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University of Tokyo


Milky Way-like galaxy M83 consumes high-speed clouds

Researchers discovered high-velocity clouds in the nearby spiral galaxy M83, which moved at speeds significantly different from the galaxy's overall speed of rotation. The findings suggest that these clouds originated outside the galaxy, providing new insights into how galaxies acquire fresh gas and sustain star formation over billions...

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJul 1, 2025

Meteorological satellites observe temperatures on Venus

Researchers used Japan's Himawari-8 and -9 meteorological satellites to track temporal changes in Venus' cloud-top temperature, finding variations in thermal tides and planetary-scale waves. The study provides a new avenue for long-term multiband monitoring of solar system bodies.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalEarth Planets and Space·TypeObservational study·DateJun 30, 2025

AI narrows the productivity gap

Researchers found that an AI app improved efficiency for low-skilled taxi drivers by 7%, while high-skilled drivers saw little benefit. The study suggests AI can help close skills gaps in various professions.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalManagement Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 10, 2025

Green ammonia powered by sunlight

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have successfully produced green ammonia using sunlight and atmospheric nitrogen, mirroring natural processes found in plants. The process uses two catalysts, one based on molybdenum and another on iridium, to activate water molecules and produce ammonia.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2025

Seeing blood clots before they strike

Researchers developed a new imaging technique that uses artificial intelligence and high-speed microscopy to track platelet behavior in real-time. The study shows promise for personalizing heart disease treatment by monitoring clotting risk in patients with coronary artery disease.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 15, 2025

Accelerating bacterial evolution in the laboratory

Researchers at the University of Tokyo accelerated bacterial evolution by activating 'jumping genes', resulting in rapid genome changes. The study sheds light on the role of insertion sequences and composite transposons in evolution, offering a new reference for future laboratory experiments.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNucleic Acids Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 12, 2025

Privacy-aware building automation

Researchers at the University of Tokyo developed a framework to enable decentralized artificial intelligence-based building automation, allowing devices to cooperate directly without central servers. The system learns user preferences over time, adjusting automatically, and provides fine-grained control without programming.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 5, 2025

Noto quake 3D model adds dimension to understand earthquake dynamics

A team of researchers from the University of Tokyo used simulations to create a detailed 3D model of a fault, which helped them understand how different parts of a fault contribute to uplift during an earthquake. The study revealed that fault geometry is a critical factor in determining the impact of earthquakes on land.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalEarth Planets and Space·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 28, 2025

Is my red your red?

A team of researchers from the University of Tokyo and Monash University developed a novel approach to quantify consciousness, specifically analyzing color similarity judgments. They found that color-neurotypical red is relationally equivalent to other color-neurotypical's red, but not to colorblind people's red.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 15, 2025

Runaway battery improves safety

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a simple and cost-effective method to test lithium-ion battery safety, enabling researchers to quickly screen battery effects on safety factors such as materials, design, storage conditions, and degradation. The innovative method uses miniaturized batteries that are intentionally un...

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Energy·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 2, 2025

The hidden spring in your step

The study reveals that muscle fibers shorten as forces increase during fast hopping, allowing for faster motion. This counterintuitive behavior enhances leg stiffness, which could impact sports training, rehabilitation, and robotics.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalJournal of Applied Physiology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 26, 2025

Adaptive defenses against malicious jumping genes

Scientists found that piRNA rapidly catches up with changes in jumping genes, improving efficiency through a competition between sites. This unique property of piRNA has implications for medical research and potential diagnostic or therapeutic strategies against unwanted genetic mutations.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalMolecular Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 20, 2025

Are volcanoes behind the oxygen we breathe?

New research suggests that volcanic activity billions of years ago accelerated oxygenation, leading to an increase in atmospheric oxygen. This pre-Great Oxygenation Event (GOE) may have provided the necessary conditions for photosynthetic microorganisms to thrive, ultimately paving the way for complex life.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 10, 2025

How’s the weather on Mars?

