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Science News Archive July 2026 - Page 20


Page 20 of 56

Study finds pregnancy complications may increase risk for artery disease

A new UTHealth Houston study found that women experiencing pregnancy complications are at a higher risk of developing peripheral artery disease later in life. The study analyzed data from over 2 million women in Sweden and showed that preterm delivery, preeclampsia, and other adverse outcomes can lead to increased cardiovascular risks.

Rice, Baylor College of Medicine researchers explore safer surgical tools to reduce swallowing complications after spine surgery

Researchers identified simple changes to surgical tools that can significantly affect how pressure is distributed across the esophageal wall during neck surgery. Wider retractor blades reduced stress beneath the center of the blade by up to 82%, but also shifted higher stress toward the edges.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials·DateJul 21, 2026

Artificial intelligence could help wastewater plants track and manage microplastics

Researchers developed an AI framework for detecting and managing microplastics in wastewater treatment systems. The system uses computer vision and machine learning to predict removal efficiency and identify pollution sources. While AI can complement chemical analysis, major challenges remain before these tools can be widely deployed.

2026 Optica Fellow: It’s a good look for electrical and computer engineering professor Andreas Beling

Andreas Beling, a professor at the University of Virginia, is recognized for his work on high-power photodetectors and integrated optical detectors for quantum applications. His research enables faster data transmission and higher-speed communication systems, with potential impact on quantum computing and medical imaging.

UVA engineering researcher earns $1.1M NIH award to advance single-cell analysis and disease detection

A UVA engineer is developing microfluidic devices and AI-powered computational tools to isolate and study rare circulating cells, which could lead to better treatments for diseases like cancer and infection. The technology aims to integrate with electronics and systems to measure single-cell physical properties on a microchip.

New technique enables LIGO to peer farther into the distant universe

Scientists at UC Riverside developed a new method to help LIGO detect weaker gravitational-wave events by measuring heat-induced distortions in mirrors. The technique combines thermal imaging with existing wavefront measurements and computer models, enabling the observatory to improve its sensitivity and detect more distant events.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalClassical and Quantum Gravity·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 21, 2026

Community-led health and livelihood programs helped protect rainforests during the pandemic

A new study in The Lancet Planetary Health shows that when communities designed their own health and livelihood programs with local NGOs, they were more resilient to economic hardships caused by COVID-19. As a result, forest loss declined significantly, with rates 52% lower in supported communities compared to unaffiliated ones.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalThe Lancet·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 21, 2026

Doctor-patient common tongue associated with better long-term survival for Canada’s Francophone, minority populations: University of Ottawa study

A retrospective cohort study found that language-concordant physician care significantly reduces all-cause mortality in both Francophone and Allophone patients. The study suggests prioritizing patient-physician linguistic matching and evidence-based interpretation services to improve long-term survival in Canada's increasingly linguist...

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 21, 2026

Biggs Institute at UT Health San Antonio to lead $2.5 million national, multi-site study on dementia with Lewy bodies

The Biggs Institute is leading a $2.5 million national, multi-site study to improve detection and diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies. The study will enroll 125 participants and evaluate multiple possible new tools and methods to accurately identify individuals who have accumulated abnormal alpha-synuclein in the brain.

Simulations show distinct ground motion signatures of supershear earthquakes

Researchers found that sustained supershear earthquake ruptures produce stronger ground motion amplitudes and higher peak ground velocity up to 20 kilometers away from the fault. The duration of shaking also varies between subshear and supershear ruptures, with longer shaking near the fault due to a 'double punch' effect.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 21, 2026

Imaging shows increased brain aging across different brain disorders

A study published in PLOS Medicine found that people with dementia, mild cognitive impairment, alcohol addiction, or psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia show increased brain aging patterns. The researchers analyzed MRI data from over 45,900 controls and compared them to 2,698 patients with different brain conditions.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJul 21, 2026

Study: Semaglutide sustains lower calorie intake for more than a year

Researchers found that semaglutide treatment continued to reduce calorie intake even as participants felt hunger sensations return, contributing to sustained weight loss. Participants who took semaglutide lost an average of 15.1% of their initial body weight after 60 weeks, compared to 3.4% for placebo recipients.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateJul 21, 2026

A cleaner route to purifying rare earth elements

Scientists have developed a new approach to purify rare earth elements using atomic channels, separating them from each other without the need for toxic chemicals. The method has been shown to be competitive with existing separation methods and can differentiate similar pairs of rare earth elements.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalNature Chemical Engineering·DateJul 21, 2026

Nostalgia and family traditions are major barriers to adoption of plant-based diets, Stirling study finds

A new study found that nostalgia and family traditions are major barriers to adopting plant-based diets, with personal experiences and cultural identities playing a significant role. Researchers suggest recreating nostalgic or culturally significant dishes using vegan ingredients can make dietary change feel more accessible.

SourceUniversity of Stirling·JournalPsychology of Human-Animal Intergroup Relations·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 21, 2026

Brain stimulation offers hope for brain disorders: researchers take key step to accelerate progress

Researchers have developed a new assessment tool to standardize reporting of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) studies. The Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Reporting Assessment Tool (TMS-RAT) helps compare results, build on each other's findings, and support progress in brain stimulation research. This tool addresses the need f...

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalBrain Stimulation·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 21, 2026

Satellite data comparison reveals critical impacts of spatial & spectral resolution on sandy grassland plant biodiversity monitoring

The study highlights a core trade-off between spatial resolution, spectral bandwidth and plot-pixel matching in arid ecosystems. Multi-source, multi-scale remote sensing fusion is advocated for future dryland biodiversity conservation and management.

SourceSouth China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalBiological Diversity·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 21, 2026

Digital media may reshape people’s willingness to invest cognitive effort

Research suggests that digital platforms can alter how valuable our brain perceives cognitive effort, leading to a preference for immediate gratification. This 'effort recalibration' framework proposes that digital media do not necessarily reduce cognitive capacity but rather reshape internal evaluations of task difficulty.

SourceEstonian Research Council·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 21, 2026

As Supreme Court decisions grow sharper, study examines justices’ calculated concessions

A new study reveals that Supreme Court justices employ 'appeasement' strategies, including conciliatory language, to persuade their peers and preserve influence within the court. This measured approach helps justices work together despite deep ideological divisions, offering insights into the court's functioning.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalAmerican Politics Research·DateJul 21, 2026

Green hydrogen with PEC electrolysers: New insights into transport processes

A team at HZB Institute for Solar Fuels has observed the movement of ions and dissolved gases within electrolytes during electrolysis using 2D fluorescence imaging and particle velocimetry. The study found that pH gradients form within the volume, not just near surfaces, and increasing buffer ion concentration can mitigate this issue.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalEES Solar·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 21, 2026