Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

Dehnel's phenomenon is not a simple reduction of size: seasonal change in skull shape of the long-clawed shrew (Soricidae, Mammalia)

Abstract Dehnel's phenomenon—a reversible seasonal reduction and regrowth of body size, skull, brain and visceral organs—is an extreme adaptive strategy, enabling small mammals to survive winter energetic constraints. First described in the common shrew Sorex araneus, similar sea...

Effects of Three Assertion Training Sessions on Schoolchildren’s Assertiveness and Mental Health

As a crucial period for self and identity development, early adolescence may give rise to emotional issues due to inadequate methods of self-expression. Therefore, the development of self-expression during early adolescence may play a significant role in interpersonal relationshi...

Muscle mechanical properties during voluntary contraction with motor-threshold neuromuscular electrical stimulation

Abstract Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is often superimposed on voluntary contraction, but its effects on muscle mechanical properties remain unclear. We used shear wave elastography to assess the tibialis anterior at rest and during isometric ankle dorsiflexion wit...

Facilitating the supplementary motor area activity reduces variability of ball arrival position in accurate ball throwing performance

Maintaining high accuracy during rapid, dynamic movements is a significant challenge for the central nervous system. The supplementary motor area (SMA) is a key cortical region for orchestrating motor commands and regulating movement variability, yet its causal contribution to ma...

The association of corporate measures and health management initiatives with employee engagement in Japanese companies

Using data from 2,502 companies in Japan’s Health and Productivity Management Survey, this study examined determinants of employee engagement and corporate success. Regression analysis showed that hourly paid leave (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.07–1.56) and communic...