Three Japanese won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2014!!!!!!!

The Christmas light by blue LED 

The winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics this year, three Japanese researcher, Mr. Isamu Akasaki of the Meijo University Professor, Mr. Hiroshi Amano of the Nagoya University Professor, Mr. Shuji Nakamura of the University of California's Professor were chosen!!!

They succeeded in the development of bule LED (light emitting diode) which emits blue light and it made the way to a variety of applications such as the realization of a large full color screen.

These three people worked on the development of the blue LED which was told that it is very difficult technically among the LED and the development is even impossible during the 20th century.

In 1986, Mr. Amano and Mr. Akasaki were focusing on gallium nitride at the time which nobody even look at and they were successful for the first time in the world for crystallization of the high quality gallium nitride to produce the blue light.

In 1993, Mr. Nakamura was successful for the first time in the world for development of extremely bright blue LED by using a device that has been developed by himself.

Now we have LED of the three primary colors - red, green and blue because of the achievement of these three Japanese people and we can make all colors by the combination.

For this reason, we have broadened the possibilities of practical application of LED in various fields such as full-color display.

This technology which emits a short wavelength blue color also leads to the development of Blu-ray disc, which can significantly increase the storage capacity and DVD. It has become a technology that is indispensable in modern society to exchange large amounts of information. 

Japanese to win the Nobel Prize, it will be 22 people in total including Mr. Yoichiro Nanbu and Mr. Nakamura ot this time has acquired American nationality and Mr. Shinya Yamanaka since the year before last.

Three people Mr. Toshihide Masukawa, Mr. Nanbu and Mr. Makoto Kobayashi, they won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2008 six years ago, the winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics will be 10 people in total.

I can wait to see their presentation ceremony. Congratulations!!! 

Left: Mr. Shuji Nakamura, Center: Mr. Isamu Akasaki, Right: Mr. Hiroshi Amano

[STAP Cell] Ms.Obogata agreed to dismiss the papers

There are 2 papers regarding STAP cell from Ms. Obogata's team, "Letter" and "Article". And they decided to dissmiss "Letter" today.

A professor of Harvard University, Dr. Charls Vacanti is opposed to dismiss the paper until now. But he said to Ms. Obogata, "To dismiss the paper also whether it is another way." 

Their lawyer, Mr. Miki Hideo said, "She lost her mental stability. She can not have precise understanding of this situation right now. She decided to dismiss the papers because she had no other choice." 

But she still has a belief in the existence of STAP cell. She said, "Even if we dismiss the paper, the fact is not going away." She hopes to join the verification experiment of STAP cells by RIKEN. "There is no choice but to respond in order to join the experiment."

The papers will be the blank sheet of papers. But her challenge is not over yet. I am still hoping the existence of STAP cell too.

Thank you!

[STAP Cell] Ms.Obogata's apology and objection

(Former article: >[STAP Cell] Does it really exist????)

Ms. Obogata appeared in front of journalists to against the result of the board of investigation in RIKEN.  

First of all, she apologized about her paper. "I deeply apologize for the inconvenience to RIKEN, my co-authors and everyone because I rise many suspicions from my carelessness, lack of industriousness, immaturity."

She bowed deeply.

She also said, she couldn't show up in front of people for a while because RIKEN didn't let her do that. But she believes STAP phenomenon is useful for someone someday so she has continued to research.

Her comments:

"From the perspective of many researchers, I think it is a huge mistake but it does not affect the conclusions of the research results of the paper by this mistake. The experiments surely have been conducted and the data is also present. I would like you to understand that I never finished the paper maliciously."

She gave way to tears.

"If I had presented a chart correctly in the first place, there is no need for investigation committee. I would like to thank and apologize sincerely to the investigation committee members for taking the time."

 "However, the result of the investigation, it have been determined to be illegal without a good understanding of the facts. If I get a enough opportunity for the excuse and description, you shall be able to understand the background of mistake. That is why I am here today with my lawyer."

"STAP phenomenon is the truth that has been confirmed many times." 

She said, she made STAP cell over 200 times.

There were 2 unjustified things from RIKEN's investigation.

3. One of the photo of gene analysis is cut-and-paste? >> Unjustified: falsification
6. Did Ms. Obogata divert the photo from her doctor's thesis? >> Unjustified: fabricated

RIKEN defines fabrication, falsification and plagiarism as research fraud. 

Fabrication is to build up the experimental data and result.
Falsification is to change or omit the date.
Plagiarism is to divert the sentences of others without acknowledgment.

However, RIKEN has not included the honest errors as research fraud. 

Ms. Obogata said, she did the 2 things but they were the honest errors. So she can not accept the result of the investigation.

I don't know why I just want to believe her because if she really did the falsification or fabrication, she will never show up and apologize in front of people like this. She just want us to understand that there is a STAP cells.

