The clownfish-anemone living arrangement is one of the most widely recognized examples of symbiosis. Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding how anemonefish can live safely among sea anemones without being stung by their venomous tentacles, solving a century-long mystery. Scientists at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) and their international collaborators have discovered that anemonefish have evolved to maintain very low levels of sialic acid in their skin mucus to avoid triggering the release of nematocysts (stinging cells) in their sea anemone hosts. The researchers found that sea anemones also lack these sugar compounds in their own mucus, likely to avoid stinging themselves. Their findings, published in the journal BMC Biology, suggest anemonefish might be using a similar protective strategy to their hosts. 

In a significant advancement for renewable energy technologies, a new catalyst has been developed that dramatically improves the efficiency and stability of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in acidic media, a critical process for water splitting and hydrogen production.

We are using up nickel at an alarming rate to make stainless steel. Thankfully, researchers have found a way to cut nickel out of the equation, without compromising on strength.

Kyoto, Japan -- Asteroids that orbit close to the Earth inevitably cause us some anxiety due to the even remote possibility of a collision. But their proximity also offers ample opportunities to learn more about the universe. Ryugu, a 900-meter diameter asteroid in the Apollo belt, has recently proven useful in our search for signs of life's precursors elsewhere in our Solar System.

A team of researchers at Kyoto University have found evidence of salt minerals in samples recovered from Ryugu during the initial phase of Japan's Hayabusa2 mission. The discovery of these deposits, containing sodium carbonate, halite, and sodium sulfates, suggest that liquid saline water once existed within a parent body of Ryugu.

Before examining the samples, the team expected that sample grains returned from the asteroid might contain substances not generally found in meteorites. They anticipated that these could be highly water-soluble materials, which readily react with moisture in Earth's atmosphere and are difficult to detect unless examined in their pristine state as preserved in the vacuum of space.

Porous organic crystals with superior properties as CO₂ adsorbents were created by researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo. Owing to the novel 2.5-dimensional skeleton, the materials feature ultrahigh-density amines. The covalently-bonded microporous skeleton and high crystallinity realize fast CO₂ adsorption and high thermal stability. Their low adsorption heat, only one-fourth of the current amine scrubbing method, and their light-elemental nature can reduce the cost for CO₂ separation from flue gases.

Over time, batteries break down. Studying this process in-depth with imaging techniques may help us improve the lifespan of batteries.

A recent study led by Associate Professor Takuya Yamamoto and Researcher May Nakajima-Koyama has revealed that maintaining a delicate balance between interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling is essential for preserving the intestinal stem cell population during aging. By comparing young and aged mouse intestinal tissues, the researchers uncovered critical insights into the interplay between these signaling pathways in supporting stem cell maintenance over time.

Biological motors, which aid microorganism movement in fluids, are composed of two components—the rotor and stators. Despite much research, the exact molecular mechanism underlying stator function is yet unclear. In a new study, researchers from Nagoya Institute of Technology analyzed the flagellar motor in Vibrio alginolyticus using cryo-electron microscopy and described how sodium ion flow through stators underlies stator function. Understanding biological motors better could lead to the development of efficient microscopic machines.

Many Japanese mothers are reluctant to send their children to childcare before the age of three due to the 'Three-Year-Old Myth,' which suggests that healthy development requires a child to stay at home and be raised by their mother. However, a recent study has shown that enrolling a child in kindergarten before they turn three may actually benefit their social, motor, and problem-solving skills. 

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have linked genetic variants to neuropsychiatric disorders, but their regulatory roles in non-coding regions remain largely unclear. Using the LUHMES neuronal cell model, researchers identified and characterized thousands of enhancers active during neuronal differentiation, linked them to target genes, and validated key interactions. This study demonstrates a significant enrichment of GWAS variants associated with Parkinson’s disease and schizophrenia within these enhancers, providing a valuable resource for understanding neuronal development.