Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive August 2026 - Page 21


Page 21 of 50

High-efficiency and stable deep-blue iridium phosphorescent OLEDs with enhanced charge transfer dynamics

Researchers developed high-efficiency and stable deep-blue OLEDs using iridium phosphorescent complexes with enhanced charge transfer dynamics. The devices achieved maximum external quantum efficiencies of up to 29.0% and demonstrated operational stability, paving the way for next-generation microdisplay and display technologies.

Buildings that cool like African elephants

The team created a tile that captures, holds, and slowly evaporates water, cooling surfaces without fans or compressors. The tile's unique design, inspired by African elephant skin, allows it to maintain a stable temperature of 89.6° Fahrenheit under infrared heating and periodic watering.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2026

eDNA metabarcoding uncovers fish biodiversity patterns in heavily damaged mountainous cascade dammed rivers

Researchers used eDNA metabarcoding to study fish biodiversity in heavily damaged mountainous cascade dammed rivers. The study found 97 fish species, including 14 IUCN threatened taxa, with seasonal differences in species detection rates and community composition.

SourceSouth China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalBiological Diversity·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2026

Next-gen mRNA therapeutics get a new delivery vehicle

Researchers at Nagoya University developed a new delivery vehicle for circular RNA (cirRNA) using a novel lipid nanoparticle, FL0445-LNP, which improves the stability and efficacy of mRNA-based therapeutics. The technology has potential applications in cancer vaccines, genome editing, and protein supplements.

SourceNagoya University·JournalCell Biomaterials·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2026

Immune remodeling in extreme old age: how supercentenarians reshape their immune system

Researchers from the University of Osaka have found a rare type of immune cell that expands in supercentenarians, potentially helping protect against cancer and other age-related threats. The cells, known as CD4 CTLs, have been shown to be highly active and may help the body cope with persistent threats that increase with age.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalCell Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 19, 2026

Why do we get sleepy? How neurons control sleep drive

A study by University of Basel researchers found specific brainstem neurons that become activated during prolonged wakefulness and promote sleep drive. These neurons, including GABAergic and serotonergic neurons, increase sleep pressure and ensure prolonged wakefulness is followed by deeper and longer recovery sleep.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature·DateAug 19, 2026

Study finds sustained benefit for people using Oregon psilocybin services

A large-scale study on Oregon psilocybin services found sustained benefits for anxiety, depression, and PTSD, with few adverse events. Participants reported lasting improvements in mental health and wellness, and the study provides valuable insights for policymakers considering expanded access to psychedelics for mental health conditions.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeSurvey·DateAug 19, 2026

Mount Sinai scientists reveal how the brain represents leader and follower roles and build an AI that reads the hidden goals behind teamwork

Mount Sinai scientists reveal how the brain represents leader and follower roles through prefrontal cortex activity, and create an AI that decodes hidden goals behind teamwork. The study shows that leadership is an asymmetric yet bidirectional partnership, and that followers play a crucial role in maintaining cooperation.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2026

Quantum simulators get error bars

Researchers have developed an approach to quantify the errors in quantum simulators, allowing for more accurate calculations and enabling the study of complex many-particle systems. The new method was tested on a system of ten ions and then applied to a chain of 51 ions, demonstrating its effectiveness for larger systems.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review X·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2026

Gene therapy breakthrough restores heart function

Researchers at Murdoch Children's Research Institute have made a breakthrough in gene therapy, restoring heart function in lab-grown patient heart tissue and mouse models with genetic heart disease. The therapy may also correct other genetic heart diseases, including those caused by the MYH7 gene and TTN truncating variants.

SourceMurdoch Childrens Research Institute·JournalNature Cardiovascular Research·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2026

New “necroferrins” strategy targets both necroptosis and ferroptosis

A new Review explores whether a single class of molecules can inhibit both necroptosis and ferroptosis, two interconnected forms of regulated cell death. The concept of 'NecroFerrins' describes molecules with dual inhibitory activity against these pathways, potentially providing a broader approach to regulating pathological cell death.

SourceScience Exploration Press·JournalFerroptosis and Oxidative Stress·TypeLiterature review·DateAug 19, 2026

Reusing liquid pickle waste to produce omega-3 fatty acids

Hiroshima University researchers demonstrate that food processing liquid waste can be reused to produce omega-3 fatty acids by cultivating Aurantiochytrium sp. The study shows that three types of pickle seasoning waste can be utilized by the thraustochytrid to produce DHA and EPA. Reusing the waste medium also produces DHA and EPA, but...

SourceHiroshima University·JournalLWT·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2026

Florida’s leading coral experts unite in historic effort to restore Florida’s coral reef

A team of 12 organizations, backed by a NOAA grant, worked together to collect eggs and sperm, fertilize embryos, and cryopreserve sperm to preserve genetic diversity. The effort resulted in over 1.5 million coral embryos, with 61,000 elkhorn larvae and 47,000 staghorn larvae produced.

