Researchers at RIKEN IMS discovered that a combination of gut bacteria worsens multiple sclerosis symptoms in a mouse model. Two specific bacteria, OTU002 and Lactobacillus reuteri, enhance immune cell activity that attacks the brain and spinal cord.
A study published in Neuron explains how the brain generates representations of unitary odor objects. The research team used a combination of brain imaging and models to discover clustered representations of mixtures and groups of odors that are conserved across individual flies.
Two studies published in Genome Research provide new insights into the core regulatory networks governing cell types across different vertebrate species. The research highlights the importance of understanding RNA expression in establishing cell function, morphology, and behavior. Long non-coding RNAs were found to affect cell growth a...
Photosynthetic bacteria have been engineered to produce spider silk, which is ultra-lightweight and as tough as steel. The discovery could lead to the mass production of sustainable materials such as tear-resistant clothing and biomedical applications.
A study published in Nature found that blood cell mutations linked to leukemias become inevitable as people age, especially in the Japanese population. The research identified genetic variations associated with increased risk of these mutations, which can be detected through a simple blood test.
Researchers have found that neutral pions emitted in the very forward area of polarized proton-proton collisions retain a large degree of left-right asymmetry. This finding suggests reevaluation of previous theories on particle generation. Further study is needed to understand the mechanism underlying this phenomenon.
Fugaku achieved a LINPACK score of 415.53 petaflops, surpassing its nearest competitor Summit in the US, and ranked first on HPCG and Graph 500. The supercomputer will address high-priority social and scientific issues through various applications.
Researchers at RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science successfully manipulated and tracked individual skyrmions, moving them using a small electric current. The breakthrough could lead to the development of more energy-efficient racetrack memory and neuromorphic computing devices.
Researchers analyzed agricultural systems using multiomics approach and found that organic nitrogen fuels plant growth. They also discovered differences in bacteria in the rhizosphere, which make nitrogen available to plants.
Researchers found that terahertz radiation can disrupt protein filaments in both aqueous solutions and living cells, but does not kill the cells. This discovery has implications for potential applications in cancer treatment, as well as safety concerns.
Researchers at RIKEN found that knocking out a single proton from a fluorine nucleus transforms it into a neutron-rich isotope of oxygen. This transformation has a significant effect on the state of the nucleus, defying conventional wisdom and sparking further investigation.
Scientists have discovered the mysterious material tantalum disulfide, which exhibits unintuitive behavior, switching from conductor to insulator. The study reveals that 'Mottness' is a key player in explaining this phenomenon, challenging traditional theories.
The claustrum is a key structure in coordinating brain activity across multiple senses and areas. Researchers found that slow-wave brain activity, characteristic of sleep states, is controlled by the claustrum.
A study published in Brain found that a lag in blood drainage from the deep region of the brain is associated with ventriculomegaly and can be detected with MRI. The researchers identified this biomarker as a potential predictor for dementia and ventriculomegaly, which can be reversed by removing excess fluid.
Researchers discovered a deficiency in S1P, a type of fatty molecule, in schizophrenia patients' brains. Preventing S1P degradation might lead to new treatments for the disorder, which affects one in three patients with ineffective current therapies.
A RIKEN research team developed a new 3D staining technique that can visualize whole organs and bodies. The technique allows for detailed anatomical analysis and whole-organ comparisons between species at the cellular level.
Researchers from RIKEN developed transportable optical lattice clocks to make precise measurements of time dilation effect, validating Einstein's theory of general relativity. The study uses clocks on the base and top of the Tokyo Skytree tower to demonstrate a significant difference in clock speed due to gravity
A team of researchers from RIKEN has developed a new single-cell RNA sequencing method called Quartz-seq2 that outperforms other methods in terms of accuracy and reproducibility. The method was benchmarked against 13 different methods using a set of approximately 3,000 cells, and it scored highest on the benchmark.
Scientists have developed a catalyst that converts nitrate into nitrite without high temperatures or acidity, addressing water pollution concerns. The catalyst's mechanism mimics natural enzymes, offering a promising solution for detoxifying nitrate in mild environments.
Research by RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research identifies ATF7 as essential for intergenerational effects on metabolic disorders, such as diabetes. The study found that a male mouse's diet influences the health of future children through epigenetic changes in sperm cells.
Researchers at RIKEN found that mechanical forces sculpt the embryo, creating a precise fold despite genetic variation and environmental fluctuations. This discovery highlights the importance of mechanical self-organization in ensuring developmental consistency.
Researchers directly observed a Kondo screening cloud, a quantum phenomenon that masks magnetic impurities in materials. The study confirmed theoretical predictions and provided insights into the spatial extension of the cloud, which is universally scaled by the inverse of the Kondo temperature.
Scientists have created an ultrathin organic solar cell with a high energy conversion ratio of 13% and long-term storage stability. The research used a simple post-annealing process to increase durability, achieving both efficiency and longevity.
Researchers from RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science have successfully measured the spin of an electron in a silicon quantum dot without altering its state. This breakthrough enables the development of fault-tolerant quantum computers, which can perform complex calculations efficiently.
Scientists developed RADICL-seq to map genome-wide RNA-chromatin interactions, identifying distinct patterns of genome occupancy for different classes of transcripts. The study highlights the role of transcription in establishing chromatin structure and suggests a new understanding of non-coding RNA's regulatory function.
