Qdai-mail Tsushin #083
The e-mail magazine "Qdai-mail Tsushin" delivers campus news every month.
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Friday, December 27, 2024
Kyushu U's CONNECT Issue 5: 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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*Recognition Ceremony held for the Association of the Alumni of Kyushu University in Mongolia
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On November 7, 2024, a recognition ceremony was held at Ito Campus for the Association of the Alumni of Kyushu University in Mongolia. The association was officially registered as one of Kyushu University's overseas alumni associations in September 2024.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/topics/view/619
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*Report on Geiko International Reunion 2024 – Thriving Geiko Global Alumni Network
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The Geiko International Office held the "Geiko International Reunion 2024" on November 16th, 2024.
https://www.design.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/topics/25214/
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*Associate Professor Hironori Hayashi's research awarded National Geographic Society grant for freshwater conservation
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Associate Professor Hironori Hayashi from the Watershed System Engineering Laboratory at Kyushu University's Faculty of Engineering has been selected as a National Geographic Society grant recipient, as part of the Society's World Freshwater Initiative.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/topics/view/612
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*Kyushu University Forum "KYUDAI NOW" IN MONGOLIA
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The Kyushu University Institute for Asian and Oceanian Studies hosted the Kyushu University Forum "KYUDAI NOW in Mongolia" on Monday, August 19, 2024, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
https://q-aos.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/events/kyudai_now/5926/
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*Kyushu University holds first Global Advisory Board Meeting
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The first Kyushu University Global Advisory Board meeting was held on October 23, 2024, at Ito Campus.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/topics/view/613
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*Kyushu University Forum "KYUDAI NOW" in Egypt
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On Saturday, October 12, 2024, Kyushu University hosted the KYUDAI NOW Forum in Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt. This was the first KYUDAI NOW event held in Egypt or the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region.
https://q-aos.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/events/kyudai_now/6216/
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*Integrating knowledge in Pacific Rim towards "Learning without Limits"
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From October 9-11, 2024, the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Senior International Leaders Meeting was held at Mita Campus, Keio University.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/topics/view/618
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*Academic Seminar with European researchers held by Kyushu University Stockholm Liaison Office
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On November 25, 2024, an Academic Seminar featuring two guest speakers from Europe was held at Kyushu University's Hospital Campus. The seminar was organized by the Kyushu University Stockholm Liaison Office, which was established in Sweden in April 2020 to promote exchange between Kyushu University and European universities.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/topics/view/620
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*Kyushu University President Ishibashi visits University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
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A delegation led by President Tatsuro Ishibashi of Kyushu University visited the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Illinois) from November 19 to 20, 2024. They attended a meeting with Chancellor Robert J. Jones and other leadership members, as well as a signing ceremony to renew the inter-university agreement.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/topics/view/622
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**Features
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*Close-up! Kyushu U Making a mark on the world with research on organic materials
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First established on the Ito Campus of Kyushu University in 2014, the Yasuda Lab has a current roster of 20 students and researchers and is led by Professor Takuma Yasuda from the Institute for Advanced Study, an expert in functional organic materials chemistry. Looking ahead to the evolution of an IoT society, the lab has created a number of new organic materials featuring a variety of functions and directed its research towards the development of organic electronic devices.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/topics/view/616
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**Discover the Research
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*A fear of insects overpowered by a curiosity of the unknown in the fight against vector-borne diseases
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When people hear "insect research," their thoughts may turn to rare, never-before-discovered species. But the research being done by Associate Professor Ryosuke Fujita of the Faculty of Agriculture involves infectious diseases transmitted by common insects and arthropods such as ticks, mosquitoes, and flies. We heard from Fujita about his research on pests that harm animals and human beings, why he chose it, and its significance.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/research/information/discover-research/006_fujita
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**Research
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*Building roots in glass, a bio-inspired approach to creating 3D microvascular networks using plants and fung
