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University of Tokyo


AI drones to help farmers optimize vegetable yields

Researchers from the University of Tokyo have developed an AI-powered drone system that analyzes young plants to predict their expected growth characteristics. By identifying optimal harvest times, farmers can reduce waste and improve their income by up to 20.4%, while also benefiting consumers and the environment.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPlant Phenomics·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 3, 2023

Small but mighty new gene editor

A new CRISPR-based gene-editing tool, AsCas12f, has been developed with enhanced editing ability and compact size. The engineered enzyme has already shown success in animal trials and holds promise for improved treatments of genetic disorders.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 2023

Fish reveal cause of altered human facial development

Researchers tested five chemicals on zebrafish embryos and found that all caused impaired migration of bone-forming cells, leading to facial malformation. The study suggests a potential general mechanism underlying teratogenic chemicals and proposes using zebrafish as an alternative method for testing cross-species teratogens.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalToxicological Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2023

Brain inspires more robust AI

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a new technique to protect sensitive AI-based applications from attackers. By adding random noise to the inner layers of neural networks, they improved the resilience of these systems. This approach promotes greater adaptability and reduces susceptibility to simulated adversarial at...

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNeural Networks·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 16, 2023

Dark matter halos measured around ancient quasars

A team of researchers from the University of Tokyo has measured dark matter halo masses around ancient quasars, finding a consistent mass of about 10 trillion times the mass of our sun. This discovery suggests a characteristic DMH mass that activates quasars regardless of time period.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateSep 11, 2023

Switching from harmful to helpful fungi

Researchers found a single gene cluster that determines whether fungus aids or hinders plant growth, offering potential for reducing food waste and increasing crop yields. The study highlights the complex relationships between fungi and their host plants, challenging traditional views of pathogenic and mutualistic traits.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 6, 2023

Fungus gnats as pollinators not pests

A new study reveals that fungus gnats are crucial pollinators of certain Euonymus plant species with red-petaled flowers. The unique traits of these flowers, such as their yogurt-like scent and short stamens, have evolved to attract the fungus gnats, highlighting the importance of Diptera in plant diversity and evolution.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalAnnals of Botany·TypeObservational study·DateAug 23, 2023

Origins of coronary arteries

A team of researchers compared the development of blood vessels in various animals, including mice, quails, and fish, to understand the origins of the human heart. They found that the structure of the human coronary arteries likely evolved from a common amniote ancestor, adapting to life on land.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 22, 2023

A new DNA drug to fight blood clots

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a DNA-based anticoagulant that has shown promising results in test mice and may be ready for human trials soon. The treatment could provide a safer alternative to existing medications, such as heparin, which can cause severe bleeding side effects.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalMolecular Therapy·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 20, 2023

Go with the flow

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a continuous-flow manufacturing method for producing cefazolin, an essential antibiotic. This new approach reduces time, cost and waste, making it ideal for flexible production and improving global health access.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalBulletin of the Chemical Society of Japan·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 6, 2023

Immobilizing melanoma

Researchers have identified podoplanin as a key protein driving the spread of mucosal melanoma, a rare and aggressive form of skin cancer. Eliminating this protein could lead to a potential treatment through antibody therapy, offering hope for patients with this devastating disease.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalMolecular Cancer Research·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 26, 2023

A whole new dimension for 3D printing

The new method creates complex 3D shapes in seconds by applying heat to pre-folded flat sheets with origami patterns. This innovation has the potential to mitigate issues with traditional 3D printing, such as material wastage and long print times, and can be used in various fields like fashion, disaster recovery, and more.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalACM Transactions on Graphics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 23, 2023

Turning waste heat into energy

The team created a thermocell using a hydrogel that reacted to temperature changes, converting latent heat into electricity. This breakthrough supports the idea that various materials can be used for thermoelectric conversion, potentially reducing reliance on other energy sources and improving cooling systems.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2023

Fear is in the eye of the beholder

A cluster of neurons in the brains of fruit flies has been found to control visual aversion to scary objects. The researchers discovered that these neurons release a chemical called tachykinin, which regulates vision when feeling afraid.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2023

The economic life of cells

A team from the University of Tokyo combines economic theory with biology to understand how natural systems respond to change. They use the Slutsky equation to discover that different metabolic systems share previously unknown universal properties, which can be understood using tools from other academic fields.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 13, 2023

