Japanese Scientists Win Ig Nobel Prize for Anus Breathing Discovery

NEW YORK, Sep 13 (News On Japan) - In this year's Ig Nobels, Japanese researchers have won an award for discovering that mammals can breathe through their anuses, opening a new pathway for ventilators.

On September 12th, Professor Takafumi Takebe and his research group from Tokyo Medical and Dental University were awarded the Ig Nobel Prize in Physiology for discovering that many mammals can breathe through their rear end.

Takebe and his team focused on certain species, such as loaches, which can absorb oxygen through their intestines via the anus, and advanced their research from there.

Initially, they experimented by directly injecting oxygen gas into the intestines of mammals. However, the amount of absorbed oxygen was minimal, and there was a risk of the intestines rupturing, prompting the need for a different approach.

Since it was an entirely new field of research, there was a lack of support for their activities, along with financial challenges.

However, the spread of COVID-19 raised awareness that conventional methods of supporting patient breathing could not save all lives. This ultimately became a tailwind for their research.

The group began using a special liquid rich in oxygen instead of gas, and they revealed that this method improved the symptoms of mammals suffering from respiratory failure.

While Takebe's "intestinal ventilation method" is not a complete substitute for lung function in patients whose lungs have entirely failed, the team anticipates that when applied to human treatment, it may reduce the burden on the body compared to conventional ventilators and ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) devices.

Clinical trials on humans have already begun, and it is expected that treatment using the "intestinal ventilation method" could be realized in Japan by around 2028.

With this award, Japanese researchers have won the Ig Nobel Prize for 18 consecutive years.

Source: ANN

Typhoons No. 7 and No. 8 Threaten Okinawa and Pacific Coast of Japan

Very strong Typhoon No. 7, Mekkhala, was moving north south of Okinawa as of 3 a.m. on June 24, raising the risk of stormy weather in Okinawa later this week and possible impacts across western and eastern Japan, while Typhoon No. 8, Higos, was moving west near the Mariana Islands and could approach eastern Japan before Mekkhala. Typhoon No. 7 was located east of the Philippines at 9 p.m. on June 23 and was moving slowly north.

Inside The Shadow Market For Japan’s Temples And Shrines

The sale of religious corporations that operate temples and shrines across Japan is drawing growing scrutiny from authorities, who fear the transactions could be used for tax evasion and money laundering, as brokers openly advertise properties and corporate status for tens or even hundreds of millions of yen.

Japanese Among 17 Detained in Laos Over Special Fraud Operation

Nine Japanese nationals were among 17 people detained in Laos on suspicion of involvement in a special fraud operation, while Japanese authorities have sought cooperation from Cambodian police over dozens of Japanese citizens believed to have gone missing after traveling to Cambodia.

Japan Moves to Ease Thinner Shortage as Naphtha Shock Hits Builders

Japan will begin a new system on June 23 to sell paint and thinner directly from manufacturers to construction firms and other businesses, aiming to ease supply bottlenecks and curb price increases as worsening conditions in the Middle East make such materials harder to obtain.

Three Bear Cubs Seen Climbing Tree Putting Town on Alert

Three bear cubs were spotted climbing a tree in Hirogawa, Wakayama Prefecture, on the morning of June 22, prompting the town to put up warning signs and call on residents to stay alert, although no injuries or damage have been reported.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Sci-Tech NEWS

First Approval for Heart Tissue Reuse in Japan

A new treatment that uses healthy tissue from the heart removed from a transplant patient and transplants it into another patient has been approved in Japan for the first time, with the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center preparing to carry out the procedure.

Four Key Dsip Peptide Benefits That Enhance Recovery

For those involved in medical research and biostatistics, understanding the intricacies of recovery processes is crucial.

Rare Look Inside Japan's Underground Gravity Wave Observatory

The KAGRA gravitational-wave research facility in Kamioka, Hida, Gifu Prefecture, was opened to the public on June 20 for the first special viewing in nine years, giving 200 visitors a rare chance to tour the underground observatory with Nobel laureate Takaaki Kajita.

Risk Of Major Mosquito Outbreak This Summer

Mosquitoes are appearing earlier than usual this year, raising fears of a major summer outbreak as experts warn that warm May weather and repeated light rain have created ideal breeding conditions across residential areas.

Fukuoka on Hand, Foot And Mouth Disease Alert

New cases of hand, foot and mouth disease in Fukuoka Prefecture remained at alert level for the third consecutive week, prompting the prefectural government to urge residents to take preventive measures against the infection, which spreads through droplets and physical contact.