A new simulator gives nursing students hands-on practice with vital procedures like mechanical ventilation and tracheal suctioning in children.

Chlorophyll (a naturally occurring pigment involved in photosynthesis)-inspired molecules hold promise for developing next-generation light-harvesting materials. However, achieving precise control over their assembly is challenging. Researchers have now revealed that attaching dendrons—branched, tree-like structures—can aid in self-assembly of chlorophyll’s materials. They found that smaller dendrons lead to stacked, fiber-like structures, while larger dendrons create spherical chlorophyll particles, advancing the development of materials that mimic the light-harvesting efficiency of natural photosynthetic systems.

The research team, including master’s student Ryota Kishi, Assistant Professor Kazuhiro Hikima, and Professor Atsunori Matsuda from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Information Engineering, and Professor Hiroyuki Muto from the Institute of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Toyohashi University of Technology; along with Specially Appointed Associate Professor (at the time) Hirofumi Tsukasaki and Professor Shigeo Mori from the Department of Materials Science at Osaka Metropolitan University, successfully synthesized the sulfide-based solid electrolyte Li₁₀GeP₂S₁₂ with practical room-temperature ionic conductivity by optimizing the heat treatment process in the solution method. The Li₁₀GeP₂S₁₂ synthesized solution method exhibits unique electrochemical properties compared to ball-mill-synthesized samples, such as a (1) small particle size with high grain boundary resistance and (2) surface layer from the organic solvent that is highly stable with respect to Li-In anodes. The results of this research were published online in ACS Applied Energy Materials on September 25, 2024.

Saclipins are natural compounds found in the edible cyanobacterium Aphanothece sacrum, known for their skincare benefits. A recent study by Professor Kageyama and his team evaluated the anti-aging potential of saclipins in skincare products and cosmetics. The study found that saclipins enhance collagen, hyaluronic acid production, inhibit elastase, and reduce melanin synthesis. Additionally, saclipins were found to have UV-absorbing properties and remain stable under heat and light, making them a promising ingredient for skincare products.

Osaka Metropolitan University researchers confirm using zebrafish that if a certain gene is not excluded when vertebrate embryos are developing, the notochord will not elongate properly, resulting in a shortened form.