Researchers at Kyoto University have discovered that an immune molecule found only in primates, called IGFL2, plays a key role in regulating inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). IGFL2 is produced by a subset of immune cells in the joints of patients with RA and acts like fuel on a fire: it activates more immune cells, further amplifying inflammation and worsening joint damage. They also found that IGFL2 levels were much higher in the blood of patients with RA, especially in those with more severe symptoms. These findings support IGFL2’s potential as a diagnostic marker, a tool for monitoring disease progression, and a target for new therapies, paving the way for earlier detection, more effective treatments, and better quality of life for people with RA worldwide.

A newly developed white organic light-emitting diode operates at under 1.5 volts, report researchers from Institute of Japan. By using triplet–triplet annihilation to generate blue light at low voltage and adding in yellow and sky-blue dopants, the research team achieved efficient white emission. This breakthrough could contribute to reducing energy consumption in the future in state-of-the-art displays, including television backlights and lighting devices, advancing portable electronics and sustainable technologies.

A research team from Kumamoto University has made a groundbreaking discovery that reveals how the human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) silently persists in the body, potentially laying the foundation for new therapeutic approaches. Their findings, published on May 13, 2025, in Nature Microbiology, identify a previously unknown genetic “silencer” element that keeps the virus in a dormant, undetectable state.

Researchers at Kumamoto University and Nagoya University have developed a new class of two-dimensional (2D) metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) using triptycene-based molecules, marking a breakthrough in the quest to understand and enhance the physical properties of these promising materials. This innovation opens new possibilities for multifunctional applications in gas/molecular sensors, electrochemical energy storage, and spintronic devices.

New study reveals that the stereochemistry of lipid nanoparticles critically influences safety and efficacy in mRNA delivery.

The National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR) publishes Polar Science, a peer-reviewed quarterly journal dealing with polar science, in collaboration with Elsevier B.V. In the latest issue, it features “Sustainable development in the Arctic for Indigenous peoples”, published as part of its regular issue (Vol. 44, June 2025). The full text of featured articles will be freely accessible worldwide until 14 January 2026.

Osaka Metropolitan University researchers analyzed the interactions between two bacteria that make up intestinal microbiota.