Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive 2026 - Page 311


Page 311 of 516

New research suggests sexual arousal could blind people to rejection cues

A new study found that sexual arousal can make people more likely to interpret ambiguous interactions optimistically, even when there is uncertainty. This phenomenon can serve a purpose in early courtship by providing optimism, but also comes with costs as it may overshadow sensitivity to another person's actual wishes.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 7, 2026

Combination therapy with stem cell-derived immune cells boost anti-cancer response

A recent study reveals that combining iNKT cell therapy with antigen-presenting cells activated by a lipid compound triggers effective antitumor immunity. The therapy generates memory-phenotype T cells that can recognize and respond to specific threats, offering a promising personalized approach to cancer treatment.

SourceChiba University·JournalStem Cell Research & Therapy·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 7, 2026

Rapidly melting Antarctic ice shelves may cause global sea levels to rise far faster than expected – new study

A new study suggests that rapidly melting Antarctic ice shelves can lead to a significant increase in global sea levels. The researchers found that long, channel-like grooves on the underside of these ice shelves can trap warm ocean water, causing local melting and potentially weakening the structural strength of the ice shelf.

SourceiC3 Polar Research Hub·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateMay 7, 2026

New national study published in The Permanente Journal shows physicians are changing their reasons for leaving clinical practice early

A national survey of 971 clinicians found that burnout, chronic workplace stress, administrative burden, and unrealistic patient expectations are now among the top reasons physicians leave clinical practice early. The study also highlights gender disparities in physician decisions to exit clinical practice.

SourceThe Permanente Federation·JournalThe Permanente Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 7, 2026

Key magic mushroom ingredient makes fish less aggressive and lazier

A study found that psilocybin, a key magic mushroom ingredient, significantly reduces aggressive attack behavior and energetically costly social behaviors in mangrove rivulus fish. The compound selectively dampens escalated social conflict without suppressing lower-energy social display behaviors.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 7, 2026

AI cuts wildlife tracking time from months to days

Researchers at Washington State University and Google developed an AI system that can process hundreds of thousands to millions of camera trap images in just a few days, reducing analysis time from months to days. The results aligned with human experts' models in roughly 85-90% of cases, making it a significant breakthrough for conserv...

SourceWashington State University·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·DateMay 7, 2026

New study suggests ‘freedom framing’ more effective than mandates for vaccine-hesitant Americans

Researchers propose a new approach to overcoming vaccine hesitancy by framing vaccines in terms of personal autonomy and freedom, which showed greater willingness among those with higher concerns. The study suggests that traditional universal approaches may not be effective for everyone, highlighting the importance of individual values.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMay 6, 2026

HKU IDS research in complex networks predictability: international collaborative study with Nobel Laureate in Physics

The research team led by Dr Fei Jing at HKU IDS introduced a rigorous theoretical framework to analyze connection patterns in complex networks. The study demonstrates that global predictability can be decomposed into local contributions from individual connections, significantly reducing computational complexity and improving scalability.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2026

Free fatty acids induce mammary epithelial cell death in ketotic dairy cows via endoplasmic reticulum stress

Researchers discover a key mechanism by which free fatty acids induce apoptosis of bovine mammary epithelial cells, leading to decline in milk yield and mammary gland dysfunction. ER stress pathway is identified as a critical mediator linking elevated FFA to cell death.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalJournal of Integrative Agriculture·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2026

HKU School of Governance and Policy concludes landmark Inaugural Week, shaping governance and next generation leadership inspired by human progress and innovative ideas

The HKU School of Governance and Policy has launched a premier intellectual hub dedicated to navigating complex regional and international governance challenges. The school's five core research pillars will drive its academic programs, including an Executive Leadership Hub and policy institutes for undergraduates.

