Quantum mechanics has long been confined to (sub)atomic phenomena on the nanometer scale, far removed from our human senses. Thanks to a clever setup of magnets and a nitrogen-vacancy diamond, researchers have now successfully moved a centimeter-wide slab with quantum spin force alone, a key milestone on the way to achieving macroscopic quantum superposition and testing quantum theories of gravity.

A new multimodal 4D dataset developed at Institute of Science Tokyo provides a detailed model of how humans and dogs interact through movement, gestures, and speech. The curated dataset “InterPet4D” comprises 6.83 million synchronized frames obtained from 23 human participants and 13 dogs representing 11 breeds. Additionally, the researchers developed an AI framework, InterPetMoGen, using this dataset to predict and generate dog movements responding to human actions and audio cues.

Tokyo, Japan- Prediction is a defining feature of intelligent behavior. Researchers at The University of Tokyo developed a spiking-network model that learned what event would occur, when it would occur, and how likely it was. The single network rapidly recalibrated when timing or probabilities changed, using local learning. The findings suggest a computational framework for adaptive, brain-inspired AI and testable ideas about how neural systems update expectations across dynamic environments and changing real-world conditions.

A gene involved in cell signaling and lipid metabolism, CTDNEP1, is associated with poorer survival in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), a study from Tokyo University of Science and Nippon Medical School has found. Researchers analyzed publicly available cancer databases to examine CTDNEP1 expression in ccRCC and papillary RCC. They found that higher CTDNEP1 expression was associated with poorer survival in ccRCC, suggesting its potential as a candidate prognostic biomarker for this subtype. 

For museums using digital content, creating experiences that build emotional connections with visitors is key to making digital cultural experiences more engaging, finds a study from Science Tokyo. A survey of 266 visitors at the Ryushi Memorial Museum revealed that immersive digital exhibits helped visitors connect with personal memories, historical stories, and cultural heritage. The findings suggest that museums can increase engagement by designing digital experiences around local stories, memories, and cultural identity.

Kagome metals have emerged as promising materials for exploring unusual superconductivity, but conflicting experiments have made it difficult to determine what drives their superconducting behavior. Now, researchers show that applying tensile strain to CsV3Sb5 separates two hidden superconducting states, raising the transition temperature while leaving its charge order unchanged. The findings establish strain as an independent tool for revealing and tuning unconventional superconductivity in quantum materials and related quantum systems worldwide.

Kyoto, Japan -- Monitoring biological indicators plays a crucial role in forest management, which requires finding a delicate balance between timber use and biodiversity conservation. Across forests and across species, responses to forestry operations that alter habitat conditions vary, so repeatable surveys of biological indicators like ground-dwelling beetles can capture forest spatial variation and changes over time.

While ground dwelling beetles help scientists understand conditions on the forest floor, indicators that reflect conditions in the canopy have been more evasive. But a team of researchers at Kyoto University thought that Platycerus might fit this role: a genus of stag beetles that inhabits broadleaf forests, munching on the dead wood of trees as larvae and new leaf buds as adults. The research team chose to investigate whether these beetles might complement their ground-dwelling counterparts in the biological monitoring of broadleaf forests.

In the forests of Hida, Japan, the scientists conducted a survey called a female-attracted flight Interception trap -- F-FIT -- a "honey trap" that uses female Platycerus stag beetles to attract males. F-FIT was introduced only recently to address the limitations of conventional Platycerus surveys, which depend on an observer's skill and may risk damaging breeding sites. With this new survey, the team recorded captures of male Platycerus takakuwai, a species typical to Japan.

Researchers at Kyushu University have developed a VR system that requires no head-worn device. Using aerial imaging optics, the system presents stereoscopic imagery to both eyes, letting users enter a VR environment simply by sitting down. By removing the weight of a headset and moving image processing outside the wearable device, the system could enable more comfortable, longer VR use. The researchers expect it to find applications in remote operation, healthcare, education, and entertainment.