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Science News Archive 2026 - Page 55


Page 55 of 412

Any degree of physical activity may slow cognitive decline particularly in Hispanics, UT Health San Antonio study suggests

A new study from UT Health San Antonio found that any degree of physical activity can slow cognitive decline in Hispanics. The research, which included 402 participants, also showed that controlling blood sugar levels and cardiovascular health are associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline.

SourceThe University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia Behavior & Socioeconomics of Aging·DateAug 4, 2026

Could understanding leaf surfaces lead to new ways to prevent crop disease?

Researchers from Adelaide University study how fungal diseases spread across crops by analyzing the location where infection begins — a leaf's waxy surface. They found that mimicking this coating can help understand how it functions and its recognition signals can be turned off, potentially leading to practical crop protection strategies.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalBiointerphases·DateAug 4, 2026

Study: Male circumcision just after birth does not increase autism risk

A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics found no association between male circumcision and an increased risk of autism. The analysis of nearly 3,000 boys followed from birth into childhood showed that circumcised boys did not have a higher risk of autism compared to uncircumcised boys.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·DateAug 4, 2026

10⁻²¹-level optical frequency transfer over 2067 km fiber network

Scientists developed a scalable solution for robust optical frequency transfer in noisy field environments using digital phase recording and multifunctional relay stations. The system achieved stable operation and fractional frequency instability of 2.9 x 10^-21 at 1 Hz over 2067 km fiber network.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight: Science & Applications·DateAug 4, 2026

Ochsner ranked No.1 in Louisiana by U.S. News & World Report

For 15 years, Ochsner Health hospitals have ranked as the best in Louisiana for overall care, with numerous specialties and procedures recognized as High Performing by U.S. News & World Report. The hospital's obstetrics and gynecology service lines, including lung surgery, are among the top-ranked in the nation.

SourceOchsner Health System·DateAug 4, 2026

SKKU develops world-leading technology to convert greenhouse gas carbon dioxide into high-value industrial chemicals

Researchers at SKKU develop a highly efficient catalyst that converts carbon dioxide into industrially valuable 2-propanol, achieving world-record efficiency under ambient conditions. The breakthrough technology uses bifurcated reaction pathways to guide carbon atoms and produce 2-propanol with high selectivity and yield.

SourceSungkyunkwan University External Affairs Division (PR team)·JournalApplied Catalysis B Environment and Energy·DateAug 4, 2026

A promising solution to a cancer drug resistance problem

Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine discovered that a protein called BRG1 helps protect cells from ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of cell death triggered by BTK inhibitors. This finding reveals a potential new therapeutic vulnerability to overcome drug resistance and extend treatment benefits for patients with B-cell cancers.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 4, 2026

A 3D genome atlas reveals how kiwifruit organizes growth and fruit identity

Researchers mapped kiwifruit genome's chromatin architecture, epigenomic signals, and gene expression to understand how genes shape fruit development. The 3D genome atlas resolves layers of genome organization, including compartments, domains, and loops that influence gene activity.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalHorticulture Research·DateAug 4, 2026

Family ties shape social lives of bull sharks

A study of bull shark behavior found that individuals are slightly more likely to associate and socialise with relatives than unrelated sharks. This 'kinfluence' effect may contribute to both proximity-based associations and directed social interactions, particularly among male sharks.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalEcology and Evolution·DateAug 4, 2026

Mapping the upper atmosphere

Researchers at Kyoto University use public Starlink satellite data to estimate thermospheric density around 1,200 satellites. The resulting two-dimensional snapshot provides the first tomographic analysis of its kind, demonstrating high consistency with European Space Agency observations.

SourceKyoto University·JournalEarth Planets and Space·TypeImaging analysis·DateAug 4, 2026

People prefer stories written by AI – especially when told they’re written by a human

A study published in Judgement and Decision Making found that participants gave highest ratings to stories generated by AI when attributed to humans. This bias towards narratives written by real people may be due to the assumption of uniquely human qualities required for creative writing, leading people to underestimate AI's capabilities.

SourceCambridge University Press·JournalJudgment and Decision Making·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2026

Brain scans reveal tau buildup in late-onset psychosis

A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that about 65% of patients who developed psychosis after age 40 showed abnormal tau buildup, compared to 15% of healthy older controls. The findings suggest diverse tau-related brain changes may be involved in late-onset psychosis.