A new study reveals that atmospheric gravity waves play a crucial role in driving latitudinal air currents on Mars, particularly at high altitudes. The findings suggest fundamental differences from Earth's middle atmosphere.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Planets·TypeObservational study·DateMar 6, 2025

Lightening the load of augmented reality glasses

A team of researchers developed augmented reality glasses that receive images from projectors instead of generating them, reducing weight while maintaining high-quality visuals. The new light-receiving mechanism expands the angle at which the glasses can receive projected light, allowing users to freely move their heads.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 5, 2025

The chances of anything coming from Mars

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a new optical photothermal infrared spectroscopy method to detect microbial cells in ancient rocks, analogous to those found on Mars. The study strengthens Mars sample return protocols by providing a reliable way to assess the presence or absence of life in samples.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalInternational Journal of Astrobiology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 5, 2025

Helium in the Earth's core

A new study by researchers from the University of Tokyo reveals that helium can bond with iron under extreme conditions, contradicting previous findings. The discovery suggests there could be significant amounts of helium in the Earth's core, potentially rewriting our understanding of the planet's origins.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2025

Deep Nanometry reveals hidden nanoparticles

Deep Nanometry enables high-speed analysis of nanoparticles, detecting even trace amounts of rare particles like extracellular vesicles indicative of colon cancer. This technique has potential applications in various fields including vaccine development and environmental monitoring.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 20, 2025

Biohybrid hand gestures with human muscles

Researchers at the University of Tokyo developed a biohybrid hand that can move objects and mimic real-life forms, using multiple muscle tissue actuators created from lab-grown muscle tissue. The hand demonstrated its ability to perform complex gestures, including scissor motions, and showed signs of fatigue but recovered within an hour.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScience Robotics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 12, 2025

Secure and steady 6G communication

A team of researchers from the University of Tokyo has developed an ultrathin film that can absorb terahertz waves in the 0.1–1 THz range, enabling secure and clear transmission for 6G wireless communications. The absorber is made of titanium and oxygen and can be used outdoors due to its resistance to heat, water, light, and organic s...

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 9, 2025

Air pollution impacts an aging society

A study by the University of Tokyo reveals that fine particulate pollution PM2.5 exacerbates pre-existing conditions in elderly populations, leading to higher hospitalization rates and premature mortality, with significant socioeconomic challenges for rural regions with limited medical resources.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Sustainability·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 6, 2025

Recycling the unrecyclable

Researchers have developed a novel solid catalyst to efficiently reclaim materials from epoxy products, including carbon fibers and glass fibers. The process uses lower temperatures than traditional methods, reducing energy requirements and making the recovery of materials more environmentally friendly.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 6, 2025

Aging reactors need a concrete solution

Researchers from the University of Tokyo have verified the impact of neutron radiation on concrete expansion, finding a 'flux effect' that reduces degradation. This discovery may allow nuclear power plants to operate more safely over longer periods.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalJournal of Nuclear Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 30, 2025

Thin lenses have a bright future

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have successfully fabricated flat lenses called Fresnel zone plates using industry-standard equipment. These lenses have the potential to revolutionize optics in various fields by reducing space requirements while increasing efficiency, but they currently lack the efficiency of traditional lenses.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalLight Science & Applications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 16, 2025

New data on atmosphere from Earth to the edge of space

A team led by the University of Tokyo has created a nearly 20-year-long dataset of the entire atmosphere, enabling new research on previously difficult-to-study regions. The dataset spans multiple levels of the atmosphere from ground level to the lower edge of space and could improve climate modeling and seasonal weather forecasting.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalProgress in Earth and Planetary Science·DateJan 10, 2025

Separating signal from noise in the brain

Researchers at the University of Tokyo discover that the patterns of spontaneous activity and stimulus-evoked response are similar in lower visual areas of the cerebral cortex but gradually become independent as one moves to higher visual areas. This orthogonal relationship helps explain how sensory perception remains stable despite co...

