Chemists at the University of Tokyo have made groundbreaking discoveries about how molecules bind together, using a tiny cube structure to study dispersion forces. The team has found that polarizable atoms can create stronger dispersion forces, leading to increased stability in complex structures and potential applications in drug design.
Researchers have created a new polymer gel with an ordered structure, allowing for potential uses in chemical filters, sensors, and drug release. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in various fields by providing a more consistent material.
A new national analysis in Japan highlights the potential of entertainment-conservation partnerships to increase public interest in wildlife. The research found that animated shows with animal characters can boost donations to zoo conservation programs, with Kemono Friends being a notable example of its positive impact on public interest.
Researchers discovered the most energetic gamma-ray burst ever recorded, emitting 1 tera-electron-volt of energy. This breakthrough confirms theoretical predictions and opens new avenues for understanding these powerful cosmic events.
A team of researchers from Japan and the UK has identified a crucial communication route in developing chloroplasts, the energy factories of plant cells. The newly characterized protein GUN1 regulates tetrapyrrole biosynthesis, controlling the cell's production of heme.
Chemists at the University of Tokyo mapped an artificial molecular self-assembly pathway that forms a spherical cage and an ultrathin sheet, exhibiting primitive qualities of a 'smart' material. The research team hopes to design molecules that can self-assemble and reorganize independently under environmental conditions.
Researchers developed an algorithm to recommend tags for social media posts, resulting in a 20% boost in popularity. The system takes into account user popularity and content emotional impressions to suggest effective tags.
Researchers developed a new technique called complementary vibrational spectroscopy to study molecular structures. This method combines infrared absorption and Raman scattering spectrometers to provide detailed information about molecular vibrations.
Using laser pulses, researchers successfully induced superconductivity in an iron-based compound at a temperature of minus 258 degrees Celsius. This breakthrough could lead to more power-efficient devices and infrastructure if it can be scaled up to room-temperature applications.
Researchers identified microRNAs that regulate plant reproduction in ancient liverwort species, also found in modern crops. The discovery may lead to new applications for predicting harvest times and improving crop yields.
Researchers propose using gravitational-wave observatories to detect axions, which could be a type of dark matter. Axions are predicted to modulate light polarization and can be detected with existing laser-based experiments, offering a cost-effective solution to the hunt for dark matter.
Researchers have found a magic wavelength in cadmium, enabling the creation of atomic clocks with unprecedented accuracy. This breakthrough could revolutionize time measurement and test new physics theories.
The researchers designed a nanocube that can detect liquefied petroleum gas with high sensitivity and specificity, mimicking the way proteins and DNA put themselves together in living cells. The nanocubes are as sensitive as current gas detectors but have a unique specificity to LPG.
Scientists have successfully observed and controlled fast-paced chemical reactions using light, which could lead to new optical nanotechnology. The method uses ultrafast techniques to visualize the reaction, offering insights into molecular interactions and potential applications in materials design.
Physicists have developed a novel method to create high-performance spintronic devices using organic molecules, which can be easily configured for different functions. The new fabrication method uses layers of molecules that can be painted or printed onto metals, offering a promising alternative to traditional materials.
A recent study analyzed 100,000 localized seismic events to search for patterns in the data. Researchers found that earthquakes of differing magnitudes share more similarities than previously thought, suggesting predictable characteristics may aid forecasting.
For the first time, researchers have visualized chemical processes in unprecedented detail using molecular electron microscopy. This breakthrough allows for the observation of discrete stages in chemical reactions, which could aid in the development of methods to synthesize chemicals with greater control and precision.
Astronomers have found a treasure trove of previously unknown ancient massive galaxies, defying current models of the universe. These galaxies are connected to supermassive black holes and dark matter, providing new insights into cosmic evolution.
Researchers have developed a miniaturized system that uses low-cost components and smartphones to detect biological viruses. The device is portable, battery-powered and can detect real viruses, holding potential for aid in disease prevention.
The University of Tokyo researchers modeled the amyloid beta sheets causing Alzheimer's disease and found that atoms too far apart can still influence each other through electron neighborhoods. This discovery may help predict the true structure and behavior of molecules based on their chemical sequence.
Researchers identified a repeated stretch of DNA as the cause of four rare neurodegenerative diseases, including fragile X tremor/ataxia syndrome and Parkinson's disease. The discovery uses advanced DNA sequencing technology and may lead to insights into other diseases caused by similar mutations.
Researchers have successfully edited plant mitochondrial DNA for the first time, paving the way to address the current lack of mitochondrial genetic diversity in crops. This technique, called mitoTALENs, uses a single protein to locate and delete specific genes, potentially adding much-needed diversity to the food supply.
Researchers developed a new technique to enhance the infection-fighting potential of natural chemicals and test them quickly. Three synthetic molecules were found to be four times more effective at killing bacteria than their natural predecessor.
Scientists at the University of Tokyo have discovered a connection between lightning strikes and gamma-ray phenomena in thunderclouds. Weak gamma-ray glows may precede lightning bolts, offering new insights into the mechanism underlying lightning discharge. The research aims to improve predictive models for lightning strikes, potential...
Researchers analyzed Y chromosome sequences of modern Japanese men to estimate ancient human population size around 2,500 years ago. The study revealed a significant decrease in ancestral Jomon DNA before the arrival of the Yayoi people, supporting an actual population decline.