SourceThe National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateAug 4, 2026

Overweight and obesity in childhood associated with increased risk of childlessness in adulthood, finds study of almost 61,000 women

A study of nearly 61,000 women in Denmark found that childhood obesity and overweight trajectories were associated with a lower likelihood of giving birth in adulthood. Women with higher BMI trajectories during childhood had a greater risk of childlessness, particularly at older ages.

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of Obesity·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 4, 2026

AI tool for computing radiation dose created at UMass Amherst leads the way to personalizing prostate cancer treatment

A team of researchers at UMass Amherst has developed an AI model, DiffuDose, that generates a patient's radiation dose map with gold-standard accuracy in under 23 seconds. This technology has the potential to unlock the full potential of radiopharmaceutical therapy for prostate cancer treatment.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalIEEE Transactions on Radiation and Plasma Medical Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 4, 2026

Advancing science and its people through a unified ACS identity

The American Chemical Society has unveiled its new brand, strengthening how it delivers its mission and empowering a global community. The evolved brand brings together scholarly publishing, educational opportunities, and events into a unified identity, making it easier for people to discover ACS resources.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateAug 4, 2026

Warming reshapes how nitrogen is stored and lost in flooded rice soils

A three-year field experiment found that warming accelerates nitrogen cycling while promoting retention in protected soil pools. This changes where nitrogen goes and how securely it is stored, potentially helping develop climate-resilient nitrogen management strategies for rice production.

SourceShenyang Agricultural University Collaborative Journals·JournalNitrogen Cycling·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2026

HKU MILES-Shenzhen pioneers novel super-inert fluorescent dye for clearer ureter imaging during surgical navigation

A cross-disciplinary team developed a near-infrared fluorescent dye, SID-788, with excellent biocompatibility and superior ureter imaging performance. The dye enables clear ureter visualisation for at least four to five hours in porcine models using clinical NIR laparoscopes and robotic surgical systems.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Photonics·TypeObservational study·DateAug 4, 2026

Underground fungal networks in 3D

A new method creates 3D models of underground plant–fungal networks, revealing fine structures and spatial connections. The technique enables researchers to study climate-resilient plants and understand how plants and fungi interact in the soil.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNew Phytologist·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2026

Alzheimer’s: novel 3D brain tissue model

The study presents a novel 3D brain tissue model that accurately replicates the complex interactions in human brain tissue with Alzheimer's disease. The model uses human stem cells to form neurons, astrocytes, and microglial cells, which exhibit key functions similar to those in a real human brain.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateAug 4, 2026

Solving the increasing complexity of AI problem-solving one bite at a time

A team from Tsinghua University developed the 'calculus of intelligence' framework to break down complex problems in agentic AI. This framework provides a mathematical approach to decomposing tasks into smaller, manageable subtasks that can be solved independently and then combined for a coherent whole.

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournaliFuture·DateAug 4, 2026

HKU School of Computing and Data Science research team develops ClairS, achieving high-accuracy cancer mutation detection across multiple cancer types

A research team from HKU School of Computing and Data Science has developed ClairS, a novel deep-learning algorithm that improves the detection of cancer mutations. Tested on breast, lung, and melanoma cell-line datasets, ClairS demonstrates exceptional accuracy across various cancer types and sequencing conditions.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Methods·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 4, 2026

AI companions may worsen loneliness for vulnerable users

Researchers from Stanford University found that using AI companions can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and isolation in vulnerable individuals. Participants who engaged with chatbots for emotional support reported lower well-being despite initial perceptions of improvement.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature·DateAug 4, 2026

Immune therapy for Alzheimer's takes a step forward

A new immunotherapy for Alzheimer's disease has shown promising results in a Phase 1 clinical trial. The treatment aims to reverse immune aging and reduce biomarkers of neuronal damage, supporting further clinical development of this innovative strategy.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalNature Medicine·DateAug 4, 2026

Left ventricular hypertrabeculation, an anatomical feature of the heart traditionally linked to higher risk, does not worsen outcomes in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy

A study of 1,160 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy found that left ventricular hypertrabeculation is not associated with increased risk of heart failure, arrhythmias, or embolic events. The presence of hypertrabeculation does not modify clinical risk in any genetic subgroup.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalCirculation·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 4, 2026

Patient letters from UK hospital eye health services likely too difficult to understand

An analysis of over 4 million letters reveals that most are less readable than recommended for patients, highlighting a gap between policy recommendations and real-world practice. The study suggests that clinician letters must balance medical record requirements with patient communication, emphasizing the need for targeted intervention...

