Tokyo, Japan – Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have developed a new dye that can strongly absorb second near-IR radiation and transform it to heat. Starting with a dye from the bile pigment family, they designed a unique ring structure which can bind rhodium and iridium. Measurements and modeling revealed strong second near-IR absorptions and exceptional photostability. Second near-IR waves easily penetrate human tissue; the new dye may be applied in deep tissue therapies and imaging.

The novel iron-based catalyst exhibits superior performance for ammonia (NH₃) synthesis compared to a well-established, century-old counterpart, as reported by researchers at Science Tokyo. By designing this new catalyst with an inverse structure, they managed to boost the NH₃ production rate per volume of catalyst beyond levels never reached by conventional catalysts. These findings could lead us to more efficient NH₃ synthesis, which is crucial to the agricultural and chemical industries.  

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A research led by PhD candidate Mital Chakma and associate professor Kojiro Matsuo from the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering at Toyohashi University of Technology has highlighted the contribution of “Traffic park (TP)” to children traffic safety education. Using Toyohashi TP as a case study, the research evaluates how frequent TP usage improves children's traffic rule awareness and behavioral intentions, ultimately fostering safer mobility habits.

A new theory predicts one of the effects of macroscopic mechanical forces on mechanochemical organic synthesis by a ball mill.

A breakthrough study reveals that the Shoot-Silicon-Signal (SSS) protein plays a crucial role in managing silicon uptake and distribution in rice and other grasses. This study sheds light on how SSS helps plants adapt to environmental stresses. Understanding the role of silicon could provide valuable information on crop resilience and solutions to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability, especially in the face of climate change.

V-161, a novel compound targeting the Na⁺-V-ATPase enzyme in vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE), significantly reduces bacterial growth and colonization. A recent study has demonstrated a promising approach for fighting antibiotic resistance by identifying a compound, V-161, that inhibits a sodium-pumping enzyme critical for VRE survival under alkaline conditions in the intestine while preserving beneficial bacteria. This breakthrough offers hope for treating hospital infections and tackling the global threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.