Versatile molecular frameworks called discrete supramolecular structures act like microscopic building blocks customizable for a wide variety of applications. The structures can serve in drug delivery, provide unique environments for catalytic reactions or plug into a molecular machine.

In a concert, members of the audience can respond emotionally to music, owing to their biological synchronization to the audio input. However, the mechanism underlying this biological response is unclear. Now, a pioneering study has found that music-induced heart-rate synchronization is highly correlated within an individual, compared to between two randomly selected individuals. It has been determined that individual differences in cognition reduce the consistency in physiological responses and affect synchronization.

Although menstrual cups (MCs) are a sustainable alternative to sanitary napkins and tampons, their adoption remains quite limited for reasons that are not entirely clear. Now, in a recent study, an international research team sought to understand consumers’ preferences regarding menstrual products through online surveys. Their efforts reveal that the cost-effectiveness of MCs may be their strongest selling point, and that promotional strategies tailored to each country could make MCs the more popular option. 

Three-dimensional (3D) imaging enables the accurate visualization of internal tissues and provides important structural information at the cellular level. However, imaging techniques like light sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) are inaccessible due to their high cost and complexity. To address these obstacles, Juntendo University team from Japan developed a new LSFM system called descSPIM — desktop-equipped selective plane illumination microscopy (SPIM) for cleared tissue sample imaging. Its promising applications were further validated in animal studies.

An Osaka Metropolitan University medical team has developed a minimally invasive neurosurgical technique using an endoscope for the removal of tumors in the base of the skull. The results compare favorably with the conventional microscopic approach, with the added benefit of shorter operative times, less blood loss, and smaller craniotomies.An Osaka Metropolitan University medical team has developed a minimally invasive neurosurgical technique using an endoscope for the removal of tumors in the base of the skull. The results compare favorably with the conventional microscopic approach, with the added benefit of shorter operative times, less blood loss, and smaller craniotomies.

Melanin is a ubiquitous compound in nature, produced by many organisms. However, its potential as a biomass resource to produce value-added chemicals and materials remains relatively unexplored. In a recent study, researchers from Japan investigated the chemical decomposition of melanin derived from cuttlefish ink and showcased its application in the synthesis of biopolymer films and particles. Their efforts will hopefully pave the way to the adoption of melanin upcycling.

Doxepin is an antihistaminic, antidepressant, and sleeping aid that has two geometric isomers—molecules with equal chemical formulas but different 3D arrangements. While its Z-isomer is known to be more effective than its E-isomer, the precise nature of its binding to the histamine H₁ receptor remained elusive. Now, in a recent study, researchers from Japan thoroughly addressed this knowledge gap through an innovative experimental protocol, paving the way to next-generation antihistamines with fewer side effects.

Researchers from Osaka University have identified that the loss of the Men1 gene is key in the development of osteoporosis, fragile bones occurring with age. They developed a mouse model of age-related cellular aging, or ‘senescence’, in the bone for the first time. This showed that cellular senescence of bone-forming osteoblasts leads to osteoporosis due to an imbalance between the activities of bone formation and bone resorption, opening avenues for drug intervention and novel treatments.

Bringing us one step closer to solving the “missing satellites problem,” researchers at Tohoku University and abroad have discovered two new satellite galaxies.

Many neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson’s disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), are very difficult to diagnose and study in living subjects. Now, researchers from Japan have successfully developed a chemical radiotracer that binds to α-synuclein fibrils, harmful protein aggregates typically seen in PD and DLB pathologies. Their efforts could make these diseases diagnosable based on background pathology via tomography and help with the development of effective treatments and drugs.