Topics
Flies smell through a gore-tex system
The newly named gore-tex gene is responsible for the development of nanopores that allow chemicals in the air to be detected (in flies).
Protein pileup affects social behavior through altered brain signaling
When a normal cellular cleanup process is disrupted, social behavior in mice is disrupted and they start behaving in ways that resemble human symptoms of autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia.
The joys of computational mass spectrometry
Scientists have developed a new automated computational mass spectrometry system that can search an organism’s entire metabolome for as-yet-unknown metabolites (potential drugs).
Pulses of light can enhance superconductivity
Pulses of light could be used to turn materials into superconductors through an unconventional type of superconductivity.
Scientists create new type of self-healing material
This newly created ethylene-based material has shape memory that allows self-healing!
Brain clock ticks differently in autism
A new brain imaging study shows that autistic severity is linked to how long certain regions of the brain store information.
Supermassive black holes still dark and mysterious
For the first time, scientists have measured the strength of magnetic fields near supermassive black holes and something doesn’t add up.
Evolution of the inner ear: insights from jawless fish
A new story for inner ear evolution based on the developmental patterning found in hagfish, one of two extant jawless vertebrates and a link to the last common ancestor of modern jawed vertebrates.
Tumor detection during breast cancer surgery
Scientists have developed a new way to accurately detect the margins between cancerous and non-cancerous tissue during breast cancer surgery.
Smarter AI: machine learning without negative data
Scientists have developed a new method for machine learning that allows an AI to make better classifications without negative data.
Nerdnite recap: When the brainbow met the boson
Fun times at nerdnite tokyo. Brains, bosons, and math, oh my!
Mutations, CRISPR, and spinocerebellar ataxia
Scientists discover that mutations causing the degenerative movement disorder spinocerebellar ataxia type 29 work by disrupting calcium release of neurons inside the brain.
Gene regulator that allows plant rehydration after drought
New genetic insights into the plant rehydration process: this is why your plants don’t die after you forgot to water them.
Researchers create a functional salivary gland organoid ?
Scientists have succeeded in growing three-dimensional salivary gland tissue that produced saliva like normal glands when implanted into mice.
Getting a grip on slow but unique shark evolution
Scientists have decoded the genomes of two species of shark, bringing the grand total of sequenced shark genomes to three.
Ig Nobel awards: Silly experiments that strike gold
Amanda writes about the Ig Nobel awards after founder Marc Abrahams visited nerdnite Tokyo. Science at its best!
A self-powered heart monitor taped to the skin
A group of scientists have developed a human-friendly, ultra-flexible organic sensor powered by sunlight, which acts as a self-powered heart monitor.
Protostars that exhibit large diversity in organic compounds
A survey of a molecular cloud has found that the organic chemical makeup of protostars varies considerably.
Scientists solve epigenetic barriers to cloning
Scientists show that two epigenetic factors improve the success rate of cloning via somatic cell nuclear transfer.
Transgenic plants 🌱🌿on acid survive without water
Scientists designed transgenic plants that survive drought-like conditions by bumping up acetic acid production only when water is scarce.
Two genes that regulate how much we dream
An international research team led by RIKEN BDR has identified a pair of genes that regulate how much REM (dream) and non-REM sleep an animal experiences.
Flies use fecal deposits as pheromones
Bioluminescence imaging of fly brains reveals neurons sensitive to fly poo laced with pheromones (you can see the fecal “landmark” in the dotted circle). Need we say more?
Hippocampal memory isn’t all about place cells
Scientists have found evidence that hippocampal memories of experience are not stored in place cells.
Summer fun: how plants beat the heat
Scientists have discovered a gene that allows plants to cope with extreme heat by changing the composition of chloroplast membranes.
Freedom from fear ?♀️
Researchers discover a dopaminergic circuit in the brain that allows fear associations to disappear when there isn’t anything to be afraid of anymore.
Blue gene regulation helps plants respond properly to light
Blue light alters some gene expression in plants by changing the transcription start sites to downstream locations.
Out on a limb: the many ‘brains’ of the octopus
Learn how (neurologically) cool octopus arms are (as if you didn’t already know).
Mutation links bipolar disorder to mitochondrial disease
ANT1 mutations found in bipolar disease that affect mitochondria lead to hyperexcitable serotonergic neuronal activity in the brain.
