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Science News Archive August 2026 - Page 28


Page 28 of 50

European cities plan to compensate for a fifth of their emissions through carbon removal, few have thought through how

A study of 103 European cities' climate neutral plans reveals that many rely on carbon removal to compensate for a significant portion of their emissions. Key findings include the energy and transport sectors being major contributors to residual emissions, with only 32% of cities mentioning permanent carbon removal options.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeContent analysis·DateAug 14, 2026

What a dry meteorite tells us about water on Mars

A team of researchers used neutron and X-ray tomography to examine a Martian meteorite sample, revealing tiny hydrated minerals and larger macroscopic hydrogen deposits. This provides crucial information about the early environment of Mars and its potential for supporting life.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 13, 2026

Butterfly-inspired technology could change the way we monitor air

Researchers developed Film-Rupture Actuated Capillary Enrichment (FACE) to collect airborne samples, achieving detection sensitivity 100 times higher than traditional systems. The device uses surface tension and a bioinspired physical mechanism, eliminating the need for pumps or batteries.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 13, 2026

America’s investment biker Jim Rogers on investing amid uncertainty: think independently, research deeply

Jim Rogers emphasizes the importance of rigorous research, questioning, and emotional discipline in achieving successful investing outcomes. He identifies major risks in global markets, including rising U.S. debt and complacency, while highlighting China's potential for recovery and India's long-term promise.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalRisk Sciences·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 13, 2026

Biochar and nitrification inhibitor help cut ammonia losses while sustaining crop yields

Combining biochar and dicyandiamide in organic fertilizer reduces cumulative ammonia losses by 27.1% compared to conventional urea fertilization, maintaining crop productivity despite reduced mineral nitrogen input. The treatment also supports economic returns through reduced nitrogen-related environmental and health costs.

SourceShenyang Agricultural University Collaborative Journals·JournalAgricultural Ecology and Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 13, 2026

Advanced wastewater treatment may create hidden endocrine risks, study finds

Researchers found that ultraviolet irradiation and ozonation increased anti-androgenic activity in treated wastewater, exceeding an effect-based risk threshold. The study suggests balancing pollutant removal efficiency with assessment of transformation products' combined biological effects.

SourceShenyang Agricultural University Collaborative Journals·JournalEnergy & Environment Nexus·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 13, 2026

How old are you really? Study explains what makes ‘epigenetic clocks’ tick, debuts new prediction tools

Researchers from USC-led study found that different epigenetic clocks capture distinct aspects of cellular aging, while introducing new gene-expression based clocks with stronger predictive power. These tools can better predict age-related disease and mortality by examining DNA methylation patterns and gene expression.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·Journalnpj Aging·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 13, 2026

KAIST controls the rotation direction of light without complex new materials

Researchers at KAIST create microscale chiral pinwheel arrays through self-assembly of achiral liquid-crystal molecules, enabling circularly polarized light with a desired rotation direction. This breakthrough simplifies the production of chiral optical materials, paving the way for next-generation displays and optical communications.

DNA origami illuminates invisible molecular movements

Researchers at Salk Institute develop novel 'dye-cycling' strategy to measure RNA polymerase movement along DNA with unprecedented lengths of time. This breakthrough provides critical mechanical insights into how genes are transcribed in cells, shedding light on the fundamental processes of life.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell Reports Methods·DateAug 13, 2026

Health systems failing smokers in poorest nations, say experts

A new study found that only 13 low-and middle-income countries offer full support for smokers to quit, leaving billions without access. Researchers recommend tailored quitting programmes and low-cost strategies like national quitlines, mobile health apps, and community health workers to expand support in resource-limited settings.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateAug 13, 2026

A small squeeze reveals new clues about an unusual kind of magnet

Researchers at Rice University found that gently squeezing a crystal of iron sulfide can change two of its unusual properties simultaneously: its tiny magnetic signal and the way electricity moves through it. This discovery gives scientists a clearer picture of how altermagnets work and suggests a simple way to control their behavior.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateAug 13, 2026

