A research team from the Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology has developed an explainable AI method to observe the splashing drops of different liquids while impacting a solid surface. This achievement provides important insights into the phenomenon of splash, which is important for various applications, such as aeronautics, biology, chemical and mechanical engineering, materials, acoustics, and combustion.

Can we examine the teeth of living fish and other vertebrates in detail, repeatedly over time, without harming them? 

Previously, small animals often had to be euthanized to obtain precise information, but now scientists have found a new way to humanely study detailed dental characteristics of vertebrates. This customizable method can be used for both living animals and museum specimens and has been published in the Journal of Morphology. 

Researchers at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) and their collaborators applied human dental impression techniques to study fish teeth in a species called Polypterus senegalus. This fish has been separated from other fish species for about 360 million years. Due to this long period of evolutionary isolation, Polypterus still has many primitive characteristics that provide important information on the early development of bony fish.  

The 26th Nagoya Medal of Organic Chemistry will be held on Friday, January 24th, 2025 (JST).

The gold medal will be presented to Professor Alois Fürstner (Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Germany), and the silver medal will be presented to Professor Masayuki Inoue (The University of Tokyo, Japan).

Researchers have developed nanodiamond sensors with nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers, offering exceptional brightness and spin properties for quantum sensing and bioimaging. These nanodiamonds outperform commercial options, requiring 20 times less energy and maintaining quantum states 11 times longer. Enhanced sensitivity to magnetic fields and temperature enables precise applications, including disease detection, battery analysis, and thermal management of electronics, marking a significant advancement in nanotechnology-driven quantum sensing for biological and industrial innovations.

Researchers revealed significant limitations in current atmospheric models by comparing observed gravity waves with ERA5 simulations. ERA5 underestimated wave amplitudes and failed to capture a key wave packet. The findings highlight challenges in simulating small-scale phenomena.

Researchers at Tohoku University's AIMR have developed a new Li-O₂ battery cathode using free-standing graphene mesosponge (GMS) sheets, which eliminates the need for vulnerable binders. This design improves oxygen and Li-ion flow, enhancing stability and performance. The team demonstrated significant capacity and stable cycling, with plans to focus on Li metal anodes for further improvements.

Even highly realistic androids can cause unease when their facial expressions lack emotional consistency. Traditionally, a "patchwork method" has been used for facial movements, but it comes with practical limitations. A team developed a new technology using "waveform movements" to create real-time, complex expressions without unnatural transitions. This system reflects internal states, enhancing emotional communication between robots and humans, potentially making androids feel more humanlike.

Tokyo, Japan – Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have discovered that around 15 days of dry weather can trigger the flowering of durian. Observations of 110 durian plants revealed that flowering occurred around 50 days after an approximately 15-day dry spell, independent of whether the plant was grafted or grown from a seed. The team’s work might not only impact the production of a valuable agricultural asset but deepen our understanding of tropical ecosystems.