Researchers at RIKEN have identified a compound that could be used to prevent relapse in acute myeloid leukemia patients, particularly those with the FLT3-ITD mutation. The compound targets human primary AML stem cells and reduces AML cell counts in mouse models.
Researchers visualize retinoic acid distribution for the first time in a live zebrafish embryo, observing two opposing concentration gradients along the head-to-tail axis. This discovery confirms retinoic acid as a morphogen, essential for understanding tissue development and regenerative medicine.
Researchers from RIKEN Advanced Science Institute have identified Siglec-14 as a protein involved in the exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Patients without this protein are less susceptible to exacerbation, suggesting potential new targets for treatment. The study's findings imply that personalized care base...
Researchers at RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology successfully cloned mice multiple times using somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) technique, overcoming previous limitations. The study published in Cell Stem Cell reveals no accumulation of genetic or epigenetic abnormalities after repeated cloning.
Researchers from RIKEN Brain Science Institute found that pairs of macaque monkeys modify their body movements to be in tune with others. This phenomenon may reflect bonding and facilitate human interaction, shedding light on conditions like autism spectrum disorders.
Researchers found that the lateral and orbital regions of the frontal cortex interact during drug-related cues, suggesting that addiction may result from abnormal brain circuitry. The study's findings suggest that a therapeutic approach for addiction could be developed by targeting this neural circuit.
Researchers have discovered that mature CD4+ helper T lymphocytes can reprogram into killer-like CD8+ T lymphocytes, gaining killing functions. This unexpected plasticity expands the functional capabilities of CD4+ T cells, suggesting they may play a direct protective role in immune responses.
Researchers from RIKEN have successfully created cancer-specific, immune system cells called killer T lymphocytes from induced pluripotent stem cells. These cells can potentially serve as a cancer therapy in the future, overcoming limitations of lab-produced killer T cells with short lifespan.
Scientists have developed a new device that captures and preserves cancer cells circulating in the bloodstream, allowing for non-invasive diagnosis and insight into cancer spread. The technology could enable doctors to detect tumor cells earlier and provide valuable information on how cancer spreads throughout the body.
Researchers have discovered a novel function of non-coding antisense RNA, which enhances the translation of protein coding mRNAs by increasing association with ribosomes. This finding has significant implications for therapeutic applications and challenges current understanding of non-coding RNAs.
Researchers have identified 8 new genetic regions associated with atopic dermatitis, a chronic skin condition affecting millions worldwide. The findings suggest overlapping susceptibility regions between atopic dermatitis and asthma, pointing to common genetic factors for allergic diseases.
Researchers at RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-based Science conclusively identify element 113 through six consecutive alpha decays. The discovery sets the stage for Japan to claim naming rights for the element, following a long-standing competition with the US and Russia.
The new screening technique uncovers five novel immune-priming compounds in Arabidopsis plants that protect crops without impacting growth or yield. These compounds work by inhibiting enzymes that inactivate defense hormone salicylic acid, leading to enhanced disease resistance.
A comprehensive transcriptome analysis of human ENCODE cells reveals widespread RNA transcripts and epigenetic links, assigning biochemical functions to 80% of the human genome. The study provides powerful data sets for delineating functional elements across the human genome.
Researchers at RIKEN have demonstrated a new material that can eliminate loss in electrical power transmission, opening the door to energy-efficient electronics. The discovery uses magnetic topological insulators, which exhibit unique properties that allow for dissipationless electricity channels.
Scientists at RIKEN have observed a Higgs transition of north and south poles of electrons in a magnet, Yb2Ti2O7, transitioning from fractionalized to stable monopoles. This discovery has significant implications for spintronics, as it enables the creation of dissipationless current.
Researchers at RIKEN have created a new transistor that uses electrostatic accumulation of charge on a strongly-correlated material to trigger bulk switching of electronic state. The device operates at room temperature and requires only 1V to switch the material from an insulator to a metal.
SACLA boasts the shortest wavelength in the world, an extremely broad wavelength range, and a high peak output of 10 GW. Its unique design and original Japanese technologies enable its remarkable performance despite a compact size of only 700 meters.
Researchers at RIKEN Brain Science Institute found two brain signals involved in predicting others' decisions, enabling humans to balance expected and observed rewards and choices. The signals, located in distinct prefrontal circuits, strike a balance between the other's values and their own, allowing for accurate predictions.
A synthetic compound's unique spin arrangement makes it a promising material for non-magnetic information storage. Researchers employed resonant x-ray scattering to study its structure at 227K, revealing a tetrahedral network with opposing spins that cancel each other out.
Researchers at RIKEN Brain Science Institute discovered a yeast prion called Mod5 that confers survival advantages by granting cellular resistance to antifungal agents. The study reveals the active role of prion conversion in cellular fitness adaptation, providing new insights into the broader function of prions in living organisms.
Researchers at RIKEN Advanced Science Institute successfully demonstrate coherent quantum phase slip (CQPS) in a narrow superconducting wire, shedding light on an elusive phenomenon. This breakthrough enables the development of novel quantum devices that exploit CQPS functionality.
Researchers at RIKEN successfully developed a new experimental technique for producing cells with specific functions by reconstructing transcriptional regulatory networks. This technique enables faster and more efficient production of functional cells for cancer therapy and other applications.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to test whether neurons communicate individually or as groups. The method filters signals to determine if neurons collaborate flexibly within milliseconds. This breakthrough has the potential to reveal dynamic cell assemblies involved in planning and controlling behavior.
