To understand how DJ-1 hydrolyzes cyclic 3-phosphoglyceric anhydride—a highly reactive, toxic cellular metabolite—researchers from Japan performed molecular simulations and biochemical assays, including mutational analyses, confirming DJ-1’s role in the pathogenesis of hereditary Parkinson’s disease. A mutant DJ-1 causes recessive Parkinson’s disease, but the molecular mechanism of this process has not been well studied. By revealing the amino acids involved in its catalytic activity, this work lays foundation for future functional studies on DJ-1.

Wastewater surveillance at treatment plants offers a low-cost, early warning method for detecting COVID-19. Researchers in Japan conducted an economic evaluation of a system for long-term care facilities that combines wastewater data with clinical testing thresholds to guide timely interventions. Their findings show that this approach could generate significant healthcare savings and improve outbreak response. The study supports wastewater surveillance as a scalable, cost-effective strategy for enhancing pandemic preparedness in vulnerable populations.

A researcher at Osaka Metropolitan University investigated the active travel effects of an mHealth app that incentivizes daily walking. The results revealed that the mHealth app’s incentives to exchange train tickets increased users’ daily walking steps by 626.2 steps/day for five months.

A 2024 viewpoint led by researchers at Tohoku University’s AIMR reveals a strong correlation between hardness and ionic conductivity in NASICON-type solid electrolytes. By analyzing literature data, they identified relative density as a key factor, offering a practical strategy to enhance both properties for safer, high-performance sodium-ion batteries.

Researchers from The University of Osaka have used a miniature heater positioned over a nano-sized opening to gently unzip DNA’s double helix into a single strand for quick, efficient analysis. The device enables detection of longer DNA strands than before while using less power and improving accuracy. The technology could be used in handheld medical devices, helping doctors to diagnose disease and tailor treatments based on patients’ genes.

Using energy piles for geothermal heat exchange in buildings offers a sustainable alternative to traditional temperature regulators. However, designing these systems is often complex. Now, researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan, have developed a simplified modeling framework to improve the design of energy pile systems. Using a combination of finite element modeling and field testing, they quantified the thermal interference between piles and soft clay soil—offering insights for quicker and enhanced geothermal performance.

People with diabetes often develop kidney disease without warning, leading to life-threatening complications. Now, researchers have discovered that two simple blood markers, estimated glomerular filtration rate difference and growth differentiation factor-15, can independently predict who is at an elevated risk of kidney function decline and early death. These findings could help doctors identify vulnerable patients sooner, paving the way for timely, personalized treatments that slow disease progression and improve outcomes for millions living with diabetes.

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which give rise to all blood cell types, are essential for regenerative medicine and gene therapy. However, predicting their long-term quality remains a challenge. Now, researchers from Japan have developed a novel system combining live-cell imaging and machine learning to predict HSC quality based on real-time behavior. This approach reveals hidden cellular diversity and enables accurate prediction of cell stemness and quality, advancing basic biology and offering promise for clinical applications.