Memory retrieval needs a neuronal connecting flight


Scientists use optogenetics to discover a part of the brain necessary for retrieving memories of personal experiences.

Nanocarrier spray: better crops without genetic modification


Gene expression, but not genomes, altered in plants and crops with a spray containing bioactive molecules tethered to nanocarrier peptides

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.

A researcher’s journey part 2: emotional memory and being human


Joshua Johansen from RIKEN CBS explains emotional memory, what his lab is doing, and what makes a good researcher.

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.

AI identifies features associated with cancer recurrence


Artificial intelligence has successfully identified features relevant to cancer prognosis that were not previously noted by pathologists

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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!

Latest Posts

Aug

17

Eve Marder: freeing knowledge, crashing neurons

Eve Marder: freeing knowledge, crashing neurons


None of us would get on a plane that had its parts changed in mid-air, says Eve Marder, who has spent her career probing a very specific cluster of crustacean nerve cells. Yet we are all walking around undergoing a constant turnover of cellular parts, and so are the lobsters and crabs Marder studies.

Aug

5

RIKEN Research Summer issue

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!

Jun

3

RIKEN Research Spring issue is here

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!

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.

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.

Smoker gut bacteria reduce bowel inflammation in ulcerative colitis


Mouth bacteria that settle in the guts of smokers activate helper T-cells that counter inflammation in ulcerative colitis.

Leaky plants bad for drought resistance


The KAI2 receptor for compounds found in smoke helps plants retain water and survive during drought.

Massive filaments, galaxies, and supermassive black holes


Big telescopes yield big data! Detailed observations gas filaments connecting galaxies in a distant proto-cluster in the early Universe.

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.

Longevity in supercentenarians linked to cytotoxic T-cells


Blood analysis in supercentenarians showed that they have many more cytotoxic CD4 T-cells than people with average life spans.

New lab-grown retinal sheets almost ready for clinical trials


A new retinal transplant technique works by preventing bipolar cells from maturing in lab-grown retinal sheets.

Introducing Nikola, the emotional android boy


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

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.

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.