Researchers from Okayama University of Science have made a groundbreaking discovery, identifying bitter taste receptors in keratinocytes (skin cells). Previously thought to exist only on the tongue, these receptors detect and expel harmful substances from the skin, serving as a crucial protective mechanism. The study reveals that upon binding to harmful substances, these receptors activate efflux pumps to remove them from cells, highlighting a novel biological defense system in the skin. This finding paves the way for potential applications in developing skin protectants and anti-inflammatory treatments. The research, conducted in collaboration with Kyoto University and the University of Tokyo, was published in FASEB BioAdvances.

Researchers developed crossing matrices to classify doubly periodic weaves, addressing challenges in mathematical modeling of woven structures. This breakthrough enables systematic analysis of periodic entanglements, with applications in materials science, fabric design, and nanostructure development.

Researchers have uncovered a surprising layer of complexity in aldosterone-producing adenomas—adrenal gland tumors that drive high blood pressure. Using cutting-edge analysis techniques, they discovered that these tumors harbor at least four distinct cell types, including ones that produce cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone. Published in PNAS, their findings not only explain why some patients with these tumors develop unexpected health issues, like weakened bones, but also pave the way toward new treatment strategies.

Tokyo, Japan – Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have carried out an unprecedentedly detailed survey of pumice rafts in the aftermath of the 2021 Fukutoku-Oka-no-Ba volcanic eruption in Japan. Using samples from 213 different locations, they considered raft density, the size and roundness of individual pumice, and biological species attached. Their findings revealed three phases in the evolution of drift pumice, involving rounding, fragmentation, and the diversification of attached biological organisms over time.

Mechanochemistry using a ball mill demonstrates versatility for generating academically and industrially significant organolithium compounds.

Rubidium could be the next key player in oxide-ion conductors. Researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo have discovered a rare rubidium (Rb)-containing oxide-ion conductor, Rb₅BiMo₄O₁₆, with exceptionally high conductivity. Identified through computational screening and experiments, its superior performance stems from low activation energy and structural features like large free volume and tetrahedral motion. Its stability under various conditions offers a promising direction for solid oxide fuel cells and clean energy technologies.

Dynamic facial projection mapping (DFPM) has reached new heights in speed and accuracy, with the development of a state-of-the-art system with groundbreaking innovations. The first breakthrough involved a hybrid detection technique combining different methods to detect facial landmarks in just 0.107 milliseconds. The researchers also proposed a way to simulate high-frame-rate video annotations to train their models and introduced a lens-shift co-axial projector-camera setup to reduce alignment errors, enabling smoother and more immersive projections.

Chronic stress raises blood pressure. New research from Juntendo University, Japan, reveals that voluntary exercise prevents hypertension (high blood pressure) by restoring STAT3 levels in the amygdala. Using a rat model, the study found that stress lowered Stat3 expression, leading to increased blood pressure, while exercise reversed this effect. This discovery highlights a novel brain-based mechanism behind exercise’s cardiovascular benefits, opening doors for potential new therapies targeting stress-induced hypertension.