Oral mucositis is a painful condition in which the mucous membranes inside the mouth become inflamed. To help alleviate this, researchers at the Tokyo University of Science (TUS) have developed a mucoadhesive film using xyloglucan and antioxidant-rich green tea extract containing catechins. With its strong adhesive properties, the film directly adheres to the affected area. Made from accessible ingredients, this solution could provide localized relief and improve the quality of life for patients.

A group of researchers have analyzed thousands of reports from the past decade, identifying a tin-based catalyst that aids the production of formic acid, an indispensable chemical in various industries, and makes the process greener. 

The National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) has developed GenEditScan, a simple k-mer analysis tool and is available for free on GitHub website. k-mer analysis is used for detecting foreign DNA in genome-edited crops using next-generation sequencers. The publication of GenEditScan is expected to accelerate the research on genome-edited crops.

Osaka Metropolitan University scientists have developed an artificial photosynthesis technology that produces precursors of biodegradable nylon from biomass-derived compounds and ammonia.

Natural compounds from plants and animals have long been used in drug development, but mushrooms remain underexplored despite their rich chemical potential. Now, researchers from Japan have successfully developed the first method to synthesize inaoside A, a compound derived from the edible mushroom Laetiporus cremeiporus. This achievement will help better understand more of its bioactive properties and pave the way for similar mushroom-derived compounds in pharmaceuticals and functional foods.

With the increasing number of foreign residents, the importance of Japanese language education is on the rise. Starting from the academic year 2024, Kobe University has been designated as the Kinki regional hub school for MEXT’s “Japanese language teacher training and development promotion hub project.” This comes at a time when the landscape of teacher training is undergoing significant changes, such as the establishment of a national qualification for Japanese language teachers, which allows for “registered Japanese language teachers,” starting this year. What role will Kobe University play as a hub school in this evolving environment? We spoke with Professor ISHIKAWA Shin’ichiro of the Graduate School of Intercultural Studies, who is in charge of the project, about specific initiatives and future prospects.

The “Open Seminar” is a forum for dialogue between researchers and citizens on themes such as disaster prevention and recovery. Organized once a month by the Kobe University Research Center for Urban Safety and Security, its 300th session will be held in November 2024. The series started in May 1997, about two years after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. It was initiated by Professor Emeritus MUROSAKI Yoshiteru (then a professor at the Faculty of Engineering), who deeply felt the importance of disseminating information to the public after the disaster claimed the lives of over 6,000 people. As we approach the 30th anniversary of the disaster in January next year, starting this September, researchers from various fields will be invited each month to discuss the theme “30 years since the earthquake and the future.”

With the increasing impact of climate change becoming more and more tangible, achieving carbon neutrality—net-zero greenhouse gas emissions—has become an urgent priority.

The key is hydrogen, often referred to as the ultimate energy medium. Hydrogen does not emit carbon dioxide (CO₂) when burned and can be obtained from a variety of sources. In November 2023, Kobe University established the Research Center for Hydrogen Energy Technology (HyTec), which is engaged in research with an eye toward the future.

In nature, phenomena involving multiple fluctuations often arise interactively. At the ASDEX Upgrade^*1 experimental device in Germany, two plasma fluctuations driven by energetic particles have been observed in conjunction. Assistant Professor Hao Wang and Professor Yasushi Todo of the National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS), in collaboration with researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in Germany, successfully reproduced the coupled generation of the two fluctuations using a simulation code developed at NIFS and performed on a supercomputer. Through detailed analysis, they clarified that as the first fluctuation grew, the distribution function^*2 of the energetic particles was significantly deformed, which caused the second fluctuation to occur in conjunction. Energetic particles and fluctuations are deeply involved in maintaining the high-temperature plasma necessary for the realization of fusion energy. This achievement will greatly contribute to research in these areas.

Juvenile dolphins were found to have specialized receptors for fatty acids on their tongues, offering new insights into their growth and feeding habits.