A research group in Japan has suggested that ash from volcanic eruptions on Nishinoshima Island—part of Japan's Ogasawara Islands—led to a temporary surge in phytoplankton levels in the seawater around Mukojima Island, which is located 130 km northeast of Nishinoshima. The study indicates that ash from the eruptions was transported by wind and ocean currents to the waters around Mukojima, serving as a nutrient source for phytoplankton growth in that area. The findings suggest that volcanic ash can enhance the productivity of marine waters even at considerable distances from the volcanic site.

Osaka Metropolitan University researchers investigated the impact of voluntary division of roles on performing a task.

A rock described as a flaky pastry may sound delicate, but researchers at Tohoku University found that when they fold under compressive forces in just the right way, they can actually be strong. These findings may help with earthquake risk assessment.

Researchers at University of Tsukuba have identified key characteristics underlying the high enzyme production capacity of the koji fungus Aspergillus oryzae. During cultivation, the fungal hyphae thicken progressively, leading to a tenfold increase in cell volume and nuclear number. This expansion boosts transcription and translation activity per hypha, thereby enhancing the fungus's overall enzyme production capacity.