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Researchers at Kyushu University have developed a new bio-inspired approach to building complex 3D microfluidic networks by utilizing plant roots and fungal hyphae as molds. The team grew plants and fungi in nanoparticles of silica, then baked out the plants and solidified the glass. What remains is glass with micrometer-sized networks where the roots used to be.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/researches/view/310
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*Developing an antibody to combat age-related muscle atrophy
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As we age, our muscles atrophy. Earlier this year, researchers at Kyushu University found that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a protein critical in skeletal muscle development loses its functionality due to nitration as we age. Now, the same team has developed a monoclonal antibody that blocks the nitration sites of HGF, effectively preventing the protein's age induced loss of function. Their findings were validated utilizing rat muscles cell culture.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/researches/view/311
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*Listening to the past: How medieval pilgrims found faith in the roaring sea
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Studies of historical soundscapes today are helping us "hear" the past, allowing new insights into how the multi-sensory world was used in creative pursuits like literature. A researcher at Kyushu University has explored these soundscapes in a unique setting: the open sea. A number of early medieval English texts relied more on the sounds of howling storms and roaring waves than on visual descriptions to construct their maritime scenes.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/researches/view/312
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*Dynamics of structural transformation for liquid crystalline blue phases
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Understanding material transformations at the microscopic level is crucial for advancing technology. Researchers from Japan have recently studied liquid crystal phase transitions, revealing the complex dynamics behind their shape-shifting behavior. Using a combination of computer simulations and machine learning, they uncovered how liquid crystals form twin boundaries during phase shifts. The strategy developed in this study could help gain deeper insight into the transformation dynamics in a wide range of materials.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/researches/view/313
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*AI beats experts in predicting future quality of "mini-organs"
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Researchers from Kyushu University and Nagoya University in Japan have developed a model that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to predict organoid development at an early stage. The model, which is faster and more accurate than expert researchers, could improve the efficiency and lower the cost of culturing organoids.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/researches/view/314
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*Close encounters between distant DNA regions cause bursts of gene activity
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Researchers at Kyushu University have revealed a new mechanim underlying how spatial distance between specific regions of DNA is linked to bursts of gene activity. Using advanced cell imaging techniques and computer modeling, the researchers showed that the folding and movement of DNA, as well as the accumulation of certain proteins, changes depending on whether a gene is active or inactive.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/researches/view/315
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*Better environmental performance boosts profits and cuts costs
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Using a new calculation method, Kyushu University researchers found in an international comparative study that investors value corporate environmental performance more than mere information disclosure. In some developed countries, beyond sustainability efforts, companies can improve environmental efficiency to enhance economic performance.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/researches/view/316
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*Unlocking 'the black box': scientists reveal AI's hidden thoughts
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Deep neural networks are a type of artificial intelligence (AI) that imitate how human brains process information, but understanding how these networks "think" has long been a challenge. Now, researchers at Kyushu University have developed a new method to understand how deep neural networks interpret information and sort it into groups. The study addresses the important need to ensure AI systems are accurate and robust and can meet the standards required for safe use.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/researches/view/317
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**Events
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*2nd OIST-KYUDAI Joint Workshop
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Date: 2025.2.6 [Thu] 13:00 – 2025.2.7 [Fri] 12:00
Researchers from OIST and Kyudai will present their research results on quantum technology and AI, forming an interdisciplinary and dynamic team that will create original and high impact research. The purpose of this workshop is to generate collaborations aimed at new technological innovations and lay the foundation for projects that will drive next generation research with a view of obtaining external funding in the future.
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/events/view/526
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*Q-AOS Brown Bag Seminar Series
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Date: Every Wednesday 12:10 – 12:50
Every Wednesday during lunch, learn about research related to SDGs in Asian and Oceanian regions and expand your research network at the Q-AOS Brown Bag Seminar Series. The webinar is free, available in English and Japanese, and open to everyone!
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/events?tag_id=2
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** Stay Connected
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https://www.youtube.com/user/KyushuUniv
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