RIKEN Research Spring issue is here


Just a quick post to let you know that the Spring issue of RIKEN Research Magazine came out towards the end of March. This issue covers issues including the discovery of element 113, earth-friendly pesticides, and the secrets of a rice-killing fungal toxin. Enjoy!

Dopamine reduces beta-amyloid plaques in Alzheimer’s disease


Increasing dopamine in the brains of AD model mice led to increased neprilysin, which broke down amyloid-beta plaques and improved memory.

Nanopores in deep-sea hydrothermal vents and the origin of life


“Naturally occurring selective nanopore ion channels in deep-sea hydrothermal vents are similar to ion channels found in cells and could help explain the origin of life.

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.

Eco-friendly ammonia production for fertilizers and alternative fuel


A new process that allows ammonia to be produced using much less energy than the standard methods.

Robotic researcher to the rescue


Masaki Watabe talks about automated robotic researchers, future robot rule, and scientific philosophy.

Follow Us

Topics

Latest research animations

Self-assembly of spider silk

This gut microbe might protect against diabetes and reduce insulin resistance

NEW: One-way hydrogel guides motion of tiny worms!

Latest Posts

No Results Found

The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.

Purple biomass makes a good crop fertilizer


Biomass made from purple marine bacteria provides more than enough nitrogen to plants without harming the environment

Dietary amino acid linked to cancer in flies


Researchers have found a dietary amino acid linked to oncogene expression / tumor formation; reduced consumption reduced cancer in flies.

Pulses of light can enhance superconductivity


Pulses of light could be used to turn materials into superconductors through an unconventional type of superconductivity.

RIKEN Research Summer issue


A quick post to let you know that the Summer issue of RIKEN Research Magazine came out towards the end of June. This issue covers brain evolution, regenerating skin, super-clear synapses, and much much more! Enjoy!

Recipe for hydrogen: sprinkle manganese oxide with iridium atoms, add water


A few iridium atoms also go a long way. When sprinkled on manganese oxide, hydrogen is produced with 95% less iridium!

Electric rays to help us map the ocean floor


Electric rays and sting rays could map the ocean floor through their natural behavior, helping us find resources and collect data on other ocean life.
Dec

11

Science communication symposium

Science communication symposium


Friday I participated in a small symposium that focused on science communication (for institutions in Japan). We discussed using social media as a means to self-publish wow! and amazing! research findings. Here are some of my thoughts about how useful this plays out in Japan.

Super-thin wearable electronics just got more flexible


A method for making super-flexible and ultra-thin wearable electronics uses water-vapor plasma to create gold-gold bonds.

How does gravity affect antimatter?


Scientists find that antimatter reacts to gravity the same way that regular matter does.

Diazoxide pills for Alzheimer’s disease?


Drug therapy with with diazoxide relieved symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in the brains of mice and improved memory.

Introducing Nikola, the emotional android boy


A new android named Nikola will help researchers study facial expressions, emotions, and social interactions.