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University of Tokyo


Conservatives tweet louder

Researchers found that conservative tweets are more effective at reaching moderates than liberal tweets, thanks to their network connections and linguistic similarities. The study suggests that liberals need to consciously connect with moderates to compete on Twitter.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScientific Reports·TypeContent analysis·DateOct 12, 2021

Virtual fitting room

A team of researchers has created a virtual fitting room system using AI and a bespoke robotic mannequin. The system can digitize garments in two hours and synthesize photorealistic images, allowing users to try on clothing in real-time.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 8, 2021

A concrete solution

A new kind of concrete made from recycled waste materials could significantly reduce the industry's carbon footprint. The calcium carbonate concrete uses captured carbon dioxide and discarded concrete to create a durable and versatile building material.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalJournal of Advanced Concrete Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2021

New wave of electron research

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have made a surprising discovery about the behavior of electrons in iron-based superconducting materials. They found that the electrons form a nematicity wave, which could help them understand how electrons interact with each other in superconductors and lead to new discoveries.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2021

Exotic matter is in our sights

Physicists at the University of Tokyo have created a new spectroscopic method, Rabi-oscillation spectroscopy, to study exotic atoms and improve our understanding of the material universe. This technique allows for faster observation and greater precision than conventional methods.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 9, 2021

The weather forecast for Venus

Scientists use infrared sensors to study the nighttime weather of Venus, discovering that north-south winds run in the opposite direction at night. This observation could help build more accurate models of the Venusian weather system and provide insights into Earth's weather patterns.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature·DateJul 21, 2021

Closing the gap on the missing lithium

Researchers have reduced the discrepancy between theoretical and observed amounts of lithium by around 10% thanks to a new experiment. The study used particle beams, detectors, and an observational method called the Trojan horse to scrutinize one of the Big Bang nucleosynthesis reactions.

Boring to study slow earthquakes

Researchers have collected high-pressure data from deep-sea boreholes in a subduction zone, revealing pressures up to 5 megapascals greater than typical hydrostatic pressures. This discovery sheds light on the origins of slow earthquakes and their potential role in triggering larger earthquakes.

Healing hydrogels

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a novel crystal that allows hydrogels to rapidly recover from mechanical stress, making them suitable for medical applications. This breakthrough could lead to more effective treatments for sports injuries and joint pain.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScience·DateJun 3, 2021

Where on Earth is all the water?

Researchers discovered that water can bond strongly with iron under extreme conditions, explaining the presence of significant amounts of hydrogen in the Earth's core. This finding suggests that much of the water that arrived on Earth during its formation might be stored in the core as hydrogen.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 14, 2021

Sustainable chemical synthesis with platinum

Researchers have created a new catalyst that allows for more efficient and sustainable production of aromatic hydrocarbons using renewable sources like woody biomass. The catalyst reduces the need for high temperatures and pressures, minimizing energy costs and emissions.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Catalysis·DateApr 19, 2021

Polarized photovoltaic properties emerge

Scientists have found a way to create polarity and photovoltaic behavior in non-photovoltaic 2D materials by arranging them in a special way. The resulting effect is different from traditional solar cells and shows promise for future solar panel improvements.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScience·DateApr 1, 2021

Laser lights the way

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a new way to observe laser interactions, enabling accurate control over laser-based manufacturing processes. The discovery could lead to significant improvements in precision and efficiency in industries such as laboratory, commercial, and industrial applications.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalCommunications Materials·DateMar 29, 2021

Social context affects gendered views of STEM subjects in England and Japan

A new model explains how social climate surrounding gender roles contributes to the masculine image of physics and mathematics in Japan and England. The study found that negative views of intellectual women are correlated with a masculine image of mathematics only in Japan, while a focus on avoiding sexism affects STEM choice in England.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPublic Understanding of Science·DateMar 23, 2021

Moiré than meets the eye

Carbon nanotubes have been engineered to produce moiré patterns, which could enhance material properties. The researchers' breakthrough has significant implications for the development of superconducting materials with improved performance.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 10, 2021

Sensing suns

Red supergiants are extremely bright but difficult to study due to their complex upper atmospheres. Astronomers have now developed a new technique to estimate their surface temperatures using iron absorption lines. By combining these temperatures with accurate distance measurements, researchers found consistent results with theory.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateFeb 28, 2021

When galaxies collide

Researchers found that certain head-on galaxy collisions can clear matter from the galactic nucleus, reducing the activity of central black holes. This discovery could help us understand the evolution of our Milky Way and its interactions with smaller galaxies.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJan 25, 2021

Crystal close up

Researchers use novel techniques to observe salt crystal formation at the atomic level for the first time. The study confirms theoretical predictions about crystal formation and provides insight into polymorphism in crystal growth.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJan 21, 2021

How does your computer smell?

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a highly sensitive biohybrid olfactory sensor that can detect odor molecules in the air. The sensor uses insect olfactory receptors reconstituted into lipid bilayers and has been shown to detect concentrations as low as parts per billion.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 13, 2021

A high order for a low dimension

Scientists have created a new material, a higher-order topological insulator, which confines electrons to one dimension, enabling the creation of ultra-high-speed and low-power devices. This innovation has significant implications for spintronics, a field that may replace traditional electronic systems in the future.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Materials·DateJan 4, 2021

The farthest galaxy in the universe

Astronomers use a novel spectrograph to measure the redshift of GN-z11, a ancient galaxy located 13.4 billion light years away, marking it as the farthest detectable galaxy in the universe. The team's precise measurement improves the accuracy of the galaxy's distance by a factor of 100.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Astronomy·DateDec 14, 2020

Ancient migration was choice, not chance

Researchers used satellite-tracked buoys to simulate ancient ocean migrations. They found that the vast majority failed to reach the Ryukyu Islands due to adverse weather conditions, suggesting intentional navigation. The study provides evidence of Paleolithic people's bold exploration and migration.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 3, 2020

Lower current leads to highly efficient memory

Researchers have developed a gallium arsenide-based ferromagnetic semiconductor that can act as memory by quickly switching its magnetic state in the presence of an induced current. The new material suppresses instability and lowers power consumption, offering highly efficient memory.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Electronics·DateNov 30, 2020

Astronomical instrument hunts for ancient metal

Researchers have developed a new instrument that can analyze the chemical signatures of distant quasars, providing insight into the origins of metals like iron. By studying these ancient galactic cores, scientists hope to refine their understanding of the early universe and its role in forming the elements necessary for life.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateNov 30, 2020

A pressure sensor at your fingertips

A new nanomesh pressure sensor allows for precise recording of finger movement and touch, without disrupting user sensitivity. The technology has potential applications in sports, medical science, neuroengineering, and the digital archiving of craftwork.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScience·DateNov 19, 2020

Robotic AI learns to be spontaneous

Researchers developed a new method for designing spontaneous behaviors in robots, inspired by complex temporal patterns in animal brains. The approach uses high-dimensional chaos and reservoir computing to implement humanlike cognitive functions.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 11, 2020

Tips for making nanographene

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a new and efficient way to create nanographene, a material that is expected to revolutionize technology. The method uses an atomic force microscope (AFM) to precisely control the fabrication process, allowing for the creation of tailored nanographene formations.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNano Letters·DateNov 11, 2020

Weighing space dust with radar

Researchers have successfully combined radar and optical observations to study interplanetary dust, gaining insights into meteor mass and composition. By correlating subtle signals in radar data with detailed optical information, scientists can now explore comets and aspects of solar system evolution.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPlanetary and Space Science·DateNov 10, 2020