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Science News Archive July 2026


Page 1 of 56

Inverting the seminar to recover what scientific papers leave out

A team led by Jeremy Levy and Chandralekha Singh describes the Inverse Seminar, a format that recovers hidden knowledge and decisions in scientific papers. The format involves a senior scientist listening to a junior researcher present their own paper, recovering undocumented material and uncovering new insights.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNature Physics·TypeObservational study·DateJul 31, 2026

Two deadly flowers have big medical potential

Scientists at Michigan State University and Czech Academy of Sciences have successfully recreated powerful compounds from deadly plants wolfsbane and larkspur, opening up new avenues for medicinal research. The discovery could lead to the development of new, sustainable drugs inspired by these natural products.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalMolecular Plant·DateJul 31, 2026

After anesthesia

Researchers found that female mice's microglia form prolonged contacts with neurons during recovery, leading to synaptic remodeling and plasticity. This phenomenon was not observed in male mice, highlighting differences in brain recovery processes between sexes.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 31, 2026
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Scientists use moonquakes to locate lunar ice

Researchers developed a method to detect water ice on the moon using seismic waves, which can travel faster through frozen soil. This discovery is critical for NASA's Artemis program, which aims to send crewed landings to the moon's south polar region in 2028.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 31, 2026

Guns and perceptions of safety among US women

A survey study found that US women who own guns perceive themselves as safer than those who do not, with 41% believing owning a gun would increase their safety. The study suggests a need for targeted gun violence reduction interventions considering different perceptions of safety related to gun exposure.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 31, 2026

A new genetic tool helps researchers uncover the logic of gene regulation

Researchers have developed a genetic tool, mCHIRA, to study the effects of small sequence variations on gene regulation and tease apart the impact of genomic microenvironment. This approach enables scientists to test hundreds of regulatory DNA sequences and understand how cells determine which genes are active.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature Genetics·DateJul 31, 2026
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

A metabolic brake protects the heart during sepsis

Researchers found that 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA) restored mitochondrial balance and reduced inflammation in the septic heart. The compound lowered lactate production, limited actin-related protein 2/3 complex subunit 1B modification, and preserved cardiac contraction.

SourceBurns & Trauma·JournalBurns & Trauma·DateJul 31, 2026

New mechanism discovered which protects DNA during cell division

Researchers found that ESCRT-III proteins form a protective coating around exposed DNA bridges, preventing damage and ensuring genome stability. This discovery provides insight into how cells protect themselves from DNA damage events linked to cancer development.

SourceKing's College London·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateJul 31, 2026

Beetroot juice may benefit pregnant women with chronic kidney disease

Researchers found that women receiving beetroot juice experienced fewer serious adverse events, better kidney function after pregnancy, and reduced need for blood pressure medication. The study suggests beetroot juice could be a safe and low-cost intervention to support women with chronic kidney disease during pregnancy.

SourceKing's College London·JournalKidney International Reports·DateJul 31, 2026

For mind and body: Community gathering places may counteract cognitive disability

Participation in community gathering places significantly reduces the risk of cognitive disability in older adults who don't regularly exercise. The study found that these groups had approximately half the risk of developing cognitive disability compared to non-participants.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·TypeObservational study·DateJul 31, 2026
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

AI blood assay detects liver cancer across diverse international populations

Researchers validated an AI-powered blood test that detected liver cancer in people from Guatemala and Romania with high accuracy, revealing new biological signals. The study builds on earlier research using a liquid biopsy platform and demonstrates the approach's effectiveness across different patient populations.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalCell Press Blue·DateJul 31, 2026

Reducing protein intake could promote healthy aging

A recent review suggests that consuming less protein could have greater health benefits and potentially extend lifespan. The review highlights the role of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) in slowing aging by improving metabolism, reducing cellular damage, and preserving healthy cell function.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Press Blue·TypeSystematic review·DateJul 31, 2026
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Seoul National University of Science and Technology researchers develop energy-saving TPMS feet for quadruped robots

Researchers at Seoul National University have developed a novel approach using porous triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) feet and deep reinforcement learning controller, which significantly reduces battery power consumption in quadruped robots. The solution reduces energy consumption by up to 6.2% while maintaining stable locomotion.

SourceSeoul National University of Science & Technology·JournalInternational Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing-Green Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 31, 2026
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Inside the urban machine: where America's data centers actually live

A NYU Tandon School of Engineering study found that 97.5% of US data centers are located within metropolitan statistical areas, with many clustered near cities due to high electricity demand and existing IT infrastructure. The concentration of data centers raises questions about the future of urban development.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalNature Cities·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 31, 2026

Mapping the extreme acceleration of quark–gluon plasma: the hidden engine of heavy-ion collisions

Simulations have revealed the strongest accelerations ever produced on earth, opening a new dimension in QCD research. The peak proper acceleration reaches several hundred MeV at both low and high collision energies, depending only weakly on the collision's head-on nature.

