A new study suggests that the majority of ocean plastics are on the seafloor or difficult to monitor, with an estimated 540 million metric tons trapped on land. The research estimates that large plastics and microplastics account for only a small percentage of total ocean plastic waste.
Researchers have compiled a dataset of microplastic abundance in the world's upper oceans, estimating 24.4 trillion pieces weighing 82,000-578,000 tons. The data fills gaps in global coverage and provides realistic amounts for assessing impact on aquatic organisms.
Researchers at Kyushu University developed a new, low-cost seismic monitoring system that can detect changes in pore pressure with greater than 99.99% accuracy. The system uses a small seismic source and distributed acoustic sensing technology to monitor subsurface formations over an extensive area at a relatively low cost.
A new study suggests that extending the life of current cars can reduce CO2 emissions significantly more than replacing them with new, green vehicles. By keeping and using cars longer, the decrease in manufacturing emissions offsets additional emissions produced by existing cars.
Researchers at Kyushu University successfully reconstitute the ovarian follicle from mouse stem cells, generating functional egg cells and growing viable mice. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for infertility and help conserve endangered animals through egg cell production.
Researchers developed a new memory device that uses perovskite to store and visually transmit data, achieving parallel and synchronous reading of data through electrical and optical methods. The device has the potential for numerous applications in next-generation technologies.
Scientists identify BMPR-2 as a key regulator of selective stabilization of neuron branching, strengthening connections only when received signals from other neurons. Glutamic acid is also found to activate the process, demonstrating simultaneous control necessary for selective branch stabilization.
A study by Kyushu University researchers found that deficiencies in key genes lead to an imbalance in neural stem cells, resulting in fewer neurons and more astrocytes. This imbalance disrupts brain function and leads to Rett syndrome symptoms.
A recent study led by Kyushu University reveals that chronic kidney disease induces heart inflammation through dysfunctional white blood cells. The researchers found that elevated levels of vitamin A disrupt the circadian clock in these cells, leading to increased expression of a protein called GPR68.
New modeling experiments predict that reducing air pollution, such as sulfate aerosols, will increase surface air temperature at current and increased carbon dioxide levels. The loss of a cooling effect caused by the light-scattering particles accelerates global warming without simultaneous reductions in greenhouse gas production.
Researchers developed a new methodology to estimate the source of weak ground vibrations in subduction zones, providing more accurate travel times and insights into fluid pressure and permeability at plate interfaces. This approach can aid in detecting slipping among plates and warning against larger earthquakes and tsunamis.
Researchers found that Hydra exhibit characteristics at a molecular and genetic level associated with sleep in animals with central nervous systems. The four-hour cycle of active and sleep-like states in hydras indicates that sleep may have evolved independently of brain development.
Using a new combination of emitter molecules, researchers achieved devices that produce pure-blue emission with high efficiency, maintain brightness for relatively long times, and lack expensive metal atoms. The approach uses a tandem structure to effectively double the emission, leading to nearly doubled lifetime at high brightness.
Researchers at Kyushu University identified eight transcription factors that can convert mouse stem cells directly into oocyte-like cells. These findings offer a simple route for generating specialized substances unique to oocytes for use in reproductive biology and medicine.
Researchers at Kyushu University have developed a new material system that can directly convert visible light into ultraviolet light with an efficiency of up to 20.5%, doubling previous records. The system is promising for harnessing ambient light to drive applications requiring high-energy ultraviolet light.
Researchers at Kyushu University have discovered a unique population of spinal cord astrocytes that produce pain hypersensitivity. Stimulation of noradrenergic neurons activates these astrocytes, leading to enhanced pain transmission. The findings suggest that suppressing astrocyte signaling may enhance the effect of chronic pain drugs.
Researchers developed silicon-polymer hybrid modulators that can transmit 200 gigabits of data per second at up to 110 °C, enabling fast and reliable optical data interconnections in harsh environments. This breakthrough could help reduce datacenter cooling costs by nearly 40%.
Researchers from Kyushu University developed a technique that improves the resolution of fluorescence images of living cells using plasmonic metasurfaces. The metasurface, composed of self-assembled gold nanoparticles, enhances the focus of light-emitting molecules, resulting in high-resolution imaging capabilities.
Research from Kyushu University shows that odors can activate or suppress the response of olfactory sensory neurons in mice, leading to complex interactions and synergy when mixing odors. This study provides new insights into how our perception of odors is tuned from the moment they are detected in the nose.
Researchers have successfully overcome the phenomenon known as lasing death in quasi-2D perovskites by managing triplet excitons. By incorporating an organic layer to hold triplets in a low energy state, continuous lasing was achieved under constant optical excitation.
Researchers at Kyushu University developed a mathematical model to evaluate two hepatitis C virus strategies, finding that one strain prefers to multiply while another prefers to spread. The study provides new insights into viral behavior and could help develop effective therapeutic methods.
A protein fragment derived from soybeans has been shown to improve working and long-term memory in mice with simulated Alzheimer's disease. The dipeptide, named Tyr-Pro, is the first known molecule to enter the brain intact after ingestion.
Scientists from Kyushu University developed a new catalyst capable of assisting three key reactions for using hydrogen in energy and industry. The catalyst takes advantage of the molecular twist to switch between structures similar to those of natural enzymes.
Scientists at Kyushu University found that two enzymes, BGLU28 and BGLU30, play a crucial role in breaking down glucosinolates in plants deficient in sulfur. The study reveals that these enzymes are essential for plant growth under sulfur-deprived conditions.
Researchers at Kyushu University have successfully synthesized several types of amino acids using abundant materials. The process uses electric energy generated from renewable sources and involves titanium dioxide as the electrocatalyst and an organic acid called alpha-keto acid as the key source material.
Researchers found low-velocity pockets along the rifting axis indicating areas filled with gas, raising concerns about environmental implications. The trapped gas could be a potential untapped natural resource or contribute to greenhouse gases if released.
A large-scale study by Kyushu University researchers found that E. coli bacteria from cattle exhibit characteristics similar to those causing human food poisoning. The findings suggest that these bacterial adaptations may help them thrive in a cattle's intestine, leading to the emergence of new, harmful strains.
Scientists at Kyushu University created micrometer-thick OLEDs using a hybrid perovskite approach, overcoming manufacturing constraints and color distortion issues. The devices exhibit improved efficiencies and lifetimes, paving the way for low-cost, reliable, and uniform fabrication of OLED-based displays.
Researchers at Kyushu University developed computer simulations using realistic atomic-scale models to understand reaction pathways in solid-oxide fuel cells. The study found that reactions are more likely to occur in layers with smaller pore sizes, but also identified a new degradation pathway that could impact performance.
Kyushu University researchers discovered that reduced oxygen and mechanical compression play crucial roles in achieving and maintaining a dormant state in mouse egg cells. By limiting oxygen and increasing the protein FOXO3, they created egg cells similar to those found in nature.
A survey of 37 nations shows that policy responses need to be tailored to the nation in which they are delivered, as regional factors greatly influence relationships among energy affordability, life satisfaction, health, and economic inequality.
Researchers at Kyushu University have successfully demonstrated the lasing by direct electrical stimulation of an organic film, overcoming previous performance limitations with improved materials and device structures. The breakthrough enables applications such as biosensing, displays, healthcare, and optical communications.