Scientists have detected the faint signals of electrons in organic materials, revealing new insights into the physics of photodegradation and long-term photoemission processes. By reimagining conventional spectroscopy setups, researchers have captured the exact mechanisms of weak charge accumulation, providing direct evidence for multi...
Researchers have developed a new approach to overcome limitations in single-atom catalysts by creating one-dimensional organic polymers capable of selectively binding metal atoms. The platform marks a major advance in single atom catalysis, enabling stronger gas binding compared to other structures.
The white oval squid employs a range of survival strategies, including color matching, disruptive patterns, and synchronized schooling. By analyzing the mathematical patterns behind their behavior, researchers have confirmed the effectiveness of these strategies in evading predators and camouflaging in diverse environments.
Researchers have mapped the full structure of bacteriophage Bas63 using cryo-EM, revealing unique decoration proteins and a rare whisker and collar structure. The detailed structural information will enable rational phage design and engineering efforts for specificity and target regions.
A study from OIST shows that abrasion from common additives can lead to efficient reactions under mechanochemical conditions. Abrasive materials like tungsten carbide or diamond powder activate catalysts and drive coupling reactions. This finding changes the way researchers think about mechanochemical catalysts.
Researchers from Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology have catalogued the science behind Bashofu textiles, which have kept Okinawans cool for over 500 years. The study reveals the unique properties of Musa balbisiana var. liukiuensis fibers, including a honeycomb structure that effectively leads sweat away from the skin.
Researchers at OIST develop a new method harnessing 'jumping genes' to recreate the termite tree of life, providing a template for solving ancient evolutionary mysteries. The study achieves similar accuracy to trees built from thousands of protein marker sequence alignments.
Researchers at OIST develop world-class 'hurricane-in-a-lab' setup to study turbulent Taylor-Couette flows. By re-examining Kolmogorov's framework, they find that the power law predicts universal behavior across all small-scale flows, resolving a long-standing inconsistency.
Researchers at OIST discover a common molecular cascade disrupting brain signaling in both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. They identify a shared mechanism affecting synaptic vesicle recycling, leading to impaired communication between brain cells.
Scientists at OIST have created crystal-free films of photoluminescent compounds that exhibit mechanoluminescence when stimulated through mechanical forces. This breakthrough removes the need for complex crystal design and engineering in creating mechanoluminescent materials.
A macroscopic device has been designed to reduce eddy-current damping, allowing for precise measurements of physical phenomena like gravity. The system uses a graphite disk and rare earth magnets, enabling ultra-precise sensors that can be used in classical and quantum physics research.
Researchers at OIST investigate the neural basis of social hierarchy in male mice, identifying brain cells involved in determining dominance. The study found that the 'loser effect' is attributed to activity of certain brain cells, called cholinergic interneurons, and has implications for understanding human social behaviors.
Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) has been selected for the EXPERT-J program to attract outstanding early-career researchers from around the world. The support from this program will enable OIST to further strengthen its research capabilities in mathematical sciences and energy and sustainability.
The OIST/NAIST initiative aims to promote the recruitment, development, and retention of foreign doctoral talent in Japan. Foreign PhD holders with advanced expertise and international experience are expected to support Japan's future success.
New research reveals fungi's deep timeline, dating back 1.4-0.9 billion years, which influenced ancient terrestrial ecosystems and shaped the evolution of life on land. The study uses rare genetic 'gene-swap' clues to overcome the fungal fossil record gap.
Scientists at OIST use advanced spectroscopy to track the evolution of dark excitons, overcoming the fundamental challenge of accessing these elusive particles. The findings lay the foundation for dark valleytronics as a field, with potential applications in quantum information technologies.
A study by Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology researchers found that 79% of endemic ant species in Fiji are declining over the past few hundred years, coinciding with European contact and modern agricultural techniques. In contrast, non-native ant species are exploding in population.
Six Japan-led programs will be presented at the Science Summit UNGA80, addressing global challenges such as food and water security, rare diseases, inclusive education, and research ethics. The programs are open to a global audience and offer free registration.
Researchers at OIST identified biological processes that support young clownfish adaptation to climate change and warming seas. Exposing juvenile fish to raised water temperatures showed significant changes in liver and pancreas, reducing insulin secretion and increasing oxidative phosphorylation.
Researchers at OIST have found that two types of turbulence coexist in everyday fluids like shampoos and ketchup, shifting from inertial to elastic turbulence at the smallest scales. This discovery bridges two branches of turbulence research and has potential implications for industries relying on polymers.
Researchers have finally pinned down the genomic, epigenomic, and cellular landscape of the enigmatic arrow worm, connecting its unique genetic markup to specialized cell-types. The study reveals an unprecedented rate of gene genesis and duplication, as well as a unique method of chromosomal organization.
Researchers at OIST found that only cyanobacteria Trichormus azollae are true symbionts of Azolla ferns, with their genomes showing extreme decay and loss of genes. The study sheds light on the genomic impacts of symbiosis and its potential applications in food security.
A new study reveals the molecular mechanisms that enable SAR11, the most abundant marine bacteria, to survive in nutrient-poor environments. The research demonstrates ultra-high-affinity transporters that capture carbon sources, influencing global biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem management.
Researchers from OIST and universities provided a new proof for the BBL inequality using heat and diffusion equations, taking an unconventional approach. The study offers fresh insights on the concept, which has vast applications across many fields, including computer science, medical imaging, and resource distribution.
