A research team at The University of Tokyo has discovered that inhalational anesthetics activate a protein called type 1 ryanodine receptor (RyR1), which contributes to the induction of general anesthesia.

This finding shed light on a long-standing mystery: the mechanism of action of inhalational anesthetics, which has remained only partially understood for nearly 180 years. A precise understanding of how anesthetics work could pave the way for the development of more effective anesthetic agents and improved methods of administration.

    Chuo University ELSI Center and The University of Osaka established the Research Center on Ethical, Legal and Social Issues (The University of Osaka ELSI Center) jointly hosted the "University ELSI Summit", a two-day event held on March 15^th and 16^th, 2025 (Saturday-Sunday) at Chuo University's Korakuen Campus (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan).

    ELSI (Ethical, Legal and Social Issues) and RRI (Responsible Research and Innovation) are seeing rapid development globally. These approaches are being examined across various fields both domestically and internationally. The ELSI University Summit focused on ELSI and RRI initiatives in academia and industry. These initiatives concentrate on research areas related to advanced AI and social challenges. The summit included reports from multiple stakeholders responsible for development, utilization, and regulation — including the business community, government agencies, educational institutions, science and engineering researchers, and humanities researchers. In addition, through Q&A sessions and panel discussions, the summit engaged in intensive discussions about their respective roles and the importance of collaboration. The event attracted a total of 607 on-site participants and online ones.

Researchers at the Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University observe and model how the enzyme ADAR1 interacts with double-stranded RNA, which may be useful for future cancer treatment strategies.

Disaster waste from earthquakes and tsunamis can severely delay recovery in coastal communities, but existing predictive models often ignore how damaged transportation networks can hinder waste disposal efforts. In a recent study, researchers developed a probabilistic framework that jointly models waste disposal and road network systems under seismic and tsunami hazards. By accounting for their interdependencies and restoration dynamics, the framework offers more realistic estimates of cleanup times and highlights key strategies to improve resilience.

A group from Nagoya University in Japan has succeeded in performing a previously difficult-to-perform reaction to build the bases that make the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons used in organic LEDs, transistors, and solar cell technology. Their technique allows the creation of these complex molecules in a new, cleaner, more efficient way by linking multiple aromatic rings together with a carbon-to-carbon bond.

Osaka Metropolitan University researchers found that solvent polarity significantly affects how well drugs can be loaded into metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), a promising drug delivery system. The study highlights the overlooked role of solvents in drug delivery and offers insights that could improve treatment precision and reduce side effects.