A research group in Japan has suggested that ash from volcanic eruptions on Nishinoshima Island—part of Japan's Ogasawara Islands—led to a temporary surge in phytoplankton levels in the seawater around Mukojima Island, which is located 130 km northeast of Nishinoshima. The study indicates that ash from the eruptions was transported by wind and ocean currents to the waters around Mukojima, serving as a nutrient source for phytoplankton growth in that area. The findings suggest that volcanic ash can enhance the productivity of marine waters even at considerable distances from the volcanic site.

Osaka Metropolitan University researchers investigated the impact of voluntary division of roles on performing a task.

A rock described as a flaky pastry may sound delicate, but researchers at Tohoku University found that when they fold under compressive forces in just the right way, they can actually be strong. These findings may help with earthquake risk assessment.

Researchers at University of Tsukuba have identified key characteristics underlying the high enzyme production capacity of the koji fungus Aspergillus oryzae. During cultivation, the fungal hyphae thicken progressively, leading to a tenfold increase in cell volume and nuclear number. This expansion boosts transcription and translation activity per hypha, thereby enhancing the fungus's overall enzyme production capacity.

Scintillators are materials that convert radiation energy into light. Researchers at University of Tsukuba have made a groundbreaking discovery: Eu (Europium)-doped CaF₂ crystals, a type of scintillator, that emit more light at longer wavelengths when irradiated with alpha particles as compared to X-rays. This finding suggests the potential for identifying radiation types based on emission wavelength.

Immune cells called double negative T cells are abundant in the intestine but have been poorly understood till date. In a recent study, researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo report that these cells actually have an indispensable role in suppressing intestinal inflammation. Through cutting-edge microscopy that allows live imaging, the movement and functioning of these cells were visualized for the first time, providing insights into conditions such as Crohn’s disease.