Latest news with #InstituteofScienceTokyo
Yomiuri Shimbun
2 days ago
- Health
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan Team Finds ‘Villain' Cells Alleviate Lung Inflammation
TOKYO (Jiji Press) — A Japanese research team has found that cells often labeled 'villains' for their roles in atopic dermatitis and asthma can alleviate lung inflammation. The team of researchers from the Institute of Science Tokyo has discovered that basophils, or immune cells present in very small numbers in the blood, play a crucial role in recovery from acute respiratory distress syndrome, or ARDS, which occurs in severe pneumonia and similar conditions. The findings, published on July 31 in the European Respiratory Journal, may pave the way for new treatments. ARDS is triggered by severe pneumonia or sepsis and causes significant inflammation in the lungs. Mechanical ventilation is often required, with the fatality rate reaching 30% to 50%. But no effective drug therapy has been established. Associate Prof. Kensuke Miyake and other members of the team observed the recovery process using mice that exhibited ARDS-like symptoms. They found that basophils gather in the lungs during the recovery phase and secrete a substance called interleukin-4, which alleviates inflammation by suppressing the activity of neutrophils, or immune cells that contribute to inflammation. Mice in which the functions of basophils and interleukin-4 were blocked showed prolonged lung inflammation and worse symptoms, supporting their essential role in recovery. The team describes the research result as a 'discovery that defies conventional wisdom.'
The Mainichi
5 days ago
- Science
- The Mainichi
Retro Japan: University auditorium in Tokyo a timeless space of sound and light
TOKYO -- A university auditorium in the Japanese capital built with inexpensive materials and cost-saving methods has offered a timeless space of sound and light. Located on the Ookayama Campus of the Institute of Science Tokyo (formerly Tokyo Institute of Technology) in Meguro Ward, the 70th Anniversary Auditorium was constructed utilizing the area's sloped terrain. Designed by architect Yoshiro Taniguchi (1904-1979), renowned for works such as the Togu Gosho, now known as the Sento Imperial Palace, in Tokyo, the auditorium was completed nearly 70 years ago. The cost to build it was covered by donations from alumni and staff, leading to the use of inexpensive materials and cost-saving measures in its construction. Facing the slope covered in grass on the south side, the auditorium features a barrel-vaulted roof, horizontal eaves and a series of tall, narrow windows. As one enters the building, the intersecting horizontal and vertical lines of the exterior give way to a soft curved ceiling, seating arranged along the slope, and concrete blocks at the back of the stage. These blocks are curved, creating a tranquil atmosphere. Inside the auditorium, the north side features zigzag lauan wood slats, intentionally creating gaps that enhance sound absorption. The tall, narrow windows on the south side also provide excellent acoustics. Observing the light diffusing through the wooden lattices, one can momentarily forget the passage of time. (Japanese original by Akihiro Ogomori, Photo and Video Department) * * * The Japanese version of this article was originally published on May 7, 2023. * * * This series explores Japan's architectural wonders and secrets of yesteryear. Read more Retro Japan articles here.
Scoop
01-07-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Fluoride Has Greater Benefits For Vulnerable Children
Water fluoridation is effective in preventing tooth decay overall, but there are greater benefits for children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, University of Queensland research has found. Professor Loc Do from UQ's School of Dentistry, and researchers from the Institute of Science Tokyo, Japan and the University of Adelaide, conducted a study that examined Australian children's exposure to fluoridated water and compared it to demographic factors such as socioeconomic status, parental background and geography. 'This is the first high-level scientific study that shows water fluoridation as a population strategy reduces socioeconomic inequalities in children's oral health,' Professor Do said. 'We found while water fluoridation helps prevent tooth cavities across the board, it is more beneficial for vulnerable populations.' Researchers analysed oral health data of 17,500 children aged 5 to 14, which was captured during the National Child Oral Health Study (NCOHS) in 2012-2014. 'Tooth decay is one of the most prevalent diseases and impacts more than 2.5 billion people globally,' Professor Do said. 'While there is a lot of scientific evidence that water fluoridation as population strategy prevents dental cavities, there is little known about how water fluoridation impacts health inequalities – and that's what we wanted to explore. 'We looked at the data of children who had been fully, or never, exposed to fluoridated water, so we could capture the effect of fluoride on preventing tooth decay. 'Using a unique algorithm, we then analysed this data alongside 47 different child demographic, socioeconomic and parental factors. Associate Professor Yusuke Matsuyama, from the Institute of Science Tokyo said children who had been exposed to fluoridated water over their entire lifespan had dental health benefits, but those benefits were much greater for children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. 'Children fully exposed to fluoride made up 58.1 per cent of the group we analysed, and we found they were more likely to have higher household socioeconomic status, lower area-level socioeconomic disadvantage, better dental health and private dental insurance,' Dr Matsuyama said. 'But when looking at the actual benefits of fluoridated water, we found that the group to have the most benefits were more likely to be children from single-parent households, with lower household income, have parents not working, and live in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas.' Professor Do said these results confirmed the universal impact of water fluoridation for everyone in the communities, regardless of their conditions and abilities. 'The benefits were relatively larger for those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds because those groups have poorer dental health due to multitude of factors such as access to dental care. 'These results show that water fluoridation helps reduce the gaps.' The research is published in International Journal of Epidemiology. NCOHS 2012-14 was funded by an NHMRC Partnership Grant administered by the University of Adelaide, in collaboration with state and territory dental services.
