Chemical grouting is an effective technique to improve soil structure when it is prone to liquefaction risks during earthquakes. Reliable and uniform grout permeation in heterogeneous soil with low-permeability zones is challenging. Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan, and Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand, have now developed an integrative approach of using Finite Element Method to analyze permeation behavior alongside AI-based permeation prediction, to help engineers improve grouting outcomes in complex soil types.

Scientists created dye-based molecules that self-assemble into ring-shaped structures, mimicking nature’s light-harvesting systems. These stacked rings allow electrons and energy to circulate freely, demonstrating a phenomenon called toroidal conjugation. The work could inspire new materials for solar energy, optoelectronics and next-generation electronic devices.

Immune environments in most tongue cancer tumors help identify cases for effective treatment, report researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo. By profiling immune cell presence and activity in tumor samples from 87 patients, they identified five immunotypes, with most patients categorized in these immunotypes featuring low immune engagement. These findings explain why immune checkpoint inhibitors prove inefficacious in tongue cancer and suggest that immune-based classification could better guide personalized treatment strategies.

A study from Fujita Health University reveals that meal type, rather than meal sequence, significantly impacts how long people eat, how much they chew, and how fast they chew. Bento meals—typically eaten with chopsticks—led to longer mealtimes and more chewing than fast food like pizza. This is the first study to isolate meal structure as a key factor in eating speed, offering simple, practical strategies to combat obesity and promote mindful eating.

In a step towards engineering artificial cell membranes, researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo) used quartz crystal microbalance with energy dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) to study how DNA nanopores interact with lipid bilayers. Unlike conventional optical methods, QCM-D tracks changes in mass and viscosity in real time, offering unique mechanical insights into DNA–lipid interactions. This approach paves the way for designing DNA-based membrane technologies that modify the functionality of cell lipid membranes.  

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, precautionary measures were swiftly adopted. While the early pandemic effects were studied extensively, little is known about long-term impacts on vulnerable groups like the elderly. Researchers in Japan analyzed healthcare use and socioeconomic disparities among older adults during the prolonged pandemic. Their findings reveal both resilience and inequality—offering crucial insights into how healthcare systems can adapt to maintain access for aging populations during extended public health emergencies.

The Japan SciCom Forum (JSF) will host its 7th annual conference as a special joint event, the PCST Symposium Japan 2025, from November 11 to 13 at the Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI), Institute of Science Tokyo. This marks the first PCST event in Japan, with a focus on “Strategic Development of Science Communication and Public Engagement in Asia.” The symposium will spotlight innovative, inclusive approaches to science communication in non-Western contexts and aim to strengthen a sustainable engagement ecosystem across the region.