EurekAlert! Japan News - News Releases from Japan

News from Japan

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 27-Dec-2025 05:11 ET (27-Dec-2025 10:11 GMT/UTC)

The importance of a leader–follower relationship for performing tasks

Osaka Metropolitan University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Osaka Metropolitan University researchers investigated the impact of voluntary division of roles on performing a task.

Journal: The International Journal of Robotics Research
Funder: National Science Foundation, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Kayamori Foundation of Informational Science Advancement, Innovative Science and Technology Initiative for Security, and Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency

Can folds in rock layers strengthen the Earth's crust?

Tohoku University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A rock described as a flaky pastry may sound delicate, but researchers at Tohoku University found that when they fold under compressive forces in just the right way, they can actually be strong. These findings may help with earthquake risk assessment.

Journal: Scientific Reports

Experimental mapping of bacterial growth reveals evolutionary and ecological patterns

University of Tsukuba
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers at University of Tsukuba comprehensively profiled the growth of six bacterial species across 195 culture media. They discovered that growth patterns correspond to both evolutionary lineages and biogeographic traits of these bacteria. The findings indicate that even under controlled laboratory conditions, it is possible to mimic natural ecosystems and uncover principles governing evolution and ecology.

Journal: Scientific Reports

OIST/NAIST initiative supports recruitment and development of foreign doctoral talent in Japan

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University
Business Announcement

In April 2026, the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology and Nara Institute of Science and Technology will launch a new platform called the "Foreign Doctoral Talent Recruitment and Development Salon" to promote the recruitment, development, and retention of foreign doctoral talent within Japan.

Increase in cell volume and nuclear number of the Koji fungus enhances enzyme production capacity

University of Tsukuba
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers at University of Tsukuba have identified key characteristics underlying the high enzyme production capacity of the koji fungus Aspergillus oryzae. During cultivation, the fungal hyphae thicken progressively, leading to a tenfold increase in cell volume and nuclear number. This expansion boosts transcription and translation activity per hypha, thereby enhancing the fungus's overall enzyme production capacity.

Journal: eLife

Global talent beacon - OIST 'EXPERT-J' success

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University
Business Announcement

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) has been selected for the “EXPERT-J” initiative by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), a program designed to strengthen Japan’s research capabilities by attracting outstanding early-career researchers from around the world—including Japanese nationals—and supporting their integration into top-tier Japanese universities with internationally competitive conditions.

Impact of environmental noise on inpatient outcomes: A scoping review

Osaka Metropolitan University

Osaka Metropolitan University researchers conducted a review of studies on the noise impact in inpatient environments.

Journal: Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing

Luminescence characteristics of Eu-doped CaF₂ crystals vary with radiation type

University of Tsukuba
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Scintillators are materials that convert radiation energy into light. Researchers at University of Tsukuba have made a groundbreaking discovery: Eu (Europium)-doped CaF₂ crystals, a type of scintillator, that emit more light at longer wavelengths when irradiated with alpha particles as compared to X-rays. This finding suggests the potential for identifying radiation types based on emission wavelength.

Journal: Scientific Reports

Tackling inflammation in the gut: the role of ‘unconventional’ immune cells

Institute of Science Tokyo
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Immune cells called double negative T cells are abundant in the intestine but have been poorly understood till date. In a recent study, researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo report that these cells actually have an indispensable role in suppressing intestinal inflammation. Through cutting-edge microscopy that allows live imaging, the movement and functioning of these cells were visualized for the first time, providing insights into conditions such as Crohn’s disease.

Journal: Nature Communications
Funder: National Institutes of Health, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, Uehara Memorial Foundation, Astellas Foundation for Research on Metabolic Disorders, Mochida Memorial Foundation for Medical and Pharmaceutical Research, Naoki Tsuchida Research Grant

Studies on stem cells provide insights into tooth development

Institute of Science Tokyo

Two distinct stem cell lineages that drive tooth root and alveolar bone formation have been identified by researchers from Science Tokyo. Using genetically modified mice and lineage-tracing techniques, the team shed light on the cell signaling mechanisms guiding differentiation in stem cells in the developing teeth, offering key insights for future regenerative dental therapies.

Journal: Nature Communications
Funder: National Institutes of Health, Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, Japanese Society of Periodontology, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

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