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Science News for August 21, 2026


Oral therapy protects healthy tissue from radiation in mice

Researchers have developed an oral therapy that protects healthy tissue from radiation while preserving radiation's ability to destroy cancer cells. The therapy, called XOlacta, is packaged in milk-derived extracellular vesicles and can be administered orally, reducing damage to tissues and preserving tumor treatment effectiveness.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalCancer Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 21, 2026

Low-frequency deep brain stimulation improves speech and swallowing after traumatic brain injury, Pitt study shows

A new University of Pittsburgh study found that low-frequency deep brain stimulation improves control of facial and tongue muscles involved in speaking and swallowing after traumatic brain injury. The treatment showed small but significant improvements in word intelligibility for one participant with TBI.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 21, 2026

Automatic crash alerts should be standard and free in all new vehicles, experts say

A new paper by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma recommends making automatic crash notification (ACN) and advanced automatic crash notification (AACN) systems standard safety features in every new vehicle. These systems can provide critical information to emergency responders, such as the vehicle's location and poten...

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateAug 21, 2026

Thunderquakes: A new way to image the Earth’s subsurface

Scientists at Penn State have developed a new method for seismic imaging using thunderstorms, which can be used to study the Earth's subsurface structure and image the subsurface without traditional seismic sources. This method allows for easier imaging in less accessible locations, such as the Arctic or urban areas.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience Advances·TypeImaging analysis·DateAug 21, 2026

A promising new weight loss and diabetes treatment helps burn fat while keeping muscle

A new molecular compound, TOFA, identified by UC Berkeley scientists, helps cells burn extra energy with no change in food intake or exercise, improving insulin sensitivity and glucose control. The treatment, which works by increasing energy expenditure, shows promise in mouse models and may be used in combination with GLP-1 medications.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 21, 2026

Study explains how the Chagas disease parasite ‘activates’ its form capable of infecting mammals

Researchers discovered that Trypanosoma cruzi, the Chagas disease parasite, alters its RNA to adapt to infect mammals, a process that could lead to new treatments. The study found that modifications in transfer RNA facilitate protein production, influencing the parasite's transformation from a non-infective to an infectious phase.

UCLA study finds concrete’s natural absorption of carbon dioxide does little to offset emissions from cement production

A new UCLA-led study finds that concrete's natural absorption of carbon dioxide is too slow and small to meaningfully offset the emissions released when cement is made. Researchers argue that the industry should prioritize active technological measures to reduce emissions, including reducing cement use and adopting alternative fuels.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalCommunications Sustainability·TypeMeta-analysis·DateAug 21, 2026

Dryland dumpsites may be overlooked hotspots for microplastic pollution

Microplastic pollution in dryland dumpsites accelerates due to intense sunlight, heat, wind, and open burning, transforming plastics into smaller, more reactive particles that spread through soil, air, water, and food systems. Aging microplastics increase metal adsorption and organic pollutant partitioning, posing emerging biological r...

SourceShenyang Agricultural University Collaborative Journals·JournalNew Contaminants·TypeLiterature review·DateAug 21, 2026

Aging microplastics may strengthen the grip of fluorinated pesticides in agricultural soils

Researchers found that aging microplastics can increase the binding of fluorinated pesticides like fluensulfone in agricultural soils. The smallest aged particles showed the strongest effects, with 30-35% of retained fluensulfone bound to PVC microplastics.

SourceShenyang Agricultural University Collaborative Journals·JournalEnvironmental and Biogeochemical Processes·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 21, 2026

UVA computer science faculty honored among first members of ACM SIGSOFT Software Engineering Academy

Three UVA computer science professors, Matthew Dwyer, Sebastian Elbaum, and Mary Lou Soffa, were inducted into the ACM SIGSOFT Software Engineering Academy for their profound impact on the field through research, practice, and education. Their collective work represents decades of contributions to software engineering and the education...

Food waste transformed into biochar hybrid membranes for smarter thermal energy storage

A new membrane combines food waste-derived biochar, graphene, and a phase change material to store thermal energy, improve heat transfer, and manage moisture. The membrane exhibits high thermal conductivity and water vapor permeability, making it suitable for energy recovery ventilation and smart building systems.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 21, 2026

Too few eligible Americans discuss lung screening: UC study

A UC study found that only 15% of eligible American adults discuss lung cancer screenings with their doctors, highlighting the need for increased awareness and education about the lifesaving procedure. The study suggests that stigma and fear around lung cancer, as well as lack of information about the low-dose CT scan, may be barriers ...

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalThe American Journal of Surgery·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 21, 2026

Dr. Mina Sedrak receives $3.6 million NIH grant to improve recovery and reduce accelerated aging after stem cell transplant

Dr. Mina Sedrak has received a $3.6 million NIH grant to develop strategies for improving physical recovery and reducing frailty in older adults after hematopoietic cell transplantation. The grant will support a multisite randomized clinical trial testing the effectiveness of combining exercise with a senolytic therapy in improving phy...

New insights into autism and the brain

A study combining three brain scans found a higher number of dopamine D2 receptors in autistic brains, suggesting a link between the dopamine system and autism. The researchers also found that the dopamine system affects communication between brain regions differently in autistic participants.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark Faculty of Health Sciences·JournalEuropean Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 21, 2026

Patients with heart failure, caregivers, providers receptive to mobile health but adoption barriers persist, a JAMA paper reports

Patients with heart failure, caregivers, and providers are open to mobile health (MIH) adoption, but financial and regulatory challenges hinder its reach and sustainability. MIH programs can reduce ED transports, but their financial viability is constrained by Medicare's transport-based EMS reimbursement structure.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 21, 2026

Reconfigurable ferroelectric nanostructures enable fast-switchable optical differentiation

Researchers propose a reconfigurable ferroelectric chiral nanostructure for fast-switchable optical differentiation, achieving remarkable performances in edge detection. The device can switch between optical differentiation and bright-field imaging, with a switching time of 62 microseconds.

