Generating Electricity with Surfing Waves: Challenge by an Okinawan Physicist

By Jyunichi Taki, Science Editorial Staff, Nikkei Newspaper Electric Edition

Based on some completely new ideas, Professor Tsumoru Shintake from Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate School has been tackling on practical use of wave energy generation.  Utilizing smashed-up waves on coral reefs is quite an idea technologically, which is unique to Okinawa.  The demonstration turbine was recently completed and now the turbines are to be implemented on a real shore.

Biodiversity & Biocomplexity Unit Research on Okinawa's Soundscape in the News

Using remote acoustic monitoring to track bird activity on Okinawa for the first time, scientists from OIST's Biodiversity & Biocomplexity Unit examined the distribution of birds on Okinawa.

Fried Unit Image Featured on the Cover of the Journal of Fluid Mechanics

An image created by the Mathematics, Mechanics, and Materials Unit is being featured on the cover of the November issue of the Journal of Fluid Mechanics.

Prof. Doya's Interview

Yokobayashi Unit Research on Predatory Bacteria in the News

Research from the Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Engineering Unit on predatory bacteria is being talked about in international news. In a recently published paper, the unit members took steps forward in the genetic manipulation of B. bacteriovorus, a type of bacteria with potential future applications as a living antibiotic.

Dr. Nana Arakaki's Interview - A Research Support Specialist, The DNA Sequencing Section

The website "MIRAICHIZU" is targeting high-school students in Okinawa to help them create a career plan and get ideas about what kinds of jobs are available in Okinawa. The articles are written by local university students.
This time, Dr. Nana Arakaki from the OIST DNA Sequencing Section introduced her job and delivered messages to students in Okinawa.
http://www.miraichizu.com/job/detail.php?professional_id=121

Extinct Stick Insects Found Living

OIST research team in collaboration with Australian researchers found out that the phantom insects regarded as an extinct species have been surviving. Lord Howe stick insects have been considered to be extinct since black rats from wrecked ship intruded the island in 1918, which affected the island’s ecosystem.  However, the same kind as Lord Howe stick insects were found alive in Balls Pyramid Island, which is located in the vicinity of Lord Howe Island.

Mikheyev Unit Research on the Lord Howe Island Stick Insect in the news

Recently OIST's Ecology and Evolution Unit confirmed the survival of a thought-to-be extinct species of large flightless insect: the Lord Howe Island stick insect. International media has been talking about this very big news.

Read the full story here, and check out which media outlets are featuring the story below.

English:

Mikheyev Unit Work on Habu Genome In the News

The First Habu Venom Genome Analysis

On October 4^th, OIST and Okinawa Prefectural Public Health and Environment Institute made an announcement that they have analyzed genome of habu venom for the first time in the world.  According to their discovery, not only strong components of habu venom, but also weak components of habu venom have been evolved through generations, based on coinciding functions, so-called, “genetic drift.”

Fried Unit Research on Surface Tension in the News

International media is talking about new work from the Mathematics, Mechanics, and Materials Unit headed by Professor Eliot Fried. See the full story here.

See which news outlets are talking about it below:

English

Breakthrough -- Professor Kenji Doya

The Asahi Shimbun GLOBE featured Prof. Doya in its October issue.

The article offers in-depth information about Prof. Doya as one of the most active players in his field.  You can read it (in Japanese) from their website.

Dr. Murray Elected as New Chair of the OIST Board of Governors

On 29^th, OIST BOG made an announcement of the November 1 inauguration of Dr. Cherry Murray (65) and the resignation of Dr. Torsten Wiesel (93), the incumbent BOG Chair who received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1981.

Dr. Murray used to serve as a dean of Harvard University’s John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.  With the first graduation ceremony coming on February 2018, OIST aims at the expansion of faculty members, stressing their need to contribute to the sustainable development of Okinawan economy.

Professor Síle Nic Chormaic Writes about Gender Inequality in Science in Optics & Photonics News

Read Professor Síle Nic Chormaic's article "Challenging a Culture of Inequality" that was published in Optics & Photonics News in the October 2017 issue. The article features Professor Nic Chormaic's own experiences with gender inequality in science and addresses some of OIST's equality initiatives.

Prof. Chakraborty Features in BS Japan TV program

The program has already featured three other professors from OIST. You can watch the clips from:

Shintake Unit Ocean Wave Power in the News

International media is talking about the Quantum Wave Microscopy Unit's work on tubines that harness the power of the ocean to generate clean, renewable energy. See the full story here.

See which news outlets are talking about it below:

English

Dr. Iwama, the former EVP of OIST, Became the President of Quest University in Canada

Dr. George Iwama (63), the former Executive Vice President of OIST became the President and Vice Chancellor of Quest University in Canada.  The announcement was made public on August 25^th webpage of the Quest University.

Dr. Masashi Yoshimura's interview on Fire Ant

The Economo Unit's staff scientist Dr. Masashi Yoshimura explained about fire ants which recently discovered in Japan and became a big concern in the Japanese society.

"Science Portal" is a website brought to you by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).

Dr. Yuichi Nakajima's interview on his coral study

The Mitarai Unit's Postdoctral Scholar received an interview by a web media "Top Researchers" and talked about his research on coral. 

Top Researchers (Japanese)

Sowwan Unit Silicon Batteries in the News

International media is talking about the Nanoparticles by Design Unit's new silicon anodes designed to provide lithium batteries with increased power and better stability. Read the full story here.

See which media outlets are talking about it below:

Approval of the Budget and Projects at Kenminkaigi

The general meeting of the Council of Promotion for Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University or Kenmin-Kaigi (Chairman: Governor Takeshi Onaga) for fiscal 2017 was held on August 16.  Besides FY16 business reports and financial settlement, FY17 business scheme and budget, its future plan to extensively raise donation, were approved.

Approximately 3 million yen was settled as FY17 budget, with which science experiment classes will be held at remote islands including Miyako, and as a new project, newsletters will be prepared.