Understanding how oxygen is delivered to tissues at the microscopic level

Researchers at Kyushu University and Institute of Science Tokyo have developed a new computational model that can simulate the transport of oxygen by red blood cells (RBCs) through tiny blood vessels—or capillaries—and their delivery to surrounding tissues. Published in the International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer on April 27, 2026, the study reveals that RBCs can naturally adjust the amount of oxygen released based on local requirements and help maintain a stable level of oxygen throughout the body.