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Science News Archive July 2026 - Page 23


Page 23 of 56

Clinical trial finds oral drug keeps cancer treatment on track for patients who develop persistently low platelet counts

A phase 2 trial found that avatrombopag was safe and effective in managing persistent chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia, a common complication from cancer treatment. The oral drug helped 70% of patients with low platelet counts stay on their chemotherapy schedule, compared to 17% receiving placebo.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 20, 2026

Children and monkeys share a common understanding of geometry

A new study from Carnegie Mellon University reveals that baboons and macaques exhibit the same geometric intuitions as young children, suggesting a fundamental similarity in the primate mind. The research found continuity across all groups, including two species of non-human primates, human children, and adult humans.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 20, 2026

Pennington Biomedical earns fifth NIH renewal for nationally recognized Nutrition Obesity Research Center, one of only 11 in the nation

The Pennington-Louisiana Nutrition Obesity Research Center has received a five-year, $5.66 million renewal grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The award reaffirms Pennington Biomedical's position as a national leader in nutrition, obesity, and metabolic health research. The center su...

Cooperation beats selfishness more often than scientists thought

A new study reveals that cooperation does not require close family ties or reputation, but rather opponent-specific responses, leading to the emergence of cooperative behavior. This finding challenges conventional evolutionary theory and has implications for the design of more collaborative artificial intelligence systems.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 20, 2026

Self-powered system turns wastewater into water and fertilizer

Researchers developed a self-powered platform combining electrically assisted forward osmosis with microbial desalination cells, recovering water and nutrients without increasing external power consumption. The system used bioelectricity generated during organic matter oxidation to drive ion migration and fertilizer formation.

SourceChinese Society for Environmental Sciences·JournalEnvironmental Science and Ecotechnology·DateJul 20, 2026

Low-cost innovation boosts green hydrogen production

RMIT researchers have demonstrated a new way to increase green hydrogen production using low-cost materials, improving efficiency by over 80 times. The approach uses titanium dioxide and nickel to capture light energy and produce hydrogen more effectively, paving the way for cheaper clean fuel.

SourceRMIT University·JournalApplied Catalysis B Environment and Energy·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 20, 2026

When it comes to brain health, is microbiome science missing much of the world?

A new study argues that the microbiome-gut-brain axis has been predominantly studied in wealthy, industrialised nations, limiting scientific discovery. The authors call for greater international collaboration and investment in research infrastructure to uncover universal biological principles that can improve mental health worldwide.

SourceUniversity College Cork·JournalNature Mental Health·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJul 20, 2026

Nanjing University’s Chen-Yu Zhang team proposes new Piem concept: Reshaping human microbiome research and opening a new chapter in precision medicine

The concept of Persistent Intracellular Extraintestinal Microbes (PIEM) expands human microbiome research to the body's internal tissues, influencing health and disease. PIEM, including latent viruses and bacteria, regulates host physiology over years and decades, affecting immune responses, vascular homeostasis, and chronic diseases.

SourceNanjing University School of Life Sciences·JournalImmunity & Inflammation·DateJul 20, 2026

PtIn nanoalloy supported on Sn-MFI for efficient selective oxidation of glycerol to lactic acid

A highly efficient PtIn nanoalloy catalyst supported on Sn-MFI zeolite was developed for the selective oxidation of glycerol to lactic acid. The optimized catalyst achieved 96.8% glycerol conversion with 73.1% lactic acid selectivity under base-free conditions, showcasing a new strategy for designing efficient, low-Pt-loading catalysts.

Task organization in the bee colony

A team of scientists has identified a key gene that determines which tasks bees perform in their colony, and by manipulating this gene, they can selectively inhibit neural circuits to control behavior. The study reveals that inhibiting specific brain areas activates other neural circuits, allowing for age-dependent task organization.

SourceHeinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 20, 2026

Experimental demonstration of intertwined nematic and d-wave superconductive orders in cuprates superconductors

Researchers find that superconducting fluctuations enhance nematicity as temperature decreases, leading to a new understanding of electronic nematicity and its relationship with superconductivity. They also uncover the intertwined nematic and d-wave superconductive order in copper oxide high-temperature superconductors.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 20, 2026

Decoding the brain’s timekeeping machinery

Researchers discovered that brain regions switch between shared and independent timing, allowing for flexibility in coordination. This finding provides a new framework for understanding how brain regions communicate and enables the development of brain-inspired artificial intelligence and robotic control systems.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 20, 2026

Hidden cell network offers new clues to intestinal healing and disease

Researchers have discovered a hidden network of specialized mesenchymal support cells in the intestine that work together to maintain its inner lining. The study found four distinct populations of cells with unique genetic programs, each occupying specific locations and influencing stem cell activity and immune responses.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalCellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 20, 2026

A haplotype-resolved chromosomal-level genome from the 'King of Nanmu', an endangered tree species

Researchers from Guizhou Province have successfully assembled the first haplotype-resolved chromosome-level genome of Phoebe zhennan, a critically endangered tree species. The high-quality reference genome reveals significant genetic variations, including inversions and translocations, that may play key roles in environmental adaptation.

SourceInstitute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalJournal of Systematics and Evolution·DateJul 20, 2026

Bioinspired planar intelligent nanophotonic sensor for wide-angle accurate motion perception and prediction

A new bioinspired planar intelligent nanophotonic sensor has been developed for wide-angle accurate motion perception and prediction. The system uses a metalens array to achieve an ultra-wide viewing angle of 135° and enables the extraction of velocity and direction information of moving targets with high accuracy.

Smarter mobility infrastructure for a lower-carbon future

A new study suggests that future mobility infrastructure can be designed to minimize resource use and carbon emissions. By combining high-resolution global infrastructure mapping with integrated assessment frameworks, researchers found that optimizing infrastructure and production technologies can cut embodied emissions by up to 63%. T...

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalJournal of Industrial Ecology·DateJul 20, 2026

Holographic 3D printing with phase light modulators boosts efficiency 70? —and enables multi-scale printing

A new approach to tomographic volumetric additive manufacturing (TVAM) has been introduced, achieving 70 times more efficiency than previous techniques by encoding objects as holograms using phase modulation. This allows for bioprinting of structures at near-clinical scale with improved surface quality and self-healing beams.

Bar-Ilan University study: Patients are being forced to become their own medical experts

A Bar-Ilan University study finds that patients with chronic illnesses often feel compelled to become experts in their condition due to inadequate healthcare systems. This phenomenon is referred to as 'forced agency,' where patients must acquire and evaluate medical knowledge without formal training, leading to an 'epistemic burden.'

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateJul 20, 2026

Food labelling combined with higher prices for carbon-intensive foods could help reduce UK greenhouse gases by 5%, while generating social welfare gains

Economists suggest that combining food labelling with higher prices for carbon-intensive items can reduce UK greenhouse gases by 5%, while generating net social benefits. The study found that labelling led to a 5.6% decrease in the carbon content of the average food basket, while a tax on the most carbon-intensive products yielded a 10...

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Environmental Economics and Management·DateJul 20, 2026

New position statement calls for systematic bone health optimization before joint replacement and spinal fusion surgery

A new position statement calls for systematic bone health optimization before joint replacement and spinal fusion surgery. Key findings include the progressive mechanical failure of bone-implant constructs resulting from compromised bone quality, particularly due to osteoporosis.

SourceInternational Osteoporosis Foundation·JournalOsteoporosis International·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 20, 2026

Surfing webcams help demystify Oregon’s coastal fog

Scientists use commercially available surfing webcams to measure Oregon's coastal fog, revealing patchy fog patterns along 93 miles of coastline. The study found that airport measurements were a good indication of average monthly fog frequency, but surface weather conditions at the airport were not sufficient for real-time fog detection.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalAgricultural and Forest Meteorology·DateJul 20, 2026

Spousal dementia exposure and risk of dementia

A cohort study in Taiwan found that spouses of individuals with dementia had a significantly higher risk of developing dementia compared to unexposed spouses. The association varied depending on the family context and socioeconomic status, highlighting the importance of considering household factors in dementia risk assessment.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 20, 2026

Most adults born very premature go on to thrive, but one in five face lasting economic and social struggles

A landmark study tracks preterm babies from birth to middle adulthood, identifying early cognitive development as the strongest predictor of who flourishes and struggles. Childhood IQ at age 8 is linked to adult outcomes, with a 15-point increase associated with a 79% reduction in poor economic and social functioning.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 20, 2026

Single-cell atlases of the human body may not fairly represent global populations, Mount Sinai study finds

A Mount Sinai study found that single-cell atlases, used for mapping the human body and training AI models, may not accurately represent global populations. The analysis of over 13,500 samples revealed an overrepresentation of European ancestry and underrepresentation of Asian and Latino individuals, highlighting the need for diverse a...