Researchers from the Cognitive Neurotechnology Unit, Vision and Action Laboratory, and Visual Perception and Cognition Laboratory in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Toyohashi University of Technology have conducted a psychophysical study using virtual reality (VR) to investigate how humans flexibly use exploratory behaviors—such as changing their viewpoint by moving their head and manipulating objects with their hands—when discriminating the material properties of objects. Participants wore a head-mounted display and freely observed and manipulated virtual objects while judging whether each object appeared more metallic or more glass-like. The results showed that the more ambiguous the material was between metal and glass, the more actively participants explored it by moving their heads and hands. Moreover, individual differences in these exploratory behaviors were associated with a tendency to discriminate material properties more accurately. The researchers also found that participants flexibly switched their exploration strategies depending on the viewing context: they relied more on head movements to change their viewpoint when multiple objects could be compared simultaneously, whereas they relied more on hand movements to manipulate the object when only a single object was available for observation. These findings suggest that human material perception may rely not only on passively seeing an object, but also on actively seeking the visual information needed for material discrimination by moving the head and hands.

The study was published in Journal of Vision on June 8, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1167/jov.26.6.4

A new perspective article in Biocontaminant proposes a three-part evolutionary framework for using bacteriophages to better control antimicrobial resistance.

Grazing animals return most of the nitrogen they consume back to the land through urine and dung. In grasslands, these nutrient-rich patches can become hotspots for nitrous oxide, or N₂O, a powerful greenhouse gas and ozone-depleting substance. But what happens when urine and dung overlap in the same place, as often occurs where animals gather near shelters, water points, or resting areas?

A non-genetically modified brewing yeast that accumulates high levels of ornithine has been developed, providing a new strategy for value-added fermentation. Using traditional microbial breeding, whole-genome sequencing, and structural modeling, the study identifies a single ARG6 mutation that enhances ornithine production while preserving normal brewing performance. The findings establish a practical route toward ornithine-enriched craft beer and other functional fermented beverages, while bridging natural microbial resources with modern fermentation biotechnology.

A new study shows that an intelligent optimization strategy can make hybrid residential microgrids cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable by coordinating solar power, wind power, diesel backup, and battery storage.

Announcing a new publication from Opto-Electronic Technology; DOI 10.29026/oet.2026.260012.

Announcing a new publication from Opto-Electronic Technology; DOI   10.29026/oet.2026.260010.