Neurodegenerative diseases cause progressive loss of neurons, leading to impaired cognition, memory, and motor function. While current therapies help relieve symptoms, they are not curative. Replenishing lost neurons could serve as a potential therapeutic strategy to delay or reverse neurodegeneration. Researchers from Japan have synthesized novel analogues of vitamin K with potent neuronal differentiation-inducing activities and elucidated the mechanisms underlying their neuroprotective effects. Their work paves the way for the development of effective regenerative therapeutics.

Researchers have identified the mechanism by which a common genetic mutation increases liver disease risk. Their findings suggest that healthy choices, such as increasing antioxidants and limiting exposure to smoke, may reduce the risk of this disease.

Cell migration is important for growth and immune protection in the human body. While the interaction between cells and their environment generates the force necessary for cell movement, the underlying molecular machinery remains unclear. Now, researchers from Japan have identified molecular interactions that exert weak forces needed for cell migration. Their study revealed that the abnormal activity of shootin1b protein promotes cell migration in brain cancer cells, offering hope as a novel therapeutic target.

From pollinating flowers to enabling decomposition and supporting nutrient cycles, insects’ abundance and biodiversity are critical for maintaining healthy ecosystems. However, recent studies showing population declines have raised alarm about how insects are coping with the modern world. Understanding whether recent observations are part of longer timescale trends can help inform global conservation efforts, and identify the reasons behind the so-called “Insect Apocalypse”. 

Published in Science, researchers from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) used a community genomics approach to explore ant populations in the Fijian archipelago as a model system to understand insect biodiversity trends. By studying the genomics of museum collections, they were able to trace the ants’ evolutionary relationships to explore their arrival to the islands and reconstruct the population history of the species.  

Researchers at Hiroshima University have developed a realistic, highly sensitive method to detect the Unruh effect—a long-predicted phenomenon at the crossroads of relativity and quantum theory. Their approach opens new possibilities for exploring fundamental physics and developing advanced technologies.

As atmospheric observations of exoplanets become increasingly precise, it is more important than ever to correctly account for the effect of starspots on host stars. An ideal opportunity to study starspots arises when a transiting planet passes directly across them—a phenomenon known as a spot-crossing transit. An international research team led by scientists at the Astrobiology Center (Tokyo, Japan) has combined ground-based observations to reveal the detailed properties of the starspots and the orbital geometry of the planetary system TOI-3884.

Higher activity of PGC-1α enables brown fat cells in females to thermogenic activity and energy expenditure compared to males, reveals a study conducted in Japan. This research demonstrates that PGC-1α protein promotes phospholipid synthesis, which strengthens mitochondria of brown fat cells and enhances their heat-generating capacity in female mice. The findings reveal a female-specific mechanism of energy metabolism, boosted by PGC-1α and estrogen, which could inspire new therapies for the prevention of obesity and diabetes.

People are constantly exposed to fungal spores, including those of Aspergillus fumigatus, but individuals with weakened immune systems may develop life-threatening infections. In a recent study, researchers from Japan clarified the mechanisms by which the dendritic cell immunoreceptor (Dcir) suppresses neutrophil activity during infection with A. fumigatus. Their findings highlight Dcir as a potential therapeutic target for aspergillosis and suggest promising research avenues in the field of immunology.