Researchers discovered a novel nanotube material that generates electricity through the photovoltaic effect, outperforming existing materials by an order of magnitude. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient solar panels and advanced optical sensors for applications in astronomy and self-driving cars.
Scientists at the University of Tokyo developed an efficient magnetization reversal component using gallium manganese arsenide, reducing current densities by one to two orders of magnitude compared to previous methods. This breakthrough aims to advance spintronics, a promising technology for low-power logic and memory devices.
Researchers found that engineering education lacks intercultural communication training, which can hinder global collaboration. A constructivist view of culture is proposed as a more effective approach.
A new mathematical model, EDC2, explains the peculiar 'orixate' leaf arrangement pattern of a Japanese plant, suggesting that older leaves have stronger inhibitory signals. The findings support the accuracy of the formula and shed light on the genetic and cellular machinery behind plant development.
A mouse model of autism has shown that exercise eliminates excess connections between neurons characteristic of ASD. After one month of voluntary running, behavioral differences disappeared and structural brain differences were reduced.
A new method converts evolutionary relationships into geographical relationships to make higher-resolution maps of ancient species' distributions. The analysis verified the division of nonavian dinosaurs into Northern and Southern Hemisphere groups, with some species moving between Europe and Africa during the Early Cretaceous period.
Researchers used optical illusions to study human vision and found rhythmic brain activity patterns that facilitate visual feature integration. The findings suggest that periodic waves of brain activity are necessary for both perception and attention, contradicting the classical view of unified perception relying on a single brain region.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have created a material that can significantly extend battery life and increase capacity. The oxygen redox-layered oxide (Na2RuO3) material, when used in lithium-ion batteries, enables self-repair due to its stronger coulombic attraction force, reducing degradation from charge and discharge cycles.
The team found that the special nickel nucleus (78Ni) is more stable and rigid than other isotopes with similar numbers of neutrons. This discovery challenges current understanding of nuclear physics and has implications for our understanding of matter's origin.
Researchers mapped aluminum monoxide around a distant young star, clarifying details about our solar system's formation. The findings suggest that AlO gas rapidly condenses into solid grains, similar to calcium and aluminum-rich inclusions found in asteroids.
Researchers have created a new nanomachine that can deliver specific drugs to parts of the body with tight access barriers, such as pancreatic cancer and brain tumors. The Y-shaped block catiomer is less than one-fifth the size of previous nanoparticles, allowing it to pass through smaller gaps.
Researchers at UTokyo develop a new process to produce ammonia more efficiently and sustainably than the current Haber-Bosch method. The Samarium-Water Ammonia Production (SWAP) process reduces energy consumption, raw material costs, and environmental impact.
A new analysis of national fertility survey data found increasing rates of heterosexual inexperience among young adults in Japan. The study, led by the University of Tokyo, estimated that 1 in 10 adults in their 30s remain virgin, with socioeconomic factors contributing to this trend.
Researchers found that domestic cats can distinguish between their name and other words, even if they don't respond enthusiastically. Cats living in homes were more likely to recognize their owner's voice than those in cat cafés.
Scientists have engineered a fungus to produce a high-concentration antibiotic, which could treat African sleeping sickness. The breakthrough uses genetic modification to create a non-toxic variant of the antibiotic, offering a cost-effective solution to this neglected tropical disease.
Scientists have created nanocubes that can form stable cubes at specific temperatures, then scramble back into individual components when heated or cooled. This self-assembly ability mimics life's chemical processes, enabling the creation of complex systems.
A novel iron catalyst has been discovered to simplify and streamline organic chemical synthesis, reducing costs and waste. This breakthrough could have huge implications for industries such as pharmaceuticals and petrochemicals.
The Hayabusa2 mission provides valuable insights into the composition and history of asteroid Ryugu, helping researchers understand the presence or absence of essential materials for life. The study reveals that Ryugu is a dry asteroid, which challenges current models of the early solar system.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a new way to sense earthquakes using gravitational signals, which can detect seismic waves ahead of time. The method has been proven reliable with 7-sigma accuracy and could lead to improved early warning systems that save lives.
Researchers have demonstrated a new way to perform functions essential to future computation at speeds trillions of times faster than current commercial devices. The team created a nanoscale spintronic semiconductor device that can partially switch between specific magnetic states in under a picosecond.
Researchers from University of Tokyo discover magnetic spin Hall effect in non-collinear antiferromagnet Mn3Sn, enabling efficient spin current transfer. This could lead to high-speed and high-capacity devices with improved power efficiency.
Researchers used slime mold to study cell positioning in complex structures, revealing the importance of cell-cell contact and chemotaxis. The study found that individual cells can be directed to their final destination by chemical signals, such as cAMP, and cell-to-cell touch.
Researchers found that playing Pokémon GO increased step counts among middle-aged and elderly adults, suggesting a positive impact on physical activity. The study's findings could inform urban planners and game designers to encourage more people to engage in regular exercise.
Research in mice at the University of Tokyo found that heat waves can reduce the body's immune response to flu. However, providing supplemental nutrition before and after infection can help restore normal immune function. The study suggests that food insecurity may weaken the immune system, making people more susceptible to illness.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have discovered how plants detect odor molecules by binding to transcriptional co-repressors, changing gene expression. This understanding may lead to new ways of influencing plant behavior, such as altering crop quality or deterring pests.