Researchers have unraveled the mechanisms of how cells capture and degrade fluid droplets through autophagy. The study reveals that a tug-of-war between the droplet's surface tension and the isolation membrane's bending energy governs this process, with the outcome determining whether a piece or complete droplet is captured.
A new blockchain technology enables optimal matching of buy and sell orders in peer-to-peer energy trading, allowing for more efficient use of surplus electricity from renewable energy sources. The system allows consumers to engage in direct trading at optimal prices, maximizing the amount of surplus electricity available in the market.
Scientists have developed a new method to observe polymer crystallization in real-time, allowing for direct measurement of the rate, extent, and location of crystal growth. This breakthrough enables manufacturers to test polymer materials for specific mechanical properties during crystallization.
Scientists have found a way to reduce ammonia synthesis temperatures using lanthanide oxyhydrides as a catalyst support for ruthenium. These materials enhance catalytic activity and stability, overcoming hydrogen poisoning issues.
Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology synthesized a novel material with negative thermal expansion properties, which may help avoid damage to composite materials. The material exhibits both phase transition and framework-type mechanisms, providing a potential solution for the overheating problem in composite materials.
Researchers at Tokyo Tech discovered a 'quantum liquid state' of quantum vortices causing the anomalous metallic state, emerging from quantum criticality. This finding clarifies the nature of the superconductor-insulator transition in 2D superconductors and holds promise for designing next-generation superconducting devices.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology create kinetic model to study site-specific histone modifications and their impact on chromatin accessibility. The model shows that acetylation increases chromatin accessibility threefold, highlighting the potential for accurate quantification of epigenetic effects.
Autophagy enables efficient nutrient use and survival in cells by recycling amino acids. The study found that autophagy-derived metabolites, particularly serine, facilitate respiratory growth by supporting one-carbon metabolism and mitochondrial protein synthesis.
A new study using AI to examine the fossil record found that mass extinctions rarely create productive periods of species evolution, or 'radiations,' contrary to traditional ideas. Instead, the study suggests that many remarkable times of evolutionary radiation occurred when life entered new environments.
Researchers have discovered a way to control the conduction type of tin monoselenide (SnSe) by doping with antimony, leading to improved thermoelectric performance. The findings offer a potential solution to harness waste heat and reduce global warming.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology discovered that doping platinum thiolate nanometal clusters with silver increases photoluminescence by 18 times. The team found that the silver ion stabilizes the complex structure, maintaining a highly ordered tiara-like arrangement and enhancing phosphorescence.
Researchers found that damping-like torque, previously thought to be small, can dominate spin reorientation in antiferromagnetic materials. This discovery could lead to efficient spin manipulation and ultrafast switching in spintronics devices.
Researchers have developed a novel heterogeneous catalyst combining intermetallic and support materials to improve Suzuki cross-coupling reaction stability and efficiency. The new Pd-ZrC catalyst exhibits high stability, large effective surface area, and enhanced catalytic performance compared to existing compounds.
A team of researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology identified key 'water neurons' in the subfornical organ that stimulate water intake when dehydrated. They also found CCK-producing excitatory neurons that activate GABAergic interneurons to suppress thirst under sodium-depleted conditions.
Researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a method to measure polymer breakdown using a fluorescent molecule, enabling the estimation of resistance to mechanical stress. This breakthrough allows for the evaluation of polymer performance and specificity, paving the way for improved material design.
A team of scientists from Tokyo Institute of Technology devised a strategy to automate the novel material development process using robotics and artificial intelligence. The CASH setup enables fully autonomous materials research, making it possible to test and optimize new compounds at an unprecedented scale.
Researchers have developed a novel method to synthesize sub-nanoparticles (SNPs) with controlled composition and size, enabling the discovery of unique properties. The team found unusual electronic states and oxygen content in SNPs with an indium-to-tin ratio of 3:4, leading to different optical properties.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a novel approach for modular controller design, enabling decentralized system upgrades without compromising stability. The new design allows individual subsystem developers to design and implement controllers independently, improving overall system performance.
Researchers found diverse organic compounds can easily form polymers under primitive conditions and even spontaneously create cell-like structures. This discovery sheds light on the origin of life, suggesting alternative polymers may have played a key role in early biological evolution.
Professor Emeritus Hirofumi Akagi received the 2020 EPE Gaston Maggetto Medal for his research on power electronics. He is also the second Japanese recipient of this award, following Eisuke Masada in 2018.
Researchers at Tokyo Tech and Carnegie Mellon University developed a new human motion capture system called MonoEye, which uses a single ultra-wide fisheye camera mounted on the user's chest. The system can capture 3D body pose, head pose, and camera pose in real-time using deep neural networks.
A new wrist-worn camera system enables accurate 3D hand pose estimation, outperforming previous work by 20%. The system's accuracy reaches 75% in detecting different grasp types and can be used for smart device control, virtual mice, and keyboards.
A new study by Tokyo Institute of Technology researchers shows that simple environmental reactions can form reactive thioesters similar to those used in modern biology. The reaction uses a thioacid and sulfur-containing thiol compounds, and may have served as a starting point for the evolution of more complex biochemistry.
New research reveals that simple DNA-peptide interactions can generate a surprising diversity of compartmentalised higher-ordered phase behaviours, suggesting these polymers' primordial interactions may have helped create modern complex biological structures. The study found that changes in environmental conditions, such as salinity or...
Researchers identified novel targets and functions of PdhR, a pyruvate-sensing protein, in E. coli including regulation of bacterial movement and fatty acid degradation. The study expanded the role of PdhR beyond known pathways, providing insights into E. coli metabolism and potential applications for bioengineering.
