Researchers have developed a new imaging technique that allows them to see how living monkey brains are wired, revealing precise connections between the two hemispheres. The opto-OISI method combines optical intrinsic signal imaging and optogenetics to map brain connections point-to-point.
A research group has identified the gene responsible for the formation of nanopores in fruit flies, allowing them to detect chemicals in the air. The gore-tex gene plays a crucial role in envelope curvature and odor receptivity, essential functions for insects.
Scientists found that disrupted autophagy leads to protein accumulation, causing neuronal communication problems and behavioral changes resembling human autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia. The study confirms a link between mTOR-autophagy and GABA signaling in the development of social behavior deficits.
Using simulations, researchers found that photons in long gamma-ray bursts originate from the photosphere of relativistic jets emitted by exploding stars. This discovery provides a promising explanation for the emission mechanism and could help unlock insights into dark matter and dark energy.
Researchers developed a computational mass-spectrometry system that identified thousands of plant metabolites, including previously unknown compounds with medicinal properties. The new method provides 10 times the coverage of previous methods and has applications in drug discovery and understanding plant physiology.
Researchers observe two massive protostars forming a binary star system, separated by 180 astronomical units and orbiting each other every 600 years. The study suggests that the stars are formed from a common disk during the initial collapse of the cloud.
Researchers found that light pulses can induce eta pairing in Mott insulators, turning them into superconductors. This unconventional type of conductivity arises from repulsive interactions between electrons and is believed to take place under non-equilibrium conditions.
Researchers have established a novel method to study DNA replication in individual cells, allowing them to gain insights into the mechanisms that maintain genomic DNA stability. The 'scRepli-seq' method revealed that genome replication profiles were highly conserved among cells and reflected the organization of chromatin compartments.
Researchers create a new type of self-healing material that exhibits properties such as toughness and shape memory. The material autonomously heals under mechanical damage, including in water and aqueous acid and alkaline solutions, without the need for external energy or stimulus.
Researchers from RIKEN discover that surface electromagnetic waves have a purely topological origin, similar to quantum topological states. This finding explains why these waves appear at interfaces where medium parameters change sign, providing new insights for plasmonics, metamaterials, and topological quantum systems.
Researchers have successfully bound a kaon to a nucleus, creating an exotic nucleus with two protons and a single kaon. This discovery provides insights into the origin of mass and quantum phenomena like color confinement.
Researchers have observed a warped disk around an infant protostar, suggesting that misalignment of planetary orbits could be caused by distortions in the planet-forming disk. The discovery provides new insights into how planets form and could explain why many extrasolar systems have planets not lined up in a single plane.
Researchers have developed a hybrid device combining two types of qubits to solve the speed bottleneck in quantum computing. By integrating different qubit architectures, they achieved rapid initialization and coherent measurements, paving the way for more scalable devices.
Researchers investigate pion condensation in neutron-rich tin isotope, finding critical density of around two times normal nuclear density. The discovery provides new insights into rapid cooling process of neutron star cores.
Researchers have developed a new method to non-destructively measure the salt content of concrete structures using a compact neutron source. This allows for efficient inspections without damaging the structure, which is crucial for aging infrastructure such as bridges and tunnels.
Researchers from RIKEN and JAXA use ALMA radio observatory to measure magnetic field strengths near two supermassive black holes. The findings reveal that the magnetic fields are insufficient to heat coronae to one billion degrees Celsius, contradicting previous assumptions.
The study of hagfish inner ear development sheds light on the evolutionary process. The team found that key genes controlling development are expressed similarly across vertebrates, including lampreys and hagfish.
Researchers induce transformation between meron-antimeron and skyrmion lattices using magnetic field. The ability to manipulate nanometer-scale spin textures is key to developing next-generation spintronics with low power consumption.
Scientists have developed a new system to rapidly and accurately detect tumor margins during breast cancer surgery, using a 'click-to-sense' acrolein probe that conjugates with live breast cancer cells. The method has been shown to be highly sensitive and selective, with a 97% accuracy rate.
Researchers developed a new machine learning method that allows AI to make classifications without negative data, a crucial component in traditional classification technology. This breakthrough enables AI systems to function effectively even when limited by data regulation or business constraints.
Scientists discovered how mutations in the IP3R1 protein contribute to degenerative movements disorders like spinocerebellar ataxias. By disrupting calcium release, these mutations impair motor control and lead to cerebellum dysfunction.
A team of scientists at RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science in Japan has discovered a gene regulator called NGA1 that allows plants to rehydrate after drought. The study found that NGA1 controls the transcription of a key gene NCED3, ultimately enabling plants to survive dehydration stress.
SourceRIKEN·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 5, 2018
Scientists successfully grew three-dimensional salivary gland tissue that produced saliva in mice, paving the way for potential treatments for patients with failing organs. The research used embryonic stem cells to create an organoid, a simplified three-dimensional tissue that resembles a real organ.
Researchers analyzed two shark species' genomes and compared them to those of vertebrate species to understand their evolution. They found that sharks have massive insertions of repetitive elements in their genomes, which may contribute to their slow evolution.
Researchers at RIKEN developed a self-powered heart monitor that can be taped to the skin, utilizing sunlight as a power source. The device achieves high photo-conversion efficiency and demonstrates accurate heartbeat detection in both rats and humans under various lighting conditions.