This is not only her problem. I think RIKEN has a big responsibility. We don't know she can join a reproductive experiment. I hope we can know there is a STAP cell or not as soon as possible.

Hang on, Obogata-san!

Thank you.

[STAP Cell] Does it really exist????

We could know the result about STAP Cell research from the board of investigation in RIKEN yesterday. (Former article:[STAP Cell > easy explanation] Does it really exist? Nobody knows except researchers. But I believe still there is a hope.)

RIKEN announced like this.

1. The photo of STAP cell on the paper is doctored? >> Justified

2. The photo of placenta looks like same even the experiment is different. >> Justified

3. One of the photo of gene analysis is cut-and-paste? >> Unjustified: falsification

4. Did they copy the experiment technique from the other paper? >> Justified

5. The experiment technique is different from the actual procedure. >> Justified

6. Did Ms. Obogata divert the photo from her doctor's thesis? >> Unjustified: fabricated

They made a conclusion that Ms. Obogata did two fraudulent acts for the research. Her research collaborators: Mr. Wakayama and Mr. Kasai didn't do any fraudulent act but they didn't check her paper properly so they bear grave responsibility. 

I am so sad that Ms. Obogata did such things. I still can't believe it but this is the truth even today is April 1st. Why did she do this? Why RIKEN coudn't figure it out? We got a sad result but it is in many ways a mystery. A big mystery is "does STAP cell really exist???". We just want to know about it. The board of investigation, they just investigated whether there was a fraud. They said it is outside the reach of their investigation it may or may not exist.

I usually want to post a good and a nice thing of Japan or Japanese on this blog so this article is contrary to my intention but now I just want to know STAP exists or not.

Next article > [STAP Cell] Ms.Obogata's apology and objection

Thank you!

Aki    

[STAP Cell > easy explanation] Does it really exist? Nobody knows except researchers. But I still believe there is a hope.

I wrote an article about STAP cell before. Ms.Obogata and her research collaborators got successful to make STAP cell. But suspicion arises. Because there are some artifacts in their research paper and nobody can make STAP cell except the team of Ms.Obogata.   

The board of investigation in RIKEN, they are trying to find out whether the paper is true or not. Here are the key points of the investigation.

1. The photo of STAP cell on the paper is doctored?

2. The photo of placenta looks like same even the experiment is different.

3. One of the photo of gene analysis is cut and paste?

4. Did they copy the experiment technique from the other paper?

5. The experiment technique is different from the actual procedure.

6. Did Ms. Obogata divert the photo from her doctor's thesis?

At the press conference, they said they figured out that there is no doubt about 1 and 2. 

Ms. Obogata sent the photos to Nature, but the photo got the distortion when Nature uploaded the photos on the paper. So Ms.Obogata didn't doctor the photo. 

 A photo of placenta.

   It looks like same photo on another paper.

The board of investigation, they determined the photos are actually same photo. But the falsification is in the category.  No harm and they couldn't detect improper manipulation. But they still have to investigate for the remaining matters. 

I read a news paper today. All member of Ms. Obogata's team are trying to dismiss the paper in Nature. However a professor of Harvard University, Dr. Charls Vacanti who was a supervisor for Ms. Obogata when she was studying in USA is opposed to dismiss the paper. 

There is an opinion that they should dismiss the paper and try to make another paper without any doubt. In either case, we just want to know STAP cell really exists or not. There is no basis for believing that STAP cell is true now but I believe still there is a hope. I think they will dismiss the paper and make another paper to convince everybody in the world. The criticism is inherent to new. I hope they can show us a wonderful result again.

Ganbare~! Obogata-san!

(Next article: >[STAP Cell] Does it really exist????)

Thank you so much.

STAP Cell, It is just so amazing! No! More than amazing! You might be able to become younger!!!

STAP Cell From Youtube

RIKEN (is Japan's largest comprehensive research institution renowned for high-quality research in a diverse range of scientific disciplines.) has successfully created a new "embryo-stem cell". Simply stimulated with mildly acidic liquid, the cells of the body of the mouse change to the ES cell that can become any cell. 

People didn't believe that the cells of the body that a role is stated once can not change to the ES cell. It's a breakthrough to overturn the common sense of the life sciences! It was published as a lead story of the British science journal Nature electronic version on 29th.

Ms. Haruko Obogata (30) is an unit leader of  the RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology (CDB) who has named STAP (Stimulus-Triggered Acquisition of Pluripotency) cell for the new embryo-stem cell.

Ms. Haruko Obogata From Youtube

She made STAP cell just 3 years after she got her PhD. It can be made more easily than iPS cells and the safety is excellent. To reshape the ES cell and the cells of the body, it is necessary to revert the cells to the state of a fertilized egg in the task of initialization. iPS cells initialize by introducing a gene. But STAP cell is simply immerse in acidic solution.

