Phosphorus forms the backbone of DNA, RNA, and cellular membranes. But scientists have struggled to pinpoint the specific conditions under which phosphorus developed in Earth’s younger years. A research group from Tohoku University has recently unearthed evidence pointing to submarine hydrothermal alteration, which released phosphorus from the rocks into the surrounding seawater, enriching early oceans with this essential nutrient. 

Researchers in Japan have successfully generated lung cells similar to alveolar epithelial type 2 (AT2) cells from mouse embryonic fibroblasts without using stem cell technology. The AT2-like cells were generated in just 7 to 10 days—a significant reduction compared to the approximately one month typically required by conventional stem cell-based differentiation methods. This approach may pave the way for treating interstitial pneumonia and other serious respiratory diseases.

An Osaka Metropolitan University-led research team has developed an index for determining appropriate irradiation conditions for laser treatment and conducted an in-silico-supported meta-analysis that analyzed treatments within that index. 

Researchers from SANKEN, The University of Osaka, have revealed a technique for exploiting the catalytic action of hydrogen in platinum to reverse the degradation of magnetization. This method can be used to increase the robustness of next-generation computer chips based on thin magnetic films.

Researchers from The University of Osaka have developed a method to visualize and reconstruct individual urban plants in different seasons using AI and street view images. The novel Seasonal Species-Specific Plant View Index allows urban designers to enhance the ecological sustainability and the well-being of city dwellers by incorporating diverse plant configurations, colors, and seasonality into current and future urban green spaces.

A research team has evaluated the real-world effectiveness of a community-based pneumococcal vaccination support program for older adults. They conducted their study in Sera Town, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. Their research shows that the pneumococcal vaccination support program for older residents reduced pneumonia-related mortality.

In August 2024, the World Health Organization declared a second “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” for mpox. The current outbreak in Africa is driven mainly by the clade I variant, with multiple countries reporting their first-ever mpox cases of this more severe strain. Nagoya University researchers and their collaborators have found that measuring the amount of virus in the blood when skin lesions first appear can help predict whether patients will experience mild or severe progression of the disease. The study analyzes viral loads during early infection to predict how sick patients will get, potentially improving treatment strategies for future outbreaks. 

The ratio of second and fourth finger lengths—2D:4D digit ratio—has long been linked to prenatal hormone exposure in humans. Researchers from Okayama University identified that it also predicts sexual activity in rats. Shorter second digits in male rats were linked to higher sexual activity and had greater preference for female scents. The study offers a non-invasive way to understand how fetal hormone environments shape brain development, with potential link between mind and behavior.

The entrepreneurial ecosystems (EE) approach is often promoted for Africa’s growth, but Africa already has many entrepreneurs. Instead of increasing entrepreneurship, researchers argue for strategies drawn from East Asia’s development and Schumpeterian growth theory—both of which oppose EE thinking. These approaches suggest that Africa should focus on building large, productive firms and absorbing existing technologies, rather than relying on start-ups, to achieve long-term, sustainable economic development.