Society

Kyoto University to supply iPS cells from COVID-19 survivors for research

Mar 26 (Japan Times) - Kyoto University's CiRA Foundation said Thursday it will provide induced pluripotent stem, or iPS, cells created from the blood of people who recovered from COVID-19 to research institutions both in Japan and abroad free of charge.

The aim of the initiative is to help researchers identify why some people develop severe symptoms of the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, said the Kyoto-based foundation.

Six people who recovered from severe, moderate or mild COVID-19 symptoms have given consent to the production of iPS cells from their blood and the supply of the cells, according to the foundation, linked to the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, or CiRA.

Blood was collected from them between June and September last year. The quality of iPS cells derived from three of the six has already been confirmed, and the foundation began accepting applications for the supply of the cells on Thursday.

Over 300 New Geoglyphs Discovered by Yamagata University in Nazca

Yamagata University, which has been conducting research on the Nazca geoglyphs in Peru, announced the discovery of over 300 new geoglyphs, depicting a variety of subjects, including humans and animals.

University of Tokyo Raises Tuition Fees for First Time in 20 Years

The University of Tokyo has officially decided to increase tuition by approximately 110,000 yen for incoming undergraduate students starting next academic year, bringing the total to 642,960 yen.

Death toll rises to 9 in Japan's Ishikawa following heavy rain

Emergency officials say the death toll from record rainfall in Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture has risen to nine. (NHK)

Russian military plane intrudes into Japanese airspace, Tokyo lodges protest

A Japanese government spokesperson says a Russian military airplane entered Japanese airspace three times on Monday. (NHK)

Kishida vows in meeting with Zelenskyy continued support for Ukraine

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has conveyed his country's intention to maintain support for Ukraine to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. (NHK)

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