Science View

Water will not freeze even at temperatures below zero degrees Celsius when it contains a small amount of certain substances. These substances are gaining attention for their potential uses, such as to prevent drip and make frozen foods taste better. They were discovered in organisms that have adapted to extremely cold environments. The mechanism behind how they prevent ice crystals from forming can be observed on a microscopic level. Join us to learn more about these mysterious substances!

Japan has many cutting-edge deep-sea exploration technologies. A variety of methods are being used to investigate the world's oceans and provide mankind with new scientific knowledge. Efforts have recently been made to explore the deepest parts in the forbidding hadal zone. Join us as we take an up-close look at the SHINKAI 6500, a manned submersible that is currently on land for maintenance, and get the latest research information from Dr. Asahiko Taira, the president of the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC). A particular highlight is the structure of a next-generation submersible that will be capable of reaching virtually any depth!

Humanoid robots have come a long way, yet the difficulty of developing ones that can walk on their own 2 legs has kept them from taking off. We will take a look at the latest advances in humanoid robot technology, and also cover wearable robots that provide power assistance and hold a lot of potential, especially in the areas of agriculture and nursing care. Basic control software that can make developing highly versatile humanoid robots easier is also on its way. Join us to learn more!

The asteroid explorer Hayabusa2, which was launched on December 3, 2014, is on its way to an asteroid named Ryugu. Its mission is to create an artificial crater and bring back subsurface asteroid samples. However, Ryugu is approximately 300 million kilometers away. To reach its destination, the spacecraft will use cutting-edge techniques, such as a swingby and navigation using a camera, to attempt things that have never been done before! Join us to learn more about Hayabusa2's journey!

Akatsuki was launched on May 21, 2010 for the purpose of studying Venus and answering various questions about the mysterious planet. However, the orbit insertion maneuver failed due to an engine malfunction. After 5 years of extensive planning, a second attempt was made using the remaining small attitude control engines. The maneuver succeeded, and the spacecraft is preparing to begin observation operations. Join us to learn about Akatsuki's miraculous comeback and its important mission!

An eruption occurred at Nishinoshima in November 2013. Over 400 million tons of lava flowed out, causing the island's surface area to become approximately 12 times larger. While volcanic activity has since decreased, researchers' interest in the volcanic rocks has increased. This is because the rocks' components are similar to that of continental rock rather than rocks found in the sea. Some say that the "egg of a continent" is being formed here. What does this mean? Join us to find out!

Experts believe that clouds have a greater effect on the climate than greenhouse gases. Of particular interest is a new cloud type that lasts for a long time. They are caused by an increase in aerosols, which are tiny particles suspended in the air that assist cloud formation. We'll learn more about this new cloud type, and also introduce the Meteorological Research Institute's cloud simulation chamber, which is being used in their research, and is the first of its kind in the world.

Somei-yoshino are the most popular cherry blossoms in Japan. They bloom all at once in spring, and it was said that this was because all the trees shared the same genes, meaning that they are "clones". The Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute focused on one DNA section and were able to confirm this with a high level of precision. What's more, a new theory suggests that the very first tree is in Ueno Park. Join us as we take a closer look at the origin of the beautiful Somei-yoshino!

Wearable sensors are causing a revolution in the world of sports. They've helped Japan's national rugby team achieve a breakthrough, and may soon be used to prevent injuries, and more!

Actinomycetes played a leading role in Dr. Satoshi Omura's 2015 Nobel Prize win. They've also led to the development of various drugs like streptomycin, which is effective against tuberculosis. Scientists have found that new techniques involving the actinomycetes' genes can lead to the production of new drugs and materials. Join us as we take a look at the chemical factories of the future: Actinomycetes.

The blueprints for protein synthesis make up less than 2% of DNA. The RNA that is copied from the other parts is cut up into short segments called microRNAs. They stick to messenger RNA and inhibit unnecessary protein synthesis. Besides their role in maintaining proper biological activity, recent studies show that they could also be used to detect cancer in its early stages. We'll cover the latest microRNA studies that have the potential to bring big changes to medical care.

Joining us in the studio for our 10th program on iPS cells is Takanori Takebe, a 29-year-old associate professor at Yokohama City University, and a leading member of the team that successfully created mini livers from iPS cells. He aims to transplant these mini livers into children battling an intractable disease. 
We also visit his lab at a children's hospital in the US to learn about some innovative ideas that he is exploring. Join us as we visit a new frontline in iPS cell research!

Fuel cell vehicles that run on hydrogen entered full-scale production in 2015 and construction of hydrogen stations is progressing across Japan. Behind these developments are various technological innovations including the fuel cells themselves. One is technology that enables the stable extraction of hydrogen from sludge at sewage treatment plants. Digestion gas is generated during the process of reducing sludge and researchers are testing out the extraction of hydrogen from the methane that is included in this gas. If this process goes well, calculations show that it could ensure fuel for approximately 1 million vehicles across Japan. In this program we'll look at production technology for hydrogen, which is essential for an ecological society.

