyushu University and Harvard Medical School have identified proteins that can reprogram fibroblasts into cells with properties similar to limb progenitor cells. The new method simplifies the process of regenerating human limbs after amputation and could one day be used to give snakes back their legs.
Researchers developed a UV-sensitive tape that can transfer 2D materials like graphene with ease, reducing damage and increasing efficiency. The new technology allows for flexible plastics to be used in device substrates, expanding potential applications.
A team of researchers at Kyushu University found that Japan's current policy may not be enough to reduce CO2 emissions and achieve decarbonization goals. To address this, the government must extend vehicle longevity, invest in a cleaner energy mix, and decarbonize the supply chain.
A new study reveals how sika deer foraging is causing soil erosion, reducing the growth of Japanese beech trees. The research found that exposed roots are more vulnerable to water loss, affecting tree health and increasing vulnerability to climate change and pests.
Scientists at Kyushu University use machine learning to identify promising green energy materials, accelerating the search for hydrogen fuel cell efficiency and expanding material discovery capabilities. Two new candidate materials with unique crystal structures have been successfully synthesized.
Scientists achieve room-temperature quantum coherence by embedding a chromophore in a metal-organic framework, enabling the creation of quintet state qubits with four electron spins. This breakthrough could lead to the development of multiple qubit systems at room temperature, revolutionizing quantum computing and sensing.
Researchers developed a new diagnostic tool to identify and treat Hikikomori, a condition characterized by prolonged physical isolation or social withdrawal. The Hikikomori Diagnostic Evaluation (HiDE) assesses the severity of social withdrawal, providing a practical guide for clinicians.
Kyushu University researchers have developed a new material that can store hydrogen energy for up to three months at room temperature, using an inexpensive element like nickel. This innovation could potentially reduce the cost of future compounds and contribute to the transition to alternative energy sources.
Researchers at Kyushu University have successfully converted brain immune cells into neurons, which restored brain function after a stroke-like injury in mice. The findings suggest that replenishing neurons from immune cells could be a promising avenue for treating stroke in humans.
Researchers investigated Japan's market for incorporating greener plastics to achieve carbon neutrality. They found that bioplastics have the lowest global warming potential, while recycled plastics are cheaper but with lower quality and recyclability. A robust recycling system is crucial to ensure quality assurance.
Researchers have discovered 16 new species of Loboscelidia parasitoid wasps in Vietnam, increasing the global total by 30%. The new species exhibit unique egg-burying behavior similar to solitary hunting wasps.
Researchers from Kyushu University discovered intentional cranial modification among the Hirota people on Tanegashima island, characterized by a flattened back of the skull. The practice, which predates written history, was likely used to signify group affiliation and preserve social status.
Researchers found that investors evaluate a company's environmental performance based on financial materiality, providing a better perspective for understanding environmental risks. The study analyzed data from 1,766 companies and identified three key findings: varying evaluation criteria, shareholder risk perception, and the importanc...
Researchers from Japan and Germany have created an eco-friendly light-emitting electrochemical cell using dendrimers combined with biomass-derived cellulose acetate as the electrolyte and a graphene electrode. The device has a long lifespan of over 1000 hours and is environmentally friendly.
The study reveals that spontaneous waves of neurotransmitter glutamate facilitate dendrite pruning, while a unique protection/punishment machinery strengthens certain connections and eliminates others. Proper pruning is critical for neural development, with insufficient or excessive connections linked to neurophysiological disorders.
Researchers found that a mutation in RPL3L, expressed only in heart and skeletal muscle, leads to impaired cardiac contractility by causing ribosomal collisions and protein folding abnormalities. The study aims to develop new treatments for cardiomyopathy and atrial fibrillation.
Researchers develop a method to estimate the age of microplastics in the ocean, finding that nearshore microplastics range from 0 to 5 years old while offshore microplastics range from 1 to 3 years old. The study provides insights into how microplastics are generated and spread in the environment.
The study, led by Professor Takashi Miura of Kyushu University, has discovered that interdigitated cell boundaries have a mathematically scaling pattern with self-similarity. The team used the Edwards-Wilkinson model to simulate and understand the molecular mechanism responsible for these dynamics.
African provinces' inclusive wealth per capita rose modestly by 1% between 2012 and 2018, signaling weak sustainability performance. The study highlights the tradeoffs between income and natural capital growth, emphasizing the importance of harmonizing national and subnational interventions.
A team led by Professor Yoshihiro Yamazaki from Kyushu University discovered the chemical innerworkings of a perovskite-based electrolyte developed for solid oxide fuel cells. By combining synchrotron radiation analysis, large-scale simulations, machine learning, and thermogravimetric analysis, they found that protons are introduced at...
Researchers from Kyushu University found that the single mechanosensitive protein VGLL3 induces fibrosis, thickening and scarring tissue. The study suggests targeting this protein could lead to new treatments against fibrosis.
The new homogeneous catalyst enables the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide with improved efficiency and safety. The process requires only one step and no separation of gases from the reaction flask.
A new study from Kyushu University examines the spillover effects of rising energy prices following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. The research finds that a 20% increase in energy prices has little impact on global prices and social surplus, with only a small effect on certain sectors.
Researchers found that measles virus mutations in its fusion protein allow it to infect nerve cells, leading to subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. The team's discovery sheds light on the evolutionary mechanisms of viruses like coronaviruses and herpesviruses.
A new system upconverts blue LED light into high-energy Ultraviolet B (UVB) light without toxic materials. The development opens the door for more sustainable and eco-friendly uses of UVB in various applications such as disinfection, photochemical reactions, and wastewater treatment.
Researchers from Kyushu University found that evening hot spring bathing is associated with a lower prevalence of hypertension among Japanese older adults. The study analyzed data from over 11,000 residents over 65 and discovered that those who bathed in onsen after 19:00 were 15% less likely to have hypertension.
Scientists recreated small solar flares in a lab using high-powered lasers, shedding light on the mechanisms behind magnetic reconnection. They recorded electrical currents and plasma acceleration, providing new insights into this fundamental astronomical phenomenon.
A new Hikikomori Questionnaire has been developed to identify individuals with pathological social withdrawal at an earlier stage. The questionnaire evaluates socialization, isolation, and emotional support on a scale of 0-4, providing a tool for early detection and treatment of hikikomori.
Researchers at Kyushu University developed a new method to create highly detailed 3D models of plants and animals. Over 1,400 models are now publicly available for use in education, research, and virtual exploration.