Kyodo News
01-07-2025
- Climate
- Kyodo News
M5.1 quake jolts southwestern Japan islands, no tsunami alert issued
TOKYO - An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.1 struck off the Tokara Islands in southwestern Japan, with no tsunami alert issued, the weather agency said Monday. The 6:33 p.m. temblor measured a lower 5 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7 on Akuseki Island, which is part of the island chain in Kagoshima Prefecture. There have been no reports of damage so far, according to the prefectural government and police. The quake occurred west of Akuseki Island at a depth of 30 kilometers, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The agency has been urging residents to stay alert, as the Tokara island chain and its vicinity have experienced over 670 earthquakes with a seismic intensity scale of 1 or higher between June 21 and 7:00 p.m. Monday. The district meteorological observatory monitoring the area said the frequency of quakes has fluctuated and activity has continued, adding that several strong quakes have struck Akuseki Island throughout Monday afternoon. Junichi Nakajima, professor at Institute of Science Tokyo, said, "There is a possibility of an earthquake similar to the magnitude 6.1 that hit in 2021, or an even larger one." He warned of a tsunami if a temblor nears magnitude 7. Yoshiro Tobo, principal of an elementary and junior high school with 14 students on the island, said he had confirmed everyone was safe but added he felt "fearful" about the possibility of quakes occurring at night. About 90 people live on Akuseki Island, according to the local government.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Researchers discover game-changing method to unlock clean water for billions of people: 'Can also be used to distill groundwater'
What if a hunk of hot metal could unlock clean water for billions of people? A team of researchers in Japan has developed a groundbreaking new method — and it's powered by something as abundant as sunlight. A team led by associate professor Masatoshi Kondo at the Institute of Science Tokyo, has developed a method to use liquid tin to desalinate seawater and recover valuable metals simultaneously, utilizing solar heat as the primary energy source. Unlike traditional desalination, which consumes significant amounts of electricity and generates toxic brine, this method is low-waste, low-energy, and high-reward. "Unlike conventional methods, large consumption of electricity is not necessary, enabling the development of a sustainable process," said Dr. Kondo. Over four billion people experience water scarcity each year, and the demand for clean drinking water continues to increase. Traditional desalination can help — but it's costly, energy-hungry, and generates an estimated over five billion cubic feet of brine daily. That's enough to fill around 50,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools, often dumped back into oceans where it harms marine life. This is where Dr. Kondo and his research team come in. Co-authored by doctoral student Toranosuke Horikawa, then-bachelor student Mahiro Masuda, and assistant professor Minho Oh from Science Tokyo, their study aims not only to find a simple solution to desalination but also to transform the brine from an environmental issue into a resource. Kondo's team flips the script by using the brine as a resource instead of waste. Here's how it works. Brine is sprayed onto molten tin. The heated tin evaporates the water, leaving behind a mix of useful metals, including magnesium, calcium, and potassium. As the tin cools, it releases these metals for recovery. Meanwhile, the steam condenses into distilled fresh water. This isn't just a lab curiosity — it's a game-changer for public health, especially in areas hardest hit by drought, contamination, or poor infrastructure. Researchers can also adapt the process to treat polluted groundwater, including arsenic-contaminated sources that pose a threat to millions worldwide. And because it relies on heat — ideally from solar power — it could bring clean water access to off-grid or resource-limited communities. "The proposed technology … can also be used to distill groundwater polluted with arsenic without consuming large amounts of energy or producing waste," Dr. Kondo added. Though still in the research phase, this discovery could mark a major leap forward in sustainable water treatment. It tackles two issues at once — clean water access and resource recovery — while keeping environmental impact low. If scaled successfully, it could reduce costs, decrease pollution, and help stabilize ecosystems affected by over-extraction and drought. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
