The Bizarre Case of Swimming Sea Worm Butts: Nature’s Weirdest Trick
Armed with its own eyes, antennae, and swimming bristles, the posterior body part of a sea worm detaches for spawning. Scientists revealed its developmental mechanism…
University of Tokyo News
Scientists Develop Stronger, Stretchier, Self-Healing Plastic
Improved material can maintain complex shapes and biodegrades in seawater. Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed an innovative plastic that surpasses the strength…
Astronomers Link “Starquakes” to Mysterious Radio Signals From Space
Research from the University of Tokyo links fast radio bursts (FRBs) to “starquakes” on neutron stars, offering new insights into earthquakes and nuclear physics. Fast…
Green Power Surge: Tokyo’s Breakthrough in Cobalt-Free Battery Tech
A replacement for cobalt in batteries avoids its environmental and social impacts. High-capacity and reliable rechargeable batteries are a critical component of many devices and…
From AI Black Boxes to Physics: The New Frontier of Protein Folding Prediction
New protein folding models could lead to new medicines and industrial processes. Proteins are important molecules that perform a variety of functions essential to life….
Gene-Editing Breakthrough: Compact Enzyme Promises More Effective Treatments
The newly designed CRISPR enzyme offers a more compact DNA editing solution, maintaining the efficiency of existing tools and could improve patient treatment. A new…
Fish Reveal Caffeine and Other Common Drugs May Alter Human Facial Development
Impact of substances on zebrafish embryos shows how the prenatal development of human facial features might also be affected. Some substances in medicines, household items,…
Ancient Quasars and Massive Dark Matter Halos Reveal Black Hole Secrets
Dark matter turns supermassive black holes into energetic quasars consistently throughout history, with implications for the past evolution of the universe. At the center of…
Genetic Cluster in Root Fungus Found To Be the “On/Off” Switch for Disease-Causing Behavior
Researchers have found that the fungus Colletotrichum tofieldiae can both support and inhibit plant growth, depending on the activation of a specific gene cluster. This…
Muon Magic: Groundbreaking Technology Enables Navigation in Places GPS Can’t Reach
Innovative technology allows for navigation in areas where GPS can’t reach. In a reported global first, researchers from the University of Tokyo have used superfast,…
9000 Feet Deep – Magnetic Bacteria Discovered in Deep-Sea Vents
Scientists discover bacteria capable of “sensing” Earth’s magnetic field in deep-sea vents. Bacteria that can align themselves with the Earth’s magnetic field have been found…
Gambling Meets Quantum Physics – New “Bandit” Algorithm Uses Light for Better Bets
Simulated photonic reinforcement learning method learns faster and aims higher. How does a gambler maximize winnings from a row of slot machines? This question inspired…
The 2°C Climate Challenge: Is Global Warming Target a Financial Time Bomb?
The economic feasibility of the climate change targets specified in the Paris Agreement depends on the prioritization of non-market elements like human health and biodiversity…
Scientists Discover a New Way To Develop Drugs Without Side Effects
Scientists have discovered a new way to activate G-protein coupled receptors from inside cells, a breakthrough that helps develop drugs without side effects. Have you…
Neurological Secrets of Fear: The Eye-Averting Mechanism Uncovered in Fruit Flies
A cluster of neurons in the brains of fruit flies has been found to control visual aversion to scary objects. Averting our eyes from things…
New Microscopy Imaging Technique: RESORT Unveils Living Systems Like Never Before
A team of researchers has developed a new imaging technique called RESORT, combining the benefits of super-resolution fluorescence and vibrational imaging. RESORT, which uses laser-based…
New Way To Develop Drugs Without Side Effects – To Treat Obesity, Pain, Osteoporosis, and Neurological Disorders
Researchers discovered a novel method to activate G-protein coupled receptors from inside the cells, and it helps develop drugs without side effects. The team identified…
Space Dust – A New Way To Search for Alien Life
Professor Tomonori Totani from the University of Tokyo posits that cosmic dust, particularly grains measuring about 1 micrometer, could carry signs of extraterrestrial life to…