Team identifies molecule controlling embryonic growth in fish
March 1, 2006A group of researchers has identified a molecule regulating the normal growth of fish embryos that clears maternal genes and switches to their own, according to a study published in the U.S. Science magazine on Thursday. Kunio Inoue, assistant professor of developmental biology at Kobe University, and other researchers in the team believe that the findings may help resolve the mechanism controlling the early phase of life.
Feline fossil believed to be Japan's oldest found in Fukushima
March 1, 2006A fossil of a feline tooth, believed to be Japan's oldest, has been discovered in Tomioka, Fukushima Prefecture, according to a research report released Tuesday. The fossil, believed to be a tooth that belonged to a species of saber-toothed tiger, was found in a stratum about 2.5 million years old, the report said.
JR East's new 'Fastech' bullet train unveiled to press
March 1, 2006East Japan Railway Co. unveiled its new shinkansen, the Fastech, which is designed to be the world's fastest bullet train, to the press during a test run on Wednesday. The Fastech logged 366 kilometers per hour during the test run. JR East plans for the train to run at 360 kph from 2011 when the Tohoku Shinkansen Line, currently linking Tokyo and Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, will be extended further north to Shin-Aomori Station.