In the search for eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic herbicides, researchers from Kyushu University, Japan, have identified a potent, weed-inhibiting compound in the leaves of the Manchurian walnut tree (Juglans mandshurica Maxim.). The discovery of the compound, 2Z-decaprenol, and its unique mode of action on plants could lead to the development of more sustainable herbicides. The study was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Single-photon sources are key components of quantum communication technologies. However, conventional designs use decoupled single-photon emitters and photon transmission methods, resulting in high transmission loss, limiting practical applicability. Now, researchers from Japan have developed a new method, where a single rare-earth ion is used to generate and guide single photons directly within an optical fiber at room temperature. It is low cost and can become a key component of upcoming quantum communication technologies.

Feedback is central to teacher education, yet little is known about how it can be delivered in real-time. A new study of language teacher education in Japan and South Korea shows how educators transform feedback into “reflect-ables”: concrete moments from microteaching that prompt reflection and guide professional growth. The researchers, using conversation analysis, demonstrate how feedback practices not only help assess teaching but also create opportunities for developing classroom interactional competence.

Why are we able to recall only some of our past experiences? A new study at the RIKEN Center for Brain Science in Japan has an answer. Spoiler Alert! The brain cells responsible for stabilizing memories aren’t neurons. Rather, they are astrocytes, a type of glial cell that is usually thought of as a role player in the game of learning and memory. Published in Nature, the study shows how emotionally intense experiences like fear biologically tag small groups of astrocytes for several days so that they can re-engage when a mouse recalls the experience. It is this repeated astrocytic engagement that stabilizes memories.

This study used the concept of reinforcement learning to explain the navigation of chemotactic cells toward sparsely distributed targets, showing how decentralized information processing through environmental interaction can lead to highly intelligent behavior. Simulations showed that groups of simple agents could navigate mazes more robustly than a more intelligent single agent. This demonstrates that decentralized teams of simple agents can efficiently process information as a group, with potential applications in medicine, artificial intelligence, and robotics.

Loneliness can be seen in a physical workplace, but remote work often hides the signs. To visualize communication and identify employees at risk in increasingly diverse work environments, researchers at Kyushu University analyzed workplace chat logs from platforms like Slack, and developed two new indicators—contribution to communication and strength of relationships between users. The team is now partnering with companies to explore wider practical applications.

Childhood trauma has often been linked to adverse mental health outcomes, but its impact on genetic changes often goes unnoticed. A new study at University of Fukui identified “epigenetic scars” in DNA, leading to structural alterations of brain regions related to emotional regulation, memory retrieval, and social cognition. Findings suggest that these biological markers may enable early detection, personalized treatment, and prevention of these effects—offering hope for breaking the intergenerational cycle of child abuse.