Scientists from Japan developed cellulose nanofiber-carbon fiber composite films with high in-plane heat conductivity to assist in heat dissipation Heat dissipation is essential for maintaining the performance of electronic devices. However, efficient heat dissipation is a major concern for thin-film electronics since conventional heat sinks are bulky. Researchers from Japan…

New study shows overconfidence and the income-ability gap play a role in preferences for income equality Income inequality is at an all-time high worldwide. Now, researchers at the Tokyo University of Science have observed that overconfidence plays an important role in how people view their individual ability to earn. They…

Scientists elucidate the regulatory mechanisms underlying “autophagy” mediated competitive elimination of cancer cells Elimination of transformed cells that can initiate cancer is necessary to maintain tissue integrity. In a new study, scientists from Tokyo University of Science show how this mechanism is regulated by the cellular process “autophagy.” They…

Scientists from Japan demonstrate the possibility of reconstructing common brain input signals from the firing rates of neurons Understanding the synchronized responses of neurons in our brain to a common input is key to uncovering how it processes information. But, outside lab experiments, these common inputs are usually unknown. Can…

A new study evaluating historical changes in the rates of unique names in Japan from 1979 to 2018 found rising trends of individualism An analysis of baby names published in municipality newsletters between 1979 and 2018 by Assistant Professor Yuji Ogihara of Tokyo University of Science and Atsuki Ito of…

A new study proposes a method of foam stabilization that could be used to make highly efficient hand sanitizers. As the world adapts to the post-COVID era, disinfectants have become an irreplaceable part of life. Foam disinfectants are excellent but suffer from foam destabilization when mixed with high ethanol concentrations…

Researchers from Japan adopt a reinforcement learning-based approach to study the process of fluid mixing during laminar flow Fluid mixing is an important part of several industrial processes and chemical reactions. However, the process often relies on trial-and-error-based experiments instead of mathematical optimization. While turbulent mixing is effective, it cannot…

Scientists provide mechanistic details on the regulation of cellular uptake of external materials Endocytosis is a cellular process of bringing in different types of materials from the outside. Several molecular players orchestrate the process. Scientists from Tokyo University of Science have shed light on how the various molecules are recruited…

Researchers develop a method to determine the number of samples required for accurate assessment of microplastic contamination in urban rivers Microplastic (MP) contamination is a worldwide concern. Despite this, there is no standard method for assessing MP concentrations in rivers, which are the main entry points of MPs into oceans…