Researchers found that a single amino acid substitution in the ADSL enzyme affects its stability and expression, contributing to modern human differences in behavior. The study suggests that this change may have provided an evolutionary advantage in certain tasks.
Professor Yazaki-Sugiyama's research on neural mechanisms of vocal learning during critical periods has significantly advanced our understanding of brain learning mechanisms. She is recognized for her original and outstanding work, which has revealed key findings on neural plasticity.
Scientists use human-AI collaboration to tackle complex questions in condensed matter physics, leveraging machine learning algorithms to identify patterns in simulation data. This approach successfully models the behavior of frustrated magnets and sheds light on quantum computing and gravity.
A recent genetic study found that populations of the amphidromous goby Luciogobius ryukyuensis are genetically distinguishable, suggesting minimal larval exchange between islands. This highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect vulnerable habitats in island ecosystems.
Anemonefish evolved into diverse species due to distinct ecological lifestyles, including swimming efficiency, muscle architecture, and behavior. The study challenges long-held ideas about host specialization, positioning anemonefish as a new model system for studying ecological and evolutionary forces.
Qubitcore will inherit OIST's research achievements to develop next-generation fault-tolerant quantum computing architectures. The company aims to drive transformative progress in the quantum era across economic, industrial, and security domains.
Researchers at OIST have synthesized a stable 20-electron ferrocene derivative, defying the traditional 18-electron rule. This breakthrough could lead to new applications in energy storage, chemical manufacturing, and sustainable chemistry.
Researchers at OIST introduce a mouse motion capture method using marker-based approach to track high-quality data on complex movements. The method avoids pitfalls associated with smaller animals, enabling detailed studies of neuroscientific and physiological foundations of mouse movement.
Researchers from OIST develop new quantum AI method for image recognition based on boson sampling, achieving highly accurate results without complex training. The approach uses a linear optical network and preserves information, outperforming classical methods in various datasets.
Researchers have discovered a synthetic peptide that attracts Crown-of-Thorns Starfish at low concentrations and with no toxicity, offering an efficient pest-management solution. This breakthrough may lead to the development of potent attractins to control CoTS outbreaks, protecting coral reefs from devastating damage.
A team of researchers from OIST studied the effect of growth on pattern development within squid skin cells, identifying a new physical phenomenon called 'hyperdisorder'. They created a general model applicable to various growing systems, highlighting the importance of growth on physical properties.
Researchers have successfully modeled the synaptic vesicle cycle with unprecedented detail, shedding new light on how our brains function. The model predicts parameters of synaptic function that could not be tested experimentally, opening new avenues for neuroscience investigations.
Researchers have developed a comprehensive system to identify the diversity of reef-building corals using environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding. This new method successfully detects 83 of 85 genera of Scleractinia in Japan, providing a powerful tool for efficient monitoring and conservation of coral reefs.
Researchers from OIST and Hebrew University developed a novel method to measure energy usage during movement using video and 3D-tracking via deep learning. This innovative approach expands the study of movement energy in ecology, physiology, and beyond, enabling the accurate measurement of energy consumption in smaller animal species.
Researchers found that ATP regulates protein condensation and cytoplasm viscosity, preventing harmful protein aggregates. Boosting ATP production decreases viscosity, dispersing existing and preventing future protein aggregations.
Professor Kae Nemoto received the MEXT Minister Award in Science and Technology for her groundbreaking research on quantum computer architecture theory. Her work has laid the theoretical groundwork for practical implementation of quantum computers, offering new possibilities for addressing scientific challenges.
Researchers created a timeline for bacterial evolution and oxygen adaptation using genomic data, fossils, and Earth's geochemical history. Their findings suggest that some bacteria could use trace oxygen long before evolving photosynthesis.
Researchers discover Dscamb protein regulates spacing between color-detecting cells, ensuring perfect arrangement for optimal vision. The protein acts as a 'self-avoidance enforcer' to maintain proper distances between cone cells.
A new study found that football teams move as though they are a single person, displaying Lévy walk patterns while hunting for the ball. This collective behavior suggests that individual players complement each other's actions in response to the game.
Researchers have discovered that anemonefish have evolved to maintain very low levels of sialic acid in their skin mucus to avoid triggering the release of nematocysts in their sea anemone hosts. This adaptation allows them to safely coexist with sea anemones, which also lack these sugar compounds in their own mucus.
The new model, based on a PV-RNN framework, achieves compositionality by combining language with vision, proprioception, working memory, and attention. It requires less computing power than large language models (LLMs) and makes mistakes similar to humans.
Researchers at OIST have developed a customizable method for studying detailed dental characteristics of living fish and vertebrates without harming them. This approach allows for non-destructive examination of tooth replacement and development over time, revealing valuable information on feeding habits and comparative anatomy.
Researchers at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology create a metric to quantify clarity in digital images, enabling scientists to capture changes in structure during artistic processes and physical transformations. The metric is tested on digital artworks and physical systems, showing its versatility and effectiveness.
Scientists have developed a novel enzyme, SUPer RNA EcoGII Methyltransferase (SUPREM), which can selectively modify RNA and has high methylation activity. This tool can be used to investigate RNA modifications in various diseases, providing new insights into their role in cell health.
Healthy mice swing their tails actively to counterbalance tilts, producing significant angular momentum. This study provides a new experimental setup for assessing mouse balance and improves understanding of neurological mechanisms behind balance issues.
Researchers used x-ray microtomography to discover and describe 12 new weevil species from Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Taiwan. The technique revealed significant morphological differences between species, which cannot be easily observed using other methods.