Kyoto University builds transistor that survives 600C temperatures, compatible with standard fabs — Standard ion implantation and bottom-gate design fix leakage and voltage drift

🇯🇵 Japan has begun treating Parkinson's patients with the world's 1st approved stem cell therapy, implanting millions of dopamine-producing cells directly into the brain. Earlier trials involving 7 patients showed improved movement symptoms in 4, paving the way for conditional government approval. Kyoto University says its 1st patient treated under the new program, a woman in her 50s, has already been discharged following surgery, with researchers now monitoring her progress.

Inhalation of Rose Scent Increases Gray Matter Volume in the Posterior Cingulate Cortex: Implications for Brain Plasticity and Neurodegenerative Disease Prevention Like Alzheimer’s — Recent research has illuminated the potential of olfactory stimulation to influence brain structure, specifically through the continuous inhalation of a rose scent, which has been shown to increase gray matter volume in specific brain regions. This study, conducted by researchers from Kyoto University and the University of Tsukuba in Japan, provides novel insights into how sensory experiences, particularly olfaction, may contribute to brain plasticity and potentially mitigate neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia. The study involved 50 female participants, with 28 assigned to the experimental group and 22 to the control group. The experimental group wore clothing infused with rose-scented oil for one month, while the control group used plain water. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were performed to assess changes in gray matter volume. The results revealed a significant increase in overall gray matter volume in the rose scent group compared to the control group. Notably, the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), a region associated with memory, odor memory retrieval, and semantic memory processes, exhibited a pronounced increase in gray matter volume. In contrast, regions such as the amygdala, which is directly involved in processing olfactory stimuli, and the orbitofrontal cortex, responsible for evaluating pleasant odors, showed minimal changes. These findings align with prior research indicating that the PCC is indirectly linked to olfactory processing and is more active in individuals with olfactory deficits, possibly as a compensatory mechanism. The researchers propose that the continuous presence of the rose scent may reduce the amygdala’s role in actively signaling odor detection, allowing the PCC to take on a more prominent role in processing and storing odor-related memories. This sustained engagement of the PCC could drive the observed increase in gray matter volume, reflecting enhanced neural activity and plasticity in this region. An alternative hypothesis posited by the researchers suggests that the rose scent might be perceived as unpleasant by some participants, leading to increased emotional regulation demands on the PCC. This heightened activity could contribute to the structural changes observed. While the exact mechanisms remain unclear, the study underscores the potential of olfactory stimulation to modulate brain structure, particularly in regions critical for memory and cognitive association. The implications of these findings are significant, particularly for the development of non-invasive interventions like aromatherapy to enhance mental health and brain plasticity. The simplicity of incorporating a scent into daily routines, akin to wearing perfume, makes this approach accessible and cost-effective. Moreover, the PCC’s known susceptibility to atrophy in Alzheimer’s disease suggests that sustained olfactory stimulation could serve as a preventive strategy to maintain its functionality, potentially reducing dementia risk. The researchers advocate for further studies with larger, more diverse cohorts and varied scents to validate and expand these findings. This study marks a pioneering step in demonstrating that continuous olfactory stimulation can induce measurable structural changes in the brain. By highlighting the role of the PCC in processing odor-related memories, it opens avenues for future research into aromatherapy as a tool for cognitive enhancement and neurodegenerative disease prevention. Kokubun, K., et al. (2025). Continuous inhalation of rose essential oil increases gray matter volume in the posterior cingulate cortex from the Brain Research Bulletin.