Japanese scientists have reportedly developed a technique to connect lab-grown brain-mimicking tissue in a way that functions like circuits in our brain. Researchers at the University of Tokyo published a study in the journal Nature Communications, exploring materialising an idea always considered pretty far-fetched. The authors revealed that they found a new way to create physiological connections between lab-grown neural organoids. These organoids are experimental model tissue in which human stem cells are grown into 3D developmental brain-mimicking structures. The physiological connections were built via axonal bundles, which is similar to how regions are connected in the living human brain.

“Animal studies are limited by differences between species in brain structure and function, and brain cells grown in the lab tend to lack the characteristic connections of cells in the human brain,” said University of Tokyo’s Dr Yoshiho Ikeuchi and colleagues.

“What’s more, we are increasingly realizing that these interregional connections, and the circuits that they create, are important for many of the brain functions that define us as humans,” they added.

The researchers stimulated the axonal bundles using a technique known as optogenetics. It was observed that the organoids were affected by these changes for some time as the organoid activity was altered.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwid_vfTr8SFAxU-V0EAHZVfAqUQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-land-in-australia-which-has-drowned-was-once-aboriginal-hotspot-in-ice-age-711399" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/science/a-land-in-australia-which-has-drowned-was-once-aboriginal-hotspot-in-ice-age-711399&amp;ved=2ahUKEwid_vfTr8SFAxU-V0EAHZVfAqUQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE">A land in Australia, which has drowned, was once Aboriginal hotspot in ice age</a>

“These findings suggest that axonal bundle connections are important for developing complex networks,” said Dr Ikeuchi.

He added that the complex brain networks command various actions of bodies, including speaking, hearing and emotions.

“Given that alterations in brain networks have been associated with various neurological and psychiatric conditions, a better understanding of brain networks is important,” the researcher said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwid_vfTr8SFAxU-V0EAHZVfAqUQxfQBKAB6BAgQEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-discover-two-great-techniques-to-overcome-past-negative-events-710861" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-discover-two-great-techniques-to-overcome-past-negative-events-710861&amp;ved=2ahUKEwid_vfTr8SFAxU-V0EAHZVfAqUQxfQBKAB6BAgQEAE">Scientists discover two great techniques to overcome past negative events</a>

The study about lab-grown human neural circuits is slated to expand the scope of our understanding in the long run and add to previous studies on the concept.

“Previous studies have tried to create brain circuits under laboratory conditions, which have been advancing the field,” the researchers said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Japanese scientists have reportedly developed a technique to connect lab-grown brain-mimicking tissue in a way that functions like circuits in our brain. Researchers at the University of Tokyo published a study in the journal Nature Communications, exploring materialising an idea always considered pretty far-fetched.

Japanese scientists have reportedly developed a technique to connect lab-grown brain-mimicking tissue in a way that functions like circuits in our brain. Researchers at the University of Tokyo published a study in the journal Nature Communications, exploring materialising an idea always considered pretty far-fetched. The authors revealed that they found a new way to create physiological connections between lab-grown neural organoids. These organoids are experimental model tissue in which human stem cells are grown into 3D developmental brain-mimicking structures. The physiological connections were built via axonal bundles, which is similar to how regions are connected in the living human brain. “Animal studies are limited by differences between species in brain structure and function, and brain cells grown in the lab tend to lack the characteristic connections of cells in the human brain,” said University of Tokyo’s Dr Yoshiho Ikeuchi and colleagues. “What’s more, we are increasingly realizing that these interregional connections, and the circuits that they create, are important for many of the brain functions that define us as humans,” they added. The researchers stimulated the axonal bundles using a technique known as optogenetics. It was observed that the organoids were affected by these changes for some time as the organoid activity was altered. Also read: A land in Australia, which has drowned, was once Aboriginal hotspot in ice age “These findings suggest that axonal bundle connections are important for developing complex networks,” said Dr Ikeuchi. He added that the complex brain networks command various actions of bodies, including speaking, hearing and emotions. “Given that alterations in brain networks have been associated with various neurological and psychiatric conditions, a better understanding of brain networks is important,” the researcher said. Also read: Scientists discover two great techniques to overcome past negative events The study about lab-grown human neural circuits is slated to expand the scope of our understanding in the long run and add to previous studies on the concept. “Previous studies have tried to create brain circuits under laboratory conditions, which have been advancing the field,” the researchers said. (With inputs from agencies)

Japanese scientists develop technique to connect brain cells grown in lab

Japanese scientists have developed&nbsp;postcards made from&nbsp;freeze-dried mouse sperm to ensure that their vials never break in transit&nbsp;ever again.

