Japan asteroid probe finds 23 amino acids, researchers confirm
生命の源「アミノ酸」は宇宙から？ はやぶさ2の“大発見”
Nikkei -- Jun 10
A total of 23 types of amino acids were found in asteroid samples brought back by Japan's Hayabusa2 space probe, according to new studies published in the journal Science and elsewhere, shedding further light on the origins of life on Earth.
Two teams -- one including researchers at Japan's Hokkaido University and Tokyo Institute of Technology, and another including researchers at Okayama University -- published two studies dated Friday.
Researchers in Japan and abroad have been analyzing the samples since they were recovered in late 2020. After sending the samples back to Earth, Hayabusa2 has gone on a mission to another asteroid.
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, which are essential to life. Those collected from the asteroid Ryugu include glutamic acid, which is responsible for the taste of umami, and valine, which cannot be synthesized by the human body, the researchers found.
Whether amino acids originated on Earth or arrived from space has been a topic of much scientific debate. The findings from Hayabusa2 appear to support the latter hypothesis. ...continue reading
Jun 10 (日テレNEWS) - 生命は一体どこからやってきたのか？。そんな大きすぎる謎に、日本の探査機「はやぶさ2」が一筋の光をもたらしました。小惑星「リュウグウ」から持ち帰った砂を分析した結果、生命のもととなる「アミノ酸」が発見されたのです。 ...continue reading
Japan’s war on space junk
Nikkei - Feb 08
On a quiet day at work around 10 years ago, Tadanori Fukushima started receiving alarming email messages from a sender he did not recognize. The emails warned that his company's broadcasting satellite -- worth roughly $150 million -- was on a collision course with an unidentified object. The sender turned out to be the U.S. Air Force.
2 New Volcanic Eruptions in Japan; Nishinoshima & Bayonnaise Rocks
GeologyHub - Feb 02
In the last week, both the Nishinoshima & Bayonnaise Rocks volcanoes began producing new eruptions in Japan. Both volcanoes exist above calderas in a similar geologic setting.
Japanese Macaques Have Entered The Hot Tub Age
Animalogic - Jan 29
This is the northern-most living wild primate in the world, the Snow Monkey.
1st oral abortion pill steps closer to approval in Japan
Kyodo - Jan 28
A pharmaceutical advisory body for Japan's health ministry on Friday expressed no objection to the manufacturing and marketing of an abortion pill, bringing the medication a step closer to becoming the first of its kind to gain approval in the country.
Japan launches intel satellite to watch N. Korea, disasters
AP - Jan 26
Japan successfully launched a rocket Thursday carrying a government intelligence-gathering satellite on a mission to watch movements at military sites in North Korea and improve natural disaster response.
Wakata completes his 1st spacewalk
NHK - Jan 21
Japanese astronaut Wakata Koichi has completed his first spacewalk outside the International Space Station.
Japan divers capture rare footage of live giant squid
gulfnews.com - Jan 20
A pair of scuba divers has captured rare video and photos of a 2.5-metre giant squid swimming in the waters off Japan's west coast.
Large marine creature believed to be whale spotted in Tokyo Bay
NHK - Jan 20
Japan Coast Guard officials say they have confirmed a large marine creature believed to be a whale in Tokyo Bay.
Inside the Insane Japanese Mega Factory Producing the Honda Civic Type R - Production Line
FRAME - Jan 20
Today on FRAME, a feature on the Production line of the Japanese manufacturer, Honda. Check out how the iconic Civic Type R is made in one of the most advanced facilities in Japan, the Saitama Factory.
3 Japanese Species That Fight Back Against Invasive Species
- Jan 13
When it comes to wildlife Japan is one of the most interesting places in the world. It's landscapes and wildlife vary greatly from north to south and it's home to a lot of species that can't be found anywhere else in the world.
JAXA to begin final screening in astronaut recruitment
NHK - Jan 04
Japan's space agency is set to begin the final screening of applicants in its latest astronaut recruitment. Those who pass the screening will go on to take part in an international lunar exploration project.
Japan average temp in 2022 highest on record, 4th straight year
Kyodo - Dec 23
Japan's average temperature in 2022 was its highest ever for the fourth consecutive year, preliminary figures released by the country's weather agency showed Thursday.
Rule amendment to allow extended operation of Japanese reactors
world-nuclear-news.org - Dec 22
Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) has approved a draft of a new rule that would allow the country's nuclear power reactors to be operated for more than the current limit of 60 years. The amendment will require parliamentary approval.
Neutrinos: The key to unearthing the origin of the universe?
scotsman.com - Dec 20
Physicists have proposed that ‘neutrinos’ – one of the most abundant fundamental particles in the universe – could be the origin of all matter in the universe today.
Survey: About 5% of COVID patients have aftereffects one month after onset
NHK - Dec 15
A new survey in Japan shows that more than 5 percent of people who were infected with the coronavirus continued to suffer aftereffects one month after developing symptoms.
SpaceX launches lunar lander for Japanese venture ispace, which aims to create an economy around the moon
cnbc.com - Dec 12
Japanese lunar exploration company ispace began its long-anticipated first mission on Sunday, with a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launching the venture’s lunar lander from Florida.
