Osaka Metropolitan University researchers have found that persimmon tannin, known for its antioxidant properties, improves the growth of yeast in the presence of ethanol.

Researchers conducted a comprehensive analysis on the carbon footprint of constructing a wooden house in Japan. The team found that the estimated carbon footprint of a house in Japan is 38 tons of CO₂, with the largest share coming from the electric power sector at 32% of all emissions. Other sectors included were pig iron production at 12% of total emissions; cement, road freight transport, and private power generation each covering 7%.

The optimal design of a novel zeolite catalyst enables tandem reaction that turns greenhouse gases into value-added chemicals, report scientists at Tokyo Tech. By tuning the separation between different active sites on the catalyst, they achieved the stepwise conversion of methane into methanol and then to hydrocarbons at mild conditions. These findings will help reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions across various industrial fields.     

Engineered nanoparticles (NPs), commonly utilized in environmental remediation, can pose significant toxicity risks upon ingestion by organisms. Researchers have now devised a solution to this challenge by creating a hydrophilic coating, utilizing polyglycerol (PG) functionalization, for NPs. This coating effectively prevents NP aggregation inside organisms' bodies and facilitates easier passage, thereby reducing accumulation. Applicable to various NPs, the novel surface functionalization approach holds promise for addressing concerns about NP toxicity in environmental remediation.

Obesity and inflammatory diseases are increasing in prevalence and contribute to the growing burden of lifestyle disorders such as diabetes and hypertension. There is a lack of naturally derived alternatives to tackle these issues. Researchers from Tokyo University of Science have synthesized novel amino acid derivatives of menthol and studied its properties. The menthyl esters showed exceptional anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity activities during preclinical studies and can be developed as therapeutic compounds with further research.

Sprint interval training (SIT) is a form of exercise characterized by cycles of intense exercise which are interspersed by short durations of rest. In a recent study, researchers from Japan deep dive into the intricate connections among various parameters of SIT, such as duration and repetitions, and the resulting physiological responses. Their findings can aid in developing well-informed and tailored sprint training regimens that significantly benefit the modern-day population.

Although drug eruptions are often linked to the human leukocyte antigen (HLA), the mechanism of its involvement in presenting symptoms of the skin remains unclear. In a recent study, researchers from Chiba University used genetically engineered mice to demonstrate the role of HLA in mediating intracellular reactions in keratinocytes, leading to drug eruptions in the skin. Their findings could lead to improved preventive and treatment measures for drug eruptions. 

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subset of adaptive malignant cells that promote tumor growth and drug resistance. Recently, researchers from Japan reported that Sfrp1, an angiocrine factor secreted by tumor blood vessels, plays a key role in the maintenance of CSC populations. Their findings clarify the elusive role of this factor, which could pave the way to novel treatments targeting vascular endothelial cells that nurture CSCs in drug-resistant cancers.

New research employs shutter speed analogies to validate 55-year-old theory about chemical reaction rates.

Methane is particularly targeted for curbing greenhouse gas emissions because its significant global-warming potential in the short term exceeds carbon dioxide by over 80-fold. However, monitoring methane emissions and compiling their quantities have been challenging due to limiting trade-offs with existing detection methods. Researchers developed a method to automatically detect methane emissions at a global scale, potentially providing methane detection at high frequency and high resolution from point sources.