Researchers in Japan have developed a way to freeze-dry rodent ejaculate between thin plastic sheets and sticky tape it to postcards, with the samples surviving long journeys to produce healthy pups.

The team from the University of Yamanashi were so delighted with their success one scientist even sent another a "Happy New Year" card with mouse sperm attached as a gift.

"Until now, storing or sending to other researchers of mouse sperm has required a freezing environment such as liquid nitrogen or dry ice," said Daiyu Ito, first author of a paper in iScience.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/mouse-sperm-stored-at-iss-produces-unremarkable-space-pups-391142">Mouse sperm stored at ISS produces unremarkable 'space pups'</a>

Ito is a PhD student at Professor Teruhiko Wakayama's lab, which had previously been the first team to succeed in freeze-drying mammal sperm, and send it to the International Space Station to study the effects of cosmic radiation.

The sperm originally had to be stored in tiny glass bottles that broke easily, rendering the sample unusable.

With such pitfalls in mind, the team set about working on a new method of preservation.

Plastic sheets were found to be a good way to seal the sperm, but it was also toxic to the DNA, and the scientists realised they needed another material to go inside.

After testing various types of paper, they found that weighing paper had the highest offspring production rate.

Using this technique, they were able to produce a "sperm book" made of postcards with different samples, "a completely new concept that no one has ever thought of before," said Ito.&nbsp;

"Almost every day, new genetic modified mouse strains were created from many laboratories in the world. Therefore, (with) this method, a thousand mouse strains can be stored and easily managed in only this one book at low cost," he added.

Though the book was stored in a freezer at -30 degrees Celsius (-22 Fahrenheit), the team found the samples survived journeys of up to three days at room temperature when the postcards were sent in the mail,&nbsp;for example between the University of Yamanashi and the University of Tokyo.

Wakayama, the senior author of the paper, has previously said he developed freeze-dried mouse sperm for a future in which humans migrate to other planets and need to preserve the genetic resources of Earth, including our own species.

"It is now recognized that genetic resources are an asset to humanity's future," he said in a statement.&nbsp;

"The plastic sheet preservation method in this study will be the most suitable method for the safe preservation of a large amount of valuable genetic resources because of the resistance to breakage and less space required for storage."

The team is currently working on a method to freeze-dry mammal eggs. "We believe that we can do it," Ito said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Japanese scientists have developed postcards made from freeze-dried mouse sperm to ensure that their vials never break in transit ever again. Researchers in Japan have developed a way to freeze-dry rodent ejaculate between thin plastic sheets and sticky tape it to postcards, with the samples surviving long journeys to produce healthy pups.

Japanese scientists have developed postcards made from freeze-dried mouse sperm to ensure that their vials never break in transit ever again. Researchers in Japan have developed a way to freeze-dry rodent ejaculate between thin plastic sheets and sticky tape it to postcards, with the samples surviving long journeys to produce healthy pups. The team from the University of Yamanashi were so delighted with their success one scientist even sent another a "Happy New Year" card with mouse sperm attached as a gift. "Until now, storing or sending to other researchers of mouse sperm has required a freezing environment such as liquid nitrogen or dry ice," said Daiyu Ito, first author of a paper in iScience. Also read| Mouse sperm stored at ISS produces unremarkable 'space pups' Ito is a PhD student at Professor Teruhiko Wakayama's lab, which had previously been the first team to succeed in freeze-drying mammal sperm, and send it to the International Space Station to study the effects of cosmic radiation. The sperm originally had to be stored in tiny glass bottles that broke easily, rendering the sample unusable. With such pitfalls in mind, the team set about working on a new method of preservation. Plastic sheets were found to be a good way to seal the sperm, but it was also toxic to the DNA, and the scientists realised they needed another material to go inside. After testing various types of paper, they found that weighing paper had the highest offspring production rate. Using this technique, they were able to produce a "sperm book" made of postcards with different samples, "a completely new concept that no one has ever thought of before," said Ito. "Almost every day, new genetic modified mouse strains were created from many laboratories in the world. Therefore, (with) this method, a thousand mouse strains can be stored and easily managed in only this one book at low cost," he added. Though the book was stored in a freezer at -30 degrees Celsius (-22 Fahrenheit), the team found the samples survived journeys of up to three days at room temperature when the postcards were sent in the mail, for example between the University of Yamanashi and the University of Tokyo. Wakayama, the senior author of the paper, has previously said he developed freeze-dried mouse sperm for a future in which humans migrate to other planets and need to preserve the genetic resources of Earth, including our own species. "It is now recognized that genetic resources are an asset to humanity's future," he said in a statement. "The plastic sheet preservation method in this study will be the most suitable method for the safe preservation of a large amount of valuable genetic resources because of the resistance to breakage and less space required for storage." The team is currently working on a method to freeze-dry mammal eggs. "We believe that we can do it," Ito said. (With inputs from agencies)

Mouse sperm postcards? Scientists make unique discovery

A Japanese researcher has developed -- by accident-- a new type of glass that can be repaired simply by pressing it back together after it cracks.