A genome-wide association study found nine gene locations associated with eating certain foods, including tofu, cheese, and tea. The study identified six genetic variants linked to at least one disease phenotype, including several types of cancer and type-2 diabetes.
Astrocytes support memory function through distinct molecular pathways triggered by norepinephrine release. Norepinephrine promotes synaptic plasticity and energy metabolism for memory consolidation.
A recent study published in Nature Communications used AI to analyze pathology images from human cancer patients and identified new features relevant to cancer prognosis. The AI's predictions were found to be more accurate than those made by human pathologists, with a higher accuracy rate when combined with human-established criteria.
A team at RIKEN Center for Brain Science analyzed mouse brain activity using machine-learning algorithms, identifying distinct brain waves for recent and remote memories. They found a strong link between the frontal brain region and hippocampus, suggesting a possible mechanism to track memory age.
Scientists have discovered that supercentenarians, people over 110, have an excess of cytotoxic CD4 T-cells, which may be key to their immunity. This finding could provide new insights into the mechanisms of healthy aging and immunosurveillance.
Scientists investigate potential connection between antimatter and dark matter using laboratory experiments. They found no difference in interaction, setting new limits on fundamental physics.
A study found that a subtype of schizophrenia is related to abnormal hydrogen sulfide levels in the brain, which can act as a biomarker. Higher than normal levels of the enzyme Mpst were detected in postmortem brains and hair follicles from people with schizophrenia.
Researchers at RIKEN have confirmed that atomic nuclei with 34 neutrons are more stable than expected, exhibiting strong shell closure. This finding demonstrates that 34 is a 'magic number', a set of numbers where the shells are completely filled and the nucleus exhibits unique properties.
Researchers from RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science have found that optimal binding energies can deviate from traditional calculations at high reaction rates. This discovery may lead to the development of novel catalysts using less expensive and environmentally friendly materials.
The study observed changes in A/B compartments of mouse embryonic stem cells, correlating with gene expression and replication timing changes. Chromosome conformation changes preceded gene expression changes, suggesting a physical mechanism for transcriptional regulation.
Researchers developed a microfluidic device to keep brain tissue viable for months using a semi-permeable membrane, allowing gas exchange while preventing dehydration or drowning. This breakthrough enables long-term study of biological development and organogenesis, facilitating drug discovery and tissue research.
A team of scientists discovered that massive galaxy filaments fuel the formation of stars and supermassive black holes, contradicting a long-held bottom-up model of galaxy formation. The study, published in Science, provides new insights into the early universe and the role of gas filaments in shaping its structure.
Scientists developed a new technique, NET-CAGE, to elucidate the structure of genomic enhancers, which activate specific genes. The method identified 20,000 new human enhancers, revealing differences in their role between promoters and enhancers.
Researchers have successfully generated 3D blastocyst-like structures from mouse stem cells, exhibiting totipotency and inducing proper changes in the uterus after implantation. The study paves the way for improved basic research in embryogenesis and fertility, as well as regenerative medicine.
The team of researchers from RIKEN BDR and Tokyo Denki University have developed a bio-MEMS that is driven by real muscle, which could be useful in surgical implants. The new study successfully demonstrates an on-chip muscle-driven valve that can open and close without any external power source.
Researchers found that mice lacking group-2 innate lymphoid cells in the small intestine prevented obesity after eating a high-fat diet. Conversely, reintroducing these cells led to obesity symptoms. The study suggests targeting small intestine ILC2s could be an effective obesity treatment approach.
Researchers develop an artificial metalloenzyme that protects a metal catalyst, allowing it to target cancer cells while sparing surrounding tissues. The system uses a sugar chain to guide the metalloenzyme to specific cells, delivering a potent anti-cancer compound.
Research from RIKEN Center for Brain Science found that betaine supplementation can counteract psychiatric symptoms in mice, including depressive behaviors and reduced oxidative stress. The study also identified a genetic variant predicting betaine's treatment efficacy, a potential example of precision medicine in psychiatry.
Two giant galaxy clusters are caught in the act of colliding for the first time, providing valuable insights into the formation of large-scale structures. The clusters' merger shock wave is expected to have a significant impact on the evolution of galaxy clusters and cosmic structure.
A new protein, CAPON, has been linked to the connection between amyloid-β plaques and tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease. Accumulation of CAPON increases AD-related pathology, while deficiency reduces symptoms. The study uses novel mouse models to explore this link.
Scientists have found a way to lower the energy required by organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) by manipulating excitons, pairs of electrons and holes. By developing a new mechanism, researchers were able to create devices with low operating voltage.
A new experimental treatment for stroke has been shown to reduce brain damage and promote motor recovery in mice. The treatment, which uses adrenergic receptor antagonists, was found to normalize brain fluids and lower potassium levels, leading to improved outcomes in stroke models.
Scientists have successfully assembled protein cages that can be readily disassembled yet withstand extreme conditions. The breakthrough uses gold to overcome geometrical and complexity challenges in creating these nanoscale structures.
Researchers used heavy ion accelerator to demonstrate nickel 78's stability, finding it maintains spherical shape like doubly magic isotope, but with a surprise: lighter isotones may lose magic nature due to deformation.
Scientists at RIKEN Center for Brain Science found that impaired communication between the cortex and striatum can trigger absence epilepsy. Absence seizures, characterized by brief periods of lost consciousness, are associated with spike-wave discharges recorded on electrocorticograms.