University of Tokyo Archives

Scanning tunneling microscope image of a molecule from the Ryugu sample. b Atomic force microscope image acquired by the multi-pass method. c Processed image of (b). Ring structure is overlaid. The colors are the same as in Fig. 1, but orange represents an eight-membered ring. Red arrows in (a, b) indicate a single CO molecule. The scale bars are 1 nm. -- Nature Communications

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release, Sample Return

Discovery Of Unexpectedly Large Organic Molecules from Asteroid Ryugu

by Keith CowingApril 15, 2026April 15, 2026

Overview Using a high-resolution atomic force microscope ( AFM ), we directly observed the skeletal structures of individual organic molecules extracted from the Ryugu sample. We discovered numerous gigantic organic […]

Venus as seen by Himawari satellites. A photo with magnified sections to show just how small Venus is in the field of view of the observation satellites. Despite this limitation, researchers can still gather useful data. ©2025 Nishiyama et al. CC-BY-ND -- university of Tokyo

Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Press Release, Venus

Meteorological Satellites Observe Temperatures On Venus

by Keith CowingJuly 2, 2025July 2, 2025

Imaging data from Japan’s Himawari-8 and -9 meteorological satellites have been successfully used to monitor temporal changes in Venus’ cloud-top temperature, revealing unseen patterns in the temperature structure of various […]

A complex web of interactions between geological features including volcanoes, subsurface mantle, oceans and the atmosphere created the chemical mixture necessary for early life to oxygenate our atmosphere. -- Credit ©2025 Watanabe et al. CC-BY-ND

Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Habitable Zones, Lava / magma ocean / Volcanic Worlds, Microbiology & Virology, Press Release, Terraforming & Geoengineering, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Are Volcanoes Behind The Oxygen We Breathe?

by Keith CowingMarch 12, 2025March 12, 2025

It is widely believed that Earth’s atmosphere has been rich in oxygen for about 2.5 billion years due to a relatively rapid increase in microorganisms capable of performing photosynthesis. Researchers, […]

This picture shows many tiny cells in which DNA is abundantly included inside the cells. First, the microbial cells were detected in fractures in the rock sample using an infrared imaging technique called O-PTIR spectroscopy. After that, they were stained with a green solution and analyzed using both a scanning electron microscope and then fluorescent microscopy. The combination of readings from these three imaging techniques enabled the researchers to confirm the indigenous and living microbial cells in the 2-billion-year-old rock fissure. -- University of Tokyo

Astrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Fossils & Paleontology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Microbiology & Virology, Press Release

A 2-billion-year-old Rock Is Home To Living Microbes

by Keith CowingOctober 4, 2024October 4, 2024

Pockets of microbes have been found living within a sealed fracture in 2-billion-year-old rock. The rock was excavated from the Bushveld Igneous Complex in South Africa, an area known for […]

Experimental scheme for DIPA-CRISPR in R. varieornatus. -- Representative photographs of R. varieornatus eggs (A) and individuals at 8 (B) and 10 days old (C). (D) The stage of parental females to be injected is important for successful gene editing in DIPA-CRISPR. To obtain parental females at the defined age, eggs were collected and their hatching was examined daily. Newly hatched juveniles (0 days old) were separated and reared for the defined period prior to injection. After the injection of Cas9 RNPs, the injected tardigrades were reared for 10 days, and the laid eggs (G0 progeny) were collected and reared. Grown G0 individuals were separately subjected to genomic DNA extraction and PCR. PCR amplicons were directly analyzed by Sanger sequencing. Gene-edited G0 progeny were obtained from parents injected at 7 to 10 days old. -- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1011298.g001

Cryobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Press Release, Radiation, Tardigrades

Modifying Genomes Of Tardigrades To Unravel Their Secrets

by Keith CowingJune 14, 2024June 14, 2024

Some species of tardigrades are highly and unusually resilient to various extreme conditions fatal to most other forms of life.

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Press Release

Twinkling Stars Fuel Interstellar Dust

by Keith CowingApril 6, 2023April 6, 2023

Of the many different kinds of stars, asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars, usually slightly larger and older than our own sun, are known producers of interstellar dust.

While not part of this study, this photo taken with a microscope shows the impact paths and bodies of small particles of comet debris from U.S. space agency NASA’s Stardust mission in 2004. The aerogel helps decelerate the particles without destroying them in the process. CREDIT ©2023 NASA/JPL CC-0

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Impact events, Interstellar, Meteorites & Asteroids, Panspermia, Press Release

Searching For Life With Space Dust

by Keith CowingMarch 22, 2023March 22, 2023

Following enormous collisions, such as asteroid impacts, some amount of material from an impacted world may be ejected into space.

Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Press Release

How Tardigrades Survive Dehydration

by Keith CowingSeptember 6, 2022September 6, 2022

Some species of tardigrades, or water bears as the tiny aquatic creatures are also known, can survive in different environments often hostile or even fatal to most forms of life. […]

Origin & Evolution of Life

New Insight Into The Possible Origins Of Life

by Keith CowingMarch 19, 2022

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have for the first time been able to create an RNA molecule that replicates, diversifies and develops complexity, following Darwinian evolution. This has provided […]

Mars

How Mars Lost Its Oceans

by Keith CowingFebruary 8, 2022

It has long been known that Mars once had oceans due in part to a protective magnetic field similar to Earth’s. However, the magnetic field disappeared, and new research may […]