SourceNuclear Science and Techniques·JournalNuclear Science and Techniques·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 31, 2026

Ancient Irish volcano offers new clues about the development of its modern-day, active “brothers and sisters”

Researchers found that magma plumbing systems beneath volcanoes can fluctuate between solid- and liquid-dominated states, providing new insights into volcano evolution. Ancient Carlingford Mountain fossilized remnants reveal a pulsatory fashion of development, offering a unique window into modern-day volcanic processes.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalJournal of Petrology·DateJul 31, 2026

Why your doctors keep leaving

A study by Texas A&M University finds that generational shifts are reshaping the healthcare workforce, with different needs and perspectives among five distinct generations of clinicians. This is complicated by staffing shortages, burnout and changing expectations about work-life balance and mental health.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalThe Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety·DateJul 31, 2026
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Coal waste could become an active catalyst for cleaner wastewater

Researchers found that reconstructed coal gangue can activate powerful oxidation reactions to break down persistent organic pollutants. The material's intrinsic reactivity and surface chemistry are key factors in its ability to degrade pollutants.

SourceShenyang Agricultural University Collaborative Journals·JournalEnvironmental and Biogeochemical Processes·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 31, 2026

Q&A: Why does an irregular heart beat show up 40 years early for some people?

A study by Dawood Darbar and colleagues found that rare genetic mutations converge with common genetic variants to disrupt the heart's electrical activity, leading to early-onset atrial fibrillation. This additive effect amplifies the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular complications.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 31, 2026

Logging operations leave distinct damage patterns in Nepal’s Sal forests

A new study reveals that tree felling mainly damages the crowns of remaining mature trees, while timber extraction threatens young seedlings. The research highlights practical opportunities to reduce ecological damage during logging by better planning and operator training.

SourceShenyang Agricultural University Collaborative Journals·JournalAgricultural Ecology and Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 31, 2026

Leaky gut might make food allergies worse

Researchers found that changes to the gut microbiome in mice were linked to increased intestinal permeability and an increase in food allergy severity. The study suggests that gut health plays a crucial role in how the immune system responds to food allergies, offering new avenues for treatment.

SourceAmerican Association of Immunologists Inc·JournalJournal of Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 31, 2026
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Weathering a cytokine storm with extracellular vesicles

Extracellular vesicles from liver cells can elicit a 'lipid counterstorm' that counters the effects of cytokine storms in mice. The treatment shows promise for treating inflammatory conditions such as sepsis, coagulopathy and colitis.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 31, 2026

Analysis of a super-deep diamond reveals how water travels to the Earth’s interior

A Brazilian research team used synchrotron light techniques to analyze a super-deep diamond and found that goethite can withstand extreme pressures and temperatures all the way to the planet's interior. The study suggests that goethite may transport and release water into the lower mantle, reinforcing the hypothesis.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 31, 2026

URI researcher co-authors recommendations on discussing electronic cigarettes with adults who smoke

A team of researchers, including URI's Patricia Cioe, published recommendations encouraging healthcare providers to discuss nicotine e-cigarettes as a potential option for adults who smoke. The authors emphasize patient-centered discussions and suggest that completely stopping combustible cigarette smoking remains the best way to reduc...

SourceUniversity of Rhode Island·JournalJAMA·DateJul 31, 2026

New approach to obesity classification could better guide treatment decisions

Researchers from Pennington Biomedical Research Center propose a new framework for defining and diagnosing obesity, which considers the effects of excess adiposity on organs and tissues. This approach provides a more biologically grounded and clinically actionable method for guiding treatment decisions.

SourcePennington Biomedical Research Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism·DateJul 31, 2026

Bridging borders for cleaner waters: China, Australia, and New Zealand chart a collaborative course for next-generation water quality modeling

An international team of researchers from China, Australia, and New Zealand propose a collaborative approach to next-generation water quality modeling. The researchers identified four collaboration themes: emerging technologies, uncertainty quantification, tackling climate change and urbanization, and shared modeling guidelines.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalWater & Ecology·TypeSystematic review·DateJul 31, 2026
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

New discovery could hold key to making microbes more resistant towards industrial processes

Bacteria Pseudomonas putida adapts to high levels of fluoride by spontaneously mutating its regulatory gene PP_3125, which inhibits the activity of benzoate transporter BenE-I. This mechanism helps the bacteria tolerate higher intracellular concentrations of fluoride, enabling more efficient biosynthesis of fluorine compounds.

