Qdai-mail Tsushin #086
The e-mail magazine "Qdai-mail Tsushin" delivers campus news every month.
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Friday, March 28, 2025
Kyushu U's CONNECT Issue 6: Our annual English university magazine is available from the link below!
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/university/publicity/publications/connect
Kyushu U Connect: Keep up to date on how Kyushu U is engaging with society.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/university/connect/
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**Topics
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* Kyushu University hosts 2025 Korea-Japan Youth Leaders Forum
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On January 23, 2025, Kyushu University's Ito Campus hosted the Korea-Japan-Youth Leaders Forum, welcoming a visiting delegation of about 50 people from Korea. This forum has been held annually for over 20 years to foster exchange and deepen mutual understanding between the youth of the two countries. This marks the second time Kyushu University has hosted the event.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/topics/view/630
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* The University Farm hosted a study tour for a group of grape growers
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The fruit research group at Kyushu University has developed a grape variety called "BK Seedless" with excellent genetic traits through their genetic and breeding research on grapes.
After being registered as a variety in 2011, the sale of saplings began in 2015, and the cultivation techniques for "BK Seedless" have been transferred to grape growers in Japan.
https://ag.kyushu-u.ac.jp/english/news/topics/topicsthe-faculty-of-agricultures-affiliated-farm-hosted-a-study-tour-for-a-group-of-grape-producers/
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* The 2nd OIST-Kyudai Joint Workshop was held
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Kyushu University and the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) recently held the 2nd "OIST-Kyudai Joint Workshop." This workshop, based on our comprehensive partnership agreement, took place at Kyushu University's Ito Campus on February 6th and 7th, 2025, under the theme "Evolution of Digital Society through Next Generation AI and Quantum Technology."
https://airimaq.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/topics/news/oist-kyudai-joint-symposium-series-2/
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* Kyushu University Forum "KYUDAI NOW" in Singapore
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On February 25, 2025, Kyushu University held its first KYUDAI NOW Forum in Singapore, bringing together over 80 participants, including alumni, representatives from Japanese companies, and university officials from the region.
https://q-aos.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/events/kyudai_now/6519/
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* ASEAN in Today's World (AsTW) 2025
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ASEAN in Today's World (AsTW) was held at Universitas Gadjah Mada (Gadjah Mada University/UGM) in Indonesia from February 17 to 27, 2025.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/topics/view/633
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**Research
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* New test helps doctors predict a dangerous side effect of cancer treatment
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Medical researchers in Japan have discovered a way to predict a potentially life-threatening side effect of cancer immunotherapy before it occurs. By analyzing cerebrospinal fluid collected pre-treatment, researchers at Kyushu University identified specific proteins associated with a damaging immune response that can affect the central nervous system after therapy. Their findings could make immunotherapy cancer treatment safer by helping doctors identify high-risk patients in advance, allowing early treatment or even prevention of this condition.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/researches/view/328
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* What does "that" mean in "Did you see that?"
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What goes through your mind when someone asks "Did you see that?" A study from Kyushu University shows that children and adults process ambiguous information like "that" differently. While children focus more on the literal meaning, adults use multiple cues to grasp the speaker's intent. Researchers hope their findings could aid dialogue robot development and improve support systems for individuals with communication difficulties.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/researches/view/329
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* The changing sky that plants see
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Kyushu University researchers have developed a new model that can predict sunlight patterns under different weather conditions. By categorizing sunlight into five groups based on intensity and quality, the model reveals that cloudy days can help plant growth by scattering light more evenly to lower leaves. The research can potentially help farmers optimize greenhouse conditions and planting schedules throughout the season to improve agricultural productivity, and enhance our understanding of how climate change affects photosynthesis.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/researches/view/333
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* A planetary boundary for geological resources: Limits of regional water availability
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An international research team led by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), in collaboration with Professor Shigemi Kagawa from Kyushu University's Faculty of Economics, identified the safe operating space for geological resource production within regional water limits. They highlighted troubling trends for resources like copper which is one of the key metals for a decarbonized future. This study aims to inform policies for sustainable resource production within limits of available water.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/researches/view/330
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* Drying and rewetting cycles substantially increased soil CO₂ release
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A collaborative research group consisting of Dr. Hirohiko Nagano and Ms. Yuri Suzuki of Niigata University with Professor Syuntaro Hiradate from Kyushu University's Facutly of Agriculture, and the Japan Atomic Energy Agency conducted incubation experiments on forest and pastureland soils at 10 locations across Japan. The research group revealed that the amount of CO₂ released from soil increases significantly due to repeated drying and rewetting cycles (DWCs) expected to be caused by changes in precipitation patterns due to global warming.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/researches/view/331
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* Chronic jet lag disrupts metabolism differently in male and female mice
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Chronic jet lag causes drastically different effects on male and female metabolism in mice, say researchers from Kyushu University. The study, published in the journal, Biology of Sex Differences, found that the body clocks of female mice are more easily disrupted than the clocks of male mice, and revealed opposing metabolic effects; jet-lagged male mice gained weight and developed glucose intolerance, while jet-lagged females lost weight compared to female mice without jet lag.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/researches/view/332
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**Event
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* FY2025 the 1st I²CNER Seminar
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Date: 2025.4.2 [Wed] 15:00 – 16:00
International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (WPI-I²CNER) will hold the 1st I²CNER Seminar for FY2025 by inviting Prof. Chih-Jen Shih from ETH Zürich.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/events/view/547
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* Virtual Study Abroad Fair 2025 Spring
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Date: 2025.4.18 [Fri] 16:00 – 18:00
This is an annual online event designed to provide participants with useful information regarding the University's international graduate courses (taught fully in English).
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/events/view/548
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