Magnetic bacteria point the way

Researchers found magnetotactic bacteria living on a hydrothermal vent chimney at 2,787 meters below the ocean's surface. The discovery provides clues to the early diversification of bacteria and offers insights into the environment that may support extraterrestrial life.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·TypeObservational study·DateJun 27, 2023

When a rat smells a rat

Scientists at the University of Tokyo have discovered a pheromone that reduces fear in rats, which could lead to more humane methods of pest control. The researchers found that this pheromone, 2-methylbutyric acid, can calm both lab and wild rats, reducing their fear responses.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 20, 2023

New imaging technique is no last resort

Researchers created a new method, RESORT, to image and analyze living systems in unprecedented detail. The technique combines benefits of super-resolution fluorescence and vibrational imaging, allowing for high spatial resolution and analysis of complex interactions.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 16, 2023

Navigating underground with cosmic-ray muons

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a new navigation system using cosmic-ray muons, which can accurately determine position in underground environments. The MuWNS system uses time synchronization to achieve accuracy comparable to single-point GPS positioning aboveground.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 15, 2023

Dark clouds on the horizon

The study improves the accuracy of black carbon's refractive index, revealing it may contribute up to 16% to atmospheric warming, affecting climate models. The method developed can be applied to other particles in the atmosphere and ocean.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalAerosol Science and Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 9, 2023

The evolution of honey bee brains

Researchers found that three specialized Kenyon cell subtypes in honey bees evolved from a single, multifunctional ancestor, potentially offering insights into human behavior. Transcriptome analysis revealed comparable similarity between the Kenyon cell subtypes of sawflies and honey bees.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 5, 2023

LincRNA paints a target on diseased tissues

Researchers have discovered a novel feature of long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) that can serve as markers indicating specific types of tissue. This finding has the potential to lead to highly specific disease treatments by targeting diseased tissues.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 26, 2023

Better social drinkers don’t earn more

A study of working men in Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea found that alcohol-tolerant individuals do not earn more than their intolerant colleagues. Despite the cultural pressure to drink, better social drinkers did not experience a wage premium in terms of working hours or earnings.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalHealth Economics·TypeSurvey·DateApr 25, 2023

How does a millipede get its legs?

New research reveals that millipede segments contain tiny bundles of legs, which appear as transparent protrusions before molting. This discovery could help understand how not only millipedes but also other arthropods grow and develop.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalFrontiers in Zoology·TypeObservational study·DateApr 19, 2023

New details of Tully monster revealed

Researchers use 3D imaging technology to study Tully monsters and reject vertebrate hypothesis, but uncertainty remains about its exact classification as an invertebrate chordate or protostome. The study sheds light on the challenges of piecing together Earth's evolutionary history and highlights the importance of Mazon Creek fossils.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPalaeontology·TypeImaging analysis·DateApr 16, 2023

Twinkling stars fuel interstellar dust

Research reveals connection between star brightness and dust concentrations, paving way for study of dust's role in planetary formation. The University of Tokyo's latest findings may help unravel the secrets of life's creation.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of Japan·TypeObservational study·DateApr 6, 2023

Searching for life with space dust

Researchers suggest studying well-preserved grains of space dust for potential signs of life, as they could contain fossils of microorganisms. The idea estimates that around 100,000 such grains could land on Earth every year.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalInternational Journal of Astrobiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 22, 2023

How birds got their wings

Researchers at the University of Tokyo found that a specialized wing structure called the propatagium evolved in non-avian dinosaurs, paving the way for modern birds to fly. The discovery, based on statistical analyses of arm joints, helps fill gaps in knowledge about bird flight origins.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalZoological Letters·TypeImaging analysis·DateFeb 23, 2023

The switch made from a single molecule

Researchers at University of Tokyo's Institute for Solid State Physics have demonstrated a switch made from a single fullerene molecule that can function as multiple high-speed switches simultaneously. This technology could lead to unprecedented levels of resolution in microscopic imaging devices.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 20, 2023

Uncovering the traits of Japan’s dual ancestry

A new statistical analysis tool has uncovered the distribution and intermixing of Jomon hunter-gatherers and East Asian immigrant farmers in Japan. The study found that regions with higher Jomon ancestry are more prone to obesity, while those with higher East Asian ancestry are more susceptible to exacerbated asthma.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournaliScience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 20, 2023

The surprising similarities of packed particles

Scientists develop a statistical model to describe how particles of different sizes jam together, revealing a common structure that can improve spatial efficiency in various industries. The study's findings have significant implications for applications involving particulate matter, such as construction, medicine, and food manufacturing.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Research·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 12, 2023