The discovery opens the way for super-durable glass that could triple the lifespan of everyday products like car windows, construction materials, fish tanks and even toilet seats.&nbsp;

Yu Yanagisawa, a chemistry researcher at the University of Tokyo, made the breakthrough by chance while investigating adhesives that can be used on wet surfaces.

Does this mean you will soon be able to repair those cracks in your smartphone with a quick press of the fingers? Or surreptitiously piece together a shattered beer glass dropped after one pint too many?&nbsp;

Well, not quite. Not now and in fact, not in the near future.

But it does open a window of opportunity for researchers to explore ways to make more durable, lightweight, glass-like items, like car windows.

In a lab demonstration for AFP, Yanagisawa broke a glass sample into two pieces.

He then held the cross sections of the two pieces together for about 30 seconds until the glass repaired itself, almost resembling its original form.

To demonstrate its strength, he then hung a nearly full bottle of water from the piece of glass -- and it stayed intact.

The organic glass, made of a substance called polyether thioureas, is closer to acrylic than mineral glass, which is used for tableware and smartphone screens.

Other scientists have demonstrated similar properties by using rubber or gel materials but Yanagisawa was the first to demonstrate the self-healing concept with glass.

The secret lies in the thiourea, which uses hydrogen bonding to make the edges of the shattered glass self-adhesive, according to Yanagisawa&#39;s study.

But what use is all this if it cannot produce a self-healing smartphone screen?

&quot;It is not realistically about fixing what is broken, more about making longer-lasting resin glass,&quot; Yanagisawa told AFP.

Glass products can fracture after years of use due to physical stress and fatigue.

&quot;When a material breaks, it has already had many tiny scars that have accumulated to result in major destruction,&quot; Yanagisawa said.

&quot;What this study showed was a path toward making a safe and long-lasting resin glass&quot;, which is used in a wide range of everyday items.&nbsp;

&quot;We may be able to double or triple the lifespan of something that currently lasts for 10 or 20 years&quot;, he said.

Yu Yanagisawa, a chemistry researcher at the University of Tokyo, made the breakthrough by chance while investigating adhesives that can be used on wet surfaces

A Japanese researcher has developed -- by accident-- a new type of glass that can be repaired simply by pressing it back together after it cracks. The discovery opens the way for super-durable glass that could triple the lifespan of everyday products like car windows, construction materials, fish tanks and even toilet seats. Yu Yanagisawa, a chemistry researcher at the University of Tokyo, made the breakthrough by chance while investigating adhesives that can be used on wet surfaces. Does this mean you will soon be able to repair those cracks in your smartphone with a quick press of the fingers? Or surreptitiously piece together a shattered beer glass dropped after one pint too many? Well, not quite. Not now and in fact, not in the near future. But it does open a window of opportunity for researchers to explore ways to make more durable, lightweight, glass-like items, like car windows. In a lab demonstration for AFP, Yanagisawa broke a glass sample into two pieces. He then held the cross sections of the two pieces together for about 30 seconds until the glass repaired itself, almost resembling its original form. To demonstrate its strength, he then hung a nearly full bottle of water from the piece of glass -- and it stayed intact. The organic glass, made of a substance called polyether thioureas, is closer to acrylic than mineral glass, which is used for tableware and smartphone screens. Other scientists have demonstrated similar properties by using rubber or gel materials but Yanagisawa was the first to demonstrate the self-healing concept with glass. The secret lies in the thiourea, which uses hydrogen bonding to make the edges of the shattered glass self-adhesive, according to Yanagisawa's study. But what use is all this if it cannot produce a self-healing smartphone screen? "It is not realistically about fixing what is broken, more about making longer-lasting resin glass," Yanagisawa told AFP. Glass products can fracture after years of use due to physical stress and fatigue. "When a material breaks, it has already had many tiny scars that have accumulated to result in major destruction," Yanagisawa said. "What this study showed was a path toward making a safe and long-lasting resin glass", which is used in a wide range of everyday items. "We may be able to double or triple the lifespan of something that currently lasts for 10 or 20 years", he said.

Self-healing glass: A cracking discovery from Japan