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Science News Archive 2026 - Page 277


Page 277 of 516

USC robot learns music by ear, opening new possibilities in medicine and therapy

A robotic hand developed at USC can hear a melody once and play it back after just two minutes of self-taught practice on a keyboard. The system, called the Musician Hand, mimics the way the brain and body coordinate fine motor skills through trial and error, offering a new model for machines — and medicine — to approach complex moveme...

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 27, 2026

Wistar Institute and Temple scientists identify metabolic target to overcome chemotherapy resistance in ovarian cancer

Researchers at The Wistar Institute and Temple University have identified a metabolic target that can help overcome chemotherapy resistance in ovarian cancer. Elevated alpha-ketoglutarate activates an enzyme called TMLHE, which drives carnitine production and loosens the DNA-histone complex, allowing cells to access and fix damaged DNA.

SourceThe Wistar Institute·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 27, 2026

New study finds neighborhood-level sampling could close equity gap in wastewater disease surveillance

Researchers at Syracuse University found that larger populations with more vulnerable communities struggle with early detection due to dilution. Taking wastewater samples upstream from large treatment plants can detect outbreaks in smaller sub-communities before dilution makes it more difficult.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 27, 2026

Introduced wild pigs linked to fewer invasive plants, while native deer show the opposite pattern

A new study from Aarhus University found that introduced wild pigs are associated with lower abundance and species richness of invasive plants, but native white-tailed deer are linked to reduced abundance of native tree seedlings. The research suggests that ecological impact depends on feeding behavior, functional traits, and environme...

SourceAarhus University·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeContent analysis·DateMay 27, 2026

Italians and Dutch share the same gestural instinct for teaching

Researchers found that Italian and Dutch adults increased use of two-handed representational gestures when teaching children, suggesting a shared communicative strategy for young learners. This finding supports theories of folk pedagogy and highlights the importance of multimodal scaffolding in human cultural transmission.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·TypeObservational study·DateMay 27, 2026

Researchers link specific microbiomes to archaeological bone degradation

A study published in PLOS One analyzed microbial communities in well-preserved and degraded bones from medieval cemeteries in Norway. The researchers found distinct microbial communities associated with different levels of degradation, suggesting that microbes play a role in bone preservation and decay.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeObservational study·DateMay 27, 2026

Clear disclosure of social media sponsorships is linked to better advertising awareness among adolescents, but critical thinking is needed to curb purchase intent, per study of over 3,000 Taiwanese students

A recent study of over 3,000 Taiwanese students found that adolescents who received clear disclosure of social media sponsorships demonstrated improved advertising literacy. However, this improvement was tempered by a need for critical thinking to curb purchase intent among the young participants.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·DateMay 27, 2026

Scientists reveal how dividing cells precisely trigger spindle formation

Researchers discovered a step-by-step process underlying SPD-5 activation, which regulates where and when spindle fibers form in C. elegans. This finding provides insights into the fundamentals of cell division regulation and may lead to new treatments for diseases caused by incorrect chromosome segregation.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 27, 2026

Scientists identify key structural units in neutral boron oxide clusters

Scientists have discovered key structural units—BO, BO₃, and B₂O₅—in neutral boron oxide clusters that are essential building blocks of the two-dimensional vitreous network. These findings provide important insights into the microstructure and growth mechanisms of vitreous materials.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMay 27, 2026

More than two decades after 9/11, the children of World Trade Center responders are still experiencing mental health ill-effects

A new study finds that adult children of World Trade Center responders with PTSD are experiencing intergenerational transmission of trauma and ongoing mental health issues more than two decades after the 9/11 attacks. The research highlights the lasting impact of trauma on families and communities affected by the disaster.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Mental Health·DateMay 27, 2026

Scientists find groundbreaking potential for tissue regrowth and immortality in the ocean

Researchers found that discarded sea cucumber tissue can grow, diversify cells, and reorganize itself in natural seawater, challenging assumptions of tissue immortality. This discovery has profound implications for biomedical sciences and engineering, with potential applications in tissue regrowth and anti-microbial healing.

SourceBigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 27, 2026

New fences can save restored saltmarsh

Restored saltmarshes can disappear if fences are not kept in good repair, new research reveals. A study at Rumney Great Wharf found that sedimentation fields, which use brushwood fencing to trap mud and encourage marsh plants to take root, need ongoing maintenance.

SourceUniversity of Reading·JournalJournal of Environmental Management·DateMay 27, 2026

Ancient bird species found in China's Liaoning: Extra-long tail feathers for elaborate courtship – interview with university of Chicago PhD candidate Alexander D. Clark

The study reveals a new species of bird, Plumadraco bankoorum, with exceptionally long tail feathers, estimated to be twice its body length. The findings suggest that males used these feathers in courtship displays, such as up-and-down bobbing or raised postures to show off their plumage.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeObservational study·DateMay 27, 2026