Researchers in Japan have genetically transferred a unique courtship behavior from one fruit fly species to another. By turning on a single gene in insulin-producing neurons, the team successfully made a species of fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) perform a gift-giving ritual it had never done before. The study, published in the journal Science, represents the first example of manipulating a single gene to create new neural connections and transfer behavior between species.  

Kyoto, Japan -- For many endangered species, population decline to the brink of extinction leads to inbreeding, exposing a species to deleterious recessive mutations that severely limit its potential to recover. But the red-headed wood pigeon, endemic to the Ogasawara Islands in Japan, followed a different trajectory.

Although this pigeon population fell to below 80 individuals in the 2000s, it began to increase markedly after the removal of an introduced predator, the feral cat. Such a remarkable recovery raised questions regarding inbreeding, and why harmful mutations that could cause inbreeding depression, or a loss of genetic diversity, didn't hinder the species' revival.

In an effort to unravel this biological puzzle, a team of researchers at Kyoto University set out to investigate the factors that contributed to this unlikely comeback.

3D-SLISE is a quasi-solid electrolyte developed at Institute of Science Tokyo, which enables safe, fast-charging/discharging of 2.35 V lithium-ion batteries to be fabricated under ambient conditions. With energy-efficient manufacturing using raw materials free from flammable organic solvents, the technique eliminates the need for dry rooms or high-temperature processing. Moreover, it also allows direct recovery of active materials through water dispersal—ensuring a sustainable, recyclable approach to battery production.

Osaka Metropolitan University researchers have successfully measured the body temperature of cows using a non-invasive method with AI and infrared technology.

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are important precursor cells for sperm and eggs, but the genes involved in their formation in rats were previously unknown. The research group successfully identified the genes necessary for the formation of PGCs in rats. Furthermore, using PGCs created with these genes, the researchers produced healthy baby rats. These results have been published in the academic journal Stem Cell Reports.

Advances in technology have led to the miniaturization of many mechanical, electronic, chemical and biomedical products, and with that, an evolution in the way these tiny components and parts are transported is necessary to follow. Transport systems, such as those based on conveyor belts, suffer from the challenge of friction, which drastically slows the speed and precision of small transport. Researchers from YOKOHAMA National University addressed this issue by developing an untethered levitation device capable of moving in all directions. The frictionless design allows for ultrafast, agile movement that can prove to be very valuable in machine assembly, biomedical and chemical applications via contactless transport.

Researchers published their results in Advanced Intelligent Systems in July 2025.

Gastric cancer that metastasizes to the peritoneum, or the lining of the abdominal cavity, has a very poor prognosis and is challenging to treat. Now, a group of researchers has developed mRNA-based vaccines that can target tumor-specific ‘neoantigens.’ In combination with anti-PD1 therapy, these vaccines show high antitumor efficacy against gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis. This approach can potentially be expanded in order to develop ‘personalized’ cancer vaccines for complicated cancer cases.

Hydration significantly boosts ion conductivity in Ba₇Nb₄MoO₂₀, a promising ceramic electrolyte candidate for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells. But its origin and mobile ionic species were unresolved issues. Researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo found that exposure to water vapor enhances oxide-ion mobility by increasing interstitial oxygen ions, nearly doubling the oxide-ion conductivity at 500 °C. The findings of this study could advance the development of efficient and durable fuel cells for clean energy applications.   

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common liver cancer, includes aggressive subtypes resistant to treatment. Researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo, Japan, identified a key mechanism behind one such subtype and developed a mouse model replicating its characteristics. Their study found that combining angiogenesis inhibitors with immune checkpoint blockers effectively disrupted the tumor’s defenses, enabling immune cells to attack. These findings offer a promising strategy for improving treatments and outcomes for patients with aggressive HCC.

Tokyo, Japan – Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have discovered a new pathway by which cells counteract the action of alovudine, an important antiviral and anticancer drug. The protein flap endonuclease-1 (Fen1) was found to improve cell tolerance by counteracting the toxic accumulation of another protein, 53BP1. A renewed spotlight on the underappreciated role of Fen1 promises not only new cancer treatments, but a way to gauge the efficacy of existing treatments.