Tokyo Tech researchers have developed a heterogeneous ruthenium-based catalyst capable of driving direct amination of alcohols to produce primary amines without hydrogen gas. The system achieved higher yields and showed potential for reuse, making it a cost-effective and environmentally friendly method.
Topological insulators exhibit unusual quantum phenomena due to their electrically conductive surface and insulating interior. A recent study revealed the relationship between the magnetic properties and electronic band structure, finding that the Dirac cone gap closes with increasing temperature, contradicting previous theories.
Scientists uncover how pomalidomide reduces cancer cell growth by breaking down the protein ARID2, promoting MYC gene expression. This finding provides a plausible explanation for pomalidomide's efficacy in treating lenidomide-resistant multiple myeloma.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a highly efficient blue-emitting semiconductor material Cs5Cu3Cl6I2, which can produce white light while reducing energy consumption. The new material has unique properties that make it more stable and eco-friendly than existing alternatives.
A study found that a ferry protein in the pancreas plays a crucial role in regulating insulin levels and protecting against the negative effects of a high-fat diet. The researchers discovered that this protein, VMAT2, helps to shield beta cells from oxidative stress, which can lead to diabetes.
Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology create alloyed metal nanoparticles using the atom hybridization method, achieving superior catalytic activity and stability. The sub-nanoparticles (SNPs) exhibit high reactivity even under mild conditions, producing unique compounds and hydroperoxides.
Researchers validate the Kibble-Zurek mechanism in quantum magnetic systems and demonstrate its applicability to open quantum systems using commercially available D-Wave annealers. The study provides strong experimental evidence for the generalized theory, showcasing the potential of quantum annealers in exploring nonequilibrium physics.
Scientists at Tokyo Tech and ICFO develop a method to generate circularly polarized light from a sphere by breaking its symmetry through electron beam excitation. This enables the precise control of phase and polarization, paving the way for novel quantum communication and encryption technologies. The approach has been experimentally v...
A new quantitative method assesses the effects of ingested plastics on individual and population levels in sea turtles, potentially impacting growth, reproduction, and survival. The study demonstrates a crucial step towards conservation and mitigating the negative effects of plastic waste on marine ecosystems.
A team of researchers at Tokyo Tech successfully used machine learning with an artificial neural network model to predict two key properties of self-assembled monolayers, enabling advanced material screening and design. This approach opens up new possibilities for the development of biomaterials with desired functions.
Researchers discovered that small highly branched polymers can mimic modern biological protein enzyme function, potentially aiding in the origins of life. These simple catalytic structures may have played a key role in jumpstarting life on early Earth.
Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology have created a high-performing catalyst for ammonia synthesis using cerium nitride, leveraging the role of nitrogen vacancies. The new catalyst's performance is comparable to that of ruthenium-based ones, offering a potential eco-friendly alternative.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology found that anthropogenic sources account for much of the missing source of OCS in the atmosphere. Their study provides better context for estimating global photosynthesis using OCS dynamics.
Researchers develop a new mouse model of permanent neonatal diabetes using the Kuma mutation, which exhibits severe insulin-deficiency and beta-cell dysfunction in an immune deficient background. The study successfully reverses hyperglycemia with insulin implants, making it suitable for islet transplantation research.
Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a novel approach to synthesize manganese dioxide nanoparticles with specific crystalline structures and porous structures. The study found that adjusting the acidity of the solution can produce large spherical pores in β-MnO2 nanoparticles, leading to better catalytic performance.
Scientists at Tokyo Tech develop a novel method to measure local temperature of platinum nanoparticles in catalysts using X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy. This approach demonstrates that microwave heating selectively heats the metal nanoparticles, increasing reaction rates and reducing temperatures.
Researchers at Tokyo Tech and YNU discovered a peculiar spin transport mechanism in the Kitaev model, which allows 'spin packets' to travel through seemingly unpassable regions of a quantum spin liquid system. This breakthrough has potential applications in spintronics and quantum computing.
Researchers have identified Atg40 as an ER-phagy receptor that curves and folds the ER membrane to facilitate autophagy. This process is crucial for proper cellular function and has significant practical applications in understanding diseases involving ER malfunction.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a new strategy for producing ammonia using lanthanum and nickel as catalysts. The new catalyst relies on nitrogen vacancies to split N2 molecules into H2, which is then converted into NH3.
Researchers create Y-shaped DNA nanostructures that can fuse exclusively with similar ones, demonstrating controllability of liquid-liquid phase separation. The team also constructs a special DNA structure to bridge incompatible motifs, allowing for the creation of Janus-shaped droplets with localized cargo molecules.
Research suggests that giving individuals the freedom to choose preferred public goods significantly increases participation rates, fostering conditional cooperation and leading to more wealth generated for players. Local circumstances are found to be more important than global social network characteristics in driving this effect.
A large-scale study found that communication increases the likelihood of reaching a target by almost two-fold, confirming its role in promoting cooperativeness. Players who communicate are more persistent and refuse to give up, while genuine free riders pay little attention to communication.
Scientists have identified a new proton-conducting material with high conductivity and oxygen-deficient layers, which could lead to more efficient and scalable fuel cell technology. This discovery could enable the development of low-cost and efficient fuel cells, crucial for a sustainable energy economy.
Researchers at Tokyo Tech developed a synthetic channel that can mimic natural ion channels, demonstrating self-assembling and functionally active orientation of artificial molecules in membranes. The study shows promising results for biomimetic regulation and potential applications in sensing and separation devices.
Researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology elucidate the underlying cause behind different critical transition temperatures reported for ultrathin iron selenide (FeSe) superconductors, finding the interface between FeSe and STO substrate essential for high-temperature superconductivity. The study reveals variability in Tc values du...