Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell or CAR T therapy shows promise for patients with refractory or relapsing B-cell lymphomas. Now, however, a new study from Juntendo University highlights a previously unrecognized and severe adverse effect of this therapy in certain patients: laryngeal edema. Researchers identified risk factors for the condition and emphasized that early steroid treatment can manage the condition effectively without impacting the efficacy of CAR T-cell therapy, improving the safety and outcomes of treatment.

Researchers from Osaka University have revealed some of the precise mechanisms by which erroneous cells are recognized, marked for removal, and eliminated via apoptosis in developing zebrafish. Notably, they found that the protein Foxo3 may be a universal marker of cell competition in zebrafish and mice. These findings have important implications for congenital disorders, cancer, and aging, and may lead to novel treatments.

Researchers in Japan have demonstrated the high accuracy of their newly developed typhoon observation device that can be dropped from an aircraft into the eye of a typhoon. This kind of device, called a dropsonde, measures storm’s atmospheric conditions as it falls from altitude to the ocean surface. The new dropsonde is lightweight and is made mainly of a biodegradable material. It can descend without a parachute unlike conventional dropsondes.

Researchers at Meijo University and University of Tsukuba collected and taxonomically re-examined numerous enigmatic jumping bristletails. These were first reported 75 years ago. They observed extreme specialization in the external genitalia of the males and discovered that this species belongs to a unique group, potentially representing a primitive state leading to "copulation" during evolutionary development.

Researchers at University of Tsukuba assessed the effects of a large-scale wildfire in April 2020 within the Chornobyl exclusion zone in Ukraine—a radiologically contaminated region—on the redistribution of radionuclides. Their study used leaching tests and long-term river observation data to analyze these effects. The findings revealed that wildfires increase the mobility of ¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr in rivers.

A novel nanobody-based immunosensor, designed to function stably in undiluted biological fluids and harsh conditions, has been developed, as reported by researchers from Science Tokyo. Their innovative design leverages BRET—bioluminescence resonance energy transfer—and exhibits great potential for point-of-care testing, therapeutic drug monitoring, and environmental applications using paper-based devices.

Mg₃Sb₂ is a thermoelectric compound composed of cheap and abundant elements. NIMS has successfully improved the thermoelectric performance of Mg₃Sb₂ by doping it with indium and precisely controlling the sintering duration. This approach resulted in substantially increased electronic conductivity while effectively reducing thermal conductivity. The Mg₃Sb₂-based material exhibited a very high figure of merit (zT) of approximately 2.0 at 723 K. In addition, a module made of this material achieved a thermoelectric conversion efficiency of approximately 12.6%—the highest efficiency ever recorded for a single-leg module. These results may greatly advance the development of practical thermoelectric devices.

Prostate cancer, especially in advanced stages such as castration-resistant prostate cancer, is challenging to treat. Traditional therapies targeting androgen receptor (AR) signaling have limited efficacy. In a recent study, Japanese researchers investigated the potential of azolato-bridged dinuclear platinum(II) complexes, particularly 5-H-Y, as promising alternatives. Their findings highlight the complex’s ability to inhibit AR signaling and induce cell death in prostate cancer cells, providing a new avenue for prostate cancer treatment.

Integrating ground source heat pumps and energy piles is a promising approach to address the issue of energy efficiency for developing smart cities in the future. Recently, a team of researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology has comprehensively reviewed this dual technology, highlighting its features and benefits. The proposed technology not only reduces electricity consumption and operating costs but also mitigates the urban heat island effect.