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Science News Archive July 2026 - Page 16


Page 16 of 56

Could this enzyme help remove “zombie” cells from our tissues?

Aging cells become more susceptible to ferroptosis due to elevated levels of acid ceramidase, a previously targeted therapeutic candidate. This vulnerability can be passed to neighboring cells, impacting overall tissue health. The discovery offers new hope for supporting healthy aging and treating age-related diseases.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell Death and Disease·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 23, 2026

AI-powered closed-loop system could accelerate the discovery of energy materials

Researchers have developed an AI-powered framework that combines multiple AI technologies with automated experiments to accelerate the discovery of advanced energy materials. The '4th+ paradigm' approach enables near-atomic-level accuracy in predicting material properties and rapidly analyzing experimental data.

New strategy could prevent T cell exhaustion and boost immunotherapy

Researchers have identified a new strategy to prevent T cell exhaustion and boost immunotherapy by blocking MEK signaling. This approach has shown promise in lab models, enabling T cells to persist under harsh tumor conditions. However, the effectiveness of this treatment may vary among patients due to the complexity of T cell exhaustion.

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center·JournalImmunity·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 23, 2026

Chitosan hydrogel stabilizes red blood cell membrane interfaces for advanced environmental sensing

A new bio-based conductive hydrogel platform is presented to preserve biomembrane activity and enable sensitive detection of organophosphate pesticides. The developed biosensor demonstrated stable operation, retaining 85.8% of its original electrochemical response after seven days.

SourceJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·JournalJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 23, 2026

Partners in crime produce extreme antibiotic resistance

Researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine discovered that environmental bacteria can acquire and transfer antibiotic resistance genes to disease-causing bacteria in human lungs. This mechanism, previously unknown, could lead to rapid development of extreme antibiotic resistance. The study highlights the potential f...

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 23, 2026

Can large language models capture human risk preferences?

This study reveals that off-the-shelf large language models do not exhibit universal risk profiles and can be affected by prompt language, leading to systematic distortions. The findings highlight the need for rigorous empirical calibration before deploying these models in computational social science and choice modeling.

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalCommunications in Transportation Research·DateJul 23, 2026

Proactive support to quit tobacco use during cancer treatment doubles quit rates in a nationwide trial

A comprehensive, sustained approach to treating tobacco dependence in patients undergoing cancer treatment has been shown to double quit rates compared to referral to a Quitline alone. The study found that 81% of participants who received virtual sustained treatment attended counseling sessions and had higher medication use rates.

SourceECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJul 23, 2026

“Precisely targeting brain-related regions with a single ultrasound lens”: DGIST develops AI-based brain stimulation hologram technology

Researchers have developed an AI-based thickness-optimized acoustic hologram (TOAH) technology that directly optimizes the thickness of a 3D-printed lens to stimulate multiple brain regions. The technology enables precise multi-site brain stimulation using only a single thin lens and ultrasound transducer.

Chocolate syrup-like fluid stores multiple interacting memories

Researchers at Penn State have created a material memory system where two types of memory coexist and compete. At lower intensities, the mixture retains both directional and amplitude memories. However, as intensity increases, one memory weakens and is eventually erased, while the other becomes dominant.

SourcePenn State·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 23, 2026

Your gut can get jet lag too

Research suggests that time zone changes disrupt the synchronization between human biological clocks and gut microbiota, leading to digestive complaints, poorer sleep quality, and reduced energy levels. Gradually adjusting one's biological clock through light exposure and meal timing before departure can help reduce jet lag effects.

SourceWroclaw Medical University·JournalNutrients·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 23, 2026

Tongue image analysis and clinical data fusion: a novel approach for non-invasive diagnosis of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease

A deep learning model integrating quantitative tongue image features with routine clinical data achieved high accuracy in diagnosing metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease. The model outperformed single-modality and serological models, providing a practical application for non-invasive assessment of the disease.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalJournal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology·DateJul 23, 2026

Proxemics and virtual reality: Study reveals how people regulate social distance in Italy and Japan

Researchers used virtual reality to measure interpersonal distance in Italian and Japanese participants, finding that cultural background and first impressions influence personal space. The study suggests that virtual environments can be used to standardize the appearance of agents and observe social behavior with high precision.

SourceIstituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·TypeObservational study·DateJul 23, 2026

More than half of the world's migratory bird species are declining, new global study finds

A global review of migratory bird population status reveals that over half of the world's migratory bird species are declining globally. The study emphasizes the need for a new approach to biodiversity conservation, addressing complex threats throughout the birds' lifecycles and international flyways.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·JournalNature Reviews Biodiversity·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 23, 2026

Femtosecond laser direct writing “guiding” Leidenfrost droplet motion

A team of scientists has developed a method to control the motion of Leidenfrost droplets on a heated surface using femtosecond laser processing. The droplets exhibit a hybrid boiling state, combining the advantages of film and transition-boiling states, allowing for efficient heat transfer and directional propulsion.

A secret weapon against superbugs

Researchers have developed a new approach to combat superbugs by partnering existing antibiotics with molecular compounds called adjuvants. Using this method, they successfully restored the activity of vancomycin against drug-resistant E. faecium, a potentially life-threatening infection.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 22, 2026

GLP-1 diabetes drugs linked to increased risk of hair loss

Researchers have found a potential side effect of GLP-1 receptor agonists used to treat type 2 diabetes: an increased risk of non-scarring alopecia. The absolute risk is low, but awareness may inform treatment decisions. Rapid weight loss and hormonal changes are thought to be contributing factors.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeObservational study·DateJul 22, 2026

Gut microbiomes follow distinct trajectories during urbanization across South Asia

Researchers found that geography and community affiliation explain more variation in gut microbiome composition than urban lifestyle. Urbanization consistently influences the gut microbiome, but the magnitude and nature of changes differ among communities, reflecting differences in local diets, environments, and cultural practices.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalGut Microbes·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 22, 2026