Researchers have elucidated the crystal structure of Alba2-DNA complex in archaea, revealing a hollow pipe-like structure that compacts DNA. This discovery provides valuable clues into the evolution of chromatin structure and its connection to diseases.
A study by RIKEN-MIT Center found that specific neurons in the dentate gyrus serve distinct roles in memory formation based on whether they were produced from young or old neural stem cells. This discovery could lead to new drug targets for treating memory impairments associated with PTSD and aging.
A new study has identified 131 rice metabolites and clarified the genetic and environmental factors that influence their production. The findings have significant implications for breeding improved rice grain varieties with increased nutritional value.
Researchers at RIKEN developed an automated sample preparation system for the HeliScope single molecule sequencer, reducing preparation time from 42 days to 8 days. The new system uses Cap Analysis of Gene Expression (CAGE) and yields reproducible results comparable to manual prep.
A new diagnosis technique has been developed to detect influenza virus infection in just 40 minutes, surpassing conventional methods in speed and sensitivity. This technique was confirmed through clinical research conducted in Japan during the 2009 pandemic, demonstrating its effectiveness in rapidly identifying infected patients.
A new study clarifies the crystal structure of quinol dependent nitric oxide reductase (qNOR), a key enzyme in anaerobic respiration. The findings reveal a proton transfer pathway in qNOR, suggesting an evolutionary link to the proton pump found in aerobic organisms.
Researchers used nanoCAGE technology to identify precise transcription start sites for over 900 olfactory receptor genes in the mouse main olfactory epithelium. The study found hundreds of non-coding RNAs associated with olfactory receptors, suggesting their potential role in regulation.
Scientists at RIKEN Brain Science Institute discovered mechanisms that enable the brain to focus by efficiently routing relevant information. The study found that sensory signals with high contrast evoke large sensory responses, disrupting focus.
Researchers have successfully differentiated mouse ES cells into a tissue resembling the adenohypophysis, the hormone-secreting component of the pituitary gland. The self-organized tissue exhibits functional hormone secretion and can compensate for pituitary function in mice.
Researchers at RIKEN Brain Science Institute discovered a key mechanism for degrading ubiquitinated protein aggregates in brain cells. This process is mediated by the phosphorylation of p62, which triggers selective autophagy and degradation of protein aggregates.
Researchers have resolved a long-standing debate over water molecules at the air-water interface, finding strong hydrogen bonding between water pairs at the outermost surface. The study uses theoretical and experimental techniques to pinpoint the origin of water's unique surface properties.
Researchers at RIKEN Advanced Science Institute synthesized new heterometallic hydride clusters using rare-earth and d-transition metals, enabling analysis via X-ray diffraction. These clusters exhibit unique reactivity properties pointing to new hydrogen storage techniques, promising environmentally-friendly solutions for clean energy.
Researchers developed a novel technique to analyze metabolite concentrations at high spatial resolution in plant cells. The study found that metabolites are regulated and fluctuate under stress conditions, highlighting the role of the vacuole in cellular processes.
Researchers identified a protein that helps maintain mouse stem cell pluripotency by activating signal pathways via CC chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2). This finding offers insights into cultivating human iPS/ES cells without feeder cells, reducing the risk of contamination and health risks.
Researchers at RIKEN have developed a new aqueous reagent, Scale, which renders biological tissue transparent, allowing for vivid 3D images of neurons and blood vessels deep inside the mouse brain. The reagent's unique properties enable visualization of fluorescently-labeled samples at unprecedented depths and levels of spatial detail.
Researchers identified three new susceptibility loci for adult asthma in the Japanese population through a genome-wide study of 4836 individuals. The findings provide insights into the genetic factors contributing to asthma and may lead to more effective treatment techniques.
A previously understudied amyloid peptide, A-beta-43, is more abundant and neurotoxic than previously studied peptides in promoting Alzheimer's disease. The findings suggest a potential role for A-beta-43 as a biomarker for diagnosis and a new approach for preventing AD-causing amyloidosis.
A genome-wide study identified a genetic variant associated with liver cancer development in chronic hepatitis C virus carriers. The DEPDC5 SNP was found to roughly double the odds of developing HCC among Japanese individuals with chronic HCV infection.
Researchers have discovered a mechanism by which stress induces epigenetic changes in Drosophila that can be inherited across generations. The study found that the transcription factor dATF-2 plays a key role in this process, leading to changes in chromatin structure and gene expression.
RIKEN researchers developed a new gene expression analysis technique called HeliScopeCAGE that can measure gene expression levels using only 100 nanograms of total RNA. This technique reduces biases and generates highly reproducible data, enabling high-precision gene expression analysis from tiny samples.
Researchers at RIKEN have uncovered a key epigenetic mechanism by which Arabidopsis protects cells from harmful DNA elements. The discovery sheds light on the complex interplay between DNA methylation and histone modification, revealing how plants silence transposons and prevent gene disruption.
A new study analyzed mutations of the 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus in Japan, identifying unique triple combination of bird, swine, and human flu viruses. The research revealed rapid mutation of virus strains with an extremely high evolutionary rate, paving the way for the development of new diagnostic kits.
Research at RIKEN Research Center for Allergy and Immunology reveals ERK signaling pathway's role in B cell differentiation into antibody-producing plasma cells. The finding could lead to breakthroughs in drug discovery for autoimmune diseases and allergies.
ES cells can differentiate into retinal precursors and form an optic cup-like structure in vitro without external signaling sources. The tissue undergoes a four-step morphological rearrangement to assume the optic cup shape, driven by cell division and epithelial expansion.