JTW Digest, March 29, 2024

Author

Eldar Syzdykov
March 29, 2024

March 29

World Records in Transmission Capacity and Frequency Bandwidth Achieved Using Existing Optical Fiber Technology

The National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) has set a new world record by transmitting data at 378.9 terabits per second using the existing optical fiber infrastructure.

This achievement utilized a wide frequency bandwidth of 37.6 terahertz, employing multi-band wavelength division multiplexing technology.

The technology leverages additional wavelength bands (O, E, S, U bands) beyond the commonly used C and L bands in commercial long-haul optical fiber systems, significantly expanding the communication capacity without needing to lay new fiber cables.

This advancement is poised to substantially contribute to the future expansion of optical communication infrastructure, meeting the rising demand for data transmission.

Kyoto University Pioneers Novel Method Using iPS Cells for Predicting Pathogenicity of COVID-19 Variants

A team from Kyoto University's iPS Cell Research Institute has made a groundbreaking announcement: they have successfully developed alveolar and airway epithelium using human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) that are conducive to viral infection experiments. This advancement is particularly significant for studying the new coronavirus, as it allows for the prediction of pathogenicity in new mutations.

The researchers overcame previous limitations where alveolar and airway tissues did not adequately expose their surfaces to outside air, crucial for infection experiments. By employing a special plate, Professor Shinpei Goto's team managed to expose these surfaces effectively, enabling the observation of viral proliferation in the tissues.

In their experiments, they exposed the tissues to five different strains of the new coronavirus, including the initial, Delta, and Omicron variants, and analyzed the results after four days. They found that the Delta variant showed strong pathogenicity, significantly affecting both types of epithelium, especially causing notable cell death in the airways. Observations with the initial and Omicron strains also provided insights that align with the known characteristics of these variants.

The ability to rapidly assess the pathogenicity of emerging mutant strains promises a significant impact on understanding and managing viral respiratory infections beyond just COVID-19, extending potential applications to diseases like influenza. This method, detailed in the American journal "Stem Cell Reports," opens new avenues for virology research and public health strategies.

Kansai Medical University Utilizes Pseudovirus Technology to Assess Longevity of COVID-19 Booster Vaccine Efficacy

Researchers from Kansai Medical University, in collaboration with Fukushima Medical University, have conducted a significant study to evaluate the effectiveness of mRNA booster vaccines against COVID-19 using an innovative pseudovirus technology. This study involved a follow-up survey of 1,353 individuals who received the mRNA booster shots from either Moderna or Pfizer.

The team utilized a novel method of creating artificial "pseudoviruses" developed by the Institute of Photoimmunology at Kansai Medical University. This technology is notable for its safety and the ability to process a large volume of samples simultaneously, making it ideal for extensive studies.

The findings revealed that while the bivalent booster vaccines did increase neutralizing activity titers, their effectiveness waned, almost disappearing, within six months. This insight is crucial for understanding the duration of vaccine protection and planning future vaccination strategies. The research underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and possibly the need for periodic booster doses to maintain immunity against the virus.

Launch of a Demonstration Study on Poultry House Environmental Monitoring and Control System

A collaborative research team, including Iwate University, Kyushu University, Alps Alpine, Nakajima Seisakusho, and NTT Communications, has initiated a demonstration study for a poultry house environmental monitoring and control system in Hirono Town, Iwate Prefecture. This project, supported by the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, aims to enhance productivity in poultry farming by integrating unique mathematical models and AI to predict sudden chicken deaths based on environmental data like temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels. The study also focuses on developing advanced sensors for ammonia and dust to improve labor conditions in poultry farms, alongside establishing a system for deodorizing harmful gases using plasma technology. Additionally, the project seeks to ensure stable communication in remote areas through the installation of Wi-Fi with multi-hop capabilities within poultry farms, ensuring resilience in challenging environments.

Japan Nears 2025 Cashless Payment Goal with a 39.3% Ratio in 2023

In 2023, Japan's cashless payment ratio reached 39.3%, demonstrating significant progress towards the government's target of a 40% cashless payment ratio by 2025. This development is part of a broader initiative led by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, in collaboration with various agencies, to promote cashless transactions in the manufacturing, information, distribution, and service sectors.

The detailed breakdown of the 2023 cashless payment ratio includes a dominant 83.5% share for credit cards, followed by 2.9% for debit cards, 5.1% for electronic money, and 8.6% for code payments. This progression is a part of Japan's growth strategy, initiated in 2019, aiming to double the cashless payment ratio by mid-2025. The Ministry annually calculates this ratio using a comprehensive method that considers the total cashless payment amounts across different modes of transactions, reflecting the country's steady advance towards a more digitalized economy.

Tohoku University Discovers 'Math Cells' in Monkeys, Hinting at Innate Non-Verbal Calculation Abilities

Researchers from Tohoku University have made a groundbreaking discovery in primate neuroscience by identifying specific brain cells in monkeys that respond to addition and subtraction tasks. These cells, which are also involved in hand movement, suggest that even non-verbal primates possess a basic capacity for arithmetic, challenging previous notions about the cognitive prerequisites for mathematical processing.

The study revealed that certain neurons in the monkey brain are dual-purpose, engaging in both motor control and arithmetic processing. These "addition cells" activate with right-hand movements, while "subtraction cells" are linked to left-hand actions. This finding underscores a fundamental connection between physical movement and numerical cognition, echoing human tendencies to use physical gestures, like finger counting or abacus use, in learning and performing mathematics.

The existence of a "mental number line" in primates, where numerical values are inherently associated with spatial orientations (right for addition, left for subtraction), indicates that this conceptual framework is not exclusively human but may have evolutionary roots. The insights from this research could revolutionize how we understand mathematical cognition across species and have potential implications for educational strategies, particularly in integrating sensory and motor experiences to enhance mathematical understanding.

Published in "Scientific Reports," this study not only provides evidence of calculation abilities in primates without language but also suggests new avenues for supporting mathematical learning and rehabilitation in humans, leveraging the intrinsic link between movement and numerical cognition.

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