Kumamoto University is proud to announce that Mr. Takenobu Nakagawa, a Senior Technical Specialist has been awarded the 2026 Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). Mr. Nakagawa received the Outstanding Support for Research Award in the Advanced Technical Support Category.

A bird’s flying ability depends on the keel, a breastbone structure that anchors the muscles needed for flight. Researchers at Kyushu University found that a signaling pathway called TGF-β determines whether the keel forms. In flying birds, the signal stays active long enough to build it; in flightless birds, it turns off earlier. The study shows how small shifts in developmental timing can drive major evolutionary differences and may inform research on human chest deformities.

Kaleidocycles—rotating rings made from hinged tetrahedra, are of interest for origami engineering, controllable linkage systems, and mathematics education. However, proving their existence for an arbitrary number of units has remained a challenge. In a recent study, researchers at Kyushu University developed explicit mathematical formulae showing that Kaleidocycles can be successfully constructed from six or more connected tetrahedra, uniting origami mechanisms and geometry in one exact mathematical framework.

Stevia is a widely used sweetener, but why do some stevia varieties taste cleaner and more sugar-like than others? Recent research conducted at the University of Toyama shows that stevia’s sweetness is genetically linked to variations in specific glycosyltransferase genes and their cell-specific activity in leaves. By combining genetic analysis with cell-level imaging, the team uncovered how stevia produces its high-value sweet compounds, opening the door to better-tasting natural sweeteners for foods and beverages.

Kyoto, Japan -- Despite their crucial function, public hospitals often face limited resources and financial distress, and an aging population can further exacerbate any imbalances in medical resource distribution. Furthermore, the proportion of aging individuals is not uniform across the country; in Japan, this has lead to regional disparities in healthcare for the elderly.

Previous studies suggest that restructuring public hospitals, though challenging, can alleviate the mismatch in healthcare resources. At least compared to private hospitals, it is more feasible to align public hospitals with regional needs. However, such studies often adopt qualitative approaches while lacking quantitative evidence to measure the effects of reorganization. This inspired a team of researchers at Kyoto University to examine the impact of public hospital restructuring on elderly hospital admissions in Japan.

"Many countries have reformed public hospitals to reduce resource imbalances, but there is limited information on the impact this has on communities and the regional healthcare system," says first author Kenji Kishimoto.