Science News 2014(English Edition)

SACLA was completed in 2011, only the second XFEL facility in the world after the one established in the U.S. Various initiatives are now underway to use this new form of light for basic research and for industrial use. The method of observing living cells using this new light is the first development of its kind in the world. (Published Online First: Jul 17, 2014)

Running Time : 5minutes Overview: The practical use of hydrogen energy is now a reality with fuel cell vehicles that run on electricity generated by the chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen coming onto the market. To achieve a fully-functioning hydrogen society, however, technological innovation in the production, transportation and storage of hydrogen is required. For example, though hydrogen emits only water when used, it is still involved with the emission of CO2 during its manufacture, depending on the material used. In addition, poor efficiencies during transportation and storage are also issues. Here we willl introduce two examples of leading-edge research aimed at resolving these issues. Cast: Hiroaki Misawa(Professor, Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University), Hiroshi Kitagawa(Professor, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University) JST Science News 2014(EnglishVer.) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/Q140001/ JST Science News 2014(JapaneseVer.) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/M140001/ JST Science Channel(Non-Japanese Programs) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/non_japanese.html (c)Japan Science and Technology Agency

Running Time : 5minutes Overview: Not so long ago scientists thought there were only two types of solids: crystals, composed of order arrangements of atoms, and amorphous materials, in which the atoms are connected in a disorder fashion. But then a third type of solid was discovered, overturning the conventional wisdom. These new materials, called quasicrystals, have fascinated scientists with their beauty and strangeness. We will explore the mysterious world of quasicrystals. (Japanese edition has been published in Oct 7, 2014) Cast: An-Pang Tsai(Professor, Tohoku University), Tomonari Dotera(Professor, Department of Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kinki University) JST Science News 2014(EnglishVer.) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/Q140001/ JST Science News 2014(JapaneseVer.) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/M140001/ JST Science Channel(Non-Japanese Programs) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/non_japanese.html (c)Japan Science and Technology Agency

Running Time : 5minutes Overview: Not so long ago scientists thought there were only two types of solids: crystals, composed of order arrangements of atoms, and amorphous materials, in which the atoms are connected in a disorder fashion. But then a third type of solid was discovered, overturning the conventional wisdom. These new materials, called quasicrystals, have fascinated scientists with their beauty and strangeness. We will explore the mysterious world of quasicrystals. (Japanese edition has been published in Oct 7, 2014) Cast: An-Pang Tsai(Professor, Tohoku University), Tomonari Dotera(Professor, Department of Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kinki University) JST Science News 2014(EnglishVer.) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/Q140001/ JST Science News 2014(JapaneseVer.) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/M140001/ JST Science Channel(Non-Japanese Programs) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/non_japanese.html (c)Japan Science and Technology Agency

Running Time : 5minutes Overview: Hayabusa 2, launched near the end of 2014, is scheduled to return in 2020. Results from the mission are expected to exceed those of Hayabusa 1, which achieved an historical first when it brought back samples from an asteroid. And in anticipation of the samples that Hayabusa 2 will bring back in six years time, rapid advances are being made in developing next-generation analytical techniques. (Japanese edition has been published in Nov 5, 2014) Cast: Hisayoshi Yorimoto(Professor, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University), Kentaro Terada(Professor, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University), Yasuhiro Miyake(Professor, Institute of Materials Structure Science, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization), Takahito Osawa(Assistant Principal Researcher, Quantum Beam Science Directorate, Japan Atomic Energy Agency) JST Science News 2014(EnglishVer.) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/Q140001/ JST Science News 2014(JapaneseVer.) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/M140001/ JST Science Channel(Non-Japanese Programs) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/non_japanese.html (c)Japan Science and Technology Agency

