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University of Tokyo


Helium anomaly preceded Mount Ontake eruption

Researchers found a significant increase in helium-3 to helium-4 ratio at the hot spring closest to the volcano prior to the 2014 eruption. This suggests that helium anomalies are associated with phreatic eruptions, potentially offering valuable insights for long-term risk management and disaster mitigation.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 19, 2015

New conductive ink for electronic apparel

University of Tokyo researchers created a single-step printing process to form highly conductive and stretchable connections on textiles. The ink, made of silver flakes, organic solvent, fluorine rubber, and fluorine surfactant, exhibited high conductivity even when stretched three times its original length.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 25, 2015

Key to quick battery charging time

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have discovered the structure and transport properties of the intermediate state in lithium-ion batteries. This finding may help accelerate battery reaction speed and significantly shorten battery charging time.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 16, 2015

A microscopic approach to the magnetic sensitivity of animals

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a new microscope that can observe magnetic sensitivity in photochemical reactions within sub-cellular structures. The microscope, called TOAD imaging, allows for the detection of radical pairs formed from flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and their response to weak magnetic fields.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 4, 2015

How spacetime is built by quantum entanglement

Physicists at University of Tokyo unify general relativity and quantum mechanics by showing how spacetime emerges from quantum entanglement. Quantum entanglement generates extra dimensions of gravitational theory, shedding light on the microscopic structure of spacetime.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 27, 2015

New synthetic technology for medicines and fine chemicals

A University of Tokyo research group has successfully synthesized (R)- and (S)-rolipram in high yield with high selectivity using a catalyzed flow fine synthesis. This new technology eliminates excess energy, purification steps, and waste generation, offering a promising solution for the production of medicines and fine chemicals.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature·DateApr 15, 2015

A novel therapy for sepsis?

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have found that PTX3, a protein involved in innate immunity, can reduce mortality from sepsis by protecting endothelial cells from damage. The study's findings suggest that PTX3 may be used to develop a novel therapy for sepsis.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScience Signaling·DateSep 16, 2014

Lurking bright blue star caught!

A team of astronomers led by Gastón Folatelli at the Kavli IPMU, University of Tokyo, has found evidence of a hot binary companion star to a yellow supergiant star, which had become a bright supernova. The discovery provides the last link in a chain of observations supporting the team's theoretical picture for this supernova.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateSep 11, 2014

Virus rounds up enzymes, disarms plant

Researchers discovered how a plant-virus protein suppresses a key plant defense mechanism that remembers viral genetic information. The enzyme cluster formation caused by TGBp1 disrupts the recording of viral genetic information, reducing plant resistance to infection.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateMay 30, 2014

Cosmic illusion revealed

Researchers have discovered a galaxy that magnified a background supernova thirtyfold through gravitational lensing, confirming their previous explanation for the anomaly. This discovery may significantly impact our understanding of cosmic expansion and the mysterious components of the Universe, including dark energy and dark matter.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScience·DateApr 24, 2014