Kyoto, Japan -- Explosions in the sky and explosions on land are literally worlds apart. A supernova and a land mine explosion don't seem like they would have much in common. But at the fine level, their mechanisms are not so different: the so-called cell structure appears at the smallest scale, which provides the most important criterion in predicting the success or failure of terrestrial detonation in a land-mine explosion.

Terrestrial and astrophysical detonations are basically dictated by the same theories for their time-averaged characteristics. Terrestrial cell-based theories, however -- such as those that explain a land mine explosion -- have not yet been applied as criteria for astrophysical detonation.

Motivated by the potential of this theoretical analogy, an interdisciplinary research team of engineers and astrophysicists at Kyoto University recently joined together to better understand how type Ia supernovae explode.

Within the next decade, space agencies plan to bring samples of rock from Mars to Earth for study. Of concern is the possibility these samples contain life, which could have unforeseen consequences. Therefore, researchers in this field strive to create methods to detect life. For the first time, researchers, including those from the University of Tokyo and NASA, successfully demonstrated a method to detect life in ancient rocks analogous to those found on Mars.

Chiba University proudly presents the International Workshop on Space Agriculture and Horticulture 2025, a groundbreaking event set to take place from March 9–11, 2025, at Matsudo Campus, Japan.

Bringing together leading researchers, industry pioneers, and space agencies—including NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the German Aerospace Center (DLR)—this landmark workshop will explore the frontiers of space agriculture and horticulture.

The workshop aims to foster a deeper understanding of research initiatives across institutions worldwide, focusing on space horticulture, bioregenerative life support systems, and plant cultivation beyond Earth.

Through dynamic discussions and interdisciplinary collaboration, we seek to forge new pathways for future collaborative research, driving the next era of sustainable life in space.

We warmly welcome researchers, postgraduate students, industry professionals, and academic communities worldwide to join us in shaping the future of food production beyond our planet.

Mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (mtDNA) plays a crucial role in energy production and abnormalities in mtDNA are linked to various diseases. However, its regulatory mechanism remains insufficiently understood. Researchers have now uncovered the role of mitochondrial transcription elongation factor in maintaining the balance between mtDNA transcription and replication. These findings provide valuable insights into mtDNA regulatory mechanism, potentially paving the way for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of diseases and aging.

Concrete structures in Japan capture and store about 14% of the CO₂ emissions released during cement production, according to a new study by Japanese researchers. Their findings provide crucial insights for offsetting CO₂ emissions from cement production, which is responsible for approximately 8% of global carbon emissions.

A newly developed pentanuclear iron complex (Fe5-PCz(ClO₄)₃) can offer an efficient, stable, and cost-effective solution for water oxidation. By electrochemically polymerizing the complex, researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo obtained a polymer-based catalyst, poly-Fe5-PCz, and achieved water oxidation with up to 99% Faradaic efficiency and exceptional stability, even under rigorous conditions. This breakthrough offers a scalable alternative to rare metal catalysts, advancing hydrogen production and energy storage for renewable energy.

Researchers at Tohoku University have found one more reason to quit smoking: the inhalation of first-hand and/or second-hand smoke may lead to placental abruption in pregnant mothers.

The insect Anomala albopilosa has an exoskeleton that reflects circularly polarized light. Researchers at the University of Tsukuba have coated the surface of its exoskeleton with an electrically conductive polymer, polyaniline. By combining the color change caused by the oxidation and reduction of polyaniline with the exoskeleton's properties of reflecting circularly polarized light, the researchers have crafted a new polymer element that can modulate the reflection intensity of the circularly polarized light.

Researchers at Osaka University show that Cartan's First Structure Equation, which relates to edge and screw dislocations in crystal lattices, can be recast in the same form as a basic mathematical formula that governs the behavior of electric currents and magnetic fields. This work can help make new concepts more understandable by employing more familiar frameworks.