Researchers have developed a new hydrogel made from peptides that can transport ions, generate electrical signals when squeezed, or interact with cells and biological molecules. The gel has tiny water channels and is electrically polarized due to its highly organized structure made from nanofibers.
Researchers found that gut cell turnover depends on nutrient quantity, not specific nutrient quality, in fruit flies. Gut cells sense satiety based on cytoplasm viscosity, not amino acid metabolism.
Using artificial cells, researchers uncovered fundamental physical principles governing cell shape changes and front-rear polarity. They discovered that local interactions within the actin cytoskeleton can generate large-scale shape changes and front-rear polarity without relying on biochemical signaling.
Researchers at RIKEN CEMS created a thin conducting layer at oxide interface and observed reentrant superconductivity, where superconductivity disappears then re-emerges under increased magnetic field. This phenomenon provides new platform for investigating unconventional forms of superconductivity and quantum mechanisms.
Researchers developed a new approach to compressing X-ray imaging data in real time, achieving compression ratios exceeding 8,000 times. This method operates directly on high-throughput data streams and preserves scientific information, enabling real-time operation at high data rates.
The collaboration aims to explore the role of transportable optical frequency standards in international time and frequency metrology. Transportable OFS are considered a promising approach to support comparisons of independent realizations of the second, with the goal of achieving consistent contributions to Coordinated Universal Time.
Researchers found associations between BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants and four types of cancer: thyroid, bladder, skin, and head and neck. Pathogenic variants in BRCA1 increase thyroid cancer risk, while BRCA2 increases risk for bladder, head and neck, and skin cancers.
A study by RIKEN researchers identifies a MYCN-driven biomarker that predicts the risk of liver cancer. The biomarker, known as the MYCN niche score, uses machine learning to analyze gene expression patterns and indicates whether a tumor-free liver is at high risk for developing tumors.
A recent study by RIKEN researchers analyzed the effects of pesticides and fertilizers on mandarin oranges in real-world farms across Japan. The findings showed that reducing chemical pesticides led to more fruit diseases, while also enhancing soil microbial diversity and improving carbon content. This trade-off highlights the need for...
Researchers have developed a new method to fabricate three-dimensional nanoscale devices from single-crystal materials using a focused ion beam instrument. They created helical-shaped devices that behave like switchable diodes, allowing electricity to flow more easily in one direction than the other.
Researchers from RIKEN and their international collaborators used deep learning techniques to analyze unexamined nuclear emulsion data and identified a new double-Lambda hypernucleus. This is the world's first AI-assisted observation of such an exotic nucleus, providing new insight into neutron star cores.
Researchers at RIKEN have developed a new plant-based plastic made from cellulose that rapidly degrades in natural environments, eliminating microplastic waste. The biodegradable plastic can be adjusted in strength and flexibility with added choline chloride, providing a practical solution to ocean pollution.
Researchers at RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science have created a new superconducting thin film from iron telluride, suitable for quantum computing applications. The film's unique crystal structure, resulting from intentional misalignment of atomic layers, reduces lattice distortion and enables low-temperature superconductivity.
Researchers have discovered a key protein structure in the germ cells of male mice that causes deformations in sperm flagellum leading to infertility. The study used ultrastructure expansion microscopy to visualize the centriole, a tiny cylindrical structure critical for sperm movement.
Researchers at RIKEN successfully simulated the Milky Way Galaxy with over 100 billion individual stars, far surpassing previous state-of-the-art models. This achievement demonstrates the power of AI-accelerated simulations in tackling complex multi-scale problems in astrophysics and beyond.
Researchers have discovered that extended periods of high stress in wheat crops can lead to iron deficiency and stunted growth. By reducing iron deficiency with a synthetic organic molecule called PDMA, plants are able to improve photosynthesis and biomass under heat stress conditions.
A research team has found that vital RNA needed to maintain telomeres in roundworms exists inside another gene's intron. This discovery suggests a common strategy for anti-aging therapies and regenerative medicine in humans, and could support species survival.
Researchers discovered manganese's unique ability to act as a catalyst when electrical voltage fluctuates, making it suitable for applications like wind and solar energy. Manganese's regeneration under the Guyard reaction enables its use over repeated cycles, crucial for sustainable reactions.
Researchers have discovered that deep sleep plays a crucial role in controlling cerebrospinal fluid dynamics, which is essential for clearing waste from the brain. During slow-wave sleep, changes in cerebrospinal fluid signals are time-locked to slow brain waves and other neural events.
A new study reveals that astrocytes, a type of glial cell, are responsible for stabilizing memories through repeated engagement. The researchers found that Fos activity in astrocytes only occurs during recall, and that these cells can be activated to produce stable memories.
Scientists at RIKEN Center for Brain Science found that fruit flies use separate circuits to compute pleasant and unpleasant odors, challenging the idea that 'good' is the opposite of 'bad'. The discovery may contribute to a better understanding of human brain's flavor appreciation mechanisms.
Developing fly embryos use different strategies to prevent 'tissue tectonic collision', a fundamental engineering problem during development. The cephalic furrow forms and disappears without leaving a trace, but its evolutionary significance was unclear until now.
Researchers at RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science identified ancient protein SCORE to help plants defend against various pathogens. By engineering synthetic SCORE variants, plants can be made resistant to multiple pathogen types.
Researchers discovered that smoking produces metabolites that encourage mouth bacteria to grow in the large intestines, triggering an immune response. These bacteria, specifically Streptococcus mitis, help reduce inflammation in ulcerative colitis by triggering a specific immune response.
Researchers at RIKEN have developed a mechanochemical method to increase hydrogen saturation in perovskite powder, doubling its capacity. This discovery has significant implications for environmental sustainability and the potential for a hydrogen-based economy, as it enables more efficient production of ammonia fertilizer.