HKUMed develops a pioneering AI early detection system to reduce human risk from avian influenza A viruses

A research team at HKUMed developed a machine-learning classifier that accurately predicts the potential risk of sustained mammalian transmission based on the influenza virus genomic content. The study found that reduced GC-related content in IAV genomes is associated with higher risk for human-to-human transmission.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2026

Gaming monkeys' curiosity

A team of researchers created a touchscreen-based game task inspired by hide-and-seek to elicit curiosity in resident Japanese macaques. The monkeys preferred moderate uncertainty, spending nearly 100 trials without rewards. This study supports the goldilocks principle, where animals seek moderately complex or uncertain stimuli.

SourceKyoto University·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2026

A new mechanism regulating beta cell mass under stress

Researchers at Kyoto University discovered that ATF6α plays a critical role in enabling the survival and proliferation of beta cells under sustained stress, leading to impaired beta cell mass expansion. The study highlights the potential for developing new therapeutic strategies to preserve and restore beta cell mass in diabetes.

SourceKyoto University·JournalDiabetes·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2026

Band engineering and structural‑geometrical engineering in 2D/3D van der Waals heterostructures for advanced photodetection and intelligent sensing

Researchers develop 2D/3D van der Waals heterostructures for enhanced photodetection, combining high absorption with tunable surface states. The integration of 3D semiconductors and 2D materials enables reconfigurable optoelectronics and in-sensor computing, revolutionizing AI and edge sensing.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeNews article·DateMay 6, 2026

Positive experiences can help break the cycle of abuse

Research at Kyoto University found that individuals with fewer positive childhood experiences are more likely to perpetrate elder abuse, while those with more community-related positive experiences have a lower risk. The study suggests that multiple forms of positive experiences across different domains may be necessary to break the cy...

SourceKyoto University·JournalJournal of Interpersonal Violence·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 6, 2026

RAS inhibitor daraxonrasib demonstrates initial anti-tumor activity in pancreatic cancer

The Phase 1/2 trial demonstrated a 29% response rate and median overall survival of 15.6 months, outperforming historical chemotherapy response rates. Daraxonrasib targets RAS in its 'on' state and has shown durable responses with a manageable safety profile.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 6, 2026

Clinical Organizational Science proposes a structural explanation for why organizations resist change

The article introduces Clinical Organizational Science (COS), a framework that reframes organizational transformation as a problem of structure, not behavior. COS argues that old patterns persist due to the way people interact every day, and proposes three intervention concepts to redesign feedback and interaction patterns.

SourceDroR Corporation·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 6, 2026

Data–water symbiosis: Coupling data centres with wastewater treatment plants could cut 84 million tonnes of CO₂ eq and save 1,300 million m3 of freshwater annually

A global analysis reveals that coupling data centres with wastewater treatment plants can eliminate greenhouse gas emissions, conserve freshwater, and generate economic savings. The study found that 87.8% of the economically viable linkages fall within 40 km of each other, making near-term urban deployment realistic.

SourceChinese Society for Environmental Sciences·JournalEnvironmental Science and Ecotechnology·DateMay 6, 2026

A new way to read the Universe

A new framework called CIGaRS allows scientists to extract more information from Type Ia supernovae by jointly analyzing their explosions and host galaxies. This enables precise distance measurements without spectroscopy, crucial for the Vera C. Rubin Observatory's 10-year sky survey.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2026

RAS(ON) inhibitor daraxonrasib shows promising results in advanced pancreatic cancer phase 1/2 study

A phase 1/2 trial of daraxonrasib, a RAS(ON) multi-selective inhibitor, demonstrated safety and broad activity against RAS-mutant metastatic pancreatic cancer. The drug showed promising signs of activity, with approximately 30% of patients experiencing an objective response and 90% experiencing disease control.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 6, 2026

DNA matches identify four more sailors from Franklin expedition

Researchers from the University of Waterloo have identified four more members of Sir John Franklin's 1845 expedition using DNA samples extracted from skeletal remains. The new discoveries bring the total number of identified sailors to six, providing previously unavailable details about the circumstances and locations of their deaths.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2026