Toward human hibernation: cold-resistant mouse stem cells


Cold-resistant stem cells from “deep torpor” mice are a big step toward understanding why tissue survives hibernation.

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.

Diagnosing fetal heart disease benefits from explanatory AI


Diagnosis accuracy improved when doctors used explanatory AI to help diagnose congenital heart disease from fetal ultrasound videos.

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.

Plant peptide spells relief from salty stress


Newly discovered plant peptide hormone can be used to protect plants from excessive environmental salt.

Bye-bye microplastics: new plastic is fully ocean-degradable


A new bioplastic that dissolves in saltwater — no more pesky microplastics!

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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

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.

From evolutionary morphology to Godzilla


I recently spoke with RIKEN scientist Shigeru Kuratani about evolutionary morphology, sci-fi monsters, the genius of Alien, and more.

Implantable blastocyst‐like cysts grown from stem cells


Embryo Organoids?! Blastocyst‐like cysts grown from pluripotent mouse stem cells were similar to natural blastocysts (early embryos).

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.

Gut bacteria double team worsens symptoms of multiple sclerosis


Joint activity of two gut bacteria leads to excessive MOG-specific T-cell activity and demyelination of neurons in the spinal cord of a mouse model of multiple sclerosis.

Organ regeneration in the lab


Interview with Takashi Tsuji, team leader of the Laboratory for Organ Regeneration at the RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology

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.

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.

Social contact-seeking behavior and loneliness in the brain


Levels of the peptide amylin in the brain are related to loneliness; activating amylin neurons in the MPOA drives isolated mice to seek social contact.

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.

Why (mouse) mothers take risks to protect their infants


The calcitonin receptor and its ligand amylin act in the brain to motivate mouse mothers to protect their pups, even in risky/dangerous situations.