AIST combined a new analytical approach to evaluate genetic diversity with metatranscriptome analysis, and discovered that when degrading heavy oil in wastewater, nitrifying bacteria that are small minority microbes in activated sludge influence the heavy oil degradation performance of the overall activated sludge.

AIST examined the expression levels of inotocin, an ant neuropeptide, between young worker ants staying the nest and old worker ants active outside. It was clarified that inotocin controls the synthesis of hydrocarbons that prevent the water loss from the body surface.

AIST has investigated changes in the neural pathways of the brain during the process of motor function recovery using model animals with permanent lesion in the brain. As a result, it was discovered that a new neural pathway was formed.

By developing rotary heat treatment technology specialized for a reduction-diffusion reaction, AIST developed technology for fabricating samarium-iron-nitrogen (Sm₂Fe₁₇N₃) magnet powder with high coercivity of 30 kOe or more at room temperature and approximately 11 kOe at 200 ºC, without the use of heavy rare earth elements.

AIST developed semen pretreatment technology for improving the conception rate by artificial insemination for cattle breeding. In addition, semen was mass produced and cryopreserved in a sealed state inside a straw packaging, and a high conception rate was confirmed by field validation testing.

AIST conducted a survey of Lake Shinji in Shimane Prefecture. The results indicated the possibility that neonicotinoid insecticides used in rice paddies kill or otherwise harm the creatures on which eels and smelt feed, and thus indirectly caused the rapid decline in eels and smelt.

AIST has developed a new digital X-ray imaging device that enables digital inspection of infrastructures. The developed device can be driven with batteries. Combination with a battery-powered X-ray source enables X-ray inspection up to 10 cm thick iron objects.