Running Time : 5minutes Overview: The Tohoku coastal marine ecosystem ravaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami still remains damaged today. Now, scientists are attempting to restore fertility to this coastal area’s marine life. We report on the Tohoku Ecosystem-Associated Marine Sciences TEAMS project in which academia and research insti-tutes are collaborating to regenerate local fisheries. Cast: Asahiko Taira(President, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology), Yukio Agatsuma(Professor, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University) JST Science News 2014(EnglishVer.) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/Q140001/ JST Science News 2014(JapaneseVer.) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/M140001/ JST Science Channel(Non-Japanese Programs) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/non_japanese.html (c)Japan Science and Technology Agency

Running Time : 5minutes Overview: The scope of robotic applications is expanding in the fields of medicine and welfare. Research is underway into various types of robotic applications. These include technologies that perform surgery and provide assistance with caregiving, some of which have found practical applications. Here we will introduce robotic technology fitted directly to the user's body to provide lifestyle support and help with rehabilitation. (Japanese edition has been published in Nov 26, 2014) Cast: Ken Endo(Associate Researcher, Sony Computer Science Laboratory Inc) Takashi Nakajima(Deputy Director, Niigata National Hospital) JST Science News 2014(EnglishVer.) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/Q140001/ JST Science News 2014(JapaneseVer.) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/M140001/ JST Science Channel(Non-Japanese Programs) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/non_japanese.html (c)Japan Science and Technology Agency

Running Time : 5minutes Overview: One of the most visible consequences of global warming is the sea level rise. This is mainly triggered by the melting of mountain glaciers and ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland. The latest research reports that ice sheets are melting at a more rapid pace than previously forecast. But what is actually happening beneath these ice sheets? (Japanese edition has been published in Sept 19, 2014) Cast: Shin Sugiyama(Associate Professor, Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University), Ralf Greve(Professor, Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University) JST Science News 2014(EnglishVer.) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/Q140001/ JST Science News 2014(JapaneseVer.) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/M140001/ JST Science Channel(Non-Japanese Programs) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/non_japanese.html (c)Japan Science and Technology Agency

Running Time : 5minutes Overview: New technologies in an emerging field known as printed electronics are now attracting a great deal of attention. If these technologies progress to the point at which electronic circuits can be created as easily as printing on a sheet of paper, they will fundamentally change how electronic devices are manufactured and used. We report on such research that could revolutionize electronics. (Japanese edition has been published in Jul 1, 2014) Cast: Masayuki Kanehara(Assistant Professor, Research Core for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Okayama University), Masaya Nogi(Associate Professor, Laboratory of Cellulose Nanofiber Materials, The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research (ISIR), Osaka University), Hiroyuki Yano(Professor, Laboratory of Active Bio-based Materials, Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University) JST Science News 2014(EnglishVer.) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/Q140001/ JST Science News 2014(JapaneseVer.) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/M140001/ JST Science Channel(Non-Japanese Programs) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/non_japanese.html (c)Japan Science and Technology Agency

Running Time : 5minutes Overview: The most effective means available against bacterial infectious diseases is the administration of antibacterial drugs that kill or inactivate the bacteria. When so many of these drugs are overprescribed, however, bacteria that have developed a resistance to a number of such drugs will likely emerge. Just how widespread are these multidrug-resistant bacteria? And will medical researchers be able to produce new drugs that can control them? (Japanese edition has been published in Jul 31, 2014) Cast: Taro Urase(Professor, School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo University of Technology), Yasumitsu Sakamoto(Assistant Professor, School of Pharmacy, Iwate Medical University) JST Science News 2014(EnglishVer.) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/Q140001/ JST Science News 2014(JapaneseVer.) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/M140001/ JST Science Channel(Non-Japanese Programs) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/non_japanese.html (c)Japan Science and Technology Agency

