Researchers at Kumamoto University have made a significant breakthrough in the fight against COVID-19 with the development of Intelli-OVI, a cutting-edge diagnostic tool capable of rapidly identifying emerging variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This new system combines advanced DNA detection technology with computational algorithms to offer a quicker and more cost-effective method of monitoring viral mutations, which could play a crucial role in managing future pandemics.

A recent nationwide study conducted in Japan has revealed a substantial increase in overweight and obesity prevalence among the patients of the incident end-stage kidney disease (ESKD)  over a 14-year study period. Additionally, the study indicated that underweight individuals also constitutes a notable proportion of this patient population.

Maintaining good health and well-being is crucial for how well patients respond to cancer treatments. Unfortunately, cachexia, or involuntary weight loss, is a major concern for many individuals with advanced cancer. A new study from Japan has revealed that lower cachexia rates, particularly with prevalence less than 40–50%, are linked to shorter overall survival (OS) rates. The study also showed that the diagnostic criteria used for cachexia detection can affect the reported cachexia prevalence.

Why do mice have tails?

The answer to this is not as simple as you might think. New research from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) has shown that there’s more to the humble mouse tail than previously assumed. Using a novel experimental setup involving a tilting platform, high-speed videography and mathematical modelling, scientists have demonstrated how mice swing their tails like a whip to maintain balance – and these findings can help us better understand balance issues in humans, paving the way for spotting and treating neurodegenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease at earlier stages.

Researchers from the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST) and the University of Tokyo have designed bioinspired hydrogels capable of using sunlight to produce hydrogen and oxygen from water. Hydrogels contain polymer networks that facilitate energy conversion, offering a breakthrough approach to generating renewable hydrogen energy. This research shows how polymer-based systems could revolutionize sustainable energy production.

Osaka Metropolitan University researchers have found that administering the dried seeds of a type of jujube called Ziziphus jujuba Miller var. spinosa, used as a medicinal herb in traditional Chinese medicine, holds promise in restoring cognitive and motor function in model mice.

Sodium-containing transition-metal layered oxides are promising electrode materials for sodium-ion batteries, a potential alternative to lithium-ion batteries. However, the vast number of possible elemental compositions for their electrodes makes identifying optimal compositions challenging. In a recent study, researchers from Japan leveraged extensive experimental data and machine learning to predict the optimal composition of sodium-ion batteries. Their approach could help reduce time and resources needed during exploratory research, speeding up the transition to renewable energy.

Studying synapses in live human brains is crucial for understanding many psychiatric disorders. Now, using positron emission tomography of the brain of patients with psychiatric disorders, researchers from Japan have developed and used a novel technology to visualize the distribution of AMPA receptors, one of the most important molecules in synaptic transmission. Their efforts could lead to more accurate diagnosis and targeted treatments for diseases like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism spectrum disorder.