New species of microalgae discovered

Scientists have identified a new species of microalgae, Medakamo hakoo, which has the smallest known genome of any freshwater algae. The discovery could lead to the mass production of substances such as functional foods, cosmetics, and biofuels at low cost.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 26, 2023

Approaching the terahertz regime

Scientists have created a new class of nonvolatile memory devices using antiferromagnets that can store stable memory states and read them incredibly quickly. This breakthrough could lead to faster memory devices with performance beyond the terahertz regime.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2023

Introducing COSMOCAT

COSMOCAT proposes using cosmic rays to transport random numbers, eliminating the need to send decryption keys and enhancing local device and network security. The system can be used alongside current wireless technologies, offering faster speeds and limited distance capabilities.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2023

Spontaneous baby movements have purpose

Researchers found that spontaneous movements in newborns and infants develop patterns of muscle interaction, enabling them to perform sequential movements as infants. This study provides insight into the origin of human movement and may lead to earlier diagnosis of developmental disorders.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateDec 26, 2022

Artificial DNA kills cancer

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed artificial DNA that can target and kill cancer cells by binding to microRNA molecules. The DNA triggers an immune response that not only kills cancer cells but also prevents further growth of cancerous tissue.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 20, 2022

Confining quarks

Physicists propose new method to confine quarks, which could reveal why matter has mass. The strong force, a fundamental force of nature, is believed to be responsible for this property. By exploring quark confinement, researchers hope to gain insights into the structure of the universe.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 14, 2022

Mapping E. coli to overcome antibiotic resistance

A new study at the University of Tokyo has mapped the evolution and process of natural selection in Escherichia coli bacteria, creating fitness landscapes that help understand drug resistance and potential treatments. The researchers hope their results will be useful for predicting and controlling E. coli and other bacteria.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 13, 2022

Dinosaur teeth reveal what they didn’t eat

Researchers used dental microwear texture analysis to infer feeding habits of large theropods, including T. rex and Allosaurus. The study found that these dinosaurs did not eat bones as frequently as thought, with juveniles having a different feeding behavior.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPalaeontology·TypeImaging analysis·DateDec 9, 2022

Flowers show their true colors

A team of researchers at the University of Tokyo has discovered a newly found trait in the Causonis japonica flower, which changes color depending on its maturation cycle and then reverses. The pigments involved are related to nutrient-rich colorful vegetables, suggesting potential downstream applications in improving nutrient yields.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateDec 1, 2022

Monitoring “frothy” magma gases could help evade disaster

A team at the University of Tokyo has discovered that analyzing the ratio of argon-40 to helium-3 in magma gases can indicate the risk of different types of eruption. By monitoring these gas ratios, scientists hope to develop a portable equipment for real-time, on-site measurements, enabling early warning systems and potentially saving...

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateNov 21, 2022

Rats bop to the beat

Researchers at the University of Tokyo found that rats can move their heads in time to music, demonstrating innate beat synchronization. The optimal tempo for nodding along depends on the brain's time constant, similar across species, suggesting a widespread ability among animals to interact with music.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 11, 2022

Out of the blue

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a new method for producing blue quantum dots, which are essential for creating high-quality displays. The breakthrough uses self-organizing chemical structures and a cutting-edge imaging technique to visualize the novel blue quantum dots.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 8, 2022

Early diagnosis tool for childhood kidney disease

A new technique analyzing urine extracellular vesicles can detect changes in the kidneys earlier than conventional methods and predict renal function decline. This method has the potential to develop new urine tests that can catch the disease earlier, as well as similar tests for other diseases.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 8, 2022

Starved yeast poisons clones

Researchers at the University of Tokyo discovered that yeast releases toxins to kill its own clones and surrounding microorganisms when starved of glucose, a phenomenon called latecomer killing. This behavior helps yeast survive mass starvation and aids in the selection of toxin-producing offspring.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 7, 2022

Plant fibers for sustainable devices

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have discovered that plant-derived cellulose nanofibers exhibit high thermal conductivity, potentially replacing environmentally damaging synthetic polymers. The discovery was made using a novel method to align the fibers, allowing for efficient heat transfer.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNano Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 4, 2022

Machine learning, from you

Researchers from the University of Tokyo's Interactive Intelligent Systems Laboratory developed a new system called LookHere that incorporates natural hand gestures into the teaching process. This approach eliminates extraneous details and provides better input data for machines to create models, resulting in improved efficiency and ac...

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 31, 2022