A new study suggests that a behavioral marker in preterm infants can indicate potential development problems. Researchers used digital eye tracking to test the infants' visual motor coordination and found that those who struggled with this task were more likely to face cognitive and social difficulties later on.
A study by the University of Tokyo reveals that musical training can activate areas of the brain associated with language processing, regardless of experience level. This connection may explain why people enjoy music even if they're not musically inclined.
Scientists at the University of Tokyo have created a novel machine learning algorithm that allows for efficient and accurate verification of time-dependent quantum devices. The algorithm, inspired by quantum reservoir computing, leverages memory effects in these systems to improve verification efficiency.
Researchers have discovered a fundamental role of the TBK1 enzyme in deciding B cell fate, crucial for developing effective vaccines for diseases like COVID-19 and malaria. The study reveals that TBK1 is necessary for germinal center formation and high-quality antibody production.
A new mathematical model suggests that environmental pressures, particularly land availability and wealth requirements, influence the development of family systems worldwide. The researchers found four primary family system types: pairs of extended or nuclear families with equal or biased wealth inheritance.
A global meta-analysis supports the U.N.'s goal of restoring habitats, finding mangrove restoration performs better than unvegetated mud, sand flats or abandoned aquaculture ponds. Restored mangroves yield significant ecological benefits and economic value, making them an ecologically and economically sound choice.
Researchers discovered that mammals developed protruding, flexible noses from reptilian jaws through cellular studies and fossil analysis. This finding explains the origin of mammals' strong sense of smell and provides potential new animal models for studying facial development disorders like cleft palate.
A recent statistical study has revealed a connection between protein evolution and thermal variation, with shared constraints regulating short-term flexibility and long-term structural evolution. The study's findings provide insights into the functional behavior of proteins and their evolutionary constraints.
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.
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.
New research in zebrafish reveals the genetic mechanisms behind blue and green color vision loss in human ancestors. By studying gene editing tools and genome sequencing, experts understand how genes are regulated to detect different light wavelengths.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Scientists have discovered a species of algae with three sexes - male, female, and bisexual - which can breed in pairs, shedding new light on the evolutionary transition to self-compatible mating systems. This phenomenon is rare among living organisms, but researchers believe it may not be as uncommon as previously thought.
A new genetic technique edits every chloroplast in a plant without changing its nuclear DNA. Researchers achieved this by modifying chloroplast genes specifically and removing the DNA editing tool, which cannot be inherited by future seeds. This approach could potentially solve both technical challenges and controversies surrounding GMOs.
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.
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.
The MucoRice-CTB vaccine, a new edible cholera vaccine made from genetically modified rice, has shown no obvious side effects and a good immune response in its Phase 1 human trial. The vaccine stimulates the mucosal immune system through the gut to induce antigen-specific antibodies, producing IgG and IgA responses.
Researchers developed a new method to quantify cyclones' influence on atmospheric circulation, improving climate projection accuracy. This approach allows for finer details to be revealed in patterns of cyclones and anticyclones.
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.
Researchers used a 'robot microscope' to track chemical signals in worms, revealing the role of interneurons in food-seeking behavior. The study found that glutamate signaling between sensory and interneurons plays a key role in experience-dependent plasticity.
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.
Despite significant changes in consumption patterns, Japanese households maintained their normal levels of greenhouse gas emissions. The study found that while some emissions decreased, others increased, but overall, the carbon footprint remained within a similar range as previous years.
The study created a genetic database that maps the function of genetic variants in autoimmune diseases, connecting DNA sequence changes to gene expression levels. The researchers analyzed 79 healthy volunteers and 337 patients with different types of immune-mediated diseases.
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.
A simple dietary supplement betaine reduces behavioral symptoms in mice with a genetic mutation that causes schizophrenia. Betaine supplements likely protect proteins that build neurons' cellular skeletons, restoring healthy structures.
Researchers developed a photo-oxygenation catalyst that destabilizes and removes amyloid plaques, enhancing immune system clearance. The treatment significantly reduced amyloid protein in mouse brains, with human brain samples supporting its potential use in humans.
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.
A UTokyo-MIT study reveals multilingual adults can learn new languages faster and more efficiently than bilinguals, thanks to increased brain activity. Multilingual participants demonstrated superior language acquisition skills and faster processing times in a simulated Kazakh language learning environment.
Researchers identified a long-overlooked pattern in stomatal development, which suggests that living conditions regulate stomatal formation. The discovery uses the plant genus Callitriche, including both aquatic and terrestrial species, to reveal a coordinated delay in stomatal formation for aquatic species.
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.
Researchers measured brain activity in first-time Japanese language students and found initial boosts followed by reductions as skills improved. Brain regions such as the grammar center, comprehension area, and auditory processing areas showed increased activation during early stages.
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.
A study by University of Tokyo researchers found that writing on physical paper leads to more brain activity when remembering information an hour later. Paper's unique spatial and tactile information enhances memory recall. In contrast, digital tools were slower and scored worse in simple test questions.
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.
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.
A new analysis reveals a sharp increase in suicides among young women in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic, contrary to expectations. The study suggests that existing suicide prevention policies may not be effective for this demographic, highlighting the need for new mental health support policies.
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.
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.
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.
Scientists at the University of Tokyo have observed a direct impact of magnetic fields on biological magnetoreception in living cells. By measuring changes in flavin autofluorescence, they found that the presence of a magnetic field reduced the cell's ability to emit light.
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.
Researchers have developed a new method to enhance the sensitivity of quantitative phase imaging, enabling the observation of tiny particles in living cells without labels or stains. The technique, called ADRIFT-QPI, produces images with seven times greater sensitivity than traditional methods.
Researchers found that unusual warm Pacific seawater and sustained high air pressure over the Bering Sea led to delayed sea ice formation in the Pacific Arctic region. This study improves Arctic sea ice forecast and benefits global weather forecasting and local ecosystem health.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have designed a new tetrahedral 'chiral zinc' molecule with exceptional stability and catalytic activity. This discovery could lead to breakthroughs in pharmaceuticals and optical electronics by allowing for more efficient synthesis of chiral molecules, which are essential for many drugs.
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.
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.
Researchers used a trans-omic approach to map the total landscape of diabetes regulation in mice. They found that obese mice lack rapid responses to glucose and instead use slower methods like changing gene expression.