Although many neurotech products – based on technologies that measure or alter the brain – are currently marketed to the general public, few regulations cover their development and commercialization. Researchers from Japan have now released an English-language guidebook for neurotech developers that aims to make these technologies safer and more effective. The publication provides step-by-step guidance from planning to testing to consumer support, and should be essential reading for neurotech developers worldwide.

Why have some orchids stopped photosynthesis and become parasites feeding on fungi? Kobe University researchers found that in at least one species the transition may be driven by the opportunity more than by the need to do so.

Ballbots are versatile robotic systems with the ability to move around in all directions. This makes it tricky to control their movement. In a recent study, a team including a researcher from Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan, has proposed a novel proportional integral derivative controller that, in combination with radial basis function neural network, robustly controls ballbot motion. This technology is expected to find applications in service robots, assistive robots, and delivery robots.

New research has emerged on the development of a novel membrane distillation system and an adsorbent (a substance that can trap chemicals on its surface) for the removal of hazardous perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Scientists from Institute of Science Tokyo, Japan, utilized carbon-based materials to successfully remove PFAS from water. This innovative approach could contribute to sustainable purification technologies in the future.

Messenger RNA can travel between different types of stem cells through tunnel-like structures, as revealed by a new study. By studying interactions between mouse and human stem cells, they discovered that this RNA transfer can reprogram human cells to an earlier developmental state. This groundbreaking finding not only sheds light on an underexplored form of cellular communication but also suggests promising applications in regenerative medicine without using artificial genetic modifications or external chemicals.

Japan’s 2017 Stewardship Code amendment encourages institutional investors to voluntarily disclose their voting records to improve corporate governance. Researchers from Waseda and Keio Universities analyzed 7,887 voting proposals from Japan’s top 500 firms to see how this rule affected shareholder behavior. They found a significant increase in shareholder dissent in director elections among domestic institutional investors following the regulatory reform. The findings highlight that even voluntary regulations can drive meaningful changes in shareholder engagement.

In a breakthrough for hydrogen technology, researchers have introduced an innovative electronic fine-tuning approach that enhances the interaction between zinc and ruthenium. 

Researchers from Science Tokyo have contributed to an international collaboration that recently published a perspective article in the prestigious journal Nature Physics. The team, led by Professor Ginestra Bianconi of Queen Mary University (UK), addressed the most recent developments and challenges in complex systems from the angle of higher-order networks, with applications ranging from climate science to machine learning.

Imagine a cancer treatment that precisely targets malignant cells, leaving healthy ones untouched. Consider, also, a cancer treatment that corrects abnormal protein synthesis to produce healthy proteins in patients. These are just two of the many applications of a new study by Hiroshi Abe and colleagues at Nagoya University. Their innovative approach, called the ICIT mechanism, introduces a novel way to 'switch on' protein synthesis in target cells only, creating healthy proteins to treat illnesses or toxic proteins to kill unwanted cells. Their discoveries could pave the way for personalized and precise healthcare.

Conventional drones use visual sensors for navigation. However, environmental conditions like dampness, low light, and dust can hinder their effectiveness, limiting their use in disaster-stricken areas. Researchers from Japan have developed a novel bio-hybrid drone by combining robotic elements with odor-sensing antennae from silkworm moths. Their innovation, which integrates the agility and precision of robots with biological sensory mechanisms, can enhance the applicability of drones in navigation, gas sensing, and disaster response.