Researchers from RIKEN have discovered that Japanese people's responses to alcohol can be divided into three clear clusters based on genetic analysis and experiments. These clusters are associated with specific combinations of gene variations, including ALDH2 and ADH1B, which can help identify individuals at risk for alcohol-related di...
Researchers discovered that a subtle shift in gene activity rhythms at higher temperatures, known as waveform distortion, helps maintain the body's 24-hour cycle. This process also influences synchronization with day-night cycles and environmental cues.
Researchers used machine learning to simulate galaxy evolution and supernova explosions, achieving speeds four times faster than supercomputers. This breakthrough enables the study of galaxy origins, including the creation of the Milky Way's elements essential for life.
Researchers have successfully used insects as mini molecule-making factories to create and modify complex molecules, including fluorescent nanocarbons. The 'in-insect synthesis' technique enables the production of functional molecules with unprecedented precision and versatility.
Researchers have demonstrated the feasibility of topological quantum batteries by leveraging photonic waveguides and two-level atoms. The devices show near-perfect energy transfer and dissipation immunity, offering potential performance advantages over classical batteries.
A study published in Cell Metabolism finds that a combination of gut bacteria and acetate reduces obesity in mice. The researchers discovered that the specific combination of Bacteroides species and acetate leads to increased fat burning and reduced sugar storage, resulting in weight loss.
Researchers have identified the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) as the basis of emotional inference in animals and humans. In a study published in Nature, Xiaowei Gu and Joshua Johansen found that rats can learn inferred emotions by associating a neutral stimulus with an unpleasant experience.
Researchers from RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science have discovered a groundbreaking way to control superconductivity by adjusting the twist angle of atomically thin layers. This allows for fine-tuning of the superconducting gap, which is crucial for optimizing Cooper pair behavior and developing high-functionality quantum device...
Researchers discovered that non-REM sleep is crucial for strengthening emotionally linked perceptual memories, contrary to previous beliefs about REM sleep. The study found that the amygdala and cortical top-down circuitry play a key role in this process.
Research from RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences found that infant gut bacteria are associated with food sensitivities and allergies, particularly to eggs. The study suggests that probiotic supplements, such as Bifidobacterium, may help prevent food allergies in at-risk infants.
A recent study by Rei Akaishi at RIKEN CBS found that larger groups can actually promote greater cooperation. Participants in the 'prisoner's dilemma' game cooperated more frequently as group size grew, with brain scans showing increased activity in regions involved in prosocial behavior and memory processing. This challenges conventio...
An international team of researchers has synthesized a material hosting a single pair of Weyl fermions, and no irrelevant electronic states. The work enables potential applications in terahertz devices, high-performance sensors, low-power electronics, and novel optoelectronics devices.
Researchers have discovered that girolline, a compound from the sea sponge Pseudaxinyssa cantharella, acts by modulating eIF5A activity, preventing ribosomes from stalling on difficult-to-translate amino acid sequences. This finding has implications for its potential as an antimalarial and anti-aging agent.
Researchers at RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing successfully developed a novel double-transmon coupler (DTC) to enhance the fidelity of quantum gates. The DTC achieved high gate fidelity of 99.90% for a two-qubit device and 99.98% for a single-qubit gate, paving the way for fault-tolerant quantum computation.
Researchers developed a new durable plastic that breaks down in seawater, reducing microplastic pollution. The material is strong, non-toxic, and customizable for various applications.
Scientists at RIKEN CPR created a method to change albumin's molecular ID card, allowing for targeted treatments against diseases like cancer. The new technology can transport proteins out of the body, mimicking drug delivery and removal.
Researchers found inorganic nanostructures surrounding deep-ocean hydrothermal vents that mimic molecules essential for life. These structures can harness energy and convert it into electricity, sparking interest in applying this technology to industrial blue-energy harvesting.
A new study published in Frontiers in Immunology reveals that certain food proteins like milk and meat can help keep gut tumors from growing by triggering the intestinal immune system. This discovery has potential clinical implications for patients with gastrointestinal conditions.
Scientists identified key changes in chromosome structure and gene expression that affect stem cell function during aging. Blocking a specific gene, ced-6, triggered stem cell exhaustion at any age, indicating a general process that maintains balance when proliferation is too high.
A new quantum error correction approach called 'many-hypercube codes' has been proposed to overcome scalability issues in conventional methods. This innovative approach allows for high-performance fault-tolerant quantum computing by enabling logical gates to be run in parallel, similar to classical computers.
Researchers at RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics found multiple specialized types of DNA replication in early-stage embryos, including a period of instability prone to chromosomal copying errors. This discovery could lead to improved methods of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and better strategies for minimizing chromosomal abnormalities.
Researchers have discovered a new type of brain cell in the medial entorhinal cortex that accurately predicts future locations as an animal travels. This discovery helps explain how planned spatial navigation is possible and has important implications for understanding mechanisms of spatial navigation and episodic memory formation.
Researchers found that dopamine treatment increased neprilysin levels and reduced beta-amyloid plaques in mouse brains, improving memory function. Long-term L-DOPA treatment also showed improved cognitive performance in mice.
Researchers have discovered several rare types of helper T cells associated with immune disorders such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. The study found that genetic variants in bidirectional enhancer DNA are linked to specific immune-mediated diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease.
A new study by RIKEN CSRS shows that biomass from purple photosynthetic marine bacterium Rhodovulum sulfidophilum is an excellent nitrogen fertilizer, effective as inorganic synthetic fertilizers but with lower environmental side effects. The biomass boosts plant growth without altering soil pH or salinity.