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Science News Archive 2026 - Page 270


Page 270 of 516

Deep brain stimulation remodels brain wiring and alters functional changes to brain-wide networks, landmark depression study reveals

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) can remodel white matter pathways in the brain and alter communication across large-scale neural networks. The therapy helps patients recover from severe depression by increasing fractional anisotropy and myelination within specific pathways, suggesting a previously unrecognized mechanism.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2026

Study is first demonstration of noninvasive gene transcription measurement

Researchers at Rice University have developed a noninvasive method to track the expression of specific genes in living brain tissue, enabling real-time monitoring of gene activity. The tool, called In-vivo Tracking of Active Transcription (INTACT), uses engineered reporter molecules and sensors to detect target mRNA in the bloodstream.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2026

Many more US voters support gay candidates, but only if they look and act ‘straight,’ study finds

A new study from Northwestern University reveals American voters are more accepting of gay candidates than ever before, but acceptance is conditional and varies by political party. Republican voters continue to penalize candidates for being gay, while Democratic voters punish those who look or sound slightly gender nonconforming.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalThe Journal of Politics·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2026

APIC and SHEA appoint subject matter experts to Healthcare Infection Prevention Advisory Group (HIPAG) to advance national infection prevention leadership

The Healthcare Infection Prevention Advisory Group (HIPAG) aims to address gaps in infection prevention expertise and support evidence-based practices. HIPAG will provide national expertise on antimicrobial resistance, emerging infectious disease threats, and frontline healthcare operations.

Europe benefits from a faster renewable energy transition

A new study by the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry finds that accelerating renewable energy expansion can effectively close the energy supply gap while providing climate change mitigation benefits and improving public health. This creates substantial societal and economic benefits, outweighing the costs of renewable energy expansion.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemistry·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 1, 2026

Starvation triggers reversible epigenetic changes in fish pathogen, offering new clues for aquaculture disease control

A recent study revealed that the bacterial pathogen Flavobacterium columnare remodels its epigenetic landscape during prolonged starvation, rather than altering its DNA sequence. This finding suggests a novel survival strategy for the bacterium and could have direct implications for aquaculture disease control.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalWater Biology and Security·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2026

Our knowledge of the world drives innovation

A recent study by Karolinska Institutet researchers found that semantic knowledge plays a vital role in human innovation, enabling individuals to create new connections between objects and ideas. The study showed that groups with access to both semantic knowledge and social learning produced more unique innovations than those with only...

SourceKarolinska Institutet·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2026

Weight loss increases ability to manage household

Weight loss after bariatric surgery is associated with better ability to cope with daily household tasks such as cleaning and grocery shopping. The study also found that maintaining weight loss for long periods results in improved functionality and independence. Patients who regained lost weight experienced poorer outcomes over time.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalBMC Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJun 1, 2026

Researchers at MLU solve a 50-year-old mystery: how acid removes water from proteins

Proteins lose their hydration shell when environment becomes more acidic, a process that had remained unanswered for 50 years. Direct observation of individual water molecules reveals clear rules: certain amino acids bind or release water, leading to stable inner core regardless of pH level.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2026

KAIST develops new catalyst design technology to improve battery and hydrogen fuel cell performance​

Researchers at KAIST have developed a new catalyst design technology that can improve the efficiency of key reactions in batteries and fuel cells. By adjusting the electrical environment around the catalyst, they were able to increase the desired reaction by 52%, leading to improved performance, lifespan, and stability.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 1, 2026

An immune defense guide

Researchers decode signaling pathway of atypical chemokine receptor ACKR4, revealing its role in internalizing and degrading unnecessary chemokines. This mechanism helps guide immune cells and regulate inflammation, with potential implications for cancer treatment.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalNature·DateJun 1, 2026

Martin G. Pomper, MD, Ph.D., receives 2026 Benedict Cassen Prize for Outstanding Contributions to Nuclear Medicine

Dr. Martin G. Pomper has been awarded the 2026 Benedict Cassen Prize for his outstanding contributions to nuclear medicine, particularly in the development of PSMA-targeted agents. His work has led to significant advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment, including the creation of commercial PSMA-targeted PET agents.

Sensitivity of embryonic Chinese rare minnow to fragrance ingredients: A comparison to its juveniles and embryonic zebrafish

Research suggests using Chinese rare minnow embryos as an alternative to conventional acute toxicity tests with juvenile fish, reducing animal use and avoiding redundant testing. The study found that embryo-based tests can provide a more sensitive endpoint than lethality alone, highlighting the importance of endpoint selection.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalEnvironmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2026

Tort immunity and nursing home staffing

A cohort study found that introducing immunity in US nursing homes was associated with lower overall staffing and staff-to-resident time. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many states adopted immunity from tort liability for harms to nursing home residents.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Health Forum·DateJun 1, 2026

One simple trick makes zebrafish a better model for microbiome research

Researchers developed a new method to raise germ-free zebrafish using gamma irradiation, enabling long-term studies of host-microbe interactions. This approach revealed significant differences between germ-free and intact zebrafish, suggesting conserved roles for microbiomes in immunity and metabolism across species.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalmSystems·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2026

How mechanical stress can accelerate bone destruction in periodontitis

Researchers found that traumatic occlusion combined with periodontitis leads to significant bone loss due to upregulated inflammatory pathways. The study suggests that excessive bite force does not directly cause damage but exacerbates existing dysregulation, making clinical applications of occlusal adjustment in treatment more relevant.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalJournal Of Clinical Periodontology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2026

New nanocomposite coating achieves 98% corrosion protection for stainless steel

Researchers developed a nanocomposite coating that improves stainless steel's resistance to highly acidic conditions, offering a potential solution for industries with metal equipment exposed to aggressive chemicals. The coating delivered up to 98.2% corrosion inhibition efficiency and remained stable over seven days of immersion.

SourceSultan Qaboos University·JournalSultan Qaboos University Journal for Science [SQUJS]·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2026

Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sufficient sleep protect mental health in middle age

A recent study published in Depression and Anxiety found that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sufficient sleep are crucial for protecting mental health in middle age. Replacing sedentary behavior with light activity produced smaller benefits compared to moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, highlighting the importance of i...

SourceUniversity of Oulu, Finland·JournalDepression and Anxiety·DateJun 1, 2026

How plants learnt to protect themselves from UV rays

A UNIGE team studied the evolutionary history of plant mechanisms that protect against UV-B radiation in Marchantia polymorpha. They found that while the core mechanism is conserved, regulatory proteins play different roles in ancestral and modern plants, influencing their tolerance to light stress.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalPLANT PHYSIOLOGY·TypeNews article·DateJun 1, 2026

“Achieved with a single laser process”: DGIST creates a photoelectric conversion junction in a two-dimensional semiconductor

The research team developed a technology that directly forms a junction structure within a 2D semiconductor using a laser to enhance photodetection performance. The resulting energy barrier rapidly separates the positively and negatively charged carriers generated by light, suppressing their recombination.

SourceDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·DateJun 1, 2026