Researchers found that microglia, a type of brain immune cell, can actively promote the formation of amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that microglia generate plaques through cellular processes, rather than spontaneous aggregation, and could influence the design of experimental therapies.
Statins have been shown to lower CVD risk in individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus, kidney failure, and chronic kidney disease. The studies also found a link between statin use and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality.
A new neural circuit has been identified that rewards gnawing behavior in rodents, driving a release of dopamine in the brain. This discovery could help explain oral health issues in humans, including bruxism and malocclusion.
Researchers developed a model to calculate snow accumulation on roofs, considering snowflake size and distribution. Larger snow particles lead to greater accumulation, while higher wind speeds reduce depth. The study provides insights for building codes and guidelines for snow loading.
A large cohort study found that fewer than 1 in 4 adults with overweight or obesity without diabetes remained on GLP-1RA treatment after 12 months. Treatment switching between GLP-1RA agents was common, reflecting active therapy management and the emergence of new formulations and weight management agents.
Riders in Europe face precarious labor conditions, including lack of formal contracts, algorithmic control, and social protection. The study highlights the need for specific regulations governing their work.
A major UK study found that local councils are progressing at varying speeds towards AI adoption, with some councils building robust data foundations and others struggling with legacy systems. The report highlights the importance of leadership ambition, governance discipline, and strategic clarity in determining AI readiness.
Researchers at Saarland University developed metallic glasses to reduce energy losses in electric motors, enabling more efficient operation. The new alloys minimize energy consumption in everyday devices, extending the range of e-scooters and drones.
Researchers at Tohoku University have developed an ultrafine soft yarn actuator fiber capable of bending, contracting, and producing complex three-dimensional movements when electricity is applied. The technology offers a new pathway for building safer soft robots and body-conforming wearable devices.
Researchers developed a TwinGuard defense framework that uses real-time digital twin and reinforcement learning AI to detect and neutralize 5G cyber-attacks. The system detected and blocked attacks in under 100 milliseconds, including handover flooding and E2 subscription flooding attacks.
Jason Ross has been honored for his work on the German-French ActiDecorp project, developing novel active substances to remove radioactive actinides from the human body. The project aims to address a growing risk of contamination through accidents or occupational exposure.
HKU and El-Yurt Umidi Foundation collaborate to provide academic pathways, training, and scholarships for Uzbekistan students. The MoU aims to foster cross-cultural exchanges and enrich HKU's global academic community.
Oregon State University's Experimental Deep Geothermal Energy lab will recreate extreme underground conditions in the lab with Quaise Energy's support. The goal is to learn about superhot rock geothermal energy, which could supply 63 terawatts of firm, carbon-free power.
A novel blood-based biomarker, p-tau217, can predict a woman's risk of developing dementia up to 25 years before symptoms appear. Higher levels of p-tau217 were strongly associated with future mild cognitive impairment and dementia among older, cognitively healthy women.
The University of Hong Kong's MeckUp Quest 2026 AI Robotics Challenge brought together 19 elite student teams to develop intelligent robots for post-typhoon disaster response. The competition demonstrated the potential of youth-driven innovation to empower emergency rescue efforts and safeguard social good.
Researchers at IBEC have developed a compact, cost-effective NMR platform capable of direct observation of dynamic metabolic fluxes in microfluidic systems. This technology leverages hyperpolarization to bridge the gap between high-field NMR performance and lab-on-chip analysis.
Researchers at Politecnico di Milano and CNR have developed a new ultrafast computer technology controlled by light, potentially hundreds of times faster than traditional electronics. The technology manipulates the state of electrons in matter using oscillating light, enabling operations at rates above 10 terahertz.
A research team from HKU has identified a fundamental physical principle called duality symmetry that governs the absorption bandwidth of ventilated systems. This breakthrough leads to the design of a new type of ventilated structure that can absorb over 86% of sound across a wide range of frequencies.
The partnership aims to advance embodied intelligence and humanoid robotics, focusing on whole-body motion control, dexterous manipulation, and brain-eye-hand coordination. The collaboration will drive practical implementations in areas like intelligent robotics and brain-computer interfaces.
A new study from Linköping University has identified common steps and turning points in patients' stories, contributing to new ways of understanding and rehabilitating conditions like post-COVID-19 condition, exhaustion disorder, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Participants described seeking knowledge outside the healthcare system and fi...
Researchers found that peroxiredoxin variants can assemble into mixed complexes, allowing cells to create molecular heterogeneity and fine-tune redox signaling. This ability enables cells to respond to stress in a dynamic and context-dependent manner.