SourceEstonian Research Council·JournalJournal of Bacteriology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 31, 2026

Microneedles for precision health monitoring more inclusive

Researchers describe microneedles as a minimally invasive platform for precision health, offering timely progress in multifunctional systems for wearable devices and intelligent healthcare. Despite challenges to be overcome, the technologies hold promise for more precise, convenient, and individualized healthcare solutions.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalIntelligent Sports and Health·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 31, 2026
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Sloan Digital Sky Survey launches data release 20

The Sloan Digital Sky Survey has released its 20th data set, featuring over three million spectra of stars and galaxies, as well as 18 new value-added catalogs. This release marks a significant expansion of the survey's efforts, integrating full all-sky panoptic spectroscopy across both hemispheres.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·DateJul 31, 2026

The Arctic Ocean keeps permafrost carbon firmly locked

Researchers discovered that significant amounts of terrestrial carbon are stored in the seabed, with microorganisms preferring fresh marine carbon over ancient terrestrial sources. This knowledge is essential for assessing the climate impact of thawing permafrost and its effects on atmospheric greenhouse gas levels.

SourceAlfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJul 31, 2026

A new route towards ultra-low energy data storage technologies

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have developed a new theoretical framework that could help address the challenge of energy-efficient computing. The approach uses Optimal Control Theory to design ultrafast magnetic-field pulses that switch magnetic states using minimal energy.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 31, 2026
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Rapeseed waste becomes active packaging for fresher food

Researchers develop biodegradable film using rapeseed-processing residues, combining chitosan with phenolic extracts and silver nanoparticles to protect fresh food from moisture, oxygen, and microorganisms. The film showed improved structural durability, active preservation, and rapid environmental degradation.

SourceZhejiang University·JournalFood Quality and Safety·DateJul 31, 2026

Can AI become a trusted assistant for pathologists?

The article highlights the need for AI tools to provide interpretable and reportable results, with a focus on improving turnaround time, diagnostic consistency, and clinical decision-making. While AI is unlikely to replace pathologists, it can help convert tissue morphology into actionable evidence for better patient care

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·DateJul 31, 2026
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Initial HIV therapy for adults and treatment-associated weight gain

A noninferiority randomized clinical trial found that an alternative first-line regimen containing doravirine, lamivudine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate produced less weight gain than a combination of dolutegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide. The regimen was noninferior for viral suppression at 48 weeks.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateJul 31, 2026

Trends and Factors in Nursing Home Closures

US nursing homes have seen a significant increase in closures between 1985 and 2025, with changes in ownership and capacity reconfiguration being more common than permanent facility closure. The study highlights the need for policy and oversight considerations that take into account ownership transitions and capacity changes.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Health Forum·DateJul 31, 2026
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Randomly mixed atoms arranged in rows and columns for sustainable catalysis

Scientists create complex solid solutions by firing five atomic elements onto a wafer from different directions, forming chemically disordered nanocrystals. The resulting epitaxial films exhibit interesting defect structures that may influence the desired properties of catalysts.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalMaterials Horizons·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 31, 2026

How the sun is stripping away Mars’ atmosphere

A Boston University-led study found that the solar wind strips away Mars' atmosphere by generating Kelvin-Helmholtz waves, similar to wind on Earth. The process drives atmospheric ion escape, with plasma clouds facilitating bulk escape.

SourceBoston University·JournalScience Advances·TypeObservational study·DateJul 31, 2026
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Reducing the risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy recurrence

Hepatic encephalopathy recurrence can be reduced through education on precipitants correction and pharmacotherapy with lactulose and rifaximin. Nutritional support with protein-rich diets improves QOL and reduces episodes.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalJournal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology·DateJul 31, 2026

Maths shows why your vote may not count the way you think it does

Researchers found that no electoral system can guarantee both local votes translate directly into local seats and total seat distribution matches overall vote shares. However, they proposed an algorithm called 'geographically ranked guaranteed proportionality' which could get around the impossibility of current systems.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalAnnals of Operations Research·DateJul 31, 2026

Researchers investigate case of soft-tick borne relapsing fever in Austin area

A likely case of soft tick-borne relapsing fever was reported in an Austin resident, who experienced recurring high fevers and symptoms before finding an infected tick. Researchers confirmed the presence of Borrelia turicatae bacteria and emphasized the need for greater awareness and surveillance of tick populations in urban areas.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalOpen Forum Infectious Diseases·TypeCase study·DateJul 31, 2026