Begomoviruses cause devastating yellow leaf curl disease in peppers, destroying up to 100% of fruit yield in affected farms and causing massive agricultural losses worldwide. In a recent study, researchers from Japan reported that combining two resistance genes through gene pyramiding creates robust protection against even the most challenging mixed begomovirus infections. This breakthrough offers hope for more resilient commercial pepper cultivars, addressing a critical gap in sustainable crop protection.

Researchers from the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, measured changes in the levels of free amino acids, which are key to flavor, in cultured beef. Free amino acids increased during aging and were much higher than in conventional beef. The free amino acids in the cells depended on the amino acid content of the culture medium, a finding that could be used to improve the flavor of cultured meat.

Kyoto, Japan -- After the island of Madagascar drifted away from India 88 million years ago, isolating it from all other landmasses, its flora and fauna evolved in seclusion. As these transformed into plants and animals completely unique to their island, Madagascar became a biodiversity hotspot unlike anywhere else on Earth.

An important facet of this biodiversity is an ecological process called endozoochory, which is when animals eat plant seeds and then poop them out somewhere else, aiding in the spread of the plants. Most research on endozoochory has focused on the roles of birds and mammals as seed dispersers, but lizards, which are also known play a significant role, have remained largely overlooked.

This negligence inspired a team of researchers at Kyoto University to shine a spotlight on the humble lizard. Unlike many seed dispersers, lizards are not typically frugivores, animals that thrive on fruit and other fruit-like plant substances such as nuts and seeds. Fewer than 10% of lizard species have been reported to consume fruits, but those that do can play an important role, and some lizards are even known to act as primary seed dispersers for certain plant species.

Late-life mood disorders (LLMDs), such as depression and bipolar disorder, appearing after 40 years of age, may signal early neurodegenerative diseases. Using advanced PET scans and autopsy data, researchers from Japan revealed that many patients with LLMDs exhibit abnormal tau and amyloid protein accumulation—key markers of dementia—years before cognitive symptoms arise. Their findings highlight tau-PET imaging as a promising tool for detecting underlying brain pathologies, paving the way to early dementia diagnosis.

Some autistic traits related to challenges with social interaction, mental flexibility and visual perception could be alleviated through a new, noninvasive therapy. A team of researchers, including those from the University of Tokyo, found that stimulating nerve cells when the brain becomes “stuck” in a certain state improves flexibility and relieves some autistic behaviors. The procedure utilized transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which is already used to treat certain mood disorders, in a novel manner. Over 40 adults with a mild form of autism participated, and the therapeutic effects lasted for up to two months after the last session. This study could contribute toward projects enabling new treatments.

Inspired by a simple children's toy, a jumping popper toy, researchers have unlocked a key to designing more agile and predictable soft robots. Soft robots, made from flexible materials, hold immense promise for delicate tasks, but their complex movements have been difficult to predict and control, especially dynamic actions like jumping. Now, a team from Keio University and The University of Osaka has published a study in Advanced Robotics Research detailing the physics behind the jump of thin hemispherical shells, a fundamental building block for jumping soft robots.

Tokyo, Japan – A team led by a researcher from Tokyo Metropolitan University has devised a new way of coating magnesium alloys to improve their corrosion resistance. Instead of costly, unwieldy, and slower coating techniques under vacuum, they used liquid-based chemical conversion coating with the addition of cavitation bubbles. The resulting thick coating helped improve corrosion resistance to chlorides and mechanical properties. The team’s new technology is aimed at reinforcing lightweight materials in electric cars.

A new study from Waseda University reveals that the motor protein myosin XI is essential for helping plants absorb boron under nutrient-deficient conditions. Researchers found that myosin XI maintains the correct positioning of the boric acid channel AtNIP5;1 in root cells by supporting endocytosis. Without myosin XI, plants fail to localize this channel properly, leading to poor boron uptake and stunted growth. The findings could inform strategies to improve crop resilience in boron-deficient soils.