Astronomers conducted molecular gas observations of two enigmatic interstellar objects, which harbor abundant ices of water and organic molecules. The observations with the ALMA telescope have revealed the physical and chemical properties of these objects, but their characteristics do not match those of any previously known interstellar objects where ices have been detected. They may represent a new class of interstellar icy objects that provide an environment conducive to the formation of ices and organic molecules.

An Osaka Metropolitan University-led Egypt-Japan research team found E. coli prevalent in over 25% of popular milk and dairy products in Egypt and discovered that one of the strains isolated there in 2018 had the same properties as the E. coli that caused food poisoning in more than 1,800 schoolchildren in Japan in 2021.

A multi-institutional research team led by Osaka University clarified the energy levels of color centers at the SiO₂/SiC interface, paving the way toward the development of scalable quantum technologies that use them as single-photon emitters.

Researchers from Fujita Health University, Japan, observed a rise in adult central nervous system (CNS) infections, primarily aseptic meningitis caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV), post-2019. The researchers highlighted the potential of zoster vaccination to reduce CNS infections. Meanwhile, CNS infection by herpesviruses, including VZV, may contribute to the progression of dementia. Furthermore, the potential effect of zoster vaccines in preventing dementia progression by reducing VZV reactivation has also been highlighted.

Spatial transcriptomics techniques, which map gene activity in intact tissues, often face challenges in accurately identifying distinct tissue regions. Now, researchers from Japan have developed STAIG, a deep-learning framework that integrates gene expression, spatial data, and histological images to identify tissue regions with high accuracy. The proposed framework holds much promise for understanding the complexities of cancer development, brain function, and how our bodies are constructed.