Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in bipolar disorder (BD). However, it remains unclear which brain region is affected. Now, researchers from Japan have investigated key brain regions involved in mood regulation (BD symptoms), such as the paraventricular thalamus and medial temporal regions; they found granulovacuolar degeneration in the paraventricular thalamus and verified the accumulation of tau proteins in medial temporal region. These findings pave the way for the development of new treatment strategies for BD.

 

A team of scientists at Kyoto University’s Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS) has created a protein-based therapeutic tool  that could change the way we treat diseases caused by harmful or unnecessary cells. The new tool, published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, involves a synthetic protein called Crunch, short for Connector for Removal of Unwanted Cell Habitat. Crunch uses the body’s natural waste removal system to clear out specific target cells, offering hope for improved treatments for cancer, autoimmune diseases, and other diseases where harmful cells cause damage.

A metal-free organic liquid has been developed that phosphoresces at room temperature. Rapid phosphorescence endows the liquid with the highest phosphorescence efficiency in air among organic liquids. The new molecule has a 3-bromo-2-thienyl diketone backbone with attached dimethylocylsilyl (DMOS) groups. Attaching one DMOS group liquefies the backbone, whereas attaching two DMOS groups prevents molecular aggregation, which typically weakens phosphorescence. This new, flexible liquid can be applied to develop flexible electronic devices.

Researchers at Tohoku University have applied explainable machine learning to identify key factors for nickel-based catalysts that improve CO₂ methanation. The findings show how data-driven methods can guide catalyst design and support progress toward carbon recycling and sustainable energy.

Cyclic ketene acetals (CKAs) contain carbon atoms and oxygen arranged in a ring-like structure and are ideal for designing degradable polymers. However, the complex reaction pathways and mechanistic factors involved during the polymerization process remain unclear. In a new study from Doshisha University, researchers have developed a simulation model and conducted in-depth nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analyses to determine the critical factors that can influence radical ring-opening polymerization of CKAs.

This news article reports on a study revealing the importance of the proboscis monkey's large nose in vocal communication. Researchers used CT scans and computer simulations to demonstrate that the nose's shape modifies the resonant frequencies of calls, creating unique vocal signatures for individual monkeys. This discovery highlights the role of the nose in enhancing vocal identity and provides insights into the evolution of communication, not just in proboscis monkeys but potentially in other species as well. The collaboration between scientists and the Yokohama Zoo Zoorasia opens exciting new avenues for understanding the link between physical traits and social behaviors in the animal kingdom.

Combining multiple sensory inputs has been a big hurdle for developing physical AI robots. Recent research at Tohoku University solves this problem using a brand new approach.

In the next 75 years, surface sea temperatures may rise by up to 4°C, with increasingly frequent short-term marine heatwaves also predicted. This could cause significant damage to our essential marine ecosystems, for example with corals widely known to be vulnerable to bleaching. But how will fish fare in these changing climates? In iScience, researchers at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) describe the metabolic and molecular changes that can support young clownfish to adapt to climate change and warming seas. Through genomic and transcriptomic studies across multiple tissues within young clownfish, the team identified the biological processes affected by rising water temperatures. And the outlook is more positive than we may have thought.

Stretchable electronics have broad applications, including wearable sensors and curved displays. However, the electronic performance of stretchable materials is poor in comparison to non-stretchable rigid electronic materials. In a new study, researchers have developed a new technique, using kiri-origami structures, that combines the benefits of both origami and kirigami to achieve stretchable devices with high-performance non-stretchable materials. This innovative technique can lead to the development of advanced stretchable electronic devices.

Researchers from The University of Osaka have found that they can keep mouse uterine tissue alive outside of the body, allowing them to directly observe embryonic implantation and development. Their technique brings hope for patients with infertility, and may allow for the development of therapies to treat recurrent implantation failure and improve the chance of implantation success using assisted reproductive technologies.Researchers from The University of Osaka have found that they can keep mouse uterine tissue alive outside of the body, allowing them to directly observe embryonic implantation and development. Their technique brings hope for patients with infertility, and may allow for the development of therapies to treat recurrent implantation failure and improve the chance of implantation success using assisted reproductive technologies.