It was denied once from Nature. They said, "You are taunt the history of the cell biology of hundreds of years". "It's a mistake, I'm sure." Some researchers around were also puzzled, but she had a great deal of conviction that "It is useful for people always". She said, "I wanted quit my research and cried all night long many times. But I tried to work hard for just one day, today and just tomorrow. And I realized five years had passed. " She is very active person and a poor loser. She goes the limit. 

From Youtube 

She is very unique person. She doesn't wear a doctor's smock. She wears her grandmother's Japanese cooking apron. And her laboratory is very cute. She likes Moomin and turtle. 

From Youtube 

 There is Moomin's character on her lab's the wall. She said, "I feel lonely when I do experiments by myself, so the character helps me. "

From Youtube 

 This is her turtle in her lab.

From Youtube 

Only women are in her lab, I guess.

Still she has to try to make STAP cell by human cells, but I'm sure she can do it and it will help us a lot! This technology that the old cell reshapes to a younger cell. So If we can use this STAP cell, simply we can become younger! Oh my god! 

I want to write how come she could make STAP cell next time. She is just amazing. And RIKEN too!

Next article > [STAP Cell > easy explanation] Does it really exist? Nobody knows except researchers. But I still believe there is a hope.


Thank you so much!

A Mini-liver (5mm) is made by iPS cell.

Mini-liver

Over one year has passed after Professor Shinya Yamanaka of Kyoto University was awarded the Nobel Prize. Big expectations of iPS cells is applied to regenerative medicine which is called dream medicine. It is close to practical use now. Professer Yamanaka and Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University supplies iPS cells to over 600 laboratories in Japan and abroad. iPS cells lead investigation of the cuases and mechanisms of disease onset, the discovery of new therapies and the development of new drugs.

Professer Yamanaka said "Six years has passed after the announcement of iPS cells of human. The accomplishment of iPS cells from Japan is far beyond our expectation. Japan is leading the world in regenerative medicine. "

At Laboratory of Professor Hideki Taniguchi of Yokohama City University, they made a 5mm diameter mini-liver with iPS cell technology. If they transplant the mini-liver into mice with sever liver faiure that would have died in one month, the survival rate was going up to 90 percent! It has a complex vascular structure. It is the same function as the real liver and connected to the surrounding blood vessels. 

White: the liver cells, Red: the blood vessel cells, Green: the adhered cells

Professor Taniguchi is a surgeon. He began to research because he wanted to help the patient who couldn't receive transplanted organ and went died. Through trial and error, he mixed the liver cells and the blood vessel cells with the adhered cells by paying attention to the process of a fertilized egg become a person. And then, the cells on the culture fluid solidified naturally and became the three-dimensional structure. He said "I felt the world has changed dramatically.". This mini-liver will be conducted at the bedside 6 years later.

The iPS cells lead to other oppotunities more. I want to tell you about it in the future if I can. I can't take my eyes off iPS!

Thank you so much!

Japanese win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2013???

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2013 was awarded jointly to Martin Karplus, Michael Levitt and Arieh Warshel "for the development of multiscale models for complex chemical systems". Congratulations!

However, still Japanese have chance to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, Peace and Economic. Maybe, I am guessing Haruki Murakami win the nobel prize in Literature! There is no reason though...
 
Peter Higgs and his colleagues in the UK who won the Nobel Prize in Physics yesterday found the Higgs boson which is to be given a mass to all things. But in this Higgs boson discovery, a Japanese optical equipment manufacturer Hamamatsu Photonics greatly contributed. 

Masatoshi Koshiba, University of Tokyo, Honorary Professor was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2002 in the "neutrino" observation. "Photomultiplier tube" of Hamamatsu Photonics has played a major role at the time. The technology won the honor of the world again.

Masatoshi Koshiba

Masatoshi Koshiba succeeded the neutrino observation by this Kamiokande.

I hope new technology will be able to born by using the Higgs boson and it makes new industry.

Can any Japanese get a Nobel award in 2013?

iPS cell

Shinya Yamanaka

Last year, a Japanese scientist, Shinya Yamanaka got the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for "the discovery that mature cells can be reprogrammed to become pluripotent (iPS cell)" with Sir John B. Gurdon. And yesterday, James E. Rothman, Randy W. Scheckman and Thomas C. Südhof got the 2013 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discoveries of machinery regulating vesicle traffic, a major transport system in our cells. 

And François Englert and Peter W. Higgs got the Nobel Prize in Physics 2013 today  "for the theoretical discovery of a mechanism that contributes to our understanding of the origin of mass of subatomic particles".

The Nobel will announce the Nobel Prize in Chemistry tomorrow. Akira Fujishima known for "Honda-Fujishima effect" of the photocatalyst and Susumu Kitagawa known in the development of porous metal complex, they has been raised as a candidate from Japan. I can't wait to know who will win the prize. I hope a Japanese scientist can get the prize!

Thank you!