Schizophrenia biomarker (hydrogen sulfide) in human hair


Not only is hydrogen sulfide a good biomarker for schizophrenia, it’s also the culprit and a new starting point for drug discovery.

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.

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.

Are you “at risk” of being a habitual coffee drinker?


Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are related to dietary habits, including coffee, tea, tofu, and yogurt consumption.

Microcolumns: elementary neuronal units that carpet the (mouse) brain


A hexagonal lattice organizes major cell types in the cerebral cortex, with similar cells synchronizing their activity in microcolumns.

Understanding non-coding DNA: gene “enhancers”


NETCAGE is a newly developed technique for determining the structure of portions of the non-coding genome called ‘enhancers.’

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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!

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H2AK119ub1: How you inherit acquired traits from your mom


H2AK119ub1. Say that three times really fast! But seriously, it allows maternally acquired traits to be inherited.

Gut bacteria in babies predict childhood food allergies


Scientists found that one-month-old infants with certain gut bacteria were less likely to develop food sensitivities and food allergies later in childhood.

Introducing Nikola, the emotional android boy


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

A new and improved way to store hydrogen


A simple chemical reaction allows hydrogen-carrying ammonia to be stored and retrieved cheaply and easily.

Confronting a string of epidemics including COVID-19


COVID-19 series — installment #1: RIKEN Executive Director Shigeo Koyasu talks about epidemics and what a good response looks like.

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).

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.

How does gravity affect antimatter?


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

Opossums are the first genome edited marsupials


A new piezoelectronic microinjection method has allowed the first successful genome editing in marsupials: albino opossums.

Eating a high fat diet without getting obese?


Scientists discover that without innate immune cells in the intestines, eating a high fat diet does not lead to obesity in mice.