Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive 2026 - Page 184


Page 184 of 504

2D thermo-optic modulation enabled by Ag2Te QD film based micro-ring resonator

Scientists developed a 2D thermo-optic modulation platform using QD film based micro-ring resonators, achieving a 19.77-fold increase in tuning sensitivity and a 50-fold improvement in modulation speed compared to conventional devices. The hybrid system enables real-time high-speed reconfiguration with enhanced performance and reduced ...

Single-QTF dual-gas LITES sensor using mixed-frequency heterodyne demodulation

A new mixed-frequency heterodyne demodulation (MHD) architecture has been developed to address limitations of existing multi-gas LITES systems. The novel architecture enables simultaneous detection of two gas species, achieving low-crosstalk detection and excellent linearity.

EdUHK study finds parents as “coaches” boost children’s physical activity

A Hong Kong-based research team found that home-based exercise videos increase children's moderate-to-vigorous physical activity by 6-7 minutes. Parent support strategies grounded in Self-Determination Theory also help sustain motivation and meet psychological needs, leading to improved overall physical activity levels.

SourceThe Education University of Hong Kong·JournalJournal of Exercise Science & Fitness·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 14, 2026

Study tracks photogenerated hole evolution from separation to transfer in photocatalysis

A new study tracks the spatiotemporal evolution of photogenerated holes in a facet-engineered bismuth vanadate photocatalyst. The research reveals three sequential steps: ultrafast charge separation, defect-state trapping, and rapid interfacial hole transfer mediated by oxygen-related defects.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalNational Science Review·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJul 14, 2026

Prey accessibility — not abundance — may shape predator behavior in penguins

A new study of penguins and krill found that repeated predator disturbance can alter prey behavior, leading to functional prey depletion. Penguins had to dive deeper and travel farther to encounter prey, but feeding rates remained unchanged once prey were encountered.

SourceResearch Organization of Information and Systems·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateJul 14, 2026

India’s immunization program reduced child mortality but highlights need for coordinating health, education policies

A new study by University of Notre Dame economist Santosh Kumar Gautam found that India's universal immunization programme significantly reduced infant and under-five mortality rates. However, the programme had mixed effects on educational attainment, with some regions seeing increased primary school completion while others experienced...

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalJournal of Population Economics·TypeSurvey·DateJul 14, 2026

Scientists discover how macrophages – a key type of immune cells – age differently throughout the body

A new study reveals that macrophages, a key immune cell type, age differently across tissues and between sexes. The researchers found that aging macrophages become more focused on responding to stress and cellular damage, but lose some molecular programs involved in maintaining healthy tissue structure.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalBMC Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 14, 2026

Gene therapy restores key fragile X traits in preclinical study

A gene therapy approach has restored several disease-relevant traits in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome, including reduced seizure susceptibility and improved brain activity markers. The study's findings suggest that restoring the FMRP protein could improve symptoms such as sensory hypersensitivity and repetitive behavior.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalGene Therapy·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 14, 2026

Patients who suffer heart attack have more micro and nanoplastic in their blood

Patients who suffered a serious heart attack had higher levels of micro and nanoplastics in their blood compared to those with chronic ischemic heart disease and normal coronary arteries. The study also revealed that people exposed to higher levels of air pollution and smokers had higher levels of microplastics in their blood.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJul 14, 2026

Children born during lockdown in England found it more difficult to focus, follow instructions and regulate their emotions at 4 years of age

A study found that children born during the first COVID-19 lockdown in England had lower executive function skills, including difficulty focusing and regulating emotions. Overall language scores were at or above expected levels, but expressive language skills were below average.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalArchives of Disease in Childhood·TypeObservational study·DateJul 14, 2026

Pitfalls of AI speech-to-text in clinical settings

A study published by University of Cincinnati associate professor Nelly Elsayed highlights the importance of human review in AI-driven physicians' documentation to ensure transparency, privacy, and reliability. The research also emphasizes the need for clinicians to be trained on software before adoption to curb errors.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalInternational Journal of Medical Informatics·DateJul 14, 2026

High-risk emergency surgery costs older adults about a month of time at home

A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that older adults who undergo high-risk emergency general surgery spend significantly fewer days living independently at home after surgery. The researchers analyzed outcomes for nearly 30,000 individuals aged 66 and older using a patient-centered measure...

