Finding the biological roots for pathological social withdrawal, HikikomoriResearchers identify a number of key biomarkers in Hikikomori patients and show their promise for predicting the severity of the condition
On the cutting edge: DecarbonizationResearch efforts aim for a sustainable society that goes beyond carbon ‘neutral’ to carbon ‘negative’
On the cutting edge: Environment and foodKyushu U scientists are taking steps towards a better, brighter, and more livable future
On the cutting edge: Medicine and healthAdvancing the treatment and understanding of the human body
Uncovering new details of the brain's first line of defenseResearchers report in unprecedented detail how some of the brain's immune cells develop, and how to distinguish them from other cells
Time determines the type of cells that emerge in the mouse brainScientists show that a single protein, BMP2, and epigenetics determine the type of brain cells produced from neural stem cells
Exercise reverses cognitive deficiencies caused by anesthesiaCognitive deficiencies caused by pediatric anesthesia in mice are due to changes in chromatin accessibility and can be reversed by exercise
For long plant life, the secret is in DNA repairResearchers find high copy number of DNA repair genes in long-lived trees
A tale of two classes in the wake of COVID-19Clarifying the disproportionate economic effect of the pandemic on the poor in Japan
Visible ocean plastics just the tip of the icebergSimulations find the majority of ocean plastics may be on the seafloor or otherwise difficult to monitor, with vastly more plastic waste likely trapped on land
Getting more power from renewable-based microgridsNovel and low-cost control scheme that increases power extracted from local renewable sources could help accelerate utilization of renewable energy in buildings
Short training regimen improves long‑term memoryThree half-hour sessions using feedback from monitoring of brain waves found to increase memories retained for a week
Grasping the reality of addressing mental health issues arising from pandemicSurvey reveals mental health and welfare centers are playing a crucial role consulting on mental health related to COVID-19 in Japan
Organics glow longer and stronger without depending on rare metalsVersatile, organic glow-in-the-dark materials closer to matching the performance of their inorganic counterparts
Twenty-four trillion pieces of microplastics in the ocean and countingResearchers publish most detailed dataset to date for assessing the amount of microplastics in the world's oceans and their effects on marine life
New multistep mechanism for nanostructure formation found in liquid crystalsCombination of molecular simulation and AI technologies making advances toward development of highly functional materials
Low-cost, continuous seismic monitoring system to support emission reduction effortsNew system enables closer monitoring of underground activity in geothermal reservoirs and sequestered carbon dioxide for improved safety and efficiency
In the race to reduce car emissions, don't forget longevityExtending car lifetime and first-owner possession length can reduce overall emissions more than accelerating replacement according to new study
Building the ovarian environment from stem cellsResearchers successfully reconstitute the ovarian follicle from mouse stem cells
One material with two functions could lead to faster memoryResearchers use perovskite to develop a memory device readable through both electrical and optical methods