Research Topics

The rhythm we hear: sound, neural processing and perceptionHow does the brain process rhythm and measures of sound that are strung together in a sequence? Research elucidates preceding sound context affects the brain’s perception of time.

How neurons compete to lose their linkResearchers detail the mechanism of how synapses compete with each other, and how weak and noisy synapses are eliminated during development

Researchers Shed Further Light onto Zinc Homeostasis in Cells

A ribosomal traffic jam that breaks the heartResearchers find that deficiency in RPL3L, a ribosome expressed in heart and skeletal muscle, impairs cardiac contractility due to delayed mRNA translation

How old is that microplastic? A new way to estimate the age of microplastics in the upper oceanResearchers develop a method to estimate the age of microplastics in the ocean, and find that offshore microplastics can range from 1 to 3 years old while nearshore microplastics can range from 0 to 5 years old

The Mathematics of Cell Boundary 'Ruggedness'Revealing the mathematical and biological mechanism of interdigitated cell-cell boundaries

Pictograms with universal design for equity and inclusionGraphic Design of Pictograms Focusing on the Comprehension of People with Intellectual Disabilities – The Next Step in Standardization: Pictogram Design and Evaluation Methods

Toward tunable molecular switches from organic compoundsNewly synthesized organic molecules can be tuned to emit different colors depending on their molecular structures in crystal form

Sustainable development in Africa shaped by subnational administrative capabilitiesRapid economic growth in Africa is raising concerns over the sustainability of its development. Through effective evaluation with the inclusive wealth index, regional inequalities of natural resources, produced and human capital are elucidated.

Probe where the protons go to develop better fuel cellsUnraveling the innerworkings of solid oxide fuel cells through an integration of computational data and hands on experimentation

The single protein that causes the fibrosis death spiralScientists find VGLL3, a mechanosensitive protein from myofibroblasts, leads to fibrosis in multiple organs

Sustainability through investing: Why greenwashing and competence greenwashing are risks to ESG integration and corporate sustainability All sustainability knowledge has value, but not all ESG skills are contextually relevant.

Practice Public Speaking with VRUsing research on cognition, language, media, and culture for educational VR development

A safe synthesis of hydrogen peroxide inspired by natureA new homogeneous catalyst enables the safe and direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide

Sociological Solution to the Super-Aged SocietyJapan is at the forefront of a super-aging society. An "aging society" should be a social success. However, more and more people think that it is a failure because the burden of medical care and welfare. Isn't this a "spell" that makes us think so? We need “sociological imagination” to transcend these views.

Silica glass guitar pick jazzes up UN International Year of Glass 2022An academic-industry partnership developed a glass guitar pic with unique acoustic characteristics

Green InfrastructureBuilding Social Common Capital with the Natural Environment

The spillover effects of rising energy prices following 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

Measles virus 'cooperates' with itself to cause fatal encephalitisResearchers find a new mechanism for how the measles virus can cause a rare but fatal neurological disorder, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

An ecofriendly way to convert blue light into UVBResearchers from Japan and Germany develop a new sustainable way to upconvert blue LED light to UVB