New molecular capsules capable of imparting chiral activity to non-chiral metal-containing dyes were successfully created by self-assembly in water, as reported by researchers from Japan. These capsules have adaptable chiral cavities, inducing chirality of various large and rigid metal-containing dyes upon encapsulation, without requiring typical chemical modification. Moreover, the chiral properties can be tuned with heat, showcasing the potential use in chiral materials and catalysts.

Atrial functional mitral regurgitation (AFMR) often leads to heart failure in elderly patients, many of whom are too frail for surgery. Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER), a minimally invasive alternative, offers hope, though its effectiveness has been uncertain. A study from Japan provides strong real-world evidence: patients with AFMR who underwent TEER had significantly lower mortality and hospitalization rates for heart failure compared to those receiving medical therapy alone, highlighting TEER’s potential as a valuable option.

Kyoto, Japan -- The region of space dominated by Earth's magnetic field is the magnetosphere. Observations have shown that, within this region, an electric force acts from the morning side to the evening side as seen from Earth. This large-scale electric field is known to be a key driver of various disturbances such as geomagnetic storms.

Since electric forces act from positive charge to negative, it has been thought by some that the magnetosphere is positively charged on the morning side and negatively charged on the evening side. Yet recent satellite observations have revealed that this polarity is actually the opposite.

This discovery prompted a team of researchers from the universities of Kyoto, Nagoya, and Kyushu to reexamine the underlying mechanisms of the magnetosphere.