 |
Miniature Device Detects Bacteria in Minutes
|
 |
A start-up company in Japan has succeeded in developing an inexpensive miniature device that detects and evaluates substances in solution. One of the applications of the device is the quick detection of food poisoning bacteria, making it a potential life saver in schools and hospitals. |
|
|
Device Expected to Help Movement of Humans
|
 |
Japan is a world leader in robotics, and in October 2008 a Japanese company will become the first in the world to begin mass-producing a robot that assists humans in moving their limbs. |
 |
Kyoto University and Nichia Corp., which is known for its light-emitting diodes, announced in January 2008 that they had successfully developed a revolutionary LED capable of emitting a variety of colors of light, including white and intermediate colors. |
 |
In recent years, both consumers and farmers have increasingly turned against the use of chemical pesticides out of awareness and concern about their safety and environmental impact. To address these concerns, Japanese researchers recently developed the world's first pesticides that use lactobacillus bacteria instead of harmful chemicals. |
 |
(March 12, 2008)
Origami is the traditional Japanese art of paper folding. With just one sheet of paper, you can make all kinds of objects, such as cranes, rabbits, turtles, and airplanes. But the possibilities of origami do not end there. There is now research on applying paper-folding techniques to engineering in a field dubbed "origami engineering." |
 |
(February 14, 2008)
In a breakthrough that was hailed around the world, a team led by Professor Yamanaka Shinya of the Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences at Kyoto University has successfully developed induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells), which have almost the same abilities as embryonic stem cells, from human skin cells. |
 |
(January 31, 2008)
We live our lives surrounded by all sorts of smells, and there is a wide array of products designed to eliminate the more unpleasant ones. Paper is the latest material to be given deodorizing properties, and the anti-odorant papers developed by Japanese manufacturers have so far met with positive reviews. One such material is photocatalyst-coated paper, which was made public in 2006 by major paper maker Nippon Paper Industries Co. |
 |
(December 21, 2007)
The voice of female vocalist Hatsune Miku has become the talk of Japan's Internet community. Her voice is husky with just a hint of sweetness, and she has the spellbinding appearance of an anime character. Hatsune Miku is certainly no ordinary girl. |
 |
(December 5, 2007)
The world's first 11-inch organic electroluminescence TV set, Sony Corp.'s XEL-1, will go on sale in December 2007. At its thinnest point, this model is just three millimeters thick. |
 |
(November 1, 2007)
Launched on an H2A No.13 rocket on September 14 from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan's first large-scale lunar probe is the largest lunar mission since the United States' Apollo space program. |
 |
(October 4, 2007)
Gray, rainy days may be about to get more colorful thanks to a new umbrella invented by Japanese researchers. The Internet Umbrella, conceived by a team at Keio University, acts as a photo browser by displaying images from the Internet as the user walks along. |
 |
(August 31, 2007)
A new humanoid robot, certified as the world's smallest, will be released this autumn by Japanese toy manufacturer Tomy Company. Robotics fans look forward to i-SOBOT as a fun toy to add to their collections, but also as a leap forward in miniaturization of the advanced parts that go into these high-tech tools. |
 |
(July 31, 2007)
A group of researchers led by Professor Shimamoto Ko of Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) has identified the hormone that makes rice plants flower. It has taken 70 years for scientists to track down the hormone. |
 |
(March 27, 2007)
Some convenience stores, supermarkets, and other retailers are attaching integrated circuit tags to their merchandise. The use of this technology not only enhances convenience for the consumer but also boosts efficiency for retailers. |
 |
(March 19, 2007)
Professor Arai Kohei of Saga University's Faculty of Science and Engineering has developed a system whereby PC users can input text simply by looking at an on-screen keyboard. |
 |
(February 2, 2007)
Interest in sub-seabed storage - a method of sealing carbon dioxide (CO2) under the seabed - has been growing. The underground sequestration of the gas is regarded as a very promising method for reducing carbon dioxide emissions. |
 |
(January 5, 2007)
A growing number of companies are putting ergonomics front and center when designing and developing such things as car and airplane seats. |
 |
(December 21, 2006)
On the afternoon of December 18, 2006, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the Engineering Test Satellite KIKU No. 8 (ETS-VIII)
, Japan's biggest satellite to date. The satellite was loaded with two record-large antennas, each as big as a tennis court. |
 |
(December 15, 2006)
There is now a robot that will come over to you and play music with just the push of a button on a remote control. |
 |
(December 8, 2006)
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.'s latest model in the Nanocare series of hair dryers has been making waves since its release in July 2006. Thanks to its "nanoe ion" generator, which reduces frizz and makes hair strong and lustrous, it has become a hot seller. |
Copyright (C)2007 Web Japan. Edited by Japan Echo Inc. based on domestic Japanese news sources. Articles presented here are offered for reference purposes and do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the Japanese Government.
