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Science News Archive August 2026 - Page 15


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Regional deployment of marine cloud brightening could have significant effect on global terrestrial drought

The study found that regional deployment of marine cloud brightening could induce a global mean cooling of approximately 0.9°C, alleviating the global land drying trend. However, different regions exhibit varying responses, with some experiencing mitigated or overcompensated drought stress, while others face exacerbated conditions.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Earth Sciences·DateAug 23, 2026

The purple fabric that could beat the scorching heat

Researchers developed a purple fabric that reflects 87.6% of solar radiation and emits 96.4% of mid-infrared radiation, making it a highly effective cooling material. The fabric was tested in outdoor conditions and showed a significant cooling effect, making it suitable for people who spend long periods outdoors.

SourceAdelaide University·JournalSmall·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2026

A transistor that operates at 600°C

Researchers at Kyoto University have developed a transistor that can operate at 600°C, leveraging the intrinsic properties of SiC to improve controllability and reduce leakage currents. The bottom-gate design significantly enhances the device's performance, paving the way for practical use in extreme-temperature electronics.

SourceKyoto University·JournalAPL Electronic Devices·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2026

SUTD and A*STAR IME researchers enable wafer-scale broadband light generation by replacing hydrogen with a heavier isotope

A team of researchers has developed a low-loss silicon nitride waveguide that generates broadband light on a chip by replacing hydrogen with deuterium. The waveguide demonstrates a chip-scale waveguide that stretches infrared laser pulses into a spectrum running from visible red to deep into the infrared.

Weight loss drugs may help with mental health

A nationwide Swedish study found that people with bipolar disorder who took semaglutide had significantly lower rates of psychiatric hospitalization. The study suggests that GLP-1 signaling may help protect the brain and improve mood stability.

SourceGriffith University·JournalActa Psychiatrica Scandinavica·TypeSystematic review·DateAug 23, 2026

Fabrication of a fused filament extrusion system for recycled PET and comparative mechanical characterization studies vis-à-vis PLA

Researchers developed a filament extrusion system to process recycled PET from waste plastic bottles, producing filament suitable for 3D printing. The recycled PET filament demonstrated competitive mechanical performance compared to PLA, highlighting its potential as a feedstock for additive manufacturing.

SourceELSP·JournalAdvanced Manufacturing·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2026

New Cochrane gap map highlights big gaps in dengue prevention research

A new Cochrane map has identified significant gaps in dengue prevention research, with most studies lacking synthesis into reliable reviews that policymakers can use. The map highlights areas such as vaccine implementation, adult mosquito control, and environmental interventions, which require more evidence to inform effective dengue c...

SourceCochrane·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·TypeSystematic review·DateAug 23, 2026

The orbital evolution of 2 binary asteroid systems based on Hamel's variational integrators

Researchers propose a new numerical method for binary asteroid systems, achieving numerical accuracy and structure preservation. The method outperforms existing methods in energy conservation and orthogonality preservation, making it suitable for long-term predictions and planetary defense mission planning.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalSpace: Science & Technology·DateAug 23, 2026

KAIST uses surface ‘defects’ to enhance droplet formation and removal, achieving up to 5.5 times the heat transfer performance of conventional surfaces

Researchers created a technology that controls the thickness and structure of a polymer coating, allowing more water droplets to form and detach quickly. This enhances heat transfer performance during condensation, improving energy efficiency in power plants and industrial applications.

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