News archive

27 September 2023 05:00

Alyref and Gabpb1 -- Gene Targets to Overcome Preimplantation Arrest in Cloned Embryos Discovered -- Kindai University

Japanese scientists have now discovered the specific genes responsible for this phenomenon. Their findings show that the incomplete activation of the Alyref and Gabpb1 genes causes early embryonic arrest, while the supplementation of these genes supports normal embryonic growth. These findings could guide genetic manipulation strategies to optimize animal cloning.

7 September 2023 05:00

Possible Existence of Earth-Like Planet Predicted in the Outskirts of the Solar System -- Kindai University

Now, based on detailed computer simulations of the early outer solar system, researchers from Japan predict the possibility of an undiscovered Earth-like planet beyond Neptune orbiting the Sun. Should this prediction come true, it could revolutionize our understanding of the history of the solar system.

6 July 2023 05:00

Elucidating the Mechanism of Aldosterone Overproduction by Adenomas Presents Novel Hypertension Drug Target -- Kindai University

Now, a global consortium of researchers has pinpointed that non-inheritable mutations within the cell adhesion molecule 1 (CADM1) gene of these "aldosterone-producing adenomas (APAs)" inhibit communication between aldosterone-producing cells, resulting in hormonal overproduction. These findings provide a potent new target for the development of drugs to treat hypertension caused by APAs.

27 June 2023 01:30

Barcoding Invisible Life: Detection of Arthropods Using Environmental DNA Collected from Plant Runoff -- Kindai University

A team of researchers from Japan has recently developed a non-destructive ‘metabarcoding’ method for collecting the environmental DNA of terrestrial arthropod communities from water flowing over plant surfaces, which could revolutionize how we document terrestrial arthropods.

21 June 2023 05:36

New Study Sheds Light on Chemotherapy Resistance in Pancreatic Cancer Cells for Improved Therapeutics -- Kindai University

Advanced pancreatic cancer is typically treated with chemotherapeutic drugs like gemcitabine. However, resistance to these drugs over time may result in treatment failure. Researchers from Japan have now revealed the genetic mechanisms behind this drug resistance.

6 June 2023 10:00

Treating Autoimmune Pancreatitis Without Steroids: Researchers Develop Novel Approach

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is usually treated with steroids, which may cause severe side effects. Now, researchers from Japan suggest that the selective activation of the transcription factor - aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) - could inhibit the development of AIP with minimal side effects.

21 April 2023 10:57

First time selling of aosa miso soup with Kindai tuna backbone broth in the U.S.: To be introduced at the Wakayama Fair in Hawaii and California -- Kindai University

- First time selling of “aosa miso soup with Kindai tuna backbone extract” overseas - Selected as a local specialty product to be introduced at the Wakayama Fair in multiple markets in the United States

26 December 2022 00:00

First report of quantitative analysis on the number of strawberry powdery mildew conidia produced in a lifetime -- Hopes of suppressing powdery mildew fungi without over-reliance on agricultural chemicals -- Kindai University

- Analyzed the number of progeny conidia dispersed in a lifetime from a single strawberry powdery mildew colony - Revealed that the releases of progeny conidia from the colonies are affected by the day length and light intensity - These results could connect to a new method of disease controls that are independent of agricultural chemicals

23 December 2022 04:51

Indicator molecule determined for mitochondrial toxicity arising from side effects of medicine -- High hopes of application to a new method of toxicity assessment in drug development -- Kindai University

- Conducted metabolomic analysis on human hepatoma cell lines which were exposed to mitochondrial toxic compounds - Utilized bioinformatics to identify the indicator molecule which determines the mechanism of mitochondrial toxicity - These results could be applied to a new toxicity assessment method in the drug development field

14 November 2022 05:33

First report of a begomovirus species infecting tomato plants in Okinawa -- Virus invasion from overseas poses a threat to tomato production across Japan -- Kindai University

- A species of begomovirus yet to be reported in Japan has been identified in Okinawa-grown tomatoes - The newly identified begomovirus is prone to cause disease in virus-resistant tomatoes - The study alerts for the invasion of foreign viruses to the tomato producing areas across Japan

27 October 2022 02:23

Elucidation of pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease: Leading to new treatment methods for refractory inflammatory bowel diseases -- Kindai University

- The team discovered that type I interferon, one of the inflammatory cytokines, is involved in exacerbation of inflammatory bowel disease. - An enzyme that inhibits the activity of type I interferons has been identified as a novel therapeutic target for inflammatory bowel disease. - This research offers insights into the development of new treatments for intractable inflammatory bowel disease.

27 September 2022 07:33

Revealing the mechanism of immunity activation by extracellular vesicles from lactobacillus: Leading to deep understanding of the bacteria in our daily food and insights into better intestinal environment -- Kindai University

Elucidated the mechanism of immune cell activation by extracellular vesicles of lactobacillus Identified outer surface proteins of extracellular vesicles that affect immune activation The findings of this research will lead to the development of technologies to improve intestinal environment and to maintain healthy physical functions.