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Science News Archive August 2026 - Page 25


Page 25 of 50

Charging ahead with sustainable zinc-iodine battery development

Flinders University researchers have designed an aqueous zinc-ion battery that can be charged and discharged over 60,000 cycles, potentially mitigating resource shortages and waste issues associated with lithium-ion batteries. The system uses low-cost organic cyclodextrin-based polymer host material to trap and release polyhalides.

SourceFlinders University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 17, 2026

How tomato ‘golden hour’ research could help crops survive heatwaves and drought

A new study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that tomato plants can optimize water use during a specific 'golden hour' when sunlight is strong but heat and dry air are minimal. This discovery could give plant breeders a powerful tool to develop crops that can thrive in increasingly unpredictable climate conditions.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalPlant Science·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 17, 2026

Orbitronics steps out of the lab

A new material system has been developed to bypass limitations in spin-orbit torque magnetic random-access memory, enabling highly efficient orbital torque-driven magnetic tunnel junctions and solving critical yield bottlenecks.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·DateAug 17, 2026

Multi-source data-driven machine learning reshapes the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer

Multi-source data-driven machine learning is transforming lung cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis by analyzing complex medical data. The review highlights the innovative applications of this technology in early screening, personalized treatment optimization, and dynamic prognostic risk stratification.

Laser therapy offers weapon against deadly brain tumors

A large analysis of patient outcomes shows that tumor ablation and treatment timing extend survival in patients with glioblastoma. The study identifies factors leading to the best outcomes, providing critical new information to improve therapy for these patients.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 17, 2026

A comparison of Neandertal and modern human pelvises suggests that the male pelvis represents an evolutionary innovation

Researchers compared Neandertal and modern human pelvises, finding that the male pelvis evolved a unique biomechanical shock-absorbing mechanism that stores energy and facilitates long-distance walking. This innovation likely arose from the need to cushion the impact of each step and release energy with every stride.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 17, 2026

Ancient maritime voyagers carried symbolic art 4,000 years ago

A 4,000-year-old stone plaque discovered in Indonesia provides the first evidence of portable Austronesian painted art, showcasing a distinctive sun-ray design characteristic of the tradition. The securely dated context reveals that these designs were used to communicate shared identities and affiliations between island communities.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeImaging analysis·DateAug 17, 2026

Finnish intervention program reduces children's anxiety and improves functional ability — effects are still evident after two years

A randomized controlled trial shows that an internet-based Master Your Worries programme significantly reduces anxiety symptoms and improves functional ability in children, even after two years. The study found the positive effects of therapy to be greatest among children with more severe symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 17, 2026

Last common ancestor, no matter its feet, could have been a vertical climber

A study from Ohio State University found that sooty mangabey monkeys, with feet similar to those of humans, can climb vertical tree trunks with ease. The research suggests that the last common ancestor of humans and chimpanzees could have been a vertical climber, challenging existing theories about foot structure and forest environment...

SourceOhio State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 17, 2026

Butterflies on the move to higher ground

A new study by Dr Esme Ashe-Jepson finds that butterflies are primarily responding to climate change by shifting their distributions to cooler elevations. Large and pale species have an advantage in thermoregulation, leading to changes in butterfly communities along the elevational gradient.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalCommunications Biology·DateAug 17, 2026

Light engines in the quantum world

Physicists at the University of Basel have developed a theoretical approach to reconcile thermodynamics and quantum physics. By using a miniature heat engine in a cavity, they can absorb and emit light particles, creating a

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 17, 2026

Waiting for a bed, but not for care: Emergency department boarding study finds wide variation in handoffs

A new study found that 23% of emergency department boarding patients wait at least 4 hours before receiving inpatient-quality care, with some patients waiting 12 or 24 hours. The study highlights the importance of efficient handoffs from emergency to inpatient care, particularly for vulnerable populations.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 17, 2026

A sea of opportunity for health and sustainability

A new study from the University of Miami suggests that Brazil can build healthier and more sustainable food systems by encouraging people to eat more seafood. The researchers found that Brazilians could reduce nutritional deficiencies by increasing seafood consumption from six percent to 25 percent of their total protein intake.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalNature Food·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 17, 2026

While Great Lakes ice cover is slipping, a 'temporary respite' may be on the way

A new study suggests that the Great Lakes' ice cover may experience a temporary increase in average ice cover due to natural global cycles, but this does not mean the lakes will escape the consequences of climate change. The research, supported by the US National Science Foundation, found that the lakes' ice cover is synced to strong b...

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateAug 17, 2026

Billions of invasive round goby are in the Great Lakes. UTSC researchers want to stop them from spreading inland

UTSC researchers suggest governments should rethink round goby management as the invasive species spreads inland, threatening native biodiversity. The team proposes a combination of trapping, electrofishing, physical barriers, and rapid-response programs to reduce local populations and eliminate them.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalJournal of Great Lakes Research·DateAug 17, 2026

Natural biopolymer beads as a smart solution for sustainable wastewater treatment and more

Researchers examine recent progress in chitosan-alginate composite beads for sustainable wastewater treatment, highlighting their potential as cost-effective and reusable solutions. The study also explores future applications of these biopolymer composites in precision medicine, smart agriculture, and the circular bioeconomy.

SourceHasanuddin University·JournalBioresource Technology Reports·TypeSystematic review·DateAug 17, 2026

New research traces the evolution of wastewater and environmental surveillance in carceral settings and analyzes the ethical, medical, legal challenges

New research analyzes the use of wastewater surveillance in carceral settings, revealing gaps in human subjects protections and accountability to traditional public health guidelines. The study warns that unchecked WES in carcels can lead to misuse or harm to incarcerated individuals and surrounding communities.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 17, 2026

UMass Amherst engineers make edge AI more efficient by redesigning both algorithm and hardware

Researchers at UMass Amherst have designed an edge AI system that leverages hyperdimensional computing algorithms and analog in-memory computing hardware to achieve high accuracy and efficiency. The system achieved 95.24% accuracy in language identification while reducing computing resources by 90%.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 17, 2026