A research group led by Associate Professor Tetsuya Muramoto from the Faculty of Science, Toho University, has established a CRISPR genome editing technique that enables comparative analysis of the evolution of multicellularity across different species of social amoebas (cellular slime molds). Until now, genetic studies had been largely restricted to a single model species, limiting cross-species comparisons.These findings were published in the scientific journal Scientific Reports on February 5, 2026.

With the speed at which technology advances, there is little room for suboptimal performance and out-of-date tech. Precise positioning is a field where advancement is needed, as many conventional applications feature tools that are much larger than the objects being worked upon, making high precision a difficult task. Additionally, those that are highly precise have a limited range of motion. Researchers did not want to compromise, and instead set out to create a highly precise machine with a wide range of motion, and were able to do so by developing a palm-sized, precise positioning robot making use of piezoelectric actuators.

Results were published in Advanced Intelligence Systems in January 2026.

This study builds upon previous research by establishing a synergistic model that links oxidative stress, membrane permeability, and energy metabolism to elucidate the mechanism of DIBP-induced ARG conjugation. These findings further expand our understanding of PAE specificity in promoting ARG dissemination, highlighting the distinct role of branched-chain isomers compared to their straight-chain counterparts.

Researchers have discovered how tiny organisms break the laws of physics to swim faster — such secrets of mesoscale physics and fluid dynamics can offer entirely new pathways for engineering and medicine.

Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology publishes studies that examine the environmental chemistry (distribution, dynamics and fate) of pollutants, the biologic and toxic effects of man-made chemical pollutants on ecotoxicological animal models and plants.

For autonomous driving, UAV tracking and beyond, light detection and ranging (LiDAR) is a core 3D imaging technology. Recently, scientists in China developed a LiDAR architecture integrating an astigmatic metalens (AML) with spectral-acoustic coordinated scanning, achieving 36.6 MHz frame-wise point acquisition rate, 102° wide FOV, and 0.37° angular resolution simultaneously. This breakthrough redefines LiDAR’s potential for ultra-high-speed, high-precision perception, enhancing applications such as autonomous driving with improved obstacle detection and safety at high speeds.