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·TypeImaging analysis·DateDec 5, 2024

Gluing treatment to cancer

Combining PVA with a boron-containing compound improved the effects of radiation therapy for cancer, making it more selective of tumor cells and prolonging drug retention. This breakthrough could lead to more effective treatment options for challenging cancers.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalJournal of Controlled Release·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 3, 2024

A matter of life and death

A team of researchers from the University of Tokyo proposes a new mathematical definition of cell death based on enzymatic reactions and thermodynamics. This definition enables the development of computational methods to quantify the life-death boundary, which could lead to better understanding and control of cellular processes.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 27, 2024

Labeling cell particles with barcodes

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a new CRISPR-based system to label small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) with RNA barcodes, enabling comprehensive analysis of their biogenesis and release regulators. This system allows for the simultaneous study of thousands of genes and estimation of sEV release from host cells.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 19, 2024

Blue Monday

Researchers analyzed data from 1971 to 2019 and found that Mondays and New Year's Day were universally correlated with elevated suicide risk. In contrast, weekends and other public holidays varied by region, highlighting the importance of recognizing temporal fluctuations in risk for preventive actions.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalBMJ·TypeMeta-analysis·DateOct 30, 2024

Solar-powered animal cells

Scientists have successfully integrated chloroplasts from algae into hamster cells, allowing the cells to undergo photosynthesis and producing oxygen and energy. This breakthrough could lead to the development of artificial tissues that can grow in size without limitations due to low oxygen levels, paving the way for innovative biotech...

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the Japan Academy·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 30, 2024

2-billion-year-old rock home to living microbes

Researchers have discovered living microbes in a 2-billion-year-old rock sample from the Bushveld Igneous Complex in South Africa. The team used advanced imaging techniques to confirm the presence of indigenous microorganisms, shedding light on the early evolution of life on Earth and the potential for similar organisms to exist on Mars.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalMicrobial Ecology·TypeObservational study·DateOct 3, 2024

Logic with light

Researchers at the University of Tokyo introduce a new optical computing scheme called diffraction casting, which improves upon existing methods. The system uses light waves to perform logic operations and has shown promise in running complex calculations, including those used in machine learning.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalAdvanced Photonics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 3, 2024

Breaking the chain of intergenerational violence

A study by researchers from the University of Tokyo found that people with adverse childhood experiences are more likely to commit physical or verbal abuse against older adults. The study, which analyzed over 13,000 responses in Japan, revealed that psychological factors were a key contributor to this behavior.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeSurvey·DateSep 27, 2024

Cooling positronium with lasers

Positronium, an exotic atom composed of an electron and a positron, has been cooled to just 1 degree above absolute zero. This achievement could aid in studying the properties of antimatter and potentially unlock secrets of the universe.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 11, 2024

The underrated impact of humidity

A study from the University of Tokyo found that incorporating humidity data into heat stress indicators improves predictions of climate-related deaths. The researchers analyzed data from hundreds of cities and found that humid environments, such as coastal areas, are more accurate predictors of heat-related mortality.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeMeta-analysis·DateAug 20, 2024

Urban concrete mines

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a method to combine old concrete with carbon dioxide to create a new, durable material called calcium carbonate concrete. The process involves grinding the old concrete into powder, reacting it with CO2 from the air, and then heating it to form the new block.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalJournal of Advanced Concrete Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 7, 2024

Catching a new star

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have discovered a new species of starfish off the coast of Japan, shedding light on the country's marine biodiversity. The newly named Paragonaster hoeimaruae is a distinctive red and beige color with five arms and spans over 10 centimeters.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalJournal of Natural History·TypeObservational study·DateAug 4, 2024

Japan’s youth and climate change

A recent study reveals that Japanese junior high school students can be divided into four groups: Apathetic, Confused, Concerned, and Advocate. The most important factors influencing engagement in climate change actions are feelings of concern, hope, and attitude towards finding solutions. The research emphasizes the importance of emot...

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalInternational Research in Geographical and Environmental Education·TypeSurvey·DateAug 1, 2024