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RIKEN


A new window into macaque brain connections

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.

SourceRIKEN·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 23, 2019

Flies smell through a Gore-Tex system

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.

SourceRIKEN·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 18, 2019

Light pulses provide a new route to enhance superconductivity

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.

SourceRIKEN·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 3, 2019

Scientists discover new type of self-healing material

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.

SourceRIKEN·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateFeb 7, 2019

Early protostar already has a warped disk

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.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature·DateDec 31, 2018

Hybrid qubits solve key hurdle to quantum computing

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.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 27, 2018

Mystery of coronae around supermassive black holes deepens

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.

SourceRIKEN·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateDec 18, 2018

Smarter AI: Machine learning without negative data

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.

SourceRIKEN·DateNov 26, 2018

Researchers create a functional salivary gland organoid

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.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 11, 2018

Getting a grip on the slow but unique evolution of sharks

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.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateOct 8, 2018

A self-powered heart monitor taped to the skin

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.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature·DateSep 26, 2018

Genes that regulate how much we dream

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.

SourceRIKEN·JournalCell Reports·DateAug 28, 2018

Fecal deposits reveal the fruit fly's pheromone flag

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.

SourceRIKEN·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 2, 2018

Summer fun: How plants beat the heat

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.

SourceRIKEN·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateJul 4, 2018

Blue gene regulation helps plants respond properly to light

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.

SourceRIKEN·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 18, 2018

Plant peptide spells relief from salty stress

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.

SourceRIKEN·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 14, 2018

Vitamin A derivative selectively kills liver cancer stem cells

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.

SourceRIKEN·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 23, 2018

Researchers uncover origin of virus-fighting plasma B cells

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.

SourceRIKEN·JournalImmunity·DateApr 17, 2018

Scientists accurately model the action of aerosols on clouds

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.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 8, 2018

Deep-brain exploration with nanomaterial

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.

SourceRIKEN·JournalScience·DateFeb 8, 2018

Running away from carbon dioxide: The terminal connection

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.

SourceRIKEN·JournalCell Reports·DateJan 30, 2018

The brain's GPS has a buddy system

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.

SourceRIKEN·JournalScience·DateJan 11, 2018