Japan has five potential consumer segments for Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA), with “Sustainable Food Seekers” showing the highest interest—as shown by scientists from Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo). Unlike other countries, “Food Education and Learning Opportunities” and “Contribution to Environmental and Social Issues” majorly influenced Japanese consumers’ intentions to participate in CSA. These findings could help CSA organizations, policymakers, and producers develop tailored strategies to promote CSA participation in Japan.

Professor Tatia M.C. Lee, Chair Professor of Psychological Science and Clinical Psychology and May Professor in Neuropsychology at the Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Hong Kong (HKU), has attained the 9th Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Award (Humanities and Social Sciences) (2nd Prize) from the Ministry of Education (MoE).  This Award recognises Professor Lee's publication "Qigong exercise enhances cognitive functions in the elderly via an interleukin-6-hippocampus pathway: A randomised active-controlled trial" published in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity (Vol. 95, 2021).

The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) is pleased to announce the results of its 2025 election and to welcome new leaders to the ISSCR Executive Committee and Board of Directors.

Fiona Doetsch, Ph.D., Biozentrum, University of Basel, Switzerland, will serve as the new Vice President. Professor Doetsch is recognized for her groundbreaking research on identifying adult neural stem cells, pioneering widely used assays in the field, and elucidating the roles of adult neural stem cells in brain plasticity.

Lee Rubin, Ph.D., Harvard University Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, USA, will serve as Treasurer, bringing extensive expertise in iPSCs, neurodegenerative diseases, and biotech. His work has led to significant drug discoveries, and he has founded several biotech companies.

Megan Munsie, Ph.D., Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and University of Melbourne, Australia, will serve as Clerk. Dr. Munsie combines expertise in developmental biology with a focus on the ethical, legal, and societal implications of stem cell science. Her work has influenced global policy reforms and public education globally.

Researchers explored the long-term effects of preschool expansion in Japan in the 1960s, revealing significant reductions in risky behaviors amongst teenagers. By analyzing regional differences in the rollout of the program, the study identified links between early childhood education and lower rates of juvenile violent arrests and teenage pregnancy. The findings suggest that improved noncognitive skills played a key role in mitigating risky behaviors, highlighting the lasting benefits of early-education policies.