The global burden of chronic kidney disease in women and its metabolic–cardiovascular links

The global burden of chronic kidney disease in women has grown, with 359 million cases in 2021, driving increasing mortality rates and disability-adjusted life years. Postmenopausal women and women of reproductive age are particularly vulnerable to metabolic and behavioral drivers that can be modified to reduce risk.

SourceChinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 19, 2026

Leading hemp-derived cannabinoid brands lean on lifestyle and youth appeals on social media

Researchers found that hemp-derived cannabinoid brands emphasize lifestyle and recreational marketing, with minimal attention to safety warnings, on social media platforms. The study highlights gaps in platform policies and enforcement, calling for clearer standards addressing youth-oriented features and misleading health claims.

SourceRutgers University·JournalAddiction·TypeContent analysis·DateAug 19, 2026

Politicians vastly overestimate public opposition to climate policies, study finds

Members of Parliament from the UK's three biggest parties overestimated public resistance to climate change policies by a significant margin. Researchers found that politicians consistently overestimated public opposition to climate policies, believing voters and other parliamentarians felt more strongly opposed than they actually did....

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalCommunications Sustainability·DateAug 19, 2026

Cities are getting hotter: 'Thermal Justice' offers a fairer way to adapt

Researchers propose 'Thermal Justice' framework to address heat-related inequalities, combining emergency measures with structural changes. The framework prioritizes exposed residents, accessible cooling, and worker protection during heatwaves, while retrofitting housing and expanding green infrastructure between heatwaves.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 19, 2026

Major international study marks step forward in genetic understanding of eating disorders

A large genetic study of anorexia nervosa and binge-eating behaviour has identified six areas in the genome associated with binge eating and eight loci associated with anorexia nervosa. The study also found that genetic associations with binge eating and anorexia nervosa have similar positive correlations with psychiatric disorders, bu...

SourceKing's College London·JournalNature Mental Health·TypeObservational study·DateAug 19, 2026

The dynamic duo: “Weaving” hierarchical DNA materials with two classes of biomolecular nanomachines

Researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo and Kyoto University created hierarchical DNA networks using DNA polymerase and kinesin nanomachines. The study demonstrates the importance of active molecular motion in network formation, a step toward materials that assemble and organize themselves like living systems.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalSmall·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2026

Are subsea oil and gas pipelines a previously unrecognized source of ocean microplastics?

A new study estimates that decommissioning subsea oil and gas pipelines could release 4.5 to 500 tonnes of microplastics into the North Sea each year. The research highlights the potential environmental risks of legacy plastics and recommends integrating environmental consequences into decommissioning decision-making.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalJournal of Hazardous Materials·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 19, 2026

Do alumni relationships between judges and lawyers affect court rulings?

Research in Economic Inquiry reveals evidence of in-group bias in the judiciary, with sharing a law school with the presiding judge increasing a plaintiff's attorney's chance of winning damages by 2 percentage points. The effect is strongest when the judge is at least 10 years older than the lawyer, suggesting an age-dependent factor.

SourceWiley·JournalEconomic Inquiry·DateAug 19, 2026

Can antioxidant foods help prevent cervical cancer?

A study analyzing US women's data found a significant association between high antioxidant intake and lower cervical cancer prevalence. The researchers discovered a linear inverse association between the Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index and cervical cancer, suggesting potential prevention benefits.

SourceWiley·JournalInternational Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics·DateAug 19, 2026

How do body mass index and waist circumference affect mortality in older adults?

A study of 6,905 US adults aged 65 or older found that higher body mass index (BMI) was associated with lower mortality risk, while higher waist circumference was linked to higher mortality risk. Considering both BMI and waist circumference together may improve mortality risk assessment and support informed clinical decision-making.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateAug 19, 2026

Can strength training prevent diabetes during pregnancy?

A randomized clinical trial found that pregnant women who followed a strength training program had a 0% incidence of gestational diabetes, compared to 7.3% in the control group. The program also improved quality of life and reduced pregnancy symptoms.

SourceWiley·JournalActa Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica·DateAug 19, 2026

Towards better detection of lifelong difficulties in face processing using a screening questionnaire

A study confirms the 20-item prosopagnosia index questionnaire is an effective screening tool for detecting developmental prosopagnosia, a condition where individuals struggle to recognize familiar faces. The researchers also identified opportunities for refinement to improve the questionnaire's accuracy.

SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalBehavior Research Methods·TypeSurvey·DateAug 19, 2026

Coordination–entropy regulation: Toward unified design of hydrogel electrolytes for practical wide‑temperature zinc‑ion batteries

Researchers from Jilin University present a coordination–entropy regulation framework that bridges molecular solvation chemistry and macroscopic electrochemical stability. The framework delivers exceptional wide-temperature electrochemical stability, achieving ultrawide-temperature operation and high ionic conductivity.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeNews article·DateAug 18, 2026