"Thinning hair" is a common concern for men. Hair is formed from the collection of old cells that are pushed after cell division. Thinning hair occurs when cell division stops due to movement of an enzyme in male hormone, causing the hair to cease growing and fall out. Now, a radical new treatment for thinning hair using cell technology is opening up led by iPS cells. Researchers at the RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology used regeneration therapy to create the hair follicle, the organ which produces hair, and succeeded in growing hair on a mouse. We'll look at the front lines of hair regenerative therapy that could be connected to the regeneration of various other organs as well.

In the first of our 2-part series on Tsukuba Science City and the research institutes in it, we'll focus on robot technology and visit the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology where a wide range of robots is being developed. We'll see how humanoid robots that can be used in disaster areas and mobility robots that can travel autonomously are tested. We'll also introduce cutting-edge space robots that are being developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

The 2nd part of the team's Tsukuba Science City tour is focused on disaster prevention technology. They visit a research institute that plays a central role in studying earthquakes, volcanoes, and sudden downpours, and an organization that used a radio astronomy apparatus to develop an observation device that provides rainfall or tornado warnings at an early stage. Meanwhile, tsunami countermeasures are being developed at a research institute that specializes in agriculture.

Biomass fuels are expected to become energy substitutes for petroleum and natural gas due to their low impact on the environment. In particular, "bio-coke" developed at Kindai University is attracting attention as a substitue fuel for coal. This fuel is made by heating and pressurizing waste derived from unneeded plant material. Bio-coke can be used in a variety of applications since it is durable and can burn for a long period of time compared to conventional biomass fuel, and is already being used on a trial basis in the iron and steel industry. One particular plant has even succeeded in replacing 10% of their fossil fuel with bio-coke. In coal-fired thermal power generation coal is changed into a fine powder to improve heating efficiency, but processing bio-coke may allow it to achieve that same heating efficiency.

We've already known that stalactites inside limestone caves harden over a long period of time, creating unique scenery in the process. Over the past few years researchers have been interested in a type of stalactite known as "moonmilk" that is only found in certain limestone caves and does not harden. Moonmilk is rumored to have been used as stomach medicine to suppress heartburn since the middle ages in Europe, but the primary component is the same as in regular stalactites. Why moonmilk stays soft has long remained a mystery, yet researchers have recently discovered that this is caused by bacteria that live in the cave. The mechanism involved could also be applied in a rather unexpected way. We'll follow an academic survey closely as researchers investigate moonmilk.

Efforts are being made to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and combat global warming, yet a new problem is surfacing: Ocean acidification. The ocean has been absorbing man-made carbon dioxide. However, this is causing the ocean to turn acidic, and is negatively impacting coral, shelled creatures, and even the phytoplankton that are the foundation of marine food webs. Some have pointed out that this could disrupt various ecosystems. We'll take a look at this new aspect of global warming.

A giant impact is the collision of 2 massive celestial bodies. It is believed to have occurred numerous times during the formation of our solar system and to have formed Earth, Mars and other planets. Detailed simulations suggest that 5 giant impacts were responsible for Earth's current form. They also reveal that this number, and the angle of each collision, determined Earth's environment. In today's program we'll focus on the birth of our solar system 4.5 billion years ago.

Researchers throughout the world are competing to develop technology that can turn animals transparent. Up until now, scientists have had to thinly slice an animal specimen and arrange several hundred slices on slides using a microscope if they wanted to observe it - a time-consuming process that also damages the specimen. However, turning an animal specimen transparent now provides researchers with an efficient method to observe cells 3-dimensionally. The Japanese research team that developed this technology is attracting a great deal of attention. So what is this method? We'll look at the frontline of transparency technologies that are expected to have applications in the field of medical care as well.

This program focuses on the research of Dr. Yoshinori Ohsumi at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, who has been selected to receive the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work on "autophagy". Dr. Ohsumi found that autophagy is essential to maintaining vital activities in the body as it recycles amino acids that are the building blocks for proteins inside the cell. It is thought that a malfunction with autophagy is a factor in disorders such as Parkinson's disease, and scientists are hoping that this research will lead to the development of preventative measures and new treatment methods.

The sophisticated olfactory systems of various creatures are being analyzed and applied to the development of cutting-edge biosensors. The olfactory ability of nematodes, which is on par with that of dogs, is being studied for its use in early cancer detection. Meanwhile, the mosquito's ability to detect the smell of human sweat is being used to develop a rescue robot that can locate survivors in disaster areas.

Cats are a familiar yet fascinating subject, particularly when it comes to their genes. Find out how a clone cat and its genome donor ended up with different coat colors and patterns, how cats diverged into over 100 breeds, and how their personalities are formed. The cat is out of the bag on these subjects!

Join us on Science View for a special 28-minute documentary on the development of iPS cell-based therapies. We'll be featuring Ms. Naoko Takasu who works tirelessly at the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, and who supports director Shinya Yamanaka, the Nobel Laureate who discovered iPS cells. Appointed deputy director in April, Ms. Takasu juggles many responsibilities. On top of supporting researchers nearing the clinical application stage, she supervises the iPS Cell Stock project, facilitates joint research projects, and leads a group that fundraises for iPS cell research -- the latter of which is an uncommon initiative for Japanese universities. In today's program we'll take a look at iPS cell research from the perspective of someone who works behind the scenes.