Flow cytometry, a widely used technique for single-cell analysis, often relies on fluorescent tags and lasers. While impedance-based flow cytometry avoids these drawbacks, they suffer from low sensitivity. In a recent study, researchers from Japan developed a low-cost adaptive platform that dynamically adjusts the microchannel height based on analyte size. Their approach significantly improved signal strength and quality, paving the way for accurate research findings which could result in clinical applications of impedance flow cytometry.

Flexible pressure sensors can detect subtle mechanical stimuli, making them suitable for use in wearable sensors for human health monitoring and motion analysis. However, current sensors suffer from insufficient sensitivity, poor durability, and subpar stability. In a new study, taking inspiration from cat whiskers, researchers developed novel biomass fiber/sodium alginate aerogel (BFA)-based sensors that demonstrated excellent pressure sensitivity, durability, and rapid response, while being suitable for human physiological monitoring and motion analysis.

The gap between people’s intention and behavior in separating household waste is not adequately explained by existing behavioral frameworks such as the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). By analyzing studies from around the world, researchers have expanded the TPB framework to include external factors and demographic differences. This expanded framework can help researchers and policymakers accurately identify factors that will bring the greatest improvement in waste separation compliance in specific regional contexts.

Researchers from The University of Osaka found that the radial spoke protein CFAP91 is crucial for flagellum formation in sperm, and that the proximal protein EFCAB5 is important for sperm motility. Loss of function of either of these proteins impairs spermatogenesis, suggesting that their mutation or loss can lead to male infertility.

Researchers including those at the University of Tokyo have made a surprising discovery hiding in people’s mouths: Inocles, giant DNA elements that had previously escaped detection. These appear to play a central role in helping bacteria adapt to the constantly changing environment of the mouth. The findings provide fresh insight into how oral bacteria colonize and persist in humans, with potential implications for health, disease and microbiome research.

A NIMS research team has developed a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) featuring a tunnel barrier made of a high-entropy oxide composed of multiple metallic elements. This MTJ simultaneously demonstrated stronger perpendicular magnetization, a higher tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) ratio (i.e., the relative change in electrical resistance when the magnetization directions of the two ferromagnetic layers switch between parallel and antiparallel alignments) and lower electrical resistance. These properties may contribute to the development of smaller, higher-capacity and higher-performance hard disk drives (HDDs) and magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM). This research was published in Materials Today, an international scientific journal, on July 6, 2025.

Understanding causal relationships between neuronal spike trains is challenging due to their irregular, bursty nature, and the limitations of traditional causality detection methods. Now, researchers from Japan have developed a new approach based on convergent cross mapping that works with irregularly sampled data. Their technique can accurately determine causality between spike trains in small, simulated groups of neurons, even with noise, paving the way for a more comprehensive understanding of brain networks.

A self-powered analytical device that detects toxic amines in water using electrochemiluminescence has been developed by researchers from Japan, enabling pollutant detection without an external power source. The device operates using voltage generated by liquid flow and produces light signals to indicate contamination. This breakthrough makes water quality testing more accessible, enabling real-time, portable monitoring in situations where traditional methods are impractical.

This promising new catalyst can speed up the oxygen evolution reaction to create clean energy.

Hafnium oxide (HfO₂) is a promising material for advanced semiconductors, but it is also known for its challenging etching properties. A group of researchers from Japan and Taiwan has successfully etched HfO₂ films with atomic-level precision. This process was performed without the use of halogen gases, which are often highly toxic and may act as greenhouse gases.