Osaka University News - SciTechDaily

Harnessing Blue Energy: The Sustainable Power Source of Tomorrow

Osaka University — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 05:04:01 +0000

Researchers at Osaka University have demonstrated how to control the flow of ions through a nanopore membrane by applying voltage to a gate electrode, potentially advancing the harvesting of sustainable blue energy. Blue energy offers a promising sustainable alternative to fossil fuels by harnessing the energy generated when ions in a salt solution move from [...]

Deciphering Daydreams: How Sharp-Wave Ripples Shape Our Imaginative Minds

Osaka University — Wed, 22 May 2024 09:00:48 +0000

Researchers from Osaka University find that mind wandering, especially when associated with less pleasurable and more vivid and imaginative self-generated thoughts, is associated with a specific pattern of brain activity linked to memory and sleep. Part of what makes us human is our ability to think about people, places, or events that aren’t currently present—but [...]

Researchers Identify Potential Target for Treating Inner-Ear Bone Erosion

Osaka University — Tue, 07 May 2024 17:06:01 +0000

Researchers show that the possible cause of local bone erosion in cholesteatomas are fibroblasts from the bone that express a protein called activin A. Chronic inflammation of the middle ear can cause several problems and complications that can affect a person’s hearing and balance. One such problem is the formation of a cholesteatoma, which is [...]

How the Flu Virus Sneaks Into the Brain and What We Can Do About It

Osaka University — Thu, 02 May 2024 06:07:11 +0000

Some influenza-associated brain disorders may be caused by the virus entering the brain and making proteins, suggesting that antivirals that block protein production might be an effective treatment, according to new research by Osaka University. It might start simply, with a cough or sneeze…but in some cases, the flu virus can make its way to [...]

Time Travel for Tomorrow: Using Future Perspectives To Shape Today’s Tech

Osaka University — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 23:39:13 +0000

Researchers at Osaka University have discovered that considering sustainability issues through the lens of “imaginary future generations” provides valuable perspectives on technological advancements and trends in society. The world stands on the brink of a crucial environmental threshold; the choices we make today about energy, resources, and the environment will have profound consequences for the [...]

Scientists Catch Light-Driven Polymers in the Act

Osaka University — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 16:49:39 +0000

Expanding our scientific understanding often comes down to getting as close a look as possible at what is happening. Now researchers from Japan have observed the nanoscale behavior of azo-polymer films while triggering them with laser light. In a study recently published in Nano Letters the researchers from Osaka University used tip-scan high-speed atomic force [...]

From Sci-Fi to Reality: Scientists Develop Unbreakable, Bendable Optical Sensor

Osaka University — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 23:05:08 +0000

Researchers at Osaka University have created a soft, pliable, and wireless optical sensor using carbon nanotubes and organic transistors on an ultra-thin polymer film. This innovation is poised to open new possibilities in imaging technologies and non-destructive analysis techniques. Recent years have brought remarkable progress in imaging technology, ranging from high-speed optical sensors capable of [...]

Orbital Magic: Japanese Scientists Pave the Way for Next-Gen Spintronics

Osaka University — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 11:19:41 +0000

Scientists demonstrate the ability to control the direction of magnetization by applying strain to a multiferroic material at the interface. Directing magnetization with a low electric field is crucial for advancing effective spintronic devices. In spintronics, the characteristics of an electron’s spin or magnetic moment are leveraged for information storage. By modifying orbital magnetic moments [...]

New Catalyst Discovery Cuts Costs and Boosts Green Chemistry

Osaka University — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 21:35:44 +0000

A team from Osaka University, along with their collaborators, has created a cost-effective catalyst for a key chemical process, potentially paving the way for further initiatives to reduce expenses within the chemical sector. The chemical industry often relies on scarce and costly metals to manufacture pharmaceuticals and other crucial materials. Substituting these metals with more [...]

Scientists Elucidate Key Mechanism to Cell Growth

Osaka University — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 23:19:00 +0000

Researchers at Osaka University uncover the mechanism by which cysteine activates a crucial regulator of cell growth in yeast. Amino acids serve as life’s fundamental components. They are sourced from our diet, and our bodies utilize them to create proteins. These proteins are crucial for growth, development, and various other processes. Yet, prior to utilizing [...]

Aging’s Antidote? The Crucial Role of HKDC1 in Keeping Cells Youthful

Osaka University — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 14:50:37 +0000

Researchers from Osaka University have identified a protein called HKDC1 that’s crucial to maintaining two subcellular structures, mitochondria and lysosomes, thereby preventing cellular senescence. Just as healthy organs are vital to our well-being, healthy organelles are vital to the proper functioning of the cell. These subcellular structures carry out specific jobs within the cell, for [...]

E=mc² Comes Alive: Simulating Matter Creation From Laser Light

Osaka University — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 02:55:41 +0000

A team led by researchers at Osaka University and UC, San Diego has used simulations to demonstrate how one can experimentally produce matter solely from light, which in the future might help test long-standing theories on the composition of the universe. One of the most striking predictions of quantum physics is that matter can be [...]

