A research group led by Dr. Kento Yoshioka, Dr. Keisuke Obara, and Professor Yoshio Tanaka from the Department of Chemical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University, has discovered that a natural substance in the body, known as platelet-activating factor (PAF), can strongly stimulate muscle movements in parts of the digestive system, especially the esophagus and the upper part of the stomach.

A research group led by Dr. Keisuke Obara, Dr. Kento Yoshioka, and Professor Yoshio Tanaka from the Department of Chemical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University, has discovered that certain naturally occurring peptides in the body can trigger contractions in the vas deferens—a muscular tube that carries sperm in the male reproductive system. These peptides, known as bombesin-like peptides (neuromedin B, gastrin-releasing peptide, and neuromedin C), were found to play an active role in smooth muscle movement in this organ. The team also found that the mRNA for a specific receptor, the bombesin BB₂. receptor—which responds to these peptides—is highly expressed in the tissue. This suggests that the peptides likely act through this receptor to induce contractions. This discovery provides new insights into the regulation of the reproductive system and may contribute to the development of novel treatments for urogenital disorders. The findings were published in the scientific journal Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin in March 2025.

Researchers at Nagoya University in Japan have developed an interface that creates "virtual sorting nanomachines" without the need to manufacture actual devices. By projecting electron beams onto thin silicon nitride membranes, they generated programmable electric fields that function like microfluidic devices—systems that move very small amounts of fluids through microscopic channels. This allows them to move and sort nanomaterials by size at any desired location and time. 

Researchers at The University of Osaka have developed a non-precious metal catalyst for the efficient hydrogenation of biomass-derived furfural to valuable tetrahydrofuran-based compounds under mild conditions. The catalyst, consisting of nickel carbide nanoparticles supported on alumina, achieved 90% furfural conversion under ambient hydrogen pressure. This result will help advance the development of energy-efficient, cost-effective processes for the conversion of biomass to valuable materials.

Sudden narrowing of the coronary arteries—called coronary artery spasms—can lead to chest pain (angina), heart attacks, and other serious heart problems. Now, a research group led by Dr. Kento Yoshioka, Dr. Keisuke Obara, and Professor Yoshio Tanaka from the Department of Chemical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University, has discovered that ferulic acid, a natural compound found in rice, coffee, and certain vegetables, can help prevent these spasms in two different ways.

Researchers at Tohoku University have achieved record-breaking energy efficiency for a high-speed memory storage device, called a SOT-MRAM cell.

Scientists developed a smartphone-compatible ethanol sensor using a metal–organic framework called Cu-MOF-74. The sensor visually detects ethanol concentrations across a wide range, with no electronics or lab tools required. This technology has promising applications in environmental monitoring, healthcare, industrial processes, and alcohol breath analysis.

To better understand the circadian clock in modern-day cyanobacteria, a Japanese research team has studied ancient timekeeping systems. They examined the oscillation of the clock proteins KaiA, KaiB, and KaiC (Kai-proteins) in modern cyanobacteria, comparing it to the function of ancestral Kai proteins.

Researchers in Japan have developed an AI model that objectively evaluates atopic dermatitis (AD) severity using smartphone images shared by patients on the country’s largest online AD platform. This technology could help patients monitor their condition more precisely at home and support timely treatment decisions.

Higher maternal selenium levels during pregnancy were associated with a lower risk of streptococcal infections in children, suggesting a potential protective effect.