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Science News for July 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

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

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

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

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

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.

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...

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

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

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

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

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

Indigenous territory maintains ecological stability amid agricultural expansion in the Brazilian savanna

A recent study reveals that the Pimentel Barbosa Indigenous Territory, home to the Xavante ethnic group, has maintained its environmental configuration amidst agricultural expansion and deforestation. The area, dominated by Cerrado vegetation, has been preserved despite surrounding areas being converted to soybean farming and livestock...

A study by the University of Granada links exposure to fungicides and insecticides to changes in the age of menarche

Researchers found that higher concentrations of a fungicide residue were associated with an earlier onset of the first period, while the presence of another compound derived from the insecticide chlorpyrifos was linked to a delayed onset. This study underscores the importance of endocrine disruptors in children's health and the need fo...

SourceUniversity of Granada·JournalEnvironmental Research·TypeObservational study·DateJul 31, 2026

Article collection on Additive Manufacturing

This collection features articles on Additive Manufacturing published in Smart Materials in Manufacturing. Key findings include biodegradability, biocompatibility, antibacterial properties, fatigue resistance, radiation shielding, and mechanical properties of various additively manufactured materials.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalSmart Materials in Manufacturing·DateJul 31, 2026

A cooperative approach to reproductive success

Researchers explore the widespread occurrence of sperm conjugation across arthropods, a coordinated team effort that improves reproductive success. The study reveals how collective behavior influences fertility and opens new avenues for pest control by disrupting reproduction in harmful species.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 31, 2026

Study detects, for the first time in Brazil, bacteria that cause a serious disease in farmed fish

For the first time in Brazil, scientists have detected bacteria that cause columnaris disease, a serious disease in farmed fish. The study found that six out of eleven isolated strains were of the Flavobacterium oreochromis species, infecting native Brazilian species such as tambaqui, pacu, and Amazon spotted catfish.

Scientists uncover how muscles preserve their repair cells

Scientists have discovered that TRF2, a protein previously known for protecting chromosome ends, plays a crucial role in preserving the identity of muscle stem cells and enabling their regenerative abilities. This new understanding may lead to the development of therapeutic strategies for muscular dystrophy and cancer research.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 31, 2026