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Health & Care Informatics·TypeObservational study·DateAug 4, 2026

KIT becomes research hub for fusion technology

Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT) has been selected as a research hub for fusion technology, focusing on the development of the fuel cycle and new materials. The institution will pool its expertise with industry partners to master technological challenges associated with fusion energy.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·DateAug 4, 2026

Who people trust matters: New study maps a path to climate action

Researchers developed a toolkit to tap into the influence of people we trust, such as celebrities and neighbours, to encourage sustainable behaviour. The four-dimensional framework analysis highlights key messengers, audiences, modes of influence and behavioural domains.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2026

Researchers discover how tumors enlist nerves to keep growing

Researchers discovered how breast tumors recruit immune cells to attract nerves that support tumor growth and treatment resistance. Blocking nerve growth may boost the immune response to fight cancer.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalCell Death and Differentiation·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2026

Almost half of child mental health patients need adult care too

A new study found that four in ten children who attend Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Scotland go on to access adult mental health services. Eight percent of these children accounted for 46% of all adult psychiatric inpatient bed days and 41% of all NHS adult mental health outpatient appointments by the age of 32.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalEuropean Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateAug 4, 2026

Zhou & Yin receive funding for collaborative research project

Keren Zhou and Binqian Yin are working on a project to address fundamental computational challenges in ragged tensor operators for AI computation. They aim to develop innovative auto-tuning modules and compiler tools to optimize deep learning workloads on graphics processing units.

SourceGeorge Mason University·DateAug 4, 2026

New membrane accelerates purification of industrial solvents

Researchers have developed a new membrane technology that efficiently separates water from isopropanol, a widely used solvent in pharmaceuticals and electronics. The new membrane reduces energy consumption and improves purity levels, making it an attractive solution for a more climate-friendly chemical industry.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 4, 2026

Immune cells may hold the key to fighting obesity-induced muscle dysfunction

A study published in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle reveals that deleting transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) from macrophages enhances muscle regeneration and mitochondrial function. The research found that this approach protected against obesity-related muscle wasting and improved exercise performance.

SourceUniversity of Toyama·JournalJournal of Cachexia Sarcopenia and Muscle·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2026

Oxygen nanobubbles turn biochar into an active defense against cadmium in flooded rice soils

A new study reports that loading biochar with oxygen nanobubbles can help overcome the problem of rapid oxygen depletion in flooded rice soils, creating a more oxidizing environment around rice roots. This leads to reduced cadmium accumulation in rice plants and improved plant growth.

SourceShenyang Agricultural University Collaborative Journals·JournalBiochar X·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2026

Reducing night lights in cities has ecological effects

Reducing artificial light at night (ALAN) in cities has been found to have ecological effects, including advances in plant growth cycles. Cities with mitigation policies show earlier leaf emergence and less delayed fall color, suggesting a positive impact on ecosystems.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateAug 4, 2026

New findings on the eruption history of the west Eifel maar volcanoes

Researchers from Heidelberg University and international partners used (U-Th)/He dating to establish consistent age models for several maars in the West Eifel. The analysis reveals that many volcanic eruptions occurred in short pulses, with three episodes occurring approximately 75,000, 48,000, and 25,000 years ago.

SourceHeidelberg University·JournalContributions to Mineralogy and Petrology·DateAug 4, 2026

Transition from milk to solid food shapes immune system development

A team of LMU researchers identified a signaling pathway in mice through which dietary changes influence the development of the immune system. The study found that dendritic cells are activated by dietary signals, which shape how T cells respond to environmental substances.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 4, 2026

Pennington Biomedical and Minnesota HealthSolutions awarded NIH grant to develop digital driving safety platform for teens with ADHD

Researchers are developing a smartphone-based platform that combines driving data, personalized coaching and parent engagement strategies to improve driving safety for teens with ADHD. The platform will use telematics to monitor driving behaviors while allowing parents and teens to set shared goals and track progress.

SourcePennington Biomedical Research Center·DateAug 4, 2026

KAIST brings ‘giant batteries’ closer to commercialization in the AI data center era

A KAIST research team has developed a process that cuts the production time for vanadium redox flow batteries' core material by 67%, overcoming a critical bottleneck to commercialization. This breakthrough could significantly accelerate the development of large-capacity energy storage technology.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateAug 4, 2026