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Science News Archive July 2026 - Page 31


Page 31 of 56

New approach to designing drugs supercharges cancer medication

Researchers have developed a new approach to designing drugs that can target multiple types of cancer cells, significantly improving treatment outcomes in mice. By self-assembling into two antibodies that bind together and attack multiple receptors, the modified antibody-drug conjugates outperformed standard treatments.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 15, 2026

Desert dust in Europe is increasing

A recent study reveals a significant increase in desert dust pollution in southern Europe, with concentrations more than twice as high as in central and northern regions. The study also highlights the potential health risks of elevated desert dust levels, particularly for respiratory problems.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalNature·DateJul 15, 2026

A superconductor's hidden identity revealed

Researchers discovered that niobium diselenide and TaS₂ exhibit two strongly interacting superconducting states, resolving a long-standing mystery about their behavior. This finding provides new insight into superconductivity and could aid in designing better superconducting materials for future technologies.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 15, 2026

Leading ADHD medications found to be equally effective in children, with one key difference

A recent study published by the University of Sydney found that dexamphetamine and methylphenidate are equally effective in treating ADHD in children, with no significant differences in symptom improvement. However, children taking dexamphetamine experienced greater weight loss compared to those taking methylphenidate.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalJournal of Paediatrics and Child Health·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 15, 2026

SwRI-led research connects asteroid collision to impact showers 800 million years ago

A Southwest Research Institute-led study proposes a connection between an asteroid collision and an inner-solar-system-wide bombardment episode 800 million years ago. The research suggests that the catastrophic breakup of the Eulalia parent body may have led to widespread impacts on Earth, coinciding with biological and geological chan...

SourceSouthwest Research Institute·JournalThe Planetary Science Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 15, 2026

ADLM 2026 to explore diabetes milestones, space diagnostics, Alzheimer’s and Down syndrome linkages, and advances in cancer screening and biomarkers

The meeting will explore breakthroughs in diabetes prevention and treatment, as well as innovative approaches to monitoring astronauts' health in space. Researchers will also discuss potential targets for slowing or preventing Alzheimer's disease in people with Down syndrome, and advancements in cervical cancer screening.

Kansas City University review highlights astrocytes as key drivers of chronic traumatic encephalopathy

A scoping review suggests astrocytic dysfunction may precede neuronal degeneration in CTE. Astrocytes' dysregulation contributes to the development of CTE's characteristic features through mechanisms including astrogliosis, disrupted waste clearance pathways, and chronic neuroinflammation.

SourceChinese Neurosurgical Journal·JournalChinese Neurosurgical Journal·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 15, 2026

Hasanuddin University study identifies barriers to customary land rights recognition in Indonesia

The study reveals that local political connections and strong NGO support are crucial for securing formal recognition of customary land rights. Communities with influential leaders and advocacy organizations like AMAN tend to succeed, while those without face significant hurdles. The researchers propose simplifying bureaucratic procedu...

SourceHasanuddin University·JournalLand Use Policy·TypeCase study·DateJul 15, 2026

IBEC-led consortium develops light-activated drugs that restore sight in blind mice

A new class of photoswitchable small molecule drugs has been developed to restore key visual functions in animal models of blindness. These compounds mimic the function of photoreceptor cells and show remarkable effectiveness at restoring sight using a simple and potentially patient-friendly approach.

SourceInstitute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC)·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 15, 2026

Daydreaming helps AI remember what matters

Researchers have developed a new version of the Daydreaming algorithm, which combines learning and cleaning to improve artificial memory systems' reliability even with biased data. The algorithm focuses on differences between pixels, allowing it to work effectively with strongly biased data, similar to real-world conditions.

SourceSissa Medialab·JournalJournal of Statistical Mechanics Theory and Experiment·DateJul 15, 2026

Blood-based test can predict risk of developing symptoms of Alzheimer's up to a decade early

A blood-based test for the biomarker p-tau217 has been shown to predict the risk of developing cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease up to a decade earlier than previously thought. The study found that individuals with very high levels of p-tau217 had a 38% absolute risk of developing cognitive impairment over five years, and...

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJAMA·TypeObservational study·DateJul 15, 2026

Many women still confused about perimenopause

A new large-scale study estimates that roughly one-third of women experience perimenopause uncertainty, which is prevalent due to knowledge gaps, symptom confusion, and healthcare barriers. The study found that younger women are more likely to cite knowledge gaps, while older women face greater challenges with accessing care.