Always finish your antibiotics? Longer is better? Outdated ideas about antibiotics are common, study finds

A new study surveyed 1,475 people on their attitudes towards antibiotic course length, finding that shorter courses are as effective and safer for pneumonia, but many people prefer longer courses due to misinformation. The study suggests more nuanced communication between doctors and patients is needed.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalOpen Forum Infectious Diseases·TypeSurvey·DateAug 13, 2026

Scheduling dental care during prenatal visits boosts oral health care during pregnancy

Research shows that integrating oral health screenings into prenatal clinic visits increases the likelihood of patients receiving dental care during pregnancy. A study at New York University found that scheduling immediate appointments and patient navigation both improved engagement with dental care, but scheduled appointments were mor...

SourceNew York University·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateAug 13, 2026

Artificial hibernation reveals secrets of long-term memory

Researchers challenge traditional assumptions on synaptic potentiation and instead identify clustered patterns of connections as crucial for retaining long-term memories. Through artificial hibernation techniques, they discovered that small clusters of engram-engram synapses are preserved to enable accurate recall.

Poorer people suffer greater declines in physical function as they age

A study published in PLOS Medicine found that socioeconomic inequalities are associated with reduced mobility and function in older adults, with poorer individuals experiencing larger declines in physical abilities. The research highlights the need for policies targeting people with less wealth to reduce health disparities in aging.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateAug 13, 2026

A novel intervention to potentially improve the outcome of children with malnutrition

A study led by Dr. Geoffrey Preidis and Dr. Mary K. Estes found that providing isovalerate, a microbiota-derived metabolite, can improve gut barrier function in malnourished mice. This approach shows promise for developing a new treatment to prevent sepsis and death in malnourished children.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 13, 2026

McCombs M.S. programs get new names

The McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin has announced the renaming of its Master of Science in Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence program to emphasize the central role of emerging technologies in the curriculum. The new name highlights the technical rigor and AI integration that distinguish these...

CEMDI-PAIMS Symposium advances materials discovery through Computational materials science, AI, data, experimental insights and international collaboration

The CEMDI-PAIMS Symposium brought together experts from materials science, AI, data science and engineering to accelerate the discovery of next-generation materials. Key findings include advances in computational modeling, artificial intelligence, and data-driven approaches for energy and environmental applications.

In raw materials policy, security of supply takes precedence over sufficiency

A study by the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ found that EU raw materials policy focuses on securing supplies rather than reducing consumption. Dominant narratives such as 'corporate competitiveness' and 'strategic autonomy' have shaped policy, sidelining alternatives like sufficiency and resource justice.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeCase study·DateAug 13, 2026

‘Real mummy’s curse’ behind sale and trade of mummified remains exposed

A new study has found evidence of potentially hazardous microbial growth on mummified human and animal remains sold online, posing risks to buyers. The analysis also highlighted non-compliance with postal regulations, putting delivery workers and others at risk. Stronger oversight is needed across online marketplaces and industries.

SourceStaffordshire University·JournalInternational Journal of Cultural Property·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 13, 2026

A powerful platform for studying ions in solids

Researchers developed a new technique to study coupled multi-ion and electron transport in solids, revealing traditional diffusion models are insufficient. The tracer exchange method showed complexities such as nanoscale confinement and one-dimensional channels forcing ions to move in single file.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 13, 2026

Hastings Center Report, July-August 2026

The Hastings Center Report examines the moral dimensions of family presence in patient suffering, including the value of witnessing a conscious patient's pain. The report also addresses the ethics of AI and psychiatry, including clinician reactions to absent families and the role-specific obligations of surrogate decision-makers.

SourceThe Hastings Center·TypeContent analysis·DateAug 13, 2026

Sediments off Brazil’s Northeast coast reveal sudden changes in heat transport in the Atlantic

Researchers have found evidence of two episodes of significant Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) intensification between 17,800 and 14,800 years ago. The study suggests that the AMOC may be more dynamic than previously thought, with potential consequences for global climate patterns.