Running Time : 5minutes Overview: Supernovae are large-scale explosions that occur when giant stars of great mass come to the end of their lifetime. Research on supernovae is considered to provide clues as to how the universe came into being or evolved, which is why researchers continue to explore this phenomenon. We report on two recently published research undertakings on supernovas. (Japanese edition has been published in Aug 18, 2014) Cast: Robert Quimby(Project Researcher, Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe(IPMU), Todai Institutes of Advanced Study, the University of Tokyo), Tomoya Takiwaki(Assistant professor (High Performance Computing Infrastructure, HPCI), Center for Computational Astrophysics, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan) JST Science News 2014(EnglishVer.) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/Q140001/ JST Science News 2014(JapaneseVer.) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/M140001/ JST Science Channel(Non-Japanese Programs) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/non_japanese.html (c)Japan Science and Technology Agency

Running Time : 5minutes Overview: Anomalous weather phenomena such as sudden torrential rains and typhoons are seen to be more prevalent around the globe. They are considered to be caused by global warming. How is global warming changing Japan? What countermeasures could be taken? How might w than previously forecast. (Japanese edition has been published in Sept 5, 2014) Cast: Nobuo Mimura(President, Ibaraki University), Keiko Takahashi(Director-General, the Center for Earth Information Science and Technology, the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology) JST Science News 2014(EnglishVer.) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/Q140001/ JST Science News 2014(JapaneseVer.) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/M140001/ JST Science Channel(Non-Japanese Programs) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/non_japanese.html (c)Japan Science and Technology Agency

Running Time : 5minutes Overview: A number of projects are under way around Japan's coast to develop offshore wind power. Some wind power platforms are located near the coastline in shallow waters and are bottom-mounted. This type of platform has a long been used in Europe. Floating wind turbines, on the other hand, can be positioned in deeper waters. Japan has developed an advanced form of this platform that it expects will create demand in the rest of the world. We report on this development from one of the largest offshore floating wind power facilities, which was completed late last year off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture. (Japanese edition has been published in May 30, 2014) Cast: Takeshi Ishihara(Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo), Toshiyuki Takada(Department Manager, Wind Turbine Business Department, Power Systems Company, Hitachi, Ltd.), Kazutaka Yokoyama(Manager, Electrical Systems Engineering Department, Power Systems Company, Hitachi, Ltd.) JST Science News 2014(EnglishVer.) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/Q140001/ JST Science News 2014(JapaneseVer.) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/M140001/ JST Science Channel(Non-Japanese Programs) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/non_japanese.html (c)Japan Science and Technology Agency

Running Time : 5minutes Overview: The appendix has long been considered an unnecessary organ in our bodies. Recently, however, medical researchers have begun to understand that it plays an unexpected role in maintaining health. We are going to look at a previously unknown aspect of the appendix’s involvement in the intenstinal' immune system. (Japanese edition has been published in Jun 6, 2014) Cast: Kiyoshi Takeda(Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University), Katsura Higuchi(Associate Professor, Anatomy Laboratory, Faculty of Health Science Technology, Bunkyo Gakuin University) JST Science News 2014(EnglishVer.) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/Q140001/ JST Science News 2014(JapaneseVer.) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/M140001/ JST Science Channel(Non-Japanese Programs) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/non_japanese.html (c)Japan Science and Technology Agency

Running Time : 5minutes Overview: Space-based solar power can be generated via a line of solar panels in a geostationary orbit, and then transmitted by wireless down to earth. As there is no weather in space, solar power can be continuously generated there, so it is considered to be five to ten times more efficient than on earth. That may sound like a fantasy, but it is one of the goals stated in Japan’s 2013 Basic Plan on Space Policy, and JAXA and private corporations are jointly conducting practical research to achieve it. Japan seeks to realize its application by about 2030. One key technology in this endeavor is wireless power transmis-sion. (Japanese edition has been published in May 23, 2014) Cast: Naoki Shinohara(Professor, Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University), Kazuhisa Fujita(Professor, Graduate School for the Creation of New Photonics Industries) JST Science News 2014(EnglishVer.) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/Q140001/ JST Science News 2014(JapaneseVer.) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/M140001/ JST Science Channel(Non-Japanese Programs) http://sciencechannel.jst.go.jp/non_japanese.html (c)Japan Science and Technology Agency