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School of Science, The University of Tokyo


From warriors to healers: a muscle stem cell signal redirects macrophages toward tadpole tail regeneration

Muscle stem cells secrete c1qtnf3, which redirects macrophages from immune to regenerative functions, promoting tadpole tail regeneration. This discovery offers insights into the regenerative capabilities of certain animals and paves the way for further research into potential applications in mammals.

SourceSchool of Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 17, 2025

Growing a new, pencil-shaped structure of gold named “quantum needles”

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have successfully grown a novel pencil-shaped structure of gold nanoclusters, dubbed 'gold quantum needles'. These structures show responsiveness to near-infrared light, enabling higher-resolution biomedical imaging and more efficient light-energy conversion. The breakthrough could lead to targete...

SourceSchool of Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 5, 2025

Common feature between forest fires and neural networks reveals the universal framework underneath

Researchers found that deep neural networks exhibit absorbing phase transitions, a phenomenon observed in physical systems like forest fires. This discovery provides a unified framework describing how the signal propagates between layers of neurons, enabling prediction of trainability and generalizability.

SourceSchool of Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 18, 2025

Obesity disrupts “reaction time” to starvation in mice

Researchers found that obesity causes a disruption in the liver's ability to adapt to starvation, specifically in the temporal coordination of molecules. This suggests that obesity makes the body more vulnerable to the negative effects of starvation, despite no significant structural disruptions in the molecular network.

SourceSchool of Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalScience Signaling·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 22, 2025

Pushing boundaries: Detecting the anomalous Hall effect without magnetization in a new class of materials

Researchers detect anomalous Hall effect in collinear antiferromagnets with non-Fermi liquid behavior, revealing a 'virtual magnetic field' that boosts the phenomenon. The findings open up new possibilities for information technologies and require further experimental confirmation.

SourceSchool of Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 18, 2025

X-ray data-enhanced computational method can determine crystal structures of multiphase materials

Researchers develop a computational method to determine the crystal structures of multiphase materials directly from powder X-ray diffraction patterns. This approach can analyze existing experimental data that was previously difficult to decipher, leading to potential discoveries of new material phases.

SourceSchool of Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 5, 2024

Researchers uncover what makes large numbers of “squishy” grains start flowing

Scientists have clarified the conditions under which large numbers of 'squishy' grains, similar to those found in biological tissues, undergo a yielding transition from solid-like to fluid-like behavior. The findings provide insights into the roles of mechanical and biochemical processes in biological systems.

SourceSchool of Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 25, 2024

Medium and mighty: Intermediate-mass black holes can survive in globular clusters

Simulations reveal that dense molecular clouds can give birth to very massive stars that evolve into intermediate-mass black holes. The study provides new insights into the potential mechanisms of intermediate-mass black hole formation, which could have significant implications for our understanding of these enigmatic objects.

SourceSchool of Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 30, 2024

Editing without “cutting”: Molecular mechanisms of new gene-editing tool revealed

Researchers elucidated the spatial structure and molecular mechanisms of 'prime editor,' a novel gene-editing tool that achieves reverse transcription without DNA cutting. This breakthrough contributes to designing gene-editing tools accurate enough for gene therapy treatments, opening new avenues for both basic and applied research.

SourceSchool of Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 29, 2024

From disorder to order: flocking birds and “spinning” particles

Scientists have found a new way to create ordered states in quantum systems by increasing particle motility, leading to potential breakthroughs in quantum computing and magnetic memory. This discovery extends the concept of active matter to the quantum realm and has far-reaching implications for technology development.

SourceSchool of Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 26, 2024

Follow the salt: connecting salt concentrations and motion in roundworms

Researchers discovered that a specific phase of neck motor neuron activation in roundworms adjusts their trajectory toward higher salt concentrations. This finding highlights the neural mechanisms underlying navigation and sensory-motor integration, shedding light on how even simple animals adapt to environmental changes.

SourceSchool of Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 22, 2024

How to distinguish slow and fast earthquakes

Researchers from the University of Tokyo and Stanford University analyze slow and fast earthquakes, showing that their magnitudes vary with time. The study confirms the scaling law for slow earthquakes, which defines the relationship between magnitude and duration, and reveals physical processes governing events.

SourceSchool of Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 31, 2023

Researchers succeed in arranging nanoscale quantum sensors on desired targets

Scientists at the University of Tokyo develop a technique to create nano-sized quantum sensors on measurement targets, enabling high-resolution magnetic field imaging with applications in superconductors and electronic devices. The breakthrough uses boron vacancies or lattice defects in hexagonal boron nitride film, allowing for easy d...

SourceSchool of Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalApplied Physics Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 14, 2023

Detecting the molecular vibration information faster and better by “stretching” time

Researchers have developed a new ultrafast infrared spectroscopy method that can detect molecular vibration information at high speeds. This method, called upconversion time-stretch infrared spectroscopy (UC-TSIR), provides over 30-fold more spectral elements and 400 times better spectral resolution than conventional methods.

SourceSchool of Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalLight Science & Applications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 3, 2023