Who is the Owner? Plastic Floats Washed Up on the Coast of Okinawa

Ryukyu Shimpo ran a story based on the interview of Dr. Chris Petoukhoff about his and his friends discovery on the beach of Tancha.

BOOKS AND ARTS : Do luxe labs shape science?

Laboratory Lifestyles: The Construction of Scientific Fictions Sandra Kaji‑O’Grady, Chris L. Smith and Russell Hughes MIT Press (2019)

OIST Column Series #6: What is the Indian Festival that Scientists Celebrate in Okinawa?

The latest OIST column for the Asahi Shimbun GLOBE+ is out! Click this link to read and know more about the  grand Diwali celebrations organized at OIST each year!

Dr. Ferdinand Marlétaz Helps Unearth Origins of Vertebrate Gene Regulation

A new study, published in Nature on November 21, 2018, gives a glimpse into the origins of vertebrate gene regulation. The researchers studied the lancelet, or amphioxus, an organism in the chordate phylum that lacks the unique attributes of a vertebrate, such as a head, eyes and limbs, but shares a similar body plan. Learning how the lancelet controls its gene activity clarified which control mechanisms evolved with vertebrates, and which were around already.

Theory of Quantum Matter Unit Presents Unified Theory of Pinch Points and Half Moons

Training on Ant for High School Students in Miyako Island

On November 10, staff members of the OIST OKEON Churamori Project visited Taira Port to teach the Miyako High School Science Club how they track down and study ants.

The project monitors fire ant populations on the island as a part of prefectural alien species countermeasure program. Members hold research training sessions to make local residents more aware of the impact of alien species on remote island environments. The Miyako High School students learned basic knowledge about fire ants and how to collect and study ants.
 

New Study on Viscoelastic Fluids from Micro/Bio/Nanofluidics Unit

Marine Genomics Unit Decodes Asian Catfish Genome

New Study on Depression by scientists from OIST's Neural Computational Unit Garners Media Attention

A new study by Dr. Tokuda and Prof. Doya from the Neural Computational Unit at OIST has identified  three sub-types of depression that previously unknown.

Molecular Cryo-Electron Microscopy Unit Helps Reveal Structure of Cancer Killing Virus

Structural Cellular Biology Unit in the News

An paper published in Nature Communications has detailed a study into the shape of bacterial cells and their associated z-rings. Authored by Dr. Bill Söderström, Dr. Alexander Badrutdinov, Dr. Helena Chan and Prof. Ulf Skoglund, the paper outline how the team, inpsired by cube shaped watermelons, use nanofabricated moulds can be used to alter the natural rod shapes of bacteria into a variety of new shapes.

Developmental Neurobiology Unit Identifies New Regulator of Lens Differentiation

A new paper from the Developmental Neurobiology Unit has been published in Development.

Column: New Students From 15 Different Countries and Areas

The forth article is now online : OIST's column series at the Asahi Shimbun GLOBE+ "Scientists without boarders from Chura-shima".

It is about OIST student's life, focusing Mohamed Atwa. : https://globe.asahi.com/article/11842135　(Only in Japanese)

The tentative translation is updated.

OIST's Perovskite Solar Cells Claim Media Spotlight

A new study on commercialization of perovskite solar cells by the Energy Materials and Surface Sciences Unit  at OIST, lead by Prof. Yabing Qi  has garnered media attention. Read the complete story here.

OIST's Femtosecond Spectroscopy Unit in News!

A new study on finding a new mechanism to develop electronic devices by OIST's Femtosecond Spectroscopy Unit lead by Prof. Keshav Dani,  gains media spotlight. Read the complete story here.

Want to Protect Lives of Abandoned Cats and Dogs: OIST Charity Event Selling Handmade Sweets

On September 18 at OIST campus, a OIST animal protection club, Save Okinawa Cats & Kitties (SOCKs) held a bakery sale event to raise donation fund for animal protection activities.  OIST researchers and students who belong to the club brought their handmade sweets for sale.  Many people came to the event and the total sales was as much as 200,000 yen.  The raised funds will be distributed to three animal protection groups in Okinawa.  This event has been held for four times since 2017.

Column: Beautiful Okinawa's Ocean, Chura-Umi, And Science

Third article is now online : OIST's column series at the Asahi Shimbun GLOBE+ "Scientists without boarders from Chura-shima".

It is about OIST Marine related projects. Written by Andrew Scott, our Science Communication Fellow: https://globe.asahi.com/article/11775344　(Only in Japanese)

朝日新聞GLOBE+ OISTの新コラムシリーズ 「美ら島の国境なき科学者たち」No.2 「サンゴやプランクトンに波力発電……美ら海の世界は深い」がアップされました。今回の執筆担当は、OIST サイエンスコミュニケーションフェローのアンドリュー・スコットです。

President Peter Gruss' Interview for Younger Generations

OIST President Peter Gruss was interviewed by a Mexican online media, Oddin Noticias. He talked about his career as a biologist and as a leader of science institutions, what he believes makes for good research, and the uniqueness of OIST.
He had a message for younger generations who are interested in pursuing a career in science: "It's the best profession in the world!” … “Your idea can change the world to make it a better place to live."

Here is the link to the interview.

Marine Genomics Unit Explores Evolution of the Gut

A new paper from the Marine Genomics Unit has been published in Nature Communications.

Co-authored by Dr. Kenichi Nakashima, the study looks at the evolution of the vertebrate gut, highlighting the structure of the tunicate Ciona intestinalis Type A as an extant example of transitional forms that evolved between chitin-based barrier defense in invertebrates, and mucous linings seen in vertebrates.

OIST’s study on songs of local birds in news

The work being carried out by Dr. Nicholas Friedman and his colleagues from OIST’s Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, on acoustic monitoring of songs of Okinawan birds, has been recently featured in Current Biology.  Read the complete article here.

French Radio Reported Okinawa's Challenges

French radio station Radio France International (RFI) reported on some Okinawa's issues. OIST reseracher Dr. Masahi Yoshimura talked about the environmental issue.

You can listen to the report from here. (In French)