Tokyo, Japan – Scientists from Tokyo Metropolitan University have determined the genetic lineage of a now extinct plant population from Nishinoshima, a volcanic island whose frequent eruptions periodically “reset” the vegetation. While they traced the lineage to a nearby island, they discovered distinct genetic quirks due to the rarity of seeds making it there, including a “founder’s effect”. Their findings offer a rare glimpse into the very earliest stages of ecosystem development in an isolated environment.

Kyoto, Japan -- The concept of quantum entanglement is emblematic of the gap between classical and quantum physics. Referring to a situation in which it is impossible to describe the physics of each photon separately, this key characteristic of quantum mechanics defies the classical expectation that each particle should have a reality of its own, which gravely concerned Einstein. Understanding the potential of this concept is essential for the realization of powerful new quantum technologies.

Developing such technologies will require the ability to freely generate a multi-photon quantum entangled state, and then to efficiently identify what kind of entangled state is present. However, when performing conventional quantum tomography, a method commonly used for state estimation, the number of measurements required grows exponentially with the number of photons, posing a significant data collection problem.

If available, an entangled measurement can identify the entangled state with a one-shot approach. Such a measurement for the Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger -- GHZ -- entangled quantum state has been realized, but for the W state, the other representative entangled multi-photon state, it has been neither proposed nor discovered experimentally.

Earthquake-induced liquefaction of loose, sandy soil can be extensively damaging for built environment. In recent times, chemical grouting of the sand is being used as a method to enhance soil stability and reduce the risk of liquefaction. However, a standardized and effective method to test the resistance is necessary in order to refine the method. In this study, scientists explored the potential of stress-controlled and strain-controlled cyclic triaxial testing.

Neurodegenerative diseases cause progressive loss of neurons, leading to impaired cognition, memory, and motor function. While current therapies help relieve symptoms, they are not curative. Replenishing lost neurons could serve as a potential therapeutic strategy to delay or reverse neurodegeneration. Researchers from Japan have synthesized novel analogues of vitamin K with potent neuronal differentiation-inducing activities and elucidated the mechanisms underlying their neuroprotective effects. Their work paves the way for the development of effective regenerative therapeutics.

Researchers have identified the mechanism by which a common genetic mutation increases liver disease risk. Their findings suggest that healthy choices, such as increasing antioxidants and limiting exposure to smoke, may reduce the risk of this disease.

Cell migration is important for growth and immune protection in the human body. While the interaction between cells and their environment generates the force necessary for cell movement, the underlying molecular machinery remains unclear. Now, researchers from Japan have identified molecular interactions that exert weak forces needed for cell migration. Their study revealed that the abnormal activity of shootin1b protein promotes cell migration in brain cancer cells, offering hope as a novel therapeutic target.

From pollinating flowers to enabling decomposition and supporting nutrient cycles, insects’ abundance and biodiversity are critical for maintaining healthy ecosystems. However, recent studies showing population declines have raised alarm about how insects are coping with the modern world. Understanding whether recent observations are part of longer timescale trends can help inform global conservation efforts, and identify the reasons behind the so-called “Insect Apocalypse”. 

Published in Science, researchers from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) used a community genomics approach to explore ant populations in the Fijian archipelago as a model system to understand insect biodiversity trends. By studying the genomics of museum collections, they were able to trace the ants’ evolutionary relationships to explore their arrival to the islands and reconstruct the population history of the species.  

Researchers at Hiroshima University have developed a realistic, highly sensitive method to detect the Unruh effect—a long-predicted phenomenon at the crossroads of relativity and quantum theory. Their approach opens new possibilities for exploring fundamental physics and developing advanced technologies.

As atmospheric observations of exoplanets become increasingly precise, it is more important than ever to correctly account for the effect of starspots on host stars. An ideal opportunity to study starspots arises when a transiting planet passes directly across them—a phenomenon known as a spot-crossing transit. An international research team led by scientists at the Astrobiology Center (Tokyo, Japan) has combined ground-based observations to reveal the detailed properties of the starspots and the orbital geometry of the planetary system TOI-3884.