Researchers identified two essential genes involved in regulating REM sleep duration in mice. The knockout of these genes resulted in drastically decreased REM sleep and altered sleep patterns. This study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying REM sleep, a crucial aspect of maintaining mental and physical health.
Researchers at RIKEN Center for Brain Science discovered that male fruit flies deposit droppings as pheromone-laced landmarks to signal their presence, attracting females and increasing mating chances. This finding highlights the importance of fecal deposits in social communication among flies.
Researchers found that mouse memory cells, known as engram cells, are activated by context and episodes, rather than specific locations. This challenges the traditional view of memory storage in the hippocampus, suggesting a more complex role for the brain region.
Researchers have created a two-pronged approach to cloning mice by stimulating two epigenetic factors, improving efficiency and uncovering key mechanisms. This breakthrough overcomes significant hurdles in the development of cloned animals.
A team of researchers at RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science has discovered a gene in plants called Heat Inducible Lipase 1 (HIL1) that helps protect them from excessive heat. This gene enables plants to modify their fats, which stabilize chloroplast membranes and prevent damage from high temperatures.
Researchers discovered a brain circuit necessary for unlearning fear in rats. Dopamine activity is crucial for fear extinction, but its specific role varies depending on the brain region involved.
Scientists at RIKEN have identified a key mechanism by which plant genes are regulated in response to light. The research found that blue light triggers a shift in the start site of gene expression, allowing plants to carry out photosynthesis and grow.
Researchers at RIKEN Center for Brain Science found mitochondrial dysfunction affects serotonergic neurons in mice with ANT1 mutations, linking the two pathways.
Researchers discovered that a gene associated with human intellectual ability is necessary for normal memory formation in mice. Mice with the gene deletion replay shorter fragments of their previous experiences during periods of rest, impairing their ability to consolidate memories.
Scientists have discovered that environmental noise can paradoxically maintain the coherence of quantum systems. Researchers at RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science used a three-particle system to demonstrate this phenomenon, which could help accelerate research into scaling up semiconductor quantum computers.
Researchers found a crucial structural element in spider silk proteins that forms strong beta-sheets, enabling quick weaving. The study used advanced spectroscopy methods to analyze the soluble protein before it formed into solid sheets.
Researchers have predicted a new type of dibaryon, called di-Omega, composed of six quarks, using advanced simulations on the K computer. The prediction could help scientists understand extreme environments and interactions among elementary particles.
Researchers have identified a mutation that can reduce amyloid-beta plaque accumulation in mice, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. The study found that mice with the mutated APP gene had less amyloid-beta build-up, suggesting a potential therapeutic target.
Researchers at RIKEN have discovered a hormone-like peptide in plants that increases their resistance to excessive salt. The peptide, AT13, enhances salinity stress tolerance and can be applied as a natural supplement for crops growing in high-salt conditions.
Researchers have discovered that acyclic retinoid targets EpCAM-positive cancer stem cells by repressing MYCN expression, slowing cell growth and leading to greater cell death. This finding has significant implications for decreasing cancer recurrence and curing patients.
A study published in Immunity reveals that T follicular helper cells play a crucial role in determining the fate of B cells, with stronger interactions leading to plasma B cell formation. The researchers identified a subset of B cells expressing IRF4 and CD69 as precursors to plasma B cells.
Researchers at RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science discovered a small hormone, CLE25, that moves from roots to leaves to prevent water loss. The study shows how CLE25 induces ABA synthesis and closes pores in leaf surfaces.
Researchers uncover genetic mechanism behind insect's ability to revive after drying up. Heat shock factor plays key role in activating genes that protect cells from dehydration damage.
SourceRIKEN·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 9, 2018
Researchers have developed a high-resolution climate model that accurately simulates the interaction between aerosols and clouds. The model shows that increasing aerosol density can lead to a decrease in cloud cover in certain areas, contradicting previous assumptions.
Researchers have developed a new synthetic bioluminescence system that allows for imaging of cells from outside the body. The bioengineered light source enables tracking of cancer cells in mice and brain-cell activity in monkeys, with potential applications beyond lab research.
Researchers have developed a non-invasive method for stimulating the brain using nanoparticles that absorb near-infrared light and emit visible photons, allowing for control of specific brain cells. This breakthrough enables the treatment of conditions such as seizures and fear memories with minimal invasiveness.
Researchers at RIKEN Brain Science Institute identify a neuronal pathway that enables zebrafish to avoid carbon dioxide. The team found that the trigeminal sensory neurons and the habenula play critical roles in detecting carbon dioxide. These findings shed light on the neurobiology behind avoidance behaviors in animals.
Researchers at RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science found that moss Funaria hygrometrica can absorb up to 74% of lead from water. The moss's cell walls contain polygalacturonic acid, which is responsible for absorbing the metal.
Researchers have discovered that brain cells in the hippocampus process spatial information about both oneself and others. This 'buddy system' allows for joint location awareness, enabling rats to track each other's movements through a maze. The findings extend our understanding of the hippocampus' role as the brain's positioning system.
Researchers observed a dramatic reduction in the time taken to emit the first x-ray as the number of x-rays increased, in good agreement with Dicke's prediction. This behavior is consistent with the concept of superradiance, where a group of atoms emit light at a faster rate than a single atom.