Research News

Mar. 18, 2026Research Highlight Biology

Building cellular skeletons in a dish
Researchers have used a light-based technique to create artificial structures that mimic the scaffolding of cells

Mar. 17, 2026Perspectives Physics / Astronomy

SPring‑8-II will transform the way we do science
RIKEN’s synchrotron is getting a major upgrade, enabling it to deliver 100 times more brilliant X-rays, reveal structures below one nanometer and halve its energy use.

Mar. 11, 2026Research Highlight Chemistry

Multi-metallic clusters selectively manipulate strong molecular skeletons
Titanium complexes cleanly edit the core skeleton of highly stable organic compounds

Mar. 11, 2026Research Highlight Biology

Taking the pressure off aging chromosomes during meiosis
Protein assemblies that relieve the strain on chromosome pairs during cell division could aid healthy reproduction in older parents

Mar. 5, 2026Research Highlight Biology

Pond creature exposes a parallel track for RNA processing
A newly decoded ‘splicing code’ in microalgae could open doors for bioengineering applications

Mar. 5, 2026Research Highlight Biology

Piecing together parasitic plant pathways
Determining the developmental pathway for an organ that parasitic plants use to siphon off nutrients from hosts could help scientists find ways to curb the parasite

Feb. 26, 2026Research Highlight Biology

How RNA binding selectivity arises from disordered regions
The disordered region of a protein is found to give rise to the protein’s selectivity when binding to RNA

Feb. 18, 2026Press Release Biology Medicine / Disease Computing / Math

Machine-learned biomarker identifies those at high risk for liver cancer

Feb. 17, 2026Research Highlight Physics / Astronomy

Less noise, more gain for quantum computers
A low-noise readout amplifier promises to accelerate progress on large-scale quantum computers

Feb. 16, 2026Press Release Biology

Pros and cons of pesticides and fertilizers in real-world mandarin orange farms

Feb. 12, 2026Research Highlight Biology

Unravelling the mysteries of glycosylation
The discovery of a key enzyme provides new insights into the genetic regulation of protein modification by sugars

Feb. 12, 2026Research Highlight Physics / Astronomy

Cutting down on quantum crosstalk
Precise measurements show that future quantum computers may need to correct for errors caused by interference between neighboring quantum dots

Feb. 6, 2026Research Highlight Physics / Astronomy

Quantum connections keep it local
Quantum correlations between more than two particles that give some quantum materials their exotic behavior can only exist over short distances

Feb. 2, 2026Research Highlight Chemistry

Analyzing an enigmatic enzyme with potential for new antibiotic drug discovery
An analysis of an unusual enzyme could result in a new generation of antimicrobial medicines to counter antibiotic resistance

Jan. 28, 2026Press Release Physics / Astronomy Engineering

Sculpting complex, 3D nanostructures with a focused ion beam

Jan. 27, 2026Research Highlight Biology

A peek inside the clockwork that drives embryonic body patterning
Sophisticated models of embryonic tissue reveal how coordinated cycles of gene expression guide body patterning

Jan. 14, 2026Research Highlight Physics / Astronomy

Reading qubits in an ultraclean environment
Microwaves should be able to probe qubits made from single electrons floating above liquid helium

Jan. 7, 2026Feature Highlight Biology Medicine / Disease

The curious links between cigarette smoking and inflammatory bowel disease
Researchers have discovered how inhaling tobacco smoke exerts opposite effects on the two main types of inflammatory bowel disease―Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Jan. 6, 2026Perspectives Computing / Math

Quantum computer and supercomputer powers combine
A RIKEN-led project is developing essential software that will seamlessly connect quantum computers with supercomputers, hugely amplifying the abilities of both.

Dec. 25, 2025Press Release Chemistry Engineering

The perfect plastic? Plant-based, fully saltwater degradable, zero microplastics