New Research: Microautophagy Is Essential for Preventing Aging

Osaka University — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 10:49:19 +0000

Researchers at Osaka University have demonstrated, for the first time, that lysosomes, when damaged, undergo a repair process known as microautophagy. This mechanism plays a crucial role in hindering the aging process. Aging is a fundamental process that affects organisms at the cellular level. As cells age, they encounter both self-inflicted damage and external harm. [...]

Nanopores and Permselectivity: Unveiling a New Path to Cooling

Osaka University — Sun, 17 Dec 2023 12:30:35 +0000

A groundbreaking study by Japanese researchers demonstrates cooling via a nanopore, revolutionizing temperature control in microfluidic systems and enhancing understanding of cellular ion channels. Have you ever wondered how water boils in an electric kettle? Most people may think electricity simply heats up the metal coil inside the kettle, which then transfers the heat to [...]

A Breakthrough in Genome Editing: How NICER Outperforms CRISPR/Cas9

Osaka University — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 20:47:05 +0000

Researchers led by Osaka University develop a new gene modification technique known as NICER that significantly reduces off-target mutations in DNA. The gene editing technique CRISPR/Cas9 has allowed researchers to make precise and impactful changes to an organism’s DNA to fix mutations that cause genetic disease. However, the CRISPR/Cas9 method can also result in unintended [...]

Researchers Uncover Surprising Way To Disrupt Sleep

Osaka University — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 19:43:45 +0000

A collaborative study involving scientists from Osaka University, the University of Tokyo, and the Queensland University of Technology has identified a structure in the circadian mRNA Period2 that affects the sleep-wake cycle, particularly during the early morning and late evening. Circadian rhythms are the internal biological clocks that orchestrate our daily activities, playing a vital [...]

The “Thunder God Vine” – An Herbal Compound To Help Fight Arthritis

Osaka University — Sat, 03 Jun 2023 03:21:53 +0000

A team of researchers at OU has discovered a protein complex that plays a crucial role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis. Furthermore, their findings demonstrate that celastrol, the active compound found in a medicinal herb, effectively hinders the advancement of the disease by inhibiting this protein complex. It’s universally understood that having a robust [...]

Novel Proteins Offer Hope for Improved Stroke Recovery

Osaka University — Thu, 11 May 2023 09:00:07 +0000

Researchers from Osaka University identify a protein that reduces inflammation, stimulates neural growth, and improves sensory and motor functions following ischemic stroke in mice. Scientists have discovered that proteins R-spondin 3 (RSPO3) and LGR4 can reduce inflammation and promote neural growth in mice following ischemic stroke. By injecting RSPO3 into the brains of mice 24 [...]

Astral Alchemy: Researchers Synthesize Mysterious Exotic Baryon

Osaka University — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 04:00:13 +0000

Scientists at Osaka University were part of a particle accelerator experiment that produced an exotic and highly unstable particle, and determined its mass. This could contribute to a better understanding of the inner workings of ultra-dense neutron stars. The Standard Model of particle physics explains that most particles are made of combinations of just six [...]

New Study Reveals Simple Way To Mitigate Screen Time’s Negative Effects on Children

Osaka University — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 21:07:31 +0000

Researchers from Osaka University have discovered that mitigating the harmful effects of screen time on young minds could be as straightforward as encouraging children to play outside. Parents with young children are often concerned about the amount of time they spend on screens, such as tablets, phones, computers, and televisions. They may also be wondering [...]

Cryogenic Electron Microscopy Reveals New Insights Into Centromere Structure

Osaka University — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 11:00:33 +0000

Researchers led by Osaka University have used cryogenic electron microscopy analysis to reveal the structural change of the centromere at an atomic level during cell division. The genetic material inside cells is organized into structures called chromosomes. The centromere is essential for the correct division of the chromosomes via interaction with spindle microtubules when cells [...]

“Remarkable” Results – Scientists Discover That a Dietary Supplement Could Fix a Broken Heart

Osaka University — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 03:08:39 +0000

Osaka University researchers discover that taking tricaprin regularly in your diet leads to a reduction in coronary artery plaque and an improvement of symptoms for patients with triglyceride deposit cardiomyovasculopathy. As children, our parents encouraged us to take vitamins for growth and strength. Now, Japanese researchers have found that a specific supplement may even repair [...]

Deadly Consequences: New Research Reveals Dangers of Drinking Too Much Coffee With Severe High Blood Pressure

American Heart Association — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 22:20:36 +0000

Green tea did not increase the risk of mortality at any blood pressure level, according to a new study in the Journal of the American Heart Association. According to research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open-access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association, consuming two or more cups of coffee [...]

Groundbreaking Findings: New Analysis Unveils True Nature of Ancient Asteroid

Osaka University — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 22:14:35 +0000

Direct samples from near-Earth asteroid Ryugu provide scientists a glimpse into the raw materials of solid matter in the outer regions of the early Solar System. Since as far back as Ancient Greece, humans have been fascinated by the solar system. However, Japanese researchers have now collected asteroid data that provides insights into the development [...]