Magnetic fields are generally known to destroy superconductivity in a material. However, in exceptional cases they can lead to what is known as “reentrant superconductivity”— where superconductivity disappears as expected but then unexpectedly returns when the magnetic field is increased further. This behavior is sometimes seen in bulk, three-dimensional materials, but now, researcher have seen the phenomenon in a very thin conducting layer at the boundary between two insulating oxide materials.

Pollinators are commonly classified into functional groups based on similarities in morphology and behavior, under the assumption that such groupings reflect comparable contributions to plant reproduction. Researchers at University of Tsukuba challenge this conventional assumption by analyzing pollen carried on insect bodies. The team found that even among morphologically similar pollinators differed substantialy in both the types and composition of pollen they transported. These differences suggest considerable variation in floral fidelity—the tendency to repeatedly visit specific plant species—and may also affect the potential for heterospecific pollen transfer (HPT).

New experimental evidence demonstrates that discrete space-time crystals can be realized in classical soft-matter systems, thereby moving beyond the traditional complexities of quantum mechanics.

A tandem neural network capable of inferring key physical parameters of semiconductor materials from simple transistor measurements has been developed, as reported by researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo. While conventional approaches for this type of analysis require hours or even days, the proposed system produces results in under one millisecond with near-perfect accuracy.

CADASIL, an inherited disease caused by mutations in the NOTCH3 gene, damages the brain’s small blood vessels, leading to strokes, cognitive decline, and early dementia. Despite decades of research, its underlying disease mechanisms remain poorly understood due to the lack of suitable disease models. To tackle this issue, researchers have developed the world’s first zebrafish model of CADASIL, which reproduces several key features of the disease. Their findings will help identify potential therapeutic targets. 

Sjögren disease, an autoimmune disease characterized by dry mouth and dry eyes, may reduce patients’ quality of life. While CD4⁺ T cells are key drivers of immune-mediated tissue damage and chronic inflammation, the role of pathogenic CD4⁺ T cell subsets and their non-immune cell partners remains unexplored. Researchers have now identified the preferential CD4⁺ T cell-fibroblast cellular interaction that amplifies inflammatory proteins and tissue damage, representing a potential target for therapeutic intervention in Sjögren disease.

According to the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Rankings 2026, released on June 24, Hokkaido University ranks 7th globally and has maintained 1st place in Japan for the seventh consecutive year.

Japanese researchers have developed an edible agent capable of social interaction through vocalizations and movement, and examined mind perception of the edible agent. In an online survey with 1,094 participants, different vocalizations and behaviors modulated mind perception of the edible agent, while no significant relationship was observed between mind perception and either reluctance to eat or guilt. This study offers a new experimental tool for investigating human perception in human-food interaction and the psychological and ethical aspects of eating.

Human fetal tissue research has contributed significantly to our understanding of human development and continues to support progress in regenerative medicine. However, the use of fetal tissue obtained following induced abortion raises important ethical considerations. In 2022, the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) published standards for obtaining informed consent for fetal tissue donation. At present, Japan has no laws or guidelines that specifically govern fetal tissue research.

A research group led by Professor Misao Fujita, Professor Mitinori Saitou, and Professor Yasuhiro Takashima of the Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI-ASHBi) and the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA) at Kyoto University has examined the ethical, legal, and social issues surrounding human fetal tissue research in Japan. Drawing on an analysis of legal frameworks, regulations, and social contexts in Japan and other countries, the authors identified three key challenges in applying the ISSCR standards domestically: (1) minimizing burdens on potential donors; (2) determining the role of male partners in decisions regarding fetal tissue donation; and (3) addressing legal uncertainties surrounding the storage, use, and disposal of fetal tissue. The study proposes possible approaches to each of these issues.

These findings were published online in Regenerative Medicine on 11 June 2026.