Researchers at Tohoku University have identified the retrotransposon insertion in a floral homeotic gene responsible for greenish orchid mutations. This discovery paves the way for genetic modification of orchids to produce more flowers.
Scientists at Tohoku University successfully developed a method to create virus-like polymer particles with various nanostructures, which can be selectively functionalized. This technology has potential applications in immunoassay systems, drug delivery, and enzymatic reactions.
Researchers at Tohoku University found that whole-brain low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) therapy improved cognitive dysfunction in mice with vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The treatment was shown to enhance blood vessel formation, nerve cell regeneration, and protein expression without serious side effects.
Researchers at Tohoku University have identified a key gene responsible for deepwater rice's ability to thrive in flood conditions. The SD1 gene enables the plant to increase its height and accumulate ethylene, allowing it to ride out lengthy floods.
Researchers at Tohoku University studied the 2011 Tohoku-oki earthquake to understand the causal mechanism. They used seismic tomography and found that both the upper Okhotsk plate and lower Pacific plate contributed to the formation of a hard patch responsible for the earthquake.
Researchers at Tohoku University developed a new method to synthesize multi-substituted anilines, enabling further developments in medical and materials science. The catalyst-based domino rearrangement reaction offers improved efficiency and selectivity over conventional methods.
Researchers developed a DNA sequencing kit that identifies variations in the NUDT15 gene, allowing for accurate predictions of adverse reactions. The test has been approved for clinical use in Japan and holds promise for reducing severe side effects in East Asian patients.
A team of Japanese scientists has discovered a mineral known as moganite in a lunar meteorite, reinforcing the theory that water exists on the Moon. The existence of moganite implies that there is water activity on the Moon.
A new tri-layer structure made of Cr2O3, YIG, and Pt enables significant control over the transmission of spin current at room temperature. This discovery is a major breakthrough in spintronics, paving the way for more efficient information processing devices.
Researchers at Tohoku University have discovered a potential therapeutic strategy for ATR-X syndrome using 5-aminolevulinic acid, which rescues synaptic plasticity and cognitive deficits. The treatment targets G-quadruplexes, a pathway involved in the pathology of other diseases.
A recent study published in The American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology has found that the duration, not peak exposure, is key to maturing preterm lungs. This breakthrough could lead to safer and more effective antenatal steroid treatment, benefiting millions of families worldwide.
Researchers at Tohoku University used a visual search experiment to demonstrate that the human visual system can perceive objects outside its limited field. The study found that the brain constructs a 360-degree world, enabling smooth and efficient movement without turning.
Researchers have developed a new method for synthesizing insulin using self-assembly of polypeptide chains, achieving a 40% efficiency rate. This approach enables the production of customized insulin compounds without relying on genetic engineering, which could lead to the development of novel insulin preparations.
Researchers at Tohoku University have found that microorganisms with cilia can escape from dead ends using a swimming motion. This ability enables them to survive in intricate environments where other organisms may not be able to thrive.
A novel algorithm has been proposed to simulate the color appearance of objects under chromatic illuminants, addressing the fundamental question of human color perception. The algorithm successfully simulated differences in color appearance for #theDress image, which sparked debate over its colors online.
Researchers at Tohoku University discovered that plants activate autophagy in leaf cells to derive essential amino acids during periods of low sunlight. This process allows plants to survive and grow under conditions of energy scarcity, enabling them to adapt to environmental challenges.
Researchers at Tohoku University have identified a new mutant coral symbiont alga that enables the control of symbiotic relationships with its host. The discovery provides a powerful tool for studying coral-algal endosymbiosis and sheds light on mechanisms for maintaining stable symbiosis.
By adding oxygen atoms to a perovskite-like crystal material, researchers created 2D electron gas with unique properties. The discovery opens up new possibilities for faster and novel electronic devices, including superconductors and actuators.
Researchers at Tohoku University have created a novel approach to screen drugs for their potential impact on the heart by cultivating lipid membranes around tiny holes in silicon chips. The team found that lipid membranes attached better to tapered holes, enabling more efficient testing of drug effects on ion channels.
Researchers at Tohoku University have developed ultra-small magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) down to a single-digit nanometer scale, achieving sufficient retention properties and fast switching speed. The new MTJ design utilizes shape anisotropy, enabling high thermal stability factors and current-induced magnetization switching.
Researchers at Tohoku University successfully recreated conditions similar to those in space without an electric field-trapping boundary. The study shows the electron gas expands adiabatically when electric fields are removed, demonstrating the extension of classical thermodynamics to out-of-equilibrium systems.
Researchers at Tohoku University have fabricated two types of trilayer graphene with different electrical properties. The ABA-stacked graphene exhibits excellent electrical conductivity, while the ABC-stacked graphene displays semi-conducting properties. These findings hold implications for the development of novel electronic devices.
Researchers from Tohoku University found that angling quad-rotor rotors by 20 degrees can reduce pitching by a quarter, improving stability in heavy winds. The study also identified the effects of rotor tilting on pitching moment generation, with outward tilting reducing pitch by 26%.
A possible treatment for Hajdu-Cheney syndrome has been identified, which may also help with age-related osteoporosis. Researchers found that a medication called DAPT blocks osteoclast formation, reversing bone loss in mice with the disease.
Researchers found that multiple motor proteins work together to deliver cargo, similar to ants carrying a large item. In mutant worms, fewer carriers were observed, weakening cargo transport and causing mis-location of synapses.
Researchers at Tohoku University have developed a new phase change material, Cr2Ge2Te6, that achieves a significant reduction in power consumption for data recording in phase change memory (PCRAM). The material exhibits an inverse resistance change and combines low operation energy, high data retention, and fast operation speed.