SourceThe Menopause Society·JournalMenopause·TypeSurvey·DateJul 15, 2026

Microplastics reach even 2,000 meters below the ocean surface, study finds first cross-ocean study reveals how microplastics accumulate in deep-sea hydrothermal vent animals

A study found microplastics in 92% of deep-sea snails and mussels from hydrothermal vents over 2,000 meters below the surface. The presence and accumulation of microplastics vary depending on feeding behavior and regional differences in ocean circulation.

Molecular map of liver disease could transform how MASLD is diagnosed and monitored

A study has identified a set of plasma proteins that can be used to diagnose and monitor patients with Metabolic dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD). The researchers created a molecular disease trajectory, which identifies key sets of genes involved in the disease progression.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature Metabolism·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 14, 2026

SKKU research team led by Professor Sung-Eun Hong develops 'SyMerge' technology maximizing AI model synergy... "Modifying just one core layer is enough"

A recent breakthrough allows independently trained AI models to trade capabilities and boost overall performance when merged into a single system. By modifying just one core layer, the 'SyMerge' framework enables mutually beneficial synergy between models, solving the long-standing problem of task interference.

2D thermo-optic modulation enabled by Ag2Te QD film based micro-ring resonator

Scientists developed a 2D thermo-optic modulation platform using QD film based micro-ring resonators, achieving a 19.77-fold increase in tuning sensitivity and a 50-fold improvement in modulation speed compared to conventional devices. The hybrid system enables real-time high-speed reconfiguration with enhanced performance and reduced ...

Single-QTF dual-gas LITES sensor using mixed-frequency heterodyne demodulation

A new mixed-frequency heterodyne demodulation (MHD) architecture has been developed to address limitations of existing multi-gas LITES systems. The novel architecture enables simultaneous detection of two gas species, achieving low-crosstalk detection and excellent linearity.

EdUHK study finds parents as “coaches” boost children’s physical activity

A Hong Kong-based research team found that home-based exercise videos increase children's moderate-to-vigorous physical activity by 6-7 minutes. Parent support strategies grounded in Self-Determination Theory also help sustain motivation and meet psychological needs, leading to improved overall physical activity levels.

SourceThe Education University of Hong Kong·JournalJournal of Exercise Science & Fitness·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 14, 2026

Study tracks photogenerated hole evolution from separation to transfer in photocatalysis

A new study tracks the spatiotemporal evolution of photogenerated holes in a facet-engineered bismuth vanadate photocatalyst. The research reveals three sequential steps: ultrafast charge separation, defect-state trapping, and rapid interfacial hole transfer mediated by oxygen-related defects.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalNational Science Review·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJul 14, 2026

Prey accessibility — not abundance — may shape predator behavior in penguins

A new study of penguins and krill found that repeated predator disturbance can alter prey behavior, leading to functional prey depletion. Penguins had to dive deeper and travel farther to encounter prey, but feeding rates remained unchanged once prey were encountered.

SourceResearch Organization of Information and Systems·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateJul 14, 2026

India’s immunization program reduced child mortality but highlights need for coordinating health, education policies

A new study by University of Notre Dame economist Santosh Kumar Gautam found that India's universal immunization programme significantly reduced infant and under-five mortality rates. However, the programme had mixed effects on educational attainment, with some regions seeing increased primary school completion while others experienced...

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalJournal of Population Economics·TypeSurvey·DateJul 14, 2026

Scientists discover how macrophages – a key type of immune cells – age differently throughout the body

A new study reveals that macrophages, a key immune cell type, age differently across tissues and between sexes. The researchers found that aging macrophages become more focused on responding to stress and cellular damage, but lose some molecular programs involved in maintaining healthy tissue structure.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalBMC Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 14, 2026

Gene therapy restores key fragile X traits in preclinical study

A gene therapy approach has restored several disease-relevant traits in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome, including reduced seizure susceptibility and improved brain activity markers. The study's findings suggest that restoring the FMRP protein could improve symptoms such as sensory hypersensitivity and repetitive behavior.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalGene Therapy·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 14, 2026

Patients who suffer heart attack have more micro and nanoplastic in their blood

Patients who suffered a serious heart attack had higher levels of micro and nanoplastics in their blood compared to those with chronic ischemic heart disease and normal coronary arteries. The study also revealed that people exposed to higher levels of air pollution and smokers had higher levels of microplastics in their blood.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJul 14, 2026

Children born during lockdown in England found it more difficult to focus, follow instructions and regulate their emotions at 4 years of age

A study found that children born during the first COVID-19 lockdown in England had lower executive function skills, including difficulty focusing and regulating emotions. Overall language scores were at or above expected levels, but expressive language skills were below average.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalArchives of Disease in Childhood·TypeObservational study·DateJul 14, 2026