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Science News Archive August 2026 - Page 12


Page 12 of 50

The effect of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 transcriptionally upregulated by c-terminal truncated hepatitis B virus X on the development of hepatocellular carcinoma

The study found that Ct-HBx upregulates PAI-1 by opening chromatin and trans-activating its expression, increasing hepatocellular carcinoma risk and prognosis. PAI-1 levels and genetic polymorphisms serve as biomarkers for predicting HCC risk and postoperative prognosis.

SourceChinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 25, 2026

An alternative to bone marrow sampling: children with sarcomas may be spared from a painful procedure

Researchers have found a reliable alternative to bone marrow sampling for children with rhabdomyosarcoma, using PET scans to detect bone marrow involvement with high accuracy. This approach could spare patients from painful procedures and improve diagnostic practices.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 25, 2026

Standard tests can miss “chemobrain” memory issues

A new study found that standard memory tests, such as word-pair or list-learning tests, may fail to detect the real-life memory problems reported by many female breast cancer survivors after chemotherapy. Story-based tests, on the other hand, revealed significant memory difficulties in these women.

SourceDe Gruyter Brill·JournalTranslational Neuroscience·TypeObservational study·DateAug 25, 2026

A near extinct plant in Galápagos is now recovering

The Galápagos snapdragon has shown encouraging signs of recovery thanks to a long-term partnership between the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galápagos National Park Directorate. The project successfully outplanted 94 nursery-grown shrubs into harsh volcanic landscapes, with 28 adult plants established across two restoration sites.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalNature Conservation·DateAug 25, 2026

Prenatal exposure to organophosphate pesticides not associated with autism-related traits in children in large NIH study

A large NIH study found no link between prenatal organophosphate pesticide exposure and autism-related traits in children. Despite earlier studies suggesting cognitive challenges and ADHD, the study's findings indicate these pesticides may not be associated with autism-related traits at relatively low exposure levels.

SourceEnvironmental influences on Child Health Outcomes·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·TypeObservational study·DateAug 25, 2026

Gecko skin's water-retaining secrets

Researchers discovered that gecko skin's nanoscopic hairs, called setulae, trap air and retain water, reducing evaporation and helping lizards survive in dry environments. The study used computational models to evaluate the effects of the hairs on water loss, finding a reduction in evaporation intensity.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalBiointerphases·DateAug 25, 2026

NYU Abu Dhabi researchers advance 3D-printed stent technology with lattice design and biodegradable material that could eliminate repeat procedures

Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi have developed a biodegradable, 3D-printed gastric stent that improves treatment for gastric leaks and doubles drainage performance, potentially eliminating the need for repeat procedures. The new device combines an internal lattice design with biodegradable materials, safely breaking down after treatment.

SourceNew York University·JournalDevice·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 25, 2026

Open-source PAMP enables high-resolution morphological profiling throughout the fungal life cycle and uncovers quantitative relationships between fungal architecture and fermentation performance

A new open-source platform, PAMP, enables high-resolution morphological profiling of industrial fungi throughout their life cycle, uncovering quantitative relationships between fungal architecture and fermentation performance. The platform reveals that peripheral architectural features strongly influence citric acid production.

SourceSciOpen·JournalMycology: An International Journal on Fungal Biology·DateAug 25, 2026

Envy influences the way we vote

Researchers found that envy plays a greater role when resources are allocated through majority voting than individual decisions. Participants preferred to reduce the other person's allocation, even though they received no additional money, indicating a preference for envy over greed. The study also found that voting influences particip...

SourceLinköping University·JournalEuropean Economic Review·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 25, 2026

Study of 5132 app users finds consistent food-tracking a strong predictor of clinically significant weight loss

A 6-month study of 5132 MyNetDiary users found that consistent food-tracking, even with fewer than 2 days per week, is associated with better weight loss outcomes. Users who tracked food 6-7 days per week lost an average of 11.33% of their body weight, while those who tracked only 2-3 days per week lost 7.35%.

SourceJMIR Publications·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·DateAug 25, 2026

Immune system and mental health

Researchers analyzed studies of schizophrenia spectrum disorders and mood disorders, finding distinct patterns of innate immune activity. TLR4, TLR8, and TLR10 were increased in schizophrenia, while TLR2, TLR5, and TLR6 were increased in mood disorders, indicating partially distinct mechanisms of innate immune activation.

SourceWroclaw Medical University·JournalBrain Behavior and Immunity·TypeSystematic review·DateAug 25, 2026

Cheaper, easier detection of metal corrosion

A new corrosion detection algorithm uses just three spectral bands and a texture feature to accurately detect surface and subsurface corrosion on metal surfaces. The algorithm achieved accuracies above 90% in detecting corrosion across various coatings and colors, offering a cost-effective and safe solution for monitoring metal integrity.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateAug 25, 2026

Bright ideas accelerate the hunt for quantum emitters

Researchers from the University of Osaka have developed a prediction framework that rapidly evaluates promising quantum materials without sacrificing accuracy. The framework enables the evaluation of optical losses using simplified theoretical expressions, making searches much more tractable.

