Learning and unlearning to fear: The two faces of noradrenaline


Fear association and unlearning fear association require different populations of noradrenaline neurons in the locus coeruleus.

Brainless memory makes the spinal cord smarter than previously thought


The spinal cord learns how to direct limb muscles to avoid aversive sensations and recalls the memories using separate neural circuitry. Oh, and without a brain!

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.

Marsupial heart regeneration ability given to mice


Regeneration of mouse hearts ? ?? after birth achieved by figuring out how it’s possible in opossums.

Opto-OISI: imaging connections in the living brain


A new imaging technique called opto-OISI allows scientists to non-invasively visualize where specific neurons project in the living brain.

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.

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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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RIKEN at a glance


We’ve just gotten our order of RIKEN at a Glance booklets back from the printers, and they look fantastic. Follow the link to download your electronic copy now!

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.

Next stop: clinical hair regeneration


A new recipe for continuous cyclical hair regeneration in mice. This means that the hair will continue to fall out and regrow like normal hair.

Deadly fungi beaten with fatty acid synthase inhibitor


A new approach to attacking fungi involves inhibiting a gene needed for making fatty acids.

Engineering crop immunity from a receptor in pomelo fruit


Synthetic receptors derived from the pomelo fruit can help crops become immune to thousands of pathogens.

A faster and more sensitive antibody test for COVID-19


Fast and sensitive: A new antibody test for the COVID-19 virus. Just a pinprick of blood and results in 30 minutes.

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.

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.

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.

Talking science Illustration with Misaki Ouchida


Whether it’s bird anatomy or science cartoons, Masaki Ouchida can do it all. She spoke with us about her career in science illustration, from the US to Japan.