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 14, 2026

Emerging tick-borne virus raises concern

Researchers uncover how a family of tick-borne viruses, known as orthonairoviruses, evade the immune system by manipulating cellular communication pathways. This study highlights a significant pandemic risk posed by these viruses and emphasizes the need for continued surveillance and preparedness.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalACS Infectious Diseases·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 14, 2026

China’s climate goals could reshape the global palm oil industry

A new review suggests that China's carbon reduction commitments can influence the environmental performance of the global palm oil industry by promoting sustainable production, traceability, and climate-responsible technologies. This could help reduce palm oil's climate footprint while protecting livelihoods.

SourceShenyang Agricultural University Collaborative Journals·JournalAgricultural Ecology and Environment·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 14, 2026

Keystone microbes help stabilize nutrient cycling in a massive deep-water reservoir

A new study reveals that a small group of highly connected microorganisms helps maintain essential ecosystem functions, such as carbon and nitrogen cycling, despite major shifts in the wider microbial community. The research found functional redundancy, where different microorganisms can perform similar ecological roles.

SourceShenyang Agricultural University Collaborative Journals·JournalEnvironmental and Biogeochemical Processes·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 14, 2026

How virtual reality can transform behavioral science and enhance reproducibility

Researchers outline a future vision for VR research that prioritizes open science practices and technological accessibility. The Openverse protocol addresses interoperability, procedural standardization, and data sharing to improve VR study quality and address the reproducibility crisis.

SourceUniversity of California - Merced·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 14, 2026

An accessible, accurate method to measure the placenta

A new study has developed an inexpensive and rapid method for measuring placental volume using two-dimensional ultrasound equipment. The Estimated Placental Volume (EPV) method shows near-perfect correlation with the current gold standard, making it a promising alternative for identifying pregnancies at risk of stillbirth.

Self-driving lab leverages AI to develop tough new 3D-printable metal alloys for aerospace and advanced manufacturing

Researchers created new metal alloys using AI-driven materials design, retaining strength under extreme conditions. The alloys, made of nickel, cobalt, and chromium, outperformed industry standards in properties such as puncture resistance and oxidation resistance.

New process turns mixed plastic waste directly into hydrogen fuel without sorting

A team of researchers has developed a new chemical approach that converts a mixture of the three most common plastics directly into high-purity hydrogen fuel at temperatures far below conventional gasification. The process locks carbon dioxide away as a solid mineral without releasing the greenhouse gas into the atmosphere.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 14, 2026

Reddit posts reveal silent symptoms of menopause

A new study reveals that menopause symptoms such as cognitive impairment and emotional wellbeing are more commonly discussed on Reddit than in clinical records. The study highlights the importance of online forums in capturing stigmatized or poorly understood conditions like perimenopause and menopause.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 14, 2026

OYE Therapeutics reports successful Phase 1 results for OYE-101 proprietary intravenous caffeine solution

OYE Therapeutics announced positive Phase 1 results for OYE-101, a proprietary intravenous caffeine formulation. The study demonstrated the safety and tolerability of OYE-101 in healthy adult volunteers, supporting its planned development as a treatment to support emergence from general anesthesia and deep sedation.

SourcePurdue University·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 14, 2026

Nelson studying striped bass

Researcher T. Reid Nelson is conducting a study on striped bass to better understand the environmental factors influencing mortality following catch-and-release. His findings aim to provide a more accurate estimate of catch-and-release mortality, essential for effective fisheries management.

Strongly underestimated sources of methane: Water bodies in the Amazon Rainforest

Researchers found that methane emissions from Amazon wetlands are four times higher than previously calculated, with river deltas producing up to 26% more methane. The study uses aircraft measurements and high-resolution data to provide a comprehensive understanding of methane sources in the region.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemistry·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 14, 2026

New research links television and movie content with racial bias in children

A study published in American Psychologist found that White children who consumed media with fewer Black characters had less positive attitudes towards Black children and were more likely to attribute racial inequalities to differences. The research highlights the role of media consumption in shaping childhood prejudices, suggesting th...

SourceNew York University·JournalAmerican Psychologist·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 14, 2026