Robotic assisted knee replacement gives the same patient outcomes as a surgeon only procedure

The RACER-Knee trial found that robotic-assisted knee replacement surgery resulted in similar patient outcomes as traditional surgery, including recovery, mobility, and pain levels. Despite increased precision, the technology did not translate to improved patient outcomes within the first year after surgery.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 21, 2026

Offshore wind farms could alter precipitation patterns

A large-scale expansion of offshore wind energy could lead to increased precipitation over offshore wind farm areas, while precipitation in adjacent coastal regions could decrease. This is due to wind turbines extracting part of the wind's kinetic energy and increasing atmospheric turbulence.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Hereon·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 21, 2026

Tiny toxic protein clumps may hold the key to developing early diagnosis and new therapies for protein-misfolding diseases like Alzheimer’s

Researchers suggest that targeting tiny protein aggregates known as oligomers, which form early in the disease process, may lead to breakthroughs in treating protein-misfolding diseases. Oligomers are increasingly believed to drive cellular damage, and their early formation may be more toxic than large protein deposits.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalNature Reviews Chemistry·TypeSystematic review·DateAug 21, 2026

Iron hydride enters an exotic state of matter under Earth’s inner-core conditions

Researchers have discovered that iron hydride may become superionic under Earth's inner-core conditions, with hydrogen moving through a solid iron lattice. This finding provides new insights into the composition and dynamics of Earth's deep interior, and has implications for our understanding of the core's formation and evolution.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 21, 2026

CASUS and Microsoft Research join forces

The Skala AI model, developed by Microsoft Research AI for Science, is now available through the CP2K software ecosystem. CASUS and Microsoft Research collaborated to integrate Skala into CP2K, enabling more accurate quantum mechanical simulations of larger molecular systems. The collaboration aims to improve the accuracy and efficienc...

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 21, 2026

Delayed antiviral immune response in alveolar type 2 cells increases susceptibility to influenza virus in alveoli

Researchers found that alveolar type 2 cells mount slower interferon-driven antiviral defenses than type 1 cells, enabling higher viral replication in the alveoli. This study provides new insights into the primary site of influenza virus damage and opens up potential targets for antiviral therapy.

SourceChinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 21, 2026

Climate change could triple the price of wheat

A new study reveals that climate change can lead to a significant increase in wheat prices, with severe water scarcity being a key driver. The researchers found that wheat prices are more closely linked to water scarcity than other crops, and that compound drought events are expected to become more common in a warmer climate.

SourceAarhus University·JournalEarth's Future·DateAug 21, 2026

With true grit program, researchers help young adults with spinal cord injuries build confidence

The True Grit program, a Rutgers Health study, evaluates a model for supporting independence in young people with spinal cord injuries as they transition from high school to adulthood. Participants in the 2024 cohort demonstrated progress toward their individual goals, with gains seen in participation scores and emotional resilience.

SourceRutgers University·JournalTopics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation·TypeSurvey·DateAug 21, 2026

KAIST develops core technology to reverse biological changes once thought irreversible, opening new possibilities for aging and cancer research

A KAIST research team has identified the molecular lock that keeps cells trapped in an altered state, opening a new path toward releasing that lock and reversing a cell's fate. The team developed a fundamental control technology called ROOT that can regulate these circuits and restore biological states to their original condition.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 21, 2026

Hierarchical motion planning method for space redundant manipulators with end-task constraint

A novel hierarchical motion planning method combines goal-biased RRT with sequential convex programming to plan high-quality trajectories for space redundant manipulators. The proposed method successfully satisfies obstacle avoidance, end-effector line-of-sight constraints, and joint torque limits, converging in 17 and 18 iterations fo...

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalSpace: Science & Technology·DateAug 21, 2026

Weekly Event Preview | Insilico’s Dr. Alex Aliper to attend dual Hong Kong summits to unlock AI-driven healthcare innovations

Dr. Alex Aliper will share insights on how cutting-edge technological innovation can drive industrial growth at the Global Unicorn Summit, and discuss AI applications in precision medicine at MedTech World Asia. He will also present real-world case studies and explore industry challenges in applying AI to personalized healthcare.

Machine learning model predicts who will benefit from exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation

A new study uses machine learning to predict which patients with coronary artery disease will benefit from exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation. The model accurately identifies 'non-responders' using data from cardiopulmonary exercise testing and pulse wave analysis, allowing for tailored treatment plans.

SourceJournal of Sport and Health Science·JournalJournal of Sport and Health Science·TypeObservational study·DateAug 21, 2026

Prevalence, trends, and outcomes of pregnant women with PCOS in Chinese mainland

A large-scale study in China found the prevalence of PCOS among pregnant women increased from 0.79 to 19.0 per 10,000 between 2012 and 2021, with significantly higher risks of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Women with PCOS had increased risks of diabetes, hypertension, preeclampsia, and cesarean delivery, as well as fetal risk...

SourceChinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateAug 21, 2026

Mapping Indonesia’s seagrass quality, revealing priorities for blue carbon conservation

Researchers have mapped Indonesia's seagrass ecosystems, identifying areas of high and low quality, and found that conservation efforts are needed for hotspots, coldspots, and areas with contrasting conditions. The study provides a spatially informed framework for prioritizing conservation and restoration efforts.

SourceHasanuddin University·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 21, 2026