Researchers at Tohoku University have combined multiple tools to create an automated, self-improving AI workflow that may improve our search for polymer material candidates so that it is less expensive, less costly, and more environmentally friendly.

Seven-transmembrane (7TM) proteins are large, complex molecules with important biological functions, but high-resolution NMR structural data for 7TM proteins has eluded researchers. Recently, a team from Japan achieved high-resolution solid-state NMR (SSNMR) data for fully protonated SzR1, a 7TM protein, in a fully hydrated lipid bilayer utilizing ultrafast magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR at 160 kHz using a 0.4mm rotor.

A new study shows that the Pt/C catalyst state before ionomer addition governs later ink dispersion and electrochemical Pt accessibility.

Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have produced the first detailed map of molecular gas across Stephan’s Quintet, a nearby group of interacting galaxies where some regions form stars far less efficiently than expected. Their observations reveal that the effect of turbulence on star-forming gases may control whether stars are birthed or not.

Researchers successfully translated intensive clinical brain-health protocols into a scalable municipal program in Kikuyo Town, Japan. By combining exercise, dual-task cognitive training, and nutritional guidance for 50 older adults, the 24-week intervention delivered significant improvements in attention scores—particularly for participants with lower baseline attention—alongside markedly better dietary balance. These findings provide local governments with an engaging, practical blueprint for bridging the gap between clinical research and everyday municipal dementia prevention.

A joint research team from NIMS and the University of Tokyo developed a new composite in which three-dimensional nano-interfaces are distributed throughout the material, by coating the surface of magnetic insulator powders with metal and sintering them. Using this structure, the team succeeded in observing thermoelectric conversion driven by spins in an insulator, a phenomenon previously observed only at nanoscale thin-film interfaces, in a macroscale material. This research result, which provides a new material design paradigm for effectively utilizing thermal energy in insulators, was published in Nature Communications on July 21, 2026.

Researchers led by the University of Osaka developed a reusable light-responsive adhesive that switches adhesion at the interface instead of weakening the whole material. UV-A light reduces interfacial adhesion, enabling selective peeling without observable residue, while UV-C light restores adhesion. The response was retained through repeated cycles without solvent processing. The approach could simplify disassembly, repair, and recycling of electronics, vehicles, and semiconductor components, supporting more circular manufacturing across industries.

A study in budding yeast suggests that changes in membrane lipids trigger a braking system that slows internal protein transport when the endoplasmic reticulum comes under stress, comparable to modern logistics networks where shipments are slowed when distribution hubs are under stress.

Geobacter sulfurreducens derives energy from elemental sulfur, but the molecular mechanism has remained unknown. Researchers at Ritsumeikan University identified MccSep, a novel selenium-containing multiheme enzyme that functions as a polysulfide reductase. Through genetic, structural, and biochemical analyses, they proposed a unique selenium–sulfur–heme catalytic mechanism underlying sulfur respiration. The findings advance understanding of microbial sulfur metabolism and may inspire environmental biocatalysts while revealing the potential of recoded bacterial stop codons to uncover novel enzymes. 

Paper-based sensors offer a cheaper, more sustainable alternative to conventional polymer-based wearables, but designing customized devices for different body shapes remains challenging. Now, researchers have developed a paper-based wearable sensor platform that transforms flat sheets of paper into self-folding helical structures that conform to the body. By integrating copper tape electrodes, the device measures biosignals with performance comparable to conventional strap-based sensors. The approach enables low-cost fabrication of disposable wearables for sensing applications.