Add BrightSurf on Google Email

The University of Osaka


Little space and a lot of flow spark amyloid formation

Researchers from the University of Osaka found that a protein associated with amyloidogenic light chain disease forms amyloid in areas of constrained geometry when subjected to shear stress. This study, published in FEBS Journal, suggests that mechanical pressure and chemical inhibitors may help dissolve amyloids.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalFEBS Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 26, 2026

Wastewater may offer an early warning of pertussis outbreaks

Researchers at the University of Osaka found that pertussis-associated DNA in wastewater increased before reported cases, indicating a new early warning system for pertussis outbreaks. Wastewater surveillance has the advantage of capturing broader community-level trends, including mild or asymptomatic infections.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalEmerging Microbes & Infections·TypeObservational study·DateAug 26, 2026

Bright ideas accelerate the hunt for quantum emitters

Researchers from the University of Osaka have developed a prediction framework that rapidly evaluates promising quantum materials without sacrificing accuracy. The framework enables the evaluation of optical losses using simplified theoretical expressions, making searches much more tractable.

SourceThe University of Osaka·Journalnpj Computational Materials·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 25, 2026

A new kind of polymer with two faces and a twist

A team from the University of Osaka has created a new family of chiral semiconducting polymers that can generate highly spin-polarized electric currents. The polymers' unique molecular structure enhances the material's ability to selectively transmit electrons with a particular spin orientation, paving the way for future energy-efficie...

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2026

Immune remodeling in extreme old age: how supercentenarians reshape their immune system

Researchers from the University of Osaka have found a rare type of immune cell that expands in supercentenarians, potentially helping protect against cancer and other age-related threats. The cells, known as CD4 CTLs, have been shown to be highly active and may help the body cope with persistent threats that increase with age.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalCell Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 19, 2026

Sound evaluation of stiffness: Using acoustic tweezers to analyze biomolecular droplets

Researchers from the University of Osaka developed an analytical tool called acoustic tweezers to investigate the mechanical properties of biopolymer condensates. The study found that changes in the natural movement of a droplet in solution can provide information on the stiffness of the droplet and the state of the molecules inside.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalPRX Life·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 17, 2026

Solving complex optimization problems using optics

A new mathematical approach using optics helps computers solve larger, more complex optimization problems by reducing computational demands. The framework can be applied to various real-world challenges, including facility placement and data clustering, with potential benefits for a carbon-neutral future.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalCommunications Physics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 29, 2026

Shining a light on constructing blood supply systems for artificial tissues

Scientists at the University of Osaka have created a new technique to build blood supply systems for artificial tissues. They successfully fabricated tubular hydrogel structures with controlled lumen sizes and complex geometries, paving the way for creating vascular models that can investigate the development of fully synthetic tissues.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2026

How ions flow like a liquid through a solid crystal

A research team used a simple physical model to connect sublattice melting with cooperative and spatially heterogeneous ion transport, revealing a fundamental mechanism behind superionic conduction. The findings offer a unified explanation for this phenomenon, which could guide the design of next-generation solid-state batteries.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 15, 2026

Rivalries shape social maps in the brain

Researchers from the University of Osaka found that antagonistic ties play a crucial role in shaping social maps in the brain, which are also reflected in patterns of brain activity. This study sheds light on how our brains organize complex relationships and rivalries.

SourceThe University of Osaka·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 6, 2026

Out of order: using AI to decode the bizarre personality of water

Researchers at The University of Osaka used AI to evaluate characterization frameworks for molecular order in liquid water. They found that machine learning models can accurately capture key structural information, shedding light on the relationship between structural fluctuations and thermodynamic states of water.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalCommunications Chemistry·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 6, 2026

A simple message helps keep stem cell donors on track

Researchers from the University of Osaka found that adding a sentence about limited donor compatibility increased donors' willingness to progress through pre-donation testing. This simple message resulted in a 7.3% increase in donor completion rates, offsetting nearly half of projected donor declines.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalJournal of Economic Behavior & Organization·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 1, 2026

Polymers change structure to avert failure and keep elastomers tough

Scientists at The University of Osaka have created a multipath synergistic strategy to toughen elastomers by sequentially activating three energy dissipation pathways. This approach enhances the material's toughness while maintaining its elasticity, making it suitable for various applications such as tires, gloves, and adhesives.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 1, 2026

Direct questioning may overstate media criticism

A recent study in Japan found that direct survey questions can make negative attitudes toward the mass media appear stronger than they actually are. The study compared direct questioning with indirect questioning using a list experiment and found a significant gap of 15.4 percentage points in agreement rates.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalInternational Journal of Public Opinion Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 24, 2026

Bringing ancient light-sensing proteins back to life

Researchers from The University of Osaka have developed a method to reconstruct ancestral rhodopsins that can be produced and experimentally tested in bacteria. This innovation utilizes an insertions-deletions aware sequence reconstruction approach, enabling scientists to study the evolution of functional proteins.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalACS Omega·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 16, 2026

Magnetic encounters: how intermolecular collisions affect magnetism

Scientists at the University of Osaka developed a theoretical framework to explain the anomalously large magnetic susceptibility of organic radical fluids. They found that dynamic magnetic interactions during molecular collisions enhance the magnetic susceptibility, explaining the phenomenon beyond conventional theories.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 15, 2026

Blurred lines: Reconstructing depth from a single snapshot

A team of researchers from The University of Osaka has developed a new approach for depth reconstruction from defocus, estimating distances by analyzing blur in an image. Their method combines a coded-aperture camera with diffusion-model-based AI to accurately estimate depth and produce high-quality images.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalIEEE Transactions on Computational Imaging·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2026

The secret ingredient is time: The role of timing in brain development

The study reveals that rats have a larger deep layer in their brains due to the prolonged expression of Wnt signaling genes, resulting in extended deep layer neuron production. This finding suggests that 'heterochrony' in neurogenesis is responsible for the interspecific diversity in the neuronal composition of the mammalian cortex.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalThe EMBO Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 25, 2026

Exploiting interfacial ionic mobility to make heat-moldable nanoparticle aggregates

Researchers at The University of Osaka developed a strategy to make nanoparticle aggregates thermoplastic by introducing ions at interfaces. This allows for the creation of high-strength and low-expansion materials suitable for various applications. The study paves the way for diverse systems, including graphene oxide and cellulose nan...

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 15, 2026

Flu signals in wastewater offer an early warning for community outbreaks

A University of Osaka-led team developed a wastewater-based epidemiology approach to estimate influenza incidence, predicting community outbreaks about one week earlier than publicly available data. The method also enables separate estimation of influenza A and B trends, supporting more detailed monitoring of seasonal outbreaks.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalWater and Environment Journal·TypeObservational study·DateMay 13, 2026

Why dolphins swim so fast: the secrets of eddies

A team of researchers from The University of Osaka used supercomputer simulations to study how vortices generated by dolphin kicks power fast swimming. They found that large, powerful vortices created by the movement of the dolphin's tail are responsible for most of the propulsion, while smaller ones contribute little to forward motion.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalPhysical Review Fluids·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 27, 2026