This is a summary of recent progress on the polymerization of diazocarbonyl compounds developed by the Ihara group. The main topics are 1) Pd-initiated C1 polymerization of diazoacetates, which affords carbon-carbon main chain polymers where each main chain carbon atom bears an alkoxycarbonyl group and 2) polycondensation of bis(diazocarbonyl) compounds, which can yield a variety of new polymers with an unprecedented chemical structure.

A research team proposes a method to assess cancer patients for their likelihood to either respond to treatment or relapse.

New observational data from the James Webb Space Telescope and simulation models have confirmed a new type of planet unlike anything found in the Solar System. This provides another piece of the puzzle to understand how planets and planetary systems form.

The fight against cancer often begins with uncovering hidden players, and this study reveals one such key player: an unexpected class of abbreviated N-glycans. These molecules, upregulated in cancer cells, are excreted through a surprising mechanism—lysosomal exocytosis. Even more fascinating is the intricate relationship between lysosomal exocytosis and focal adhesions, structures critical for cell anchoring and communication. By decoding how focal adhesions regulate lysosomal exocytosis, researchers are opening new doors to understanding cancer cell adhesion and migration and exploring innovative therapies targeting these molecular interactions.

An Osaka Metropolitan University-led research team improved the AI recognition accuracy of word-level sign language recognition by adding data such as the signer’s hand and facial expressions, as well as skeletal information on the position of the hands relative to the body.

Depression continues to grapple a large proportion of the population. Given the side effects associated with the long-term use of conventional antidepressants, there is a need for novel rapid acting therapeutics with minimal side effects. Researchers from Tokyo University of Science have previously demonstrated antidepressant-like effects of delta opioid receptor agonists in rodents. In their latest study, they uncover the molecular and cellular mechanism underlying its action that can advance its therapeutic development.

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) are used in the aerospace, automotive, and sports equipment industries. However, their recycling remains a major problem. In a recent study, researchers from Waseda University demonstrated a novel direct discharge electrical pulse method for the efficient, effective, and environmentally friendly separation of CFRPs to recover high-quality carbon fibers. This work is expected to pave the way for a more sustainable world.

An Osaka Metropolitan University researcher conducted a survey on the use of private wells during the 2018 Western Japan floods in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture, which was affected by water supply disruptions.

Javelins were at the center of an exhibition at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Sport Museum and Library in the National Stadium, Tokyo. The title of the exhibition, which was open from January to March this year, can be translated as “The science of athletic equipment: the quest for well-flying javelins.” Its impetus was when Professor MAEDA Masato of Kobe University’s Graduate School of Human Development and Environment, who specializes in sports biomechanics and sports technology theory, donated his collection of 120 javelins to the museum. And with the Paris Summer Olympics coming up this year, where Japanese javelin throwers are expected to perform very well, we asked Maeda, who has studied the javelin, about his research and the appeal of the sport.

Researchers developed a novel method combining hydrogel-coated microfluidic devices with high-density microelectrode arrays to study neuronal networks. This innovation allows precise spatial and temporal recording of neural activities, advancing understanding of brain functionality. A multi-university consortium now explores biologically inspired neuronal network models for predictive coding applications.