An Osaka Metropolitan University research team developed a new experimental game to explore whether people avoid witnessing selfish behavior to evade punishing others or simply to avoid confronting unfairness. The study found that avoidance is driven by both the desire to not acknowledge inequality and the wish to prevent confrontation, suggesting that altruistic punishment may be less common in real-life situations than previously believed.

A group at Niigata University succeeded in the early diagnosis of leptomeningeal disease in H3K27M-mutant diffuse midline gliomas by the detection of circulating tumor DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid of these patients by liquid biopsy. In two cases, leptomeningeal disease was detected by liquid biopsy earlier than traditional methods such as MRI or cerebrospinal fluid cytology. Early diagnosis and treatment of leptomeningeal disease may lead to improved survival in this deadly disease.

Japan Sea element plants are generally thought to have evolved from closely related species on the Pacific side. Camellia japonica and Camellia rusticana were also believed to follow this pattern. However, our study revealed that their origins trace back to the Miocene, when the Japanese archipelago separated from the continent.

Using syrup and baking soda, research at Niigata University has demonstrated the formation mechanism of rootless cones, small volcanic landforms commonly found on Earth and Mars. The study clarified, through an experimental approach, that a self-organization process determines the spatial distribution and size of these landforms. This research will enhance our understanding of explosive eruption phenomena caused by the interaction of lava and water and provide new insights into geological phenomena on the red planet.

Tokyo, Japan – Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have developed a new dye that can strongly absorb second near-IR radiation and transform it to heat. Starting with a dye from the bile pigment family, they designed a unique ring structure which can bind rhodium and iridium. Measurements and modeling revealed strong second near-IR absorptions and exceptional photostability. Second near-IR waves easily penetrate human tissue; the new dye may be applied in deep tissue therapies and imaging.

The novel iron-based catalyst exhibits superior performance for ammonia (NH₃) synthesis compared to a well-established, century-old counterpart, as reported by researchers at Science Tokyo. By designing this new catalyst with an inverse structure, they managed to boost the NH₃ production rate per volume of catalyst beyond levels never reached by conventional catalysts. These findings could lead us to more efficient NH₃ synthesis, which is crucial to the agricultural and chemical industries.  

A new theory predicts one of the effects of macroscopic mechanical forces on mechanochemical organic synthesis by a ball mill.

130 years after a fungus-eating plant received its name, a Kobe University researcher has uncovered the purpose of the structure that inspired its name — revealing a novel mechanism by which plants ensure reproduction.

A breakthrough study reveals that the Shoot-Silicon-Signal (SSS) protein plays a crucial role in managing silicon uptake and distribution in rice and other grasses. This study sheds light on how SSS helps plants adapt to environmental stresses. Understanding the role of silicon could provide valuable information on crop resilience and solutions to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability, especially in the face of climate change.