SourceThe University of Osaka·Journalnpj Computational Materials·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 25, 2026

At least 1-in-4 former NFL players who died between 2016-2021 had CTE, study finds

A study by Mass General Brigham, Boston University, and the Concussion & CTE Foundation found that at least 1-in-4 former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), with 61.3% of NFL donors with CTE meeting clinical criteria for dementia. The study also found that dementia was common among br...

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalThe BMJ·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 25, 2026

SEOULTECH researchers reveal new multi-scale monitoring framework for detecting hidden structural weaknesses in urban metro corridors

Researchers developed a multi-scale monitoring framework to detect ground settlement in urban metro corridors. The framework integrates InSAR, laser scanning, and ground penetrating radar to provide a comprehensive assessment of settlement and its underlying causes.

SourceSeoul National University of Science & Technology·JournalTunnelling and Underground Space Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 25, 2026

Can AI replace traditional language learning? A new study says not yet

A new study from the University of British Columbia finds that AI cannot replace traditional language learning, but a hybrid approach combining corpora and AI can be effective. The study suggests that educators use AI to verify student answers and improve accuracy, while still relying on traditional corpora for teaching collocations.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalNouvelles perspectives en sciences sociales·DateAug 25, 2026

New blood test detects Alzheimer’s disease using plasma amyloid-β seeding activity

A new blood test detects Alzheimer's disease using plasma amyloid-β seeding activity, achieving a diagnostic accuracy exceeding 90% in the validation cohort. The test uses real-time ultrasonic protein misfolding cyclic amplification technology, marking a critical transition in AD diagnosis.

SourceChinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 25, 2026

Drought during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm birth and impaired fetal growth

Exposure to drought during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of preterm birth and, when persistent, with a greater likelihood of the baby being small for gestational age. The study analyzed nearly 30 million births in Brazil, showing a 2% relative increase in preterm birth likelihood across analyzed time scales.

SourceInstitut de Recerca Sant Pau (Sant Pau Research Institute)·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Americas·TypeObservational study·DateAug 25, 2026

Hunter-gatherers sleep no longer than we do: review suggests industrialization changed sleep timing more than duration

A review in Brain Medicine argues that industrialization changed sleep timing and regularity, not duration, with hunter-gatherers sleeping between 6.4 and 7.1 hours a night, less than the industrialized average. The distinction matters, as it highlights the importance of timing and regularity in sleep patterns.

SourceGenomic Press·JournalBrain Medicine·TypeLiterature review·DateAug 25, 2026

Ancient dental calculus reveals diverse diets of commoners in premodern Osaka, Japan, the 'Kitchen of the Realm'

Research reveals surprisingly diverse diets of premodern commoners in Osaka, including luxury fish and products from distant regions. Dental calculus proteomics analysis identified 38 dietary proteins from 17 taxa, showing that urban commoners had access to a wide range of foods beyond traditional stable isotope analysis.

SourceThe Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI·JournalAnthropological Science·TypeObservational study·DateAug 25, 2026

Turning scientific evidence into action for airborne disease control

A new study published in Humanities and Social Sciences Communications found that animation is more effective than text or comics in motivating people to adopt preventive health behaviors. The study, led by researchers at National Sun Yat-sen University, used an original educational series to demonstrate the power of animation in trans...

SourceNational Sun Yat-sen University·JournalHumanities and Social Sciences Communications·TypeSurvey·DateAug 25, 2026

Exact calculations sharpen view of atomic nuclei

Physicists at Osaka Metropolitan University have performed a full calculation within Glauber theory, overcoming computational challenges to accurately reproduce experimental data. The results demonstrate that the full Glauber calculation can provide a reliable framework for predicting nuclear collision outcomes.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalPhysical Review C·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 25, 2026

Listening for extinction: Study finds areas of critical concern for northern spotted owls

Northern spotted owl populations are approaching functional extinction across the Pacific Northwest, with AI-powered monitoring identifying critical habitats and ecological threats. The study highlights the need for targeted conservation strategies, including barred owl removal and habitat conservation, to prevent further decline.

SourceOregon State University·JournalEcological Applications·DateAug 24, 2026

First positrons for the Future Circular Collider

Researchers at Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have successfully generated first positrons for the Future Circular Collider, a proposed 91-km particle accelerator. The positron source, developed to meet the collider's demanding requirements, uses a compact high-temperature superconducting magnet to capture positrons and create a tight beam.

High folic acid in pregnancy linked to early bleeding risk

A study of 2,400 women found that high folic acid intake was associated with vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy, especially in pregnancies carrying a boy. Women taking 800 micrograms or more of folic acid per day were more likely to experience spotting and mild bleeding during the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.

SourceFlinders University·JournalReproductive Health·TypeObservational study·DateAug 24, 2026

Bioinspired nanoparticles deliver gene editing to lower “bad” cholesterol

Researchers developed a bioinspired lipid nanoparticle that delivered gene-editing machinery to the liver, reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by over 20% and showing fewer signs of inflammation and toxicity. The nanoparticles also demonstrated positive effects on inflammation and healthy blood flow in cell experiments.

Amino acid sensors as key regulators of tumor biology

Amino acid sensors play a crucial role in regulating tumor biology by linking nutrient availability to tumor adaptation and immune evasion. Targeting these sensing pathways may expose metabolic vulnerabilities and provide new opportunities for combination cancer therapy.

SourceELSP·JournalAdvanced Cancer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 24, 2026