A population-level cohort study of 20 low-mortality countries found that females aged 35-60 have higher cancer mortality rates than males, despite similar treatment and diagnostic pathways. The study highlights the need for targeted action to improve the prevention, early detection, and treatment of female reproductive cancers.
HKU has launched four strategic bases in Shanghai, including the HKU Zhangjiang Base and the Caohejing Base, to drive innovation, academic excellence, and global collaboration. The bases will house interdisciplinary research institutes and serve as platforms for research, innovation, and industry collaboration.
Researchers from HKU develop AI-powered metalens called SonoMeta to overcome ultrasound barriers in heart and lung imaging. This technology enables clearer visualization of cardiac structures and pulmonary issues, leading to more precise diagnoses and improved patient outcomes.
HKU Partner Day 2026 brought together 400 leaders, partners, and scholars to explore emerging education trends and global collaboration. The event featured interactive workshops, cultural performances, and guided campus tours, showcasing HKU's academic excellence and commitment to international collaboration.
Experts warn that the lack of adequate diagnosis and treatment for ADHD is a pressing concern, with 27% of children and young people waiting over a year for an assessment. Effective treatments are available and backed by strong evidence, but significant barriers remain, including long waiting times and growing demand.
A robotic suction disc with a hybrid adhesion mechanism inspired by the lamprey has been developed, achieving impressive grip strength in both air and water. The device successfully lifted heavy loads and maintained its grip on rough surfaces, with effective adhesion time increased by up to 540% in water.
The 2026 release expands coverage of emerging novel psychoactive substances, including synthetic cannabinoids, fentanyl analogs, and pharmaceutical drugs. The database provides comprehensive and up-to-date support for forensic, toxicology, and drug surveillance workflows.
States adopting recreational cannabis laws in addition to medical cannabis laws experienced a 45% relative reduction in cannabis seizure counts. This decline suggests a reduction in illegal cannabis supply and changes in law enforcement priorities.
Researchers at Hokkaido University developed a new platform to evaluate male reproductive function in living mice, enabling non-invasive, real-time monitoring of fertility. This approach reduces animal use and costs, while providing continuous and long-term data, and has potential applications in oncofertility research.
A new international survey reveals distinct differences in how veterinarians and animal welfare scientists in Japan and the UK perceive animal welfare, particularly animal behavior. The study found that cultural values, such as Japan's interdependence-oriented culture and the UK's individualistic society, influence attitudes towards an...
A novel framework uses multimodal large language models to predict ischemia and reperfusion risk, achieving high sensitivity and specificity in large-scale datasets. The system outperforms baseline models with a 4.8-9.5% relative improvement and maintains consistent performance across diverse subgroups.
The Global Physics Summit will feature over 12,000 individual presentations on new research in astrophysics, particle physics, and quantum information science. Registered journalists and public information officers will receive daily emails with information during the meeting.
A new EEG domain generalization method achieves state-of-the-art accuracy across three public datasets, outperforming baseline methods in noise robustness. The model uses domain-invariant feature and data augmentation to enhance cross-subject generalization, demonstrating robust solutions for BCI technology applications.
JMIR Publications has partnered with the University of Turku to provide unlimited open-access publishing, eliminating financial barriers and administrative hurdles for researchers. The partnership offers APC waivers for corresponding authors affiliated with the university, allowing them to publish in prestigious titles at no cost.
Seabirds have a significant impact on plant growth and dune formation on uninhabited islands, with guano providing essential nutrients. The research highlights the importance of protecting seabird habitats to maintain ecosystem balance.
Astronomers detect rare cosmic burst from colliding galaxies, which sheds light on how the universe creates heavy elements like gold and platinum. The burst, known as GRB 230906A, is believed to have been triggered by the collision of two neutron stars, releasing a flood of energy and forging heavy elements.
A new optimization method for solar cells reduces voltage drops in transport layers, enabling efficient charge separation even with high extraction barriers. Researchers achieved a 24.6% efficiency by optimizing TL thickness and carrier mobility.
A new study finds that the amount of time per year that extreme heat makes it unsafe to go about daily life has doubled since the 1950s, with younger adults facing 2x more hours of heat-related limitations, while older adults face 50% more
In Ethiopia's city of Mekelle, spotted hyenas consume organic waste, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preventing disease. By doing so, they save the city over $100,000 in waste management costs, highlighting the vital ecosystem service they provide.
Researchers developed Zephyrus, an AI agent capable of analyzing and answering questions in natural language about weather and climate data. The agent can handle language-based queries, translating them into code and generating plain language answers.