Researchers at Tohoku University have successfully cultured human placenta stem cells for the first time, opening up new avenues for studying fetal development and maternal health. The study, led by Takahiro Arima, has shed light on the crucial role of trophoblast cells in supporting fetal growth and development.
Researchers at Tohoku University developed a novel cleaning method using microbubbles to efficiently remove dental plaque from implants. The cavitating jet technique outperformed traditional water jets in removing plaque after longer exposure, particularly on hard-to-reach areas.
Researchers at Tohoku University developed a new technique to analyze isomers in edible oil using HPLC-MS/MS, revealing the specific oxidation compounds in canola oil resulting from heat and light. The study suggests packaging canola oil in dark containers and adding antioxidants like carotenoids to reduce oxidation.
Scientists at Tohoku University found that a protein called TRIM48 labels PRMT1 for destruction, leading to ASK1 hyperactivation and cancer cell death. This study reveals new potential therapeutic targets for treating cancers and neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers at Tohoku University have created a visual database of metabolites from over 5,000 Japanese volunteers, offering valuable insights into how specific compounds relate to each other. The jMorp database contains information on 306 metabolites and 256 common proteins, with graphical correlation tools to facilitate further study.
Researchers created a brittle star-like robot that can quickly adapt to physical damage, similar to its biological model. This decentralized control mechanism allows the robot to coordinate and move with remaining arms.
Scientists found that these gel-based containers can retain liquid nitrogen temperatures below -150°C for up to 10 hours, preserving embryo viability. The reusable and DIY-friendly materials also show promise for efficient transportation of sperm and embryos.
Researchers at Tohoku University have developed a computational simulation that shows the potential of ultrafast laser pulses to switch electrons' spins in magnetic materials, enabling faster magnetic memory devices. The study suggests perovskite manganites and layered manganites as possible materials for testing their model.
Research suggests that asteroid impacts on hydrocarbon-rich areas may have caused global climate changes, leading to mass extinctions. The Chicxulub impact, occurring 66 million years ago, is a rare case of this phenomenon.
Researchers at Tohoku University have introduced a novel intermolecular surface force that explains the actomyosin driving mechanism. The discovery sheds new light on muscle contraction, highlighting a previously unexplained aspect of the myosin power stroke model.
Researchers identified a sulfur metabolite with antioxidant activity that supports mitochondrial energy metabolism, a crucial process for cellular function. This finding highlights the potential of enzymes involved in sulfur respiration to treat diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
A Japanese team has gained a deeper understanding of the electronic processes guiding liquid-to-glass transitions. By studying an organic metal material with 'frustrated' electrons, they revealed that rapid cooling can create glass-like states similar to conventional glasses.
Researchers at Tohoku University developed a method for fabricating semitransparent and flexible solar cells using transition metal dichalcogenides. The new technology improves power conversion efficiency up to 0.7%, making it the highest value reported with few-layered materials.
A team at Tohoku University has developed a novel approach to control the chirality of single-walled carbon nanotubes. By tuning the oxidation degree of Co catalysts, they achieved predominant synthesis of (6,4) SWNTs. This breakthrough could enable on-demand synthesis of specific-chirality SWNTs for various applications.
A new study out of Tohoku University found that contagious yawning is more likely associated with perceptual sensitivity than empathy. Researchers observed participants' reactions to photos and videos of people yawning, revealing a stronger link between detecting facial expressions and induced yawning.
Researchers at Tohoku University have developed a cheaper production method to create single-crystal metals, known for their shape memory properties. This breakthrough could lead to mass-produced materials with improved elasticity and strength, ideal for building structures that can withstand earthquakes.
Researchers have discovered new molecular fossils of archaea using forensic science methods, providing insight into the distribution and timeline of these ancient microorganisms. The study used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to analyze sedimentary rock samples from southern China, revealing previously unknown fossils.
Researchers have successfully used an artificial womb to incubate healthy baby lambs for a week, paving the way for potential treatment of extremely premature infants. The technology, known as ex-vivo uterine environment (EVE) therapy, aims to improve lung development and reduce ventilation-derived injury.
A team of researchers has observed nonreciprocal magnons in a noncentrosymmetric antiferromagnet for the first time, showcasing a new regime of magnetic materials. This phenomenon has significant implications for magnon-based electronics, such as spin-wave field-effect transistors.
Researchers at Tohoku University have created a new synthesis route for alternative catalysts of noble metals, overcoming stability issues with organic-based and carbonaceous materials. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and cost-effective eco-friendly technologies, including fuel cell vehicles and CO2 reduction.
Scientists have successfully observed a spatial transition between two plasma states, where the magnetic field is stretched into space while maintaining thrust generation. This finding provides significant insights into overcoming the problem of detaching plasma from the MN in plasma thrusters.
A team of researchers has visualized the previously unexplored surface of lithium titanate, a rare spinel oxide superconductor with high superconducting transition temperature. Their study provides new directions for interface research, including understanding electrode surfaces and mechanisms behind lithium-ion battery operations.
Scientists developed an organ-on-a-chip model that mimics human retinal cells and vascular endothelial cells. The model replicates neovascularization in wet-type age-related macular degeneration, offering a potential alternative to animal models for disease modeling and drug screening.
Trans-fatty acids directly activate ASK1 kinase by enhancing extracellular ATP, promoting cell death in a more direct manner than previously thought. The study identifies several trans-fatty acid types that stimulate cell death, but not their corresponding cis-fatty acids, which have health benefits.