Plants require phosphorus to grow and survive. In environments with low levels of soil phosphorus, some plants have adapted by forming cluster roots to extract the small amount of phosphorus available in the soil. Researchers recently performed an RNA-Seq experiment on cluster roots of Hakea laurina to identify important genes involved in the survival of the Proteaceae plant family in low-phosphorus soil. The team discovered a new secretion pathway in H. laurina cluster roots and that the absence of a suberized exodermis further enhances this trait. This knowledge may be applied to engineering crops that can thrive in phosphorus-poor soil.

An Osaka Metropolitan University researcher examined the spatial patterns and geographic characteristics of tourism-accommodation hotspots in Kyoto. The results of this study revealed hotspots in the areas around historic Kyoto through the tourism-accommodation intensity index.

Sarcopenia has been linked to dementia risk, but previous studies have focused on older adults. Japanese researchers assessed several muscle-related indices and cognitive function in middle-aged individuals. They found that phase angle—a measure of muscle quality—was strongly associated with cognitive function, especially in women. A significant association with memory performance was also observed in both genders. It could serve as an early marker for the risk of cognitive decline in clinical screenings.

Mongolia’s vast landscape, coupled with a Soviet-era healthcare legacy, has created sharp contrasts in healthcare between cities and rural areas. In a recent study, researchers from Japan explored the challenges and strengths of Mongolia’s healthcare, including topics, such as universal coverage, traditional medicine, and professional development. They also pointed to gaps in rural access and disease prevention strategies and proposed culturally aware, partnership-based solutions to help improve care across the country.

Mycetoma, a devastating neglected tropical disease, often resists standard treatment with itraconazole when caused by the fungus Madurella fahalii. In a recent study, researchers from Japan identified the mechanism behind this resistance: an additional gene encoding a variant of cytochrome P450 14-α sterol demethylase. Using genetic engineering, protein modeling, and computer simulations, the team demonstrated how this second gene reduces treatment effectiveness, guiding the development of future effective therapies.

Near-infrared fluorescent dyes hold promise for applications like bioimaging, solar energy, and more, but their synthesis is often complex. Researchers at Shibaura Institute of Technology have developed redox-switchable pyrazinacene-based dyes using an intramolecular charge transfer design. This approach enables tunable fluorescence from the visible to near/short-wave-infrared regions and supports applications such as real-time redox sensing in cells. This is useful for monitoring cellular redox processes and imbalances.