Researchers at Washington State University have discovered the microscopic landscape of proteins in plant leaf cells, revealing how they convert sunlight into bioenergy. The study provides a new view of the molecular engine of photosynthesis and its potential for future fine-tuning of crops.
The ARLIS initiative aims to apply Zero Trust Architecture principles to quantum systems, evaluating security postures and developing recommendations for future security standards. By aligning emerging quantum technologies with national security standards, ARLIS seeks to enable rapid government adoption of quantum systems.
Research suggests that modernization can increase cultural differences, rather than reducing them. Thomas Talhelm's study of China's rice- and wheat-growing regions found that families in rice-growing areas tend to be more collectivistic, living in large multigenerational households and less likely to live alone.
A new study reveals that deep-sea microbes like Nitrosopumilus maritimus can adapt to warmer, nutrient-poor waters, maintaining their role in nitrogen cycling and primary production. This finding suggests that these microbes may play an important role in reshaping ocean-nutrient distribution in a changing climate.
A new study found that cannabis intoxication disrupts many types of memory, including verbal, visuospatial, and episodic content memory. Participants who consumed cannabis performed significantly worse than the placebo group on most measures, with significant differences appearing in 15 of the 21 tests.
A study found that high heat stress does not reduce prosocial behavior, but cultural and gender differences significantly impact egalitarianism, resource maximization, and competitiveness. Women tend to exhibit more egalitarian behavior than men, while cultural differences affect specific elements of prosociality.
Researchers compared mineralization of calcium phosphate on titanium dioxide nanoparticles coated with zein and polydopamine, finding PDA-coated particles accumulated more mineral mass. The study's findings could guide the design of better implants, water purification materials, and sensing technologies.
A Chinese Neurosurgical Journal study developed a radiomics-based machine learning model to identify high-risk patients with traumatic brain injury who require emergency decompressive surgery. The model accurately distinguished patients who later required secondary surgery, suggesting its potential to complement clinical judgment.
Researchers develop world's first DNA aptamer that binds to neurofilament light chain, a protein released into the blood with neurodegeneration. The aptamer, MN711, shows high affinity and specificity comparable to commercially available antibodies.
Researchers discover SMAD7 acts as a positive regulator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, promoting dental pulp stem cell regeneration and tissue repair. The study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms governing tooth regeneration and holds promise for regenerative endodontic procedures.
A novel AI-based framework, EDGCN, decodes dynamic variations in EEG patterns for better brain-computer interface technology. The model outperforms current state-of-the-art methods with high classification accuracies and decoding accuracy, enabling more seamless communication between the human brain and machines.
Researchers found that Gracixalus weii treefrog's call is similar to a bird-like chirp of the Black-Breasted Thrush, highlighting the evolution of acoustic symbols in amphibians influenced by ecological interactions with birds. This phenomenon provides a reliable alternative to morphological or molecular diagnosis for cryptic species
Subway systems are consistently reporting thermal discomfort due to the rising heat, with complaints increasing by 10-27% for every 1 degree Celsius above 10 degrees Celsius in Boston, New York, and London respectively. The study aims to help transit agencies anticipate extreme heat and implement targeted mitigation strategies.
Researchers developed a method to use PFAS to extract lithium from high-salinity brine pools, reducing environmental damage and costs. The process, which uses electrothermal heating, recovers 82% of lithium fluoride at 99% purity, outperforming traditional methods in terms of energy efficiency and water usage.
A research team has made a breakthrough in breeding winter-hardy faba beans, an ancient crop high in protein and nitrogen-fixing ability. The team identified a single gene that distinguishes between winter and summer varieties, offering a sustainable alternative to soy in Europe and accelerating the breeding of robust winter field beans.
A study found that radiologists who reviewed imaging tests twice after AI flagged them as abnormal were 53% less likely to be held liable in court compared to those who reviewed once. This suggests that changes to radiologist workflow could reduce legal risk, but may also come with increased costs.
A new biotech company, Ibnova Therapeutics, will accelerate treatments for heart disease through cellular therapies, backed by Australian and Danish partnerships. The company aims to conduct human clinical trials within three to five years.
A UNIGE study shows that connected devices can gather valuable data to help prevent neurological and mental disorders. The study found that AI-analysed data from smartwatch and smartphone data can accurately predict emotional and cognitive fluctuations, with error rates ranging from 5-20%.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new boron-based coupling method that enables the rapid production of key proteins for cancer therapies, overcoming the concentration barrier in chemical protein synthesis. This breakthrough allows for the creation of new peptide and protein medications, as well as unnatural amino acids with sp...