My science communication journey in Tokyo
New contributor and nuclear physicist Sarah Naimi talks about her recent experience in science communication at a recent scicom event in Tokyo.
Gene linked to intellectual ability affects memory replay in mice
Scientists have discovered a gene in mice that allows memory replay at rest, a process necessary for forming long-lasting memories in mice.
Quick, call Spiderman: scientists discover how spider silk is formed
A group of scientists led by researchers have discovered a key mechanism through which spider silk is formed.
Mutation protects against Alzheimer’s disease in mice
Scientists discover a deletion mutation that reduces amyloid-beta plaque formation in Alzheimer’s disease model mice.
Plant peptide spells relief from salty stress
Newly discovered plant peptide hormone can be used to protect plants from excessive environmental salt.
Putting E. coli to work for us
Specially engineered bacteria can produce an industrially significant chemical from renewable sources in a much gentler process than the one currently used by industry.
Why being sick can create anxiety
Researchers have linked changes in mouse immune-cell metabolism to anxiety-related behavior and alterations in brain chemistry.
Plant hormone combats dehydration
Scientists show that CLE25 is a plant hormone that travels from roots to leaves and helps close stomata in times of dehydration stress.
Heat shock system helps dried up bug come back to life
An international collaboration has determined that cooption of the Heat Shock Factor (HSF) gene system is what allows larvae of the sleeping chironomid to be able to survive severe desiccation.
In living color: imaging the brain with synthetic bioluminescence
A new way to image the brain from outside the head using bioluminescence.
Deep-brain exploration with nanomaterials
A new way to optogenetically activate neurons deep in the brain using infrared light and upconversion nanoparticles. It’s non-invasive!
A new imaging biomarker for the aging brain
Enlarged ventricles is a sign of an aging brain. New research shows that this phenomenon can be predicted by lagging brain circulation that is detected by MRI.
Sphingolipid S1P: Potential new target for schizophrenia treatment
Sphingolipid S1P is reduced in brain white matter of people with schizophrenia, making S1P receptors a good target for new treatments.
Staining that lights up whole organs and bodies
Scientists have developed a staining procedure that makes see-through tissue, organs, and bodies useful.
Artificial gravity protects the immune system of mice in space
Mice who experienced artificial gravity on the ISS suffered less damage to their immune system (thymus) than weightless mice did.
Ultraprecise clocks and the Tokyo Skytree verify Einstein’s theory of relativity
Time measured at the top and bottom of the Tokyo Skytree with ultraprecise clocks has verified the time dilation effect predicted by Einstein.
Low-protein diet changes sperm and health of future offspring
Low-protein diets in male mice alter sperm and result in offspring that have metabolic problems like diabetes in adulthood.
Physiological origami and proper body development in flies
Genetics and mechanical origami in the fly embryo helps proper body development by fighting off “noisy” fluctuations is the environment.
Efficient and durable ultra-thin solar cells
Ultra-thin, flexible, organic solar cells that degrade less than 5 percent after 3,000 hours and an energy conversion ratio of 13%.
Tape and vermilion: ingredients for mapping artifact origins
Vermilion samples taken from ancient artifacts with sulfur-free tape can tell us about trade patterns 3000 years ago.
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Blood cell mutations linked to leukemia are inevitable
Researchers show that blood cell mutations increase with age identify risk factors for developing leukemia in Japanese and European populations.
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Organic nitrogen in soil helps crop growth
Scientists used a multi-omics analysis to show that soil solarization helps crops grow because it increases organic nitrogen in the soil.
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Consciousness, brain connections, and the claustrum
Research shows that the claustrum acts as a ‘consciousness conductor’ that synchronizes and connects areas within the mouse brain.
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A new imaging biomarker for the aging brain
Enlarged ventricles is a sign of an aging brain. New research shows that this phenomenon can be predicted by lagging brain circulation that is detected by MRI.
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Sphingolipid S1P: Potential new target for schizophrenia treatment
Sphingolipid S1P is reduced in brain white matter of people with schizophrenia, making S1P receptors a good target for new treatments.
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Staining that lights up whole organs and bodies
Scientists have developed a staining procedure that makes see-through tissue, organs, and bodies useful.