Singlet fission (SF) offers a way to boost energy conversion in photosensitive materials by splitting energy from a single high-energy photon into two lower-energy excited states. In a recent study, researchers at Kyushu University developed a set of pressure-responsive SF-active molecules with flexible polar linkers. Their experiments revealed that adjusting pressure and changing the solvent can reversibly control SF rates, paving the way for advanced energy conversion materials and phototherapeutic applications.

New study argues standard forms of consent for cell donations would not be appropriate for this line of research

A theoretical framework predicts the emergence of non-reciprocal interactions that effectively violate Newton’s third law in solids using light, report researchers from Japan. They demonstrate that by irradiating light of a carefully tuned frequency onto a magnetic metal, one can induce a torque that drives two magnetic layers into a spontaneous, persistent “chase-and-run” rotation. This work opens a new frontier in non-equilibrium materials science and suggests novel applications in light-controlled quantum materials.

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is central to gene regulation, but accurately simulating its folding is a long-standing challenge in computational biology. In a recent study, Associate Professor Tadashi Ando from Tokyo University of Science rigorously evaluated state-of-the-art molecular dynamics simulation tools. By testing 26 diverse RNA stem loops, he achieved highly accurate folding predictions and outlined areas for improvement, marking a major step toward RNA-based drug discovery and design.

In urban environments, competing hornet species coexist by specializing on different prey species. The Kobe University study was made possible by pioneering DNA analysis of hornet larvae's gut contents and shows that cities are fascinating model systems for how predatory species adapt to environmental stress.

Researchers from Kumamoto University and collaborating institutions have discovered a new species of deep-sea sea anemone that builds shell-like “homes” for hermit crabs — an extraordinary case of mutualism and co-evolution in the ocean depths.

Researchers at Okayama University of Science have discovered that bitter taste receptors—the same type found on the human tongue—exist inside cancer cells and play a key role in multidrug resistance (MDR). These receptors sense anticancer drugs within the cell and activate molecular pumps that expel the drugs, preventing them from working effectively. This groundbreaking finding reveals a new biological function for taste receptors beyond the tongue and skin, where they normally serve as a defense system against harmful substances. The study, published in Scientific Reports (Nature Research), suggests that blocking these receptors could stop cancer cells from developing drug resistance. Because MDR is one of the biggest challenges in chemotherapy, this discovery opens a promising new path for improving cancer treatment. The research team believes that combining bitter taste receptor blockers with conventional anticancer drugs could enhance treatment outcomes and help advance chemotherapy into a new era of precision medicine.

A team of researchers from the National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST) and Tokyo Metropolitan University has developed a protein-based gel that replicates the softness and fibrous structure of native skeletal muscle tissue. This innovation enables the cultivation of muscle cells with slow-twitch characteristics, offering new possibilities for treating muscle loss, enhancing metabolic function, and developing next-generation biomedical devices.